• Hey Guest. Check out your NeoGAF Wrapped 2025 results here!

Pokémon Sun & Moon | Info and speculation thread

Ok now that the rugby monkey is here, let's look at that leak. Bolded stuff is confirmed.

* Rowlet, Litten, and Popplio evolve into an archer, a wrestler, and a siren respectively---this matches this interesting "concept art" that has been circulating for awhile now but has yet to be confirmed or discredited.

* In addition to Salandit, there's New Pokemon based on a mushroom, a dolphin, a sea cucumber, a snowman, and some sort of "rugby monkey"---a monkey with a ball, apparently? If legit I imagine one or two of these Pokemon will be officially revealed soon, perhaps in CoroCoro, and if so that will speak to the legitimacy of this leak.

* Rockruff will evolve into a werewolf. The official site mentions Rockruff howling at night prior to evolution in its flavor text and if this list was originally seen before then, not sure though when it first appeared, that's a plus for it.

* Marshadow, a name we saw trademarked alongside the Box Legendaries a few months ago, apparently has a "very unique Typing". I've been speculating that Marshadow could be similar to Victini as a Mythical Pokemon revealed prior to the release of Sun and Moon, and I wonder if the upcoming Volcanion film could reveal him if my theory is correct at the end like what happened with Victini at the end of the final Diamond and Pearl film.

* There are apparently these special areas on the map that are hidden at first known as "districts" (?) where powerful Pokemon known as Overlords reside. Are these Legendaries? Or are they simply unusually powerful normal Pokemon with Hidden Abilities perhaps?

* No Gym Leaders. We've yet to see any real sign of Gyms this time around, and I was wondering about that honestly. Instead it seems the plot of the game involves forming a League and each Island is protected by an Island Leader. I assume the first one is Hala and Tapu Koko, who we've seen in previews, who serve as the Island Leaders of Melemele Island. It seems an actual Elite Four will eventually appear, perhaps in the post-game.

* The diamonds seen in the logo, and in the bracelets the playable characters wear, are collectible and seem to unlock functions somewhat simillar to Mega Evolution but not quite---perhaps this is related to the "Super Move" Pikachu is shown using in a shot posted to the official site. One of these stones apparently will be used to access Ash-Greninja.

* You can ride almost any Pokemon, though what "almost any" includes isn't quite clear. A recent shot posted to the official site shows the player riding a Stoutland, so if this list was posted before that it's another plus in its authenticity.

I assume overlords are the totem Pokemon. The starter evolution stuff is also likely very true. The "ride any Pokemon" thing seems to be untrue, but that might just be a mistranslation.

So we're missing some Pokemon, Marshadow, and Ash-Greninja.

Also this summary with more info. Bold = confirmed, italics = extremely likely

There actually are No Gyms

There is more than one evolution for Rockruff including a Werewolf

Yungoos' evolution is fat and hairy

Time works differently in each version

There are new forms of old Pokemon which are not Mega Evolutions but more along the line of Shellos/Wordam. Another chunk of information suggests that these are a few Pokemon that'll get new forms... Butterfree (Bug/Psychic), Rattata line (Dark), Nidoqueen/Nidoking (Poison/Fighting), Ninetails (Fire/Fairy ((this part was wrong))), Growlithe line (Water), Abra line (Fighting), Duduo line (Fighting/Flying)


Pokemon transferred from the VC releases will have pre-gen 6 typings/stats

The stone bracelets have nothing to do with Synchro Evolution

Ash-Greninja is in the game

S.S Anne appears in the game

Larger, but not by much, amount of brand new Pokemon than last gen

Looker, Cynthia, Blue, Zinnia, AZ, and Lance all make appearances

Furfrou's hair cut can be changes in the new Amie

Some of the new forms for old Pokemon get new animations (Mentions the Abra line)

Transferring through Bank will be the only way to get some forms of old Pokemon

There is a flying type bird whose appearance varies each island

There is a 2 stage cat Pokemon that is Normal when captures but will inherit the fathers primary type as its 2nd type when hatched and the color/pattern varies by type

There is a Snowman like mentioned in the Chinese rumor and it is an Ice/Ghost 2 stage
 
I think that second quote has merged two separate leaks. I though this image was more accurate, but maybe not.

X3CJFqi.jpg

I think this is outdated because I saw a video with more points added in about what was real/fake, but the actual "leaks" are the same. I still think "Leak 4" is mostly wrong and is just piggybacking off the more credible ones.

Edit: Here's the updated version.


I had no idea that "Leak 5" was even a thing before now, but it looks like another piggyback leak.
 
I had no idea that "Leak 5" was even a thing before now, but it looks like another piggyback leak.

I dunno, that fifth leak reveals some big stuff no one would have guessed (ultra beasts). I think another leak did say that Lillie is the daughter of the bad guy, but the ultra beast mention along with crazy wormhole shenanigans makes me think that it was more than a lucky guess. The most interesting thing is Solgaleo and Lunala sharing the same pre evolution?! Perhaps this is Malshadow? That seems completely bizzare but interesting.
 
Damn, I was hoping for split starter evos.

The one I was most excited about is VC Pokémon retaining their "Gen 5" typings, but I see that this is part of the "Real leaks" leak as well. Quite curious. I'm starting to wonder if they are actually mixing real information with false ones, as this is one thing we've seen a couple times so far, like with Ninetales's half-right typing and Alolan Arcanine. Even "Roothoot" wasn't a far cry from Rowlet.

I would very much welcome VC Pokémon retaining their original types. The co-existence of the two varieties is perfect in my mind. It's perfectly in-line with Game Freak's conservative approach when it comes to game mechanics, while still reforming old concepts to newer standards. It won't be a deal-breaker if they're not in, but it's one of those minor references that I would really appreciate.

I could say the same for Arbok. It's nothing short of amazing that they haven't gone crazy with its patterns even though the Pokémon and the entire idea exists for over 20 years. To this day, only two true patterns exist for it:


What's interesting is that while the second pattern first made it in games in GS (1999), it's initial franchise appearance was in the TCG set Mystery of the Fossils (1997). That makes me wonder if Dark Arbok also has a chance somewhere down the line. I'm almost sad that three (four, counting Persian) Gen 1 Alolan forms are already Dark-types, meaning they probably didn't implement Dark Arbok. :p

Oqkfe4s.png
 
Crossposting my theory regarding Greninja as I got not a single reply:

"Ash" Greninja is a transformation Z-move. Activate as normal > Water Shuriken > Transform > Throw Flaming Fuma Shuriken > form lasts until KO'd like a mega.

Water Shuriken will probably be required like Dragon Ascent. In Snorlax's case apparently Giga Impact is needed?
 
Arbok's second pattern basically got retconned out of existence since HGSS and ORAS had the original marking. Poor Arbok, he basically got his one unique thing taken away from him. At least he has one of the best anime cries still.
 
Crossposting my theory regarding Greninja as I got not a single reply:

"Ash" Greninja is a transformation Z-move. Activate as normal > Water Shuriken > Transform > Throw Flaming Fuma Shuriken > form lasts until KO'd like a mega.

Water Shuriken will probably be required like Dragon Ascent. In Snorlax's case apparently Giga Impact is needed?
I bet you're right. I could totally see Greninja having an exclusive Z-Move that puts him in his Ash Greninja form for the remainder of the battle.
 
Crossposting my theory regarding Greninja as I got not a single reply:

"Ash" Greninja is a transformation Z-move. Activate as normal > Water Shuriken > Transform > Throw Flaming Fuma Shuriken > form lasts until KO'd like a mega.

Water Shuriken will probably be required like Dragon Ascent. In Snorlax's case apparently Giga Impact is needed?

I would be shocked if this isn't the case.
 
Ok now that the rugby monkey is here, let's look at that leak. Bolded stuff is confirmed.



I assume overlords are the totem Pokemon. The starter evolution stuff is also likely very true. The "ride any Pokemon" thing seems to be untrue, but that might just be a mistranslation.

So we're missing some Pokemon, Marshadow, and Ash-Greninja.

Also this summary with more info. Bold = confirmed, italics = extremely likely

The second post is not part of the original leak and has been pretty thoroughly discredited.
 
With the games being revolved around Sun and Moon, I hoped that Solrock/Lunatone would be involved in someway. Losing hope because it seems only Gen 1's are getting Alolan forms. Hope those two get something in the game.
 
With the games being revolved around Sun and Moon, I hoped that Solrock/Lunatone would be involved in someway. Losing hope because it seems only Gen 1's are getting Alolan forms. Hope those two get something in the game.

They'll probably just appear somewhere in the wild and that's it. I'd like them to have forms though. Lunatone - Dark/Psychic and Solrock with Fire/Psychic.

Alolan Lunatone should be a pale blue.
 
The most interesting thing is Solgaleo and Lunala sharing the same pre evolution?! Perhaps this is Malshadow? That seems completely bizzare but interesting.
Both of them having Psychic as a primary type would be more reasonable if that were the case
 
Lusamine looks a bit too young to have a 10ish hear old daughter and son(?)

Norman and Professor Birch looked pretty young to have a 10 year old child, so it isn't that impossible.

Though Lillie and Gladion are more likely to be Lusamine's siblings than children.

They'll probably just appear somewhere in the wild and that's it. I'd like them to have forms though. Lunatone - Dark/Psychic and Solrock with Fire/Psychic.

Alolan Lunatone should be a pale blue.

My guess is that they will be somewhat version exclusive with Lunatone being more common in Moon and Solrock more common in Sun.

I also bet you that they will located near the area where Solgaleo and Lunala are resting, assuming that they are hidden in the wild and not a repeated case of Xerneas and Yveltal.
 
I could say the same for Arbok. It's nothing short of amazing that they haven't gone crazy with its patterns even though the Pokémon and the entire idea exists for over 20 years. To this day, only two true patterns exist for it:

What's interesting is that while the second pattern first made it in games in GS (1999), it's initial franchise appearance was in the TCG set Mystery of the Fossils (1997). That makes me wonder if Dark Arbok also has a chance somewhere down the line. I'm almost sad that three (four, counting Persian) Gen 1 Alolan forms are already Dark-types, meaning they probably didn't implement Dark Arbok. :p
800px-Arbok_concept_art_4.png


Here's a few more, don't know the origin other than them being "concept art". Right one was used in Special/Adventures for Agatha's Arbok so they must be official in some capacity. Really hope they bring this back someday, it made sense for there not being an Arbok variation in Hoenn, Sinnoh, and Unova but there should have been one in Kalos as they're native there and the HGSS sprite should have reflected the Johto/Fossil one.
 
I bet you're right. I could totally see Greninja having an exclusive Z-Move that puts him in his Ash Greninja form for the remainder of the battle.

This actually gains some traction considering Eevee got a support Z-move, confirming not all of them will be attacks, or perhaps will yield other effects in addition to damage.
 
Kinda hoping "Ash-Greninja" actually takes on the colors of your clothes/hair rather than just going for the Ash color scheme. Probably a stretch, but it wouldn't be that hard to do.
 
800px-Arbok_concept_art_4.png


Here's a few more, don't know the origin other than them being "concept art". Right one was used in Special/Adventures for Agatha's Arbok so they must be official in some capacity. Really hope they bring this back someday, it made sense for there not being an Arbok variation in Hoenn, Sinnoh, and Unova but there should have been one in Kalos as they're native there and the HGSS sprite should have reflected the Johto/Fossil one.

Somehow, I always assumed those were PokeSpe inventions, but I just traced their source to a collector's artbook that features RG concept art. Very interesting. That means that Game Freak may have already had the alleged six variations planned, but never ended up using four of them. That would explain why the GSC/RSE Arbok pattern was already revealed in the TCG in 1997.

If Dark Arbok is also based on official notes, these may be the six Arbok patterns. It's time to actually utilize them in the games. The variation lore of newer species is translated in the game's visuals, so Arbok's should too. Come on, Game Freak!
 
Kinda hoping "Ash-Greninja" actually takes on the colors of your clothes/hair rather than just going for the Ash color scheme. Probably a stretch, but it wouldn't be that hard to do.
I could see them doing this. You'd just change Ash-Greninja's red part to match the primary color of your clothes, and the sideburns to match your hair color.

Also, I imagine they'll call Ash Greninja "Hero Greninja." Or maybe "Trainer Greninja." But yeah, it most certainly won't be called "Ash Greninja."
 
I wonder why we haven't seen any Mega evolutions yet.
Theory: Sun/Moon take place in the "alternate dimension" without Mega Evolutions discussed in oras - so the same dimension that every game pre-XY took place in. Asa result, there will be no Mega Evolutions... until the post game, which will add in Mega Stones as a result of the dimensions being merged or shifted due to the influence of the Ultra Beasts.
 
Molotov.


Nah, how you just going to introduce a new mechanic and then the next game abandon it?

We're talking about Game Freak here. It wouldn't be too out there for them to abandon a mechanic.

I wouldn't call including every existing mega but not making any more abandoning the mechanic though.
 
They've gotta save something for later to keep the hype train going.

Or SM are in a mega-less universe.

I saw over on /r/pokemon mention that a magazine scan said that Jangmoo-o Soundproof can block Mega Gardevoir's Hyper Voice, so at the very least, it can face off against megas.
 
I'm currently leaning towards the idea that the old megas will mostly be in the game, but we won't see any new megas. And we won't see any megas until post-game. Basically it will be kept around as a legacy mechanic.

I admit it seems strange to not add new megas. Megas were a big new mechanic last gen and it would be weird to see it lose focus. But hey, it's Gamefreak, and it honestly doesn't seem surprising for them. They do have a history of introducing beloved features and then dropping them later (Pokemon following you around, trainer customization...). But I agree they wouldn't actually drop a battle mechanic.

It just seems like megas were such a core part of the marketing of 6 gen games that they would have introduced some by now if they were in gen 7. They're going full blast on gen 7 marketing so you think there would be some megas by now. But hey, we're still far from release so I guess it's possible they've got a long term plan to do more mega marketing later. But that seems just as unlikely as adding no new megas.
 
As I have been saying since 2013, Mega Evolutions are pretty much new species of Pokémon. There's zero chance of them being removed. People just want them removed because "Mega Kangaskhan is too broken". The problem is in its ability, not the Pokémon itself. Nerf the ability and Mega Kangaskhan is powerful but not a huge threat.

Game Freak also don't drop major mechanics. Come on. Yes, following Pokémon isn't in the games, that's one example of dozens that haven't been dropped
 
This again?

There's zero chance that Game Freak, the company who have been going far out of their way to ensure that even the most cosmetic forms of Pokémon are attainable in every game going forward, are going to cut huge swathes of them now. They're not the focus, and they may not even have any new Megas in Sun and Moon, but they're not going anywhere.
 
If Mega Evolutions return (which they most likely will) I expect at least a few new ones will be added. Leaving the Mega roster as-is would hurt diversity more than adding a few new ones.

On the flip side, I expect players to have to choose between using a Mega Evolution or a Z-Move. Otherwise, Z-Moves will just further concentrate the meta around the same Pokémon everyone uses.
 
As I have been saying since 2013, Mega Evolutions are pretty much new species of Pokémon.

You repeat this on every thread but is there any proof to sustain it?

They are battle formes only, no pokedex entry and have certain restrictions.

They are certainly not new species. Alolan species are, and are much better than megas in every possible way.
 
Top Bottom