The latest update to Pokémon Unite is going to be a huge one. Patch 1.4.1.2 rolls out on Thursday, January 20, 2022, and it is bringing a ton of balance changes to the game. Several Pokémon will receive buffs or nerfs, whether to their stats or to how their moves work, fine-tuning how their respective kits work. Check out the full list of changes below so you can strategize and pick the right Pokémon to take into your next Unite Battle.
Some of the stronger Pokémon in the game, such as Lucario and the newly released Dragonite, will have their kits tuned down. Meanwhile, melee Fire/Flying-types are getting a good boost in this patch, with both Talonflame and Charizard empowered with a couple of buffs. But the biggest overhaul is coming for Garchomp, whose mainstay moves have just received description updates indicating changes to how they function and the effects they bring to the table.
Pokémon Unite Patch 1.4.1.2 Update: All Balance Changes
Pokémon Getting Buffs
Charizard
- Basic Attack [Buff]: Weakened movement speed decrease (Charizard used to move slower when attacking, this speed debuff is still present but in a reduced form now)
- (Unite Move) Seismic Slam [Buff]: Longer range
- Flamethrower and Fire Blast: Charizard can now use these moves even while moving
Decidueye
- Basic Attack [Buff]: When Decidueye reaches level 7, these standard attacks will provide greater health recovery effects
- Spirit Shackle: Can charge this move up to three times
- Razor Leaf [Buff]: Higher damage dealt
- Leaf Storm [Buff]: Increased range (area of effect); also pushes back enemies farther
- (Unite Move) Nock Nock [Buff]: Activation time shortened
Machamp
- Basic Attack [Buff]: Upon reaching level 7, Machamp's standard attacks will have greater healing effects
- Karate Chop [Buff]: Moderately increased damage dealt
- Dynamic Punch [Buff]: Improved range
- Submission [Tweak]: Machamp gets the bonus effects even if the move does not affect opponents
Talonflame
- Fly [Mixed/Tweak]: Slightly lower damage dealt; cooldown raised from 9 to 10 seconds, but will be shortened by 4 seconds when an opposing Pokémon is hit (if you miss, the cooldown is 10 seconds; if the move lands, it will only take 4 seconds)
- Aerial Ace [Buff]: Heals Talonflame if the move hits an opponent (+175 HP at level 7, +385 HP at level 15)
Pokémon Getting Nerfs
Dragonite
- Basic attack [Nerf]: Decreased range
- Hyper Beam [Nerf]: Reduced damage dealt to enemies
- Extreme Speed [Buff]: Increased range, shorter cooldown (9 seconds -> 7 seconds)
- (Unite Move) Draco Impact [Nerf]: Consumes more of the Unite Move gauge
Lucario
- Meteor Mash [Nerf]: Much lower damage dealt to opponents; additional effects also weakened
- Extreme Speed [Nerf]: Restores less HP than before
- Close Combat [Buff]: “Move upgrade” – bonus effects are stronger now
Pokémon Getting Tweaks or Reworks (Mix of buffs and nerfs)
Gengar
- Hex [Nerf]: Decreased damage dealt
- Changes to the levels at which Gengar learns moves
- Hex or Dream Eater – Level 5
- Sludge Bomb or Shadow Ball – Level 7
- Upgraded Hex or Upgraded Dream Eater – Level 11
- Upgraded Sludge Bomb or Upgraded Shadow Ball – Level 13
Tsareena (*leaning somewhat towards nerfs)
- Basic attack [Buff]: Faster attack speed
- Triple Axel [Nerf]: Lower attack speed bonus; much less damage dealt to enemies
- Stomp [Buff] Increased HP restoration
- Grassy Glide [Nerf]: Longer cooldown (6 seconds -> 8 seconds); no longer slows down enemies' movement speed
Garchomp moveset rework
- Dig
- Burrow underground and move quickly towards chosen direction, then jump out from underground upon coming into contact with opponent or when the maximum distance is reached.
- Upon unburrowing, deal damage in an area of effect while also throwing enemies.
- Increases Garchomp's Defense and Special Defense stats for a short time
- Upgrade: Opposing Pokémon are thrown (airborne/knocked up) for a longer time
- Earthquake
- Garchomp jumps up into the air then crashes down to trigger tremors that deal AOE damage over time to enemies.
- Enemies caught in the earthquake's AOE are slowed for some time.
- Upgrade: Decreases movement speed of opponents further, especially if they are close to the user
- Dragon Rush
- Dive in to attack in a given direction, shoving away the enemy Pokémon.
- Can be combo'd with Dragon Claw, to boost the effect of the move and further reduce opponents' speed
- While using this move, Garchomp also takes less damage from incoming attacks
- Upgrade: While using this move, Garchomp also becomes immune to any hindrances (e.g., slow debuffs)
- Dragon Claw
- Garchomp attacks twice with its claws. The first one damages and throws opposing Pokémon, while the second attack deals more damage while also slowing down the enemy.
Item Changes
- Slow Smoke
- Creates a cloud of smoke that greatly reduces the movement speed and basic attack speed of enemies for a brief time
- This bonus effect is now stronger and the duration has been lengthened
- X Attack
- Increases Pokémon's Attack, Special Attack, and basic attack speed for a short time
Besides the changes listed above, other tweaks in this patch include bug fixes—such as for Zeraora's Volt Absorb and Wild Charge—and quality-of-life changes meant to help make the gameplay smoother or the attacks easier to execute.
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