Pokémon Unite
POKÉMON-THEMED 5v5 MOBA (2021) by TIMI STUDIO GROUP (TENCENT) + THE POKÉMON COMPANY — the first official Pokémon MOBA. 5v5 teams of Pokémon battle across the AEOS ISLAND ARENA (asymmetric 3-lane map). Signature: SCORE GOALS by DUNKING AEOS ENERGY into opposing goals (unlike standard MOBAs killing enemy base). Short 10-min matches. Free-to-play on Nintendo Switch + mobile. Governed by POKÉMON COMPANY INTERNATIONAL; WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS since 2022. Casual-friendly MOBA introducing new audiences to genre.
Quick facts
Category
Esports
Type
Team sport
Players
10–10
Duration
~10 min
Where played
indoor
Country of origin
🇨🇳 China
Estimated origin
Announced 2020; Switch release July 2021; mobile launch Sept 2021; World Championships debut 2022
Olympic
No
Popularity
regional
How it works
Objective
Score more Aeos Energy in opposing goals than opponent team by end of timer.
Rules
Basic rules
5v5 asymmetric 3-lane map — top, middle, jungle-focused bottom
Signature Aeos Island map.
POKÉMON evolve mid-match by leveling up (level 5 → 7 → 9 typical thresholds)
Signature evolution mechanic.
SCORE by DUNKING AEOS ENERGY collected from wild Pokémon into opponent's goals (5 goals total, each side)
Signature goal-dunking scoring.
GOALS destroyed after enough scoring (open path to higher-value zones)
Signature goal progression.
ZAPDOS: final 2 minutes, catch central boss for ×2 scoring on all remaining goals — comeback mechanic
Signature Zapdos comeback.
10-MIN MATCH TIMER: total goal points determines winner
Signature 10-min matches.
Scoring
Team with more total goal points at end wins.
Win condition · More Aeos Energy scored than opponent.
Equipment
Nintendo Switch OR mobile (iOS/Android)
Free-to-play platforms
Controller (Switch) or touch controls (mobile)
Cross-platform inputs
Terminology
- Aeos Energy
- Currency collected by defeating wild Pokémon; scored into goals.
- Aeos Island
- Map name — three-lane asymmetric arena.
- Zapdos
- Central boss appearing in final 2 minutes — captures grant ×2 goal points.
- Unite Move
- Ultimate ability — each Pokémon has a signature Unite Move.
- Held Items
- 3 equippable items per Pokémon providing passive stat bonuses.
- TiMi Studio Group
- Chinese Tencent studio — also made Call of Duty Mobile + Honor of Kings.
Major competitions
Pokémon Unite World Championships
annual · Global · since 2022
Pokémon Unite Championship Series (PUCS)
annual season · Regional then global finals · since 2022
Where it is played
Governing bodies
The Pokémon Company International
Founded 1998 · Bellevue, WA + Tokyo
Famous names & records
Famous athletes
- Various Pokémon Unite Championship Series (PUCS) champions
- Team Falcons (2023 World Champions)
- Kanga Esports (top Japanese team)
Sources & provenance
- Pokémon Unite official— The Pokémon Company
- Wikipedia — Pokémon Unite— Wikipedia