Pokemon Unite is off to a very exciting start and has already seen a ton of growth in just the first few weeks of gameplay. The Nintendo Pokemon-themed MOBA definitely has found an audience and the team behind the game are working to nurture that crowd, and draw in additional players, by providing frequent updates and new features based on player and community feedback.
With that in mind, the next update to Pokemon Unite actually rolls out tomorrow, August 4, at 12:00am PT. As expected, the update is jam-packed with bug fixes, some balance changes for just about every Pokemon on the roster, and a test release of the Spectate feature. It's a pretty lengthy change log, so there's a lot for players to soak in and for the metagame number crunchers to consider as they adjust their power rankings.
The Spectate feature test is scheduled to run from August 4 through August 6. It will be interesting to see how that feature looks during the window and hopefully enough feedback and data is gathered during the short test to give the team what they need to prepare for a full rollout in the near future. The bulk of the patch is really dedicated to balancing the existing roster though. Players can find all the details below and should definitely, at the very least, take note of the changes to whichever Pokemon they prefer to main most frequently...
"Changes are being made to some Pokémon stats and moves to adjust the balance of Unite Battles."
Charizard
Flamethrower: Cooldown reduced.
Effects on opposing Pokémon strengthened.
Fire Punch: Effects on opposing Pokémon strengthened.
Fire Blast: Cooldown reduced. Effects on opposing Pokémon strengthened.
Talonflame
Acrobatics: Damage dealt to opposing Pokémon increased.
Aerial Ace: Damage dealt to opposing Pokémon increased.
Aerial Ace+: Damage dealt to opposing Pokémon increased.
Fly: Damage dealt to opposing Pokémon increased.
Venusaur
Sludge Bomb: Damage dealt to opposing Pokémon increased.
Effects on opposing Pokémon strengthened.
Petal Dance: Move Upgrade
Solar Beam:Cooldown reduced.
Unite Move: Verdant Anger
Damage dealt to opposing Pokémon increased.
Absol
Basic Attack: Bug Fixes
Night Slash: Damage dealt to opposing Pokémon increased.
Sucker Punch: Damage dealt to opposing Pokémon increased.
Wigglytuff
The following stats have been increased: Defense, Sp. Def, HP
Double Slap - Damage dealt to opposing Pokémon increased. Effects on opposing Pokémon strengthened.
Sing - Effects on opposing Pokémon strengthened.
Dazzling Gleam - Bug Fixes
Eldegoss
Cotton Guard - Cooldown lengthened. HP restoration decreased.
Cotton Spore - Cooldown reduced. Effects on opposing Pokémon strengthened. This move’s Defense, Sp. Def increase has been strengthened.
Unite Move: Cotton Cloud Crash - HP restoration decreased.
Cinderace
The following stats have been decreased: Attack
Blaze Kick - Damage dealt to opposing Pokémon decreased.
Feint - Move Downgrade
Pyro Ball - Damage dealt to opposing Pokémon increased.
Gengar
Basic Attack - Bug Fixes
Shadow Ball - Damage dealt to opposing Pokémon increased.
Hex - Move Downgrade
Dream Eater - Move Upgrade
Zeraora
Spark - Bug Fixes
Wild Charge - Damage dealt to opposing Pokémon increased.
Cooldown reduced.
Unite Move: Plasma Gale -Damage dealt to opposing Pokémon decreased.
Cramorant
Whirlpool - Damage dealt to opposing Pokémon decreased.
Dive - Damage dealt to opposing Pokémon increased.
Machamp
Basic Attack - Bug Fixes
Cross Chop - Damage dealt to opposing Pokémon decreased.
Close Combat - Damage dealt to opposing Pokémon increased.
Lucario
Power-Up Punch - Bug Fixes
Bone Rush - Bug Fixes
Greninja
Basic Attack - Bug Fixes
Alolan Ninetales
Snow Warning - Bug Fixes
Obviously that's a ton of changes to consider. Keep in mind that the average player doesn't necessarily need to worry about every little adjustment as the game grows and continues to be rebalanced. This is a natural progression for a competitive title like Pokemon Unite and players should focus mostly on the Pokemon that they prefer to play with. Getting caught up in the details of every balance change can become a little overwhelming otherwise.
Pokemon Unite is available now on Nintendo Switch.