Pokémon UNITE applied the Drive to Victory patch at 04:00 UTC on 3 September. The update prepares an event for Morpeko, starts a battle-pass season with Theater Style: Umbreon and changes many moves. These balance changes are active in the current game version.
Table of Contents
Crustle and Articuno receive stronger control effects
Crustle’s Rock Tomb now slows opponents for three seconds instead of two, and Rubble Rouser needs less energy. The longer slow gives teammates more time to attack, but the wall still needs careful placement. A poorly placed Rock Tomb can separate a teammate from the target or block an escape route. Articuno also applies a stronger slow with Ice Beam and creates more durable ice above goal zones. These changes improve defensive control, but the player must still arrive before the fight and place each effect where opponents cannot avoid it easily.
Several attackers gain stronger basic attacks and shorter cooldowns
Boosted attacks by Buzzwole now deal more damage, and Superpower has a shorter cooldown. Basic attacks by Mewtwo Y also deal more damage, including during Mega Evolution. Dodrio can use Jump Kick more often, while Drill Peck is more effective. Alolan Ninetales gains additional damage on its boosted attack and Avalanche. These changes make the usual sequence of moves more reliable. Players should test their current held items first because a shorter cooldown can change ability timing without requiring a completely new build.
| Pokémon | Main change |
|---|---|
| Crustle | Rock Tomb slows enemies for longer and the Unite Move needs less energy |
| Buzzwole | Boosted attacks deal more damage and Superpower returns sooner |
| Reshiram | Blue Flare and the Unite Move deal less damage |
| Yveltal | Dark Aura bonuses and Oblivion Wing damage are reduced |
Reshiram and Yveltal deal less damage in extended fights
Blue Flare and the Unite Move used by Reshiram now deal less damage. The third activation also provides smaller bonuses for a shorter period, and boosted attacks reduce the Unite Move cooldown by a lower percentage. Yveltal receives less damage from each Destruction Counter bonus and deals less damage with Oblivion Wing. Both Pokémon can still influence a team fight, but they must select targets more carefully. Opponents now have a better chance to survive the first group of attacks and respond before another major ability becomes available.
Longer cooldowns create openings against Feraligatr and Duraludon
Feraligatr’s Waterfall has a longer cooldown and provides a smaller shield, while both versions of Crunch deal less damage. Duraludon must wait longer before using Flash Cannon again, and its Unite Move needs more energy. Opponents therefore have more time to attack after these abilities are used. Feraligatr cannot rely on the same protection during every advance, and Duraludon must choose its long-range position more carefully. Teams facing them should watch for the first use of the important move and respond while it remains unavailable.
The update fixes scoring errors and ability upgrade errors
Zoroark can no longer score during a specific Night Slash jump. The update also removes an error that allowed two immediate scores in a destroyed goal zone after a Zapdos effect. Sirfetch’d should now receive the correct move upgrades, Glaceon damage against hidden targets is calculated correctly, and the gauges for Dhelmise and Inteleon display the intended information. These fixes make the interface agree with the match rules. Scoring should follow the normal sequence, and an upgraded move should no longer remain at its earlier level because of a rare game state.
Morpeko and the new battle pass use separate reward systems
A new event gives players a way to obtain the Unite licence for Morpeko. Theater Style: Umbreon belongs to the new battle-pass season and changes only the character’s appearance. These rewards use separate tasks and should be checked separately before currency is spent. Players can read each list of requirements and note the end time shown for their region. Completing the Morpeko event does not automatically unlock the Umbreon costume, and progress in the battle pass does not replace the requirements for the playable Pokémon licence.
