Pokemon Gen 7 Catch Rate Calculator

Accurately estimate your chances of catching any Pokémon in Generation 7 games (Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun, Ultra Moon).

Catch Rate Calculator Inputs

Intermediate Values

Modified Catch Rate (A): —

HP Modifier (B): —

Ball Modifier (C): —

Status Modifier (D): —

Assist Modifier (E): —

These are calculated values based on the formula's components.

Catch Rate Formula & Explanation

The catch rate in Pokémon Gen 7 is determined by a complex formula that takes into account several factors. The general formula can be broken down into several parts:

Core Formula:

( ( (3 * MaxHP - 2 * CurrentHP) * BaseCatchRate * BallBonus ) / (3 * MaxHP) ) * StatusBonus * AssistBonus / 255 ) * 100%

However, for practical purposes and user input, we often simplify this. The critical part that we can directly influence is calculating the "Modified Catch Rate (A)", which then determines the final probability. The calculator focuses on this modular approach.

Key Variables:

Variables Used in Calculation

Variable	Meaning	Unit/Type	Typical Range
Base Catch Rate	The inherent difficulty of catching a Pokémon species.	Unitless (0-255)	0 to 255 (e.g., 3 for Magikarp, 45 for Pikachu, 255 for Mewtwo)
Pokémon's Level	The level of the wild Pokémon.	Level	1 – 100
Your Trainer Level	Your trainer's level, typically 1.	Level	1 (usually)
Ball Bonus (C)	A multiplier based on the type of Poké Ball used.	Multiplier	1.0 to 4.0+ (e.g., 1x for Poké Ball, 2x for Ultra Ball, 4x for Net Ball/Dive Ball etc.)
HP Modifier (B)	A multiplier based on the wild Pokémon's current HP percentage.	Multiplier	1.0 (Full HP) to 4.0 (Very Low HP)
Status Condition (D)	A multiplier based on the status ailment affecting the wild Pokémon.	Multiplier	1.0 (None) to 2.0 (Paralysis/Poison/Burn)
Assist Encounter (E)	A multiplier if the Pokémon calls for help and the player hits the ally.	Multiplier	1.0 (No Assist) or 0.5 (Assist)
Final Catch Rate (%)	The final probability of catching the Pokémon.	Percentage	0% to 100%

Practical Examples

Let's see how the calculator works with realistic scenarios:

Example 1: Catching a Mid-Level Pikachu

• Pokémon: Pikachu
• Base Catch Rate: 45
• Wild Pokémon Level: 20
• Ball Used: Great Ball
• Status Condition: None
• Current HP: About 1/3rd HP (Low HP)
• Assist Encounter: No Assist

Calculation: Inputting these values yields an estimated catch rate of approximately 38.2%.

Example 2: Catching a Difficult Pokémon with Status

• Pokémon: Garchomp
• Base Catch Rate: 45
• Wild Pokémon Level: 55
• Ball Used: Ultra Ball
• Status Condition: Poisoned
• Current HP: Full HP
• Assist Encounter: No Assist

Calculation: With these inputs, the estimated catch rate is around 18.6%. Lowering Garchomp's HP to very low would significantly increase this chance.

Example 3: Using Timer Ball Effectively

• Pokémon: Snorlax
• Base Catch Rate: 25
• Wild Pokémon Level: 40
• Ball Used: Timer Ball (assume ~5 turns, max multiplier)
• Status Condition: Sleep
• Current HP: ~1/4 HP (Low HP)
• Assist Encounter: No Assist

Calculation: A Timer Ball at maximum effectiveness (near 3x multiplier) combined with sleep and low HP provides a good chance, estimated around 65.8%.

How to Use This Pokémon Gen 7 Catch Rate Calculator

1. Identify the Pokémon's Base Catch Rate: Look this up on a reliable Pokémon database (e.g., Serebii, Bulbapedia). This is a crucial, unchangeable stat for each species.
2. Determine the Wild Pokémon's Level: Note the level of the Pokémon you are encountering.
3. Choose Your Ball: Select the specific Poké Ball you intend to use. Note that some balls like Timer Ball have varying effectiveness. For simplicity, we use the maximum multiplier for Timer Ball.
4. Apply Status Condition: If the wild Pokémon has Sleep, Freeze, Paralysis, Poison, or Burn, select the corresponding option.
5. Note Current HP: Estimate if the Pokémon has Full HP, Low HP (roughly 1-33%), or Very Low HP (roughly 1-17%). The lower the HP, the better your chances.
6. Consider Assist Encounters: If the Pokémon is calling for help and you hit an ally Pokémon, select the Assist option.
7. Press Calculate: Click the "Calculate Catch Rate" button.
8. Interpret Results: The calculator will display your overall percentage chance to catch the Pokémon. Higher percentages mean a higher likelihood of success. The intermediate values show how each factor contributes.
9. Adjust and Re-calculate: Experiment with different balls, status conditions, or HP levels to see how they impact your catch rate.

Understanding these factors allows for more strategic encounters, saving valuable Poké Balls and time.

Key Factors Affecting Your Catch Rate in Gen 7

1. Base Catch Rate: This is the most fundamental factor, hardcoded into each Pokémon species. Legendaries and rare Pokémon often have very low base catch rates.
2. Ball Multiplier: Using the right ball for the situation is critical. Ultra Balls offer a good balance, while specialized balls like Net Balls (for Water/Bug types) or Dusk Balls (at night/in caves) can provide significant boosts.
3. Pokémon's HP: Reducing a Pokémon's HP dramatically increases your catch rate. Aiming for 1 HP without fainting it is the ultimate strategy, but challenging.
4. Status Conditions: Inflicting Sleep or Freeze offers the largest multiplier (2x), while Paralysis, Poison, or Burn offer a smaller boost (1.5x). These conditions are invaluable for catching tougher Pokémon.
5. Level Difference (Subtle Impact): While not a direct multiplier in the core Gen 7 formula, certain game mechanics or specific ball types might indirectly consider level. In this calculator, we simplify it to a base trainer level input which is usually 1.
6. Assist Encounters: The mechanic where wild Pokémon call for allies can slightly decrease your catch rate if you hit the ally instead of the original target.
7. Specific Ball Mechanics: Balls like the Timer Ball increase their effectiveness the longer the battle lasts, while the Quick Ball offers a massive bonus if used on the very first turn.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the difference between the Base Catch Rate and the final Catch Rate?

The Base Catch Rate is an inherent stat of a Pokémon species (0-255). The final Catch Rate is the calculated probability (0-100%) of successfully capturing it in a specific encounter, influenced by your actions and items.

Why is my catch rate so low for some Pokémon?

Legendary Pokémon, starters, and some rare species have extremely low Base Catch Rates (e.g., 3 or 45). Combined with full HP and no status effects, their catch rate will naturally be low.

Does the level of my Pokémon matter?

In Generation 7's core catch rate formula, your Pokémon's level and your trainer level have minimal direct impact compared to the wild Pokémon's level, HP, and status. This calculator uses a simplified input for trainer level, usually defaulting to 1.

How does HP affect catch rate?

The lower the wild Pokémon's current HP, the higher the catch rate. The formula uses a ratio of Max HP to Current HP. Bringing it down to 1 HP provides the maximum possible bonus.

Which status condition is best for catching?

Sleep or Freeze provide the highest multiplier (2x), doubling your chances. Paralysis, Poison, or Burn offer a substantial 1.5x boost.

Are all Poké Balls the same?

No. Great Balls and Ultra Balls offer moderate bonuses. Specialized balls like Net Balls (vs. Water/Bug), Dive Balls (vs. Water), Nest Balls (vs. low level), and Dusk Balls (at night/in caves) offer much higher multipliers in specific situations.

What about the Master Ball?

The Master Ball has a 100% guaranteed catch rate, regardless of any other factor. Its multiplier is effectively infinite for calculation purposes.

Can I use this calculator for other Pokémon generations?

While the core concepts are similar, the exact formulas and multipliers can vary significantly between generations. This calculator is specifically tuned for Generation 7 (Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun, Ultra Moon).