Pokémon Unite Tier List - June 2025 Rankings for Defender

Tier S (Previous: A) - Defender Snorlax's promotion to S tier is driven by its exceptional lane control and team fight presence. Heavy Slam + Block combo provides reliable crowd control and area denial, making it crucial for objective securing and team positioning. High HP pool and sustain allow it to effectively tank damage while protecting carries. Particularly strong in current meta due to ability to disrupt popular aggressive compositions and create space for team's damage dealers.

Defender Umbreon maintains its S-tier position due to its exceptional durability combined with strong crowd control abilities. Its Moonlight provides consistent self-healing, while Snarl effectively disrupts enemy positioning and reduces their damage output. The Pokemon excels at protecting allies and controlling objectives, making it particularly valuable in ranked matches. Its Unite Move offers both team protection and offensive pressure, while its passive ability ensures sustained presence in teamfights. Umbreon's ability to both tank damage and support teammates makes it a cornerstone pick for competitive play.

Tier: A (Previous: B) Role: Defender Blastoise's tier rise is due to its excellent combination of durability and crowd control abilities. Its Rapid Spin + Water Spout combo provides reliable area damage and displacement, while Hydro Pump offers strong pushing potential. The recent buffs to its survivability and damage output make it more effective at both protecting teammates and controlling teamfights, especially around objectives. Its Unite Move remains one of the best defensive tools for securing Rayquaza and protecting goals, solidifying its position as a top-tier defender in the current meta.

Ho-Oh: Tier A (Previously S) - Drop in tier due to recent nerfs to durability and Unite move cooldown - Still effective at area control but more vulnerable in extended teamfights - Strong early game presence, but requires more careful positioning than before - Excels at objective securing and lane defense - Sacred Fire remains powerful for zoning but needs better timing now - Best used with coordinated teams that can capitalize on its engagement potential - No longer as self-sufficient as in previous meta

Mamoswine (Tier A) - Defender Maintains A tier due to excellent crowd control abilities and strong early game presence. Icicle Crash + High Horsepower combo provides reliable CC and engage potential, making it highly effective at disrupting enemy formations and protecting teammates. High HP pool and defensive stats allow it to absorb significant damage while creating space for carries. Particularly strong in teamfights around objectives, where its area control abilities shine. Weakness to mobility-heavy opponents and reliance on follow-up damage from teammates keeps it from reaching higher tiers.

Tier A (No Change) | Defender Slowbro maintains its A-tier position due to its exceptional crowd control capabilities and durability. Its Scald+Amnesia combination provides reliable damage and sustain, while Surf+Telekinesis offers strong displacement control. Excels at protecting carries and disrupting enemy engages, making it a solid pick for ranked matches. The reliable CC and tankiness make it difficult for opponents to secure objectives when Slowbro is present.

Trevenant (Tier A) - Defender Maintains A tier due to excellent crowd control capabilities and durability. Excels at disrupting enemy positioning with Horn Leech and Pain Split combo, while providing strong lane presence. Curse build offers reliable sustain and team fight control. Effective at both protecting allies and setting up plays, making it a consistently strong pick for coordinated ranked play.

Crustle (Defender) - Tier B (Previously B) Maintains B tier due to its balanced defensive capabilities and moderate impact in team fights. While reliable at zoning and disrupting enemies with Rock Tomb and Shell Smash, Crustle lacks the game-changing crowd control and team protection that higher-tier defenders offer. Good at securing objectives and split-pushing, but vulnerable to being kited and struggles against mobile attackers. Best suited for experienced players who can maximize its wall-creating potential and survivability.

Tier B (↑ from D) - Defender Greedent has improved due to its strong survivability and counter-jungle potential. Its Stuff Cheeks + Covet combination provides excellent mobility and self-sustain, making it difficult to take down while disrupting enemy rotations. While not the best defender for protecting teammates, it excels at harassing opponents and stealing objectives, which is valuable in ranked matches. However, it requires good timing and positioning to be effective, limiting its overall tier placement.

Lapras (Defender) - Tier B [Previous: B] Remains in B tier due to its balanced but unremarkable performance. While offering good crowd control with Freeze and decent bulk, Lapras lacks the impact of top-tier defenders. Its slow mobility and reliance on Ice Beam/Blizzard combos makes it vulnerable to aggressive opponents. Provides solid lane presence but struggles to consistently protect carries compared to higher-tier defenders like Blastoise or Snorlax.

Goodra (Defender) Goodra's demotion to Tier D stems from its poor defensive capabilities compared to other defenders. While it has decent sustainability, its inability to effectively protect teammates and create space makes it a subpar choice. Its slow mobility and lack of reliable crowd control make it vulnerable to aggressive compositions, and its defensive contributions are easily outclassed by meta defenders like Blastoise or Slowbro. The current fast-paced meta particularly exposes Goodra's weaknesses in teamfights and objective control.