If you were standing in Iki Town back in 2016, you probably didn't realize how much the choice you were about to make would ripple through the next decade of the franchise. Choosing between a grass owl, a fire cat, and a sea lion felt like any other generation. It wasn't. The Pokemon Sun Moon starters—Rowlet, Litten, and Popplio—actually represent a massive pivot in how Game Freak designs the "hero" trio. For the first time, it felt like the developers stopped thinking just about the journey through the region and started thinking about the grueling, high-stakes world of the Video Game Championships (VGC).
Most people just pick the one that looks coolest. That's fine. Honestly, that's how it should be. But if you look under the hood of Decidueye, Incineroar, and Primarina, you see a masterclass in specialized roles. They aren't generalists. They are tools designed for specific jobs.
The Alola Trio and the Slow Power Creep
There is a weird myth that Alola Pokemon are "bad" because they are slow. People saw the base speed stats and panicked. Rowlet’s final form, Decidueye, sits at a middling base 70 speed. Incineroar is even slower at 60. Primarina trails at 60 as well. Compared to the blistering speed of Greninja from the previous generation, these three looked like they were stuck in molasses.
But speed isn't everything when you have utility.
📖 Related: Freddy Krueger in Mortal Kombat 9: How the Dream Demon Changed Fighting Games Forever
The Alola starters introduced the concept of "Signature Z-Moves," which was the gimmick of the week back then, but their real legacy is their Hidden Abilities and move pools. This was the generation where the "Starter" label stopped being a handicap. Usually, you drop your starter for a legendary or a pseudo-legendary halfway through the post-game. With the Pokemon Sun Moon starters, you actually had a reason to keep them on your team for years.
Litten and the Dominance of Incineroar
Let's just address the elephant in the room. Or the cat. Incineroar is, statistically and historically, the most dominant starter Pokemon in the history of competitive play. Period.
It didn't start that way, though. When Pokemon Sun and Pokemon Moon first launched, Incineroar was just "okay." Its Blaze ability was fine, but it lacked the punch to overcome its low speed. Then, the Hidden Ability "Intimidate" was released. Everything changed.
Suddenly, you had a Dark/Fire type that could swap in, lower the opponent's Attack, and then use "Fake Out" to flinch a target. It basically became the ultimate support piece. I’ve seen regional tournaments where nearly 90% of the top teams had an Incineroar. It’s a Swiss Army knife. It has access to Parting Shot, U-turn, and Flare Blitz. It refuses to die. Even in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet today, Incineroar remains a top-tier threat because its kit is fundamentally "broken" in a doubles format. It's the king of Alola, and honestly, the king of the entire starter roster.
Decidueye: The Niche King of Ghost Types
Rowlet is arguably the most popular first-stage evolution. I mean, look at it. It’s a round owl with a bowtie made of leaves. It’s perfect. But when it evolves into Decidueye, it takes a sharp turn into the Grass/Ghost typing.
This was a huge deal at the time.
Before Decidueye, we didn't have many physical-attacking Ghost types that were actually viable. Its signature move, Spirit Shackle, is terrifying if used correctly. It prevents the opponent from switching out. In a game like Pokemon, where switching is the primary way to survive a bad matchup, being "shackled" is a death sentence.
However, Decidueye is the "fragile" one of the Pokemon Sun Moon starters. It has great Special Defense but terrible physical bulk. It requires a high-skill ceiling to pilot. You can't just mash "Leaf Blade" and expect to win. You have to predict the switch-in, trap the opponent with Spirit Shackle, and then chip away. It's a tactical sniper, which fits its design perfectly, even if it never saw the same usage rates as the fire cat.
📖 Related: Play Jewels Online Free: Why We Can’t Stop Swapping Gems
Primarina and the Fairy Type Revolution
Then there’s Popplio. Poor Popplio. When the leaks first came out, people were mean to the little sea lion. The "Clown" aesthetic didn't land with everyone. But those who stuck with it ended up with Primarina, a Water/Fairy powerhouse that hits like a freight train.
Fairy is arguably the best type in the game. It resists Dragon, Fighting, and Bug, and it's only weak to Poison and Steel. By giving the water starter a Fairy secondary typing, Game Freak made Primarina a natural counter to the powerful Ultra Beasts that dominated the Alola lore.
- Moonblast: STAB (Same Type Attack Bonus) Fairy damage that can lower Special Attack.
- Sparkling Aria: A unique move that heals burns on the target (weird, but niche).
- Liquid Voice: Its Hidden Ability turns all sound-based moves into Water-type moves.
Primarina is basically a specialized "Wallbreaker." If your opponent has a high-defense Pokemon, you send in the mermaid and blast them with a Hyper Voice that has been converted to Water type via Liquid Voice. It’s simple, effective, and surprisingly bulky on the special side.
What Most People Get Wrong About Choosing
When you're looking at the Pokemon Sun Moon starters, there's this persistent idea that there's a "correct" choice for the main game. If you're playing through Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun, or Ultra Moon, the difficulty curve is actually higher than previous generations. Totem Pokemon are no joke. They get stat boosts and call for help.
Litten is the "Easy Mode" for the early game. Fire types are rare in Alola until you get to the later islands. But Rowlet actually struggles against the first few trials. If you pick the owl, you're signing up for a harder early game, which some people love.
Primarina is the middle ground. It stays relevant throughout the entire story because Alola is covered in Water-type enthusiasts and Fire-type trials.
Why Gen 7 Starters Feel "Human"
There is a soul in these designs. Decidueye is an archer. Incineroar is a heel wrestler (the "bad guy" in pro wrestling). Primarina is an opera singer. These aren't just "monsters"; they are characters with professions. This was the peak of Game Freak’s "job-based" design philosophy. While some fans prefer the more feral, animal-like designs of Gen 1 or Gen 2, the Pokemon Sun Moon starters have more personality in their idle animations than almost any other generation. Watch Incineroar’s hands during a battle. He’s playing to the crowd. That’s top-tier character work.
💡 You might also like: Uma Musume Firm Conditions x: Why Your Strategy Fails on a Bad Track
How to Build the Perfect Alolan Starter Team Today
If you are revisiting these games or using these Pokemon in the modern meta, you need to change your mindset. Forget the "Speed is King" mantra. You have to play around their strengths.
- For Incidneroar: Focus on HP and Special Defense EVs. You want him to stay on the field as long as possible to cycle Intimidate drops. Give him a Sitrus Berry or an Assault Vest. Use Parting Shot to pivot.
- For Primarina: Go all-in on Special Attack. Choice Specs Primarina is a monster. It can one-shot almost anything that doesn't resist its typing.
- For Decidueye: Consider a "Set-up" build. Swords Dance coupled with Roost can make it surprisingly annoying to deal with, especially if you can trap a passive Pokemon with Spirit Shackle first.
The Pokemon Sun Moon starters were a turning point. They proved that starters could be more than just "the first Pokemon you get." They could be the cornerstone of a competitive dynasty or a specialized tool for a difficult Nuzlocke run.
Final Practical Steps for Trainers
If you're starting a new save file or looking to trade for these in the current generation, here is exactly what to look for to get the most value:
- Check the Ability: If you're getting a Litten, do not settle for Blaze. Hunt for "Intimidate" via the Ability Patch or trading. It is 10x better.
- Nature Matters: Get an Adamant nature for Litten/Rowlet and a Modest nature for Popplio. Because they are already slow, trying to boost their speed with a Jolly or Timid nature is usually a waste of stats. Lean into their bulk and power instead.
- The Island Scan: Remember that in the Ultra versions, you can find other starters from different generations using the Island Scan feature, but they rarely outclass the native Alolan trio in terms of raw utility for that specific region's challenges.
The Alola region is unique, bright, and deceptively difficult. These three aren't just your companions; they are your best chance at surviving the Island Challenge. Choose the one that fits your playstyle—whether that's the strategic trapping of Decidueye, the brute force of Primarina, or the tactical dominance of Incineroar. They all bring something to the table that no other starter trio has quite matched since.