Summary
The Gen 7Pokemongames broke a lot of traditions for the series, including being the first games without traditional Gyms and the games that introduced regional variants to the franchise. AlthoughPokemon Sun and Moonare often criticized for their slow start and player hand-holding, the games can be somewhat difficult for players who aren’t accustomed to the switch from Gyms to Trials and the Totem Pokemon battles that await them. However, there are a few very powerful mons in this game that can make taking on most of the challenges in Gen 7 a lot less frustrating.
The criteria for what makes a critter a good candidate for a team member include how accessible they are, their stat total and overall strength, and how useful they will be in dealing with a game’s major battles.
In addition to Trials replacing traditional Gyms in the Gen 7 games, the newZ-Move mechanicwas introduced that allowed mons to use a powerful move unique to their type once per battle. While Mega Evolutions are relegated to the post-game, players attempting a Gen 7 playthrough will still have to contend with Z-Moves in a lot of major battles, so having a strong team offensively is just as important as having a solid defense.
Bewear
Normal/Fighting
TheAlola Regionis divided into four major islands that each house their own species of critters, as well as unique Trials as part of the island challenge. As such, players will want to build a team that can handle each of the trials, including battles against the island Kahunas who serve as Gym Leader replacements. Gen 7 is also unique in that, rather than having one definitive third version, there are two alternate versions in the form ofPokemon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moonwhose Pokedex and island challenge vary slightly, but not enough to warrant a completely different team than aPokemon Sun and Moonplaythrough.
Primarina
The best starter to choose for aGen 7 playthrough is Poppliofor a variety of reasons, one of which being that Primarina’s Water/Fairy typing is very strong in the Alola Region. Popplio learns the Fairy-type move Disarming Voice at level 8, making it a great candidate for taking down a few early-game foes like Totem Alolan Raticate inPokemon Moon, as well as Hala’s Fighting types. What’s even better is that this mon will have the advantage over a plethora of major battles in the game, such as Kiawe’s Fire-type Trial, the Dragon-type Trial on Poni Island, and all Kahuna fights, including the two that become Elite Four members.
Lycanroc
WhileLycanroc has multiple formsdepending on the version of the game, all of them are equally useful in a Gen 7 playthrough. Rockruff can be caught relatively early on while the player is still on Melemele Island, making it a useful team member throughout the entire playthrough. In particular, Lycanroc is helpful against the many Bug types players will face during their multiple battles against Team Skull Leader Guzma, and its signature move, Accelrock, is a fantastic priority move that can help deal with Guzma’s Golisopod, potentially getting the KO before it has a chance to switch out with its Emergency Exit Ability.
Alolan Raichu
Another early-game mon players can obtain that will become quite useful throughout the playthrough is Pichu, which can be found on Route 1. Evolving Pichu all the way up toAlolan Raichugives this regional variant the addition of the Psychic type, making it a fantastic Special Attacker that can cover a lot of weaknesses. Having this Electric type will be very useful for gaining the type advantage against Lana’s Water-type Trial on Akala Island, as well as later battles against Elite Four Hala’s Fighting types and Elite Four Kahili’s Flying types.
Salazzle
Salazzle is a unique and powerful critter inPokemon’s Gen 7 games given its Poison/Fire typing, which makes it incredibly useful against Mallow’s Grass-type Trial. Whileonly female Salandit will evolve into Salazzle, players can find this mon on Akala Island shortly before this Grass-type trial, and it will remain useful throughout the playthrough as it gives players the advantage over Mina’s Fairy-type Trial inPokemon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, as well as against several of Lusamine’s mons. Additionally, Salazzle has the Ability Corrosion, which allows it to poison even Steel and other Poison types, making Salazzle great against Elite Four Molayne’s Steel types.
Palossand
Despite being such a strange-looking creature, players would be wise to add a Sandygast to their team before leaving Akala Island as it will be a huge help in overcoming the Trials on Ula’ula Island. With its Ghost/Ground typing, Palossand will give players an advantage over both Sophocles' Electric-type Trial and Acerola’s Ghost-type Trial during this section of the game. Palossand will also be useful in taking down three of theElite Fourlater on as well, as players will have to face Acerola’s Ghost types again during this challenge.
To round out this team, adding a bulky Physical Attacker like Bewear is a great option, especially given how well its Fighting type will help in the endgame. Bewear gets the Ability Fluffy, which gives it a weakness to Fire-type moves but halves the damage taken from all other moves that make contact with it, which is a solid trade-off since there isn’t much of a threat from Fire types after Kiawe’s Trial. Players will also have to face somestrong Normal types in the Champion battle, with Kukui using a Snorlax inPokemon Sun and Moon, and Hau using a Tauros inPokemon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, so having a Fighting type like Bewear is invaluable.
