Gen 8 Catch Rate Calculator
For Pokémon Sword, Shield, Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl
The maximum Health Points of the wild Pokémon.
The current Health Points of the wild Pokémon. Using False Swipe to leave it at 1 HP is ideal.
The level of the wild Pokémon (1-100). This affects the formula for lower-level encounters.
The species’ specific catch rate. Ranges from 3 (legendaries) to 255 (common Pokémon).
The type of Poké Ball thrown affects the multiplier.
Non-volatile status conditions significantly increase catch chance.
Catch Probability Comparison
What is a Gen 8 Catch Rate Calculator?
A gen 8 catch rate calculator is a specialized tool for players of Pokémon Sword, Shield, Brilliant Diamond, and Shining Pearl. It computes the precise probability of successfully capturing a wild Pokémon. Unlike previous generations, Generation 8 introduced subtle changes to the catch formula, particularly for low-level Pokémon. This calculator takes into account all the critical variables—the Pokémon’s HP, its base catch rate, the type of Poké Ball used, and any status conditions—to give you an accurate percentage chance of success per ball thrown. This tool is essential for any trainer looking to optimize their catching strategy, whether they’re hunting for a rare shiny or trying to capture a powerful legendary Pokémon.
The Gen 8 Catch Rate Formula and Explanation
The success of a capture in Generation 8 is determined by a multi-step formula. It’s not a simple dice roll; it’s a calculation that results in a final probability. The core of the gen 8 catch rate calculator relies on this math.
Step 1: Calculate the modified catch rate (a). This is the main value that incorporates most of the battle variables.
a = (((3 * MaxHP - 2 * CurrentHP) * CatchRate * BallBonus * StatusBonus) / (3 * MaxHP)) * LevelBonus
Step 2: Calculate the shake probability (b). This value determines the chance of passing a single “shake check” of the Poké Ball.
b = 65536 / (255 / a)^0.1875
Step 3: Calculate the final catch probability (P). The game performs four successful shake checks to capture a Pokémon. Therefore, the probability of passing all four is:
P = (b / 65536)^4
| Variable | Meaning | Unit / Type | Typical Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| MaxHP | The target Pokémon’s maximum HP stat. | Numeric | 10 – 700+ |
| CurrentHP | The target Pokémon’s current HP. | Numeric | 1 to MaxHP |
| CatchRate | The Pokémon species’ intrinsic catch rate. | Numeric | 3 – 255 |
| BallBonus | The multiplier for the Poké Ball being used. | Multiplier (Numeric) | 1x – 8x |
| StatusBonus | The multiplier for a major status condition. | Multiplier (Numeric) | 1x (None), 1.5x (Poison/Burn/Paralyze), 2.5x (Sleep/Freeze) |
| LevelBonus | A special multiplier for low-level Pokémon. | Multiplier (Numeric) | 1x (for Level > 20), up to 2.9x (for Level 1) |
Practical Examples
Example 1: Catching a Low-HP Legendary
Imagine you are trying to catch Zacian. You’ve battled it and managed its health carefully.
- Inputs: Max HP: 250, Current HP: 1, Level: 70, Base Catch Rate: 10, Ball: Ultra Ball (2x), Status: Paralyzed (1.5x)
- Result: With these inputs, the gen 8 catch rate calculator shows a catch probability of approximately 3.7% per Ultra Ball. This demonstrates how even in a good scenario, catching legendaries is a challenge.
Example 2: Catching a Common Pokémon with a Quick Ball
You encounter a wild Skwovet on the first turn of battle and decide to use a Quick Ball.
- Inputs: Max HP: 45, Current HP: 45, Level: 5, Base Catch Rate: 255, Ball: Quick Ball (5x), Status: None (1x)
- Result: The calculator shows a catch probability of approximately 100%. The high multiplier of the Quick Ball on turn one, combined with the low level and high base catch rate, makes this an almost guaranteed capture, saving you time and effort.
How to Use This Gen 8 Catch Rate Calculator
- Enter HP Values: Input the wild Pokémon’s Maximum and Current HP. For the best odds, get the Current HP down to 1, often by using the move False Swipe.
- Set Level and Base Catch Rate: Enter the Pokémon’s level and its species’ base catch rate. You can find base catch rates on sites like Bulbapedia.
- Select Your Ball: Choose the Poké Ball you are using from the dropdown menu. The multiplier will be applied automatically.
- Apply Status Condition: If the Pokémon is asleep, frozen, paralyzed, poisoned, or burned, select the appropriate status condition to see how it boosts your chances.
- Interpret the Results: The calculator will instantly display the final catch probability per ball. The bar chart will also update to give you a visual comparison of your chances with different Poké Balls.
Key Factors That Affect Catch Rate
- HP Percentage: The single most important factor you can control. A Pokémon at 1 HP is significantly easier to catch than one at 50% HP.
- Status Conditions: Inflicting Sleep or Freeze provides a massive 2.5x bonus, making it one of the most effective strategies for difficult captures. Paralysis, Burn, and Poison provide a smaller but still valuable 1.5x bonus.
- Poké Ball Choice: Using the right ball for the situation is critical. A Dusk Ball in a cave is much better than an Ultra Ball, and a Quick Ball on the first turn is unmatched.
- Base Catch Rate: This is a fixed value for each Pokémon species. A legendary with a catch rate of 3 will always be harder to catch than a common Pokémon with a rate of 255.
- Pokémon’s Level (Gen 8 specific): In Sword and Shield, Pokémon under level 21 are easier to catch due to a special Level Bonus multiplier, making early-game captures more forgiving.
- Critical Capture: This is a random event (about a 6% chance with a full Pokédex) where the ball only shakes once and almost guarantees a catch. While not a direct input, it’s a background mechanic that can help.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Does my Pokémon’s level matter when catching another Pokémon?
- No, with the exception of the Level Ball, the level of your active Pokémon has no effect on the catch rate formula.
- What is the best status condition for catching?
- Sleep and Freeze are the best, both providing a 2.5x multiplier. Since Freeze is harder to inflict without defeating the Pokémon, Sleep is the most popular and reliable choice.
- When is a Timer Ball better than an Ultra Ball?
- A Timer Ball’s multiplier starts at 1x and increases each turn. It surpasses the Ultra Ball’s 2x multiplier at turn 4 and maxes out at a 4x multiplier on turn 10.
- Why can’t I catch a high-level Pokémon even with a good chance?
- In Pokémon Sword and Shield, you cannot catch Pokémon above a certain level until you have the required gym badges. The game will prevent you from throwing a ball if the Pokémon is “too strong.”
- Is the ‘B’ button trick real?
- No, holding ‘B’ or any other button combination has been repeatedly proven to have no effect on the catch rate. Success is purely based on the math calculated by the game.
- What’s the difference between this and a Gen 7 calculator?
- The main difference is the addition of the “Level Bonus” in the Gen 8 formula, which makes catching low-level Pokémon easier than in previous generations. This gen 8 catch rate calculator accounts for that specific change.
- How does the Heavy Ball work in Gen 8?
- The Heavy Ball from the Galar region doesn’t have a multiplier. Instead, it adds or subtracts a flat value from the Pokémon’s catch rate based on its weight, making it highly situational.
- Does a shiny Pokémon have a different catch rate?
- No, a Pokémon’s shiny status does not affect its catch rate. A shiny legendary is just as hard to catch as its regular counterpart.
Related Tools and Internal Resources
If you found this calculator helpful, check out our other resources:
- Gen 8 IV Calculator – Find out your Pokémon’s individual values.
- Sword & Shield Damage Calculator – Plan your battle strategies by calculating move damage.
- Shiny Hunting Guide – Learn the best methods for finding rare shiny Pokémon.
- EV Training Hotspots in Galar – A guide to the best places to train your Pokémon’s Effort Values.
- Ultimate Type-Effectiveness Chart – Master Pokémon type matchups.
- Guide to All Poké Balls – A deep dive into every type of Poké Ball and its unique properties.