Pokemon Ultra Sun Update 1.2 May 2026

Big News for Alolan Trainers: Pokémon Ultra Sun Ultra Moon Version 1.2 is Here!

If you’ve been adventuring through Alola lately, you’ll notice a new update waiting for you on the Nintendo eShop. Version 1.2 for Pokémon Ultra Sun and Pokémon Ultra Moon

was released on February 6, 2018. While it might seem like a small patch, it’s a vital one for anyone who loves online battling or competitive play. What’s Fixed?

The primary focus of this update is stability. Trainers previously reported a frustrating glitch that caused the game to freeze during Live Competitions and QR Code events. This bug was specifically tied to the use of four specific moves: Curse Forest’s Curse Power Trick String Shot

Because of this freezing issue, these moves were temporarily banned from official Play! Pokémon video game tournaments. With the release of Version 1.2, Nintendo and Game Freak have officially lifted the ban, allowing these strategic moves back into the competitive arena.

Additionally, the patch addresses a bug where the move Ion Deluge was not functioning correctly. Essential Online Info pokemon ultra sun update 1.2

If you want to keep using the game’s internet features—like the Global Trade Station (GTS), Wonder Trade, or participating in Online Competitions—you must download this update. Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon Version 1.2 Patch

One of the most frustrating aspects of Ultra Sun/Moon at launch was the rocky integration with Pokémon Bank (the cloud storage service). Update 1.2 delivered a major overhaul to the communication protocol between the 3DS cartridge/sd card and the Bank servers.

Specifically, 1.2 fixed:

Furthermore, the update made it possible to transfer Ultra Sun exclusive Pokémon (like Dusk Form Lycanroc with Own Tempo) backwards to standard Sun/Moon via trade, provided the recipient also had Update 1.2 installed.

According to the official patch notes (and community testing), update 1.2 addresses: Big News for Alolan Trainers: Pokémon Ultra Sun

No Pokémon stats, moves, or encounter rates were changed. This is strictly a stability and bug-fix patch.

The primary driver behind the sudden release of Update 1.2 was the 2018 International Challenge April (often called the "Ultra Series").

Prior to 1.2, the competitive ruleset (VGC) for Ultra Sun/Moon allowed most Legendary and Mythical Pokémon, excluding the very newest additions like Zeraora. Update 1.2 added the server-side and client-side logic to officially recognize and permit Zeraora in online battles.

For the first time, players could register the mythical Electric-type Zeraora in Battle Teams for the International Challenge. Additionally, the update added special battle formats that restricted certain Mega Stones and Z-Crystals, balancing the meta for the final stretch of the 3DS competitive era.

Six years after the 3DS eShop closure, Pokémon Ultra Sun Update 1.2 remains the definitive way to play. It represents the final, polished iteration of Generation 7. While controversially patching out beloved exploits, it stabilized the game for the official 2018 Pokémon World Championships (where Ultra Necrozma dominated Masters Division). One of the most frustrating aspects of Ultra

For the casual player wandering through Alola today, the update offers peace of mind: no strange glitches, accurate ball displays, and a smoother online experience. For the hardcore hunter, it represents a locked door—a reminder of the wild west days before Nintendo clamped down on data manipulation.

Verdict: Unless you are a dedicated speedrunner or RNG manipulator, install Update 1.2. The stability and online compatibility far outweigh the loss of a few glitches. After all, the true spirit of Alola is about fair battles and new discoveries—not walking through walls.

Officially, Nintendo and The Pokémon Company released a terse set of patch notes. However, the community quickly discovered dozens of undocumented changes. Here is the authoritative list:

Pre-1.2, ability triggers (like Intimidate or Weather) played in slow, unskippable sequences. The patch optimized the text rendering, shaving milliseconds off each turn. In a competitive 3v3 battle, this saved roughly 4–5 seconds per match.