Sun And Moon Catch Rate Calculator

Understand your chances of catching a Sun or Moon Pokémon in Pokémon GO based on key in-game mechanics.

Catch Rate Calculator

The Sun and Moon Catch Rate Calculator is a specialized tool designed for Pokémon GO players. It helps estimate the probability of successfully catching a Pokémon, specifically those encountered in unique circumstances like raid battles, research breakthroughs, or as buddy encounters, often referred to colloquially as "Sun and Moon" encounters due to their distinct mechanics.

This calculator is crucial for trainers aiming to optimize their item usage (Poké Balls, Berries) and improve their catch success rates, especially for rare or challenging Pokémon. Understanding these probabilities can lead to more efficient gameplay and a higher collection rate.

Who should use it:

• Beginner and experienced Pokémon GO players.
• Trainers trying to catch Pokémon with low base catch rates.
• Players looking to maximize their chances during specific events or encounters.
• Anyone curious about the underlying mechanics of Pokémon catching in the game.

Common Misunderstandings:

• Unit Confusion: The calculator outputs a percentage chance. It's not a direct measure of how many balls it will take, but the likelihood of success with a single ball under given conditions.
• Guaranteed Catch: No input guarantees a 100% catch rate; the game has inherent randomness. This tool provides an estimated probability.
• Raid vs. Wild Catches: While some mechanics overlap, raid boss catch rates during the bonus challenge are generally higher and treated differently than wild encounters. This calculator accounts for specific bonuses.

Sun and Moon Catch Rate Formula and Explanation

The core formula for estimating Pokémon catch rates in Pokémon GO involves several modifiers that increase or decrease the base chance of capture. The "Sun and Moon" aspect highlights encounters that often come with additional multipliers beyond standard wild spawns.

The Estimated Formula:

Estimated Catch Rate = (Base Catch Rate / 25) * Poké Ball Bonus * Berry Bonus * Throw Bonus * Medal Multiplier * Raid Bonus * Buddy Bonus * Research Bonus

Each component plays a role:

• Base Catch Rate: A fundamental stat inherent to each Pokémon species, representing its natural difficulty to catch.
• Poké Ball Bonus: Great Balls and Ultra Balls increase the catch chance.
• Berry Bonus: Golden Razz Berries significantly boost catch probability.
• Throw Bonus: Landing "Nice," "Great," "Excellent," or Curveball throws increases the chance.
• Medal Multiplier: In-game medals (like Trainer, Ace, Great, Ultra, and Master Ball achievements for specific types) provide passive bonuses.
• Raid Bonus: Pokémon encountered after defeating a Raid Boss in the bonus challenge often have an increased catch rate.
• Buddy Bonus: Encounters with your Buddy Pokémon can sometimes have a slight boost.
• Research Bonus: Pokémon from Research Breakthroughs or special research tasks frequently have enhanced catch rates.

Variables Table

Variables Used in Catch Rate Calculation

Variable	Meaning	Unit / Type	Typical Range
Base Catch Rate	Inherent difficulty to catch a Pokémon species.	Percentage (%)	1% – 50% (approx.)
Poké Ball Bonus	Multiplier from using Great or Ultra Balls.	Multiplier	1.0 (Standard), 1.5 (Great), 2.0 (Ultra)
Berry Bonus	Multiplier from using Berries.	Multiplier	1.0 (None), 1.25 (Razz), 2.5 (Golden Razz)
Throw Bonus	Multiplier based on throw accuracy.	Multiplier	1.0 (Normal) – 2.0 (Excellent/Curve)
Medal Multiplier	Bonus from in-game medals earned.	Multiplier	1.0 – 2.0 (approx.)
Raid Bonus	Bonus for catching a Raid Boss.	Multiplier	1.0 (No), 2.0 (Yes)
Buddy Bonus	Bonus for encountering a Buddy Pokémon.	Multiplier	1.0 (No), 1.25 (Yes)
Research Bonus	Bonus for Research Breakthrough/Task Pokémon.	Multiplier	1.0 (No), 1.5 (Yes)

Practical Examples

Example 1: Catching a Standard Pokémon

Scenario: You encounter a common Pokémon (like a Pidgey) in the wild.

• Base Catch Rate: 40%
• Poké Ball: Standard Poké Ball (1.0x)
• Berry: No Berry (1.0x)
• Throw: Nice Throw (1.3x)
• Medal Bonus: No relevant medal bonus yet (1.0x)
• Raid Boss: No (1.0x)
• Buddy Encounter: No (1.0x)
• Research: No (1.0x)

Calculation: (40% / 25) * 1.0 * 1.0 * 1.3 * 1.0 * 1.0 * 1.0 * 1.0 = 2.08%

Result: Your estimated catch rate is approximately 2.08% per ball.

Example 2: Catching a Rare Pokémon from Research

Scenario: You are attempting to catch a Pokémon from a Research Breakthrough, using beneficial items and a good throw.

• Base Catch Rate: 5% (for a rarer Pokémon)
• Poké Ball: Ultra Ball (2.0x)
• Berry: Golden Razz Berry (2.5x)
• Throw: Excellent Curveball Throw (2.0x)
• Medal Bonus: Have the relevant type medal at ~1.1x multiplier
• Raid Boss: No (1.0x)
• Buddy Encounter: No (1.0x)
• Research: Yes (1.5x)

Calculation: (5% / 25) * 2.0 * 2.5 * 2.0 * 1.1 * 1.0 * 1.0 * 1.5 = 8.25%

Result: Your estimated catch rate is approximately 8.25% per ball, significantly higher than the base chance due to the combined bonuses.

How to Use This Sun and Moon Catch Rate Calculator

Using the Sun and Moon Catch Rate Calculator is straightforward. Follow these steps to get an estimate of your catch probability:

1. Input Base Catch Rate: Find the Base Catch Rate for the Pokémon you are trying to catch. This information is often available on fan sites or wikis. Enter it as a percentage (e.g., 30 for 30%).
2. Select Poké Ball Type: Choose the type of Poké Ball you intend to use (Standard, Great, or Ultra Ball).
3. Choose Berry Type: Select the berry you will use. Golden Razz Berries offer the highest catch rate bonus.
4. Indicate Throw Type: Select the quality of throw you aim for (Normal, Nice, Great, Excellent, or Curveball). Curveballs often provide the highest throw bonus.
5. Apply Medal Bonus: Enter the multiplier provided by your in-game medals relevant to the Pokémon's type or general catching achievements. If unsure, assume 1.0x.
6. Specify Encounter Type: Select whether the Pokémon is from a Raid Battle (bonus challenge), a Buddy Encounter, or a Research Breakthrough, as these often grant multipliers.
7. Click "Calculate Catch Rate": The calculator will instantly display your estimated catch rate per ball.

How to Select Correct Units: All inputs are designed to work with the multipliers and percentages as described in the helper text. The output is always a percentage chance.

How to Interpret Results: The displayed percentage is the estimated probability of successfully catching the Pokémon with a single throw, considering all selected bonuses. A higher percentage means a greater chance of success.

Key Factors That Affect Sun and Moon Catch Rate

Several factors critically influence your success rate when trying to catch Pokémon, especially those encountered in special scenarios ("Sun and Moon" encounters):

1. Pokémon Species: The most significant factor is the Pokémon's inherent Base Catch Rate. Legendary Pokémon have very low base rates, making bonuses essential.
2. Poké Ball Tier: Ultra Balls provide a 2x multiplier, significantly boosting odds compared to standard Poké Balls (1x).
3. Berry Usage: Golden Razz Berries (2.5x) are far more effective for catching than Razz Berries (1.25x) or no berry (1.0x).
4. Throw Accuracy: Landing "Excellent" or "Curveball" throws (up to 2.0x multiplier) dramatically increases your chances, often more than better balls or berries alone.
5. In-Game Medals: Accumulating medals for catching specific types of Pokémon or reaching catching milestones provides passive, cumulative bonuses that can add up substantially.
6. Encounter Source: Raid bonus challenges, Research Breakthroughs, and certain special research encounters are often designed with higher catch rates to reward players for completing specific activities.
7. Circle Lock Technique: While not a direct multiplier, consistently landing throws within the smaller "catch circle" (especially after the circle shrinks) ensures your throw bonus is applied correctly, preventing wasted bonuses.
8. Animation Timing: Understanding when the Pokémon's attack animation ends and it becomes vulnerable to a throw is key to landing accurate, high-bonus throws consistently.

FAQ: Sun and Moon Catch Rate Calculator

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

The Base Catch Rate is the inherent difficulty of catching a Pokémon species. The final calculated rate is your estimated probability of success after applying all bonuses from balls, berries, throws, medals, and special encounter types.

Do Pinap Berries affect catch rate?

No, Pinap Berries are designed to increase the amount of candy you receive when catching a Pokémon, not to improve the chance of catching it. For catch rate bonuses, use Razz or Golden Razz Berries.

How accurate is the "Excellent" or "Curveball" bonus?

These are significant multipliers. While the exact multiplier can vary slightly with game updates, using an Excellent or Curveball throw (often combined) provides one of the largest single bonuses available, sometimes doubling your throw's effectiveness.

What is the maximum possible catch rate?

While the theoretical calculation can exceed 100%, the actual in-game catch rate is capped. This calculator provides an estimate, and actual results may still vary due to underlying game mechanics and RNG (Random Number Generation).

How do I find the Base Catch Rate for a specific Pokémon?

You can find Base Catch Rates for most Pokémon on popular Pokémon GO fan websites and databases like The Silph Road, GamePress, or Serebii.net.

Is the Raid Boss bonus applied to the bonus challenge only?

Yes, the significant Raid Boss catch rate bonus (often 2.0x) is typically applied during the bonus challenge encounter after defeating the raid boss, not during the wild encounter if the Pokémon flees.

Can I use multiple bonuses at once?

Yes, the calculator assumes you will stack bonuses: using an Ultra Ball, a Golden Razz Berry, landing an Excellent Curveball, and benefiting from Research/Raid bonuses all at the same time.

Does this calculator account for Pokémon flee rates?

No, this calculator only estimates the probability of *catching* a Pokémon with a single ball if it doesn't flee. Flee rates are a separate mechanic influenced by Pokémon species and encounter type.