Pokemon Unite is a MOBA (Mobile Multiplayer Online Battle Arena) and the franchise’s first take on this genre featuring a “free-to-start” 5 v 5 team-based strategy game developed by the Pokémon Company and Tencent’s TiMi Studios. It is planned as a cross-platform game for Nintendo Switch and mobile devices. In this Pokémon Unite Beginners guide, most information outside the games will be discussed straightforwardly, though some in-game topics will be mentioned as well.
We think Pokémon Unite’s gameplay is similar to a few known fan-made Warcraft III maps such as Bleach vs One Piece (BvO) and Fight of Characters (FoC) which made it stand out in some parts, also consider the less stressful and lighter gameplay compared to Mobile Legends: Bang Bang and League of Legends: Wild Rift.
Playable Pokémon in Pokemon Unite
There are Pokémon that you can use in playing the game which will be labeled as Playable Pokémon, while there are wild Pokémon (more information about them is in the Map guide). Playable Pokémon are different in the way they can be controlled by players and have their own sets of Pokémon moves including a unique Unite move, Ability, and basic attack.
What makes playable Pokémon unique
Every playable Pokémon has a set of 3 moves. The first 2 Pokémon moves are basic moves. These are moves that can be upgraded to a stronger move one time depending on the player’s decision. Every upgrade features a different approach and play style. Usually, upgrades come great in pairs based on the move’s color and it can be personally observed as well.
The Pokémon’s third move is called a Unite move and it is an ultimate since it is learned on either Level 9 or 10. Also, this type of move is very strong and can be game-changing. It does not have a cooldown, however, recharging it requires attacking a Pokémon (either Wild or Playable).
Abilities are unique passive effects that every playable Pokémon has. It is important to know since it is vital in using Pokémon more effectively. Moreover, they have unique basic attacks that have their bonus effect. Crustle or Dweeble for example slows enemies they attack every third attack. Also, Pokémons evolve on a certain level which is labeled in the game as progression.
Roles
Every Pokémon has its strengths which are classified by its role. Some Pokémons excel in attacking and some are more reliable in defending, while some can do both just fine.
- All-rounder– these Pokémons are good in all aspects and can have a different approach to the game depending on the item build and move upgrades.
- Attacker– these Pokémons are ranged and specialize in dealing damage. However, they are very vulnerable so they require proper positioning and protection from teammates.
- Defender– these Pokémons specialize in tanking damage and dealing hindrances. However, some defenders can also deal decent damage depending on the move upgrades.
- Speedster– these Pokémons are very mobile meaning they have lots of dashes and gap-closing moves. Additionally, they also deal decent damage but they are melee, unlike attackers.
- Supporter– these Pokémons specialize in providing buffs, protection, and hindrances thus the name. Also, they are good at supporting the team, though they can be pretty vulnerable.
Pokémon Selection
Before games start, a Pokémon selection is held. It is a 1 minute time where you can select a Pokémon you want to play and select the things you want to take with your Pokémon as well (will be discussed further in this Pokémon Unite Beginners guide). Here is the list of the Pokémons you can play in the game so far, along with their progression and role:
- Venasaur (Bulbasaur and Ivysaur) – Attacker
- Blastoise (Squirtle and Wartortle) – Defender
- Alolan Ninetales (Alolan Vulpix) – Attacker
- Machamp (Machop and Machoke) – All-rounder
- Slowbro (Slowpoke) – Defender
- Mr. Mine – Supporter
- Snorlax – Defender
- Gardevoir (Ralts and Kirlia) – Attacker
- Garchomp (Gible and Gabite) – All-rounder
- Lucario – All-rounder
- Crustle (Dwibble) – Defender
- Greninja (Froakie and Frogadier) – Attacker
- Cramorant – Attacker
- Absol – Speedster
- Charizard (Charmander and Charmeleon) – All-rounder
- Pikachu – Attacker
- Gengar (Ghastly and Haunter) – Speedster
- Talonflame (Fletchling and Fletchinder) – Speedster
- Cinderace (Scorbunny and Raboot) – Attacker
- Eldegoss (Gossifleur) – Supporter
In-game Terms
Some in-game terms may not be familiar to newcomers or players who are new to the MOBA genre. Here are some in-game terms, their definition, and some information as well in our Pokémon Unite Beginners guide that will help you understand the core concepts of the game.
Health
It is also called HP, and it tells how much health a Pokémon has. It can be regenerated in many ways and is also a stat that can be increased outside the games.
AEOS Energy
It can be seen in Unite Moves as a percentage telling how near it is to being recharged. It recharges a Unite move. Moreover, its recharge rate can be boosted outside the games.
Experience
It is also called XP, and it is what makes Pokémons level up and become stronger. It can be received in many ways: including defeating wild and playable Pokémons, once every second by a little amount, capturing or banking, and defeating Special Wild Pokémons.
Stats
- Attack– is a stat that makes a Pokémon’s basic attacks stronger.
- Sp. Attack– is a stat that makes a Pokémon’s moves deal more damage.
- Defense– is a stat that adds resistance to basic attacks.
- Sp. Defense– is a stat that adds resistance to Pokémon’s moves.
- Movement Speed– is a stat that indicates how fast a Pokémon is moving.
- CD Reduction– is a stat that makes Pokémon moves recharge faster.
- Basic Attack Speed– is a stat that indicates how fast a Pokémon will be doing basic attacks.
- Critical Hit & Critical Hit Rate– a critical hit doubles a Pokemon’s basic attack damage. However, it only has a chance rate which can be increased by items.
Hindraces
It includes anything that can disable or at least disrupt a Pokémon’s movement– stuns, knock-ups, knock-backs, roots, slows, and such. In other MOBAs, it is commonly known as crowd control or CC.
Closet
The thing is, on starting the game, you are given a character or an avatar that you can design. There is a feature in the game called a closet where you can make your avatar more presentable by buying them clothes, shoes, and such. To get them, you can either buy or get them free in missions and rewards.
Battle Preparation
Compared to other MOBAs, there is no shop inside the game to buy items from. However, the “itemization” happens before the game in the Pokémon Selection which is labeled as Battle Preparation.
Battle Items
In every game, you can select only one from these Battle Items for you to use on your games. They have different effects that can help you in your games, as well as fairly long cooldowns.
- Potion (30 seconds CD)- restores some of your Pokémon’s HP.
- X Attack (40 seconds CD)- raises your Pokémon’s Attack and Sp. Attack for a short time.
- X Speed (50 seconds CD)- raises your Pokémon’s movement speed for a short time.
- Eject Button (55 seconds CD)- quickly moves your Pokémon in the designated directions. Tip: there is a mechanic where you can use a Pokémon move first and then use the Eject Button afterward instead of doing it the other way around to make it more unpredictable and harder to react. An example is Blastoise’s Unite move.
- Full Heal (40 seconds CD)- removes all hindrances affecting your Pokémon and makes it immune to hindrances for a short time.
- X Unknown (2 minutes CD)-makes your capturing and banking faster.
Held Items
Unlike Battle Items, Held Items cannot be activated in the middle of the game. They are all just passive effects that increase your stats and give bonus effects on your Pokémon depending on the item. Also, 3 of these can be taken in your games. Moreover, they can all be upgraded to increase their effects.
However, make sure to learn and observe what kind of held items are most suitable to the Pokémon you are using.
- Leftovers– periodically heal your Pokémon & give +HP +HP Recovery.
- Rocky Helmet– damages nearby Pokémons based on HP upon receiving a set amount of Damage & gives +HP and +Defense.
- Muscle Band– makes your basic attacks deal more damage & gives +Attack and +Basic Attack Speed.
- Scope Lens– increases Critical Hit & gives +Critical Hit Rate and +Critical Hit Damage.
- Float Stone– Increases movement Speed & gives +Attack and +Movement Speed.
- Wise Glasses– increases Sp. Attack & gives +Sp. Attack.
- Score Shield– holding this item will shield you while scoring & give +HP.
- Assault Vest– still unknown & gives +HP and +Sp. Defense.
- Exp. Share– gain bonus XP when you are the Pokémon with the lowest level on your team & give +HP and +Movement Speed.
- Shell Bell– recovers HP after successful attacks & gives +Sp. Attack and +CD reduction.
- Focus Band– endures damage that would make your Pokémon faint and then recover HP for a short amount of time (only works 1 time unless you get defeated and respawns) & gives +Defense and +Sp. Defense.
- AEOS Drink– increases your AEOS Energy gather rate & gives +AEOS Energy Gather Rate and + CD reduction.
- Buddy Barrier– shields nearby ally Pokémon when using your Unite Move & gives +HP.
- AEOS Cookie– increases Max HP after scoring a goal & gives +HP.
- Attack Weight– gains bonus Attack after scoring a goal & gives +Attack.
- Special Attack Specs– gains bonus Sp. Attack after scoring a goal & give +Sp. Attack.
Pokemon Unite game modes
In this game, all game modes take only one map. However, they differ in what type of players you will be playing with or if the game will be more competitive. In this Pokémon Unite Beginners guide, we will explain all the game modes briefly and give our tips on the same.
Standard Battles
- CPU Match- this game mode will match you against a CPU or a computer, along with human teammates.
- Random Match– in this game mode you will be playing in an all-human 5 v 5 game. However, you can invite up to 4 friends to join you in your game, but the enemy team can either be random or pre-made as well.
- Friendly Match– this particular game mode is where you can invite 9 different players which can include your friends to play a 5 v 5 game.
Ranked Match
This game mode is made for people who like to play the game more competitively. There are rankings labeled as Cups and a leaderboard where the server’s highest-ranking players are shown. Also, this game mode features games of higher quality as you rank up.
- Beginner Cup– it is the very first rank you will get. Also, your points will not get reduced when you lose.
- Great Cup– compared to the Beginner Cup, more experienced players will be here and it would require more wins as well. Just like in the Beginner Cup, your points will not get reduced.
- Expert Cup– compared to Beginner and Great Cup, games are much more competitive. As setbacks, it requires much more wins, and your points will now get reduced when you lose.
- Veteran Cup– considered as high rank already and it is better than the earlier cups in terms of quality of games and competition. Moreover, it also requires more wins and you lose points will get reduced when you lose.
- Ultra Cup– the highest rank you can reach next to Master Cup. Games are much more competitive and more high-skill and level players will be here. It also features the setbacks from the Expert and Veteran Cup.
- Master Cup– the highest rank you can reach in the game. It includes the Top 100 of the server.
Shop
The shop will be a very relevant place as you play the game. It is where you can buy everything you would need and want in the game: including stuff to design your avatar, held items, Unite licenses to use different Pokémons, skins which are called Holowears, and other items to help you like an item enhancer which is used to upgrade held items and aeos coin boost cards.
Events, Challenges, and Rewards
The game features these as well to make it more exciting. Here are more information about them:
- Events– these are time-limited and they give very valuable rewards which can range from items like item enhancements to holowears and unite licenses. Events are replaced now and then, featuring different rewards.
- Challenges– these are missions that you must do and complete to receive valuable rewards. So far, challenges
- Rewards– there are different rewards that you can get inside the game. The most common ones are currencies like Aeon coins, Aeos tickets, and Gems that you can use to purchase in the shop. However, there are also Energy rewards, which can be used to randomly get an accessory or clothing for your avatar.
Trainer Info
Every trainer has one and it features different information about a trainer.
- Profile– this shows the player’s avatar, number of battles, number of unite licenses, level, and player ID which can be used to add other players.
- Battle Record– this shows a player’s average score, as well as their win rate, and previous games along with other valuable information.
- Fair-Play Points– this reflects a player’s conduct score and having an excellent score will let players get free aeon coins daily. However, having a bad score will remove the rewards and even ban players from playing. To increase them, simply just keep playing and don’t do misconducts like leaving the game.
- Favorite Pokémons– this shows a player’s favorite Pokémons to use along with their win rate in using the Pokémon.
Objectives and How Games Work
Unlike other MOBAs, there are no bases to destroy and Pokemon Unite games are won by banking Poképoints and capturing goals. To get Poképoints, one must defeat other Pokémons (either wild or playable). Moreover, there are more objectives other than goals which are discussed in our Map guide.
That is all for our Pokémon Unite Beginners guide. Thank you and we appreciate the effort you made by finishing it. We hope that you enjoyed it and may it help you with future Pokemon Unite games. Go ahead and give it a try and if you are having trouble, don’t hesitate to fall back to this Pokémon Unite Beginners Guide for tips!
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