Pokémon Unite Tier List - Best Pokémon For May 2022

Looking for a Pokémon Unite tier list for May 2022? Since the original Nintendo Switch launch, a pecking order has settled into the game, and Sylveon just smashed it. While many players started by picking their favourite Pokémon, nowadays you see only the best.

Despite the odd nerf, we've used our experience on the ranked ladder and the opinions of top streamers to create the ultimate Pokémon Unite tier list, ranking the best Pokémon in the game right now.

Refer to a Pokémon's individual build guide for their ideal loadouts by clicking their name on the tier list below. It's worth remembering that any Pokémon in the top tier could get trounced if its Held Items and Battle Items aren't ideal. It's what makes the existence of a Pokémon Unite pay to win mechanic a little irritating for new players.

Pokémon Unite Tier List - All Pokémon Ranked

Pokémon Unite splits its Pokémon into five categories: Attacker, Speedster, All-Rounder, Defender, and Support. Pokémon largely fit in with where you’d expect them to be, although the lines between Attacker and All-Rounder are especially blurred.

All-Rounders seem to be the easiest to learn, and the best spot for newcomers to enter the game. However, Speedsters in particular seem like they could have the highest skill ceiling.

Not all Pokémon are created equal, but this tier list is a little skewed towards Attackers and high-scorers. Therefore, we've broken down this into separate tier lists for each role. After all, Support Pokémon play an important role in keeping your goal scorers alive, which is difficult to reflect when pitted against each other.

Pokémon Unite Attackers Tier List

Pokémon Unite Attackers specialize in dealing incredible amounts of damage: usually from far away. They're able to pressure opponents on lanes early on if left to farm and can easily carry an otherwise lost game in the right conditions. The best rank high in this Pokémon Unite Attacker tier list.

Duraludon

Duraludon is a powerful attacker, armed with strong ranged moves like Laser Focus which lessens the damage taken for a short while. It also boosts basic attacks! The attack can also turn into Dragon Pulse, an incredibly effective move.

As a large Pokémon, Duraludon’s ability is Heavy Metal; allowing it to resist being thrown or moved by an attack once. This can allow some close-up attacks by making a rare opening. Similarly, Duraludon can use its size with Dragon Tail to shove other Pokemon, while also boosting attacks.

Sylveon

Sylveon has absolutely broken the Pokémon Unite meta in just a few short hours. Upon its release on October 6, the Intertwining Pokémon has made Twitter headlines with players parading ridiculous match statistics pages that show 26+ KOs.

The reason for that is Sylveon's rapid scaling. Dealing and receiving damage increases its stats throughout the match. Then choosing to boost that further with an assassin-negating Calm Mind or siphoning HP with Draining Kiss, it's a pick you poison type of Pokémon through and through. It deals increased amounts of damage as the match goes on.

Given it evolves as early as level four, it starts to ramp up in power before most Pokémon even get a decent move. Paired with light CC, Sylveon absolutely shreds through anything but the bulkiest Sp. Def sponges.

Decidueye

Decidueye is Pokémon Unite's idea of a raw ADC—an "attack damage carry" from other MOBA games. It strikes hard, fast, and from a distance, but it can't take much of a punch if it's caught out in the open or lunged upon by a speedster. In ideal conditions, Decidueye can absolutely shred the team, but its success depends on its ability to snowball early on. Its slower start can make this difficult.

Inexperienced players or those who overextend will lose out on this early scaling needed for Decidueye to shine, which can affect the rest of the match. And with a Defender meta emerging in recent patches, sometimes its damage just isn't enough.

Cinderace

Cinderace is a natural attacker, and a fan-favourite starter Pokémon from the Galar region, so it’s no surprise it appears in Pokémon Unite. Only three Generation 8 Pokémon are currently playable in the game, and Cinderace is a great attacking option. It’s got a lot of speed as well as its stellar attack stat, perfect for enacting guerilla tactics on unsuspecting opponents. 

Simply put, it's the best attacker in Pokémon Unite, and that's why it heads up our tier list alongside Pikachu.

Pikachu

It may surprise you to learn that Pikachu has one of the highest attack stats in Pokémon Unite. However, this means its other stats suffer a little bit, and the fact that it doesn’t evolve leaves it a little frail. However, if you can get attacks off without receiving hits in return, Pikachu could be a high-risk, high-reward option. 

Pair it with a Zeraora ganking from the jungle, and you've got a winning combination that's difficult to stop.

Alolan Ninetales

Alolan Ninetales is a ranged attacker that uses moves that “freeze its opponents in ice.” This makes it somewhat of a supporter, too, as your opponents’ movement will be impacted by Ninetales’ attacks. You try attacking when inside a miniature glacier.

Ninetales boasts great range and some interesting attacks that can block off routes or force opponents to rethink their strategies, which puts it high on our tier list. Evolve as soon as possible, though, because Vulpix is very weak.

Gardevoir

Gardevoir is the first DLC Pokémon available in Pokémon Unite. It comes with the ability to teleport and has an almighty Sp. Atk stat. Future Sight is its bread and butter. It's a powerful ranged attack that detonates in a large area after a short time.

Its delayed fuse means it can be dodged if you're paying attention, but it's not easy. Paired with virtually any sort of CC from Alolan Ninetales to Venusaur, Gardevoir can hit like a truck without really trying. The only way to shut Gardevoir down is to get close. Fast.

Cramorant

Cramorant is an interesting pick in Pokémon Unite, but not a terrible choice. Level it up to level nine in order to access its Unite Move, Gatling Gulp Missile. Cramorant will launch multiple Pokémon out of its gullet at high speed, inflicting ranged damage on any opponents daft enough to come close.

Its Unite Move can destroy entire teams, but the rest of its kit isn't up to the same standard, unfortunately.

Greninja

The bane of Generation six competitive play, the ninja frog looks like it could cause havoc in Unite, too. Greninja can create a smokescreen and copies of itself so enemies will have to work out which one is really you. This could come in clutch in awkward situations but will be infuriating to play against. 

Venusaur

Venusaur is the final Pokémon Unite Attacker. It has a good range on its attacks, but as with all three-stage evolutions, you’ll have to level it up plenty to evolve it fully and make the most of its power. Bulbasaur can seem a little weak in the early stages, especially compared to the likes of Lucario or Snorlax, but the tables will turn when you evolve.

Solar Beam was buffed in the most recent patch, but it's not enough to propel Venusaur from the bottom of the Attacker pile.

Pokémon Unite Speedster Tier List

Speedsters are primarily meant to dart around the map scoring goals for their team. Their speed helps them weave around and dunk without getting caught. The thing is: they're great damage-dealers as well. Speedsters can run the match simply by surprising enemies who think they're safe. The Pokémon high on this Pokémon Unite Speedster tier list can keep the enemy from ever evolving.

Absol

Absolhas great mobility and also a very good attack statistic, making it a great choice for any offensive Unite players. Its Unite Move, Midnight Slash, deals heavy damage as well as throwing opponents away, which can be perfect for clearing a route for more fragile teammates to score points or make it out of a fight safely. 

Absol was a strong pick to start with, but it actually got buffed in the balance patch - to most players' surprise. It's an underused choice and can be difficult to master, but the skill ceiling (and rewards) are potentially huge.

Gengar

Gengar is a stealthy Pokémon that makes no noise and can even disappear entirely. High speed and attack stats combined with a favourable scoring statistic make it a great choice for performing surprise attacks on opposing Pokémon before returning to the Goal Zones to score. 

The combination of Sludge Bomb and Hex was so broken that it got nerfed in the balance patch, although something happened that completely broke the functionality of the latter move. Hex is currently listed as bugged, and Gengar is fairly useless without it. As soon as this is fixed, however, the Ghost-type will be back to its best.

Talonflame

Talonflameis the least subtle Speedster Pokémon, as it charges head-on at opponents to deal quick damage. It has the useful ability to be able to fly over obstacles, which makes up for its average attack stat. It's a great choice, especially if you're taking the jungle, and is fairly easy to learn compared to the other Speedsters, too.

Zeraora

Zeraora is the only playable mythical Pokémon in the game (so far), the Electric-type is born to be a Speedster. With great mobility and offence, Zeraora can deal some big damage with surprise flanking manoeuvres, but don't expect it to offer much in terms of support. Its Plasma Gale Unite Move deals massive damage to a fairly large area, hitting foes in range with brutal lightning strikes.

Zeraora seemed pretty brutal in the first weeks of the game, but as players have learned to deal with its Volt Switches (and it's had a small nerf, too), it has been used less and less. It's still powerful - especially when paired with Pikachu - but it has fallen from the top spot where it once resided.

Pokémon Unite All-Rounders Tier List

All-Rounderstend to be scary-looking Pokémon with a tendency to rush into battle with a barrage of melee attacks. They're not only great for smacking through Defenders, but do well defending and attacking goals as well. These are the best on our Pokémon Unite All-Rounders tier list.

Azumarill

Newcomer Azumarill entered the game early in April and has made its way straight to the top ranks. This is down to its almost constant damage as an allrounder with move Huge Power. Note that this works better for crit damage on a single opponent, not a group.

Azumarill is an excellent choice as it can level up fast in the beginning, however it should be used with caution around the likes of Zapdos or late-game brawls. This drawback is what excludes it from the highest rank.

Aegislash

Starting as a small sword named Honedge, this Pokemon will evolve at levels 5 and 7, into Doublade and Aegislash respectively. It starts out equipped with No Guard, which increases damage dealt, but with the penalty of increasing damage taken.

Aegislash is a fantastic choice for all kinds of battles, as it can focus on boosted attacks with higher damage, or can focus on itself with healing moves. This relies on its’ two Formes: Blade and Shield Formes respectively. As Blade, it is faster and a little stronger on the attack, whereas Shield, boosts the Def and Sp Def. Aegislash utilises these for its Unite move Coup De Grace, which deals extra damage to opponents with low health.

Dragonite

One of the more recent additions to the game, Dragonite is a fantastic ranged all-rounder that actually counts as a physical attacker. If you've ever seen the gif of this iconic 'mon beating down a door, that's what you're getting here.

Dragonite is a highly versatile fighter that's only marred by being a late bloomer with too few ways to resist the wider roster's reliance on crowd control. Thankfully, its incredible range and high mobility can keep it far from the enemies capable of stunlocking it. With proper spatial awareness, Dragonite can reign supreme like a true drake.

Machamp

Machamp has four muscly arms which make it a great option for close-quarters combat. Its Fighting-type attacks do big damage at close range, but you need to play well to get there, as it will be vulnerable to ranged attacks. 

Machamp's Submission is currently a little broken, as it can pull enemies back from anywhere on the map if they started in range - including if they teleported back to base. However, we expect this to get patched soon.

Lucario

Lucario prioritizes movement over attack, so we'd recommend it as a good starting option for players who want to move to a Pokémon in the Speedster category. Its endurance is a little on the low side, though nowhere near as bad as Speedsters, so it should be more forgiving for new players. 

Lucario has been our favourite All-Rounder to use so far, with Bone Rush taking most of the glory.

Tsareena

Dropped during the Commemorative Update Bonus and available for free throughout it, Tsareena dips in the All-Rounder tier list due to her Expert-level difficulty. Here ease of availability means many new players will flock to this presumably power-crept character without being properly able to utilize her kit.

Charizard

We see a lot of All-Rounders in Pokémon Unite, partially because they are pretty simple to use and forgiving to newcomers, but also because a lot of fan-favourite Pokémon fit into this category. Charizard is one such Pokémon, which boasts a good attack stat as well as reasonable points in each other category – barring support.

It's a decent pick, especially with its ability to fly, but Lucario outshines it in most scenarios.

Garchomp

Another fan-favourite Pokémon, Garchomp is primarily an attacker but has reasonable stats all around, hence its category. Its Rough Skin may hurt opponents who hit it but watch out because you need to level it up to Level 10 to evolve Gible into its final form – one level higher than most other monsters. 

Unfortunately, this leaves it lagging behind the other All-Rounders.

Pokémon Unite Defenders Tier List

Characters in the Pokémon Unite Defender class generally sacrifice raw damage for high max HP and rock-solid defences. They defend goals, wall off areas around objectives, and otherwise just refuse to go away. Here's how each stacks up on the Pokémon Unite Defenders tier list.

Trevenant

Trevenant is difficult to use, but those who learn its intricacies and effectively fight on death's door will reap the rewards of this Grass/Ghost-type Pokémon.

Trevenant possesses a bunch of control-control abilities designed to keep the enemy away from its goals or to protect scoring allies. This works regardless of skill, but professional players will gain a lot out of purposefully keeping Trevenant at low HP. The lower it gets, the more damage it tends to deal. To help with that, it has a bunch of ways to restore HP, which will generally keep it within this key range. It's a scary thought for novice players, but those who know the ins and outs of the game can put its peculiar skillset to good use.

Greedent

The new kid on the block for Halloween, Greedent is an absolute beast. It's Pokémon Unite's equivalent to Big Chungus. Able to heal itself by consuming the berries it accumulates by attacking, Greedent is an aggressive Pokémon that balances attack with sustain and durability.

It struggles with movement without the right moveset, but whether you're holding the line or bowling through to the opposing goal, Greedent can take the hits, dish them out, and recover its HP without relying on a support. But having one around makes it virtually invincible.

Crustle

Crustle is an absolute menace. It evolves from Dwebble at level four, meaning that you’ve got a fully evolved Pokémon earlier than your teammates or, more importantly, before your opponents have had a chance to get a Charizard or Garchomp. 

It offers great utility with Rock Tomb, which can either trap enemies so they can't escape from your teammates' wrath or block pathways so they can't steal Rotom or Zapdos from you. Don't expect many kills from Crustle, but it will enable your teammates to succeed.

Blastoise

Blastoise is the newest member of the Pokémon Unite team. It offers a surprising amount of utility. The likes of Hydro Pump and Water Spout will be your primary damage-dealers, but Rapid Spin gives the blasty boi some decent mobility, allowing it to spin into position. It also modifies its aforementioned moves, changing their effects. With Surf as an extra mobility move, Blastoise can go in hard or attack from range.

Its Unite Move deals damage in a wide area around it, so there's another case to be made for Rapid Spin and the damage reduction that comes with it. At the moment, Rapid Spin and Hydro Pump is the go-to build, but that could change in subsequent patches.

Snorlax

Snorlax is a great Pokémon to pick up if you’re just starting Pokémon Unite. Its immense bulk means you won’t be punished too hard for misplaying, and its decent support stats mean you can provide valuable help to your team. Plus, its Unite Move is called Power Nap, which is just great.

The best thing about Snorlax, in our opinion, is Block. It doesn't do a lot of damage, but this single move can hold an entire enemy team off a point at crucial moments. Whether your teammates are respawning, you're waiting on a gank from your jungler, or opponents are lining up 50-bomb dunks in the final moments of a match, Snorlax can delay for long enough that it matters.

Mamoswine

Relative newcomer Mamoswine made a pretty big impact on the meta when it was released in late September, but it hasn't stuck like Blastoise, Sylveon, or Blissey. You'll still see it fairly often. Its combo-heavy moveset can be quite satisfying to pull off, with great crowd-control really sealing the deal in the right hands, but it's too situational and tricky to pull off in more hectic battles.

Its moveset demands precision, its weight makes its attacks slow and easy to dodge, and its way of blocking a goal with sheets of ice can get ignored. But it does have decent survivability—if you can live long enough to reach that point. Mamoswine only hits its prime at level 10. Before that, it's a bit of a liability.

Slowbro

Slowbro is a bulky Pokémon with equal weighting of endurance and support stats. However, as with most Defenders, it has little mobility and scores few points. Slow opponents down with Slowbro’s Unite Move, then let your Speedsters or Attackers clean up.

It has great crowd control utility by freezing opponents with mind control, but you need good communication with your team to make the most of it.

Pokémon Unite Support Tier List

Support Pokémon do more than attempt to heal their allies. They back the team up with slows, stuns, and even stat swaps as well. Their damage is never the best and they'll struggle to stay on the offensive, but with a good ally nearby, the creatures on our Pokémon Unite Support tier list can truly change the outcome of every battle they're involved in.

Hoopa

Considering that Hoopa is a supporter, its attacks can still pack a punch. Hoopa’s moves include Astonish and Confuse, coupling with the Magician ability to bamboozle opponents and move ally team members to strategic spots to ambush. The Magician ability can be used to heal allies too as it can move all important Berries around the field.

Hoopa has two forms to utilize - Confined and Unbound. Usually, it will be in Confined form but can be changed into Unbound via its Unite move Rings Unbound, which will increase Hoopa’s max HP as well as create rings on the ground to warp allies again.

Wigglytuff

Wigglytuff can shield allies from damage, therefore fulfilling an important role on any Pokémon Unite team. Playing a Supporter is a thankless role, but good support can be the difference between winning a match and losing. With the right build, Wigglytuff's Unite Move can basically guarantee your team will get Zapdos. That's a real game-changer.

Blissey

Blissey is one of the bulkiest Pokémon in the game. Its huge HP stat means frankly ridiculous buffs from held items like Assault Vest. It won't produce much in terms of attack, but it should help keep your fellow Attackers and All-Rounders alive for long enough for them to do the damage. Having multiple charges of a handy heal means you'll play a major part in allowing your allies to snowball early on with aggressive tactics.

Blissey was powerful enough when it launched, but a buff in the latest patch notes has only increased its usability. While we still just about prefer Wigglytuff's Double Slapping shenanigans, Blissey is an incredibly strong pick, especially if your team has an unbalanced number of Attackers already.

Mr. Mime

Although he was likely added as a bit of a meme Pokémon, stunning opponents is no joke. His shields and barriers can be incredibly annoying (for both sides) and can be the perfect distraction to finish off Drednaw or for protecting a Goal Zone. However, we'd still probably prefer Snorlax to do this job.

A word of warning: if you pick Mr. Mime, however, you will have to look at his horrifying face all match.

Eldegoss

Eldegoss is a great option for learning the Supporter ropes, especially with its Unite Move, Cotton Cloud Crash, which deals area of effect damage to opponents while restoring the HP of allies in the same area.

You see a lot of Eldegoss at the highest levels of play, but if you're solo-queueing it's not a great pick. The already underused Pokémon also received a nerf in the first balance patch, further reducing its utility. Sadly, Eldegoss needs some love.

An earlier version of this guide was written by Ben Sledge

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