Pokemon Unite: The Best Pokemon For MOBA Newcomers To Start With

TL;DR

Your starter Pokemon choice directly impacts early game performance and learning curve
Pikachu offers the most beginner-friendly experience with straightforward mechanics
Understanding role types is crucial for effective team composition and strategy
Avoid common positioning mistakes that lead to unnecessary respawns
Strategic ability selection at level 4 significantly affects mid-game effectiveness

Making the right Pokemon selection after completing the tutorial can dramatically influence your early success in Pokemon Unite. This critical decision shapes your initial gameplay experience on both Nintendo Switch and mobile platforms, determining how quickly you adapt to Unite Battle mechanics.

Following the tutorial phase, you’ll encounter five distinct Pokemon options to unlock and begin your competitive journey. Your selection here directly correlates with performance outcomes in those crucial first matches. For players seeking comprehensive guidance on these initial choices, we provide detailed analysis of each available starter Pokemon, including our expert recommendation for MOBA newcomers seeking optimal learning experiences.

As detailed in our Pokemon Unite beginner’s strategy guide, the roster divides into five specialized categories: Attacker, All-Rounder, Speedster, Defender, and Supporter. Each starter Pokemon represents one specific role type, carrying distinct battlefield responsibilities and strategic functions.

Mastering these role distinctions early helps players understand team composition dynamics and position themselves effectively during matches. The role system creates natural synergies between different Pokemon types, encouraging cooperative gameplay and strategic coordination.

New players should note that each role requires different positioning strategies and combat approaches. Attackers typically operate from the backline, while Defenders initiate engagements and protect teammates. Understanding these fundamental differences prevents common team composition errors that plague inexperienced players.

As the globally recognized Pokemon mascot, Pikachu naturally attracts beginners seeking familiar territory. This Electric-type excels at frontline damage dealing and objective scoring, though it requires teammate support during extended engagements.

Avoid reckless solo engagements and positional overextension, as these mistakes frequently result in preventable respawns. Strategic positioning behind allied Defenders maximizes Pikachu’s effectiveness while minimizing vulnerability to enemy assaults.

Thunder Shock – Area of effect attack that damages and slows anyone in contact. Cooldown is 5 seconds. Upgrades at Lvl. 4 to one of the following:
- Electro Ball – Area of effect attack that damages and slows anyone in contact. 5 second cooldown. At Lvl. 11 the move’s damage is boosted.
- Thunder – Multiple thunderbolts strike and damage any Pokemon they contact. 8 second cooldown. At Lvl. 11 more thunderbolts are summoned.
Electro Ball – Area of effect attack that damages and slows anyone in contact. 5 second cooldown. At Lvl. 11 the move’s damage is boosted.

Charizard functions as a versatile All-Rounder, capable of adapting to various combat situations with balanced offensive and defensive capabilities. This Fire/Flying-type transitions through multiple evolutionary stages during matches, gaining power and new abilities as it levels up.

Talonflame specializes in high-mobility gameplay as a Speedster, excelling at map control, objective stealing, and surprise attacks. Its rapid movement capabilities make it ideal for players who prefer hit-and-run tactics and rotational playstyles.

For MOBA newcomers, Pikachu represents the most accessible starting option due to its straightforward ability mechanics and forgiving learning curve. The character’s ranged attack pattern allows safe positioning while learning enemy movement patterns and ability cooldowns.

Common beginner mistakes include overestimating durability, engaging without teammate support, and poor ability timing. Advanced positioning involves utilizing terrain features for cover and maintaining optimal attack range based on your Pokemon’s capabilities.

Strategic ability selection at level 4 significantly influences your mid-game effectiveness. Electro Ball provides reliable burst damage for consistent performance, while Thunder offers superior area control in teamfight scenarios. Consider your preferred playstyle when making this permanent decision.

Important clarification: Zeraora availability operates under temporary conditions, requiring redemption through in-game messages rather than permanent inclusion. The five primary starters remain consistently available following tutorial completion.

Early game optimization involves focusing on experience gain through wild Pokemon defeats and strategic goal scoring during opportune moments. Map awareness and objective timing separate competent players from exceptional performers in Pokemon Unite matches.

For comprehensive gameplay guidance beyond starter selection, consult our Complete Guide covering advanced tactics and meta strategies. Understanding these foundational concepts prepares players for competitive ranked matches and team play scenarios.

Peck – Initiates with a rapid forward dash followed by a triple-strike combo. This opening move has a quick 5-second refresh rate. At Level 5, it branches into specialized paths:

Flame Charge – Propels forward engulfed in fire, dealing damage while gaining a temporary speed boost. Cooldown extends to 6.5 seconds. Upon reaching Level 11, this maneuver additionally applies a movement speed reduction to struck opponents, perfect for chasing down fleeing enemies.
Aerial Ace – Dashes toward targeted foes inflicting damage while amplifying the power of your next basic attack. Refreshes every 6 seconds. At Level 11 enhancement, the initial strike damage receives a significant increase, creating devastating damage chains.

Flame Charge – Excellent for hit-and-run tactics, this fire-encased dash allows Talonflame to engage and disengage rapidly. The 6.5-second cooldown is manageable for frequent skirmishes. When upgraded at Level 11, the added slow effect makes it invaluable for securing kills or creating escape opportunities.

Aerial Ace – This precision strike not only damages enemies but strategically empowers your subsequent basic attack. With a 6-second timer, it synchronizes well with attack cycles. The Level 11 damage boost transforms it into a primary burst damage tool.

Acrobatics – Executes a multi-directional assault pattern while providing directional control for your exit trajectory upon completion. Cooldown is 7 seconds. At Level 7, this evolves into more advanced aerial techniques:

Fly – Ascends vertically skyward, with a secondary activation crashing down for massive area damage. 11-second cooldown. When enhanced at Level 13, the descent creates a disruptive shockwave that tosses nearby enemies, excellent for team fight control.
Brave Bird – Ignites itself in fiery determination before diving to a designated location, dealing substantial impact damage. This aggressive maneuver inflicts recoil damage to Talonflame but reduces basic attack cooldowns. 11-second refresh rate. At Level 13, the self-inflicted damage is mitigated, making high-frequency engagements more sustainable.

Fly – Provides exceptional positioning flexibility with its two-phase activation. The 11-second cooldown demands strategic timing. The Level 13 upgrade’s crowd control effect can single-handedly determine team fight outcomes by disrupting enemy formations.

Brave Bird – A high-risk, high-reward engagement tool that sacrifices personal safety for aggressive pressure. The basic attack cooldown reduction synergizes with attack-focused builds, while the Level 13 recoil reduction enables more frequent all-in plays.

Passive Skill: Gale Wings – Talonflame’s mobility escalates dramatically when maintaining elevated health percentages, rewarding careful positioning and hit-and-run playstyles.

Unite Move: Flame Sweep – Unleashes an extended-range fiery charge that plows through opponents, forcibly displacing them upon contact. This creates opportunities for team follow-ups or secures crucial objective steals.

Snorlax serves as the cornerstone for defense-oriented strategies, utilizing techniques like Heavy Slam to scatter enemy groupings and Block to create breathing room for allies. However, these defensive tools can be employed aggressively to cut off retreat routes. Deploying Snorlax as a goal-line guardian represents the optimal approach for leveraging this colossal Pokémon’s strengths, though it demands consistent team support. Even with exceptional durability, Snorlax can become overrun if isolated, eventually succumbing to damage and entering recovery sleep before respawning.

Tackle – Bullies forward using its substantial belly for area denial, impairing the movement speed of affected Pokémon briefly. Recharges in 6 seconds. At Level 6, this foundational move develops into specialized defensive forms:

Heavy Slam – Executes a powerful body slam that damages and displaces surrounding opponents. 7-second cooldown. When upgraded at Level 11, the impact damage receives a substantial increase, enhancing its zoning capability.
Flail – Swings its body violently, striking all nearby Pokémon. This technique escalates basic attack damage inversely proportional to current health—lower HP translates to higher damage amplification. 6.5-second refresh rate. At Level 11 improvement, the flailing damage itself is enhanced, creating dangerous comeback potential when health is critical.

Advanced Positioning Strategy: While goal defense remains Snorlax’s primary strength, advanced players should master the art of controlled aggression. Position Snorlax slightly ahead of objectives to zone enemies while maintaining retreat paths. The key is creating pressure without overextending—your presence alone can deter pushes.

Common Mistakes to Avoid: Never use Block without teammate backup, as isolated Snorlax becomes vulnerable to focus fire. Avoid committing Flail until you’ve baited out enemy cooldowns. Most importantly, communicate your cooldown status so teammates know when you can engage or must retreat.

Eldegoss Move Analysis and Strategic Applications

As Pokemon Unite’s premier support specialist, Eldegoss brings exceptional healing capabilities and team utility that can turn the tide of any match. Understanding each move’s mechanics and strategic applications is crucial for maximizing your effectiveness on the battlefield.

Synthesis Healing Mechanics

Synthesis – This fundamental healing ability restores health points for both Eldegoss and nearby allied Pokemon every 8 seconds. The area-of-effect nature makes positioning critical—staying close to multiple teammates amplifies its value exponentially. At Level 6, this move branches into two distinct upgrade paths that define your playstyle for the remainder of the match.

Cotton Guard vs Cotton Spore Comparison

Cotton Guard – Protective cotton materializes around Eldegoss, absorbing incoming damage and converting it into healing when the move concludes. With a 7-second cooldown, this defensive option becomes available frequently. The Level 13 enhancement grants increased mobility during activation, allowing you to reposition while maintaining protection—perfect for escaping dangerous situations or chasing down wounded opponents.

Cotton Spore – Damage-reducing spores accumulate around Eldegoss, creating a protective barrier. After a brief duration, these spores detonate, dealing area damage to nearby enemies while applying movement speed reduction. The 10-second cooldown balances its offensive utility. At Level 13, the exploding spores gain crowd control capability by launching opposing Pokemon into the air, creating valuable disruption in team fights.

Passive and Unite Move Synergies

Passive Skill: Cotton Down – When Eldegoss sustains significant damage exceeding a specific threshold, cotton automatically erupts around it, providing instant health regeneration and movement speed boost. This built-in survival mechanism makes Eldegoss surprisingly durable despite its support classification.

Unite Move: Cotton Cloud Crash – Eldegoss ascends into the air before crashing down with tremendous force, simultaneously healing allies and damaging enemies upon impact. The aerial invulnerability during ascent makes this an excellent defensive cooldown against enemy ultimate abilities.

Why Eldegoss is Ideal for MOBA Beginners

While Pikachu often gets recommended for newcomers, Eldegoss provides a superior learning experience for players unfamiliar with MOBA mechanics. Its forgiving nature and clear team role create the perfect environment for understanding core gameplay concepts.

Out of those five Pokemon, there is a clear choice in our minds which one should be the first Pokemon chosen out of the game for Pokemon fans who aren’t familiar with the MOBA genre, and it’s this one:

We recognize Pikachu’s popularity, but Eldegoss’s supportive toolkit offers better learning opportunities for MOBA fundamentals. You’ll experience the entire match flow from strategic positioning to objective control while contributing meaningfully to team success. The ability to observe how Attackers and Defenders operate from a supportive vantage point provides invaluable game knowledge that translates to other roles.

Playing Eldegoss teaches essential MOBA concepts like positioning behind frontline fighters, managing ability cooldowns during extended engagements, and recognizing when to use your Unite Move for maximum impact. Unlike Talonflame’s mobility-dependent playstyle that punishes positioning errors severely, Eldegoss offers forgiveness through its healing capabilities and passive survival mechanism.

Advanced Eldegoss Gameplay Strategies

Once you’ve mastered Eldegoss basics, implementing advanced techniques will elevate your support gameplay to expert levels. These strategies focus on maximizing your impact through intelligent decision-making and predictive play.

Positioning Tactics

Maintain optimal positioning at the edge of team fights where you can reach multiple allies with healing abilities while minimizing exposure to enemy attacks. Use terrain obstacles and your defender teammates as natural shields against aggressive opponents.

Cooldown Management

Track your ability cooldowns religiously—Synthesis’s 8-second timer should dictate your engagement patterns. Time your Cotton Guard activation to absorb predictable burst damage from enemy abilities rather than using it reactively.

Team Composition Synergies

Eldegoss pairs exceptionally well with durable Defenders who can create space for your healing to take effect. The combination of sustained healing and damage absorption creates nearly unbreakable frontlines that control objective areas effectively.

For comprehensive Pokemon Unite knowledge, explore our Complete Guide to understanding game mechanics, or dive into specific character roles with our Class Guide for understanding how different Pokemon types complement each other.

Action Checklist

Analyze your preferred playstyle before selecting a starter Pokemon
Practice ability combinations in practice mode before committing to upgrades
Master positioning behind allied Defenders during team engagements
Study enemy movement patterns to optimize ability timing and accuracy
Experiment with different ability combinations at level 4 to find your optimal setup
Practice Talonflame’s directional control with Acrobatics in practice mode
Test both Peck evolution paths in quick matches to determine personal preference
Master Snorlax’s goal-line positioning with Heavy Slam disruption
Coordinate Block usage with teammates in ranked matches
Practice Synthesis positioning to maximize multi-target healing during lane phase
Experiment with both Cotton Guard and Cotton Spore to determine preferred playstyle
Master timing Cotton Cloud Crash to counter enemy ultimate abilities
Learn to track enemy cooldowns to predict when Cotton Down passive will activate

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