Pokémon Database

Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire and Emerald Catch Rate Calculator

Exact catch chance for every ball and status in Hoenn. Generation III capture formula.

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Hoenn introduced the capture formula that the series used for the next decade: a modified catch rate is worked out from HP, ball and status, and then turned into four shake checks. This page gives the exact odds for all 386 Pokémon from the first three generations, including the Dive, Nest and Timer Balls that Hoenn made popular.

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 Probability28.0%
Visual
Low
X value (internal)63
Ball multiplier1×
Current HP65 / 65
Throws for 50%3
Throws for 95%10

Cumulative Catch Probability

1 throw
28.0%
3 throws
62.6%
5 throws
80.6%
10 throws
96.2%
20 throws
99.9%
50 throws
100%

How catching works in Generation III and IV

The modified catch rate is a = (3 × max HP − 2 × current HP) × catch rate × ball bonus ÷ (3 × max HP), then multiplied by the status bonus (2 for sleep and freeze, 1.5 for the rest), rounding down at each step. If a is 255 or more, the Pokémon is caught immediately.

Otherwise the game computes a shake value b = 1,048,560 ÷ the fourth root of (16,711,680 ÷ a), using whole numbers throughout. Four checks are made, each succeeding with chance b ÷ 65,536, and the Pokémon is caught only if all four succeed. There are no critical captures in this generation.

Tips for Catching Pokémon in Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire and Emerald

  • The Dive Ball's 3.5× bonus applies while surfing, fishing or in the underwater routes, which makes it the best option for Wailmer, Relicanth and Feebas.
  • Nest Ball shrinks fast with level. It is strong on low-level targets, but by level 40 it is no better than a Poké Ball.
  • Timer Ball keeps climbing for the first 30 turns and then stops at 4×, so pairing it with a False Swipe user and a status move can beat an Ultra Ball.
  • The Safari Zone uses its own throwing rules and is not covered here.

Ball Reference (Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire and Emerald)

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× against Bug and Water types, otherwise 1×.
Dive Ball
3.5× while surfing, fishing or underwater, otherwise 1×.
Nest Ball
Up to 3.9×, falling as the target's level rises. 1× from level 40.
Repeat Ball
3× on species you have already caught, otherwise 1×.
Timer Ball
Grows with each turn in battle, up to 4×.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does sleep only double the odds?

In Generation III sleep and freeze multiply the modified catch rate by 2 and the other conditions by 1.5. Later generations raised the stronger bonus to 2.5.

Are Emerald's catch rates different from Ruby and Sapphire?

The capture code is identical in all three. Species catch rates are the same unless you override them.

What does the number shown as the modified catch rate mean?

It is the value the game feeds into the shake checks. At 255 or above the Pokémon is caught automatically.

More Catch Rate Calculators

Planning a playthrough? Read our Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire and Emerald 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.