Pokemon Unite update today (July 16): Shadow Flame patch notes revealed (Ver. 1.15.1.2)

Pokemon Unite has rolled out its latest update, Ver. 1.15.1.2, on July 16, 2024, at 07:00 UTC, titled as the Shadow Flame patch. This update not only reintroduces the fan-favorite Panic Parade battle map but also ushers in a grand celebration for the game's third anniversary.

Other exciting things that come with this release are special events, new challenges, and exciting shop updates. Furthermore, The significant balance changes to many Pokemon continue to make the Pokemon Unite gameplay even more refined and competitive.

Here's a detailed look at all the changes and new features in this Pokemon Unite update.

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Pokemon Unite Ver. 1.15.1.2 Shadow Flame: Update details

1) New and Returning Features

• Battle Map: Panic Parade unlocks again on July 19, 2024.
• 3rd Anniversary Celebrations: Join a variety of commemorative events to celebrate this milestone.

2) Ho-Oh’s Divine Forest Challenge

Participate daily to collect divine forest coins and exchange them for Ho-Oh’s Unite license.

3) 3rd Anniversary Specials

• Bargain Shop: Obtain discounted items!
• Prize Machine Event: Obtain ten Anniversary Balls daily at no cost (up to 100 total). Use them the same day you get them!
• Special Present: Log in during the 3rd Anniversary to receive Charizard’s Unite license and other rewards.
• Aeos Gem Special Deal: Available once per day during the anniversary celebration.

4) Shop Updates

5) Event Updates

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Pokemon Unite Ver. 1.15.1.2 Shadow Flame: Battle updates

Major changes have been made to many licenses in Pokemon Unite's latest update (Image via The Pokemon Company)

1) Charizard

Charizard is famous for its large wings and scorching flames, which are most prominently showcased in its Unite Move, Seismic Slam. Unfortunately, using the Unite Move against an opponent in an unstoppable state fails, putting the move on cooldown and leaving Charizard vulnerable by needlessly closing in on the opponent.

In chaotic team fights, it is difficult to accurately identify the right Pokemon and timing to use the Unite Move. The performance of this high-risk Unite Move, prone to failure, has been diminishing Charizard's cool and enjoyable battle experience. With this adjustment, we believe that the risk of failing will be reduced, allowing Charizard to have more shining moments.

Additionally, the combination of Fire Punch and Flare Blitz has suffered from low damage and durability, which is problematic for a close-range fighting style. To ensure Charizard can KO opponents and maintain its durability when engaging in close combat, these moves have been buffed.

Unite Move: Seismic Slam

• Can now grab Pokemon that are in hindrance resistance or unstoppable status

Fire Punch

• Damage: 10% increase

Fire Punch+

• Cooldown reduction per basic attack: 0.3 sec. → 0.4 sec.

Flare Blitz

• Damage: 15% increase
• Shield: 20% increase

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2) Pikachu

In recent Unite Battles, highly mobile Pokemon have been excelling, making it difficult to hit Thunder and Thunderbolt. To increase the chances of landing these moves, the cooldown time has been reduced.

Thunder

• Cooldown: 7.5 sec. → 7 sec.

Thunderbolt

• Cooldown: 7.5 sec. → 7 sec.

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3) Clefable

Due to the low win rate caused by insufficient healing, Moonlight and Draining Kiss have been buffed.

Moonlight

• HP restoration: 10% increase

Draining Kiss

• Cooldown: 5 sec. → 4 sec.

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4) Zoroark

The invincibility state gained during transformation with the ability Illusion was too powerful, allowing it to nullify the opponent's strong moves. The effect has been changed so that damage is no longer nullified.

Ability: Illusion

• Effects upon use: Invincible → Unstoppable

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5) Chandelure

To help Chandelure, which has few defensive options, adapt to the current battle environment with many highly mobile Pokemon, the cooldown times for the defensive move Imprison and the Unite Move have been reduced. Additionally, the cooldown time for Flamethrower has been reduced to allow for more opportunities to use the move during battles.

Imprison

• Cooldown: 10 sec. → 9.5 sec.

Flamethrower

• Cooldown: 7.5 sec. → 7 sec.

Unite Move: Ignite Midnight

• Energy needed: reduced by 10%

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6) Delphox

The damage of the ability Blaze has been increased to make it easier to feel its activation. The cooldown times for Fire Spin and Fire Blast have been reduced to make it easier to combo these two moves.

Ability: Blaze

• Damage: 30% increase

Fire Spin

• Cooldown: 7 sec. → 6.5 sec.

Fire Blast

• Cooldown: 7 sec. → 6.5 sec.

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7) Talonflame

Compared to other Speedsters, the usage rate has remained low, so the ability of Gale Wings has been buffed to enhance its mobility around the stadium. Additionally, the damage of Flame Charge, which was lacking, has also been increased.

Ability: Gale Wings

• Movement speed increase: 10% → 15%

Flame Charge

• Damage: 10% increase

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8) Sylveon

The moves that can be learned early in Unite Battles were both very powerful, leading to a high usage rate in tournaments. Therefore, these moves have been nerfed.

Hyper Voice

• Cooldown: 5 sec. → 6 sec.

Mystical Fire

• Cooldown reduction per flame hit: 15% → 12%

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9) Urshifu

Due to the continued low usage rate and win rate, Surging Strikes, Liquidation, and Throat Chop have been buffed to increase mobility and damage output.

Surging Strikes

• Cooldown: 12.5 sec. → 11 sec.

Liquidation

• Damage: 50% increase

Throat Chop

• Cooldown: 9 sec. → 7 sec.
• Damage: 20% increase

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10) Ceruledge

Due to the lack of durability needed to continue fighting against opponent Pokemon, the stats and the healing amount of Bitter Blade, as well as the cooldown time of Phantom Force, have been improved to endure and avoid enemy attacks. The combination of Psycho Cut and Flame Charge had too low KO potential, so their damage output has been increased.

Basic / Boosted Attacks

• HP restoration: Increased by 5% of the damage dealtLv.1-4 20%, Lv.5-8 25%, Lv.9-15 30%

Ability: Weak Armor

• Damage from wounds: 50% increase

Bitter Blade

• HP restoration: 35% of damage dealt → 50% of damage dealt

Bitter Blade+

• HP restoration: 50% of damage dealt → 70% of damage dealt

Phantom Force

• Cooldown reduction on hit: 30% → 40%

Psycho Cut

• Amount of defense reduction: 50% to 31% increase (Lv.5-10)

Psycho Cut+

• Amount of defense reduction: 20% to 17% increase (Lv.11-15)

Flame Charge

• Attack speed increase: 20% → 30%

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11) Dodrio

Tri Attack was dealing too much damage from a safe distance, so it has been nerfed.

Tri Attack

• Damage: 12% decrease

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12) Mewtwo X

Psystrike excelled in both damage and hindrance effects, resulting in a high win rate. To reduce this frequency, its cooldown time has been increased.

Psystrike

• Cooldown: 8 sec. → 9 sec.

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13) Mewtwo Y

The range of basic attacks was too long, allowing for attacks from a very safe distance. To add more risk, the range of basic attacks has been reduced.

Basic Attack

• Range: 7.0 meters → 6.5 meters

Basic Attack (Mega Evolution)

• Range: 8.0 meters → 7.5 meters

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14) Cramorant

The high damage output and mobility were resulting in an excessively high win rate. While maintaining its power in skirmishes due to its mobility, the damage output in team fights has been reduced.

Unite Move: Gatling Gulp Missile

• Damage: 15% decrease

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15) Falinks

The damage output when combining Iron Head and No Retreat was too high for an All-Rounder. Therefore, the damage output of these moves has been reduced.

Iron Head

• Damage: 25% decrease

No Retreat

• Attack increase: 40% → 25%
• Damage of basic attacks enhanced by Iron Head: 20% decrease

No Retreat+

• Attack increase: 60% → 40%

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16) Meowscarada

When the ability Overgrow was activated during the use of the Unite Move, it allowed for excessively high damage and healing while in stealth. Therefore, both the Unite Move and the ability have been nerfed.

Ability: Overgrow

• Damage increase: 20% → 15%
• Healing from damage dealt: 20% → 15%
• Movement speed increase: 20% → 15%

Unite Move: Floral Flourish

• Energy needed: increased by 10%

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17) Miraidon

Despite previous adjustments, the damage was still too high. To reduce the skill rotation rate, the cooldown reduction effect gained upon leveling up, the cooldown time of Electro Drive, and the damage of Charge Beam have been nerfed.

Status

• Cooldown reduction: 15% → 10% (Lv.9-12), 25% → 20% (Lv.13-15)

Electro Drift

• Cooldown: 11 sec. → 12 sec.

Electro Drift+

• Cooldown: 7 sec. → 8 sec.

Charge Beam

• Damage: 10% decrease
• Empowered Charge Beam damage: 10% decrease

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Pokemon Unite Ver. 1.15.1.2 Shadow Flame: Other bug fixes

Bug fixes to many Licesnes in Pokemon Unite (Image via The Pokemon Company)

• Falinks issues: Damage reduction from multi-hit moves, no movement speed decrease when retreating, lingering hitbox after KO, and less healing.
• Lucario and Mimikyu’s enhanced attacks not activating Muscle Band effects.
• Snorlax's Block+ pushback issues.
• Held items effects during Zeraora's enhanced attacks.
• Meowscarada's Double Team illusory copy tracking targets outside of view.
• Metagross's Magnet Rise is unaffected by Clefable's Gravity.
• Miraidon berry pick-up issues and Energy Amplifier effect not activating.
• Draft Mode Pokemon selection time discrepancy.
• Healing reduction doubling when Curse Incense and Curse Bangle activated together.
• Chargeable moves attack range facing left issue.
• Held items and abilities effects only activating on the first hit when multiple Pokemon were attacked.
• Lag issues on the Switch version when Mimikyu appeared on screen.

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The Shadow Flame patch, Ver. 1.15.1.2, brings a wealth of new content and critical balance changes to Pokemon Unite, enhancing the overall gameplay experience.

With the return of the Panic Parade map, numerous events, and strategic adjustments to many Pokemon, players have much to explore and enjoy in the Pokemon Unite 3rd Anniversary celebration.

Furthermore, these updates reflect the developers' ongoing commitment to maintaining a dynamic, engaging, and balanced environment for all players.