Fans of Eevolutions will find delight in knowing that Eevee’s many forms make their way to Pokemon Unite, giving teams a particular elemental edge in the game. One particular Pokemon to make their way to Pokemon Unite is Glaceon, Eevee’s Ice-Type final evolution that is only accessible through the Ice Rock. With this form, Glaceon specializes in destroying their foes from afar and with rather debilitating ice-based abilities.
In Pokemon Unite, Glaceon takes the role of an Attacker, emphasizing raking in heavy damage numbers from a distance. When built properly, Glaceon packs quite a punch, especially with its Glacial Stage Unite Move that not only boosts Glaceon’s movement speed but slows down enemies within its area of effect. However, just how can players make a proper Glaceon build to decimate their foes?
Glaceon: The Essentials
Before players of Pokemon Unite use Glaceon in their matches, it may help to have a concrete understanding of their general skillset. Having a better grasp of Glaceon’s basic abilities can help players gauge their expectations more appropriately:
General Strengths
Sometimes, the best Attackers in Pokemon Unite don’t immediately depend on high damage output but rather consistency in moves that let them achieve those numbers, especially when fighting spongy Defenders like Blissey. Being a Ranged Attacker, Glaceon can engage enemies from afar without worrying much about active threats. Here are some things to consider:
- Decent synergy with moves: Unlike other Pokemon, Glaceon taps into their moves rather efficiently. Cooldowns and effects are in sync with each other, giving Glaceon a lot of room for flexibility but remain capable of dishing out attacks when cornered.
- Crowd control protections: Thanks to their Passive, Glaceon has decent crowd control protection, making them an ideal “last man standing” Attacker in incursions.
General Weaknesses
While Glaceon more or less boasts a balanced toolkit as an Attacker, their lack of consistent DPS puts them at a slight disadvantage compared to other Attackers in the game. Here are some things players need to take note regarding cons when using this Pokemon:
- Slow damage build-up: Unlike other Attackers that often dominate the DPS game in the late game, Glaceon builds damage rather slowly throughout levels. Unless the Glaceon has assistance in leveling up, they would be far outclassed by the enemy team when given the right timing.
- Mechanic-reliant DPS: Unless Glaceon has access to their Ice Crystals, their damage output won’t do much compared to other Attackers. Players trying to optimize Glaceon would need to consider maximizing Ice Crystals.
Relevant Characteristics
Players may want to figure out some general descriptions of Glaceon as an available fighter in Pokemon Unite, especially considering this rather small creature turns out to be one of the most sought-out Attackers in the MOBA. Here are some general characteristics:
- Tier: S
- Role: Attacker. Despite their rather small nature, Glaceon is nimble enough to pack a solid punch. Their ice-based abilities make them a solid threat on the battlefield, especially with the right assistance.
- Attack Type: Ranged. A lot of Glaceon’s attacks happen from afar, giving them the safety of distance when it comes to retreating or engaging enemies.
- Damage Type: Special. As a Special Damage dealer, Glaceon relies on nifty effects to get the upper hand in incursions, especially against naturally-tough foes like Blastoise.
- Difficulty: Intermediate. Given a rather tight mechanic concerning Ice Crystals, players who want to dominate the battlefield with Glaceon may need a bit of practice unlike other grab-and-go Attackers.
Relevant Statistics
- Offense: 4. Being an Attacker, Glaceon is a natural when it comes to dishing out damage and sustaining aggression. Players who need a reliable DPS can’t go wrong with Glaceon.
- Defense: 2. Unfortunately, distance is everything that separates Glaceon from being tanked in combat. Their lack of defensive options make them rather vulnerable when cornered.
- Mobility: 3. Accompanying Glaceon’s excellence in dishing out damage from afar is decent mobility, allowing players to skirt around the battlefield to deal with various combat situations.
- Scoring: 1. Given lackluster defense, Glaceon isn’t exactly the best Pokemon to use when Scoring.
- Support: 0.5. Due to their rather lack of buffs and other supporting opportunities, Glaceon doesn’t work well as a Support Pokemon unless serving as another Attacker.
The Best Glaceon Build: Focus On The Icicle Spears
Due to the middling nature of Glaceon as an Attacker in Pokemon Unite, it’s important to take advantage of all its status effect opportunities to make enemies squishy enough for the killing blow. Doing this means focusing on the full extent of Glaceon’s slowing abilities, which the below build capitalizes on:
Icicle Spear Devastation (Icicle Spear, Ice Shard)
Perhaps the best build for Glaceon for pros in Pokemon Unite would be the Icicle Spear Devastation, banking on the Icicle Spear Move as well as the Ice Shard Move in order to ensure enemies aren’t going to be fast enough to escape Glaceon’s attacks. Ice Shard is a secondary priority here, as it simply boosts Glaceon’s attack speed and converts its basic attacks into ice. This is an ideal move between two (2) Icicle Spears, as not only does each Icicle Spear attack an area of effect, but each of its moves reduce the cooldown of Ice Shard in the first place. The AOE nature of Icicle Spear makes it ideal for both single-target and multi-target incursions.
- Move Order: Ice Shard (L6) > Basic Attack > Icicle Spear (L4) > Ice Shard (L6)
Must-Have Items
On top of Glaceon’s ice-based build are relevant Items they need to hold in order to sustain their advantages on the field, as this Pokemon is at their worst in Pokemon Unite when they can’t utilize their ice shards. Thankfully, some reliable Items do allow Glaceon to outlast and outwit their foes, especially when used correctly.
- Battle Item: Full Heal
Thanks to Full Heal, a Pokemon using it will not only get rid of status ailments but becomes immune to them temporarily. With a lot of defensive Pokemon relying on crowd control to eliminate Attackers like Glaceon, Full Heal practically gives Glaceon a chance to run or to eliminate said Pokemon should they try to pull a CC on them.
- Held Items: Buddy Barrier
With Buddy Barrier, the Pokemon holding it as well as the closest Pokemon with the lowest HP will get a shield of as much as 25-percent their total HP. This immediately gives Glaceon additional survivability in the early game, and especially when using its Unite Move against multiple opponents due to the added durability.
Alternate Glaceon Builds
Players who don’t necessarily want a Glaceon that has middling damage numbers may want to try some alternative builds in Pokemon Unite, this time focusing on either bombarding enemies with status effects or prioritizing high damage with a slight setback in terms of speed and slight vulnerability. Here are some of those builds:
Fast And Loose (Icy Wind, Ice Shard)
While Glaceon is certainly not the fastest out there, their sheer speed and mobility does give it an edge compared to the rest of its Attacker companions. The key gameplay loop here is maintaining distance from enemies while mowing them down with Ice Shard, coupled with regular movement via Icy Wind to ensure players aren’t within the range of counter attacks.
- Move Order: Ice Shard (L6) > Basic Attack > Icy Wind (L4) > Ice Shard > Glacial Stage (L8) > Icy Wind
Building The Ultimate (Icicle Spear, Freeze-Dry)
Of Glaceon’s entire arsenal, it’s evidently Glacial Stage that takes the cake when it comes to powerful at tacks. With this Move, Glaceon practically messes with their enemies with almost infinite ice shards for as long as they stand within the AOE of the player, transforming Glaceon into a temporary damage powerhouse. To make this move work at its best performance, players need Icicle Spear to kite opponents and Freeze-Dry to ensure enemies aren’t able to run a way easily. Not committing to a kiting move is a Pokemon Unite mistake, as Glacial Stage needs to ensure enemies stay within its range as long as possible.
- Move Order: Icy Wind (L4) > Freeze Dry (L6) > Basic Attack > Freeze Dry > Glacial Stage (L8) > Freeze Dry
Playstyle: Slow Down For The Ice Barrage
Due to the glass cannon nature of Glaceon, it’s important for Pokemon Unite players to understand exactly where to position Glaceon in order to produce the best output. Not only that, but understanding key elements in its playstyle will allow players to take full advantage of its ice-based arsenal.
Lane Recommendations
Given their nature as an Attacker, it’s obvious for Glaceon players to want to either continue engaging foes often or leveling up quickly to gain the upper hand, especially against tougher burst-reliant foes like Charizard. In terms of lane choices, here are some recommendations to maximize Glaceon’s presence in the field:
- Jungle: Due to Glaceon’s slowing capabilities, this CC potential makes them ideal for Jungle incursions. Being able to eliminate the critters of Wild Pokemon in the area can help Glaceon level up significantly, allowing it to gain access to the rest of its toolkit much faster.
- Bottom: Due to Glaceon’s preference to stay in the backlines while attacking, they’re very well suited to engage with sturdy defenders in the Bottom Lane. If Glaceon is able to steer clear from All-Rounders and Speedsters who may come from the upper lanes, Glaceon may be able to dominate the Bottom Lane fairly quickly.
Leveling Approach
Similar to most Pokemon in Pokemon Unite, Glaceon also has recommended approaches to leveling, especially when in the presence of a heated combat zone populated by tough Defenders like Greedent. Unlike other Eeveelutions that immediately get a fighting chance in the early levels, Glaceon needs a bit of guidance to meet its full potential. Here’s a recommended leveling approach:
- Get to Level 6 ASAP: Unlike other Eevee evolutions, Glaceon only experiences its significant “spike” in damage once it starts learning its Freeze-Dry (Level 6) move, which slows down enemies for a short while after attacking them. This becomes the Pokemon’s bread and butter, so get this skill ASAP.
- Unleash DPS with Icicle Spear: When players hit Level 4 with Glaceon and want to pursue a DPS build, Icicle Spear is the name of the game. Pairing this with Glacial Stage gives players access to a constant barrage of icicle attacks.
- Speed prefers Icy Wind: By the time players reach Level 4, those who want to pursue a speed-based move for Glaceon might want to pick Icy Wind. This leap not only makes Glaceon move in a flashy way, but may even allow them to jump over walls, making this an effective way of chasing crafty Attackers like Cramorant..
- Stay inside Glacial Stage: When activating Glacial Stage, it’s advised for Glaceon to stay well within its icy zone in order to generate more Ice Crystals, and therefore be able to keep up momentum. This is where sustainability and survivability Items come in, especially since this zone is likely a hotspot for combat.
Matchup Considerations
- Teammate: Sylveon. Aside from relying on a healer, a teammate like Sylveon which can weaken an enemy’s Sp. Def allows Glaceon to dish out more damage, allowing them to exceed their DPS potential.
- Hard Counters: Cinderace. One of the best examples of a hard counter against Glaceon would be Cinderace, who can punish Glaceon not only with fierce and quick attacks, but their sheer mobility far outmaches Glaceon’s slow ice zone.
Pokemon Unite was released last 2021 for the Nintendo Switch, Android, and iOS.