Poké Ball / Premier Ball (1x)
Great Ball (1.5x)
Ultra Ball (2x)
Dusk Ball (3.5x – in caves/night)
Quick Ball (4x – turn 1 only)
Timer Ball (4x – after 10 turns)
Net Ball (3.5x – on Water/Bug)
Repeat Ball (8x – if already caught)
Master Ball (Guaranteed)
Your Capture Probability:
0%
How BDSP Catch Rates Work
In Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl (BDSP), the catch rate mechanics follow the traditional Gen 8 formula. While the game presents a simple animation, behind the scenes, a complex mathematical equation determines if the Pokémon stays in the ball.
Current HP: Reducing a Pokémon's HP to 1 (using moves like False Swipe) significantly increases the catch value.
Status Effects: Sleep and Freeze are the most effective, providing a 2.5x multiplier. Paralysis, Burn, and Poison provide a 1.5x multiplier.
Base Catch Rate: Every Pokémon species has an inherent "catch rate" number. Legendaries like Dialga or Palkia have a base rate of 3, making them extremely difficult to catch, while common Pokémon like Bidoof have a rate of 255.
Ball Choice: Choosing the right ball is critical. For example, a Dusk Ball is more effective than an Ultra Ball if you are hunting inside Mount Coronet or playing at night.
Example Calculation: Catching Dialga/Palkia
If you are facing a Legendary (Base Rate 3) at 1 HP with 150 Max HP, using an Ultra Ball (2x) while the target is Asleep (2.5x):
If you are struggling with high-level encounters in the Grand Underground, remember that BDSP includes a "Level Penalty." If your lead Pokémon is at a lower level than the wild Pokémon, your catch rate is significantly reduced. Always ensure your team is properly leveled before hunting rare spawns.
function calculateCatchRate() {
var maxHP = parseFloat(document.getElementById('maxHP').value);
var currentHP = parseFloat(document.getElementById('currentHP').value);
var baseRate = parseFloat(document.getElementById('baseRate').value);
var statusMod = parseFloat(document.getElementById('status').value);
var ballMod = parseFloat(document.getElementById('ballType').value);
// Validate inputs
if (isNaN(maxHP) || isNaN(currentHP) || isNaN(baseRate) || maxHP <= 0 || currentHP maxHP) {
alert("Current HP cannot be greater than Max HP.");
return;
}
// Master Ball logic
if (ballMod >= 255) {
document.getElementById('bdspResultBox').style.display = 'block';
document.getElementById('captureChance').innerText = "100%";
document.getElementById('avgBalls').innerText = "It's a Master Ball! Guaranteed success.";
return;
}
// The Gen 8 Catch Formula (used in BDSP)
// a = [ ((3 * HPmax – 2 * HPcurrent) * Rate * Ball) / (3 * HPmax) ] * Status
var step1 = (3 * maxHP) – (2 * currentHP);
var step2 = (step1 * baseRate * ballMod);
var step3 = step2 / (3 * maxHP);
var captureValueA = step3 * statusMod;
var finalPercentage = 0;
if (captureValueA >= 255) {
finalPercentage = 100;
} else {
// Probability = a / 255
// Note: The actual shake checks involve a fourth-root calculation for individual shakes,
// but the simple probability of catching in one turn is a/255.
finalPercentage = (captureValueA / 255) * 100;
}
// Ensure we don't show negative or illogical percentages
if (finalPercentage 100) finalPercentage = 100;
var resultBox = document.getElementById('bdspResultBox');
var chanceText = document.getElementById('captureChance');
var avgText = document.getElementById('avgBalls');
resultBox.style.display = 'block';
chanceText.innerText = finalPercentage.toFixed(2) + "%";
if (finalPercentage > 0) {
var avgThrows = Math.ceil(100 / finalPercentage);
avgText.innerText = "Average balls needed for success: ~" + avgThrows + " throw(s).";
} else {
avgText.innerText = "This Pokémon is impossible to catch with these conditions.";
}
}