It's the dream Pokemon game we've always wanted!Pokemon Uniteallows players to battle against each other in real time as their favorite Pokemon.
There's a lot going on in a Pokemon Unite game, and it can be confusing for someone unfamiliar with the MOBA genre. Lucky for you, our complete Pokemon Unite beginner's guide will get you up to speed quickly.
What is Pokemon Unite?
The newest title to hit the MOBA scene, Pokemon Unite pits players against each other in teams of five. These ten players battle as their favorite Pokemon in real time.
Understanding the MOBA genre
The word MOBA stands for Multiplayer Online Battle Arena. Used to describe games where players face each other in groups, usually fives, such asDota 2andLegion of Legends.
At the start of a MOBA game, players will need to level up their characters by defeating enemy players or AI-controlled characters. This usually takes place in one of the lanes on the map.
The word lane describes the paths that go from one side of the map to the other. top lane and bottom lane in the case of Pokemon Unite. Both teams will then battle until one of them fulfills the win condition of that particular game.
How to win in Pokemon Unite?
Pokemon Unite is all about scoring points and to win, your team must score more points than your opponents in the 10 minute time limit.
You earn points by either hitting wild or player-controlled enemy Pokemon and scoring them on one of the enemy team's objectives.
What Pokemon should I choose in Pokemon Unite?
With so many Pokemon to choose from in the store, you'll probably start to wonder who's worth your hard-earned Aeos coins.
Don't panic if you're confused about what kind of Pokemon to play. With five classes available to choose from, there's sure to be one to suit your playstyle whether you're a beginner or a veteran.
Type of attacker
If you like seeing big damage numbers from afar, Attacker-type Pokemon are right up your alley.
Offense is everything for Attacker-type Pokemon. They are responsible for dealing most of the team's damage in Pokemon Unite.
However, as one of the squishier classes, they need to be protected by Defenders and All-Rounders who can deal the damage.
Beginner-friendly Attacker-type Pokemon are Pikachu and Cinderace.
Type Speedster
Opportunists at heart, Speedsters can make quick work of lone Pokemon and unguarded targets.
The killers of Pokemon Unite, their natural mobility allows Speedsters to not only dance around most Pokemon with ease, but also get sneaky points when no one is watching.
They are strongest in the early game where they can bully most Pokemon until they start to evolve.
While Speedsters aren't very beginner friendly, consider using Zeraora if you want to give the class a try.
All-Rounder type
Get in the face of your opponents and brawl non-stop with the All-Rounder Pokemon.
Having a good balance of offense and defense, All-Rounders are great Pokemon for players who enjoy changing their gameplay on the fly with their versatile moves. They are hard to knock out and absolutely terrifying if they catch the enemy Attacker or Speedster.
Of all the All-Rounders available, Lucario has the most forgiving and beginner-friendly gameplay thanks to its natural volume and movement options.
Defender type
Tanks of the world unite, because Pokemon Unite has graced us with the big, beautiful and deadly Defender Pokemon. Essentially walking walls for the team, a Defender type's decisions can make or break teamfights.
Not only do they soak up a lot of front line damage, but they can help create disabled knockouts, draw enemy attention away from teammates, and prevent the enemy from getting important targets.
Blastoise and Snorlax are great choices for beginners looking to dive into the Defender role in Pokemon Unite.
Support type
Not much of a fighter? No problem, you can support your team with buffs, provide shields and heal with Supporter Pokemon.
They may look cute and cuddly, but be warned that Supporter-type Pokemon can make an entire team hit harder, faster, and harder to knock out with their support-based moves. No one will say no to having a Supporter on the team.
Eldegoss is a very beginner-friendly defensive option, while Wigglytuff is a great offensive support Pokemon.
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How to play Pokemon Unite?
The three main objectives you will perform in a game of Pokemon Unite are:
- Knockout enemy Pokemon
- Leveling up
- Grading
The most important of these three is scoring, because ultimately the team that scores the most points in the 10-minute match is the winner.
When the game starts, you'll want to pick a lane and start hitting wild Pokemon to progress and score points.
Do your best to score points whenever you can, but only when it's safe. The enemy team gets extra experience if they manage to knock you out. Likewise, if you can beat them too.
At seven minutes, the two objective Pokemon, Rotom and Drednaw, will spawn at the top and bottom of the map. Do your best to try to hit these Pokemon because they reward extra points. Plus, their results will benefit you and your team.
When the match has two minutes left, Zapdos will spawn in the middle of the map and all points scored from here on out are doubled! Even if your team is behind, scoring a few double dunks can win you the game.
Held items and combat items
There are two types of items that players can equip in Pokemon Unite: held items and battle items.
Held items provide passive bonuses such as extra stats or effects to their owner. These effects can include bonus critical hit rate, additional health, and damage reduction.
Up to three items you're holding can be equipped at any time, so don't be afraid to mix and match depending on your team composition and playstyle.
Battle items are items that can be activated at any point in the game to benefit the user. Think of them as an extra move.
This includes temporary stat-boosting combat items like X Attack and X Speed, or additional moves like Slow Smoke's cloud slowdown. Only one combat item can be equipped at any time.
Which lane should I go to in Pokemon Unite?
The general rule of thumb for lanes in Pokemon Unite is that there should always be two Pokemon in both the top and bottom lanes and one Pokemon in the center area.
Top lane
- 1 x Attacker ή Speedster ή All-Rounder
- 1 x Defender or Support
Attackers who are weak early on will want to play in the top lane for experience rather than the bottom lane as it can get hectic down there when Drednaw spawns.
Speedsters and All-Rounders can also play in the top lane if your team is missing an attacker or in a different lane.
The second Pokemon in the lane must be able to protect its partner. Defenders are the ideal top lane partner, but a Supporter Pokemon works as well.
Central Area
- 1x Speedster ή All-Rounder ή Attacker
Commonly referred to as the jungle by MOBA veterans, the core area is usually reserved for Speedsters who want to sidelane early using their level advantage. All-Rounders and Attackers also benefit from the central area because these Pokemon can also benefit from the extra levels.
Bottom lane
- 1 x All-Rounder ή Attacker
- 1 x Support or Defender
The bottom lane is where all the action is, and you'll do well with Pokemon that can brawl early on.
All-Rounders are the perfect Pokemon here because they can take a few hits and do good damage. An attacker can replace the All-Rounder, but will have to be extra careful not to get carried away when a fight breaks out.
Support Pokemon are best in the bottom lane because they can help their partner survive longer with support moves. If no Support Pokemon are available, a Defender can help.
What am I doing in the Central Region?
Knock out Lilipup early in the game, then get the power up from Ludicolo. This buff will help you take down wild Pokemon faster.
Take out Bouffalant for its defense-reducing buff, then knock out the two nearby Corphish to earn a quick level five.
At level five, head to the nearest lane and look for an opening to hit an enemy Pokemon out of the bush.
What are the Pokemon goals?
Unlike wild Pokemon, objective Pokemon provide buffs, effects, or help the team that took the last hit that knocked them out.
Rotom
In seven minutes, Rotom is at the top of the map.
If your team gets Rotom, it will slowly move towards the enemy objective and attack any enemy Pokemon standing in its way. If it hits the objective, it will add 20 points to the objective and allow your team to instantly gain points on that objective for a short period of time.
Dreadnaw
Also, at seven minutes, Drednaw is at the bottom of the map.
Teams protecting Drednaw gain a temporary shield and an experience boost for all allied Pokemon. We can't stress enough that giving away a free Drednaw is a huge mistake! Always be ready to fight for Drednaw with your team when he spawns.
Zapdos
Only in the center of the map during the last two minutes of the game, Zapdos is the MOST important target Pokemon in the entire game.
Whichever team takes the final hit on Zapdos instantly gets 20 points each and can instantly kill points on any goal for a short time. Even if your team is losing horribly, there's always hope if you can get Zapdos in!
Game Guide: Tips and Tricks for Getting Started in Pokemon Unite
1. Only one Pokemon should go to the main area at the beginning of the game
The whole point of having a Pokemon in the core area is to be able to level up quickly. Sharing the experience here defeats the purpose of the hub area. If you see someone walking in the central area at the beginning of the game, you better choose a side lane.
2. Don't fight over the enemy target
Unless your team greatly outnumbers the defending Pokemon, it's never worth trying to fight Pokemon while standing on their targets. The free healing and armor they get from standing on the target will make them very hard to knock out in most cases.
3. Accumulating points heals your Pokemon
If your Pokemon needs a quick pick-me-up, score a goal if no one is around. It doesn't matter how many points you score, as long as your Pokemon takes a slam dunk into the goal zone, you'll get some health back. This is useful if you want to save Sitrus Berries or don't want to teleport back to base.
4. Use the grass to launch surprise attacks
Grass is not for decoration, guys. Pokemon standing in long grass are hidden from the enemy, making them a perfect ambush tool. You can even use it to escape enemy Pokemon in a chase. Getting a Pokemon out in lane makes it easier for your team to score some extra points.
5. Only the final hit on the objective Pokemon counts
Objective Pokemon belong to the team that takes the last knock out hit —notwhoever does the most damage. Don't be afraid to save a hard hitting move to steal that Drednaw or Zapdos from the enemy team!
6. Top up your Pokemon Unite knowledge by revisiting the tutorial
If you ever forget how something works, you can revisit the Pokemon Unite tutorial. The tutorial is in the Practice section at the top of the menu bar.
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