The latest trailer for Pokémon Sun and Moon on Aug. 1 was a doozy. Not only did we get more new Pokémon for the Alola Region, but fans were also treated to what that bracelet your trainer dons in Sun and Moon is.
But by far the biggest surprise was the inclusion of Alola Forms for some Gen 1 Pokémon including the Vulpix and Sandshrew line and Exeggutor.
We also got to see what your trainer will actually be doing in Sun and Moon.
There’s a lot to sift through and we compiled a list of questions raised from the latest Sun and Moon reveals below.
NO MORE GYMS?
With the reveal of the Island Challenge, it seems that Sun and Moon won’t have any Gyms like in previous games. Now, while this isn’t confirmed the wording from the official Pokémon website regarding the Island Challenge seems to point that way.
“One aspect of the unique culture that has developed in the Alola region is the island challenge, an adventurous rite that involves traveling through each of the four islands. This event helps young people grow into fine Pokémon Trainers. As the main character of Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon , you yourself are destined to attempt this island challenge.”
The Island Challenge consists of meeting one of four Trial Captains who all specialize in a single type of Pokémon (similar to a Gym Leader) and will give your trainer a task. From the trailer, we see that some tasks the Trial Captains will give are to fetch ingredients and look for a particular Pokémon that may be terrorizing the island.
You’ll also have to face off against a Totem Pokémon, which is a stronger version of a Pokémon that you’ve already met. Their stats will be stronger and they can summon ally Pokémon to help fight your trainer.
But completing these tasks and beating the Totem Pokémon are not the only things your trainer will have to do, they’ll also have to battle the Kahuna of each island. The Kahuna acts as the leader of their respective islands and you will battle them at some point.
Hana from the starting island is the Kahuna and you do battle him, from the looks of the new trailer.
Interesting enough, a supposed Sun and Moon leak said there will be no Gyms but that it’ll be your trainer's job to set one up and that the Elite Four will appear once you do.
Whether this is true is unknown but it’s beginning to look like it.
ALOLA FORM MAROWAK?
A description of one of the Trial Captains says the following?
"Kiawe is a captain whose expertise is in Fire-type Pokémon. Together with his Marowak, he studies the traditional dances that have been passed down in the Alola region."
This would seem to signify that a Fire-type Alola form Marowak line is coming. Just imagine a Marowak as a fire juggler.
ALOLA FORMS REPLACING MEGA EVOLUTION?
Gen 6 introduced Mega Evolutions into Pokémon but Sun and Moon are introducing variant forms to older Pokémon.
Introducing Alola Form Pokémon, which according to the Pokémon website are Pokémon that adapted to new climates.
“Some Pokémon have adapted to the distinctive microclimates of the Alola region, taking on different forms than they have in other regions. These Pokémon are called regional variants. Taking root in the Alola region, they live like native Pokémon. Regional variant Pokémon can have different appearances and types, and their ways of living can also differ from that of the forms previously known.”
With so many new Pokémon introduced and now these Alola Form Pokémon, and the absence of Mega Evolutions, we can’t help but wonder if the feature from Gen 6 will make it to Gen 7.
Especially with the lack of Mega Rings found on any of the trainers in all of the Sun and Moon promotional material. But there is another device that appears on trainers.
Z-MOVES AREN’T TYPE-SPECIFIC?
The rumored Synchro attack or 5th move is actually a Z-Move. These special moves can only be used once per battle and they are very strong.
But how does Z-Moves work? According to the Pokémon website a trainer needs the Z-Ring with a Z-Crystal in it. A Pokémon needs to hold the same Z-Crystal for the move to work but the Pokémon needs to actually know a move with the corresponding type.
For example, if you have an Electric Z-Crystal your Pokémon needs to know an Electric-type move. While this isn’t confirmed, it would suggest a Tauros who knows Wild Charge can use an Electric Z-Crystal.
Also, the new trailer and site say there are Crystals that correspond to each Pokémon type. So while the only attack types we’ve seen are Electric, Fire, Water and Grass, trainers should expect a lot more.
ORICORIO HAS A CONNECTION WITH ALOLA GUARDIANS?
One of the new Pokémon in Sun and Moon is Oricorio, the bird that can change its typing depending on the island it’s on.
However, it is a possible connection to Tapu Koko and the other Alola Guardians that has us intrigued. The four typings for Oricorio are Electric, Fire, Psychic and Ghost (along with its Flying typing) and this can be the same as the Alola Guardians.
Tapu Koko is a Electric and Fairy-type but the other three island Guardians could be Fire, Psychic and Ghost along with the Fairy typing.
YouTubers Bird Keeper Toby and Spector did a great video on this theory, which came before Oricorio’s reveal and now strengthens their argument take a look.
So what do you think of all the new information from Pokémon Sun and Moon? Let us know in the comments section below.
