How to unlock Pokémon in Pokémon UNITE, all Unite License costs

Pokémon UNITE launched with a relatively small roster of playable Pokémon, but TiMi Studio and The Pokémon Company have already confirmed that the game will get multiple new Pokémon in the near future. 

Players get to pick one of several Pokémon to unlock after finishing the tutorial. TiMi has also made a handful of Pokémon obtainable through various events and challenges, and getting them is as simple as completing goals or just participating. You can’t unlock all Pokémon just by playing, though.

Some Pokémon are only available by purchasing a Unite License, an item that lets you bring the creatures into any mode and at any time. Licenses cost Aeos Coins or Aeos Gems, so players have to spend their basic or premium currency to get them. The standard mode also offers a rotation of Pokémon available to test for free without the need to unlock them.

Here’s every method to unlock Pokémon in UNITE.

Free to obtain Pokémon 

Starter choice

Once you boot up UNITE, the game throws you into a tutorial that will teach you the basics. You’ll get to pick a Pokémon to unlock instantly as soon as you finish the introduction. It will act as your “starter” for this game, which means it is the first Pokémon you can use in online matchmaking. The decision doesn’t impact any other aspects of the game, but you will need to obtain the other four options later. 

Here are the five Pokémon you can choose from after the tutorial. 

• Pikachu
• Charizard
• Snorlax
• Talonflame
• Eldegoss

Challenge and event rewards

After unlocking their starter, players will be able to get a few other Pokémon simply by playing the game, completing challenges, and logging in every day. 

Some of these Pokémon will only be available as a prize for a limited time, so you should pay extra attention to their availability and make sure to get the Pokémon if you don’t want to purchase their Unlock License later. If you purchase a Pokémon’s Unite License and later receive it as a reward, you will still get something from the duplicate. Typically, the game will give you the Pokémon’s cost in Aeos Coins as a reimbursement.

Related: All trainer level requirements and rewards in Pokémon UNITE

Here are all of the Pokémon you can currently unlock for free by playing the game. 

• Zeraora
  • Free bonus for players who download UNITE prior to Aug. 31
• Slowbro
• Venusaur
• Alolan Ninetails
  • Day two bonus for the “14 Day Welcome Gifts” event
• Cinderace
  • Day eight bonus for the “14 Day Welcome Gifts” event
• Greninja
  • Day 14 bonus for the “14 Day Welcome Gifts” event
• Crustle
  • Complete all seven steps of the Beginner Challenge

Unite License prices

If you want to play a Pokémon that isn’t available for free via the starter selection, challenges, or events, you will need to purchase their Unite License from the Unite Battle Commission shop. The game gives you the option of paying in the basic Aeos Coin currency or using premium Aeos Gems. Purchasing a Pokémon’s Unite License unlocks it for good, which means you don’t need to spend your Gems or coins again.

Here are all of the costs in both coins and gems for every Pokémon in the game. 

• 6,000 Aeos Coins or 345 Aeos Gems
  • Charizard
  • Eldegoss
  • Pikachu
  • Slowbro
  • Snorlax
  • Talonflame
• 8,000 Aeos Coins or 460 Aeos Gems
  • Alolan Ninetails
  • Cinderace
  • Cramorant
  • Crustle
  • Machamp
  • Mr. Mime
  • Venusaur
  • Wigglytuff
• 10,000 Aeos Coins or 575 Aeos Gems
  • Absol
  • Garchomp
  • Genfar
  • Greninja