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”

  2. Kinda unrelated but I finished Mega Man 2 for the first time the other night and loved it. Never got around to finishing it because I got stuck on a Wiley stage around the time other games were coming out but dang it was good.

    If only Mighty No. 9 could’ve been better….

    Reply

      • nah, most of the bosses are easy, its the stages that are difficult, but play through them enough and they become pretty easy. megaman 3 was much harder in all aspects, I think in part to the boss acquired weapons being not nearly as good as they are in megaman 2.

        Reply

  6. LOL I’ve already seen 80 % of the game (Thank god for the people on Youtube, who got the game early.) so I’m pretty sure that I’ll be well prepared for when I can actually get my hands on them. 😀
    If I can’t play the game when it comes out, than I should at LEAST get to watch the game early.

    Reply

  8. Aegislash has a minor buff where if it is attacked by a contact Normal, Fighting or Poison move (that it’s immune to) while using King’s Shield, the opponent will still suffer the stat drops regardless.

    Reply

    • Unless you live in the EU *cries*

      I’m just gonna spend all my time staring at spoilers and living vicariously through you guys till the 23rd 🙂

      Reply

    • Watched half. Seems less like he’s laughing at himself and more him trying to defend the lunacy of it all through self deprecating humor.

      Reply

      • Its a bit of both really. It more so him not wanting to say he’s wrong, and we do know now with the game released that he was on several points, but also wanting to say that some of it could maybe be true if you really stretch things. But whatever.

        Reply

  15. The first two episodes of the Sun and Moon anime are out and without delving into spoilers, I can confirm a few things:
    – More continuity in the first twp episodes than the whole of X/Y
    – It’s insanely funny
    – The animation and visuals are vibrant, pull you in, and are immensely expressive (Cannot for the movie’s animation and visuals)
    – Ash is competent and there is no reset
    – The characters are already well fleshed out except for one
    – The battles look AMAZING
    – THE OPENING IS DAMN BEAUTIFUL, CATCHY, AND AMAZING

    Reply

  17. Omg the sun/moon anime is so freaking amazing so far, and that music on the roof when he got the thing which I won’t say because, spoilers. But it was gorgeous music and I felt like I was watching a pokemon Movie

    Reply

  18. I’m so salty about the delayed European release date 🙁

    I ordered from ShopTo this time because when XY came out, they were dispatching the pre-orders 5 days in advance. I just contacted them to ask when they’re dispatching Sun/Moon and a rep told me next week. So I will get Sun Tuesday at the earliest. Hopes of playing by the end of this week…dashed. LOLSOB.

    Reply

  20. The anime is so good! Introduces a legend, the main gimmick and the rival(?) and the evil team all in the first episode!

    Lana’s Popplio (possibly) vs Mallow’s Bounsweet for best girl

    Reply

  21. I LOVE THE S/M ANIME!! Ash retains his XY/Z competence but with the added goofy characteristics. Love Kiawe and Mallow too. Don’t have an opinion yet on Sophocles and Lana

    Reply

    • Good to hear. A lot of people were worried this would be a complete change in the anime, but it seems that really only the animation has changed dramatically. I’m glad is still competent like in XY. That gives them room to have goofy elements, but also allows them to go a little bit more serious if they want to at certain points. I can’t wait to watch the new series!! lol

      Reply

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