History AndTheFandomRejoiced / PokemonSunAndMoon

* The trials are becoming more fleshed out, according to the late September 2017 trailer. Sophocles' trial no longer takes place entirely in a darkened room and features cutscenes involving a robotic Vikavolt, Mallow's trial features more exploration as the player tracks down multiple Sudowoodo to find an ingredient, and Mina '''now has her own trial''', in which she battles the player a la Ilima. [[CrowningMomentOfFunny Her trial grounds appear to be her house rather than a special landmark]] To be fair, there aren't any more landmarks on Poni Island for her to set up her trial anyway..

* The story will apparently be a full on ''reboot'' of the original story. Before this, ''[[VideoGame/PokemonRubyAndSapphire Pokemon Omega Ruby Alpha Sapphire]]'' were closest thing the series ever got to this, and even that was more due to the combination of AuthorsSavingThrow regarding [[IdiotPlot the motivations]] and [[CharacterizationMarchesOn characterization]] of [[TheVillainMakesThePlot the villains]], incorporation of [[SuperMode Mega Evolution]] - which was introduced in the same generation - to the plot, as well as the addition of the [[PostEndGameContent Delta Episode post-game story]] than anything else.

** It features Lillie holding a Pokeball, implying that she might actually become a Trainer, join the battle, and more importantly (especially to the those who played the originals), the might be possible to battle. [[spoiler: While she's not actually possible to battle, [[TookALevelInBadass she does become a Pokémon Trainer, helping the player battle Faba and an Aether Foundation Employee in a Double Battle, AND she becomes a Multi Battle partner in the Battle Tree, both of which happen after the main story.]]]]

* The story will apparently be a full on ''reboot'' of the original story. Before this, [[VideoGame/PokemonRubyAndSapphire Pokemon Omega Ruby Alpha Sapphire]] were closest thing the series ever got to this, and even that was more due to the combination of AuthorsSavingThrow regarding [[IdiotPlot the motivations]] and [[CharacterizationMarchesOn characterization]] of [[TheVillainMakesThePlot the villains]], incorporation of [[SuperMode Mega Evolution]] - which was introduced in the same generation - to the plot, as well as the addition of the [[PostEndGameContent Delta Episode post-game story]] than anything else.

** This needs to be elaborated upon: Clangorous Soulblaze makes Kommo-o nigh unstoppable. Outside of Fairy-type moves, Kommo-o defenses mean that it can shrug off almost any hit from almost any other Pokemon. In return, it will fire off an extremely powerful STAB special move running off its Base-100 Special Attack, not only fainting anything not specifically designed to tank it, but boosting its mediocre speed to respectable levels, as well as boosting those already powerful defenses, AND boosting its attacking stats. It'll take a bit to sort out, but there's a very real possibility that teams will have to carry a Pokemon specifically designed to counter Kommo-o.

[[AC:General]]

* After the fairly simple stories of the 6th gen games, ''Sun and Moon'' bring back the deeper, more intense storytelling ''Black and White'' had.
* For the fans who were disappointed by how easy the main stories in the 6th generation games were, they were pleased that these games are much more challenging and actually require the player to plan carefully in some of the battles.

* Nanu is [[spoiler:the first Dark-type Gym Leader![[note]]...a Kahuna, actually, but Kahunas and Trial Captains play a similar role to Gym Leaders, and as he doesn't join the Elite Four, he's a Gym Leader equivalent.[[/note]]]]

* [[VideoGame/PokemonXAndY Sina and Dexio]] return to help you collect Zygarde Cells! You also get to battle them this time.

* To some, [[MsFanservice Olivia, Lusamine, and Plumeria]] are seriously hot babes.
* Finally, after seven generations [[spoiler:the region's Professor is the FinalBoss!]] Even better if you recognize the MythologyGag to [[spoiler:a DummiedOut battle with Professor Oak in ''VideoGame/PokemonRedAndBlue''.]]

* Just like ''X and Y'', several old Pokémon have been buffed with new moves, new abilities, and higher stats.
** Pelipper got its Special Attack increased from 85 to 95, and now has ''Drizzle'' as one of its regular abilities!
** Mantine got its HP increased from 65 to 85, and can finally learn [[HealThyself Roost]].
** Not to mention Masquerain getting a twenty point boost to both Special Attack AND Speed, making it a decent threat if it gets a hit in.

* When a Pokémon Mega Evolves, turn order is now determined by the Pokémon's new speed and ability, instead of its speed and ability before it transforms. This is a huge benefit for Mega Pokémon who are fast but frail like Mega Beedrill and Mega Absol.
* Ever since the First Gen, the Bug-type move known as "Leech Life" has been a bit of a joke, with a paltry Power of 20. So when it was announced that Leech Life was going to be a TM in Sun & Moon, people were confused... until it was revealed that the move's power has been buffed to 80, making the former [[JokeWeapon joke attack]] into a lethally-powerful Bug move on par with X-Scissor that still restores the user's HP by half of the (now ''much'' larger) damage dealt, with the fact that it's a TM meaning many more Pokémon can benefit from it. Sure, it loses half its PP in the process, but that's the price you pay.

* After beating the main game, you can shift between day and night by having the version legendary on your team.
* For those worried that the currently unavailable Mega Stones will never be usable, they will be distributed as entry gifts for online competitions!

** [[{{Foil}} Necrozma is essentially the reverse Kyurem.]]

** Further reinforced with a scene in the most recent trailer, which depicts Hau running up to you with a Torracat by his side -- if an NPC can do it, why can't the player character?
** Sadly not the case but you [[VideoGameCaringPotential can play with these Pokemon]] and they'll follow you around until you leave the Route. They'll be happy when you return too.

*** By EpilepticTrees, it means bold suggestions such as the identities of the masked figures being [[spoiler:the versions of the Aether family (Lusamine, Mohn, Lillie and Gladion) from another dimension]], due to the faint similarity between their outfits with those of [[spoiler:the Aether Foundation]]. [[TemptingFate Yeah...]]
*** Jossed, but the new group Ultra Recon Squad looks promising nonetheless.
* Guzma and Lusamine are still 2 major villains of this game, but their characterization is much more likable, especially [[AdaptationalHeroism Lusamine when you see how]] [[AntiVillain she isn't truly evil this time,]] [[WellIntentionedExtremist needing to sacrifice Cosmog to]] [[FriendToAllLivingThings protect the world's Pokémon,]] [[AdaptedOut instead of fueling her obsession with Ultra Beasts.]] [[PetTheDog She even treats Lillie and Gladion much nicer even when they betrayed and left her,]] [[IHaveNoSon only being upset at them when they stole Cosmog and Type: Null,]] [[SpannerInTheWorks which went against her plans to stop Necrozma.]] [[GracefulLoser She even compliments the player if whenever they defeat her in battle,]] [[WorthyOpponent saying how their Island Challenge made them strong.]] [[CombatCompliment and encouraging them to continue their Island Challenge.]] Even Guzma becomes more heroic when [[spoiler: he disbands Team Skull, [[HeelFaceTurn as he helps stop Team Rainbow Rocket from invading Aether Paradise and challenges you as one of your Title Defense Opponents, implying that he went off to complete the Island Challenge this time after you became Champion.]]]]

* The new battle facility, Battle Agency, allows you to rent Pokemon ''à la'' the Battle Factory from Gens III and IV, thus you can fight even with mons that you don't own! It remains to be seen whether you can rent monsters not available to your game, but it would be definitely awesome.

* In the original ''Sun and Moon'' games, the Battle Tree and Battle Royal are known for being ''unforgivingly'' hard, to the point where players have to use Pokemon and strategies bred for competitive battling to made any headway. This made obtaining Battle Points (which are needed to buy a myriad of useful items) very difficult, if not impossible for players who aren't into the competitive battling scene. ''Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon'' offer a new, much easier way to earn BP: the Mantine Surf minigame. What's more, move tutors are situated on all Mantine Surf beaches (excluding the one on Poni Island, as the BP station there is in the Battle Tree), meaning that players can teach their Pokemon helpful moves early on in the game.

** UB Assembly is a Rock/Steel type, the first one since Gen IV. [[MemeticMutation (Sinnoh Confirmed?)]]

* Lycanroc gets a new third "Dusk" Form, which is the Midday form with aspects of the Midnight form.

* [[RunningGag If it STILL weren't obvious enough already that it is related to the Cosmic Duo]], a new screenshot of the game shows the player character facing [[spoiler:[[ChekhovsGunman Necrozma]] at the Altar of the Sunne]].

* For the first time in a generation, new Pokémon '''species''' are being introduced in the middle of a generation. There are at least two new Ultra Beasts in ''Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon'': Burst and Assembly, exclusive to ''Ultra Sun'' and ''Ultra Moon'' respectively.

** It features Lillie holding a Pokeball, implying that she might actually join the battle and - more importantly (especially to the those who played the originals) - she might be possible to battle.

* The trials are becoming more fleshed out, according to the late September 2017 trailer. Sophocles' trial no longer takes place entirely in a darkened room and features cutscenes involving a robotic Vikavolt, Mallow's trial features more exploration as the player tracks down multiple Sudowoodo to find an ingredient, and Mina '''now has her own trial''', in which she battles the player a la Ilima. [[CrowningMomentOfFunny Her trial grounds appear to be her house rather than a special landmark]].

** Confirms that you'll fight them with Guzma.

* 400+ Pokemon this time! To everyone who felt like the games didn't have enough Pokemon, you get 100 more options, among them the Inkay, Larvesta, Mareep, Houndour, Manectric, and Tropius families - and that's before you take into consideration Pokémon not in the Alola Dex found through other methods such as Island Scan.

** Team Rainbow Rocket is relegated to post-game (meaning Necrozma/Ultra Recon Squad will fill the main story).
** Confirms that all villains came from [[spoiler:alternate universes due to Ultra Wormhole where [[TheBadGuyWins they completed their plans]].]]

* After being outclassed by its predecessors for so long, Kommo-o gets a new toy: it's very own Z-Move called Clangorous Soulblaze. It not only hits both opponents, it also acts as a Ancient Power/Ominous Wind/Silver Wind for Kommo-o in exchange of being usable only once per battle, instead of a LuckBasedMission.
** This needs to be elaborated upon: Clangorous Soulblaze makes Kommo-o nigh unstoppable. Outside of Fairy-type moves, Kommo-o defenses mean that it can shrug off almost any hit from almost any other Pokemon. In return, it will fire off an extremely powerful STAB special move running off its Base-100 SpA, not only fainting anything not specifically designed to tank it, but boosting its mediocre speed to respectable levels, as well as boosting those already powerful defenses, AND boosting it's attacking stats. It'll take a bit to sort out, but there's a very real possibility that teams will have to carry a Pokemon specifically designed to counter Kommo-o.

** Team Rainbow Rocket is relegated to post-game (meaning Necrozma/Ultra Recon Squad will fill the main story)

** Confirms that all villains came from [[spoiler:alternate universes due to Ultra Wormhole where [[NightmareFuel they completed their plans]]]]

* 400+ Pokemon this time! To everyone who felt like the games didn't have enough Pokemon, you get 100 more options, among them the Inkay, Larvesta, Mareep, Houndour, Manetric, and Tropius families - and that's before you take into consideration Pokémon not in the Alola Dex found through other methods such as Island Scan.

* The [[spoiler: [[https://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-news/an-exclusive-interview-with-the-makers-of-pokemon-ultra-sun-and-pokemon-ultra-moon/ interview with game developers]]]] clears quite a few things about Team Rainbow Rocket, notably:

** Confirms that all villains came from [[spoiler: alternate universes due to Ultra Wormhole where [[NightmareFuel they completed their plans]]]]

* The [[https://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-news/an-exclusive-interview-with-the-makers-of-pokemon-ultra-sun-and-pokemon-ultra-moon/ interview with game developers]] clears quite a few things about Team Rainbow Rocket, notably:

** Confirms that all villains came from universes due to Ultra Wormhole where [[NightmareFuel they completed their plans]]

* The [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yHk6yhZ1tk4 new Japanese trailer]] not only more or less confirms that Giovanni will control Mewtwo, but at least Archie and Maxie will control Kyogre and Groudon respectively as well.

* The new battle facility, Battle Agency, allows you to rent Pokemon, thus you can fight even with mons that you don't own! It remains to be seen whether you can rent monsters not available to your game, but it would be definitely awesome.

* ''[=HMs=] are '''FINALLY''' gone!'' The better HM attacks are now [=TMs=], and Ride Pokemon now perform the HM functions.

[[AC:General]]

[[AC:Story]]

[[AC:New Pokémon]]

[[AC:Old Pokémon]]

[[AC:Game Mechanics]]

*** Seemingly Jossed, but the new group Ultra Recon Squad seems promising nonetheless.