Sun and Moon complete story walkthrough
Follow the original 2016 route from your first starter through seven trials, four kahunas, Aether Paradise and the first Alola League.
Original Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon for Nintendo 3DS (2016). Sun and Moon differences are labelled. Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon have a different story, expanded Pokédex and altered trials.
The original story route
This route follows the original Sun and Moon games. It includes major story spoilers. The four islands replace the usual eight-Gym journey, and story events sometimes determine access even when a Ride Pokémon is already available. Keep a balanced party and heal before starting a trial; during an active trial, its Pokémon cannot be caught.
Arrive on Melemele
Meet Kukui, visit Iki Town and help Lillie and Nebby on Mahalo Trail. Hala gives the choice of Rowlet, Litten or Popplio. Complete the opening Hau battles, the catching lesson and Trainers’ School before exploring Hau’oli City.
Finish Melemele’s challenge
Travel through Route 2 to Ilima’s Verdant Cavern trial. Its Totem is Gumshoos in Sun or Alolan Raticate in Moon. Follow the Route 3 and Melemele Meadow story, return to Iki Town and defeat Hala’s Fighting-type grand trial. Tauros Charge opens rock barriers and the journey continues to Akala.
Three Akala captain trials
Explore Heahea City and Paniola, then take Lana’s Brooklet Hill Water trial. Continue through Royal Avenue and Route 7 to Kiawe’s Wela Volcano Fire trial. Cross Route 8 to Mallow’s Lush Jungle Grass trial. These original Totems are Wishiwashi, Salazzle and Lurantis.
Olivia and the first Aether visit
Visit the Dimensional Research Lab, cross Diglett’s Tunnel and proceed through Konikoni City toward the Ruins of Life. Defeat Olivia’s Rock-type grand trial. Faba’s invitation at Hano Grand Resort leads to the first tour of Aether Paradise and an unexpected Ultra Beast encounter, then travel to Ula’ula.
Ula’ula’s two trials
Meet Kukui in Malie Garden, help Lillie at the library and take the bus from Route 10 to Mount Hokulani. Sophocles’s original Electric trial uses Totem Vikavolt. Continue the Malie Garden and Team Skull story, then cross Routes 11–13 to Tapu Village and Aether House. Acerola’s Ghost trial at the abandoned Thrifty Megamart ends with Totem Mimikyu.
Po Town and Nanu
Obtain Sharpedo Jet on Route 15, travel through Route 16 and Ula’ula Meadow to Route 17, then enter Team Skull’s Po Town base. Find the Shady House passwords and defeat Guzma to rescue the stolen Yungoos. Return to Aether House, learn what happened to Lillie and face Nanu’s Dark-type grand trial before sailing with Gladion and Hau.
The Aether Paradise rescue
Investigate the hidden laboratories, fight through the hostile Aether staff and meet your friends for the later battles. Defeat Faba, Guzma and Lusamine as the story reaches its central reveal. The Ultra Wormhole crisis leaves Nebby as Cosmoem and sends the next journey toward Poni Island.
Poni, the flutes and the final trial
Explore Seafolk Village and Ancient Poni Path. Witness Hapu’s recognition at the Ruins of Hope and obtain the second flute on Exeggutor Island. In the original games Hapu’s Ground grand trial is at Vast Poni Canyon. Continue through the canyon, meet Mina for Fairium Z and defeat the captainless Dragon trial’s Totem Kommo-o.
Resolve the original Ultra Space story
At the Altar of the Sunne in Sun or Altar of the Moone in Moon, the flutes awaken Nebby’s Solgaleo or Lunala evolution. Follow it into Ultra Space, face Lusamine’s final original-story battle and return. Catch the level 55 cover legendary at the altar when Lillie asks you to care for it.
Become Alola’s first Champion
Return to Ula’ula and climb Mount Lanakila. Prepare for the Hau battle and replenish at the Pokémon Center. The Elite Four are Hala, Olivia, Acerola and Kahili; choose their rooms in any order. Kukui is the final first-League opponent. After the victory celebration and Tapu Koko encounter, the International Police mission and further Poni exploration become available.
Prepare the next challenge
Use the trial and grand-trial teams before a Totem or kahuna. Use the Elite Four reference and Kukui teams before entering the consecutive League battles. A spare coverage move and healthy supporting Pokémon often solve a problem more reliably than training only the starter.
These guides cover original Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon (2016). Check the version and in-game time before planning an encounter.