In Pokemon Unite, teams are broken up into five roles. Here is the best way to play Attackers Pikachu, Greninja, Venusaur, Cinderace, and Cramorant in the Nintendo Switch MOBA.
Pokemon UNITE will launch with 19 Pokemon when it makes its debut on the Nintendo Switch in July 2021. Each ‘mon is divided up into roles such as Attackers, All-Rounder, Defender, Speedster, and Supporter.
Our guide will break down Pikachu, Greninja, Venusau, Cinderace, and Cramorant’s attacks and special abilities, as well as how to best utilize their powers to strategically dominate opponents in the 5v5 battles.
Contents
- How to play Pikachu in Pokemon Unite
- Pokemon Unite Pikachu special abilities
- How to play Greninja in Pokemon Unite
- Pokemon Unite Greninja special abilities
- How to play Cinderace in Pokemon Unite
- Pokemon Unite Cinderace special abilities
- How to play Venusaur in Pokemon Unite
- Pokemon Unite Venusaur special abilities
- How to play Cramorant in Pokemon Unite
- Pokemon Unite Cramorant special abilities
How to play Pikachu in Pokemon Unite
While tiny in size, Pikachu has one of the mightiest attack stats in the game. As a trade-off, TiMi Studio has made him pretty squishy in defense and speed. Though, the ‘mon makes up for it with its paralyzing abilities.
Enemies who managed to get hit with Pikachu’s third attack will become stuck with paralysis. Its early special Thunder Shock can freeze up to multiple enemies with its wide area of effect splash damage as well.
- Read More: How to play All-Rounders Charizard & Lucario
We recommend upgrading Thunder Shock into Electro Ball as it’s a guaranteed hit and gives Pikachu some range. Its second special, Electroweb, can be changed into Volt Tackle starting at level six, which gives it a quick dash attack.
Starting at level 9, the ‘mon gets its explosive UNITE move Thunderstorm, which is similar to Thunder but much stronger. Since Pikachu isn’t that quick, Trainers can use Volt Tackle to dive into a group of opponents before dropping its nuke power, Thunderstorm, to paralyze multiple enemies at once, which gives it time to escape.
Pokemon Unite Pikachu Special abilities
Special 1
| Attack | Icon | Description | Upgrade level |
| Basic Attack | Pikachu shoots electricity at opponents. Every third hit becomes boosted and paralyzes enemies. | Level 1 | |
| Thunder Shock | An electric bolt hits and paralyzes anyone that falls in its AOE range. | Level 4 (can be upgraded to one of the two following moves below) | |
| Electro Ball | An orb of electricity is thrown at opponents, paralyzing anyone who falls in its AOE range. | Level 11: Increased Damage | |
| Thunder | Bolts of thunder come raining down from the sky, paralyzing any enemies who fall into its AOE range. | Level 11: Increases the number of bolts that attack. |
Special 2
| Attack | Icon | Description | Upgrade level |
| Electroweb | Pikachu throws an electric web that shocks and stops opponents from moving for a limited time. | Level 6 (can be upgraded to one of the two following moves below) | |
| Volt Tackle | A dash attack where Pikachu launches into opponents while surrounded by electric energy. | Level 13: Cooldown time is reduced. | |
| Thunderbolt | A large bolt of electricity is hurled towards opponents, instantly freezing them in place with paralysis. | Level 13: Increased Damage | |
| Thunderstorm
(UNITE move) |
A flurry of bolts rains down on top of Pikachu paralyzing anyone close to the ‘mon. | Can be used starting Level 9 |
How to play Greninja in Pokemon UNITE
Kalos favorite Greninja lives up to its reputation in UNITE as one of the stealthiest ‘mon in the game. Its balance between attack damage and mobility makes it a perfect character for flanking and scoring goals.
Its basic attack has increased damage the further the player is distanced from enemies while also slowing down the opposing player’s speed. We recommend upgrading Bubble with Water Shuriken at level five as it gives both an increase in speed, as well as heals the player’s HP after each hit lands.
Substitute can be upgraded to Double Team at level seven, which gives Greninja the ability to disappear briefly while creating clones of itself. While Smokescreen would be extremely helpful as an escape, Greninja can already dash away with his boosted speeds and head for tall grass to hide.
Lastly, the Water-type starter’s weakest area, AOE damage, is solved when it gets its powerful Waterburst Shuriken Unite move at level nine. Greninja should be used to poke the opposing teams Defenders and Tanks, drawing them away from goal spots. Its constant speed boosts can be used to score goals or rush Legendary bosses.
Pokemon Unite Greninja Special attacks
Special 1
| Attack | Icon | Description | Upgrade level |
| Basic Attack | Greninja flicks water at enemies. Damage increases the further the distance, while also slowing enemies down. | Level 1 | |
| Bubble | A constant spray of bubbles blinds enemies and slows them in their tracks. | Level 5 (can be upgraded to one of the two following moves below) | |
| Water Shuriken | Water shurikens are thrown at opponents which increases Greninja’s speed. Each hit that lands also heals the ‘mon. | Level 11: Increase the number of Shurikens thrown. | |
| Surf | A large wave of water crashes down on enemies restoring Greninja’s HP. | Level 11: The amount of HP restored is increased. |
Special 2
| Attack | Icon | Description | Upgrade level |
| Substitute | Greninja drops a substitute doll to take damage instead. | Level 7 (can be upgraded to one of the two following moves below) | |
| Double Team | Greninja quickly dashes away creating a second copy of itself. The illusion copies will attack opponents. | Level 13: Its cooldown time is reduced. | |
| Smokescreen | A wall of smoke allows the ‘mon to disappear from battles. Its next move is boosted. | Level 13: Greninja’s attacks become boosted for a limited time after leaving the smoke. | |
| Waterburst Shuriken
(UNITE move) |
Greninja hops to a set location and throws a massive water shuriken at its opponent. Other enemies can be damaged in an AOE range. | Can be used starting Level 9 |
How to play Cinderace in Pokemon Unite
Cinderace is one of the strongest fighters in the game. Its wide selection of ranged attacks also makes it a strategic powerhouse if used correctly. The Galar starter can keep enemies at a distance while also sniping opponents throughout the map.
When reaching level 7, we recommend upgrading Ember for Pyro Ball. The new special will give the character much-needed range. Even better, the attack can be upgraded at level 11 to reduce the cooldown of its second special which we will get into below.
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At level 8, trade in Low Sweep for Flame Charge. The deadly attack works both as a close-range move, and can also be used to run away from opponents if used in the opposite direction. As mentioned above, upgrading Pyro Ball at 11 reduces the cooldown of Flame Charge, making it an incredible combination. The dash attack can also be used to charge into grouped-up enemies.
Finally, Cinderace’s Unite move brings all the best elements of the character, acting as both an epic range-based move, as well as having devastating area-of-effect splash damage that can hurt multiple opponents at once. It’s perfect for nuking enemies in team battles.
As a Ranged Attacker, keep Cinderace at a distance to maximize its damage potential!
Blaze Kick, one of Cinderace’s Attacks, is a guaranteed critical hit on opponents it hits, making it a good source of reliable spike damage! #PokemonUNITE pic.twitter.com/Z3NtthxStM
— Pokémon UNITE (@PokemonUnite) July 13, 2021
Pokemon Unite Cinderace Special attacks
Special 1
| Attack | Icon | Description | Upgrade level |
| Basic Attack | Every third hit becomes boosted with increased damage. | Level 1 | |
| Ember
|
Cinderace kicks a flame at enemies. Opponents hit are burned and have their attack decreased. | Level 7 (can be upgraded to one of the two following moves below) | |
| Pyro Ball | A fireball is kicked directly into an enemy and damaging them. Those hit are inflicted with burn. | Level 11: Flame Charge or Feint’s cooldown is reduced after using this move. | |
| Blaze Kick | Cinderace hops into the air, leaving enemies near it damaged by the fire. Burn damage lasts an extended period of time. | Level 11: Cinderace’s basic attack speed is boosted for a short time after this move is used. |
Special 2
| Attack | Icon | Description | Upgrade level |
| Low Sweep | Cinderace sweeps the floor with a low kick. Enemies hit by a second attack have their speed decreased. | Level 8 (can be upgraded to one of the two following moves below) | |
| Flame Charge | Cinderace cloaks itself in flames and charges into opponents. Its next attack has increased range and damage. | Level 13: Cinderace’s basic attack speed is boosted for a short time after this move is used. | |
| Feint | The user’s speed is boosted drastically for a short period of time. During the move, Cinderace becomes invincible. Feint also removes all status effects. | Level 13: The next 3 hits with Cinderace basic attack will heal its HP. | |
| (UNITE move) | Cinderace kicks a massive fireball and when it lands it explodes into flames onto enemies with an AOE damage. The users speed is increased after hitting an opponent. | Can be used starting Level 9 |
How to play Venusaur in Pokemon Unite
Unlike other tanks in the game, Venusaur deals a massive amount of damage. The Attacker ‘mon also has a set of ranged attacks as well as self-healing, making the Kanto starter a deadly threat on the battlefield.
While Sludge Bomb is enticing, we recommend upgrading Seed Bomb with Giga Drain at level 5. Not only does the attack do a decent amount of damage from a distance, but it also heals Venusaur’s HP.
Since users now have a way to heal themselves, they should trade in Razor Leaf at level 7 for Solar Beam. The special ability does a devastating amount of damage and is ranged.
Rounding out its moveset is Verdant Anger. The Unite Move should be used as a nuke attack. Drop it on enemies group up together. It can also be used to attack those trying to score a goal as it slows them down.
Pokemon Unite Venusaur Special attacks
Special 1
| Attack | Icon | Description | Upgrade level |
| Basic Attack | Every third attack has increased damage. The boosted hit also pulls in enemies towards the users with its vines. | Level 1 | |
| Seed Bomb
|
Venusaur throws a massive seed and damages opponents in the AOE range. | Level 5 (can be upgraded to one of the two following moves below) | |
| Sludge Bomb | A large glob of poison is thrown at enemies that deals damage over time. Those that are hit have their movement speed and Sp. Def decreased for a limited time. | Level 11: Increase Sludge Bomb’s area of effect range. | |
| Giga Drain | The move drains health from enemies caught in the AOE range and heals Venusaur. | Level 13: Increases the amount of HP the move heals. |
Special 2
| Attack | Icon | Description | Upgrade level |
| Razor Leaf | Venusaur hurls sharp blades of grass rapidly at enemies. | Level 7 (can be upgraded to one of the two following moves below) | |
| Solar Beam | A large beam of light is shot out, damaging enemies in the AOE range. | Level 13: The time it takes for the beam to shoot out is reduced. Solar Beam’s cooldown time is also decreased. | |
| Petal Dance | Venusaur is healed over time after a pile of petals is scattered around it. Opponents that enter the area around the ‘mon take damage. | Level 11: Increases Petal Dance’s area of effect range. | |
| Verdant Anger
(UNITE move) |
Venusaur launches a gigantic seed that comes crashing down on enemies. After splitting open, the seed damages and slows down opponents in an AOE. | Can be used starting Level 9 |
How to play Cramorant in Pokemon Unite
The Galar bird has already risen to the top as one of the strongest characters in Unite. Its ability to do crowd control on NPCs and grouped up enemies makes it one of the most deadly ‘mon in the team-based MOBA.
As soon as players hit level 4, they should choose Hurricane instead of Air Slash. The powerful ability not only stuns enemies and lifts them up in the air, but it also does an immense amount of damage.
Once you hit level 6, trainers need to pick Surf over Dive. The attack is an insane crowd control as the wave comes back for a double hit from behind. Even better, it knocks enemies forward. Cramorant users’ main strategy should be to throw down a Hurricane and then following up with Surf.
Opponents will not be able to escape the brutal onslaught. Finally, the bird’s Unite Move is great for nuking team battles. Triggering it will send powerful attacks that automatically target anyone in the vicinity.
Pokemon Unite Cramorant Special attacks
Special 1
| Attack | Icon | Description | Upgrade level |
| Basic Attack | Every third attack becomes boosted by spitting out an Arrokuda or other Pokemon at opponents. | Level 1 | |
| Whirlpool
|
Creates a whirlpool that deals damage to opposing Pokemon in the area of effect. This move’s AOE slowly shrinks but the damage dealt increases. | Level 6 (can be upgraded to one of the two following moves below) | |
| Surf | Attacks with a wave that deals damage to opposing Pokemon. Once the wave has traveled its full distance, it returns the way it came, dealing damage to opposing Pokemon once again and pulling them towards the user. | Level 13: When the first wave hits it also decreases the opponent’s movement speed for a short time. | |
| Dive | Changes the designated area into a puddle and has the user dive to that area, dealing damage to opposing Pokemon and shoving them when they hit. The user also catches Arrokuda or other Wild Pokemon as they emerge. | Level 13: Increases the amount of HP the move heals. |
Special 2
| Attack | Icon | Description | Upgrade level |
| Feather Dance | Decreases the attack and movement speed of opposing Pokemon for a short time. | Level 4 (can be upgraded to one of the two following moves below) | |
| Hurricane | Creates a fierce wind, dealing damage to opposing Pokemon that get caught in it and throwing them. | Level 11: Increases the user’s movement speed for a short time. | |
| Air Slash | Has the user shoot out many blades of air while moving backward to create distance. Deals damage to opposing Pokemon in the area of effect and reduces the move’s cooldown when it hits. | Level 11: Restores the user’s HP every time a blade of air hits an opposing Pokemon. | |
| Gatling Gulp Missle
(UNITE move) |
Creates a puddle at the user’s current location. The user continuously uses its mouth to grab Arrokuda from the puddle and spits them out to attack the nearest opposing Pokemon. The user cannot move or use the other moves while this move is in effect. | Can be used starting Level 9 |
Pokemon Unite officially launches on the Nintendo Switch in July 2021 and will make its mobile debut on Android and iPhone devices in September.
Tune in to our guides on the 5v5 MOBA as we will be covering the best ways to play each ‘mon as well as the best team strategies for each map, and more.