How to Cancel Moves

This is a guide on canceling moves in Pokemon UNITE for the Nintendo Switch and Mobile. Read on to learn how to cancel moves, and when the best time to cancel moves is.

How to Cancel Moves

How to Cancel Moves on the Nintendo Switch

To cancel a move, simply press the B button before releasing the R button.

How to Cancel Moves on Mobile

To cancel moves on Mobile, all you need to do is to drag your aim at the large X at the top-right area of the screen.

Cannot Cancel After Releasing

When the player releases the attack button, the attack's animation will begin and the move can no longer be canceled. Be sure to hold the button without releasing it to prepare a move, so that you have time to cancel if needed. When a move is successfully canceled, the move's targeting area will turn red as shown above.

Depends on Move Type

Each move has a target type that determines how the move is performed. Moves like Electro Ball require a unit to target, while moves like Submission are instantly activated once players release the button assigned to it. This means that certain moves are harder to pull off than others, prompting players to cancel the harder ones to avoid wasting moves.

Target Types
Type	Examples
Instant Moves that is instantly activated one players releases the button assign to it.	Submission Feint Shell Smash
Vector Moves that shoots a projectile or propells Pokemon in certain direction and angle.	Volt Switch Solar Beam Dig
Point Target Moves that can be targeted at any point on the ground.	Thunderbolt Sludge Bomb Waterburst Shuriken
Unit Target Moves that require a unit to target.	Peck Power Swap Sucker Punch

Moves Can Be Interrupted

Moves that inflict certain status effects, such as Slowbeam that bounds targets in place or Submission that stuns targets, can interrupt specific moves even in the middle of performing them. However, the window for this to occur is small.

When to Cancel Moves

Best Timings to Cancel Moves
When running away from enemies.
When on low HP.
When hiding inside grass.
When using basic attacks instead of moves.
When the unit target is too far.
When the enemy has certain status effects.
When trying to score goals.

When Running Away From Enemies

Players should cancel moves if they are trying to escape enemies. Holding down the move's assigned button can be distracting for players while fleeing, making it easier for the enemy to catch up.

When On Low HP

Players can try to outplay the enemy and turn things around even with low HP. However, it is still best to cancel moves and focus on healing up by picking up Yellow Berries, staying inside allied goals, or going back to base.

List of Berries and Effects

When Hiding Inside Grass

Generally, players who are hiding inside grass do not want to reveal themselves by casting a move, especially when attempting to ambush. Similar to when fleeing, it can be distracting to players when holding down the move's button while hiding.

Grass Guide: How Does Grass Work?

When Using Basic Attacks Instead of Moves

Sometimes players can get excited when they know an enemy is about to die, compelling them to spam moves. In this scenario, it is best to use basic attacks to kill an enemy, assuming they are in attack range, and cancel moves to save them for more important scenarios.

Basic attacks have special effects depending on the Pokemon. Players should understand how such special effects work, and utilize them during battles.
List of Pokemon and Builds

When the Unit Target is Too Far

Players should cancel moves if the target is out of the move's range, whether the target is an ally or an enemy. They should try to catch up first until the target is within the range so the move won't get wasted. This is most relevant to unit target moves. However, moves that are labeled Dash are an exception because they can be used to close the gap between the Pokemon and the target.

When the Enemy Has Certain Status Effects

There are status effects like Unstoppable and Invulnerable that make certain moves useless against the Pokemon with these status effects. It is best to cancel moves when the enemy Pokemon has these status effects. Players should wait until these status effects are gone before casting moves.

Knowing all the status effects and how they work is crucial in playing Pokemon UNITE.
List of Status Effects: Buffs and Debuffs

When Trying to Score Goals

It is hard to score goals while players are holding down a move's button. It is best to cancel moves first before scoring goals.
Scoring Guide: When to Score Goals

How to Practice Canceling Moves

Complete the Tutorial (Advance 1)

It is hard to cancel moves in Pokemon UNITE. Players need good finger coordination, and a lot of time to master it. There is a tutorial named Tutorial (Advance 1) available that players can complete helping them understand how the cancel move game mechanic works. Players can always repeat the tutorial even after it is completed.

Playing Tutorials Using Mobile

How to Play Tutorials
1	In the main menu screen, head to the Trainer Menu, then select Practice.
2	Select Tutorials
3	Select Tutorial (Advance 1).
4	When prompted, select OK to begin tutorial.

Playing Tutorials Using a Nintendo Switch

How to Play Tutorials
1	Enlarge In the main menu screen, press the X button to open a menu, then select Practice.
2	Enlarge Select Tutorials
3	Enlarge Select Tutorial (Advance 1).
4	Enlarge When prompted, select Yes to begin tutorial.

Practice At the Practice Area

Players can practice cancelling moves in the Practice Area using various Pokemon and their moves. This is a great way to master canceling a variety of different moves.

How to Use the Training Mode (Practice Area)

Pokemon UNITE Related Guides

List of Game Mechanics

Game Modes and Rules

Game Modes and Rules
Game Modes Explanation	Match Types Explanation
Unite Battle Guide	Ranked Match Guide
Quick Battle Guide	How to Use Training Mode
Fair Play Points Guide	Can Players Use the Same Pokemon?
Tournament Mode Guide	Custom Battle Guide
Draft Pick Guide	Full-Fury Battles Guide

Gameplay Manual Guides

Gameplay Manual Guides
List of Status Effects	Stats Explanation
How to Upgrade Items	Unite Moves Guide
List of Berries and Effects	How To Surrender
Recall Guide and Best Timing	Super Jump Guide
Vision Guide: How Does Vision Work?	Evolution: How to Evolve and Timing
Character Creation Guide	Free Rotation Guide
Microtransactions Guide	Attack Vs. Special Attack
Badge Guide and Explanation	How to Check Team Score
How to Check Leaderboard	Tutorial Missions: Access and Rewards
How to Increase Movement Speed	Critical Hit Guide
How to Use Quick Chat and Pings	How to Use the Camera
How to Cancel Moves	Invincibility Guide
Move Types and When to Use	Grass Guide: How Does Grass Work?
Boosted Attacks Guide	How to Recover HP
How to Check Player Levels and Kills	List of Hidden Mechanics
How to Chat with Friends	Pokemon Points and Battle Ribbons
Season Points and Rewards	Prize Machine

Game Setup Guides

Game Setup Guides
List of Controls	List of Settings
How to Change Your Name	How to Change Your Gender
How to Play Online Multiplayer	How to Add Friends
Language Settings	How to Use Voice Chat and Best Apps
Do You Need Nintendo Online?	Server Reset Time
How to Create a New Account	Can You Delete an Account?
Player Count and Limit	Can You Play Offline?
How to Reduce Lag	What Happens When You Go AFK
How to Play with Bots	How to Check Match History
Battle Screen and Menus Explanation	Spectator Mode
How to Update the Trainer Card	Squads Guide
Friendship Points Guide	-