IF / MLBB#037

SEASON 42 PROFILE

Courageous Blade

Lapu-Lapu

Homeland Defender builds bravery through damage and grants an empowered attack with a shield. Bravest Fighter joins Lapu-Lapu's blades and changes his kit, so he should enter with the bar prepared to benefit from the transformation immediately.

DATA REVIEWED 13.10.2026 · PATCH 2.2.16

HOW TO PLAY

Lapu-Lapu guide for Season 42

DAMAGE: Physical
ATTACK: Melee
SPECIALTY: Chase / Burst
MAIN POSITIONS: EXP Lane
IN THE GAME SINCE: 2017

01EARLY GAME
Charge Homeland Defender with Justice Blades across both wave and opponent before accepting a melee trade.
02MID GAME
Jungle Warrior corrects the angle and Bravest Fighter starts the heavy sequence. Commit when the enemy cannot simply walk out of the area.
03LATE GAME
In late fights, reach at least two targets or the main enemy damage dealer; spending the entire transformation on a tank leaves the back line free.

IF / LOADOUT LAB

Three builds. One draft.

Choose the lane or job first. Hover or use the keyboard on any item, talent or emblem to see exactly what it does. Spells and blessings are explained alongside their icons.Choose the lane or job first. Tap any item, talent or emblem to open its explanation. Spells and blessings are explained alongside their icons.

EXP Sustain Default

Default EXP setup for ranked games where Lapu-Lapu needs War Axe stacking, Hunter Strike chase tempo, and Queen's Wings to finish Great Sword windows.

11,190 GOLD

WHAT IT DOES
+18 Magic Defense. +40 Movement Speed. Fortitude: CC and Slow Duration Reduced by 30%
Magic Defense
+18
Movement Speed
+40
WHAT IT DOES
+400 HP. +8% Spell Vamp. +35 Physical Attack. +10% Cooldown Reduction. Fighting Spirit: Attacks grants 12 extra Physical Attack per second for 4 seconds, up to 6 stacks. Deals 10% extra True Damage based on the damage dealt (no damage reduction counted) at full stacks. (Marksmen, Mages, and Supports only receive 50% of these stacked effects.)
HP
+400
Spell Vamp
+8%
Physical Attack
+35
Cooldown Reduction
+10%
WHAT IT DOES
+80 Physical Attack. +10% Cooldown Reduction. 15 Physical Penetration. Retribution: Dealing damage to an enemy hero or Creep for 5 times in a row and grants 50% extra Movement Speed that decays rapidly over 3s. This effect has 8s cooldown.
Physical Attack
+80
Cooldown Reduction
+10%
WHAT IT DOES
+600 HP. +10% Spell Vamp. +40 Adaptive Attack. +10% Cooldown Reduction. Demonize: When HP drops below 40%, gains 30% Damage Reduction for 3 seconds and reduces the skill cooldown by 2 seconds. This effect has a 60 seconds cooldown. Defiance: For every 1% HP lost, damage is increased by 0.25%, up to 15%
HP
+600
Spell Vamp
+10%
Adaptive Attack
+40
Cooldown Reduction
+10%
WHAT IT DOES
+40 Physical Defense. +5% Movement Speed. +40 Magic Defense. Fortress Shield: For each enemy hero within 5 units, Hybrid Defense is increased by 8, up to 40. Lifebane: Reduces Shield and HP Regen effects of nearby enemies within 5 units to 60% of normal for 1 second.
Physical Defense
+40
Movement Speed
+5%
Magic Defense
+40
WHAT IT DOES
+800 HP. +15 Physical Defense. Immortal: Revives 2.5s after death and gaining 16% Max HP and 220-1200 shield (scales with level) that lasts for 3s. (210 cooldown).
HP
+800
Physical Defense
+15

EMBLEM + 2 STANDARD TALENTS + 1 CORE TALENT

BASE EMBLEM

Recommended emblem setup for this build.

Hybrid Lifesteal: +10%
Adaptive Attack: +16
Hybrid Defense: +8

STANDARD TALENT

Gain 8 extra Physical & Magic Defense.

STANDARD TALENT

Gain 6% Spell Vamp. Each hero kill or assist grants an additional 0.5% Spell Vamp, up to 12 stacks.

CORE TALENT

Brave Smite: Dealing skill damage to an enemy hero recovers 5% Max HP. CD: 6 seconds.

BATTLE SPELL

120s

Flicker

Blinks the hero a short distance in the chosen direction. It can be used to engage, reposition, escape, or cross some walls.

ADAPT ITEMS AND BLESSINGS TO THE MATCH

WHAT IT DOES

+18 Physical Defense. +40 Movement Speed. Valor: Gain 4 extra Physical Defense for 3s when taking Physical Damage, up to 20

Physical Defense: +18
Movement Speed: +40

WHAT IT DOES

+18 Magic Defense. +40 Movement Speed. Fortitude: CC and Slow Duration Reduced by 30%

Magic Defense: +18
Movement Speed: +40

Warrior Boots FOR Tough BootsUse into physical EXP lanes when the enemy control chain is light enough to skip Fortitude.

WHAT IT DOES

+850 HP. +20 Physical Defense. +20 Magic Defense. +10% Cooldown Reduction. Bless: Received Shield and HP Regen effects are increased by 25%.

HP: +850
Physical Defense: +20
Magic Defense: +20
Cooldown Reduction: +10%

WHAT IT DOES

+40 Physical Defense. +5% Movement Speed. +40 Magic Defense. Fortress Shield: For each enemy hero within 5 units, Hybrid Defense is increased by 8, up to 40. Lifebane: Reduces Shield and HP Regen effects of nearby enemies within 5 units to 60% of normal for 1 second.

Physical Defense: +40
Movement Speed: +5%
Magic Defense: +40

Oracle FOR Dominance IceUse when anti-heal is already covered and extra shield plus HP regen value lets Great Sword trades last longer.

WHAT IT DOES

+900 HP. +2 HP Regen. +48 Magic Defense. Shield: Upon taking Magic Damage, gains 25% Magic Damage Reduction for 3s (applies before taking damage). Regains this effect 5s after leaving combat.

HP: +900
HP Regen: +2
Magic Defense: +48

WHAT IT DOES

Physical Defense: +40
Movement Speed: +5%
Magic Defense: +40

Athena's Shield FOR Dominance IceUse when burst magic can remove you before Queen's Wings and Bravery Blessing can stabilize the entry.

WHAT IT DOES

+20% Attack Speed. +80 Physical Attack. Lifebane: Dealing damage to a target will reduce the Shield and HP Regen effects on them to 60% of normal for 3s. Punish: Increase damage by 8% against enemy heroes with higher extra HP.

Attack Speed: +20%
Physical Attack: +80

WHAT IT DOES

Physical Defense: +40
Movement Speed: +5%
Magic Defense: +40

Sea Halberd FOR Dominance IceUse when your team needs damage-applied Lifebane into high-HP sustain targets instead of a defensive aura.

IF / KIT

Abilities at a glance

Hover or use the keyboard on any ability to read exactly what it does in game.Tap any ability to open its in-game explanation. Tap elsewhere to close it.

IF / LIVE META

Lapu-Lapu in ranked and pro play

AUTOMATIC SNAPSHOT13 Oct 2026

CURRENT TIERC

WIN RATE: 48.64%
PICK RATE: 0.32%
BAN RATE: 0.27%
WIN-RATE CHANGE: -0.24 pp

OUR READING

Lapu-Lapu is a niche choice here. The result is worth watching, but a low pick rate means it should not be read in isolation.

Seven-day ranked data, updated 13 Oct 2026 · MLBBHub · cross-checked with MLBB.io

Historical tournament snapshot, checked 13 Oct 2026

PRO / MLBB Mid Season Cup 2026USED IN COMPETITION

PICKS: 12
RECORD: 8-4
BANS: 10
DRAFT PRESENCE: 19.47%

Lapu-Lapu has appeared in the tournament draft 22 times. This is tournament context, not a global verdict on the hero.

Tournament statistics · Liquipedia · CC BY-SA 3.0

PATCH ARCHIVE

Every buff, nerf and adjustment

IF / PATCH TRACKER

Lapu-Lapu's full patch history

Every documented buff, nerf and adjustment, ordered from the latest patch backwards.

12documented patches

12 patches shown

v1.5.62ADJUSTMENT
- ADJUSTMENTSlightly reduced Lapu-Lapu's damage.
- NERFPassive: Physical Attack Bonus for enhanced Basic Attacks' Damage: 200% → 150%
- NERFPassive: Base Damage of the first 2 attacks: 320-500 → 280-440
Check original notes · MLBB Wiki
v1.5.46ADJUSTMENT
- ADJUSTMENTremoved role Removed Secondary Role - Assassin.
- ADJUSTMENTWe've optimized the last phase of Lapu-Lapu's Ultimate, since its area of effect appeared to be unidentifiable to both sides. Accordingly, we've weakened his survivability and maintained his high damage output, in order to balance out the influence of the former adjustment, which means a bigger challenge for him to enter the battlefield at good timing.
- NERFPassive: Base Shield: 400 → 250
- NERFPassive: Extra Defense: 30-70 → 10-40
- ADJUSTMENTPassive: Added the hitbox display for the 3rd phase and optimized the skill cast.
Check original notes · MLBB Wiki
v1.5.32ADJUSTMENT
- ADJUSTMENTWe've optimized the skill casting and performance.
- ADJUSTMENTUltimate - Twin Blade
- BUFFWe've largely increased the distance of each movement.
- ADJUSTMENTWe've fixed a bug that caused it not to change direction in some occasions.
- ADJUSTMENTWe've optimized the skill casting and performance of Skill 1 and Passive, all skill icons, and the battle model of "Ancestral Blade".
Check original notes · MLBB Wiki
v1.5.24ADJUSTMENT
- ADJUSTMENTSlightly enhanced his combat ability in the late game.
- BUFFPassive: Shield Boost of each level-up: 50 → 65
- BUFFPassive: Physical Attack Bonus of the 3rd attack: 180% → 210%
Check original notes · MLBB Wiki

Open the earlier archive · 8 patches

v1.4.94ADJUSTMENT
- ADJUSTMENTPartially Adjusted label specialty - Charge/Burst to Chase/Burst
Check original notes · MLBB Wiki
v1.4.20ADJUSTMENT
- BUFFBasic Damage of heavy sword adjusted from 300 + SkillLevelx50 to 380+ SkillLevelx70.
- ADJUSTMENTOptimized the display effects of his skills.
Check original notes · MLBB Wiki
v1.3.74ADJUSTMENT
- ADJUSTMENTOptimized the animation of Twin Blade state to match the Skill Description.
- BUFFAdjusted the time for increasing Physical and Magic Defense to 15s from 8s.
Check original notes · MLBB Wiki
v1.3.52ADJUSTMENT
- BUFFChieftain's Rage: Adjusted the damage-reducing effect in two-sword state to 80% from 50%.
- ADJUSTMENTChieftain's Rage: Fixed a problem where his basic attack deals wrong damage.
Check original notes · MLBB Wiki
v1.3.44ADJUSTMENT
- BUFFAttribute: When Lapu-Lapu has 5 stacks of Bravery Blessings, a blink can be used.
- ADJUSTMENTAttribute: Revamped the skill display effect.
- BUFFChieftain's Rage: Now use this skill in the two-sword state to reduce the damage taken greatly for a short time.
- ADJUSTMENTBrave Stance: Optimized the display effect of speeding up.
Check original notes · MLBB Wiki
v1.2.22ADJUSTMENT
- ADJUSTMENTAttacking Jungle Monsters will grant a stack of Bravery Blessing, shield lasting time adjusted from 3 seconds to 5 seconds
Check original notes · MLBB Wiki
v1.2.10ADJUSTMENT
- ADJUSTMENTNow the Bravery Blessing buff won’t decrease with time.
Check original notes · MLBB Wiki
v1.1.86ADJUSTMENT
- ADJUSTMENTAdjusted attack growth from 6.75 to 8.25
Check original notes · MLBB Wiki

THE DRAFT

Lapu-Lapu in the draft: strengths, counters and teammates

GOOD INTO

Argus and Ruby accept close trades that let Lapu-Lapu charge and spend Homeland Defender repeatedly.

KaleaSupport / Fighter

ArgusFighter

MinsittharFighter

WATCH OUT FOR

Esmeralda absorbs the value of his shield, while Karrie maintains sustained damage from outside Bravest Fighter's main area.

LunoxMage

EsmeraldaTank / Mage

FaramisSupport / Mage

WORKS WELL WITH

Thamuz adds another front-line threat and Floryn heals Lapu-Lapu without having to follow him deep into the fight.

ThamuzFighter

AulusFighter

FlorynSupport

See all 5 counters, favorable matchups and best teammates for Lapu-Lapu

COLLECTION

Lapu-Lapu skins: catalogue and acquisition

Confirmed availability2

AVAILABLE

Ancestral Blade

ORIGIN / EVENTin-game shop: 269 Diamonds

Permanently available through the in-game shop: 269 Diamonds.

AVAILABLE

Imperial Champion

ORIGIN / EVENTin-game shop: 599 Diamonds

Permanently available through the in-game shop: 599 Diamonds.

Limited and upcoming4

EVENT / UPCOMING

Vulcan

ORIGIN / EVENTthe free Assemble Warriors event in August 2019; it later returned through Friends Callback

It was obtainable through the free Assemble Warriors event in August 2019; it later returned through Friends Callback. Availability depends on the event or a new rotation. Check the client.

EVENT / UPCOMING

Special Force

ORIGIN / EVENTFebruary 2021 StarLight Pass

It was obtainable through the February 2021 StarLight Pass. Availability depends on the event or a new rotation. Check the client.

EVENT / UPCOMING

Son of the Wild

ORIGIN / EVENTRanked Season 28 reward

It was obtainable through the Ranked Season 28 reward. Availability depends on the event or a new rotation. Check the client.

EVENT / UPCOMING

Adlaw's Chosen

ORIGIN / EVENTGrand Collection event; recorded release on 3 March 2024

It was obtainable through the Grand Collection event; recorded release on 3 March 2024. Availability depends on the event or a new rotation. Check the client.

QUICK ANSWERS

The questions players ask about Lapu-Lapu

01What is the best lane for Lapu-Lapu?

Lapu-Lapu is currently played mainly in EXP Lane. The guide separates the recommended builds by lane or job, so choose that tab before copying the six items.

02Which Lapu-Lapu build should I use?

Start with «EXP Sustain Default». The other options, «EXP Vengeance Frontline» and «Jungle Tempo Bruiser», are there for a different lane or match-up; they are not cosmetic variations.

03Which heroes counter Lapu-Lapu?

Lunox, Esmeralda and Faramis are the first counters to consider. Esmeralda absorbs the value of his shield, while Karrie maintains sustained damage from outside Bravest Fighter's main area.

04Which Lapu-Lapu skins can be obtained now?

2 non-default skins have confirmed availability at this review. 4 more are limited or upcoming, with the original acquisition method recorded. Check the current event or shop in your client before spending.

Lapu-Lapu

DATA REVIEWED 13.10.2026 · PATCH 2.2.16