Pokemon Sun and Moon: Every confirmed new Pokemon so far from starters to legendaries

As the world goes cuckoo for free-to-play mobile game Pokémon Go, it's been easy to forget that there's a brand new, more traditional Pokémon game coming out in just a few short months on the Nintendo 3DS.

Announced back in February, Sun and Moon are the tandem follow-ups to 2013's X and Y and 2014's Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire remakes. In the months that have followed, regular updates have introduced the game's Hawaii-inspired location, new characters and new features.

We've also seen a few of the new Pokémon that will inhabit the island chain of Alola, including the three new starters, the game's two main legendary Pokémon and other new beasties with intriguing qualities, quirky designs and quickly-cultivated fandoms.

Below, we've assembled a list of all the Pokémon announced so far, with a few details on each.

We'll update the list as the game's 23 November release date draws nearer (18 November outside Europe).

It's not clear yet how many new Pokémon will be included in the release. Previous generations have ranged between 72 and 156.

Starters

Rowlet

• Type: Grass / Flying
• Ability: Overgrow

A snazzy grass-type owl Pokémon with a cute little grass bowtie. It can rotate its head 180-degrees and has a standard grass-type starter ability that increases its power by 1.5x if it has less than or equal to one third of its remaining health points (HP).

Litten

• Type: Fire
• Ability: Blaze

Litten's fur produces a flammable oil that collects fur it sheds or grooms, which can then be used to make fireballs. Litten's Blaze ability is standard to all fire-type starters, and works in the same way as Rowlet's Overgrow.

Popplio

• Type: Water
• Ability: Torrent

Based on a sealion (with obvious puppy influences too), Popplio does acrobatic tricks with bubbles it can produce. Its torrent ability works the same as those for Rowlet and Litten.

Dartrix

• Type: Grass / Flying
• Ability: Overgrow

Dartrix attacks "by throwing its knife-edged feathers" according to the Pokémon's bio, but we're more interested in its fancy, flickable quiff. Evolves from Rowlet.

Torracat

• Type: Fire
• Ability: Blaze

Pretty much exactly what you'd expect from the evolution of Litten. It's another cat, but bigger and that's absolutely fine.

Brionne

• Type: Water
• Ability: Torrent

We're still not sold on Popplio and its evolution hasn't swayed our opinion one bit. Perhaps though, this will be one of those start Pokémon that starts out uninspired but has a third and final form everyone wants.

Decidueye

• Type: Grass / Ghost
• Ability: Overgrow

The final form of Rowlet continues the teenager theme with a sort of grass hood that it can pull shut with two toggles on the front. Peak Pokéwhimsy.

Incineroar

• Type: Fire / Dark
• Ability: Blaze

The best design of the final starter evolutions, but also the one most reminiscent of furries, and nobody wants to be reminded of that lot.

Primarina

• Type: Water / Fairy
• Ability: Torrent

Sure.

Others

Pikipek

• Type: Normal / Flying
• Ability: Keen Eye or Skill Link

Each Pokémon generation has at least one base bird-like Pokémon with three stages of evolution, and Pikipek appears to be Sun and Moon's. What it evolves into is not yet confirmed.

Grubbin

• Type: Bug
• Ability: Swarm

The customary bug-type, which evolves into...

Charjabug

• Type: Bug / Electric
• Ability: Battery

A small, rectangular bug type similar to a Kakuna or Metapod that then evolves into...

Vikavolt

• Type: Bug /Electric
• Ability: Levitate

It is customary for larvae-like Pokémon to evolve into kick-ass bugs, and Charjabug doesn't buck the trend. The pair are just the third and fourth bug/electric hybrid Pokémon, following generation five's (Black and White) Joltik and Galvantula.

Yungoos

• Type: Normal
• Ability: Stakeout or Strong Jaw

It's a mongoose-inspired 'mon that looks a lot like Donald Trump.

Cutiefly

• Type: Bug / Fairy
• Ability: Honey Gather or Shield Dust

Unassuming and tiny, Cutiefly is the first bug/fairy hybrid type. It continues Sun and Moon's trend of presenting interesting dual-type Pokémon.

Komala

• Type: Normal
• Ability: Comatose

Komala is one of those Pokémon that's simply based on an existing animal, in this case a koala. The Pokémon is constantly asleep, unless the log it clings to is removed, in which case it understandably gets quite upset. Never take a Komala's log.

Mimikyu

• Type: Ghost / Fairy
• Ability: Disguise

If Mimikkyu is a twist on the common accusation that Pokémon developers Game Freak are always trying to replicate the popularity of Pikachu with a rip-off, then it's a fantastic twist. This ghost/fairy dual-type (a series first) can barely be seen, as it crudely disguises itself as a Pikachu to find a home. Cute.

Togedemaru

• Type: Electric / Steel
• Ability: Iron Barbs or Lightning Rod

Of course, Game Freak are still prone to aping the Pikachu design, as evidenced by Togedemaru.

Rockruff

• Type: Rock
• Ability: Keen Eye or Vital Spirit

Who's a good dog? Rockruff's a good dog.

Bounsweet

• Type: Grass
• Ability: Leaf Guard / Oblivious

This smiley fruit looks at lot like Cherubi - i.e. delicious. Is eating your Pokémon illegal in Alola?

Mudsdale

• Type: Ground
• Ability: Own Tempo / Stamina

This rather sad, muddy horse is the first pure Ground-type since Drilbur in Pokémon Black and White. Not awful, but not a patch on the burning stallion that is Rapidash.

Wimpod

• Type: Bug / Water
• Ability: Wimp Out

Okay Game Freak, Wimpod is a wimp, we all get it. I kind of feel sorry for it to be honest, especially after staring into its terror-filled eyes. I won't eat you, don't worry, I have plenty of Bounsweets in my bag.

Comfey

• Type: Fairy
• Ability: Flower Veil / Triage

Clearly inspired by flower chains - also known as 'Lei' - Comfey will likely please the "Game Freak is running out of ideas" crowd who often express a lot of hate toward designs inspired by human-made objects - take Klefki for example (which is just silly, Klefki is great). Comfey looks a bit like a Budew entered into a rogue business venture that involves picking flower heads and chaining them together for profit. I'm okay with it, it looks fairly content with its lot in life.

Oricorio

• Type: Flying (Fire/Psychic/Electric/Ghost)
• Ability: Dancer

A boogieing bird that changes its style depending on which of Alola's four islands it's on. We like the "Baile style", can't beat a good flamenco.

Mudbray

• Type: Ground
• Ability: Own Tempo / Stamina

The less muddy, pre-evolved form of Mudsdale.

Fomantis

• Type: Grass
• Ability: Leaf Guard

A big-eyed seedling that evolves into...

Lurantis

• Type: Grass
• Ability: Leaf Guard

"The most gorgeous of all Grass-type Pokémon" - a direct quote from The Pokemon Company, presented without comment.

Gumshoos

• Type: Normal
• Ability: Stakeout / Strong Jaw

The evolved form of Yungoos that strikes a nonchalant, arms-behind-its-back pose in battle.

Minior

• Type: Rock/Flying
• Ability: Shields Down

This odd, spiky meteor ball lives by absorbing the detritus around it. The outer shell seems to protect it from attacks, although no one seems to be sure why its "core" changes colour (it can be green, pink (pictured), blue or yellow).

Salandit

• Type: Poison / Fire
• Ability: Corrosion

Game Freak are sometimes accused of being lazy with their designs, but they still regularly knock it out of the park. I love this guy. There's great potential for whatever it evolves into too.

Drampa

• Type: Normal / Dragon
• Ability: Berserk or Sap Sipper

Then there's this guy. Not exactly Game Freak's best work.

Bruxish

• Type: Water / Psychic
• Ability: Dazzling or Strong Jaw

Not a design that's everyone's cup of tea, but certainly a distinctive look. The only other water/psychic types currently on the Pokémon roster are Slowpoke, its two evolutions and Starmie, so Bruxish is the first in quite a long time.

Bewear

• Type: Normal / Fighting
• Ability: Fluffy or Klutz

Haven't really got anything to say about this one. Looks like a bear doll got into a vat of Neapolitan ice cream.

Crabrawler

• Type: Fighting
• Ability: Hyper Cutter or Iron Fist

This crab has a cool quiff.

Sandygast

• Type: Ghost / Ground
• Ability: Water Compaction

Welcome to the party, Regular-Addition-To-Lists-Of-Lazy-Pokémon-Designs. Evolves into Palossand.

Palossand

• Type: Ghost / Ground
• Ability: Water Compaction

These two are part ghost-types, so presumably they're ghosts inhabiting sandcastles. Are they the ghosts of people? Other Pokémon? Either way they seem horrified by their current predicament.

Stufful

• Type: Normal / Fighting
• Ability: Fluffy / Klutz

Pretty much the earlier form of Bewear you were expecting.

Morelull

• Type: Grass / Fairy
• Ability: Illuminate or Effect Spore

One for the Egon's out there.

Turtonator

• Type: Fire/Dragon
• Ability: Shell Armour

This design exists on the fine line between "fire type that's cool mostly because it's a fire type" and "over-designed dragon type".

Pyukumuku

• Type: Water
• Ability: Innards Out

It's a sea cucumber and it's ability is called Innards Out. I hope no other Pokémon has this ability.

Wishiwashi

• Type: Water
• Ability: Schooling

Wishiwashi (terrible name) has an unassuming solo form and a much more fearsome school form. That's not two Pokémon up there, it's just the one. Maybe it evolves into something even bigger.

Passimian (Pokémon Sun exclusive)

• Type: Fighting
• Ability: Receiver

The first of two monkey Pokémon that are exclusive to particular versions of the game. It's not clear whether they both evolve from the same Pokémon - like the two versions of Lycanroc evolve from Rockruff - or indeed if they evolve from anything at all.

Oranguru (Pokémon Moon exclusive)

• Type: Normal / Psychic
• Ability: Inner Focus / Telepahty

A psychic orangutan? Sign me up!

Lycanroc (Midnight form - Pokémon Moon exclusive)

• Type: Rock
• Ability: Keen Eye / Vital Spirit

Evolves from Rockruff in Pokémon Moon. Looks like a mean dude.

Lycanroc (Midday form - Pokémon Sun exclusive)

• Type: Rock
• Ability: Keen Eye / Sand Rush

Evolves from Rockruff in Pokémon Sun. Looks like a good dog, but is probably also a mean dude.

Jangomo-o

• Type: Dragon
• Ability: TBC

"This Pokémon uses the scales on its head as a weapon both offensively and defensively. It lives in harsh locales, like canyons, where it can train."

Type: Null

• Type: Normal
• Ability: TBC

"Null is a Synthetic Pokémon which was constructed to synthesize the strengths of various Pokémon, making it adaptable enough to complete a mission that requires a Pokémon as strong as the Pokémon of mythology."

Cosmog

• Type: Psychic
• Ability: Unaware

"Cosmog is very curious, and its gaseous body is so lightweight that it's sent flying when the wind blows. When light falls on the Pokémon, Cosmog can absorb it and grow bigger."

Tapu Lele

• Type: Psychic / Fairy
• Ability: Psychic Surge

The first of a quartet of new Pokémon known as the "Guardians of Alolan". Each is Guardian of its own island. Tapu Lele is the guardian deity of Akala island.

Tapu Koko

• Type: Electric / Fairy
• Ability: Electric Surge

Tapu Koko is the guardian deity of Melemele Island.

Tapu Fini

• Type: Water / Fairy
• Ability: Misty Surge

Tapu Fini is the guardian deity of Poni Island.

Tapu Bulu

• Type: Grass / Fairy
• Ability: Grassy Surge

Tapu Bulu is the guardian deity of Ula'ula Island.

Alolan Forms

Alolan Vulpix

• Type: Ice
• Ability: Snow Cloak

The adorable fire fox from 'Gen 1' is somehow more unbearably cute in its icy Alolan form.

Alolan Ninetales

• Type: Ice / Fairy
• Ability: Snow Cloak

Words fail me. I never knew I wanted this so much.

Alolan Exeggutor

• Type: Grass / Dragon
• Ability: Frisk

Words definitely don't fail me with this giraffe-like Pocket Monstrosity. After more than quadroupling its neck-size, Alolan Exeggutor somehow gains the Dragon-type too. This would be the Alolan form idea's jump-the-Sharpedo moment if Alolan Ninetales wasn't quite so mind-bendingly awesome. Are torture racks common in the Alola region or something?

Alolan Sandshrew

• Type: Ice / Steel
• Ability: Snow Cloak

Surely the Sand-part needs altering now? Frostshrew?

Alolan Sandslash

• Type: Ice / Steel
• Ability: Snow Cloak

Those icicles. Don't mess with Frostslash.

Alolan Mewoth

• Type: Dark
• Ability: Pickup or Technician

Offered to Alolan royalty and later living in the wild. Alolan Meowth hates getting dirt on its coins.

Alolan Marowak

• Type: Fire / Ghost
• Ability: Cursed Body or Lightning Rod

We're big fans of the Alolan Marowak's design, and its status as a Fire/Ghost type hybrid. It being a Ghost type is a nice nod to the Pokémon's origins in Red and Blue.

Alolan Raichu

• Type: Electric / Psychic
• Ability: Surge Surfer

As someone who thought it was sacrilege to evolve a Pikachu into a Raichu, I'm not fussed by the design here. However, this Raichu can surf on its tail, which is a major plus point.

Alolan Persian

• Type: Dark
• Ability: Fur Coat / Technician

"Alolan Persian is highly intelligent and doesn't like to grow attached to its Trainer, making it something of a difficult Pokémon to have as a battle partner. The round face of Alolan Persian is a symbol of the rich Alola region, and it is held to be a Pokémon of great beauty. "

Alolan Rattata

• Type: Dark / Normal
• Ability: TBC

Rattata's in the Alolan region had to adapt to urban areas and became nocturnal due to their usual habitat being dominated by Yungoos (the Donald Trump-looking creature) who would hunt them down. This is why they look different. Also marketing.

Alolan Raticate

• Type: Dark / Normal
• Ability: TBC

Alolan Rattata's evolved form and also my spirit animal.

Alolan Diglet

Type: Ground/Steel
Ability: TBC

Aww look at that, it has a little tuft of hair.

Alolan Dugtrio

Type: Ground/Steel
Ability: TBC

Oh... oh my... *swoons*

Ultra Beasts

UB-01

• Type: ???
• Ability: ???

We know very little about Ultra Beasts at this stage. Whatever they are, they're known to be powerful and potentially dangerous to humans. Their coded names suggest they're either human creations or test subjects, so expect them to be crucial to the game's plot.

UB-02 Absorption (Pokémon Sun exclusive)

• Type: ???
• Ability: ???

We call this one Bug Lesnar.

UB-02 Beauty (Pokémon Moon exclusive)

• Type: ???
• Ability: ???

Oddly human-looking for a Pokémon, yet still otherwordly.

UB-03 Lighting

• Type: ???
• Ability: ???

What even are these Ultra Beasts? They're a very strange addition to the canon.

???? ??????

• Type: ???
• Ability: ???

This one doesn't even have a name yet. Clearly this will be one of the main mysteries behind Sun and Moon's story.

UB05 Gluttony

• Type: ???
• Ability: ???

It's called Gluttony, so it has bunch of mouths. At least this one has some logic to it.

Legendary / Mythical Pokémon

Solgaleo

• Type: Psychic / Steel
• Ability: Full Metal Body

Pokémon Sun's cover star is a mighty beast "honoured as an emissary of the sun" by Alola's many inhabitants. It has a new ability that ensures its stats are unaffected by the moves or abilities of other Pokémon.

Lunala

• Type: Psychic / Ghost
• Ability: Shadow Shield

Pokémon Moon's cover star is a huge winged creature known as the "beast that calls the moon". It constantly absorbs light to turn into energy and has a unique new ability that means it will take less damage when it's attacked at full HP.

Magearna

• Type: Steel / Fairy
• Ability: Soul Heart

Magearna is a mythical Pokémon that was created by humans 500 years prior to Sun and Moon. It has a new ability that raises its special attack stat by one whenever a Pokémon faints in battle.