Discover the best tips for progressing through Pokemon USUM's story, including recommended travel parties to help you in your Pokemon journey.
Table of Contents
Popplio Edition
| Popplio | Final Evolution Primarina |
|---|---|
 Popplio |  Primarina |
Example Party using Popplio
 Primarina |  Mudsdale |  Talonflame |
 Hawlucha |  Alolan Muk |  Zoroark |
Popplio is a Water-type Pokemon. It's weak to Grass and Electric types, so include Fire-type and Ground-type Pokemon in your party to cover these weaknesses.
Talonflame
| Before Evolution | Recommended Pokemon | |
|---|---|---|
 Fletchling | → | Talonflame |
Excellent Fire moves and party support role
Talonflame can use excellent Fire moves and, at the same time, can use the support move [Tailwind] to raise the speed of your party.
Ability useful even after clearing the game
Also, its Ability [Flame Body] not only has a low chance to burn the opponent but is also useful for egg breeding.
| Habitat of Pre-evolution |
|---|
| [Akala Island] Wela Volcano Park, Route 8 |
Mudsdale
| Before Evolution | Recommended Pokemon | |
|---|---|---|
 Mudbray | → | Mudsdale |
Increased durability with its Ability
A Pokemon that can increase its own durability with its Ability. Therefore, it excels in battles against Totem Pokemon, which tend to be long.
Very active in the latter half of the story
In the latter half of the story, there are many Pokemon weak to Ground type, so adding Mudsdale to your party allows for smoother progress.
| Habitat of Pre-evolution |
|---|
| [Akala Island] Paniola Ranch, Route 4, Route 6 (North) [Ula'ula Island] Mount Hokulani, Route 12 |
Rowlet Edition
| Rowlet | Final Evolution Decidueye |
|---|---|
 Rowlet |  Decidueye |
Example Party using Rowlet
| Decidueye |  Starmie | Mudsdale |
| Talonflame |  Mimikyu |  Lycanroc (Dusk Form) |
Rowlet is a Grass-type Pokemon. Since it's weak to Fire type, let's include Rock-type, Ground-type, and Water-type Pokemon in your party, which can hit Fire type's weaknesses.
Starmie
| Before Evolution | Recommended Pokemon | |
|---|---|---|
 Staryu | → | Starmie |
Excellent Water-type attacker
Starmie is an excellent attacker among Water-type Pokemon. It can significantly reduce the opponent's HP by utilizing its high Special Attack.
Can learn many moves
Starmie can learn moves of various types by using TMs.
| Habitat of Pre-evolution |
|---|
| [Akala Island] Dust clouds: Hano Beach [Akala Island] Fishing: [Route 7 -> Within the eastern islet. Approach from the north |
Mudsdale
| Before Evolution | Recommended Pokemon | |
|---|---|---|
| Mudbray | → | Mudsdale |
Increased durability with its Ability
A Pokemon that can increase its own durability with its Ability. Therefore, it excels in battles against Totem Pokemon, which tend to be long.
Very active in the latter half of the story
In the latter half of the story, there are many Pokemon weak to Ground type, so adding Mudsdale to your party allows for smoother progress.
| Habitat of Pre-evolution |
|---|
| [Akala Island] Paniola Ranch, Route 4, Route 6 (North) [Ula'ula Island] Mount Hokulani, Route 12 |
Litten Edition
| Litten | Final Evolution Incineroar |
|---|---|
 Litten |  Incineroar |
Example Party using Litten
| Incineroar |  Trevenant |  Vikavolt |
| Mudsdale |  Tyranitar | Zoroark |
Litten is a Fire-type Pokemon. It's weak to Water, Rock, and Ground types, so be sure to include Electric-type and Grass-type Pokemon in your party to hit these weaknesses.
Vikavolt
| Before Evolution | Recommended Pokemon | |
|---|---|---|
 Grubbin | → | Vikavolt |
Valuable Electric-type attacker
One of the few Electric-type attackers in the Alola region. An excellent Pokemon that can learn a wide variety of moves.
A bit challenging to evolve
To evolve it into Vikavolt, it needs to level up in a specific location. Before evolving, it can be effective by having it hold an Eviolite to boost its stats. The Eviolite can be found in Konikoni City.
| Habitat of Pre-evolution |
|---|
| [Melemele Island] Route 1 (Grass patch near Iki Town) [Akala Island] Route 4, Route 5, Route 6 |
Trevenant
| Before Evolution | Recommended Pokemon | |
|---|---|---|
 Phantump | → | Trevenant |
Durable type Pokemon
Trevenant is a durable type Pokemon. Not only is it durable, but its Attack power is also high, so it has many opportunities to shine during the story walkthrough.
Immune to Normal and Fighting moves
Trevenant is a Pokemon that includes the Ghost type. Therefore, it can nullify Normal and Fighting moves.
| Habitat of Pre-evolution |
|---|
| [Akala Island] Memorial Hill |
Common to All Three Starters
Pokemon you'll want to have at least one of in your party, regardless of which starter you choose at the beginning of the story.
Talonflame
| Before Evolution | Recommended Pokemon | |
|---|---|---|
| Fletchling | → | Talonflame |
Excellent Fire moves and party support role
Talonflame can use excellent Fire moves and, at the same time, can use the support move [Tailwind] to raise the speed of your party.
Ability useful even after clearing the game
Also, its Ability [Flame Body] not only has a low chance to burn the opponent but is also useful for egg breeding.
| Habitat of Pre-evolution |
|---|
| [Akala Island] Wela Volcano Park, Route 8 |
Mudsdale
| Before Evolution | Recommended Pokemon | |
|---|---|---|
| Mudbray | → | Mudsdale |
Increased durability with its Ability
A Pokemon that can increase its own durability with its Ability. Therefore, it excels in battles against Totem Pokemon, which tend to be long.
Very active in the latter half of the story
In the latter half of the story, there are many Pokemon weak to Ground type, so adding Mudsdale to your party allows for smoother progress.
| Habitat of Pre-evolution |
|---|
| [Akala Island] Paniola Ranch, Route 4, Route 6 (North) [Ula'ula Island] Mount Hokulani, Route 12 |
Hawlucha
| Recommended Pokemon |
|---|
| Hawlucha |
Fighting type available early in the game
Hawlucha is a Fighting-type Pokemon that can be easily obtained early in the story. Many Pokemon weak to Fighting type appear in the story, making it useful.
| How to Obtain |
|---|
| Trade for a Spearow inside the Pokemon Center on Route 2 |
Alolan Muk
| Before Evolution | Recommended Pokemon | |
|---|---|---|
 Alolan Grimer | → | Alolan Muk |
Excellent dual-typing
Alolan Muk has excellent dual-typing, with its only weakness being Ground type. Since it's rarely hit by super-effective moves, it's not often defeated quickly.
High Attack power
Alolan Muk has a high base Attack stat, allowing it to deal massive damage to opponents in a single hit. Therefore, it can brute-force its way to victory even in unfavorable situations.
| How to Obtain Pre-evolution |
|---|
| [Melemele Island] Route 1: Trainers' School, Hau'oli City [Ula'ula Island] Cape on the outskirts of Malie City |
Story Walkthrough (Journey Part)
The next destination is marked by a red flag
If you don't know your next destination in the story, check the map on the lower screen! Go to the place with the red flag, and the next event will occur.
Let's become friendly with Pokemon
The new feature from Sun and Moon, 'Pokemon Refresh,' allows you to interact with your party Pokemon. Actually, if their affection level increases, they might help you out during battles. It makes story progression easier, so be sure to use Pokemon Refresh moderately.
Actions Pokemon take when they are friendly
- Endures fainting damage with 1 HP
- Cures status conditions with determination
- Aims for critical hits
Story Walkthrough (Battle Part)
Boost items are effective!
If you're having trouble winning against tough opponents like Totem Pokemon or Grand Trials in the story, boost items are recommended. If you can't win but want to proceed with your current party Pokemon, try boosting their performance with items.
Rotom Powers are also recommended
Starting from Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, Rotom now provides even more help on your adventure. Roto Boost raises all stats by one stage, so it can lower the battle difficulty.
Use Z-Moves aggressively!
By using the Z-Crystals obtained from trials and grand trials, you can use [Z-Moves], which are super powerful! You can only use them once per battle, so timing is important, but it's better to use them aggressively than to lose without using them.
If you become friendly with Rotom, you can use it twice
With a new feature in Pokemon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, by becoming friendly with the Rotom Dex, you can use Z-Moves, normally usable only once per battle, twice.
Balance your party's types
It's recommended to balance the types of Pokemon in your party used during the story. Even if you start off well, if your types are skewed, you might get stuck midway. It's a hassle to reorganize your party midway, so solidify your type balance from the beginning.
