Welcome to Generation Preparation, Trainers! We are taking a break from analyzing the Pokémon of the Sinnoh Region to look at the regional variants of Generation 7. If you missed yesterday's huge announcement regarding the Alolan forms, make sure to check out this article.
VULPIX
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attack: 96 |
defense: 122 |
stamina: 76 |
max cp: 774 |
This cute, little snowball is the Alolan form of the fiery Vulpix. We expect it to take 50 Candy to evolve it into an Alolan Ninetales. In the main-series games, it also requires an Ice Stone to evolve. Niantic may add this new Evolution Item for Alolan Vulpix.
NINETALES
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attack: 170 |
defense: 207 |
stamina: 146 |
max cp: 2184 |
PLACE IN THE META: Alolan Ninetales' place in the metagame is uncertain. It has a typing that puts it in a great position to be a viable Dragon-type counter. Unfortunately for Ninetales, it doesn't have the most phenomenal stats. As a Fairy-type attacker, it will likely be outshined by Gardevoir, and as an Ice-type attacker, it will likely be outshined by Articuno (not to mention other Pokémon from unreleased generations).
Alolan Ninetales has been a great addition to the main-series' competitive scene since its introduction in Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon with its Aurora Veil move. This is a special type of move that does no damage, and instead weakens the opponents' power significantly. The move can only be activated during Hail, which Alolan Ninetales can set up with its Snow Warning Ability. Obviously, we do not has a turn-based battle system, status moves, or Abilities in Pokémon GO yet, so this could reduce Alolan Ninetales' usefulness.
Alolan Ninetales is a Ice-type and a Fairy-type. This means that Alolan Ninetales will take super-effective damage from Fire-, Poison-, and Rock-type attacks. It is four-times weak to Steel-type attacks. It resists Dark-, Ice-, and Bug-type attacks, and is "immune" to Dragon-type attacks.
LIKELY MOVEPOOL: Out of the Fast Moves we currently have in Pokémon GO, the following are the ones that seem most likely to be given to Alolan Ninetales:
Out of the Charged Moves we currently have in Pokémon GO, the following are the ones that seem most likely to be given to Alolan Ninetales:
Should Niantic add any new moves, the following are good candidates for Alolan Ninetales' movepool:
Alolan Ninetales has been a great addition to the main-series' competitive scene since its introduction in Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon with its Aurora Veil move. This is a special type of move that does no damage, and instead weakens the opponents' power significantly. The move can only be activated during Hail, which Alolan Ninetales can set up with its Snow Warning Ability. Obviously, we do not has a turn-based battle system, status moves, or Abilities in Pokémon GO yet, so this could reduce Alolan Ninetales' usefulness.
Alolan Ninetales is a Ice-type and a Fairy-type. This means that Alolan Ninetales will take super-effective damage from Fire-, Poison-, and Rock-type attacks. It is four-times weak to Steel-type attacks. It resists Dark-, Ice-, and Bug-type attacks, and is "immune" to Dragon-type attacks.
LIKELY MOVEPOOL: Out of the Fast Moves we currently have in Pokémon GO, the following are the ones that seem most likely to be given to Alolan Ninetales:
- Extrasensory
- Frost Breath
- Ice Shard
Out of the Charged Moves we currently have in Pokémon GO, the following are the ones that seem most likely to be given to Alolan Ninetales:
- Blizzard
- Dark Pulse
- Dazzling Gleam
- Ice Beam
- Moonblast
Should Niantic add any new moves, the following are good candidates for Alolan Ninetales' movepool:
- Aurora Veil
Thanks for reading, Trainers! Make sure to stay tuned for more Generation 4 and Alolan Form Previews that are coming soon, and to follow us on Twitter to get alerts when new articles go live. Until next time!
SOURCE: Pokémon Deluxe Essential Handbook, The Official National Pokédex: Pokémon Ultra Sun & Pokémon Ultra Moon Edition, Serebii | IMAGE CREDIT: The Pokémon Company