No single Pokémon is the best in Pokémon Sun, but one team works very well for the story. Pick Popplio, because Primarina has a super-effective move against all four kahunas and hits Totem Kommo-o for four times damage. On Melemele, catch Magnemite in the Trainers’ School grass (50%) and trade a Spearow for the Machop at the Route 2 Pokémon Center. On Akala, add Mudbray, a Gyarados from the Fishing Rod, and a female Salandit. The best Sun-only pick is Alolan Vulpix from Tapu Village, evolved with the Ice Stone in Po Town. Solgaleo arrives too late in the story to carry you. Tapu Koko and Kartana only join after the League.
This page is for the original Pokémon Sun on Nintendo 3DS and 2DS, updated to version 1.2. Moon differences are noted where they matter. Ultra Sun is a different game, with its own trades, Totems and encounter tables, so its teams don’t match this cartridge.
The best Pokémon in Sun, by job
For the story, “best” doesn’t mean the highest base stats. It means a Pokémon you can catch early, that beats the next trial, and that evolves without a trade. These are the picks that do each job best:
| Job | Pick | Where and when | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starter | Popplio → Primarina (Water/Fairy) | Iki Town, from Hala | Super-effective against all four kahunas |
| First catch | Magnemite → Magnezone (Electric/Steel) | Trainers’ School grass, 50%, Lv. 6–8 | Eleven resistances; strong to the end |
| First trial | Machop (Fighting) | Trade a Spearow at the Route 2 Pokémon Center | Totem Gumshoos is weak to Fighting |
| Akala | Mudbray → Mudsdale (Ground) | Route 4 (20%), Paniola Ranch (50%) | Ground moves for Totem Salazzle and Olivia |
| Fishing | Magikarp → Gyarados (Water/Flying) | Fishing, after Lana’s trial | Evolves at Lv. 20; Intimidate; teach TM55 Scald |
| Sun exclusive | Alolan Vulpix → Alolan Ninetales (Ice/Fairy) | Tapu Village grass, 10%, Lv. 28–31 | Ice and Fairy for Hapu and Kommo-o |
| Special attacker | Female Salandit → Salazzle (Poison/Fire) | Wela Volcano Park, 30% | Fast, and fills the Fire slot for Popplio and Rowlet |
Exp. Share from the Trainers’ School gives experience to the whole party, so a six-Pokémon team stays at the right level without grinding. Pokémon you catch early simply have more time to help.
Team for each starter, island by island
Find your starter below. Each row is one team member, and the island columns show what it should be by the time you reach that island. A dash means it isn't available yet.
Popplio team
| Member | Melemele | Akala | Ula'ula | Poni | How to get it |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Primarina | Popplio | Brionne | Primarina | Primarina | Your starter from Hala in Iki Town; evolves at Lv. 17; evolves at Lv. 34; Primarium Z after Malie Garden |
| Magnezone | Magnemite | Magnemite | Magneton | Magnezone | Trainers' School grass, 50%, Lv. 6–8; evolves at Lv. 30; level up once in Vast Poni Canyon |
| Gyarados | — | Gyarados | Gyarados | Gyarados | Fish a Magikarp after Lana's trial; evolves at Lv. 20 |
| Salazzle | — | Salandit | Salazzle | Salazzle | Wela Volcano Park 30%; keep a female (1 in 8); female Salandit evolves at Lv. 33 |
| Mudsdale | — | Mudbray | Mudsdale | Mudsdale | Route 4 20%, Paniola Ranch 50%; evolves at Lv. 30 |
| Machoke | Machop | Machop | Machoke | Machoke | Trade a Spearow at the Route 2 Pokémon Center; evolves at Lv. 28; Machamp needs a real trade |
Litten team
| Member | Melemele | Akala | Ula'ula | Poni | How to get it |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Incineroar | Litten | Torracat | Incineroar | Incineroar | Your starter from Hala in Iki Town; evolves at Lv. 17; evolves at Lv. 34; Incinium Z after Malie Garden |
| Gyarados | — | Gyarados | Gyarados | Gyarados | Fish a Magikarp after Lana's trial; evolves at Lv. 20 |
| Magnezone | Magnemite | Magnemite | Magneton | Magnezone | Trainers' School grass, 50%, Lv. 6–8; evolves at Lv. 30; level up once in Vast Poni Canyon |
| Mudsdale | — | Mudbray | Mudsdale | Mudsdale | Route 4 20%, Paniola Ranch 50%; evolves at Lv. 30 |
| Alolan Ninetales | — | — | Alolan Ninetales | Alolan Ninetales | Tapu Village grass 10% (Sun only) + Ice Stone from Po Town |
| Toucannon | Pikipek | Trumbeak | Toucannon | Toucannon | Route 1 grass; evolves at Lv. 14; evolves at Lv. 28 |
Rowlet team
| Member | Melemele | Akala | Ula'ula | Poni | How to get it |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Decidueye | Rowlet | Dartrix | Decidueye | Decidueye | Your starter from Hala in Iki Town; evolves at Lv. 17; evolves at Lv. 34; Decidium Z after Malie Garden |
| Salazzle | — | Salandit | Salazzle | Salazzle | Wela Volcano Park 30%; keep a female (1 in 8); female Salandit evolves at Lv. 33 |
| Gyarados | — | Gyarados | Gyarados | Gyarados | Fish a Magikarp after Lana's trial; evolves at Lv. 20 |
| Magnezone | Magnemite | Magnemite | Magneton | Magnezone | Trainers' School grass, 50%, Lv. 6–8; evolves at Lv. 30; level up once in Vast Poni Canyon |
| Mudsdale | — | Mudbray | Mudsdale | Mudsdale | Route 4 20%, Paniola Ranch 50%; evolves at Lv. 30 |
| Lycanroc | Rockruff | Lycanroc | Lycanroc | Lycanroc | Ten Carat Hill, Farthest Hollow, 20%; Lv. 25 during the day: Midday Form |
Best starter for Sun: Popplio
All three starters evolve at Lv. 17 and Lv. 34 and have the same base stat total, so the difference is type matchups. Popplio’s final form, Primarina, is Water/Fairy. That gives it a super-effective move against every kahuna and against the strongest Totem in the game:
| Battle | Ace | Primarina’s answer |
|---|---|---|
| Hala (Melemele) | Crabrawler Lv. 15, Fighting | Fairy (Disarming Voice at Lv. 8) |
| Olivia (Akala) | Midnight Lycanroc Lv. 27, Rock | Water |
| Nanu (Ula’ula) | Alolan Persian Lv. 39, Dark | Fairy |
| Hapu (Poni) | Mudsdale Lv. 48, Ground | Water |
| Totem Kommo-o | Lv. 45, Dragon/Fighting | Fairy, four times damage |
Primarina also gets its own Z-Crystal, the Primarium Z, after the Malie Garden battle. With Sparkling Aria it turns into Oceanic Operetta, a 195-power special Water move. TM55 Scald is an item ball on Brooklet Hill, where Lana’s trial takes place.
Rowlet and Litten are still fine choices. Rowlet makes Melemele easy, because Hala’s team is weak to its Flying moves. Litten has a hard time against Lana, Olivia and Hapu, so give it Gyarados and Mudsdale early. The full matchup chart is in which Alola starter to pick.
Melemele: catch these before you sail
The first island has two picks you should get for sure: Magnemite and the traded Machop. The others are good extras if a slot is still empty.
| Pokémon | Where | Rate | Levels | Becomes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Magnemite | Trainers’ School grass | 50% | 6–8 | Magneton Lv. 30, Magnezone in Vast Poni Canyon |
| Machop | Trade a Spearow, Route 2 Pokémon Center | Trade | 9 | Machoke Lv. 28 (Machamp needs a trade) |
| Grubbin | Route 1 grass | 10% | 3–5 | Charjabug Lv. 20, Vikavolt in Vast Poni Canyon |
| Growlithe | Route 2 grass | 20% | 7–10 | Arcanine with a Fire Stone |
| Pikipek | Route 1 grass | 20–30% | 2–5 | Trumbeak Lv. 14, Toucannon Lv. 28 |
| Rockruff | Ten Carat Hill, Farthest Hollow | 20% | 10–13 | Midday Lycanroc Lv. 25, during the day |
The Spearow trade gives you Machop, not Hawlucha
Spearow is common on Route 2 (40%). Bring one to the Lass in the Route 2 Pokémon Center and she trades you a Lv. 9 Machop holding an X Attack. Ilima’s Totem Gumshoos in Sun is a Normal type, so Machop’s Fighting moves hit it for double damage. In Moon the Totem is Alolan Raticate (Dark/Normal), which is also weak to Fighting.
There is no Spearow-for-Hawlucha trade in Sun. That NPC trade only exists in Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, and Sun has no wild Hawlucha. In Sun, the trade gives you Machop.
Why Magnemite is the best early catch
Electric/Steel resists eleven attack types and is immune to Poison moves. Its Steel moves are super effective against Totem Mimikyu, though Mimikyu’s Shadow Claw still hits it for normal damage. It’s easy to find too: half of the Trainers’ School grass encounters are Magnemite. It stays a Magneton through most of the story, which is fine. The last evolution happens in Vast Poni Canyon on Poni Island, before the League.
Akala: lock in the core
By the end of Akala your team should have its shape. Mudbray and Salandit help with Totem Salazzle, Totem Lurantis and Olivia, and Gyarados joins once Lana’s trial is done.
| Pokémon | Where | Rate | Levels | Evolves |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mudbray | Route 4 / Paniola Ranch / Route 6 | 20% / 50% / 20% | 11–17 | Mudsdale Lv. 30 |
| Magikarp | Fishing, after Lana gives you the Fishing Rod | Paniola Town 99%; Routes 7 and 8 79%; Brooklet Hill 70% (bubbling spots 50–60%) | 10+ | Gyarados Lv. 20 |
| Salandit | Wela Volcano Park / Route 8 | 30% / 20% | 16–20 | Salazzle Lv. 33, female only |
| Stufful | Route 8 / Akala Outskirts | 5% | 17–23 | Bewear Lv. 27 |
| Passimian (Sun only) | Lush Jungle | 5% | 18–21 | Doesn’t evolve |
Mudbray is the Ground type for this island; it becomes Mudsdale at Lv. 30, which is usually after Akala. Totem Salazzle (Lv. 22) is Poison/Fire, so it takes four times damage from Bulldoze, which Mudbray learns at Lv. 10. Olivia’s team is Rock, which is weak to Ground and Water. Magikarp only needs Lv. 20 to become Gyarados, but Gyarados doesn’t learn a Water move by level until Aqua Tail at Lv. 30, so teach it TM55 Scald from Brooklet Hill.
Getting a female Salandit
Salandit is male about 7 times in 8. A male never evolves, at any level. To find a female faster, put a male Pokémon with the Cute Charm Ability first in your party. In Sun, a Cute Charm lead makes wild Pokémon the opposite gender about 2 times in 3. Clefairy and Sylveon can have Cute Charm; see how to get Sylveon in Sun. Check the gender symbol on the catch screen before you throw a ball.
A six-slot Sun team for each starter
These teams only use Pokémon you can get and evolve before the League, without trading with another player.
| Starter | Team | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Popplio | Primarina, Magnezone, Gyarados, Salazzle, Mudsdale, Machoke | Machop for Ilima, Salazzle (still Salandit) for Totem Lurantis, Mudbray for Totem Salazzle and Olivia, Magneton for Totem Mimikyu |
| Litten | Incineroar, Gyarados, Magnezone, Mudsdale, Alolan Ninetales, Toucannon | Gyarados and Mudsdale fill the Water and Ground gaps; Ninetales brings Ice for Hapu’s Flygon and Fairy for Kommo-o |
| Rowlet | Decidueye, Salazzle, Gyarados, Magnezone, Mudsdale, Midday Lycanroc | Salazzle adds Fire; Lycanroc’s Rock moves handle Flying and Bug types and Totem Vikavolt |
Totem Vikavolt has Levitate, so Ground moves miss it. Use Fire or Rock moves there instead. Mudbray is still worth its slot for Totem Salazzle and Olivia, before it evolves.
Swaps that also work well: Arcanine for Salazzle, Bewear for Machoke, and Vikavolt for Magnezone. Wishiwashi is strong at Lv. 20 and up, but only while its HP is over a quarter.
Sun-only Pokémon worth a slot
A few of the best picks can’t be caught in Moon. All of these are available during the story except Kartana and Buzzwole.
| Pokémon | Where in Sun | Is it worth a slot? |
|---|---|---|
| Alolan Vulpix → Alolan Ninetales | Tapu Village grass, 10%, Lv. 28–31; Ice Stone in Po Town | Yes. Ice/Fairy is great for the end of the game |
| Passimian | Lush Jungle, 5%, Lv. 18–21 | Yes, if you have no Fighting type |
| Turtonator | Blush Mountain, 10%, Lv. 27–30 | A good Fire pick for Rowlet or Popplio |
| Solgaleo | Altar of the Sunne, Lv. 55, required catch | Strong, but it only arrives near the end of the story |
Alolan Vulpix doesn’t evolve by level. Use an Ice Stone from the Bag; the only one on the ground is in Po Town. Details are in how to evolve Alolan Vulpix. In Moon, Alolan Sandshrew replaces Alolan Vulpix.
Why your pick isn’t evolving
Most “best team” picks in Sun have an evolution condition that isn’t just a level. Check these first:
- Salandit: only females evolve, at Lv. 33. A male stays a Salandit forever.
- Charjabug and Magneton: they need a level-up inside Vast Poni Canyon on Poni Island. In Sun that’s the only magnetic field. Blush Mountain only works in Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon.
- Rockruff: in Sun it evolves at Lv. 25 or higher, but only when it levels up during the day. If it leveled up at night, it didn’t evolve. Level it again in the daytime.
- Wishiwashi: it changes to School Form only at Lv. 20 or higher, and only while its HP is over a quarter. Below that, it fights in its tiny Solo Form.
- Alolan Vulpix: it never evolves by level. It needs an Ice Stone used from the Bag.
Advice that isn’t for Pokémon Sun
Some common team advice is for Ultra Sun, or for online battles. These don’t apply to the original Sun:
| Advice | In Pokémon Sun |
|---|---|
| Trade Spearow for Hawlucha | The Route 2 trade gives you Machop; Sun has no wild Hawlucha |
| Evolve Dusk Lycanroc | Dusk Form isn’t in Sun; Rockruff becomes Midday Lycanroc |
| Evolve Charjabug on Blush Mountain | Only Vast Poni Canyon works |
| Mega Evolve Garchomp, Lucario or Metagross | Mega Evolution only unlocks after the League, when Dexio gives you a Key Stone |
| Mina’s trial, Molayne in the Elite Four | Ultra Sun only; in Sun, Hala is in the Elite Four |
| Landorus, Magearna or Greninja from competitive lists | Not in the wild in Sun; don’t plan a story team around them |
The full list of changes is in Pokémon Sun vs Ultra Sun.
After the League
Once you’re Champion, Tapu Koko waits at the Ruins of Conflict at Lv. 60. Looker’s missions lead to the Ultra Beasts, and Kartana and Buzzwole only appear in Sun. Gladion gives you Type: Null at Lv. 40. In 2017, Tapu Koko and Kartana were among the most used Pokémon in online VGC battles, but that was a different format from the island challenge.
Nintendo 3DS online play, including Battle Spot, ended on 8 April 2024. Local wireless trades and the Battle Tree still work. Pokémon Bank closes on 25 February 2027 (7 p.m. Pacific), and it can no longer be downloaded.
Where to check the details
- Starter evolutions: levels 17 and 34, signature moves and Z-Crystals.
- Alola Pokédex: every location, with Sun and Moon exclusives marked.
- Evolution stones: the Fire Stone for Arcanine and the Ice Stone for Ninetales.
- Bagon: a 1% catch on Route 3, if you want a pseudo-legendary.
- Pokédex guide: which evolutions need a trade.
FAQ
What is the best starter in Pokémon Sun?
Popplio. Primarina has a super-effective move against all four kahunas and Totem Kommo-o. Rowlet is the easiest on Melemele, and Litten works if you add a Water type early.
What is the best team for Pokémon Sun?
With Popplio: Primarina, Magnezone, Gyarados, Salazzle, Mudsdale and Machoke. All six are available before the League, and none needs a trade with another player.
Why won’t my Salandit evolve?
It’s male. Only female Salandit evolve, at Lv. 33. About 1 in 8 is female; a male Cute Charm lead makes them more common.
Why won’t Charjabug evolve in Sun?
It needs to level up in Vast Poni Canyon on Poni Island. In Sun, there is no other magnetic field.
Which Pokémon are exclusive to Pokémon Sun?
Alolan Vulpix, Passimian, Turtonator, Cottonee, Rufflet, Cranidos, Tirtouga, Solgaleo, Buzzwole and Kartana, plus their evolutions.
Can I get Hawlucha or Dusk Lycanroc in Pokémon Sun?
Not during the story. Sun has no wild Hawlucha and no Hawlucha trade, so you need one traded from another player or moved in from an older game. Dusk Lycanroc isn’t supported in Sun at all.
Is Solgaleo good for the story?
It’s strong, but you catch it at Lv. 55 near the end of the story, so it doesn’t help with most of the trials.
Can I use Mega Evolution in Pokémon Sun?
Not during the story. The island challenge uses Z-Moves. After you become Champion, Dexio gives you a Key Stone and Mega Evolution unlocks, so story team guides built on Mega Stones don’t fit.