Pokémon Unite

Overview

Pokémon Unite is a free-to-play fantasy action real-time strategy game developed by TiMi Studios and released by Nintendo for the Nintendo Switch on July 21, 2021. It was later released on iOS and Android devices by The Pokémon Company on September 22, 2021.

A spin-off of the Pokémon series of turn-based RPGs, Pokémon Unite has players controlling one of several Pokémon in five-on-five team matches similar to other MOBAs (such as League of Legends and Heroes of the Storm).

Some of the advanced aspects of MOBAs are toned down for this game, such as the lack of minions to escort. Players instead collect "Aeos energy" dropped by defeating Pokémon (either neutral or opponent) and deposit them into each of their opponents' "goal zones" (a replacement for the Tower system). As each match progresses, players' Pokémon evolve and gain new abilities (including two replacement abilities, their upgrades, and a powerful "Unite Move"). Rather than purchasing items throughout the game, players to enter battle with three passive buff items and one active item (with cooldown).

As a free-to-play game, players unlock new Pokémon and cosmetics over time using multiple in-game currencies (including a premium one that can be purchased with real-world money), a Battle Pass system, and a gacha system. In addition, players can upgrade the passive items to increase their efficiency (which can be upgraded faster with real-world money).

Pokémon

Player Pokémon

The base game includes 20 player-controlled Pokémon to choose from, each categorized into one of five groups based on their stats and abilities.

Most of them are locked from the start, with four of them unlocked (through owning "Unite Licenses") on a weekly rotation. When starting the game, players can choose from one of five Unite Licenses to unlock (Charizard, Pikachu, Talonflame, Snorlax, or Eldegoss).

All-Rounder

Pokémon that excel at adapting to different situations, due to not being particularly strong nor weak in their offensive power, mobility, and durability.

• Charizard - Starts as Charmander (lv. 1-3), followed by Charmeleon (lv. 4-8).
• Lucario
• Machamp - Starts at Machop (lv. 1-4), followed by Machoke (lv. 5-8).
• Garchomp - Starts as Gible (lv. 1-5), followed by Gabite (lv. 6-9).

Attacker

Pokémon that excel at powerful ranged damage due to their high Offense stat. However, this usually comes at a cost to their mobility and/or durability.

• Alolan Ninetales - Starts as Alolan Vulpix (lv. 1-3).
• Cinderace - Starts as Scorbunny (lv. 1-4), followed by Raboot (lv. 5-6).
• Cramorant
• Gardevoir - Released on July 29, 2021.
• Greninja - Starts as Froakie (lv. 1-4), followed by Frogadier (lv. 5-6).
• Pikachu
• Sylveon - Starts as Eevee (lv. 1-3). Released on October 6, 2021.
• Venusaur - Starts as Bulbasaur (lv. 1-4), followed by Ivysaur (lv. 5-8).

Speedster

Pokémon that excel at quick melee attacks and scoring points due to their high Mobility stat. However, this usually comes at a cost to their range and durability.

• Absol
• Gengar - Starts as Gastly (lv. 1-4), followed by Haunter (lv. 5-8).
• Talonflame - Starts as Fletchling (lv. 1-4), followed by Fletchinder (lv. 5-6).
• Zeraora

Defender

Pokémon that excel at absorbing team damage due to their high Endurance stat. However, this usually comes at a cost to their offensive power and/or mobility.

• Blastoise - Starts as Squirtle (lv. 1-4), followed by Wartortle (lv. 5-8). Released on September 1, 2021.
• Crustle - Starts as Dwebble (lv. 1-3).
• Mamoswine - Starts as Swinub (lv. 1-5), followed by Piloswine (lv. 6-9). Released on September 29, 2021.
• Slowbro - Starts as Slowpoke (lv. 1-3).
• Snorlax

Supporter

Pokémon that excel at using their abilities to buff/heal allies or inflict status ailments on enemies. However, their offensive power is weak and they are not usually mobile or durable.

• Blissey - Starts as Chansey (lv. 1-3). Released on August 18, 2021.
• Eldegoss - Starts as Gossifleur (lv. 1-3).
• Mr. Mime
• Wigglytuff - Starts as Jigglypuff (lv. 1-3).

Wild Pokémon

In addition to neutral Pokémon that is used to earn Aeos energy points, players can also encounter Diglett (which launches jump pads on certain arenas). Some other Pokémon also appear in the in-game menus.

Normal

• Aipom - Remoat and Mer. Evolves to Ambipom.
• Alolan Meowth - Shivre. Evolves to Alolan Persian.
• Audino - Remoat and Mer.
• Combee - Remoat.
• Corphish - Remoat and Mer. Evolves to Crawdaunt.
• Dewpider - Auroma.
• Ledyba - Auroma. Evolves to Ledian.
• Lillipup - Remoat. Evolves to Herdier.
• Snom - Shivre. Evolves to Frosmoth.
• Sunkern - Auroma. Evolves to Sunflora.
• Venomoth - Auroma.
• Vespiquen - Remoat.

Special

• Abra - Auroma. High point value. Teleports to a random location shortly after being attacked.

• Araquanid - Auroma. High point value.

• Bouffalant - Remoat and Mer. Defeating it grants a buff that reduces the movement speed of enemy Pokémon by normal attacks.

• Electrode - Shivre. High point value. Attacking it causes it to start self-destruction. Failing to defeat it before the sequence ends causes it to explode without giving points, dealing heavy damage to nearby Pokémon.

• Ludicolo - Remoat and Mer. Defeating it grants a buff that increases damage against low-health enemy Pokémon.

Boss

• Avalugg - Shivre. High point value. Defeating it grants an aura that reduces the movement speed of nearby enemy Pokémon and grants a shield to the team's goal zone.

• Drednaw - Remoat (before Final Stretch). High point value. Defeating it grants shields and experience points to the entire team.

• Regigigas - Auroma. Very high point value.

• Rotom - Remoat (before Final Stretch). Defeating it causes a full-health Rotom to move towards the nearest opposing goal zone. If it reaches that goal zone, it scores some points and allows instant scoring in that zone for 15 seconds.

• Zapdos - Remoat (during Final Stretch) and Mer. High point value. Defeating it causes all opposing goal zones to allow instant scoring for 30 seconds.

Stages

Standard / Ranked

These arenas are played in a slower pace, with a 10-minute timer and standard experience point gain.

• Remoat Stadium (5v5) - Standard two-lane MOBA-style layout. Each team's lane has an 80-energy goal zone, followed by a 100-energy goal zone (unlocked when the other one is cleared). Each team's base has an unlimited goal zone which unlocks once a lane is cleared.

Quick

These arenas are played in a faster pace, with a 5-minute timer and increased experience point gain.

• Auroma Park (3v3) - Square-shaped arena with team spawns on adjacent corners and neutral unlimited goal zones in each remaining corners. Rather than assaulting the opponent's side of the playfield, teams must secure the two goal zones for easier scoring. Scoring a goal temporary activates a team buff which doubles the energy scored. Cannot teleport to base.

• Mer Stadium (4v4) - Condensed two-lane MOBA-style layout. Each team's lane has one 60-energy goal zone, and each team's base has an unlimited goal zone which unlocks once a lane is cleared.

• Shivre City (4v4) - Condensed single-lane MOBA-style layout. Each team has two unlimited goal zones. Cannot teleport to base.