Terms & Terminology Guide - Glossary & Meaning | Pokemon UNITE

Check out a terminology guide for Pokemon Unite (Pokemon MOBA). Learn what the different terms used in the battle are, the specific meaning of these terms, a glossary, and more.

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Terms & Terminology In MOBAs

Simplified Terms To Describe A Concept

In order to communicate strategies and actions taken faster to your teammates, people often use abbreviations or other specialized terminology when speaking to each other. This is common in many game genres, but especially in MOBAs like Pokemon Unite.

Used In Chats & Voice Calls

You'll most likely hear these terms used when playing with others via voice communication software, such as Discord. Since Pokemon Unite doesn't have in-game chat, you won't see much of it in-game. However, it's still good to be aware of what all relevant terms mean.

Terminology Used In Pokemon Unite

Lane

This refers to the structure of the map. Typically players will stick to one lane for at least the opening stages of a battle. This consists of three lanes: Top, Bottom, & Center (also known as Middle).

Top, Bot, & Center

Top, Bottom, and Center, are the locations of the lanes. Since Pokemon Unite only has 2 lanes with goals to defend, the center area acts like the "jungle" area where players farm for exp and roam to other lanes.

Lane Guides
Top	Middle	Bottom

Buff

Temporary stat increase or bonuses such as shields granted by moves or by satisfying certain conditions. Supporters usually have moves that grant allies with additional stats for a short duration. Can give the recipient much that edge to win during a clash or team fight.

Jungle

There's also a "jungle" area in Pokemon Unite. This is the central part of the map where you defeat wild Pokemon to gain additional buff and EXP. This is not an official term and is carried over from other MOBA games. Players assigned to the middle lane are sometimes called "Junglers". The jungle does not have a goal in which you can score points.

Farm Or Farming

Farm or farming is the act of defeating wild Pokemon to obtain EXP (and perhaps additional buffs). You concentrate only on getting these EXP for leveling up, hence the term "farming".

Sp. Attack & Physical Attack

Pokemon Unite also has 2 types of damage, Attack and Special Attack. Pokemon can deal higher damage when equipped with Held Items that have effects which match their respective attack type.

Basic Attack / Normal

Basic Attack (or sometimes simply "normal") is a term used for the standard non-special move attack of a Pokemon. In the Switch version, this is typically the A button. You can change the priority of your normal attacks by tweaking the Settings menu.

Return To Base & Recall

There is also a feature in Pokemon Unite that lets a player teleport back to their base. Although returning back to base will take a short while, but once you have returned, your HP will be quickly restored. This is sometimes referred to as "recalling".

Ping

In Pokemon Unite, you can inform your teammates by using Quick Chat (with three options: Retreat, Keep the pressure, and Gather). You can also inform your teammates on which lane you're heading to, or if you need help.

Cooldown (CD)

When you used a Move against an opposing Pokemon, it will go on cooldown. You will not be able to use the move again until this cooldown ends. Some Held Items and moves can shorten cooldown times.

Steal/Last Hit

This is the act of defeating an opposing Pokemon or Wild Pokemon by dealing the damaging blow that defeats the opposing Pokemon. The team that gets the last hit gets the experience and the player who landed the last hit gets more experience.

First Goal

This is a term used for a Pokemon that manages to score a goal first.

Bush/Grass

This is an area where Pokemon can hide. When inside, you are not be visible to enemy Pokemon outside the grass (though there are some conditions). This is useful for attempting to ambush/gank enemy Pokemon.

Assist

You can get assists when you help your teammate to defeat a wild Pokemon or opposing Pokemon. Take note that even you deal higher damage, it is the last hit which will determine whether you get a Knock Out or an Assist.

Roam

Roam refers to a Pokemon walking around the map by switching lanes to provide support to its teammates. This is in contrast to standing firm and holding one lane for an extended period of time.

Ult / Unite Moves

This is the final move that deals the largest amount of damage and usually takes a longer time to become usable again. This is sometimes referred to as an "ult", or "ultimate" move.

Gank Or Ambush

This is a type of strategy to a team when they will initiate a suprise attack to the opposing team.

Area Of Effect (AoE)

Area of Effect (AoE) refers to abilities that have a wider effect and target multiple opponents with one strike.

Crowd Control (CC)

This is also known as a Hindrance in-game, and typically slows down, stuns, and impedes opposing Pokemon who get hit.

Glass Cannon

Pokemon that have high damage but low HP or Defense. As the name implies, these Pokemon can burst down any target but are incredibly fragile. In Pokemon Unite, glass cannons are either Attackers or Speeders.

Tank

Tanks are Pokemon that have high HP with exceptional Defense. These Pokemon also have skills that support or impede enemy Pokemon with crowd control moves. In Pokemon Unite, Defenders assume the role of tanks.

Tanking

Tanking means to get the aggro of the enemy, taking their damage so that teammates can safely move or attack. Teams often use this term when attacking bosses such as Drednaw, Rotom, and Zapdos.

Pokemon Unite Related Articles

Pokemon Related Guides

Items Guides

Beginner's Guides & Tips

Battle & Map Guides

Lane Guides

Top

Middle

Bottom

Currencies & Micro Transactions Guides