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”

  1. 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

  2. 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

  11. 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

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