Category: Games

Pokemon Unite brings with it a brand-new way to play Pokemon, eschewing the normal catch-em-all RPG tropes for an action-focused MOBA experience. As such, the way Pokemon are categorized and implemented in the game is very different from what a seasoned Pokemon trainer might be familiar with. Take the All-Rounder type, a group of Pokemon who don’t excel at offense or defense, but perform well enough in both to be used in either situation. The All-Rounder is a good choice for players dipping their toes into the MOBA ocean for the first time, and here we look at all four All-Rounders in the game so far.

Charizard

Charizard is the definition of a well-rounded Pokemon, holding its own on offense, defense, and in scoring. However, being an All-Rounder means the fiery Pokemon can only fly so high before getting burned, making him a liability in the later stages of a match. Our strategic recommendation would be to stay on the offensive early, gaining experience and upgrading to a Flamethrower/Fire Blast set before falling back and defending for the rest of the match. Fire Blast will keep opponents at bay thanks to its large area-of-effect, while Flamethrower can target approaching opponents trying to avoid Fire Blast. If you do prefer being on offense, however, Flare Blitz is a great special attack in one-on-one scenarios.

Role: All-Rounder

Style: Melee

Difficulty: Novice

Stats

• Offense – 7
• Endurance – 6
• Mobility – 5
• Scoring – 6
• Support – 1

Evolution levels: Charmander Start | Charmeleon at Lvl. 5 | Charizard at Lvl. 9

Special Moves

• Flame Burst – Fire attack that leaves the opponent burned for a short time. Cooldown is 6 seconds. Upgrades at Lvl. 5 to one of the following:
  • Flamethrower – Fiery breath that damages and burns any Pokemon in its path. 6 second cooldown. At Lvl. 11 the move’s damage and burn damage is boosted.
  • Fire Punch – A blazing punch that does additional damage to enemies already burned. 6 second cooldown. At Lvl. 11 Charizard’s basic attack reduces Fire Punch’s cooldown when it connects.
• Fire Spin – Circle of fire traps Pokemon inside, damaging and slowing them down. Cooldown is 10 seconds. Upgrades at Lvl. 7 to one of the following:
  • Fire Blast – Blast of fire that deals initial damage, then leaves a circle of fire that damages Pokemon inside it over time and slows them down. 10 second cooldown. At Lvl. 13 the damage dealt is increased.
  • Flare Blitz – Charizard charges forward encased in fire, gaining a shield and throwing opponents on contact. 10 second cooldown. At Lvl. 13 the move also slows down Pokemon it damages.
• Passive Skill: Blaze – Critical Hit damage is increased when Charizard is at half health
• Unite Move: Seismic Slam – Charizard flies into the air, aims at a target, picks it up, and slams it into the ground.

Garchomp

Garchomp may be an All-Rounder, but its moveset and skills make it one of the most efficient attackers in the game. Its area-of-effect attacks can cause damage to multiple opponents at once, even more so when the Dig/Earthquake combo is activated. Its high endurance allows it to absorb a good amount of damage, while its decent mobility should help it escape in most situations. Dragon Rush is a good way to exploit its passive skill Rough Skin, as while charging forward might leave Garchomp to counterattacks, the passive ability means all of those counters will damage the opponent too. Evolving all the way to Garchomp at Lvl. 10 will take time, so you may spend a decent part of each match on the defensive, but once the big dragon makes its entrance, charge forward and don’t look back.

Role: All-Rounder

Style: Melee

Difficulty: Intermediate

Stats

• Offense – 7
• Endurance – 7
• Mobility – 5
• Scoring – 5
• Support – 1

Evolution levels: Gible Start | Gabite at Lvl. 6 | Garchomp at Lvl. 10

Special Moves

• Sand Attack – A sand-throwing attack that slows opponents’ movement and basic attack speed. Cooldown is 6 seconds. Upgrades at Lvl. 6 to one of the following:
  • Dragon Rush – Charges in a specific direction, knocking back Pokemon it contacts. At Lvl. 11 opponents’ movement speed is reduced if they are knocked back the max distance by this attack.
  • Dig – Digs underground then pops up for area-of-effect damage upon contact with an opponent. Can be paired with Earthquake for a larger area-of-effect. At Lvl. 13 Garchomp’s speed is increased while underground.
• Bulldoze – Stomps the ground for an area-of-effect attack. Cooldown is 5 seconds. Upgrades at Lvl. 8 to one of the following:
  • Earthquake – Shakes the ground with a huge jump for area-of-effect damage. 7 second cooldown. At Lvl. 14 all opponents hit by the move have movement speed reduced.
  • Dragon Claw – A two-part attack, the first part damages opponents while knocking them back, while part two deals increased damage and increases Garchomp’s basic attack speed. 5 second cooldown. At Lvl. 13 attack damage is increased.
• Passive Skill: Rough Skin – A small percentage of melee damage done to Garchomp is inflicted on the attacker as well.
• Unite Move: Livid Outrage – A powerful multi-hit attack while charging forward, but leaves Garchomp stunned for a short time after use. The final hit also throws opponents into the air.

Lucario

Lucario is a Pokemon that should not be attempted until you’re completely familiar with how Pokemon Unite works. Its moveset deals with extra setup and preparation, particularly with a move like Bone Rush that can be used to sneak up on unsuspecting opponents, so a full understanding of the arena and the flow of battle is recommended. That diligence will be rewarded though, as Lucario boasts some of the most potent attacks in the entire game. A well-placed Power-Up Punch/Bone Rush combo late in the game could turn the tide in your favor, particularly if used right after an Aura Cannon while Power-Up Punch is enhanced. On offense or defense, Lucario can save the game for you.

Role: All-Rounder

Style: Melee

Difficulty: Expert

Stats

• Offense – 6
• Endurance – 5
• Mobility – 7
• Scoring – 6
• Support – 1

Evolution levels: None

Special Moves

• Quick Attack – Lunges forward at great speed for an attack. Cooldown is 6 seconds. Upgrades at Lvl. 5 to one of the following:
  • Extreme Speed – Dash attack that restores HP and resets cooldown if used directly next to an opponent. 9 second cooldown. At Lvl. 11 Lucario’s Attack is increased for a short time after use.
  • Power-Up Punch – A charged punch that damages and knocks back opponents. Also changes the next basic attack to its boosted version. 7 second cooldown. At Lvl. 11 Lucario is not affected by hindrances while charging.
• Meteor Smash – Dashes forward with a punch, damaging opponents and pushing them back. Cooldown is 7 seconds. Upgrades at Lvl. 7 to one of the following:
  • Bone Rush – Multi-hit attack which leaves opponents stunned. Final attack sends bone flying into the air, on next use Lucario rushes to where bone landed before attacking. 10 second cooldown. At Lvl. 13 all cooldowns are reset when Lucario rushes to bone.
  • Close Combat – Multi-hit combo that damages opponents and knocks them back. 9 second cooldown. At Lvl. 13 Lucario gains a shield after use and is immune to hindrances during use.
• Passive Skill: Steadfast – When Lucario’s HP is low, its movement speed increases and a shield is gained.
• Unite Move: Aura Cannon – Lucario fires an energy blast for massive area-of-effect damage. If the player chose Power-Up Punch, the next use has increased damage.

Machamp

Machamp is a damage machine, able to wreck through any amount of opponents and wild Pokemon that stand in his way. Its moveset allows him to buff basic attacks for big damage, while also increasing critical hit rate for some monumental damage. By pairing Dynamic Punch with Close Combat, every time you use a special move you become immune to hindrances like stun or knockback, meaning basic attacks will go unpunished for a few seconds. Its passive skill, Guts, powers Machamp up when afflicted by a status effect, so approaching it isn’t safe even when it’s burnt or poisoned. Machamp is an absolute powerhouse, so those who like dealing a lot of damage will have a lot of fun.

Role: All-Rounder

Style: Melee

Difficulty: Intermediate

Stats

• Offense – 8
• Endurance – 5
• Mobility – 5
• Scoring – 5
• Support – 1

Evolution levels: Machop Start | Machoke at Lvl. 5 | Machamp at Lvl. 9

Special Moves

• Karate Chop – Karate chop attack that deals damage. Cooldown is 6 seconds. Upgrades at Lvl. 5 to one of the following:
  • Close Combat – Series of punches with the final punch dealing more damage. Machamp can move while attacking and is immune to hindrances while using the move. 7 second cooldown. At Lvl. 11 the move’s damage is boosted when used against a Pokemon with a status condition.
  • Cross Chop – Dashes forward with a double chop. Temporarily increases Machamp’s Critical hit rate. 6 second cooldown. At Lvl. 11 Machamp’s attack power increases.
• Bulk Up – Makes Machamp immune to hindrances, increases attack power, movement speed, and basic attack speed, and boosts next basic attack. Cooldown is 10 seconds. Upgrades at Lvl. 7 to one of the following:
  • Dynamic Punch – Jumps to targeted area and slams the ground, dealing area-of-effect damage. Increases movement and attack speed and makes Machamp immune to hindrances after use. 9 second cooldown. At Lvl. 13 attack and movement speed buff boosted.
  • Submission – Makes Machamp immune to status effects, increases movement speed, and next normal attack becomes an area-of-effect move with increased damage that stuns opponents. 11 second cooldown. At Lvl. 13 the move increases attack speed and Critical Hit rate.
• Passive Skill: Guts – Attack power is increased when afflicted by a status condition.
• Unite Move: Barrage Blow – A two-step move that first increases Machamp’s attack, defense, and speed, then unleashes multiple area-of-effect blows that push back damaged opponents.

With the release of Pokemon Unite, a whole new group of gamers are going to get a taste of a MOBA for the first time ever. This is no ordinary Pokemon game, as it features a completely different format, battle system, and objective, but we are here to lead you through. In this guide we’re talking about the offensive-minded character of Pokemon Unite, the Attacker types. Seven different Pokemon from across the franchise’s history make up this class, focusing on dealing damage quickly and often. If being in the heat of battle is your style, then the Attacker is for you.

Alolan Ninetales

Alolan Ninetales is classified as an Attacker, but “disruptor” may be a better term. A lot of its moveset revolves around using the environment to its advantage, whether it’s blocking paths with Avalanche or creating Blizzard cyclones. Its ability to freeze opponents in place with successful attacks is a boon as well, as it can then get in close to frozen opponents and let the passive Snow Warning take effect. Add the protection of Aurora Veil for it and its teammates and you’ll be in business. While some Attackers take a more direct and easier approach to dealing damage, Alolan Ninetales’s unpredictable moveset makes it a good choice if you’re looking for a more unconventional Pokemon to take into battle..

Role: Attacker

Style: Ranged

Difficulty: Intermediate

Stats:

• Offense – 8
• Endurance – 3
• Mobility – 3
• Scoring – 5
• Support – 6

Evolution levels: Alolan Vulpix Start | Alolan Ninetales at Lvl. 4

Special Moves:

• Powder Snow – Direct ranged attack that decreases movement speed of opponents it damages. Cooldown is 5 seconds. Upgrades at Lvl. 4 to one of the following:
  • Avalanche – Forms an icy wall that cannot be passed through, dealing damage to opponents near it when it collapses. At Lvl. 11 it decreases movement speed of damaged opponents.
  • Dazzling Gleam – Attacks with a cone-shaped beam that damages and stuns opponents. 7.5 second cooldown. At Lvl. 11 damage dealt and stun time is increased.
• Icy Wind – Gust of cold wind that decreases movement speed of opponents it damages. Cooldown is 8 seconds. Upgrades at Lvl. 6 to one of the following:
  • Blizzard – An icy cyclone deals damage over time to all opponents inside of it while also decreasing movement speed and shoving opponents back. If the move hits an obstacle, it will split to either side of it and create two smaller cyclones. 11 second cooldown. At Lvl. 13 the time between hits while the cyclone is active is decreased.
  • Aurora Veil – Creates aurora force field that decreases damage dealt to all allies inside. Also increases Alolan Ninetales’s movement speed and boosts all basic attacks. 13 second cooldown. At Lvl. 13 damage to allies is decreased further.
• Passive Skill: Snow Warning – Temporarily freezes opponents after consecutive successful special moves and boosted basic attacks. Opponents who get too close to Alolan Ninetales take damage and have movement speed decreased.
• Unite Move: Snow Globe – Snow and ice attack that deals area-of-effect damage to opponents. Damage is increased if the opponent is Frozen.

Cinderace

You may look at Cinderace’s Endurance stat below and wonder if it can stay alive long enough to have any effect on a match. If so, you are underestimating a truly amazing Attacker. Cinderace’s ability to inflict burns on opponents with Ember and Pyro Ball gives it a big advantage, slowing chipping away their health. Meanwhile Feint is a potential momentum-shifting move, as it can instantly change Cinderace from being stunned or knocked into the air to invincible with increased speed. We wouldn’t recommend leading Cinderace into battle alone–that’s when the low endurance will rear its ugly head–but with a Defender or Supporter next to it there are few Attackers that can be as dangerous as Cinderace.

Role: Attacker

Style: Ranged

Difficulty: Novice

Stats:

• Offense – 8
• Endurance – 3
• Mobility – 6
• Scoring – 5
• Support – 1

Evolution levels: Scorbunny Start | Raboot at Lvl. 5 | Cinderace at Lvl. 7

Special Moves:

• Ember – Small flame attack damages one opponent and burns them, inflicting damage for the opponent’s next three actions. Cooldown is 6 seconds. Upgrades at Lvl. 7 to one of the following:
  • Pyro Ball – Ball of fire shot in a straight line, damaging and inflicting a Burn on every Pokemon it hits. Cooldown is 7 seconds. At Lvl. 11 Cinderace’s basic attacks reduce this move’s cooldown up to three times.
  • Blaze Kick – A dive kick targeted at a designated area that knocks opponents back and inflicts a burn. Cinderace returns to its original position after the move is complete. Cooldown is 8 seconds. At Lvl. 11 basic attack speed is increased if this hits.
• Low Sweep – Low sweep attack that damages opponents. Cinderace’s next boosted basic attack will cause reduced movement speed. Cooldown is 7.5 seconds. Upgrades at Lvl. 8 to one of the following:
  • Flame Charge – Charges into enemies and deals damage. Cinderace’s next basic attack range and damage are increased. 6 second cooldown. At Lvl. 13 basic attack speed is increased.
  • Feint – Increases Cinderace’s movement speed and makes it temporarily invincible. Can be activated to cancel hindrances affecting Cinderace. 11 second cooldown. At Lvl. 13 Cinderace’s next three basic attacks restore health.
• Passive Skill: Blaze – When Cinderace is at half health Critical Hit damage is increased, Special Moves boost Basic Attacks, and successful attacks add a stack of flames to opponents resulting in a burst of damage on the fifth stack.
• Unite Move: Blazing Bicycle Kick – Giant fireball is kicked to a selected location, causing area-of-effect damage to opponents. Temporarily increases Cinderace’s speed.

Cramorant

Cramorant should always be at the front of the group. Its attacks can target multiple Pokemon at a time and inflict status effects, while its passive skill Gulp Missile offers an extra automatic counter hit to whichever enemy attacks it first. So long as Cramorant stays in the area of its own attacks, it can continuously reload that passive skill and always have a counter on tap. Its decent endurance makes it a better frontline candidate than other Attackers. With its strong Offense and no evolutions it will be dealing a ton of damage for the entire match. Cramorant is the kind of Pokemon that can set the tone early in a match and never let up, making it a force to be reckoned with.

Role: Attacker

Style: Ranged

Difficulty: Expert

Stats:

• Offense – 8
• Endurance – 6
• Mobility – 6
• Scoring – 3
• Support – 1

Evolution levels: None

Special Moves:

• Whirlpool – Area of effect attack that damages anyone in contact. Area of effect shrinks over time, but damage increases. Cramorant can grab prey for Gulp Missile by entering area of effect. Cooldown is 5 seconds. Upgrades at Lvl. 4 to one of the following:
  • Surf – Attacks with a wave in one direction, then reverses for a second attack. Pokemon damaged twice are knocked back by the second wave. Cramorant can grab prey by entering wave. At Lvl. 11 the wave can lock an opponent’s moves for a short time.
  • Dive – Creates a puddle that Cramorant dives into, dealing damage and knocking back Pokemon it hits. Can be used three times before cooldown begins. At Lvl. 11 damage is increased.
• Feather Dance – Decreases attack power and movement speed of affected Pokemon for a short time. Cooldown is 8 seconds. Upgrades at Lvl. 6 to one of the following:
  • Hurricane – A strong wind throws Pokemon caught in it, damaging them when they hit the ground. 9 second cooldown. At Lvl. 13 opponents’ Defense and Special Defense are reduced on hit.
  • Air Slash – Shoots sharp winds for damage while jumping back to create distance. 5 second cooldown. At Lvl. 13 the move’s cooldown is reduced for every shot that connects.
• Passive Skill: Gulp Missile – Automatically counters opponents’ attacks with the Pokemon in its mouth. Using other moves restores “ammo” after use. The more HP Cramorant has, the better Pokemon will appear in its mouth for counterattack.
• Unite Move: Gatling Gulp Missile – Forms a puddle under Cramorant, who grabs multiple Arrokuda and shoots them at nearby opponents. Cramorant cannot use other moves while Gatling Gulp Missile is active.

Gardevoir

Gardevoir, like Cinderace, is not an Attacker that should be entering a fight by itself. While its damage output is very high, its defense is far too low to be able to handle anything more than a one-on-one encounter. Teleport allows for a quick exit in the early stages of a match, while Moonblast offers a ton of versatility in the late-game by creating distance and stunning the closest enemy to Gardevoir instantly. Psyshock offers incredible power and multiple hits, so it’s a great move to throw into a group while setting up a Moonblast. It’ll need some protecting, but Gardevoir packs a tremendous psychic punch and makes for a prime choice at Attacker.

Role: Attacker

Style: Ranged

Difficulty: Intermediate

Stats:

• Offense – 9
• Endurance – 3
• Mobility – 3
• Scoring – 6
• Support – 3

Evolution levels: Ralts Start | Kirlia at Lvl. 6 | Gardevoir at Lvl. 10

Special Moves:

• Teleport – Warps to designated position and increases attack power of next basic attack. Cooldown is 11 seconds. Upgrades at Lvl. 6 to one of the following:
  • Psyshock – Three quick psychic blast area-of-effect attacks. 9 second cooldown. At Lvl. 11 each attack’s damage is boosted.
  • Future Sight – Activates a delayed explosion that damages opponents and reduces this move’s cooldown on hit. 9 second cooldown. At Lvl. 11 cooldown is removed.
• Confusion – Psychic attack that shoots in a straight line. Cooldown is 4.5 seconds. Upgrades at Lvl. 8 to one of the following:
  • Psychic – Psychic attack that creates a psychic field doing area-of-effect damage and lowering the movement speed of all opponents inside the area. 7 second cooldown. At Lvl. 13 cooldown is reduced.
  • Moonblast – Cone-shaped psychic beam that sends Gardevoir backwards and stuns the opponent closest to Gardevoir. 6 second cooldown. At Lvl. 13 the move grants Gardevoir a shield.
• Passive Skill: Synchronize – Whenever Gardevoir receives damage over time or its speed is slowed, the affliction is reflected on the Pokemon who caused it.
• Unite Move: Fairy Singularity – Creates a singularity that pulls Pokemon in then explodes, knocking opponents back and dealing major damage.

Greninja

Greninja wields an interesting moveset, one focused on disruption and obstruction as much as it focuses on dealing damage. Moves like Substitute, Double Team, and Smokescreen give Greninja options for getting around the battlefield while distracting opponents with smoke or copies of itself, allowing for a quick counterattack while the opponent is vulnerable. Its offensive arsenal is potent despite the non-damage moves, with both Water Shuriken and Surf healing Greninja as they attack the opposing team. Greninja is far from a straightforward choice, but its ability to throw a wrench into an opposing team’s plans could be a momentum shifter for your squad.

Role: Attacker

Style: Ranged

Difficulty: Expert

Stats:

• Offense – 8
• Endurance – 4
• Mobility – 6
• Scoring – 6
• Support – 1

Evolution levels: Froakie Start | Frogadier at Lvl. 5 | Greninja at Lvl. 7

Special Moves:

• Bubble – Sprays bubbles at opponents, damaging them and lowering movement speed. Cooldown is 9 seconds. Upgrades at Lvl. 5 to one of the following:
  • Water Shuriken – Creates and throws multiple shurikens made of water. Movement speed is increased while using the move, and every successful hit restores some of Greninja’s HP. 8 second cooldown. At Lvl. 11 more shurikens are created.
  • Surf – Rides a wave into opponents, damaging them and restoring some of Greninja’s HP. If this move knocks out an opponent, the cooldown is reset. 9 second cooldown. At Lvl. 11 more HP is restored on hit.
• Substitute – Quickly moves forward, leaving a small doll as a distraction. Cooldown is 8 seconds. Upgrades at Lvl. 7 to one of the following:
  • Double Team – Quick movement away from current position while creating copies to help in battle. 11 second cooldown. At Lvl. 13 cooldown is reduced.
  • Smokescreen – Rolls in the designated direction while leaving a trail of smoke behind, rendering Greninja invisible and increasing its speed. Greninja’s next attack is boosted. 11 second cooldown. At Lvl. 13 damage output is increased after smoke disappears.
• Passive Skill: Torrent – Increases movement speed and attack damage when HP is less than half.
• Unite Move: Waterburst Shuriken – Greninja throws a giant water shuriken down to the ground from above.

Pikachu

Being the most popular Pokemon in the world, it makes sense that Pikachu is a quick and easy Pokemon to learn as most people will pick it up first. Pikachu thrives on the front lines, pressuring the entire opposing team with moves like Thunder and Thunderbolt, but it is a glass cannon thanks to that low Endurance number. If you’re worried about being left alone with enemies, Electro Ball’s speed drop could give you an out to regroup. Pikachu will not survive alone against multiple opponents, but it can pack a wallop if it’s well protected.

Role: Attacker

Style: Ranged

Difficulty: Novice

Stats:

• Offense – 9
• Endurance – 3
• Mobility – 3
• Scoring – 4
• Support – 3

Evolution levels: None

Special Moves:

• Thunder Shock – Area of effect attack that damages and slows anyone in contact. Cooldown is 5 seconds. Upgrades at Lvl. 4 to one of the following:
  • Electro Ball – Area of effect attack that damages and slows anyone in contact. 5 second cooldown. At Lvl. 11 the move’s damage is boosted.
  • Thunder – Multiple thunderbolts strike and damage any Pokemon they contact. 8 second cooldown. At Lvl. 11 more thunderbolts are summoned.
• Electro Web – Attack that damages and “roots” (immobilizes) Pokemon it contacts. Cooldown is 9 seconds. Upgrades at Lvl. 6 to one of the following:
  • Volt Tackle – Charges into enemies, damaging them and sending them into the air temporarily. 10 second cooldown. At Lvl. 13 cooldown is reduced.
  • Thunderbolt – Strong electric blast that damages and stuns enemies it contacts. 9 second cooldown. At Lvl. 13 damage output is increased.
• Passive Skill: Static – When damaged, all enemy Pokemon around Pikachu are slowed for a short time.
• Unite Move: Thunderstorm – Multiple powerful lightning bolts strike all around Pikachu.

Venusaur

Venusaur is not content to attack just one enemy at a time. Each of its attacks are tailored to inflict as much damage as possible to as many opponents as possible. Petal Dance damages anyone standing near Venusaur, while Sludge Bomb creates an area that slowly saps the enemy’s HP. Also, thanks to his passive skill Overgrow’s attack boost at low HP, Venusaur is never truly out of the fight until it’s knocked out. Venusaur can wreak havoc on the entire opposing team, so make sure he’s in the thick of the action whenever possible.

Role: Attacker

Style: Ranged

Difficulty: Intermediate

Stats:

• Offense – 9
• Endurance – 4
• Mobility – 4
• Scoring – 5
• Support – 1

Evolution levels: Bulbasaur Start | Ivysaur at Lvl. 5 | Venusaur at Lvl. 9

Special Moves:

• Seed Bomb – Hurls a seed at a designated spot for an area of effect attack. Cooldown is 6 seconds. Upgrades at Lvl. 5 to one of the following:
  • Sludge Bomb – Sludge is thrown at a designated spot, creating an area that does damage over time and lowers the movement speed and special defense of opponents inside the area. 7 second cooldown. At Lvl. 11 the move’s area of effect is increased.
  • Giga Drain – Steals HP from nearby opponents while also reducing damage Venusaur receives for a short time. 8 second cooldown. At Lvl. 11 more HP is stolen on hit.
• Razor Leaf – Multiple sharp leaves are thrown into a designated area, damaging all opponents in the area. Cooldown is 9 seconds. Upgrades at Lvl. 7 to one of the following:
  • Petal Dance – Petals appear around Venusaur, increasing its movement speed and inflicting damage over time to opponents nearby. 11 second cooldown. At Lvl. 13 the area of effect is increased.
  • Solar Beam – Shoots a cone of energy forward. Time between activation and attack is delayed slightly while the move charges. 11 second cooldown. At Lvl. 13 both the move’s charge time and cooldown are reduced.
• Passive Skill: Overgrow – Increases attack damage when HP is low
• Unite Move: Verdant Anger – Powerful seed bomb explodes, sending smaller seed explosions in an area-of-effect move that damages all Pokemon in that area.

Taika Waititi’s animated Flash Gordon project is being reworked into a live-action feature. While promoting Disney’s latest film Jungle Cruise, producer John Davis shared that Waititi has changed his approach to his sci-fi adaptation of the influential comic strip.

“[The 1980 Flash Gordon] is one of [Waititi’s] favorite movies,” Davis told Collider. “He initially said to me, ‘Let’s do it animated.’ I said, ‘Okay.’ Then we got into it and started developing it and he said, ‘No, let’s do it live-action.’ I said, ‘Even better.'”

[ignvideo url=”https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/07/08/russo-bros-pizza-film-school-taika-waititi-on-flash-gordon-teaser”]

Waititi has spoken about his adoration for the 1980 adaptation of Flash Gordon before. While guesting on Joe and Anthony Russo’s Instagram series Pizza Film School, Waititi cited the Sam J. Jones-starring space opera as one of the primary influences for his 2017 Marvel film Thor: Ragnarok.

While Waititi has a busy schedule ahead between the upcoming release of his soccer comedy Next Goal Wins and post-production work on Thor: Love and Thunder, Davis is confident that the director will return to Flash Gordon sooner rather than later, citing how involved Waititi is with the project already.

“[Waititi] is writing it. So when somebody writes a script that they’re going to direct, they’re obviously going to really like the script, right? So you get a big leg up, right?” Davis said. “We’ve been through the development process, not the writing process, but he’s laid out in great detail the characters, the movie, the way in, what it’s about, the tone, all of that stuff… Look, he does a lot of movies, right? Believe it or not, he can do a couple of movies a year.”

[ignvideo url=”https://www.ign.com/videos/2017/10/21/taika-waititi-responds-to-ign-comments”]

Flash Gordon began as a Depression-era comic strip that followed the adventures of polo player Flash Gordon and his struggle against Ming the Merciless, the tyrannical ruler of planet Mongo. While the 1980 adaptation performed poorly at the box office, the film has since found a cult following. A live-action Flash Gordon television series also had a one-season run on Syfy (then known as Sci Fi) from 2007 to 2008.

Hollywood has been attempting to mount a Flash Gordon feature for several years now, with Kingsman director Matthew Vaughn and Overlord director Julius Avery attached at different points. Waititi was tapped to develop an adaptation in 2019.

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J. Kim Murphy is a freelance entertainment writer.

Halo Infinite head of creative Joseph Staten took to social media to warn players that the ongoing Halo Infinite technical test includes a “small number of [Halo Infinite] campaign files” which unfortunately contain spoilers. So beware.

“Leaks like this are painful for the dev team and can ruin the campaign experience for everyone,” Staten writes. “So please, keep your eyes peeled for spoilers and don’t spread them if you see them.”

Leaks like this are painful for the dev team and can ruin the campaign experience for everyone. So please, keep you eyes peeled for spoilers and don’t spread them if you see them.❤️ 2/2

— Joseph Staten (@joestaten) July 30, 2021

Staten, for obvious reasons, didn’t specify what files exactly were included in the tech test. But it’s apparently serious enough for Staten and 343 Industries to put out a public statement. 343 community director Brian Jarrard even followed up by tweeting in all caps, “Twitter mute words are your friend!”

IGN has not come across any of the spoilers but will hope this article serves as a PSA to keep vigilant.

[ignvideo url=”https://www.ign.com/videos/2021/07/28/halo-infinite-tech-preview-multiplayer-academy-weapon-drill-developer-walkthrough”]

343 launched the technical preview yesterday, though rollout happened a bit slower than expected as the developers hunted down some last-minute bugs. But with the technical preview underway now, IGN was able to get some hands-on time with it and is very impressed with what’s available now.

Folks trying to get into the technical test must sign up as a Halo Insider and try and grab one of the limited spots. Not everyone was able to get into the test, but 343 says there will be more, larger tech previews in the coming months.

Halo Infinite doesn’t have a release date just yet, but 343 and Xbox boss Phil Spencer says they’re confident they’ll hit their holiday 2021 release date.

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Matt T.M. Kim is IGN’s News Editor.

While Jean-Claude Van Damme has played the hero in movies like Universal Soldier and Street Fighter, the action star inadvertently became involved in a criminal scenario this week. While in Paris on Tuesday, the actor accidentally assisted in a jewel thief’s escape from law enforcement, as reported by TMZ.

Van Damme attracted a crowd of fans during an optometrist appointment. As people gathered to get a glimpse at the actor, a gray-haired man held up the nearby jeweler Chaumet at knifepoint, stealing precious stones and jewelry from the boutique. The man had burst into the shop on an electric scooter.

The spoils are estimated to have a value between €2 million and €3 million.

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While there were plenty of potential witnesses in the area, law enforcement stated that most of the group’s attention was on Van Damme. The thief was able to make a largely inconspicuous getaway on an electric scooter.

While Van Damme’s presence may have kept witnesses distracted, surveillance cameras did capture the incident. On Wednesday morning, police detained two suspects and recovered a “substantial part” of the haul. According to Euronews, the pair were arrested after traveling by bus to Moselle, a department in the east of France close to the country’s border with Germany.

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In our review of Van Damme’s new movie The Last Mercenary, IGN gave the film a 5, saying the movie has “a fun take on [JCVD’s] past exploits as an action star, but the humor is way more miss than hit.”

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J. Kim Murphy is a freelance entertainment writer.
(Photo by Don Arnold/WireImage)

So far, many Halo fans have been enjoying the Halo Infinite multiplayer technical preview. However, it’s been confirmed that campaign content was mistakenly included in the beta’s files, leading to spoilers making their way online.

343 Industries’ Joseph Staten stated that there were a “small number” of Halo Infinite campaign files unintentionally left in the tech preview build. He confirmed that they do include spoilers.

“Leaks like this are painful for the dev team and can ruin the campaign experience for everyone,” says Staten in a tweet. “So please, keep you eyes peeled for spoilers and don’t spread them if you see them.”

In addition to spoilers, uploading any of the data-mined to places like YouTube could have adverse effects on your channel. Halo community director Brian Jarrard warned that doing so could result in a takedown notice and lead to receiving strikes.

“If you have already posted content, we recommend removing it from your channel proactively,” recommends Jarrard.

If you’re lucky enough to get an invitation to the technical test, you also have to install the beta client. Players in the beta have also already started competing for high scores in the Academy.

Halo Infinite is set to release holiday 2021 for Xbox One, Xbox Series, and PC. The multiplayer will be free-to-play when it launches.

PS5 owners can now choose to upgrade their storage with M.2 solid state drives. You’ll want to be familiar with the SSD requirements and be comfortable with taking apart your PS5 (it’s not simple plug and play). Coincidentally, Newegg is offering a 15% off coupon code that works on several high-speed PCIe Gen4 x4 M.2 solid state drives. These include well known brands like Samsung and Seagate. You’ll need all the discounts you can get, since high-speed M.2 SSDs still cost a pretty penny. These deals and more below.

New PS5 Update Supports M.2 SSDs

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Sony released a new beta update for PS5 owners that allow the installation and use of M.2 solid state drives. Before you get too excited though, be aware that the SSD requirements are very strict; the budget M.2 SSDs like the Samsung 980, WD SN750, or the Crucial P5 might not fly. At the bare minimum, the PS5 requires a PCIe Gen4 x4 M.2 NVMe SSD with a recommended speed of 5,500Mbps or higher. In other words, you’ll be paying a pretty penny if you want maximum speed out of your storage upgrade.

M.2 Solid State Drives (5500Mbps Speeds or Higher)

Seagate 1TB Expansion Card for Xbox Series X|S

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Now that we understand the cost of upgrading the PS5 storage, we can understand why the Xbox 1TB SSD expansion module commands such a high price point. With this coupon code, however, upgrading the Xbox Series X storage might actually be cheaper than upgrading the PS5 storage. The other benefits are guaranteed compatibility and easily plug and play, unlike the PS5 where you have to take apart the console.

Samsung 980 Pro M.2 Solid State Drive

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Samsung is one of the most popular and reliable SSD brands, and the 980 offers 6,900Mbps transfer speeds and a PCIe Gen4 interface at a price that won’t break the bank. Performance-wise it will blow any standard SATA SSD or hard drive out of the water. It’s designed to run optimally even without a heatsink (it’s supposed to withstand torrid PC temps, and the PS5 is essentially a proprietary gaming PC), but it’s also very simple to install one on your own.

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WD Black SN850 M.2 SSD with Heatsink

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The WD Black deserves special mention because it’s the best selling SSD right now for the PS5 and it comes preinstalled with a low profile heatsink. This is a blazing fast drive with transfer speeds rated at up to 7,000 MB/s and a PCIe Gen4 interface.

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Mushkin Enhanced Gamma 1TB M.2 SSD

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Mushkin is another brand that’s been around for a while. Their “Enhanced Gamma” is their top-of-the-line series of M.2 solid state drives with sequential read speeds of up to 7,950Mbps, well over the 5500Mbps recommended threshold for the PS5. It’s also reasonably priced after the coupon code is applied. It does not come with a preinstalled heatsink.

PNY XLR8 2TB M.2 Solid State Drive

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This is a nice deal if you’re really looking to triple the storage space in your PS5 console and you insist on keeping in line with Sony’s recommendation of a 5,500Mbps or faster SSD. This PCIe Gen4 x4 SSD just clears that threshold at 5,600Mbps, and it’s over $50 cheaper than the Samsung 980 Pro model. It does not come with a preinstalled heatsink.

M.2 Solid State Drives (5000Mbps Speeds)

Corsair Force 600 1TB M.2 Solid State Drive

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This is an interesting SSD to consider as well. It’s easily the lowest priced 1TB M.2 SSD we’ve seen that *almost* fulfills all of the PS5 SSD recommended specs. The only caveat is that it boasts 4,950Mbps read speeds, just slightly less than the 5,500Mbps. Sony’s official statement is that 5,500Mbps is recommended, but not required. This is a PCIe Gen4 model and it even includes a heatsink (which is removable if there are installation issues).

Seagate Firecuda 520 M.2 Solid State Drive

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Seagate Firecuda is another well known SSD brand. The 520 series is a PCIe Gen4 SSD that offers 5,000Mbps transfer speeds. You won’t find many PCIe Gen4 SSD in the 1TB size that will currently match this deal in terms of pricing. There’s no built-in heatsink but if you wanted to, it’s not difficult to install your own.

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Mushkin Enhanced Delta 2TB M.2 SSD

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The Mushkin “Enhanced Delta” is a step down from the “Enhanced Gamma” series (speeds of 5,000Mbps vs 7,950Mbps) but in return you get the least expensive 2TB model in this entire lineup. It’s a full $100 cheaper than the Samsung 980 Pro 2TB model. It does not come with a preinstalled heatsink.

T-Force Cardea C440 1TB M.2 Solid State Drive

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This is the least expensive 1TB SSD of the bunch. Despite the low price tag, the T-Force Cardea is still a PCIe Gen4 x4 SSD that offers sequential read speeds of up to 5000Mbps. It does not include a built-in heatsink.

Patriot Viper VP4100 1TB M.2 Solid State Drive

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The Patriot Viper VP4100 is a bit slower than the rest of the SSDs in the lineup with a sequential read speed of up to 4,700Mbps. On the plus side, it is one of the least expensive 1TB SSDs, is still built on the PCIe Gen4 x4 interface, and even includes a built-in heatsink so you don’t have to install your own.

USB 3.2 Portable SSDs & Hard Drives

Samsung T7 500GB USB 3.2 Portable SSD

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If the idea of taking apart your PS5 to install an SSD sounds too daunting for you, there’s always the much easier and more convenient route of plugging in an external storage drive. The Samsung T7 SSD is as fast as it gets in that department. The PS5 has USB ports that support Gen2 speeds (up to 10Gbps) and this SSD supports USB 3.2 Gen2 with transfer speeds up to 1,050MB/s, so it’s practically a match made in heaven. It’s normally $100 for the 500GB model (portable SSD drives are typically pricier than internal ones), but you’re saving 30% off with this deal. Of course it won’t be as fast as an M.2 SSD, but it’s easier, cheaper, and you’ll be able to use it for other things.

Crucial X6 500GB USB 3.2 Portable SSD

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Here’s another portable SSD at an even lower price. Like the Samsung T7 above, the Crucial X6 connects via USB 3.2, however its maximum transfer speed is limited to about 540MB/s.

WD Passport 5TB USB 3.2 Portable Hard Drive

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This portable hard drive adds more storage to your PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X. Portable drives are much smaller than their desktop hard drive siblings and require no additional power other than the obligatory USB port.

More Daily Deals for July 30

Roborock S6 Robot Vacuum and Mop

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Both professional and user reviews say this is a Roomba killer right here. The top-end Roborock S6 normally sells for $600 but it’s 37% off today with a code and a clippable coupon. The Roborock S6 features WiFi with Alex voice control, powerful lidar navigation, multi-floor mapping, power suction, and a built-in water reservoir for mopping too.

New Apple MacBook Air with M1 Chip

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Amazon is offering the lowest price ever on the new MacBook Air with M1 chip. You can save $150 off compared to buying directly from the Apple Store. Reviews show that the new M1 chip is a veritable speed demon; it offers better performance while generating less heat and consuming less power than any of the Intel chips that Apple used in previous models.

The Lord of the Rings Illustrated Edition Hardcover

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This LotR Illustrated Hardcover Edition hasn’t been released yet (it’s out October 19), but it just saw it’s second massive price drop today. Last week this book was discounted for the first time ever from $75 down to $59.99 (20% off). Today, there’s yet another discount for a total of 40% off the original price. If you’ve already preordered this book, don’t fret; Amazon will automatically guarantee you the lowest price. This massive 1,200+ page tome includes illustrations from author JRR Tolkien, for the first time in any edition of the series since 1954.

Apple AirPods Pro Noise-Cancelling Earbuds

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If you regret not picking the Airpods Pro up on Amazon Prime Day at 24% off, here’s your chance to get it today at the same price. The AirPods Pro is considered one of the best noise-cancelling in-ear headphones you can get, especially for under $200, and it’s significantly better than even the vanilla AirPods.

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Eric Song is IGN’s deal curator and spends roughly 1/4 of his income on stuff he posts. Check out the IGN Deals articles and subscribe to the IGN Deals Twitter page.

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A group of creators working on the 14-year-old mod GTA United, built primarily inside Grand Theft Auto San Andreas, have decided to stop development fearing a DMCA takedown from Rockstar Games’ parent company Take-Two Interactive.

The modders said in an update post that the spate of DMCA takedowns the publisher has handed out in recent weeks raised many alarms. As a result, the team has preemptively decided to remove all of GTA United’s uploads, including those for Vice City 2 San Andreas and Liberty City 2 San Andreas, in preparation for some possible legal letter from Take-Two Interactive.

“Due to the increasing DMCA takedowns against various GTA San Andreas map modifications, it is with a heavy heart that we must announce that we decided to preemptively take all remaining instances of GTA United, including its predecessors VC2SA and LC2SA, down,” the modders wrote.

“This means that, while our team haven’t received a takedown notice, we opted ourselves to say goodbye on our own conditions, and that effectively now all our official uploads are taken offline,” the modders said. “We are sorry to all the people that enjoyed playing GTA United, many of which we had positive interactions with, but this is a step we felt was necessary, as Take-Two Interactive and Rockstar Games seem to gradually reject more and more ‘Modding’ of their games, even if it’s the older ones.”

GTA United is a San Andreas-based mod for PC. It, um, unites Grand Theft Auto 3 and Vice City’s maps to effectively replace the one in San Andreas.

This mod has been around for a decade and a half. Work on the project began in 2006, with the first beta launched in 2007 along with the official “Vice City 2 San Andreas” name. “Liberty City 2 San Andreas” came out in the same year. The two combined in late 2007 to form GTA United, which received a 1.2 version in December 2012 and remained available until now.

According to PC Gamer, Take-Two Interactive began issuing DMCA takedowns left and right in recent weeks to a handful of developers working on GTA-related projects. This includes GTA: Underground and the 15-year-old mod GTA: Liberty City, as well as HD texture packs for Vice City.

It’s unclear why Take-Two Interactive is so adamant about pulling mods for Rockstar Games’ older Grand Theft Auto titles. Fans speculate that Rockstar may be working on a series of remakes or remasters, but neither Take-Two nor any Rockstar developer has yet to comment on these rumors.

In other GTA V news, the game’s standalone GTA Online mode has received a new Los Santos Turners update that adds new cars, like a souped-up version of The Comet, and more missions. Grand Theft Auto V also seems poised to leave Xbox Game Pass sometime in the next few weeks.