Pokémon Unite released nearly a year ago and has received several new, powerful playable characters in updates since it first launched. It's natural for MOBA character tier lists to shift as abilities are updated, removed, or reworked with development, but it can be difficult to judge how effective or balanced new characters could be. While Pokémon Unite has experienced its fair share of criticisms and updates, many new Pokémon entered the battle far more powerful than their counterparts. As the game evolved and new strategies, maps, and game modes took precedent over others, TiMi Studios likely adjusted new characters to better suit players' needs. As a result, most of Unite's new characters are more effective in matches than others.
Pokémon Unite released as a free MOBA game for the Nintendo Switch and mobile, adapting Pokémon mechanics into an exciting, untapped genre. Players choose a single monster and outfit them with different items and abilities that make them more effective in battle. Different Pokémon are assigned different roles in battle, including Support, Attackers, Defenders, All-Rounders, and Speedsters. Teams require a balanced distribution of these roles to function well together and have the best chance at victory. Each position also requires a different playstyle, forcing players to experiment and adapt to their team's needs. For example, Defenders should hold territory and take hits for their teammates, while Speedsters are more suited to jungling and bouncing between lanes. Due to these specialties, some Pokémon are more suitable for combat than others and require more skill.
Like many Pokémon games in the core series, Pokémon Unite didn't feature every monster in existence. Instead, the roster included a narrowed down list of powerful and famous monsters that suited the game's needs. Each character starts in their basic form and evolves as players gather EXP and slain enemies. As time continued, TiMi Studios announced the regular addition of more characters, including Gardevoir, Blastoise, Sylveon, Greedent, Tsareena, and more. While the fanbase expressed excitement over most new releases, some maintained more popularity and usefulness than others.
Sylveon Is Pokémon Unite's Most Powerful Attackers
Eevee is a unique Pokémon specimen with eight different forms, but players can only evolve Eevee into Sylveon in Pokémon Unite. The Fairy-type creature is an effective Attacker that chases down its enemies with overpowered long-ranged attacks. Most suited for the Top or Bottom lane, Sylveon's special attack and special defense stats ensure this monster can deal as much damage as it can take. Sylveon is especially powerful in the early game, scaling much quicker than other options (Ninetails or Venusaur). While Sylveon can be difficult to use, players that balance its abilities can become the most powerful Pokémon on the battlefield. Sylveon's abilities are Calm Mind and Hyper Voice, with the former being used to boost offensive and defensive capabilities. Hyper Voice is Sylveon's primary attack, but its damage can be boosted when used after Calm Mind. Unfortunately, Sylveon can be difficult to get the hang of, as inexperienced players can swiftly find themselves overwhelmed in unbalanced battles. It's recommended that players practice with Sylveon in AI or Unranked matches before trying Ranked.
Tsareena Is On Lucario's Level In Pokémon Unite
Lucario is one of Pokémon Unite's best picks and remained an unrivaled choice in the game's All-Rounder selection. However, when Tsareena entered the game, the meta changed to adapt for a new champion. Tsareena is a close-ranged, physical attacker with extreme versatility and survivability mechanics. While it can't take as much damage as creatures like Charizard or Garchomp, its abilities ensure players can escape hairy situations and regroup with their teams. The most well-balanced build includes choosing the Trop Kick and Triple Axel attacks, which give a speed boost while slowing enemies. Since Tsareena evolves at level six (far earlier than its competition), this Pokémon can take full advantage of its increased damage output and spring deadly ambushes. Unfortunately, Tsareena lacks crowd-control abilities, forcing players to use Trop Kick or the Eject Button item to escape unbalanced situations.
Greedent Eats Damage Like Snorlax In Pokémon Unite
Pokémon Unite's Snorlax character once reigned the Defender role as a supreme pick. Its nearly endless health combined with staggering abilities provided players with an easy method to protect their teammates and take on uneven battles. However, when Greedent joined Pokémon Unite, it became the next best choice for defending allies and points from its enemies. Greedent is a physical, melee Defender with impressive offensive and defensive capabilities. Its Belch and Belly Flop attacks equip players with high burst damage and durability against attackers.
Choosing Greedents means players depend on Berries that drop throughout the map, using them to power up its abilities and make it more effective in battle. However, players must balance using berries alongside the rest of their team, which can be the difference between life or death with wounded teammates. Additionally, it can be challenging to aim Greedent's attacks, so players should invest some time in practice matches before jumping into public games.
Pokémon Unite's Blissey Keeps Its Allies Alive
Blissey joined Pokémon Unite soon after the game's initial release, and offered a solution for the neglected Support role in games. Despite its bulky defensive stats in traditional Pokémon games, Blissey can be fragile but utilizes its Soft-Boiled ability to increase survivability. Its kit provides health, status heals, and buffs for allies in its vicinity, making Blissy an excellent choice to accompany Top or Bottom lane teams. Defeating Drednaw can provide teams with a significant power boost, and Blisssey is especially useful for accomplishing this task. While Blissey may not be the most maneuverable of Pokémon, its kit keeps its allies alive and enables the team to carry out impressive, coordinated strategies without many casualties. Helping Hand and Soft-Boiled are the recommended ability loadout, which helps Blissey and its allies survive risky battles. Unfortunately, it can be difficult to coordinate with teammates without voice chat or text chat, meaning players should reserve Blissey when playing with friends over party chatting apps like Discord.
While Pokémon Unite has a set meta, there are dozens of Pokémon to choose from that suit various playstyles. While some characters are far more effective than others, skilled players can make almost any Pokémon work in the right situations. Pokémon Unite is a team game that requires cooperation and communication between members, with the most connected groups finding victory far quicker than their opponents. It's unknown what Pokémon TiMi Studios may add in the future, nor how long Pokémon Unite's development will continue, but the current selection of monsters already makes for an impressive roster. Pokémon Unite is available now for Nintendo Switch and mobile.