Honestly, the Alola region feels like a fever dream compared to the newer, more open-world titles we’ve been getting lately. There’s something specifically dense about it. When you crack open the Pokemon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon Pokedex, you aren't just looking at a checklist of monsters; you’re looking at a carefully curated ecosystem that Game Freak hasn't really replicated since. It’s a mess of tropical vibes and interdimensional horrors. I've spent hundreds of hours in these games, and even now, the way the Rotom Dex chirps at you—for better or worse—remains the peak of the "second-screen" era of Pokemon.
If you’re coming from Scarlet or Violet, the first thing you’ll notice is the count. It isn't just about the numbers. It’s about the distribution.
What the Pokemon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon Pokedex gets right about variety
Most people remember the original Sun and Moon feeling a bit cramped. By the time the "Ultra" versions rolled around, the developers stuffed the islands with over 100 additional species. The final count for the Alola Dex sits at 403. That’s a lot of data for a 3DS cartridge. But the genius isn't the 403; it’s the fact that you can find a freaking Larvitar or a Zorua before you even clear the first trial on Melemele Island.
Usually, the good stuff is locked behind the post-game. Not here.
The Pokemon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon Pokedex is split into four distinct sub-dexes for Melemele, Akala, Ula'ula, and Poni Island. It’s organized. Sorta. You’ll find that certain Pokemon, like the elusive Mareanie, require you to actually understand the SOS mechanic. You can’t just stumble onto it. You have to find a Corsola, get it to cry for help, and then—bam—a Mareanie appears to literally try and eat it. That’s the kind of ecological storytelling that’s missing from the newer "just walk up and touch it" encounters.
The Ultra Beast problem
We have to talk about the Ultra Beasts (UBs). They are weird. They are arguably the most polarizing addition to any Pokedex ever. In the Pokemon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon Pokedex, these things aren't just rare spawns; they are intruders from another dimension. Stakataka and Blacephalon were the big newcomers for the Ultra versions.
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Stakataka looks like a colonial fortress with eyes. Blacephalon is basically a disco clown that blows up its own head.
They don't feel like Pokemon. That's the point. When you’re scrolling through your Dex and you hit the UB section, the background UI actually changes. It’s jarring. It’s meant to be. If you’re a completionist, catching these requires the use of Beast Balls, which have a terrible catch rate for normal Pokemon but work like a charm on these interdimensional freaks.
Completion rewards and the Shiny Charm grind
Is it worth finishing? Yeah, probably.
Most players hunt the Pokemon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon Pokedex completion for one reason: the Shiny Charm. Once you’ve seen and caught all 403 (excluding Mythicals like Marshadow or Zeraora), you head over to the Game Freak office in Heahea City. Talk to the director. He’ll give you that sweet, sweet charm that triples your shiny odds.
But there’s more than just the charm. You get stamps on your trainer passport. You get the sense of absolute superiority that comes with conquering the 3DS's most demanding title.
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- The Island Scan Factor: This is the "secret" part of the Dex. By scanning QR codes, you can unlock "non-native" Pokemon. I'm talking starters from other regions, like Charmander or Greninja. They don't have Dex entries, which is a bit of a letdown, but they show up in your PC as registered.
- Version Exclusives: This is where it gets annoying. You want Alolan Vulpix? You better have Ultra Sun. Want Alolan Sandshrew? That’s Ultra Moon.
- The Totem Stickers: While not technically part of the Pokedex list, collecting the 100 stickers scattered across Alola lets you "catch" giant-sized Totem Pokemon. It’s the only way to get a Marowak that’s the size of a small house.
The nightmare of trade evolutions
Let’s be real: trade evolutions are the worst part of filling out any Pokedex. In Alola, it’s even more of a headache because of the GTS (Global Trade System). In 2026, the GTS for the 3DS is... well, it’s a wasteland. If you’re trying to get a Magmortar or an Electivire today, you’re basically relying on local trades or having two 3DS systems.
The Pokemon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon Pokedex requires several of these. Porygon2, Porygon-Z, Milotic, Politoed. It’s a lot of item-holding and swapping. If you’re doing this solo, you’re going to spend a lot of time in the Battle Tree grinding for BP just to buy the Evolution items like the Up-Grade or the Dubious Disc.
Why the Alolan forms still hold up
The regional variants were a revolution. Before Alola, a Meowth was just a Meowth. Now, we have the sassy, dark-type Alolan Meowth. The Pokemon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon Pokedex introduced us to the concept that environment changes biology.
Look at Alolan Exeggutor. It’s a meme, sure. But its Dex entry explains that the intense Alolan sunshine caused it to grow to its "true" form, awakening its latent Dragon-type powers. Then you have Alolan Muk, which is basically a neon oil slick. These aren't just palette swaps; they have different base stats and movepools. They changed the competitive meta for years.
Actionable steps for the modern collector
If you are actually going to try and finish the Pokemon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon Pokedex today, you need a plan. Don't just wing it.
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First, catch a Smeargle on Route 2. This is your most important tool. Teach it False Swipe, Spore, and Soak. Soak is vital because it turns Ghost-types into Water-types so you can actually hit them with False Swipe.
Second, abuse the Adrenaline Orb. If you're looking for rare spawns like Happiny or Salamence (yes, you can catch a level 10 Salamence on the first island), you need to trigger an SOS battle. Use the orb, get the caller to low HP, and wait. It’s a test of patience, but it works.
Third, use the Island Scan daily. There’s a specific schedule. Monday on Melemele gets you Totodile. Thursday on Akala gets you Snivy. If you miss the window, you’re waiting another week.
Finally, don't ignore the Surfing Pikachu. If you hit the high scores on all four Mantine Surf spots, you get a Pikachu that knows Surf. It’s a trophy for your Dex that actually has some utility.
Filling this Pokedex isn't just a grind; it's a tour of a world that Pokemon hasn't really visited since. It’s colorful, it’s difficult, and it’s arguably the last time the series felt truly "handheld" in its soul. Grab a charger, find a trading partner, and get to work on those 403 entries. You'll need the Shiny Charm if you ever plan on hunting those Ultra Wormhole legendaries anyway.