Pokemon Sun vs Moon comes down to Solgaleo or Lunala on the box and 15 wild Pokemon in each version that the other lacks. The Alola story is the same in Sun and Moon, and so are the trainers.
Which Pokemon only one version has
!A screenshot from Pokemon Sun
Sun's list includes Turtonator, Rufflet, Ninetales and Rampardos. Moon's includes Drampa, Vullaby, Sandslash and Bastiodon. The two games also keep different Ultra Beasts for themselves, Buzzwole in Sun and Pheromosa in Moon.
| Only in Sun | Only in Moon | |---|---| | Turtonator | Drampa | | Passimian | Oranguru | | Rufflet | Vullaby | | Braviary | Mandibuzz | | Solgaleo | Lunala | | Vulpix | Sandshrew | | Ninetales | Sandslash | | Cranidos | Shieldon | | Rampardos | Bastiodon | | Tirtouga | Archen | | Carracosta | Archeops | | Cottonee | Petilil | | Whimsicott | Lilligant | | Buzzwole | Pheromosa | | Kartana | Celesteela |
Solgaleo or Lunala at the altar
!A screenshot from Pokemon Moon
The legendary waits at its own altar: Solgaleo at the Altar of the Sunne in Sun and Lunala at the Altar of the Moone in Moon, both at level 55. The Cosmog you receive earlier is the same level in both, at level 5, and it comes from the Lake of the Sunne in Sun and the Lake of the Moone in Moon.
Trainers and trials are the same
!A screenshot from Pokemon Sun
No trainer team differs between Sun and Moon, and the items, shops and trades are identical as well. What you choose is a roster and a mood, since the Island Trials and Totems play out the same either way.
Which one should you buy?
!A screenshot from Pokemon Moon
Pick Sun if you want Solgaleo and Buzzwole. Pick Moon if you want Lunala and Pheromosa. Neither is the harder game, so go with the legendary you like more. We would take Moon, because Drampa looks like a grandfather who has opinions about the neighbors.
Sun vs Moon FAQ
Can you get Lunala in Sun?
Yes, but only through a trade, since Lunala is a Moon exclusive in the wild.
Is Moon harder than Sun?
No. The trainers and the story are the same in both games.
