Pokemon Unite
Image: The Pokémon Company

The Nintendo Switch and mobile free-to-play MOBA Pokémon Unite has today received its major update for the month of May.

Apart from the usual balance changes, this one adds in the new limited-time mode - "Catch 'Em Battles", which will run until 26th June. Here's a summary of how this mode works, along with a video:

In Catch ’Em battles, catchable wild Pokémon will appear across the map at different times. Look for Electrode, Tauros, Ludicolo, Avalugg, Araquanid, and Drednaw, along with the Legendary Pokémon Zapdos, Articuno, and Regigigas. When you defeat one of these wild Pokémon, you’ll catch it, and an icon representing that Pokémon will replace your battle item icon. You’ll have limited time to activate this icon, but when you do, you’ll play as that wild Pokémon.

When you start playing as a wild Pokémon, nearby opposing Pokémon will immediately be shoved away, giving you a moment to adjust to your new Pokémon. As a wild Pokémon, you’ll have access to its basic attack and two additional moves. However, you won’t have a Unite Move, and you won’t be able to teleport back to your base. You also won’t be able to score goals, so you’ll be supporting your teammates as they score. If you’re knocked out while playing as a wild Pokémon, you’ll revert back to your original Pokémon.

If you’re playing as Zapdos, Articuno, or Regigigas, you can use Zap Cannon, Ice Beam, or Hyper Beam (respectively) to weaken your opponents’ goal zones.

Catch ’Em battles take place in a slightly modified version of Mer Stadium. The basic rules are the same as a 4-on-4 quick battle, but the shield and HP recovery effects of your team’s forward goal zones will be increased. Also, after one of your forward goal zones is destroyed, a superjump springboard will appear at your team’s base. You can also earn extra points by helping your teammates defeat wild Pokémon.

And here are the update patch notes:

Ver. 1.5.1.6 (May 30th, 2022)

UPDATE DETAILS

  • Bug Fixes
  • Text Fixes
  • Event Updates
  • Shop Updates
  • New Type of Quick Battle Available: Catch ’Em

If the app has not been updated on your device, please restart the app to apply this update.

Changes have been made to some Pokémon stats and moves to adjust the balance of Unite Battles.

DETAILS

Crustle: X-Scissor

  • Cooldown reduced.

Blastoise: Rapid Spin

  • Effects on the user weakened.

Blastoise: Hydro Pump

  • Cooldown reduced.

Blastoise: Unite Move: Hydro Typhoon

  • Damage dealt to opposing Pokémon decreased.

Greninja: Surf

  • Damage dealt to opposing Pokémon decreased.

Greninja: Smokescreen

  • Fixed bug(s) causing one or more effects not to trigger.

Lucario: Extreme Speed+

  • Move Downgrade

Lucario: Power-Up Punch

  • Fixed bug(s) that affected the following:
  • Damage

Hoopa: Hyperspace Fury

  • Damage dealt to opposing Pokémon decreased.

Hoopa: Psybeam

  • Damage dealt to opposing Pokémon decreased.

Hoopa: Unite Move: Rings Unbound

  • Damage dealt to opposing Pokémon decreased.

Cinderace: Blaze Kick

  • Damage dealt to opposing Pokémon decreased.

Cinderace: Pyro Ball+

  • Effects on the user strengthened.

Cinderace: Feint

  • This move’s movement speed increase has been strengthened.

Azumarill: Aqua Tail

  • Damage dealt to opposing Pokémon increased.

Azumarill: Play Rough

  • Damage dealt to opposing Pokémon increased.

Azumarill

  • Stat Increase

Gardevoir

  • Level at which Pokémon evolves changed to 8.

Gardevoir: Confusion

  • Damage dealt to opposing Pokémon increased.

Gardevoir: Psyshock

  • Damage dealt to opposing Pokémon increased.

Tsareena

  • The following stats have been increased:
  • Attack

Slowbro: Scald

  • Damage dealt to opposing Pokémon increased.
  • This move’s movement speed decrease has been strengthened.
  • This move’s Attack decrease has been strengthened.

Slowbro: Unite Move: Slowbeam

  • Unite Move charge rate increased.

Venusaur: Solar Beam

  • Damage dealt to opposing Pokémon increased.

Blissey: Egg Bomb

  • Damage dealt to opposing Pokémon decreased. Cooldown reduced.

Blissey: Soft-Boiled

  • Cooldown reduced.

Aegislash: Sacred Sword

  • Duration of effects on opposing Pokémon decreased.

Dragonite

  • The following stats have been increased: Attack

Mr. Mime: Unite Move: Showtime!

  • Duration of effects on opposing Pokémon increased.

Sylveon: Mystical Fire

  • Fixed bug(s) causing one or more effects not to trigger.

Exp. Share

  • Effect strengthened.

What do you think of this latest update? Have you tried out this new mode yet - what do you think? Leave a comment down below.

[source unite.pokemon.com]