Alola changed everything. When Pokémon Sun and Moon dropped, people weren't just looking at a new region; they were looking at a complete overhaul of what a Pokémon could even be. Honestly, the shift from traditional gyms to the Island Challenge was a shock, but the real curveball was the roster. We got monsters that looked like origami, others that were basically interdimensional glitches, and regional forms that turned our childhood favorites into weirdly long-necked or psychic-surfing variants.
If you’re still thinking about the Alola Dex as just "the one with the weird Exeggutor," you're missing the best parts. The Gen 7 lineup introduced some of the most mechanically complex and lore-heavy creatures in the entire franchise.
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The Weird Reality of New Pokemon in Alola
The Alola region brought 81 new species, but it wasn't just about the numbers. It was about the "Ultra Beasts." These things—code-named with designations like UB-01 or UB-02—aren't technically even Pokémon in the traditional sense. They come from Ultra Space, and their designs are meant to look alien and "wrong."
Take Nihilego, for example. It looks like a glass jellyfish. It’s a Rock/Poison type, which makes zero sense until you realize it’s basically an invasive parasite from another dimension. Then you have Guzzlord, this massive, gaping maw that eats entire buildings. These weren't just "new pokemon in Alola"; they were a narrative threat.
Why Everyone Slept on the Starters (Initially)
The starters—Rowlet, Litten, and Popplio—had a rough start with fans. People clowned on Popplio for being "just a seal," but then Primarina showed up with a Water/Fairy typing and a Special Attack stat that melts teams.
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- Rowlet: Becomes Decidueye, a Grass/Ghost archer. It’s the first time a starter changed into the Ghost type upon fully evolving.
- Litten: Ends up as Incineroar. While fans groaned about another "bipedal fire starter," Incineroar eventually became the king of competitive VGC. Seriously, you can't play high-level Pokémon today without running into this wrestler cat.
- Popplio: Evolves into Primarina. It’s basically a siren that uses "Sparkling Aria" to heal burns while dealing massive damage.
The Regional Form Revolution
We can't talk about Alola without the Alolan Forms. This was the first time Game Freak ever did this. They took Kanto classics and gave them Darwinian makeovers. Alolan Vulpix moved to the snowy mountains and became Ice-type. Alolan Muk ate so much trash and toxins that it turned into a shimmering, rainbow-colored pile of sludge.
The standout was definitely Alolan Raichu. It uses its tail as a surfboard and gains the Psychic type. It's a vibe. But the real "meta" choice was Alolan Marowak. It traded its ground typing for Fire/Ghost to ward off the grass-types in the jungle. It’s darker, it’s cooler, and it actually has a tragic backstory involving its mother’s spirit.
Mechanics That Broke the Game
Alola didn't just give us new faces; it gave us new ways to lose. Some of the abilities introduced here were borderline broken.
- Disguise (Mimikyu): This little guy wears a Pikachu rag to be loved, but that rag acts as a free shield. For years, Mimikyu was a nightmare because it essentially got a free turn to set up a Swords Dance or a Will-O-Wisp.
- Water Bubble (Araquanid): This is insane. It doubles the power of Water moves, makes the Pokémon immune to burns, and halves Fire damage. It’s a Bug/Water type that hits harder than most Legendaries.
- Beast Boost: Every Ultra Beast has this. If they KO one of your Pokémon, their highest stat goes up. If you let a Kartana (the paper-thin Grass/Steel sword) get one kill, it’s basically game over.
The Tapus and the Island Guardians
Then you have the Tapus. Tapu Koko, Tapu Lele, Tapu Bulu, and Tapu Fini. These aren't just rare spawns; they are the "Land Spirits." Each one automatically sets a "Terrain" when they switch in.
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- Electric Terrain (Koko) stops Pokémon from falling asleep.
- Psychic Terrain (Lele) blocks priority moves like Quick Attack or Sucker Punch.
- Grassy Terrain (Bulu) heals everyone and boosts Grass moves.
- Misty Terrain (Fini) prevents all status conditions.
These four changed how competitive Pokémon was played for two whole generations. They made the environment itself a weapon.
What Most People Miss About the Alola Lore
There’s a Pokémon called Silvally that people often forget. It was literally "Type: Null" before you befriended it. It was a man-made Pokémon designed by the Aether Foundation to be an "Ultra Beast Killer." It has a mask to suppress its power, and once it trusts you, the mask breaks. It can change its type based on the "Memory" disc it holds, much like Arceus. It’s a dark, Frankenstein-esque story tucked into a bright, tropical game.
And don't even get me started on Necrozma. In Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, it becomes Ultra Necrozma—a literal dragon made of light. It has one of the highest base stat totals in the entire series (a staggering 754). It was the first "boss fight" in a Pokémon game that actually felt like a JRPG final boss where you could legit get wiped if you weren't prepared.
Actionable Tips for Using Alolan Pokemon Today
If you're jumping back into the games or playing Pokémon GO, here’s how to actually use these guys:
- Toxapex is your best friend (and your enemy's nightmare): This Poison/Water type is the ultimate wall. With the ability Regenerator and the move Baneful Bunker, it’s almost impossible to kill.
- Don't ignore the "slow" ones: Most Alolan Pokémon have terrible Speed stats. To win with them, you have to use Trick Room. Vikavolt has a massive Special Attack but moves like a snail. Under Trick Room, it’s a god.
- Kommo-o is the King of Z-Moves: Its exclusive Z-Move, Clangorous Soulblaze, deals massive damage and boosts every single one of its stats by one stage. It’s a one-turn win condition.
Alola was a weird experiment that actually paid off. It moved away from the "capture 8 gyms" formula and gave us a world that felt alive, dangerous, and deeply strange. Whether it’s the mystery of the Ultra Beasts or the charm of a surfing Raichu, the new pokemon in Alola redefined what we expect from a new generation.
Next Steps for Your Team
Go hunt for a Mareanie in the Melemele Sea or try to trigger an SOS battle for a Salamence on Route 3. If you're looking for competitive edge, start breeding a Litten with its Hidden Ability, Intimidate—it's still the gold standard for support.