Alola changed everything. Seriously. When Game Freak dropped us into this Hawaiian-inspired archipelago back in 2016, they didn't just give us a new map; they fundamentally rewrote the rules of what belongs on a pokemon sun and moon pokemon list. It was weird. It was tropical. It was the first time we realized that a Vulpix didn't necessarily have to breathe fire.
If you’re looking at the roster today, it’s easy to forget how much of a gamble Gen 7 actually was. We got 81 new species, which sounds small compared to the massive dumps of Gen 5, but the quality—and the sheer "what on earth is that" factor—was off the charts. From literal interdimensional aliens called Ultra Beasts to the introduction of regional forms, the Alolan Pokedex is probably the most experimental collection the series has ever seen.
It wasn't just about catching 'em all anymore. It was about figuring out why a Grimer was suddenly bright green and yellow or why an Exeggutor had a neck that reached the clouds.
Breaking Down the Alolan Pokedex
The pokemon sun and moon pokemon list starts with Rowlet, Litten, and Popplio. Standard stuff, right? Grass, Fire, Water. But look closer at their final evolutions. Decidueye is a ghost archer, Incineroar is a heel wrestler, and Primarina is a seafaring operatic singer. This set the tone for the entire generation: start with a familiar trope and then veer sharply into left field.
Honestly, the regional variants were the real stars. This was the first time Game Freak acknowledged that ecology matters. If a Vulpix lives on a snowy mountain for generations, it’s going to turn into an Ice-type. It makes sense. It adds layers to the world-building that weren't there when we were just running through Kanto. You have Alolan Raichu surfing on its own tail and Alolan Marowak dancing with ghostly fire. These weren't just reskins; they were mechanical overhauls that gave old favorites a second life in the competitive scene.
Then you have the "Island Guardians." Tapu Koko, Tapu Lele, Tapu Bulu, and Tapu Fini. These four basically defined the competitive meta for years. Their ability to set "Terrain" on entry changed how we thought about battlefields. Before this, weather was the king of the mountain. After Sun and Moon, if you weren't thinking about Psychic Terrain or Electric Terrain, you were basically asking to get swept.
The Weirdness of Ultra Beasts
We have to talk about the Ultra Beasts. They aren't technically Legendary Pokemon in the traditional sense, but they aren't normal either. Nihilego, Buzzwole, Pheromosa... these things look like they stepped out of a sci-fi horror flick rather than a kids' game. They come from Ultra Space. They have an ability called Beast Boost that snowballs their highest stat every time they K.O. an opponent.
It was a jarring shift. Some fans hated it. They thought the designs were "too busy" or didn't look like Pokemon. But that was exactly the point. They were alien. They were supposed to feel invasive and wrong. When you see Guzzlord—a literal walking mouth that eats entire mountains—you realize the pokemon sun and moon pokemon list wasn't trying to play it safe. It was trying to expand the boundaries of the franchise's design philosophy.
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Why the Totem Pokemon Mattered
Sun and Moon ditched Gyms. No more badges. Instead, we got the Island Challenge. At the end of these trials, you faced a Totem Pokemon. These were oversized versions of regular Pokemon from the list, like Lurantis or Kommo-o, and they were notoriously difficult.
Why? Because they could call for help.
Imagine you're fighting a Totem Lurantis. It’s already got a stat boost. Then, it calls a Castform that uses Sunny Day. Now, Lurantis can fire off instant Solar Blades and heal itself with Synthesis. It was a genuine tactical challenge that forced players to actually think about synergy and move sets, rather than just over-leveling their starter and spamming a high-damage move. It made the Pokemon on the Alolan list feel like part of a functioning ecosystem rather than just obstacles in a hallway.
The Legendary Duo and the Cosmog Problem
Solgaleo and Lunala are the poster children here, but their journey starts with Nebby—the Cosmog that won't stay in the bag. This was a narrative masterstroke. Usually, you don't interact with the box legendary until the very end of the game. In Sun and Moon, you carry it around in your backpack for thirty hours. You watch it grow. You develop an emotional connection to it.
By the time it evolves into Solgaleo (in Sun) or Lunala (in Moon), it feels earned. This evolution line is also unique because it’s the first time a Legendary Pokemon actually had an evolutionary family. Cosmog to Cosmoem to the final form. It bridged the gap between the "god-like" entities of the Pokemon world and the humble creatures we catch in the tall grass.
Silvally and the Type: Null Project
Type: Null is another standout on the pokemon sun and moon pokemon list. It’s a literal chimera, a "franken-mon" created by the Aether Foundation to fight Ultra Beasts. It wears a heavy mask to keep its power in check. Once it trusts its trainer, it breaks the mask and becomes Silvally.
Silvally is fascinating because it’s a budget version of Arceus. You can give it different "Memories" to change its type. It’s a man-made god. This ties into the darker themes of Sun and Moon—themes of obsession, parental abuse (looking at you, Lusamine), and the ethics of creating life for warfare. For a series often criticized for being "too soft," the Alolan Pokedex brought some heavy lore to the table.
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The Full List of New Discoveries
If you’re trying to keep track of everyone new, here is the breakdown of the 81 newcomers that debuted in the Alola region. I'm skipping the variants for a second just to focus on the fresh blood.
Rowlet, Dartrix, and Decidueye led the pack. Then Litten, Torracat, and Incineroar. Popplio, Brionne, and Primarina rounded out the starters. We had the early-route staples like Pikipek (who eventually becomes the powerhouse Toucannon) and Yungoos. Then things got interesting with Grubbin, who evolves into the surprisingly fast Vikavolt.
Crabrawler, Oricorio (with its four different styles), Cutiefly, and Rockruff were early favorites. Lycanroc, Rockruff's evolution, had two different forms depending on whether you played Sun or Moon (Midday or Midnight), and later a Dusk form was added in the "Ultra" versions. Then you have the likes of Mudbray, Dewpider, Fomantis, and Morelull.
The mid-game introduced Salandit—notable because only the females can evolve into Salazzle—and Stufful, which evolves into the terrifyingly strong Bewear. Let’s not forget Mimikyu. Mimikyu is arguably the most successful design of the entire generation. A lonely ghost that hides under a Pikachu rag just because it wants to be loved? It’s genius. It’s sad. It’s perfect.
Toward the end of the list, we find the "heavy hitters": Drampa, Dhelmise, Jangmo-o, and the mythical Marshadow and Magearna.
Competitive Impact: Z-Moves and Power Creep
You can't talk about the pokemon sun and moon pokemon list without mentioning Z-Moves. While Mega Evolution was about transforming a Pokemon, Z-Moves were about a single, devastating nuke. Every Pokemon could use them, provided they held the right crystal.
This made certain Pokemon on the list way more dangerous than they looked. An Eevee using "Extreme Evoboost" could pass massive stat buffs to a teammate. A Kommo-o using "Clangorous Soulblaze" could become an unstoppable sweeper in one turn. It was a flashy, high-stakes mechanic that made every turn feel like a potential game-ender.
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The downside? Power creep. Some of the Ultra Beasts, specifically Kartana and Celesteela, were so statistically efficient that they crowded out older Pokemon. Kartana has an Attack stat that’s basically a typo, and Celesteela is perhaps the most annoying "wall" ever designed. Alola wasn't just about sunny beaches; it was about high-octane, high-damage competitive play.
What Most People Get Wrong About Alola
A common complaint is that the Alolan Pokemon are "too slow." If you look at the base stats across the pokemon sun and moon pokemon list, you'll notice a trend: low Speed stats. Vikavolt looks like a jet but is slower than a snail. Decidueye is an archer but gets outrun by things it should logically beat.
People think this was a mistake. I’d argue it was intentional.
By making the new Pokemon slower, Game Freak was trying to move the game away from the "Speed is King" meta that had dominated for six generations. They wanted to encourage the use of Trick Room and more defensive, bulky playstyles. It didn't entirely work—fast Pokemon from older generations still dominated—but it gave the Alolan roster a specific identity. These were creatures built for endurance and specialized roles, not just mindless sweeping.
Real Talk on the "Ultra" Additions
When Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon came out a year later, the list expanded slightly. We got Poipole and its evolution Naganadel, Stakataka, and Blacephalon. We also got Zeraora. Naganadel, in particular, became a menace. A fast, Dragon/Poison-type Ultra Beast with Nasty Plot? It was a nightmare to deal with. These additions felt like the "final form" of the Alolan experiment, leaning even harder into the interdimensional aesthetic.
How to Build a Team Today
If you’re revisiting these games or using these Pokemon in the modern "National Dex" formats, there are a few things to keep in mind.
- Don't sleep on Araquanid. Its ability, Water Bubble, doubles the power of its Water-type moves and makes it immune to burns. It hits like a truck even with mediocre stats.
- Mimikyu is your best friend. The "Disguise" ability allows you to take one free hit. Use that turn to set up a Swords Dance.
- Alolan Muk is a defensive god. With the Poison/Dark typing, it only has one weakness (Ground). Give it a Figy Berry and the Gluttony ability, and it becomes incredibly hard to kill.
- Beware the Ultra Beasts. If you're using them, remember that Beast Boost is your win condition. Time your K.O.s to ensure the right stat gets the buff.
The pokemon sun and moon pokemon list isn't just a collection of monsters. It’s a snapshot of a time when Pokemon was trying to grow up, trying to be more "RPG-heavy," and trying to take risks with its own biology. Whether you love the goofy Alolan Exeggutor or fear the metallic maw of Guzzlord, there’s no denying that Alola changed the DNA of the series forever.
To maximize your experience with the Alolan roster, focus on the unique abilities rather than just raw stats. Many Gen 7 Pokemon rely on "gimmicks" that, when used correctly, can outmaneuver even the strongest legendaries from other regions. Experiment with the various Z-Crystals and don't be afraid to use some of the slower, bulkier options—they're tougher than they look.