Selecting your partner in the Alola region isn't just a cosmetic choice. It changes everything. You’re standing in Iki Town, the sun is beating down, and Professor Kukui is looking at you with that grin. You have three choices. Decidueye, Incineroar, and Primarina. They look cool, sure, but the reality of a playthrough in Pokémon Ultra Moon is a lot crunchier than the original Sun and Moon titles.
The difficulty spike is real.
If you pick wrong, Ultra Necrozma will absolutely end your run. I’ve seen it happen to veteran players who thought they could just breeze through with a favorite design. Pokémon Ultra Moon starters aren't created equal when you factor in the Totem battles and the sheer defensive utility you need to survive the late game.
Rowlet: The Grass Ghost That Struggles to Breathe
Rowlet is basically the internet’s darling. It’s a round owl. It wears a bowtie made of leaves. Honestly, what’s not to love? But when you evolve it into Dartrix and eventually Decidueye, things get complicated.
Decidueye is a Grass/Ghost type. This is a double-edged sword in Alola. On one hand, you get an immunity to Normal and Fighting moves, which is great for certain wild encounters. On the other hand, Alola is crawling with Dark-type moves and Bug-types that will shred a Decidueye before it can even blink.
Spirit Shackle is its signature move. It’s incredible for trapping roaming Pokémon, but in a standard Alolan trial? It’s often just "fine." The problem is Decidueye's speed. It’s not fast enough to be a sweeper and not bulky enough to be a tank. It sits in this awkward middle ground. You’ll find yourself relying on Roost constantly just to stay in the fight against Totem Lurantis or the later Kahuna battles.
If you’re a fan of the "cool factor," go for the owl. But be prepared to carry plenty of Revives. You’re going to need them because the typing leaves you wide open to the very common Flying, Ghost, Fire, Ice, and Dark attacks that populate the elite trainers' rosters.
Litten: From House Cat to Competitive King
Litten is the choice for people who want to win. Period.
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It starts as a pure Fire type, which is already a massive advantage in the early game. You’ll cruise through the first few trials. Once it hits its final form, Incineroar, it gains the Dark typing. This is where the magic happens. Fire/Dark is a phenomenal offensive combination.
Why Incineroar Dominates the Meta
Incineroar isn't just good in the main story; it’s a legend in the competitive VGC (Video Game Championships) scene. Why? Its Hidden Ability, Intimidate. When Incineroar enters the field, it lowers the Attack of all opponents. In a game like Ultra Moon, where Totem Pokémon get massive stat boosts right at the start of the battle, having a way to naturally debuff them is a godsend.
- Darkest Lariat: This move ignores the opponent's stat changes. If a Totem Pokémon has spent three turns boosting its Defense, Incineroar doesn't care. It hits like the buffs don't exist.
- Bulk: Incineroar can take a hit. Unlike Decidueye, which folds under pressure, the fire cat has the HP and Defense to stay on the field.
- Flare Blitz: High-risk, high-reward. It’s the nuke you need for Hala or the Steel-type users later on.
Most people complain that Incineroar "becomes a humanoid wrestler." Get over it. The utility it provides for a Nuzlocke or a hardcore playthrough is unmatched by almost any other starter in the series. It turns the terrifying Ultra Necrozma fight into a manageable encounter rather than a total wipe.
Popplio: The Defensive Powerhouse Nobody Respects
Popplio gets a lot of hate. People call it "the clown seal." It’s unfair.
Primarina, the final evolution, is a Water/Fairy type. If you know anything about Pokémon typing, you know that Fairy is arguably the best type in the game. It’s immune to Dragon moves. Let that sink in. In a game where the final bosses are literal interdimensional dragons, having a starter that is immune to their primary STAB (Same Type Attack Bonus) moves is basically a cheat code.
Primarina has a massive Special Attack and Special Defense stat. It’s a "Special Tank." While it’s slow—slower than Incineroar even—it hits like a freight train. Moonblast and Sparkling Aria will delete almost anything that doesn't resist them.
You’ll have a bit of a slow start. The first island isn't particularly kind to Water types, but by the time you hit the second and third islands, Primarina becomes the MVP. It resists Fighting, Bug, Water, Fire, Ice, and Dark. That’s a massive list of resistances. Plus, it’s the only Pokémon Ultra Moon starter that can effectively shut down the Dragon-heavy endgame without needing a specific TM or a lucky catch in the wild.
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The Totem Trial Reality Check
Let's talk about the actual trials. In Ultra Moon, the Totem Pokémon are smarter. They hold items. They call for help from specific allies that cover their weaknesses.
If you pick Rowlet, the Totem Araquanid will likely destroy you with its Water-type moves that somehow hit like a truck, or it'll just use Leech Life to recover all the damage you managed to do. If you pick Litten, you might struggle with the early Water trial, but you'll stomp the Grass and Bug ones. If you pick Popplio, you’re basically set for the entire mid-game.
The biggest hurdle in the game is Ultra Necrozma. It’s a Level 60 monster with a +1 boost to every single stat. Most players find their team swept in four turns.
Incineroar can survive a hit and land a Dark-type move. Primarina can take a Dragon Pulse with its high Special Defense and retaliate with a Fairy-type nuke. Decidueye? Decidueye usually just faints. It's sad, but it's the truth of the mechanics.
The Mid-Game Slump
There is a point around the third island, Ula'ula, where the game gets "heavy." You start running into trainers with fully evolved teams and decent AI. This is where your starter choice really starts to show its cracks.
If you haven't built a team around Decidueye to cover its five weaknesses, you’re going to be swapping it out constantly. It feels less like a partner and more like a liability. Meanwhile, Incineroar is out here clicking U-turn (if you taught it) and pivoting in and out like a pro.
Which One Should You Actually Pick?
Honestly, it depends on how much you like losing.
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If you want the "Hard Mode" experience, pick Rowlet. You'll have to be much more strategic with your team building. You'll need a solid Fire type and a reliable Fairy type to fill the gaps Decidueye leaves behind.
If you want a balanced, powerful experience, pick Litten. It’s the most versatile. You can run it as a physical attacker, a defensive pivot, or a mix of both. It fits into almost any team composition because Fire/Dark is such a rare and useful combination in the Alola Alola Pokédex.
If you want the "Tactical" experience, pick Popplio. You’ll be slow, but you’ll be an immovable object. Primarina is the closest thing this game has to a "Safe" button. Its Special Defense is so high that even neutral hits feel like scratches.
Pro-Tip for the Early Game
Regardless of which of the Pokémon Ultra Moon starters you choose, grab a Magnemite early on Route 1. The Steel/Electric typing covers almost every weakness the starters have.
- Rowlet + Magnemite: Covers your Ice and Flying weaknesses.
- Litten + Magnemite: Gives you a way to deal with Water types.
- Popplio + Magnemite: Creates a defensive core that is incredibly hard to break.
Final Verdict on Alolan Starters
We often get sentimental about our first Pokémon. We want to believe they’re all equal. But the developers at Game Freak clearly had specific roles in mind when they designed the Alola trio.
Decidueye is the glass cannon that forgot to bring the cannon. Incineroar is the brawler that refuses to go down. Primarina is the elegant powerhouse that wins through sheer elemental advantage.
Don't let the cute designs fool you. Ultra Moon is a punishing game. It requires a bit more thought than your average "press A to win" Pokémon title.
Your Next Steps
- Check your playstyle: Do you prefer fast-paced offense or slow, methodical defense? If you like speed, none of these are great, but Decidueye is the fastest of a slow bunch.
- Plan for Ultra Necrozma: Before you even reach the third island, make sure your starter has a move that can hit for super-effective damage against a Psychic/Dragon type.
- Don't ignore the Hidden Abilities: If you have the chance to get one with a Hidden Ability through trading or events, Incineroar’s Intimidate is the single best ability in the game for Alola’s mechanics.
- Look at the move pool: Check the TMs available in Ultra Moon. Some starters get access to much better coverage moves earlier than others. Primarina, for instance, gets access to Ice Beam relatively early, which is a game-changer.
Go pick your partner. Just don't say I didn't warn you about the owl's defensive stats. Alola is a beautiful place, but the Pokémon there play for keeps.