For those looking to figure out how to build Greninja in Pokemon Unite, look no further. Since Greninja’s Double Team update, the pokemon is, hands down, one of the strongest damage carries in the game. With incredible mobility, massive damage, and unbalanced sustain, Greninja is fully capable of carrying games on its own, especially with the right build. This article will cover the most optimal held items, discussing optimization alongside overall tips for the pick.
[Related: Pokemon Unite Tier List]
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Absol/AlolanNinetales/Blastoise/Blissey/Charizard/Cramorant/Crustle/Eldegoss/Garchomp/Gardevoir/ Gengar/Greninja/Lucario/Machamp/Mamoswine/Mr.Mime/Pikachu/Slowbro/Snorlax/Sylveon/Talonflame/Venusaur/Wigglytuff/Zeraora
The game actually recommends Greninja go top, but do not be fooled. The water shuriken throwing Pokemon is best played in the jungle, also known as center. Since its early evolutions are rather weak, make sure to clear the entire allied jungle before going in for a gank. A full clear should ensure the first evolution, granting Froakie its Frogadier form, alongside its quintessential move: Double Team. From then on, roam the map and help where necessary.
Offense: 4 stars
Endurance: 2 stars
Mobility: 3 stars
Scoring: 3 stars
Support: 1/2 stars
Eject Button
This should come as no surprise, but eject button is the go-to battle item. Despite the nerfs to its cooldown, the pseudo flash grants too much utility for Greninja, allowing him to close gaps to maximize DPS or escape from sticky situations. For those looking for a less conventional method of play, goal-getter combined with score shield is a solid build as well, but not “meta” enough to be the main focus for this article.
buddy barrier
Buddy barrier is simply too overpowered to NOT take at the moment. The item is great on the water Pokemon since Greninja’s unite move is phenomenally strong. When synergized with Buddy Barrier, all the unite move buffs granted to Greninja, from the movement speed, damage buff, and barrier, provide amazing utility to carry games. Another possible item to replace Buddy Barrier is score shield, as previously mentioned.
muscle band
Muscle Band is a must-have on Greninja. Since the mon is heavily reliant on auto attacks to deal his essential damages, Muscle Band maximizes his overall damage output by increasing his attack speed. Do NOT replace this item.
Razor Claw
Razor Claw is an amazing, must-have item on the water-type pokemon. For the recommended moves in this guide, Greninja’s cooldowns are very low. Granting additional attack stats and bonus damage after each move, Razor claw synergizes perfectly with Greninja’s kit. But keep in mind, Razor Claw has a very short, built in cooldown that the game does not inform the players of.
Float Stone
This item replaces Buddy Barrier for those looking to build pure damage. Many content creators trash on Float Stone, since the item takes way too long to proc its movement speed buff. Greninja loves to take the item, NOT for the movement speed, but for the additional attack damage provided by the item. Float Stone helps maximize his offensive stats, allowing Greninja to deal amazing damage.
Scope Lens
Greninja’s critical chance stacks with both Razor Claw and Scope Lens. For players wanting to rely on RNG based critical chance, Scope lens and Razor Claw is the way to go. But be warned, Muscle Band is an absolute necessity on the pokemon. Therefore, taking Scope Lens means Greninja will be incredibly fragile.
For those looking to build defensively instead, Focus Band is a fantastic option as a replacement for Float Stone.
These moves are without a doubt the best way to play Greninja in the current meta. After so many different balancing targeted towards the pokemon, the previous move set has been rendered mundane. Double Team and Water Shuriken have become one of the strongest move sets in the entirety of Pokemon Unite.
This is THE go-to move for Greninja. It used to be smokescreen since smokescreen has more overall utility, but the nerfs to the ability definitely hurt its viability in the meta. Smokescreen’s cooldown is way too long now, while Double Team still has a short cooldown. Having quick and frequent access to the mobility-based moves is essential to repositioning, a key factor in maximizing the pick.
In addition, Greninja’s clones now mimic its second ability as well. This means that the previously useless clones add onto Greninja’s total DPS. Comboed with Water Shuriken, Greninja bombards an unfortunate enemy with 12 shuriken simultaneously, although the Clone’s deal substantially less damage than the real one.
Not going to lie, this move is not for amateurs. As a series of skill shots that provide zero utility if missed, players who are not confident with aiming their abilities properly are much better off taking surf. Surf can be used to escape and close in gaps, while Water Shuriken deals more overall damage. For those who ARE confident and comfortable with the skill, Water Shuriken grants amazing healing and insane damage on hit. This maximizes Greninja’s damage and grants him survivability to sustain through a team fight, two absolutely essential factors to playing the hyper-carry.
When properly utilized, Greninja never needs to recall to base. The healing on the throwing stars is so insanely high that Greninja is perfectly capable of regenerating off of wild pokemon, and reentering the frey.
Greninja is a top-tier pick in Pokemon Unite. Those who place him at C tier and below are simply not playing the water ninja properly, as he is a highly contested pick in the highest levels of play. Though not easy to play, Greninja is undoubtedly the strongest ranged carry in the game, capable of picking up kills like nobody’s business.
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