Sun and Moon give you the same Alola story and the same trainers, so the only thing your version changes is which Pokemon you can catch on your own. Here are the Pokemon Sun Moon exclusives: Solgaleo or Lunala on the box, and 15 exclusive Pokemon on each side. The rest of the game is identical in Sun and Moon.
That makes this an easy pick. You're choosing a roster, not a difficulty.
Sun has Turtonator and Moon has Drampa
Sun's list has Turtonator, Rufflet, Ninetales and Rampardos. Moon's has Drampa, Vullaby, Sandslash and Bastiodon. The Ultra Beasts split as well, with Buzzwole in Sun and Pheromosa in Moon.
Only in Sun
Turtonator
Passimian
Rufflet
Braviary
Solgaleo
Vulpix
Ninetales
Cranidos
Rampardos
Tirtouga
Carracosta
Cottonee
Whimsicott
Buzzwole
Kartana
Only in Moon
Drampa
Oranguru
Vullaby
Mandibuzz
Lunala
Sandshrew
Sandslash
Shieldon
Bastiodon
Archen
Archeops
Petilil
Lilligant
Pheromosa
Celesteela
Solgaleo waits at the Altar of the Sunne and Lunala at the Altar of the Moone
- Type
- PsychicSteel
- Category
- Sunne Pokémon
- National Dex
- #0791
- Debut
- Gen VII
- Base stat total
- 680
Each legendary stands at its own altar, Solgaleo in Sun and Lunala in Moon, both at level 55. The Cosmog you receive earlier in the story is level 5 in both games.
Trainers, trials and shops are the same
No trainer team differs between Sun and Moon, and the items, shops and trades match as well. The Island Trials and the Totem battles play out the same way in both, which leaves the roster as the only reason to choose.
Which one should you buy?
Pick Sun for Solgaleo and Buzzwole, or Moon for Lunala and Pheromosa. Neither game is harder than the other. (Drampa is our tiebreaker, because it looks like a grandfather with opinions about the neighbors.) That makes Moon the one we'd buy.
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.
