Pick your partner. It’s the first real decision you make in Alola, and honestly, it’s probably the most stressful one. You’re standing there in Iki Town, Hala is watching you, and the three Poke Balls are just sitting there. Most people just look at the cute base stages—the round owl, the grumpy cat, or the circus seal—but that’s a rookie mistake. You’ve gotta look at the long game. The pokemon moon starter evolutions aren't just cosmetic upgrades; they fundamentally shift how you handle the Island Challenge, especially since Sun and Moon ditched traditional Gyms for Totem Pokemon that can actually wreck a team if you're unprepared.
Choosing Rowlet, Litten, or Popplio sets a specific trajectory for your entire playthrough. It's not just about type advantages. It’s about the secondary typing they gain in their final stages and the signature Z-Moves that hit like a truck. If you pick wrong, you might find yourself stuck grinding in Lush Jungle because your team lacks the specific coverage needed to bypass Mallow’s Totem Lurantis.
The Rowlet Line: From Round Bird to Ghostly Archer
Rowlet is the fan favorite for a reason. It’s a Grass/Flying type that looks like it’s wearing a bowtie. Super cute. But when it hits level 17, it evolves into Dartrix, a somewhat "emo" phase Pokemon that spends a lot of time preening its feathers. The real shift happens at level 34. This is where things get weird, in a good way.
Decidueye drops the Flying type entirely. It becomes Grass/Ghost.
This is a massive deal for the pokemon moon starter evolutions meta. By becoming a Ghost type, Decidueye gains an immunity to Normal and Fighting moves. It also gets access to Spirit Shackle, a signature move that prevents the opponent from switching out. In a competitive setting or a difficult Nuzlocke run, that trapping mechanic is invaluable. You aren't just hitting them; you’re locking them in the room with you.
However, being a Grass/Ghost type is a double-edged sword. You’re suddenly weak to Dark, Ghost, Fire, Ice, and Flying. It’s a glass cannon build. If you don't outspeed the opponent—and Decidueye isn't exactly the fastest bird in the sky with a base Speed of 70—you’re going to take a lot of punishment. Most players don't realize that Decidueye is actually a mixed attacker. Its Attack and Special Attack stats are both high (107 and 100 respectively), meaning you can run Leaf Blade or Shadow Ball depending on what your team needs.
Navigating the Dartrix awkward phase
Dartrix is often overlooked. It retains the Grass/Flying typing, which is actually pretty helpful for the early game trials against Hala. If you've got a Dartrix, the first Grand Trial is basically a victory lap. But don't get cocky. The transition to Decidueye changes your defensive profile so much that you have to relearn how to switch it into battle. You lose that 4x resistance to Grass moves, and suddenly, Bug-type moves deal neutral damage instead of being resisted. It’s a learning curve.
Litten’s Transformation: The Wrestler Nobody Expected
When Pokemon Sun and Moon were first announced, everyone saw Litten and thought: "Please don't be another Fire/Fighting type." We had Blaziken. We had Infernape. We had Emboar. The community was collectively holding its breath.
When Torracat evolved into Incineroar at level 34, there was a brief moment of panic. It stands on two legs. It looks like a wrestler. But then, the stats dropped. Incineroar is Fire/Dark.
This was a game-changer.
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The pokemon moon starter evolutions usually follow a theme, and Incineroar is the "heel" wrestler. It’s mean, it’s bulky, and it’s surprisingly slow. While Litten and Torracat are relatively fast, Incineroar’s Speed stat actually drops when it evolves, landing at a mediocre 60. But it makes up for it with massive 115 Attack and solid 90/90 defenses.
If you're playing Moon, Incineroar is arguably the most "meta" choice for the post-game and competitive play. Its Ability, Intimidate (available as a Hidden Ability), is widely considered one of the best in the entire franchise. Lowering the opponent's Attack just by switching in? That’s gold. Plus, its signature move, Darkest Lariat, ignores the opponent's stat changes. If a Totem Pokemon is spamming Bulk Up or Iron Defense, Incineroar just doesn't care. It hits right through the buffs.
Why Torracat feels different
Torracat is actually faster than its evolution. This creates a weird gameplay sensation where you're used to outspeeding mid-tier wild Pokemon, only to evolve into Incineroar and suddenly find yourself moving second. You have to pivot your strategy from "sweeping" to "tanking." Honestly, it’s a bit jarring. You go from a sleek jungle cat to a heavy-hitting brawler. If you like the "bulky offense" playstyle, this is your line. If you prefer speed, you might actually find Incineroar frustrating to use in the main story.
Popplio and the Primarina Powerhouse
Popplio got a lot of hate when the starters were first revealed. People called it goofy. But the pokemon moon starter evolutions for the Popplio line are arguably the strongest in terms of raw Special Attack.
Brionne evolves into Primarina at level 34, and it gains the Fairy typing. This is huge. Water/Fairy is one of the best defensive and offensive combinations in the game. It gives you a crucial immunity to Dragon-type moves, which are everywhere in the late-game Alola region.
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Primarina is a Special sponge. With a base Special Defense of 116 and Special Attack of 126, it hits harder than almost any other starter. Its signature move, Sparkling Aria, deals massive damage and even heals the burn status of the target—which is a bit of a weird niche, but the raw power of the move combined with the Primarium Z crystal creates "Oceanic Operetta." That Z-Move is basically a tactical nuke.
The Fairy-type advantage in Alola
Most players struggle with the final trials and the Elite Four because of the high-level Dragon and Dark types used by trainers like Ryuki or Acerola. Primarina trivializes these fights. Moon-blast is a devastating STAB (Same Type Attack Bonus) move that can one-shot most things that don't resist it.
The downside? Physical defense. Primarina has the physical durability of a wet paper towel. A base Defense of 74 means if a strong physical attacker like a Golisopod or a Midday Lycanroc gets a clean hit in, Primarina is likely going down. You have to play smart. You can't just leave it in against everything.
Secret Mechanics of the Alolan Starters
A lot of people forget that these starters weren't just about the base game. When Pokemon Home and various events launched, we got access to their Hidden Abilities. This is where the pokemon moon starter evolutions really show their depth.
- Long Reach (Decidueye): Allows the Pokemon to use contact moves without actually touching the opponent. This means you don't take damage from Rough Skin, Rocky Helmet, or Effect Spore. It’s incredibly niche but saves your life against certain builds.
- Intimidate (Incineroar): As mentioned, this is the gold standard. It’s why Incineroar has dominated the VGC (Video Game Championships) for years.
- Liquid Voice (Primarina): Turns all sound-based moves into Water-type moves. This makes Hyper Voice a powerful Water STAB move that hits both opponents in a double battle.
Which one is "best"? It depends on your goal. For a casual playthrough of Moon, Popplio (Primarina) actually has the easiest time against the various Island Kahunas. For competitive play, Incineroar is the undisputed king. For those who want a unique, tactical challenge, Decidueye offers a playstyle that no other Grass starter really mimics.
The Z-Move Factor
Don't ignore the exclusive Z-Moves. In Pokemon Moon, these act as the ultimate "get out of jail free" card.
- Sinister Arrow Raid: Decidueye’s Z-Move looks incredible. It’s a flurry of arrows that ignores everything.
- Malicious Moonsault: Incineroar literally creates a wrestling ring and jumps on the opponent. It’s the peak of Pokemon animation.
- Oceanic Operetta: Primarina summons a massive orb of water. It’s elegant but deadly.
These moves are only accessible once your starter reaches its final evolution. They require you to give up a held item slot (like Leftovers or a Life Orb), but the trade-off is a guaranteed knockout on almost any non-boss Pokemon.
Final Verdict on the Evolution Choice
You can't really go wrong, but you can definitely make your life harder. If you pick Rowlet, make sure you catch a Salandit or a Magmar to cover your Fire-type needs. If you go with Litten, you’re going to need something fast, maybe a Ribombee or a Talonflame, to balance out Incineroar’s sluggishness. And if you choose Popplio, find a sturdy physical wall like Mudsdale to soak up the hits Primarina can't handle.
The pokemon moon starter evolutions are some of the most personality-driven designs Game Freak has ever produced. They move away from the traditional "monster" aesthetic and lean into specific character archetypes: the Archer, the Wrestler, and the Opera Singer.
Next Steps for Your Alola Journey:
- Check your Natures early: If you just started and your Litten has a Modest nature (+Special Attack, -Attack), you might want to restart. Incineroar needs its Attack stat to function. Similarly, a Bold Rowlet is going to struggle.
- Locate the Move Reminder: In Moon, the Move Reminder is at the Pokemon Center on Mount Lanakila, right before the Elite Four. You’ll need Heart Scales to teach your evolutions moves they might have missed, like Leaf Blade for Decidueye or Flare Blitz for Incineroar.
- Sync your team timing: Aim to have your full team of six planned by the time you reach the second island (Akala). The difficulty spike at the Brooklet Hill trial is real, and your starter evolution (which should be at the middle stage by then) will be your primary anchor.
The Alola region is a weird place. No gyms, giant "Totem" monsters, and Ultra Beasts jumping out of holes in the sky. Your starter is the only constant. Whether you end up with a ghostly owl or a fire-breathing wrestler, just make sure you're playing to their specific stat spreads. Don't try to make Incineroar a speedster, and don't expect Primarina to take a Brick Break to the face. Play to their strengths, and the Alola Championship is basically yours.