Pokémon Unite Mamoswine Build - Best Items and Moves

Looking to get the lowdown on the best Pokémon Unite Mamoswine build? After crashing the competition toward the tail end of September, Mamoswine has become a meta pick in Pokémon Unite thanks to its staggeringly high damage potential.

In Pokémon Unite, Mamoswine is a melee Defender that uses the Attack stat. For that, it's a good idea to refrain from using any Held Items that might boost Sp. Atk instead. You can read more about why that's an important rule in our Pokémon Unite Physical vs Special Attack explainer.

If you haven't already, attempt to memorize the effects and stats of the game's many Held Items. Doing the same for Battle Items isn't a bad shout, either. Knowing both will help you identify an opponent's strategy before the match starts. Lastly, knowing how to unlock every Pokémon Unite license will keep you ready to counter the new meta. Knowledge is power, after all.

The Best Pokémon Unite Mamoswine Build Options

Quick Builds

Here's a quick rundown of the two Pokémon Unite Mamoswine build options detailed below. If you're not fond of reading the minute details, just know that the top and bottom late choices above are powerful. If you're unsure of how they work, read on.

Pokémon Unite Mamoswine Build - Touchdown!

Best for: Bottom Lane Bullying

Mamoswine is put into an interesting position as a Defender: it doesn't evolve into its final form until long after it unlocks its full moveset. Swinub, its base stage evolution, needs to focus more on landing Ice Shard to help its allies, as pushing hard can send it back to base too soon.

Play it safe until the map objectives spawn, though, and you should be in a good position soon enough. Once you get your full repetoir, the idea is simple. Mamoswine works through a combo system, freezing foes and then dealing more damage by crashing into them. To keep up with goal denial like Snorlax does with Block, anything you can do to cause an ice sheet on your own goal will extend the time it takes for your opponent to score, which can easily make the difference.

In terms of this build, however, the aim is to give Mamoswine the means to zero in on the team's carry—like a Cinderace or Gardevoir. This is done with a quick one-two combo of launching in with Earthquake and striking with Ice Fang.

As Ice Fang targets the person closest to the user, the pull from Earthquake makes things that little bit easier. Then, as others rush in to help defend their carry, the area slam from Ice Fang can freeze them in place as well. This combo should trigger a boosted attack just in time for it to deal increased damage against said frozen targets.

Weakness Policy, one of the new Held Items for the mobile launch, is a no-brainer. It increases Mamoswine's already high Attack each time it's hit. Given its imposing nature as a Defender, this happens a lot. Muscle Band is there to boost it further and increase your odds of landing a clutch KO, leaving Focus Band to keep the bulky Pokémon around that much longer.

Pokémon Unite Mamoswine Build - Bull Run

Best for: Top Lane Brawling

One of the more mechanically fun Pokémon Unite Mamoswine build options uses the beast's two other moves—High Horse Power and Icicle Crash. The two synergize well both further into the enemy territory and when defending your own goal.

As always, playing safe for as long as possible will increase your chances of success when playing as Mamoswine. It takes some time to grow into its final form. Get too hands-on before this and you risk falling behind. Trailing behind a Pokémon that can slow targets in range can help land each hit from Ice Shard. It's a potent skill to have early on, and ending it with Tackle is great fun.

All of these early assaults will set you up for the latter half of the match. Icicle Crash and High Horsepower is the natural evolution of Mamoswine's first few moves—one being a hindrance move and the other being a dash.

By using the two in that order, you can drop an Icicle onto your opponent, rushing through with High Horsepower to trigger the freezing effect and smashing it for increased damage in the process. This all culminates with a boosted Basic Attack that can shred most targets with ease. Given it leaves an ice field behind as well, it's a great way to rush to the aid of an ally goal, triggering Mamoswine's passive and slowing the enemy's scoring speed. It doubles as a great way to bowl your way into the opposing goal as well.

That last point should make a case for score-specific Held Items, but Mamoswine doesn't really need them. Instead, we can bulk up its survivability with Aeos Cookie and Focus Band and then buff up its already high power with Attack Weight. In a nice change of pace, you won't even need to think about the items you have on.

When Does Mamoswine Evolve in Pokémon Unite?

As a rare two-stage evolution Pokémon, Mamoswine takes some time to reach its prime. It begins each match as Swinub, evolving into Pilowsine at the late stage of six, when most have maxed out, leaving its Mamoswine evolution until level 10. It's second only to Garchomp. It must be a Ground-type thing.

What Counters Mamoswine in Pokémon Unite?

Any Pokémon that can stem Mamoswine's advances will cause it some major headaches. Blastoise, Sylveon, and Cinderace all have the means to shrug off its killer combos. Mr. Mime can even be the matador, baiting Mamoswine into a barrier before blowing it away with heavy Sp. Atk moves.

What Pokémon Works Well With Mamoswine in Pokémon Unite?

Typically speaking, Mamoswine works well with any Pokémon that can control opponents or make good use of those already controlled. Mr. Mime falls into the latter category, with every Pokémon's best bud Alolan Ninetales falling firmly into the former.

How Do I Unlock Mamoswine in Pokémon Unite?

The days of getting something for free in Pokémon Unite has long gone. At least outside of Pikachu, Zeraora, and those nifty Super Item Enhancers. To actually unlock Mamoswine, you need to throw down 8,000 Aeos Coins or 460 Aeos Gems in the Unite Battle Committee shop. It's the standard asking price for a new character.

• Read more: buff up with the latest Shindo Life codes

Before you literally dive into the deep end with Mamoswine, though, consider trying some similar divers like Garchomp, Snorlax, or even Crustle. They're all bulky brawlers who can quickly teach you how to watch your HP and manage your retreat options. It's best to wait until you can have that experience for free before you shell out for a new character.