New Pokémon, Z-Moves, Alolan forms revealed

New forms for Kanto Pokémon

Monday, August 1, 2016

Reported on Bulbanews by SnorlaxMonster
Originally reported on Pokémon Sun and Moon minisite

This article is breaking news. Some contents may change—be sure to check back regularly.

A new trailer for Pokémon Sun and Moon has revealed an incredible amount of new information.

Alola artwork

Alola Forms

In the Alola region, a number of Generation I Pokémon have alternate forms, known as Alola Forms.

Alolan Exeggutor is Grass/Dragon-type and has the Ability Frisk. It can learn Dragon Rush and Egg Bomb. Alolan Exeggutor has an incredibly long neck, and has a fourth head on its tail which controls the tail independently. Exeggcute does not have an Alola Form, with Exeggcute in its regular appearance evolving into Alolan Exeggutor.

Alolan Vulpix is Ice-type and Alolan Ninetales is Ice/Fairy-type. They both have the Ability Snow Cloak. They are colored white. Alola Form Vulpix can learn Icy Wind, Ice Beam and Aurora Beam, and Alolan Ninetales can learn Ice Shard and what appears to be Blizzard.

Alolan Sandshrew and Sandslash are both Ice/Steel-type and both have the Ability Snow Cloak. Alolan Sandshrew can learn Ice Ball, and Alolan Sandslash can learn Icicle Crash and what appears to be Metal Claw. Alolan Sandshrew is slower than regular Sandshrew, but is heavier and has better defenses, although it cannot curl into a ball. Alolan Sandslash are heavier than normal Sandslash, and so are also slower.

Alolan Exeggutor
Alolan Vulpix
Alolan Ninetales
Alolan Sandshrew
Alolan Sandslash

New Pokémon

The new Pokémon Oricorio has four different "styles", one on each for Alola's islands. Baile Style is Fire/Flying-type. Pom-Pom Style is Electric/Flying. Pa'u Style is Psychic/Flying. Sensu Style is Ghost/Flying. Oricorio is the only Pokémon that can learn the new move Revelation Dance, which changes type with Oricorio's style to match its primary type. Oricorio has the new Ability Dancer, which copies dance moves used by other Pokémon.

The new Pokémon Minior is Rock/Flying and has the new Ability Shields Down. It can learn what appears to be Power Gem. While its shell is intact, it has excellent defenses and cannot be afflicted by status conditions. When its HP drops below half, its Ability Shields down activates, and its core is exposed, which is faster and more suited to attacking. Minior's Core comes in a variety of different colors.

The new Pokémon Gumshoos is Normal-type and the Evolution of Yungoos. It can have either Stakeout (a new Ability previously revealed as one of Yungoos's Abilities) or Strong Jaw as its Ability. It can learn Super Fang and Bide. Its method of targeting prey is the opposite of Yungoos's; while Yungoos prowls around, Gumshoos stakes out its prey's usual routes and waits patiently for it to come by. It's able to stay perfectly still while waiting for its prey, keeping watch without eating.

The new Pokémon Fomantis is Grass-type and has the Ability Leaf Guard. It can learn the moves Razor Leaf and Solar Beam.

The new Pokémon Lurantis is Grass-type and has the Ability Leaf Guard. It is the evolved form of Fomantis. Lurantis can learn the new move Solar Blade, which is a two-turn move; like Solar Beam, the Pokémon takes in sunlight on the first turn, then unleashes its power on the second turn. It's said to be the most gorgeous of all Grass-type Pokémon, due to its brilliant coloration and elegant moves. Lurantis draws opponents near to itself with its flower-like appearance and aroma, then takes them down.

The new Pokémon Mudbray is Ground-type and the pre-evolution of Mudsdale. It can have either Own Tempo or Stamina as its Ability. It can learn Mud-Slap. Mudbray could once be found all over the world, but it was overhunted and ended up on the verge of extinction; it's said that the Alola region is the only place in the world where Mudbray can still be found in the wild. Mudbray boasts superhuman strength, being able to carry loads up to 50 times its own weight on its back or dragging behind it.

Baile Style Oricorio
Pom-Pom Style Oricorio
Sensu Style Oricorio
Pa'u Style Oricorio
Minior
Minior's Core
Gumshoos
Fomantis
Lurantis
Mudbray

Z-Moves

Z-Moves are a new type of powerful move where Trainers and Pokémon combine to release their full power, using Z-Power. A Z-Move can only be used once per battle.

All Pokémon can use Z-Moves. In order to use a Z-Move, a Pokémon must learn a move of the same type as a Z-Crystal, and it must be holding the corresponding Z-Crystal. There is a Z-Move for each type.

The Electric-type Z-Move is Gigavolt Havoc.
The Grass-type Z-Move is Bloom Doom.
The Fire-type Z-Move is Inferno Overdrive.
The Water-type Z-Move is Hydro Vortex.

In the games, in order to use a Z-Move, Trainers will require a Z-Ring and a Z-Crystal. The Z-Ring fits on a Trainer’s arm, and Z-Crystals are set into it. If a Pokémon holds the same variety of Z-Crystal, the two will be able to resonate with one another. Crystals that correspond to each Pokémon type have been found in the Alola region.

When used in game, each overwhelmingly powerful move will be on full display, filling the entire screen.

TOMY International will also be releasing a Z-Ring for sale that real-world Trainers can wear on their arm and will light up, vibrate, and play sounds when using Z-Moves in the game. Its release will be timed to match the release of Pokémon Sun and Moon.

Gigavolt Havoc (charging)
Gigavolt Havoc
Bloom Doom (charging)
Bloom Doom
Inferno Overdrive (charging)
Inferno Overdrive
Hydro Vortex (charging)
Hydro Vortex
Z-Move artwork
Z-Ring and Z-Crystal artwork
Z-Ring toy

Island Challenge

The Island Challenge is a new mechanic is Pokémon Sun and Moon. It is described as a rite of passage, in which the player travels to the four islands of the Alola region to complete the island's trials. The goal of the Island Challenge is to become the strongest Trainer, known as the island challenge champion. These trials do not only involve battling.

Trials are not limited to battles. They take a variety of forms, such as finding items or completing tests of knowledge. They cannot be accomplished with ordinary methods.

At the end of each trial, the player battles a Totem Pokémon. A Totem Pokémon is much larger than others of their species, and its body is enveloped in a special aura. Totem Pokémon are battled in an SOS Battles, which allows Totem Pokémon to call on other Pokémon for help during the battle, summoning them to battle at its side; some Pokémon other than Totem Pokémon can also call for help.

Totem Gumshoos is the Totem Pokémon of Thicket Cave (Japanese: 茂みの洞窟, no official English name known), the trial grounds for a Melemele Island trial. It has an aura that boosts its Defense. It can call on Yungoos to aid it in battle.
Totem Lurantis is the Totem Pokémon of Lush Jungle, the trial grounds for an Akala Island trial.

The final trial of each island is called the grand trial. It is a Pokémon battle against the kahuna, who governs that island. If the player clears the grand trial, they will be recognized as having cleared all of that island's trials. Kahunas are chosen by the Pokémon known as guardian deities, which are also found on each island. Island Kahuna Hala is the kahuna of Melemele Island.

Each trial has a captain, whose role is to provide guidance to trial-goers. All of the captains are Trainers who undertook trials in their own island challenge a few years earlier. Four of the trial captains were revealed, but it is stated that there are more.

Mallow is the Trial Captain of the Lush Jungle, which is located on Akala Island. She specializes in Grass-type Pokémon. She loves cooking, and tasks the player to find four ingredients.
Lana is a Trial Captain that specializes in Water-type Pokémon. She is dedicated to her family and is a reliable older sister who watches over her younger sisters.
Sophocles is a Trial Captain who specializes in Electric-type Pokémon. He is good with mechanics and has invented various machines.
Kiawe is a Trial Captain who specializes in Fire-type Pokémon. Together with his Marowak, he studies the traditional dances that have been passed down in the Alola region. Kiawe says his trial is different to the others, testing the the player's observation. It involves two dances being performed, and the player has to identify the difference between the two.

A Totem Gumshoos
A regular Gumshoos
Mallow
Lana
Sophocles
Kiawe
Hala

Poké Rides

Poké Rides are a new mechanic in Pokémon Sun and Moon. The player can call on the services of a Pokémon as a Poké Ride, which allows them to access areas they wouldn't be able to with human strength alone. For example, Poké Ride's can traverse terrain humans cannot, and can destroy certain obstacles. Pokémon used as for Poké Rides are not added to the party, and can be called on at any time. The player uses a harness and wears safety equipment while on the Poké Ride.

Riding a Tauros allows the player to destroy rocks.
Riding a Mudsdale allows the player to cross rocky terrain.
Riding a Sharpedo allows the player to destroy rocks on water.
Riding a Charizard allows the player to fly through the air.

The player is also seen riding Stoutland on the official site, and was seen riding Stoutland and Lapras (among other Poké Rides shown in this trailer) in an earlier Japanese trailer.