Pokemon Unite v1.16.2.8 Freezing Rush Part 2: Winners and losers
On October 31, 2024, Pokemon Unite rolled out its latest patch, Freezing Rush Part 2: v1.16.2.8, introducing balance changes to improve the gameplay experience for several Pocket Monsters. This update rebalances a mix of Attackers, Defenders, and All-Rounders to address issues such as low pick rates, excessive power, and survivability.
Let’s explore the key winners and losers in this patch and how they might shape the meta.
Note: This article is subjective and reflects the writer's opinions.
Pokemon Unite v1.16.2.8 Freezing Rush Part 2: Major winners
1) Lapras
After a challenging period following a significant nerf, Lapras has received substantial buffs to regain its tanky presence in battles. Its Defense and Special Defense stats have been increased, giving it higher durability on the frontline.
Buffs to Basic Attack (healing), Bubble Beam (shielding), and Perish Song (damage) enhance Lapras' utility and survivability, making it a strong pick for teams needing a durable Defender that can both tank hits and sustain itself effectively.
2) Blissey
With low usage rates, Blissey was falling behind other support options. The new update boosts Safeguard’s shield, reduces the cooldown, and increases the duration of Helping Hand.
This enhances Blissey’s ability to support and shield allies, making it a more reliable pick for teams that benefit from status immunity and increased speed.
3) Greedent
Greedent’s roaming and scoring potential have been bolstered, thanks to cooldown reductions for Bullet Seed and Covet. The Belch move now slows opponents more significantly, increasing Greedent’s impact during team fights.
Its Unite Move, Berry Belly Dive, also requires less energy, making it easier for Greedent to stay relevant in skirmishes and contribute to objectives.
4) Azumarill
Azumarill receives increased Special Defense and a higher shield from Belly Bash, helping it endure attacks from ranged opponents.
The shorter cooldown on Whirlpool makes Azumarill’s moveset feel more accessible, positioning it as a more viable choice in the current meta, particularly in facing ranged attackers.
5) Mewtwo Y
Since a nerf in July, Mewtwo Y has struggled to maintain relevance. This update enhances Mewtwo Y’s basic attack speed and reduces cooldowns on its moves Recover and Teleport, making it more versatile in the battlefield.
The healing amount from Recover has been significantly boosted, improving Mewtwo Y’s survivability.
Freezing Rush Part 2 minor winners: Gardevoir, Espeon, and Glaceon
These fragile Attackers received defensive buffs, making them less prone to quick knockouts. Increased damage for Gardevoir’s Psychic, Psyshock, and Future Sight powers up its offensive capabilities.
Similarly, Icicle Spear and Freeze Dry buffs for Glaceon and Espeon’s Psyshock and Future Sight increases their potential to pressure opponents. These changes allow all three to compete better against stronger picks while enhancing their survivability.
Also read: Pokemon Unite update Freezing Rush Part 2 patch notes (Ver.1.16.2.8)
Pokemon Unite v1.16.2.8 Freezing Rush Part 2: All losers
1) Zacian
Zacian's Sacred Sword was consistently pushing it to high win rates in ranked matches. The new update reduces Sacred Sword’s effectiveness across defense-piercing, attack increases, and movement speed reduction.
While still powerful, Zacian now demands more careful use to achieve the same impact, giving opponents more room to counterplay.
2) Miraidon
Miraidon’s Charge Beam and Electro Drift have both been hit with damage reductions. Meanwhile Parabolic Charge now has a longer cooldown, curbing the Pocket Monster’s high damage output and slowing its rotation.
This adjustment makes Miraidon a less intimidating force, especially for teams that struggled to withstand its intense bursts of damage.
3) Ho-Oh
Previously formidable in shielding and team-supporting roles, Ho-Oh now faces nerfs to Flame Vortex’s damage, shield amount, and cooldown, alongside a higher cost for Rekindling Flame (Unite Move).
This means Ho-Oh will no longer be as frequent a pick, especially for teams that relied on its ability to sustain teammates with ease.
4) Pikachu
As a consistently popular choice with high win rates, Pikachu’s Electro Ball, Thunder, and Thunderstorm have all been adjusted to reduce damage, while Electro Ball’s cooldown has also been increased.
These tweaks balance Pikachu’s utility, potentially lowering its pick rate among players who favored it for its flexibility and burst damage.
5) Ceruledge
Ceruledge has been a dominant force, especially in early-game skirmishes, due to high healing and powerful damage output from Bitter Blade and Psycho Cut. However, both moves have been nerfed heavily, reducing the Pocket Monster’s ability to snowball from early levels.
Phantom Force has also received a damage decrease, making Ceruledge less of a threat overall.
6) Armarouge
Armarouge faced heavy nerfs to its Flame Vortex and Psyshock, two moves that contributed to its high win rate despite adjustments in the previous update. The Armor Cannon cooldown has also been lengthened, reducing the frequency of its high-damage moves.
These changes should help balance Armarouge’s potential in battles, particularly in ranked play.
7) Mega Mewtwo X
Mega Mewtwo X’s Psystrike’s damage reduction effect has been scaled back.
This alteration should encourage Mega Mewtwo X users to be more strategic with the move’s timing rather than relying on its tank-busting ability to out-sustain opponents.
Also read: Pokemon Unite patch update Freezing Rush notes (Ver.1.16.2.6)
This latest patch shakes up the Pokemon Unite meta by elevating several underutilized picks while reigning in overpowered options.
With Attackers like Espeon, Gardevoir, and Glaceon now more viable picks and once-dominant choices like Zacian and Ho-Oh seeing reductions in power, the current meta invites diverse team compositions and more balanced gameplay.
Whether these changes help underutilized Pocket Monsters find their footing remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the Freezing Rush Part 2 update brings a fresh wave of excitement and opportunity to Pokemon Unite.
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