Tank Build
Damage Build
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Pokemon UNITE
Articuno Best Builds & Guide
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Master Articuno in Pokemon UNITE with this best builds guide! Learn the best Held & Battle items, gameplay tips, nerfs, buffs, counters and key matchups for Articuno!
| Articuno Pages | |
|---|---|
 Articuno Release Date |
 Articuno Builds |
List of Contents
Articuno Basic Info
| Articuno | ||
|---|---|---|
 |
Tier Rating:
Role: Defender Attack Type: Ranged Damage Type: Special Difficulty: Novice |
|
| "Make opponents shiver in fear with this frosty Kantonian legendary bird!" | ||
Articuno Best Lanes
 Top |
 Jungle |
 Bottom |
|---|---|---|
|
|
|
Tips & Strategies for Every Lane
Strengths and Weaknesses
| Strengths | Weaknesses |
|---|---|
|
✔︎ High durability ✔︎ Strong crowd control ✔︎ Can protect allied goals ✔︎ Attacks apply a slow |
✖︎ Low movement speed ✖︎ Low damage |
Best Builds for Articuno
| Articuno Builds | |
|---|---|
| - | |
Tank Build
Tank Build
|
Moveset | Held Items | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Battle Item | |||||
| Stats from Items (Lv. 40) | Recommended Lane | ||||
|
Sp. Atk: +35 Defense: +35 Sp. Def: +35 HP: +770 |
 Top Lane Bot Lane |
||||
| Emblem Color Combination | Target Emblem Stats | ||||
 Green x6 White x6 |
Positive Stats: • HP Free Negative Stats: • Attack • Critical-Hit Rate |
||||
| Note: The emblem color and stats here are suggestions only. The builds are still viable even without the suggested emblems. |
|||||
Tank Build Explanation
This is a traditional Defender build focusing on maxing out Articuno's durability, allowing it to soak a lot of enemy damage during fights.
- Slick Spoon provides Articuno with HP, more Sp. Atk., and the ability to ignore a portion of its target's Sp.Def., leading to more damage.
- Focus Band improves Articuno's durability via increased defenses and survivability via passive healing.
- Vanguard Bell gives Articuno more HP, and the ability to recover HP whenever it inflicts a powerful hindrance on enemies, which is part of the Pokemon's core gameplay.
- Aeos Cookie can be a replacement for any item if you prefer just more flat HP stat.
- Eject Button gives Articuno a repositioning tool for offensive and defensive ends.
- X Speed can also work for the build to improve Articuno' mobility via movement speed.
- The build's Boost Emblem loadout should consist of 6 Green Emblems for more damage and 6 White Emblems for HP. This can be achieved by having at least two (2) Emblems that are both Green and White.
- Equip Emblems that improve HP to further boost Articuno' durability.
- Attack and Critical-Hit Rate can be freely traded for the other stats.
Damage Build
| Damage Build | Moveset | Held Items | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Battle Item | |||||
| Stats from Items (Lv. 40) | Recommended Lane | ||||
|
Sp. Atk: +107 HP: +245 Cooldown: -3.50% |
Top Lane Bot Lane |
||||
| Emblem Color Combination | Target Emblem Stats | ||||
|
Green x6 White x6 |
Positive Stats: • Sp. Atk Free Negative Stats: • Attack • Critical-Hit Rate |
||||
| Note: The emblem color and stats here are suggestions only. The builds are still viable even without the suggested emblems. |
|||||
Damage Build Explanation
This build focuses more on maximizing Articuno's damage output.
- Wise Glasses gives Articuno a large Sp. Atk. boost thanks to its percentage-based bonus.
- Slick Spoon provides Articuno with HP, more Sp. Atk., and the ability to ignore a portion of its target's Sp.Def., leading to more damage.
- Drive Lens further improves Articuno's Sp. Atk. whenever it knocks out opponents or gets an assist. It also provides a bit of cooldown reduction.
- Sp. Atk. Specs can be a replacement for any of the items should you want more flat Sp. Atk.
- Eject Button gives Articuno a repositioning tool for offensive and defensive ends.
- X Speed can also work for the build to improve Articuno' mobility via movement speed.
- The build's Boost Emblem loadout should consist of 6 Green Emblems for more damage and 6 White Emblems for HP. This can be achieved by having at least two (2) Emblems that are both Green and White.
- Equip Emblems that improve Sp. Atk. to further boost Articuno's damage.
- Attack and Critical-Hit Rate can be freely traded for the other stats.
Articuno Best Items & Moveset
Best Held Items
| Item | Explanation |
|---|---|
 Slick Spoon
|
Slick Spoon provides Articuno with HP, more Sp. Atk., and the ability to ignore a portion of its target's Sp.Def., leading to more damage. |
 Wise Glasses
|
Wise Glasses gives Articuno a large Sp. Atk. boost thanks to its percentage-based bonus. |
 Drive Lens
|
Drive Lens further improves Articuno's Sp. Atk. whenever it knocks out opponents or gets an assist. It also provides a bit of cooldown reduction. |
 Focus Band
|
Focus Band improves durability via increased defenses and survivability via passive healing. |
 Vanguard Bell
|
Vanguard Bell gives Articuno more HP, and the ability to recover HP whenever it inflicts a powerful hindrance on enemies, which is part of the Pokemon's core gameplay. |
 Aeos Cookie
|
Aeos Cookie gives Articuno a large flat amount of HP, perfect for a Defender. |
Held Item Tier List: Best Items to Equip
Best Battle Items
| Item | Explanation |
|---|---|
 Eject Button
|
Eject Button gives Articuno a repositioning tool for offensive and defensive strategies. |
 X Speed
|
X Speed improves Articuno's mobility via increased movement speed and immunity to slowing effects. |
Battle Item Tier List: Best Items to Use
How to Play Articuno
- Play Around Snow Cloak's Effects
- Utilize the Slow from Attacks
- Protect Allied Goals with Ice Wing Whiteout
Play Around Snow Cloak's Effects
Articuno's core gameplay revolves around Snow Cloak's effects. The ability grants Articuno damage reduction after it uses a move and applies a freeze counter on targets hit by Icy Wind or Blizzard.
The damage reduction allows Articuno to tank a lot of damage during fights, while the freeze counter is its main source of crowd control.
Snow Cloak: Articuno Passive Effect and Cooldown
Freeze Targets Instantly Using Ice Shard or Ice Beam
You can instantly freeze targets that have freeze counters applied on them by hitting them with Ice Shard or Ice Beam. Use this mechanic in situations where you don't want to wait for the freeze counter to fill up.
Hit Frozen Targets with Ice Shard or Ice Beam for Extra Damage
On the other hand, you can deal extra damage with Ice Shard or Ice Beam if you hit targets that are frozen. Use this mechanic if you want to quickly take out targets or at least quickly deplete their HP.
| Moves Featured | ||
|---|---|---|
 Ice Shard
|
 Ice Beam
|
|
Utilize the Slow from Attacks
Articuno's attacks inflict a slow on its target. Utilize this effect to make it easier for them to hit their moves—particularly area moves—and set up knockouts for your team.
Protect Allied Goals with Ice Wing Whiteout
Apart from dealing damage, Ice Wing Whiteout can encase an allied goal in ice, preventing opponents from scoring on that goal. The ice covering the goal zone will disappear after the goal zone receives a set amount of damage from Pokmon from the opposing team.
This is an extremely useful mechanic you can utilize to protect and defend allied goals. Remember that the move has to hit an allied goal to encase it in ice.
Ice Wing Whiteout: Articuno Move Effect and Cooldown
Articuno Progression and Leveling Guide
Top and Bottom Guide
Level 1 to 5
- Quickly clear out the Bunnelbies in the lane.
- Keep farming wild Pokemon in the lane to reach level 5 and learn your first move.
- At bottom lane, prioritize taking Indeedees for more exp.
Level 6 to 9
- Keep hunting Wild Pokemon to gain more EXP from farming Altaria and Swablus.
- Once you reach level 7, learn your second move.
- Help allies secure Regice, Registeel, or Regirock when it spawns, otherwise secure Regieleki.
- Upon reaching level 9, learn your UNITE Move.
Level 10+
- Stick with allies to hunt targets, secure objectives, and push lanes.
- Reach at least level 13 or max level if possible before or when Groudon spawns for a fully-upgraded moveset.
- Make sure that your UNITE Move is available when Groudon spawns.
- Help teammates win a teamfight and secure Groudon.
Articuno Combos
Ice Breaker Combo
| Ice Breaker Combo | |
|---|---|
►
OR
|
|
| Use Blizzard to fill up freeze counters, then follow up with Ice Beam once the targets are frozen to deal extra damage. You can also use Ice Wing Whiteout instead of Ice Beam for more damage. | |
Matchups & Counters for Articuno
Articuno Matchups
 |
     
|
|---|---|
 |
                                                                      
|
 |
         
|
| Matchup Notes | ||
|---|---|---|
| Hard Counter |
Even Matchup |
Easy Matchup |
| 1. The chart is based on our own experience playing Articuno. 2. Pokemon within each tier are unordered 3. Any Pokemon not shown here are still under investigation. |
||
Counter with Range and Damage
Articuno has high durability and strong crowd control. However, it has no mobility outside of Battle items, making it an easy target for Pokemon with long-ranged, high-damage moves or attacks.
Best Counters
| Pokemon | Explanation |
|---|---|
|
Venusaur
|
Rating: ★★★★★ • Can deal massive, HP-based damage from a long range using Solar Beam. • Can further cripple Articuno and reduce its Sp. Def by a significant amount using Sludge Bomb |
|
Zapdos
|
Rating: ★★★★★ • Can deal massive from afar with Thunderbolt and Zap Cannon. |
|
Inteleon
|
Rating: ★★★★ • Can shred through Articuno's durability from a long range with Liquidation or Snipe Shot |
Even Matchups
Taking advantage of Snow Cloak's damage reduction and freeze effects will allow Articuno to get the upper hand against these Pokemon.
Use Eject Button or X Speed
| 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 Articuno. • Use Eject Button or X Speed to quickly get close to them and use Blizzard and Ice Beam to freeze them. |
Tank Their Damage and Keep Freezing Them
| All-Rounders |
|---|
|
| How to Beat |
|
• These Pokemon excel in close combat and rely mostly on their attacks or combos to deal damage. They are also durable enough to tank Articuno's damage. • Utilize Snow Cloak's damage reduction effect to tank their damage. • Use Blizzard to freeze them and follow up Ice Beam once they're frozen to deal extra damage. • Slow them with attacks. |
Tank Their Damage and Freeze Them
| Speedsters |
|---|
|
|
| How to Beat |
|
• These Pokemon are incredibly agile and deal high burst damage. However, they become vulnerable when they miss their burst damage attempt. • Tank their damage and freeze them with Blizzard when they get close. • Follow up with Ice Beam once they're frozen. |
Group Up with Allies
| Highly Durable Pokemon |
|---|
|
| How to Beat |
|
• Much like Articuno, these Pokemon are extremely durable, making it hard for the Pokemon to take them out alone. With that, it's best to group up with allies to bring them down with the help of Articuno. • Keep freezing them with Blizzard and follow up with Ice Beam once they're frozen for extra damage. • Slow them with attacks. |
Easy Matchups
These Pokemon can't do much against Articuno in terms of damage.
Utilize Their Numbers
| Supporters |
|---|
|
| How to Beat |
|
• These Pokemon usually stick with their allies and rarely venture alone. Although they themselves pose no threat to Articuno, their support capabilities makes them valuable during fights. • When they're grouped together with their allies, use Blizzard to freeze them and follow up with Ice Beam to deal extra damage. |
Best Teammates for Articuno
| Pokemon | Explanation |
|---|---|
|
Cinderace
Dragapult
Gardevoir
|
Attackers |
| Attackers rely on distance to safely deal damage due to their low durability. Having Articuno take the frontline and tank enemy damage allows them to safely and freely attack behind the Pokemon. | |
|
Aegislash
Lucario
Machamp
|
Melee Brawlers |
| Melee brawlers can benefit from Articuno's freeze effects while fighting in the frontlines, making it easier for them to do their combos. |
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!
Articuno Moves
Move Slot 1 (R)
 Icy Wind
(Lv. 1 or 3) |
Move Type: Area, Hindrance Damage Type: Special Cooldown: 5s Starting Damage: 436 Final Damage: 475 |
|---|---|
| Has the user blast a gust of chilled air in the designated direction, dealing damage to opposing Pokémon and causing snow to fall, freezing the ground for a short time. | |
|
Blizzard
(Lv. 5) Upgrade Lv. 11 |
Move Type: Area, Hindrance Damage Type: Special Cooldown: 8s Starting Damage: 1422 Damage per instance: 237, Number of instances: 6 Final Damage: 3160 Damage per instance: 395, Number of instances: 6 |
|
Has the user summon a howling blizzard centered on itself, applying a freeze counter and dealing damage to opposing Pokémon. If an opposing Pokémon's freeze counter reaches 5, that Pokémon becomes frozen.
Upgrade: Increases the number of freeze counters applied to opposing Pokemon to 2. |
|
Move Slot 2 (ZR)
|
Ice Shard
(Lv. 1 or 3) |
Move Type: Ranged Damage Type: Special Cooldown: 6s Starting Damage: 286 Final Damage: 324 |
|---|---|
| Has the user hurl a chunk of ice in the designated direction, dealing damage to opposing Pokémon it hits. If this move hits an opposing Pokémon that has a freeze counter, that Pokémon becomes instantly frozen. If this move hits an opposing Pokémon that is frozen, the ice shatters to deal additional damage. | |
|
Ice Beam
(Lv. 7) Upgrade Lv. 13 |
Move Type: Area Damage Type: Special Cooldown: 7s Starting Damage: 690 Damage when Frozen: 1035 Final Damage: 951 Damage when Frozen: 1427 |
|
Has the user shoot out a beam of icy-cold energy in the designated direction, dealing damage to opposing Pokémon. If this move hits an opposing Pokémon that has a freeze counter, that Pokémon becomes frozen. If this move hits an opposing Pokémon that is frozen, the ice shatters to deal additional damage.
Upgrade: Increases the duration this move leaves opposing Pokemon frozen. |
|
Unite Moves (ZL)
|
Ice Wing Whiteout
(Lv. 9) |
Move Type: Area, Hindrance Damage Type: Special Cooldown: 89s Starting Damage: 3188 Initial damage: 506, Damage increase: 5% Final Damage: 4108 Initial damage: 652, Damage increase: 5% |
|---|---|
| Has the user summon a raging blizzard centered on itself, dealing damage to opposing Pokémon. If this move's first hit is on an opposing Pokémon that is frozen, the ice shatters to deal additional damage. If this move hits one of your team's goal zones, that goal zone will freeze over, and Pokémon from the opposing team will be unable to score in it. The ice covering the goal zone will disappear after the goal zone receives a set amount of damage from Pokémon from the opposing team. | |
Standard Attack
Standard Attack |
Has the user hurl ice, applying a slowing effect and dealing damage to opposing Pokemon. |
|---|
Ability (Passive)
 Snow Cloak
|
Articuno After using a move, the Pokémon is cloaked in frost for a short time, reducing damage taken. If the Pokémon uses a move to surround itself in snow, it further reduces damage taken and increases the effect’s duration. Icy Wind, Blizzard, and Ice Wing Whiteout apply a freeze counter to opposing Pokémon they hit. If an opposing Pokémon’s freeze counter reaches (0), that Pokémon becomes frozen. |
|---|
Articuno Stats & Evolutions
Articuno Evolutions
 ArticunoThis Pokemon does not evolve. |
Articuno Stats
| Level | HP | Defense | Special Defense | Attack Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 3740 | 114 | 118 | 248 |
| 2 | 3964 | 131 | 132 | 254 |
| 3 | 4210 | 150 | 147 | 261 |
| 4 | 4481 | 172 | 163 | 269 |
| 5 | 4778 | 195 | 181 | 278 |
| 6 | 5106 | 220 | 201 | 287 |
| 7 | 5466 | 248 | 223 | 298 |
| 8 | 5863 | 279 | 248 | 309 |
| 9 | 6298 | 313 | 274 | 322 |
| 10 | 6778 | 350 | 303 | 336 |
| 11 | 7306 | 391 | 336 | 351 |
| 12 | 7886 | 436 | 371 | 368 |
| 13 | 8525 | 485 | 410 | 387 |
| 14 | 9227 | 540 | 453 | 407 |
| 15 | 10000 | 600 | 500 | 430 |
Attack Damage is the damage of the Basic Attack as tested against the Training Dummy.
Articuno In-Game Stat Listings
| Offense | Endurance | Mobility | Scoring | Support |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|
|
|
Articuno Skins (Holowear)
| This Pokemon has no available Holowear. |
|---|
Pokemon UNITE Related Guides
All Pokemon Guides and Builds
Upcoming Pokemon
 Meganium(TBA) |
 Typhlosion(TBA) |
 Feraligatr(TBA) |
- |
Mega Evolutions
| Mega Evolved Pokemon | ||
|---|---|---|
| Mega Charizard X |
Mega Charizard Y |
Mega Gyarados |
| Mega Lucario |
Mega Mewtwo X |
Mega Mewtwo Y |
Pokemon by Role
| All Pokemon Roles | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Attackers |
 All-Rounders |
 Defenders |
|||
 Speedsters |
 Supporters |
||||
Pokemon by Characteristics
| Attack Type | |
|---|---|
 Melee Pokemon |
 Ranged Pokemon |
 Physical Pokemon |
 Special Pokemon |
| Stat Rankings | |
 HP Ranking |
 Defense Ranking |
 Sp. Def. Ranking |
 Basic Attack Ranking |
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