Pokémon Sun & Moon Essentials Guide – Part 2

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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! Part 1 can be found here. Anything related to the plot of the game will be “highlight to view” – Read at your own risk.

Moves

New Moves

  • First Impression | Bug/Phys/90/100 – Although this move has great power, it only works the first turn the user is in battle 
  • Baneful Bunker – In addition to protecting the user from attacks, this move also poisons any attacker that makes direct contact
  • Spirit Shackle | Ghost/Phys/80/100 – The user attacks while simultaneously stitching the target’s shadow to the ground to prevent the target from escaping
  • Darkest Lariat | Dark/Phys/85/100 – The user swings both arms and hits the target. The target’s stat changes don’t affect this attack’s damage
  • Sparkling Aria | Water/Spec/90/100 – The user bursts into song, emitting many bubbles. Any Pokémon suffering from a burn will be healed by the touch of these bubbles
  • Ice Hammer | Ice/Phys/100/90 – The user swings and hits with its strong, heavy fist. It lowers the user’s Speed, however
  • High Horsepower | Ground/Phys/95/95 – The user fiercely attacks the target using its entire body
  • Solar Blade | Grass/Phys/125/100 – In this two-turn attack, the user gathers light and fills a blade with the light’s energy, attacking the target on the next turn
  • Throat Chop | Dark/Phys/80/100 – The user attacks the target’s throat, and the resultant suffering prevents the target from using moves that emit sound for two turns
  • Pollen Puff | Bug/Spec/90/100 – The user attacks the enemy with a pollen puff that explodes. If the target is an ally, it gives the ally a pollen puff that restores its HP instead
  • Anchor Shot | Steel/Phys/80/100 – The user entangles the target with its anchor chain while attacking. The target becomes unable to flee
  • Lunge | Bug/Phys/80/100 – The user makes a lunge at the target, attacking with full force. This also lowers the target’s Attack stat
  • Smart Strike | Steel/Phys/80/* – The user stabs the target with a sharp horn. This attack never misses
  • Revelation Dance | Normal/Spec/90/100 – The user attacks the target by dancing very hard. The user’s type determines the type of this move
  • Trop Kick | Grass/Phys/70/100 – The user lands an intense kick of tropical origins on the target. This also lowers the target’s Attack stat
  • Beak Blast | Flying/Phys/100/100 – The user first heats up its beak, and then it attacks the target. Making direct contact with the Pokémon while it’s heating up its beak results in a burn
  • Clanging Scales | Dragon/Spec/110/100 – The user rubs the scales on its entire body and makes a huge noise to attack the opposing Pokémon. The user’s Defense stat goes down after the attack
  • Dragon Hammer | Dragon/Phys/90/100 – The user uses its body like a hammer to attack the target and inflict damage
  • Brutal Swing | Dark/Phys/60/100 – The user swings its body around violently to inflict damage on everything in its vicinity
  • Shell Trap | Fire/Spec/150/100 – The user sets a shell trap. If the user is hit by a physical move, the trap will explode and inflict damage on the opposing Pokémon
  • Fleur Cannon | Fairy/Spec/130/90 – The user unleashes a strong beam. The attack’s recoil harshly lowers the user’s Sp. Atk stat
  • Psychic Fangs | Psychic/Phys/85/100 – The user bites the target with its psychic capabilities. This can also destroy Light Screen and Reflect
  • Stomping Tantrum | Ground/Phys/75/100 – Driven by frustration, the user attacks the target. If the user’s previous move has failed, the power of this move doubles
  • Shadow Bone | Ghost/Phys/85/100 – The user attacks by beating the target with a bone that contains a spirit. This may also lower the target’s Defense stat
  • Accelerock | Rock/Phys/40/100 – The user smashes into the target at high speed. This move always goes first
  • Liquidation  Water/Phys/85/100 – The user slams into the target using a full-force blast of water. This may also lower the target’s Defense stat
  • Prismatic Laser | Psychic/Spec/160/100 – The user shoots powerful lasers using the power of a prism. The user can’t move on the next turn
  • Spectral Thief | Ghost/Phys/90/100 – The user hides in the target’s shadow, steals the target’s stat boosts, and then attacks
  • Sunsteel Strike | Steel/Phys/100/100 – The user slams into the target with the force of a meteor. This move can be used on the target regardless of its Abilities
  • Moongeist Beam | Ghost/Spec/100/100 – The user emits a sinister ray to attack the target. This move can be used on the target regardless of its Abilities
  • Zing Zap | Electric/Phys/80/100 – A strong electric blast crashes down on the target, giving it an electric shock. This may also make the target flinch
  • Multi-Attack | Normal/Phys/90/100 – Cloaking itself in high energy, the user slams into the target. The memory held determines the move’s type
  • Leafage – The user attacks by pelting the target with leaves
  • Nature’s Madness – The user hits the target with the force of nature. It halves the target’s HP 
  • Shore Up – The user regains up to half of its max HP. It restores more HP in a sandstorm. 
  • Floral Healing – The user restores the target’s HP by up to half of its max HP. It restores more HP when the terrain is grass
  • Strength Sap – The user restores its HP by the same amount as the target’s Attack stat. It also lowers the target’s Attack stat
  • Laser Focus – The user concentrates intensely. The attack on the next turn always results in a crticial hit
  • Spotlight – The user shines a spotlight on the target so that only the target will be attacked during the turn
  • Gear Up – The user engages its gears to raise the Attack and Sp. Atk stats of ally Pokémon with the Plus or Minus Ability
  • Psychic Terrain – This protects Pokémon on the ground from priority moves and powers up Psychic-type moves for five turns
  • Fire Lash – The user strikes the target with a burning lash. This also lowers the target’s Defense stat
  • Power Trip – The user boasts its strength and attacks the target. The more the user’s stats are raised, the greater the move’s power
  • Burn Up – To inflict massive damage, the user burns itself out. After using this move, the user will no longer be Fire type
  • Speed Swap – The user exchanges Speed stats with the target
  • Purify – The user heals the target’s status condition. If the move succeeds, it also restores the user’s own HP
  • Core Enforcer – If the Pokémon the user has inflicted damage on have already used their moves, this move eliminates the effect of the target’s Ability
  • Instruct – The user instructs the target to use the target’s last move again
  • Aurora Veil – This move reduces damage from physical and special moves for five turns. This can be used only in a hailstorm
  • Tearful Look – The user gets teary eyed to make the target lose its combative spirit. This lowers the target’s Attack and Sp. Atk stats
  • Toxic Thread – The user shoots poisonous threads to poison the target and lower the target’s Speed stat

Z-Moves

  • Breakneck Blitz (Normal)
  • Bloom Doom (Grass)
  • Inferno Overdrive (Fire)
  • Hydro Vortex (Water)
  • Gigavolt Havoc (Electric)
  • Supersonic Skystrike (Flying)
  • Savage Spin Out (Bug)
  • Continental Crush (Rock)
  • Tectonic Rage (Ground)
  • All Out Pummeling (Fighting)
  • Shattered Psyche (Psychic)
  • Black Hole Eclipse (Dark)
  • Acid Downpour (Poison)
  • Never Ending Nightmare (Ghost)
  • Twinkle Tackle (Fairy)
  • Subzero Slammer (Ice)
  • Devastating Drake (Dragon)
  • Corkscrew Crash (Steel)
  • Catastropika (Exclusive to Pikachu)
  • 10,000,000 Volt Thunderbolt (Exclusive to Ash’s Pikachu)
  • Stoked Sparksurfer (Exclusive to Alolan Raichu)
  • Extreme Evoboost (Exclusive to Eevee)
  • Pulverizing Pancake (Exclusive to Snorlax)
  • Genisis Supernova (Exclusive to Mew)
  • Sinister Arrow Raid (Exclusive to Decidueye)
  • Oceanic Operetta (Exclusive to Primarina)
  • Malicious Moonsault (Exclusive to Inceneroar)
  • Guardian of Alola (Excluisve to all four Tapus)
  • Soul-Stealing 7-Star Strike (Exclusive to Marshadow)

Abilities

New Abilities

  • Stamina – Boosts the Defense stat when hit by an attack
  • Wimp Out – The Pokémon cowardly switches out when its HP becomes half or less
  • Emergency Exit – The Pokémon, sensing danger, switches out when its HP becomes half or less
  • Water Compaction – Boosts the Pokémon’s Defense stat sharply when hit by a Water-type move
  • Merciless – The Pokémon’s attacks become critical hits if the target is poisoned
  • Shields Down – When its HP becomes half or less, the Pokémon’s shell breaks and it becomes aggressive
  • Stakeout – Doubles the damage dealt to the target’s replacement if the target switches out
  • Water Bubble – Lowers the power of Fire-type moves done to the Pokémon and prevents the Pokémon from getting a burn
  • Steelworker – Powers up Steel-type moves
  • Berserk – Boosts the Pokémon’s Sp. Atk stat when it takes a hit that causes its HP to become half or less
  • Slush Rush – Boosts the Pokémon’s Speed stat in a hailstorm
  • Long Reach – The Pokémon uses its moves without making contact with the target
  • Liquid Voice – All sound-based moves become Water-type moves
  • Triage – Gives priority to a healing move
  • Galvanize – Normal-type moves become Electric-type moves. The power of those moves is boosted a little
  • Surge Surfer – Doubles the Pokémon’s Speed stat on Electric Terrain
  • Schooling – When it has a lot of HP, the Pokémon forms a powerful school. It stops schooling when its HP is low
  • Disguise – Once per battle, the shroud that covers the Pokémon can protect it from an attack
  • Battle Bond – Defeating an opposing Pokémon strengthens the Pokémon’s bond with its Trainer, and it becomes Ash-Greninja. Water Shuriken gets more powerful
  • Power Construct – Other Cells gather to aid when its HP becomes half or less. Then the Pokémon changes its form to Complete Forme
  • Corrosion – The Pokémon can poison the target even if it’s a Steel or Poison type
  • Comatose – It’s always drowsing and will never wake up. It can attack without waking up
  • Queenly Majesty – Its majesty pressures the opposing Pokémon, making it unable to attack using priority moves
  • Innards Out – Damages the attacker landing the finishing hit by the amount equal to its last HP
  • Dancer – When another Pokémon uses a dance move, it can use a dance move following it regardless of its Speed
  • Battery – Powers up ally Pokémon’s special moves
  • Fluffy – Halves the damage taken from moves that make direct contact, but doubles that of Fire-type moves
  • Dazzling – Surprises the opposing Pokémon, making it unable to attack using priority moves
  • Soul-Heart – Boosts its Sp. Atk stat every time a Pokémon faints
  • Tangling Hair – Contact with the Pokémon lowers the attacker’s Speed stat
  • Receiver – The Pokémon copies the Ability of a defeated ally
  • Power of Alchemy – The Pokémon copies the Ability of a defeated ally
  • Beast Boost – The Pokémon boosts its most proficient stat each time it knocks out a Pokémon
  • RKS System – Changes the Pokémon’s type to match the memory disc it holds
  • Electric Surge – Turns the ground into Electric Terrain when the Pokémon enters a battle
  • Psychic Surge – Turns the ground into Psychic Terrain when the Pokémon enters a battle 
  • Misty Surge – Turns the ground into Misty Terrain when the Pokémon enters a battle
  • Grassy Surge – Turns the ground into Grassy Terrain when the Pokémon enters a battle
  • Full Metal Body – Prevents other Pokémon’s moves or Abilities from lowering the Pokémon’s stats
  • Shadow Shield – Reduces the amount of damage the Pokémon takes while its HP is full
  • Prism Armor – Reduces the power of supereffective attacks taken

Part 3 of our Essentials Guide will be posted tomorrow and features info about new items, Pokémon nerfs, buffs, and more!

T MINUS TWO DAYS UNTIL POKÉMON SUN & MOON!

t minus 7 days for europe lol sorry

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1,204 thoughts on “Pokémon Sun & Moon Essentials Guide – Part 2”

  7. Just got the e-mail, my double pack is arriving on Friday! This wait has flown by. I remember that day the Pokémon Direct was first announced and being so thankful that the news drought was finally over. And now here we are, in November 2016. I hope you all enjoy yourselves, you deserve it.

    Reply

  11. Guys,

    Desgin stats for Mega Pokemon who never got real Mega evo example: Meganium

    please don’t make them overpowered like 150 in sp atk and speed

    Delphox 75/80/90/120/125/144

    Reply

  12. Hypothetical
    Pokémon introduces fusion ala White/Black-Kyurem. The main difference being the new ‘mon gets its own unique name and the form change shows up in the dex under both Pokémon’s possible forms.
    Do you
    A. Get hyped cause you love Mega Evos and Alolan Forms so you’re ready to embrace more ways to revisit older Pokémon.
    B. Remain neutral but get excited when you see a design or typing you like.
    C. Get pissed cause they only real way to revisit old Pokémon is by giving them a real evolution.

    A all the way for me.

    Reply

  14. Sooo I think it’s all conjecture but GameXplain’s recent video has some of them feeling confident that the Switch Pokémon game is the third version for Sun and Moon. That’d be pretty crazy.

    Reply

    • I wish it’d be Z. It would explain so much. OR I wish Z would act as a third version for both X and Y & Sun and Moon, with the added power of Switch being able to power Kalos, Alola, Mega Evolutions, Z-Moves, and more all at the same time.

      Reply

  15. Does anyone know… I’m preloading the game but I won’t have an internet connection when the clock strikes midnight my time. Will I be able to access it right away without a connection (since it’s technically already on my 3DS), or will I have to connect for the system to confirm the time?

    Reply

  16. Frosslass dex entry is Evil as a hell she is snow women by the way …..I told u she is evil look at that. ………“When it finds humans or Pokémon it likes, it freezes them and takes them to its chilly den, where they become decorations.”

    Reply

  17. @TigerMasku
    That’s cool if true about the first part. 2nd part yes, the game mechanics have changed. Speed stat of the Mega evolution is now used for the calculations for who moves first and so abilities that effect that now need to be the Mega’s ability. So Mega Swampert can now utilize Swift Swim turn 1.

    Reply

  18. Ugh…….. reading people talk about the differences between playing SuMo on a regular 3ds and a New 3ds is driving me crazy……….I have a reg 3ds xl and I wasn’t planning on getting the new 3ds as the Switch is so close to coming out. Now I’m frustrated as it seems the start up time is pretty lengthy for SuMo on the reg 3ds. Idk what to do. I’m sure it’ll be fine, but do I dare try and justify spending $200 on a 3ds………..

    Reply

    • I think so. Should be interesting. I guess another country, I forget which one, is gonna have a dubbed version air as well soon. Sort of like what they did with XY. Hopefully they can dub it in English.

      Reply

        • Lol As if we’ve ever cared about staying on topic. I’m happy you’re happy Star. Have you come out at school? You were talking about how that was potentially happening at one point.

          And yes Sylveon’s adorable. Lol totally agreed.

          Reply

          • I haven’t fully but I’ve been more open about it. I have a transflag on my binder (dont really think anyone recognizes it but idk) and I dont really shy away from it. Maybe I should straight up say it but I dont know. I’m enjoying a couple less dysphoric days and then I’m super hyped for Steven Universe and of course Pokemon so I’m just taking it easy for a bit. Stuff’s stressful 😛

          • I can literally only imagine. But that’s good. I hope this doesn’t sound forced or corny, but I’m glad to hear you’re doing good. You’re an incredibly sweet human being. You’re excitability on here is highly infectious. I only wish you the best.

            Have you watched the new round of mini sodes they put out?

          • Aww thank you so much. And yeah they were so cute! My favorite was probably the video chat one with Lapis and Peridot… probably because those are my favorite gems?

          • Yea! Oh my god. I was laughing out loud so hard at that one. Those two make my life. I want an entire spin off series that’s just a slice-of-life of them being room mates. xD

            Also loved how that shat all over the fan base with Steven live reacting to the Sad Breakfast Friends episode.

          • Are you trans Star? If so congrats!!! If you don’t mind me asking, boy>girl or girl>boy (It’s hard to know who’s a girl and who’s a guy over here :D)

        • The new age genderism that pisses me off to no end
          I heard one teacher got fired just because he refused to use politically correct gender pronouns

          Reply

          • Avoiding getting into an argument of any kind and in the nicest way possible:

            It’s honestly just people being comfortable with their true gender. The way I see it if someone identifies as male, female, non-binary, gender fluid whatever, I see no problem to just respect that and use whatever pronouns they want.

            And like, I dont now the whole teacher situation but pronouns are really important when your trans because, at least to me, they really validate you and is just respectful. So if the student asked the teacher to use different pronouns, it is kinda pointlessly mean to not use them. Maybe he shouldn’t have been fired, but it really isn’t politically correct to call someone by what they want to be called. Its just respecting what they want to be called.

            And I see how cisgender sounds like a dirty word but it literally just means not trans. Nothing bad about it 🙂

          • Well that’s all fine and dandy but what about those crazies who blow their lids when somebody else uses traditional pronouns

            Then the whole shit boils up and goes nova

          • What do you mean traditional pronouns? Do you mean like, if they want to have ze/zim/zher used or they pronouns? Then yeah they are kinda being ridiculous IMO. Well, at this point of time at least. If like, they just ask them to use it its fine but people naturally just look at a person and think [insert gender here] right? Because that’s how gender has kinda been for most of history? But I think as it becomes more widely accepted then it wont happen as much.

            But yeah like, there are some unreasonable trans people just like there are unreasonable non-trans people. Just unreasonable people.

          • That’s why I don’t give two shites about it
            One I don’t want them to get all huffy or political and talk ma’ear off just because I didn’t call them their preferred gender
            And two I really don’t like how they assert gender privilege

          • People who get radical about it are sadly… Way too many people and in my opinion not helping anyone on any sides. They just make the whole situation more hostile and create “sides” in the first place by trying to separate people in such a fashion that one feels obligated to defend the side they’ve been pushed into because they feel attacked.

          • Can’t say nothing to nobody without them getting into a tizzy
            That’s why I choose to remain blunt when it comes to genderism

          • Really just comes down to respecting others and separating an idea from the more radical people that support said idea. That’s what just about any issue comes down to. But I know you’re blunt with everyone about everything. So I guess you’re just being consistent. Haha

          • Respect is earned
            You can’t make me do it just because you want me to or you if threaten me
            *mike drop*
            Narighty going to bed

          • I don’t mean to start an argument but trans people have earned respect for surviving people with your mind sets behaviour towards them

          • Respect is earned but you’re also suppose to have basic levels of respect even for complete strangers. If not you’ll just be walking around in life being rude and pissing people off. The least you could do is respect what someone wants to be called wether it be name or gender pronoun. But I’m sure you’re probably to ignorant to even comprehend something like that so nvm

          • Well firstly, most trans people aren’t going to get like that. Most won’t even want to make it obvious that they are trans unless they know you or are in a safe space. Because trans people aren’t really trans. They are their gender if that makes sense? I see transgender as more of a process.

            And calling someone by their gender is kinda important. Like if I called you female and used female pronouns, you wouldn’t like it. It’s just respecting what others want to be seen as and what they want to be called.

            I kinda think you have a screwed vision on what trans people are really like. Not trying to be disrespectful at all here, but we are just people. People who happen to feel differently than what our bodies show.

          • lol Oh Earthen. If you were anyone else.

            I’ll leave you with this.
            1. It harms no one by acknowledging that gender is not as finite as the sex organ that one is born with.
            2. Some people, like Star here, experience gender dysphoria which I won’t even pretend to be able to explain in such a way to give the issue justice. But gender not as simple as, “Today I feel like x.”
            3. Separate a ridiculous situation from the issue itself. There’s no reason to be against the gender spectrum just because a school administration and a teacher refused to be adults and acknowledge each other’s views.

          • “The new age genderism that PUSSES ME OFF TO NO END.”

            These are the type of people holding our country back guys. People who get pissed off to no end over things that have NOTHING to do with them. These are the people voting for Donald trump. These types of people are the ultimate poison in our society. They hate whatever is not the same as them and it, once again, PISSES THEM OFF TO NO END. Being trans or queer or non white, pisses people like THIS off to no end

  21. In 24 hours almost exactly I’ll be leaving for the midnight release!!!!!!
    I seriously don’t know how I’ll be able to get through my school day tomorrow, I won’t be able to focus at all.

    Reply

  22. Ok….ok enough people have talked me down…..I’m calm again….I won’t get the dumb 3ds……….*sigh*…….thanks everyone…..you saved me from going into a dark place hahaha

    Reply

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