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Much like every other MOBA, every character in Pokemon Unite has its own strengths and weaknesses as well as a preferred playstyle that sets it into one of the game's many classes. One of the categories that may captivate many potential users is the Defender class.
The Defender role is an integral part of the Pokemon Unite mechanics. A proper team composition requires a defender while engaging in team fights to provide crowd control. Doing that allows other attacking teammates to dive into the battle from a safer position without being targeted.
Players who are looking to specialize in this role for their ranked games should know which creatures are worth unlocking. Here is a list of the game's best Defenders.
Pokemon Unite's 7 best Defenders for June 2023
1) Blastoise
Blastoise is arguably the best Defender for team fights. Thanks to its great crowd and AOE damage capacities, Blastoise can be a valuable asset in the late game due to the abundance of team fight attacks. Surf and Rapid Spin are great choices for dealing damage in a team fight and are relatively interchangeable, which is something a lot of other characters do not have.
However, Blastoise has an incredibly weak early-game. Due to this, many players choose to play Blastoise in the center area so that the character can passively farm in the jungle until level 7, reaching their power spike.
2) Slowbro
Slowbro is a strong tank in Pokemon Unite and has found a solid place in the meta since its release. With its good range and base stats in the early stages of the match, Slowbro's early-game is less punishing than other creatures that require evolution, such as Garchomp or Blastoise.
However, Slowbro's design as a character poses some problems, particularly in lower ranks of play. Slowbro heavily relies on its team to be present during fights. If its teammates aren't paying attention, Slowbro is a free takedown every time due to its lack of solid disengage tools.
3) Goodra
The newest addition to the roster in Pokemon Unite, Goodra is one of the best Defenders in the game at the moment. While the other entries on the list earn their spot through their amazing AOE damage output, Goodra is a great choice for displacing enemy players.
Power Whip and Acid Spray are great for locking down a particular target for Goodra or their teammates to finish off. However, much like Blastoise, it suffers from having an incredibly weak early-game.
4) Mamoswine
Known for being an amazing creature in every iteration of the franchise from the main series to the mobile Pokemon GO spin-off title, Mamoswine is arguably one of the strongest creatures in Pokemon Unite as well. Mamoswine is a textbook engage tank with access to some potent crowd control abilities like freezes and stuns.
While Mamoswine may appear to be incredibly easy, this pick has one of the highest skill ceilings due to the importance of landing its precision abilities. Mamoswine also has a three-stage evolution, so it takes time to reach its maximum potential.
5) Snorlax
Being one of the strongest early-game defenders in Pokemon Unite, Snorlax has held the title of the best defender since the game's launch, with no contender coming close to dethroning it. Its lack of evolution makes it a consistent pick throughout the game, providing excellent crowd control to support its team.
However, much like Slowbro, Snorlax excels at setting up its team. If there is no team to capitalize on Snorlax's amazing crowd control, it will fall flat. As such, it is not recommended to use Snorlax in solo queue matches as its potential will be limited without a well-coordinated team.
6) Trevenant
Trevenant emerges as a formidable defender in Pokemon Unite, endowed with high durability, a wealth of HP recovery options, and powerful disabling moves that can displace enemies and interrupt their actions. Every third attack is a boosted one, delivering extra damage to opponents while healing Trevenant, reinforcing its sustainability in battle. Moreover, Trevenant benefits from its passive ability, Natural Cure, which activates continuous HP recovery when its health is low, simultaneously reducing move cooldowns for a brief period. This recovery effect becomes more readily available as Trevenant successfully lands its moves on opponents, ensuring it remains a persistent threat.
Trevenant’s versatility is showcased through its moveset options, with combinations like Wood Hammer and Horn Leech presenting it as a formidable disabler capable of controlling enemy positions effectively in team fights. Alternatives like Curse for a more damage-centric approach, or Pain Split for enhanced tanking capabilities, allow Trevenant to adapt to various team compositions and battlefield needs. This blend of recovery, disruption, and adaptability makes Trevenant a critical asset in controlling the flow of the game and sustaining its presence on the front lines in Pokemon Unite.
7) Umbreon
Umbreon stands out as a versatile pick in Pokemon Unite, boasting impressive healing abilities, excellent scaling into the late game, remarkable shield-stealing capabilities, and the ability to support teammates with Wish. Its unique combat style includes a boosted attack every third strike, which not only deals damage but also heals Umbreon, especially beneficial when its HP is low. Additionally, Umbreon has a resilience against being controlled, with an ability that negates shoves, throws, or any action that would render it immobile, briefly granting immunity to hindrances while boosting its defenses.
The strategic depth of Umbreon is further enriched by moves like Mean Look and Foul Play, enhancing its boosted attacks and allowing for creative play, especially once Foul Play is upgraded at level 10. Meanwhile, Snarl and Wish offer offensive and defensive utilities respectively; Snarl provides crowd control and debuff capabilities, encouraging a more aggressive playstyle, whereas Wish offers damage reduction and healing, supporting a more defensive or support-oriented role. This combination of healing, damage, and utility makes Umbreon a formidable presence in any team composition in Pokemon Unite.
