15 Sun and Moon Starter Tips: Ultimate Teambuilding Guide

Dive into the vibrant world of Pokémon Sun and Moon with our comprehensive guide, offering essential tips to craft a formidable team and conquer the Alola region! From selecting the right starter Pokémon to optimizing movesets, we've got you covered. Get ready to embark on an unforgettable journey and become the ultimate Pokémon trainer.

Choosing Your Starter Pokémon

The journey begins with a crucial decision: selecting your starter Pokémon. In Sun and Moon, you're presented with three adorable choices: Rowlet, Litten, and Popplio. Each brings its own unique strengths and evolutions, so choose wisely based on your preferred playstyle and strategy.

Rowlet: The Graceful Leaf Guard

Rowlet, the grass and flying-type Pokémon, is a charming choice with excellent defensive capabilities. Its Leaf Guard ability makes it immune to status conditions when the weather is sunny, providing a significant advantage in battles. With proper training, Rowlet evolves into Dartrix and ultimately Decidueye, a formidable archer with a powerful arrow attack.

Litten: The Fiery Cuddler

Litten, the fire-type Pokémon, is a feisty and adorable choice. Its Blaze ability boosts its fire-type moves when its HP is low, making it a formidable force in battles. Litten evolves into Torracat and then Incineroar, a powerful wrestler with a fiery spirit.

Popplio: The Aquatic Entertainer

Popplio, the water-type Pokémon, is a playful and entertaining companion. Its Drizzle ability sets the weather to rain when it enters the battlefield, enhancing the power of water-type moves. Popplio evolves into Brionne and finally Primarina, a graceful singer with powerful water and fairy-type attacks.

Building a Balanced Team

To dominate the Alola region, it's crucial to build a balanced team that covers various types and abilities. Here are some tips to help you create a formidable squad:

Type Coverage

• Ensure your team has a good spread of types to cover each other's weaknesses. For example, a fire-type Pokémon like Litten can counter grass-type opponents, while a water-type like Popplio can handle fire-type foes.
• Consider adding Pokémon with multiple types to your team. For instance, Decidueye (Rowlet's final evolution) is a grass/ghost-type, providing coverage against a wide range of opponents.

Abilities and Movesets

• Choose Pokémon with abilities that complement each other. For example, pairing a Pokémon with a weather-based ability like Rowlet's Leaf Guard with one that benefits from that weather, such as a water-type, can be advantageous.
• Select movesets that cover a variety of offensive and defensive options. Teach your Pokémon moves that exploit their type advantages and consider moves with status effects to debilitate opponents.

Leveling and Training

• Regularly use your starter Pokémon and other team members in battles to ensure they gain experience and level up efficiently.
• Focus on teaching your Pokémon powerful moves as they level up. Visit the Move Reminder in Pokémon Centers to teach them moves they may have learned at earlier levels.

Exploring Alola's Pokémon

The Alola region is teeming with unique and powerful Pokémon. As you progress through the game, consider catching and training these creatures to enhance your team:

Rockruff and Lycanroc

Rockruff, the rock-type Pokémon, evolves into Lycanroc, a formidable rock-type with three different forms. Its Midday form is a speedy attacker, Dusk form is a powerful physical striker, and Midnight form is a bulky defender. Lycanroc can be a valuable addition to your team, providing coverage against various types.

Salazzle

Salazzle, the poison-type Pokémon, is a powerful attacker with a unique ability, Corrosion, which ignores the opponent's poison-type immunity. This makes Salazzle an excellent choice for taking down steel-type opponents. Its high speed and special attack stats make it a formidable force in battles.

Alolan Forms

Alola introduces unique forms of existing Pokémon, often with different types and abilities. Consider catching and training these Alolan forms to add variety and strength to your team:

• Alolan Raichu: An electric/psychic-type with the Surge Surfer ability, which boosts its speed in rainy weather.
• Alolan Marowak: A fire/ghost-type with the Lightning Rod ability, redirecting electric moves to itself.
• Alolan Exeggutor: A grass/dragon-type with the Frisk ability, revealing the opponent's held items.

Maximizing Your Starter's Potential

To get the most out of your starter Pokémon, consider the following tips:

EV Training

EVs (Effort Values) are points earned by Pokémon based on the defeated opponent's stats. To maximize your starter's potential, consider EV training it in specific stats. For example, if you want to boost its attack power, feed it specific foods or battle Pokémon that yield attack EVs.

Nature and IVs

Nature and IVs (Individual Values) are genetic factors that influence a Pokémon's stats. When catching wild Pokémon or breeding, pay attention to their nature and IVs to find individuals with desirable traits for your starter. Nature can enhance or reduce specific stats, while IVs determine the maximum potential of each stat.

Move Setups

Choose moves that play to your starter's strengths and cover its weaknesses. For example, if your Rowlet has high special attack stats, teach it powerful grass-type special moves like Leaf Storm. Consider moves with secondary effects, such as status infliction or stat changes, to give your starter an edge in battles.

Utilizing TMs and HMs

TMs (Technical Machines) and HMs (Hidden Machines) are powerful tools for teaching your Pokémon new moves. Here's how to make the most of them:

TMs

• TMs are single-use items that teach a specific move to any compatible Pokémon. They can be purchased from shops or found as rewards for completing certain tasks.
• Use TMs strategically to teach your Pokémon powerful moves that align with their type and abilities. For example, teach your Litten the TM for Fire Blast to unleash a devastating fire-type attack.

HMs

• HMs are multi-use items that teach moves essential for navigating the game world, such as Cut and Surf. These moves are often required to progress through the story and access certain areas.
• Assign HMs to your Pokémon wisely. Consider the moves your Pokémon already knows and their type advantages when deciding which HM moves to teach.

Battle Strategies and Tips

As you face off against trainers and wild Pokémon in the Alola region, keep these battle strategies in mind:

Type Matchups

Understand the type chart and exploit type advantages. For example, a water-type attack will be super effective against a fire-type Pokémon, but not so against a grass-type. Use this knowledge to your advantage and choose moves wisely during battles.

Status Conditions

• Status conditions like paralysis, burn, and freeze can debilitate opponents and give you an edge in battles. Consider moves that inflict status conditions to tip the scales in your favor.
• However, be mindful of your own Pokémon's status conditions. Keep an eye on their health and use items like Potions and Full Heals to keep them in top shape.

Switching and Predicting

Pay attention to your opponent's moves and predict their next actions. If you see an opportunity, switch out your Pokémon to counter their move effectively. For example, if your opponent uses a fire-type move, switch in a water-type Pokémon to take minimal damage.

Conclusion

With these tips in mind, you're well on your way to building a formidable team and becoming the ultimate Pokémon trainer in the Alola region. Remember to explore the diverse Pokémon available, maximize your starter's potential, and utilize TMs and HMs strategically. Good luck on your journey, and may your adventures in the Alola region be filled with excitement and success!