The first hours in Alola are chattier than in earlier games, but they lay foundations that matter for the whole adventure: the choice of starter, the first catches and a few useful settings. Here is what you need to get off to a good start.

🌺Rowlet, Litten or Popplio?

  • DecidueyeGrassGhost

    Decidueye, Grass and Ghost. Very useful against Lana, Olivia and Hapu; struggles against Kiawe and Kahili.

  • IncineroarFireDark

    Incineroar, Fire and Dark. Shines against Mallow, Sophocles, Guzma and Acerola; suffers against Lana and especially Olivia.

  • PrimarinaWaterFairy

    Primarina, Water and Fairy. The most comfortable: it beats Kiawe, Olivia, Nanu and Hapu, and its Fairy type comes in handy against Kommo-o.

All three evolve at levels 17 and 34. Popplio makes the adventure easiest; Rowlet is the most versatile thanks to its dual typing; Litten is the most demanding early on, but Incineroar is a very solid physical attacker late in the game. Whichever you choose, Hau will take the one that is at a disadvantage against yours, and Professor Kukui will keep the one that beats you.

🐾Good recruits on Melemele

  • Pikipek (Route 1) becomes Toucannon: a bird that carries you through the whole adventure.
  • Abra (Hau’oli City) becomes Alakazam by trade; even Kadabra is already an excellent attacker.
  • Growlithe (Route 2) becomes Arcanine with the Fire Stone from Diglett’s Tunnel.
  • Mankey (Route 3) and Makuhita (Route 2, shaking grass) bring a useful Fighting type very early.
  • Cutiefly (Route 2, Route 3) becomes Ribombee, Bug and Fairy, at level 25.
  • Bagon (Kala’e Bay) will become Salamence at level 50: a long-term investment.

⚙️Useful settings and habits

  • The Exp. Share, given right from the Trainer School, shares experience with the whole team. Leave it on for steady progress, turn it off if the game gets too easy.
  • Move effectiveness is shown in battle once you have faced a Pokémon once: “super effective”, “not very effective”… Make use of it.
  • Poké Refresh, accessible from the menu, lets you pet and feed your Pokémon. A Pokémon that likes you sometimes dodges an attack, survives a fatal hit or heals a status condition on its own.
  • The Rotom Dex always shows your next destination on the map on the bottom screen.
  • SOS Battles: after the first Trial, a wild Pokémon in trouble can call for backup. To catch it calmly, weaken it without overdoing it. See our guide.

💰Money

Alola’s Pokémon Centers sell advanced healing items and TMs at high prices. Pick up the Amulet Coin at Paniola Ranch: held by a Pokémon that battles, it doubles the money earned. Well-off Trainers, like the elderly ones, pay more. Our guide Money and Experience goes further.

⚠️Mistakes to avoid

  • Using the Master Ball on the box legendary: it can be caught without it. Save it for an Ultra Beast.
  • Neglecting the Fighting and Ground types: they are valuable against many Totem Pokémon and Kahunas.
  • Forgetting to backtrack with each new Poké Ride: many items and TMs hide behind rocks.

Ready? Our full walkthrough starts in Iki Town.