Pokéballs & Catch rates

[Deneves]

There is a complicated formula to determine whether a pokemon is caught or not. I’ve seen different versions of it but they all agree that the pokéball you use can act as a multiplier in the formula. The descriptions of each ball doesn’t help much so to clear up any confusion about the effectiveness of Pokéballs here is a chart:

Pokéball
1 times the catch rate
Great Ball
1.5x the catch rate
Ultra Ball
2x the catch rate
Premier Ball
1x the catch rate
Net Ball
3x the catch rate for Bug or Water Types
1x against all other types
Nest Ball
3x the catch rate for pokemon level 1-19
2x the catch rate for pokemon level 20-29
1x the catch rate for pokemon level 30 and above
Repeat Ball
3x the catch rate for pokemon you have already caught
Luxury Ball
1x the catch rate, but increases friendliness +1 for every event, same as soothe bell
Timer Ball
1x the catch rate for the first 9 turns of battle
2x the catch rate for 10-19 turns
3x the catch rate for 20-29 turns
4x the catch rate for 30 or more turns
Heal Ball
1x the catch rate, restores HP and status of caught pokemon
Quick Ball
4x the catch rate for the first 5 turns
3x the catch rate for turns 6-10
2x the catch rate for turns 11-15
1x the catch rate for turns 16 or more
Dusk Ball
4x the catch rate in dark areas (caves, tunnels, etc.) and at night (8 PM to 4 AM)
Safari Ball
1.5x the catch rate
Dive Ball
3.5x the catch rate when battling underwater
1x the catch rate everywhere else

New for HeartGold and SoulSilver:
Sport Ball
Used in the Bug-Catching contest
1.5× the catch rate

These new balls can be obtained from Kurt in exchange for apricorns
Heavy Ball
.5× the catch rate if used on pokémon weighing less than 220 lbs
1× the catch rate if used on pokémon weighing between 220 lbs and 440 lbs
2× the catch rate if used on pokémon weighing between 440 lbs and 660 lbs
3x the catch rate if used on pokémon weighing more than 660 lbs
Lure Ball
3× the catch rate if used on a pokémon hooked by a fishing rod
1× the catch rate for all others
Friend Ball
1x the catch rate, but sets caught pokémon's happiness at 200
Love Ball
8× the catch rate if the player's pokémon of the opposite gender than the wild Pokémon
1× the catch rate if the player's pokémon is not the opposite gender
Level Ball
1× the catch rate if the player's Pokémon is the same level as or a lower level than the wild Pokémon
2× the catch rate if the player's Pokémon is at a higher level than the wild Pokémon but less than double it
4× the catch rate if the player's Pokémon is more than double but less than four times the level of the wild Pokémon
8× the catch rate if the player's Pokémon is of a level four times or more than that of the wild Pokémon
Fast Ball
4× the catch rate if used on a Pokémon that flees from battle(roaming legendaries)
1× the catch rate for all others
Moon Balls
4× the catch rate if used on a Pokémon that evolves using a Moon Stone
1× the catch rate for all others

Status effects also help aid in catching wild pokemon:
Sleep or Frozen
2x the catch rate
Paralysis, Poison, Burn
1.5x the catch rate

The lower the HP is in comparison with its maximum HP also helps ease the catching of wild pokemon. False Swipe is the best move for this, but another effective strategy is to switch a focus sash to the wild pokemon and use a OHKO move.

[Deneves]

Every pokemon has a its own catch rate. The higher the number the easier they are to catch. Here is a list of catchable pokemon starting with the easiest to catch listed first:
255 - Caterpie, Weedle, Rattata, Spearow, Ekans, Sandshrew, Zubat, Oddish, Diglett, Meowth, Poliwag, Bellsprout, Geodude, Magikarp, Sentret, Hoothoot, Ledyba, Spinark, Hoppip, Wooper, Poochyena, Zigzagoon, Wurmple, Lotad, Seedot, Shroomish, Slakoth, Nincada, Nosepass, Skitty, Numel, Spoink, Spinda, Trapinch, Swablu, Baltoy, Feebas, Spheal, Clamperl, Starly, Bidoof, Kricketot, Budew, Bronzor, Bonsly
235 - Nidoran♂&♀, Mareep, Sunkern, Ralts, Shinx,
225 - Krabby, Horsea, Goldeen, Staryu, Unown, Swinub, Gulpin, Carvanha, Shuppet, Luvdisc, Stunky
205 - Corphish
200 - Abra, Taillow, Surskit, Hariyama, Plusle, Minun, Kecleon, Tropius, Pachirisu, Carnivine
190 - Pikachu, Vulpix, Paras, Venonat, Psyduck, Mankey, Growlithe, Tentacool, Ponyta, Slowpoke, Magnemite, Doduo, Seel, Grimer, Shellder, Gastly, Drowzee, Voltorb, Cubone, Koffing, Chinchou, Pichu, Togepi, Natu, Marill, Pineco, Dunsparce, Snubull, Shuckle, Slugma, Remoraid, Wingull, Whismur, Cacnea, Barboach, Duskull, Snorunt, Cherubi, Shellos, Buneary, Glameow, Finneon
180 - Machop, Makuhita, Aron, Meditite
170 - Jigglypuff, Igglypuff
155 - Crawdaunt
150 - Clefairy, Cleffa, Azurill, Volbeat, Illumise, Roselia, Camerupt
145 - Mime Jr.
140 - Hippopotas, Croagunk
130 - Happiny
127 - Raticate, Mightyena, Bibarel
125 - Wailmer, Wynaut, Drifloon
120 - Metapod, Kakuna, Pidgeotto, Nidorina, Nidorino, Gloom, Poliwhirl, Weepingbell, Graveler, Rhyhorn, Flaafy, Skiploom, Sunflora, Teddiursa, Houndoor, Phanpy, Silcoon, Cascoon, Lombre, Nuzleaf, Kirlia, Loudred, Electrike, Vibrava, Sealeo, Staravia, Luxio, Burmy, Combee, Chingling, Skorupi, Snover
100 - Kadabra, Spiritomb
90 - Fearow, Arbok, Sandslash, Golbat, Persian, Machoke, Haunter, Exeggcute, Furret, Noctowl, Ledian, Ariados, Quagsire, Linoone, Lairon, Medicham, Torkoal, Zangoose, Seviper, Claydol, Duclops, Bronzong
75 - Venomoth, Golduck, Primeape, Slowbro, Dewgong, Muk, Hypno, Marowak, Seadra, Lanturn, Togetic, Xatu, Azumarill, Yanma, Forretress, Granbull, Magcargo, Piloswine, Octillery, Tyrogue, Whiscash, Floatzel, Gastrodon, Purugly, Toxicroak, Lumineon
65 - Sudowoodo
60 - Tentacruel, Rapidash, Magneton, Electrode, Weezing, Rhydon, Seaking, Girafarig, Sneasel, Ursaring, Corsola, Sharpedo, Wailord, Cacturne, Skuntank, Hippowdon, Abomasnow
50 - Dugtrio, Munchlax
45 - Butterfree, Beedrill, Farfetch’d, Dodrio, Gengar, Onix, Lickitung, Tangela, Kangaskhan, Mr. Mime, Scyther, Jynx, Electabuzz, Magmar, Pinsir, Tauros, Gyarados, Lapras, Eevee, Porygon, Dratini, Dragonair, Aipom, Misdreavus, Wobbuffet, Qwilfish, Heracross, Delibird, Houndoom, Stantler, Smeargle, Smoochum, Elekid, Magby, Miltank, Larvitar, Beautifly, Dustox, Swellow, Pelipper, Exploud, Sableye, Mawile, Manectric, Altaria, Lunatone, Solrock, Castform, Banette, Chimecho, Bagon, Kricketune, Gible, Drapion, Rotom
35 - Ditto (When ditto transforms it takes on the catch rate of that pokemon)
30 - Chansey, Murkrow, Absol, Chatot, Dialga, Palkia
25 - Snorlax, Steelix, Mantine, Skarmory, Relicanth, Mantyke
5 - Kyogre, Groudon
3 - Articuno, Zapdos, Moltres, Mewtwo, Raikou, Entei, Suicune, Beldum, Regirock, Regice, Registeel, Latias, Latios, Rayquaza, Uxie, Mesprit, Azlef, Heatran, Regigas, Giratina, Cresselia

[NikolaTesla]

Well that explains why Beldum are next to impossible to catch :rolleyes:

Great collection of information Deneves I added it to the useful links thread :D

[TheTaterTot]

Awesome article, I actually needed this today! I kept using repeat balls (they're my favorite) and I was curious as to their catch rate :D Thanks!

[N0t2f34r]

*looks a Murkrow one the list* *gasps because he easily caught 6 this morning* That can't be right...I was using pokeballs...but at least Lotad are easy to catch...

[Cherkat]

The beldum catch rate kind of shocked me because the only shiny I have ever caught in the wild was a beldum and I didn't know it was shiny until I pal parked it over from Emerald:) I guess I got very, very lucky!

[Deneves]

Awesome article, I actually needed this today! I kept using repeat balls (they're my favorite) and I was curious as to their catch rate :D Thanks!

One of the reasons I wrote this was for catching shinies. The pokemon with high catch rates can usually be caught with a quick ball without having to weaken them and risking a critical hit that might kill them.


*looks a Murkrow one the list* *gasps because he easily caught 6 this morning* That can't be right...I was using pokeballs...but at least Lotad are easy to catch...

Wild murkrows have a low Hp which helps the catch rate, but for their level they are relatively difficult to catch with a pokeball.


The beldum catch rate kind of shocked me because the only shiny I have ever caught in the wild was a beldum and I didn't know it was shiny until I pal parked it over from Emerald:) I guess I got very, very lucky!

Beldums are a bear to catch because their only move is take down and comes with recoil damage. If you have a shiny beldum from emerald you must have bred it because they can't be caught in the wild in any third generation game.

[Cherkat]

You know what, it must have been the Beldum that I received from Steven in Mossdeep:o Wow, that makes little Blue, that's its name, rare indeed! He came aboard at level 5 captured in Hoenn and is lax natured. I am truly shocked and happy:).

[N0t2f34r]

But little blue won't be blue for long...he'll turn silver...and gold. But Deneves why were the murkrow I caught this morning so easy to catch, if that list is right (and it is), it should have been WAY harder to get a full party..

[Sorgatani]

I had a ridiculously easy time catching those shiny snover, I think most of mine were in premier/poke/dive balls :D so it was surprising to see them at 120 because after having such an easy time, I was sure they would be higher ^_^

[TheTaterTot]

I chained Beldum once, I had no idea that they would drive me so crazy! Not only do they have a low catch rate, but the recoil/killing themselves thing, and in the sandstorm, not easy to catch even a bit. A lot of unpleasant words were spoken by me.

[Deneves]

The formula is very complex and basically gives you a number and you get four chances for a random number to fall below the calculated catch rate number (One for the drop and each roll of the pokéball)
Here is the most accurate of the simplified versions of that formula to determine
the chance of a catch.

( ( 1 - Current HP * 2 / Maximum HP * 3 ) * Catch Rate * Ball * Status ) / 256

So anything in the 255 catch rate has a 33% chance of being caught by a regular pokeball without even weakening it.

(1 - 2/3)*255*1*1 / 256 = .332

Let's say we have a pesky Beldum with a typical Max Hp of 110 you have it down to 10 Hp and Paralyzed, the chance with an Ultra ball is:

(1- 2*10/3*110)*3*2*1.5 / 256 = .033 or 1 out of 30 chance


A Murkrow from Eterna forest Max hp 36 down to 1 hp with a regular pokeball

(1 - 2*1/3*36)*30*1*1 / 256 = .115 or a about 1 out of 8 chance

A Snover with a max HP of 90 down to 30 HP with a regular pokeball, premier ball or dive ball

(1 - 2*30/3*90)*120*1*1 / 256 = .93 almost a sure thing

Keep in mind even if the number is above 1 or 100% catch rate does not guarantee that you will catch it every time. It is a rough percentage and because the formula has been simplified it doesn't work out exactly. Similar to flipping a coin four times. The odds are you will get 2 heads and 2 tails, but you are not guaranteed that.

Anything with a catch rate of 190 and above should be easily caught with a quick ball on the first turn.

[FatherGoblin]

I am playing Pokemon Colosseum and catching Raikou, Entei & Suicune was really annoying!!!

They are shodow when you go to battle them and they kept fainting themselves with the shadow move that has recoil damage.

I really missed my Brelom with Spore!

[Jats605]

Nice job!! I would give u rep but it says i have to spread it first

[MissingNo.]

ugh, stupid me tried to catch ditto using a registeel.... No wonder that thing never got in the ball!

[Deneves]

ugh, stupid me tried to catch ditto using a registeel.... No wonder that thing never got in the ball!

LOL, that would make it very difficult. My favorite switch-ins for catching dittos are Magikarps that only knows splash and Ralts that only know growl. Even though the level 16 eevees in Backlot's area have no attack moves, they can often be a pain to catch.

[N0t2f34r]

I use my starly that I reduced it's moves to growl....It's lvl 37 so I can use it to catch them:)(he was in the daycare for a long time)

[Alirrath]

Quick note here; when you are catching Dittos for IVs, carry a Magikarp with you. When you battle one, make sure the Ditto transforms into the Magikarp, then just toss a Net ball at it! 100%

Over 100 Dittos acquired this way ;)

[Boba_fett66]

I just saw this post and it helps a TON. thanks for starting it :)

[Gunshin]

You forgot to mention that holding the A button increases the catch rate LOL

[Cinder]

You forgot to mention that holding the A button increases the catch rate LOL

No, that's wrong, you're supposed to hold down plus B plus Select while yelling "GOTCHA!" into the microphone. :P

This works best in public areas, such as while a restaurant or in the library. XD

[Deneves]

New pokéballs added for HeartGold and SoulSilver. It is doubtful if you can trade these to Diamond/Pearl/Platinum and if you can I doubt if the effects are programmed into these games.

[iNot]

I read somewhere that when you trade it to D/P/Pl, they turn into regular pokeballs.

[Kiwi]

New pokéballs added for HeartGold and SoulSilver. It is doubtful if you can trade these to Diamond/Pearl/Platinum and if you can I doubt if the effects are programmed into these games.

Just a question about the love ball, what would be the effects be for genderless pokemon?

[Deneves]

Just a question about the love ball, what would be the effects be for genderless pokemon?

It would be 1x the catch rate, same as a regular pokeball