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| Peter Triezenberg |
Ice Vulpix!!!
08.02.16 - 4:04 AM
The Pokémon Company has released a whopping five-minute long trailer for the highly anticipated new entries in the Pokémon series, Pokémon Sun and Moon, and if it wasn't already clear that Generation 7 would be shaking things up a bit, it is abundantly so now. In the trailer, we can see not only new Pokémon, but also region-specific forms for Exxegutor, Vulpix/Ninetails, and Sandshrew/Sandslash. There's also a bevy of new features to talk about, so watch the video and let's get cracking.
Admit it, you want that Ice Vulpix, and rightfully so! We also got a glimpse of other new Pokémon, including the form-changing Oricorio and Lurantis, another one of Alola's Totem Pokémon. It seems that each one of Alola's Islands has its own Totem Pokémon, and Oricorio will have a different form based on which island it is found in. People and Pokémon share a very close relationship in Alola, so much so that a new rite of passage has emerged for Trainers hailing from the region. This "Rite of the Island Challenge" appears to be an alternative to the Gym battles that have been series staples ever since Red and Blue. Young Trial-goers must travel to each island in Alola, completing various tasks along the way and participating in "SOS Battles" with Totem Pokémon and "Grand Trials" with the island's Kahuna, or leader. Each Trial also has a Trial Captain that has completed the Trial previously.
One of these Trial Captains is Lana, who is an expert on Water-type Pokémon and is very dedicated to her family, particularly to her younger sisters. Another Captain, pictured below, is Mallow (no, not that one), an expert on Grass-types with peculiar tastes when it comes to cooking.
Sophocles, pictured above, is an Electric-type expert and a skilled mechanic. Last, but not least, is Kiawe, who is an expert on Fire-type Pokémon and studies the history of traditional dance in the Alola Region with his Marowak (which... isn't a Fire type, last time I checked. Huh).
It's not just new characters and shakeups to the Gym formula that are coming to Pokémon Sun and Moon, though. A new combat mechanic is being introduced, known as Z-Moves. Z-Moves are powerful attacks that can only be used once per battle, when the Pokémon is holding a Z-Crystal and the Trainer and Pokémon's wishes resonate strongly with one another to unleash a mighty attack. Z-Moves are triggered by the Z-Ring on the Trainer's arm, a real-life counterpart of which will be sold in stores thanks to Tomy International, so stay tuned for that. I'm curious about what the addition of Z-Moves means for Mega Evolution — the similarities are clear, and a Pokémon wouldn't be able to use a Z-Move and Mega Evolve since both actions require a held item.
Lastly, the Alola region is home to what is known as "Poké Ride," where Trainers can ride on certain Pokémon to reach places they otherwise couldn't. These Pokémon don't join your party, but can be called upon at any time. I wonder if this means the Soaring mechanic from Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire will be making a comeback... we'll just have to wait and see!
Pokémon Sun and Moon will be coming to the Nintendo 3DS on November 18th in North America, and the 23rd in Europe. Check out all of the new screenshots and artwork in our freshly updated gallery.
