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| Titles | Pokémon Ultra Sun & Pokémon Ultra Moon ポケットモンスター ウルトラサン · ウルトラムーン |
| Platform | Nintendo 3DS – Game Card and Nintendo eShop download (eShop sales ended in March 2023) |
| Developer | Game Freak |
| Publisher | The Pokémon Company (Japan) / Nintendo (elsewhere) |
| Director | Kazumasa Iwao |
| Producers | Junichi Masuda, Shigeru Ohmori, Shin Uwai, Takanori Sowa, Takato Utsunomiya, Hitoshi Yamagami |
| Composers | Minako Adachi, Go Ichinose, Junichi Masuda, Tomoaki Oga |
| Players | 1–4 (local wireless Multi Battles and Battle Royals; online play closed in April 2024) |
| Generation | Generation VII – the second Alola pair, after Sun & Moon |
| New Pokémon | 5 (National Pokédex #803–807: Poipole, Naganadel, Stakataka, Blacephalon and the Mythical Zeraora; 807 in all), with an Alola Pokédex of 403 |
| New forms | Dusk Form Lycanroc; Dusk Mane, Dawn Wings and Ultra Necrozma; Totem-size Pokémon |
| Z-Moves | 35 Z-Crystals: 18 for the types, 17 for particular species (six of them new) |
| Languages | Japanese, English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Korean, Simplified and Traditional Chinese |
| Predecessor | Pokémon Sun & Moon |
| Successor | Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! & Let’s Go, Eevee! (Nintendo Switch, 2018); next generation: Sword & Shield (2019) |
| Released | 17 November 2017 worldwide – Japan, North America, Europe, Australia and South Korea on the same day |
| Rating | CERO A · ESRB E (Everyone) · PEGI 7 · PG (Australia) |
| Bundles | The Veteran Trainer’s Dual Pack with both games (a Double Pack in Japan) |
| Sales | 9.28 million combined (31 March 2026) – Japan’s best-selling game of 2017 |
Overview
Pokémon Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon for the Nintendo 3DS are the second paired titles of Generation VII. They were released worldwide on November 17th, 2017, after initially being announced during a Pokémon Direct broadcast on June 6th, 2017.
The games follow an alternate version of the story from their predecessors, Pokémon Sun & Moon, and thus are still set within the Alola region. As well as an alternate-universe storyline, there are also many new features, characters and enemies – the most notable of which is Team Rainbow Rocket.
In addition to this, there are lots of Pokémon available in USUM that were not available in the original Sun & Moon titles, including ALL the Legendary Pokémon from all core series games to date (Mythical Pokémon aside)! That’s over 400 available Pokémon in total.
The cover artwork for Pokémon Ultra Sun features Dusk Mane Necrozma as the mascot Pokémon, whereas Ultra Moon features Dawn Wings Necrozma.
Pokémon Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon turned out to be the last core series Pokémon titles to be launched on the Nintendo 3DS.
A new Pokémon adventure awaits in Alola
Ominous dark clouds are spreading in the sky above the Alola region, the setting of Pokémon Ultra Sun and Pokémon Ultra Moon. With new worlds to discover, over 400 Pokémon to catch and host of new features, this isn’t the Alola you thought you knew.
— Official description
Quick Answers
The questions people ask about Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, answered first and explained further down the page.
What’s the difference between Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, and which should I buy?
The story is identical; the Pokémon differ. Ultra Sun has Solgaleo, Dusk Mane Necrozma, Blacephalon, Ho-Oh, Groudon and Alolan Vulpix, while Ultra Moon has Lunala, Dawn Wings Necrozma, Stakataka, Lugia, Kyogre and Alolan Sandshrew. The Ultra Recon Squad pair and the first totem also change, and Ultra Moon’s clock runs 12 hours out of step. Choose by favourite legendaries. More →
What’s different from Sun and Moon, and should I play both?
Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon retell the Alola story with Necrozma as the central threat, a journey to Ultra Megalopolis, new totems, Mina’s trial, a new Elite Four member, Hau as your final opponent and the Episode RR post-game. Routes and most characters are familiar, so newcomers only need the Ultra versions. More →
How do I get Dusk Form Lycanroc today?
Dusk Lycanroc needs an Own Tempo Rockruff. The Mystery Gift that handed one out ran from 17 November 2017 to 10 January 2018, and internet gifts no longer work, so you now need a local trade from someone with one or its offspring – Own Tempo Rockruff breed true. Level it to 25+ between 5:00 and 5:59pm in-game time. More →
How do I catch every legendary Pokémon?
After the main story, take the Ultra Warp Ride: red, blue, green and yellow wormholes lead to Ultra Space Wilds worlds holding level 60 legendaries, and three-ring wormholes always contain one. Rayquaza, Suicune, Giratina, Kyurem and Landorus also need a pair of other legendaries in your party, one from each version, so trading is unavoidable. Mythicals never appear. More →
How do I get Poipole, Stakataka, Blacephalon and Zeraora?
Poipole is offered to you after you beat Ultra Necrozma at Megalo Tower, or later in Ultra Megalopolis; level it up knowing Dragon Pulse for Naganadel. Blacephalon (Ultra Sun) and Stakataka (Ultra Moon) appear in Poni Grove after you become Champion, two per game. Zeraora was only ever an event gift, distributed in 2018 and 2019. More →
What is Team Rainbow Rocket and how do I unlock it?
Team Rainbow Rocket is Giovanni’s multiverse version of Team Rocket, made up of villain leaders brought from worlds where they won: Archie, Maxie, Cyrus, Lysandre and Ghetsis. Their story, Episode RR, begins after you first become Champion. They seize Festival Plaza, then Aether Paradise, and you storm their castle with Lillie and a reformed Guzma. More →
How do Totem Stickers work?
One hundred shining Totem Stickers are hidden across Alola, some reachable only with a Fishing Rod, Tauros Charge or Machamp Shove. Samson Oak at Heahea Beach rewards milestones of 20, 40, 50, 70, 80 and 100 stickers with Totem-size Pokémon. Rewards differ by version except Mimikyu at 80; the Pokémon are bigger and heavier but battle normally. More →
How do I get Dusk Mane, Dawn Wings and Ultra Necrozma?
Catch Necrozma at the summit of Mount Lanakila after becoming Champion. Colress then gives you the fusion item to merge it with Solgaleo (N-Solarizer) or Lunala (N-Lunarizer), and you receive the Ultranecrozium Z, which lets a fused Necrozma Ultra Burst in battle. Solganium Z and Lunalium Z come from Lillie and the post-game Cosmog gift. More →
Do the online features still work?
No. Nintendo switched off 3DS online services at 5pm Pacific on 8 April 2024 – 1am on 9 April in the UK – ending the GTS, Wonder Trade, Battle Spot, online Festival Plaza and internet Mystery Gifts. Local wireless trading and battling still work. Pokémon Bank and Poké Transporter close on 25 February 2027 (26 February in the UK). More →
Is Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon on Switch, and what came next?
No. They remain Nintendo 3DS games, and the 3DS eShop stopped selling them on 27 March 2023, so a physical Game Card is now the only way to buy one. They were the last core RPGs on 3DS; the series moved to Switch with Let’s Go, Pikachu! and Let’s Go, Eevee! in 2018 and Sword and Shield in 2019. More →
Plot / Story
You move from Kanto to Melemele Island with your mother, and Professor Kukui hands you your first partner on Route 1, where Hau challenges you on the spot. On Mahalo Trail you meet Lillie, Kukui’s shy assistant, whose secret Cosmog, Nebby, is left stranded on a crumbling bridge until Tapu Koko swoops in. From the start, strangers in white suits keep appearing: the Ultra Recon Squad, visitors from a place called Ultra Megalopolis who are studying Alola, its Ultra Wormholes and its Z-Crystals.
The island challenge takes you through trials and grand trials on all four islands, now with new totem Pokémon and, on Poni, Mina’s petal-hunting trial. You surf between islands on Mantine, clash with Team Skull and tour Aether Paradise, where an Ultra Wormhole spits out a Nihilego. After Team Skull’s Plumeria snatches Lillie and Nebby, the trail leads back to the paradise. There Lusamine, president of the Aether Foundation, disowns her daughter and battles you, then she and Guzma use Nebby – now a Cosmoem – to tear open a vast wormhole and vanish.
Lillie, in her new outfit, follows you to Poni, and together you conquer Vast Poni Canyon. At the Altar of the Sunne or Moone the flutes evolve Nebby into Solgaleo (Ultra Sun) or Lunala (Ultra Moon), just as Necrozma crashes out of a wormhole with Lusamine and Guzma. Necrozma absorbs Nebby to become Dusk Mane or Dawn Wings Necrozma, fights you, releases Ultra Beasts and escapes with Alola’s light. The Ultra Recon Squad lend you their own legendary, and you ride through Ultra Space to Ultra Megalopolis, a city that lost its light to Necrozma long ago. On top of Megalo Tower you defeat Ultra Necrozma, freeing Nebby and returning light to both worlds; the squad offer you a Poipole in thanks.
Back in Alola: the League and the post-game
Back in Alola, Lusamine makes peace with Lillie. You complete Mina’s trial and Hapu’s grand trial on Exeggutor Island, beat Gladion on Mount Lanakila and conquer a new Elite Four of Molayne, Olivia, Acerola and Kahili. Hau, not Kukui, is the challenger who climbs up to face you, and beating him makes you Alola’s first Champion.
The post-game is packed. Lillie lets you catch Nebby on Mahalo Trail, Gladion leaves to train abroad and Necrozma waits at Mount Lanakila’s summit. The Ultra Warp Ride opens the Ultra Space Wilds, home to Ultra Beasts and legendaries from every earlier region, and Hau joins you at Poni Grove to deal with Blacephalon or Stakataka. Then Team Rainbow Rocket strike in Episode RR, seizing Aether Paradise and holding Lusamine captive until you defeat Giovanni. The Battle Tree, Battle Agency and regular title defences round it all off.
Twenty things Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon do differently
- Kukui gives you your first partner on Route 1 rather than in Iki Town, and Hau battles you there straight away.
- The Ultra Recon Squad are a new thread from the Melemele chapter onwards, with a different pair in each version: Dulse and Zossie in Ultra Sun, Phyco and Soliera in Ultra Moon.
- You travel from Melemele to Akala by Mantine Surf from Big Wave Beach with Hau, while Lillie and Kukui go ahead separately.
- Three totems are replaced – Araquanid for Wishiwashi (Lana), Alolan Marowak for Salazzle (Kiawe) and Togedemaru for Vikavolt (Sophocles) – and Totem Ribombee is added, making eight totems instead of seven.
- Several trials are redesigned: Kiawe’s becomes a spot-the-difference dance, Sophocles’s a Charjabug power puzzle and Acerola’s a ghost-photography hunt.
- Kahunas field new teams: Machop joins Hala’s squad, Olivia uses Anorith and Lileep, and Hapu swaps Dugtrio for Golurk.
- Mina gets her own Fairy-type trial on Poni, a petal hunt that sends you back to every captain across Alola.
- Poni’s order changes: the Vast Poni Canyon trial comes first, and Hapu’s grand trial moves to Exeggutor Island after Mina’s trial.
- Lusamine never fuses with Nihilego; her battle at Aether Paradise need not be won, and she escapes into Ultra Space with Guzma.
- Nebby visibly evolves into Cosmoem at Aether Paradise, and at the altar its evolution is immediately followed by Necrozma absorbing it.
- Necrozma becomes the main antagonist, with a boss battle against Dusk Mane or Dawn Wings Necrozma at the altar.
- A new story chapter in Ultra Space takes you to Ultra Megalopolis and the Ultra Necrozma battle atop Megalo Tower.
- Lillie becomes a Trainer in her own right, with a Clefairy, and later partners you in Episode RR and the Battle Tree.
- Molayne replaces Hala in the Elite Four, and every member has a new team.
- Hau replaces Kukui as the first challenger you face after the Elite Four.
- After you become Champion, Gladion leaves Alola to train in Kanto and Johto, leaving a Type: Null with Wicke for you.
- Episode RR brings back the leaders of Teams Rocket, Aqua, Magma, Galactic, Plasma and Flare together for the first time, as Team Rainbow Rocket.
- Totem Stickers replace Sun and Moon’s Zygarde Cells, and the Totem-size Pokémon they unlock are a series first.
- The post-game Ultra Warp Ride gives access to almost every legendary Pokémon from Generations I to VI across the two versions.
- Necrozma’s catch rate rises from 3 in Sun and Moon to 255, and Beast Balls are sold in the Aether Paradise shop.
Hau, Gladion, the Ultra Recon Squad and the bosses
Hau always takes the starter that is weak to yours (Popplio against Rowlet, Rowlet against Litten, Litten against Popplio). The Ultra Recon Squad member you battle depends on your version, and the Team Rainbow Rocket line-up is listed further down.
- Hau – Route 1 (Melemele): his starter at Lv5 – Popplio if you chose Rowlet, Rowlet if you chose Litten, Litten if you chose Popplio
- Hau – Iki Town: Pichu Lv6, starter Lv7
- Hau – Route 3: starter Lv13 (Sitrus Berry), Noibat Lv11, Pikachu Lv12
- Ultra Recon Squad – Seaward Cave (Melemele): Furfrou (Dulse in Ultra Sun, Soliera in Ultra Moon)
- Hau – Paniola Town (Akala): Brionne, Dartrix or Torracat Lv16, Pikachu Lv15, Noibat Lv14, Eevee Lv14; uses his starter’s Z-Move
- Ultra Recon Squad – Paniola Ranch: Poipole (Dulse in Ultra Sun, Soliera in Ultra Moon)
- Gladion – Route 5: Zorua Lv17, Type: Null Lv18, Zubat Lv17
- Hau and Gladion – Battle Royal Dome (Royal Avenue): Hau’s evolved starter Lv20, Gladion’s Type: Null Lv20, in a four-way Battle Royal
- Partner – Hau in a Multi Battle against two Team Skull Grunts, Diglett’s Tunnel: Eevee Lv23, Pikachu Lv24, Noibat Lv23, starter Lv25
- Hau – Malie City (Ula’ula): starter Lv30, the Eeveelution that counters your starter Lv28 (Flareon v Rowlet, Vaporeon v Litten, Leafeon v Popplio), Noibat Lv28, Tauros Lv28, Alolan Raichu Lv29
- Gladion – Aether House (optional): Golbat Lv42, Zoroark Lv42, Type: Null Lv43
- Team Skull – Guzma: Shady House, Po Town (Ula’ula)
- Boss – Nihilego, Aether Paradise (first visit), through an Ultra Wormhole in the Foundation’s labs
- Partner – Gladion in a Multi Battle at Aether Paradise: Type: Null Lv44, Golbat Lv43, Zoroark Lv43
- Team Skull – Guzma: outside Lusamine’s mansion, Aether Paradise
- Aether Foundation – Lusamine, Aether Paradise (story continues even if you lose): Clefable, Lilligant, Lopunny, Milotic, Bewear, all Lv47
- Ultra Recon Squad – Aether Paradise: Poipole
- Ultra Recon Squad – Vast Poni Canyon: Poipole
- Boss – Dusk Mane Necrozma (Ultra Sun) or Dawn Wings Necrozma (Ultra Moon), Altar of the Sunne or Moone
- Boss – Ultra Necrozma, Megalo Tower, Ultra Megalopolis: Lv60 Psychic/Dragon with +1 to all stats; cannot be caught or escaped
- Gladion – Mount Lanakila: Crobat Lv53, Zoroark Lv53 (Darkinium Z), Lucario Lv53, Silvally Lv55 (Fire Memory if you chose Rowlet, Water if Litten, Grass if Popplio)
- Hau – Pokémon League, first challenger after the Elite Four: Alolan Raichu Lv59, Tauros Lv58, Noivern Lv58, Crabominable Lv59, Flareon/Vaporeon/Leafeon Lv58 and Primarina/Decidueye/Incineroar Lv60 (against Rowlet/Litten/Popplio)
- Necrozma (catchable) – Mount Lanakila summit, post-game
- Gladion – title defence, Pokémon League (about a month after Episode RR): Crobat, Zoroark (Darkinium Z), Porygon-Z, Lucario, Venusaur/Charizard/Blastoise Lv68 (against Rowlet/Litten/Popplio), Silvally Lv70
The Ultra Recon Squad and Ultra Megalopolis
Ultra Megalopolis is a gleaming city in Ultra Space whose people have lived without true light since Necrozma, the Pokémon that feeds on light, stole it long ago. Generations earlier the city’s people had tried to harness Necrozma’s power, wounding it and leaving it in constant pain; scattered fragments of its body became the Z-Crystals and Sparkling Stones of Alola. Necrozma was confined within Megalo Tower, but the tower is reaching its limit, so the city sent the Ultra Recon Squad – captain Phyco, Soliera, Dulse and Zossie – through Ultra Wormholes to study Alola, its Ultra Beasts and a new way to deal with Necrozma. In Ultra Sun, Dulse and Zossie look for a way to stop it; in Ultra Moon, Phyco and Soliera study how its power might be used. Their partner, Poipole, is an Ultra Beast so well liked at home that it is chosen as a first partner.
Necrozma, the Blinding One
Necrozma, the Prism Pokémon, survives by absorbing light, and without it impurities build up until it darkens and stops moving. In Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon it is the main antagonist: it seizes Solgaleo or Lunala and forcibly fuses with them, becoming Psychic/Steel Dusk Mane Necrozma or Psychic/Ghost Dawn Wings Necrozma. Glutted on light, it Ultra Bursts into Ultra Necrozma, a Psychic/Dragon blaze called the Blinding One in Ultra Megalopolis. Once the story ends you can catch Necrozma yourself: the N-Solarizer and N-Lunarizer fuse it with your own Solgaleo or Lunala, and the Ultranecrozium Z lets the fused form Ultra Burst and unleash Light That Burns the Sky.
In the anime and movies
The anime’s second Alola season ran alongside the Ultra games, with its own Ultra Beast squad, a Poipole for Ash and a Necrozma crisis of its own.
In the anime
Anime seasons and films which tie in with Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon (Ultra Beasts, Poipole, Necrozma and Zeraora):
Season 21: Ultra Adventures2017–2018The season of the Ultra Guardians: Lusamine recruits Ash and Lillie to catch Ultra Beasts and send them home, Poipole becomes one of Ash’s companions, and Necrozma arrives to drain Alola’s light, drawing in Nebby, Lunala and the Ultra Beasts in a multi-episode arc that mirrors the games’ climax.
Season 22: Ultra Legends2018–2019The final Sun & Moon season continues the Ultra Guardians’ missions, including encounters with Pheromosa and Kartana, and builds to the first Alola League, the Manalo Conference. It ends with Ash beating Gladion to become Alola’s first Champion, followed by an exhibition match against Professor Kukui.In the movies
The Ultra episodes
Where the Ultra Beasts, Poipole and Necrozma reach the screen:
- SM055The Professors’ New Adventure! – Lusamine forms the Ultra Guardians and invites Ash and Lillie to join.
- SM067Love at First Twirl! – Poipole debuts and joins Ash.
- SM078Twirling with a Bang! – Blacephalon makes its anime debut alongside Xurkitree.
- SM085The Long Vault Home! – The Ultra Guardians take on Stakataka.
- SM087Filling the Light with Darkness! – Necrozma’s first appearance, chasing Lunala out of an Ultra Wormhole.
- SM089The Prism Between Light and Darkness! – The Necrozma arc continues, with Naganadel leading a hive of Poipole.
- SM090
Securing the Future! – The Necrozma arc concludes and Poipole chooses to stay behind as the Ultra Wormhole closes. - SM139Enter the Champion! – Ash beats Gladion to win the Manalo Conference, the first Alola League.
What’s new in Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon
Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon change rather more than their names suggest. Here are the changes from Sun & Moon, followed by the brand-new features:
Plot changes
The plot is initially largely the same, with only a few novelty bits thrown in – that is, until the Aether story arc begins. Things then become distinctly different, with new enemies and foes encountered, and a whole alternate series of events to those we saw in Sun & Moon.
Ultra Recon Squad
The Ultra Recon Squad (known in Japan as the Ultra Reconnaissance Team) is a ‘team’ that came to Alola from a world far beyond via an Ultra Wormhole. The player will encounter different members of the Ultra Recon Squad depending on which version of the game they play:
Ultra Sun: you’ll encounter Dulse and Zossie (leftmost and second from left).
Ultra Moon: you’ll encounter Soliera and Phyco (second from right and rightmost respectively).
There will come a point, after initially studying the customs of our world (the Pokémon world) and how battles work, when they’ll actually bring one of their own “Pokémon” to the party in the form of UB Adhesive – and after the battle at the top of Megalo Tower, they’ll offer you a Poipole of your own!
New Z-Moves
There are six new Z-Moves in USUM, all of them Pokémon-specific Z-Moves, joining the type-specific Z-Moves that any Pokémon with a move of the matching type can use. Click here to check out the full list of all available Z-Moves, which Pokémon they are compatible with and more.
Battle Agency
USUM also introduce a new competitive battling facility called the Battle Agency, in Festival Plaza. Similarly to the Battle Tree, a player can choose to participate in 3v3 Pokémon battles against reasonably tough AI opponents – the catch being that you can only take rental Pokémon into battle. The selection of rental Pokémon available is initially quite limited, but your teammates come from the other players you meet through USUM’s in-game communication features.
Mantine Surf
Once you beat your first grand trial, you will unlock the ability to use the Mantine Surf service at Big Wave Beach. This is effectively a fun little way of getting from island to island: instead of catching the normal ferry, you can opt to surf across to other islands, doing tricks and stunts as you go to try to get high scores. The better your score, the more BP (Beach Points) you’ll be rewarded with when you reach your destination. Said BP can then be used to unlock rewards.
Move Tutors
Winning battles at battle facilities such as the Battle Tree or the new Battle Agency will award BP. This currency can be spent on rare items for use in competitive Pokémon battles, exactly as in Sun and Moon. However, this time round you’ll also be able to use BP to get new moves for your Pokémon, including special moves that can’t be learned via the normal channels or even be obtained via a TM.
Rotom Dex
This special Dex becomes even more valuable to you in Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, especially due to the addition of the new bonding mechanic. As you bond with your Rotom Dex its personality will change – a cool little feature, but not a game changer. That said, once you reach a particularly strong bond with your Rotom Dex, its own form of Z-Power is activated, meaning two Z-Moves can then be used in a single battle.
In addition to this, there’s also a new feature called Roto Loto. It’s a mini-game that is essentially a bit like a lottery, as when you play it you have a chance to win new special items. These items could have many different effects, such as:
- Increased XP for a limited period
- Increased money received for winning battles for a limited period
- Decreased Egg incubation period
Totem Stickers
Sun & Moon introduced us to Totem Pokémon: larger than average, fairly powerful Pokémon with their own auras that you’d battle at the end of island trials. We weren’t able to capture these Pokémon to fight alongside us in Sun and Moon; however, thanks to the introduction of Totem Stickers, we can get hold of our very own Totem Pokémon in Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon. The Totem Pokémon we can get are heavier and bigger, but when serving us they actually aren’t any more powerful than others of their species.
You have to collect Totem Stickers in order to get hold of them. The 100 stickers are hidden all over the Alola region for those taking part in the island challenge to seek out and collect. Collect enough of them and you can redeem them with Samson Oak at Heahea Beach, each game having its own version-specific Totems available. Here’s what you can get from each version:
Ultra Sun
| Pokémon | Stickers required |
|---|---|
| Gumshoos (Totem-size) | 20 |
| Alolan Marowak (Totem-size) | 40 |
| Lurantis (Totem-size) | 50 |
| Vikavolt (Totem-size) | 70 |
| Mimikyu (Totem-size) | 80 |
| Ribombee (Totem-size) | 100 |
Ultra Moon
| Pokémon | Stickers required |
|---|---|
| Alolan Raticate (Totem-size) | 20 |
| Araquanid (Totem-size) | 40 |
| Salazzle (Totem-size) | 50 |
| Togedemaru (Totem-size) | 70 |
| Mimikyu (Totem-size) | 80 |
| Kommo-o (Totem-size) | 100 |
Good luck collectin’ ’em all!
Ultra Wormholes
In the original Sun & Moon games these Ultra Wormholes were prominent within the games’ story, since it was them that allowed UBs to locate and enter the Alola region from their own worlds.
These Ultra Wormholes still exist this time round of course, but this time the player (when accompanied by either Solgaleo or Lunala) can travel through them and even visit other worlds, from Ultra Megalopolis to the worlds from which the Ultra Beasts originated. While navigating these Ultra Wormholes, you also have the chance to encounter powerful Legendary Pokémon of past generations, such as Mewtwo, Rayquaza and Ho-Oh (Ultra Sun) or Lugia (Ultra Moon).
In depth: everything Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon add
The headline additions, one by one, with the fine print.
Team Rainbow Rocket
Many years ago in the original core series Pokémon games you managed to defeat Giovanni and disrupt Team Rocket so badly that the organisation disbanded. Giovanni vowed back then that he would restore Team Rocket to its former glory. Decades later he follows through on that promise, and he and his team are back, stronger than ever, in the Alola region under the guise of Team Rainbow Rocket.
Not only that, but this time Team Rocket are joined by the bosses of basically every other criminal organisation we’ve encountered to date in the core series Pokémon games – each of them brought from a world where their own evil scheme succeeded!
Team Rainbow Rocket intro trailer.
Giovanni, boss of Team Rainbow Rocket
The leader of Team Rainbow Rocket is a Giovanni from another world, who has gathered fellow villain leaders from worlds where their plans succeeded. He takes over Aether Paradise to exploit the Foundation’s research into other worlds, aiming to build an army of Ultra Beasts and conquer the multiverse. He waits at the heart of the castle with Dugtrio, Nidoking, Nidoqueen, Rhyperior and a Mega Mewtwo – X in Ultra Sun, Y in Ultra Moon – and after his defeat he slips away to another world, promising to return.
Episode RR, the post-game story
After you first become Champion, Team Rainbow Rocket take over Festival Plaza, which Sophocles wins back with your help, then seize Aether Paradise with Faba’s assistance, turning Lusamine’s mansion into a castle. With Lillie and a reformed Guzma you fight through it, beating Archie, Maxie, Cyrus, Lysandre and Ghetsis – each from a world where their scheme succeeded, each with a legendary – before facing Giovanni and his Mega Mewtwo. Colress then restores the mansion and sends the visitors home.
The bosses from other worlds
Each boss waits in their own wing of the castle, with a Legendary Pokémon they caught in their own world. You fight them in this order, with Lillie and Guzma along for the early battles:
Faba and an Aether Foundation EmployeeFaba (Claydol, Bruxish, Hypno, all Lv63) and an Aether Foundation Employee (Granbull, Scrafty, Shiinotic, Lv61) in a Multi Battle, with Lillie and her Clefairy at your side.
Two Rainbow Rocket GruntsA Multi Battle with Guzma as your partner: Golisopod, Vikavolt, Pinsir, Masquerain and Scizor, all Lv64.
Archie (Team Aqua)Mightyena, Crobat, Muk, Sharpedo Lv64, Kyogre Lv66
Maxie (Team Magma)Mightyena, Crobat, Weezing, Camerupt Lv64, Groudon Lv66
Cyrus (Team Galactic)Houndoom, Honchkrow, Crobat, Weavile Lv65, Dialga Lv67 (Ultra Sun) or Palkia Lv67 (Ultra Moon)
Lysandre (Team Flare)Mienshao, Honchkrow, Pyroar, Mega Gyarados Lv65, Xerneas Lv67 (Ultra Sun) or Yveltal Lv67 (Ultra Moon)
Ghetsis (Team Plasma)Cofagrigus, Bouffalant, Bisharp, Hydreigon Lv66, Zekrom Lv68 (Ultra Sun) or Reshiram Lv68 (Ultra Moon)
Giovanni (Team Rainbow Rocket)Dugtrio, Nidoking, Nidoqueen, Rhyperior Lv68, Mega Mewtwo X Lv70 (Ultra Sun) or Mega Mewtwo Y Lv70 (Ultra Moon)
Alola and Ultra Space
Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon return to the Alola region of Sun & Moon – the four natural islands of Melemele, Akala, Ula’ula and Poni, plus the artificial Aether Paradise – but they reach well beyond it. The story takes you through Ultra Space to Ultra Megalopolis, and after the credits the Ultra Warp Ride opens up the Ultra Space Wilds and the Ultra Beasts’ home worlds. Back in Alola, several places gain new roles: Big Wave Beach and Heahea Beach for Mantine Surf and Samson Oak, Seafolk Village for Mina’s trial and Exeggutor Island for Hapu’s grand trial.
Where the journey takes you
Nineteen places that define Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, each with an overhead view or a screenshot.
Verdant Cavern
The first trial of the island challenge takes place in this cave on Melemele Island. Ilima asks you to search the Pokémon dens dotted around it, which turn up Yungoos or Alolan Rattata before the totem finally emerges. Two Team Skull Grunts barge in, and battling one of them unwittingly helps you along. The totem depends on your version – Gumshoos in Ultra Sun, Alolan Raticate in Ultra Moon – and starts with a Defence boost. Uniquely, this totem returns after you become Champion: a side quest pits you against a level 60 version, after which you set out a Normalium Z for future challengers and earn a Trial Guide outfit.
Pokémon of note: Gumshoos (Totem, Ultra Sun), Alolan Raticate (Totem, Ultra Moon), Yungoos, Alolan Rattata. Items: Normalium Z, 10 Great Balls, Trial Guide outfit (post-game rematch).
Iki Town
Melemele’s hilltop village honours Tapu Koko with a festival and is home to Kahuna Hala. Your second battle with Hau takes place here in front of the townsfolk, with Hala arriving late. Hala’s grand trial closes the Melemele chapter, and his team is reshuffled from Sun and Moon: Machop and Makuhita lead, with a Crabrawler holding Fightinium Z. Victory stamps your Trainer Passport so that traded Pokémon up to level 35 obey you. Hala is not part of the Elite Four in Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, so this is where you face him; after you become Champion he hands over the Z-Crystals for the starters you didn’t choose.
Pokémon of note: Machop, Makuhita, Crabrawler, Tapu Koko. Items: Fightinium Z, Trainer Passport stamp (traded Pokémon obey up to Lv35).
Brooklet Hill
Lana’s trial on Akala Island sends you upstream to investigate splashing water, riding Lapras to reach each pool. In Sun and Moon the culprit was a Wishiwashi school; here Dewpider and Solo Form Wishiwashi are only decoys, and the real totem is a towering Araquanid with a Speed boost, backed by Masquerain and Dewpider. Trainers along the hill can still challenge you on sight. Clearing it earns the Waterium Z and a Fishing Rod, which also opens up fishing spots across Alola – including several hiding Totem Stickers.
Pokémon of note: Araquanid (Totem), Dewpider, Masquerain, Wishiwashi (Solo Form). Items: Waterium Z, Fishing Rod, 10 Dive Balls.
Wela Volcano Park
Kiawe’s trial at this Akala volcano is rebuilt as a fire-dance contest. You watch three pairs of dances and spot what changed between them, battling two Alolan Marowak and a Hiker between rounds. Sun and Moon’s totem, Salazzle, is reduced to answering the call of the new totem, a hulking Alolan Marowak with a Speed boost. Kiawe waits at the park again much later, when Mina’s trial sends you round the islands, ready to hand over the red petal. The park’s steaming crater remains one of Akala’s most striking landmarks.
Pokémon of note: Alolan Marowak (Totem), Salazzle, Alolan Marowak (dance battles). Items: Firium Z, 10 Quick Balls, Red Petal (Mina’s trial).
Lush Jungle
Mallow’s trial is among the least changed: you again roam the jungle for hidden ingredients, battling Fomantis and Sudowoodo to retrieve some of them – though a few fights can be avoided – before brewing an aroma that lures out the totem. Totem Lurantis returns from Sun and Moon with a Speed boost, now calling Kecleon and Comfey to its side. During Mina’s trial, both Lana and Mallow wait here with their petals, and Lana insists on a battle first.
Pokémon of note: Lurantis (Totem), Comfey, Kecleon, Fomantis, Sudowoodo. Items: Grassium Z, 10 Nest Balls, Blue and Green Petals (Mina’s trial).
Ruins of Life
Akala’s ancient shrine to Tapu Lele hosts Olivia’s grand trial once you have cleared the island’s three trials. The Konikoni kahuna now leads with fossil Pokémon, Anorith and Lileep, before her Lycanroc unleashes Rockium Z – in Sun and Moon she used Nosepass and Boldore instead. Winning lets traded Pokémon up to level 50 obey you. Olivia also runs the jewellery shop in Konikoni City, which now stocks five fossils per version, and you meet her again as a member of the Elite Four. Tapu Lele can be caught here after the story.
Pokémon of note: Anorith, Lileep, Lycanroc, Tapu Lele (post-game). Items: Rockium Z, Trainer Passport stamp (traded Pokémon obey up to Lv50).
Hokulani Observatory
Atop Mount Hokulani on Ula’ula, Sophocles has built a machine shaped like Vikavolt and needs you to power it by lining up Charjabug, with Elekid and Electabuzz battles after each surge. Once it hums into life, the new totem arrives: a Togedemaru with a Defence boost, calling Skarmory and Dedenne, in place of Sun and Moon’s Totem Vikavolt. Sophocles’s cousin Molayne, who works at the observatory and will reappear in the Elite Four, gives you the Steelium Z on the mountain.
Pokémon of note: Togedemaru (Totem), Skarmory, Dedenne, Charjabug, Elekid, Electabuzz. Items: Electrium Z, Steelium Z, Yellow Petal (Mina’s trial).
Thrifty Megamart (Abandoned Site)
This derelict supermarket on Route 14 remains Acerola’s eerie trial ground. This time you photograph the Ghost-type Pokémon lurking among the shelves to draw out the totem, follow it into the back room and snap it there, at which point the haunting turns hostile. Totem Mimikyu, with every stat boosted, calls Banette and Jellicent. After Nanu’s grand trial, returning at night to play with the Mimikyu that haunts the store earns you the Mimikium Z and its Let’s Snuggle Forever Z-Move.
Pokémon of note: Mimikyu (Totem), Banette, Jellicent. Items: Ghostium Z, 10 Dusk Balls, Mimikium Z.
Malie City
Ula’ula’s port city, with its Japanese-style Malie Garden, is where Hau challenges you on arrival and where Lillie buys the outfit she later wears to Poni. Kahuna Nanu, a world-weary police officer from near Po Town, holds his grand trial in the city late in the Ula’ula chapter. His team of Sableye, Krokorok and an Alolan Persian holding Darkinium Z is unchanged from Sun and Moon apart from higher levels. Beating him lets traded Pokémon up to level 65 obey you.
Pokémon of note: Sableye, Krokorok, Alolan Persian. Items: Darkinium Z, Lycanium Z (after the battle with Hau), Trainer Passport stamp (traded Pokémon obey up to Lv65).
Vast Poni Canyon
The great canyon at the heart of Poni Island now hosts the first challenge on the island rather than the last. With no captain, the trial is simply to survive the Jangmo-o and Hakamo-o that ambush you before facing Totem Kommo-o, which has every stat boosted and calls Scizor and Noivern. Lillie overcomes her fear of heights on the climb, the Ultra Recon Squad battle you along the way, and the path leads on to the Altar of the Sunne or Moone, where Necrozma strikes.
Pokémon of note: Kommo-o (Totem), Jangmo-o, Hakamo-o, Scizor, Noivern. Items: Dragonium Z, Kommonium Z (post-game, Plains Grotto on Poni).
Seafolk Village (Mina’s trial)
Poni’s village of moored boats is home to Mina, the roaming painter who finally gets her own trial as Alola’s Fairy-type captain. It opens only after the Megalo Tower battle: beat Mina at her home for a pink petal, then tour Alola collecting six more from the other captains, with Nanu standing in for Acerola. Mina weaves them into the Rainbow Flower, which summons Totem Ribombee, every stat boosted, alongside Blissey and Pelipper. The village also gives away an Aerodactyl and teaches Draco Meteor and Dragon Ascent.
Pokémon of note: Ribombee (Totem), Blissey, Pelipper, Mawile, Granbull, Aerodactyl (gift). Items: Fairium Z, Pink Petal and the Rainbow Flower, Draco Meteor and Dragon Ascent tutor.
Exeggutor Island
This small island off Poni, home to towering Alolan Exeggutor, becomes the stage for the final grand trial. In Sun and Moon, Hapu’s grand trial came before the Dragon-type trial; here she waits until you have saved Ultra Megalopolis and finished Mina’s trial. Her team swaps Dugtrio for Golurk, alongside Gastrodon, Flygon and a Mudsdale holding Groundium Z. Passing makes traded Pokémon up to level 80 obey you and clears the way to Mount Lanakila and the Pokémon League. It is a fitting final hurdle before the summit.
Pokémon of note: Golurk, Gastrodon, Flygon, Mudsdale, Alolan Exeggutor. Items: Groundium Z, Trainer Passport stamp (traded Pokémon obey up to Lv80).
Big Wave Beach
This Melemele beach is where Hau first suggests riding a Mantine to Akala, replacing Sun and Moon’s ferry crossing with a surfing minigame. It is home to the Normal course, the gentlest of the four Mantine Surf routes, and to a beach tent where Beach Points – the same BP earned at battle facilities – pay for moves such as Heal Bell, Defog, Low Kick and Last Resort. Reaching first place on every course across Alola earns new tricks and, eventually, a Surfing Pikachu from the Surf Association in Heahea.
Pokémon of note: Mantine, Wailord (surf obstacle), Surfing Pikachu (reward). Items: Beach Points (BP), BP move tutor tent.
Heahea City and Heahea Beach
Akala’s port city is the hub for several Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon additions. On Heahea Beach, Samson Oak swaps Totem Sticker milestones for Totem-size Pokémon, and the beach also hosts the Super course for Mantine Surf with its own BP move tutor. In the city, the Heahea branch of the Surf Association awards the Surfing Pikachu to anyone who tops all four courses, and an Aether Foundation employee in the Game Freak building lets you swap the Ultra Warp Ride’s motion controls for the Circle Pad.
Pokémon of note: Totem-size Pokémon (Samson Oak’s rewards), Surfing Pikachu (Lv40), Mantine. Items: Totem-size Pokémon rewards, Gold Bottle Cap (held by Surfing Pikachu), BP move tutor tent.
Aether Paradise
The Aether Foundation’s artificial island plays a bigger, different role. A tour led by Faba ends with a Nihilego bursting through an Ultra Wormhole in the labs; later you return to confront Lusamine, who disowns Lillie, battles you and escapes into Ultra Space with Guzma. The shop now sells Beast Balls. After the League, Team Rainbow Rocket seize the island in Episode RR: Faba sells out the Foundation, Lusamine’s mansion becomes a Rainbow Rocket castle, and you battle Archie, Maxie, Cyrus, Lysandre, Ghetsis and finally Giovanni inside.
Pokémon of note: Nihilego, Mewtwo (Giovanni’s Mega Mewtwo X or Y), Kyogre and Groudon (Archie and Maxie), Clefable (Lusamine). Items: Beast Balls (shop), Episode RR castle.
Ultra Megalopolis
This sprawling city in Ultra Space is the destination of your first Ultra Warp Ride, flown on the legendary the Ultra Recon Squad lend you in pursuit of Necrozma and Nebby. Its people have lived in darkness since Necrozma took their light, and the Recon Squad call it home. Once the story is over you can return whenever you like: collect Poipole here if you turned it down at the tower, and talk to Phyco (Ultra Sun) or Zossie (Ultra Moon) to switch between riding Solgaleo and Lunala. Pikachu, Cubone and Exeggcute evolved in Ultra Space take their Kanto forms.
Pokémon of note: Poipole, Necrozma, Solgaleo or Lunala (your mount). Items: Poipole (if refused at Megalo Tower), Mount swap for the Ultra Warp Ride.
Megalo Tower
At the centre of Ultra Megalopolis stands this brilliant tower, where the city kept Necrozma confined. An elevator and a staircase lead to the summit platform, where Necrozma, swollen with Nebby’s light, Ultra Bursts into Ultra Necrozma: a level 60 Psychic/Dragon foe with Neuroforce, Photon Geyser, Smart Strike, Power Gem and Dragon Pulse and a +1 boost to every stat. It must be defeated – it can be neither caught nor escaped. Victory frees Nebby and returns light to both worlds, and the squad’s other pair arrive to offer you a Poipole.
Pokémon of note: Ultra Necrozma, Poipole (gift, Lv40). Items: Poipole gift, Mina’s trial unlocked afterwards.
Ultra Space Wilds
Reached on the post-game Ultra Warp Ride, these strange realms lie beyond coloured wormholes: Cliff World (red), Water World (blue), Rocky World (green) and Cave World (yellow), each with its own wild Pokémon and level 60 legendaries, while white wormholes lead to Ultra Beast homeworlds such as Ultra Deep Sea, Ultra Plant and Ultra Ruin. Only one Pokémon waits per visit, everything caught has at least three perfect IVs, and Shiny odds rise with distance and the number of rings around the wormhole. Ultra Beasts reappear indefinitely; legendaries return until caught.
Pokémon of note: Mewtwo, Rayquaza, Giratina, Ho-Oh (Ultra Sun) / Lugia (Ultra Moon), Nihilego, Guzzlord. Items: Level 60 legendaries, Pokémon with three perfect IVs, Boosted Shiny odds.
Mount Lanakila and the Pokémon League
Alola’s snowy peak on Ula’ula is the final climb, expanded in Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon. Gladion intercepts you for one last battle before the summit, where Kukui’s new Pokémon League awaits. Molayne replaces Hala in an Elite Four with fresh teams, and instead of Kukui it is Hau who climbs up to challenge you after you take the Champion’s seat. After the credits Necrozma waits at the summit to be caught, and the League hosts title defences against challengers such as Kukui, Hau, Gladion, Lusamine and Hapu.
Pokémon of note: Necrozma (post-game), Silvally (Gladion), Primarina, Decidueye or Incineroar (Hau). Items: Ultranecrozium Z (after catching Necrozma), Icium Z.
Ultra Space in pictures
The Ultra Space Wilds and the Ultra Beasts’ home worlds, as you find them on the Ultra Warp Ride:
Can I catch them all?
There are over 400 different Pokémon available between Pokémon Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon. Most notable about this is that between both versions of the games you are able to catch EVERY Legendary Pokémon from all generations to date, some of said Legendaries as well as many others being version-exclusive. The Alola Pokédex itself grows from Sun and Moon’s 302 entries to 403, and five brand-new Pokémon take the National Pokédex to 807.
Version exclusives
Version exclusives: each version has 33 Pokémon the other cannot catch – 28 species and forms, Legendaries and Ultra Beasts included, plus five Totem-size Pokémon.
Exclusive to Ultra Sun
Alolan Vulpix#037
Alolan Ninetales#038
Totem-size Alolan Marowak#105
Houndour#228
Houndoom#229
Raikou#243
Ho-Oh#250
Latios#381
Groudon#383
Dialga#483
Heatran#485
Cottonee#546
Whimsicott#547
Basculin (Red-Striped Form)#550
Golett#622
Golurk#623
Rufflet#627
Braviary#628
Tornadus#641
Reshiram#643
Clauncher#692
Clawitzer#693
Xerneas#716
Totem-size Gumshoos#735
Totem-size Vikavolt#738
Totem-size Ribombee#743
Totem-size Lurantis#754
Passimian#766
Turtonator#776
Solgaleo#791
Buzzwole#794
Kartana#798
Blacephalon#806
Ultra Sun follows the 3DS clock. Dulse and Zossie are the Ultra Recon Squad pair you meet, its first totem is Gumshoos, and Olivia’s shop sells the Helix, Claw, Skull, Cover and Jaw Fossils.
Exclusive to Ultra Moon
Totem-size Alolan Raticate#020
Alolan Sandshrew#027
Alolan Sandslash#028
Entei#244
Lugia#249
Electrike#309
Manectric#310
Baltoy#343
Claydol#344
Latias#380
Kyogre#382
Palkia#484
Regigigas#486
Petilil#548
Lilligant#549- Basculin (Blue-Striped Form)#550
Vullaby#629
Mandibuzz#630
Thundurus#642
Zekrom#644
Skrelp#690
Dragalge#691
Yveltal#717
Totem-size Araquanid#752
Totem-size Salazzle#758
Oranguru#765
Totem-size Togedemaru#777
Drampa#780
Totem-size Kommo-o#784
Lunala#792
Pheromosa#795
Celesteela#797
Stakataka#805
Ultra Moon runs 12 hours out of step with the 3DS clock. Soliera and Phyco are the Ultra Recon Squad pair you meet, its first totem is Alolan Raticate, and Olivia’s shop sells the Dome, Root, Armor, Plume and Sail Fossils.
Fossil Pokémon are split between the two versions in Olivia’s shop, but Poké Pelago’s Isle Aphun can dig up any fossil in either game, so they aren’t true exclusives.
New forms: Dusk Form Lycanroc
Dusk Form Lycanroc – In Sun & Moon we had Midday Form Lycanroc and Midnight Form Lycanroc in each version respectively. Players of USUM can get Dusk Form Lycanroc regardless of which version they’re playing.
This form of Lycanroc is quite literally a cross between the other two forms, and it knows Accelerock and Counter, moves associated with the Midday and Midnight Forms. It comes with its own Ability too: Tough Claws, which increases the power of its direct physical attacks. Here’s how to get this special form of Lycanroc:
Getting the special Rockruff
- Pick up the gift between November 17th, 2017 and January 10th, 2018
- Enable Wi-Fi on your 3DS
- Fire up US or UM and navigate to the MYSTERY GIFT option
- Receive Gift via Wi-Fi (not password – none is required) and it will search for gifts
- It’ll give you a special Rockruff
Evolving Rockruff into Dusk Form Lycanroc
- Level up Rockruff from Lv. 25 between 5pm and 5.59pm in-game time (as per your 3DS system clock in Ultra Sun – Ultra Moon runs 12 hours out of step, so that’s 5am to 5.59am on the system clock). If you evolve it at any other time, it won’t be in its Dusk Form.
There were conflicting reports at the time stating that the special event Rockruff would ALWAYS become Dusk Form Lycanroc – it’s the hour that counts – but for the sake of not being disappointed I wasn’t willing to test it. Pokémon evolution doesn’t do practice runs! 😉
The event is long over and internet Mystery Gifts no longer work, but the special Rockruff’s Ability, Own Tempo, is passed on through breeding, so a local trade from someone who has one (or its offspring) is the way to get one today.
Dusk Mane and Dawn Wings Necrozma
Although the Legendary Necrozma made a minor cameo in Sun & Moon, we really didn’t see that much of it. This time round, however, it takes a much more prominent role in the games’ plot, becoming one with each game’s mascot Pokémon. In Ultra Moon it will merge with Lunala to become Dawn Wings Necrozma, and in Ultra Sun it will merge with Solgaleo to become Dusk Mane Necrozma.
When the merge takes place, the original mascot Pokémon will take on a ‘meaner’, more upgraded look and will change type:
- Dusk Mane Necrozma is a Psychic/Steel type which can wield Sunsteel Strike, Solgaleo’s signature move.
- Dawn Wings Necrozma is a Psychic/Ghost type and can wield Moongeist Beam, Lunala’s signature move.
- Both of these merged forms keep Necrozma’s Ability, Prism Armor, reducing the amount of damage received from super-effective attacks.
After the story you can do the merging yourself: Colress hands over the N-Solarizer (Solgaleo) or N-Lunarizer (Lunala), and holding the Ultranecrozium Z, a fused Necrozma can Ultra Burst into the Psychic/Dragon Ultra Necrozma in battle and unleash Light That Burns the Sky.
Ultra Beasts
Ultra Beasts are powerful, unfamiliar Pokémon that travelled from other worlds via wormholes. They were initially introduced, of course, in Pokémon Sun & Moon and were a prominent part of the story, so it went almost without saying that we’d be seeing more of them in USUM. We’ve got all the UBs from the previous games, plus three new ones:
UB Burst – the Fireworks Pokémon. This Pokémon’s head is comprised entirely of sparks, and it has the somewhat crazy ability to release and explode its entire head at its foe – though in battle its signature move, Mind Blown, costs it half of its own HP. UB Burst is also known as Blacephalon.
UB Burst tricks targets into letting their guard down as it draws near with its funny gait, swaying this way and that—then shocks them by blowing up its own head without warning. Before they can recover their senses, it steals their vitality, which it’s said to use as a source of energy.
— Official description
UB Assembly – the Rampart Pokémon. When this Pokémon becomes enraged or is engaged in a tough battle, all of the eyes on the stones that comprise its body begin to glow red. UB Assembly is also known as Stakataka.
While UB Assembly may appear to be made up of stones stacked atop one another, apparently each “stone” is in fact a separate life-form, and this UB is made up of an assemblage of these life-forms.
— Official description
UB Adhesive – the Poison Pin Pokémon. This Pokémon’s head is filled with venom, which can be fired at its foes from the poison needle atop it. UB Adhesive is also known as Poipole. It is first used in battle by the Ultra Recon Squad.
UB Adhesive displays many emotions, and it’s said to be able to understand human speech if it spends enough time together with them.
— Official description
Ultra Beasts no longer roam Alola as in Sun and Moon’s post-game; instead you catch them in their homeworlds by entering white wormholes on the Ultra Warp Ride. Nihilego (Ultra Deep Sea), Xurkitree (Ultra Plant) and Guzzlord (Ultra Ruin) appear in both versions; Ultra Sun has Buzzwole (Ultra Jungle) and Kartana (Ultra Forest), Ultra Moon has Pheromosa (Ultra Desert) and Celesteela (Ultra Crater). They reappear even after capture, so you can catch more than one. Beast Balls, built for Ultra Beasts, are sold at Aether Paradise and Lusamine gives you three. The new Ultra Beasts are different: Poipole is a gift after Megalo Tower, while Blacephalon (Ultra Sun) and Stakataka (Ultra Moon) turn up in Poni Grove after you become Champion, two per game.
The Ultra Warp Ride and its Legendaries
Once the story is over, you ride Solgaleo or Lunala through Ultra Space, steering with motion controls or the Circle Pad. Absorbing energy orbs builds speed and distance, while electrified obstacles slow you down. Wormholes come in four tiers – plain, one ring, two rings and three rings with a flower-like bloom – and the further you travel, up to 5,000 light years, the better the odds. Red, blue, green and yellow wormholes lead to Cliff, Water, Rocky and Cave World, each with level 60 legendaries; three-ring wormholes from 2,500 light years always contain one until all for that colour are caught. Mewtwo, the Kanto birds, the Regis, the lake trio, Cresselia and the Swords of Justice appear in both versions, along with Rayquaza, Suicune, Giratina, Kyurem and Landorus, which each need a pair of other legendaries in your party. Non-legendary Pokémon here can be Shiny up to 36 per cent of the time.
Who waits behind each colour of wormhole (all Lv. 60):
- Cliff World (red) – Articuno, Zapdos, Moltres, Cresselia, Rayquaza, Landorus; plus Ho-Oh and Tornadus (Ultra Sun) or Thundurus and Yveltal (Ultra Moon). Rayquaza needs Kyogre and Groudon in your party; Landorus needs Tornadus and Thundurus.
- Water World (blue) – Uxie, Mesprit, Azelf, Suicune, Kyurem; plus Latios (Ultra Sun) or Lugia, Latias and Kyogre (Ultra Moon). Suicune needs Raikou and Entei in your party; Kyurem needs Reshiram and Zekrom.
- Rocky World (green) – Mewtwo, Cobalion, Terrakion, Virizion; plus Raikou, Dialga, Reshiram and Xerneas (Ultra Sun) or Entei and Zekrom (Ultra Moon).
- Cave World (yellow) – Regirock, Regice, Registeel, Giratina; plus Groudon and Heatran (Ultra Sun) or Palkia and Regigigas (Ultra Moon). Giratina needs Dialga and Palkia in your party.
Fossils
Fossils are bought from Olivia’s jewellery shop in Konikoni City and revived at Route 8’s Fossil Restoration Center at level 15. Ultra Sun sells the Helix, Claw, Skull, Cover and Jaw Fossils; Ultra Moon the Dome, Root, Armor, Plume and Sail. Poké Pelago’s Isle Aphun can dig up any of them in either version.
What Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon add
- Poipole and Naganadel – A gift Poipole after Megalo Tower; level it up knowing Dragon Pulse to get Naganadel.
- Blacephalon and Stakataka – New Ultra Beasts in Poni Grove after the League: Blacephalon in Ultra Sun, Stakataka in Ultra Moon.
- Legendaries from Generations I–VI – Almost every earlier legendary appears in the Ultra Space Wilds, split between the versions.
- Dusk Form Lycanroc – Evolves from an Own Tempo Rockruff at dusk; unavailable in Sun and Moon.
- Totem-size Pokémon – Eleven trial totems as Totem Sticker rewards, ten of them version-exclusive.
- Ten fossil Pokémon – Olivia’s shop sells five fossils per version instead of two, and Poké Pelago can dig up any of them.
- Partner Cap and Surfing Pikachu – Partner Cap Pikachu via a QR code at Pikachu Valley; Surfing Pikachu for topping every Mantine Surf course.
- Ultra Space Wilds residents – Pokémon such as Swellow, Altaria, Yanmega, Sigilyph, Floatzel, Stunfisk, Heliolisk, Hippowdon and Crustle live beyond the coloured wormholes.
Starter Pokémon
The starters are the same as in Sun & Moon – Litten the Fire type, Rowlet the Grass type and Popplio the Water type – but this time Professor Kukui hands them over on Route 1, and Hau battles you on the spot.
- Rowlet: Choose Rowlet and Hau takes Popplio, ending with Primarina and a Flareon at the League. Kukui gives you Decidium Z at Malie Garden.
- Litten: Choose Litten and Hau takes Rowlet, ending with Decidueye and a Vaporeon. A rare freeze after picking Litten was fixed in version 1.1.
- Popplio: Choose Popplio and Hau takes Litten, ending with Incineroar and a Leafeon. Hala gives you the other starters’ Z-Crystals after the League.
Legendary, Mythical and event Pokémon
NecrozmaMount Lanakila- Solgaleo (Ultra Sun)Mahalo Trail (Ultra Sun)
- Lunala (Ultra Moon)Mahalo Trail (Ultra Moon)
CosmogLake of the Sunne/Moone
Tapu KokoRuins of Conflict
Tapu LeleRuins of Life
Tapu BuluRuins of Abundance
Tapu FiniRuins of Hope
Type: NullAncient Poni Path
ZygardeResolution Cave
PoipoleMegalo Tower- Blacephalon (Ultra Sun)Poni Grove (Ultra Sun)
- Stakataka (Ultra Moon)Poni Grove (Ultra Moon)
ZeraoraEvent only
Necrozma – Summit of Mount Lanakila. Catch it after becoming Champion; its catch rate is now very high. The story battles at the altar and Megalo Tower cannot be caught.
Solgaleo (Ultra Sun) – Mahalo Trail (Melemele Island). Post-game: Lillie brings Nebby to Mahalo Trail and lets you catch it; she also gives you Solganium Z.
Lunala (Ultra Moon) – Mahalo Trail (Melemele Island). Post-game: Lillie brings Nebby to Mahalo Trail and lets you catch it; she also gives you Lunalium Z.
Cosmog – Lv. 5, Lake of the Sunne (Ultra Sun) or Lake of the Moone (Ultra Moon). Gift after entering the Hall of Fame, with Solgaleo or Lunala in your party; comes with the other version’s Z-Crystal (Lunalium Z in Ultra Sun, Solganium Z in Ultra Moon).
Tapu Koko – Ruins of Conflict (Melemele Island). Post-game encounter at its ruins; catching any tapu earns the Tapunium Z.
Tapu Lele – Ruins of Life (Akala Island). Post-game encounter at its ruins.
Tapu Bulu – Ruins of Abundance (Ula’ula Island). Post-game encounter at its ruins.
Tapu Fini – Ruins of Hope (Poni Island). Post-game encounter at its ruins.
Type: Null – Lv. 60, Ancient Poni Path. Post-game gift from Wicke on Gladion’s behalf, along with all 17 memory discs; evolves into Silvally with high friendship.
Zygarde – Lv. 10% Forme: 63, Resolution Cave (50% Forme); Route 16 (10% Forme). Catch the 50% Forme in Resolution Cave, then Dexio gives you a 10% Forme on Route 16.
Poipole – Lv. 40, Megalo Tower or Ultra Megalopolis. Gift from Soliera (Ultra Sun) or Dulse (Ultra Moon) after the Ultra Necrozma battle; knows Charm, Venom Drench, Nasty Plot and Poison Jab.
Blacephalon (Ultra Sun) – Poni Grove. Post-game event with Hau and the Ultra Recon Squad; two can be caught.
Stakataka (Ultra Moon) – Poni Grove. Post-game event with Hau and the Ultra Recon Squad; two can be caught.
Zeraora – Lv. 50, Mystery Gift (events). Event-only Mythical; Fula City Zeraora distributions ran in 2018–19 in Japan, Europe, the Americas, Korea and Taiwan.
What one cartridge cannot give you
No Mythical Pokémon can be found in either version, so all 19 of them – Mew to Zeraora – need an event or a transfer:
Mew#151
Celebi#251
Jirachi#385
Deoxys#386
Phione#489
Manaphy#490
Darkrai#491
Shaymin#492
Arceus#493
Victini#494
Keldeo#647
Meloetta#648
Genesect#649
Diancie#719
Hoopa#720
Volcanion#721
Magearna#801
Marshadow#802- Zeraora#807
About 365 of the 403 Alola Pokédex entries in a single version. Each version lacks 18 species from the other (for Ultra Sun players, Alolan Sandshrew and Sandslash, Electrike, Manectric, Baltoy, Claydol, Petilil, Lilligant, Vullaby, Mandibuzz, Skrelp, Dragalge, Oranguru, Drampa, Lunala, Pheromosa, Celesteela and Stakataka, with the mirror-image list for Ultra Moon), the three Mythicals Magearna, Marshadow and Zeraora are event-only, and roughly 15 trade evolutions such as Alakazam, Machamp, Gengar, Steelix, Scizor, Porygon2 and Milotic need a link trade. Trevenant is the exception, thanks to the in-game trade in Tapu Village.
Gift Pokémon and in-game trades
Pokémon you are simply handed:
- Rowlet, Litten or Popplio (Lv5) – Route 1 (Melemele Island). Professor Kukui gives you your first partner.
- Eevee Egg – Paniola Ranch (Akala Island). From the ranch’s Pokémon Breeder.
- Fossil Pokémon (Lv15) – Fossil Restoration Center, Route 8. Revived from fossils bought at Olivia’s shop or found on Poké Pelago.
- Totem-size Pokémon (Lv20–50) – Heahea Beach. Samson Oak, at 20, 40, 50, 70, 80 and 100 Totem Stickers.
- Aerodactyl (Lv40) – Seafolk Village (Poni Island). From an Ace Trainer in the village.
- Partner Cap Pikachu – Pikachu Valley (Akala Island). Scan the QR code from the deliveryman once you have reached Akala.
- Surfing Pikachu (Lv40) – Surf Association, Heahea City. Reach first place on all four Mantine Surf courses; it knows Surf and holds a Gold Bottle Cap.
- Poipole (Lv40) – Megalo Tower or Ultra Megalopolis. From Soliera (Ultra Sun) or Dulse (Ultra Moon) after the Ultra Necrozma battle.
- Type: Null (Lv60) – Ancient Poni Path. Post-game, from Wicke, with all 17 memories.
- Cosmog (Lv5) – Lake of the Sunne (Ultra Sun) or Lake of the Moone (Ultra Moon). After entering the Hall of Fame, with Solgaleo or Lunala in your party.
- Zygarde 10% Forme (Lv63) – Route 16 (Ula’ula Island). From Dexio after you catch the 50% Forme in Resolution Cave.
- Porygon (Lv30) – Aether House (Ula’ula Island). From an Aether Foundation employee after Episode RR.
Tradable Pokémon: the in-game trades along the way include:
| You give | You get | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Spearow | Hawlucha (Cha), Lv8, holding an X Attack | Route 2 (Melemele Island) |
| Lillipup | Noibat (Noinoi), Lv19, holding Bright Powder | Route 5 (Akala Island) |
| Tentacool | Barboach (Babo), Lv21, holding a Pecha Berry | Royal Avenue (Akala Island) |
| Trumbeak | Arbok (Arbo), Lv22, holding a Balm Mushroom | Route 8 (Akala Island) |
| Phantump | Phantump (Tumptump), Lv33, which evolves into Trevenant on arrival | Tapu Village (Ula’ula Island) |
Connectivity
Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon can trade and battle with each other and with Sun & Moon over the 3DS’s local wireless, although Pokémon, moves and items that debut in the Ultra versions cannot be sent to the older games.
Until Nintendo’s 3DS online shutdown at 5pm Pacific on 8 April 2024 (1am on 9 April in the UK), the games offered the GTS, Wonder Trade, Battle Spot, online Festival Plaza guests, internet Mystery Gifts and Global Missions shared by players worldwide. Local wireless trading, battling and Festival Plaza meet-ups still work, and QR code scanning, including Island Scan, needs no connection. Pokémon Bank lets you store Pokémon and move them in from earlier games, with Poké Transporter bringing over Generation V Pokémon and those from the Virtual Console releases of Red, Blue, Yellow, Gold, Silver and Crystal. From Bank, Pokémon can go one way to Pokémon HOME and on to Switch games. Bank and Transporter close on 25 February 2027 at 7pm Pacific – 26 February in the UK.
Characters
Old friends with new parts to play, four visitors from a world without light, and a professor who gives up the final battle to his student’s best friend.
The player
Your character moves from Kanto to Melemele Island with their mother and becomes the newest island challenger. Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon give the protagonists new designs; in English official material they are Elio and Selene, while in Japanese they are Yō and Mizuki, though you name your own Trainer. Over the story you become the Trainer who chases Necrozma to Ultra Megalopolis, the first Champion of the Alola League and the one who breaks up Team Rainbow Rocket. Outfits bought around Alola can be shown off in the Alola Photo Club.
Hau
Kahuna Hala’s grandson is as sunny and malasada-mad as ever, battling you from Route 1 onwards with the starter weak to yours. Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon give him a bigger finale: instead of fighting you outside the League, he is the challenger who climbs up to face you after the Elite Four, taking the battle seriously and asking for your best. He wears a black Z-Power Ring, remains the strongest title defence challenger, and joins you at Poni Grove to deal with Blacephalon or Stakataka.
Lillie
Lillie fled Aether Paradise with Nebby three months before the game begins and now lives in the loft of Kukui’s lab. Her journey follows Sun and Moon’s broad arc, but she plays a different part in its climax: at the altar her flutes evolve Nebby, only for Necrozma to absorb it, and she urges you to chase it to Ultra Megalopolis. She becomes a Trainer herself, with a Clefairy, fights beside you against Faba in Episode RR, lets you catch Nebby on Mahalo Trail after the story and can join you as a Battle Tree partner.
Professor Kukui
Alola’s Pokémon professor hands you your first partner on Route 1 and keeps an eye on your island challenge while researching moves. His great project is the Alola Pokémon League on Mount Lanakila, and he recruits his old friend Molayne for its Elite Four. In Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon he does not take the challenger’s role after the Elite Four – Hau does – but he still appears as a title defence challenger, and he gives you the Z-Crystal for your starter at Malie Garden.
Gladion
Lusamine’s son and Team Skull’s hired muscle left Aether Paradise with Type: Null after his father vanished, determined to grow strong enough to protect his family. You battle him on Route 5, at the Battle Royal Dome, at Aether House and on Mount Lanakila, and he fights beside you at Aether Paradise. After you become Champion he leaves Alola to train in Kanto and Johto, leaving a Type: Null and its memories with Wicke, and returns for a title defence with a Silvally and a Kanto starter.
Lusamine
The Aether Foundation’s glamorous president greets visitors as a mother to all Pokémon but is cold towards her own children. In Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon she never fuses with Nihilego: after disowning Lillie and battling you, she uses Nebby to open a wormhole and charges into Ultra Space with Guzma to take on Necrozma, only to be thrown back at the altar. She later makes peace with Lillie and gives you three Beast Balls, is held captive in Episode RR, and appears as a title defence challenger.
Dulse and Zossie
Dulse and Zossie are the Ultra Recon Squad members you meet in Alola in Ultra Sun; in Ultra Moon they appear only near the end. Dulse is the calm, formal one who battles you with Furfrou and the squad’s Poipole, while the young Zossie is lively and openly curious about life in Alola. In Ultra Sun the pair search for a way to stop Necrozma. Like all their colleagues they are left-handed and greet people with an angular take on the Alola greeting.
Soliera and Phyco
In Ultra Moon the squad members working in Alola are Soliera and Phyco, the team’s captain; in Ultra Sun you meet them only near the end, when Soliera offers you Poipole and Phyco lets you swap Ultra Warp Ride mounts in Ultra Megalopolis. In Ultra Moon the pair study how Necrozma’s power might be used, and Soliera is the one who battles you with Furfrou and Poipole. Phyco and Zossie are named after seagrasses, Soliera and Dulse after red algae.
Samson Oak
Professor Oak’s cousin, a cheerful Alolan in a Hawaiian shirt, is first met on Route 2. In Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon he waits at Heahea Beach, calling you through the Rotom Dex whenever you reach a Totem Sticker milestone and rewarding you with a Totem-size Pokémon.
The island challenge
Island trials, kahunas and Totem Pokémon replace Gyms and Gym Leaders in Alola, just as they did in Sun & Moon – but Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon rebuild a good number of the trials, swap in four new totems and finally give Mina a trial of her own, making eight trials and four grand trials in all.
Each trial ends with a battle against a Totem Pokémon, which is bigger than usual, wrapped in an aura that boosts its stats and able to call allies to its side. Clear an island’s trials and you face its kahuna in the grand trial; every success earns a Z-Crystal.
The trial route – every trial and grand trial in Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon’s story order, with the Totem’s or kahuna’s ace, a team level to aim for and the Z-Crystal you earn:
- Normalium ZIlima · Verdant CavernNormal · ace Totem Gumshoos / Alolan Raticate Lv. 12Aim for Lv. 12–15 · Normalium Z
- Fightinium ZHala · Iki TownFighting · ace Crabrawler Lv. 16Aim for Lv. 16–19 · Fightinium Z
- Waterium ZLana · Brooklet HillWater · ace Totem Araquanid Lv. 20Aim for Lv. 20–23 · Waterium Z
- Firium ZKiawe · Wela Volcano ParkFire · ace Totem Alolan Marowak Lv. 22Aim for Lv. 22–25 · Firium Z
- Grassium ZMallow · Lush JungleGrass · ace Totem Lurantis Lv. 24Aim for Lv. 24–27 · Grassium Z
- Rockium ZOlivia · Ruins of LifeRock · ace Lycanroc Lv. 28Aim for Lv. 28–31 · Rockium Z
- Electrium ZSophocles · Hokulani ObservatoryElectric · ace Totem Togedemaru Lv. 33Aim for Lv. 33–36 · Electrium Z
- Ghostium ZAcerola · Thrifty Megamart (Abandoned Site)Ghost · ace Totem Mimikyu Lv. 35Aim for Lv. 35–38 · Ghostium Z
- Darkinium ZNanu · Malie CityDark · ace Alolan Persian Lv. 44Aim for Lv. 44–47 · Darkinium Z
- Dragonium ZNo captain · Vast Poni CanyonDragon · ace Totem Kommo-o Lv. 49Aim for Lv. 49–52 · Dragonium Z
- Fairium ZMina · Seafolk VillageFairy · ace Totem Ribombee Lv. 55Aim for Lv. 53–56 · Fairium Z
- Groundium ZHapu · Exeggutor IslandGround · ace Mudsdale Lv. 54Aim for Lv. 54–57 · Groundium Z
The captains and kahunas
Verdant Cavern trial: Ilima
Ilima, Melemele’s stylish Normal-type captain, sets the tone for the island challenge with impeccable manners and a keen eye for promising newcomers. His trial plays out much as it did before, but the totem depends on your version, and the post-game gives him a bigger part: after you become Champion, a side quest has you rematch a level 60 totem in Verdant Cavern and leave a Normalium Z for the next generation of challengers, earning a Trial Guide outfit. He also holds the orange petal for Mina’s trial at Hau’oli Cemetery.
Team: Totem Gumshoos Lv12 (Ultra Sun) or Totem Alolan Raticate Lv12 (Ultra Moon), Defence +1; ally Yungoos or Alolan Rattata Lv11
Search the cavern’s dens for the Pokémon living there while two Team Skull Grunts barge in. Gumshoos and Alolan Raticate are the only version-exclusive totems. Reward: Normalium Z, 10 Great Balls.
Melemele grand trial: Hala
Melemele’s jovial kahuna is Hau’s grandfather and the man who sends you off on your island challenge. His grand trial swaps Sun and Moon’s Mankey for Machop, but the bigger change comes later: Hala is no longer part of the Elite Four, his place there taken by Kukui’s friend Molayne. After you become Champion he hands over the Z-Crystals for the two starters you didn’t pick.
Team: Machop Lv15, Makuhita Lv15, Crabrawler Lv16 (Fightinium Z)
Grand trial in Iki Town after Ilima’s trial. Because he no longer sits in the Elite Four, this is your formal battle with him. Reward: Fightinium Z; Trainer Passport stamp (traded Pokémon obey up to Lv35).
Brooklet Hill trial: Lana
Akala’s Water-type captain is a quiet angler with a mischievous streak and a fondness for tall tales. The big change in Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon is her totem, a towering Araquanid in place of the Wishiwashi school, with Wishiwashi now one of the decoys. She returns in Lush Jungle during Mina’s trial, battling you before giving up the blue petal.
Team: Totem Araquanid Lv20, Speed +1; allies Masquerain Lv18, Dewpider Lv18
Ride Lapras upstream to find what is splashing, dealing with Dewpider and Solo Form Wishiwashi decoys before the totem appears. Same totem in both versions. Reward: Waterium Z, Fishing Rod, 10 Dive Balls.
Wela Volcano Park trial: Kiawe
Kiawe, Akala’s fiery captain, pours his love of fire dancing into a trial rebuilt as a dance contest. The totem changes too: Salazzle, Sun and Moon’s totem, now merely answers the call of a hulking Alolan Marowak that spins its burning bone. He waits at Wela Volcano Park again when Mina’s trial sends you round Alola, ready to hand over the red petal.
Team: Totem Alolan Marowak Lv22, Speed raised; ally Salazzle Lv20
Watch three pairs of dances and spot what changed, battling two Alolan Marowak and a Hiker between rounds. Same totem in both versions. Reward: Firium Z, 10 Quick Balls.
Lush Jungle trial: Mallow
Mallow, Akala’s cheerful Grass-type captain and keen cook, keeps her ingredient-hunting trial from Sun and Moon, and Totem Lurantis returns as the prize. The ally Pokémon change to Kecleon and Comfey, and the higher levels make the totem a sterner test. She shares Lush Jungle with Lana during Mina’s trial, giving you the green petal. Her love of cooking still drives the whole trial, which is as much a recipe hunt as a test of strength.
Team: Totem Lurantis Lv24, Speed raised; allies Kecleon Lv22, Comfey Lv22
Gather hidden ingredients, battling Fomantis and Sudowoodo for some (a few fights can be avoided), then brew an aroma to lure the totem. Reward: Grassium Z, 10 Nest Balls.
Akala grand trial: Olivia
Akala’s kahuna runs a jewellery shop in Konikoni City and has a soft spot for sparkling stones. Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon hand her a fossil-themed grand trial team of Anorith and Lileep backing her Lycanroc, and her shop now sells five different fossils in each version. She later becomes the Rock-type member of the Elite Four with another new team.
Team: Anorith Lv27, Lileep Lv27, Lycanroc Lv28 (Rockium Z)
Grand trial at the Ruins of Life once Lana, Kiawe and Mallow’s trials are done; she later joins the Elite Four. Reward: Rockium Z; Trainer Passport stamp (traded Pokémon obey up to Lv50).
Hokulani Observatory trial: Sophocles
Ula’ula’s Electric-type captain is a shy tech whizz who would rather build machines than battle. His trial now revolves around a Vikavolt-shaped contraption you power with Charjabug, and a spiky Togedemaru replaces Vikavolt as his totem. He matters well beyond the trial: during Episode RR he regains control of Festival Plaza from Team Rainbow Rocket with your help. His cousin Molayne works at the same observatory.
Team: Totem Togedemaru Lv33, Defence raised; allies Skarmory Lv32, Dedenne Lv31
Line up Charjabug to power the machine, fighting Elekid and Electabuzz after each surge; when it switches on, Totem Togedemaru arrives. Reward: Electrium Z.
Thrifty Megamart trial: Acerola
Acerola, Ula’ula’s playful Ghost-type captain, looks after the children of Aether House and in Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon helps Lillie research Alola’s history. Her trial in the abandoned Megamart is reworked around photography, with Mimikyu still the star. She later joins the Elite Four, which is why Nanu covers for her during Mina’s trial. Her cheerful manner hides real power with Ghost types, as her later League team shows.
Team: Totem Mimikyu Lv35, all stats raised; allies Banette Lv32, Jellicent Lv33
Photograph the Ghost types around the store to lure the totem, follow it to the back room and photograph it, then fight off the Ghosts that attack. Reward: Ghostium Z, 10 Dusk Balls.
Ula’ula grand trial: Nanu
Ula’ula’s kahuna is a laconic police officer who would rather look after his Meowth than run a grand trial. His team is the same as in Sun and Moon, just at higher levels. In Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon he also stands in for Acerola during Mina’s trial, battling you at Aether House before parting with the purple petal. Dark types suit his laid-back, sardonic manner.
Team: Sableye Lv43, Krokorok Lv43, Alolan Persian Lv44 (Darkinium Z)
Grand trial in Malie City late in the Ula’ula chapter. His Alolan Persian holds the Darkinium Z, so bring Fighting, Bug or Fairy moves. Reward: Darkinium Z; Trainer Passport stamp (traded Pokémon obey up to Lv65).
Vast Poni Canyon trial: the Totem
Poni Island has no Dragon-type captain, so the canyon itself is the trial: a long climb past wild Dragon types to the den of Totem Kommo-o. In Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon this comes first on Poni, before Hapu’s grand trial rather than after it, and the climb doubles as a story set piece – Lillie conquers her fear of heights and the Ultra Recon Squad battle you before the path reaches the altar.
Team: Totem Kommo-o Lv49, all stats raised; allies Scizor Lv46, Noivern Lv48; Jangmo-o and Hakamo-o attack on the way
Survive the Jangmo-o and Hakamo-o that ambush you on the climb, then defeat Totem Kommo-o; it is the only totem in Alola without a captain. Reward: Dragonium Z.
Seafolk Village trial: Mina
Mina, the wandering painter who served as a captain in name only in Sun and Moon, finally has a trial of her own. It opens once you have been to Megalo Tower and turns into a grand tour of Alola, as she sends you to every other captain for a petal. Combined, the petals form the Rainbow Flower, which draws out Totem Ribombee. Her parents reveal that her original trial was simply drawing sketches of Ribombee.
Team: Mina: Mawile, Granbull, Ribombee (Fairium Z), all Lv51. Totem Ribombee Lv55, all stats raised; allies Blissey Lv53, Pelipper Lv52
Beat Mina for the pink petal, then collect six more from Ilima, Lana, Mallow, Kiawe, Sophocles and Nanu; the Rainbow Flower summons the totem. Reward: Fairium Z.
Poni grand trial: Hapu
Poni’s new kahuna is a down-to-earth farmer who rides a Mudsdale and speaks with old-fashioned bluntness. In Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon her grand trial is the last step before the League, moved to Exeggutor Island and held after you have saved Ultra Megalopolis and finished Mina’s trial. Golurk replaces Dugtrio on her team, and she later appears as a title defence challenger.
Team: Golurk Lv53, Gastrodon Lv53, Flygon Lv53, Mudsdale Lv54 (Groundium Z)
The final grand trial, held on Exeggutor Island after Mina’s trial. Her Mudsdale holds the Groundium Z, so Water, Grass and Ice moves help. Reward: Groundium Z; Trainer Passport stamp (traded Pokémon obey up to Lv80).
Totems and new Z-Moves
A new totem, a reworked trial and the new species-exclusive Z-Moves in action:
The Elite Four & the final battle
Professor Kukui’s new Pokémon League waits at the summit of Mount Lanakila, as in Sun & Moon – but its line-up has changed. Molayne, Sophocles’s Steel-type cousin, takes the seat that Kahuna Hala held in Sun & Moon, and every member brings a new team.
As before, the four can be faced in any order. Beat them all and the Champion’s seat is yours – until the first challenger climbs the mountain. This time it isn’t Kukui but Hau, with his strongest team yet, and beating him makes you the first Champion of the Alola League. Afterwards you defend the title against a rotating cast of challengers, Kukui and Hau among them.
Molayne, Olivia, Acerola and Kahili, then Hau
Molayne, Elite Four
Molayne takes Hala’s seat as the Elite Four’s newest member. A scientist at Hokulani Observatory, Kukui’s old friend and Sophocles’s cousin, he brings a calm, thoughtful style and a solid Steel-type line-up, closing with an Alolan Dugtrio that unleashes Steelium Z. His chamber locks you in with grey hexagons rather than Hala’s glowing fists. He is the most significant Elite Four change from Sun and Moon.
Team: Klefki Lv56, Bisharp Lv56, Magnezone Lv56, Metagross Lv56, Alolan Dugtrio Lv57 (Steelium Z)
Rematch: Same five Pokémon at Lv66
New to the Elite Four in Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, replacing Hala. Ground, Fire and Fighting moves do the damage.
Olivia, Elite Four
Akala’s kahuna returns as the Rock-type member of the Elite Four. Like her grand trial squad, her League team leans on fossil Pokémon, with Armaldo and Cradily joining Gigalith and Probopass before her Midnight Lycanroc closes with a Rockium Z attack. Water, Grass, Fighting and Ground moves serve you well against her. Expect her Lycanroc to hit hard and fast.
Team: Armaldo Lv56, Cradily Lv56, Gigalith Lv56, Probopass Lv56, Midnight Form Lycanroc Lv57 (Rockium Z)
Rematch: Same five Pokémon at Lv66
New team for Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon; Relicanth, Carbink and Golem from Sun and Moon make way for Armaldo, Cradily and Gigalith.
Acerola, Elite Four
The Ghost-type captain steps up to the Elite Four with a playful but varied team. Banette and Drifblim are familiar faces, while Alola’s Dhelmise and Palossand and a Froslass add Grass, Ground and Ice coverage. Her Palossand holds the Ghostium Z. Dark and Ghost moves are the safest answer. Her chamber, like the others, seals you in until the battle is over, and her Ghost types reward patient play.
Team: Banette Lv56, Drifblim Lv56, Dhelmise Lv56, Froslass Lv56, Palossand Lv57 (Ghostium Z)
Rematch: Same five Pokémon at Lv66
New team in Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon. Her Palossand unleashes Never-Ending Nightmare with the Ghostium Z, so watch its high Defence.
Kahili, Elite Four
Alola’s golf-loving Flying-type specialist completes the Elite Four, swinging her club as confidently in the League chamber as on the course. In Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon her team mixes Braviary and Mandibuzz with Hawlucha, a fiery Baile Style Oricorio and her signature Toucannon, which carries Flyinium Z for a powerful Supersonic Skystrike. Electric, Ice and Rock moves are the way through her line-up.
Team: Braviary Lv56, Hawlucha Lv56, Baile Style Oricorio Lv56, Mandibuzz Lv56, Toucannon Lv57 (Flyinium Z)
Rematch: Same five Pokémon at Lv66
Fourth member, with a reworked team; her Toucannon’s Flyinium Z attack is the trump card, so keep a Rock or Electric type in reserve.
Hau, the final battle
In Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon the Champion’s seat is empty when you beat the Elite Four, so you take it – and the first challenger to climb up is Hau, not Professor Kukui. Hau brings a full team built around his starter, an Eeveelution chosen to counter yours and his loyal Alolan Raichu, and he asks you to hold nothing back. Beating him makes you the first Champion of the Alola League.
Team: Alolan Raichu Lv59, Tauros Lv58, Noivern Lv58, Crabominable Lv59, plus Flareon Lv58 and Primarina Lv60 (if you chose Rowlet), Vaporeon Lv58 and Decidueye Lv60 (if you chose Litten) or Leafeon Lv58 and Incineroar Lv60 (if you chose Popplio)
After this, you defend the title against challengers who rotate daily, including Kukui, Hau, Gladion, Lusamine, Guzma, Plumeria, Hapu, Sophocles, Ryuki and Tristan; Hau is the strongest.
Glitches, exploits and oddities
Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon launched with a handful of new bugs, most of them fixed by the December 2017 patch – and much of what was online has since gone.
Litten cutscene freeze (fixed in 1.1)
In the original release, choosing Litten as your first partner in the prologue could, on rare occasions, freeze the game during the cutscene that follows, stopping you from progressing. The bug was introduced in Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon and did not affect Sun and Moon. The Pokémon Company flagged it in December 2017, and version 1.1, released on 13 December 2017, fixed it. Anyone playing from an unpatched Game Card today can still download the update while the 3DS update servers remain available.
Wide Guard weakening every Z-Move (fixed in 1.1)
Wide Guard is meant to shield a team from attacks that hit several Pokémon at once. In the launch version it wrongly cut the damage of all Z-Moves, including single-target ones, which made a real difference in Double Battles and competitive play where Z-Moves were a key tool. The bug was new to Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon. Version 1.1, released on 13 December 2017, restored the intended behaviour so that Wide Guard only affects Z-Moves that target multiple Pokémon. Battle Videos saved before the update cannot be played or shared afterwards.
Ion Deluge doing nothing (fixed in 1.1)
Ion Deluge is a move that turns Normal-type moves into Electric-type moves for the rest of the turn, which can redirect attacks or exploit Abilities such as Volt Absorb. At launch the move simply failed to work at all in Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, even though it behaved correctly in Sun and Moon. The Pokémon Company listed it among the bugs due to be fixed, and the December 2017 patch, version 1.1, repaired it alongside the Wide Guard, BP tutor and Litten fixes.
BP move tutor overwriting moves (fixed in 1.1)
The new BP move tutors had a nasty side effect at launch. If a Pokémon knew fewer than four moves, teaching it a move at the Mantine Surf tutor tents or the Battle Tree could overwrite its first move instead of filling an empty slot, so a move you had just learned could vanish and the BP was effectively wasted. Version 1.1 fixed the problem in December 2017; on an unpatched copy, make sure a Pokémon already knows four moves before buying a tutor move.
Shiny Partner Cap Pikachu
Once you reach Akala Island, a deliveryman at Pikachu Valley offers a Partner Cap Pikachu through a QR code. Because the game checks whether it is Shiny against your own Trainer data rather than the gift’s original trainer data, the Pikachu can come out Shiny, which should not happen with a gift of this kind. A Shiny Partner Cap Pikachu looks the same as a normal one apart from the sparkle when it enters battle. The quirk was never patched.
Therian Forme Thundurus and Smart Strike
Across all four Generation VII games, Thundurus in its Incarnate Forme can learn the Steel-type move Smart Strike from its TM, but in its Therian Forme it cannot, even though the two are the same Pokémon and normally share compatibility. The inconsistency is a coding error in the TM compatibility data rather than a deliberate design choice, and no patch addressed it. If you want a Thundurus with Smart Strike, the move has to be taught while it is in its Incarnate Forme.
What no longer works
Since 8 April 2024 (Pacific time), the GTS, Wonder Trade, Battle Spot, online Festival Plaza visitors, internet Mystery Gifts, Global Missions and online Battle Agency partners have all been unavailable, so any online-dependent tricks are gone. The 3DS eShop closed on 27 March 2023, ending digital sales. Pokémon Bank and Poké Transporter still work for existing users but close on 25 February 2027 Pacific time (26 February in the UK); after that, Pokémon cannot be moved from these games to Pokémon HOME. Update data and redownloads remain available for now.
Videos & media
A collection of videos from Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, including trailers and TV commercials.
The Pokémon Direct of 6 June 2017, which was heavily focused on Pokkén Tournament DX but also included the first teaser-style glimpses of Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon.
Official US trailer, with more details revealed.
US TV commercial “Strange Evil”.
Team Rainbow Rocket TV commercial.
Trivia & facts
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Dawn Wings Necrozma. Many fans assumed the nicknames Ultra Lunala and Ultra Solgaleo for the games’ cover mascots, prior to it being officially known that they were called Dawn Wings Necrozma and Dusk Mane Necrozma respectively, following the merger with Necrozma.
Further trivia
- All five new Pokémon introduced in Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon – Poipole, Naganadel, Stakataka, Blacephalon and Zeraora – are weak to Ground-type moves.
- Placing the Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon boxes side by side reveals the silhouette of Ultra Necrozma.
Ultra Sun. 
Ultra Moon. - Every member of the Ultra Recon Squad is left-handed, a nod to their world being a mirror of the player’s.
- In Ultra Space, Pikachu, Cubone and Exeggcute evolve into their Kanto forms rather than their Alolan ones.
- Blacephalon is the only Ultra Beast with a signature move, Mind Blown, and Stakataka is the heaviest Rock-type Pokémon.
- After Gladion’s title defence, a scene at Aether Paradise confirms that Poké Pelago’s amnesiac caretaker Mohn is Lillie and Gladion’s father; Lusamine chooses not to tell him who he is.
- The post-game includes a tribute to the late Nintendo president Satoru Iwata, acknowledging his help on Pokémon Gold and Silver.
Legacy
What came after
- Announcement in a Pokémon Direct – 6 June 2017. Revealed alongside Pokkén Tournament DX and the Virtual Console Gold and Silver; The Pokémon Company later corrected early reports that hinted at a Switch release.
- Team Rainbow Rocket revealed – Early November 2017. A pre-launch trailer revealed Giovanni leading a team of villain bosses from past games, with Mewtwo.
- Worldwide launch – 17 November 2017. Released the same day in Japan, North America, Europe, Australia and Korea, with a dual pack containing both games.
- Special Rockruff Mystery Gift – 17 November 2017. An Own Tempo Rockruff, able to evolve into Dusk Form Lycanroc, was available by internet Mystery Gift until 10 January 2018.
- Version 1.1 patch – 13 December 2017. Fixed the Litten cutscene freeze, Wide Guard against Z-Moves, Ion Deluge and the BP move tutor bug.
- Version 1.2 patch – 6 February 2018. Described by Nintendo only as various fixes to improve gameplay.
- Pokémon Bank compatibility – Early 2018. A Bank update let Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon store and receive Pokémon, opening transfers from older games.
Pokémon the Movie: The Power of Us and Zeraora – 13 July 2018. Zeraora debuted in the film; event distributions followed in Japan from July 2018 and in Europe from 1 October to 15 November 2018.- Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! and Let’s Go, Eevee! (Switch) – 16 November 2018. The first core series games on Switch, a year after the Ultra versions.
- Pokémon Sword and Shield (Switch) – 15 November 2019. The first new-generation core games on Switch, moving the series on to Galar.
- Pokémon HOME – February 2020. The cloud service that receives Pokémon sent one way from Pokémon Bank and links to Switch games.
- Nintendo 3DS eShop closure – 27 March 2023. Digital copies could no longer be bought, and Pokémon Bank could no longer be downloaded by new users.
- Nintendo 3DS online services end – 8 April 2024. Switched off at 5pm Pacific time (1am on 9 April in the UK), ending the GTS, Wonder Trade, Battle Spot and online Festival Plaza.
- Pokémon Bank and Poké Transporter closure announced – 13 August 2026. The Pokémon Company confirmed both services will end, closing the last route from 3DS games to Pokémon HOME.
- Pokémon Bank and Poké Transporter close – 26 February 2027. At 03:00 UK time (7pm Pacific on 25 February); the last route from Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon to Pokémon HOME.
Where to play Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon today
As of October 2026 Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon are playable only on Nintendo 3DS and 2DS family systems; they have never been re-released on Switch. With the 3DS eShop closed since March 2023, a second-hand Game Card is the only way to buy them, though existing digital owners can still redownload. Online features ended in April 2024, but local wireless trading and battling work, and Pokémon Bank remains usable for moving Pokémon to HOME until late February 2027.
How Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon were made
Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon were announced in a Pokémon Direct on 6 June 2017 and released worldwide on 17 November 2017. Kazumasa Iwao, who had overseen battle systems on Sun and Moon, directed. According to Shigeru Ohmori, the idea of an alternative Ultra pair took shape late in Sun and Moon’s development, partly to build on the popularity Pokémon GO had brought the series, and the games were made by a younger team of about 80 people – roughly half the size of Sun and Moon’s – while veterans such as Shigeki Morimoto moved to the first Switch projects. Despite the smaller team, the script ran to twice the length of the original’s. Ohmori described the games as the culmination of the studio’s work on 3DS, and they proved to be the last core series RPGs on the system before Let’s Go and Sword and Shield moved the series to Switch.
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon in other media
The English and Japanese title screens:
Sales & reviews
Sales figures
The first official figures came in soon after launch: Media Create counted 667,439 copies of Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon in Japan in their first week, plus 247,782 Double Packs, and The Pokémon Company put the three-day total at around 1.2 million (counting each Double Pack as two). In the UK, Ultra Sun entered the chart at No. 4 and Ultra Moon at No. 5.
By the end of 2017 the games had sold over two million copies in Japan, making them the country’s best-selling game of the year. Nintendo’s latest figure is 9.28 million worldwide (31 March 2026), the ninth best-selling Nintendo 3DS game – a little over half of Sun and Moon’s 16.34 million.
- 9.28mworldwide, March 2026
- 1.2mJapan in three days
- 667kJapan launch week, single copies
- No. 4UK chart debut (Ultra Sun)
Review scores
Interestingly, USUM received quite widespread backlash from fans, with many negative reviews in Japan within 24 hours of release; most of these were because people were of the opinion that there wasn’t enough new content and they felt as though they’d essentially bought the same game(s) again. Whilst this is ‘essentially’ not far from the truth, this is a nice polished version of Sun & Moon with a wider variety of Pokémon to catch and lots of new features – so no different from any other generation’s sister games to the main core titles?
Fortunately, many other fans and critics were quite understanding of that fact, and there were some pretty good scores received from major review sites and fans alike, so let’s check them out:
- Kallie Plagge from GameSpot was reasonably impressed with USUM, scoring them 8/10, equating to ‘Great’ on their scale, and praising the “charming new details” which she said add more personality to the Alola region.
- Writing this two days after release, there were already 24 critic reviews aggregated on Metacritic, which gave an average of 86/100 – pretty solid by any standards. Even the user scores were reasonable, at 8.2/10 over 47 ratings. (Today both versions sit at 84/100, from 59 and 55 critic reviews.)
- Fellow aggregation site GameRankings (which closed in 2019) had the games holding a very similar 86.25% scoreline over 12 reviews.
- Chris Tapsell reviewed the games on behalf of Eurogamer and was also quite fond of them, stating “Ultra Sun and Moon Pokémon has reached the pinnacle of what’s possible on the console” (another of many references to the Pokémon series outgrowing handheld consoles).
- IGN’s Casey DeFreitas was also impressed, scoring the games 9/10, equating to Amazing on IGN’s scale, and stating “The Ultra versions pump Pokemon Sun and Moon full of smart improvements.”
Critics broadly agreed that Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon were the definitive way to experience Alola, but questioned how much they offered anyone who had played Sun and Moon a year earlier. Reviewers praised a faster, more streamlined opening, the many small touches that made the islands feel livelier, the reworked trials and totems, Mantine Surf and an exceptionally generous post-game, with the Ultra Warp Ride’s legendaries and the Team Rainbow Rocket finale singled out. The most common complaint was familiarity: the routes, characters and much of the story were unchanged, and the new material arrived mostly in the later chapters. Some felt that adding Necrozma and the Ultra Recon Squad muddied an already crowded final act. Nintendo Life awarded full marks, while Polygon and Game Informer suggested returning players had little reason to go back.
Awards and honours:
Media & artwork
- Box art & covers for Pokémon Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon, including several regional variations
- Official artwork – a gallery of artwork including the Ultra Recon Squad, Pokémon, logos and more
- The full Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon Z-Move list
Further reading
Other Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon links on the site, plus the games either side: