Gen 6 Catch Rate Calculator
For Pokémon X, Y, Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire
For display purposes only. Does not affect calculation.
The target Pokémon’s maximum Health Points.
The Pokémon’s health right now. Lower is better!
Every Pokémon species has a base catch rate. Legendaries are low (e.g., 3), common Pokémon are high (e.g., 255).
The type of Poké Ball provides a critical multiplier.
Sleep and Freeze provide the biggest boost to your catch rate.
Using Capture Power from the PSS multiplies the final rate.
Overall Catch Probability
Analysis & Comparison
Catch Rate by Status Condition
Catch Rate by Poké Ball
| Poké Ball | Catch Probability |
|---|
What is a Gen 6 Catch Rate Calculator?
A gen 6 catch rate calculator is a specialized tool designed for players of Pokémon X, Y, Omega Ruby, and Alpha Sapphire. It computes the exact mathematical probability of successfully capturing a wild Pokémon. The catching mechanic in Pokémon games is not based on pure luck; it’s a complex formula involving multiple variables. This calculator simplifies the process by taking all those factors into account and presenting a clear, understandable percentage of success.
This tool is invaluable for serious players, especially those hunting for legendary or shiny Pokémon. Knowing your odds allows you to optimize your strategy: should you use another Ultra Ball, or is it better to try and inflict a status condition first? A good gen 6 catch rate calculator removes the guesswork, saving you time, in-game money, and valuable, rare Poké Balls.
The Gen 6 Catch Rate Formula and Explanation
The core of this calculator is the official catch rate formula used in the sixth generation of Pokémon games. The process involves calculating a final modified catch rate, referred to as a, and then using that to determine the probability of the Poké Ball shaking and sealing the capture.
The primary formula to calculate the modified rate a is:
a = ( ( ( 3 * MaxHP - 2 * CurrentHP ) * CatchRate * BallBonus ) / ( 3 * MaxHP ) ) * StatusBonus * CapturePowerBonus
If a is 255 or greater, the capture is guaranteed. Otherwise, a second value, b, is calculated to determine the “shake probability”:
b = 1048560 / sqrt(sqrt(16711680 / a))
The game then performs four “shake checks”. For each check, if a random number between 0 and 65535 is less than b, the check passes. If all four checks pass, the Pokémon is caught. The overall probability is therefore (b / 65536) ^ 4. Our gen 6 catch rate calculator performs all these steps instantly.
Formula Variables
| Variable | Meaning | Unit / Type | Typical Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| MaxHP | The Pokémon’s maximum possible Health Points. | Numeric | 10 – 700+ |
| CurrentHP | The Pokémon’s current Health Points. | Numeric | 1 – MaxHP |
| CatchRate | The base catch rate of the Pokémon species. | Numeric (Integer) | 3 – 255 |
| BallBonus | The multiplier from the Poké Ball being used. | Multiplier | 1x – 255x |
| StatusBonus | The multiplier from a status condition. | Multiplier | 1x, 1.5x, or 2.5x |
| CapturePowerBonus | The multiplier from an active O-Power. | Multiplier | 1x – 2.5x |
Practical Examples
Example 1: Catching a Legendary
Let’s say you’re trying to catch the legendary Zygarde in Terminus Cave. You’ve whittled it down to very low health and put it to sleep.
- Inputs: Max HP: 215, Current HP: 5, Species Catch Rate: 3, Ball: Dusk Ball (3.5x), Status: Asleep (2.5x), Capture Power: None (1x)
- Result: Using the gen 6 catch rate calculator, the probability of catching Zygarde on any given turn is approximately 5.4%. Knowing this, a player understands that it will likely take many attempts. Perhaps reading an EV training guide for ORAS while you try is a good use of time.
Example 2: Catching a Common Pokémon
Now, consider catching a common Fletchling on Route 2 at the start of your journey.
- Inputs: Max HP: 20, Current HP: 10 (half health), Species Catch Rate: 255, Ball: Poké Ball (1x), Status: None (1x), Capture Power: None (1x)
- Result: Even at half health with a standard Poké Ball, the catch probability is 55.7%. If you got it down to 1 HP, the chance would jump to over 90%, illustrating how much HP matters for high-catch-rate Pokémon.
How to Use This Gen 6 Catch Rate Calculator
Using this calculator is simple and designed to give you instant feedback on your capture strategy.
- Enter HP Values: Input the target Pokémon’s maximum HP and its current HP. For the best odds, Current HP should always be as low as possible (ideally 1, via False Swipe).
- Set the Catch Rate: Input the base catch rate for the Pokémon species you’re targeting. You can find this on sites like Bulbapedia or Serebii. For example, Mewtwo’s is 3, while Caterpie’s is 255.
- Select Your Ball: Choose the Poké Ball you are using from the dropdown menu. The calculator automatically applies the correct multiplier, including situational bonuses like the Quick Ball’s first-turn power.
- Apply Status Condition: Select the status condition affecting the Pokémon. Remember that Sleep and Freeze are twice as effective as other statuses!
- Add O-Power: If you are using a Capture O-Power, select the correct level.
- Interpret the Results: The calculator will instantly display your overall catch probability. Use the charts and tables to see how changing your strategy (like using a different ball or inducing sleep) could improve your odds. This is very useful for anyone delving into advanced topics like finding out what is a Pokémon’s IV.
Key Factors That Affect Catch Rate
- Remaining HP Percentage:
- This is the most influential factor you can control during a battle. The lower the Pokémon’s health, the higher the value of `(3 * MaxHP – 2 * CurrentHP)`, drastically increasing your odds. This is why moves like False Swipe are so popular.
- Status Conditions:
- Inflicting a status condition is the second-best thing you can do. A sleeping or frozen Pokémon is 2.5 times easier to catch. Paralysis, poison, or burn provides a 1.5x bonus, which is still significant.
- Poké Ball Choice:
- Using the right ball for the situation is crucial. A Dusk Ball in a cave (3.5x bonus) is far more effective than an Ultra Ball (2x bonus). A Quick Ball on the first turn (3x bonus) can often catch a Pokémon outright. Understanding these situational bonuses is key for efficient capturing, especially for Pokémon X and Y shiny hunting.
- Species Catch Rate:
- This is the one major factor you cannot change. A legendary Pokémon with a catch rate of 3 will always be exponentially harder to catch than a common Pokémon with a rate of 255, all other things being equal.
- Capture O-Power:
- This multiplayer feature of Gen 6 provides a direct multiplier to your final catch rate. A Level 3 Capture Power makes every Pokémon 2.5 times easier to catch, a massive advantage that shouldn’t be overlooked when playing with friends.
- Critical Captures:
- Introduced in Gen 5, a Critical Capture can happen randomly. It bypasses most of the shake checks, resulting in a much higher chance of a successful capture. The more species you have caught in your Pokédex, the higher the chance of a critical capture occurring. Our calculator also shows you this chance!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Does leveling up my Pokémon increase my catch rate?
A: No, the level of your Pokémon has no direct effect on the catch rate formula. However, a higher-level Pokémon is more likely to have moves like False Swipe or status-inducing moves, which indirectly help you catch things.
Q: Is a Dusk Ball always better than an Ultra Ball?
A: Only in specific conditions. The Dusk Ball has a 3.5x multiplier in caves or at night (8 PM – 3:59 AM in-game time). Outside of those conditions, it only has a 1x multiplier, making the Ultra Ball’s consistent 2x multiplier better. This is why a good gen 6 catch rate calculator is so helpful.
Q: Why is the Master Ball’s bonus 255?
A: The Master Ball’s bonus is 255, which is the maximum possible value for the base catch rate. When this is used in the formula, it guarantees that the final modified rate a will be 255 or greater, resulting in a 100% catch rate.
Q: Does the Nest Ball’s effectiveness change?
A: Yes. The Nest Ball’s multiplier depends on the target’s level. It’s most effective against very low-level Pokémon and becomes equivalent to a standard Poké Ball against Pokémon at level 30 or higher. Our calculator uses a general value, but for precise Nest Ball calculations, you need to know the target’s level.
Q: What is a Critical Capture?
A: It’s a random event where the Poké Ball only shakes once before capturing the Pokémon. The chance of it happening increases with the number of Pokémon you’ve registered in your Pokédex. It significantly increases the odds of a successful capture for that one throw.
Q: Does this calculator work for Generations other than 6?
A: No. The formula for calculating catch rates changed between generations. This calculator is specifically tuned for the mechanics found in Pokémon X, Y, Omega Ruby, and Alpha Sapphire. Using it for other games will produce incorrect results.
Q: Is it really worth it to put a Pokémon to sleep?
A: Absolutely. The 2.5x multiplier from Sleep or Freeze is the single biggest bonus you can apply during a battle. It’s often more effective than upgrading from a Great Ball to an Ultra Ball. For difficult captures, a move like Spore or Hypnosis is essential.
Q: How can I find a Pokémon’s base catch rate?
A: The easiest way is to search for the Pokémon on a reputable fan site like Bulbapedia, Serebii, or Smogon. The catch rate is a standard piece of data listed for every species, just like its base stats. Perhaps you’ll find a new team member for the list of best competitive Pokémon Gen 6.
Related Tools and Internal Resources
If you found our gen 6 catch rate calculator useful, check out these other guides and tools to enhance your Pokémon journey:
- IV Calculator: Discover the hidden potential of your Pokémon by calculating their Individual Values.
- EV Training Guide for ORAS: A comprehensive guide to Effort Value training in Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire to maximize your Pokémon’s stats.
- Pokémon X and Y Shiny Hunting: Learn the best methods for finding rare, alternately-colored Pokémon in the Kalos region.
- Mega Evolution Guide: A deep dive into the mechanics of Mega Evolution, a key feature of Generation 6.
- Friend Safari Odds: A specific tool to help you understand the encounter rates and hidden ability chances in the Friend Safari.
- Competitive Pokémon Gen 6 Tier List: See which Pokémon dominated the metagame in the X and Y era.