Pokemon Unite is a MOBA-type game published by Nintendo based on Game Freak's franchise. Players take control of one of an expanding roster of Pokemon from across every generation. The aim of the game involves defeating wild and enemy Pokemon to score points in the opponent's goals
Pokemon Unite is currently out on the Nintendo Switch, but there are plans to bring it to mobile devices. This highly simple, addictive game is a great crossover for both Pokemon and MOBA fans. The game features minimalist, simplified controls compared to some MOBAs which makes the game easier for younger fans to get into, while still allowing hardcore MOBA fans to experience exciting competitive matches.
10 Change The Controls
The developers of Pokemon Unite obviously intended this game to be approachable to both younger fans and mobile gamers, by adding a very limited set of controls, keeping things simple and understandable. This can put off hardcore MOBA players who may want more control over their characters.
Fortunately, the team at TiMi Studio Group added in settings that allow players to customize their controls. These options include a second basic attack button to distinguish between enemy and wild Pokemon, as well as an enemy targeting setting that can be set to lowest HP enemy which can allow players to guarantee kills during a busy fight.
9 Try Out Pokemon Before Unlocking Them
There is a slowly increasing list of Pokemon that are playable in the game. Since each creature is quite expensive to purchase, requiring a lot of in-game hours, it would be nice to try out a Pokemon to judge whether they're worth the purchase.
The good news is that in the practice arena, fans can try out any Pokemon for free to test whether they'll like them. The arena also lets players experiment on builds using their unlocked items, which is highly recommended.
8 Heal At Base
The Remoat Stadium map is rather large when taken into consideration how fast Pokemon move. This means that it can take a large chunk of time traveling around between fights. Players also tend not to spend much time at the home base, due to the fast-paced nature of the game.
As such, many fans miss that the base will heal Pokemon and can be used as a great tool during the game. After a large team fight, a player can teleport back to base to heal up, before running back into the fray or defending a nearby tower, using jump pads to speed the process up.
7 Upgrade And Examine Items Stats
Pokemon Unite isn't like the typical MOBA that some fans of the genre may be expecting. Instead of the usual tower destruction, players must defeat wild Pokemon to gain points, which are then scored in goals that act as the opponent's towers. Additionally, players earn items as they level up their player level, not during the match.
This can cause some players to forget about items and disregard them after they learn about them. Items can be upgraded, which levels up their stats and can also add extra effects onto them, giving Pokemon a significant boost.
6 Hide In Tall Grass
Tall grass has been an important element in Pokemon ever since the first RPGs on the Game Boy back in 1996. Originally, tall grass was where the main character would find Pokemon hiding and then be able to fight and catch them.
Strangely, tall grass in Pokemon Unite serves a similar purpose, allowing Pokemon to hide in it. Using this, players can stalk in tall grass until they see an opportune moment to strike an opponent, or they can use tall grass to hide while fleeing from enemies.
5 Adjust The Settings
The developers of Pokemon Unite did an incredible job of adding settings that allow players to customize their experience of the game. One such setting allows players to adjust framerate during handheld mode, granting the option for a consistent 30fps or 60fps with the potential for some frame drops.
Another option enables players to use a targeting wheel to aim at opponents. The wheel shows all nearby Pokemon that can be targetted and then the player can use the right stick to select whoever they want to attack, meaning they don't have to be as accurate with the control stick.
4 Ping The Map
The Mini-Map in the top left corner of the screen is a highly useful tool and a stable of any MOBA and most games released nowadays. This map allows players a quick view of the whole battlefield, capable of seeing any points that need defending, or where an attack should be aimed.
However, in the event that the player needs to point somewhere out to a teammate, they can press the minus button and then move the right stick and press A to ping somewhere on the map. This can be used to call friendlies over to help attack or defend, or warn them of incoming threats. Players can also use the quick chat system to relay important strategies to their team.
3 Charge A Combo Attack Out Of Combat
Most of the characters in Pokemon Unite have some kind of basic combo attack that they can trigger. Usually, this occurs on the third attack during a sequence. However, the attacks don't necessarily have to hit anything, meaning a player can throw two attacks shortly before an exchange, then lead into the fight with the combo move.
Some Pokemon even have special moves that advance the combo. This means they can throw one attack, then activate a move into combat, and finish with the combo attack. One setting in the options menu adds a Combo Attack tracker below the player's health bar, making for an easy way to monitor the number of attacks.
2 Teleporting Through Walls
The maps in Pokemon Unite are filled with pesky walls, much like most MOBA games, that are used to block paths between lanes create areas for wild Pokemon. Sadly these walls are impenetrable and require players to walk around them to get into a lane or the middle area.
However, if the player has the eject button as their battle item, they can teleport through a lot of the walls present on all of the maps. This can make for good escapes or a great way to sneak up and attack enemy Pokemon.
1 Double Score In The Last Two Minutes
The standard 5v5 battles of Pokemon Unite take place under a 10-minute time limit. This is fairly quick in comparison to many similar competitive games of this genre. Though this keeps the game feeling fast-paced and entertaining.
The most interesting mechanic is that as soon as the clock drops below 2 minutes, all points scored are worth double. With the wild Zapdos giving out a potential 110 points among the whole team, the last couple of minutes of the game can bring a serious change to the outcome of a match.