HeartGold & SoulSilver Catch Rate Calculator
Example: Legendaries = 3, Pidgey = 255
None
Sleep / Freeze
Paralyze / Burn / Poison
Poké Ball / Luxury Ball
Great Ball
Ultra Ball
Dusk Ball (Cave/Night)
Quick Ball (Turn 1)
Net Ball (Water/Bug)
Love Ball (Same species, diff gender)
Heavy Ball (Large Pokémon)
Master Ball
Standard / Not using Level Ball
Level Ball (Your Lvl > Target)
Level Ball (Your Lvl > 2x Target)
Level Ball (Your Lvl > 4x Target)
Estimated Catch Probability:
0%
How the Catch Rate Formula Works in HeartGold & SoulSilver
Catching Pokémon in the Johto region isn't just about luck. Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver use the Generation IV catch formula. This formula determines a value 'a', which represents the raw catch strength based on the Pokémon's health, its base capture rate, the ball used, and any status effects.
The core formula is:
a = (((3 * Max HP – 2 * Current HP) * Rate * Ball) / (3 * Max HP)) * Status
- Max HP & Current HP: Lowering the Pokémon's HP increases the catch rate. Reducing health to 1 HP (using moves like False Swipe) nearly doubles your chances compared to full health.
- Base Rate: Every species has a fixed value from 1 to 255. Common Pokémon like Rattata have a rate of 255, while Legendaries like Lugia or Ho-Oh have a rate of 3.
- Ball Multiplier: Different balls provide different multipliers. In HGSS, Apricorn balls provide unique bonuses (like the Heavy Ball or Love Ball).
- Status: Putting a Pokémon to sleep or freezing it provides a 2x bonus, while paralysis, poison, or burns provide a 1.5x bonus.
Common Base Catch Rates in Johto
| Pokémon Category | Base Rate | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Legendaries | 3 | Lugia, Ho-Oh, Entei |
| Rare / Pseudo-Legendary | 45 | Dratini, Scyther, Skarmory |
| Common Evolution | 120 – 190 | Pidgeotto, Ariados |
| Very Common | 255 | Pidgey, Sentret, Magikarp |
Expert Catching Tips for HGSS
1. Use False Swipe: This move is essential for Johto trainers. It ensures the wild Pokémon stays at 1 HP, maximizing the HP factor in the formula without knocking it out.
2. Status Matters: Always carry a Pokémon that can use Spore, Sleep Powder, or Thunder Wave. Sleep is statistically superior to Paralysis for catching difficult targets.
3. The Night Advantage: In HeartGold and SoulSilver, Dusk Balls are arguably the most efficient tool. They offer a 3.5x multiplier in caves or at night, which is higher than an Ultra Ball's 2x multiplier.
4. Level Ball Power: If your Pokémon is at Level 100, the Level Ball becomes incredibly powerful against low-level wild encounters, reaching an 8x multiplier if your level is more than four times higher than the target.