good pokemon in ultra moon

Ultra Moon presents a vibrant and challenging journey through the Alola region, demanding a well-constructed team to conquer its trials, Totem battles, and the formidable Elite Four. Building a team of "good" Pokémon is not merely about raw power, but about synergy, strategic coverage, and adaptability to the game's unique challenges. This guide explores key Pokémon available in Ultra Moon that excel in this environment, considering availability, movepool, typing, and overall contribution to a successful playthrough.

Table of Contents

Defining a "Good" Pokémon in Ultra Moon
Early Game Pillars: Reliable Foundations
Mid-Game Powerhouses: Expanding Your Arsenal
Late-Game Dominators: Preparing for the Summit
Legendary and Mythical Considerations
Team Synergy and Final Thoughts

Defining a "Good" Pokémon in Ultra Moon

A "good" Pokémon in the context of Ultra Moon is one that significantly eases the player's progression. Key factors include a favorable encounter time, a strong evolutionary line, a versatile or powerful movepool, and a typing that handles major boss battles. Availability before the post-game is crucial. Pokémon like Salamence may be powerful, but its pre-evolution Bagon is found extremely late, limiting its utility for the main story. Conversely, Pokémon obtained early that evolve into potent forms are exceptionally valuable. Typing is also paramount; Alola's trials feature boosted Totem Pokémon, making super-effective coverage and defensive resilience vital.

Early Game Pillars: Reliable Foundations

The first island offers several excellent choices that remain relevant throughout the adventure. Rowlet, the Grass/Ghost starter Decidueye, provides a unique defensive typing and access to strong moves like Spirit Shackle and Leaf Blade. Its Ghost typing proves invaluable against the numerous Normal-type attacks and Fighting-type trials. For water-type coverage, Wingull, found on Route 1, evolves into the superb Pelipper. With the Drizzle ability unlocked upon evolution, Pelipper instantly enables powerful Water-type moves for itself and teammates, while providing a solid defensive presence with its typing.

On Melemele Island, Munchlax, given as an egg, evolves into the monstrous Snorlax. With colossal HP and Attack, Snorlax can tank hits and deal massive damage with moves like Body Slam and High Horsepower. It is a reliable answer to many threats. Furthermore, catching a Zorua in Hau'oli City with a little puzzle-solving grants access to Zoroark. Its Illusion ability can manipulate opponent targeting in single battles, allowing for safe setup or super-effective strikes, adding a deep strategic layer.

Mid-Game Powerhouses: Expanding Your Arsenal

As the journey expands to Akala and Ula'ula Islands, more powerful options emerge. Jangmo-o, found on Route 3, evolves into the pseudo-legendary Kommo-o. This Dragon/Fighting-type boasts fantastic stats and a diverse movepool including Sky Uppercut, Dragon Claw, and Poison Jab. While it requires patience to fully evolve, its final form is a dominant force. For those seeking special attacking prowess, Alolan Vulpix, obtained on Mount Lanakila's outskirts, evolves into the exquisite Alolan Ninetales. With its Snow Warning ability and access to Aurora Veil, it can set up powerful defensive screens for the entire team while blasting foes with Blizzard and Dazzling Gleam.

The Magnemite line, available at the Hokulani Observatory, provides exceptional Steel/Electric typing. Magnezone resists a plethora of types and hits hard with Thunderbolt and Flash Cannon. Its ability to trap and eliminate Steel-types with Magnet Pull is also a unique tactical advantage. For a devastating physical sweeper, the classic Gyarados remains a top-tier choice. Magikarp is ubiquitous, and upon evolution, Gyarados's Intimidate ability, Dragon Dance, and powerful Waterfall and Earthquake make it a constant threat.

Late-Game Dominators: Preparing for the Summit

Approaching Mount Lanakila and the Pokémon League requires Pokémon that can handle intense, high-level battles. Beldum, gifted by Professor Kukui after becoming Champion, evolves into the mighty Metagross. Its Steel/Psychic typing offers key resistances, and its incredible Attack and Defense stats allow it to crush opponents with Meteor Mash and Zen Headbutt. While obtained late, it is invaluable for post-game content and a worthy addition.

For a special attacking Dragon, the Noibat line, found earlier in Verdant Cavern, finally comes into its own upon evolving into Noivern. With high Speed and a powerful Boomburst move, it can outpace and eliminate many late-game foes. Toxapex, caught by fishing with a Good Rod on various routes, is the ultimate defensive wall. With Merciless and Baneful Bunker, it can stall and poison entire teams, providing crucial defensive utility against physical attackers.

Legendary and Mythical Considerations

Ultra Moon features several legendary Pokémon encountered during the main story. Lunala, the cover legendary, is an obvious powerhouse with its colossal Special Attack and unique Shadow Shield ability. It can sweep teams with Moongeist Beam and Moonblast. The Ultra Beasts, such as Kartana (found in Ultra Space), offer incredible offensive stats, though their paper-thin defenses require careful use. Necrozma, in its various forms, is arguably the most powerful entity in the game, especially when fused to become Dusk Mane or Dawn Wings Necrozma. These Pokémon are undeniably "good," but their overwhelming power can sometimes trivialize the game's challenge.

Team Synergy and Final Thoughts

Assembling a team of individually strong Pokémon is not enough. True success in Ultra Moon comes from building synergistic relationships. A team featuring Pelipper's rain can boost a Gyarados's Waterfall. Alolan Ninetales's Aurora Veil can protect a setting-up Kommo-o or Metagross. Zoroark's Illusion can disguise a frail sweeper as a bulky Snorlax, baiting a Fighting-type move. The "good" Pokémon highlighted excel not only in isolation but in their capacity to enable teammates.

Ultimately, the best team is one tailored to the player's style. Whether leveraging weather strategies, setting up dual screens, or employing brute force, Ultra Moon's diverse roster supports numerous approaches. By choosing Pokémon that are available at the right time, possess strong typings against major battles, and can work together, any trainer can build a championship-caliber team to light up the Alolan night. The journey through Ultra Moon is demanding, but with these powerful partners, victory is not just a possibility—it is a certainty.

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