Pokemon Unite Patch Notes: Dragonite Update

With the release of Dragonite in Pokemon Unite, the developers blessed the community with some additional balance changes to mix up the gameplay. From nerfs to overbearing picks, buffs for weaker pokemon, this pokemon unite update helped level the playing field for players. The Pokemon Unite Patch Notes will be shown first, then a quick analysis will be provided thereafter.

[Related: Dragonite Build and Guide]

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Patch Notes

Venusaur: Petal Dance

• Effects on the user weakened.

Venusaur: Solar Beam

• Cooldown reduced.

Venusaur: Sludge Bomb

• Range increased.

Venusaur: Unite Move: Verdant Anger

• The following have been adjusted for this move: Area of Effect

Wigglytuff: Unite Move: Starlight Recital

• Shield effect weakened.
• Duration of effects on the user decreased.

Zeraora: Spark

• Damage dealt to opposing Pokémon decreased.

Zeraora: Wild Charge

• Bug Fixes

Gardevoir: Moonblast

• Cooldown lengthened.
• Move Downgrade

Gardevoir: Psyshock

• Damage dealt to opposing Pokémon decreased.

Gardevoir: Future Sight

• Bug Fixes

Eldegoss: Leaf Tornado

• Damage dealt to opposing Pokémon decreased.

Eldegoss: Cotton Spore

• Damage dealt to opposing Pokémon increased.
• Cooldown reduced.
• Duration of effects on opposing Pokémon increased.
• Effects on opposing Pokémon strengthened.
• Effects on the user strengthened.

Crustle: boosted attack

• Damage dealt to opposing Pokémon increased.

Tsareena

• Bug Fixes

Tsareena: Triple Axel

• Effects on the user weakened.

Slowbro: Oblivious

• Stat Increases
• Changed to Has the Pokémon store up lost HP for a short time. When hitting an opposing Pokémon with a move, the Pokémon restores some of its HP using the stored-up HP, and it also decreases the opposing Pokémon’s Sp. Def for a short time.

Slowbro: Scald

• Damage dealt to opposing Pokémon increased.
• Effects on the user strengthened.
• Effects on opposing Pokémon strengthened.

Slowbro: Amnesia+

• Changed to Upgrade: Increases Sp. Def..

Decidueye: Spirit Shackle

• Cooldown reduced.

Decidueye: Leaf Storm

• Cooldown reduced.
• Range increased.
• Effects on opposing Pokémon strengthened.
• Damage dealt to opposing Pokémon increased.

Decidueye: Leafage

• Damage dealt to opposing Pokémon increased.

Cinderace: Blaze Kick+

• Effects on the user strengthened.

Cinderace: Feint

• Cooldown reduced.

Pikachu: Thunder Shock

• Damage dealt to opposing Pokémon increased.

Pikachu: Volt Tackle

• Damage dealt to opposing Pokémon increased.

Pikachu: Unite Move: Thunderstorm

• Unite Move charge rate increased.

Sylveon: Hyper Voice

• Bug Fixes

Remoat Stadium: Corphish

• Bug Fixes

Analysis

To start off, most of these updates will require more hands-on experience and in-depth numbers, but here is a general analysis of the patch update.]

Nerfed Pokemon

First of all, Venusaur seems to be shifting back into the Solar Beam build, especially with the nerf to Pedal Dance. On the other hand, the Wigglytuff nerfs don’t seem too substantial, especially when considering Buddy Barrier exists. Therefore, decreasing the Unite move’s shielding shouldn’t affect the pokemon too much.

Now, Zeraora really needed that nerf. A lot of content creators don’t rank the Pokemon that high in their pick rankings, but that pokemon hasn’t been balanced for a long time. Spark’s nerf is much appreciated, alongside the bug fixes to Wild Charge. Something definitely functioned incorrectly for that move, making it absurdly hard to deal with.

Gardevoir nerfs are quite unfortunate, but well warranted. The Pokemon was finally in a very strong position for once, but the axe came down very quick thereafter. It definitely overwhelmed the meta as of late, with ridiculous damage numbers allowing the pokemon to burst down practically anyone it hits. Hopefully, these nerfs aren’t too big, and the pokemon remains in viability.

Meanwhile, Tsareena received its much-needed nerf to Triple Axel. Developers nerfed the amount of healing on the move, but nothing else. Definitely will have to see if that nerf on its own is enough to balance the pokemon.

Buffed Pokemon

Eldegoss‘ Leaf Tornado build is falling out of meta with the recent update. The pokemon will likely still heal effectively but perhaps deal less damage than before. A fair trade, considering Eldegoss is a support type.

Next up, Crustle gained an enhanced basic attack buff. This is great, since the Pokemon is definitely on the weaker end of the spectrum.

Slowbro received a lot of love. Unite developers definitely know that the pick struggles to hold its own, and just buffed the heck out of the pick. Depending on the numbers of the specific buffs, Slowbro may very realistically become powerful.

Decidueye has been a bit underwhelming, but hopefully this patch corrects that. Buffs to a big chunk of its moves should allow the pokemon to deal its substantial damages.

In addition, Blaze Kick Cinderace and Feint Cinderace may make a comeback, with the most recent update buffing those two moves. These have been outdated for quite some time, but increased damage numbers may very well change that.

Lastly, Pikachu is already pretty strong. This buff will push the pokemon a bit over the edge, making the iconic electric mouse slightly overbearing to deal with.

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In Conclusion

December has been a fantastic month for Pokemon Unite. Two new pokemon, a whole new map, new game modes, and a Christmas-themed event, the content seems never-ending. The developers grind away, fixing the state of the game with each pokemon release. From the given Pokemon Unite patch notes, the developer team clearly puts a lot of heart into making a balanced experienced for their players. hopefully, the community can continue to see this level of diligence from the Pokemon Unite team as the game continues to grow.

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