Pokémon.com has, once again, updated with a giant stack of news on Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon – and have finally revealed the major new battle mechanics we can enjoy in November. We've also learned about Island Challenges in Alola, and seen a sneak peek of a new Poké Ride feature!
As there's so much to talk about, we're going to split it into separate headings – click through to start reading all about it![prebreak][/prebreak]
Alolan Forms
Many of the Pokémon in the Alola region are also seen in other regions – but in Alola, some of them have adapted to suit the different environment. This means that some of the classic Pokémon are very different to those found elsewhere – not just in appearance, but typing too...Alolan Sandshrew
![A-Sandshrew_RGB_300dpi.png A-Sandshrew_RGB_300dpi.png](https://xf-assets.pokecharms.com/data/attachments/978/978881-07bc80bfe776363d7d66631845d1436f.jpg)
[type]Ice[/type]/[type]Steel[/type]
Alolan Sandslash
![A-Sandslash_RGB_300dpi.png A-Sandslash_RGB_300dpi.png](https://xf-assets.pokecharms.com/data/attachments/978/978882-5212a7722e12fc7b0c3cd5992e4c0500.jpg)
[type]Ice[/type]/[type]Steel[/type]
Alolan Exeggutor
[type]Grass[/type]/[type]Dragon[/type]
Alolan Vulpix
[type]Ice[/type]
Alolan Ninetales
[type]Ice[/type]/[type]Fairy[/type]
![A-Sandshrew_RGB_300dpi.png A-Sandshrew_RGB_300dpi.png](https://xf-assets.pokecharms.com/data/attachments/978/978881-07bc80bfe776363d7d66631845d1436f.jpg)
[type]Ice[/type]/[type]Steel[/type]
Sandshrew have historically lived in desert areas, but the frequent eruptions of nearby volcanoes drove the them to abandon the desert and migrate to snowy mountains where they took on this form.
Alolan Sandslash
![A-Sandslash_RGB_300dpi.png A-Sandslash_RGB_300dpi.png](https://xf-assets.pokecharms.com/data/attachments/978/978882-5212a7722e12fc7b0c3cd5992e4c0500.jpg)
[type]Ice[/type]/[type]Steel[/type]
The Alolan Sandshrew of the snowy mountains evolve into Alolan Sandslash with spiny backs that are covered in ice. Alolan Sandslash hide themselves in the snow when strong enemies appear, leaving only their needles exposed and ready for business.
Alolan Exeggutor
![A-Exeggutor_RGB_300dpi.png A-Exeggutor_RGB_300dpi.png](https://xf-assets.pokecharms.com/data/attachments/978/978883-34a659859118dbe2ef5d1142f92b82be.jpg)
[type]Grass[/type]/[type]Dragon[/type]
Unlike other Exeggutor, the Alolan Exeggutor has a fourth head—on its tail! This fourth head controls the tail independently and can take on opponents to the rear that can’t be reached by the main heads’ attacks.
Alolan Vulpix
![A-Vulpix_RGB_300dpi.png A-Vulpix_RGB_300dpi.png](https://xf-assets.pokecharms.com/data/attachments/978/978884-e168f63aba9f20c2374f11938458c4e9.jpg)
[type]Ice[/type]
It is said that Vulpix came to the Alola region together with humans, but the Fox Pokémon moved to the snowy mountain peaks to avoid the normal habitats of other Pokémon, and thus it ended up taking on this form.
Alolan Ninetales
![A-Ninetales_RGB_300dpi.png A-Ninetales_RGB_300dpi.png](https://xf-assets.pokecharms.com/data/attachments/978/978885-bd3d5c81ce06f1a9029906f842b09787.jpg)
[type]Ice[/type]/[type]Fairy[/type]
Alolan Ninetales is able to produce ice crystals from the fur that covers its body. It can use these ice crystals to block attacks, or it can form balls of ice, which it fires like bullets at opponents. These ice missiles have enough power to pulverize rock.
Z-Moves and the Z-Ring
Z-Moves are a new mechanic in Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon that allows you to unleash a single, super-powerful move once a battle. It's said that this explosive force is the result of a Trainer and Pokémon releasing their full power together when their wishes resonate with each other. All Pokémon can use Z-Moves, but two elements are needed – and this will sound familiar to anyone who has used a Mega Evolution...The first element is a Z-Ring, which is worn on a Trainer's wrist. The second element is the Z-Crystal, which is set into the Z-Ring, and any Pokémon who holds the same variety of Z-Crystal can resonate wth their Trainer, and unleash Z-Moves. There are many different types of Z-Moves, and which is unleashed depends on the Z-Crystals used.
Tomy are also producing a Z-Ring toy, which is coming to toy shops later this year. The Z-Ring toy will connect to the game, and will light up, make sounds, and vibrate along with the action.
The Alola Island Challenge
As we know, the Alola region is made up of four natural islands and one man-made one. It is a tropical, tourist-filled place with a diverse ecology, both of Pokémon native to Alola and of Pokémon that have recently arrived from other regions. Pokémon and humans share a very close relationship in Alola, and the culture there is different from other Pokémon regions.One unique aspect of Alolan culture is the island challenge, which sees young trial-goers travel through all four natural islands, which helps them grow into powerful and wise Pokémon trainers. To complete the challenge, trial-goers must overcome various challenges on each of the four islands. These trials aren't limited to Pokémon battles – for example, they also involve finding items, or completing tests of knowledge as well as other trials. The player character is destined to attempt these challenges.
At the end of each trial stands a mighty Pokémon known as a "Totem Pokémon," which is much larger than other Pokémon of its species and enveloped in a special aura – for example, the video in this article shoes a giant Gumshoos with a yellow aura. The Totem Pokémon can also summon other Pokémon as allies, which makes them much more powerful.
Once a trial-goer has finished all the trials on an island, their final test is the Grand Trial – a Pokémon battle against the leader of that island known as the island kahuna. The kahuna is chosen by the Guardian Deity Pokémon on each island, and their power is renowned throughout Alola.
The kahuna of Melemele island, the island that the player character has just moved to, is Hala. As well as giving you your starter Pokémon, Hala is Hau's grandfather, and a formidable Pokémon trainer.
Each trial has a captain, whose role is to guide players through the challenges. They're all Trainers who undertook the trials of their own island challenge many years ago. Some of the captains are:Lana
Captain Lana is an expert with Water-type Pokémon. She is dedicated to her family and is a reliable older sister who watches over her younger sisters.
![Lana_RGB_300dpi.png Lana_RGB_300dpi.png](https://xf-assets.pokecharms.com/data/attachments/978/978890-88c6ee8126208b2b6b9265c539e43c0a.jpg)
Captain Lana is an expert with Water-type Pokémon. She is dedicated to her family and is a reliable older sister who watches over her younger sisters.
Mallow
Captain Mallow is an expert with Grass-type Pokémon. She loves cooking, but it seems that sometimes her taste is a bit particular.
Sophocles
Specializing in Electric-type Pokémon, Captain Sophocles is good with mechanics and has invented various machines.
Kiawe
Captain Kiawe’s expertise is in Fire-type Pokémon, and together with his Marowak, he studies the traditional dances that have been passed down in the Alola region.
![Mallow_RGB_300dpi.png Mallow_RGB_300dpi.png](https://xf-assets.pokecharms.com/data/attachments/978/978889-21066255e7cea143044e71abd1426522.jpg)
Captain Mallow is an expert with Grass-type Pokémon. She loves cooking, but it seems that sometimes her taste is a bit particular.
Sophocles
![Sophocles_RGB_300dpi.png Sophocles_RGB_300dpi.png](https://xf-assets.pokecharms.com/data/attachments/978/978892-b4d4958d731f0fbd0e9fb9a7157d44a7.jpg)
Specializing in Electric-type Pokémon, Captain Sophocles is good with mechanics and has invented various machines.
Kiawe
![Kiawe_RGB_300dpi.png Kiawe_RGB_300dpi.png](https://xf-assets.pokecharms.com/data/attachments/978/978891-4405c4fb43c9756c225015a2609c7ba6.jpg)
Captain Kiawe’s expertise is in Fire-type Pokémon, and together with his Marowak, he studies the traditional dances that have been passed down in the Alola region.
Poké Ride
In the Alola region, the bond between Pokémon and humans allows for some interesting mechanics unseen in other regions. One of these is the ability to travel on Ride Pokémon, who do not join the Trainer's team, but can be called on at any time to help them travel through places inaccessible through air, sea, and rocky areas. Some of the Pokémon who we've seen helping players with Poké Ride are Charizard, Sharpedo, and Mudsdale.
To speculate for a moment, this mechanic is possibly a sign that hidden machines won't be making an appearance in this game – a change that seems more likely given how little they were used in the Unova and Kalos games. Such a change would also appease the fanbase, who have spent much of the last 20 years clamouring for their removal...
New Pokémon
More new Pokémon have also been revealed, including some evolutions of Alolan Pokémon revealed previously...Oricorio
Ability: Dancer
Oricorio changes its form by sipping the nectar of certain flowers. It has four forms – seemingly one per Alolan island. All four Oricorio forms learn Revelation Dance, a move that changes type based on Oricorio's primary type. Its Dancer ability, which is new to Sun and Moon, causes it to copy any other dancing move used by a Pokémon on the field. This means that if another Pokémon uses Quiver Dance, for example, Oricorio will also use Quiver Dance and gain its effects.
![Oricorio_BaileStyle_RGB_300dpi.png Oricorio_BaileStyle_RGB_300dpi.png](https://xf-assets.pokecharms.com/data/attachments/978/978898-128176ce0ecd34519c3722be4c644621.jpg)
Baile Style Oricorio
[type]Fire[/type]/[type]Flying[/type]
![Oricorio_Pom-PomStyle_RGB_300dpi.png Oricorio_Pom-PomStyle_RGB_300dpi.png](https://xf-assets.pokecharms.com/data/attachments/978/978901-e40c0eb37c0871193193ca2caabffca1.jpg)
Pom-Pom Style Oricorio
[type]Electric[/type]/[type]Flying[/type]
![Oricorio_PauStyle_RGB_300dpi.png Oricorio_PauStyle_RGB_300dpi.png](https://xf-assets.pokecharms.com/data/attachments/978/978899-01ac6c49c80d19e95f2ff55a2a4d4d26.jpg)
Pa'u Style Oricorio
[type]Psychic[/type]/[type]Flying[/type]
![Oricorio_SensuStyle_RGB_300dpi.png Oricorio_SensuStyle_RGB_300dpi.png](https://xf-assets.pokecharms.com/data/attachments/978/978900-28e512874d69c47105af78affbf4bc2a.jpg)
Sensu Style Oricorio
[type]Ghost[/type]/[type]Flying[/type]
Minior
[type]Rock[/type]/[type]Flying[/type]
Ability: Shields Down
Minior are formed in the stratosphere and live by absorbing the detritus around them. When they’ve consumed a large quantity of particles, their bodies become heavy, and they fall toward the planet’s surface. Minior has a hard and heavy outer shell with a core within. Its new ability, Shields Down, renders it immune to status conditions and allows it to have excellent defences. However, once it drops below 50% health, its shell breaks, and it will lose those advantages in favour of switching to a form better suited to attacking.
Gumshoos
![Gumshoos_RGB_300dpi.png Gumshoos_RGB_300dpi.png](https://xf-assets.pokecharms.com/data/attachments/978/978902-4430af7dd2e7a7a5ff4cc03f922c6447.jpg)
[type]Normal[/type]
Ability: Stakeout / Strong Jaw
Gumshoos is the evolved form of Yungoos, and has the opposite personality to it – instead of prowling around, it will stake out and wait patiently for a single prey, withstanding a great deal of hunger. However, it runs low on stamina once night falls, and it falls asleep right on the spot.
Formantis
![Fomantis_RGB_300dpi.png Fomantis_RGB_300dpi.png](https://xf-assets.pokecharms.com/data/attachments/978/978894-736ce7bd98988c23b1c9259beb1877d3.jpg)
[type]Grass[/type]
Ability: Leaf Guard
Fomantis is nocturnal, and it performs photosynthesis while it sleeps during the day by spreading out its leaves in all directions. Because of the danger of staying in the same location two days in a row, Fomantis begins its search for the next day’s spot as soon as the sun sets.
Lurantis
[type]Grass[/type]
Ability: Leaf Guard
Lurantis draws opponents near to itself with its flowerlike appearance and aroma—and then it takes them down. Lurantis can learn Solar Blade, a move that releases a blade-shaped beam to mince up its foes. It works like Solar Beam, absorbing energy from the sun on the first turn and then unleashing a powerful attack on the second. Lurantis is the Totem Pokémon of Lush Jungle, the site of an Akala Island trial.
Mudbray
[type]Ground[/type]
Ability: Own Tempo / Stamina
Mudbray is the pre-evolved form of Mudsdale. It could once be found all over the world, but it was overhunted and ended up on the verge of extinction. It’s said that the Alola region is the only place in the world where Mudbray can still be found in the wild. Mudbray loves playing in the mud. It’s easy to live in harmony with this Pokémon, as long as you provide an environment where it can play in the mud. If it can’t frolic in the mire, however, Mudbray will become stressed and may stop listening to orders.
Ability: Dancer
Oricorio changes its form by sipping the nectar of certain flowers. It has four forms – seemingly one per Alolan island. All four Oricorio forms learn Revelation Dance, a move that changes type based on Oricorio's primary type. Its Dancer ability, which is new to Sun and Moon, causes it to copy any other dancing move used by a Pokémon on the field. This means that if another Pokémon uses Quiver Dance, for example, Oricorio will also use Quiver Dance and gain its effects.
![Oricorio_BaileStyle_RGB_300dpi.png Oricorio_BaileStyle_RGB_300dpi.png](https://xf-assets.pokecharms.com/data/attachments/978/978898-128176ce0ecd34519c3722be4c644621.jpg)
Baile Style Oricorio
[type]Fire[/type]/[type]Flying[/type]
![Oricorio_Pom-PomStyle_RGB_300dpi.png Oricorio_Pom-PomStyle_RGB_300dpi.png](https://xf-assets.pokecharms.com/data/attachments/978/978901-e40c0eb37c0871193193ca2caabffca1.jpg)
Pom-Pom Style Oricorio
[type]Electric[/type]/[type]Flying[/type]
![Oricorio_PauStyle_RGB_300dpi.png Oricorio_PauStyle_RGB_300dpi.png](https://xf-assets.pokecharms.com/data/attachments/978/978899-01ac6c49c80d19e95f2ff55a2a4d4d26.jpg)
Pa'u Style Oricorio
[type]Psychic[/type]/[type]Flying[/type]
![Oricorio_SensuStyle_RGB_300dpi.png Oricorio_SensuStyle_RGB_300dpi.png](https://xf-assets.pokecharms.com/data/attachments/978/978900-28e512874d69c47105af78affbf4bc2a.jpg)
Sensu Style Oricorio
[type]Ghost[/type]/[type]Flying[/type]
Minior
![Minior_1_RGB_300dpi.png Minior_1_RGB_300dpi.png](https://xf-assets.pokecharms.com/data/attachments/978/978895-5f0cd32bd24cd578958e2af20acd8623.jpg)
![Minior_2_RGB_300dpi.png Minior_2_RGB_300dpi.png](https://xf-assets.pokecharms.com/data/attachments/978/978897-ef2dc99f657613ac380d5bbd477542ae.jpg)
[type]Rock[/type]/[type]Flying[/type]
Ability: Shields Down
Minior are formed in the stratosphere and live by absorbing the detritus around them. When they’ve consumed a large quantity of particles, their bodies become heavy, and they fall toward the planet’s surface. Minior has a hard and heavy outer shell with a core within. Its new ability, Shields Down, renders it immune to status conditions and allows it to have excellent defences. However, once it drops below 50% health, its shell breaks, and it will lose those advantages in favour of switching to a form better suited to attacking.
Gumshoos
![Gumshoos_RGB_300dpi.png Gumshoos_RGB_300dpi.png](https://xf-assets.pokecharms.com/data/attachments/978/978902-4430af7dd2e7a7a5ff4cc03f922c6447.jpg)
[type]Normal[/type]
Ability: Stakeout / Strong Jaw
Gumshoos is the evolved form of Yungoos, and has the opposite personality to it – instead of prowling around, it will stake out and wait patiently for a single prey, withstanding a great deal of hunger. However, it runs low on stamina once night falls, and it falls asleep right on the spot.
Formantis
![Fomantis_RGB_300dpi.png Fomantis_RGB_300dpi.png](https://xf-assets.pokecharms.com/data/attachments/978/978894-736ce7bd98988c23b1c9259beb1877d3.jpg)
[type]Grass[/type]
Ability: Leaf Guard
Fomantis is nocturnal, and it performs photosynthesis while it sleeps during the day by spreading out its leaves in all directions. Because of the danger of staying in the same location two days in a row, Fomantis begins its search for the next day’s spot as soon as the sun sets.
Lurantis
![Lurantis_RGB_300dpi.png Lurantis_RGB_300dpi.png](https://xf-assets.pokecharms.com/data/attachments/978/978903-e93828bf5dca3645a16dced3d9bcd26f.jpg)
[type]Grass[/type]
Ability: Leaf Guard
Lurantis draws opponents near to itself with its flowerlike appearance and aroma—and then it takes them down. Lurantis can learn Solar Blade, a move that releases a blade-shaped beam to mince up its foes. It works like Solar Beam, absorbing energy from the sun on the first turn and then unleashing a powerful attack on the second. Lurantis is the Totem Pokémon of Lush Jungle, the site of an Akala Island trial.
Mudbray
![Mudbray_RGB_300dpi.png Mudbray_RGB_300dpi.png](https://xf-assets.pokecharms.com/data/attachments/978/978896-0d93c56ff839f8213b25f962eb5577e4.jpg)
[type]Ground[/type]
Ability: Own Tempo / Stamina
Mudbray is the pre-evolved form of Mudsdale. It could once be found all over the world, but it was overhunted and ended up on the verge of extinction. It’s said that the Alola region is the only place in the world where Mudbray can still be found in the wild. Mudbray loves playing in the mud. It’s easy to live in harmony with this Pokémon, as long as you provide an environment where it can play in the mud. If it can’t frolic in the mire, however, Mudbray will become stressed and may stop listening to orders.
Attachments
Last edited: