Pokemon Sun and Moon News: Nintendo Direct Edition
From the September 1st Nintendo Direct, we got some news stuff revealed for S/M with confirmation of how "Z-moves" work. For those who want to watch the Nintendo Direct video, I'll leave a link here. Don't worry about waiting or scrubbing the video time as Pokemon is the first thing they cover anyways. So here's what we got.
Seems like we've got a new region variant Pokemon for perhaps amoung most ironic Pokemon in Alolan Ratatta. From the video, Alolan Rattata seem to be more bipedal with black / brown fur covering its body instead of the traditional purple / white color. This form of Rattata is now Dark / Normal with weaknesses in Fairy-, Bug-, and notably Fighting-type. On the brightside with the added Dark-typing, Alolan Rattata is now immune to Psychic moves (also Ghost), and take Dark-type moves better. Based on Rattata's past movesets, attacks like Bite, Crunch, Pursuit, Sucker Punch, and Assurance will get the STAB boost thanks to the Dark-typing. Really nice offensive typing for Rattata, especially how it has a semi decent ability in Hustle for the in-game. The back story for Rattata becoming part Dark-type ties back to Yungoos (also Gumshoos). In the past, Alola had to deal with the increasing overpopulation of Rattata in the region so they imported Yungoos to check their "rat" problem. Eventually Rattata's adapted to their environment enough to where they became full nocturnal and gain the part Dark-typing.
During the direct, we see a number of different Z-Moves shown such as two unknown ones (likely Fighting / Ghost respectively), and a new form of Z-Moves for specific species of Pokemon. Both Alolan Raichu and regular Snorlax are the only two shown to have specific Z-Move exclusive attacks so far, however no other Pokemon shown in the direct were specified to have them. For Alolan Raichu (not sure if this just exclusive to this form, not regular Raichu), it's Z-move is called Stoked SparkSurfer. When the attack was performed, Alolan Raichu gets on its tail (like a surfboard), powers up electricity for the attack, and finally charges at the opponent. Regular Snorlax's Z move has a funny name and animation to it as performs its "Pulverizing Pancake" Z-move. Based on the animation, Snorlax wakes up enraged, jumps up in the air, charges at the opponent to where it goes for a "Body Slam"-like maneuver and causes an explosion (probably a bit over kill there buddy).
![[Image: CrRl9O0UAAA-v5a.jpg:large]](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CrRl9O0UAAA-v5a.jpg:large)
Regarding Z-Crystals, seems like these items will have a specific slot in the item bag and be organized as such. Based on the trailer, we've only seen the confirmed names of the "Waterium Z", "Grassium Z", and the Snorlaxium Z (for the exclusive attack). Guess now every Z-Crystal item will have the "ium" suffix part into their name. Based on the description, Z-Crystals do indeed "upgrade" any type corresponding or matching the Z-Crystal to perform these powerful Z-moves. This was actually shown at Gamecon awhile ago where they showcased teh exact sequence it takes to perform Z-moves, which is kinda similar to enabling Mega Evolution. Here's an image from PLDH.net (from twitter) that shows the battle of using a Z-move, in this case the Normal-type one. On a final note, Munchlax with Happy Hour / Hold Back will be distributed from the game launch day, until January 11th of next with the Snorlaxium Z. I'm not sure if this will be only method to get Snorlax's Z Crystal, so download the event Munchlax ASAP.
Well that's all the news we got from Nintendo Direct for Pokemon, however the Pokemon Company did have a trailer showcasing what Nintendo revealed in the presentation so I'll link the video below.
Well that's all the news we got from yesterday, however just as I was typing this article, Serebii posted something regarding the Korean Board Rating (similar to ESRB) specifically for the "Pokemon Sun and Moon Special Trail Version". Don't get your hopes up, though Pokemon might just do another Demo release for the upcoming games, though when we don't know as of this time. Along with a potential demo of the game, Pokemon JP did release a statement that they'll unveil new information on the 6th of September, so we'll be on the lookout for that. In all, anyone can discuss what was shown in the Nintendo Direct, the potential "demo", and possibly the new information reveal on the 6th down below. See you all soon.
Alolan Rattata
![[Image: CrRgdAIUkAA3Zys.jpg]](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CrRgdAIUkAA3Zys.jpg)
Seems like we've got a new region variant Pokemon for perhaps amoung most ironic Pokemon in Alolan Ratatta. From the video, Alolan Rattata seem to be more bipedal with black / brown fur covering its body instead of the traditional purple / white color. This form of Rattata is now Dark / Normal with weaknesses in Fairy-, Bug-, and notably Fighting-type. On the brightside with the added Dark-typing, Alolan Rattata is now immune to Psychic moves (also Ghost), and take Dark-type moves better. Based on Rattata's past movesets, attacks like Bite, Crunch, Pursuit, Sucker Punch, and Assurance will get the STAB boost thanks to the Dark-typing. Really nice offensive typing for Rattata, especially how it has a semi decent ability in Hustle for the in-game. The back story for Rattata becoming part Dark-type ties back to Yungoos (also Gumshoos). In the past, Alola had to deal with the increasing overpopulation of Rattata in the region so they imported Yungoos to check their "rat" problem. Eventually Rattata's adapted to their environment enough to where they became full nocturnal and gain the part Dark-typing.
![[Image: ghostzmove.jpg]](http://www.serebii.net/sunmoon/ghostzmove.jpg)
![[Image: fightingzmove.jpg]](http://www.serebii.net/sunmoon/fightingzmove.jpg)
![[Image: stokedsparksurfer.jpg]](http://www.serebii.net/sunmoon/stokedsparksurfer.jpg)
![[Image: pulverisingpancake.jpg]](http://www.serebii.net/sunmoon/pulverisingpancake.jpg)
During the direct, we see a number of different Z-Moves shown such as two unknown ones (likely Fighting / Ghost respectively), and a new form of Z-Moves for specific species of Pokemon. Both Alolan Raichu and regular Snorlax are the only two shown to have specific Z-Move exclusive attacks so far, however no other Pokemon shown in the direct were specified to have them. For Alolan Raichu (not sure if this just exclusive to this form, not regular Raichu), it's Z-move is called Stoked SparkSurfer. When the attack was performed, Alolan Raichu gets on its tail (like a surfboard), powers up electricity for the attack, and finally charges at the opponent. Regular Snorlax's Z move has a funny name and animation to it as performs its "Pulverizing Pancake" Z-move. Based on the animation, Snorlax wakes up enraged, jumps up in the air, charges at the opponent to where it goes for a "Body Slam"-like maneuver and causes an explosion (probably a bit over kill there buddy).
Regarding Z-Crystals, seems like these items will have a specific slot in the item bag and be organized as such. Based on the trailer, we've only seen the confirmed names of the "Waterium Z", "Grassium Z", and the Snorlaxium Z (for the exclusive attack). Guess now every Z-Crystal item will have the "ium" suffix part into their name. Based on the description, Z-Crystals do indeed "upgrade" any type corresponding or matching the Z-Crystal to perform these powerful Z-moves. This was actually shown at Gamecon awhile ago where they showcased teh exact sequence it takes to perform Z-moves, which is kinda similar to enabling Mega Evolution. Here's an image from PLDH.net (from twitter) that shows the battle of using a Z-move, in this case the Normal-type one. On a final note, Munchlax with Happy Hour / Hold Back will be distributed from the game launch day, until January 11th of next with the Snorlaxium Z. I'm not sure if this will be only method to get Snorlax's Z Crystal, so download the event Munchlax ASAP.
Well that's all the news we got from Nintendo Direct for Pokemon, however the Pokemon Company did have a trailer showcasing what Nintendo revealed in the presentation so I'll link the video below.
Well that's all the news we got from yesterday, however just as I was typing this article, Serebii posted something regarding the Korean Board Rating (similar to ESRB) specifically for the "Pokemon Sun and Moon Special Trail Version". Don't get your hopes up, though Pokemon might just do another Demo release for the upcoming games, though when we don't know as of this time. Along with a potential demo of the game, Pokemon JP did release a statement that they'll unveil new information on the 6th of September, so we'll be on the lookout for that. In all, anyone can discuss what was shown in the Nintendo Direct, the potential "demo", and possibly the new information reveal on the 6th down below. See you all soon.
