The developer of Pokémon Unite has revealed the many changes coming in the first game patch, which will balance some of the Pokémon fighters with different buffs and nerfs. Pokémon Unite has been a success with players since its launch in July, and the patch should fix some of the complaints from its growing community.
Pokémon Unite is a free-to-play multiplayer online battle arena game in which teams of five Pokémon battle each other and try to score goals. The game features 10-minute matches instead of the typical 30-40 minute matches the MOBA genre is usually known for. With its shorter battles, range of Pokémon fighters, and easy-to-grasp mechanics, the new Nintendo Switch release has already earned a solid fanbase for itself. While the game has already captured the hearts of many, Pokémon Unite has been criticized for its monetization methods and microtransactions.
The first big update for Pokémon Unite will balance the game by introducing new buffs and nerfs for characters including Gengar, Charizard, Machamp, and more. 14 of the game's fighters will have their attacks increased or decreased, with some also receiving tweaks to their cooldown periods. A number of Pokémon will see their effectiveness against opposing Pokémon types increased, making them more powerful than they have been so far. The full patch notes from the official Pokémon Unite website detail everything players can expect from the update:
Charizard
Flamethrower:
- Cooldown reduced.
- Effects on opposing Pokémon strengthened.
Fire Punch:
- Effects on opposing Pokémon strengthened.
Fire Blast:
- Cooldown reduced.
- Effects on opposing Pokémon strengthened.
Talonflame
Acrobatics:
- Damage dealt to opposing Pokémon increased.
Aerial Ace:
- Damage dealt to opposing Pokémon increased.
Aerial Ace+:
- Damage dealt to opposing Pokémon increased.
Fly:
- Damage dealt to opposing Pokémon increased.
Venusaur
Sludge Bomb:
- Damage dealt to opposing Pokémon increased.
- Effects on opposing Pokémon strengthened.
Petal Dance:
- Move Upgrade
Solar Beam:
- Cooldown reduced.
Unite Move: Verdant Anger
- Damage dealt to opposing Pokémon increased.
Absol
Basic Attack:
- Bug Fixes
Night Slash:
- Damage dealt to opposing Pokémon increased.
Sucker Punch:
- Damage dealt to opposing Pokémon increased.
Wigglytuff
The following stats have been increased:
- Defense, Sp. Def, HP
Double Slap
- Damage dealt to opposing Pokémon increased.
- Effects on opposing Pokémon strengthened.
Sing
- Effects on opposing Pokémon strengthened.
Dazzling Gleam
- Bug Fixes
Eldegoss
Cotton Guard
- Cooldown lengthened.
- HP restoration decreased.
Cotton Spore
- Cooldown reduced.
- Effects on opposing Pokémon strengthened.
- This move’s Defense, Sp. Def increase has been strengthened.
Unite Move: Cotton Cloud Crash
- HP restoration decreased.
Cinderace
The following stats have been decreased:
- Attack
Blaze Kick
- Damage dealt to opposing Pokémon decreased.
Feint
- Move Downgrade
Pyro Ball
- Damage dealt to opposing Pokémon increased.
Gengar
Basic Attack
- Bug Fixes
Shadow Ball
- Damage dealt to opposing Pokémon increased.
Hex
- Move Downgrade
Dream Eater
- Move Upgrade
Zeraora
Spark
- Bug Fixes
Wild Charge
- Damage dealt to opposing Pokémon increased.
- Cooldown reduced.
Unite Move: Plasma Gale
- Damage dealt to opposing Pokémon decreased.
Cramorant
Whirlpool
- Damage dealt to opposing Pokémon decreased.
Dive
- Damage dealt to opposing Pokémon increased.
Machamp
Basic Attack
- Bug Fixes
Cross Chop
- Damage dealt to opposing Pokémon decreased.
Close Combat
- Damage dealt to opposing Pokémon increased.
Lucario
Power-Up Punch
- Bug Fixes
Bone Rush
- Bug Fixes
Greninja
Basic Attack
- Bug Fixes
Alolan Ninetales
Snow Warning
- Bug Fixes
Pokémon Unite players should find the game offers fairer matches once the new update goes live. Some fans of the game have found that certain Pokémon have been over-powered compared to others, with stronger attacks to take down their opponents. As well as addressing these issues and balancing the overall battle experience, the patch will introduce Pokémon Unite bug fixes for Machamp, Wigglytuff, Absol, and more. The game update is scheduled to go live tomorrow, August 4, with server downtime expected at 12AM PDT/7:00 UTC.
The game patch is the first of many Pokémon Unite updates players can expect in the future as the title continues to expand and evolve, not just fixing bugs and glitches, but also welcoming new content such as additional Pokémon, costumes, and challenges. With hundreds of Pokémon in the official Pokédex, there's no shortage of potential fighters who could come to the game later in its lifecycle, with new characters including Gardevoir already being added post-launch. As well as expanding its character roster, Pokémon Unite is also coming to more platforms, with an iOS and Android release supporting full crossplay expected to launch next month.
Pokémon Unite is available now on Nintendo Switch, and will be available on iOS and Android devices this September.
Source: Pokémon Unite