Pokémon Unite takes the monster-catching franchise into the world of MOBAs (multiplayer online battle arenas). If you’re familiar with League of Legends or DOTA 2, the concept will feel familiar: two teams of five battle it out on an arena, capturing objectives and scoring points to win. But with a Pokémon twist!
Review: A Familiar Genre Gets a Pokémon Makeover
Pokémon Unite takes the core monster-catching concept of Pokémon and injects it into the world of MOBAs (multiplayer online battle arenas). If you’ve played League of Legends or DOTA 2, the basic structure will feel familiar: two teams of five trainers battle it out on a designated arena. However, instead of simply eliminating enemies, the goal is to capture wild Pokémon and score points in the opposing team’s goal zones. This key difference adds a unique strategic layer and keeps the battles dynamic.
Here’s a deeper dive into what makes Pokémon Unite a compelling experience:
- Capturing Pokémon, Not Eliminating Them: Instead of focusing solely on defeating enemy trainers, your primary objective is to capture wild Pokémon that spawn throughout the arena at designated intervals. These captured Pokémon then transform into energy balls (Aeos energy) that you can dunk in the opposing team’s goal zones to score points. This system encourages strategic thinking, as you need to decide whether to directly engage enemies, farm wild Pokémon for points, or defend your own goals.
- Variety of Pokémon with Diverse Roles: The playable roster features a wide range of Pokémon from different generations, each with unique abilities and stats that cater to specific roles. Attackers like Charizard excel at dealing high damage, while Defenders like Snorlax focus on absorbing enemy attacks and protecting teammates. Supporters like Mr. Mime provide buffs and healing to their allies. This variety allows players to find a Pokémon that suits their playstyle and experiment with different team compositions to maximize their strengths.
- Free-to-Play Friendly: The game offers a good selection of Pokémon that can be unlocked through regular gameplay and participation in events. While microtransactions exist, they primarily focus on acquiring cosmetic items like character outfits and accessories. This allows players to enjoy the core gameplay experience without feeling pressured to spend money.
Pokémon Unite Bootcamp: Mastering Aeos Island
Conquering the Arena:
- Map Awareness: The battlefield is a mirrored paradise. Each side has two goal zones: your team’s home turf where you score points, and the enemy’s goal zone you need to conquer (think mirrored “baskets” on a basketball court). Wild Pokémon appear in glowing circles at set intervals throughout the match (look for the light pulses!).
- Objectives: Your primary objective is to capture wild Pokémon. These Pokémon, like Aipom or Corphish, drop Aeos energy when defeated. The more energy you collect, the more points you can score in the enemy’s goal zone (imagine them as glowing hoops). Keep an eye out for legendary Pokémon like Dreadnaw and Zapdos that appear in the center path periodically. Defeating them grants your team a powerful buff, like a shield or increased movement speed (like a temporary power-up).
Choosing Your Champion:
- Diverse Roster: The roster is like a buffet! Attackers like Pikachu unleash electric attacks, perfect for taking down enemies quickly (think of them as the damage dealers). Defenders like Snorlax are bulky barriers, soaking up enemy attacks to protect teammates (think of them as tanks). All-rounders like Lucario can adapt to different situations, while Supporters like Wigglytuff heal allies and hinder enemies with moves that slow them down (Supporters are like healers and debuffers).
- Team Composition: Imagine your team is a band. You need different instruments to make good music! If your teammate picks Pikachu, you might choose Snorlax to create a strong offensive and defensive duo.
- Practice Arena: The practice arena is your training ground! Here you can experiment with different Pokémon and their moves (like trying out different guitars or drums). This is a safe space to practice before battling real opponents.
Teamplay Triumphs:
- Communication is Key: While individual skill is important, Unite emphasizes teamwork. Use pings on the minimap to call out enemy locations (“Enemy incoming!”) or warn teammates about a wild Pokémon about to spawn (“Center Corphish!”). Voice chat can be incredibly helpful for complex maneuvers like coordinated attacks (“Let’s all focus on Zapdos!”)
- Support Your Squad: Be a team player! If you see a teammate struggling against an enemy, jump in to help (think of it like backing up a teammate in basketball). Reviving fallen allies gets them back in the fight faster, and focusing on objectives together (like defeating Dreadnaw) gives your team a collective advantage.
- Balanced Approach: Don’t get so focused on scoring points that you forget to defend your own goal zone. Imagine you’re playing soccer – you need to attack and score, but also prevent the other team from scoring on you! Keep an eye out for sneaky enemy attackers and be prepared to defend your turf.
Top 5 Pokemon to Unlock First in Pokemon Unite
This guide prioritizes having a well-rounded team composition by suggesting Pokemon across various roles.
- Supporter: Eldegoss (Free or purchase)
- Easy to use with focus on healing and shielding allies.
- Great for beginners due to its straightforward playstyle.
- Affordable option if not chosen as starter.
- Defender (any)
- Slowbro (Free): Decent tank available regardless of starter choice, though ranged attacks may feel different for some players.
- Snorlax (Purchase): Classic tank option for those familiar with the MOBA genre, offering good bulk.
- Crustle (Challenge reward or purchase): More complex but rewarding tank with crowd control abilities.
- Speedster: Zeroara (Free until August 31st) or Absol (Purchase)
- Zeroara (Free): Strong attacker with snowball potential if it gets ahead.
- Absol (Purchase): Nightmarish for enemies if it gains a level advantage.
- Talonflame (Starter): Good starting Speedster option, though consider Zeroara or Absol for a more aggressive playstyle.
- Attacker: Pikachu (Free or purchase), Venusaur (Trainer Level 3 reward), Alolan Ninetails (Login reward)
- Pikachu (Free or purchase): Versatile attacker, great for beginners due to ease of use.
- Venusaur (Trainer Level 3 reward): Ranged attacker with some bulk, but less mobile than Pikachu.
- Alolan Ninetails (Login reward): Deals damage and offers some crowd control, functioning as a pseudo-supporter.
- Consider other free attackers available during specific times (Cinderace, Greninja).
- All-rounder: Lucario (Purchase) or Charizard (Starter)
- Lucario (Purchase): Powerful bruiser option, functional from the start of the match.
- Charizard (Starter): Balanced all-rounder, a good choice due to its starter availability.
- All-rounders are the most complex role, so experiment with others you find interesting.
Pokémon Unite: Mastering the Climb to Ranked Glory
Climbing the ranked ladder in Pokémon Unite can be challenging, but with the right mindset and strategies, you can reach Master Rank! This guide offers practical tips based on the author’s experience reaching Master Rank in 40 days.
Focus on Improvement
- Embrace the Grind: Ranked mode offers a more rewarding and strategic experience compared to casual play. If you’re aiming for Master Rank, be prepared to adjust your playstyle and focus on improvement.
Master the Fundamentals
- Winning Strategies: The core objective is to secure kills, score points, capture objectives, and ultimately win the match. Develop a solid strategy to achieve these goals.
Champion Selection
- Lower Ranks (Expert and Below): Prioritize comfort and mechanical skill. Choose a Pokémon you enjoy playing, practice combos in training mode, and refine your builds.
- Higher Ranks (Veteran and Above): Team composition becomes crucial. Aim for a balanced team with at least one Pokémon from each role (Attacker, Defender, All-rounder, Speedster, Supporter). While flexibility exists (double Attackers or All-rounders), all other roles are generally essential for success.
Solo Queue vs. Party Queue
- Solo Queue: Opt for more independent Pokémon like All-rounders and Attackers. Supporters and Defenders rely heavily on teamwork, which can be unreliable in solo games. However, if nobody else fills these roles, take one for the team!
- Party Queue: Communication is key! Utilize voice chat, coordinate lane assignments, and research effective combo strategies to dominate the competition. Avoid taking mid lane when in a duo, as it reduces early kill potential.
Conquering Objectives
- Drednaw (7:00 and 9:00 Mark): This crucial objective grants your team a shield and significant experience, setting you up for future fights. Prioritize Drednaw over Rotom due to its long-term benefits. Coordinate with your team to secure Drednaw around the 7:30 mark, even if it means sacrificing your top lane.
- Rotom (Throughout the Match): Rotom scores 20 points and weakens the enemy goal. While helpful, it pales in comparison to Drednaw. Consider capturing Rotom after securing Drednaw.
- Zapdos (2:00 Mark): The ultimate game-changer! Zapdos grants a massive point boost and can single-handedly win the match. Save your Unite moves for this pivotal moment.
- Winning Strategy: Don’t rush Zapdos! Hide in the bushes and defend it from enemy steals. Securing the last hit wins the game, while attempting a risky capture can lead to defeat.
- Losing Strategy: Group up before engaging Zapdos. With a coordinated attack, you might secure the last hit and turn the tide.
Avoiding Throws
- Respect Role Selection: Speedsters excel in the central lane, not laning. If someone calls mid, adjust your pick to avoid a congested lane. This applies to all roles, but especially mid lane.
- Farm Priority: As a central lane Pokémon, proceed directly to your lane and avoid attacking the Aipoms. These are meant for the side lanes, and hitting them steals experience. Similarly, side laners should avoid stealing experience from the central lane Pokémon. Avoid stealing last hits from Attackers or All-rounders unless you have specific items that enhance your scoring ability.
- Prioritize Teammates: Not all Pokémon are created equal. Focus on protecting and granting farm to high-priority teammates in this order: Support, Tank, Bottom lane carry, Mid lane carry, Top lane carry. This translates to protecting Attackers the most and farming the least for Supports.
Bonus Tip: Identifying Ranks
This lesser-known trick allows you to identify teammate ranks in the loading screen (check the Reddit post linked in the original guide for details). While it doesn’t apply to enemies, it’s a neat way to gauge your team’s potential. You can also try to estimate enemy ranks by looking for seasonal rewards displayed in their trainer IDs.
Resources for Further Training
The following resources can equip you with the knowledge to master Pokémon Unite:
- The Official Pokémon Unite Website: https://unite.pokemon.com/en-us/ offers detailed guides, explanations of mechanics, and information on the latest updates.
- Online Guides and Video Tutorials: A web search for “Pokémon Unite beginner’s guide” will provide a wealth of informative resources, including written guides and video tutorials that offer in-depth explanations and gameplay tips.
With dedication and these helpful resources, you’ll be well on your way to becoming a master Pokémon trainer on Aeos Island! With a little practice, you’ll be catching ’em all and scoring victories in no time!
