The latest update for Pokemon Unite, version 1.16.2.8, has been released, featuring Part 2 of the Freezing Rush patch. This update brings a variety of adjustments aimed at enhancing gameplay balance, with both buffs and nerfs affecting several key Pokémon. Specifically, it aims to strengthen underperforming Pokémon such as Lapras, Blissey, and Greedent while toning down the dominance of consistently strong characters like Zacian, Ho-Oh, and Pikachu.
Below is an in-depth overview of the changes that this update entails.
Pokemon Unite Freezing Rush Part 2 Update (Ver.1.16.2.8): Comprehensive Battle Adjustments
The Freezing Rush Part 2 update in Pokemon Unite implements a range of modifications to Pokémon statistics, abilities, and mechanics to rectify existing balance discrepancies in Unite Battles.
1) Lapras
Statistics
- Defense: 90-550 to 90-625 (Levels 1-15)
- Special Defense: 75-450 to 75-512 (Levels 1-15)
Basic Attack
- Healing Effect: 2% of max HP to 3%
Bubble Beam
- Shield Efficiency: Increased by 15%
Perish Song
- Damage Output: Increased by 15%
In light of Lapras’s low win rate following a significant nerf in a prior update, enhancements to its durability, healing, and shielding abilities were made, allowing it to remain on the battlefield longer. Additionally, the damage from Perish Song has been amplified to ensure Lapras can have a more substantial effect, even if not all hits land.
2) Blissey
Safeguard
- Shield Efficiency: Increased by 15%
Helping Hand
- Cooldown: Reduced from 9 seconds to 8 seconds
- Duration of Effect: Extended from 3 seconds to 4 seconds
Blissey’s Safeguard and Helping Hand received buffs to address their low usage rates, enhancing its capability to shield teammates effectively by providing immunity and operating as a more beneficial support character.
3) Greedent
Belch
- Movement Speed Reduction: Increased from 15% for 1 second to 40% for 2 seconds (decreases by 10% every 0.5 seconds)
- Damage Output: Increased by 12%
Bullet Seed
- Cooldown: Reduced from 5 seconds to 4.5 seconds
Covet
- Cooldown: Decreased from 11 seconds to 10 seconds
Unite Move: Berry Belly Dive
- Energy Requirement: Reduced by 10%
Due to its historically low pick rates, adjustments have been made to Greedent’s cooldowns and crowd control abilities to bolster its effectiveness in combat. These changes will empower Greedent to traverse the map, defeat wild Pokémon, score effectively, and engage in team battles with more impact.
4) Azumarill
Statistics
- Special Defense: 64-320 to 80-399 (Levels 1-15)
Whirlpool
- Cooldown: Reduced from 10 seconds to 9 seconds
Unite Move: Belly Bash
- Shield Efficiency: Increased from 5% to 6.5%
In response to Azumarill’s limited methods for closing the gap with adversaries, particularly those ranged attackers, buffs to its Special Defense and the shield provided by its Unite Move have been implemented. The cooldown on Whirlpool has also been decreased for better timing and usability.
5) Glaceon
Statistics
- Defense: 35-175 to 35-225 (Levels 1-15)
- Special Defense: 25-134 to 25-180 (Levels 1-15)
Icicle Spear
- Damage Output: Increased by 8%
Freeze Dry
- Damage Output: Increased by 8%
Despite receiving buffs in August, Glaceon’s win rate has not improved, prompting an increase in the damage dealt by some of its abilities. Moreover, given that Attackers with low durability often struggle in tough matchups, enhancements have been made to Glaceon’s defensive and special defensive stats.
6) Espeon
Statistics
- Defense: 35-175 to 35-225 (Levels 1-15)
- Special Defense: 27-135 to 27-180 (Levels 1-15)
Psyshock
- Damage Output: Increased by 10%
Future Sight
- Damage Output: Increased by 10%
The combination of Psyshock and Future Sight was not yielding sufficient damage, contributing to a persistently low win rate, thus necessitating these buffs. Additionally, like other Attackers, Espeon’s defensive statistics have been boosted to assist in better survivability.
7) Gardevoir
Statistics
- Defense: 35-174 to 35-225 (Levels 1-15)
- Special Defense: 27-138 to 27-175 (Levels 1-15)
Psychic
- Special Defense Reduction Effect: Increased from 20% to 25%
- Damage Output: Increased by 10%
Psyshock
- Damage Output: Increased by 5%
Future Sight
- Damage Output: Increased by 5%
Although Gardevoir possesses high potential for damage, its lack of mobility and defense has hindered its performance, making it less frequently chosen. Adjustments have been made to enhance its damage within several abilities while also improving its defensive attributes for better chance of survival.
8) Mewtwo Y
Basic Attack Speed
- Speed: Increased from 1.1-1.4 to 1.1-1.5 (Levels 1-15)
Future Sight
- Movement Speed Reduction: Increased from 25% to 35%
- Cooldown: Decreased from 10 seconds to 8.5 seconds
Recover
- Cooldown: Reduced from 12 seconds to 11 seconds
- Healing Amount: Increased from 20% of damage dealt to 30%
Recover+
- Healing Amount: Increased from 30% of damage dealt to 40%
Teleport
- Cooldown: Reduced from 12 seconds to 11 seconds
Following a nerf in July, Mewtwo Y has exhibited both low win and pick rates. Enhancements to its basic attack speed are intended to bolster its performance in battle, while the cooldown modifications for Defensive moves like Recover and Teleport aim to enhance its survivability through strategic play rather than relying solely on increased durability.
9) Zacian
Sacred Sword
- Defense Penetration Effect: Decreased from 20% to 10%
- Attack Increase: Decreased from 30% to 20%
- Movement Speed Reduction: Decreased from 30% to 20%
The effectiveness of Sacred Sword has considerably elevated Zacian’s win rates in higher-ranked matches, prompting a need to reduce its overall power.
10) Miraidon
Charge Beam
- Boosted Damage: Decreased by 10%
Electro Drift
- Boosted Damage: Decreased by 8%
Parabolic Charge
- Cooldown: Increased from 10 seconds to 11 seconds
Due to high damage output from Charge Beam and Electro Drift, adjustments have been made to lower their effectiveness. The cooldown of Parabolic Charge has also been extended to minimize the frequency of skills used, thereby reducing the overall damage output.
11) Ho-Oh
Flame Vortex
- Damage Output: Decreased by 15%
- Shield Value: Decreased by 15%
- Cooldown: Increased from 8.5 seconds to 9 seconds
Sky Attack
- Cooldown: Increased from 8.5 seconds to 9 seconds
Unite Move: Rekindling Flame
- Energy Cost: Increased by 20%
The defensive prowess of Flame Vortex for Ho-Oh and its team members proved to be excessively robust. The recent uptick in players adeptly employing Ho-Oh’s Unite Move for reviving allies has led to improved win rates, necessitating adjustments to balance this power.
12) Pikachu
Electro Ball
- Damage Output: Decreased by 5%
- Cooldown: Increased from 5 seconds to 5.5 seconds
Thunder
- Damage Output: Decreased by 5%
Unite Move: Thunderstorm
- Damage Output: Decreased by 8%
Owing to its ease of use and potent skills that render it highly effective against a wide range of opponents, Pikachu has maintained the highest pick rate for this season. In order to mitigate its almost mandatory status in team compositions, reductions in damage have been applied to its various abilities.
13) Ceruledge
Bitter Blade
- Damage Output: Reduced by 19%-10% (Levels 5-15)
- Healing Effect: Reduced by 10%
- Cooldown: Increased from 5.5 seconds to 6 seconds
Bitter Blade+
- Healing Effect: Reduced by 15%
Psycho Cut
- Defense Reduction Effect: Decreased from 47%-40% (Levels 5-10)
Psycho Cut+
- Defense Reduction Effect: Decreased from 33%-29% (Levels 11-15)
Phantom Force
- Damage Output: Decreased by 15%
- Cooldown: Increased from 9 seconds to 10 seconds
Ceruledge’s power level at early stages often resulted in unbalanced matches, prompting the developers to nerf key abilities that significantly impacted its early-game performance.
14) Armarouge
Flame Vortex
- Damage Output: Decreased by 20%
- Shield Value: Decreased by 25%
Psyshock
- Special Defense Penetration Effect: Reduced from 50% to 35%
Armor Cannon
- Damage Output: Decreased by 10%
- Cooldown: Increased from 6 seconds to 7 seconds
Despite prior adjustments in the previous Freezing Rush update, Armarouge did not see a decrease in its win rate as anticipated. Consequently, significant alterations have been made to its moves, particularly Flame Vortex and Psyshock, which had excessively high win percentages. Damage and frequency of Armor Cannon execution have also been reduced.
15) Mega Mewtwo X
Psystrike
- Damage Reduction Effect: Decreased from 25% to 15%
The damage reduction effect of Psystrike was overly potent, leading to its recent nerf.
The November 1st update for Pokemon Unite features extensive changes reflecting player input and balance requirements. The enhancements for Lapras’s durability, alongside adjustments to Zacian’s effectiveness in top-tier matches, aim to create a more balanced gaming experience for players of all proficiency tiers.
Image Credits: Sportskeeda.com
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