Your family has just left Kanto for a small house by the sea, on Melemele Island. Professor Kukui is already waiting for you at the doorstep: in Alola, you receive your first Pokémon from the island’s Kahuna.
- Objective
- Receive your starter Pokémon in Iki Town
- Characters
- Professor Kukui, Lillie, Hala, Hau
- Rewards
- Rowlet, Litten or Popplio, Pokédex
- Level
- 5
🏠Welcome to Alola
The game begins with a conversation with Professor Kukui, who asks for your name and lets you choose your appearance. A few moments later, you are in your room, surrounded by boxes. Your mother and her Meowth urge you to come downstairs: the Professor has come to fetch you in person.
Kukui, always shirtless under his lab coat, takes you north, along Route 1, to the village of Iki Town. The island’s Kahuna is supposed to give you a Pokémon there, but he isn’t around: the Professor decides to wait for him and lets you explore.
🌉The Mahalo Trail bridge
North of the village, a young girl in white heads off toward the Mahalo Trail. This is Lillie, the Professor’s assistant. Follow her to the old wooden bridge over the ravine: the Pokémon she hides in her bag has escaped, and is now stuck in the middle of the bridge, harassed by Spearow.
Lillie doesn’t dare step forward and asks you to help. As you try to protect the little creature, you end up in the middle of the planks when the Pokémon gives off a bright light: the bridge gives way. That’s when a yellow and black Pokémon swoops down from the sky, catches you and sets you down on the cliff: Tapu Koko, the guardian deity of Melemele. Before leaving, it drops a shining stone, a Sparkling Stone.
🌺Choosing your starter Pokémon
Back in Iki Town, Kahuna Hala has arrived. Impressed by your courage on the bridge, he presents the three starter Pokémon of Alola. Professor Kukui then gives you your Pokédex.
RowletNo. 5GrassFlyingRowlet, Grass and Flying. It evolves into Dartrix at level 17, then into Decidueye, Grass and Ghost, at level 34.
LittenNo. 5FireLitten, Fire. It evolves into Torracat at level 17, then into Incineroar, Fire and Dark, at level 34.
PopplioNo. 5WaterPopplio, Water. It evolves into Brionne at level 17, then into Primarina, Water and Fairy, at level 34.
No choice is a bad one. Rowlet holds up well in the early battles thanks to its dual typing; Litten starts off with more difficulty against Olivia’s Grand Trial, but becomes a formidable attacker; Popplio is the most comfortable on the first two islands. Our guide Getting Started compares the three in detail.
⚔️First battle against Hau
As you try to leave the village, you are stopped by Hau, Hala’s grandson, who has also just received his first Pokémon. He chose the one that is at a disadvantage against yours: the battle is a simple formality.
Hau
📍 Iki TownHau has only one Pokémon, at level 5, weak against yours. Use your type’s attack from the first turn.
After the battle, Hala notices the Sparkling Stone and asks you to leave it with him until tomorrow. Head home: the day is over.
Iki Town
🎒Items
- 🎁Z-RingGiven by Hala during the festival in honor of Tapu Koko.
- 🎁Fightinium ZGiven by Hala after defeating him in the Grand Trial.
- 🎁Ride Pager
- 💿TM54Given by Kukui after defeating Hala in the Grand Trial.
- 🎁Zygarde CellVisible on the ground near the entrance of Mahalo Trail (at night)
Next step: Route 1, the festival and the Z-Ring.
