Starter Pokemon Pokemon Moon: Rowlet, Litten, Popplio Guide

Starter Pokemon Pokemon Moon: Rowlet, Litten, Popplio Guide

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Introduction

Picking your first companion is one of the most exciting decisions in starter pokemon pokemon moon. Whether you’re replaying Sun and Moon, loading up Ultra Moon, or jumping into a fresh Alola adventure, your choice of Rowlet, Litten, or Popplio shapes your early journey, movesets, and even late-game strategies. This guide walks you through each starter’s strengths, evolutions, type matchups, competitive potential, and practical tips so you can pick the best partner with confidence.

Why the starter choice matters in Pokemon Moon

The starter you pick affects your first 10–30 hours of gameplay. Each starter has distinct type advantages and learnsets that influence gym and Totem battles, availability of HM replacements, and early team composition. In Pokemon Moon, the Alolan island trials and Totem Pokémon create unique encounters where the right starter can simplify fights or force creative strategies.

  • Type matchups: Rowlet is Grass/Flying, Litten is pure Fire (later Fire/Dark), Popplio is Water (later Water/Fairy). Each type interacts differently with Alola’s trials.
  • Evolution timing: When your starter learns strong moves (like Z-Moves and signature attacks) matters for story progression.
  • Competitive potential: Evolutions—Decidueye, Incineroar, Primarina—offer different roles in battle: physical attacker, bulky pivot, or special attacker/support.

Rowlet: The balanced starter with utility

Rowlet is a Grass/Flying starter that evolves into Dartrix and finally Decidueye (Grass/Ghost). In starter pokemon pokemon moon, Rowlet stands out for versatility, early access to status moves, and a unique typing once fully evolved.

Strengths

  • Early access to status and support moves like Growl, Leech Seed, and later Will-O-Wisp and Synthesis.
  • Decidueye gains a unique Ghost/Grass typing, giving immunity to Normal and Fighting types and offering surprise STAB Ghost moves.
  • Good choice for players who like technical play—mixing status, priority, and setup.

Weaknesses and considerations

  • Grass/Flying is 4x weak to Ice until evolution to Decidueye—watch Totem battles with Ice types.
  • Decidueye tends to be a mixed or specialized attacker but not the hardest-hitting finisher compared to Incineroar.
  • Learning curve: many of Rowlet’s best tools are support-oriented, which might feel slow to some players.

Tips for using Rowlet

  • Teach Decidueye Swords Dance if you want a physical sweeper; use its Ghost STAB for balance.
  • Use Leech Seed and Synthesis in long battles against Totem Pokémon to outlast them.
  • Pair with a strong Fire or Electric teammate early to cover Ice and Flying weaknesses.

Litten: The aggressive choice that becomes Incineroar

Litten starts as a pure Fire cat and evolves into Torracat and Incineroar, a Fire/Dark powerhouse. For many players, Litten is the most straightforward and satisfying pick in starter pokemon pokemon moon because of its offensive presence and bulky final evolution.

Strengths

  • High base Attack and solid movepool make Torracat and Incineroar strong physical attackers.
  • Incineroar’s Fire/Dark typing grants powerful STAB options and resistances to common types in early-game trials.
  • Incineroar often learns strong signature moves and has access to Fake Out, Flare Blitz, and Darkest Lariat depending on level and tutors.

Weaknesses and considerations

  • Higher recoil moves like Flare Blitz need careful HP management or use of healing items.
  • As Fire/Dark, Incineroar is weak to Ground and Water—watch Totem battles with Earth-type moves.

Tips for using Litten

  • Use Fake Out in early double battles to secure easy damage or disrupt Totem Pokémon.
  • EV train Attack and Speed to make Incineroar an efficient physical pivot or sweeper.
  • Consider a moveset with Flare Blitz, Darkest Lariat, and a coverage move like Brick Break or Thunder Punch (via tutors) for versatility.

Popplio: The special attacker and flexible support

Popplio evolves into Brionne and Primarina and shifts into a Water/Fairy role as Primarina. In starter pokemon pokemon moon, Popplio is often chosen by players who prefer special attacking and supportive roles that scale into late-game strategies.

Strengths

  • Primarina has excellent Special Attack and Special Defense, making it a powerful special attacker and special wall.
  • Water/Fairy typing grants useful resistances and strong STAB options against common threats.
  • Primarina can learn utility moves like Aqua Jet, Moonblast, and Heal Pulse, making it great for team support.

Weaknesses and considerations

  • Lower physical bulk means Primarina can struggle against powerful physical sweepers if not supported.
  • Popplio’s evolutions rely on special attacks, so you’ll want teammates to cover physical threats.

Tips for using Popplio

  • Teach Primarina Calm Mind plus Moonblast to transform it into a late-game special sweeper.
  • Use Aqua Jet for priority to finish off weakened opponents or cut through faster foes.
  • Combine Primarina with a bulky Steel or Electric teammate to handle Grass and Electric threats respectively.

How to choose your starter: practical decision checklist

Choosing between Rowlet, Litten, and Popplio depends on playstyle, long-term goals, and how you want to shape your team. Use this quick checklist based on common player preferences and the Alola meta:

  • If you like technical play and status: Pick Rowlet for support, tricky type interactions, and late-game Ghost STAB.
  • If you want straightforward offense and a strong physical presence: Pick Litten for Incineroar’s raw power and intimidating presence.
  • If you prefer special attacking and team support: Pick Popplio for Primarina’s coverage and special bulk.
  • If you plan to play competitively or breed for IVs: Consider starting with the Pokémon whose nature and ability fit your long-term strategy. Use the Island Scan and daycare to fill gaps in team composition early.

Example scenarios

  • New player worried about early trials: Litten often makes Totem fights easier due to strong offense.
  • Player who likes stall and recovery: Rowlet’s Leech Seed and Decidueye’s Synthesis are ideal.
  • Player aiming for doubles and In-Game competitive: Incineroar’s Fake Out can be extremely useful in doubles.

Advanced tips: breeding, EVs, IVs, abilities and Z-Moves

Once you’ve chosen your starter, optimizing that Pokémon for late-game or competitive play is a rewarding process. Here are advanced, actionable tips for maximizing your starter’s potential in starter pokemon pokemon moon runs.

  • IVs & Natures: Breed or use SOS chaining to get a favorable nature (Adamant for physical Incineroar, Modest for special Primarina) and good IVs. Use Bottle Caps later for Hyper Training if needed.
  • EV training: Allocate EVs to match your role—Attack and Speed for Incineroar sweeper, Sp. Atk and HP for Primarina tank, HP/Def/SpD mix for Decidueye support.
  • Hidden Abilities: Some starters have useful hidden abilities or competitive niches in formats. Research whether Rowlet, Litten, or Popplio have hidden advantages in your playstyle.
  • Z-Moves & TR tutors: In Sun and Moon games, Z-Moves can turn the tide of tougher battles. Teach a Z-Crystal to your starter when it complements their STAB moves.
  • Move tutors and TMs: Use TMs and Move Tutors to fill coverage slots: Thunder Punch on Incineroar via Move Tutor, Ice Beam on Primarina for Grass coverage, or Sucker Punch on Decidueye for priority.

Building a balanced team around your starter

No starter can cover every weakness. Build a balanced Alolan team to support your starter through trials and competitive formats.

Team building tips

  • Cover weaknesses: If you pick Rowlet, include a Fire or Flying counter for Ice attacks; if you pick Litten, add Water or Ground coverage; if you pick Popplio, include Steel or Grass resistances depending on threats.
  • Consider utility roles: Add a fast Electric or priority user to control Speed tiers that beat your starter.
  • Look for synergy: Pair Primarina with a Ground-immunity partner like a Flying or Levitate Pokémon to reduce vulnerability to Electric hits.
  • Example teams:
    • Rowlet + Rock/Fire partner + Electric support + bulky Water for trials
    • Litten + Water pivot + Ground resist + Psychic/Hasta counter
    • Popplio + Steel or Grass partner + fast Electric + Fairy or Dragon counter

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Which starter is best in Pokemon Moon?

There is no absolute “best” — Rowlet, Litten, and Popplio each excel in different roles. Litten (Incineroar) is often the easiest for a smooth offensive playthrough. Popplio (Primarina) is great for special attacking and team support. Rowlet (Decidueye) is ideal for tactical players who like status and trickery.

2. Are starter evolutions different between Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun, and Ultra Moon?

The starters evolve into the same final forms across Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun, and Ultra Moon: Rowlet → Dartrix → Decidueye, Litten → Torracat → Incineroar, Popplio → Brionne → Primarina. Move availability and tutor options vary slightly, so check move tutors and TRs for Ultra versions.

3. Can I catch all three starters in Pokemon Moon without trading?

By default, you can only choose one starter at the beginning of the game. To get the others without trading, use in-game methods like breeding, in-game trades, or Pokemon Bank/Pokemon Home transfers depending on what is available. Some players also rerun the game or trade with friends/online to complete their collection.

4. Is Incineroar good competitively?

Yes. Incineroar has seen competitive use as a bulky pivot and support attacker, especially in doubles where Fake Out and Intimidate (in some formats) are powerful. Its Fire/Dark typing and movepool make it versatile, though move choices and team synergy determine its effectiveness.

5. What moves should I teach my starter for a solid run?

Good generic movesets: Decidueye with Swords Dance, Spirit Shackle, Brave Bird, and Sucker Punch; Incineroar with Flare Blitz, Darkest Lariat, Fake Out, and Will-O-Wisp; Primarina with Moonblast, Hydro Pump/Scald, Calm Mind, and Aqua Jet. Adjust for your playstyle and tutor availability.

Conclusion

Choosing a starter pokemon pokemon moon is as much about playstyle as it is about raw power. Rowlet offers tactical play and ghostly surprises, Litten gives strong offense and a reliable late-game Incineroar, and Popplio supplies powerful special attacks and team utility as Primarina. Use the tips above to breed, EV train, and build a team that covers your starter’s weaknesses. Whether you’re aiming for a relaxed story run or competitive play, the right preparation makes any starter shine in the Alola region.

Happy training, and may your starter become the MVP of your Alola journey!