You’re walking through Heahea City, maybe just trying to find the Apparel Shop or heading toward the Research Academy, and you see it. A little glint. It’s stuck to the side of a surfboard shop. That’s a Totem Sticker. Honestly, if you’re playing Pokémon Ultra Sun or Ultra Moon for the first time, you might think they’re just some shallow collectible meant to pad out the playtime. You'd be wrong. These things are the ticket to some of the most "illegal" feeling Pokémon you can get in a standard playthrough.
Collecting Pokemon Ultra Sun totem stickers is basically Alola’s version of the Gold Skulltulas from Zelda, but with a reward that actually impacts your team's power level. There are 100 of them. Yeah, 100. They’re scattered across every nook and cranny of the four main islands. From the back of a dumpster in Malie City to the interior of a random trailer on Route 13, Game Freak really went out of their way to hide these things in places you’d never look unless you were actively hugging every wall in the game.
What Do These Stickers Actually Do?
Basically, Samson Oak—the tan version of the Professor we all grew up with—is obsessed with these things. He’s hanging out at Heahea Beach on Akala Island. When you hit certain milestones in your collection, he just gives you Totem-sized Pokémon.
These aren't just regular Pokémon. They’re huge. In battle, they have that same imposing aura that the actual Trial Bosses have. In Ultra Sun, the lineup is different than Ultra Moon. If you’re playing Ultra Sun, your first reward at 20 stickers is a Totem-sized Gumshoos. By the time you hit 100, you’re looking at a massive Totem Ribombee.
It’s worth noting that while these Pokémon look intimidating, they don’t keep the stat boosts that the actual bosses get during trials. That would be broken. However, they come with three perfect IVs guaranteed. That’s huge for anyone who doesn't want to spend six hours breeding with a Destiny Knot just to get a viable attacker. They’re also heavy. Because they’re physically larger, moves like Low Kick or Grass Knot will absolutely wreck them, but they also get a power boost for moves like Heavy Slam.
The Ultra Sun Exclusive Rewards
If you're on the Sun side of the fence, here is the breakdown of what you're actually working toward:
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- 20 Stickers: Gumshoos. It’s big, it’s angry, and it’s a solid early-game physical wallop.
- 40 Stickers: Marowak (Alolan Form). This is arguably the best value per sticker. Alolan Marowak is a fan favorite, and getting a giant one feels great.
- 50 Stickers: Lurantis. A bit of a glass cannon, but the size makes the animations look incredible.
- 70 Stickers: Vikavolt. This thing is a special attacking monster.
- 80 Stickers: Mimikyu. Everyone wants a giant Mimikyu.
- 100 Stickers: Ribombee. The final prize.
Where People Usually Get Stuck
Most players find about 40 or 50 stickers naturally. Then they hit a wall.
The devs were sneaky. Some Pokemon Ultra Sun totem stickers are only accessible at certain times of day, or require you to use the move "Tauros Charge" to break rocks that are hiding a sticker on a back wall. One of the most missed stickers is in the Pokémon Center in Seafolk Village. It's stuck to the bottom of a crate. You have to walk behind the counter, which most players don't even realize you can do.
Another nightmare spot is the Aether House. There’s one stuck to a ceiling beam that you can only see if you're standing in a very specific corner. If you're stuck at 99 stickers, check the basement of the Shady House in Po Town. There's a sticker on a cardboard box that blends in almost perfectly with the muted textures of the room.
Tips for the Completionist
Don't just run around aimlessly. The best way to do this is island by island. Melemele Island has 17 stickers. Akala has 33. Ula'ula has 30, and Poni Island has 20.
If you've already finished the main story, go back to Iki Town. There’s one on the back of the Kahuna's house that most people miss because they never go back there after the festival. Also, check the sinks. For some reason, several stickers are stuck to the side of sinks inside people's houses. It’s weird. It’s Alola. Don’t question it.
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The Strategy Behind Totem Pokémon
Why bother? Aside from the "cool factor," these Pokémon have competitive niche uses. Because they are technically a different form, they can be a bit of a surprise in a local link battle.
Take the Totem Araquanid (available in Ultra Moon). Its size makes it look terrifying, but its Water Bubble ability is what makes it a threat. In Ultra Sun, getting that giant Vikavolt at 70 stickers gives you a Pokémon that can safely switch into Earthquakes and retaliate with a massive Thunderbolt.
The hidden benefit is the weight. In the Pokémon world, weight matters. If you're using a Totem-sized Kommo-o (another Ultra Moon exclusive), you’re looking at a Pokémon that weighs significantly more than its standard counterpart. This interacts with specific moves in ways that can actually swing a battle if you know what you’re doing.
The Limitations You Should Know
You can’t breed the Totem size down. If you put a Totem Mimikyu in the Daycare with a Ditto, you’re just going to get a regular-sized baby Mimikyu. It’s a bummer, I know. These are "trophy" Pokémon meant for that specific save file.
Also, you can't trade them to the original Pokémon Sun or Moon. They only exist in the Ultra versions. If you try to push them through Pokémon Bank or Home, they usually lose their "Totem" tag or just won't transfer if the destination game doesn't support the form. Keep them in Alola where they belong.
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Is the 100-Sticker Grind Worth It?
Honestly? It depends on how much you love the world-building.
Hunting Pokemon Ultra Sun totem stickers forces you to actually look at the environments. You'll notice the details in the lab on Akala Island or the way the light hits the ruins on Poni Island. If you’re just trying to beat the Elite Four and move on, stop at 40 or 50. The Alolan Marowak or Lurantis will serve you well enough.
But if you want that 100% completion mark, or you just really want a Ribombee that’s the size of a small child, get to hunting.
Start by hitting the easy ones. Check every trial site. The stickers are usually hidden near where the actual Totem Pokémon appeared. Then, go into every single house. Check the televisions, the fridges, and the bookshelves.
Once you have your stickers, head back to Samson Oak at Heahea Beach. He’ll be waiting there, ready to give you your giant monsters.
Actionable Next Steps
- Check your bag: Look under the "Key Items" tab for the Totem Sticker book to see your current count.
- Target Melemele first: It’s the smallest island with only 17 stickers. It's an easy win to get your momentum going.
- Use the camera: Some stickers are only visible if you rotate the camera or stand in a doorway to change the perspective.
- Visit the motels: Every roadside motel in Alola has at least one sticker, usually on the outside walls or behind the reception desk.
- Talk to Samson Oak: Don't wait until you have 100. Check in with him every 10-20 stickers to collect your rewards and keep your team leveled up as you go.
The stickers are out there. Happy hunting.