New details have been released regarding the upcoming Pokémon Sun & Moon including a look at new game mechanics, new forms for some first gen Pokémon, and of course a glimpse at some of the new Pokémon that will be available.
As per the latest video, three first generation Pokémon will be receiving a new form: Vulpix/Ninetales, Sandshrew/Sandslash, and ….sigh…. Exeggutor. Not really sure why they chose Exeggutor, but that’s ok. Why not include Exeggcute?… No idea.
Aloha Alola Forms!
It appears that these Alolan forms of the Pokémon are not just transformations of the originals (ie. a Vulpix will not evolve into an Alolan Vulpix), but rather are treated as an entirely new Pokémon. Along with a new look (which mainly consists of just colouring the sprites a white-ish blue and making Exeggutor look like a giraffe), comes a change in type from their first gen counterparts.
Alolan Vulpix – Ice; Ability – Snow Cloak
Alolan Ninetales – Ice/Fairy; Ability – Snow Cloak
Alolan Sandshrew – Ice/Steel; Ability – Snow Cloak
Alolan Sandslash – Ice/Steel; Ability – Snow Cloak
Alolan Exeggutor – Grass/Dragon; Ability – Frisk
Although the movesets learned by each Alolan Pokémon will differ from their counterparts, it is unclear whether or not their stats will remain identical.
New Pokémon Unveiled
Along with the addition of Alolan Pokémon come some actual new Pokémon.
Lurantis can learn a new move called Solar Blade which reminds me a lot of the Squall’s limit break Blasting Zone from FFVIII. Like seriously, check it out. Looks cool regardless though!
There’s a segment in the video where you see Gumshoos as a Totem Pokémon. It really isn’t clear what the advantages/differences are of being a Totem Pokémon, but Gumshoos begins the fight increasing its defense and summoning an ally to its aid.
Donkey that grew up to be a horse. Not really sure what else to say about this guy.
New Elements Introduced
With the introduction of the next couple of Pokémon come some new elements that will be found in Pokémon Sun/Moon.
Minior – Rock/Flying
Minior is a rock/flying Pokémon with the ability Shields Down. This Pokémon will have high defence and is supposedly immune to most status effects while its outer shell is still up. When the Pokémon reaches half health, the shell will break off revealing its inner core. The inner core can be one of four colours. Besides the colour change, it is unclear as to whether or not the moveset of the Pokémon will also change.
Oricorio is a flying Pokémon that differs by type and dance style based on which of the four islands it is found. Each dance style comes with its own moveset and Revelation Dance and Oricorio’s Dancer ability allows it to copy any dance move used by the other Pokémon.
Oricorio Baile Style – Fire/Flying
Oricorio Pom-Pom Style – Electric Flying
Oricorio Pa’u Style – Psychic/Flying
Oricorio Sensu Style – Ghost/Flying
Pokémon Sun/Moon will also introduce the ability to ride Pokémon. In the video, gameplay is shown riding a Tauros and a Mudsdale on the ground, a water Pokémon ramming through rocks on the sea, and calling forth a Charizard to take off into the sky….that’s right, a freaking Charizard!
Not sure how happy Charizard is being mounted with a saddle that wraps between his legs, but whatever…. I’ll take it!
Lastly, the game introduces Z-power and Z-moves. Once per fight, you can “unleash” the Z-power of a Pokémon as a powerful Z-move. Each Pokémon type has its own Z-move and it is unclear whether or not dual types will have access to two different Z-moves that it can choose from. From the video we get a glimpse of the electric type – Gigavolt Havoc, the grass type – Bloom Doom, the fire type – Inferno Overdrive, and the water type – Hydro Vortex Z-moves.
Stay tuned for more information on Pokémon Sun/Moon as it becomes available. Pokémon Sun/Moon will be released November 18 on the 3DS.
