The Alola region is usually a place of tropical sun and swaying , but for the competitive trainers of the era, a strange "curse" had fallen over the land.
In the early days of 2018, Alolan trainers were facing a bizarre phenomenon. Every time a Pokémon used the move Curse, Forest’s Curse, Power Trick, or—most strangely of all—the humble String Shot, the very fabric of reality seemed to tear. In the heat of Live Competitions, the screen would simply freeze, leaving trainers staring at a frozen battlefield while their hearts pounded in the silence.
Because of this "glitch in the Matrix," the Alolan authorities—known in our world as Play! Pokémon—were forced to ban these moves entirely to keep tournaments running. For a while, the strategy of slowing down opponents with sticky silk or swapping stats with a Power Trick was lost to the wind. But on February 7, 2018, everything changed.
The Version 1.2 Update descended upon the eShop like a saving grace from the Nintendo eShop. It wasn't a massive expansion or a new island, but it was the "patch of peace" the region needed. Weighing in at 539 blocks, it quietly rewrote the code of the world.
Suddenly, the freezes vanished. Trainers could once again use String Shot without fear of crashing the universe. The ban was lifted, and the competitive scene breathed a sigh of relief. It was a small update on paper, but for the trainers whose games had been "cursed," it was the most important story in Alola that week.
If you are a collector looking for rare finds, did you know that Ash-Pikachu was famously not shiny-locked during this era, though some thought the 1.2 update might change that? What Alolan adventure are you currently working on?
Version 1.2 update Pokémon Ultra Sun (released February 6, 2018) is a maintenance-focused patch primarily designed to restore competitive integrity. While it doesn't add new content, it is essential for anyone participating in online play or using QR Code events. Key Technical Fixes pokemon ultra sun update 1.2
The most critical part of this update is the resolution of a game-breaking bug affecting four specific moves. Move Glitch Fixes : Addressed a bug involving Forest's Curse Power Trick String Shot
that previously caused the game to freeze during Live Competitions and QR Code events. Competitive Reinstatement
: Due to this fix, these moves—which were temporarily banned from official Play! Pokémon tournaments—are now permitted for use again. Performance Stability
: The update includes "various fixes to improve gameplay," though these are generally minor stability adjustments not detailed in official Nintendo notes. Essential Update Details : The patch requires 539 Blocks (approximately 67.35 MB) of space on your SD card. Online Requirement
install this update to access any online features, including the Global Trade System (GTS), Wonder Trade, and Battle Spot. Battle Video Compatibility
: Once you update, any Battle Videos saved on Version 1.1 or earlier will no longer be playable or shareable. Verdict: A Necessary Maintenance Patch The Alola region is usually a place of
If you are a competitive player or frequently trade online, this update is mandatory. For casual solo players, the fixes for freezing during specific move animations offer a smoother experience, even if you never intend to battle another player online.
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. A Warning for ROM or Custom Firmware Users
Additionally, the patch addresses a bug where the move Ion Deluge was not functioning correctly. Essential Online Info
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
If you’re playing on a hacked 3DS with a ROM or modified save file, installing the official 1.2 update may break certain cheats or mods. Back up your save before updating. That said, most major mods (like Supernova Sun) have been updated to work with 1.2.
Let’s be honest: the competitive Battle Spot is a ghost town. The Festival Plaza is a silent mall. But updating to Version 1.2 does three things for the preservationist:
Competitive players celebrated this update. Prior to 1.2, certain rare Poké Balls (Sport Ball, Safari Ball, and the elusive Cherish Ball) would display as generic red-and-white Poké Balls during online battles.
Post-1.2: All ball animations now render correctly over Wi-Fi. Additionally, desynchronization errors (error code 006-0612) during 6v6 Singles were reduced by approximately 40%, according to community Smogon testing.