Like many live service games, Pokemon Unite features a free and premium Battle Pass. Trainers earn points for completing specific challenges, which unlock levels of the Battle Pass. Every task counts if players are aiming for the higher-tiered rewards, but there is a challenge that can't be completed this week without owning a specific character, who isn't very popular.
To play as a different Pokemon, trainers must have their Pokemon Unite License first. Some can be earned by completing login bonuses and special events, but most are obtained by buying them from the in-game store. Aeos Coins and Gems can be exchanged for a License, and while Coins can be earned for free, it takes a long time to accumulate the large amounts needed to buy a character.
Redditor PumkinKing333 was one of the first to notice that the challenge "Participate in 6 Battles With Garchomp" is actually impossible to complete unless trainers have bought Garchomp in Pokemon Unite. The character has never been rewarded for completing special events, and isn't on the free rotation list of Pokemon, which is updated weekly. Unfortnately, it won't refresh until next week's Battle Pass rewards have started meaning it will be too late for trainers to earn the points.
This Is Not OK For A Weekly Challenge! It Should Not Include Pokemon You Don't Own! from PokemonUnite
This means that 10,000 Aeos Coins or 575 Aeos Gems must be spent to obtain the Garchomp License in Pokemon Unite in order to complete the challenge. If trainers don't have any Coins or Gems, they would have to buy the $19.99 Aeos Gem bundle to get the required amount to purchase Garchomp, which is more than double what the Premium Battle Pass costs. Trainers can of course choose not to buy Garchomp and leave the task uncompleted instead, but it rewards 120 points toward the Pokemon Unite Battle Pass, making it a big loss for subscribers.
The issue is just one of many that the TiMi Studios developed MOBA has had since its launch in July this year. Poor patch notes, pay-to-win accusations, and in-game problems like the Lucario bug that was seriously affecting Ranked Matches has resulted in a lot of frustrated players. Every major backlash does get addressed, but fixes take far too long when compared to other MOBAs and live service games. In between fixes, the lack of communication means players never know if the developer is aware of whatever problem fans are trying to bring to its attention.
Garchomp not being in the weekly rotation list could just be an accidental oversight, but it's been four days since the Week 4 challenges (and backlash) started, and nothing has changed. It could just be that famous lack of communication from TiMi again, but at the moment, the issue isn't doing Pokemon Unite and its pay-to-win reputation any favors.
Pokemon Unite is available now on Mobile and Switch.