Are you starting Ultra Sun or Ultra Moon? These versions look a lot like Sun and Moon, but they hold a few surprises and a pace of their own. This guide answers the questions of the first few hours: which version to pick, which starter to choose, how trials, Z-Moves and Ride Pokémon work, and what to do to make smooth progress all the way to the League.
Which version should you pick?
The story is the same in both versions. What changes are the available Pokémon, the legendary Pokémon of the Ultra Wormhole, the Totem Pokémon given in exchange for stickers and the Ultra Recon Squad members you face. A few examples among the exclusives:
| Ultra Sun | Ultra Moon |
|---|---|
| Alolan Vulpix and Ninetales | Alolan Sandshrew and Sandslash |
| Houndour, Houndoom | Electrike, Manectric |
| Tyrunt, Clawitzer | Amaura, Dragalge |
| Passimian, Turtonator | Oranguru, Drampa |
| Ultra Beasts Buzzwole, Kartana, Blacephalon | Ultra Beasts Pheromosa, Celesteela, Stakataka |
| Legendary Pokémon Ho-Oh, Groudon, Dialga, Reshiram, Xerneas… | Legendary Pokémon Lugia, Kyogre, Palkia, Zekrom, Yveltal… |
The full list is in our article Differences between Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon. In practice, choose the version whose mascot you like best: Dusk Mane Necrozma for Ultra Sun, Dawn Wings for Ultra Moon. Trading with a friend will let you complete the rest.
Which starter Pokémon?
The three starter Pokémon are the ones from Sun and Moon:
#0722RowletGrassFlyingGrass/Flying, then Grass/Ghost as Decidueye
#0725LittenFireFire, then Fire/Dark as Incineroar
#0728PopplioWaterWater, then Water/Fairy as Primarina
- Rowlet evolves into Dartrix at level 17 and then into Decidueye at level 34, which becomes Grass/Ghost. A good balance, but vulnerable to several common types.
- Litten evolves into Torracat and then into Incineroar, a very offensive Fire/Dark Pokémon. Lana’s Water-type trial is trickier with it.
- Popplio evolves into Brionne and then into Primarina, Water/Fairy, the most comfortable for the adventure: few weaknesses and a solid Special Attack.
Your rival, Hau, will take the Pokémon that is at a disadvantage against yours. The details on moves and stats are in The starter Pokémon.
Understanding the Island Challenge
Alola replaces Gyms with the Island Challenge. On each island, captains put you through trials: a riddle, a search or a quiz, then a battle against a Totem Pokémon, larger and stronger than normal, which calls for allies. The island ends with a Grand Trial, a battle against the island kahuna. Each success earns you a Z-Crystal.
Z-Moves
Each Z-Crystal corresponds to a type. If a Pokémon holds that crystal and knows a move of the same type, it can turn that move into a much more powerful Z-Move, once per battle. The Z-Power Ring, received during the story, also unlocks the exclusive Z-Moves of certain Pokémon. Thanks to the Rotom Dex, once your bond with it is strong enough, you will sometimes be able to recharge a Z-Move that has already been used. Our article The Z-Crystals shows where to find each one.
Ride Pokémon
There are no HMs in the seventh generation: obstacles are overcome with Pokémon you can call at will, without putting them on your team.
| Ride Pokémon | Role | Obtained |
|---|---|---|
| Tauros | Charge and smash rocks | After the Melemele Island Grand Trial |
| Lapras | Travel across water | At the start of Lana’s trial |
| Stoutland | Sniff out hidden items | At Paniola Ranch |
| Charizard | Fly to places you have already visited | After the fourth trial, given by Kiawe |
| Sharpedo | Travel fast and smash rocks on the water | Route 15 |
| Mudsdale | Cross rocky terrain | Route 12 |
| Machamp | Push large boulders | Ancient Poni Path, on Poni Island |
| Mantine | Surf between the islands (Mantine Surf) | After the Melemele Island Grand Trial |
All the details are in The Ride Pokémon.
Nine tips for a good start
- Catch widely from Melemele Island onwards. The Pokédex has 403 Pokémon, and many can only be found on the first island.
- Keep the Exp. Share turned on during the adventure: your whole team levels up without you having to rotate Pokémon.
- Read the move effectiveness. Once you have encountered a Pokémon, the game tells you whether your moves are effective against it.
- Collect the Totem Stickers as soon as Ilima introduces them to you in Hau’oli City: there are a hundred, and the milestones give you Totem Pokémon.
- Visit Poké Pelago regularly: your boxed Pokémon gather berries and items there.
- Go to Poké Refresh to strengthen your Pokémon’s affection, which sometimes lets them dodge an attack or survive a fatal blow.
- Don’t neglect the Battle Agency, which opens after Sophocles’s trial: it earns you useful items.
- Prepare for Ultra Necrozma. The battle in chapter 11 is the hardest in the game: arrive with a varied team and healing items.
- Explore calls for help. In a battle against a wild Pokémon, it may call for an ally: chaining these calls increases your chances of getting a Hidden Ability, good stats or a shiny Pokémon (Calling for help).
For what comes next, the complete walkthrough guides you chapter by chapter.
