Pokémon Catch Rate Calculator Gen 5

Catch Rate Calculator

Enter the Pokémon's details and the ball/status effects to estimate the catch rate in Pokémon Gen 5 games (Black, White, Black 2, White 2).

Catch Rate Results

The final catch rate is determined by a complex formula that considers the Pokémon's base stats, current HP, the ball used, status effects, and other factors.

Catch Rate Formula Explained (Gen 5)

The catch rate in Pokémon Generation 5 is calculated using the following formula:

Catch Rate = ((( (3 * MaxHP – 2 * CurrentHP) * BaseCatchRate * BallModifier ) / (3 * MaxHP) ) * StatusModifier * LegendaryModifier ) / 255

This formula determines the probability of successfully catching a wild Pokémon. Let's break down the components:

Variables:

Variable descriptions and typical values for Pokémon Generation 5 catch rate calculations.

Variable	Meaning	Unit/Type	Typical Range/Value
MaxHP	Maximum Hit Points of the wild Pokémon.	HP	Varies (e.g., 20 – 255)
CurrentHP	Wild Pokémon's current Hit Points.	HP	0 – MaxHP
BaseCatchRate	The inherent catch rate of the species.	Unitless (1-255)	1 – 255 (e.g., 30 for common, 255 for legendaries)
BallModifier	Multiplier based on the Poké Ball used.	Multiplier	1.0 (Poké Ball) to 8.0 (Master Ball)
StatusModifier	Multiplier based on the wild Pokémon's status condition.	Multiplier	1.0 (None) to 2.0 (Severe status)
LegendaryModifier	Multiplier reducing catch rate for legendary Pokémon.	Multiplier	1.0 (Non-Legendary) to 0.5 (Legendary)

The calculator simplifies this by first calculating intermediate factors and then applying the final formula.

Practical Examples

Example 1: Catching a common Pokémon

Let's try to catch a level 30 Rattata with full HP using a Great Ball.

• Pokémon Level: 30
• Base Catch Rate: 255 (Rattata is often used as a baseline)
• Current HP: 30/30
• Max HP: 30
• Ball Type: Great Ball (Multiplier: 1.5)
• Status Effect: None (Multiplier: 1.0)
• Is Legendary: No (Multiplier: 1.0)

Using the calculator with these inputs would yield a high catch rate, making it likely to catch.

Example 2: Catching a tougher Pokémon

Attempting to catch a level 50 Groudon with half HP using an Ultra Ball, while it is Paralyzed.

• Pokémon Level: 50
• Base Catch Rate: 3 (Groudon's base catch rate)
• Current HP: 50/100
• Max HP: 100
• Ball Type: Ultra Ball (Multiplier: 2.0)
• Status Effect: Paralysis (Multiplier: 2.0)
• Is Legendary: Yes (Multiplier: 0.5)

This scenario presents a much lower catch rate due to Groudon's low base catch rate and legendary status, even with the status and ball bonuses.

How to Use This Pokémon Catch Rate Calculator

1. Enter Pokémon Level: Input the exact level of the wild Pokémon you are encountering.
2. Input Base Catch Rate: Find this value for the specific Pokémon species. Most common Pokémon have a high base rate (e.g., 190-255), while rarer or legendary ones have lower rates (e.g., 3-45). Consult online Pokédex resources if unsure.
3. Specify Current and Max HP: Enter the Pokémon's current HP and its maximum HP. Reducing current HP significantly increases the catch chance.
4. Select Ball Type: Choose the Poké Ball you intend to use. Standard Poké Balls have a multiplier of 1.0, while Great Balls are 1.5, and Ultra Balls are 2.0. Specialized balls like the Dive Ball or Repeat Ball have different situational modifiers. Master Balls have a multiplier of 8.0.
5. Choose Status Effect: If the wild Pokémon is asleep, frozen, poisoned, burned, or paralyzed, select the corresponding status. Sleep/Freeze offer a 1.5x bonus, while Poison/Burn/Paralysis offer a 2.0x bonus.
6. Indicate Legendary Status: Select "Yes" if the Pokémon is legendary, as this halves the effective catch rate (0.5x modifier).
7. Click "Calculate": The calculator will instantly display the key factors and the final estimated catch rate.
8. Interpret Results: A higher percentage indicates a greater chance of capture. A value above 255 effectively guarantees a catch (excluding glitches or specific game mechanics).
9. Copy Results: Use the "Copy Results" button to save the calculated values for later reference.

Remember that this calculator provides an estimate based on the core mechanics. Critical captures, specific game events, or unique Pokémon encounters might deviate slightly. For a deeper dive into Pokémon mechanics, check out our related tools.

Key Factors Affecting Catch Rate in Gen 5

1. Current HP: This is arguably the most impactful factor you can control. The lower the wild Pokémon's current HP, the higher the catch rate. Reducing it to 1 HP offers the maximum benefit.
2. Ball Modifier: Different balls offer varying chances. Master Balls are guaranteed catches, while Ultra Balls and Great Balls provide significant boosts over standard Poké Balls. Specialized balls like the Nest Ball (bonus for lower-level targets) or Repeat Ball (bonus for same species) can also be very effective.
3. Status Conditions: Inflicting a status condition like Sleep, Freeze, Paralysis, Burn, or Poison dramatically increases the catch rate. Sleep/Freeze provide a moderate boost (1.5x), while the others offer a larger boost (2.0x).
4. Base Catch Rate: Each Pokémon species has an inherent difficulty to catch. Common Pokémon like Rattata have very high base rates (255), making them easy to catch. Legendary Pokémon or those with specific roles often have much lower base rates (e.g., 3-45), making them significantly harder.
5. Legendary Pokémon Status: Encountering legendary Pokémon inherently makes them harder to catch. This is represented by a multiplier that reduces the overall catch chance.
6. Level Difference (Implicit): While not a direct input in the standard formula, the Pokémon's level primarily influences its Max HP. Higher levels mean higher Max HP, which affects the HP factor in the catch rate calculation. Some specialized balls like the Nest Ball also factor in level differences more directly.
7. Game Version & Specifics: While this calculator focuses on Gen 5 mechanics, minor variations or specific in-game events (like scripted encounters or critical captures) can sometimes influence outcomes.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the formula for Pokémon catch rate in Gen 5?

The core formula is: Catch Rate = ((( (3 * MaxHP - 2 * CurrentHP) * BaseCatchRate * BallModifier ) / (3 * MaxHP) ) * StatusModifier * LegendaryModifier ) / 255. This calculates the probability from 0 to 255, where 255 is a guaranteed catch.

Are catch rates the same across all Pokémon games?

No, catch rate formulas have evolved significantly between generations. This calculator is specific to Generation 5 (Black, White, Black 2, White 2).

Does the wild Pokémon's level affect catch rate directly in Gen 5?

The level itself doesn't directly multiply the catch rate, but it determines the Pokémon's Max HP. A higher Max HP reduces the effectiveness of the Current HP factor, making it slightly harder to catch if not weakened.

What is the difference between Sleep/Freeze and Poison/Burn/Paralysis modifiers?

Sleep and Freeze offer a 1.5x modifier to the catch rate, while Poison, Burn, and Paralysis offer a stronger 2.0x modifier.

How does the Repeat Ball work?

The Repeat Ball has a multiplier of 3.0 (instead of the standard 1.0 for a Poké Ball) if the Pokémon you are trying to catch is the same species as one already registered in your Pokédex. This calculator uses a specific 'Swapped' input for this bonus.

What if the calculated catch rate is above 255?

A calculated value of 255 or higher indicates a guaranteed catch under normal circumstances. This often happens with Master Balls or very favorable conditions (low HP, severe status) on easier targets.

Do critical captures apply in Gen 5?

Critical captures were introduced in Generation 6. They do not apply to Generation 5 games.

Can I use this calculator for Pokémon GO or other spin-offs?

No, Pokémon GO and other spin-off titles use entirely different mechanics and formulas for catching Pokémon. This calculator is strictly for the core series Generation 5 games.