Pokemon Catching Calculator

Welcome to the Pokemon Catching Calculator. Estimate your chances of successfully catching a Pokemon based on various factors.

Catch Calculator

Results:

Catch Probability: 0.00%

Formula (simplified Gen V+):
`a = ( (3 * MaxHP – 2 * CurrentHP) * BaseRate * BallBonus * StatusBonus * RotoCatch ) / (3 * MaxHP)` (capped at 255)
`b = floor(65536 * (a/255)^0.25)`
Catch Probability = `(b/65536)^4 * 100%`

What is a Pokemon Catching Calculator?

A Pokemon Catching Calculator is a tool used by Pokemon trainers to estimate the probability of successfully capturing a wild Pokemon with a given Poke Ball under specific conditions. It takes into account factors like the Pokemon’s species (base catch rate), its current and maximum HP, the type of Poke Ball used, and any status conditions inflicted.

Anyone playing the Pokemon games, from casual players to competitive battlers trying to catch specific Pokemon with desired natures or IVs, can benefit from using a Pokemon Catching Calculator. It helps in making strategic decisions during battles, such as whether to use a more valuable ball or try to lower the Pokemon’s HP further.

Common misconceptions include thinking that the level of the Pokemon directly influences the catch rate (it doesn’t in the core formula after Gen I, though it indirectly affects HP) or that mashing buttons increases the catch chance (it doesn’t).

Pokemon Catching Calculator Formula and Mathematical Explanation

The probability of catching a Pokemon is determined by a formula that has evolved slightly through the Pokemon game generations. The most commonly referenced formula, used from Generation V onwards (with slight modifications from III-IV), involves several steps:

1. Calculate the modified catch rate ‘a’:

   a = ( (3 * MaxHP - 2 * CurrentHP) * BaseCatchRate * BallBonus * StatusBonus * OtherBonuses ) / (3 * MaxHP)

   Here, OtherBonuses can include things like Roto Catch. The value ‘a’ is then capped at 255. If ‘a’ is 255 or more, the catch is guaranteed (unless it’s a raid boss or similar special encounter).

2. Calculate the shake check value ‘b’:

   b = floor(65536 * (a / 255) ^ 0.25)

   This value is used to determine the chance of the Poke Ball shaking without breaking.

3. Determine the probability of passing one shake check:

   The probability of one shake succeeding is b / 65536.

4. Calculate the final catch probability:

   For a successful catch, the Poke Ball must shake three times and then click, meaning four successful shake checks must occur. So, the final probability is (b / 65536) ^ 4.

Variables Table

Variable	Meaning	Unit	Typical Range
MaxHP	Maximum Hit Points of the wild Pokemon	Points	10 – 700+
CurrentHP	Current Hit Points of the wild Pokemon	Points	1 – MaxHP
BaseCatchRate	The base catch rate of the Pokemon species	Number	3 – 255
BallBonus	Multiplier for the type of Poke Ball used	Multiplier	1x – 255x (Master Ball)
StatusBonus	Multiplier for status conditions like Sleep or Paralysis	Multiplier	1x, 1.5x, 2x, 2.5x
OtherBonuses	Multipliers from other effects (e.g., Roto Catch)	Multiplier	1x upwards
a	Modified catch rate	Number	0 – 255
b	Shake check value	Number	0 – 65535

Variables used in the Pokemon Catching Calculator formula.

Practical Examples (Real-World Use Cases)

Example 1: Catching a Common Pokemon

Let’s say you’re trying to catch a Pidgey (Base Catch Rate: 255) with 50 Max HP, and you’ve lowered its health to 10 HP. You use a standard Poke Ball (1x) and it has no status condition (1x).

• Max HP = 50, Current HP = 10, Base Rate = 255, Ball = 1, Status = 1
• a = ((3*50 – 2*10) * 255 * 1 * 1) / (3*50) = (130 * 255) / 150 = 221
• b = floor(65536 * (221/255)^0.25) = floor(65536 * 0.965) = 63242
• Catch Probability = (63242/65536)^4 = (0.967)^4 ≈ 0.875 or 87.5%

The Pokemon Catching Calculator would show a high chance of catching this Pidgey.

Example 2: Catching a Legendary Pokemon

Now, you’re facing a Mewtwo (Base Catch Rate: 3) with 200 Max HP, lowered to 20 HP. You use an Ultra Ball (2x) and Mewtwo is Asleep (2.5x).

• Max HP = 200, Current HP = 20, Base Rate = 3, Ball = 2, Status = 2.5
• a = ((3*200 – 2*20) * 3 * 2 * 2.5) / (3*200) = (560 * 15) / 600 = 8400 / 600 = 14
• b = floor(65536 * (14/255)^0.25) = floor(65536 * 0.484) = 31719
• Catch Probability = (31719/65536)^4 = (0.484)^4 ≈ 0.055 or 5.5%

The Pokemon Catching Calculator indicates a low chance, suggesting you might need many attempts or better conditions.

How to Use This Pokemon Catching Calculator

1. Enter Max HP: Input the maximum HP of the Pokemon you are trying to catch.
2. Enter Current HP: Input the current HP of the Pokemon. Lower HP significantly increases catch odds.
3. Enter Base Catch Rate: Find the base catch rate of the Pokemon species (you can look this up online).
4. Select Poke Ball: Choose the Poke Ball you are using from the dropdown.
5. Select Status Condition: If the Pokemon is asleep, paralyzed, etc., select the condition.
6. Select Roto Catch: Indicate if Roto Catch power is active.
7. View Results: The calculator will instantly show the final catch probability, the ‘a’ and ‘b’ values, and the average number of balls you might need. The chart will also update.

Use the results to decide if you want to use a better ball, try to inflict a status condition, or lower the HP further before attempting another catch.

Key Factors That Affect Pokemon Catching Calculator Results

• Pokemon’s Base Catch Rate: Each species has an inherent catch rate (3-255). Lower numbers mean harder to catch (like legendaries).
• HP (Current vs. Max): The lower the Pokemon’s current HP relative to its max HP, the higher the catch rate. Getting it to 1 HP is ideal.
• Poke Ball Used: Different balls have different multipliers (Great Ball 1.5x, Ultra Ball 2x, etc., and situational balls like Timer or Dusk).
• Status Conditions: Sleep and Freeze (2.5x) are most effective, followed by Paralysis, Burn, and Poison (1.5x).
• Other Multipliers: Items like Roto Catch or certain game mechanics can further boost the rate.
• Game Version: While the core formula is similar from Gen V onwards, small variations or specific mechanics might exist in different games. This Pokemon Catching Calculator uses the Gen V+ model.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the highest base catch rate?

The highest base catch rate is 255, shared by many common Pokemon like Caterpie, Weedle, Pidgey, Rattata, etc., making them very easy to catch.

What is the lowest base catch rate?

The lowest is 3, typical for most Legendary and Mythical Pokemon, making them very difficult to catch.

Does the Pokemon’s level matter?

Not directly in the catch formula from Gen II onwards. However, higher-level Pokemon have more HP, making it harder to reduce their HP to a small fraction, indirectly affecting the catch rate via the HP term.

Is it better to use Sleep or Paralysis?

Sleep (and Freeze) provide a 2.5x bonus, while Paralysis, Burn, and Poison give a 1.5x bonus. So, Sleep or Freeze are significantly better for increasing catch odds.

When is a Master Ball worth using?

The Master Ball guarantees a catch (255x modifier). It’s best saved for very difficult-to-catch Pokemon like roaming Legendaries, Shiny Legendaries, or any Pokemon with a very low catch rate that you don’t want to risk fainting.

Does a Critical Catch depend on these factors?

A Critical Catch is a random event that, when it occurs, bypasses the normal shake checks and often results in an almost guaranteed catch. The chance of a Critical Catch occurring increases with the number of Pokemon species you’ve caught. The formula used here calculates the standard catch probability, not the critical catch chance.

How accurate is this Pokemon Catching Calculator?

This calculator uses the standard catch rate formula from Generation V and later games, so it is quite accurate for those games. Minor variations might exist in specific titles or under special conditions.

Why is the catch rate sometimes still low even at 1 HP with Sleep?

For Pokemon with a very low base catch rate (like 3), even with 1 HP and Sleep, the ‘a’ value might still be low, resulting in a low ‘b’ value and thus a low overall catch probability per ball.

Related Tools and Internal Resources