TL;DR
- Defenders create space and protect objectives while enabling attackers to operate safely
- Each Defender offers unique crowd control, area denial, and disruption capabilities
- Proper move timing and positioning are more critical than raw damage output
- Team composition should include at least one Defender for balanced strategy
- Mastering when to engage versus protect separates elite Defender players
Become the protective barrier that safeguards your allies with these expert PokeMOBA defensive strategies.
While Pokemon Unite’s highlight reels often showcase aggressive attackers, the Defenders form the backbone of any successful team composition. Fielding multiple offensive Pokemon can work temporarily, but without a reliable rear guard securing your team’s objectives, opponents will freely score points and render your firepower ineffective. These four Defenders each excel in this crucial role, offering distinct approaches to battlefield control.
Strategic Insight: Elite Defender play requires anticipating enemy movements 10-15 seconds ahead. Position yourself between opponents and your goal zones, using your bulk to absorb damage that would otherwise eliminate your damage dealers. Successful Defenders create safe zones where allies can operate without constant threat.

Blastoise operates as a durable anchor point that leverages its protective shell to dominate Pokemon Unite battles. The transformed mechanics following Rapid Spin activation provide superior offensive flexibility compared to most roster members, while Hydro Pump and Water Gun enable strategic battlefield manipulation. Enemy team clustering around your position? Deploy Hydro Pump to create immediate separation and regain tactical breathing room. Blastoise represents an excellent choice for any defensive lineup, particularly for players seeking versatile engagement options.
Difficulty: Intermediate
Evolution levels: Squirtle Start | Wartortle at Lvl. 5 | Blastoise at Lvl. 9
- Water Gun – Projects a pressurized water stream that displaces opponents and reduces their movement speed. Cooldown duration is 9 seconds. Upgrades available at Level 5 to either:
- Water Spout – Maintains continuous water flow that damages enemies while slowing their movement. 9 second cooldown. Damage output increases at Level 11.
- Hydro Pump – Releases an enormous water blast that damages and forcefully pushes back opponents. 11 second cooldown. Damage enhancement occurs at Level 8.5.
- Water Spout – Maintains continuous water flow that damages enemies while slowing their movement. 9 second cooldown. Damage output increases at Level 11.
- Hydro Pump – Releases an enormous water blast that damages and forcefully pushes back opponents. 11 second cooldown. Damage enhancement occurs at Level 8.5.
- Skull Bash – Charges headfirst into opponents, inflicting damage followed by a stun effect. Cooldown period is 10 seconds. Upgrade options unlock at Level 7:
- Rapid Spin – Blastoise initiates rapid rotation, altering basic attack properties and Hydro Pump/Water Spout functionality. 11 second cooldown. At Level 13, damage taken during this move is reduced.
- Surf – Advances forward riding a powerful wave, damaging and stunning enemies. Blastoise gains hindrance immunity during execution and can leap in one direction upon completion. 12 second cooldown. At Level 13, Blastoise additionally receives protective shielding.
- Rapid Spin – Blastoise initiates rapid rotation, altering basic attack properties and Hydro Pump/Water Spout functionality. 11 second cooldown. At Level 13, damage taken during this move is reduced.
Advanced Tactics: Combine Rapid Spin with Hydro Pump to create a mobile area denial tool that pushes enemies away while you remain protected. Use Water Gun to interrupt enemy scoring attempts or channeled abilities. Position yourself near central objectives during team fights to maximize your disruption potential.

Crustle excels at creating impassable terrain and controlling key battlefield areas through strategic rock placement. Its Shell Smash ability provides surprising mobility for a Defender, allowing quick repositioning to block enemy advances or secure escapes. The Stealth Rock deployment creates persistent damage zones that deter opponents from approaching objectives.
Pro Tip: Use Rock Slide to block narrow pathways during Zapdos fights, forcing enemies to take longer routes or eat significant damage. Proper Shell Smash timing can mean the difference between securing a crucial knockout or watching opponents escape with low health.

Slowbro specializes in neutralizing high-threat targets through superior survivability and targeted disruption. Its Telekinesis ability can completely remove dangerous opponents from team fights, while Amnesia provides substantial damage reduction and healing. Slowbro’s unique ability to ignore crowd control effects makes it exceptionally difficult to displace from key positions.
Strategic Application: Save Telekinesis for enemy carries who are attempting to score or secure objectives. Use Amnesia proactively when you anticipate incoming burst damage rather than reactively after taking significant health loss.

Snorlax dominates through sheer presence and unparalleled crowd control capabilities. Its Block ability can create impassable barriers that separate enemy teams, while Heavy Slam provides area stuns that set up devastating team fight combinations.
Expert Technique: Position Snorlax perpendicular to goal zones rather than directly in front, maximizing the area you can block with your body. Time your Rest ability to coincide with enemy burst damage windows, effectively negating their offensive cooldowns.
Action Checklist
- Practice positioning between enemies and objectives during early game
- Master one Defender’s core ability rotations in practice mode
- Learn to anticipate and interrupt enemy scoring attempts
- Coordinate with attackers to create kill opportunities from your crowd control
- Develop map awareness to position for upcoming objective fights
No reproduction without permission:SeeYouSoon Game Club » Pokemon Unite Defender Guide: Move Lists, Stats, And Strategies For All Defender Type Pokemon Master Pokemon Unite's top Defenders with advanced strategies, move optimization, and team synergy techniques
