>>35210567I skipped SM too and went straight for Ultra Moon. Thought all of my team pulled their weight, but some more thoughts:
Decidueye - Not a Pokemon you can solo the game with, but does well in a lot of important fights. Later in the game it hates how many things have Dark moves, but it's generally strong and bulky enough to power through, and thanks to its stats you can really do anything with its moves.
Lycanroc-D - Kill or be killed: the Pokemon. Smashes through anything not so physically defensive and faster than almost all of Alola.
Vikavolt - Way stronger than your average early game bug even in the lower stages, and a total nuke when it evolves. Guaranteed to move second, but at least it can take hits
A-Muk - Tanks most of the game and hits back very hard. Fantastic typing for this game. Grimer's high evolution level means there's a period where it can't keep up, but it becomes a Muk soon after. Great overall.
A-Ninetales - Vulpix comes late, but soon after you'll get great moves, the stone to evolve it and Choice Specs: which this is perfect for. Ice and Fairy are incredibly spammable move types in the game and it loves the extra power from the Specs. Being fast as hell is also nice
Golisopod - Note that this thing's moveset and weaknesses mean for much of the game you'll be using it way more as a Bug type than a Water one. Still, Bug is a pretty good type in USUM, and it murders all physically frail mons and takes hits well. Emergency Exit will prove more annoying than not, but it's no dealbreaker as it's still cool and strong as hell
