Gen Vii Catch Rate Calculator

Catch Rate Factors & Values

Factor	Description	Value
Base Catch Rate	The Pokémon's inherent catchability.	—
Level	The wild Pokémon's level.	—
HP Condition	Current HP / Max HP ratio. Lower is better.	—
Status Condition	Effect of paralysis, sleep, burn, etc.	—
Ball Type	Multiplier based on the Poké Ball used.	—
Area Multiplier	Special area bonus (e.g., Friend Safari).	—
Effective Catch Rate	The calculated rate before dividing by 256.	—
Chance to Catch (%)	Final probability of success.	—

What is the Gen VII Catch Rate Calculator?

The Gen VII Catch Rate Calculator is a specialized tool designed to help Pokémon trainers in games like Pokémon Sun, Pokémon Moon, Pokémon Ultra Sun, and Pokémon Ultra Moon accurately predict their chances of capturing a wild Pokémon. Unlike earlier generations, Gen VII introduced specific mechanics and multipliers that influence how likely a Pokémon is to stay in a Poké Ball. This calculator breaks down the complex formula, allowing players to input various factors—such as the Pokémon's base catch rate, level, current and maximum HP, status conditions, the type of Poké Ball used, and special area bonuses—to determine the precise probability of success.

Whether you're aiming to complete your Pokédex, shiny hunt, or simply want to ensure you don't lose a powerful Pokémon to a critical hit, understanding and utilizing this calculator can significantly improve your catching efficiency and success rate. It's an essential tool for any serious trainer looking to optimize their gameplay in the Alola region and beyond.

Gen VII Catch Rate Formula and Explanation

The catch rate calculation in Generation VII is a multi-step process that considers several crucial variables. The core formula aims to quantify the probability of a wild Pokémon being successfully caught:

The Primary Formula Components:

• Base Catch Rate (BCR): Each Pokémon species has an inherent value (from 1 to 255) determining its base difficulty to catch. Legendary Pokémon often have very low base catch rates (e.g., 3), while common Pokémon might have higher rates (e.g., 45-255).
• Level: The wild Pokémon's level plays a significant role. Higher levels generally make catching harder.
• HP Modifiers: Catching is easier when the wild Pokémon has very low HP and/or a status condition.
• Ball Modifier (B): Different Poké Balls offer varying multipliers. Master Balls and Premier Balls have high multipliers, while standard Poké Balls have a base multiplier of 1.0. Some balls like the Net Ball or Dive Ball offer higher chances under specific conditions.
• Status Modifier (S): Status conditions like Sleep or Freeze significantly increase the catch rate. Paralyzed, Poisoned, or Burned Pokémon offer a lesser, but still helpful, bonus.
• Area Multiplier (AM): Certain locations or scenarios, such as the Friend Safari or specific trainer rooms, can provide a multiplier to the catch rate.

The Calculation Steps:

1. Calculate HP Factor (A): `A = (3 * MaxHP – 2 * CurrentHP)` This value represents how much HP is remaining relative to the maximum. Lower CurrentHP results in a higher A.
2. Calculate Initial Catch Rate Value (CatchFactor): `CatchFactor = (A * BCR * BallModifier * StatusModifier * AreaModifier) / (3 * MaxHP)` This step combines all the major factors.
3. Determine Catch Probability: The actual probability of catching the Pokémon is derived from CatchFactor. While the exact internal mechanics involve multiple "shakes" of the ball and random numbers, a simplified representation of the final *chance to catch* is often expressed relative to a maximum possible value (historically 255, but effectively normalized in later calculations). A common way to interpret this is by comparing the CatchFactor against a threshold. The more factors that increase the CatchFactor, the higher the probability.

Simplified Effective Catch Rate:

For practical purposes, the calculator often computes an 'Effective Catch Rate' which is the result of the formula before the final division by 256, and then the percentage chance is derived from that. The formula used in many calculators is a simplified representation: `Effective Catch Rate = ((3 * MaxHP – 2 * CurrentHP) * BaseCatchRate * BallModifier * StatusModifier * AreaModifier) / (3 * MaxHP)` This is then often scaled or compared to determine the final percentage. The calculator above uses a common approximation of the final success probability.

Variables Table

Gen VII Catch Rate Variables

Variable	Meaning	Unit / Type	Typical Range
BCR	Base Catch Rate	Unitless (1-255)	3 (Legendary) – 255 (Common)
Level	Wild Pokémon's level	Unitless (1-100)	1 – 100
Current HP	Wild Pokémon's current HP	HP Points	1 – Max HP
Max HP	Wild Pokémon's maximum HP	HP Points	Variable (depends on level/base stats)
Status Modifier (S)	Bonus for status conditions	Multiplier	1.0 (None), 1.5 (Sleep/Frozen), 2.0 (Paralysis/Poison/Burn) *Note: Gen VII differs slightly*
Ball Modifier (B)	Multiplier based on Poké Ball type	Multiplier	1.0 (Poké Ball) – 8.0 (Friend Ball)
Area Modifier (AM)	Bonus for specific areas	Multiplier	1.0 (Normal), 1.5 (Friend Safari)

Practical Examples

Example 1: Catching a Common Pokémon

Let's try to catch a Level 50 Pikipek with its Base Catch Rate of 255.

• Inputs:
  • Pokémon Base Catch Rate: 255
  • Pokémon Level: 50
  • Current HP: 1 (After weakening significantly)
  • Maximum HP: 105 (For a Level 50 Pikipek)
  • Status Condition: None (Value: 1.0)
  • Ball Type: Great Ball (Value: 1.0)
  • Is Shiny: No (Value: 1.0)
  • Is Friend Safari: No (Value: 1.0)
• Calculation:
  • HP Factor (A) = (3 * 105 – 2 * 1) = 313
  • Catch Factor = (313 * 255 * 1.0 * 1.0 * 1.0) / (3 * 105) = 79815 / 315 ≈ 253.38
  • The calculator approximates this into a high percentage chance.
• Result: With excellent HP and status conditions, even a standard Great Ball offers a very high chance (likely over 90%) to catch a common Pokémon like Pikipek.

Example 2: Catching a Difficult Legendary Pokémon

Attempting to catch a Level 60 Tapu Koko with its Base Catch Rate of 3.

• Inputs:
  • Pokémon Base Catch Rate: 3
  • Pokémon Level: 60
  • Current HP: 30 (Moderately weakened)
  • Maximum HP: 140 (For a Level 60 Tapu Koko)
  • Status Condition: Paralysis (Value: 1.5 in Gen VII)
  • Ball Type: Ultra Ball (Value: 1.5)
  • Is Shiny: No (Value: 1.0)
  • Is Friend Safari: No (Value: 1.0)
• Calculation:
  • HP Factor (A) = (3 * 140 – 2 * 30) = (420 – 60) = 360
  • Catch Factor = (360 * 3 * 1.5 * 1.5 * 1.0) / (3 * 140) = 2430 / 420 ≈ 5.78
  • This value, when compared against the internal thresholds, results in a significantly lower percentage chance.
• Result: Despite having paralysis and using an Ultra Ball, the extremely low base catch rate of Tapu Koko makes it challenging. The calculated chance to catch would be relatively low (perhaps around 10-20%), emphasizing the need for extensive use of Timer Balls, critical captures, or the Master Ball for such Pokémon.

How to Use This Gen VII Catch Rate Calculator

Using the Gen VII Catch Rate Calculator is straightforward. Follow these steps to get an accurate prediction:

1. Identify the Wild Pokémon: Note the species of the Pokémon you are trying to catch.
2. Find its Base Catch Rate: Consult a reliable Pokémon database (like Serebii.net or Bulbapedia) for the Pokémon's Base Catch Rate (BCR). This is usually a number between 3 and 255.
3. Determine the Pokémon's Level: Input the exact level of the wild Pokémon.
4. Check Current and Maximum HP: After weakening the Pokémon, note its remaining HP and its maximum HP at that level. For the best catch chance, aim for very low HP (ideally 1 HP).
5. Select Status Condition: Choose the appropriate status condition affecting the wild Pokémon (None, Sleep/Freeze, or Paralysis/Poison/Burn).
6. Choose Your Poké Ball: Select the type of Poké Ball you intend to use. Pay attention to the helper text, as some balls have special conditions (e.g., Repeat Ball for Pokémon you've already caught, Nest Ball for lower levels).
7. Note Special Conditions: Indicate if the Pokémon is in a special area like the Friend Safari (relevant for some games, though less common in Gen VII main story). Shiny status does not affect catch rate in Gen VII.
8. Click "Calculate Catch Rate": The calculator will process your inputs and display the key modifiers, the effective catch rate, and the final percentage chance of success.
9. Interpret the Results: A higher percentage indicates a greater likelihood of capture. Use this information to decide whether to continue battling, use a different ball, or use a status move.

Selecting the Correct Units/Values: Ensure you select the correct multiplier values for Status Condition and Ball Type based on the dropdown options provided. The calculator uses the standard Gen VII multipliers.

Interpreting Results: Even a 50% chance means you might need multiple attempts. A 10% chance signifies a difficult catch requiring persistence or special balls like the Master Ball.

Key Factors That Affect Gen VII Catch Rate

Several elements significantly influence your success when trying to catch a Pokémon in Generation VII. Understanding these is key to strategic capturing:

1. Base Catch Rate (BCR): This is the most fundamental factor. Pokémon like Magikarp (255) are inherently easier to catch than Legendaries like Mewtwo (3). No amount of preparation can overcome an extremely low BCR with a standard ball.
2. HP Reduction: The lower the wild Pokémon's current HP relative to its maximum HP, the higher the catch rate. Reducing HP to 1 HP provides the maximum benefit.
3. Status Conditions: Inducing Sleep or Freeze grants the largest bonus (1.5x multiplier in Gen VII). Paralysis, Poison, or Burn offer a smaller, but still valuable, bonus (2.0x multiplier in Gen VII). These conditions are crucial for difficult captures.
4. Ball Type Multiplier: Using the right ball for the situation dramatically increases your odds. Master Balls (8.0x effective) guarantee capture. Timer Balls (up to 4.0x) become very potent after many turns. Level Balls (up to 5.0x) are excellent against much lower-level opponents.
5. Pokémon Level: While the formula involves level, its direct impact is less pronounced than BCR or HP/Status in later generations compared to early ones. However, higher levels still represent a tougher challenge.
6. Area-Specific Bonuses: While less common in Gen VII's core games, certain niche areas or mechanics might offer slight boosts, as reflected by the "Friend Safari" type multiplier.
7. Critical Captures (Gen VI onwards): Although not directly part of this calculator's inputs, critical captures (a random chance during the ball shake animation) can increase the catch rate significantly, acting as a hidden multiplier. This mechanic is independent of the visible factors.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Does catching a Shiny Pokémon increase its catch rate in Gen VII?

A: No, the Shiny status of a Pokémon has no effect on its catch rate in Generation VII or any other generation. It only affects its appearance.

Q2: What is the best ball to use for catching Pokémon in Gen VII?

A: The "best" ball depends on the situation. The Master Ball guarantees a catch. For general use, Ultra Balls offer a good boost. For specific scenarios, Repeat Balls (if you've caught the species before), Timer Balls (in long battles), Dive Balls (near water), or Level Balls (against lower-level Pokémon) can be far more effective.

Q3: Does the Pokémon's level matter much in Gen VII catch rates?

A: While level is a factor in the formula, its impact is generally less significant than the Base Catch Rate, HP, Status Condition, and Ball type in Generation VII. However, very high-level Pokémon can still be harder to catch.

Q4: My Pokémon fainted! Can I still catch it?

A: No. If your Pokémon faints, the wild Pokémon flees or the encounter ends. You must defeat or capture the wild Pokémon while your own team is still standing.

Q5: How do status conditions affect the catch rate?

A: Status conditions significantly increase the catch rate. Sleep and Freeze provide a 1.5x multiplier, while Paralysis, Poison, and Burn provide a 2.0x multiplier in Gen VII. This bonus is multiplicative.

Q6: What is the difference between the "Effective Catch Rate" and "Chance to Catch %"?

A: The "Effective Catch Rate" is an intermediate value calculated from the formula. The "Chance to Catch %" is the final probability derived from that value, representing how likely you are to succeed on any given throw.

Q7: Can I use this calculator for other Pokémon generations?

A: This calculator is specifically designed for Generation VII (Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun, Ultra Moon) mechanics. Catch rate formulas have varied significantly between generations, so results may not be accurate for older or newer games.

Q8: What if the wild Pokémon has less than 1 HP?

A: If a Pokémon somehow reaches 0 HP (e.g., due to recoil damage), it faints. To maximize your catch chance, you should aim to leave it with exactly 1 HP, preferably while it also has a status condition.