The MOBA Pokémon Unite has been available for the Nintendo Switch for a while, but on September 22, the Mobile Release took place. Along with it came many new features that significantly improve the game. We show you what they are.
What is Pokémon Unite about? You can team up with up to five players against opponents. The goal of the match is to score as many goals as possible. While doing so, you keep advancing into the enemy base. The team that scores the most points through goals at the end of the game wins the match.
You can choose whether you want to play for fun or want to compete in ranked matches. Together with your Pokémon partners, you then head into battle for the goals. You can watch one of the trailers for Pokémon Unite in this video:
Pokémon Unite is not only available in various languages now—including German—but it has also introduced numerous features and new things that the community has requested. We have listed the best features that immediately caught our attention.
New User Interface (UI)
What is different about the User Interface? In short: everything and that is a good thing! The entire UI has been overhauled and made much clearer than before. While you had to click through various points to reach the point you wanted before, now a single button press on the corresponding menu suffices. You navigate much more easily.
UI before 
UI after
Also in the menu where you can view your Pokémon, there has been a lot of changes. You now have a much better overview of your Pokémon and can also change or upgrade your held items directly from the selection menu.
Additionally, you can hide everything and view your Pokémon without unnecessary frills from all sides. The Holowares (skins) you can give to your Pokémon are also more easily accessible.
Before 
After
Overall, the UI feels smoother and more professional. More like a finished game. You could clearly tell that Pokémon Unite was originally designed for mobile and not for the Nintendo Switch. An important update that also makes it easier for newcomers to navigate right away.
On mobile, the UI looks almost the same, except that it has sliders in shops that determine the amount of purchased items and no arrows, as on the Nintendo Switch.
Explanations and Specifications
Finally no more guessing: Pokémon Unite has finally added one of the most important specifications of the pocket monsters. Previously, it was not clear through the game whether a Pokémon is a special or physical attacker. You can now find this information in the menu for your Pokémon.
Also, the descriptions of the items are now much easier to find and sometimes more specified. However, some items lack further transparency. For example, the Scope Lens does not specify how much percentage of the attack value is actually taken into account, even though this information is implemented in the game.
Before 
After
Pokémon Adjustments
What do we mean by that? Pokémon Unite has already received several patches that strengthen or weaken Pokémon repeatedly. In this update, some Pokémon have undergone changes again. A useful overview has been posted by Pokémon streamer “pkmncast” on Twitter (via Twitter). This time, it seems that it has really made a difference.
In the matches we have played, we could counter every opponent and no pocket monster seemed overly strong or weak. Especially Pokémon like Charizard and Talonflame have received the much-needed boost. They can now keep up well and contribute effectively to the team.
Opponents like Lucario, Slaking, Jigglypuff, and Greninja suddenly don’t seem as overly strong as they did for a while because all monsters now have effective skills and items they can shine with. Also, Absol, with its low defense, can be useful due to its buff and corresponding new items, like Razor Claw, with its high raw damage.
New Held Items and Suggestions
What new held items are there? There are now three new held items in Pokémon Unite that you can equip to your partners:
- Weakness Policy
- Gives you more hit points (HP) and attack
- Increases your attack every time you take damage
- Choice Specs
- Gives you more special attack
- Increases the damage of attacks upon landing
- Razor Claw
- Gives you more attack and increases your critical hit rate
- When you use an attack, the next basic attack is enhanced
- If a melee fighter carries this item, they reduce the movement speed of the opponent with their basic attacks
These items provide several new strategies and build options for various Pokémon.
Weakness Policy works well on Snorlax 
Choice Specs is good on special attackers,
like Pikachu
Absol benefits from Razor Claw
What are item suggestions? Brand new are the build suggestions, which the game or other top players suggest to you. Go to the menu “Held Items” and then to “Recommended Sets” (on the Switch, press the Y button), and you will receive some suggestions for which items would work well on your Pokémon. This is particularly useful for newcomers.
Join a Unite Crew
What is a Unite Crew? A Unite Crew is a type of guild in Pokémon Unite. This feature is completely new to the game and allows you to invite up to 30 players to this crew. You can set the motto of your crew and decide whether members can join you freely or whether you need to approve it first.
When you create a crew, a code is generated through which other players can join the team. Within the Unite Crew, you can chat and see if a member is currently online and available to play. A quick way to get an overview of the people you enjoy playing with.
Revised Reporting System
What can the revised reporting system do? The new reporting system has significantly more options than the old one. While in the old system you could only report someone for being AFK or for saying inappropriate things in lobby chat, you can now report much more specifically.
This overhaul was a major request from the community, after there were many trolls who ruined matches for others. Pokémon Unite has responded to this request with the new system. However, we do not know whether there is now an AI or real people behind it. So it remains to be seen what consequences the troublemakers will face and whether it works reasonably.
No more “Zapdos Debuff”
What is the “Zapdos Debuff”? The “Zapdos Debuff” occurs when you defeat the last Kamalm before Zapdos appears. As a result, you deal less damage to Zapdos and the other team finds it easier to catch Zapdos. You can find more details in our article: Attention! Secret mechanic discovered in Pokémon Unite – Weakens your entire team
After several tests by various players, this debuff has now been removed, meaning you can safely collect all Kamalm without fearing a debuff for your team afterwards (via reddit).
Extra: Skins & Mode
What else is there? Perhaps not a feature that improves the game itself, but there are some new skins for your partners and new modes for you! Now you can either walk around with Liberlo in partner look or put on cute Shillok ears.
The skins for Pokémon are also not neglected. You can give your Pokémon a sporty look with a sweatband and a shirt or pull out a coat and hat and spruce up Krackon. In the battle pass, you also receive items such as a Venusaur hat or space suits for yourself and your Gengar.
Shillok ears 
New pirate outfit 
Detective Krackon is here 
Aye Aye Charizard
This massive update shows that Pokémon Unite has definitely listened to the community and has implemented many useful changes in the game. If you want to give the game another chance, now is the time to do so.
Did we forget a point that you really like? Are you still playing Pokémon Unite or have you lost interest in the game? Feel free to write it in the comments.
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