Catching Pokémon in Pokémon Scarlet involves directly engaging with wild Pokémon visible in the overworld, unlike previous titles that relied heavily on random encounters. To capture a Pokémon, you must first initiate a battle with it, then strategically weaken it before throwing a Poké Ball.
How to Catch Pokémon in Scarlet: A Step-by-Step Guide
In Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, the world is open, and wild Pokémon roam freely. There are no random encounters; instead, you'll see Pokémon in their natural habitats. To begin the catching process, you need to engage them in battle.
1. Initiate a Battle
To catch a wild Pokémon, you must approach it (or allow it to approach you!) to begin a battle. Simply walk towards the Pokémon you wish to catch. Sometimes, a wild Pokémon might notice you and initiate the battle itself. Keep an eye out for small groups of wild Pokémon that will occasionally form, offering more targets.
2. Weaken the Wild Pokémon
Once in battle, your primary goal is to reduce the wild Pokémon's HP (Hit Points) as much as possible without knocking it out. The lower its HP, the higher your chances of a successful catch.
- Use effective moves: Choose moves that are super effective or generally strong against the wild Pokémon's type to quickly bring down its health.
- Be cautious: Avoid moves that might accidentally knock out the Pokémon, especially if its HP is already low. Moves like "False Swipe" are excellent for this, as they will always leave the target with at least 1 HP.
3. Inflict Status Conditions
After weakening the Pokémon, consider inflicting a status condition to further increase your catch rate. Certain status conditions significantly boost your chances of capture.
- Recommended Status Conditions:
- Sleep: Highly effective, prevents the Pokémon from attacking.
- Paralysis: Moderately effective, can prevent the Pokémon from moving.
- Freeze: Very effective, but difficult to inflict reliably.
- Less Effective/Avoid: Poison and Burn also increase catch rates, but they continuously damage the Pokémon, risking it fainting before you can catch it. Confusion is not a status condition that affects catch rate.
4. Throw a Poké Ball
Once the wild Pokémon is weakened and potentially afflicted with a status condition, it's time to throw a Poké Ball. Different Poké Balls have varying catch rates and effects, making some more suitable for certain situations.
Choosing the Right Poké Ball
| Poké Ball Name | Effect / Best Use Case | Catch Rate Modifier |
|---|---|---|
| Poké Ball | Standard, basic ball. Good for early-game or common Pokémon. | x1 |
| Great Ball | Improved catch rate over a standard Poké Ball. | x1.5 |
| Ultra Ball | Best standard catch rate among basic balls. Ideal for stronger Pokémon. | x2 |
| Quick Ball | Very high catch rate if used on the first turn of battle. | x5 (first turn only) |
| Net Ball | Higher catch rate on Water and Bug-type Pokémon. | x3.5 (specific types) |
| Dusk Ball | Higher catch rate at night or in caves. | x3.5 (specific times/places) |
| Timer Ball | Catch rate increases the longer the battle lasts. Maxes out after 10 turns. | x1-x4 (increases with turns) |
| Luxury Ball | Makes the caught Pokémon become friendly faster. | x1 (but good for friendship) |
| Premier Ball | A commemorative ball, functionally identical to a Poké Ball. | x1 |
| Heal Ball | Fully heals the caught Pokémon upon capture. | x1 |
| Dive Ball | Higher catch rate on Pokémon encountered while surfing or diving. | x3.5 (specific conditions) |
(For a comprehensive list and detailed stats, consult fan-made databases like Serebii.net or Bulbapedia.)
5. Increase Your Odds: Helpful Items & Abilities
Several items and Pokémon abilities can aid in the catching process:
- False Swipe: A TM move that can be taught to many Pokémon. It always leaves the target with at least 1 HP, preventing accidental KOs.
- Catching Power Sandwiches: Eating specific sandwiches can grant you "Catching Power," temporarily increasing your catch rate for certain Pokémon types.
- Smeargle (via Sketch): If you manage to get a Pokémon with the move Sketch (not available in Scarlet/Violet natively but can be obtained through trading), it can copy False Swipe or a sleep-inducing move.
- Synchronize Ability: Pokémon with Synchronize can help you find wild Pokémon with specific Natures if they lead your party. While not directly a catch rate booster, it's useful for competitive catching.
By following these steps and utilizing the available tools, you'll be well-equipped to catch all sorts of Pokémon across the Paldea region.
