Catching Pokémon
After you've delivered the egg to Professor Elm and left New Bark Town, you'll be given a tutorial on how to catch wild Pokémon by your friend. They'll show you that you should weaken the Pokémon until its HP is in the red or yellow, and then throw a Poké Ball. If you can, try giving the enemy a status, such as sleep, freeze, or paralysis. These will increase the odds of capturing it. Pokémon that have been caught at least three times and Pokémon acquired through trades will be easier to catch, as well. You cannot capture another trainer's Pokémon, and you cannot catch a Pokémon while in a double battle. After you've captured it, you'll have the option to nickname the Pokémon you catch. If you're party is full, the Pokémon will be transferred over to your in your most recent box.
The type of Poké Ball you use will also affect whether or not you're successful at catching a Pokémon.
| Image | Name | Catch Rate | Image | Name | Catch Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| File:HGSSPokeBallSprite.png | Poké Ball | x1 |  |
Love Ball | 8× if used on a Pokémon of the same species, but opposite gender of the player's Pokémon |
| File:HGSSGreatBallSprite.png | Great Ball | x1.5 |  |
Premier Ball | x1, only used to commemorate special events |
| File:HGSSUltraBallSprite.png | Ultra Ball | x2 |  |
Heavy Ball | The more the Pokémon weighs, the better your chance. |
| File:HGSSMasterBallSprite.png | Master Ball | x255 |  |
Fast Ball | x4 if used on a Pokémon with a speed stat of at least 100 |
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Safari Ball | x1.5 in Safari Zone |  |
Repeat Ball | x3 on Pokémon caught before |
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Level Ball | 1x if level is even, 2x if it's higher, 3x if it's double, 4x if it's over four times higher. |  |
Timer Ball | x2 if used after turn 10, x3 after 20, x4 after 40 |
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Moon Ball | 4× if used on a Pokémon belonging to the Nidoran♂, Nidoran♀, Clefairy, Jigglypuff or Skitty families |  |
Nest Ball | x3 if used on a Pokémon with a level below 19, x2 if it's between 20 and 29 |
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Lure Ball | x3 if used on a Pokémon caught by a rod. |  |
Net Ball | x3 if used on water or bug-type Pokémon |
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Dive Ball | x3.5 if used on water-dwelling Pokémon |  |
Quick Ball | x4 if used on first turn |
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Friend Ball | x1, makes captured Pokémon more friendly. |  |
Heal Ball | x1, brings captured Pokémon to full health |
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Luxury Ball | x1, increases the rate that friendliness is acquired |  |
Dusk Ball | x3.5 in cave or at night |
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Cherish Ball | x1, only comes with event Pokémon |  |
Park Ball | x255 in Pal Park |
Raising Pokémon
Battling
Friendliness
Evolution
Pokémon Centers
Located in every town and city, as well as various other places, Pokémon Centers are the ones responsible for keeping Pokémon fit. Whether it be from fighting or other causes, any injury is treatable there. Visiting a Pokémon Center will revive fainted Pokémon, restore your Pokémon's HP and PP, as well as cure any status (Pokérus excluded). The PC is also located in the Pokémon Center. The PC allows for players to store Pokémon that aren't currently in their party for use later, as well storing items, and checking Hall of Fame records. In the basement and second floor of the Pokémon Center, there are areas where you can use WiFi to communicate, but these features are covered in the Wifi section.
Gyms
Located in the largest cities or towns, Pokémon Gyms are tests for the Pokémon League, which you must pass before you can enter the League. The Gym Leaders are located inside. You must defeat these powerful Trainers to receive Gym Badges, which allow you to use HM moves outside of battle. Once you have collected the eight Gym Badges, you can enter the Pokémon League to challenge the Elite Four and the Champion.