Which Starter should YOU choose in Pokemon Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun, and Ultra Moon? (1)

Part 1: Rowlet

Alola, Everyone!

Today, as a follow-up to my post yesterday about my favorite generation of pokémon, I will give you some tips of which starter pokémon you should choose for your playthrough(s) of Pokémon Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun, and Ultra Moon!

To start off, yes, I think that the best starter is the right choice for ALL four games, Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, which can all be played on a Nintendo 3ds. Read my post on my favorite generation of pokémon to learn more about why you should play this fantastic gen!

As you may already know, the three starters of the Alola region in all four games are the grass-type Rowlet, the fire-type Litten, and the water-type Popplio. They’re final evolutions all have a secondary typing, being Ghost, Dark, and Fairy respectively.

I’m going to break down each starter pick in terms of its typing, type matchups against the boss-battles, z-moves, and coverage across three posts (I’ve tried to make the analysis as spoiler-free as possible!). I will then name the best one at the end post. Remember, if one starter is your favorite, choose that! No starter is “unpickable”, and all are made for you to have the best playthrough of the game. Enjoy!

Rowlet

Arguably the cutest starter of all generations, the pokémon community has doted on Rowlet since its release in Pokémon Sun & Moon.

Rowlet is a Grass/Flying type Pokémon introduced in Generation 7. It is known as the Grass Quill Pokémon. Similar to Litten & Popplio, Rowlet has a base stat total of 320. Unlike the other starters, however, you can groom this adorable bird to either be a physical or special attacker. Its stats scale well into its final evolution, Decidueye. After it evolves from Dartrix, Decidueye loses the flying type for the ghost type, increasing move coverage and STAB for moves like Poltergeist and Shadow Sneak.

Rowlet evolves into Dartrix at level 17, and then into Decidueye at level 34.

The hard part about this is that three major trials have all three base typings, water, fire, and grass respectievely. But I’ve tried my best to balance it out!

Now lets see its effectivenes against every major battle in Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun, and Ultra Moon. (I’ve tried to make the analysis as spoiler-free as possible!)

Melemele Island:

Trial

Notes: All starters fare well in this trial, making it a pretty neutral matchup. The totem pokémon (in both games) don’t have any super effective/not effective hits, so this one shouldn’t be too much of a worry for you.

Kahuna

Notes: The final fight you must beat is the grand trial of the kahuna of Melemele island, who uses mainly fighting-type pokémon. Rowlet pretty much beats this guy up with his early flying type coverage and decent Attack & Sp. Attack stats, so it doesn’t matter if you use physical or special moves throughout the game. One point!

Akala Island:

Trials

Water Trial

Notes: After arriving on the second island, you’ll be sent to complete the water trial and eventually battle a Totem water-type pokémon (This will slightly differ based on which game you are playing, but both totems have the primary water typing). Rowlet fairs VERY strongly against this matchup due to the powerful grass coverage you should have gotten by now. Another point for our little owl!

Fire Trial

Notes: Similar to the water trial, you will be encountering two different pokémon based on your version. Although they both have the fire typing, their secondary typing is completely different from one another. However, it doesn’t really matter as your Rowlet, now probably a decently-level Dartrix) fares very poorly against both pokémon, they having three super-effective attacks against you. The rest of your team should be able to handle this one, however.

Grass Trial

Notes: Deemed one of the hardest trials in all games, the last trial of the second island is not a cakewalk by any means, even with Rowlet (which by this point you should have a Dartrix or even a Decidueye). Although grass being weak to flying types does help, the constant healing PLUS the rock-type STAB coverage from the helping pokémon can really screw you up. Be careful in thsi fight and don’t let your team take too much damage. Half a point.

Kahuna

Notes: To progress, you must defeat the rock-type user, the kahuna of Akala island. Again, if you still have a Dartrix, the ancient powers and other rock coverage will definitely be the end of you. However, most should have a Decidueye by now, and the neutral matchup suggests that your now (hopefully) team of six may clean up this fight. Keep in mind that her team is very bulky and shines in a long, drawn out game. try to shut down the pokémon and take control in the first few turns to make this fight easier.

ULA'ULA ISLAND

Trials

Electric Trial

Notes: After arriving on the third island, you’ll be sent to the Hokulani observatory to help a young scientist with his powering device, but then when the machine goes haywire a totem pokémon steps in and quells it before challenging you to the electric trial. Like the trials before this, the pokémon depends on which version you are playing, but the secondary typing doesn’t play a huge role. All in all, Decidueye won’t contribute much but also doesn’t lose against this battle.

Ghost Trial

Notes: The only difference being the helper pokémon across the games, the trial in the abandoned supermarket is probably the most difficult one that is a major junction for serious rethought on the player’s end. Your Decidueye can dish out huge damage with the likes of Spirit Shackle and Leaf Blade, priority moves like Shadow Sneak, and other STAB moves. The only downside is that the totem pokémon hits hard too and its ability will make all the difference, so you can’t just “brute force” this fight. In addition to Decidueye not being the tankiest of pokémon, its better to just let your Dark types clean this one up.

Kahuna
Notes: The kahuna of the third island is a user of Dark-type pokémon, and powerful ones- your big owl won’t be able to really do anything in this matchup, either getting one-hit KOed or just hanging in the backlines. Fairy, fighting, and bug types are your best bet here.

Poni Island

Trials

Dragon Trial

Notes: On your way to save the world, you must take the trial in the cave leading up to the altar. Although not a manned trial, the game considers this as one and it should be, the dragon type being one of the strongest the game. Decidueye won’t be able to do much in this game due to flying-type coverage from the helper (ironic), and the sheer power of the dragon type moves the totem pokémon will throw at you. Again, the fairy and ice type will be the sweepers.

Fairy Trial

Notes: Your rift-venture complete, the fairy trial awaits. After completitng the rather repetitive trial mission, the totem pokémon will appear. Decidueye will be able to deal some damage with its STAB moves, but don’t rely on sweeping with it. Overall, a neutral matchup.

Kahuna
Notes: The final grand trial against the ground-type kahuna is sweepable on Decidueye’s end only if those crit leaf blades make it through before you are one-shot. Although Decidueye’s typing matches advantageously, try to keep Decidueye for the danger in the back and use other pokémon for the early fight.

Elite Four

Notes: Unfortunately, one of the elite four members depends on the version, so I won’t be able to break down each fight without spoilers, so I’m just going to rate Decidueye generally. (But to be honest, you should just be sweeping with Ultra Necrozma at this point)

Notes: Decidueye fares well against the elite four, going mostly neutral against all of them, however weak to one. Try to take out the starting pokémon and don’t let them set up. Especially the USUM steel-type elite four member who’s lead can get extremely tricky.

Champion

Notes: Similar to the Elite Four, the champion depends on your version, but their teams don’t differ much in terms of coverage. The champion in SM has the starter strong to yours, however in USUM the starter weak to yours. All in all, a neutral matchup.

And that concludes Rowlet’s analysis for a full playthrough of pokémon Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun, and Ultra Moon. Remember, this is all opinion and if a starter you like better than the other based on pure cosmetics, pick that one! All starters are around the same strength level and gamefreak did a good job trying to balance them! Tune in next week for Litten’s full analysis, remember to subscribe, share, and like! Sayonara, from KidLokSe!!!