Alola brings changes to classic Pokémon in Sun and Moon

Pokémon Sun and Moon is increasingly demonstrating how it is set to define itself apart from previous entries in the series, and in doing so it is taking the familiar, but bringing them back with an unexpected twist.

This is most notable in the new Alolan Versions of existing Pokémon. These Pokémon have adapted to Alola’s (Sun and Moon’s new region made up of five distinct islands) distinctive microclimates, resulting in both visual and type differences from the versions we’re all used to.

Exeggutor, in addition to elongating its neck, now has a fourth head, on its tail? This head is able to control the tail independently, possibly allowing for dragon-type moves. Because – that’s right – the Alolan version of Exeggutor is now Grass/Dragon type.

Other Pokémon to have changed types due to adapting to Alola are Vulpix and its evolution, Ninetails. No longer a fire type, Vulpix is now an ice type having adapted to the snowy mountain peaks, whilst Nintetails has the added benefit of also being a fairy type, for some reason.

Sandshrew and its evolution Sandslash have also changed to ice types (in combination with steel) having also migrated to the snowy mountains, but as the result of avoiding the nearby volcanoes that were present near their former desert homes.

In addition to the new Alolan versions, the latest trailer (which can be found below) showed off new Pokémon such as Oricorio, a bird Pokémon that changes its form (and type) based on the Alolan island it comes from. Other Pokémon are also revealed in the trailer as well as an insight into the trainers’ new rationale for exploring the archipelago: the “island challenge,” an adventurous rite that involves traveling to each of the islands. This moves the series away from just traveling to a new town/city and defeating the local Gym leader and moving on. Instead, it appears that this has been replaced by a series of trials for each island.

Finally is a new element introduced to the battles of Sun and Moon: “Z-Moves”. Despite initially being reminiscent of Mega Evolution in X and Y, these are powerful moves that can only be used once during a battle, but all Pokémon are able to use a Z-Move, providing the Pokémon is holding the same Z-Crystal that the trainer has inserted into their Z-Ring, which allows them to resonate with one another.

Pokémon Sun and Moon is set to release in North America/Japan November 18^th and Europe November 23^rd 2016, and we have a feeling those five days are going to feel long.

In the meantime, enjoy the feature packed – and very much in Japanese – trailer, and take in the utter bizarreness that is Alolan Exeggutor.