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

[Black117]

New Pokemon + Alolan Forms Officially Revealed 



The Arrow Quill Pokemon: Decidueye

Type: Grass / Ghost
Height: 5'03" 
Weight: 80.7 lbs
Ability: Overgrown

Decidueye is the final stage of the Grass Starter Pokemon Rowlet and Evolution Dartrix with a rather surprising typing change from Grass/Flying-type, to now Grass/Ghost-type. With is new Ghost-typing, Decidueye is no longer quad weak to Ice-type and can hit targets with STAB Ghost-type moves such as its signature move Spirit Shackle. What the exclusive move does is it traps the target after the attack and prevents them from fleeing or switching out from battle. Based on the TCPi's description, Decidueye is said to have "astonishing" speed, which might hint this to be a relatively fast attacker, though we'll have to wait and see.
 

 

The Heel Pokemon: Incineroar

Type: Fire / Dark
Height: 5'11" 
Weight:  183.0 lbs
Ability: Blaze

The next fully evolved starter Pokemon revealed is the Fire/Dark-type Incineroar. As Litten and Torracat eventually evolve into the Fire-type starter, it gains the new Dark-type so likely it will receive STAB from moves like Bite, Knock Off, and Crunch. The signature move for Incineroar is Darkest Lariat, a Dark-type physical attack which ignores the stat changes of a target Pokemon, useful for breaking through evasion and defense boosts. If I had to speculate about the Incineroar's stats, it will likely have a high base Attack given by its Intimidate-like look and how the its said to showoff its strengths in battle based on the descriptions. 

 

The Soloist Pokemon: Primarina

Type: Water/Fairy
Height: 5'11" 
Weight:  97.0 lbs
Ability: Torrent

The final stage of Popplio/Brionne's evolution line revealed to be the siren-looking Pokemon, Primarina. As it evolves into this form, Primarina gains the new Fairy typing becoming Water/Fairy-type which is honestly a great defensively. Like the other two final starter evolutions before, Primarina's signature move is the new Water-type move Sparkling Aria, which deals damage and heals the targets Burn status if inflicted by one. Judging by how the two starters are offensively oriented, Primarina might be more defensive incline, though this is just pure speculation. Based on its description, Primarina is said to be able to create "balloons of water" which thus result into potential explosions. 

 

 

The Land Spirit Pokemon: Tapu Lele
Type: Psychic/Fairy
Height: 3'11" 
Weight:  41.0 lbs
Ability: Psychic Surge

As part of the Land Spirit legends, Tapu Lele is a Psychic/Fairy-type and Guardian of the Akala Island. Like Tapu Koko, the newly revealed Tapu Lele has a new ability called Psychic Surge, which setups a new Terrain-based field called Psychic Terrain. Based on the description of Psychic Terrain, this field ability blocks all priority moves, and increases the power of all Psychic-type Pokemon on the ground. This ability alone has some major implications in the competitive scene as Tapu Lele can block any priority attacks used to finish off any weaken Pokemon. Assuming Psychic Terrain is based on the other terrain effecting moves, it could last up to 5 turns. Again looking at Tapu Lele's information, it said to focus solely on strategy, and not as offensively incline, potentially hinting at it being a support like Pokemon such as Cresselia. 

The Land Spirit Pokemon: Tapu Bulu
Type: Grass/Fairy
Height: 6'03" 
Weight:  100.3 lbs
Ability: Grassy Surge

The next member of the Land Spirit legend of Ula'Ula Island is the Grass/Fairy-type Pokemo Tapu Bulu. Like all the other Tapu legends, Tapu Bulu can learn the move Nature's Madness which cuts the remaining HP by half. Grassy Surge is another terrain setting ability for Tapu Bulu to abuse which allows it to enable Grassy Terrain on the field. Released back in Gen 6, Grassy Terrain is a field condition which gradually recovers all "grounded" Pokemon (like 1/16th leftovers), boost the power of all Grass-type moves by 50%, and reduces the damage of Ground-type moves like Earthquake, Magnitude, and Bulldoze. Based on the lore, Tapu Bulu is said to be docile, or "chalked" up Pokemon which might hint this Pokemon is rather slow.

 

The Land Spirit Pokemon: Tapu Fini
Type: Water/Fairy
Height: 4'03" 
Weight:  46.7 lbs
Ability: Misty Surge

The fourth and final Land Spirit Pokemon of Poni Island revealed is the new Water/Fairy-type Pokemon Tapu Fini. The new ability for Tapu Fini is Misty Surge, which setups Misty Terrain introduced back in XY. Some of the effects include preventing status conditions and halving Dragon-type damage from other grounded Poemon. Not much to say about Tapu Fini, though it was seen using what appears to be Moonblast and Hydro Pump, both strong special attacks in their own right. 

 

 

The Nebula Pokemon: Cosmog
Type: Psychic
Height: 0'08" 
Weight:  0.2 lbs
Ability: Unaware

Next we have a new Psychic-type Pokemon named Cosmog. This Pokemon is apparently extremely hard to find in the wild and is revered by the Alolan royalty. For those who don't know, Unaware ignores all stats changes, including opposing setup. Cosmog is apparently being researched by the Aether Foundation and was given its name by a certain researcher. Cosmog does appear to resemble a certain Pokemon, thought not sure if that's the case. 

The Classey Cat Pokemon: Alolan Persian
Type: Dark
Height: 3'07" 
Weight:  72.8 lbs
Ability: Fur Coat / Techician

 

Finally Alolan Persian is official revealed in the latest trailer and has its type changed from Normal-type to Dark-type. The only notable thing about Alola Person aside the new typing is the addition of Fur Coat as one of its abilities, effectively cutting all physical attacks in half. 

 

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The Battle Tree


(Serebii)

 

After players have completed the Island Challenge, a special battle facility becomes available at Poni Island called the Battle Tree. Like other battle facilities, players can earn potential Battle Points after achieving win streaks to get special battling items and other prizes. What makes the Battle Tree different, or the same as a familiar facility (the PWT), is how notable NPCs, Champions, etc can be challenged as well. One of these characters, Cynthia is showcased in the trailer battling the protagonist with her Garchomp, but she can also be partner with in multi battles. In a suprising reveal, both Red and Green are shown in this place as can be challlenged with their respective teams from previous games. Scouting is a new feature which allows the people to battle alongside notable NPCs in the franchise in multi battles. 

 

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The Pokemon League ... Under Construction

Seems like the Pokemon League is Alola is there.. however there's a catch. As of the start of the game, the league is shown being under construction at Ule'Ule Island's Mt Malakila. We don't know if there's a traditional Elite Four and Champion already formed and just waiting for the contruction to finish. The site does hint that the player will eventually revisit the area to challenge the Pokemon League at a later time, thought once they've finished the Island Challenge. 

 

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Well that's all we got today. Some of the reveals here have been shown at certain points, I feel this trailer still lives up to bringing excitement for the games. Now that we are basically 3 weeks away for Su/Mo, chances are we might see a slowdown in news, or Pokemon might reveal story / post game elements we haven't seen already. Either way, we'll try to cover the news up until the day of launch. In the meantime, take care