[DISCUSSION] Pokemon Sun & Moon News Thread (Will Contain Pre-Launch Spoilers)

[Black117]

September 20th Pokemon Sun and Moon News

After about around since the release, I'm going to sorta "review" all the news and relevant information regarding the latest Pokemon Sun and Moon information drop from both the International and Japanese trailers. There's like four major topics to discuss here: the new "version-exclusive" Alolan Pokemon, an in-depth look at the returning Trainer Customization, the re-branded successor of Amie in Pokemon Refresher, and the two new Z-move exclusives for the series icons Pikachu and Eevee! The final sections will be regarding "other news" that was dropped the same day, such the Pokemon Bank Update, and the Tournament Structure for the Play Pokemon! scene, which also indirectly hints at a familiar format. Well I'm going to head straight into it. 
 

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New Version Exclusive Pokemon


The Teamwork Pokemon: Passimian
Type: Fighting
Height: 6'07"
Weight: 185.5 lbs
Abilities: Receiver

 

Passimian is the newest pure Fighting-type Pokemon revealed exclusive to Pokemon Sun, and has brand new ability to showcased. The description TCPi released regarding Passimian is they tend to work together in groups, often using Berries, and coordinate attacks when searching for food. The ability is "Receiver", as its a new exclusive multi platform ability (not singles), which allows the user to "inherit", or hence the name receive the ability of an ally Pokemon. Based on comparisons to Passimian and Oranguru (will get into later), Passimian seems more offensive than the two primates. The only thing to say about Passimian is that its one of the "speculated" leaked Pokemon as a couple leaks mention about a Rugby-like Pokemon. . Not much to say about Passimian, as it found in Pokemon Sun, and has a rather interesting ability which I wonder how VGC players will make do with it. 

 

The Sage Pokemon: Oranguru 
Type: Normal / Psychic
Height: 4'11''
Weight 167.6 lbs
Ability: Inner Focus / Telepathy

 

Oranguru is the Normal/Psychic-type for Pokemon Moon exclusive, which seems to mirror its counterpart Passimian with support-like qualities, and features an interesting new signature move. From the released information, Oranguru is said to live in deep in the forest, but they do have a tendency to assist both Pokemon and people via providing food or medicine (might hints towards a "support" route). The abilities for Oranguru aren't new as Inner Focus prevents any form of "flinching", while Telepathy prevents any damage done from an ally (useful when using multi spread moves). If anything, Oranguru's new move in Instruct is perhaps one of the more potentially viable support moves released. Basically what this allows Oranguru to do is "instruct", or make any certain target, or ally move again using the same attack "immediately afterward". I won't explain my full thoughts here about this Pokemon, but here's a link to a post which does so. 

 

The Wolf Pokemon: Lycanroc (Midday Form)
Type: Rock
Height: 2'07"
Weight: 55.1 lbs
Abilities: Keen Eye / Sand Rush

The next Pokemon revealed officially is the "Midday Form" evolution of Rockruff: Lycanroc. In order to get this form of Lycanroc, the player must have Pokemon Sun and I'd assume evolve Rockruff at a certain time during the day to achieve its Midday Form. This Pokemon said to be rather "speedy" and is loyal to its trainer. The abilities aren't new, but Sand Rush easily stands out between the two as its allows Lycanroc Midday form to double its speed during a sandstorm. The last notable trait regarding Lycanroc Midday form is its has exclusive access to an new Rock-type priority move in Accelerock. 

The Wolf Pokemon: Lycanroc (Midnight Form)
Type: Rock
Height: 3'07"
Weight: 55.1 lbs
Abilities: Keen Eye / Vital Spirit

 

The other form difference of Lycanroc is the "Midnight Form", and only be found (likely evolved in Moon). Like its "midday form", Lycanroc must evolve during the night hours and have the evolution based in Pokemon Moon. The information regarding the Lycanroc Midnight form is mostly that these Pokemon tend to seek out thrilling battles, and may sometimes disobey their trainers to do so. Both abilties are rather old, but Vital Spirit stands out for preventing the user from sleep status. Now the only info given regarding Lycanroc's Midnight form is mostly it learns counter and is rather "durable". 
 

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Trainer Customization Features

 

It seems that Trainer Customization returns to in full force as it was during Pokemon XY. As usual, the player can change their clothing, hairstyle, eye color, and even have the option to not wear a hat. Aside from far more options to choice from, it seems like players can now wear different dye, or colors of the same clothing, which is an great forward having personalized characters. There was one little thing I catch notice is players don't have to use their in-game Poke Dollars (or Yen), rather a new currency called "Festival Coins". Again not sure exactly players will be able to exchange or get Festival Coins, but I'm sure glad we don't have to spend in-game money to buy cloths.

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Pokemon Refresh


 

 Seems like Pokemon "Amie" will be returning in a brand new successor called Pokemon Refresh. The basic gist of Pokemon Refresh is similar to its predessor as the player "cares" for their Pokemon with touch screen based mini-games. Some of the old features have returned such as "petting" Pokemon, feeding them food (in this case Poke Beans), cleaning them of dirt, and partaking in various other player-pokemon interactions. It seems like an feature has been added into Pokemon Refresh as the players are able to "cure" their Pokemon of status ailments outside of battle. So far, the only status conditions that are cured during Pokemon Refresh are poison and paralysis, thought we don't know if we actually using the "in-game" items like Antidotes/Paralze Heal/Full Heal, or this is completely separate. One last returning feature to Pokemon Refresh is now that more times any Pokemon is used, or cared for during performing these mini-game task, the more likely there are to avoid attacks, or take a seemingly strong hit which would have OHKOed (in-game focus band). 
 

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Two New Exclusives Z-Move Revealed

Two new Pokemon Exclusive Z-Moves are showcased in the trailer, with both Pokemon being Pikachu and Eevee respectively. The Z-Move for Pikachu is called Castastropika, which is "claimed" to be Pikachu's strongest attack. The animation for Casastropika is rather funny, as the trainer "hugs" Pikachu, and then suddenly throws Pikachu high into the air, and charges enough electrical energy to perform the attack. Eevee's Z-Move is called Extreme Evoboost and works differently than the other Z-Moves shown. During the animation, all 8 Eeveelutions bestow Eevee with enough energy to raise all its stats by +2 (except evasion). The only notable thing to consider is not all Z-Moves will be "direct attacks", as Extreme Evoboost is a strong setup option. Wonder if other Pokemon will have similar non damaging Z-Moves, but with strong "status" like effects. 

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Other Important News
 

Some of these topics have been covered, but I'll briefly discuss these topics and link the the appropriate pages as well.

Pokemon Bank: Seems like Pokemon Bank will have a delay in service for transferring any Pokemon from Gen 3 to the concurrent Gen 6 games straight into Sun and Moon. The reasons they are taking time to make the update is mostly TCPi wants Pokemon Bank to 1) successfully be able to transfer Gen 1 Pokemon from the VC games, 2) add new features in Pokemon Bank, and 3) to prepare for the service demand similar to how Bank took long to re-release back in early 2014. Most of the info I've discussed here for those who have questions, as well as the official Pokemon Bank Page. 

Ultra Beasts: So far, we only get the image where UB-02 Expansion, or Beauty attack Tapo Koko, not much to discuss. 

VGC Circuit Info: I might make this a separate topic to discuss considering the Tournament Structure for VGC 17 has been released. In the page, the do mention the next VGC 17 ruleset will be based on Pokemon Sun and Moon with the format change occurring aroung December 1st.  This kinda indirectly hints towards VGC 17 being similar to VGC 11 and 14, though we don't know what "Alolan" Dex Pokemon are found Sun/Moon before postgame / Bank.
 

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The next information reveal will be next month at October 4th, at around 6:00 AM  Pacific / 9:00 AM EST / 10:00 PM JST. If the information is bare bones, probably won't cover it, but we'll see.