Pokémon Sun & Moon Essentials Guide – Part 1

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SPOILERS AHEAD

Over the past few weeks, several anonymous sources have been leaking details about the upcoming Nintendo 3DS games, Pokémon Sun & Moon. As usual, we won’t be sharing any images, but we have been keeping track on any and all details about the game. Below is a compilation of information we’ve previously reported on and some new ones as well – all in one place for your convenience! Anything related to the plot of the game will be “highlight to view” – Read at your own risk.

Pokémon

Version Exclusives

  • Pokémon Sun: Turtonator, Alolan Vulpix, Alolan Ninetales, Passimian, Lycanroc Midday Form, Solgaleo, UB-02 Expansion, Braviary line, Carracosta line, Whimsicott line, Rampardos line
  • Pokémon Moon: Drampa, Alolan Sandshrew, Alolan Sandslash, Oranguru, Lycanroc Midnight form, Lunala, UB-02 Beauty, Mandibuzz line, Archeops line, Lilligant line, Bastiodon line

Alolan Forms

  • Alolan Rattata & Alolan Raticate // Dark/Normal-type
  • Alolan Raichu // Electric/Psychic-type
  • Alolan Meowth & Alolan Persian // Dark-type
  • Alolan Grimer & Alolan Muk // Poison/Dark-type
  • Alolan Diglett & Alolan Dugtrio // Ground/Steel-type
  • Alolan Marowak //Fire/Ghost-type
  • Alolan Geodude, Alolan Graveler & Alolan Golem // Rock/Electric-type
  • Alolan Sandshrew & Alolan Sandslash // Ice/Steel-type
  • Alolan Vulpix // Ice-type
  • Alolan Ninetales // Ice/Fairy-type
  • Alolan Exeggutor // Grass/Dragon-type

New Pokemon (Not Officially Revealed in Pre-Release Promo)

  • Trumbeak & Toucannon // Normal/Flying-type
  • Crabominable // Fighting/Ice-type
  • Mareanie & Toxapex // Poison/Water-type
  • Dewpider & Araquanid // Water/Bug-type
  • Shiinotic // Grass/Fairy-type
  • Salazzle // Poison/Fire-type
  • Golisopod // Bug/Water-type
  • Dhelmise // Ghost/Grass-type
  • Cosmoem // Psychic-type
  • Marshadow // Fighting/Ghost-type

Pokémon Evolutions

  • Rowlet –lvl. 17–> Dartrix –lvl. 34–> Decidueye
  • Litten –lvl. 17–> Torracat –lvl. 34–> Inceneroar
  • Popplio –lvl. 17–> Brionne –lvl. 34–> Primarina
  • Pikipek –lvl. 14–> Trumbeak –lvl. 28–> Toucannon
  • Yungoos –lvl. 20 at Morning–> Gumshoos
  • Grubbin –lvl. 20–> Charjabug –lvl. up at Lectical Cave–> Vikavolt
  • Crabrawler –lvl. up at Ula’ula Snowies Summit–> Crabominable
  • Cutiefly –lvl. 25–> Ribombee
  • Rockruff –lvl 25 at Morning–> Lycanroc Midday Form (Sun Version only)
  • Rockruff –lvl 25 at Night–> Lycanroc Midnight Form (Moon Version only)
  • Mareanie –lvl. 38–> Toxapex
  • Mudbray –lvl. 30–> Mudsdale
  • Dewpider –lvl. 22–> Araquanid
  • Fomantis –lvl. 34 at Morning–> Lurantis
  • Morelull –lvl. 24–> Shiinotic
  • Salandit –lvl. 33 female–> Salazzle
  • Stufful –lvl. 27–> Bewear
  • Bounbsweet –lvl. 18–> Steenee –lvl. up with Stomp–> Tsareena (Steenee learns Stomp at lvl. 29)
  • Wimpod –lvl. 30–> Golisopod
  • Sandygast –lvl. 42–> Palossand
  • Type: Null –lvl. up with Friendship–> Silvally
  • Jangmo-o –lvl. 35–> Hakamo-o –lvl. 45–> Kommo-o
  • Cosmog –lvl. 43–> Cosmoem –lvl. 53–> Solgaleo (Sun Version only)
  • Cosmog –lvl. 43–> Cosmoem –lvl. 53–> Lunala (Moon Version only)

Note: All Pokémon not listed DO NOT evolve

Ultra Beasts (Highlight to View)

  • Ultra Beasts are Pokémon that came from from an alternate dimension called the Ultra Space via Ultra Wormholes
  • UB-01’s true name is Nihilego and is Rock/Poison-type
  • UB-02 Beauty’s true name is Pheromosa and is Bug/Fighting-type – exclusive too Moon version
  • UB–02 Absorption’s true name is Buzzwole and is Bug/Fighting-type – exclusive to Sun version
  • UB-03 Lighting’s true name is Xurkitree and is an Electric-type
  • UB-04 Blaster’s true name is Celesteela and is Steel/Flying-type – exclusive to Moon version
  • UB-04 Blade’s true name is Kartana and is Grass/Steel-type – exclusive to Sun version
  • UB-05 Glutton’s true name is Guzzlord and is Dark/Dragon-type
  • Necrozma is Psychic type and does not have an Ultra Beast number or code name
  • Necrozma has an incredibly odd Pokédex entry compared to the other Ultra Beasts that suggests it came to Alola from the Ultra Space back in ancient times and has been residing underground on Earth ever since. Ultimately its considered a regular Legendary Pokémon, not an Ultra Beast
  • In some cases multiple UBs exist and can be caught: 1 Nihilego, 2 Buzzwole/4 Phermosa, 2 Xircutree, 4 Kartana/2 Celesteela, and 1 Guzzlord

Characters

Returning Characters From Past Games (Highlight to View)

  • Protagonist Red from Gen I
  • Rival Blue from Gen I
  • Salon Maiden Anabel from Gen III
  • Rival Wally from Gen III
  • Champion Cynthia from Gen IV
  • Agent Looker from Gen IV
  • Elite Four Grimsley from Gen V
  • Team Plasma Boss Colress from Gen V
  • Professor Burnet from Gen V
  • Prof. Assistant Sina from Gen VI
  • Prof. Assistant Dexio from Gen VI

Trial Captains, Totem Pokémon & Kahunas (Highlight to View)

  • Ilima – Normal-type Trial Captain // Melemele Island // Totem Alolan Raticate (Moon) or Totem Gumshoos (Sun)
  • Lana – Water-type Trail Captain // Akala Island // Totem Wishiwashi
  • Kiawe – Fire-type Trial Captain // Akala Island // Totem Salazzle
  • Mallow – Grass-type Trial Captain // Akala Island // Totem Lurantis
  • Sophocles – Electric-type Trial Captain // Ula’Ula Island //Totem Vikavolt
  • Acerola – Ghost-type Trial Captain // Ula’Ula Island// Totem Mimikyu
  • Mina – Fairy-type Trial Captain // Poni Island
  • Final Trial is centered around Dragon-types but has no Trial Captain // Poni Island // Totem Kommo-o
  • Hala – Fighting-type Kahuna //Melemele Island
  • Olivia – Rock-type Kahuna // Akala Island
  • Nanu – Dark-type Kahuna // Ula’Ula Island
  • Hapu – Ground-type Kahuna // Poni Island

(Highlight to View) Elite Four

  • Hala – Fighting-type
  • Olivia – Rock-type
  • Acerola – Ghost-type
  • Kahili – Flying-type

When you defeat the Elite Four you ultimately become the Champion, but one of these trainers will challenge you for the title immediately after and acts as a “Champion Battle”

  • Professor Kukui (Challenges you after you first defeat the Elite Four)
  • Rival Hau
  • Rival Gladion
  • Kahuna Hapu
  • Aether Foundation’s Faba
  • PokeStar Ryuki
  • Team Skull’s Plumeria
  • Trial Captain Sophocles
  • Former Trial Captain Molayne

Post Game (Highlight to View)

  • Battle Tree
  • Rematches
  • Assist Police in tracking down the escaped Ultra Beasts
  • Defending your Champion title from Challengers
  • After beating the main story line a portal appears that allows you to switch between alternate realities and changes some things in game such as Pokémon encounters
  • Usual complete Pokédex, capture legendaries/Ultra Beasts, explore region, etc.

Other

  • The starters are not shiny locked, however there is a lengthy cute scene that makes soft resetting a pain
  • Legendaries, Ultra Beasts, Cosmog, and Magearna are all shiny locked
  • Apricorn Pokéballs from Gen II are back
  • Wonder Trading is back
  • The Daycare is located on Akala Island, however, unlike past generations, the Pokémon you leave in the daycare will not level up. They will only breed and lay eggs
  • Using the Island Scanner you’re able to catch starters from previous games
  • You are able to customize the way you throw Pokéballs into battles from 7 different choices: Normal style, Elegant style, Reverent Style, Smug Style, Left-handed Style, Passionate Style and Idol Style
  • You get the Zygarde Cube to collect Zygarde Cells on Akala Island. You use a special room to turn them into 10%, 50% and Complete Form depending on how many Cells you have
  • The small island to the southeast of Poni Island is full of Alolan Exeggutors
  • You can buy the Strange Souvenir from Pokémon X & Y in a tourist shop

Part 2 of our Leaks Compilation will be posted tomorrow and features info about new moves, new abilities, and more!

T MINUS THREE DAYS UNTIL POKÉMON SUN & MOON!

t minus 8 days for europe sorry ’bout it

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780 thoughts on “Pokémon Sun & Moon Essentials Guide – Part 1”

  5. Okay. I am confused. Is Alolan Vulpix in Sun or Moon primarily? I am seeing many different answers whenever I see pokedex listings.

    Reply

  8. This has probably been said a thousand times but in the reveal trailer for UB-02 Beauty it was said to be a moon exclusive. Was the trailer wrong?

    Reply

  9. well i know what i’m doing when the games come out, ask people for a Alolan Vulpix because i thought they were in pokemon moon

    Reply

    • It’s honestly really sketchy and the details are scarce. Even playing the game it’s hard to understand/explain. Basically, a portal opens up, and if you go through it takes you not to the Ultra Space, but another version of the Alola region. Some areas and the Pokémon you encounter change, but probably the most notable thing is that this portal gives you the ability to catch a Cosmog.

      Reply

  15. Apricorn Balls need to stay but I have a question about the Island Scanner. Can you find the previous starters with their hidden abilities?

    Reply

  16. Hmmmmmmm I want to catch the following Pokemon in the following Pokeballs
    Litten regular
    Crabrawler Great Ball
    Rockruff Level Ball
    Mudbray Heavy Ball
    Wimpod Net Ball
    Jangmo-o Ultra Ball

    Granted the chance is very slim for the beginning but y’never know

    Reply

  18. Are you sure all this info is right?
    Because if so I have a few questions about Version Exclusivity (I haven’t read story spoilers i’m trying as much as possible not to until next wednesday.)
    1) The S/M site says both forms of Lycanroc are in the wild. I assume that just means the respective one can be caught in the respective version, but one only at day and the other only at night.
    2) What’s the point in having 2 UB named UB-04 if they aren’t VE? Is it a form change?

    2 final unrelated things, I assume Magneton and Nosepass also evolve in Lectrical Cave?
    Alolan Vulpix is the only Pokemon to use the Ice Stone yes? Glaceon stays Ice Rock like it should?

    Reply

    • 1.) Yes, you’re correct, both of Lynaroc’s forms are available in the wild after the main game is complete! The version exclusivity is only for evolving Rockruff.

      2.) If you read carefully in the Ultra Beast section, the two UB-04’s are version exclusive. I just chose not to include them in the version exclusive Pokémon section so the people that don’t want to know about the Ultra Beasts can avoid spoilers

      3.) I assume so, yes.

      Reply

  21. Any reason why europe get´s the game 5 days later, other than to fuck with us. Seriously fuck nintendo of europe, they didn´t even get shovel knight on the eshop in a timely manner.

    Reply

  24. If apricorn balls return does that mean Kurt does too? Or maybe even an Alolan Kurt? Lol Or do they just import apricorn balls from Johto?

    Reply

  25. I’m having a big issue that Vulpix is in Sun and I want it in my MOON team. Does anyone know at what point in the game you can first get Vulpix? ( so I can borrow my friends 3ds and trade)

    Reply

    • Same anyone here if you’re getting sun and you catch an alolan Vulpix, female with a modest, timid or Calm nature please trade it with me!!! As low a level as you can find it please!!! I’m in Europe so you have 5 days

      Reply

    • Basically once you get to the Ula’ula Snowies – the snowy mountain on Ula’Ula mountains

      I feel you, was really hoping Aolan Vulpix & Alolan Ninetales would be a Moon exclusive. I’m still set on having it on my Moon team, so i’ll probably catch an Alolan Sandshrew and put it on the GTS for trade. Hopefully someone will come to my aid and trade me a Vulpix ?

      Reply

  28. If it weren’t for the fact that I want a good Porygon-Z for competitive battling pre-bank, I would totally put one on my first run-through team. Damn double item trade…

    Reply

  29. Ugh legends, etc, are *still* shiny-locked? e3e I mean i should have seen it coming but i thought, if GF was doing a lot to make hacking perfect IVs less common and such, surely, *surely*, they would stop shiny locking pokemon to prevent hacking those my godddd. Ah well I guess it’s not that big a deal, but I really wanted to SR for shiny Lunala.

    And it sounds like cutscenes for choosing starters keep getting longer smh. Even if you aren’t trying to get a shiny, seeing gender and nature (and to a lesser extent, characteristic, since you can always IV grind later) is gonna be a nightmare.

    Excited for a lot of the other stuff tho. I just have major beef with those two aspects of the games as of late.

    Reply

  30. I still think GF should just say F*K it and do an event for legit 6IV Dittos that would just make an effort to get people to breed the right way

    Reply

  37. nuzlocke not going as well as i planned. Just finished the first gym, and my treeko died, but my lombre – ‘Bad Hombre’ was a beast

    Reply

      • Spoiler

        They do, which may be annoying to some, but it feels better implemented than Megas last Gen when like three characters a game used it

        Reply

          • Yeah but you know the feature is poorly implemented when you see it like twice

            Even having the E4s, evil team admins, and rival using them sooner would be good. ORAS was on the right track but still had far to go

          • It also bothered me how only 3 or so trainers used them in X&Y. Everyone else in the region was like “what is mega evolution???” And I’m just like, you literally have an entire gigantic tower devoted to mega evolution. How is this a secret? How is it JUST now being explored by a child?

          • Actually, they seem to know of it, but not very much of the actual process

            Which is dumb because the most prolific trainer in the region has one and the media would be all over that like Earthen when people insult Ground

          • Another reason I hate Diantha. She’s just hoarding this great power and doesn’t seek to educate or tell anyone about it, nor does anyone ask her. The XY plot is so poor

          • Tbh I understand Diantha not wanting the media all over her and her Gardevoir’s lives, but at least let Sycamore study her for a while seeing as they’re friends and he’d get conclusive data

          • I mean maybe she did and he wants data on more Mega Evolutions?

            In which case it’s poorly explained and should’ve been elaborated on

          • Personally I thought it was implemented fine for what Megas were supposed to be and the way they were advertised. It made sense to not have just anyone using them.
            Granted the E4 should have definitely had them (maybe in rematches, if they actually did rematches)

  45. It’s question time

    If you were a Pokémon based superhero, what would your name be and what Pokémon would you be your motif (based off of the Hoenn Ranger Easter eggs as well as Gligar man)

    Reply

  50. The special souvenir still irks me, what pokemon is that?? ?

    Also what type do you guys think the former trial captain specialized in?

    Reply

  51. The general consensus, based on the reviews that I have read seems to be that Pokemon Sun and Moon are probably one of the greatest and most inventive Pokemon AND 3DS games do date.

    Reply

  52. Headlines for the next few months after Pokemon Sun and Moon’s release:
    – “POKEMON SUN AND MOON BREAK RECORDS!”
    – “POKEMON SUN AND MOON BREAK RECORDS!”
    – “POKEMON SUN AND MOON BREAK RECORDS!”
    – “POKEMON SUN AND MOON BREAK RECORDS!”

    You get the idea. 😀

    Reply

    • During the use of Z-moves, double battles, and battles (although not to the extent of double battles), the frame rate does drop and there are times where there is a slight 1 – 2 second pause before moves are executed. However, if you’re playing on the New 3DS this does not seem to be a problem. Personally, it seems GameFreak tapped into the very pits of the 3DS’ capabilities as a handheld. Makes you that much more excited for what’s to come in Pokemon’s future. 😀

      Reply

      • My brother and me get both versions, I get first crack at just trading the other two over before I begin my adventure.

        I did it with X & Y

        Kartana is my fav too and I’ve waited YEARS for a Dragon-Fighting

        Reply

    • The Waterfall was mentioned by one of the Middle Aged, female tourists that are strewn throughout Kalos and make references to past regions, not the Backpacker. So it has nothing to do with the souvenir.

      There are four possibilities:

      1) It is a reference to Alola, and the waterfall just hasn’t been shown yet.

      2) It’s a reference to Hawaii only and only meant to give a clue about Alola being based on Hawaii.

      3)It’s a reference to the distortion world.

      4)It’s a hint towards a possible future region or a region from a future spinnoff. hawaii isn’t the only place that has reverse waterfalls.

      Reply

  61. i saw somebody post a few minutes of gameplay, they gave them an egg that had just been left at the nursery, and it hatched into shiny mudbray. could they give you a shiny egg no matter what? ive heard reports of other shinys being given

    Reply

        • Many of them are blue smoke/explosions with some extra effects, especially a lot of the apricorn balls.

          But there are some cool different effects too, here’s what I remember (I think, could be fuzzy):
          Love ball – tons of hearts (outlines)
          Dream ball – pink smoke and kinda psychic-type sparkles
          Dusk ball – tons of dark smoke
          Net ball – larger and more obvious nets (3 of them) – plausibly used for Spider-man wannabes
          Dive ball – bubbles
          Heal ball – also some heart shapes (filled in this time, smaller than love ball)
          Quick ball – yellow explosions and small lightning bolts
          Timer ball – lots of reddish clocks

          Reply

  76. how far before the elite four are the mascot legendaries usable? Like is it around the equivalent of before the last gym like they often are? I like to use them on the 8th gym and elite four for my firsts of many playthroughs

    Reply

    • I would think as soon as a Pokemon Center is available to you, since that’s where the courier traditionally shows up, but hey we don’t even have gyms this gem so whooooknows

      Reply

  79. I’m having a bit of trouble. Is there any way to move from a New 3DS back to an old school 3DS? I read on IGN that if you call Nintendo customer service that they can do it for you, but has anyone actually done this?

    Reply

  81. I don’t know what to do with these last two days D: I just beat Y and today I finished leveling my team to 100 so I’m basically all set and ready to go.

    Reply

  83. I just found out that the Gamestop store closest to me IS doing a midnight release.
    Leggo, I am going, I dunno when to arrive or anything, but I am doing it

    Reply

    • If I went to a midnight release I would buy it, get home then fall on my couch and sleep. I would finish the game in my sleep because I need to play the games but I need sleep

      Reply

        • I need all the sleep I can muster
          Not only do I have sleep apnea I’m a really bad sleeper in general
          Christ I’ve been waking up at 4 AM and barely getting a wink……
          Mostly because of my weird neck and a roaming pillow or my tenitis…..

          Reply

        • I’ve never hated school more than I will on Thursday. xD
          I have a two hour late start tomorrow, why couldn’t I have had that Friday?

          Reply

          • Right, I have Class from 11:05-4:50, which is kind of long for a college day. At least I’m going to see Fantastic Beasts at 9 though.

    • Shoot, I forgot that I need to call my gamestop and check for sure.
      A month ago they said they probably were, but to check back closer to release.

      They’re actually one of the biggest gamestops in the area, and they’ve done many midnight releases before, so I don’t know why they wouldn’t do one now.

      Reply

      • If you look up midnight releases gamestop stores Sun and Moon, they provide a PDF of which stores are doing it
        Goodness, I did not call in to see xD

        Reply

          • I went to the one with SSB 3DS.
            Your store might do things differently, but here’s how my store did the release for that.
            1. They had games and such set up around 10 to pass the time (which is probably just something special)
            2. When you entered, you were given a number (based on order of who arrived)
            3. At around 11:45, they divided us up into groups of 10 (The first ten people to arrive, the second ten people, etc.)
            4. They one group into the store at a time, and then when that group was finished the next group got to come in.

            Fairly self-explanatory, I just felt like elaborating a bit.

    • now you have me thinking because like legit i dont have nothing to do on friday (all my quizzes are tomorrow and thursday yay) so i can afford going to bed late and go to class and fall asleep plus all my classes are in the afternoon
      ahhhh

      Reply

  84. Interesting review scores from earlier, but it should be made clear that the games are not rated in comparison to XY or ORAS, but as their own title. I think an 8+ from most reviewers shows just how incredible things will be. Granted, SM took lots of risks and are expected to be the “20th Anniversary Celebration” games. Luckily GF did not market them as such (though we kinda assume it), since there is too much a change to the traditional formula for these games to be considered celebratory. Nonetheless, they mark a new era of Pokemon that strays away from its safe roots, and it’s something I’m looking forward to.
    Multiple reviewers praised the difficulty of Sun and Moon, which is something I’m incredibly excited about! Now to leave before I continue getting spoiled… see you all Friday! 🙂

    Reply

  87. Pretty much sums it up

    “If you were to type up ‘Pokemon’ on Google and go to the ‘News’ section, you’ll see stuff about Sun and Moon, Pokemon Go, and all of that, but one thing that bugs me is when there’s a report that talks about the dumbest things, like “Will Baby Pokemon Replace Eggs” and “There’s Brand New Pokemon Coming to Pokemon Go Called the ‘Second Generation’ See Leaked Photos Here!” If the people making these had even the slightest idea of what Pokemon actually was or had even researched it for more than 5 seconds, they wouldn’t be making these cringey, poor excuses of ‘news’. But everyone followed like sheep when Pokemon Go came out and these ‘news’ people are just reeling it in with crap like that. I just find it irritating to scroll through the news, looking for more stuff about Sun and Moon, only to find another dumb thing that another attention seeking idiot posted just to catch in on the craze. Anyone else fed up with this?”

    -https://www.reddit.com/r/pokemon/comments/5d2gu2/news_websites_that_know_nothing_about_pokemon/

    Reply

    • UGH YES…..

      And I absolutely hate when all the Pokemon GO “youtubers” (with some exceptions) haven’t even played a pokemon game.

      Reply

        • Lol true. Forgive me for not being more specific. They have never played main series game before or just never knew anything about Pokemon ever.

          Reply

          • Ah, cool! Well I guess they at least know (or are reminded) that Pokemon exists right now. I bet Go still did contribute to the record-breaking pre-orders of Sun and Moon at least.

          • Absolutely. That’s one of the aspects I’m happy about…. Pokemon got a lot of good attention. And also a lot of bad attention unfortunately. Lol every time I say I enjoy Pokemon everyone says… “Oh…” Lol

    • I’m fed up with all of the GO hype as well, can’t people just accept the fact that Niantic screwed up, the game is dead, and move on? xD

      Reply

    • Hey hey hey, don’t dis Pokemon Go 🙂

      BTW even the “real” fans who aren’t Go-ers are also bandwagoning and click-baiting, it’s not limited to the Go-ers. As you may know, Tyranitartube and Verlisify exist. (Unless you have wiped them from your memory, in which case I don’t blame you because I wish I could do that too.)

      Reply

  90. “The Daycare is located on Akala Island, however, unlike past generations, the Pokémon you leave in the daycare will not level up. They will only breed and lay eggs” Excellent news for Pokémon Breeders. I still want to know where the Move Re-Learner is and what it costs to Re-Learn a move though, as some moves are only accessible that way.

    Reply

  91. poll: how many people struggle playing a handheld while roadtripping? I always had a headache while playing in the car but it dissapeared after playing alot

    Reply

  93. Alright the mighty Earthinator whom you all love and worship blindly retires for the night
    For tomorrow I gather the essentials for an all day Pokemon release and play like A GOD!!!!!!!!!
    and for such a session requires
    -Bag of Cheetos Puffs
    -Fruit Salad
    -Gum
    -2 Gallons of water
    -Wash the stank off the big armchair
    -two dual action trays with Powerstrip with chargers for both 3DS and IPad
    -Pepe bottles
    -Deskfan
    -padded headphones
    And lastly
    -My money, preorder card ready for the game

    Reply

  98. To everyone here who knows the story of sun and moon….. Can we just have a moment to talk about HOW FREAKING ADORABLE LILLIE IS?!

    Reply

  99. after seeing as much sun and moon as I did… one tiny thing pisses me off a little bit
    WHY DOES THE PC’S FACE NEVER CHANGE?!
    EVERY SCENE IN THE FREAKING GAME THEY JUST HAVE THAT SAME DOPEY AS HELL SMILE!!! IT COMPLETELY KILLS THE IMMERSION IN THE GAME!!! LOOK AT HAU!!! IN THE FIRST FEW MINUTES HE SHOWS MORE DIVERSITY IN HIS DERPY SMILES THAN THE PLAYER SHOWS ALL GAME!!!!
    ..sorry just had to get that out

    Reply

    • I think it reinforces the blank slateness of the character. You have your own reactions to the things, and it kind of breaks the immersion black slate characters provide when they are given excessive expressions.
      But I slightly disagree as some reactions to things should be more or less universal, and even having a slight change in expression can’t be too bad

      Reply

      • All I’m going to say is this…..
        it’s especially bad in scenes where Lillie Gladion and Lusamine are around…. they have these huge roles… and you just sit there with a derp face….
        I kinda wish the text choices were connected to expression changes…

        Reply

        • Yeah, even a trashy mobile game like Kingdom Hearts Unchained X or an old RPG like Chrono Trigger both with a silent protagonist had an expressive one that reacts to things happening even if they don’t actually say anything…

          Something like this:

          Phil: “That’s the spirit kid, I knew you were a contender [in this tournament] the first time I laid eyes on you!”
          Protagonist: (Makes o_o face)
          Phil: “Eh? That’s hot how you remembered it?”

          [Yeah, because Phil was lying about that. He was dismissing the kid as a weakling at the start.]

          Reply

          • Yeah, some of the characters’ little soapbox moments made me actually feel emotions, times have really changed since the a little awkwardly translated simplistic dialog from RGBY.

          • A personal favorite being…..

            Lillie: Rain in Alola, huh… My skirt got a bit wet…
            Looking out at the rain like this… reminds me of this one time when I was little.
            I’d seen it in a movie… this man singing and dancing in the rain. It captivated me so much that I had to try it for myself. My mother spotted me out in the rain, and she was so shocked that she ran right out after me without even bothering to get an umbrella…
            And then…she smiled… and she danced with me in the rain. Of course we both ended up catching cold. >She let me sleep in her big bed with her. I was so happy that I kept waking her again and again, just to be sure it wasn’t a dream…
            But… then she changed. And all she would think about was the Ultra Beasts. And Null and Nebby… They both ended up suffering so much… and I couldn’t do anything…
            But you know what, (Player character)? Whenever I feel like there’s nothing I can do, you seem to show up and…you do something. Every time, you’ve shown me that it’s possible… to do something.
            Even the first time we met… Nebby was being attacked, and all I could do was look on in horror…
            And at Aether Paradise… all I could do was wait for you and the others to save me…
            Whenever I’m in any sort of trouble, you’re always there…
            I…

          • OMG, I loved that part so much; I was like, why is a pokemon game making me feel feels, this isn’t Steven Universe! But seriously Lillie, Gladion, Mohn, and Lusamine’s story is SO GOOD, and pretty heavy for a kids game might I add.

  101. These games look awesome and I can’t wait to play them this Friday! Even though I’ve seen so many leaks, I’m still super excited. Sure, people may be unhappy with a thing or two, but I think most people can agree that over all, these will be great games.

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  106. So.. competitively.. do we even invest in speed this gen? Sure few are fast.. but like.. Do we with Decidueye? I feel like below 70.. what’s the point.. correct?

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    • I think 80+ is the average speed where you really want to go Timid/Jolly/Naive/Hasty and outspeed stuff in VGC ‘2017.

      I would do something called speed creeping though. For example you got an adamant Decidueye invested in HP and Attack, and expect to run into opponent Decidueyes in a tournament, you can remove some HP EVs and put in a bit of extra speed EVs so that you’ll go first against the opponent and they’ll wonder why they never win the speed tie. :p

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    • You invest in order to survive or outspeed specific Pokémon you think are important to be able to best. There’s no blanket rule.

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  107. Official terms to refer to things from the regions

    Kanto-Kantonian
    Sinnoh-Sinnohan
    Kalos-Kalosian
    Alola-Alolan

    Haven’t heard of anything for Johto, Hoenn or Unova

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    • Yeah, and now people have moved on to thinking their suppose to the the seven deadly sins. Oh how lovely it is to see people finding patterns in nothing.

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    • Actually , fun fact. There is correlation between Lillie and UB-01
      There’s a line mentioning that her mom pretty much chooses what she wears. And being that she is obsessed with UB’s… she dresses her daughter like one

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      • Tbh I don’t think it’s that straight forward, Lusamine probably didn’t force Lillie to dress like UB-01, it’s most likely an in game unintentional correlation that is meant to symbolise Lusamine trying to substitute her collapsed family (daughter included) with Ultra Beasts

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  110. So, does anybody have valid information when we’ll be able to battle with the new mons, buffs/nerfs, mechanics on showdown? I suppose, since they’ve had the data for over a week now, on the 18th? I need something to do while crying because I live in Europe q.q

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  111. They went overboard with legendaries this gen. From what we know, we got 16 legendaries and only 35 (36 if you include midnight Lycanroc) fully evolves ordinary Pokemon 😐

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  112. So if anyone is one
    I’ve been hearing a lot of talk that you receive an egg pretty early and reports are saying that some came out as Shinies

    Does anyone have any information on this

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  117. Another question has been added to impossible-to-answer questions;
    1) Why do we laugh?
    2) Why is Trump alive?
    3) Why is Vulpix not a Moon exclusive?

    Reply

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