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Gen VII · Alola

Pokémon Sun and Moon Nuzlocke guide

Level caps, boss teams and trainer levels for your next run — 16 main-story battles from Totem Gumshoos / Raticate (Lv 12) to Kukui (Lv 58).

  • Nuzlocke
  • SoulLink
  • Randomizer

Sun and Moon replace gyms with the Island Challenge: trials led by Captains, Totem Pokémon that call allies and boost their stats, and grand trials against each island’s Kahuna. Alola’s new Pokémon League ends in a battle for the region’s very first Champion title.

Region
Alola
Generation
VII
First cap
Lv12
Final cap
Lv58
Main battles
16
Areas tracked
101

Sun & Moon level caps

A level cap is the level of the opponent’s strongest Pokémon. In a Hardcore Nuzlocke, no Pokémon in your party may be above the cap when the battle starts.

The biggest jump in the main story is +7 levels, from Hapu (Lv 48) to Hala (Lv 55). Plan your training before it.

Sun

Main story of Sun in story order
#BattleTypeAceLevel cap
01Totem Gumshoos / RaticateTotemGumshoosGumshoosLv12
02HalaTrialCrabrawlerCrabrawlerLv15
03Totem WishiwashiTotemSolo WishiwashiSolo WishiwashiLv20
04Totem SalazzleTotemSalazzleSalazzleLv22
05Totem LurantisTotemLurantisLurantisLv24
06OliviaTrialMidnight LycanrocMidnight LycanrocLv27
07Totem VikavoltTotemVikavoltVikavoltLv29
08Totem MimikyuTotemDisguised MimikyuDisguised MimikyuLv33
09NanuTrialAlolan PersianAlolan PersianLv39
10Totem Kommo-oTotemKommo-oKommo-oLv45
11HapuTrialMudsdaleMudsdaleLv48
12HalaLeagueCrabominableCrabominableLv55
13OliviaLeagueMidnight LycanrocMidnight LycanrocLv55
14AcerolaLeaguePalossandPalossandLv55
15KahiliLeagueToucannonToucannonLv55
16KukuiLeagueIncineroarIncineroarLv58

Rivals, villains and other story battles

Optional and recurring story battles, sorted by level
BattleTypeAceLevel cap
PlumeriaBossSalanditSalanditLv26
GuzmaBossGolisopodGolisopodLv31
PlumeriaBossSalazzleSalazzleLv35
GuzmaBossGolisopodGolisopodLv37
FabaBossHypnoHypnoLv40
GuzmaBossGolisopodGolisopodLv41
LusamineBossBewearBewearLv41
LusamineBossBewearBewearLv50
Post-game battles (13)
Post-game and DLC battles, sorted by level
BattleTypeAceLevel cap
IlimaPost-gameGumshoosGumshoosLv15
LanaPost-gameAraquanidAraquanidLv27
KiawePost-gameMarowakMarowakLv27
MallowPost-gameSteeneeSteeneeLv27
MinaPost-gameRibombeeRibombeeLv61
PlumeriaPost-gameSalazzleSalazzleLv61
FabaPost-gameHypnoHypnoLv61
Hala - rematchPost-gameCrabominableCrabominableLv63
Olivia - rematchPost-gameMidnight LycanrocMidnight LycanrocLv63
Acerola - rematchPost-gamePalossandPalossandLv63
Kahili - rematchPost-gameToucannonToucannonLv63
GuzmaPost-gameScizorScizorLv63
Kukui - rematchPost-gameIncineroarIncineroarLv65

Sun & Moon boss teams

Every gym leader, trial and League battle of the main story with levels and known movesets. Tap a battle to open its team.

Sun

01 Totem Gumshoos / Raticate Totem Cap12

Gumshoos

  • Gumshoos
    Gumshoos Lv12 @ Pecha Berry Super Fang · Bite · Leer · Scary Face
  • Yungoos
    Yungoos Lv11 Sand Attack · Tackle · Hyper Fang · Leer
02 Hala Trial Cap15

Island Kahuna Hala

  • Mankey
    Mankey Lv14 Karate Chop · Pursuit · Focus Energy
  • Makuhita
    Makuhita Lv14 Arm Thrust · Sand Attack · Fake Out
  • Crabrawler
    Crabrawler Lv15 @ Fightinium Z Pursuit · Power-Up Punch · Leer
03 Totem Wishiwashi Totem Cap20

Wishiwashi

  • Solo Wishiwashi
    Solo Wishiwashi Lv20 @ Sitrus Berry Water Gun · Growl · Rain Dance · Soak
  • Alomomola
    Alomomola Lv18 Helping Hand · Double Slap · Heal Pulse · Water Gun
  • Solo Wishiwashi
    Solo Wishiwashi Lv18 Helping Hand · Feint Attack · Brine · Aqua Ring
04 Totem Salazzle Totem Cap22

Salazzle

  • Salazzle
    Salazzle Lv22 @ Petaya Berry Torment · Venom Drench · Toxic · Flame Burst
  • Salandit
    Salandit Lv20 Poison Gas · Venoshock · Taunt · Scratch
05 Totem Lurantis Totem Cap24

Lurantis

  • Lurantis
    Lurantis Lv24 @ Power Herb Razor Leaf · X-Scissor · Solar Blade · Synthesis
  • Castform
    Castform Lv22 Sunny Day · Water Gun · Headbutt · Weather Ball
  • Trumbeak
    Trumbeak Lv22 Rock Blast · Pluck · Supersonic · Screech
06 Olivia Trial Cap27

Island Kahuna Olivia

  • Nosepass
    Nosepass Lv26 Rock Slide · Spark · Thunder Wave
  • Boldore
    Boldore Lv26 Rock Blast · Mud-Slap · Headbutt
  • Midnight Lycanroc
    Midnight Lycanroc Lv27 @ Rockium Z Bite · Rock Throw
07 Totem Vikavolt Totem Cap29

Vikavolt

  • Vikavolt
    Vikavolt Lv29 @ Occa Berry Vice Grip · Charge · Bug Bite · Spark
  • Charjabug
    Charjabug Lv27 String Shot · Vice Grip · Mud-Slap · Thunder Wave
08 Totem Mimikyu Totem Cap33

Mimikyu

  • Disguised Mimikyu
    Disguised Mimikyu Lv33 @ Lum Berry Shadow Claw · Play Rough · Astonish · Mimic
  • Haunter
    Haunter Lv27 Lick · Night Shade · Sucker Punch · Hypnosis
  • Gengar
    Gengar Lv27 Night Shade · Shadow Punch · Shadow Ball · Hypnosis
09 Nanu Trial Cap39

Island Kahuna Nanu

  • Sableye
    Sableye Lv38 Power Gem · Shadow Ball · Fake Out
  • Krokorok
    Krokorok Lv38 Crunch · Assurance · Swagger · Earthquake
  • Alolan Persian
    Alolan Persian Lv39 @ Darkinium Z Power Gem · Fake Out · Dark Pulse
10 Totem Kommo-o Totem Cap45

Kommo-o

  • Kommo-o
    Kommo-o Lv45 @ Mental Herb Clanging Scales · Sky Uppercut · Flash Cannon · Protect
  • Scizor
    Scizor Lv32 Metal Claw · Pursuit · Leer · Fury Cutter
  • Hakamo-o
    Hakamo-o Lv32 Sky Uppercut · Autotomize · Work Up · Bide
11 Hapu Trial Cap48

Island Kahuna Hapu

  • Alolan Dugtrio
    Alolan Dugtrio Lv47 Iron Head · Earthquake · Sucker Punch · Sandstorm
  • Gastrodon
    Gastrodon Lv47 Muddy Water · Mud Bomb · Recover
  • Flygon
    Flygon Lv47 Earth Power · Dragon Breath
  • Mudsdale
    Mudsdale Lv48 @ Groundium Z Heavy Slam · Earthquake · Double Kick · Counter
12 Hala League Cap55

Elite Four Hala

  • Hariyama
    Hariyama Lv54 Fake Out · Close Combat · Knock Off
  • Primeape
    Primeape Lv54 Cross Chop · Outrage · Punishment · Pursuit
  • Bewear
    Bewear Lv54 Hammer Arm · Brutal Swing
  • Poliwrath
    Poliwrath Lv54 Waterfall · Submission
  • Crabominable
    Crabominable Lv55 @ Fightinium Z Ice Hammer · Close Combat
13 Olivia League Cap55

Elite Four Olivia

  • Relicanth
    Relicanth Lv54 Hydro Pump · Ancient Power · Yawn
  • Carbink
    Carbink Lv54 Power Gem · Moonblast · Reflect
  • Alolan Golem
    Alolan Golem Lv54 Thunder Punch · Rock Blast · Steamroller
  • Probopass
    Probopass Lv54 Earth Power · Power Gem · Thunder Wave · Sandstorm
  • Midnight Lycanroc
    Midnight Lycanroc Lv55 @ Rockium Z Crunch · Stone Edge · Counter · Rock Climb
14 Acerola League Cap55

Elite Four Acerola

  • Sableye
    Sableye Lv54 Shadow Claw · Zen Headbutt · Confuse Ray · Fake Out
  • Drifblim
    Drifblim Lv54 Ominous Wind · Focus Energy · Amnesia · Baton Pass
  • Dhelmise
    Dhelmise Lv54 Slam · Shadow Ball · Energy Ball · Whirlpool
  • Froslass
    Froslass Lv54 Blizzard · Shadow Ball · Confuse Ray · Ice Shard
  • Palossand
    Palossand Lv55 @ Ghostium Z Shadow Ball · Earth Power · Giga Drain · Iron Defense
15 Kahili League Cap55

Elite Four Kahili

  • Skarmory
    Skarmory Lv54 Slash · Steel Wing · Feint · Spikes
  • Crobat
    Crobat Lv54 Air Slash · Swift · Supersonic · Poison Fang
  • Baile Oricorio
    Baile Oricorio Lv54 Revelation Dance · Teeter Dance · Air Slash · Feather Dance
  • Mandibuzz
    Mandibuzz Lv54 Bone Rush · Brave Bird · Punishment · Flatter
  • Toucannon
    Toucannon Lv55 @ Flyinium Z Bullet Seed · Rock Blast · Beak Blast · Screech
16 Kukui League Cap58

Kukui · With Incineroar

  • Midday Lycanroc
    Midday Lycanroc Lv57
  • Alolan Ninetales
    Alolan Ninetales Lv57
  • Braviary
    Braviary Lv57
  • Magnezone
    Magnezone Lv57
  • Snorlax
    Snorlax Lv57
  • Incineroar
    Incineroar Lv58

Kukui · With Primarina

  • Midday Lycanroc
    Midday Lycanroc Lv57
  • Alolan Ninetales
    Alolan Ninetales Lv57
  • Braviary
    Braviary Lv57
  • Magnezone
    Magnezone Lv57
  • Snorlax
    Snorlax Lv57
  • Primarina
    Primarina Lv58

Kukui · With Decidueye

  • Midday Lycanroc
    Midday Lycanroc Lv57
  • Alolan Ninetales
    Alolan Ninetales Lv57
  • Braviary
    Braviary Lv57
  • Magnezone
    Magnezone Lv57
  • Snorlax
    Snorlax Lv57
  • Decidueye
    Decidueye Lv58

Trainer levels by location

First battles against route trainers in Sun, sorted by the typical level of their strongest Pokémon — a quick way to see where the level curve climbs. Rematches are not included.

66 locations with documented trainers
LocationTrainersLevelsTypical ace
Iki Town85–55Lv7
Route 1143–57Lv8
Route 1143–57Lv8
Route 268–10Lv9
Hau’oli Cemetery49–55Lv9
Hau'oli City358–63Lv13
Hau’oli City358–63Lv13
Hau’oli City358–63Lv13
Hau’oli City358–63Lv13
Route 3713–14Lv14
Route 4413–14Lv14
Paniola Ranch514–15Lv15
Route 51115–23Lv17
Route 6515–17Lv17
Brooklet Hill516–17Lv17
Brooklet Hill516–17Lv17
Paniola Town316–17Lv17
Melemele Sea613–18Lv18
Route 7418–19Lv19
Wela Volcano Park418–21Lv19
Wela Volcano Park418–21Lv19
Royal Avenue719–57Lv19
Royal Avenue719–57Lv19
Route 81119–61Lv21
Diglett’s Tunnel921–24Lv22
Memorial Hill521–23Lv23
Akala Outskirts323–26Lv24
Route 9223–24Lv24
Konikoni City324–27Lv24
Hano Beach724–55Lv25
Hano Grand Resort325–27Lv25
Lush Jungle126–27Lv27
Route 11426–28Lv27
Ruins of Life126–27Lv27
Route 10527–28Lv27
Malie Garden1026–31Lv28
Mount Hokulani527–30Lv28
Malie City826–55Lv29
Malie City826–55Lv29
Malie City826–55Lv29
Route 12628–30Lv29
Secluded Shore229–30Lv30
Route 14330–31Lv31
Route 15932–35Lv33
Route 16132–33Lv33
Route 17633–34Lv34
Ula’ula Meadow433–34Lv34
Po Town634–35Lv35
Shady House934–37Lv35
Aether Paradise2636–61Lv37
Poni Wilds543–45Lv43
Ancient Poni Path443–61Lv44
Poni Breaker Coast343–45Lv45
Vast Poni Canyon1643–48Lv46
Ultra Space150Lv50
Mount Lanakilapartly documented353–54Lv54
Heahea City415–62Lv55
Blush Mountain229–55Lv55
Seafolk Village354–63Lv55
Poni Grove255–56Lv56
Resolution Cave256–57Lv57
Poni Plains455–59Lv59
Poni Coast258–59Lv59
Poni Gauntlet958–61Lv60
Pokémon Leaguepartly documented2454–65Lv61
Battle Tree265–70Lv70

Nuzlocke tips for Sun & Moon

  • Totem Pokémon are the real walls. They start the fight with a stat boost and summon allies — check each trial below.
  • The Exp. Share is a key item that can be switched off.
  • Team Skull and the Aether Foundation battles are listed as story bosses below.

New to the challenge? Start with the Nuzlocke rules, or bring friends with the Soul Link rules.

FAQ

What is the first level cap in Pokémon Sun and Moon?

The first cap is level 12: Totem Gumshoos / Raticate’s strongest Pokémon is Gumshoos at level 12. Keep every party member at or below level 12 for that battle.

What level is the Champion in Pokémon Sun and Moon?

Kukui sets the final main-story cap at level 58, with Incineroar as the ace.

How many boss battles are there in Pokémon Sun and Moon?

This guide lists 16 main-story battles, 8 optional story battles against rivals and villains and 13 post-game battles for Sun.

Can I play a randomized Pokémon Sun and Moon Nuzlocke?

The PokéRuns Randomizer supports the official games of generations I–V, so Pokémon Sun and Moon can’t be randomized with it. You can still track a regular Nuzlocke or Soul Link of Pokémon Sun and Moon with PokéRuns.

Sources

Caps and teams come from the PokéRuns tracker data (updated 2026-09-07), compiled from:

  • serebii.net 1234 +1 more
  • pokemondb.net 1
  • serebii.net Pokéarth route trainer data

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