Pokemon Unite v1.16.2.8 Freezing Rush Part 2: Analyzing Winners and Losers

On October 31, 2024, the much-anticipated update for Pokemon Unite, known as Freezing Rush Part 2: v1.16.2.8, was released, introducing a series of balance modifications aimed at enhancing the overall gaming experience for various Pokemon. This latest patch focuses on tweaking a range of Attackers, Defenders, and All-Rounders to rectify issues like low selection rates, overpowered abilities, and survivability concerns.

Let’s delve into the notable winners and losers from this patch and understand their potential impact on the game’s meta.

Pokemon Unite v1.16.2.8 Freezing Rush Part 2: Key winners

Freezing Rush Part 2 v1.16.2.8 winner (Image via The Pokemon Company)

1) Lapras

After experiencing notable setbacks post-nerf, Lapras has been revamped with significant buffs to restore its tank-like capabilities in combat. Its Defense and Special Defense stats have received enhancements, facilitating greater durability on the battlefield.

Improvements to Basic Attack (healing), Bubble Beam (shielding), and Perish Song (damage) augment Lapras’ usefulness and longevity, positioning it as an invaluable asset for teams in need of a resilient Defender who can absorb damage while maintaining its own health.

2) Blissey

With a decline in usage, Blissey found itself lagging behind other support roles. The latest patch boosts the shield provided by Safeguard, shortens the cooldown, and prolongs the duration of Helping Hand.

This enhances Blissey’s capacity to protect and aid teammates, making it a more dependable option for teams looking to gain status immunity and increased movement speed.

3) Greedent

Greedent’s mobility and scoring capabilities have seen improvements, thanks to cooldown adjustments for Bullet Seed and Covet. Additionally, the Belch ability now impairs opponents more effectively, amplifying Greedent’s influence in team skirmishes.

Moreover, its Unite Move, Berry Belly Dive, now consumes less energy, allowing Greedent to remain relevant throughout battles and play a pivotal role in team objectives.

4) Azumarill

Azumarill benefits from enhanced Special Defense and an amplified shield from Belly Bash, granting it improved endurance against ranged foes.

A shorter cooldown on Whirlpool makes Azumarill’s attacks more fluid, establishing it as a stronger contender in the current meta, especially against ranged attackers.

5) Mewtwo Y

Since its nerf in July, Mewtwo Y has had difficulty maintaining effectiveness. However, this update provides a boost to Mewtwo Y’s basic attack speed and reduces the cooldowns of Recover and Teleport, enhancing its adaptability in combat.

The healing from Recover has seen substantial increases, greatly enhancing Mewtwo Y’s survivability.

Minor winners: Gardevoir, Espeon, and Glaceon

These delicate Attackers have received defensive enhancements, making them less vulnerable to swift eliminations. Gardevoir’s Psychic, Psyshock, and Future Sight abilities have all been buffed, amplifying its offensive prowess.

Similarly, Glaceon’s Icicle Spear and Freeze Dry, along with Espeon’s Psyshock and Future Sight, have been upgraded, providing them with greater pressure against enemies. These updates help all three Pokemon compete more effectively against stronger selections while boosting their overall survivability.

Pokemon Unite v1.16.2.8 Freezing Rush Part 2: Major losers

Freezing Rush Part 2 v1.16.2.8 losers (Image via The Pokemon Company)

1) Zacian

Previously, Zacian’s Sacred Sword was a key factor in its high win rates in competitive play. However, the new update has diminished Sacred Sword’s power concerning defense penetration, attack boosts, and mobility reductions.

While still a formidable contender, players must now exercise more caution in utilizing Zacian effectively, allowing opponents additional opportunities to counter its strategies.

2) Miraidon

Miraidon has faced damage reductions to both Charge Beam and Electro Drift, in addition to extended cooldowns for Parabolic Charge. This adjustment restrains the Pocket Monster’s damaging potential while slowing its rotation speed.

As a result, Miraidon poses a lesser threat, particularly against teams that previously struggled with its rapid damage outputs.

3) Ho-Oh

Once a powerhouse in providing shields and team support, Ho-Oh recently underwent nerfs impacting Flame Vortex’s damage, shield capacity, and cooldown. Moreover, the cost for the Unite Move, Rekindling Flame, has been increased.

This change likely discourages Ho-Oh’s frequent selection, especially among teams that relied on its sustaining abilities.

4) Pikachu

Always a popular choice with exceptional win rates, Pikachu’s abilities—including Electro Ball, Thunder, and Thunderstorm—have been modified to lower their damage capacity, and Electro Ball has seen an increase in cooldown duration.

These adjustments aim to balance Pikachu’s versatility, potentially leading to a decrease in its pick rate among players attracted to its rapid damage capabilities.

5) Ceruledge

Previously dominating the early-game due to its high healing and formidable damage from Bitter Blade and Psycho Cut, Ceruledge has experienced significant nerfs across both abilities. These changes have diminished its early-game snowball potential.

Additionally, Phantom Force has sustained a damage reduction, further lessening Ceruledge’s threat level.

6) Armarouge

Armarouge has encountered substantial nerfs targeting its Flame Vortex and Psyshock abilities, both of which importantly contributed to its elevated win rate, despite prior adjustments. Moreover, the cooldown of Armor Cannon has been extended, curbing the cadence with which it can unleash powerful attacks.

These changes are intended to improve Armarouge’s balance in battle engagements, particularly within ranked environments.

7) Mega Mewtwo X

The damage-reduction effect of Mega Mewtwo X’s Psystrike has been scaled back, encouraging players to utilize more strategic timing instead of heavily relying on its ability to outlast opponents.

This recent patch is reshaping the Pokemon Unite landscape by amplifying several less-favored picks while bringing overpowered characters under control.

With Attackers such as Espeon, Gardevoir, and Glaceon emerging as more viable options, while once-dominant figures like Zacian and Ho-Oh face limitations, the current meta fosters diverse team strategies and heightened gameplay balance.

Whether these adjustments enable overlooked Pocket Monsters to reclaim their place in the game remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: the Freezing Rush Part 2 update injects a fresh surge of excitement and potential into Pokemon Unite.

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Images Credit: Sportskeeda.com