Pokemon Unite finally brings Pokemon Battles into the intense MOBA scene, this time around with a unique scoring mechanic. As a result, players control Pokemon not just to outmatch each other, but to work together to score the highest points in the match. This new mechanic certainly shocked players expecting a straightforward MOBA title, but this isn't the only element where Pokemon Unite shocked fans.
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Just weeks into release, Pokemon Unite continues to surprise fans with the way it breaks typical MOBA conventions. For the interest of newcomers, just how different is Unite's approach compared to the usual MOBA experience?
10 It's A Typical Tower Destruction MOBA
Given the popularity of mobile MOBAs today, it makes sense for fans to expect Pokemon Unite to follow the usual MOBA formula. The genre will have two teams of players traverse a three-laned map laced with towers defending their respective sides. In a match, players need to destroy towers and obliterate the "main base" across the opposing side's corner. Along the way, characters level up and acquire items or defeat Jungle monsters to gain buffs.
Pokemon Unite follows most aspects of the formula, except the base destruction mechanic. Both Pokemon teams still traverse a three-lane map, eliminating minions and enemies, but this time to gain points. Towers in Unite also take the form of scoring platforms that Pokemon need to stand on and claim their points. As such, the team that scores the most points will win the match.
9 It Only Features Overrated Pokemon
With Unite featuring a limited roster of Pokemon on launch, it makes sense for fans to think the game will only include extremely popular Pokemon. Interestingly for Unite, the game actually includes Pokemon across all Generations. In fact, some of its launch Pokemon aren't even as popular to fans!
Aside from iconic Pokemon such as Pikachu, Charizard, and Gengar, Unite also features Pokemon such as Cinderace and even Alolan Ninetails. It seems Unite prioritized including Pokemon that can realistically perform various maneuvers while controlled, akin to Pokken Tournament characters.
8 Types Still Matter In The Overall Meta
Anyone who's played Pokemon competitively knows that Typings matter when battling Pokemon. Aside from Pokemon having a Type association, even their attacks have a particular Type with them. This Type dictates just how effective or ineffective attacks or certain strategies are against certain Pokemon. If Unite is a fast-paced MOBA, surely Types would easily dominate in the meta, right?
Players of Unite would surprisingly realize that Typing doesn't particularly matter in this iteration of Pokemon Battles. In these Unite Battles, Pokemon can dish out attacks without Types affecting their moves' performance. However, moves can still cause status effects – such as Burn for damage-over-time, or Freeze for stun.
7 Immunities Can Break The Game
Players who want to dwell deeper within the intricacies of Pokemon Typing will remember that certain Types don't just "deal more" or "deal less" damage to Pokemon. Rather, some Pokemon Types affect whether a receiver can Resist or outright become Immune to an attack. For instance, being a Ghost Type, Gengar is technically immune to Physical attacks.
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However, Pokemon Unite also discards Immunities alongside Typings. In turn, attacks that would otherwise not affect certain Pokemon don't matter in Unite. In the case of Gengar, "physical" attacks can still hit it despite its Ghost Typing.
6 Scoring Is Complicated
Given Pokemon Unite and its unique take on the MOBA genre via a scoring system, some newcomers might think it can get extremely complicated. Thankfully, Unite does have a straightforward take for most aspects of its scoring mechanic. At its core, Pokemon accumulate points through defeating mobs and Boss Pokemon. When defeating enemy Pokemon, they drop their own accumulated points instead.
Players only get to score points if they scored at a goal. This grants their Pokemon EXP and heals them after the scoring animation. Pokemon who score a goal also reduces their Unite Move cooldown. Lastly,
5 Builds Aren't As Flexible If Pokemon Have Generic Moves
Players of Pokemon games would remember that each Pokemon should only have four moves to use throughout combat. As a turn-based game, a four-move character can become manageable. If Unite follows that same system, then surely most Pokemon there wouldn't have diverse builds, right?
Thankfully for Unite, it does adopt a unique leveling up system for Pokemon. At certain levels, Pokemon get the option to learn a particular move out of a choice of two. Some moves differ in their ranged options, while some move options make players choose between a damaging move or a utility move. These alone could give Pokemon secondary roles outside usual expectations.
4 Using Starters Should Be A Disadvantage
If Pokemon Unite grabs Pokemon from various Generations to its roster, then chances are there's going to be Starter Pokemon in the mix, right? Wouldn't using a Starter Pokemon be a disadvantage against stronger, evolved Pokemon?
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Newcomers still confused about the presence of Starters in Unite don't need to worry about imbalance. They'll use Starters, yes, but only in the beginning of combat. Building upon the leveling mechanic in the series, Unite will have Pokemon evolve as they reach certain levels. This explains why choosing Charizard will have players start as Charmander since they have to level up their way to obtain Charizard in the midgame or endgame.
3 Pikachu Is Easily An OP Pokemon
Since Pikachu remains the ever-recognizable mascot of the franchise, it makes sense for Pikachu to become an OP character in Pokemon Unite, right? Newcomers to Unite even use Pikachu as a tutorial Pokemon. In terms of abilities, even Pikachu possesses a mobile toolkit with great emphasis in range, perfect for players that want to stay safe at a distance.
Fortunately for players, Pikachu isn't exactly OP in Unite. As an Attacker, Pikachu heavily relies on offense and aggression to pressure the opponent. However, Pikachu faces a huge risk when doing so given its low defense and durability.
2 Microtransactions Will Hurt The Experience
As with most games nowadays, Pokemon Unite also has a microtransactions system, and a deep one at that. While Gems are the only premium currency bought with money, other free currencies also exist. These include Aeos Tickets, Aeos Coins, Fashion Tickets, and Holowear Tickets. Aside from Gems, other free currencies are attainable through combat (for Coins) or other kinds of events and achievements.
And while there are multiple items to purchase in the shop, most of the "essentials" are easily attainable. New Pokemon, for instance, are attained by getting Unite Licenses for them. Said Licenses can be purchased through Aeos Coins, which usually battles and missions award.
1 It's Best To Play In The Switch
When Pokemon Unite was released, players got access to its Nintendo Switch version with a mobile version coming in September 2021. This is great news, especially for its crossplay feature. Naturally, fans might assume that playing in the more powerful Nintendo Switch would definitely provide a better experience, right? This isn't necessarily the case, as it seems playing on either platform would immediately have its pros and cons.
In the case of the Switch, players can take advantage of being able to use a controller and having a much bigger screen. Given the size, the Switch does suffer from limited portability. Likewise, the upcoming mobile version could boast better portability and comfort to those who prefer playing via touch screen, but mobile can have latency issues.
NEXT: Pokemon Unite Explained: How it Fits in the Franchise, and What You Need to Know
