Pokémon Sun & Moon Version Exclusives
Sun and Moon each lock 15 Pokémon to one version, and 13 of them on each side can be yours before the League. Only the Ultra Beasts wait for the post-game. The split starts at the very first trial, where Sun sends a Totem Gumshoos and Moon a Totem Alolan Raticate, and Moon’s clock runs 12 hours ahead of your 3DS.
Every exclusive and where to catch it
Each row sets a Sun exclusive beside its usual Moon counterpart. Every stage lists where you get it and the first trial the island challenge needs before you can.
Sun15 PokémonYour version
Moon15 PokémonYour version
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TradeWhen each version’s exclusives show up
The first trial each Pokémon needs: the one that clears a captain’s barricade, gets Olivia to wave you through Diglett’s Tunnel, or opens the place that holds its evolution stone. Exclusive lines before the League: Sun: 8, Moon: 8.
Exclusives against every boss
For each battle, these are the exclusives you can have by then that hit at least half the boss’s team super effectively with one of their own types. Level and stone evolutions count up to the boss’s highest level, and Levitate is factored in.
The trials and grand trials follow the story order. The Elite Four can be taken in any order.
Sun exclusives that helpMoon exclusives that help
Kukui’s last Pokémon is the starter that beats yours. Shown: the team you face if you picked Rowlet. Kukui’s last Pokémon is the starter that beats yours. Shown: the team you face if you picked Litten. Kukui’s last Pokémon is the starter that beats yours. Shown: the team you face if you picked Popplio. Counts use each exclusive’s own types, not its full moveset. The battle pages have the movesets.
How to Trade Between Sun and Moon
Pick your version to see only the Pokémon you need to trade for. Until then, both lists show.
How to get Moon exclusives in Sun
How to get Sun exclusives in Moon
- Both players need: a Sun or a Moon cartridge each and a Nintendo 3DS family system with wireless switched on
- Where: Link Trade in Festival Plaza, or Quick Link from the X menu
- Connect with: local wireless, with both systems close together; the GTS, Wonder Trade and online Festival Plaza trades ended on April 8, 2024
No one nearby to trade with? With online trading gone, the other version’s exclusives need a local trade. Pokémon Bank stays open until February 25, 2027, so move anything you want to keep into Pokémon HOME before then.
Sun exclusives to trade into Moon
Done: you have every Sun exclusive.
Grouped by the point in a Sun run where your friend can first get each one. Ticks are saved on this device.
Available on Melemele Island
Trade for one Cottonee and evolve the rest yourself.
Available on Akala Island
Trade for one Cranidos and evolve the rest yourself.
Trade for one Tirtouga and evolve the rest yourself.
Available on Ula’ula Island
Trade for one Alolan Vulpix and evolve the rest yourself.
Available on Poni Island and Mount Lanakila
Moon exclusives to trade into Sun
Done: you have every Moon exclusive.
Grouped by the point in a Moon run where your friend can first get each one. Ticks are saved on this device.
Available on Melemele Island
Available on Akala Island
Trade for one Shieldon and evolve the rest yourself.
Trade for one Archen and evolve the rest yourself.
Available on Ula’ula Island
Trade for one Alolan Sandshrew and evolve the rest yourself.
Available after you beat Kukui
Every Difference Between Sun and Moon
Other ways the two versions differ, outside the wild encounters.
What changes in other gamesStory legendary
SunYour version
SolgaleoAltar of the Sunne, Lv 55
MoonYour version
LunalaAltar of the Moone, Lv 55
What Cosmoem evolves into
Cosmog and Cosmoem are the same in both versions: only the evolution at Lv 53 follows the cartridge. A second Cosmog turns up after the Elite Four.
Totem Pokémon in Ilima’s trial at Verdant Cavern
SunYour version
GumshoosTotem
MoonYour version
Alolan RaticateTotem
What Rockruff evolves into
SunYour version
Lycanroc (Midday)Rockruff Lv 25, by day
MoonYour version
Lycanroc (Midnight)Rockruff Lv 25, at night
Lycanroc itself is wild at Vast Poni Canyon in both versions, so neither form counts as an exclusive.
Optional battle with a trial captain, after their trial
SunYour version- KiaweTrial 3, Paniola Town at night, then the Thrifty Megamart on Royal Avenue
MoonYour version- MallowTrial 4, Konikoni City, then Lush Jungle
Ultra Beasts after you become Champion
SunYour version
BuzzwoleTwo, Melemele Meadow, Lv 65
KartanaFour, Route 17 and Malie Garden, Lv 60
MoonYour version
PheromosaFour, Verdant Cavern, Lv 60
CelesteelaTwo, Haina Desert and Malie Garden, Lv 65
Fossils sold in Konikoni City (7,000 each)
SunYour version- Skull FossilRevives into Cranidos
- Cover FossilRevives into Tirtouga
MoonYour version- Armor FossilRevives into Shieldon
- Plume FossilRevives into Archen
You can buy one of each of your version’s two fossils, and both revive at the Fossil Restoration Center on Route 8. The other version’s two only come by trade.
Quick differences
SunFollows the 3DS clockMoonRuns 12 hours ahead of the 3DS clock, so daytime play is nightSunWarmer colours: red, yellow, orange, pink, beigeMoonCooler colours: green, blue, navy, purple, greySunClink-Clunk Land, Friendship ParlorMoonThump-Bump Park, Friendship CaféSame in both
- The trial captains, the kahunas and every trial except the first Totem
- The Elite Four (Hala, Olivia, Acerola and Kahili, in any order) and Champion Kukui
- Hau and Gladion
- The starters Rowlet, Litten and Popplio
- All seven in-game trades
- The Tapus, Necrozma, Type: Null, Zygarde and Cosmog
- Nihilego, Xurkitree and Guzzlord
- Fossil revival on Route 8 and the Aerodactyl gift in Seafolk Village