Does Speed Affect Catch Rate in Pokémon GO? The Definitive Guide
The short answer is: no, your in-game speed does not directly affect the catch rate of Pokémon in Pokémon GO. While it might feel like Pokémon are more prone to escaping when you’re moving quickly, it’s not your speed that’s the culprit, but rather other factors that are at play. Let’s delve into what truly impacts your ability to successfully catch Pokémon in the augmented reality world of Pokémon GO.
Understanding the Mechanics of Catching Pokémon
Many players have experienced the frustration of having a Pokémon break out of a Poké Ball after just one shake, especially while on a train or in a car. This commonly leads to the belief that speed influences catch rate. However, the game mechanics tell a different story. The speed at which you are moving within the real world doesn’t change the inherent probability of catching a specific Pokémon.
The key things to understand are that the game is designed to prevent players from benefiting while moving at high speeds, a mechanic implemented to discourage playing while driving and prioritize safety. If the game detects you are moving too fast, it will typically disable spawns or prevent interactions with PokéStops, and not necessarily make catches harder.
The actual factors affecting catch rate are tied to Pokémon characteristics and your actions during the encounter. So, if you are consistently struggling to catch Pokémon while moving fast, it might be a perception issue created by the limitations imposed while moving faster than intended in the game or a consequence of not implementing the mechanics that help you catch.
What Does Affect Catch Rate?
Several factors genuinely impact your chances of capturing a Pokémon:
- Base Capture Rate: Each Pokémon has a specific base capture rate programmed into the game. Rarer and more powerful Pokémon naturally have lower base capture rates, making them harder to catch. For example, Legendary Pokémon are notorious for their incredibly low catch rate.
- Pokémon Combat Power (CP): Higher CP values generally mean a more challenging catch. A Pokémon with high CP will typically break out more often than its lower CP counterpart. This is because CP indicates the overall strength and level of the Pokemon.
- Poké Ball Type: Using a basic Poké Ball provides the lowest catch rate. Great Balls and Ultra Balls significantly increase your catch probability. Don’t be afraid to use the best Poké Ball you can for challenging Pokémon.
- Berries: Using Razz Berries, Silver Pinap Berries, and Golden Razz Berries can considerably increase your catch rate. These items make it much easier to keep a Pokémon inside the ball.
- Throw Accuracy: Executing a precise throw that lands inside the colored circle is crucial. Great and Excellent throws yield higher catch rates. Practicing your throws will greatly improve your capture success.
- Medal Bonuses: Acquiring medals based on the type of Pokémon you’re catching will grant you a permanent increase in catch rate for that type. Catching many Pokémon of a specific type will eventually help you achieve better results.
- Status Conditions: While not a direct catch rate modifier in the main games, status conditions like paralysis do not affect the probability of catch in Pokemon GO. Similarly, the reduction of the target’s health does not increase the catch probability like in other Pokemon games.
Why the Perception of Speed Affecting Catch Rates Exists
The misinterpretation that speed affects catch rate likely stems from two main causes:
- High-Speed Restrictions: When the game detects you’re moving at speeds faster than approximately 30 mph, it restricts Pokémon spawns, and PokéStop spins, this has often lead to the assumption that you’re being penalized for catching Pokémon while moving fast, but the game is designed to prevent access to these features if the speed is too high and has a separate algorithm to determine catch rate.
- Confirmation Bias: If you attempt to catch Pokémon while in a moving vehicle, you might naturally associate failed catches with the movement speed, without considering the other factors at play (such as using regular Poké Balls, not using berries, or failing at throw accuracy).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
To further clarify this topic, here are 15 frequently asked questions with comprehensive answers:
1. Does lowering speed make Pokémon easier to catch?
No, lowering your physical speed does not make Pokémon easier to catch. The only factors that affect catch rate are Pokémon’s base catch rate, CP, Poké Ball type, use of berries, throw accuracy, medals, and status conditions.
2. What is the best way to maximize catch rate in Pokémon GO?
To maximize catch rate, use Ultra Balls, Golden Razz Berries, and aim for Excellent throws. You should also work on earning medals of the type of Pokémon you’re catching.
3. Does tapping fast during the Poké Ball shake help?
No, tapping fast has no effect on the success rate of a catch. It doesn’t improve the chances of the Pokémon staying inside the ball. This is a common myth that can be disregarded.
4. What is the speed limit in Pokémon GO?
Pokémon GO is designed to prevent collecting rewards if you’re moving faster than approximately 30 mph (48 km/h). This is to deter playing while driving.
5. How does the Speed stat in the main Pokémon games influence Pokémon GO?
The Speed stat from the main games has minimal influence on the base Attack and Defense stats in Pokémon GO, and it certainly does not affect catch rate.
6. What affects the catch rate of Legendary Pokémon?
The catch rate of Legendary Pokémon is heavily influenced by their very low base catch rate. They also have higher CP, which adds to the difficulty. The methods for catching them are the same as the other Pokémon, like berries, better Poké Balls, and accurate throws will help.
7. Does a Shiny Legendary have a 100% catch rate in raids?
Yes, if you encounter a Shiny Legendary after winning a Raid, it has a guaranteed 100% catch rate. But a shiny legendary caught in the wild will keep the same low catch rate as a non-shiny legendary.
8. What are the most difficult Pokémon to catch in Pokémon GO?
Legendary Pokémon, Mythical Pokémon, and rare spawns like Kecleon are among the most difficult to catch due to their low base catch rates and often high CP.
9. Do status conditions like paralysis help with catch rate?
No. Unlike the main series games, status conditions do not provide a boost to catch rate in Pokemon GO.
10. Does Pokémon Go count treadmill steps?
Yes, Pokémon GO can count treadmill steps as long as your device is moving in a manner consistent with walking. This might require you to shake your device during the treadmill session.
11. Can you spin PokéStops while driving?
No, the game restricts access to PokéStops if you’re moving too fast, so you cannot spin them reliably while driving. This is a mechanic that was put in place to discourage playing while driving.
12. Does shaking your phone help catch Pokémon?
No, shaking your phone does not help in catching Pokémon. This is another common myth that does not impact the game’s algorithms.
13. What is overtapping in Pokémon GO?
Overtapping is when you attempt to use a Charged Move when the energy hasn’t fully registered, due to the game’s mechanics. It is related to battle mechanics and has no impact on the catch rate.
14. Are there any exploits to trick the GPS for walking in Pokémon Go?
There are third-party apps that will simulate the effect of walking by altering the GPS signal that your device sends, but these methods are not reliable and can lead to account suspension.
15. How rare is Ditto in Pokémon GO?
Ditto has a very low spawn rate and is often disguised as other Pokémon, making it one of the harder to find Pokémon. Usually the encounter rate is somewhere around 3%.
Conclusion
While the feeling of struggling to catch Pokémon while in motion is relatable, the game’s mechanics reveal that speed itself does not affect catch rate in Pokémon GO. The factors that truly influence your success are the inherent characteristics of the Pokémon, the tools you use, and your accuracy during the encounter. By focusing on these aspects, you can improve your catch rate and become a more accomplished Pokémon Trainer. Happy catching!