Pokemon Unite Patch Notes Analysis Ver. 1.4.1.7

Every couple of weeks, Pokemon Unite developers update the game. And the most recent update provided the most balances in a long time. Thereby, changing and evolving the meta. To help players understand the evolving meta of Pokemon Unite, here is a Pokemon Unite Patch Note Analysis. The Pokemon Unite Patch Note analysis will be provided after each segment, copy pasting from the base patch notes until then.

[Related: How to play Duraludon in Pokemon Unite]

Post-Update Version Ver. 1.4.1.7

Blastoise: Rapid Spin

Move Upgrade

Rapid spin received massive nerfs, essentially moving it out of the relevant meta. This occurred back when the moveset destroyed, but the mitigation updates removed it from team play. Depending on how much the developers buffed this move in the most recent update, Blastoise may make a comeback.

Mr. Mime: Guard Swap

Changed to “Creates a link between the user and the Pokémon this move hits, swapping the user’s Defense and Sp. Def stats with those of the linked Pokémon. If the linked Pokémon is an opposing Pokémon, this move deals damage over time to it and decreases its movement speed while also increasing the user’s movement speed. If the linked Pokémon is an ally Pokémon, this move increases the movement speed of that Pokémon and the user. These effects will persist as long as the two Pokémon remain linked. The link will disappear if the user and the linked Pokémon are too far apart, if the user attempts to target another Pokémon, or by other factors.”

Mr. Mime: Confusion

Damage dealt to opposing Pokémon decreased.

 Mr. Mime: Psychic controls adjusted.

Honestly, Mr. Mime hasn’t been weak, but very much underused. These changes target attempting to bring Mr. Mime into casual play, creating a more intuitive play style. Of course, play tests will be required to determine if these changes prove effective or not.

Cramorant: Dive

Damage dealt to opposing Pokémon decreased. Actions adjusted.

Move Upgrade

Cramorant: Air Slash

Cooldown lengthened.

Cramorant is the unfortunate victim of the current patch. The pokemon was never particularly that strong, but received nerfs anyhow. Considering the developers just released an incredibly overpowered pokemon, reminiscent of Cramorant’s kit, expect Cramorant to fall completely out of relevance.

Alolan Ninetales: boosted attack controls adjusted.

Alolan Ninetales: Aurora Veil

Changed to “Has the user leap to the designated location and create an aurora around itself that reduces damage received by the user and ally Pokémon in the area of effect. While the user is inside the aurora, its movement speed is increased and its basic attacks become boosted attacks. These boosted attacks restore the user’s HP when they deal damage.”

This is one of the greatest changes implemented within this patch. Alolan Ninetails now hops when using Aurora Veil, which handles its biggest weakness, lack of mobility. Of course, Aurora Veil remains stationary, so it’s not absolutely busted. But the change stands as much appreciated to help round out the relatively poorly performing pokemon.

Lucario: Close Combat

Damage dealt to opposing Pokémon decreased. Effects on the user weakened.

Another Nerf to Lucario’s Close Combat, and very well warranted. The pokemon’s damage bursts down way too much health, so damage decrease makes a lot of sense.

Greedent

The following stats have been decreased:

Movement speed

Greedent: Tackle

Cooldown lengthened.

Greedent: Defense Curl

Effects on the user weakened.

These nerfs vary much target Greedent’s counter jungle tactics. For those who don’t know, Greedent runs straight into the enemy jungle at the beginning of the game. Then, it would deny the enemy’s scaling and just become a giant nuisance. By nerfing Tackle, Defense Curl, and movement speed, the tactic’s efficiency drops significantly.

Eldegoss: Cotton Guard

Effects on the user weakened.

Eldegoss: Unite Move: Cotton Cloud Crash

Unite Move charge rate increased.

Cotton Guard nerf hurts the pick substantially. In competitive play, Eldegoss abused Cotton Guard. When in groups of 5, the move allowed for absurd utility. But by nerfing the effects on the user, the pokemon should have larger weaknesses, and therefore opportunities for the opponent to burst the pokemon.

Decidueye: Spirit Shackle

Damage dealt to opposing Pokémon increased. Move Upgrade

Decidueye: Unite Move: Nock Nock

Damage dealt to opposing Pokémon increased.

The bird is so very weak, and just doesn’t stand up against a lot of the top tier picks whatsoever. It’s hard to determine if these buffs will be enough to allow Decidueye to hold a place in the meta.

Zeraora: Volt Switch

Damage dealt to opposing Pokémon increased.

Zeraora got nerfed way too much in the past. So this should help the pick a bit.

Trevenant

The following stats have been increased: movement speed

Bug Fixes

Trevenant: Wood Hammer

This move’s HP decrease has been weakened.

Effects on opposing Pokémon strengthened.

Trevenant: Pain Split

Effects on opposing Pokémon strengthened.

This move’s movement speed increase has been strengthened.

Trevenant’s kit is amazingly cool. But the pokemon doesn’t stand a chance in the current meta. These buffs to Wood Hammer and Pain Split should be useful, and help the pick see a bit more play. But in light of Duraludon’s release, it’s highly unlikely that the pokemon will see any more play than it did before. After all, Trevenent doesn’t have gap close or much mobility to keep up with top tier picks.

Tsareena

Stat Increases

Tsareena: Trop Kick

Damage dealt to opposing Pokémon increased. Cooldown reduced.

Tsareena: Stomp

Damage dealt to opposing Pokémon increased.

This buffs are interseting. Tsareena wasn’t necessarily weak, so these buffs help the pick stand as meta. Expect to see more and more Tsareena in ranked play from here on out.

Gengar

The amount the following stats increase at level-up has been adjusted:

Sp. Atk

Gengar: boosted attack

Damage dealt to opposing Pokémon increased.

Gengar’s playstyle is hit or miss. When falling behind, the pick becomes incredibly weak. But snowballing a lead, the pokemon destroys. It’s possible that these buffs will help the consistency a decent amount.

Hoopa: Shadow Ball

Damage dealt to opposing Pokémon decreased.

Hoopa: Hyperspace Hole

Cooldown lengthened.

Hoopa – Hoopa Confined: Basic Attack

Damage dealt to opposing Pokémon decreased.

Hoopa – Hoopa Confined: Hyperspace Fury

Damage dealt to opposing Pokémon decreased.

Hoopa very much needed nerfs. The pokeon’s utility in team fights and skirmishes was overpowered, without a doubt. These nerfs target its OP variables, and definitely hurt the pick. But since Hoopa’s kit is very unique by nature, it’s unlikely that the nerfs will completely invalidate the pick in ranked play.

Aegislash: Sacred Sword

Fixed bug(s) that affected the following:

Area of Effect

Slow Smoke

Cooldown lengthened. Effect weakened.

Slow Smoke has been absolutely absurd. It’s quite frankly a little absurd how long it took the developers to nerf this item. The slowing effect of Slow Smoke was practically a lock down ability, and with only a 40 second cooldown.

In Conclusion

The recent Pokemon Unite Patch update provided a lot of great balance updates, alongside some questionable ones as well. And with the addition of Pokemon Unite Duraludon, the meta of Pokemon Unite is sure to change rather drastically. For more Pokemon Unite coverage, make sure to stay tuned to The Game Haus for news, meta analysis, guides, and even tier lists.

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