Rumors/Leaks Discussion Thread

[Akashin]

I think I should point this out, but Pokémon Stars was never going to be the names of the game/s in the first place as it's been stated before that Pokémon Stars is a codename, basically like how Pokémon Rainbow was a codename for Pokémon Sun and Moon, so it's not much of a matter of them getting the name wrong it's more of a matter that they were just going by the codename of the games since they didn't know what it would actually be called. Basically codename does not equal actual name, so I don't know why people thought that the game/s were going to be called Pokémon Stars, that would basically like if back when we only had the codename for Pokémon Sun and Moon which is Rainbow if people had assumed that the game/s were going to be called Pokémon Rainbow.

Be that as it may, Stars was a codename for a Switch-bound third version of Sun and Moon, which we now know isn't the case (unless the earlier mixup of USUM being listed as coming to the Switch ends up not being an error as they've said it was, but I wouldn't hold my breath). It doesn't change the fact that USUM isn't what the Stars rumor was about, and as such it's probably not the smartest of ideas to take anything Eurogamer said as a sign of what we might be getting.

 

[ShadowForce720]

Be that as it may, Stars was a codename for a Switch-bound third version of Sun and Moon, which we now know isn't the case (unless the earlier mixup of USUM being listed as coming to the Switch ends up not being an error as they've said it was, but I wouldn't hold my breath). It doesn't change the fact that USUM isn't what the Stars rumor was about, and as such it's probably not the smartest of ideas to take anything Eurogamer said as a sign of what we might be getting.

Actually what's more likely the case is that Pokémon Stars was always the codename for Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, and that the person who leaked "Stars" either saw probably some testing for a pokemon game on the switch and just assumed that it was the same thing as Pokémon Stars or they just assumed that it was going to be for the Switch. So really Stars wasn't a codename for a Switch-bound third version of Sun and Moon it was a codename for the Nintendo 3D's games of Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon.

Plus when you get down to it, it wouldn't make sense for the first main series pokemon game on the Switch to be a 3rd version of Sun and Moon and to split the gen 7 main series games up like that, it makes more sense for the first main series pokemon games on the Switch to be the gen 8 games.

 

[Excitable Boy]

Regarding the Eurogamer rumor about Pokémon Stars (yes, we all know it was proved fake, BUT!) Yes, they did get the name and console wrong, but what if in USUM are indeed 20 completely new Pokémon? Of course they can still be Alolan forms or forms in general but it's possible. I mean, a lot of patterns are broken recently. Anything is possible.

imo, this just solidifies the info I have on Digimon being in this game

btw before she died suddenly, my source specified that the Digimon they're included are the ones that Pokemon made ripoffs of, as opposed to the ones that ripped off Pokemon

 

[Akashin]

Actually what's more likely the case is that Pokémon Stars was always the codename for Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, and that the person who leaked "Stars" either saw probably some testing for a pokemon game on the switch and just assumed that it was the same thing as Pokémon Stars or they just assumed that it was going to be for the Switch. So really Stars wasn't a codename for a Switch-bound third version of Sun and Moon it was a codename for the Nintendo 3D's games of Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon.

Plus when you get down to it, it wouldn't make sense for the first main series pokemon game on the Switch to be a 3rd version of Sun and Moon and to split the gen 7 main series games up like that, it makes more sense for the first main series pokemon games on the Switch to be the gen 8 games.

I'm... not sure what you're trying to get at. They said Stars would be an upscaled port of Sun and Moon on the Switch, and suggested that the Pikipek model from the reveal trailer was actually a model for the Switch version; there was no ambiguity or misunderstanding here. 'Stars' was a codename for a very specific--and fake, or at least heavily mistaken--rumor, and by Eurogamer's own description of what Stars was to be, USUM isn't it. We could play a game of what if all we like, but at the end of the day, there's zero reason to believe that Eurogamer had anything of significance correct.

 

[ShadowForce720]

I'm... not sure what you're trying to get at. They said Stars would be an upscaled port of Sun and Moon on the Switch, and suggested that the Pikipek model from the reveal trailer was actually a model for the Switch version; there was no ambiguity or misunderstanding here. 'Stars' was a codename for a very specific--and fake, or at least heavily mistaken--rumor, and by Eurogamer's own description of what Stars was to be, USUM isn't it. We could play a game of what if all we like, but at the end of the day, there's zero reason to believe that Eurogamer had anything of significance correct.

What I'm saying is that Pokémon Stars was not a codename for a upscaled port of Sun and Moon on the Switch ,Pokémon Stars is most likely the codename for Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon. Basically Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon are Pokémon Stars. Just because they aren't for the Switch does not mean that Pokémon Stars isn't there code name. Also what I'm saying is that the person who leaked it themselves and said Pokémon Stars was for the Switch most likely either saw a pokemon on the Switch being tested and assumed that it was Pokémon Stars or they just assumed they just made the assumption themselves that Pokémon Stars would be on the Switch.

Basically pokemon Stars and Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon are the same thing, it's just that they wound up being for the Nintendo 3D's instead of the Switch. Also no just because it's not for the Switch doesn't mean that Pokémon Stars isn't the codename of Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon. the reason why Pokémon games have codenames is so that if the names get leaked out early that people won't be able to tell what the games are by their name, for instance Pokémon Rainbow which turned out to be Pokémon Sun and Moon, or Pokémon Stars which is most likely the codename for Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, and just because there is a rumor that for instance Pokémon Stars was going to come out on the Switch doesn't suddenly mean that because Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon are coming out on the 3d's instead of the Switch that doesn't mean that Stars wasn't their codename.

Plus if you look at it Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon pretty much fits the description of Pokémon Star easily the only thing that is different is that Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon aren't for the Switch.

Basically Pokémon Stars is the codename for Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon and the rumors that it was going to be for the Switch was either caused by them just seeing a footage of Pokémon being tested on the Switch and assumed that it was Stars or they just assumed that Stars was going to come out for the Switch even though it wasn't.

 

[Nerdy McNerdface]

Ok so I didn't reply to the first one since nothing really piqued my interest, but these "leaks" are something I need to talk about. I'll put it all in a spoiler tag for you wonderful people who don't want to see.

Spoiler: stuff

Ultra Evolutions: are pretty similar to Mega Evolution, but they activate by “parental bond”. Some Pokémon getting this are A-Ninetales (Lillie form), Incineroar, Primarina, Decidueye, and Arcanine.

I could say the first four are passable (except Parental Bond is already a thing with Kangaskhan so I'm very sceptical of it), but Arcanine of all Pokemon? It's way too random.

After Ultra Evolving, Primarina will be much faster, Incineroar bulkier, and Decidueye faster and with better attack.

If that happens then I'm never using Ultra Evolution on my Incineroar.

The story revolves around two new Ultra Beasts that appear from a steel/metallic dimension to destroy all natural environments. They want to end organic life to only let inorganic steel species from their ‘dimension’ live there. The environment is destroyed, burnt, or poisoned depending on the place.

I don't see them introducing yet another parallel dimension at this point. It would just be kinda stupid, what with Ultra Space essentially being the non-Pokemon world dimension with the most focus last game.

The player characters get more outfits.

Well, duh, that's already been proven.

Delphox and Chesnaught get a Mega Evolution. Greninja has an Ultra Evolution. Mega Delphox is quadruped and has blue fire in each one of its two tails. Mega Chesaught gets two gloves of quills.

Now, you see, this directly contradicts an above statement. Further up, Greninja was not one of the Pokemon mentioned to have one of these "Ultra Evolutions". Even if they're simply just referring to Ash-Greninja, they'd still probably mention it further up. Also, I'm not expecting new Mega at all, not while we're going all twisty-Z-ring up in here.

New Alola forms:
Alolan Johto Starters:
- Alolan Chikorita line: Grass/Fairy. Chikorita has a little horn that resembles the necklace of its original version. It has flowers as a necklace now and gets a kind of unicorn horn as it evolves. Meganium has wings and a flower necklace.
- Alolan Totodile line: Water/Dark. Totodile turns black, yellow and blue. It poses like holding his hands all the time. Feraligatr has teeth like a sabre-toothed tiger.
- Alolan Cyndaquil line: Fire/Ground. Typhlosion has a volcano on its back.
Other Johto mons are also getting Alola forms.
Alolan Legendary Beasts:
- Suicune (Ice) has the Ability Cold Aura (50% less damage from Fire- and Poison-type moves, extra damage from Steel-type moves. Stats: +atk, +def, -speed, -sp.atk.
- Entei (Dark) has the Ability Night Aura (50% less damage from Fairy- and Electric-type moves, extra damage from Ghost-type moves). Stats: +speed, +sp.atk, +sp.df, -atk.
- Raikou (Steel) has the Ability Luminic Aura (50%less damage from Steel- and Dark-type moves, extra damage from Electric-type moves). Stats: +def, +sp.def, +atk, -sp.atk, -speed.

I don't see starters and legendaries getting Alola forms. If they did, I'd fully expect the original starters and the legendary birds to get them.

Alolan Teddiursa (Dark) has the Ability Intimidate and has bulkier stats distribution. Alolan Ursaring also has the Ability Intimidate.
Alolan Sentret (Normal/Fairy) has the Ability Sweet Veil, while Alolan Furret has Prankster. Sentret has a flower necklace, Furret has pink fur in its tail and it’s hugging it all the time. It’s a bit faster and has higher sp.def and speed, but poor offensive stats. It learns Sweet Scent that heals half hp and raises sp.def.
Alolan Shuckle is Poison/Ground type.
Alolan Hoothoot is Flying/Psychic type.
Alolan Ponyta (Fairy) is a blue/pink Pegasus, with Gale Wings as its Ability. Its Alolan forms was discovered while helping the Pokémon to survive from contamination/fire.

Any of these seem possible that this point, but Alola forms weren't the hugest, most important thing of all time to me when I played SM so I din really care tbh.

Alolan Chikorita and Sentret appear on the same route, which is a magic flower field. You can also find Shaymin (not in the wild) and Florges here.

Hahahahahahaha. They're not bringing back event locations anytime soon.

Ultra Sun/Moon takes place exactly like in Platinum where most are basically still the same but with a few details redone and the story progressing towards Necrozma.

Seems pretty obvious to me, except even more different than Platinum.

Necrozma has been circulating Earth to gather enough energy to go back to Ultra Space, since it was summoned to Earth by accident by AZ thousands of years ago.

Now how the shrekkie hekkie did AZ do that???

Since Solgaleo/Lunala are the only ones that can open portals, Necrozma infects either and controls them against their will and uses them to gather all Ultra Beasts to Earth for an invasion.

Woah that escalated quickly! I don't see Necrozma holding any hard feelings against humanity purely because a tall guy SoMeHoW dragged it away from its own world, or at least enough hard feelings to plan a freakin invasion!

You'll have to battle Aether grunts/admins to collect Zygarde Cells and Cores.

Sounds like it could be a postgame thing, but I honestly don't expect them to change the Zygarde Cube system.

Portal to Ultra Space in Resolution Cave.

Meh, can't argue too much with this one. We'll just have to wait and see.

Zygarde vs Guzzlord, Solgaleo/Lunala vs Necrozma, Ultra Beasts vs Island Guardians cutscenes.

I'm doubtful of the first one since Guzzlord hasn't specifically shown to be a leader to the UBs, so I don't expect it to hog all of Zygarde's attention. The second is probable due to B2W2 having something kinda similar (Reshi/Zek escaping spliced Kyu) and the third is too due to the previous games having one.

There will be a smaller Battle Frontier similar to the BF of Platinum. New characters.

Seems to good to be true but I digress. You never know with this company and their remake advertising.

Battle Cave added alongside Battle Tree, gets more returning characters: Eusine, Karen, Zinnia, Steven, Phoebe, Crasher Wake, Cheren, Bianca, AZ, Diantha.

I want to believe it for Eusine and Steven but because they're still rumours I'm remaining skeptical.

Island Guardians will be required to catch through main story.

That would imply you need all four on your team if there are to be cutscenes. Yeah nope.

You will have to defeat Aether Admins in five islands with Ultra Beasts: Melemele - Faba/Kartana, Akala - Helga/Pheromosa, Ulaula - Lest/Xruxitree, Poni - Wicke/Buzzwole, Aether Foundation - Aris/Celesteela.

I don't see anymore Aether admins being created, nor do I see Aether being evil, nor do I see the Aether admins getting the other UBs.

Johto/Kanto Alolan Forms (works alongside Virtual GS): Wobbuffet (Psychic/Ghost), Smoochum/Jynx (Grass/Fairy), Remoraid/Octillery (Water/Fire), Ursaring (Normal/Psychic), Phanphy (Grass), Donphan (Grass/Steel), Marill/Azumarill (Water/Psychic), Shuckle (Bug/Grass), Ponyta/Rapidash (Water), Dunsparce (Dragon/Fairy).

Mostly respectable, but a decent amount contradict the above leak so either one is wrong or both are wrong. Either way o really don't care.

Added later:
Gladion's role is exactly the same as it was in the original games. Part of Team Skull, a runaway from his mother. He gets a redesign though, and helps you tackle the Ultra Beasts in the later game. Most characters from Sun and Moon are completely similar to upcoming games, ala-Platinum like what I have said.

I find it unlikely that Gladion would be so similar to his original incarnation. If Lillie is different, so is Gladion. Their driving forces are practically the same - to save a Pokemon in captivity from their mother - so why would one leave and not the other in this universe? Also, like I said before, I'm not suspecting Aether to be evil.

Lillie, Plumeria, Guzma and Lusamine being the only exceptions.

Nah, I'm fully expecting a bunch of characters beyond them to be entirely different. They're really going for this parallel universe theme after all.

As for the champion, it's best to keep it hidden. One thing for sure is she's a returning character.

If it's Cynthia I'll shoot myself.

Honestly if that's true though then I'm expecting either Lillie or possibly Anabel.

We don't return to Kalos. We do get to explore more of Ultra Space. An expanded version like the Distortion World.

I was expecting both of these so if here proven true then I honestly won't be fussed.

Lance doesn't return in the games nor an appearance in the Battle Cave. And no, Johto starters doesn't get any special treatment. Some Johto Pokemon mentioned above are the only ones to get Alolan forms.

Give Lance what he deserves! Poor man was sidelined by Red in Gen 2 to the point where his champion theme is referred to as Red's despite him using it first. Still remaining skeptical though.

Crasher Wake is not redesigned. Cheren and Bianca's outfits are completely revamped to summer outfits, similar to Red and Blue.

I don't see why Wake would return but mehhhh. Cheren and Bianca... I could see them getting redesigns, but I'm way too skeptical of this whole thing to hold a fair conclusion yet, especially considering how much I'm deciding is most likely false already.

Lest and Helga are twins, one with pink hair and the other one with blue hair.

Already mentioned my opinion on new Aether characters earlier.

S.S. Anne doesn't come back.

And nobody thought it was going to either.

The Battle Frontier's layout is exactly as the one from Platinum's Battle Frontier, only short by two Battle facilities. It's sort of a resort.

Now, I don't see them being exremely similar. There isn't much point in that.

National dex is present ingame from the start.

From start? Nah, not a fan of that. End of the plot is a better idea. Just as long as I can still only require the Alola Dex for my Shiny Charm...

Island trials are now post-game quests. Gyms are now present in the open lots in the original games and are needed to complete in the main story.

I'm saying no since I'm fully expecting Gyms and Trials to merge. Why would Trials become postgame?

Battle Cave is exactly like the Battle Tree but a layout of going underground and rental battles have returned.

Seems logical I guess.

Necrozma has been finding a way to go back to Ultra Space to contact its co-Ultra Beasts. Since Necrozma has become partially a Pokemon for living on Earth for thousands of years, it decided to invade Earth and make it a part of Ultra Space by opening portals using Solgaleo and Lunala.

Uuuuhhhhhhhhh.... why? What is its motive? I'm not expecting this one at all.

Zygarde is a vital piece of the story. No reason whatsoever for it to be teased in the original games

I mean, it's possible, but idk. I think Zygarde in SM might've just been like Ash-Greninja - it was in the anime, and kids want one.

There are definitely more places to visit but no new islands. The recurring islands have expanded its layout and more new areas to explore.

Expected the first one. The second one was already proven.

Ponyta/Rapidash are redesigned with mermaid tails, similar to a Hippocampus and is used as a Ride Pokemon in the upcoming games. It is also a signature Pokemon.

Possible, but I don't expect Gen 1 to get too many more Alola Forms. And I don't see why the Ponyta line would become mermaids.

Petunia is a Bug-type specialist Gym Leader in the games.

Meh, I don't really mind or care.

 

[Akashin]

What I'm saying is that Pokémon Stars was not a codename for a upscaled port of Sun and Moon on the Switch ,Pokémon Stars is most likely the codename for Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon. Basically Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon are Pokémon Stars. Just because they aren't for the Switch does not mean that Pokémon Stars isn't there code name. Also what I'm saying is that the person who leaked it themselves and said Pokémon Stars was for the Switch most likely either saw a pokemon on the Switch being tested and assumed that it was Pokémon Stars or they just assumed they just made the assumption themselves that Pokémon Stars would be on the Switch.

Basically pokemon Stars and Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon are the same thing, it's just that they wound up being for the Nintendo 3D's instead of the Switch. Also no just because it's not for the Switch doesn't mean that Pokémon Stars isn't the codename of Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon. the reason why Pokémon games have codenames is so that if the names get leaked out early that people won't be able to tell what the games are by their name, for instance Pokémon Rainbow which turned out to be Pokémon Sun and Moon, or Pokémon Stars which is most likely the codename for Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, and just because there is a rumor that for instance Pokémon Stars was going to come out on the Switch doesn't suddenly mean that because Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon are coming out on the 3d's instead of the Switch that doesn't mean that Stars wasn't their codename.

But that is what Stars was; literally, word for word. Stars never existed as anything besides a codename for a debunked rumor, so why we're trying to pretend that a meaningless codename has any more validity than the rest of the rumor is beyond me.

Sure, USUM could be codenamed Stars, in theory. They could also have been codenamed any number of other equally meaningless codenames, all of which are equally likely because the only source using the name Stars was wrong and/or fake outright.

Plus if you look at it Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon pretty much fits the description of Pokémon Star easily the only thing that is different is that Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon aren't for the Switch.

Of course? Stars was described as a relatively garden variety third version, for all intents and purposes, so of course USUM would be similar to what they claimed.

 

[Sαpphire]

I seriously wouldn't believe a single leak just yet; not even one. It's far too early, and the only serious "leaked" info so far (that being the Stars development info) has proven either false or premature. Regarding that actually, I do agree that it was probably a conglomeration of factors that led the source to believe that the project codenamed Stars was indeed the same as the Switch project, as both have proven to exist separately; the Pikipek model thing probably just relates to how all the models in the game are capable of rendering at a much higher quality that the 3DS line can produce.

 

[RileyXY1]

Here's three more rumors.

Spoiler: Spoilers

New Alolan forms:
Bug/Fighting Ledian (Has boxing gloves)
Water/Poison Wooper and Quagsire (They look like they're melting)
Fighting Aipom (not much about it is different except its red and has a fist instead of an open hand). Does not evolve and is a gift mon when you buy or renew your Pokémon Bank subscription.
Steel/Water Qwilfish (Looks like an naval mine)
Ground/Rock Slugma and Magcargo (They're black with rocks in them kind of like asphalt)
Dark/Ice Delibird (Looks like a Japanese burglar)
Electric Mantine (Looks like an angrier Mantine with yellow on it)
Grass/Fairy Bellossom (Has a more tropical motif, flowers, colours, etc)
Dark/Psychic Girafarig (The tail faces the same way as the head and is larger/more menacing looking)
Water Pineco and Forretress (They look like coral reef/anemone things)
Other info:
Gladion escapes with Nebby and Type Null. It is also kind of implied to be a sequel at some points. For example: Lillie works alongside Lusamine. Their lab appears to be legitimate now, Lillie citing a change of heart after a "long needed trip". Gladion seems to think otherwise, hence stealing Nebby. No more Skull. New badguy team.
No Island Challenge, there are gyms this time around. Actually, a big part of it is how you and your rival are the first to take on the gym challenge.
Guzma is actually a Bug gym leader now in a revitalized Po Town. At first, you fight Plumeria who pretends she's the gym leader until after battle. Some Skull baddies lurk around, but they're just goofy NPCs.
There's a group of creepy black and purple spacesuit looking guys called the Prism Corps (Jap. translation). You learn they're a group of Fallers who purposely jump around chasing Necrozma. They're lead by a rather ominous guy named Kussetsu-hakase (translates to Professor Refract roughly; not sure of the English name).
Looker is back. Looker also aludes to having followed Prism Corps after "following them to a luxurious cruise" (IT ALL COMES TOGETHER™).
Ryuki is in the game, he joined Looker in investigating Prism Corps. He's very headstrong, often rushing into situations when Looker wants to hang back. The chemistry between them is great. Some funny bits. He also becomes fairly key to the story in the climax.
The gyms are as followed:
Ilima: Normal
Lana: Water
Kiawe: Fire
Mallow: Grass
Guzma: Bug
Sophocles: Electric
Mina: Fairy
Olivia: Rock
There are still grand trials. Hala insists on keeping them alive, however, Hau runs the Iki Town trial now.
The rival is now basically girl Hau. Think of a dark skinned Bianca.
Necrozma fuses with Solgaleo/Lunala and they're not the only ones he can fuse with.
Battle Tree is still there, just has a few new trainers from Johto (Falkner, Morty, Eusine and Clair).
The Johto starters don't get anything, Lance does not return, and Lillie and Lusamine help the main character at some point in the game.
Same Elite 4, except Olivia is replaced with Nanu. Champion is your rival. Your rival is REALLY into the whole Gyms and E4 stuff.
Necrozmium-Z can be used to transform Solgaleo, Lunala and some other legendaries into the Necrozma fusions.

Spoiler: Spoilers

> Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon are a "what if" alternative take on the Sun/Moon universe. The games take place later than the story of Sun/Moon did.
> You play as the same character from Sun/Moon, but your adventure and your encounters will not be the same.
> New pokemon will be featured in the regional Pokedex.
> Some pokemon with different forms will get new ones in Ultra Sun/Ultra Moon. There will be new Oricorio forms, one of which is ballet-themed and Ice/Flying.
> There are new Alolan forms, this time with focus on pokemon from the Johto region.
> Bellossom, Xatu, Remoraid line, and Hoppip line are among the pokemon that get Alolan variants.
> Bellossom becomes Fairy/Poison and part of the information talks about its constant rivalry with Oricorio. Hoppip, Skiploom, and Jumpluff are Grass/Steel, while the Remoraid line gains the Steel type in addition to Water. As far as I have seen from designs, the Alolan variants don't have any drastic differences. Hoppip line and Bellossom are based on different flowers and Remoraid/Octillery have steel armor.
> The Alolan map has changed. There are now new areas and a couple of new islands.

> Hau is no longer your rival. He and Lillie end up going together on Hau's island challenge, leading to Lillie becoming a trainer herself.
>Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon have two rivals, one of which will be the protagonist of the opposite sex.
> Previously inaccessible areas have been included in the map.
> Mega Evolution has been renamed to Z-Forms and is activated by the new function of the bracelet.
>There are new unique Z-moves added.
> The Alolan starters will get alternative evolutions to their original final forms in Sun/Moon.
> Some of the Totem pokemon and some of the trials have changed.
> Not all captains and Kahunas are the same. Hala is no longer a Kahuna.
> Team Skull and the Aether Foundation have different roles. The villain team is neither of them.
> A Pokemon World Tournament facility has been built on the now-expanded Aether Paradise island.
> Part of the post game will feature a chain of side quests where the player visits 8 gyms situated on the now-finished empty lots, as well as another Looker side-story.

Spoiler: Spoilers

>USM is indeed a "what if" game. You are the same trainer. No definite amount of time has passed. It's just "a few years." All the characters are slightly older.

>There is a complete Pokémon league with eight gyms. There are still Island trials and they are still kahunas. You have to complete island trials to even enter a gym. HOWEVER, you don't actually have to fight the gym leaders when they become available. You can progress doing only the trials, then go back and do the gyms any time before the E4.

>There are more Alola forms. Most are Johto, but there are more Kanto forms as well. I know there will be Dodrio (Fighting/Flying), Ledyba+ Ledian (Bug/Fighting), Teddiursa+Ursaring (Normal/Dark), Donphan (Water/Ground). Those are the only ones I know.

>Alola is now a world-class trainer destination and lots of famous trainers make cameos in the game in vacation clothes.

There are lots of mechanical changes. These are the things I know most about. These changes were made based on fan feedback collected since Generation IV. Others are just internally determined QoL changes.
1. Incense is no longer a held-item for breeding. There is an incense burner at the nursery you can light with the incense of your choosing. Incense-related breeding works related to whatever incense is lit.

2. You can now change Pokémon's Poké Balls from the PC. Some Poké Balls cannot be changed, like Master and Cherish. The old ball is recycled to your inventory and you need to already have the ball you want.

3. Hidden Power is totally different now. It's not related to IVs at all. Berries now have type-associations and can be brought to a drink counter to make a drink that changes a Pokémon's HP. HP Fairy now exists.

4. You can now rename a traded Pokémon when it's achieved max happiness.

5. You can now trade "cyclically." A cyclical trade is designed explicitly to evolve Pokémon. It allows you to evolve Pokémon without having to initiate a trade and then trade back separately.

6. There is a dramatic increase in enemy trainer and NPC models. Trainer classes now have variations in outfits and physical traits. This was done specifically to avoid having two identical NPCs on screen at any one time. This was brought up based on dev feedback who complained that, while breeding, there were two identical Breeders outside. Then, upon entering the nursery, two more identical Breeders are on screen. GF took this feedback very seriously.

7. Double Battles are now prevalent throughout the game. More than ever before. One of the Elite 4 (which is cryptically never referred to as such, only the PKMN League), is actually a double battle.

8. Also, the entire Pokémon League is different except for Hala. They are all new characters.
9. Championship title defense now includes trainers from all over the globe, including famous trainers from the Battle Tree.

10. There is no "Battle Frontier." There are other options at the Battle Tree though.

11. Poké Pelago now has an island where you can walk around with a Pokémon and pose for selfies.

12. Rotom-Dex is a usable Rotom form. It remains Electric/Ghost but loses Levitate for Download.

13. The PC now has an auto-sort function by number, name, type, and level. You can do it across all boxes or just one box at a time.

14. There are move tutors, but they're different from Gen VI. Pokémon with "old" Gen VI tutor moves will be banned from ranked/Battle Spot stuff and the movesets will become illegal. Not all moves, but some that were overly distributed will be pruned down drastically.

15. Some Pokémon have had models and animations changed to appear less "manic" or less "static". Permanent flyers like Swellow will flap more often. Salamence is grounded but will launch in the air to attack. Lucidolo has slightly longer animation with another step worked into its dance loop. Archeops doesn't flap quite as desperately. I haven't seen any of them personally.

16. Apparently you can turn off battle scenery and just have the terrain pads under the Pokémon. I don't know how this works. I don't know if you're just floating in a black void or what. My source is not clear either. I don't know what the point of this is.

That's literally all I know. I am not able to clarify any further because this is it. I'm excited to be an insider for the first time, but it is unlikely I will be again.

 

[Sceptile Leaf Blade]

Again screams fake to me, each of them. I mean, renaming mega evolution? Really? Or Hidden Power change, which would pretty much mean that there'd be no battle compatibility between SM and USUM. The fact that all these rumours contradict each other also doesn't really help boost their credibility. To me they seem more like individual wish-lists rather than stuff that'd actually happen.

 

[Thure]

Nanu as champ also don't make any sense based on his personality. He had the chance to be Champ in SM but he didn't wanted the job. The only reason why he was Kahuna was because he was asked by the Tapu. Otherwise Nalu would have no motivation to doing it. Also the first leak has WAY too many too detailed informations.

Alolan Bellossom doesn't make much sense in my eye.... Bellossom is already looking way to Alolan fopr me, how would they make it more Alolan looking?
Also renaming Mega-Evolution would be strange. No reason for this, would just confuse the people. And alternate forms for the starters? Sounds like pre-SM fake Leaks and wishes... Most of the other parts on this list are very basic things which are pretty clear like new Z Moves etc.

And... mechanical changes MIDGEN?! That's unlikely. They wouldn't change that much of the mechanics in the middle of a generation. With a new gen, yes, but not in the middle of one.
And banning Pokemon with old tutor moves? I already hear the uproar of the breeders...

 

[Sαpphire]

Here's three more rumors.

Thank you for relaying these! I just wanted to note that if I'm at all a bit harsh toward the rumors, it's not toward you, I appreciate your effort in bringing information in here.

Again screams fake to me, each of them. I mean, renaming mega evolution? Really? Or Hidden Power change, which would pretty much mean that there'd be no battle compatibility between SM and USUM. The fact that all these rumours contradict each other also doesn't really help boost their credibility. To me they seem more like individual wish-lists rather than stuff that'd actually happen.

The one that claimed that Mega Evolution would be renamed struck me as the most obviously fake - it's not even wish fulfillment, it's just grasping at straws the whole time. I mean, I guess some of it is wish fulfillment like alternate starter evolutions, but really? Including gyms, but making them a post-game side quest? Pokemon World Tournament, as if they'd just copy-paste a mechanic from 2012? Not to mention that dissatisfaction about the lack of a Frontier is more about the lack of variation in Facilities rather than the lack of sheer post-game battling material. It just lacks any reasonable basis in my eyes.

The first one really just suffers from wish-list syndrome. Nothing majorly "off," per se, but just things that don't seem like they're really going to happen, or would ever happen. There are inconsistencies here and there even with the assumption that it might be a "what if" rather than a direct sequel, things that don't really add up.

This one however...

There are lots of mechanical changes. These are the things I know most about. These changes were made based on fan feedback collected since Generation IV. Others are just internally determined QoL changes.
1. Incense is no longer a held-item for breeding. There is an incense burner at the nursery you can light with the incense of your choosing. Incense-related breeding works related to whatever incense is lit.
2. You can now change Pokémon's Poké Balls from the PC. Some Poké Balls cannot be changed, like Master and Cherish. The old ball is recycled to your inventory and you need to already have the ball you want.
3. Hidden Power is totally different now. It's not related to IVs at all. Berries now have type-associations and can be brought to a drink counter to make a drink that changes a Pokémon's HP. HP Fairy now exists.
4. You can now rename a traded Pokémon when it's achieved max happiness.
5. You can now trade "cyclically." A cyclical trade is designed explicitly to evolve Pokémon. It allows you to evolve Pokémon without having to initiate a trade and then trade back separately.
6. There is a dramatic increase in enemy trainer and NPC models. Trainer classes now have variations in outfits and physical traits. This was done specifically to avoid having two identical NPCs on screen at any one time. This was brought up based on dev feedback who complained that, while breeding, there were two identical Breeders outside. Then, upon entering the nursery, two more identical Breeders are on screen. GF took this feedback very seriously.
7. Double Battles are now prevalent throughout the game. More than ever before. One of the Elite 4 (which is cryptically never referred to as such, only the PKMN League), is actually a double battle.
8. Also, the entire Pokémon League is different except for Hala. They are all new characters.
9. Championship title defense now includes trainers from all over the globe, including famous trainers from the Battle Tree.
10. There is no "Battle Frontier." There are other options at the Battle Tree though.
11. Poké Pelago now has an island where you can walk around with a Pokémon and pose for selfies.
12. Rotom-Dex is a usable Rotom form. It remains Electric/Ghost but loses Levitate for Download.
13. The PC now has an auto-sort function by number, name, type, and level. You can do it across all boxes or just one box at a time.
14. There are move tutors, but they're different from Gen VI. Pokémon with "old" Gen VI tutor moves will be banned from ranked/Battle Spot stuff and the movesets will become illegal. Not all moves, but some that were overly distributed will be pruned down drastically.
15. Some Pokémon have had models and animations changed to appear less "manic" or less "static". Permanent flyers like Swellow will flap more often. Salamence is grounded but will launch in the air to attack. Lucidolo has slightly longer animation with another step worked into its dance loop. Archeops doesn't flap quite as desperately. I haven't seen any of them personally.
16. Apparently you can turn off battle scenery and just have the terrain pads under the Pokémon. I don't know how this works. I don't know if you're just floating in a black void or what. My source is not clear either. I don't know what the point of this is.

Absolutely not. No basis, completely nonsensical, incompatible with the rest of its own generation, and at many times just flat out strange. Changing Pokéballs, when those are used as a method of cheat detection precisely because they can't be changed easily? Banning "Gen VI tutor moves" and "movesets" literally, like, at all? What?

So far, I wouldn't accept any of these as true - when one comes with some concept art or documentation, however, I'd really start looking closely, because we all probably remember how a totally legit leak last year was widely regarded as fake. Keep your eyes open, folks!

 

[Captain Jigglypuff]

Alolan Bellossom doesn't make much sense in my eye.... Bellossom is already looking way to Alolan fopr me, how would they make it more Alolan looking?

GF could change the type of flowers on its head to resemble hibiscuses and change the color scheme.

 

[Pokemon Power]

I can't wait for Corocoro to leak later this month so we can get official info. These rumors sound too good to be true.

 

[Bguy7]

Here's three more rumors.

Spoiler: Spoilers

New Alolan forms:
Bug/Fighting Ledian (Has boxing gloves)
Water/Poison Wooper and Quagsire (They look like they're melting)
Fighting Aipom (not much about it is different except its red and has a fist instead of an open hand). Does not evolve and is a gift mon when you buy or renew your Pokémon Bank subscription.
Steel/Water Qwilfish (Looks like an naval mine)
Ground/Rock Slugma and Magcargo (They're black with rocks in them kind of like asphalt)
Dark/Ice Delibird (Looks like a Japanese burglar)
Electric Mantine (Looks like an angrier Mantine with yellow on it)
Grass/Fairy Bellossom (Has a more tropical motif, flowers, colours, etc)
Dark/Psychic Girafarig (The tail faces the same way as the head and is larger/more menacing looking)
Water Pineco and Forretress (They look like coral reef/anemone things)
Other info:
Gladion escapes with Nebby and Type Null. It is also kind of implied to be a sequel at some points. For example: Lillie works alongside Lusamine. Their lab appears to be legitimate now, Lillie citing a change of heart after a "long needed trip". Gladion seems to think otherwise, hence stealing Nebby. No more Skull. New badguy team.
No Island Challenge, there are gyms this time around. Actually, a big part of it is how you and your rival are the first to take on the gym challenge.
Guzma is actually a Bug gym leader now in a revitalized Po Town. At first, you fight Plumeria who pretends she's the gym leader until after battle. Some Skull baddies lurk around, but they're just goofy NPCs.
There's a group of creepy black and purple spacesuit looking guys called the Prism Corps (Jap. translation). You learn they're a group of Fallers who purposely jump around chasing Necrozma. They're lead by a rather ominous guy named Kussetsu-hakase (translates to Professor Refract roughly; not sure of the English name).
Looker is back. Looker also aludes to having followed Prism Corps after "following them to a luxurious cruise" (IT ALL COMES TOGETHER™).
Ryuki is in the game, he joined Looker in investigating Prism Corps. He's very headstrong, often rushing into situations when Looker wants to hang back. The chemistry between them is great. Some funny bits. He also becomes fairly key to the story in the climax.
The gyms are as followed:
Ilima: Normal
Lana: Water
Kiawe: Fire
Mallow: Grass
Guzma: Bug
Sophocles: Electric
Mina: Fairy
Olivia: Rock
There are still grand trials. Hala insists on keeping them alive, however, Hau runs the Iki Town trial now.
The rival is now basically girl Hau. Think of a dark skinned Bianca.
Necrozma fuses with Solgaleo/Lunala and they're not the only ones he can fuse with.
Battle Tree is still there, just has a few new trainers from Johto (Falkner, Morty, Eusine and Clair).
The Johto starters don't get anything, Lance does not return, and Lillie and Lusamine help the main character at some point in the game.
Same Elite 4, except Olivia is replaced with Nanu. Champion is your rival. Your rival is REALLY into the whole Gyms and E4 stuff.
Necrozmium-Z can be used to transform Solgaleo, Lunala and some other legendaries into the Necrozma fusions.

Spoiler: Spoilers

> Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon are a "what if" alternative take on the Sun/Moon universe. The games take place later than the story of Sun/Moon did.
> You play as the same character from Sun/Moon, but your adventure and your encounters will not be the same.
> New pokemon will be featured in the regional Pokedex.
> Some pokemon with different forms will get new ones in Ultra Sun/Ultra Moon. There will be new Oricorio forms, one of which is ballet-themed and Ice/Flying.
> There are new Alolan forms, this time with focus on pokemon from the Johto region.
> Bellossom, Xatu, Remoraid line, and Hoppip line are among the pokemon that get Alolan variants.
> Bellossom becomes Fairy/Poison and part of the information talks about its constant rivalry with Oricorio. Hoppip, Skiploom, and Jumpluff are Grass/Steel, while the Remoraid line gains the Steel type in addition to Water. As far as I have seen from designs, the Alolan variants don't have any drastic differences. Hoppip line and Bellossom are based on different flowers and Remoraid/Octillery have steel armor.
> The Alolan map has changed. There are now new areas and a couple of new islands.

> Hau is no longer your rival. He and Lillie end up going together on Hau's island challenge, leading to Lillie becoming a trainer herself.
>Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon have two rivals, one of which will be the protagonist of the opposite sex.
> Previously inaccessible areas have been included in the map.
> Mega Evolution has been renamed to Z-Forms and is activated by the new function of the bracelet.
>There are new unique Z-moves added.
> The Alolan starters will get alternative evolutions to their original final forms in Sun/Moon.
> Some of the Totem pokemon and some of the trials have changed.
> Not all captains and Kahunas are the same. Hala is no longer a Kahuna.
> Team Skull and the Aether Foundation have different roles. The villain team is neither of them.
> A Pokemon World Tournament facility has been built on the now-expanded Aether Paradise island.
> Part of the post game will feature a chain of side quests where the player visits 8 gyms situated on the now-finished empty lots, as well as another Looker side-story.

Spoiler: Spoilers

>USM is indeed a "what if" game. You are the same trainer. No definite amount of time has passed. It's just "a few years." All the characters are slightly older.

>There is a complete Pokémon league with eight gyms. There are still Island trials and they are still kahunas. You have to complete island trials to even enter a gym. HOWEVER, you don't actually have to fight the gym leaders when they become available. You can progress doing only the trials, then go back and do the gyms any time before the E4.

>There are more Alola forms. Most are Johto, but there are more Kanto forms as well. I know there will be Dodrio (Fighting/Flying), Ledyba+ Ledian (Bug/Fighting), Teddiursa+Ursaring (Normal/Dark), Donphan (Water/Ground). Those are the only ones I know.

>Alola is now a world-class trainer destination and lots of famous trainers make cameos in the game in vacation clothes.

There are lots of mechanical changes. These are the things I know most about. These changes were made based on fan feedback collected since Generation IV. Others are just internally determined QoL changes.
1. Incense is no longer a held-item for breeding. There is an incense burner at the nursery you can light with the incense of your choosing. Incense-related breeding works related to whatever incense is lit.

2. You can now change Pokémon's Poké Balls from the PC. Some Poké Balls cannot be changed, like Master and Cherish. The old ball is recycled to your inventory and you need to already have the ball you want.

3. Hidden Power is totally different now. It's not related to IVs at all. Berries now have type-associations and can be brought to a drink counter to make a drink that changes a Pokémon's HP. HP Fairy now exists.

4. You can now rename a traded Pokémon when it's achieved max happiness.

5. You can now trade "cyclically." A cyclical trade is designed explicitly to evolve Pokémon. It allows you to evolve Pokémon without having to initiate a trade and then trade back separately.

6. There is a dramatic increase in enemy trainer and NPC models. Trainer classes now have variations in outfits and physical traits. This was done specifically to avoid having two identical NPCs on screen at any one time. This was brought up based on dev feedback who complained that, while breeding, there were two identical Breeders outside. Then, upon entering the nursery, two more identical Breeders are on screen. GF took this feedback very seriously.

7. Double Battles are now prevalent throughout the game. More than ever before. One of the Elite 4 (which is cryptically never referred to as such, only the PKMN League), is actually a double battle.

8. Also, the entire Pokémon League is different except for Hala. They are all new characters.
9. Championship title defense now includes trainers from all over the globe, including famous trainers from the Battle Tree.

10. There is no "Battle Frontier." There are other options at the Battle Tree though.

11. Poké Pelago now has an island where you can walk around with a Pokémon and pose for selfies.

12. Rotom-Dex is a usable Rotom form. It remains Electric/Ghost but loses Levitate for Download.

13. The PC now has an auto-sort function by number, name, type, and level. You can do it across all boxes or just one box at a time.

14. There are move tutors, but they're different from Gen VI. Pokémon with "old" Gen VI tutor moves will be banned from ranked/Battle Spot stuff and the movesets will become illegal. Not all moves, but some that were overly distributed will be pruned down drastically.

15. Some Pokémon have had models and animations changed to appear less "manic" or less "static". Permanent flyers like Swellow will flap more often. Salamence is grounded but will launch in the air to attack. Lucidolo has slightly longer animation with another step worked into its dance loop. Archeops doesn't flap quite as desperately. I haven't seen any of them personally.

16. Apparently you can turn off battle scenery and just have the terrain pads under the Pokémon. I don't know how this works. I don't know if you're just floating in a black void or what. My source is not clear either. I don't know what the point of this is.

That's literally all I know. I am not able to clarify any further because this is it. I'm excited to be an insider for the first time, but it is unlikely I will be again.

To be clear, I didn't really want to take the time to read through these, I just noticed that you posted no sources at all. Did these just come from random forums on the internet, or do you you have some sort of source you neglected to share. If it's the former, there's not really much to discuss here. It really is the source that matters when discussing these sorts of things.

 

[Wulava]

Among all these rumors, the one I really wish to be true was the Box Auto-Sort option...

 

[Baggie_Saiyan]

This is a mid gen game there is no way were are getting a lot new features, a new story and a couple feature tweaks and probably a couple new features, different level up move sets, tutors etc that is all I am expecting. Oh and of course new Pokemon forms.

 

[WishIhadaManafi5]

I can't wait for Corocoro to leak later this month so we can get official info. These rumors sound too good to be true.

Word. I'm skeptical about these rumors. There's too many and they sound too good to be true.

 

[Nerdy McNerdface]

The fact that there are so many lists at this point that all contradict each other tells me that, most likely, none of them are true. They all seem like wish lists made by random forum users for me. The lack of a credible source for all but one list is also pretty suspicious.

 

[Bus]

The fact that there are so many lists at this point that all contradict each other tells me that, most likely, none of them are true. They all seem like wish lists made by random forum users for me. The lack of a credible source for all but one list is also pretty suspicious.

One piece of info in there seems to keep popping up in these rumors, though. The fact that this is an 'alternate timeline' or what have you where you're the same character, but you arrive on the island a year or two later than in Sun/Moon; so things play out differently. If that ends up being true, then the implication would be that there is now a Gym system (which they may do if they decided the Trials weren't well received) and the League has been established and has had a Champion for the past year (which would obviously be Alolan Joey and his epic Rattata).