Pokémon Database

Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl Catch Rate Calculator

Exact catch chance for every ball and status in Sinnoh. Generation VIII capture formula.

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The Sinnoh remakes run on the modern engine, so they use the Generation VIII formula rather than the original Diamond and Pearl one. This calculator uses those rules for all 493 Pokémon and shows the chance for each ball.

Select Pokémon

#025PikachuelectricPikachu

Catch rate and max HP start from the species data and a typical stat spread. Edit either one if you know your target's real value.

Battle Conditions

Results — Per Throw

Catch Probability35.2%
Visual
Decent
X value (internal)63.3
Ball multiplier1×
Current HP65 / 65
Critical capture chance0.00%
Throws for 50%2
Throws for 95%7

Cumulative Catch Probability

1 throw
35.2%
3 throws
72.8%
5 throws
88.6%
10 throws
98.7%
20 throws
100%
50 throws
100%

How catching works in Generations V to IX

From Generation V on, the modified catch rate is a = (3 × max HP − 2 × current HP) × catch rate × ball bonus ÷ (3 × max HP), multiplied by the status bonus (2.5 for sleep and freeze, 1.5 for the others). If a is 255 or more the catch is automatic.

Otherwise each shake check succeeds with chance b ÷ 65,536, where b = 65,536 ÷ (255 ÷ a) to the power of 0.1875. Four checks must all succeed, which works out to roughly (a ÷ 255) to the power of 0.75 overall.

A critical capture can replace the four checks with a single one. Its chance is a × a multiplier from how many species you have caught (0 up to 30, then 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2 and 2.5), divided by 6, out of 256. The Catching Charm doubles the multiplier in the games that have it.

Tips for Catching Pokémon in Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl

  • Grand Underground Pokémon use the usual formula, so a Quick Ball on the first turn is the best opener.
  • Targets below level 20 get a bonus that fades as the level rises, which helps on early routes.
  • Dusk Ball is 3× at night and in caves, down from 3.5× in the original games.
  • Critical captures are possible, and they scale with how many species you have caught.

Ball Reference (Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl)

Poké Ball
1×. No bonus.
Great Ball
1.5×. Reliable early upgrade.
Ultra Ball
2×. Best general-purpose ball.
Master Ball
Always catches.
Premier Ball
1×. Same as a Poké Ball.
Luxury Ball
1×. Raises friendship only.
Net Ball
3.5× against Bug and Water types, otherwise 1×.
Dive Ball
3.5× while surfing, fishing or underwater, otherwise 1×.
Nest Ball
Up to 4×, falling as the target's level rises. 1× from level 41.
Repeat Ball
3.5× on species you have already caught, otherwise 1×.
Timer Ball
Grows with each turn in battle, up to 4×.
Heal Ball
1×. Restores HP after the catch.
Quick Ball
5× on the first turn only, otherwise 1×.
Dusk Ball
3× at night or in caves, otherwise 1×.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does BDSP use the original Platinum formula?

No. The remakes use the newer one with critical captures and the 2.5× sleep bonus.

Why are there fewer balls than in Sword and Shield?

This page lists only the standard balls for the Sinnoh remakes, so the special Apricorn balls are left out.

Do Poké Radar chains change the odds?

No. Chaining affects shininess and encounters, not catch chance.

More Catch Rate Calculators

Planning a playthrough? Read our Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl guide.

Results are exact for the formula shown, to within the game's own rounding. Species catch rates are the current values and a few differ in older games, so edit the catch rate if you know yours.