A major new update for Pokémon Unite has added Achievements amongst other improvements and fixes for the game, as well as the highly-anticipated new fighter, Duraludon. This follows the addition of Pokémon Unite combatants including Hoopa and Treevenant, who recently joined the 5V5 MOBA.
Pokémon Unite receives frequent updates to not only introduce new content and events, but also to address bugs and balance the game. The most notable updates for many fans are the regular additions to the list of playable Pokémon available in Unite's roster. The steadily expanding roster allows players to develop a wide range of strategies for their competitive matches, as different Pokémon offer different strengths and weaknesses to suit a wide variety of playstyles. As well as new characters, past updates have included alterations to the basic gameplay, often requested by fans, such as improvements to Pokémon Unite's matchmaking system.
Now the game's latest major update, announced by the Pokémon Unite Twitter account, has confirmed Trainers now have the chance to earn Achievements. These are split into Type 1 and Type 2 Achievements, with the former providing various objectives to achieve in battle, like reaching a certain number of KOs in a row, and the latter requiring players to utilize various moves. Along with the new game feature comes a host of improvements, revealed by the patch notes, including various buffs and nerfs for different Pokémon, as well as a few general bug fixes. Hoopa's moves have been nerfed with lessened damage and longer cooldowns, with a similar change made to the item Slow Smoke. Meanwhile, changes to Hoopa's fellow newcomer Treevenant consist of increased movement speed and buffs to the moves Pain Split and Wood Hammer. The full patch notes are as follows:
Pokemon Unite Ver. 1.4.1.7 Patch Notes:
UPDATE DETAILS
- Bug Fixes
- Text Fixes
- Spec changes
- Shop Updates
- Event Updates
If the app has not been updated on your device, please restart the app to apply this update.
Changes have been made to some Pokémon stats and moves to adjust the balance of Unite Battles.
DETAILS
Blastoise: Rapid Spin
- Move Upgrade
Mr. Mime: Guard Swap
- Changed to “Creates a link between the user and the Pokémon this move hits, swapping the user’s Defense and Sp. Def stats with those of the linked Pokémon. If the linked Pokémon is an opposing Pokémon, this move deals damage over time to it and decreases its movement speed while also increasing the user’s movement speed. If the linked Pokémon is an ally Pokémon, this move increases the movement speed of that Pokémon and the user. These effects will persist as long as the two Pokémon remain linked. The link will disappear if the user and the linked Pokémon are too far apart, if the user attempts to target another Pokémon, or by other factors.”
Mr. Mime: Confusion
- Damage dealt to opposing Pokémon decreased.
Mr. Mime: Psychic
- Controls adjusted.
Cramorant: Dive
- Damage dealt to opposing Pokémon decreased. actions adjusted.
- Move Upgrade
Cramorant: Air Slash
- Cooldown lengthened.
Alolan Ninetales: boosted attack
- Controls adjusted.
Alolan Ninetales: Aurora Veil
- Changed to “Has the user leap to the designated location and create an aurora around itself that reduces damage received by the user and ally Pokémon in the area of effect. While the user is inside the aurora, its movement speed is increased and its basic attacks become boosted attacks. These boosted attacks restore the user’s HP when they deal damage.”
Lucario: Close Combat
- Damage dealt to opposing Pokémon decreased.
- Effects on the user weakened.
Greedent: The following stats have been decreased: movement speed
Greedent: Tackle
- Cooldown lengthened.
Greedent: Defense Curl
- Effects on the user weakened.
Eldegosss: Cotton Guard
- Effects on the user weakened.
Eldegoss: Unite Move: Cotton Cloud Crash
- Unite Move charge rate increased.
Decidueye: Spirit Shackle
- Damage dealt to opposing Pokémon increased.
- Move Upgrade
Decidueye: Unite Move: Nock Nock
- Damage dealt to opposing Pokémon increased.
Zeraora: Volt Switch
- Damage dealt to opposing Pokémon increased.
Trevenant: The following stats have been increased:
- Movement speed
- Bug Fixes
Trevenant: Wood Hammer
- This move’s HP decrease has been weakened.
- Effects on opposing Pokémon strengthened.
Trevenant: Pain Split
- Effects on opposing Pokémon strengthened.
- This move’s movement speed increase has been strengthened.
Tsareena
- Stat Increases
Tsareena: Trop Kick
- Damage dealt to opposing Pokémon increased.
- Cooldown reduced.
Tsareena: Stomp
- Damage dealt to opposing Pokémon increased.
Gengar: Unite Move: Fairy Frolic
- The amount the following stats increase at level-up has been adjusted: Sp. Atk
Gengar: boosted attack
- Damage dealt to opposing Pokémon increased.
Hoopa: Shadow Ball
- Damage dealt to opposing Pokémon decreased.
Hoopa: Hyperspace Hole
- Cooldown lengthened.
Hoopa - Hoopa Confined: Basic Attack
- Damage dealt to opposing Pokémon decreased.
Hoopa - Hoopa Confined: Hyperspace Fury
- Damage dealt to opposing Pokémon decreased.
Aegislash: Sacred Sword
- Fixed bug(s) that affected the following:
- Area of Effect
Slow Smoke
- Cooldown lengthened.
- Effect weakened.
Also included in this update is the release of Pokémon Unite's new Ranged Attacker Duraludon, a Steel/Dragon-type Pokémon announced earlier this year. Duraludon's Attack Style is Physical, and it's recommended as an Intermediate fighter. The pocket monster will suit those looking to cause maximum chaos, with its attacks able to harm multiple opponents at a time, rather than just one. The character was confirmed as the game's next fighter during the February Pokémon Presents event, which also confirmed other updates for Pokémon-related games and projects, and even revealed the upcoming Generation 9 mainline games, Pokémon Scarlet and Violet.
Achievements give players handy targets to aim for when they might otherwise feel somewhat aimless through normal gameplay, and Achievements in Pokémon Unite will offer something new for competitive Pokémon Trainers to strive for. While it is unlikely that Pokémon Unite has any secret achievements at this time, they could well be coming in the future, and the newly-added Achievements should still offer players a series of optional goals they can have fun aiming for.
Sources: Pokémon Unite/Twitter, Pokémon Unite