Games

Pokemon Unite License Points, Rank Changes And Kyogre Map Shake Up Explained

26 November 2025
Nintendo Switch
11 min.
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Pokemon Unite License Points, Rank Changes And Kyogre Map Shake Up Explained

Summary:

Pokemon Unite is heading into one of its biggest overhauls since launch, and the changes touch almost every part of how we play. Aeos coins are being retired for license purchases and replaced by a License Points system that runs through License Journeys, while a temporary Aeos Coin Exchange lets us convert hard earned coins at a fixed rate. Ranks move to a gauge based layout with performance rewards and a new Legend tier above Master for players who want an even steeper climb. Theia Sky Ruins also gets a fresh twist as Kyogre steps in at the 8 minute mark, handing out regeneration and goal pressure to the team that secures it. On top of that, experience gains are simplified with shared EXP for grouped farming, Exp Share is reworked, the main menu and shop interface are cleaned up, and new team tools like replay parties, voice chat invites and post match praise push cooperation forward. By understanding how all of these pieces connect, we can plan conversions, adjust playstyles and walk into the December updates with a clear idea of how to keep climbing instead of scrambling to react.

Overview of Pokemon Unite’s December 2025 updates

December 2025 is not just another balance patch for Pokemon Unite, it is a full shake up of how progression, maps and teamwork feel from the first login. Aeos coins, the familiar free currency that sat at the heart of license unlocks, are losing that role and handing it to a new License Points system that works through structured License Journeys. Ranks are no longer climbed through simple win streaks alone, because a gauge based rank system with performance bonuses rewards players who carry, tank damage or shut down goals in smart ways. The Theia Sky Ruins map also changes identity as Kyogre steps in as the major legendary, bringing an HP regeneration and goal pressure buff that heavily favors coordinated pushes. Experience sharing is simplified so that farming with allies feels fair instead of math heavy, and Exp Share drops its old funneling quirks. Wrap all of that in a refreshed main menu plus new tools to stay with good teammates, and this update sets a new baseline for how we think about every match, from rookie lobbies to the highest ranked game nights.

License Points replacing Aeos coins in Pokemon Unite

The headline change is simple to say but huge in impact: Aeos coins stop being distributed for new play and stop buying Unite licenses in the shop from December 4 2025 onward, while License Points become the new way to secure licenses through gameplay. Instead of hoarding coins and checking prices, we pick a License Journey and earn points that push that specific license toward completion. Existing Aeos coins do not vanish on day one though. An Aeos Coin Exchange opens that same day with a fixed conversion rate of 10 Aeos coins to 1 License Point, and the number of points needed to unlock a license ranges roughly from 325 up to 1,960 depending on the Pokémon. That means a full license can cost several thousand coins worth of points, so big piggy banks finally pay off. The exchange also offers extra items like fashion pieces and Holowear, but the core idea is that coins slowly step off stage while a more focused point system takes their place, with a hard cutoff by May 2026 for both coins and the exchange itself.

How License Journeys change license unlock pacing

License Journeys turn unlocking a new Pokémon from a vague long term grind into a clear track with visible milestones. Instead of wondering if we are anywhere close to the right coin total, we pick from a curated list of licenses, usually five at a time, and commit to one track at a time. Everyday activities feed into those tracks: battle pass progress, daily missions that award random boxes and event specific tasks can all drop License Points. Sometimes the selection widens and the whole roster becomes available, which is perfect when there is a long standing favorite we still have not unlocked. Newly released Pokémon can also appear in journeys right when they hit the shop, so we are no longer locked out of gameplay progress unless we spend gems. The catch is that pacing becomes more structured. Swapping targets mid way spreads our points thin, so it pays to pick a role we need, choose the license that covers it and stay with that choice until the final milestone ticks over.

Smart ways to convert Aeos coins before and after December 4 2025

Conversion strategy will decide how much real value we squeeze out of old coin piles before the system moves on. Before maintenance hits at 3:00 UTC on December 4 2025, the shop is still the fastest path if there is a must have license that cannot wait. Once that window closes, licenses can no longer be bought directly with Aeos coins, so the Aeos Coin Exchange becomes the only place to turn coins into lasting progress. Because every 10 coins equals 1 License Point and a single license can consume hundreds of points, the smartest move is to treat the exchange like a priority checklist instead of a toy store. First, make sure the team has at least one reliable option in every role, especially defender and support. Second, look at licenses that are likely to stay strong in ranked, not just the latest flashy pick. Third, only send coins into cosmetics if the roster already feels complete. The exchange remains available through May 2026, so pacing conversions over several months around events and battle pass windows helps avoid regret and takes advantage of bonus point periods.

New gauge based ranking system and performance rewards

Ranked play is getting a serious quality of life upgrade that also changes how fair the climb feels. Instead of relying solely on win and loss diamonds, ranks now use a gauge that fills with rank points. Every match adjusts that gauge, and those rank points take more factors into account than just the final scoreboard. Wins still matter most, but standout contributions are now recognized with extra points. The teammate who soaks the most damage, the player who interrupts the highest number of goals or the one who keeps objectives under control can receive a special title for that match and a bonus chunk of rank points. That shift acknowledges that not every role shows up on the traditional damage chart, and it softens the pain of a narrow loss where someone clearly carried their weight. It also nudges teams toward proper role play: supports and defenders no longer feel like silent background pieces, they receive visible credit that pushes their rank gauge forward.

Legend rank as the new target for top Trainers

For players who already treat Master as the default home, the arrival of Legend rank creates a new long term goal. Legend sits above Master as the highest visible tier and is meant to gather the most dedicated squads and solo climbers into a single, intense bracket. Reaching it will demand not just raw win rates but consistent performance under the new gauge system, since bonus points from titles can help cement progress or rescue a rough night. Legend rank should also sharpen the top end of the ladder, making it easier to distinguish between players who hover at the edge of Master and those who live and breathe Unite every season. In practical terms, this means that mixing casual play and ranked on the same account comes with higher stakes at the very top, and serious players may want to plan session blocks, duo partners and preferred roles well in advance if Legend is on the wishlist.

Theia Sky Ruins rework with Kyogre at the 8 minute mark

Theia Sky Ruins has already gone through one big transformation with Groudon arriving for the final stretch, but the update that follows brings Kyogre into the spotlight around the 8 minute mark. Instead of a single late game power spike, we now see an earlier objective that reshapes how teams path and fight through the mid game. The squad that secures Kyogre gains a buff that steadily restores HP and makes it easier to score goals, which syncs beautifully with bruiser style all rounders and defenders who want to stay in the brawl. That regeneration allows for longer sieges, fewer trips back to base and more confident dives under pressure. It also raises the value of coordinated rotations, because leaving Kyogre uncontested can hand the opposing side a snowball tool well before the classic two minute push. Learning new flank routes, exploiting adjustments to tall grass and understanding which compositions thrive with extended fights will be key if we want to ride this map change instead of getting washed away by it.

Adjustments to EXP distribution and the role of Exp Share

Experience points are getting a much needed clean up that should make laning and jungle farming easier to read at a glance. Up until now, EXP gains depended on a mix of hidden rules: who landed last hits, who held Exp Share nearby and how many allies were in the area. That complexity limited creative item builds and made it tough for new players to understand why they were behind in levels. With the December 18 update, defeating wild Pokémon together becomes a simple shared win. When we clear camps with at least one ally, the EXP is split evenly among the whole group, no matter who delivered the final blow or whether someone is running Exp Share. On top of that, the total amount of EXP gained by the team is higher when we farm together than when we farm alone, although groups of two and larger groups share the same total to keep things balanced. Exp Share no longer alters distribution at all, which frees that item slot for other choices and removes the feeling that one player must sacrifice their growth to funnel a partner. The message is clear: stick with allies, clear camps together and level curves will feel smoother and more predictable.

Interface tweaks rarely grab headlines, but they can quietly make every session feel less cluttered. After the shop screen redesign that landed in October 2025, the December 4 update refreshes the main menu so navigation lines up with the new economy and upcoming features. While the exact layout may vary slightly between platforms, the goal is to reduce the number of clicks between logging in, checking License Journeys, hopping into ranked or browsing Holowear. Having clear entry points for License Journeys, the Aeos Coin Exchange and rank information helps players of all skill levels understand where to go next instead of digging through nested tabs. Future updates are already planned to carry similar UI improvements into other areas, so we can expect a gradual smoothing of older menus that still show their 2021 roots. For regular players, this means less time wrestling with buttons and more time actually battling, which pairs nicely with the more guided progression that License Points bring.

Team play tools like replay parties, voice chat and quick praise

Unite has always looked best when a squad is in sync, and the upcoming features around team play and communication are built to make those nights easier to arrange. A new button on the results screen lets us queue again with the same team after a good match, automatically forming a party for anyone who taps it. That small feature saves friend code juggling and makes it far more likely that random teammates who clicked will stay together for a few more games. For higher ranked play, Trainers in Master and above will see an option on the Pokémon selection screen to invite current teammates into voice chat through a microphone button, adding a lightweight way to coordinate without setting up external calls. After matches, a fresh set of quick chat lines appears in the lobby so we can send messages like “Excellent teamwork last battle!” or “Impressive play!” in seconds. These little praise tools can smooth out tense losses, reward clutch plays and make the ranked climb feel more like a shared effort instead of a string of anonymous lobbies.

How to get your account ready for the December and December 18 patches

Preparation over the next few weeks will decide whether these changes feel like a fresh opportunity or a stressful scramble. The first priority is to audit our Aeos coins and licenses. If there is a specific Unite license we still want and it is currently buyable with coins, grabbing it before maintenance on December 4 2025 avoids any risk or conversion math. After that date, coins should be treated as a limited voucher pool, converted in phases into License Points for high priority journeys through the Aeos Coin Exchange. For players in Belgium and the Netherlands, there is an extra wrinkle, because official notices confirm that service in those countries ends on November 30 2025, before the broader update window. That means planning around the local shutdown date is more important than waiting on the exchange. Regardless of region, it helps to write down one or two target licenses, check current builds for which roles we can already cover and decide which held items we actually use so we do not waste exchange opportunities on clutter. Finally, mark December 18 on the calendar as the day farming habits need to change: invite allies to clear camps together, rethink jungle routes with shared EXP in mind and use the new team tools to lock in party members who understand the updated systems.

Conclusion

The upcoming patches turn Pokemon Unite into a more focused and more social experience, where clear goals and cooperative play are rewarded at every level. License Points and License Journeys replace a loose coin economy with a structure that lets us choose exactly which Pokémon we are working toward, while the Aeos Coin Exchange gives stockpiled currency a final useful role. The new gauge based ranking system and Legend rank create a ladder that respects performance across every role, not only damage charts, and Theia Sky Ruins with Kyogre adds a fresh mid game objective that rewards teams who rotate and fight with intent. Simplified EXP sharing, a cleaned up main menu and straightforward team tools all push in the same direction: fewer hidden rules, more visible progress and easier paths to play with people we enjoy. By planning conversions, setting a couple of unlock goals and getting comfortable with grouped farming and map rotations, we can step into this new chapter ready to grow our rosters, refine our strategies and enjoy the chaos of Unite with a little more clarity.

FAQs
  • When do Aeos coins stop working for Unite licenses?
    • Aeos coins stop being distributed and can no longer buy Unite licenses in the shop from December 4 2025. After that date, we can still use previously earned coins in the Aeos Coin Exchange to convert them into License Points or selected items, but coins and the exchange are planned to disappear entirely by May 2026, so it is important to convert them gradually instead of leaving a pile unused.
  • How many License Points do I need for a single Unite license?
    • The amount of License Points needed depends on the Pokémon, with figures currently sitting between roughly 325 and 1,960 points per license. That spread means some licenses will be relatively quick to finish while others require a longer commitment, especially if we are playing without a premium battle pass. Checking the License Journey track before committing helps us choose targets that match our available playtime.
  • What changes in the new ranking system compared to the old one?
    • The new ranking system uses a rank gauge that fills with rank points instead of only counting win based diamonds. We still gain or lose points based on match results, but strong performance in areas like damage taken, goals interrupted or other key stats can grant bonus titles and extra points. On top of that, a new Legend rank sits above Master, giving top players a fresh long term goal and concentrating the most competitive matches in a single high tier bracket.
  • How will the EXP update affect laning and jungling?
    • After the December 18 update, defeating wild Pokémon with at least one ally nearby will share EXP evenly between everyone in that group, regardless of who lands the last hit or who is holding Exp Share. Teams also gain more total EXP by clearing camps together than by farming solo, while groups of two and larger groups receive the same total to keep things fair. Exp Share no longer controls distribution, so item choices can focus more on combat power and less on funneling tricks.
  • What is special about Kyogre on Theia Sky Ruins?
    • Kyogre appears around the 8 minute mark on Theia Sky Ruins and offers a buff that continually restores HP and makes it easier to score goals for the team that defeats it. That effect suits all rounders and defenders who want to stay in fights longer and apply pressure at enemy goals. Because the buff arrives before the classic two minute final stretch, teams that coordinate around Kyogre can set up a strong mid game lead, while squads that ignore it risk giving the opposition a powerful tool for extended pushes.
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