Best Defenders for beginners in Pokemon Unite

When starting out in Pokemon Unite, the choice of Pocket Monster can greatly influence your overall gameplay experience. Among the five roles in the game - Attacker, Defender, Supporter, Speedster, and All-Rounder - Defenders are often a smart choice for new players. They play a critical role in ensuring the team's stability, making them indispensable in matches.

While flashy, high-damage Pokemon like Cinderace or Zoroark might be tempting, mastering a reliable Defender can be more beneficial, especially for those still learning the basics of the game.

Here’s a breakdown of three of the best Defenders that are perfect for beginners and returning players.

Note: This article is subjective and solely reflects the writer's opinions.

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Best Defenders to play as a beginner in Pokemon Unite

1) Slowbro

Slowbro as seen in the anime (Image via The Pokemon Company)

Slowbro is an excellent choice for Pokemon Unite beginners, thanks to its simplicity and effectiveness. This Pocket Monster has been a top-tier Defender for almost the entirety of the game’s existence.

Why Slowbro?

Evolution simplicity: Slowbro only needs to evolve once at level 4, which is quite manageable for new players.
Moveset: Slowbro's moves are straightforward yet powerful. "Water Gun" is perfect for securing wild Pokemon early in the game, allowing you to score quick points. "Surf" is a great choice for crowd control, knocking up opponents and making it easier for your team to follow up with damage.
Unite Move - Slowbeam: Slowbro's Unite move, Slowbeam, is one of the most impactful in the game, especially in late-game scenarios. It can single-handedly turn the tide by immobilizing a crucial opponent.

Recommended Build:

Moves: Surf and Amnesia. Surf offers crowd control, while Amnesia boosts Slowbro’s survivability by restoring HP. You could also go with Scald instead of Surf for more damage, but you will lose out on the crowd control potential the latter has.
Held Items: Exp. Share, Focus Band, and Assault Vest. Exp. Share helps your lane partner level up faster, while Focus Band and Assault Vest provide additional durability. You could also go with the Slick Spoon for additional damage and HP
Battle Items: Potion or Eject Button. Potion adds extra survivability, while the Eject Button allows for strategic repositioning, which can be crucial when setting up Slowbeam.

Also read: Ho-Oh in Pokemon Unite stats, abilities, and moves

2) Umbreon

Umbreon as seen in the anime (Image via The Pokemon Company)

Umbreon is another fantastic Defender known for its versatility and ease of use. As an evolution of Eevee, Umbreon evolves early at level 4, giving players a strong presence in the early game.

Why Umbreon?

Early Power Spike: Evolving at level 4 and gaining a Unite move at level 8 gives Umbreon an early advantage that can help set the pace of the match.
Move Set: The combination of "Mean Look" and "Wish" offers both control and support. Mean Look traps enemies, preventing their escape, while Wish provides a substantial heal and damage reduction, making Umbreon a hybrid between a Defender and a Supporter.
Unite Move: Umbreon’s Unite move is a game-changer, as it steals shields from opponents and transfers them to your team. This can turn the tide of crucial team fights, especially against shield-heavy Pokemon like Crustle or Blastoise.

Recommended Build:

Moves: Mean Look and Wish. Mean Look helps in crowd control, and Wish ensures you and your allies stay in the fight longer.
Held Items: Exp. Share, Focus Band, and Buddy Barrier. These items maximize your utility and durability, making you a cornerstone in team fights.
Battle Items: Eject Button or X-Speed. Both offer great mobility options, allowing you to either engage or disengage as needed.

Also read: Pokemon Unite update v1.15.1.3 patch notes

3) Ho-Oh

Ho-Oh as seen in the anime (Image via The Pokemon Company)

Ho-Oh is a newer addition to Pokemon Unite but has quickly become a solid choice for new players due to its ability to sustain itself and its team in battles.

Why Ho-Oh?

Self-Sustain: Ho-Oh’s passive ability and boosted attacks consistently restore HP, allowing it to stay in the fight longer.
Move Set: Ho-Oh's moves are not overly complex, making it accessible to new players. "Fly" and "Flamethrower" are great options for beginners. Fly offers an easy way to recover HP and deal damage, while Flamethrower helps chip away at enemy HP from a distance.
Unite Move: Ho-Oh’s Unite move is powerful, capable of reviving downed allies, which can be pivotal during late-game objectives like Rayquaza.

Recommended Build:

Moves: Fly and Flamethrower. These moves offer a balance between damage output and sustain, making Ho-Oh a persistent threat on the battlefield.
Held Items: Exp. Share, Focus Band, and Curse Bangle. Exp. Share helps with leveling, Focus Band adds survivability, and Curse Bangle reduces enemy healing while increasing Ho-Oh’s damage output.
Battle Items: Potion or Eject Button. These items enhance your ability to stay in the fight or reposition when needed.

Also read: Ho-Oh in Pokemon Unite - Best movesets, builds, items, and more

Picking the right Defender in Pokemon Unite can make all the difference for a new player. Slowbro, Umbreon, and Ho-Oh are three that bring something unique to the table with beginners. Their mechanics, large impact in team fights, and physical presence should ensure that even the newest players are able to support the team.

By mastering one of these Defenders, you will not only bolster your team's defense but also increase the strength of your foundation in continued growth within Pokemon Unite.

Read more Pokemon Unite related topics here:

🚨 Calculate how strong your evolved Pokémon will become with our newly launched Pokemon GO Evolution Calculator 🚨

Edited by Rachel Syiemlieh