Taking the Quad Abroad — Everything You Need to Know About Quad Lapras
Hey there PokeBeach! I’m thrilled to be back writing another article for you guys. Around three weeks ago, I traveled to Puerto Rico to compete in the Puerto Rico Special Event (which I highly recommend everyone consider going to in the future), and ended up making Top 8 with Quad [card name=”Lapras-GX” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”35″ c=”name”][/card]. Since then, the deck has picked up a lot of interest in the community, however there hasn’t been an article explaining the deck in detail. So, that is what I’ll be doing here today! Without further ado, let’s just jump right into the article.
The Basic Strategy
While many of you probably already know what this deck’s basic strategy consists of, I’ll quickly go over what Quad Lapras aims to do. Quad Lapras is very similar to [card name=”Wailord-EX” set=”Primal Clash” no=”38″ c=”name”][/card] decks of the past, in that it relies on big, beefy, Water-type Basics that can tank multiple hits while you disrupt your opponent with a bevy of disruption Supporters and Items. The thing that makes Lapras significantly stronger than Wailord is its ability to attack; if your opponent is ever able to load up a threat even through your disruption, you can just Ice Beam GX and then Blizzard Burn in order to take out their threat. Now that the basic strategy of the deck is out of the way, let’s take a look at my current list.
The List
[decklist name=”aad” amt=”60″ caption=”a” cname=”Lapras-GX” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”35″][pokemon amt=”5″]4x [card name=”Lapras-GX” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”35″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]1x [card name=”Wobbuffet” set=”Radiant Collection 2″ no=”RC11″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card][/pokemon][trainers amt=”45″]4x [card name=”N” set=”Fates Collide” no=”105″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Team Flare Grunt” set=”Generations” no=”73″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]2x [card name=”Lysandre” set=”Ancient Origins” no=”78″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Team Skull Grunt” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”133″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Skyla” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”148″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Olympia” set=”Generations” no=”66″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Professor Sycamore” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”107″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Delinquent” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”98″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Hex Maniac” set=”Ancient Origins” no=”75″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Professor Kukui” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”128″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Team Rocket’s Handiwork” set=”Fates Collide” no=”112″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”1″][/card]4x [card name=”VS Seeker” set=”Roaring Skies” no=”110″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Puzzle of Time” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”109″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]4x [card name=”Crushing Hammer” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”115″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card]3x [card name=”Fighting Fury Belt” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”99″ c=”deck2″ amt=”3″][/card]2x [card name=”Nest Ball” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”123″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]2x [card name=”Enhanced Hammer” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”94″ c=”deck2″ amt=”2″][/card]1x [card name=”Energy Recycler” set=”Ancient Origins” no=”72″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Float Stone” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”137″ c=”deck2″ amt=”1″][/card]1x [card name=”Switch” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”132″ c=”deck2″ divide=”yes” amt=”1″][/card]4x [card name=”Rough Seas” set=”Primal Clash” no=”137″ c=”deck2″ amt=”4″][/card][/trainers][energy amt=”10″]10x [card name=”Water Energy” set=”Evolutions” no=”93″ c=”deck2″ amt=”10″][/card][/energy][/decklist]
This is the list I took to my most recent League Cup, losing in the finals to Kevin Baxter playing Volcanion. This list has a good amount of differences from the list I posted three weeks ago, as I’ve really refined and optimized the list since then with a lot more testing. Let’s take a look at what each card offers and why I’ve chosen to play the cards I did.
Card Explanations
Four Lapras-GX
[cardimg name=”Lapras-GX” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”35″ align=”right” c=”none”][/cardimg]
[card name=”Lapras-GX” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”35″ c=”name”][/card] is the star of the whole deck, as all three of its attacks are incredible for different reasons. Collect, Lapras’ first attack, is what makes the deck really click, as it allows you to build your deck with so many disruptions cards without needing to worry too much about consistency, as Collect provides that consistency for you. Blizzard Burn is fantastic at removing threats, as with a [card name=”Fighting Fury Belt” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”99″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Professor Kukui” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”128″ c=”name”][/card] you can Knock Out any non-Belted Basic Pokemon-EX in the metagame. Finally, Ice Beam GX is perfect for neutralizing whatever threat your opponent is able to set up even through all your Energy denial, as you can Ice Beam followed by a Blizzard Burn to KO it while they’re unable to attack you. Combined with an absurd 190 HP (230 HP if you have a [card name=”Fighting Fury Belt” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”99″ c=”name”][/card]) as well as [card name=”Rough Seas” set=”Primal Clash” no=”137″ c=”name”][/card], Lapras can tank a ton of hits, allowing you to stall as much as you need to until you are able to set up; very few decks can consistently one shot Lapras.
One Wobbuffet
This card is so incredibly good as a one-of. You would rather not start with [card name=”Wobbuffet” set=”Radiant Collection 2″ no=”RC11″ c=”name”][/card] given the choice, since it can’t use Collect; but if you do happen to open it (which is a 16% chance), you slow down every other deck in the format, as they are unable to use [card name=”Shaymin-EX” set=”Roaring Skies” no=”77″ c=”name”][/card] to set up. This gives you enough time to set up your Lapras’ in the back while continuing to disrupt your opponent with your disruption cards. Wobbuffet is also incredible against [card name=”Decidueye-GX” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”12″ c=”name”][/card]; it forces them to use their Feather Arrow on Wobbuffet instead of [card name=”Lapras-GX” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”35″ c=”name”][/card], allowing your Lapras to be able to survive their Razor Leaf, as well as giving you access to all your disruption Items when you promote it once they put [card name=”Vileplume” set=”Ancient Origins” no=”3″ c=”name”][/card] down. Finally, by only playing one Wobbuffet, your opponent is desensitized to KOing it, as it is essentially a useless Prize as they’ll still need to Knock Out three Lapras-GX to win.
Four Team Flare Grunt
Lapras is a disruption deck, so why not play four of the best disruption Supporter in the game? I was toying with three [card name=”Team Flare Grunt” set=”Generations” no=”73″ c=”name”][/card] for a while, but going second this is almost always the Supporter you want to see in your opening hand, so playing four soon became a no brainer after some testing. This count should never be lowered in any circumstance.
Four N
Similar to [card name=”Team Flare Grunt” set=”Generations” no=”73″ c=”name”][/card], four [card name=”N” set=”Fates Collide” no=”105″ c=”name”][/card] is an absolute must. You rarely want to play [card name=”Professor Sycamore” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”107″ c=”name”][/card] because your hand size will always be very large, meaning you rarely want to Sycamore it all away. Thus, four N becomes absolutely necessary. Besides wanting to disrupt your opponent if they are able to take early Prizes, giving yourself a new hand of six (you rarely take early Prizes) and then being able to Collect your hand up to 10 (including your draw for the next turn) gives you plenty of cards to work with. N is strictly better than [card name=”Judge” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”143″ c=”name”][/card] as well because you want to give yourself a larger hand size in order to draw into two [card name=”Puzzle of Time” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”109″ c=”name”][/card] at the same time.
Two Lysandre
Every deck should play at least two [card name=”Lysandre” set=”Ancient Origins” no=”78″ c=”name”][/card]; the card is too good to not play. There’s not much more that needs to be said.
Two Team Skull Grunt
[cardimg name=”Team Skull Grunt” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”133″ align=”right” c=”none”][/cardimg]
This is probably the only viable deck that can utilize [card name=”Team Skull Grunt” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”133″ c=”name”][/card] well, but boy is this card good in here. Team Skull Grunt works incredibly well in here for two reasons: you can afford to use it thanks to the inherent consistency provided by Collect, and because of [card name=”Crushing Hammer” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”115″ c=”name”][/card] you can cripple your opponent’s field as well as their hand in the same turn. Team Skull Grunt is also incredible against [card name=”Decidueye-GX” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”12″ c=”name”][/card] / [card name=”Vileplume” set=”Ancient Origins” no=”3″ c=”name”][/card], as you can essentially render their Hollow Hunt GX useless with just one Team Skull Grunt. Finally, if your opponent ever tries to [card name=”Shaymin-EX” set=”Roaring Skies” no=”77″ c=”name”][/card] loop you (it’s not a viable strategy against Lapras, but I’ve seen it done), you can just Skull Grunt away their Energy and make them cry.
One Professor Sycamore
This is the biggest change in the list since my previous list. The more I’ve tested [card name=”Professor Sycamore” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”107″ c=”name”][/card], the more I’ve come to realize that it just does not belong in Lapras. Lapras constantly has huge hand sizes and has cards such as [card name=”Puzzle of Time” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”109″ c=”name”][/card] that you just cannot afford to discard. At my League Cup this weekend, I decided to play one as insurance just in case I had unplayable hands, and I didn’t end up using, or even wanting, Professor Sycamore once. Playing one as insurance is totally acceptable, but this card is going to be cut from my next list in favor of another tech.
One Hex Maniac
[card name=”Hex Maniac” set=”Ancient Origins” no=”75″ c=”name”][/card] is really solid against a lot of decks to slow them down (such as [card name=”M Rayquaza-EX” set=”Roaring Skies” no=”76″ c=”name”][/card]), but it really shines in the [card name=”Decidueye-GX” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”12″ c=”name”][/card] / [card name=”Vileplume” set=”Ancient Origins” no=”3″ c=”name”][/card] matchup. Like [card name=”Wobbuffet” set=”Radiant Collection 2″ no=”RC11″ c=”name”][/card], Hex Maniac gives you access to all of your disruption Items that you otherwise wouldn’t be able to play. Just one turn of being able to use [card name=”Crushing Hammer” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”115″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Enhanced Hammer” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”94″ c=”name”][/card] against Decidueye sets them back so much. On top of that, you also get to shut off their Feather Arrow, giving you two free turns of [card name=”Rough Seas” set=”Primal Clash” no=”137″ c=”name”][/card] healing.
One Olympia
[card name=”Olympia” set=”Generations” no=”66″ c=”name”][/card] is one of the best ways for this deck to reset Blizzard Burn as well as provide a little bit of extra healing. Lapras doesn’t rely too much on being able to stream Blizzard Burn, so only one Supporter spot is needed in the list dedicated towards resetting Blizzard Burn. This spot came down to deciding between [card name=”Pokémon Ranger” set=”Steam Siege” no=”104″ c=”name”][/card] and Olympia, and Olympia was pretty clearly the better option. Besides being able to reset Blizzard Burn, Olympia provides the utility of being able to switch a [card name=”Lysandre” set=”Ancient Origins” no=”78″ c=”name”][/card]d target, as well as the additional heal. These extra benefits, coupled with the fact that Lapras doesn’t struggle with [card name=”Regice” set=”Ancient Origins” no=”24″ c=”name”][/card], [card name=”Jolteon-EX” set=”Generations” no=”28″ c=”name”][/card], or [card name=”Glaceon-EX” set=”Fates Collide” no=”20″ c=”name”][/card] whatsoever, made Olympia over Pokemon Ranger an obvious call.
[premium]
One Delinquent
[card name=”Delinquent” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”98″ c=”name”][/card] is really important for winning the Stadium war, which is really critical not only to give you the consistent healing of [card name=”Rough Seas” set=”Primal Clash” no=”137″ c=”name”][/card], but also because many decks (such as [card name=”M Rayquaza-EX” set=”Roaring Skies” no=”76″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Decidueye-GX” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”12″ c=”name”][/card] / [card name=”Vileplume” set=”Ancient Origins” no=”3″ c=”name”][/card]) are extremely reliant on winning the Stadium war themselves. Plus, Delinquent also gives you the ability to punish someone for having a small hand size, which can give you free wins, something that should never be overlooked when competing in big events such as Regionals: every win counts, no matter how you get it (within the rules, of course. Don’t cheat!).
One Professor Kukui
[card name=”Professor Kukui” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”128″ c=”name”][/card] has two useful aspects that make it warrant a spot in the list. First, the extra 20 damage it provides is crucial to Knock Out 180 HP Pokemon in one hit with Blizzard Burn. Without this extra damage, Turbo Darkrai in particular would be very difficult to deal with. This extra 20 damage is also important to Knocking Out the [card name=”Mewtwo-EX” set=”Evolutions” no=”52″ c=”from”][/card], which some people have been teching in to their [card name=”M Mewtwo-EX” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”64″ c=”name”][/card] decks in order to counter Lapras. Second, Kukui provides you a little extra draw that you would not otherwise have with your Supporters. There are turns where you have one piece in your hand (such as one [card name=”Puzzle of Time” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”109″ c=”name”][/card]), but don’t want to [card name=”N” set=”Fates Collide” no=”105″ c=”name”][/card] and have to hit them both. Professor Kukui lets you dig a little and gives you a chance to hit the card you’re looking for without needing to N.
One Skyla
Man this card is so good. [card name=”Skyla” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”148″ c=”name”][/card] is similar to [card name=”Professor Kukui” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”128″ c=”name”][/card] in that it gives you an option besides playing [card name=”N” set=”Black and White Black Star Promos” no=”BW100″ c=”name”][/card] to get a specific card. It can fetch you so many useful cards; [card name=”Rough Seas” set=”Primal Clash” no=”137″ c=”name”][/card], a second [card name=”Puzzle of Time” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”109″ c=”name”][/card], [card name=”Fighting Fury Belt” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”99″ c=”name”][/card], [card name=”Nest Ball” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”123″ c=”name”][/card], and more. With Skyla, you can access every card in your deck besides Energy. It’s incredible how much this card opens up the options you have with your turn.
One Team Rocket’s Handiwork
[cardimg name=”Team Rocket’s Handiwork” set=”Fates Collide” no=”112″ align=”right” c=”none”][/cardimg]
I originally had this card in the deck for the Lapras mirror, but I’ve come to realize it’s so much better than just that. Mid to late game, after you’ve forced your opponent to use many of their resources, [card name=”Team Rocket’s Handiwork” set=”Fates Collide” no=”112″ c=”name”][/card] can help you strip them of the rest of their important resources. Team Rocket’s Handiwork also gives Lapras a viable deck out option. Twice at my League Cup, I used Handiwork followed by an [card name=”N” set=”Fates Collide” no=”105″ c=”name”][/card] the following turn to force my opponent to draw their entire deck. During another one of my rounds, I ended up discarding three of my opponent’s four [card name=”Darkrai-EX” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”74″ c=”name”][/card], which essentially won me the game after that turn. It’s almost impossible to play around Team Rocket’s Handiwork, so this card can really catch your opponent off guard and swing the game off some deadly discards.
Four VS Seeker
Like [card name=”Lysandre” set=”Ancient Origins” no=”78″ c=”name”][/card], this is self explanatory. Every deck besides [card name=”Decidueye-GX” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”12″ c=”name”][/card] / [card name=”Vileplume” set=”Ancient Origins” no=”3″ c=”name”][/card] should be playing four [card name=”VS Seeker” set=”Roaring Skies” no=”110″ c=”name”][/card].
Four Crushing Hammer
Lapras is a disruption deck, so four [card name=”Crushing Hammer” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”115″ c=”name”][/card] is mandatory in here; it’s the best disruption Item in Standard.
Four Puzzle of Time
[card name=”Puzzle of Time” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”109″ c=”name”][/card] allows you to get back all of your disruption cards, such as [card name=”Crushing Hammer” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”115″ c=”name”][/card], [card name=”VS Seeker” set=”Roaring Skies” no=”110″ c=”name”][/card], [card name=”Rough Seas” set=”Primal Clash” no=”137″ c=”name”][/card], and other important resources. Without Puzzle of Time, this deck would have a tough time stripping your opponent of their resources completely. Thus, if you choose to play [card name=”Max Elixir” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”102″ c=”name”][/card] over Puzzle of Time, the deck takes on an entirely different flavor, and thus has very different matchups.
Three Fighting Fury Belt
Your opponent is going to need to Knock Out three [card name=”Lapras-GX” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”35″ c=”name”][/card] in order to win, and you almost never play down more than three Lapras in a game anyways, so three Fighting Fury Belt is the perfect count to make sure each Lapras your opponent has to deal with has the most HP possible.
Two Nest Ball
Usually, you can draw into all the Pokemon you need through [card name=”N” set=”Fates Collide” no=”105″ c=”name”][/card] and Collect, but [card name=”Nest Ball” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”123″ c=”name”][/card] gives just enough Pokemon search to ensure you rarely get benched. Plus, you can always [card name=”Skyla” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”148″ c=”name”][/card] for Nest Ball, giving you a guaranteed Pokemon with your Supporter for the turn.
Two Enhanced Hammer
Originally, I was running one [card name=”Enhanced Hammer” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”94″ c=”name”][/card], as I figured that coupled with [card name=”Puzzle of Time” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”109″ c=”name”][/card] was all I needed. I soon found out that [card name=”M Rayquaza-EX” set=”Roaring Skies” no=”76″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”M Mewtwo-EX” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”64″ c=”name”][/card] were really tough matchups with only one Enhanced Hammer, but became much more manageable with two. I don’t think three is needed, nor do I think I could justify a third Enhanced Hammer over other tech cards, so I recommend sticking at two.
One Energy Recycler
[cardimg name=”Energy Recycler” set=”Ancient Origins” no=”72″ align=”right” c=”none”][/cardimg]
Every time I used [card name=”Super Rod” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”149″ c=”name”][/card], I always found myself getting three Energy back; I never found myself wanting to put back a Pokemon, whether it be a [card name=”Lapras-GX” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”35″ c=”name”][/card] or a [card name=”Wobbuffet” set=”Radiant Collection 2″ no=”RC11″ c=”name”][/card]. Thus, I switched to [card name=”Energy Recycler” set=”Ancient Origins” no=”72″ c=”name”][/card], which gives you much more recovery, and is also essential in the mirror match, as that matchup comes down to who as more Energy left once all the disruption is used.
One Float Stone, One Switch
Lapras rarely ever switches; usually whatever you have in the Active will stay there until it dies. However, if you ever need to retreat for any reason, or if something gets [card name=”Lysandre” set=”Ancient Origins” no=”78″ c=”name”][/card]d, this, coupled with [card name=”Olympia” set=”Generations” no=”66″ c=”name”][/card], gives the deck all the mobility it needs. You can also get these back with [card name=”Puzzle of Time” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”109″ c=”name”][/card] if you ever need to use them more than once.
Four Rough Seas
This is another one of those “don’t touch this card count ever” cards. You always want to win the Stadium war, and the healing [card name=”Rough Seas” set=”Primal Clash” no=”137″ c=”name”][/card] gives you is so important for Lapras’ survivability, so you absolutely should always play four Rough Seas.
10 Energy
This is the perfect count. It’s just enough to allow you to draw into them early to start setting up with Collect, as well as enough to power up multiple Lapras, especially when combined with Energy Recycler.
Potential Inclusions
Good Potential Inclusions
While I think my list is as good as you’re going to get (besides the [card name=”Professor Sycamore” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”107″ c=”name”][/card]), there are a few other cards you can consider.
One Professor’s Letter
This is probably what I’m cutting the [card name=”Professor Sycamore” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”107″ c=”name”][/card] for. Like I said in the [card name=”Skyla” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”148″ c=”name”][/card] section, Skyla can get you access to any card you need in the deck, besides for Energy. So, it only makes sense to give yourself access to every card with your deck by playing [card name=”Professor’s Letter” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”146″ c=”name”][/card]. Usually, all you need on turn one to set up is Energy, so giving yourself another out to it hitting Energy is incredibly strong.
Second Skyla
This card is so good, that I’ve been trying really hard to find room for a second one. [card name=”Professor’s Letter” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”146″ c=”name”][/card] provides more to the deck overall, but if I had another slot I’d absolutely play another Skyla.
Poor Potential Inclusions
Here are some cards that many people play that I personally do not think belong in Quad Lapras.
Max Potion
[cardimg name=”Max Potion” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”103″ align=”right” c=”none”][/cardimg]
Yes, this is a tanky deck, so [card name=”Max Potion” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”103″ c=”name”][/card] on the surface makes a lot of sense in Lapras, like it did in [card name=”Wailord-EX” set=”Primal Clash” no=”38″ c=”name”][/card], as an option to completely reset your Lapras. However, unlike Wailord, Lapras needs to be attaching Energy every turn, while Wailord rarely played Energy. Because Lapras plays no way to accelerate Energy, being forced to discard all of your Energy is really punishing, and rarely is something you want to do.
Max Elixir
Speaking of ways to accelerate Energy, we have [card name=”Max Elixir” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”102″ c=”name”][/card]. Unlike [card name=”Max Potion” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”103″ c=”name”][/card], which I think is strictly bad, Max Elixir can merit consideration to be included in Quad Lapras. By playing Max Elixir, you give Lapras an element of speed that allows it to keep up with some faster decks, specifically Volcanion. However, if you play Max Elixir, it’s only worth it to play it in a higher count (three or four), and the only thing you can really cut to fit it is [card name=”Puzzle of Time” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”109″ c=”name”][/card]. Thus, you completely alter the deck and its strategy; with Max Elixir the deck becomes much more aggressive, while with Puzzle of Time the deck takes a much slower, disruptive route. Both options are strong, but I believe the Puzzle version has stronger overall matchups, so I’ve opted to play that version and do not regret not having Max Elixir.
Pokemon Ranger
I explained this a bit earlier, but I’ll just reiterate it here. You really don’t need [card name=”Pokémon Ranger” set=”Steam Siege” no=”104″ c=”name”][/card], as you have plenty of ways to reset Blizzard Burn already and don’t struggle at all with [card name=”Jolteon-EX” set=”Generations” no=”28″ c=”name”][/card], [card name=”Glaceon-EX” set=”Fates Collide” no=”20″ c=”name”][/card], or [card name=”Regice” set=”Ancient Origins” no=”24″ c=”name”][/card].
Pokemon Center Lady
I really don’t understand why people play this card. If you’re not using your Supporter to disrupt, switch, or get a crucial Knock Out, you’re wasting your Supporter for the turn. [card name=”Pokémon Center Lady” set=”Generations” no=”68″ c=”name”][/card] offers a tiny amount of disruption in the form of healing, but rarely if ever have I needed the additional healing that Pokemon Center Lady offers; [card name=”Rough Seas” set=”Primal Clash” no=”137″ c=”name”][/card] has always been sufficient for me.
Matchups
If you want to see Lapras’ matchups against Yveltal, [card name=”Decidueye-GX” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”12″ c=”name”][/card] / [card name=”Vileplume” set=”Ancient Origins” no=”3″ c=”name”][/card], and [card name=”M Mewtwo-EX” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”64″ c=”name”][/card], be sure to check out my last article where I detailed those matchups. Not much has changed in regards to those matchups even with the differences with the lists, so my matchup explanations there are still relevant and do not need to be updated. With that out of the way, let’s take a look at the matchups I didn’t cover in my previous article.
Vespiquen and Lurantis Decks
Let’s just get these decks out of the way. Unless they dead draw or you get incredibly lucky with your [card name=”Team Skull Grunt” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”133″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Team Rocket’s Handiwork” set=”Fates Collide” no=”112″ c=”name”][/card], you’re going to get demolished by both of these decks. Lapras struggles against anything that can consistently one shot it for one Energy or accelerate Energy, and these decks can do that very easily. While I advocate for playing every match out, as you never know what’s going to happen, this is one of those matchups that you can resign yourself to losing to as soon as the round begins.
Volcanion
This is the other matchup that is extremely difficult, but unlike [card name=”Vespiquen” set=”Ancient Origins” no=”10″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Lurantis-GX” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”15″ c=”name”][/card], you can actually steal series against Volcanion thanks to their Water Weakness. Volcanion isn’t affected by your Energy denial and disruption thanks to baby [card name=”Volcanion” set=”Steam Siege” no=”25″ c=”name”][/card], and can one shot your [card name=”Lapras-GX” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”35″ c=”name”][/card] very easily thanks to Steam Up. Unless Volcanion whiffs a lot, you’re probably going to lose this matchup without [card name=”Max Elixir” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”102″ c=”name”][/card], as it takes you so long to get a Lapras powered up to one shot their threats.
Turbo Darkrai
While Darkrai seems like a poor matchup in theory, as they have Energy recovery with [card name=”Yveltal” set=”Steam Siege” no=”65″ c=”name”][/card] and can one shot you with [card name=”Darkrai-EX” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”74″ c=”name”][/card], it’s actually a really strong matchup. It takes them a long time to ramp up with Darkrai in order to one shot you, especially with all of the constant Energy denial you have. You completely negate their Oblivion Wing damage with [card name=”Rough Seas” set=”Primal Clash” no=”137″ c=”name”][/card], which is usually crucial for Turbo Darkrai’s ability to pick up Knock Outs early and mid game. Targeting down the Darkrai-EX with [card name=”Exp. Share” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”118″ c=”name”][/card] attached to them is also important, as that is their way of keeping Energy on board for the late game. Plus, with [card name=”Professor Kukui” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”128″ c=”name”][/card], you don’t have to rely on the Ice Beam GX / Blizzard Burn combination in order to Knock Out a threatening Darkrai.
Mega Rayquaza
[cardimg name=”Crushing Hammer” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”115″ align=”right” c=”none”][/cardimg]
Honestly, there is very little skill to this matchup. It really comes down to luck, on both sides. If Lapras hits a significant amount of their [card name=”Crushing Hammer” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”115″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Team Skull Grunt” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”133″ c=”name”][/card], or if [card name=”M Rayquaza-EX” set=”Roaring Skies” no=”76″ c=”name”][/card] cannot continuously draw into a Stadium, [card name=”Double Colorless Energy” set=”Evolutions” no=”90″ c=”name”][/card], [card name=”Mega Turbo” set=”Roaring Skies” no=”86″ c=”name”][/card], and a full Bench in order to one shot your [card name=”Lapras-GX” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”35″ c=”name”][/card], Lapras should steamroll Mega Rayquaza. However, if Mega Rayquaza can constantly hit their [card name=”Sky Field” set=”Roaring Skies” no=”89″ c=”name”][/card] and have enough Energy to attack (usually when your Hammer flips are going poorly), Mega Rayquaza can just obliterate Lapras in a few turns. This matchup is as 50 / 50 as it can get.
Mega Gardevoir
[card name=”M Gardevoir-EX” set=”Steam Siege” no=”79″ c=”name”][/card] is a favorable matchup, because they don’t run that much Energy or Energy recovery, and are usually forced to two shot your [card name=”Lapras-GX” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”35″ c=”name”][/card]. A standard Gardevoir list usually runs seven Energy, three [card name=”Mega Turbo” set=”Roaring Skies” no=”86″ c=”name”][/card], and one [card name=”Super Rod” set=”BREAKthrough” no=”149″ c=”name”][/card], so it’s usually very easy to disrupt them enough where they are struggling to pull off back-to-back attacks. A lot of Gardevoir lists have dropped down to three [card name=”Sky Field” set=”Roaring Skies” no=”89″ c=”name”][/card] as well, making it very easy to win the Stadium war due to [card name=”Delinquent” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”98″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Rough Seas” set=”Primal Clash” no=”137″ c=”name”][/card]. Finally, [card name=”Hex Maniac” set=”Ancient Origins” no=”75″ c=”name”][/card] is really clutch in this matchup, as you can prevent them from using [card name=”Dragonite-EX” set=”Evolutions” no=”72″ c=”name”][/card] to replenish their Bench, [card name=”Hoopa-EX” set=”Ancient Origins” no=”36″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Shaymin-EX” set=”Roaring Skies” no=”77″ c=”name”][/card] which hurts their ability to set up, as well as stops [card name=”Rattata” set=”Evolutions” no=”66″ c=”name”][/card] from removing your [card name=”Fighting Fury Belt” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”99″ c=”name”][/card], thus giving them the ability to one shot you if they discard a full Bench of eight. Plus, you don’t need [card name=”Professor Kukui” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”128″ c=”name”][/card] to one shot a [card name=”Gardevoir-EX” set=”Steam Siege” no=”78″ c=”name”][/card] (just a Fighting Fury Belt), which can punish your opponents for trying to play around Ice Beam GX’s Paralysis by waiting to Mega evolve the turn you use your GX attack.
Tauros-GX / Hammers
I honestly had no idea that this was a viable deck, but it did well at the Utah Regional Championships, so I figured I’d mention it. This matchup should be very easy, as [card name=”Tauros-GX” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”100″ c=”name”][/card] relies on you attacking them to do damage, as well as needs two Energy to do anything. Never attack into them unless you can one shot them, or if you’re going for the Ice Beam GX / Blizzard Burn combination. Their disruption does not matter either, as you have more of it in return, only Basic Energy (making their [card name=”Enhanced Hammer” set=”Phantom Forces” no=”94″ c=”name”][/card] useless), as well as [card name=”Energy Recycler” set=”Ancient Origins” no=”72″ c=”name”][/card] plus [card name=”Puzzle of Time” set=”BREAKpoint” no=”109″ c=”name”][/card].
Quad Lapras
And now we’re left with one of the most boring matchups I’ve ever played. This matchup comes down to one thing: how much Energy you are able to get to stick in play. In this matchup, you want to power up a Benched [card name=”Lapras-GX” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”35″ c=”name”][/card] as soon as you can, as that can only be disrupted with [card name=”Crushing Hammer” set=”Sun and Moon” no=”115″ c=”name”][/card] while the Active can also be disrupted with [card name=”Team Flare Grunt” set=”Generations” no=”73″ c=”name”][/card]. [card name=”Energy Recycler” set=”Ancient Origins” no=”72″ c=”name”][/card] and [card name=”Team Rocket’s Handiwork” set=”Fates Collide” no=”112″ c=”name”][/card] are key in this matchup, as Handiwork allows you to discard your opponent’s important resources, while Energy Recycler allows you to get back your most important resource in the matchup: your Energy. Once all of the disruption from both sides is used, the game will come down to whoever has the most Energy left on board and in their decks. If you play my list, you’ll have the best possible chance of winning what otherwise is a really boring and skill-less mirror match.
Conclusion
Well, that’s all I have for you guys today. I hope you enjoyed this piece, as I always love talking about decks that I’ve put a lot of playtesting time into, as I feel I have the most knowledge to share about those particular decks. However, if this article hasn’t whet your Lapras appetite enough, please check out my last article, as well as my most recent YouTube video, where I also breakdown Quad Lapras (and soon will have gameplay footage of the deck as well). Thanks again for reading, and I’ll see you all next time!
~Eric
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