After its first major Pokémon balancing patch, a Pokémon Unite bug that prevents Gengar's Hex move from dealing any damage has been identified, and developer TiMi Studios has apologized and promises to fix it soon. The update seemingly responsible for the issue also brought changes to most of the game's playable Pokémon roster, as well as a limited-time preview of a new spectator mode.
Pokémon Unite has only been available for two weeks, but it's already received additions including a new playable character, Gardevoir, and it touts a vocal playerbase that has provided ample feedback on what needs tweaking. Very recently, TiMi shared a player survey that seemed to acknowledge criticisms of its pay-to-win structure while also collecting other data. Players have been especially watchful for glitches in the new MOBA, as one player came across a Pokémon Unite Machamp nude glitch that temporarily removed the Pokémon's undergarments. Thankfully, that glitch had no greater impact than a bit of awkwardness, but another Pokémon has fallen victim to one that directly affects gameplay.
As admitted by Pokémon Unite on Twitter, a Gengar bug is removing damage from the Ghost/Poison Pokémon's Hex move, making it virtually useless. The Pokémon in the game have a limited move-set, so the absence of one move's intended effect makes for a significant disadvantage. The developer has confirmed that a fix will be available soon and it has apologized for the inconvenience the glitch has caused. The move's upgraded version, Hex+ (which is made available by leveling up Gengar during a match) is fortunately not afflicted by the same issue.
The fact that the Pokémon Unite development team noticed the bug so snappily is hopefully promising towards the live-service game's longevity. Publisher Nintendo is often criticized for not giving proper attention to online-oriented games, and that type of support for titles like TiMi's is necessary to ensure player retention. This is especially true for MOBAs with all the makings of success like Pokémon Unite. The game's ranking system could be a sign of esports compatibility, and careful balancing, reliable stability, and quick hotfixes for problems like Gengar's Hex bug are a must in esports. It's also worth noting that the game has not yet been released on all its target platforms. Pokémon Unite launches on mobile devices in September, so ironing out flaws like these ahead of time will help maximize its potential when it releases on the App Store and Google Play.
Conversely, the fact that glitches surrounding one of Pokémon Unite's core mechanics evaded bug testing in the balancing update could be troubling. The game launched without major errors besides some annoying menu lag, and if players regularly encounter new, gameplay-impacting bugs with each patch, Pokémon Unite's reputation could diminish. What Gengar mains are surely watching for now is when the Hex glitch fix goes live, and the quickness of that patch could indicate what usual bugfix turnarounds players could be in for in the long-term.
Pokémon Unite is available on Nintendo Switch, and it will launch on iOS and Android in September 2021.
Source: Pokémon Unite/Twitter