Pokémon Ultra Moon Catch Rate Calculator

What is a Pokémon Ultra Moon Catch Rate Calculator?

A Pokémon Ultra Moon Catch Rate Calculator is an essential tool for trainers aiming to optimize their Pokémon catching strategy in the Alola region. It helps you understand the complex game mechanics behind capturing wild Pokémon by estimating the probability of a successful catch based on various in-game factors.

This calculator is specifically tailored for Pokémon Ultra Moon (and Ultra Sun), which belong to Generation VII of the Pokémon series. The underlying formulas and multipliers can vary significantly between generations, making a specialized tool crucial for accurate predictions.

Who Should Use It?

• Competitive Breeders: To efficiently catch Pokémon with desired natures, abilities, or IVs.
• Shiny Hunters: To maximize the chances of catching rare shiny Pokémon without them fainting.
• Nuzlocke Players: To carefully plan captures and minimize risks in challenging playthroughs.
• Casual Players: To simply understand why some Pokémon are harder to catch than others and improve their general catching skills.

Common Misunderstandings

Many trainers have misconceptions about catch rates. For instance, the Shiny Charm, while increasing the odds of encountering a shiny Pokémon, has absolutely no effect on the catch rate itself. Similarly, the Pokémon's level, while influencing its stats and difficulty in battle, doesn't directly factor into the core catch rate formula, though it can indirectly affect it through HP values or certain Poké Balls (like the Nest Ball).

Pokémon Ultra Moon Catch Rate Formula and Explanation

The catch rate in Pokémon Ultra Moon is determined by a series of calculations that culminate in a "shake value" (A). This value determines the probability of each of the four "shakes" (the wiggles of the Poké Ball) succeeding. If all four succeed, the Pokémon is caught.

The primary formula for the shake value (A) is:

A = floor( ( (3 * MaxHP - 2 * CurrentHP) * BaseCatchRate * BallBonus * StatusBonus * RotomPowerBonus ) / (3 * MaxHP) )

If the calculated A is greater than 255, it is capped at 255.

The overall probability of catching the Pokémon is then derived from A:

Probability_per_Shake = A / 256

Overall_Catch_Probability = (Probability_per_Shake)^4 * 100%

This means the game calculates the success probability for each of the four "shakes" the Poké Ball makes, and only if all four succeed is the Pokémon caught.

Variables Explained

Practical Examples

Example 1: Catching a Legendary Pokémon

Let's say you're trying to catch a legendary Pokémon like Necrozma in Ultra Moon. Necrozma has a Base Catch Rate of 3. You've battled it down to 1 HP, applied Sleep, and are using an Ultra Ball with Catching Power MAX.

• Inputs:
• Base Catch Rate: 3
• Max HP: 200
• Current HP: 1
• Poké Ball: Ultra Ball (2x)
• Status Condition: Sleep (2x)
• Catching Power: MAX (1.5x)
• Results:
• HP Multiplier: ~2.98x
• Total Modifier: 2x * 2x * 1.5x = 6x
• Shake Value (A): ~255
• Probability per Shake: ~99.61%
• Overall Catch Probability: ~98.45%

As you can see, even with a very low base catch rate, strategic use of HP reduction, status, and power-ups can lead to a near-guaranteed catch.

Example 2: Catching a Common Route Pokémon

Imagine you encounter a Pikipek (Base Catch Rate: 255) on Route 1. It's at full HP, no status, and you're using a standard Poké Ball.

• Inputs:
• Base Catch Rate: 255
• Max HP: 50
• Current HP: 50
• Poké Ball: Poké Ball (1x)
• Status Condition: None (1x)
• Catching Power: None (1x)
• Results:
• HP Multiplier: ~0.33x
• Total Modifier: 1x * 1x * 1x = 1x
• Shake Value (A): ~84
• Probability per Shake: ~32.81%
• Overall Catch Probability: ~1.16%

Despite Pikipek having a high base catch rate, trying to catch it at full HP with a basic Poké Ball gives you a very low chance. This highlights the importance of weakening Pokémon and using appropriate balls.

How to Use This Pokémon Ultra Moon Catch Rate Calculator

Using this Pokémon Ultra Moon Catch Rate Calculator is straightforward and designed for quick, accurate predictions:

1. Enter Pokémon's Base Catch Rate (BCR): This is a hidden stat unique to each Pokémon species. You can find this information on various Pokémon databases online (e.g., Serebii, Bulbapedia).
2. Input Pokémon's Max HP: This is the Pokémon's total HP stat when healthy.
3. Input Pokémon's Current HP: Enter the HP value the Pokémon currently has in battle. Remember, lower HP significantly boosts catch rate.
4. Select Poké Ball Used: Choose the Poké Ball you intend to throw from the dropdown list. Each ball has a specific multiplier under certain conditions.
5. Select Status Condition: Indicate if the Pokémon has a status effect like Sleep, Freeze, Paralysis, Poison, or Burn. Sleep and Freeze offer the best multipliers.
6. Select Catching Power (Rotom Power): If you've used a Catching Power Rotom Boost, select its level.
7. View Results: The calculator updates in real-time, showing you the "Overall Catch Probability" as the primary result, along with intermediate values like HP Multiplier, Total Modifier, Shake Value (A), and Probability per Shake.

How to Interpret Results

The "Overall Catch Probability" is the most important value, representing your actual chance of success. A value closer to 100% means a near-guaranteed catch, while a low percentage indicates a high likelihood of the Pokémon breaking free. The intermediate values help you understand which factors are contributing most to your catch rate.

Remember that even with a 99% chance, there's always a small possibility of failure, especially in Pokémon Ultra Moon where critical catches can also randomly occur, which are not directly factored into this specific probability.

Key Factors That Affect Pokémon Ultra Moon Catch Rate

Understanding the factors influencing the Pokémon Ultra Moon catch rate is crucial for any trainer. Here are the most significant elements:

1. Pokémon's Base Catch Rate (BCR): This is the fundamental difficulty. Legendaries often have a BCR of 3, while common early-game Pokémon can have a BCR of 255. Higher BCR means easier to catch.
2. Pokémon's Current HP: This is arguably the most impactful factor controllable in battle. Reducing a Pokémon's HP significantly, especially to 1 HP, dramatically increases the catch rate. The formula shows a clear inverse relationship.
3. Status Conditions: Applying a status effect to the wild Pokémon provides a substantial multiplier. Sleep and Freeze provide a 2x bonus, while Paralysis, Poison, and Burn give a 1.5x bonus. Sleep is often preferred due to its higher multiplier and prevention of attacks. For more on this, consult our Pokémon Status Effect Guide.
4. Poké Ball Used: Different Poké Balls have varying multipliers. While an Ultra Ball (2x) is generally good, specialized balls like the Quick Ball (5x on first turn), Dusk Ball (3.5x at night/cave), or Net Ball (3.5x for Water/Bug Pokémon) can be far more effective under specific conditions. Choosing the right ball for the situation is key to maximizing your catch probability.
5. Catching Power (Rotom Power): Unique to Generation 7, these consumable Rotom Powers provide a direct multiplier to the catch rate (up to 1.5x for MAX power). They are an excellent way to further boost your chances, especially for tough catches. Learn more about their use in our Rotom Power Guide.
6. Critical Catch: While not a direct input, critical catches are a random event where the Poké Ball wiggles only once before a successful capture. The chance of a critical catch increases with the number of Pokémon caught in your Pokédex. This provides an additional, albeit random, opportunity for capture.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)