What Are the Ultra Beasts and Why They Matter in Alola
The Ultra Beasts (UB) are a set of seven extradimensional beings introduced in Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon. Functionally, they sit between legendary and non-legendary Pokémon: classified as legendary in battle yet treated as a distinct category in lore and rules. In Alola, they emerge through Ultra Wormholes, disrupting the region’s ecology and forcing trainers to confront threats tied to the Cosmog line. This guide explains each UB codename, in-game purpose, lore implications, locations, capture strategies, and how they fit into the broader Ultra Series mythos.
Origin and Lore: Ultra Wormholes and the Blinding One
Ultra Beasts originate from another dimension, arriving via Ultra Wormholes—shimmering gateways first detected in Alola after the Cosmog’s evolution chain. The Ultra Recon Squad studies these incursions, naming the entities by codename rather than species. In Sun and Moon, Necrozma’s crisis opens numerous rifts, increasing UB appearances. In Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, the narrative emphasizes containment and understanding, with Lusamine’s obsession pushing the story forward. The official classification frames them as beings of instinct and hunger, posing ecological risks that justify their legendary treatment in battle.
Named Beings and Their Codenames
- UB-01 Beauty: Often associated with Nihilego, appearing as a drifting, jellyfish-like presence.
- UB-02 Absorption: Linked to Buzzwole, a muscular entity that absorbs energy through its limbs.
- UB-03 Blunder: Associated with Pheromosa, an insectoid figure of fragile power and speed.
- UB-04 Small: The designation for Comfey, a smaller UB that supports allies with flowers.
- UB-05 Glutton: Tied to Kartana, a paper-thin predator with extreme attack stats.
- UB-06 Enormous: The codename for Guzzlord, an enormous menace with insatiable appetite.
- UB-07 Abyss: Slated for Poipole and its evolutionary line, later revealed to be native to the Ultra Deep Sea.
In-Game Roles and Encounter Methods
Each Ultra Beast appears in a fixed location after progressing through the main story, typically requiring specific triggers such as defeating Totem Pokémon or completing trials. You confront them in Ultra Wormholes accessed via the Altar of the Sunne or the Ruins of Conflict, depending on the version. Battles use Legendary Zone rules, meaning you cannot flee and must lower the UB to red HP to capture it. Standard Poké Balls are ineffective; you must use Beast Balls obtained from the Recon Squad after the first encounter. Strategy focuses on status conditions, high-Power Whip–type moves, and careful team building to exploit weaknesses while resisting their strong attacks.
Capture and Post-Capture Mechanics
- Item required: Beast Balls, with higher catch rates in SOS Battles.
- Legendary Zone rules: No running, unlimited Premier Balls (post-catch), and specific music cues.
- Niche use: Ultra Beasts can breed with Ditto, producing Baby Pokémon that inherit the UB’s Ability.
- Necrozma link: Unlike UB, Necrozma is a legendary that fuses with Ultra Wormholes but is not classified as an Ultra Beast.
Stats, Typings, and Competitive Context
While not built for current VGC formats, Ultra Beasts offer unique stat spreads that remain interesting for theorycrafting and nostalgia formats. Their typings cover Poison, Bug, Dark, Steel, and Psychic, granting varied defensive profiles. Notably, several have high base Attack or Special Attack with modest bulk, rewarding aggressive play. In restricted formats that permit them, Beast Balls and specialized moves (e.g., Power Whip, Punk Rock Beat Up) define their niche. Players should check current rule clauses, as event distributions, Alola Form variants, and regional differences can affect legality.
Comparative Overview of Ultra Beast Attributes
| UB Codename | Primary Pokémon | Typing | Base Stat Total | Key Role |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UB-01 Beauty | Nihilego | Rock / Poison | 570 | Special Tank / Status User |
| UB-02 Absorption | Buzzwole | Bug / Fighting | 570 | Physical Sweeper |
| UB-03 Blunder | Pheromosa | Bug / Fighting | 571 | Fast Physical Attacker |
| UB-04 Small | Comfey | Fairy | 516 | Support / Terrain Setter |
| UB-05 Glutton | Kartana | Grass / Steel | 590 | Hyper Offense / Swords Dance |
| UB-06 Enormous | Guzzlord | Dark / Dragon | 660 | Bulky Attacker / Prankster |
| UB-07 Abyss | Poipole | Poison | 540 | Special Attacker / Evolution Line |
Distinctive Traits Compared to Legendaries and Mythicals
Ultra Beasts differ from traditional legendaries in design language and narrative framing: they are explicitly non-native, often unsettling entities rather than guardians of balance. Unlike Mythicals, they cannot be transferred via Pokémon HOME and do not carry event-distribution mechanics. Their inclusion in the legendary pool affects battle rules (e.g., Clauses like the Legendary Clause) but not core breeding or training fundamentals. This distinction preserves their identity as invasive beings while allowing creative team building in formats that welcome them.
Continued Relevance and Community Reception
Since their 2016 debut, Ultra Beasts have maintained steady interest among collectors, lore enthusiasts, and format explorers. They anchor the Alola chapter’s narrative of cosmic interference and interdimensional travel, providing a unique blend of horror, science fiction, and creature design. While newer generations have expanded the catalog of strange beings, the UB roster remains a touchstone for players revisiting Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon. Resources such as strategy guides, damage calculators, and community clauses help keep them relevant for niche and retrospective play.