The Pokemon Unite season 2 update is pretty huge (Update)

New items, balance updates

[Update: The full patch notes for Pokemon Unite season 2 (including balance changes) are live, and you can catch them below. Additionally, the issue of mobile redemption for the pre-registration rewards has been fixed.]

Pokemon Unite season 2 has begun, and with it, a ton of changes are in tow. Most notably the mobile edition is launching today, allowing Switch users to cross-play with a brand new audience.

Here’s a few choice additions via a recent producer letter:

• Full cross-platform play and account linking across mobile devices and Nintendo Switch. Link an account, and play with the same account across both platforms.
• New in-game events in which you can get super item enhancers that can upgrade a held item to grade 30. We’ve also made it easier for all Trainers to get item enhancers.
• New held items to introduce fresh strategies.
• The introduction of Unite squads, allowing Trainers to team up with squadmates.
• A second battle pass, which will feature all-new cosmetic items, including new Holowear with special visual effects.
• The rollout of some limited Spectator Mode features.
• Support for multiple new languages.

Breaking this down, one of the most significant Pokemon Unite season 2 upgrades is the “super item enhancer.” You can earn three in-game right now by completing challenges, and it’ll upgrade a held item to 30: refunding previously spent enhancers. Now, at the very least, folks can “main” one character and use three level 30 held items without using the pay-to-win scheme. This is the sort of thing that should have been in day one, if they’re insisting on allowing people to buy enhancers!

Three new held items are also in the mix now as a result, the second battle pass is space-themed (and still only grants two whole Holowear skins for Pokemon), and there were some balance adjustments. Plus, the UI has been completely revamped, and now there’s basically one menu that houses nearly everything.  No Zapdos changes, sadly.

And if you’re wondering why those mobile pre-registration rewards aren’t working, the team is investigating. Plus, don’t forget that gems purchased on mobile will not transfer to Switch, but content will. And you do get another set of “first purchase, double gems” offers on mobile even if you already purchased them on Switch.

So far, so good with season 2, even if there’s a few lingering issues I’d like to see cleared up.

UPDATE DETAILS

Over Five Million Preregistrations Reached for the Mobile Version

Everyone who plays the mobile version of the game will receive Aeos tickets, Unite License: Pikachu, and Festival Style: Pikachu as gifts for reaching this preregistration milestone!

Note: These gifts can be used on the Nintendo Switch version of the game as well by linking your account.

New Battle Pass: Galactic Ghost 094

This new battle pass features space-themed items straight out of a galaxy full of twinkling stars.

New Feature: Unite Squads

OTHER UPDATES

• Special mission added to receive the Unite license for Zeraora.
• New event added for held items.
• New Battle Guide feature added to the game.
• New Spectate feature added to the game.
• “Good job!” accolades can now be given during battle.
• New Offline Mode feature added to the Nintendo Switch version.
• Shop updated.
• Bugs fixed.
• Text issues fixed.
• UI adjusted.
• Changes made to some Trainer fashion item designs.

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

Details

Absol: Night Slash

• Cooldown reduced.
• Area of effect adjusted.

Absol: Sucker Punch

• Cooldown reduced.
• Duration of unstoppable condition while move is in use increased

Zeraora: Slash

• Number of attacks decreased.
• Damage of each attack increased.

Zeraora: Spark

• Lengthened the time allowed between uses to make the move easier to use.
• The number of attacks in the Wild Charge combo will now increase even if the player performs a basic attack while using Spark.

Zeraora: Wild Charge

• Cooldown reduced.
• Damage taken by the user while this move is in use reduced.

Charizard: Fire Punch

• Target(s) affected by the burn adjusted.

Charizard: Flamethrower

• Movement speed increase strengthened.

Charizard: Fire Blast

• Cooldown reduced.

Charizard: Unite Move (Seismic Slam)

• This move has been changed to the following:
• Has the user grab a Pokémon from the opposing team and slam it onto the ground from the air. For a short time afterward, the user can move freely over obstacles. While this Unite Move is being used, the user’s basic attacks deal increased damage and leave opposing Pokémon burned. In addition, when the user deals damage to an opposing Pokémon, the user recovers HP.
• Unite Move charge rate decreased.
• Fixed a bug affecting the possible timing for ending this move.

Venusaur: Giga Drain

• Damage reduction increased.

Venusaur: Petal Dance

• Damage dealt to opposing Pokémon increased.
• Cooldown reduced.
• Movement speed increase strengthened.

Cinderace: Pyro Ball

• Damage dealt to opposing Pokémon increased.
• Cooldown reduced.

Cinderace: Flame Charge

• Cooldown reduced.

Cinderace: Unite Move (Blazing Bicycle Kick)

• Fixed a bug that occurred when the move fails to activate.

Cinderace: Blaze

• Ability effect timing adjusted.

Talonflame

• Attack increased.

Talonflame: Fly

• Cooldown reduced.
• Aerial movement speed increase strengthened.

Talonflame: Unite Move (Flame Sweep)

• Unite Move charge rate increased.

Garchomp

• Defense and Sp. Def increased.

Garchomp: Rough Skin

• Adjusted the time between instances of this Ability’s effect triggering.

Greninja

• Attack and max HP decreased.

Greninja: Smokescreen

• Fixed a bug causing the Smokescreen+ effect to trigger even before the move is upgraded.

Greninja: Double Team

• Improved the movement of the illusory copies.

Greninja: Water Shuriken

• Fixed a bug affecting the decrease to opposing Pokémon’s movement speed.

Greninja: Unite Move (Waterburst Shuriken)

• Adjusted the move to allow it to trigger more quickly.

Greninja: Torrent

• Attack increase weakened.

Wigglytuff:

• Max-level Sp. Atk decreased.

Wigglytuff: Pound

• Damage dealt to opposing Pokémon decreased.

Wigglytuff: Dazzling Gleam

• Damage dealt to opposing Pokémon decreased.

Wigglytuff: Sing

• Fixed a bug affecting opposing Pokémon put to sleep by this move.

Wigglytuff: Cute Charm

• Adjusted the time between instances of this Ability’s effect triggering.

Cramorant: Boosted Attack

• Damage dealt to opposing Pokémon increased.

Cramorant: Surf

• Damage dealt to opposing Pokémon decreased.

Cramorant: Dive

• Cooldown reduced.

Cramorant: Unite Move (Gatling Gulp Missile)

• Damage dealt to opposing Pokémon decreased.

Lucario: Power-Up Punch

• Damage dealt to opposing Pokémon decreased.

Lucario: Close Combat

• Damage dealt to opposing Pokémon increased.
• Number of attacks increased.

Lucario: Close Combat+

• Fixed a bug affecting this move’s damage.

Alolan Ninetales: Blizzard

• Changed how the move deals damage after the blizzard hits an obstacle.

Alolan Ninetales: Unite Move (Snow Globe)

• Fixed bugs.

Alolan Ninetales: Snow Warning

• Fixed bugs.

Eldegoss: Cotton Guard

• Fixed a bug affecting the HP recovery when the move ends.

Eldegoss: Leaf Tornado

• Improved the move’s effects and adjusted the move to match the feel of the controls.

Gardevoir: Boosted Attack

• Fixed a bug affecting this move’s damage.

Gardevoir: Psyshock+

• Fixed bugs.

Snorlax: Yawn

• Fixed a bug affecting opposing Pokémon put to sleep by this move.

Gengar: Lick

• Fixed a bug that occurred when opposing Pokémon are pulled toward the user.
• Fixed a bug affecting this move’s timing.

Mr. Mime: Barrier

• Adjusted the move so that it when it is upgraded, it refills its reserve uses to the maximum.

Mr. Mime: Guard Swap

• Fixed a bug affecting the swapping of Defense.

Crustle

• Adjusted the Pokémon’s contact area.

Slowbro: Basic Attack

• Fixed a bug causing both basic attacks and boosted attacks to decrease the Sp. Def of opposing Pokémon.

Slowbro: Surf

• Adjusted the area of effect.

Machamp: Unite Move (Barrage Blow)

• Fixed a bug with the shove effect.
• Fixed a bug with the move being used on superjump springboards.

Blastoise: Rapid Spin

• Fixed a bug causing attacks performed while spinning to decrease the movement speed of opposing Pokémon.
• Fixed a bug allowing the user to use either Hydro Pump or Water Spout at the same time as basic attacks while spinning.

Wild Pokémon: Regigigas

• As a balance adjustment, added the following effect when this Pokémon is defeated:
• For a short time, your team’s goal-scoring speed increases and your team’s goals become unblockable.

After maintenance begins, some types of rewards will no longer be available for claiming.

Please be aware of the points listed below.

BATTLE PASS

Any battle pass points from completing Season 1 First Half missions that have not yet been claimed will become unavailable for claiming.

However, reward items for reaching new battle pass levels, as well as battle pass prize boxes, will be sent to you via the game’s mail system at a later date.

EVENTS

If a reward’s claim period ends during maintenance, that reward will become unavailable for claiming once maintenance begins.

In addition, the stock of items in the following locations will change during maintenance:

• Items available as energy rewards
• Items available for exchange with Holowear tickets in Zirco Trading