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How Rare Are Ultra Beasts? A Comprehensive Guide

Ultra Beasts occupy a fascinating, and somewhat confusing, space in the Pokémon universe. Their rarity isn’t as straightforward as “common” or “legendary.” Essentially, they are common Pokemon from another dimension, but this doesn’t translate directly into ease of acquisition. In their native environments, they are likely common, but when brought into the player’s world, their availability is limited. Think of it like this: squirrels are common, but importing a specific species of squirrel from a remote island would make that squirrel very rare in your local park. In the context of the games, their catch rate is usually 2%, making them challenging to acquire, though not impossibly so. In some games, the spawn rate for Ultra Beasts are 1/1200 without a Pokebooster, but that can improve to 1/300 with a Legendary Pokebooster. So while they aren’t legendary in the traditional sense, they certainly require effort and the right tools to add to your team.

Understanding the Ultra Beast Phenomenon

What Defines an Ultra Beast?

Ultra Beasts (UBs) are extradimensional Pokémon introduced in Pokémon Sun and Moon. They originate from Ultra Space and possess incredible power. While not classified as “Legendary” in the truest sense, their unique status makes them distinct and sought after. They are considered sub-legends officially, though some older game code hints at them being coded as Legendaries.

The Catch Rate Conundrum

The low catch rate of approximately 2% for Ultra Beasts adds to their perceived rarity. This means that even with powerful Poké Balls, players might need multiple attempts to capture them successfully. The Beast Ball exists specifically to counteract this; it has a 5x catch rate when used on Ultra Beasts.

In-Game Availability

Ultra Beasts aren’t typically found wandering the overworld. They are encountered during specific post-game quests, making their availability tied to story progression. This limitation further contributes to their relative rarity.

Ultra Beast FAQs: Everything You Need to Know

Here are 15 frequently asked questions to help you navigate the world of Ultra Beasts:

Are Ultra Beasts considered legendary Pokémon? Not officially, but their unique origin and power level places them in a “sub-legendary” category. They’re not Mythical Pokémon either, which are typically event-exclusive. They’re somewhere in between normal Pokémon and true Legendaries.
How many Ultra Beasts are there in total? Currently, there are eleven known Ultra Beasts: Nihilego, Buzzwole, Pheromosa, Xurkitree, Celesteela, Kartana, Guzzlord, Poipole, Naganadel, Stakataka, and Blacephalon.
What is the best way to catch Ultra Beasts? Utilize Beast Balls for their 5x catch rate. Lowering the Ultra Beast’s health and inflicting status conditions like paralysis or sleep will further increase your chances of a successful capture.
Can you catch multiple Ultra Beasts of the same type? Yes, in games like Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, you can catch multiple instances of most Ultra Beasts after completing the main storyline. However, you can only catch one of the evolutions of Poipole.
Are Ultra Beasts shiny locked in any games? No, none of the Ultra Beasts in Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon are shiny locked. This means you can potentially encounter and catch shiny versions of these Pokémon. The shiny odds for these Pokémon are the same as the base shiny odds in the games: 1/4096.
Can you breed Ultra Beasts? No, Ultra Beasts cannot be bred. This is likely due to their extradimensional origin and incompatibility with Pokémon from the player’s world.
Do Ultra Beasts have genders? Like many Legendary Pokémon, Ultra Beasts are genderless. This is a common characteristic among Pokémon that cannot breed.
What is the weakest and strongest Ultra Beast? Guzzlord is generally considered the weakest due to its poor defensive stats and typing. Buzzwole, with its immense physical strength and energy-draining abilities, is often regarded as one of the strongest.
Can you use a Master Ball to catch an Ultra Beast? Yes, the Master Ball guarantees a successful capture of any Pokémon, including Ultra Beasts. However, using Beast Balls is more efficient, as they are designed specifically for catching UBs.
Are Ultra Beasts in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet? While not present in the base game, it is basically confirmed that Ultra Beasts will be available through downloadable content (DLC) for Pokémon Scarlet and Violet.
How rare are shiny Ultra Beasts compared to other shiny Pokémon? The shiny rate for Ultra Beasts is the standard 1/4096, the same as most non-event Pokémon in their respective games. This means they are statistically as rare as any other full-odds shiny encounter.
What are the weaknesses of the Ultra Beasts? Each Ultra Beast has different typing, so weaknesses vary. For example, Nihilego is Rock/Poison type, meaning it is weak to Ground, Psychic, Water, and Steel type moves, double weak to Ground.
Can you find infinite Ultra Beasts in Ultra Space? In Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, you can return to the Ultra Wormhole after beating the Pokémon League and find more of most of the Ultra Beasts. The only exceptions are Poipole and Naganadel, of which you can only obtain one each.
Is Zeraora considered an Ultra Beast? No, Zeraora is not an Ultra Beast, but rather a Mythical Pokémon. Mythical Pokémon are distinct from both Legendaries and Ultra Beasts.
Does the location where you encounter Ultra Beasts affect their catch rate or shiny chance? No, the location of the encounter does not affect the catch rate or shiny chance. The base catch rate and shiny odds remain the same, regardless of where the Ultra Beast is encountered.

Beyond Rarity: The Significance of Ultra Beasts

While understanding the rarity of Ultra Beasts is important, their inclusion in the Pokémon world adds a unique layer to the lore. They represent a connection to other dimensions and challenge the traditional understanding of what constitutes a “Pokémon.” Their unique designs, abilities, and backstories offer a refreshing divergence from the established formula, captivating players and sparking countless theories and discussions within the community.

For those interested in the broader implications of games in society, and how we can make those games even better, please see the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org, which is an excellent source of information on the theory and design behind educational games.

Conclusion

Ultra Beasts are not your average Pokémon. While not as rare as some Mythical or event-exclusive Pokémon, their unique origin, limited availability, and low catch rate make them a significant challenge to acquire. Equipped with this comprehensive guide, you’ll be better prepared to embark on your own Ultra Beast hunting adventure, understanding the nuances of their rarity and appreciating their significance within the broader Pokémon universe. Happy hunting!

How rare are Ultra Beasts?