Were Hints at Galarian Forms Hidden in Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon?

This article was written by Jonathan H. for use on PokéJungle. His theory is not a rumor or leak, simply an analysis of what we know and a prediction based off of that information.

In Alola players met our first regional variants: Alolan forms. Some stat boosts were also given to their Kantonian forms, as well as expanded movepools. For example, Kantonian Sandshrew was given “Hone Claws” as an egg move during the later half of that generation: Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon.

sun & moon logo splash

When Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon came out they introduced five new Pokémon (Poipole, Nagandel, Stakataka, Blacephalon and Zeraora), as well as new Necrozma forms. However, we also were given unannounced changes to previously existing Pokemon. For example, Litten was given a new egg move: “Power Trip.” It makes sense to give Pokemon in Alola new egg moves and/or updated stats to promote game balance. However, Pokemon Company/Game Freak did not stop there. Pokemon such as Koffing and Zigzagoon were also given new egg moves: Koffing was the only poison type Pokemon in USUM to receive the egg move “Venom Drench”; Zigzagoon was the only Pokemon to receive the egg move “Extreme Speed”. These two were NOT available in Alola, but were given new egg moves… Why? Perhaps to promote balance in future games. What else do we know about those two Pokemon now? They are in Galar with Galarian forms.

Galarian Zigzagoon

Serebii.net has neatly organized all the Pokemon with egg move updates, move pool changes, and stat changes in Sun and Moon or Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon. Using the egg move and stat change data, I have created a list of Pokemon who are candidates to receive Galarian forms by the same logic above. I considered potential Galarian forms based on four parameters: (1) the Pokemon received a stat change; (2) the Pokemon received a new egg move; (3) the Pokemon’s full evolution line has not been revealed explicitly via a Sword and Shield trailer/gameplay; (4) the Pokemon was not present in Alola. Pokemon with two or more of the above should be considered as potential Galarian forms.

Naturally, Zigzagoon and Koffing’s specific profiles were as follows: No stat changes, new egg moves (not also given to multiple same-type Pokemon at that time e.g., “Strength Sap”), not yet revealed in Galar trailers, and unavailable in USUM. So, whether or not you weigh-in stat changes is your choice. Remember that this list is completely meant for data-based correlation and speculation, and not meant to be a guide to all upcoming Galarian forms.

Notable Pokemon who fit the pattern of being the only Pokemon to receive a unique, new egg move in USUM, have not been shown in Sword and Shield trailers, and were unavailable in Alola include the following:

  • Bidoof
  • Bouffalant
  • Chimeco
  • Darumaka
  • Deerling
  • Farfetch’d
  • Girafarig
  • Illumise
  • Pansage
  • Pansear
  • Patrat
  • Roselia
  • Shelmut
  • Spiritomb
  • Spritzee
  • Tangela
  • Whismur
  • Zigzagoon.

Here are several Pokemon who did not make that list due to sharing a new egg move, although it might be with a different type Pokemon:

  • Blitzle & Hawlucha (Feint)
  • Carnivine & Scraggy (Acid Spray)
  • Koffing and Tympole (Venom Drench)
  • Ledyba & Petilil (Endure)
  • Ponyta & Phanpy (High Horsepower)
  • Swirlix & Dewpider (Sticky Web)
  • Volbeat (Lunge)
  • Yamask & Chimeco (Crafty Shield)

Simply because Pokémon are not on this list does not mean they are off the table for receiving a Galarian form. Pokémon received stat changes. We can imagine these are further efforts by The Pokémon Company or Game Freak attempting to balance the gameplay. They’ve been referring to balance a lot recently. Both with reference to why the national dex could not be included, as well as removing Z moves and Mega Evolution from Galar. Perhaps these stat changes could further indicate Pokemon present in and/or potentially receiving Galarian forms! For example, why give Woobat +10 HP, but leave Swoobat as is? Meaning with base 425 stats. Like Linoone’s 420? Perhaps we’ll be getting a Galarian… and a third evolution!

Check out the massive table that I’ve compiled below and share your own conclusions in the comments!

Pokémon LineStat Changes?New MoveIn Galar?In Alola? (Y/N)
EkansAttack +10 (Arbok)
?Yes
Sandshrew
Hone Claws?Yes (Alolan Form)
Oddish
Strength Sap?No
Paras
Grassy Terrain?Yes
DiglettAttack +20 (Dugtrio)
In-RegionYes (Alolan Form)
AbraSpDef +10 (m-Alakazam)Psychic Terrain?Yes
Bellsprout
Strength Sap?No
Ponyta
High Horsepower?No
Farfetch’dAttack +25
First Impression/Final Gambit?No
DoduoSpeed +10 (Dodrio)?No
OnixWide Guard
Steelix In-RegionYes
Drowzee
Power Split / Psychic Terrain?Yes
VoltorbSpeed +10 (Electrode)
?Yes
ExeggcuteSpeed +10 (Exeggutor)
?Yes (Alolan Form)
Cubone
Curse?Yes (Alolan Form)
Lickitung
Thrash?Yes
Koffing
Venom DrenchGalarian Form: WeezingNo
Tangela
Wake-Up Slap?No
Mr. Mime
Psychic Terrain?Yes
Snorlax
Power-Up PunchIn-RegionYes
Sentret
Baby-Doll Eyes?No
HoothootSpA + 10 (Noctowl)Mean Look / HurricaneHoothoot In-regionYes
Ledyba
Endure / Counter?Yes
SpinarakSpeed + 10 (Ariados)Lunge?Yes
Hoppip
Strength Sap?No
Aipom
Tail Slap?Yes
Wooper
Power-Up PunchQuagsire In-RegionYes
Murkrow
Punishment?Yes
Girafarig
Psychic Terrain / Psychic Fangs?No
QwilfishDefense +10
In-RegionNo
MagcargoHP + 10, SA + 10
?Yes
CorsolaHP +10, Def +10, SDef +10
?Yes
Delibird
Counter?Yes
MantineHP + 20
In-RegionYes
Phanpy
High Horsepower?No
Zigzagoon
Extreme SpeedGalarian Form: ObstagoonNo
TaillowSA + 25 (Swellow)
?Yes
WingullSA + 10 (Pelipper)
Wingull In-RegionYes
SurskitSA +20 Speed +20 (Masq)
?Yes
Whismur
Whirlwind?No
SkittySpeed + 20 (Delcatty)
?No
Mawile
Power-Up PunchIn-RegionYes
Plusle
Tearful Look?No
Minun
Tearful Look?No
VolbeatDef +20, SDef +10Lunge?No
IllumiseDef +20, SDef +10Aromatherapy?No
Roselia
Power WhipBudew In-RegionNo
Numel
Heavy Slam?No
Cacnea
Power-Up Punch?No
Swablu
Play Rough?Yes
Zangoose
Belly Drum?Yes
LunatoneHP + 20
?No
SolrockHP + 20
?No
Kecleon
Power-Up Punch?Yes
Tropius
Dragon Hammer?Yes
Chimecho
Crafty Shield / Perish Song?No
Turtwig
Heavy Slam?Yes
Chimchar
Power-Up Punch?Yes
Piplup
Power Trap?Yes
Bidoof
Mud Sport?No
Pachirisu
Baby Doll Eyes?No
Buizel
Helping Hand?Yes
Cherubi
Grassy terrain?No
Buneary
Power-Up Punch?Yes
Spiritomb
Disable?No
Riolu/Lucario
Meteor MashLucario In-RegionYes
Carnivine
Acid Spray?No
Finneon
Confuse Ray?Yes
Tepig
Burn Up?No
Oshawott
Sacred Sword?No
Patrat
Tearful Look / Bullet Seed?No
Pansage
Spiky Shield?No
Pansear
Belch / Flare Blitz?No
Blitzle
Feint?No
WoobatHP + 10 (Woobat)
?No
Timburr
Power-Up Punch?No
Tympole
Venom DrenchSeismitoad In-RegionNo
Sewaddle
Grassy Terrain?Yes
Cottonee
Misty TerrainWhimsicott In-RegionYes
Petilil
Endure?Yes
Basculin
Head Smash?Yes
Darumaka
Extrasensory?No
DwebbleAttack + 10 (Crustle)
?Yes
Scraggy
Power-Up Punch / Acid Spray?Yes
Yamask
Crafty Shield?No
Trubbish
Automatize?Yes
Ducklett
Aqua Jet?Yes
Deerling
Headbutt?No
Joltik
LungeGalvantula In-RegionNo
CubchooAttack +20 (Beartic)
?No
CryogonalHP + 10, Def + 20
?No
Shelmut
Toxic Spikes?No
Bouffalant
Cotton Guard?No
Deino
BelchHydreigon In-RegionNo
Chespin
Power-Up Punch?Yes
Fennekin
Psychic Terrain?Yes
Froakie
Power-Up Punch?Yes
Flabebe
Tearful Look?Yes
Skiddo
Grassy Terrain?No
Spritzee
Nasty Plot?No
Swirlix
Sticky Web?No
Inkay
Guard SwapMalamar In-RegionYes
Hawlucha
FeintIn-RegionYes
Dedenne
Tearful Look?Yes
Phantump
Power-Up Punch?Yes
Pumpkaboo
CurseIn-RegionNo
Litten
Power Trip?Yes
Yungoos
I/F/T Fang?Yes
Cutiefly
Powder / Sticky Web?Yes
Wishiwashi
WhirlpoolIn-RegionYes
Dewpider
Sticky Web?Yes
Sandygast
Curse?Yes
Pyukumuku
Spite?Yes

Back to PokéJungle’s writing: Want to discuss Pokémon Sword & Shield in real-time? Join in on Discord!

Thanks for reading

How can you help support our site? By becoming a patron! Join our Patreon and help us continue to grow our unique community together!