What Color is a Shiny Lapras? Exploring the Elusive Pinkish-Purple Variant
The question of a shiny Lapras’s color often sparks curiosity among Pokémon trainers and fans alike. The answer, quite simply, is that a shiny Lapras is pinkish-purple. This vibrant hue is a striking departure from the typical blue color Lapras is known for, making it a sought-after prize for collectors and competitive battlers. This color swap is a characteristic of shiny Pokémon, where their normal coloration is replaced with an alternative palette, adding a unique visual flair to the game.
The Standard Blue vs. The Elusive Pinkish-Purple
Lapras’s Normal Appearance
Before diving into the shiny form, it’s important to appreciate the standard appearance of Lapras. This gentle Water/Ice-type Pokémon typically sports a serene blue color, which is designed to help it blend in with its oceanic surroundings. Its body is predominantly blue, with a lighter, cream-yellow underside. The most notable feature is the grey shell on its back, adorned with blunt knobs. Lapras is renowned for its helpful nature, often transporting people and other Pokémon across vast bodies of water.
The Allure of Shiny Lapras
The shiny Lapras stands out because its familiar blue is replaced with a captivating pinkish-purple. This shift not only makes it instantly recognizable as a shiny variant but also adds an element of rarity and prestige. The change is not just a simple shift in hue; it transforms the entire aesthetic of the Pokémon, giving it a whimsical and unique appearance. This makes finding a shiny Lapras a significant achievement in any trainer’s journey.
Frequently Asked Questions about Shiny Lapras and Related Topics
To provide a more comprehensive understanding of shiny Lapras and other related topics, here are some frequently asked questions:
1. Why is my Lapras Purple?
If you see a Lapras that is purple, it’s not just any Lapras – it’s a shiny Lapras. This is due to the color palette change that occurs when a Pokémon is shiny. While the usual Lapras is blue, the shiny version displays this pinkish-purple color. There’s no other reason for a Lapras to naturally appear purple without being a shiny variant.
2. Can Lapras be Shiny?
Yes, Lapras can absolutely be shiny. This is a common feature for most Pokémon in the series, where a rare alternate color palette is present. Shiny Lapras can be found in various ways, including random encounters, specific events, and trading. This makes the quest for a shiny Lapras an exciting endeavor for many.
3. What other Shiny Pokémon are Black?
Many trainers are interested in Pokémon with black shiny forms. Some of the best black shiny Pokémon include:
- The Guardian Deities (Tapu Koko, Tapu Lele, Tapu Bulu, and Tapu Fini)
- Palossand
- Manectric
- Hawlucha
- Decidueye
- Wooloo
- Haxorus
- Aegislash
These Pokémon sport a sleek black hue, making them highly sought after.
4. What Color is Shiny Gengar?
The original shiny Gengar is not dramatically different from its normal form, sporting a paler shade of purple and lighter red eyes. However, its Mega Evolution and Gigantamax Form are where the colors truly change, turning into a stark white and creating a ghostly appearance. This makes the shiny variations of Gengar’s alternate forms particularly eye-catching.
5. Which Pokémon have White Shinies?
Several Pokémon have notable white shiny forms, with some examples being:
- Salazzle
- Xerneas
- Zeraora
- Scatterbug
- Female Meowstic
- Guzzlord
- Amaura
- Zygarde
These Pokémon display striking white colorations in their shiny forms, giving them a distinct look.
6. Is Shiny Lapras VMAX Rare?
Yes, Shiny Lapras VMAX is considered rare. While Lapras VMAX first appeared as an Ultra Rare card and a Rainbow Secret Rare card, the Shiny reprint was introduced much later. The card’s unique design, combined with its rarity, makes it a valuable addition to any Pokémon card collection.
7. How do you get a Blue Lapras?
The standard blue Lapras can be obtained in various ways throughout different Pokémon games. In the classic games like Pokémon Red, Blue, and Yellow, you typically receive one from an employee at Silph Co. Headquarters. In other games, they can be found in specific areas or through trading and events. The color blue is simply the normal coloration of Lapras, not a rare variation.
8. Does Lapras Leave Ash?
Yes, Lapras does eventually leave Ash in the anime series. The Lapras Ash meets in the Orange Islands is the same one he reunites with later on. However, this reunion is often fleeting and the Lapras sometimes appears in later episodes in more of a cameo role.
9. Is Lapras No Longer Extinct?
While Lapras was once nearly extinct in the Pokémon universe, conservation efforts and new laws, particularly during the Sun & Moon era, have helped stabilize and increase their population. Now, Lapras is no longer considered an endangered species. In early Pokémon games like Red and Blue, it was even a rare gift given to the player, emphasizing their status and the rarity of the Pokémon at that time.
10. What Dinosaur is Lapras Based On?
Lapras is primarily based on a plesiosaur, an ancient marine reptile with a long neck, flippers, and a turtle-like body. Its shell, however, also suggests some inspiration from sea turtles, combining elements of both creatures into its unique design.
11. Is Lapras Always a Girl?
No, Lapras is not always a girl. It has a 50% chance of being male or female. This means you can encounter both male and female Lapras, and the gender is determined when you obtain one, such as through an encounter, trade, or an in-game gift.
12. Is Pikachu VMAX Rare?
Yes, the Pikachu VMAX card is a rare ultra rare card in the Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG). Its special abilities, combined with its popularity, make it a highly sought-after collectible for Pokémon enthusiasts.
13. Who is the Rarest VMAX Pokemon?
The Umbreon VMAX card is often considered the most expensive and rarest VMAX Pokémon card in the Pokémon Trading Card Game. It can command high prices due to its rarity and desirability among collectors.
14. What Pokémon are Pink Shiny?
There are many Pokémon that have amazing pink shiny forms. Some notable examples include:
- Celebi
- Dragonair
- Virizion
- Weavile
- Rotom
- Furret
- Mega Swampert
- Mega Ampharos
These Pokémon showcase a range of pink hues in their shiny versions.
15. What Color is a Shiny Dragonite?
The shiny evolutions of Dratini and Dragonair are typically pink, but shiny Dragonite takes a surprising turn, being green instead. This is a rather drastic change in color scheme and makes the final evolution stand out from its pre-evolved forms.
In Conclusion
The shiny Lapras, with its distinctive pinkish-purple hue, is a testament to the fascinating world of shiny Pokémon. Its rarity and unique color palette make it a prized possession for any Pokémon trainer. Hopefully, this article has answered all your questions about shiny Lapras and related topics, ensuring you’re well-informed on this fantastic Pokemon. Happy catching, and good luck finding your shiny Lapras!