Pokemon Unite Breath of Evolution: Release date, balance updates, and more

With the latest patch update, Pokemon Unite Breath of Evolution is now live. The title continues to evolve with each update, bringing fresh content and exciting changes. Players can expect tweaks to gameplay, balance improvements, and new additions to events and the in-game shop.

Whether you're a seasoned veteran or a curious newcomer, this patch brings significant changes to how battles will unfold on Aeos Island. Here's everything you need to know about the release timing, new features, and major balance adjustments introduced in Pokemon Unite Breath of Evolution Version 1.18.2.6.

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Pokemon Unite Breath of Evolution: Release date, time, and version information

• Update Version: Ver. 1.18.2.6
• Release Date: April 24, 2025
• Release Time: 07:00 (local server time)

If you haven’t received the update yet, restart your game. During the update process, temporary server disconnections may occur.

The Pokemon Unite Breath of Evolution patch includes:

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

But the most impactful changes lie in the Pokemon Unite Breath of Evolution’s balance updates, where several Pokemon have been reworked to improve fairness and gameplay dynamics.

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Pokemon Unite Breath of Evolution: Major balance adjustments

Pokemon that received balance changes in the Pokemon Unite Breath of Evolution update (Image via The Pokemon Company)

1) Dragapult

Stats

• HP: 3000-5500 → 3000-6000

Dragon Dance

• Cooldown: 12s → 11s

Phantom Force

• Attack increase per KO: 6 → 8

Dragapult had a low win rate due to its disadvantage against fast-approaching Speedsters. To help it perform better in the latter stages of a battle, its durability and benefits from scoring KOs have been enhanced.

2) Dragonite

Hyper Beam

• Cooldown: 11.5s → 10.5s

Outrage

• Attack speed increase: 30% → 35%

Despite having powerful moves, Dragonite had low pick rates. To help highlight the strength of each move path, its main offensive abilities have been buffed.

3) Venusaur

Giga Drain

• Healing amount: 10% increase

Petal Dance

• Movement speed increase: 90-9% → 90-27%

The combination of Petal Dance and Giga Drain requires close combat, which increases risk. To improve survivability and mobility, Giga Drain and Petal Dance have been buffed.

4) Galarian Rapidash

Ability: Pastel Veil

• Psychic gauge increase speed: 43% increase

Fairy Wind

• Base damage: 10% increase

Smart Horn

• Damage: 30% increase

Unite Move: Triad Blitz

• Energy required: 17% decrease

After its ability was heavily nerfed in the previous update, Galarian Rapidash’s influence in battles dropped significantly. This adjustment partially reverts those changes and boosts its offensive power.

5) Buzzwole

Ability: Beast Boost

• Gauge depletion delay: 5s → 10s

Boosted Attack

• Healing: 30% increase

Leech Life

• Now grants hindrance resistance

Lunge

• Cooldown: 7.5s → 6.5s

Buzzwole excels in close combat, but its muscle gauge depletes too quickly after disengaging from battle. By delaying gauge depletion, it can return to the frontline more effectively.

6) Trevenant

Wood Hammer

• Damage: 29%–19% decrease

Curse

• Damage: 29%–24% decrease

Horn Leech

• Throw duration: 1s → 0.75s

Despite being a Defender, Trevenant had high damage output and strong crowd control. The damage of its main offensive moves has been reduced, and Horn Leech’s final throw duration has been shortened to reduce excessive crowd control.

7) Goodra

Stats

• HP: 3225-9800 → 3225-10300

Boosted Attack

• Bonus damage: 5% → 3% of opponent’s max HP

Muddy Water

• Damage: 28%–20% decrease

Acid Spray

• Throw duration: 1s → 0.75s

Goodra had high durability while dealing considerable damage, especially in the Veteran to Ultra ranks. Its offensive capabilities have been adjusted accordingly.

8) Suicune

Ability: Pressure

• Shield stacking limit: 3 times → 2 times (Bug fix)

Boosted Attack

• Damage: 15% decrease

Ice Beam

• Move recovery cooldown: 6s → 7s

Icy Wind

• Icicle explosion damage: 98% increase

A bug that allowed Suicune’s shield to stack up to three times instead of the intended two has been fixed. Ice Beam’s cooldown was too short, enabling frequent freeze effects, so it has been extended. On the other hand, Icy Wind’s pillar explosion damage has been increased to improve its combo potential.

9) Alolan Raichu

Stored Power

• Bonus damage: 18% decrease

Psychic

• Hit damage: 20% decrease
• Cooldown: 7.5s → 9s

Psychic+

• Hit damage: 20% decrease
• Damage over time: 20% decrease

Shortly after its debut, the combination of Stored Power and Psychic proved too powerful, resulting in a high win rate. These moves have been adjusted accordingly.

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Pokemon Unite Breath of Evolution: Speedsters rebalanced - removal of Defense Penetration

Speedster that received removal of Defense Penetration in the Pokemon Unite Breath of Evolution update (Image via The Pokemon Company)

A major update in this patch is the complete removal of Defense and Special Defense Penetration stats from Speedsters. This affects:

• Talonflame
• Meowscarada
• Leafeon
• Gengar
• Absol
• Zeraora

These changes aim to tone down Speedsters’ overall impact, which had been disrupting the game's balance. Additional nerfs were made to Absol (e.g., Night Slash cooldown increased) and Zeraora (Discharge damage and shield reduced).

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Pokemon Unite Breath of Evolution: Bug fixes

• Alolan Raichu: Fixed an unintended interaction with Muscle Band.
• Zacian: Fixed an issue where its boosted Play Rough didn’t properly reduce incoming damage.

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This update marks a significant shift in how certain Pokemon function, especially those in the Speedster role. With a mix of buffs, nerfs, and bug fixes, Pokemon Unite Breath of Evolution aims to refine gameplay and ensure a more balanced competitive environment.

Whether your favorite pick just got stronger or took a hit, now’s the perfect time to adapt and experiment on Aeos Island.

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Check out our other Pokemon Unite articles:

• All new licenses coming to Unite
• Everything to know about Unite Drive Lens
• Everything to know about Unite Accel Bracer
• Latest Unite battle mode First to 500, explained
• All Pokemon Unite First to 500 Aeos Technology, explained
• Pokemon Unite license tier list
• Unite Solo Queue licenses tier list
• Best Build for every Unite license
• Best Boost Emblems in the game
• Held Item tier list
• Battle Item tier list