Pokémon UNITE is a mobile MOBA game developed by Tencent and published by The Pokémon Company. The game is yet to release globally, but we have been playing its beta for over a week. So we thought, why not share a beginner’s guide to teach the new players the basics of this 5v5 team-based battle game. From Roles, Items to tips and tricks to win – we have got you covered.
Objective
Pokémon UNITE is entirely different from any other MOBA game out in the market when it comes to the objective. Unlike other games where teams struggle to break the enemy’s core tower to win the match, in Pokémon UNITE, teams get a 10 Minute time to score as many goals in opponents’ goal zone. The teams with the higher number of goals at the end of the timer win the match.
Teams and roles
A team in Pokémon UNITE consists of five players, and each player has a different role to fulfil. The roles are:
- Attacker: Pokémon that have low endurance and excel at dealing heavy ranged damage to opponents.
- Defender: Pokémon that have high endurance and excel at protecting allies and hindering opponents.
- Speedster: Pokémon that have high mobility and offense and excel at making quick attacks and scoring points.
- All-Rounder: Pokémon that have balanced offense and endurance and are highly tenacious fighters.
- Supporter: Pokémon that provides team support by inflicting status conditions on opponents and by healing allies.
Note: It’s not a thumb rule, but a good team should always have 1 Pokémon for each role.
Map Position
Depending on the type of Pokémon, the player should choose the path on the map. Again it’s not a thumb rule, but a good team will always split the lanes in the following manner.
- Top Path: Attacker & Defender Pokémon
- Bottom Path: All-Rounder and Supporter Pokémon
- Middle Path: Speedster Pokémon
Attacker and Defender Pokémon plays together in the top lane. The attacker is the one who scores goals in the top path. While defender not only defends the teams’ goal zone but also assists the attacker.
On the bottom path, All-Rounder Pokémon is the one responsible for both protecting and doing goals. The supporter Pokémon’s job is to keep the all-rounder Pokémon safe.
Lastly, Speedster Pokémon’s job is to kill wild Pokémon in the jungle and score goals wherever the map is empty. Speedster Pokémon also acts as an assassin whose job is to aid their teammates all around the map when they are taking a fight.
Map
The classic map consists of two paths and a jungle area in the between. Across the map, there are brushes where players can hide. When a Pokémon is in a brush, other Pokémon won’t see it until they enter the same bush or the Pokémon hiding makes a move by attacking.
Each side has 5 Goal zones, 2 in the top path, 2 in the bottom path, and one in the center, right next to the base.
Wild Pokémon
There are many wild Pokémon on the map; killing them will grant the player Unite Balls, which can then be used to score a goal. There is not really much to know about the wild Pokémon. However, there are 3 important Wild Pokémon, which are important to know about.
- Zapdos: It spawns in the center of the map in the last 2 minutes of the game. Killing this Wild Pokémon destroys the enemy goal zone for 30 seconds allowing the team to score goals without waiting time.
- Rotom: It spawns after the first 3 minutes of the match in the top path. Killing Rotom sends a moving target with Unite Balls that upon reaching the enemy’s goal zone scores 20 points.
- Drednaw: It spawns in the bottom lane; killing it will grant extra EXP and a temporary shield to the entire team.
Controls
The controls of the game are pretty straightforward. On the left side is the movement joystick and on the right lower right is the attack button. Just above the attack button, there are ability buttons. The attack button has no cooldown and can be spammed all the time, while abilities have a cooldown period. With time as the Pokémon level up, an upgrade (+) button will appear right above the skill that you can press and upgrade.
There are also few quick chat/ ping option on the right upper side, that can be used to quickly communicate with you teammates.
Gaining Exp and Unite balls
Exp is required to level up a Pokémon. They will further evolve at a particular level, which is different for each Pokémon. (if your Pokémon evolves at all). Exp can be gained by killing wild Pokémon, enemy Pokémon etc., even if you stay idle with some, you will get some exp. Teammates’ actions also give exp.
Unite Balls are required to score a goal in the enemy goal zone. Unite Balls can be collected by killing Wild Pokémon or killing enemy Pokémon and picking up their Unite Balls.
Items
There are two types of Items in Pokémon UNITE – Battle Items and Held Items.
Battle Items: These are similar to League of Legend’s Summoner Spells such as smite and Flash. These are basically extra abilities that you can use in the battle. For example: Eject Battle items allow you to flash a few meters ahead quickly; you can use this battle item to either run away or chase an enemy. Just like abilities, battle items also have a cooldown.
Held Items: These work similarly as in the Pokémon Video Games; there are pre-set items before the battle that boosts the stats of the Pokémon. These items are pre-bought and pre-set before the battle. You cannot buy these items during the game.
Also Read: Pokémon UNITE first impressions: Not your typical mobile MOBA
There are thousands of more things that are still left to share with you guys. But let’s not make things complex. So that will be all for the beginner’s guide of Pokémon UNITE. Once you have understood everything that we have shared here, we will also publish an advance guide.
