Picking your first Pokémon in Sun and Moon feels like choosing a travel buddy for an island vacation. Get it wrong, and you might struggle through battles. Get it right? Pure magic. I remember restarting twice because I underestimated how tough those early trials could be with the "wrong" partner.
Meet the Alola Starters: Rowlet, Litten, and Popplio
Game Freak shook things up in Pokémon Sun and Moon by ditching gyms for island challenges. Your starter choice impacts everything from the first trial to the Elite Four. Here's the lowdown on each option:
Rowlet: The Grass Owl
This round-faced Grass/Flying type won my heart initially. Starts pure Grass, evolves into Dartrix (Grass/Flying) at Level 17, then becomes Decidueye (Grass/Ghost) at Level 34. Perfect if you hate Water-types but beware of Ice moves later. My Decidueye got one-shotted by an unexpected Ice Beam during the Elite Four rematch - still hurts to remember.
Litten: The Fiery Kitten
Pure Fire at first, evolves into Torracat (Fire) at Level 17, then Incineroar (Fire/Dark) at Level 34. Hits like a truck but struggles early against Rock-types. My cousin picked Litten and rage-quit after losing three times to Hala's Mankey.
Popplio: The Sea Lion Performer
Pure Water starter, becomes Brionne (Water) at Level 17, then Primarina (Water/Fairy) at Level 34. Surprisingly tanky with solid Special Attack. Its Fairy typing demolishes Dragons late-game. A friend swears Primarina carried her through the entire game solo.
| Starter | Type Combo | Key Stat Strength | Evolution Levels |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rowlet Line | Grass/Flying → Grass/Ghost | Speed & Attack | Lv17 → Lv34 |
| Litten Line | Fire → Fire/Dark | Physical Attack | Lv17 → Lv34 |
| Popplio Line | Water → Water/Fairy | Special Attack & Sp. Defense | Lv17 → Lv34 |
Performance Breakdown: Islands to Elite Four
Choosing starter Pokémon in Pokémon Sun and Moon isn't just about cuteness. Here's how they handle Alola's toughest fights:
Early Game (Melemele Island)
• Rowlet dominates: Wipes Bug-types easily but struggles against Ilima's Normal-types
• Litten suffers: Hala's Fighting-types hit super-effectively
• Popplio balances: Great against Rock-types but weak to Grass
Seriously, if you pick Litten, stock up on Potions before Hala.
Mid-Game (Akala & Ula'ula Islands)
Once evolved, things change:
Decidueye's Shadow Sneak wrecks Ghost trials
Incineroar's Darkest Lariat shreds Psychic types
Primarina's Moonblast annihilates Dragon trainers
Elite Four Matchup Table
| Elite Four Member | Decidueye | Incineroar | Primarina |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hala (Fighting) | Hard | Hard | Easy |
| Olivia (Rock) | Hard | Easy | Easy |
| Kahili (Flying) | Medium | Easy | Medium |
Hidden Mechanics You MUST Know
Few guides mention these Sun and Moon starter quirks:
- Z-Move Compatibility: Primarina's Hydro Vortex hits hardest (180 power)
- Egg Moves: Rowlet can learn Defog via breeding (essential for competitive)
- Overlevel Penalty: Starters disobey if leveled too high before badges
I learned the disobedience thing the hard way when my level 38 Torracat ignored me during a totem battle. Embarrassing.
Starter Pokémon FAQs: Sun and Moon Edition
Can I change my starter Pokémon later?
Not directly. You're stuck with your choice unless you trade or restart. Wonder Trade might get you another starter, but it's random.
Which starter has the best hidden ability?
Incineroar's Intimidate (lowers opponent's Attack) is top-tier for competitive. Rowlet's Long Reach avoids contact effects - nice but situational.
Are starter Pokemon in Pokemon Sun and Moon viable for online battles?
Incineroar dominates VGC tournaments (top 10 usage). Primarina sees niche play. Decidueye struggles due to slow speed.
When do they learn signature moves?
• Rowlet line: Spirit Shackle at Lv28 (Dartrix)
• Litten line: Darkest Lariat at Lv28 (Torracat)
• Popplio line: Sparkling Aria at Lv28 (Brionne)
Which starter is best for speedruns?
Rowlet. Decidueye's early Ghost typing skips grinding against normals. Primarina comes second.
Personal Take: After 7 Playthroughs
Primarina surprised me most. That Water/Fairy typing handles so many late-game threats. But Incineroar fits Alola's wrestling theme perfectly. Rowlet? Adorable but needs team support against Ice types.
Honestly, no "wrong" choice exists. But if you hate grinding, avoid Litten until you're past the first island. That Fire-type struggle is real early on.
Pro Trainer Tip:
Teach Primarina Psychic via TM for Poison-type coverage. Saves you against annoying Toxapex encounters.
Final Verdict: Who Should Pick What?
For new players: Popplio. Fewer weaknesses, better bulk.
For veterans: Litten. High-risk, high-reward playstyle.
For collectors: Rowlet. Shiny Decidueye looks incredible.
Remember: Sun and Moon starter Pokémon grow with you. Treat them well, and they'll crush the Alola league. Just maybe avoid Ice-types with Rowlet, okay?
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