Pokémon UNITE for Nintendo Switch: Everything you need to know

The Pokémon series has enjoyed many spin-off titles in its 25 years, dabbling in a myriad of different genres. Everything from puzzle games to fighting games have received a Pokémon spin, and that trend is set to continue with Pokémon UNITE. Introduced during June 2020’s Pokémon Direct, Pokémon UNITE is a unique multiplayer strategy game that takes place on Aeos Island, a mythical island that runs a series of Unite Battle tournaments. What does that mean exactly? Well, you’ve come to the right place. Here’s everything you need to know about Pokémon UNITE.

What’s new?

Update September 22, 2021: Pokémon UNITE releases on mobile

Pokémon UNITE is now available to download and play on iOS and Android.

Pokémon UNITE strategic team battle game being co-developed by both The Pokémon Company and Tencent Games TiMi Studios, the team responsible for Arena of Valor. In Pokémon UNITE, players compete in 5-on-5 team battles, all while catching wild Pokémon and leveling up and evolving their own. The objective is to defeat your opponent’s Pokémon while earning more points than the opposing team within the time limit.

On its surface, Pokémon Unite looks similar to Arena of Valor or League of Legends with a Pokémon flair. When a Pokémon is defeated, it drops Aeos energy orbs that can then be collected and deposited into the enemy goal zones to score points for your team.

What’s the gameplay like?

Pokémon UNITE is a multiplayer online battle arena or MOBA. Players participate in Unite Battles, where Trainers compete in 5-on-5 team battles. The key to victory in a Unite Battle is to have a higher score than the other team when time runs out. To earn points for your team, you must gather Aeos energy by defeating opposing Pokémon and the wild Pokémon on the field and then depositing that energy in one of the opposing team’s goal zones.

Unite Battles take place in various stadiums, and the rules for each stadium differ. There can be different numbers of team members, different match lengths, and even different Legendary Pokémon that appear.

Participating Pokémon all enter the fight at Lv. 1, and throughout each battle, they gain Exp. Points level up and can even temporarily evolve. As Pokémon level up, they learn powerful moves and evolve, and when a Pokémon reaches higher levels, it also learns its Unite Move — a powerful move that can only be learned and used in Unite Battles.

Do Pokémon types matter in Pokémon UNITE?

Although type strengths and weaknesses do not exist in Unite Battles, each Pokémon has its own unique stats and role—Attacker, Defender, Speedster, Supporter, or All-Rounder:

• Attacker: Have low Endurance but deal heavy ranged damage to opponents.
• Speedster: Have high mobility and Offense for making quick attacks and scoring points.
• All-Rounder: Highly tenacious fighters with balanced Offense and Endurance.
• Defender: Have high endurance, protect allies, and hinder opponents.
• Supporter: Inflict status conditions on enemies and heal allies.

To use a Pokémon in Unite Battles, you need to have a Unite license for that Pokémon. Unite licenses can be obtained through the Unite Battle Committee, where you can exchange Aeos coins (earnable via Unite Battles) for your desired license.

Is Pokémon UNITE cross-play?

Yes! Now that Pokémon UNITE has been released on mobile, players on the Nintendo Switch, Android, and iOS are all able to play together. Cross progression was also confirmed, so players can play on their Nintendo Switch or mobile and transfer their data between the platforms.

Players will have to link their Pokémon Trainer Club account or Nintendo Account on both Nintendo Switch and mobile to easily keep their progress synced between devices.

Will Pokémon UNITE be available on other platforms?

Pokémon Unite is now available on Switch since July and is on iOS and Android as of September 22, 2021. There has been no word on whether it will receive a PC port.

How many Pokémon are in Pokémon UNITE?

While we’ve spotted lots of different Pokémon on the field in both official and unofficial videos, but the official starting roster includes:

• Pikachu (Attacker)
• Charizard (All-Rounder)
• Snorlax (Defender)
• Crustle (Defender)
• Greninja (Attacker)
• Eldegoss (Supporter)
• Talonflame (Speedster)
• Lucario (All-Rounder)
• Venusaur (Attacker)
• Mr. Mime (Supporter)
• Slowbro (Defender)
• Absol (Speedster)
• Machamp (All-Rounder)
• Wigglytuff (Supporter)
• Alolan Ninetales (Attacker)
• Cramorant (Attacker)
• Gengar (Speedster)
• Garchomp (All-Rounder)
• Cinderace (Attacker)
• Zeraora (Speedster)
• Blastoise (Defender)
• Blissey (Supporter)
• Cramorant (Attacker)
• Gardevoir (Attacker)

Eagle-eyed fans have also spotted Aipom, Alola Vulpix, Rotom, Stufful, Bewear, Corphish, Joltik, Galvantula, Altaria, Toxicroak on the battlefields via various leaks. Considering there are over 150 champions in League of Legends, we can expect many Pokémon to appear.

How many maps are in Pokémon UNITE?

As of now, there are four maps for Pokemon UNITE. They are:

• Remoat Stadium is a large battlefield, ideal for big plays and coordinated efforts.
• Shivre City only has one single goal zone per team, which means you’ll constantly battle the enemy for control of the map.
• Auroma Park is a map made for fast team battles, thanks to the conveyor belts around the map.
• Mer Stadium is a 4v4 map that features a limited number of goal zones per team.

Will there be a battle pass?

Yes, there will be. You’ll have the opportunity to earn in-game rewards through the seasonal battle pass. To earn these rewards, you’ll need to level up the pass by completing missions or using Aeos gems.

There are also three different currencies in-game: Aeos gems (paid), Aeos coins, and Aeos tickets. Aeos coins and Aeos tickets can be acquired by playing the game and obtaining Unite licenses, which allow them to take Pokémon into Unite Battles. At Aeos Emporium, players can use Aeos coins or Aeos gems to obtain UBC-approved goods like Pokémon held items or Trainer fashion items (though Aeos tickets can be used to buy fashion items as well.) Zirco Trading specializes in Holowear, which can be obtained using Aeos gems, the paid currency.

How much does Pokémon UNITE cost?

Pokémon UNITE is a free-to-play game with in-game purchases, following in the footsteps of other free-to-play MOBA games.