Best Pokémon Unite Builds for every Pokémon

Looking to be "the very best?"

With 21 playable Pokémon, learning how to optimize each character's held items and knowing what moves to pick when (an integral part of the game) can feel like a hassle. Especially when you just want to get in there with Pikachu and zap your opponents. Here is our take on the best held item/move set combos for each character.

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Best Pokémon Unite Builds

Attackers


Alolan Ninetales

Moves



Level 4 - Dazzling Gleam: Ninetales attacks with a cone of light, stunning enemies that are hit.
Level 6 - Aurora Veil: Creates an aurora around Ninetales that reduces damage to all allies within. increases movement speed and base attack damage while in effect
Held Items



Wise Glasses: Increases Sp. Atk by 3 percent
Muscle Band: When basic attacks hit, the damage is increased by 1 percent of the opponent's remaining HP
Shell Bell: When the Pokémon hits with a move, it recovers a minimum of 45 HP. The higher the Pokémon's Sp. Atk, the more HP it recovers
Battle ItemEject Button: Quickly moves your Pokémon in the designated location.
PathTop/Bottom

Cinderace

Moves



Level 7 - Pyroball: Launches a fireball in a line that inflicts burn on the enemy, making them take additional damage the next three times Cinderace attacks
Level 8 - Feint: Increases movement speed and makes Cinderace invincible. Also removes any debuffs.
Held Items




Muscle Band: When basic attacks hit, the damage is increased by 1 percent of the opponent's remaining HP
Focus Band: When the Pokémon drops to low HP, then each second for three seconds, it recovers 8 percent of the HP it had lost
Scope Lens: Increases the damage of basic attack critical hits. The higher the Pokémon's Attack, the more the damage increases
Battle ItemX Attack: Raises your Pokémon's Atk & Sp. Atk. for a short time.
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Cramorant

Moves





Level 4 - Hurricane: Creates a fierce wind, throwing Pokémon that get caught in it and dealing damage to them when they fall to the ground
Level 6 - Surf: Attacks with a wave that deals damage to opposing Pokémon. Once the wave has traveled its full distance, it returns the way it came, dealing damage to opposing Pokémon once again and pulling them back with the wave. Cramorant can also catch Arrokuda or other prey by entering the wave.
Held Items



Energy Amplifier: After the Pokémon uses its Unite Move, the damage the Pokémon deals is increased by 7 percent for 4 seconds
Wise Glasses: Increases Sp. Atk by 3 percent
Buddy Barrier: When the Pokémon uses its Unite Move, that Pokémon and the nearby ally Pokémon with the lowest HP are each granted a shield equal to 20 percent of their max HP
Battle ItemEject Button: Quickly moves your Pokémon in the designated location.
PathTop

Gardevoir

Moves


Level 6 - Psyshock: Attacks 3 times in front of Gardevoir
Level 8 - Psychic: After hitting an enemy Pokémon or traveling max distance psychic creates a circle that deal AoE damage and decreasing movement speed
Held Items



Wise Glasses: Increases Sp. Atk by 3 percent
Shell Bell: When the Pokémon hits with a move, it recovers a minimum of 45 HP. The higher the Pokémon's Sp. Atk, the more HP it recovers
Choice Specs: Increases the damage of moves by a minimum of 40 when they hit. The higher the Pokémon's Sp. Atk, the more the damage is increased
Battle ItemEject Button: Quickly moves your Pokémon in the designated location.
PathTop/Bottom

Greninja

Moves




Level 5 - Smokescreen: Creates a smokescreen that Greninja rolls away from. After rolling Greninja gains movement speed and an empowered basic attack
Level 7 - Surf: Greninja rides a wave dealing damage to enemy Pokémon and restoring Greninja's HP if the move knocks out an enemy Pokémon, the cooldown is reset. This move deals increased damage the lower an enemy Pokémon's HP.
Held Items




Muscle Band: When basic attacks hit, the damage is increased by 1 percent of the opponent's remaining HP
Float Stone: Increases movement speed by 10 percent when the Pokémon is not in combat. (Out of combat activates 8 seconds after removal from combat)
Shell Bell: When the Pokémon hits with a move, it recovers a minimum of 45 HP. The higher the Pokémon's Sp. Atk, the more HP it recovers
Battle ItemEject Button: Quickly moves your Pokémon in the designated location.
PathTop

Pikachu

Moves


Level 4 - Electro Ball: An AoE attack that deals increased damage based on your opponents missing HP
Level 6 - Thunderbolt: AoE attack with a stun effect
Held Items



Wise Glasses: Increases Sp. Atk by 3 percent
Shell Bell: When the Pokémon hits with a move, it recovers a minimum of 45 HP. The higher the Pokémon's Sp. Atk, the more HP it recovers
Energy Amplifier: After the Pokémon uses its Unite Move, the damage the Pokémon deals is increased by 7 percent for 4 seconds
Battle ItemEject Button: Quickly moves your Pokémon in the designated location.
PathBottom

Sylveon

Moves






Level 4 - Mystical FIre: Sylveon creates four small flames while advancing in the chosen direction. The flames shoot towards enemy Pokémon one by one dealing damage and decreasing the enemy Pokémon's Sp. Attack for a while time. Every time a flame hits, this move's cooldown is reduced
Level 6 - Draining Kiss: Sylveon blows a kiss at the enemy Pokémon that goes back and forth between Sylveon and the target multiple times. When the kiss returns to Sylveon it restores HP. When it hits the enemy Pokémon, it deals damage and decreases movement speed.
Held Items



Wise Glasses: Increases Sp. Atk by 3 percent
Choice Specs: Increases the damage of moves by a minimum of 40 when they hit. The higher the Pokémon's Sp. Atk, the more the damage is increased
Buddy Barrier: When the Pokémon uses its Unite Move, that Pokémon and the nearby ally Pokémon with the lowest HP are each granted a shield equal to 20 percent of their max HP
Battle ItemEject Button: moves your Pokémon a short distance to help close gaps or get out of sticky skirmishes
PathTop/Bottom

Venasaur

Moves




Level 5 - Sludge Bomb: Venasaur hurls sludge towards a location dealing damage over time to enemy Pokémon who are in the area and decreases their movement speed and Sp. Defense.
Level 7 - Solar Beam: Venasaur blasts a beam of light dealing AoE damage to enemy Pokémon
Held Items



Wise Glasses: Increases Sp. Atk by 3 percent
Shell Bell: When the Pokémon hits with a move, it recovers a minimum of 45 HP. The higher the Pokémon's Sp. Atk, the more HP it recovers
Choice Specs: Increases the damage of moves by a minimum of 40 when they hit. The higher the Pokémon's Sp. Atk, the more the damage is increased.
Battle ItemX Attack: Raises your Pokémon's Atk & Sp. Atk. for a short time.
PathTop

Related: How to Link Pokémon UNITE Accounts

All-Rounders


Charizard

Moves



Level 5 - Fire Punch: Charizard launches forward using a fist of flames to attack. Deals additional damage to enemy Pokémon who are burned
Level 7 - Flare Blitz: Charges forward cloaked in fire, throwing enemy Pokémon and granting Charizard a shield
Held Items




Muscle Band: When basic attacks hit, the damage is increased by 1 percent of the opponent's remaining HP.
Scope Lens: Increases the damage of basic attack critical hits. The higher the Pokémon's Attack, the more the damage increases
Float Stone: Increases movement speed by 10/15/20 percent when the Pokémon is not in combat
Battle ItemEject Button: Quickly moves your Pokémon in the designated location.
PathTop

Garchomp

Moves



Level 6 - Dragon Rush: Garchomp dives in the specified direction damaging and knocking back enemy Pokémon
Level 8 - Earthquake: Garchomp jumps in into the air and crashes into the ground dealing AoE damage to enemy Pokémon
Held Items



Rocky Helmet: When you take damage, deal damage to nearby enemy Pokémon equal to 3 percent of your max HP.
Leftovers: When the Pokémon is not in combat, it recovers 1/1.5/2 percent of its max HP every second
Muscle Band: When basic attacks hit, the damage is increased by 1 percent of the opponent's remaining HP
Battle ItemEject Button: Moves to a specified direction immediately.
PathTop/Middle

Lucario

Moves




Level 5 - Power-Up Punch: Lucario charges a powerful attack. dealing damage to enemy Pokémon and knocking them back. Lucario's next basic attack is empowered
Level 7- Bone Rush: Lucario strikes with a bone, dealing multiple blows to enemy Pokémon and stunning them. the final blow send the bone flying. This ability can be reactivated to rush to the location of the bone
Held Items






Muscle Band: When basic attacks hit, the damage is increased by 1 percent of the opponent's remaining HP
Razor Claw: After the Pokémon uses a move, its next attack deals a minimum of 10/15/20 more damage. The higher the Pokémon's Attack, the more this damage increases. When this item is held by a melee Pokémon, this basic attack also decreases the movement speed of opposing Pokémon for a short time
Score Shield: While the Pokémon is attempting to score a goal, it is granted a shield equal to 5/7.5/10 percent of its max HP and its goals cannot be interrupted while it is shielded
Battle ItemEject Button: Moves to a specified direction immediately.
PathBottom/MIddle

Machamp


Moves




Level 5 - Cross Chop: Machamp attacks with a double chop, dashing forward and increasing Critical Hit rate
Level 7 - Submission: Machamp becomes immune to status effects and gains increased movement speed. The next basic attack deal additional damage and stuns the enemy Pokémon. Once this attack ends Machamp gains increased critical-hit rate and attack speed
Held Items






Muscle Band: When basic attacks hit, the damage is increased by 1 percent of the opponent's remaining HP
Razor Claw: After the Pokémon uses a move, its next attack deals a minimum of 10/15/20 more damage. The higher the Pokémon's Attack, the more this damage increases. When this item is held by a melee Pokémon, this basic attack also decreases the movement speed of opposing Pokémon for a short time
Scope Lens: Increases the damage of basic attack critical hits. The higher the Pokémon's Attack, the more the damage increases
Battle Item X Attack: Raises your Pokémon's Atk & Sp. Atk. for a short time.
PathBottom/Middle

Related: How to get Blissey, Mammoswine, and Slyveon in Pokémon Unite.

Supporters


Blissey

Moves



Level 4 - Soft Boiled: Blissey throws an egg to an ally Pokémon restoring their HP as well as Blissey's. Blissey can store 3 charges of this move in reserve
Level 6 - Helping Hand: For a short time, Blissey and nearby allies gain bonus move speed and attack speed. While this effect lasts, Blissey's basic attacks become empowered
Held Items




Buddy Barrier: Upon using a Unite Move, the attacker and its lowest-HP ally gain a shield for 20/30/40 percent of their max health.
Exp. Share: While the Pokémon has the fewest Exp. Points on its team, it gains 2/3/4 Exp. Points per second. However, it will no longer receive shared Exp. Points when its teammates defeat wild Pokémon
Leftovers: Recover 2 percent of max HP per second when out of combat.
Battle ItemEject Button: Quickly moves your Pokémon in the designated location.
PathBottom

Eldegoss

Moves



Level 4 - Pollen Puff: Eldegoss throws a pollen puff which attaches to a Pokémon. Allies affected are healed, enemies take damage
Level 6 - Cotton Guard: Protects Eldegoss and nearby allies with cotton. The cotton absorbs damage and when the move ends HP is restored to all affected
Held Items



Shell Bell: When the Pokémon hits with a move, it recovers a minimum of 45 HP. The higher the Pokémon's Sp. Atk, the more HP it recovers
Wise Glasses: Increases Sp. Atk by 3 percent
Buddy Barrier: When the Pokémon uses its Unite Move, that Pokémon and the nearby ally Pokémon with the lowest HP are each granted a shield equal to 20 percent of their max HP
Battle ItemSlow Smoke: Creates a cloud of smoke that greatly decreases the movement speed of opposing Pokémon for a short time.
PathBottom

Mr. Mime

Moves



Level 4 - Confusion: Mr. Mime attacks dealing damage and displacing enemy Pokémon. If the enemy Pokémon his an obstacle they take increased damage and are stunned.
Level 6 - Barrier: Mr. Mime creates a wall that prevents enemy Pokémon from passing. This move can hold two uses in reserve
Held Items




Shell Bell: When the Pokémon hits with a move, it recovers a minimum of 45 HP. The higher the Pokémon's Sp. Atk, the more HP it recovers
Muscle Band: When basic attacks hit, the damage is increased by 1/2/3 percent of the opponent's opposing HP
Buddy Barrier: Upon using a Unite Move, the attacker and its lowest-HP ally gain a shield for 20/30/40 poercent of their max health.
Battle ItemPotion: Restore some of your Pokémon's HP
PathBottom

Wigglytuff

Moves




Level 4 - Sing: Wigglytuff sings, Decreasing movement speed of nearby enemy Pokémon. Enemy Pokémon who stay in the moves AoE are put to sleep for a short time. This move also decreases their defense and sp. defense
Level 6 - Dazzling Gleam: Wigglytuff unleashes a powerful light, dealing AoE damage twice.
Held Items



Shell Bell: When the Pokémon hits with a move, it recovers a minimum of 45 HP. The higher the Pokémon's Sp. Atk, the more HP it recovers
Focus Band: When the Pokémon drops too low HP, then each second for three seconds, it recovers 8 percent of the HP it had lost.
Wire Glasses: Increases Sp. Atk by 3 percent
Battle ItemX Speed: Increases your Pokémon's Speed for 5 seconds. Your Pokémon's movement speed will not be able to decrease while this item is in effect.
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Defenders


Blastoise

Moves



Level 5 - Hydro Pump: Blastoise shoots a stream of water which knocks back enemies. The Pokémon who are the furthest away are stunned.
Level 7 - Surf: Blastoise charges forward on a wave, knocking back enemy Pokémon and stunning them
Held Items



Wire Glasses: Increases Sp. Atk by 3 percent
Buddy Barrier: When the Pokémon uses its Unite Move, that Pokémon and the nearby ally Pokémon with the lowest HP are each granted a shield equal to 20 percent of their max HP
Focus Band: When the Pokémon drops to low HP, then each second for three seconds, it recovers 8 percent of the HP it had lost
Battle ItemEject Button: Quickly moves your Pokémon in the designated location.
PathTop

Crustle

Moves



Level 4 - Shell Smash: Crustle smashes its shell, converting a set percent of Defense and SP. Defense into Attack damage and Sp. Attack damage. This move also increases Crustle's move speed for a short time
Level 6 - X-Scissor: Crustle Dashes forward, dealing damage to opposing Pokémon multiple times and displacing them. Enemy Pokémon who collide with an object are stunned.
Held Items





Assault Vest: When the Pokémon is not in combat, they are granted a shield that nullifies Sp. Atk damage equal to 9 percent of their max Hp.
Razor Claw: After the Pokémon uses a move, its next basic attack deals a minimum of 10 more damage. The higher the Pokémon's Attack, the more this damage increases. When this item is held by a melee Pokémon, this basic attack also decreases the movement speed of opposing Pokémon for a short time.
Buddy Barrier: Upon using a Unite Move, the attacker and its lowest-HP ally gain a shield for 20/30/40 percent of their max health
Battle ItemEject Button: Quickly moves your Pokémon in the designated location.
PathTop

Marmoswine

Moves




Level 6 - Ice Fang: Marmoswine throws the closest enemy Pokémon, dealing damage and freezing them. Marmoswine can use this move to throw forwards or backwards, dealing damage to opposing Pokémon caught in the AoE and freezing them as well.
Level 8 - Earthquake: Marmoswine leaps and lands forcefully dealing AoE damage to opposing Pokémon and pulling them towards Marmoswine
Held Items




Assault Vest: When the Pokémon is not in combat, they are granted a shield that nullifies Sp. Atk damage equal to 9 percent of their max HP
Buddy Barrier: Upon using a Unite Move, the attacker and its lowest-HP ally gain a shield for 20/30/40 percent of their max health
Rocky Helmet: When the Pokémon receives a certain amount of damage, damage is dealt to nearby opposing Pokémon equal to 3 percent of those Pokémon's max HP
Battle ItemEject Button: Quickly moves your Pokémon in the designated location
PathTop

Slowbro

Moves




Level 4 - Surf: Slowbro charges forward dealing AoE damage to opposing pokemon and throwing them, this is followed by two more AoE waves that decrease enemy Pokémon's movement speed
Level 6 - Telekinesis: Makes the opposing Pokémon float and can be re-activated to pull the Pokémon towards Slowbro
Held Items




Buddy Barrier: Upon using a Unite Move, the attacker and its lowest-HP ally gain a shield for 20/30/40 percent of their max health
Assault Vest: When the Pokémon is not in combat, they are granted a shield that nullifies Sp. Atk damage equal to 9 percent of their max HP
Shell Bell: When the Pokémon hits with a move, it recovers a minimum of 45 HP. The higher the Pokémon's Sp. Atk, the more HP it recovers
Battle ItemPotion: Restore some of your Pokémon's HP
PathTop

Snorlax

Moves

Level 6 - Flail: Snorlax gains increased attack damage based on missing HP
Level 8 - Yawn: Snorlax lets out a huge yawn putting Pokémon hit by this move to sleep
Held Items





Rocky Helmet: When the Pokémon receives a certain amount of damage, damage is dealt to nearby opposing Pokémon equal to 3 percent of those Pokémon's max HP
Muscle Band: When basic attacks hit, the damage is increased by 1 percent of the opponent's remaining HP
Float Stone: Increases movement speed by 10 percent when the Pokémon is not in combat. (Out of combat activates 8 seconds after removal from combat)
Battle ItemEject Button: Moves to a specified direction immediately.
PathBottom

Speedsters


Absol

Moves




Level 5 - Pursuit: Absol dashes empowering the next basic attack. If this attack hits the opposing Pokémon from behind it does increased damage, and this move's cooldown is reduced
Level 7 - Psycho Cut: Absol attacks with psychic blades, decreasing the movement speed of enemy Pokémon hit. Also increases basic attack damage for three attacks on those affected
Held Items






Muscle Band: When basic attacks hit, the damage is increased by 1 percent of the opponent's remaining HP
Scope Lens: Increases the damage of basic attack critical hits. The higher the Pokémon's Attack, the more the damage increases
Razor Claw: After the Pokémon uses a move, its next attack deals a minimum of 10 more damage. The higher the Pokémon's Attack, the more this damage increases. When this item is held by a melee Pokémon, this basic attack also decreases the movement speed of opposing Pokémon for a short time
Battle ItemEject Button: Moves to a specified direction immediately.
PathMiddle

Gengar

Moves




Level 5 - Sludge Bomb: Gengar throws sludge at an area. Poisoning enemy pokemon who enter the area
Level 7 - Hex: Gengar disappears then reappears at a chosen location, dealing AoE damage. If this attack hits a poisoned pokemon, it deals increased damage and it's cooldown is reduced.
Held Items



Wise Glasses: Increases Sp. Atk by 3 percent
Shell Bell: When the Pokémon hits with a move, it recovers a minimum of 45 HP. The higher the Pokémon's Sp. Atk, the more HP it recovers
Buddy Barrier: When the Pokémon uses its Unite Move, that Pokémon and the nearby ally Pokémon with the lowest HP are each granted a shield equal to 20 percent of their max HP
Battle ItemX Attack: Raises your Pokémon's Atk & Sp. Atk. for a short time.
PathMiddle/Top

Talonflame

Moves





Level 5 - Flame Charge: Talonflame flies forward cloaked in flame and attacking enemy Pokémon in it's path. This move also increases Talonflame's movement speed
Level 7- Brave Bird: Talonflame dives while cloaked in flame dealing AoE damage to opposing Pokémon. Also deals recoil damage to Talonflame when the move finishes. Performing a boosted attack after this move will reset the cooldown for Flame Charge (and Aerial ace, which isn't featured in this build guide)
Held Items





Muscle Band: When basic attacks hit, the damage is increased by 1 percent of the opponent's remaining HP
Scope Lens: Increases the damage of basic attack critical hits. The higher the Pokémon's Attack, the more the damage increases
Razor Claw: After the Pokémon uses a move, its next attack deals a minimum of 10 more damage. The higher the Pokémon's Attack, the more this damage increases. When this item is held by a melee Pokémon, this basic attack also decreases the movement speed of opposing Pokémon for a short time
Battle ItemEject Button: Moves to a specified direction immediately.
PathMiddle

Zeraora

Moves





Level 6 - Spark: Zeraora leaps at an enemy Pokémon while charged with electricity dealing damage. If Zeraora uses a basic attack before reaching the target, Zeraora will leap towards the closest enemy Pokémon. This move has three uses in reserve
Level 8 - Discharge: Zeraora releases an electrical discharge, dealing damage to enemy Pokémon and granting Zeraora a shield. If this move hits enemy Pokémon who are paralyzed, it pulls them towards Zeraora once the move ends, dealing damage and stunning them.
Held Items




Muscle Band: When basic attacks hit, the damage is increased by 1 percent of the opponent's remaining HP
Float Stone: Increases movement speed by 10 percent when the Pokémon is not in combat. (Out of combat activates 8 seconds after removal from combat)
Leftovers: When the Pokémon is not in combat, it recovers 1 percent of its max HP every second
Battle ItemEject Button: Moves to a specified direction immediately.
PathMiddle

You may now know how to build these Pokémon, but do you want to flex on your opponents even more? Check out this guide on All Pokémon Unite Season 2 Battle Pass Rewards


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Author
Daniel Dix
Hello Internet Friends! I am Daniel, Lover of the visual arts. From TV to Video Games, if its on a screen, I know about it and I want you to as well! In addition to writing for ProGameGuides, I am a semi-competive TeamFight Tactics player peaking at top 500 North America. I stream on Twitch.tv under TheGr3ml1n. Some of my favorite games of all time are: Persona 5 (and Royal), God of War (2018), The Last of Us (1 & 2), Journey, and Shadow of The Colossus.

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Best Pokémon Unite Builds for every Pokémon

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