Lapu-Lapu has officially returned to the spotlight in Mobile Legends: Bang Bang. Thanks to his recent buffs, he’s now considered one of the most reliable and powerful EXP laners in the current meta. His enhanced durability and damage output have made him a top pick for both ranked games and competitive tournaments.
One of the clearest signs of his META status is how pro players are already taking full advantage of his rework. In the Sibol 2025 Semi-Finals, TLPH’s Sanford used Lapu-Lapu in Game 2 against Team Falcons and led his team to a convincing win. Let’s take a closer look at what makes Lapu-Lapu so powerful in the current meta.
Lapu-Lapu’s META-Defining Buffs
Lapu-Lapu recently received significant changes to his skill set, particularly to Skill 1 – Land Shaker and Skill 2 – Storm Sword. These buffs not only increased his effectiveness in team fights but also improved his survivability in high-pressure situations.
For his Skill 1 – Land Shaker, the major change is that it can now only be interrupted by Suppression during casting. This makes it far more reliable as an initiation or poke tool in laning and mid-to-late game skirmishes. Players no longer have to worry about being easily canceled by stuns or knock-ups, giving Lapu-Lapu a consistent edge in trades.
His Skill 2 – Storm Sword saw the most impactful improvement. Upon hitting an enemy hero, Lapu-Lapu now gains 30% damage reduction, and for each additional hero hit, he gains an extra 8%, capping at 62% damage reduction when hitting five enemies. This change turns him into a true bruiser, capable of absorbing damage while dealing significant burst and sustained DPS.
Build Damage, Stay Tanky
This new skill interaction allows players to shift their item builds. Before the buff, most Lapu-Lapu mains leaned toward semi-tank setups. However, with the massive damage reduction he now gains through Storm Sword, you can safely build two offensive items and still act as a frontliner in team fights.
Popular build paths now include Bloodlust Axe or War Axe for sustain and cooldown reduction, paired with a burst item like Hunter Strike or Blade of the Heptaseas. With a couple of defensive items added later, Lapu-Lapu becomes nearly unstoppable in prolonged fights, especially when positioned properly and timed right.
Pro Tips for Team Fights
If you’re planning to dive into fights using Lapu-Lapu’s ultimate combo, timing is everything. One of the best tactics is to land Storm Sword first before activating your ultimate. This ensures you have that damage reduction active, increasing your survivability as you commit fully to the clash.
Additionally, try to position yourself to hit multiple heroes with Storm Sword. The more enemies you connect with, the higher your damage reduction becomes. In 5v5 scenarios, hitting even two or three targets can give you over 40% damage reduction — enough to survive most counterattacks.
Why Lapu-Lapu is a Priority Pick
Lapu-Lapu offers a complete kit: mobility, burst, survivability, and crowd control. The recent buffs elevated his strengths without introducing any glaring weaknesses. He performs exceptionally well in both isolated duels and team-oriented engagements, making him a flexible choice for different matchups and playstyles.
As tournaments like Sibol 2025 continue to showcase top-tier talent, expect Lapu-Lapu to stay in the spotlight. If you want to rank up or contribute more in your team’s draft, learning Lapu-Lapu is a smart move right now.
Final Thoughts: Adapt Now or Fall Behind
Lapu-Lapu’s resurgence in the META isn’t just a temporary spike — it’s a reflection of how effective well-balanced reworks can be. His kit now rewards aggressive plays while maintaining enough tankiness to survive sticky situations. Whether you’re a pro or a solo queue warrior, mastering Lapu-Lapu can give you a massive edge in today’s meta.
FAQs
Q: What makes Lapu-Lapu META right now?
A: His recent buffs, especially to Skill 2 – Storm Sword, give him massive damage reduction in team fights while allowing him to deal high damage.
Q: What’s the max damage reduction he can get?
A: Up to 62% if Storm Sword hits five enemy heroes (30% base + 8% per extra hero).
Q: Can I go full damage build with Lapu-Lapu?
A: You can build two core damage items early and still maintain tankiness due to his damage reduction. However, you should still include defensive items later for late-game scaling.
Q: Is Lapu-Lapu good in ranked games?
A: Absolutely. He excels in both solo queue and team play, thanks to his versatility, tankiness, and team fight impact.
Q: Who counters Lapu-Lapu?
A: Heroes with Suppression (like Franco or Kaja) can interrupt his Skill 1 and ultimate combo. Also, avoid diving without Storm Sword’s damage reduction.
