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If you are sitting down to play Pokemon Unite for the first time, you should know that this game is a MOBA, which has a bit of a learning curve to it. If you've never played a MOBA before, there are some basic things you'll need to know, like how each Pokemon fulfills a different role in the game.

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For the most part, Speedsters are some of the hardest Pokemon to play, while Defenders are the easiest. Being able to survive skirmishes greatly helps you and your team's chances of victory. Here are the different roles and what they do on a team:

Role Name

Playstyle

Attacker

High damage, melee or ranged attacks, and low durability

Defender

Low damage, usually shorter ranged, and high durability

All-Rounder

Balanced damage and durability

Speedster

High mobility and damage, very low durability

Supporter

Provides support to the team through healing, buffs, and defensive skills

Updated May 3rd, 2023 by Andrew Scariati: Pokemon Unite's constant stream of new Pokemon releases and seasonal balance patches continues to change the landscape of the game. With powerful Defenders like Lapras and Goodra blurring the lines between roles, there are more options than ever if you prefer a hybrid playstyle.

Other powerful, unique interactions like Comfey's attachment to a teammate and Lapras' taxi service have opened the door to support-focused play, which is helpful if you are just learning the ropes. Whether you want to be on the front lines or hide behind your damage dealers, you have plenty of options.

13 Zeraora (Speedster)

Zeraora about to attack while floating in its stats screen.

The Speedster role is difficult to master, and most of the Pokemon who fulfill this role can be difficult to play. Zeraora is listed under “expert” difficulty in Unite, but this Pokemon should honestly be ranked as “intermediate” at best. Zeraora has a lot of utility in its set of moves that makes its play style quite forgiving, which is fantastic for learning the ropes.

Zeraora's basic attack steals health every third hit, letting new you survive damage a little better; he has lots of mobility move options for escaping and attacking enemies when out of position, and his Unite move is easy to hit and provides some utility with a displacement.

12 Trevenant (Defender)

Trevenant looking intimidating in its info screen.

Trevenant was built for a trial by fire as his play style encourages taking damage, which you will most likely be doing even though you didn't plan on it. A couple of his moves increase in power the more damage you take during them, dealing more damage to your foes.

Don't worry that you are encouraged to take damage. Trevenant's moves are full of healing, including his passive, basic attacks, and Horn Leech. Plus, his Unite move also provides a pretty powerful shield and increases healing.

11 Snorlax (Defender)

Snorlax looking sleepy in front of some tall grass.

Snorlax is one of the best Pokemon to play when you are just getting started because it just absorbs damage and doesn't care. This beefy Pokemon even gets a bonus to healing when picking up berries on the battlefield, so even when you do take damage, it is easy to get that health back.

And that isn't Snorlax's only way to get health back. He has an early game self-heal, and his Unite move damages and displaces enemies in a huge area and then restores a ton of health over a short period of time. On top of all the healing, his utility is through the roof with moves that displace enemies. You can jump right into the game as a novice and look like a pro with Snorlax. All you have to do is be a nuisance to enemies and not die in the process.

10 Glaceon (Attacker)

Glaceon smiling while standing on cracked ice with trees behind it.

Glaceon excels as the premier auto-aim Attacker, allowing you to decimate opponents from afar with your Ice Shards. If you're looking for the easiest build to start with for Glaceon, Icicle Spear and Ice Shard will be your best bet. This combination boasts high damage, and Ice Shards will track your enemies down even as they flee.

Even Glaceon's freeze-focused build is useable if you prefer a more hindrance-focused style that allows your teammates to capitalize on frozen foes. As for its Unite Move, Glaceon will create a diamond-shaped ice zone on the floor that will increase your movement and replenish your ice crystals. Glaceon's versatility and high damage are excellent, even if you haven't mastered aiming yet.

9 Charizard (All-Rounder)

Charizard floating and looking fierce in the info screen.

All-Rounder Pokemon like Charizard can fill most roles on your team, from Jungler to attacking in either lane. They are good at dishing out damage, have decent mobility, and are no slouches when fighting it out against powerful Attackers.

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Charizard is no exception to this, with some powerful moves and some handy utility built into a few of those moves. His basic attack deals continual damage and gets a boost when the opponent is burned. A lot of Charizard's moves also provide utility, like increasing your movement speed, slowing enemies, displacing enemies, or even healing yourself. This is a fun and capable first Pokemon to play when you are new to the game.

8 Dragonite (All-Rounder)

Dragonite flying toward us in its info screen.

This Dragon-type Pokemon can take you from 'just learning' to 'making the enemy concede' in no time. Dragonite is another one of those Pokemon that are great for beginners because it can take a decent amount of damage and stay alive, all the while pumping out some serious damage itself.

Dragonite's play style encourages you to get right up in the face of the enemy and dish out some serious area-of-effect damage. And to keep you alive during the whole thing, Dragonite's moves have some decent utility, too, reducing damage, stunning enemies, as well as displacing them when you fly in with your Unite move.

7 Pikachu (Attacker)

Pikachu with an angry expression in its info screen.

Pikachu is a fan favorite, and that is probably why he was designed to pick up and play if you are first starting the game. The electric mouse Pokemon is a pretty straightforward Pokemon to learn. Dish out damage at a safe distance and stun your opponents over and over.

Pikachu offers a stun on nearly all of its abilities and does some pretty solid damage along with those stuns. This makes it an ideal candidate for beginners because you can constantly keep your opponents at bay by stunning them and dealing damage all the while.

6 Cinderace (Attacker)

Cinderace unleashing a kick in its info screen.

Cinderace is unique to start with because he is very easy to understand, but he also can have a really high skill ceiling if you want to take the time to learn how to play him as the pros do. Cinderace has a pretty long range compared to other Pokemon, which is good for beginners to stay safe while still dealing some damage.

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This Pokemon has abilities that require some decent aim, but it isn't too difficult to get the hang of its skill shots. Cinderace also has a lot of mobility in his move set, which helps you get out of situations that you shouldn't be in. And the best thing about Cinderace is that once you master his abilities, you can rain fire from a distance on your enemies.

5 Eldegoss (Supporter)

Eldegoss jumping happily in its info screen

Playing a Supporter Pokemon can be difficult when you are first starting to play Unite because the role is so different from the others, but Eldegoss can help you succeed at your role from your very first game. So, if you like to be the healer in your group, this Pokemon is a must-try with a lot of its abilities offering heals and buffs for yourself and other friendly Pokemon.

Eldegoss can also offer utility to your team with a Unite move that displaces enemies while healing friendly Pokemon, and he has lots of little slows and speed boosts for friends and foes. This is definitely a good Supporter Pokemon to get your feet wet with if you are looking to be an anchor for your team.

4 Slowbro (Defender)

Slowbro looking confused in its information screen.

Slowbro is a fantastic first choice when just starting out because he is hard to kill and ranged, so you can learn the mechanics of the game while sitting back, helping your team, and staying alive.

One of the most important things to do in MOBAs is to survive, so when you are ranged and a tank, it makes dying difficult. Slowbro has a bunch of moves that can help your team out too. You slow the enemy Pokemon every third basic attack, have a fantastic self-heal in Amnesia, and have utility options that can displace enemy Pokemon while your team knocks them out.

3 Blissey (Supporter)

Blissey looking happy in its Unite information screen.

A slightly more difficult-to-play Supporter is Blissey, but don't worry, it isn't too much of a challenge that you can't pick up how to play Blissey after a few practice matches. As Blissey, you need to learn how to use your eggs to maximum effect, healing friendlies, damaging and displacing opponents, and providing buffs to your allies.

Blissey's moves require a little finesse to use to their full potential, but if you are just starting the game and want to play a Supporter who does a little more than just heal, Blissey is a fantastic choice.

2 Lapras (Defender)

Image of Lapras from Pokemon Unite split with an image of the Lapras Unite License

Lapras offers an excellent build variety that includes damage-focused options in addition to its excellent sustainability. Perish Song and Ice Beam combine to make this transport Pokemon one of the most dangerous foes on the battlefield. Perish Song will automatically KO an opponent if their HP is low enough after Perish Song's third use.

If you're more interested in simply surviving, then Water Pulse and Bubble Beam combine for an excellent defensive build. Bubble Beam both gives you a shield and suspends foes hit by it in a bubble for a short time. Lastly, Lapras can carry teammates around the map at high speeds using its Unite, so grab a friend and get zooming.

1 Comfey (Supporter)

Comfey from Pokemon flying above grass and a walkway, with the Pokemon Unite logo in the corner

If you really need to learn the basics and want to ride your teammates' coattails to victory, then Comfey is the choice for you. Comfey allows you to attach yourself to a teammate and apply various buffs and healing effects to them.

Each build gives slightly different utility options, but both Sweet Kiss and Floral Healing will help improve your allies' survivability. Opt for Floral Healing and Magical Leaf if you want to focus on providing healing, shields, and minor damage. Sweet Kiss and Grass Knot will allow you to hone in on hindering opponents and keeping them close for teammates to attack.

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