ultra sun pokemon walkthrough — Complete Alola Guide
Introduction
Welcome to this friendly ultra sun pokemon walkthrough. Whether you’re a returning trainer or a complete beginner, this guide will walk you through Alola’s story beats, Island Challenges, battle mechanics like Z-Moves, and the best tips for capturing Legendary Pokemon. I wrote this Ultra Sun guide to be practical and easy to follow—packed with examples, actionable tips, and the exact steps you need to finish the main story and thrive in postgame content.
Getting Started: First Choices, Early Trainers, and Useful Tips
When you boot up Pokemon Ultra Sun, your early choices set the tone for your whole run. Here’s what to prioritize in the first few hours.
- Starter choice: Rowlet, Litten, or Popplio. Each has pros: Rowlet is great defensively, Litten becomes a strong attacker (good for Elite Four), and Popplio evolves into a bulky special attacker useful against trial captains.
- Catch everything useful: Don’t skip early captures. Having a type-diverse team helps with Island Challenges and gives you options for training.
- Level pacing: Stay within 3–5 levels of story trainers. Over-leveling trivializes early trials and removes the learning curve for type matchups.
- Learn HMs and TEC (technical items): Make sure you use Ride Pokémon where possible to avoid wasting HM slots and keep your team flexible.
Tip: Save before major battles or Legendary encounters. Ultra Sun’s captures can be RNG dependent; a quick save prevents repeated resets.
Island-by-Island Walkthrough: Clear Steps Through Alola’s Trials
This section covers the four main islands, the order you’ll follow, and what to expect from each Island Challenge. Use it as your core Ultra Sun guide while playing.
Melemele Island
- Objective: Complete the early tutorial trial and meet Hau and Lillie.
- Key Pokémon to catch: Caterpie, Grubbin, and a Beedrill or Vikavolt later if possible.
- Tips: Grind a little to prepare for the first kahuna; trust Rock-/Electric-weak Pokémon depending on the kahuna’s team.
Akala Island
- Objective: Face off in tougher trials and earn more badges.
- Key finds: Sandygast, Salandit (if looking for unique types), and Rock- and Grass-types useful for midgame fights.
- Tips: Use the island’s diversity to assemble a balanced team—this helps with modular substitutions for type coverage.
Poni Island & Ula’ula Island
- Ula’ula: Expect puzzles, tougher trial captains, and a higher level curve.
- Poni: Typically the endgame trials and the path to the Elite Four.
- Tips: Post-ULa’ula, consider EV training and shaping your competitive team, because Elite Four opponents are significantly stronger.
Battle Mechanics Explained: Z-Moves, Type Chart, and Hidden Abilities
Understanding in-game battle mechanics is central to success. Ultra Sun introduces and emphasizes mechanics you must master.
- Z-Moves: These single-use powerful moves can turn the tide of battle. Save them for key moments—boss battles, trial captains, and the Elite Four fights.
- Type chart mastery: Know common Alola types: Water/Ground combos, Fairy appearances, and Ultra Beasts with unusual typings. Keep a quick mental type chart or a small physical note beside you.
- Hidden Abilities: Many Pokémon have hidden abilities that drastically change their utility (e.g., Shedinja-like effects or Volt Absorb). Use Pokémon Refresh and DexNav-like features in Ultra Sun to find them where possible.
Example: If facing an island kahuna that uses many Water moves, a Ground- or Electric-type with Adamant nature and Z-Move readiness can simplify battles quickly.
How to Beat the Elite Four and Champion: Strategy, Team Setup, and Example Movesets
Beating the Elite Four in Ultra Sun is less about grinding and more about smart team construction and move coverage. Below is a sample team and strategy to demonstrate a reliable approach.
Sample Team Composition
- Starter (Litten line or chosen): Moves: Flare Blitz, Dark Pulse, Will-O-Wisp, Protect. Item: Life Orb or Assault Vest for tougher runs.
- Water-type (e.g., Primarina or Pelipper): Moves: Scald, Moonblast/Surf, Ice Beam, Protect. Item: Mystic Water or Leftovers.
- Electric/Ground (e.g., Garchomp or Alolan Marowak depending on format): Moves: Earthquake, Rock Slide, Dragon Claw, Stealth Rock (support choice).
- Support (e.g., Tapu Fini or Umbreon): Moves: Heal Pulse/Protect, Moonblast/Hazard Removal, Toxic, Wish (team-dependent).
- Special Sweeper (e.g., Gardevoir or Alolan Ninetales): Moves: Psyshock, Moonblast, Thunderbolt/Freeze-Dry, Calm Mind.
Tips:
- Rotate your party before the Elite Four to remove weak matchups.
- Stock up on Full Restores, Revives, and Max Potions—consumables matter.
- Bring a Pokémon with a status healing move or items to keep momentum in long fights.
Legendary Pokémon and Postgame: Where to Find Them and Capture Strategies
Ultra Sun adds Legendary alternatives and Ultra Beasts not present in other versions. Capturing these can be the highlight of your postgame.
- Where to find Legendaries: Many main Legendaries show up in scripted story encounters. Others are unlocked after specific in-game events. Explore Poni and postgame islands thoroughly.
- Capture tips:
- Reduce HP to the red zone and apply Sleep or Paralysis.
- Use a False Swipe user to avoid accidentally fainting the target.
- Maximize your chances with Dusk Balls (night encounters) or Timer Balls (long fights).
- Ultra Beasts: These powerful creatures have unique catches; sometimes you must battle special NPC sequences. Save frequently and bring status moves to lock them down.
Team Building, EV Training, and Competitive Prep
If you plan to take your Pokémon online or just want a more optimized single-player team, EV training and natures matter.
- EV Basics: Assign EVs to stats that match roles: Attack for physical sweepers, Sp. Atk for special attackers, Speed for sweepers who need to move first, HP/Def/SpDef for walls.
- Easy EV sources: Battle wild Pokémon that provide specific EVs, use EV-enhancing items like Power Bracers, and use vitamins (Protein, Calcium) sparingly.
- Nature selection: Match nature to role (Adamant for physical, Modest for special, Timid for speedy threats). Use an Everstone to pass down natures when breeding.
- Competitive team tips:
- Mix offensive and defensive cores: two sweepers, one defensive pivot, one status support, and two flex slots.
- Stealth Rock and hazard control are essential for long battles and competitive matches.
Example EV spread: A Garchomp sweeping set could be 252 Atk / 4 Spd / 252 Spe with an Adamant nature and moves Earthquake, Outrage, Rock Slide, Swords Dance.
Useful Items, Where to Find Them, and When to Use Them
Items can change outcomes dramatically. Here are the most useful ones for an Ultra Sun playthrough and where to acquire them.
- Z-Crystals: Found during story events and in key locations. Equip to a compatible Pokémon for a huge single-turn power surge.
- Berries and Sitrus Berries: Found across Alola; use for emergency heals. Keep Leftovers on defensive Pokémon.
- Battle items: Max Revives and Full Restores are purchased in late-game shops—stock up before the Elite Four.
- TM uses: Prioritize TMs that give cross-type coverage like Ice Beam, Flamethrower, or Thunderbolt in the mid- to late-game.
Tip: Use held items that accentuate roles (Choice Band for raw power, Choice Specs for special sweeps, and Assault Vest for bulky attackers).
Common Pitfalls & Troubleshooting: Avoid These Mistakes
- Don’t overlevel early and ignore learning type matchups—this will leave you unprepared for late-game counters.
- Avoid putting all EVs into a single stat unless it suits the Pokémon’s role (a bulky tank needs HP and defenses, not full Attack).
- Don’t forget to keep diverse moves on party members—coverage beats specialization in many story battles.
FAQ
Q1: What’s the best starter in this Ultra Sun Pokémon walkthrough?
A1: There’s no single best starter—Rowlet offers early defense and utility, Litten becomes a strong physical attacker good for Elite Four runs, and Popplio evolves into a powerful special attacker. Choose based on preferred playstyle.
Q2: Where are Legendary Pokemon found in Ultra Sun?
A2: Many Legendaries appear during scripted story events or postgame zones, especially on Poni Island and in special Ultra Wormholes. Save before every suspicious cutscene or special encounter.
Q3: How should I use Z-Moves in battles?
A3: Save Z-Moves for critical moments—boss fights, trial captains, or to finish a dangerous opposing Pokémon. They are one-turn power spikes; use them wisely.
Q4: Is EV training necessary for the main story?
A4: Not strictly necessary for a normal completion, but EV training makes late-game battles and the Elite Four more manageable and is essential for competitive play.
Q5: How do I catch ultra beasts and special Legendaries?
A5: Ultra Beasts require specific story triggers and sometimes capture attempts in Ultra Wormholes. Use False Swipe, status effects like Sleep, and appropriate balls (Dusk/T. Ball) to increase success rates.
Conclusion
This ultra sun pokemon walkthrough gives you a complete, easy-to-follow path from the first island to the Elite Four and beyond. Focus on balanced team building, learn key battle mechanics like Z-Moves and type matchups, and invest time in EV training and item preparation for the best results. With the tips, movesets, and step-by-step island guidance above, you’ll be ready to conquer Alola, capture Legendary Pokemon, and enjoy the rich postgame content Ultra Sun has to offer. Good luck, Trainer—may your catches be critical and your runs unforgettable!

