Pokémon UNITE's newest update, “Long-Range Tactics Part 2”, brings more balance adjustments to a variety of Pokémon

Pokémon UNITE updated to ver.1.22.1.8 on March 19th at 7am UTC. This update, dubbed Long-Range Tactics [Part 2] (Japanese: 「ロングレンジ・タクティクス Part2」), brings balance adjustments for various Pokémon, alongside the usual bug fixes, and Shop and Event updates.

Long-Range Tactics [Part 2] - Update Patch
This update brings Shop and Event updates, along with changes to some Pokémon stats and moves to adjust the balance of Unite Battles. Specifically, this update provides buffs (⇧) for Chandelure, Dragapult, Dragonite, Venusaur, Suicune, Sirfetch'd; while bringing nerfs (⇩) for Sirfetch'd, Mega Lucario, Meowth, Zapdos, Vaporeon.

The full patch notes can be read below:

Update Details​

50%-Off Aeos Gems Discount Coupon will be available soon!
Treasure Chest Challenge updating soon! Neo Guardian Set (Garchomp) will be available!
Prize Machine updating soon! Knight Style: Scizor available again!

• Shop Updates
• Event Updates
• Bug Fixes
• Text Fixes
• Balance Adjustments

Balance Adjustments​

To adjust the balance of Unite Battles, some Pokémon stats and moves have been changed.

Chandelure​

Ability: Infiltrator

• Special Defense ignored per stack: 2.5% (Max 8 stacks) → 5% (Max 6 stacks)

Flamethrower

• Damage dealt: 8% Increase

Imprison

• Cooldown: 9.5s → 8.5s

Chandelure has been struggling to make an impact lately. To boost its overall damage output, the Special Defense-ignoring effect of Infiltrator has been buffed, making it easier to stack while raising its maximum potential. Additionally, to compensate for its low mobility and fragility, the cooldown of Imprison has been lowered to give it more frequent self-defense.

Dragapult​

Boosted Attack

• Damage: 8% Increase

Dragon Dance

• Basic attack damage during the move: 11% Increase
• Boosted attack damage during the move: 20% Increase

Shadow Ball

• HP recovery: 15% of Max HP → 20% of Max HP

Unite Move: Dreep and Destroy

• Damage: 8% Increase

Dragapult's overall damage has been buffed to help it better capitalize on its high mobility and strong basic attacks. Furthermore, the HP recovery from Shadow Ball has been increased to better reward outplays when fighting at low health.

Dragonite​

Dragon Dance

• Attack increase per stack: 8% → 10%

Hyper Beam

• Additional damage with 1 Dragon Dance stack: 5% of target’s Max HP → 6%
• Additional damage with 2 Dragon Dance stacks: 10% → 12%
• Additional damage with 3 Dragon Dance stacks: 15% → 18%
• Note: The damage cap against wild Pokémon remains unchanged.

To ensure Hyper Beam feels like a truly devastating move, its base damage and the Attack boost provided by Dragon Dance have both been buffed.

Venusaur​

Sludge Bomb

• Sp. Def reduction: 40% → 50%

Solar Beam

• Damage: 8% Increase

Solar Beam+

• Cooldown: 8s → 7s

Unite Move: Verdant Anger

• Unite Gauge energy required: 10% Decrease

To allow Venusaur to better utilize its strengths as a long-range attacker, both Solar Beam and Sludge Bomb have been buffed.

Suicune​

Stats

• HP: 3250–6900 → 3250–7200
• Sp. Def: 60–230 → 70–290

Whirlpool

• Damage: 10% Increase

Ice Beam

• Damage: 10% Increase

Suicune was taking too much chip damage from long-range poke, making it difficult to utilize its signature crowd control. To help it trade damage with Sp. Atk-heavy opponents, its Sp. Def and mid-to-long-range damage have been buffed.

Sirfetch’d​

Leaf Blade

• Damage: 10% Decrease

Detect

• Cooldown: 7s → 8.5s

Brutal Swing

• Damage: 12% Increase

Following the recent cooldown reduction buff, Sirfetch’d was gaining too much invulnerability in the late game. Detect has been nerfed with a longer cooldown to keep it in check. To balance out its kit, Leaf Blade’s damage has been nerfed, while Brutal Swing has been buffed to make it a more viable option.

Mega Lucario​

Close Combat

• Adjustment: While Mega Evolved, the move's cooldown is now reduced only when hitting Pokémon from the opposing team.

Mega Lucario’s ability to spam Close Combat on wild Pokémon allowed it to defeat Boss Pokémon far too quickly. The cooldown reduction will now only trigger against opposing Pokémon, keeping its teamfight strength intact while slowing down its speed when taking down Bosses.

Meowth​

Feint Attack

• Shield amount: 15% Decrease

Fury Swipes

• Cooldown: 5s → 5.5s
• Damage: 10% Decrease

Unite Move: Gold Coin Barrage

• Damage: 10% Decrease

Feint Attack and Fury Swipes were dealing too much damage for low-risk, sure-hit moves. Combined with excellent self-sustain, Meowth was simply too safe. To fix its risk-vs-reward ratio, its overall damage and the shielding from Feint Attack have been nerfed.

Zapdos​

Zap Cannon

• Damage: 12% Decrease

Discharge

• Damage: 15% Decrease

Zapdos has been dominating the early game with Discharge and maintaining too much pressure mid-to-late game with Zap Cannon. Both moves have been nerfed to reduce its damage output.

Vaporeon​

Hydro Pump

• Damage: 12% Decrease

Unite Move: Aquamarine Splash

• Damage: 10% Decrease

For a Defender specializing in disruption and setting up plays, Vaporeon was dealing entirely too much damage. Its Unite Move and Hydro Pump have been nerfed accordingly.

Bug Fixes​

• Fixed an issue where Meowth's Feint Attack+ triggered twice upon dealing damage.
• Fixed an issue where the cooldown of Mega Gyarados's Waterfall was shorter than Gyarados.
• Fixed an issue where cooldown reduction effects were not applying to Dragapult's Unite Move, Meowth's Pay Day, Suicune's Ice Beam, and Suicune's Icy Wind.
• Fixed an issue where the cooldown reduction for Zapdos's Thunderbolt+ failed to trigger upon knocking out an opposing Pokémon.