Pokémon Unite launched on Nintendo Switch with 23 playable characters, although that number has grown beyond 30 — thanks to dozens of post-release updates. Plenty more are expected to arrive with future patches, but for now, you’ll have iconic monsters such as Pikachu, Charizard, Greninja, Gengar, and more at your disposal.
These 30-plus Pokémon are further grouped into five categories — Attacker, Speedster, All-Rounder, Defender, and Supporter. Each group has a specific playstyle, although all characters bring their own twist to the battlefield. Before jumping into the latest MOBA on the market, take a few minutes to familiarize yourself with every Pokémon in Pokémon Unite.
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You’ll also want to take a look at the shortlist of Wild Pokémon, which are non-playable characters that you’ll encounter during each match and grant a variety of bonuses when defeated.
Further reading
- Everything we know about Pokémon Legends: Arceus
- Everything we know about Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl
- The best free Nintendo Switch games
Attacker Pokémon in Pokémon Unite
These characters might have low Endurance, but they make up for it with attacks that can deal massive damage at a distance. Anyone looking to press the opponent and rack up points should give strong consideration to these Pokémon.
- Pikachu: One of the best choices for new players, Pikachu can easily hit enemies at a distance. Its Support and Endurance stats may leave you vulnerable, but so long as you remain far away from your target, you should be able to deal massive damage. Best of all, some of its attacks paralyze foes — leaving them open for subsequent attacks.
- Greninja: Do yourself a favor and avoid playing as Greninja until you’ve got a grasp on the basics of Pokémon Unite. As one of the most challenging characters in the game, Greninja is capable of dealing huge damage and surprising foes with smokescreens and doppelgangers. You’ll need to evolve from Froakie and Grogadier before gaining all this power — but it’s well worth the challenge.
- Venusaur: After a brief stint as Bulbasaur and Ivysaur, Venusaur offers incredible ranged DPS. It’s a bit on the slow side — and boasts one of the worst Support stats in the game — but its Verdant Anger move is a deadly AoE attack that’ll quickly deplete nearby health bars.
- Alolan Ninetales: Capable of both dealing damage and freezing enemies in their tracks, Alolan Ninetales is a boon to any team. Evolving from Alolan Vulpix at Level 4, Alolan Ninetales is a well-rounded Attacker that fits most playstyles. If things start to get sketchy, its Snow Globe skill will stop opponents in their tracks — giving you time for an easy escape or a quick barrage of attacks.
- Cramorant: With a strong combination of Offense, Endurance, and Mobility, Cramorant is a force to be reckoned with on the battlefield. Trigger its Gulp Missiles skill at the right time, and any approaching Pokémon will be bombarded with a deadly onslaught of flying fish.
- Cinderace: This excellent starter Pokémon is perfect for hounding enemies with attacks before deftly fleeing to safer ground. As one of the only Attackers with decent Mobility, Cinderace is well-suited for beginners. The hardest part? Trying to evolve from the underpowered Scorbunny and Raboot — manage that, and it’s hard to beat Cinderace.
- Gardevoir: Added to the game after its initial release, Gardevoir is an incredibly slow Pokémon that packs a massive punch. It allows you to attack your foes from long range with psychic attacks, although you’ll need to master a unique set of skills to use them properly.
- Duraludon: A relatively balanced, ranged Attacker, Duraludon is a solid choice if you’re looking to keep enemies at bay. The Unite Move, Revolving Ruin, sees Duraludon spinning in a circle while firing out a deadly beam of light — damaging enemies and simultaneously buffing its own Attack and adding a temporary shield.
- Decidueye: Not only can Decidueye deal damage, but its Scoring and Support stats are just as robust as its Offense stat. That means you can easily swoop in and light up the scoreboard, or you can venture out on your own without worrying about teammates for backup.
- Sylveon: Everything about Sylveon is impressive — aside from its abysmal Endurance and Mobility. Evolving from Eevee is the first task you’ll need to achieve, but eventually, you’ll unlock a unique set of moves that are both powerful and capable of restoring your HP. Its Unite Move, for example, sees you jumping skyward and dealing damage to nearby enemies while also restoring a portion of your health.
Speedster Pokémon in Pokémon Unite
If you’re looking to zip around the battlefield at a breakneck pace, look no further than one of these Speedsters. With the high Mobility and Offense stats, Pokémon of this Battle Type are well-suited for scoring points and quickly striking opponents.
- Zeraora: Impressive Mobility with plenty of Offense, Zeraora is perfect for expert players. You’ll need to get in close to deal any real damage, but its electrifying skill set is deadly in the right hands.
- Talonflame: With a maxed-out Mobility stat, Talonflame can zip around the battlefield faster than nearly all other Pokémon. You’ll want to quickly evolve from Fletchling and Fletchinder, but once you’ve transformed into Talonflame, you can easily take control of the match.
- Absol: A good all-around choice, Absol excels at close-range damage — and closing the gap between themselves and their target. A good mix of Mobility, Offense, and Endurance makes them an enticing choice — although the need to carefully time your moves makes them better suited for expert players.
- Gengar: If you want to surprise your enemies with hard-hitting attacks, look no further than Gengar. As the sneakiest Speedster available, Gengar offers up a playstyle that sees you lurking in Tall Grass before popping out and dealing huge damage. Gastly and Haunter aren’t too powerful, but Gengar makes up for it when you eventually reach Level 9.
All-Rounder Pokémon in Pokémon Unite
As a jack-of-all-trades, these All-Rounders come with a solid mix of Offense and Endurance. Some are agile, a few offer excellent melee damage, and others bring a bit of stealth gameplay to the mix. Regardless of which you pick, however, you’ll be in for a versatile gameplay experience.
- Charizard: Starting as a lowly Charmander isn’t easy, but evolve into Charmeleon and finally Charizard to have one of the most versatile skill sets in all of Pokémon Unite. With a solid balance of Offense, Endurance, and Mobility, Charizard excels at laying down suppressing fire that can effectively halt enemy progress.
- Lucario: Combining Mobility and Offense — and with no evolutions to worry about — Lucario is a formidable melee fighter that requires you to keep moving to be successful. Pull off its Unite Move — Aura Cannon — and you’ll conjure up a massive beam of energy that devastates anyone caught in its path.
- Machamp: If you’re after brute strength, Machamp should be at the top of your list. With a nearly maxed Offense stat and surprising Endurance and Mobility, Machamp is a great Pokémon to bring into close-quarters combat. Barrage Blow is the standout move in its arsenal, which sends Machamp barreling forward to unload a series of vicious punches on its prey.
- Garchomp: A powerhouse in its own right, Garchomp’s Rough Skin ability can cause damage to anyone who attacks it — making it a great way to injure careless opponents who are just spamming their skills.
- Tsareena: After evolving from Bounsweet and Steenee, you’ll get the chance to roam around as Tsareena. She brings a good mix of Offense and Endurance to your team, but you’ll need to be an expert to maximize her potential. Widely considered one of the best Pokémon in the game, be sure to give her a shot later in your Pokémon Unite career.
- Dragonite: Not only does Dragonite rank highly in the Pokémon Unite meta, but it’s also one of the easiest characters to master. That’s largely due to its great Offense, Scoring, and Endurance stats, which allow you to rack up points for your team. If you get caught off-guard, Dragonite’s Unite Move will send them soaring into the air before plummeting down onto enemies — dealing big damage and increasing your chances for survival.
- Aegislash: Although it’s a bit difficult to master, Aegislash is a nimble character that offers impressive damage output for the class. That high Offense stat is offset by low Endurance, so you’ll need to pick your fights carefully. You’ll also need to evolve from Honedge and Doublade before seeing the full power of Aegislash — but skilled players will find plenty to like about its deadly moveset.
- Azumarill: Get up close and personal with Asumarill — a melee-based All-Rounder that can take a beating. Its Support and Scoring stats are lackluster, but after evolving from Marill to Azumarill at Level 5, the character becomes a jack-of-all-trades on the battlefield. If you’re a newcomer to Pokémon Unite, consider picking up this easy-to-learn character.
Defender Pokémon in Pokémon Unite
With the best Endurance stats in all of Pokémon Unite, Defenders are best for protecting teammates and keeping opponents away from key spots on the map. They might be a bit slow and lack firepower, but they sure know how to take a beating.
- Snorlax: Believe it or not, Snorlax won’t be blocking any paths in Pokémon Unite. Instead, it’s a fully playable character — complete with an Endurance stat that puts all others to shame. Capable of taking dozens of hits before getting knocked out, Snorlax is a great character for new players.
- Crustle: With a few different crowd-control skills, Crustle is great at controlling the flow of combat. Summon a rock wall to stop your opponents in their tracks, giving your teammates time to come in and deal some real damage.
- Slowbro: It might be very slow, but it knows how to take a punch. Combine its impressive Endurance with some great support skills, and Slowbro is a master at holding an enemy’s focus while their team does all the rest.
- Blastoise: Another late arrival to Pokémon Unite, Blastoise is the perfect Defender for longtime fans of the series. The massive turtle can push back opponents with surprisingly powerful attacks while still being able to take a beating if anyone manages to get close.
- Mamoswine: This tusked behemoth offers solid all-around stats for a Defender, bringing a decent bit of Offense and Support along with its excellent Endurance. Its most versatile ability is freezing enemies in their tracks, leaving them open for subsequent attacks. While deadly on its own, pairing up with a few heavy hitters makes for an easy sweep of the opposing team.
- Greedent: It might look cute and quirky, but Greedent is actually one of the most challenging characters to master. Boasting one of the best Offense stats in the game (and not much else), Greedent is a force on the battlefield. Its Unite Move can help recover some HP while dealing damage, but you’ll need to be an expert to dominate with the adorable beast.
- Trevenant: This Defender is one of the newest arrivals to Pokémon Unite, bringing a combination of solid defensive and surprising Support chops to your team. Activating its Unite Move will decrease the afflicted enemy’s movement speed — and it’s a deadly move when used at the right time.
Supporter Pokémon in Pokémon Unite
Whether they’re healing allies, boosting movement speeds, or lulling enemies into a deep sleep, these Pokémon give the rest of their team the upper hand. Instead of dealing massive damage or absorbing damage, Supporters apply various status effects to turn the tide of battle.
- Eldegoss: It lacks any real firepower, but Eldegoss can quickly restore their teammate’s HP. It can also boost their movement speed, making it easy to chase down enemies or make a quick getaway.
- Mr. Mime: Stunning and slowing down opponents is the specialty of Mr. Mime. It’s one of the slowest characters in Pokémon Unite, but its unique set of movement-altering skills makes it a fun character that can turn the tide of battle.
- Wigglytuff: You’ll want to stick close to your teammates as Wigglytuff because most of its stats are shockingly low. However, that’s balanced out with a nearly maxed Support stat. Specifically, using the Starlight Recital skill will protect you and your allies within a certain radius. When paired with a few good Attackers, Wigglytuff is an excellent choice.
- Blissey: Much like Eldegoss, you won’t be dealing much damage with this character. Instead, a variety of moves to restore HP and remove status conditions are available — making it imperative you stick close to the most powerful players on your team.
- Hoopa: Don’t jump into a game that has Hoopa until you know the nuances of each battle. As one of the more difficult characters in Unite, you’ll need to carefully coordinate with your team to find success as this ranged Support Pokémon. As for its Unite Move (Rings Unbound), you’ll benefit from increased HP and added mobility for your teammates.
Wild Pokémon in Pokémon Unite
These Wild Pokémon will make random appearances during your battles — manage to defeat them, and you’ll earn various bonuses and points for your team. Some are specific to certain maps, and others will only spawn at certain times during a match. Here are all the Wild Pokémon you can expect to encounter in Pokémon Unite:
- Abra
- Aipom
- Alolan Meowth
- Alolan Persian
- Araquanid
- Audino
- Avalugg
- Bouffalant
- Corphish
- Crawdaunt
- Combee
- Drednaw
- Electrode
- Dewpider
- Frosmoth
- Ledyba
- Ledian
- Lillipup
- Ludicolo
- Regigigas
- Rotom
- Snom
- Sunkern
- Sunflora
- Venomoth
- Vespiquen
- Zapdos
