What is a Regional Variant?
Source: http://www.pokemon.co.jp/
In Pokémon Sun & Moon, Pokémon found in a specific region have characteristics that differ from their species in other regions. These peculiar kinds are called Regional Variants. Since Pokémon Sun & Moon is set in the Alola region, known Pokémon have adapted to a unique natural environment, causing them to go through certain physiological changes. A Pokémon’s Regional Variant inhabiting Alola is called its Alolan Form.
Alolan Form Pokémon have very different types, characteristics, Moves and Abilities. They may also have different Stats as well.
It is also unclear how many known Pokémon will have Alolan Forms. All of the Pokémon in this list however are from Generation I.
Alolan Form Pokémon
Alolan Exeggutor
Source: http://www.pokemon.co.jp/
Type: Grass/Dragon
Ability: Frisk
Alolan Exeggutor now looks even more ‘weird’. Regular Exeggutor is a Grass/Psychic-type Pokémon, while this variant substitutes its second type with Dragon. It does retain the Ability (Frisk) used by its regular variant, though.
Alolan Vulpix
Source: http://www.pokemon.co.jp/
Type: Ice
Ability: Snow Cloak
A striking opposite to the regular Vulpix, the Alolan variant sports icy white fur, heavily suggesting its type. It now has the Ability Snow Cloak, allowing it to better evade attacks when Hail is falling during battle.
Alolan Ninetales
Source: http://www.pokemon.co.jp/
Type: Ice/Fairy
Ability: Snow Cloak
Alolan Vulpix’s evolution is quite an interesting Pokémon. Unique to the Alolan region, Alolan Ninetales is the series’ first Ice/Fairy-type Pokémon! It is likely to bring new possibilities in battle.
The regular Ninetales is known for its Hidden Ability Drought. Could this form have Snow Warning instead?
Alolan Sandshrew
Source: http://www.pokemon.co.jp/
Type：Ice/Steel
Ability：Snow Cloak
While the regular Sandshrew is known to be a Ground type Pokémon, its Alolan variant is an Ice/Steel type. This is another new hybrid to be introduced in Pokémon Sun & Moon. Of course, Alolan Sandshrew would be at a great disadvantage against Fire/Fighting-type Pokémon. But it will have the upper hand against Dragon/Flying-type opponents.
Alolan Sandslash
Source: http://www.pokemon.co.jp/
Type: Ice/Steel
Ability: Snow Cloak
Alolan Sandshrew will evolve into Alolan Sandslash while retaining its dual type (Ice/Steel).
While its second type (Steel) may hint at it being heavier and thus slower than the regular one, it may have higher Defense. The spikes on Alolan Sandslash’s back also protrude a little straighter than those on the regular Sandslash. Despite not being a Grass type at all, its brings to mind Spiky Shield.
While the regular Vulpix and Sandshrew (and their evolutions) were previously limited to only one Pokémon type each, their Alolan counterparts (and their evolutions) are dual-type Pokémon. Both Alolan forms are also Ice or part-Ice types.
Alolan Raichu
Source: http://www.pokemon.co.jp/
Type：Electric/Psychic
Ability：Surge Surfer
Alolan Raichu is an Electric/Psychic type Pokémon with the new Ability Surge Surfer. If the battlefield is under the effects of Electric Terrain, Alolan Raichu’s speed will be doubled!
This makes Alolan Raichu a good partner for Tapu Koko – a new Pokemon to be introduced in Pokémon Sun & Moon – which has the Ability Electric Surge.
Alolan Raichu will also have the unique Z-Move Stoked Sparksurfer. And while not being a Water-type Pokémon, you can’t help but think of Alolan Raichu having Surf.
Alolan Meowth
Source: http://www.pokemon.co.jp/
Type：Dark
Ability：Pickup or Technician
While a Meowth was known in the Pokémon anime as a member of the evil Team Rocket, it’s only in the species’ Alolan Form that goes on to live out its nefarious image. Though that isn’t to say that all ‘Dark’ type Pokémon are villainous.
Pickup is a useful Ability to get items after each battle. This might be convenient to have early on when going through the game’s main adventure.
Technician is another great Ability which increases the Power of moves that have Base Power values of 60 or less by 50 percent.
Alolan Persian
Source: http://www.pokemon.co.jp/
Type：Dark
Ability：Fur Coat or Technician
Alolan Meowth does away with Pickup and gains Fur Coat once it evolves to Alolan Persian. Fur Coat halves the damage from Physical Moves, giving more staying power to Alolan Persian. But some could say Alolan Meowth with Pickup might be more useful, at least for the main adventure.
Alolan Marowak
Source: http://www.pokemon.co.jp/
Type：Fire/Ghost
Ability：Cursed Body or Lightning Rod
Similar to Chandelure, Alolan Marowak is a Fire/Ghost type Pokémon. The regular Marowak has the Abilities Rock Head and Lightning Rod, while the Alolan variant substitutes the former with Cursed Body.
The official website states that Alolan Marowak can perform a fireball attack which although weak, will tirelessly pursue foes. This might hint at a Fire type move that will always hit opponents.
Alolan Rattata
Source: http://www.pokemon.co.jp/
Type：Dark/Normal
Ability：Gluttony or Hustle
Alolan Rattata is a Dark/Normal type Pokémon, different from its regular single-type variant. It also ditches the Abilities Run Away and Guts for Gluttony and Hustle.
Also, regular Rattata can have Hustle only as a Hidden Ability. Its Alolan counterpart will now have this as a second Ability in Pokemon Sun & Moon.
Alolan Raticate
Source: http://www.pokemon.co.jp/
Type：Dark/Normal
Ability：Gluttony or Hustle
While Alolan Raticate looks larger than the regular one, it may be slower. Though it may have higher HP than the regular Raticate.
In Pokémon Moon, Alolan Raticate is the totem Pokémon of the trial site in Verdant Cavern on Melemele Island. In Pokemon Sun however, this distinction belongs to Gumshoos. This difference might emphasize how players encounter varying Pokémon in the wild depending on the version they’re playing.
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