Table of Contents

Mastering Excellent Throws: Your Guide to Nailing 10 in Pokémon GO!

Alright, trainers, let’s cut right to the chase. You’re here because you want to consistently land those coveted Excellent Throws in Pokémon GO, maybe to evolve that tricky Galarian Farfetch’d, complete a research task, or simply rake in the massive XP boost. So, which Pokémon are going to make those 10 Excellent Throws a reality?

The truth is, there isn’t one “magic” Pokémon that guarantees Excellent Throws every time. Skill, practice, and understanding the mechanics are crucial. However, certain Pokémon are undeniably easier targets due to their larger size, closer proximity to the screen, or more predictable movement patterns. Based on player experiences and common consensus, here’s a list of Pokémon that are generally considered easier to consistently land Excellent Throws on:

Pokémon with Larger Hitboxes: This is key. The bigger the target, the more forgiving your throw can be. Think Legendary Raid Bosses. While they might be tough to take down, their large size makes them excellent practice for refining your technique.
Pokémon with Rounder Bodies: This makes the aiming point more consistent. Examples mentioned include Venonat, Magnemite, Poliwag, Ponyta, Slowpoke, Tauros, Voltorb, and Weepinbell.
Stationary or Slow-Moving Pokémon: The less the Pokémon moves around, the easier it is to time your throw.

The secret sauce really is practice and finding what works for you. But starting with these suggested Pokémon will give you a leg up in mastering the Excellent Throw.

Fine-Tuning Your Technique for Excellent Throws

Beyond choosing the right Pokémon, your technique is paramount. Here are some crucial tips to elevate your throw game:

The Circle Size: Excellent Throws happen when you hit the Pokémon inside the smallest possible target circle. This requires precision and timing. Wait for the target circle to shrink down to a small size (around 20% of its maximum) before throwing.
The Curveball: While not mandatory, curveballs significantly increase your catch rate (1.8%). Learn to consistently throw curveballs.
The “Set Circle” Technique: Start by holding the ball and letting the target circle shrink to the Excellent range. Release your hold – the circle will remain at that size. Now, patiently wait for the Pokémon to center itself and then throw. This takes practice but provides incredible consistency.
AR+ Mode (with Caution): The article mentions using AR+ mode and angling the camera towards a flat surface to potentially make throws easier. While this might work for some, AR+ can be buggy and unreliable. Experiment, but don’t rely on it.
Practice, Practice, Practice: Seriously, just keep throwing! Even if you miss, you’re learning the distance, timing, and nuances of each Pokémon’s movements.

Maximizing Your Success: Items and Strategies

Don’t underestimate the power of items and strategic thinking:

Berries: Razz Berries, Silver Pinap Berries, and Golden Razz Berries significantly increase your catch rate. Use them strategically, especially on Pokémon you really want to catch.
Poke Balls: Great Balls and Ultra Balls have higher catch rates than standard Poke Balls. Use them on more difficult Pokémon or when you’re serious about landing that catch.
Understanding Catch Rates: Different Pokémon have different base catch rates. Caterpie, Weedle, and Pidgey are notoriously easy to catch, while Legendary Pokémon are much harder. Adjust your strategy accordingly.

FAQs: Demystifying the Excellent Throw

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about landing those perfect throws in Pokémon GO.

1. What exactly counts as an Excellent Throw?

An Excellent Throw is achieved when your Poke Ball lands inside the smallest possible target circle on a Pokémon. The smaller the circle, the better your chances of landing an Excellent Throw, and the greater your XP reward. (1.7x to 2x catch chance, 1000 XP)

2. Is there a trick to making Excellent Throws consistently?

The most consistent “trick” is the “set circle” technique mentioned earlier. Practice holding the ball until the circle is the desired size, release your hold, and then time your throw. This takes practice, but it eliminates the variability of the shrinking circle. Also, aiming for larger Pokémon with predictable movements is key.

3. Does curveball increase my chance of getting an Excellent Throw?

No, curveballs don’t directly increase your chance of getting an Excellent Throw. They increase your catch rate (1.8% increase). You can still get an Excellent Throw with a straight throw, but curveballs make catching easier overall.

4. Do items like Razz Berries affect my ability to land an Excellent Throw?

No, Razz Berries and other berries don’t affect your ability to land an Excellent Throw. They increase the catch rate, making it more likely you’ll catch the Pokémon after landing the throw.

5. Why do some Pokémon seem impossible to get an Excellent Throw on?

Some Pokémon have small hitboxes, erratic movements, or are positioned far away on the screen. These factors make it significantly harder to land Excellent Throws. Focus on practicing on easier targets first.

6. Is there a specific type of Poke Ball that makes Excellent Throws easier?

No, the type of Poke Ball doesn’t directly affect your ability to land an Excellent Throw. However, Great Balls and Ultra Balls have higher catch rates, meaning you’re more likely to catch the Pokémon if you do land an Excellent Throw.

7. I keep getting “Great” Throws instead of “Excellent.” What am I doing wrong?

A “Great” Throw means your Poke Ball landed inside a medium-sized target circle. To get an Excellent Throw, you need to land the ball inside the smallest possible circle. Keep practicing your timing and precision. The difference between a “Great” and “Excellent” throw is just a matter of further shrinking the target circle before throwing. (1.3 to 1.7x catch chance, 100 XP)

8. How can I find Ditto in Pokémon GO?

Finding Ditto is all about catching the Pokémon it disguises itself as. There’s no guaranteed way to know if a Pokémon is a Ditto until you catch it. After catching certain common Pokémon, you might see an “Oh?” message, and it will transform into Ditto. Keep an eye on the current Ditto disguises in the community to maximize your chances.

9. Does weather boost affect my ability to get Excellent Throws?

No, weather boost doesn’t affect your ability to land Excellent Throws. It affects the Pokémon’s CP (Combat Power) and the spawn rates of certain Pokémon types.

10. What’s the difference between a “Nice,” “Great,” and “Excellent” Throw in terms of catch chance and XP?

Nice Throw: Landing in a large circle (1 to 1.3x catch chance, 20 XP)
Great Throw: Landing in a medium circle (1.3 to 1.7x catch chance, 100 XP)
Excellent Throw: Landing in a small circle (1.7x to 2x catch chance, 1000 XP)

11. Is there a specific level I need to be to get Excellent Throws consistently?

Your trainer level doesn’t directly impact your ability to land Excellent Throws. However, as you level up, you’ll gain access to better Poke Balls and berries, which can improve your overall catch rate.

12. What are the most annoying Pokémon to evolve in Pokémon GO?

The difficulty of evolving a Pokémon often comes down to the rarity of its base form or the specific evolution requirements (e.g., walking as your buddy, using specific items, or, in the case of Galarian Farfetch’d, landing Excellent Throws). Pokemon that require unique evolution methods are considered the most difficult.

13. What does a blue background on a Pokémon in my storage mean?

A blue background on a Pokémon in your storage simply means that you caught it within the last 24 hours. It’s a visual cue to help you remember your recent catches.

14. Can XXL and XXS Pokémon affect my Excellent Throw success?

While XXL and XXS Pokémon have different sizes visually, their hitboxes are the same as regular-sized Pokémon. So, while the visual might be a little distracting, it doesn’t directly affect your ability to land Excellent Throws.

15. Where can I learn more about the science behind gaming and learning?

You can explore the intersection of gaming and education by visiting the Games Learning Society website at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/. They offer valuable insights into how games can be used as powerful learning tools. Check out GamesLearningSociety.org for research and resources on game-based learning.

Mastering Excellent Throws in Pokémon GO takes time, patience, and practice. Don’t get discouraged by early failures. Focus on refining your technique, understanding the game mechanics, and choosing your targets wisely. With dedication, you’ll be racking up those Excellent Throws in no time!

What Pokémon make 10 excellent throws?