It’s been a very exciting week for Pokemon fans on Nintendo Switch! Pokemon Unite just got its first major DLC in the form of a new character, Gardevoir!

I have many mixed thoughts about this addition. First, I love Gardevoir. Her design is very majestic and intriguing. She was catapulted in popularity by the fact one of your rival’s, Wally, in Gen 3’s Pokemon Ruby and Sapphire uses her as his signature Pokemon. This helped her stand out as an iconic member of Hoenn’s cast.

Now let’s look at her stats.

Gardevoir is a ranged attacker with a difficulty ranking of intermediate. Her offense is off the charts. I’m not sure if she is the strongest character in the game but she is close. Sadly, the rest of her stats are abysmal. Players will have to truly maximize her ranged attacks and fleeing battle items to prolong her longevity.

It’s true her Pokemon Unite stats closely mirror her in game stats. Her special attack is massive and her HP is brittle. However, I really wanted them to lean into her high special defense and access to her psychic movepool to make her a support role. Her HP (in the mainline games) is probably too low to make her a defensive role. And Mr. Mime already exist as a psychic support character. And well, Gardevoir is just not good enough to be a speedster or all around character.

This has me a little split on how to feel. My initial thought was I wanted Gallade or Alakazam as a the psychic attacker. I think we can still get Alakazam as a speedster but I’m not sure about Gallade. Maybe Gallade can be an all around character? Though I really wanted Mewtwo as an all around psychic type.

Either way, Gardevoir is a welcome addition to the roster. Though I do wonder if her inclusion automatically rules out other psychic attackers. I dont have the coins to buy her yet and also theres other fighters I want more currently. But I’m interested to see how people build her over time.

Blastoise and Blissey will be added at later dates so stay tuned! Thank you guys so much for reading. Have a great day!