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Master Moltres in Pokemon UNITE with this best builds guide! Learn the best Held & Battle items, gameplay tips, nerfs, buffs, counters and key matchups for Moltres!
| Moltres Pages | |
|---|---|
Release Date |
Best Builds & Guide |
List of Contents
| Moltres | ||
|---|---|---|
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Role: All-Rounder Attack Type: Melee Damage Type: Special Difficulty: Intermediate |
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| "Soar the sky and scorch the battlefield with this fiery Kantonian legendary bird!" | ||
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Tips & Strategies for Every Lane
| Strengths | Weaknesses |
|---|---|
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✔︎ Strong area moves ✔︎ Can quickly dive targets |
✖︎ Susceptible to disables ✖︎ High skill ceiling |
| Moltres Builds | |
|---|---|
| - | |
Damage Build
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Moveset | Held Items | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Battle Item | |||||
| Stats from Items (Lv. 40) | Recommended Lane | ||||
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Sp. Atk: +107 HP: +245 Cooldown: -3.50% |
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| Emblem Color Combination | Target Emblem Stats | ||||
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Positive Stats: • Sp. Atk Free Negative Stats: • Attack • Critical-Hit Rate |
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| Note: The emblem color and stats here are suggestions only. The builds are still viable even without the suggested emblems. |
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This build focuses on maxing out Moltres' damage output, particularly its move damage.
| Balanced Build | Moveset | Held Items | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Battle Item | |||||
| Stats from Items (Lv. 40) | Recommended Lane | ||||
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Sp. Atk: +63 Defense: +35 Sp. Def: +35 HP: +245 Cooldown: -3.50% |
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| Emblem Color Combination | Target Emblem Stats | ||||
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Positive Stats: • HP • Sp. Atk Free Negative Stats: • Attack • Critical-Hit Rate |
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| Note: The emblem color and stats here are suggestions only. The builds are still viable even without the suggested emblems. |
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This is a typical All-Rounder build focusing on balanced offense and durability.
| Item | Explanation |
|---|---|
Sp. Atk. Specs
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Sp. Atk. Specs gives Moltres a nice flat amount of Sp. Atk., improving its overall damage. |
Focus Band
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Focus Band improves Moltres' durability and survivability via increased Defense and Sp. Def., and a passive healing effect. |
Wise Glasses
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Wise Glasses gives Moltres a large Sp. Atk. boost thanks to its percentage-based bonus. |
Rapid-Fire Scarf
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Rapid-Fire Scarf works particularly well with Moltres' attacks, allowing the Pokemon to build up burn counters faster and trigger boosted attacks more frequently. |
Slick Spoon
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Slick Spoon provides Moltres with HP, more Sp. Atk., and the ability to ignore a portion of its target's Sp.Def., leading to more damage. |
Resonant Guard
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Resonant Guard gives Moltres HP, HP recovery, and the ability to generate a shield for its self and its allies, which works great for the Pokemon's gameplay. |
Drive Lens
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Drive Lens further improves Moltres' Sp. Atk. whenever it knocks out opponents or gets an assist. It also provides a bit of cooldown reduction. |
Held Item Tier List: Best Items to Equip
| Item | Explanation |
|---|---|
Eject Button
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Eject Button gives Moltres a reliable repositioning tool that's useful for any situation. |
X Speed
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X Speed allows Moltres to stay on top of its targets and attack. |
Battle Item Tier List: Best Items to Use
When Moltres' boosted attack hits opponents, the Pokemon can use one move instantly, and the Unite Move gauge charges slightly. This greatly improves Moltres' impact during fights as it can potentially quickly take out low-durability targets in one combo.
Play around this effect by always making sure that Moltres will have a boosted attack before or after initiating fights to maximize its impact.
Moltres' ability, Flame Body, leaves targets burned and increases their burn counter. The burn counter mechanic is primarily used by Incinerate and Heat Wave, increasing the moves' damage based on the counter.
With this in mind, always look at the target's burn counter before using Incinerate or Heat Wave. Ideally, you'd want to wait until the counter is full before consuming it to maximize Incinerate or Heat Wave's damage.
| Moves Featured | ||
|---|---|---|
Incinerate
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Heat Wave
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Flame Body
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Apart from dealing damage, Sky Attack increases Moltres' Defense and Sp. Def. for a short time when the move hits opponents. The more opponents Sky Attack hits, the more Defense and Sp. Def. Moltres gains, making Moltres more durable against enemy damage.
Since Sky Attack is Moltres' primary initiation move, you'll ideally want to hit as many opponents as possible to maximize the effect.
Sky Attack: Moltres Move Effect and Cooldown
Since FIrebird Inferno instantly fills up the burn counters of all the opponents the move hits, it's best to start fights with the move. Doing so allows Moltres to easily trigger Heat Wave's bonus damage.
Firebird Inferno: Moltres Move Effect and Cooldown
| Move Reset Combo | |
|---|---|
| Dive towards your target using Sky Attack then immediately follow up with Heat Wave. Afterwards, hit the target with a basic attack four (4) times to trigger the boosted attack cooldown reset effect then use either Sky Attack or Heat Wave to end the combo. | |
| Firebird Finale Combo | |
|---|---|
| Initiate with Firebird Inferno to fill the opponents' burn counters to max. Afterwards, dive in with Sky Attack then immediately follow up with Heat Wave to consume the burn counters and deal bonus damage. | |
| Matchup Notes | ||
|---|---|---|
| 1. The chart is based on our own experience playing Moltres. 2. Pokemon within each tier are unordered 3. Any Pokemon not shown here are still under investigation. |
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Since Moltres is a melee Pokemon that relies on diving targets and performing its combos, Pokemon that have a lot of disabling moves can punish Moltres for getting close.
| Pokemon | Explanation |
|---|---|
Slowbro
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Rating: ★★★★★ • Can instantly disable Moltres when it get close using Telekinesis, Surf, and Slowbeam. |
Buzzwole
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Rating: ★★★★★ • Can punish Moltres when it gets close using Smack Down and Superpower or Leech Life. |
Mr. Mime
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Rating: ★★★ • Can slow and weaken Moltres when it gets close using Power Swap and stun it with Confusion or Psychic. |
Utilizing all of Moltres' move mechanics and effects will allow it to get the upper hand against these Pokemon.
| Ranged, Fragile Pokemon with High Damage |
|---|
| How to Beat |
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• These Pokemon prefer to keep their distance from opponents when fighting. They also have high damage potential that can be dangerous for Moltres. • Get close to them using Sky Attack then follow up with Heat Wave and basic attacks to take them out. • Alternatively, use Firebird Inferno to initiate and remove a huge chunk of their HP before diving it with Sky Attack. |
| All-Rounders |
|---|
| How to Beat |
|
• Much like Moltres, these Pokemon excel in close combat and rely mostly on their attacks or combos to deal damage. They are also durable enough to tank Moltres's damage. • Use Sky Attack's increased Defense and Sp. Def. to tank their damage and trade blows effectively. • Make sure to trigger the cooldown reset from boosted attacks to allow Moltres to instantly use another move. • Fill up their burn counter before using Heat Wave for maximum damage. • Alternatively, use Firebird Inferno to initiate then take them out as quickly as possible with moves and basic attacks. |
| Supporters |
|---|
| How to Beat |
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• These Pokemon are incredibly agile and deal high burst damage. However, they become vulnerable when they miss their burst damage attempt. • Dodge their attacks then retaliate with your moves and basic attacks. • Alternatively, you can just strike first with Sky Attack and take them out quickly. |
| Highly Durable Pokemon |
|---|
| How to Beat |
|
• These Pokemon are extremely durable, making it hard for Moltres to take them out alone. With that, it's best to group up with allies to bring them down with the help of Moltres. • Use Sky Attack to stay on top of them and keep attacking. |
These Pokemon will fall easily to Moltres' combos.
| Ranged, Fragile Pokemon with High Damage |
|---|
| How to Beat |
|
• These Pokemon prefer to keep their distance from opponents when fighting. They also have high damage potential that can be dangerous for Moltres. • Get close to them using Sky Attack then follow up with Heat Wave and basic attacks to take them out. • Alternatively, use Firebird Inferno to initiate and remove a huge chunk of their HP before diving it with Sky Attack. |
| Supporters |
|---|
| How to Beat |
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• These Pokemon usually stick with their allies and rarely venture alone. Although they themselves pose no threat to Moltres, their support capabilities makes them valuable during fights. • Get ciose with Sky Attack then follow up with Heat Wave and basic attacks to take them out quickly. • Alternatively, use Firebird Inferno to initiate and remove a huge chunk of their HP before diving it with Sky Attack. |
| Pokemon | Explanation |
|---|---|
Blissey
Comfey
Clefable
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Supporters |
| Supporters who can constantly heal and assist Moltres as it dives towards targets can prolong the Pokemon's life and ensure its safety during fights. | |
Pikachu
Zapdos
Cinderace
|
Attackers |
| Attackers that can provide firepower from a distance while Moltres fights in the frontlines have great synergy with each other. |
Looking for teammates to synergize with you? Head over to our Friend Request Board to find other trainers to join you in your grind or just to hang out with!
Wing Attack
(Lv. 1 or 3) |
Move Type: Dash Damage Type: Physical Cooldown: 8s Starting Damage: 520 Final Damage: 623 |
|---|---|
| Has the user spread its wings and charge in the designated direction, dealing damage to opposing Pokemon. | |
Sky Attack
(Lv. 5) Upgrade Lv. 11 |
Move Type: Dash, Buff Damage Type: Physical Cooldown: 8s Starting Damage: 1476 Final Damage: 2461 |
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Has the user spread its wings wide and attack with a powered-up dash in the designated direction, dealing damage to opposing Pokémon. When this move hits Pokémon from the opposing team, then for a short time, the more Pokémon from the opposing team the move hits, the more the user's Defense and Sp. Def are increased.
Upgrade: Grants the user a shield effect when this move hits Pokemon from the opposing team. |
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Incinerate
(Lv. 1 or 3) |
Move Type: Area Damage Type: Physical Cooldown: 8s Starting Damage: 560 Damage with Max Burn Counter: 865 Final Damage: 614 Damage with Max Burn Counter: 921 |
|---|---|
| Has the user hurl a fiery orb in the designated direction, dealing damage to opposing Pokémon. The higher the burn counter of the opposing Pokémon it hits, the more damage it deals. When this move hits an opposing Pokémon, that Pokémon's burn counter resets. | |
Heat Wave
(Lv. 7) Upgrade Lv. 13 |
Move Type: Area Damage Type: Physical Cooldown: 8s Starting Damage: 1027 Damage with Max Burn Counter: 1540 Final Damage: 1901 Damage with Max Burn Counter: 2851 |
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Has the user exhale hot breath in the designated direction, dealing damage to opposing Pokémon and gradually restoring the user's HP for a short time. The higher the burn counter of the opposing Pokémon it hits, the more damage it deals. When this move hits an opposing Pokémon, that Pokémon's burn counter resets.
Upgrade: Reduces this move's cooldown when it deals damage to Pokemon from the opposing team. |
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Firebird Inferno
(Lv. 9) |
Move Type: Area Damage Type: Physical Cooldown: 112s Starting Damage: 2985 Final Damage: 4264 |
|---|---|
| Has the user soar upward and unleash a blazing orb of fire toward the designated area, dealing damage to opposing Pokémon and maximizing their burn counter. After this move is used, the area around the opponents’ scorable goal zones will become visible to the user. | |
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Becomes a boosted attack every 4 attacks, dealing increased damage when it hits. When boosted attack hits opposing Pokemon, the user can use one move instantly, and the Unite Move gauge charges slightly. |
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Flame Body
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When a basic attack or move deals damage to opposing Pokemon, it leaves them burned and increases their burn counter. |
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MoltresThis Pokemon does not evolve. |
| Level | HP | Defense | Special Defense | Attack Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 3400 | 80 | 70 | 100 |
| 2 | 3557 | 95 | 85 | 115 |
| 3 | 3729 | 112 | 101 | 132 |
| 4 | 3918 | 131 | 119 | 151 |
| 5 | 4126 | 151 | 138 | 171 |
| 6 | 4355 | 173 | 159 | 193 |
| 7 | 4607 | 198 | 182 | 218 |
| 8 | 4885 | 225 | 208 | 245 |
| 9 | 5191 | 255 | 237 | 275 |
| 10 | 5528 | 288 | 268 | 308 |
| 11 | 5900 | 324 | 303 | 344 |
| 12 | 6309 | 364 | 341 | 384 |
| 13 | 6759 | 408 | 383 | 428 |
| 14 | 7255 | 457 | 429 | 477 |
| 15 | 7800 | 510 | 480 | 530 |
Attack Damage is the damage of the Basic Attack as tested against the Training Dummy.
| Offense | Endurance | Mobility | Scoring | Support |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| This Pokemon has no available Holowear. |
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Articuno(TBA) |
Meganium(TBA) |
Typhlosion(TBA) |
Feraligatr(TBA) |
| Mega Evolved Pokemon | ||
|---|---|---|
Mega Charizard X |
Mega Charizard Y |
Mega Gyarados |
Mega Lucario |
Mega Mewtwo X |
Mega Mewtwo Y |
| All Pokemon Roles | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Attackers |
All-Rounders |
Defenders |
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Speedsters |
Supporters |
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| Attack Type | |
|---|---|
Melee Pokemon |
Ranged Pokemon |
Physical Pokemon |
Special Pokemon |
| Stat Rankings | |
HP Ranking |
Defense Ranking |
Sp. Def. Ranking |
Basic Attack Ranking |
Moltres Best Builds & Guide



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