i just started the ultra moon game, any tips?

I didn't play non-ultra Sun or Moon, so it might be redundant, but I'm going to advise investing heavily in maxing out Pokepelago as quickly as you can (just after the Fire trial) to maximize your berry-growing, EV training, and fossil-finding (you can get multiple of EVERY fossil except Aerodactyl in either Ultra game through the pelago); and be aware that you can evolve location-based Pokémon fairly soon in the game. Magnetic area Pokémon can be evolved just before Tapu town, and Mt. Lanakila now has a patch of grass at the bottom that can be used to evolve Crabrawler. This makes planning for Vikavolt and Crabominable that much more profitable.

 

Have at least one or two Pokémon that can take a heavy hit. I found out during my own US playthrough that a lot of Pokémon in the game have a really have attack stat, so most were able to completely KO my Pokémon in one or two hits. Also, a fairy type won't be as useful as you think. As a matter of fact, it might even be a hindrance to have on one your time due to the sheer amount of steel and poison types (and moves) that the AI use.

 

In my personal opinion, you almost have to have a fairy, or a dragon but I prefer fairy in this case, type in order to survive mid to late game battles, and I'm not planning to spoil any plot. (powerful dragon type though)

 

if youve played sun and moon. id reccomend taking your time through this game and exploring everything new ULTRA has to offer. its what me and my friends did.

 

I'd invest heavily in few different Pokémon.

• Furfrou was a solid choice. You can find it in Hau'oli City and it's a monster when it comes to taking physical hits. Mine stood up to two of Hala's Pokémon before it was taken out. It's decently fast and there are a variety of moves it knows early on that can be a big help.
  
• One that evolves early. Get yourself a Caterpie and evolve it into Butterfree. It can learn a variety of status condition moves and attacks that can disrupt your foe. Cutiefly is also a solid pick. It evolves into Ribombee which is a terror in the speed game. Only downside to these are that they lose their usefulness around the third island...so I'd ditch it for someone more powerful by this time.
• Steel types are a good option as well. I caught a Magnemite at the school which can cover both steel and electric moves...plus it can tank physical hits and cover its mediocre specdef with Light Screen and Mirror Coat. I found it quite handy especially later in the game. Can't go wrong with Beldum-Metang-Metagross either.

 

Caterpie can be found on Route 1, and Melemele meadow on the first island.

On Route 1 they have a 10% chance of appearing int he bushes next to the house, where you had the catching tutorial.

In Melemele Meadow you have a 10% chance everywhere, but you can SOS call a Butterfree if you are lucky.

 

Making use of the GTS can prove useful. Wonder Trading can also get you some good stuff if you're lucky.

 

don't make much conversation with Rotom if you can help it.

apparently it starts to get really annoying if you talk to it too much.

 

Butterfree is a good call, with Quiver Dance-Compoundeyes-Sleep Powder it can actually be a neat Set-Up mon with a lot of power and is a good early game mon because it evolves early.

Also teach a mon Toxic, I won't talk about why but just trust me (I mean its useful in its own right anyways)