TL;DR: Pokémon UNITE’s 30th anniversary update makes Zapdos playable from February 27, with Articuno and Moltres arriving through sequential events. The Johto starters Meganium, Typhlosion, and Feraligatr are also confirmed for the roster. A new pre-select move system, Solo Mode, and two new licenses per month round out a massive 2026 content push.
Pokémon UNITE just delivered one of its biggest roster announcements since launch. During the Pokémon Day Presents broadcast on February 27, 2026 — the franchise’s 30th anniversary — The Pokémon Company confirmed that the iconic Legendary Bird Trio from Kanto will become fully playable characters, alongside the final evolutions of the three Johto starters. Zapdos is the first to arrive, officially available from February 27, with Articuno and Moltres set to follow through sequential events.
The timing is significant. Zapdos makes its playable debut after spending five years as a boss Pokémon on the map — one of the most iconic wild objectives in the game’s history. Transitioning the Legendary Birds from objectives into full playable roster additions is one of the most dramatic mechanical shifts UNITE has made in its four-year lifespan, and it arrives alongside a sweeping update to how moves are learned, how licenses are distributed, and how new players are onboarded.
From Map Boss to Playable Attacker: The Legendary Birds Arrive
Each of the three Legendary Birds has been given a distinct combat role. Zapdos takes the Attacker slot as a high-damage dealer, Moltres enters as an All-Rounder with overwhelming physical presence, and Articuno fills the Defender role, built around zone control and crowd management.
Moltres overwhelms opponents with intense, raging flames and its Unite Move emits a crimson radiance that exposes and punishes opponents who rely on stealth or positioning. Articuno, meanwhile, is a crowd-control-heavy Defender capable of locking down zones and protecting allies through the late game. All three Legendary Birds can be obtained through sequential free-to-play events, giving every player a clear path to unlock each one — a welcome improvement over the license acquisition system that had drawn criticism for its pace and cost.
Johto Starters Confirmed: Meganium, Typhlosion, and Feraligatr
Beyond the Kanto legends, the Pokémon Presents broadcast confirmed that Chikorita, Cyndaquil, and Totodile — the three Johto starter Pokémon — will reach their final evolutions on Aeos Island. Meganium, Typhlosion, and Feraligatr are all scheduled to join the roster, though official release dates are still pending. Community insider ElChicoEevee and data miners suggest Meganium will likely arrive first.
Each starter fills a distinct role. Meganium is set to debut as a dedicated Supporter — a notable departure from typical Grass-type All-Rounders — built around Magical Leaf and Grass Knot to hinder opponents, with Synthesis providing team sustain. Typhlosion is expected to fill the Attacker role as a high-burst glass cannon, leaning into its mainline reputation built around Eruption. Feraligatr rounds things out as an All-Rounder specializing in physical brawling, likely scaling from a high-pressure early-game Totodile into a late-game powerhouse.
Community discussions on Reddit and the official UNITE forums have praised the Meganium Supporter decision in particular, calling a bulky plant-based healer a “perfect fit” for a role that has historically lacked variety in Grass-type representation.
New Battle Moves System and Major Quality-of-Life Overhaul
The Legendary Bird update arrives alongside a significant systems overhaul. Beginning February 27, players can now pre-select the moves their Pokémon will learn during battle before the match begins, eliminating split-second in-battle decision-making during level-ups. Moves can be set through the Pokémon details screen or the Battle Prep screen after seeing team compositions — a change that prevents accidentally selecting the wrong move mid-fight and is particularly impactful for newer players.
The update also introduces a new Solo Mode from which players can earn License Points as clear rewards, making it easier for solo players to progress and unlock new Pokémon without relying solely on the Battle Pass or daily events. Pokémon UNITE has also committed to releasing two new Unite Licenses per month throughout 2026, signaling one of the game’s most aggressive content schedules to date.
Electrode Volleyball World Tour and Remoat Stadium Return
Two additional modes land alongside the anniversary content. The Electrode Volleyball World Tour offers a lighter, event-driven competitive format for players looking for a break from standard ranked play. Remoat Stadium will also temporarily return to Ranked Matches from February 27 to March 13, giving veteran players a chance to revisit one of the game’s most beloved legacy maps.
What Else Was Announced at Pokémon Presents 2026?
The UNITE reveals were part of a broader Pokémon Day presentation packed with franchise-wide news. Pokémon Champions received a confirmed April 2026 release date on Nintendo Switch, with mobile platforms to follow. The 10th Generation of Pokémon, titled Pokémon Winds & Waves, was teased for a 2027 release, and the GameCube classic Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness is heading to Nintendo Switch Online.
Pokémon GO is also celebrating its own 10th anniversary with a special All Out event running from March 7 to 9, 2026. Full details are available in our Pokémon GO March 2026 Community Day guide.
Meta Impact and What to Expect
The arrival of six high-profile additions in a short window is expected to force a significant meta reshuffle. Early community assessments suggest the Legendary Birds and Johto starters carry strong S-tier potential, particularly given the unique role designs — a free-path Attacker in Zapdos, a zone-controlling Defender in Articuno, and a team-sustain Supporter in Meganium all address archetypes that have lacked strong representation in recent seasons.
With a new move pre-selection system, Solo Mode, and two new licenses per month locked in for 2026, this is shaping up to be Pokémon UNITE’s most content-dense year since its 2021 launch. Whether you’re a returning trainer or a longtime competitor, the 30th anniversary update is the most compelling reason to drop back into Aeos Island in years.
For more gaming news this week, check out the full breakdown of the Xbox February 2026 system update and its 1440p cloud gaming rollout, and stay up to date on the latest gaming crossovers with our coverage of the Fortnite x Resident Evil Requiem Grace Ashcroft skin release date.
Source: Nintendo Life
