Charizard vs Lapras: Who Wins?

Lapras wins the direct matchup thanks to its superior bulk and Water/Ice typing, easily shrugging off Fire attacks to retaliate with Surf. However, Charizard is the better choice for solo playthroughs due to its high speed and sweeping potential. Choose Lapras for competitive utility, or Charizard for fast story progression.

Charizard if you need a fast story sweeper, otherwise Lapras for competitive bulk and direct matchups.

Rating Lapras · Tier NU · Role : Type advantage + Bulk

Strengths

• Higher competitive tier placement (NU)
• Direct type advantage over Charizard
• Excellent natural bulk and survivability
• Access to priority attacks with Ice Shard

Weaknesses

• Slower speed tier leaves it vulnerable to fast attackers
• Susceptible to Fighting-type coverage moves like Focus Blast

In solo and story mode, Charizard takes the crown. Its high speed and immediate offensive pressure make it ideal for clearing out NPC teams quickly without taking damage.

For structured competitive play, Lapras holds the higher ground in the NU tier, while Charizard sits lower in ZU. Lapras provides reliable bulk and unique utility that fits better into balanced competitive teams.

Beginners will find Charizard much easier to pilot. Firing off strong attacks like Flamethrower or Air Slash requires less setup and prediction than managing Lapras's defensive positioning.

In a direct face-off, Lapras comfortably wins. Charizard's Fire and Flying STAB moves struggle to break through Lapras's natural bulk and Water/Ice typing.

Even if Charizard equips a Life Orb and lands a Focus Blast, Lapras usually survives the hit. Lapras can then easily secure a heavy 2HKO or OHKO using Surf.

Charizard outspeeds Lapras significantly. However, Lapras can bypass this speed gap using Ice Shard to pick off a weakened Charizard before it can strike twice.

Charizard operates as a dangerous wallbreaker in the ZU tier. Equipping Heavy-Duty Boots is absolutely mandatory to prevent entry hazards from stripping half its health upon switching in.

Players often run Blaze or Solar Power depending on the team archetype. A moveset featuring Flamethrower, Hurricane, and Scorching Sands gives it excellent coverage against various threats.

It pairs excellently with partners like Skuntank and Hitmontop. Hitmontop provides crucial hazard control, while Skuntank absorbs incoming status and threatens Psychic-type foes.

However, Charizard falls hard to faster threats. Pokemon like Jolteon and Sneasel easily outspeed and remove it from the field, while Minior and Naclstack completely wall its offensive efforts.

Lapras secures its spot in the NU tier through sheer survivability and unique utility. With the Water Absorb ability, it completely walls opposing Water-type attackers and heals from their strikes.

Common sets utilize Heavy-Duty Boots or Leftovers to maximize longevity. Freeze-Dry is a staple move, allowing Lapras to hit opposing Water types for super effective damage.

Some players opt for an offensive Dragon Dance set utilizing Loaded Dice and Icicle Spear. This turns Lapras into a bulky setup sweeper that can catch opponents off guard.

Lapras synergizes well with teammates like Rotom-Heat and Tsareena. It does struggle against strong bulky setup sweepers like Reuniclus, which can use Lapras as setup fodder without fear.

Choosing Charizard means building around its vulnerability to entry hazards. You must pair it with reliable Rapid Spin or Defog users, which is why Hitmontop is a premier teammate in ZU.

Charizard also benefits from slow pivots like Mesprit that can bring it onto the field safely. Once positioned, Charizard can utilize Will-O-Wisp to cripple incoming physical attackers.

Lapras requires less dedicated hazard control but heavily appreciates teammates that cover its weaknesses to Fighting and Electric attacks. Golurk is an excellent partner, providing an Electric immunity and threatening opposing Electric types with Earthquake.

Alternatively, pairing Lapras with Braviary or Overqwil creates a solid defensive core. Overqwil absorbs Toxic Spikes and checks physical threats, allowing Lapras to focus on taking special hits.