Cramorant has stolen the show in Pokémon Unite

Before Pokémon Unite, I didn’t care about the Pokémon called Cramorant.

The bird-like flying-water type was released in Pokémon Sword and Shield, and besides a funny gimmick where it carried Pikachu, nothing really drew me to it.

But now it’s obvious to me: Cormorant, oops I mean CRAM-orant, the Pokémon whose namesake comes from combining a real species of waterfowl with the idea that it “crams” stuff down its throat, is absolutely terrifying. It’s called the “gulping Pokémon” for a reason — the creature has a Gorging Form where it canonically carries an entire Pikachu shoved down its throat. According to the official Pokédex entry from Pokémon Sword, Pikachu “accidentally” got stuck in there, and that “Cramorant is choking a little, but […] isn’t really bothered.”

It comes as no shock then, that this Pokémon can absolutely devour the competition on the Pokémon Unite arena. Pokémon Unite is the new MOBA-style game from The Pokémon Company and Tencent Games. At the beginning of each match, players get to pick from a cadre of Pokemon-inspired fighters for a 5v5 match.

After looking at a lineup of formidable options of possible characters to unlock with my hard-earned Aeos coins, — Lucario, Absol, to name a few — I took one look at this dummy and knew immediately it was the fighter for me. All I had to do was read a few tips and watch a video or two about how “to carry with Cramorant” and I was off to the races.

This terrible bird absolutely obliterates the competition. It doesn’t matter if it’s mythical, or borderline legendary Pokémon like Lucario or Zeraora, Cramorant surfs its way through the competition. It’s so powerful that it reduces the likes franchise mascot, Pikachu, and the barracuda Pokémon, Arrokuda, to mere a projectile that it launches at opponents.

In one fight, I fought Zapdos on my own and lowered its health considerably while I waited for the rest of the team to arrive. If this were standard Pokémon logic, the water and flying type would have no chance against a legendary electric type and like Zapdos. However, in Pokémon Unite there are no elemental weaknesses. Anarchy reigns supreme, and my Cramorant is at the top of the heap.

All I’m waiting for now is a big stupid outfit to put on my big stupid bird. Currently, there are no cosmetic options available for the Cramorant.