---
title: "Hardest Pokémon to Catch: Catch Rates From 3 to 255 Explained | pokee.si"
url: "https://pokee.si/articles/hardest-pokemon-to-catch"
description: "Which Pokémon are hardest to catch? Every catch rate from the pokee.si data: the 76 species at 3, the 87 at 255, and rates by group."
last_updated: "2026-10-21"
publisher: "pokee.si: a Pokédex for families (unofficial fan site)"
published: "2026-10-21"
---

# Hardest Pokémon to Catch: Catch Rates From 3 to 255 Explained

Seventy-six Pokémon share the hardest catch rate in the games: 3. Eighty-seven share the easiest, 255. This page shows who is on each list, how the groups compare, and what the numbers do when you throw a ball.

The catch rate is a number stored for each species. In the main-series games it runs from 3 to 255, and a higher number means an easier catch. Everything below counts species from the pokee.si data, which uses the main-series value for each Pokémon.

## What the number means

The catch rate is not a percentage. It is fed into a formula along with the target's remaining health, the kind of ball and any status condition such as sleep. So the same Pokémon is harder at full health and easier when weakened. These figures from [Pokémon Database](https://pokemondb.net/pokedex/articuno) show the chance for a Poké Ball thrown at a full-health Pokémon:

| Catch rate | Chance with a Poké Ball at full health | Example |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 3 | 0.4% | [Articuno](https://pokee.si/pokemon/articuno), [Beldum](https://pokee.si/pokemon/beldum) |
| 10 | 1.3% | [Zacian](https://pokee.si/pokemon/zacian) |
| 35 | 4.6% | [Ditto](https://pokee.si/pokemon/ditto) |
| 45 | 5.9% | [Bulbasaur](https://pokee.si/pokemon/bulbasaur), [Mew](https://pokee.si/pokemon/mew) |
| 190 | 24.8% | [Pikachu](https://pokee.si/pokemon/pikachu) |
| 255 | 33.3% | [Magikarp](https://pokee.si/pokemon/magikarp) |

Even the easiest Pokémon is not a sure thing at full health. The ball matters too: the [Poké Balls guide](https://pokee.si/guide/poke-balls) lists the ones that help.

## How the 1,025 species are spread

There are 38 different catch rates in the data. The average is 95.5 and the median is 60.

| Catch rate | Species | Share |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 3 | 76 | 7% |
| 4 to 44 | 72 | 7% |
| 45 | 313 | 31% |
| 46 to 189 | 338 | 33% |
| 190 to 254 | 139 | 14% |
| 255 | 87 | 8% |

The most common value is 45, with 313 species. That is the rate for all 27 first partners from the nine main regions and every Pokémon in their evolution lines, from Bulbasaur to Quaxly. Next come 190 (92 species), 255 (87), 3 (76) and 75 (72).

## The hardest to catch: catch rate 3

All 76 species, by the generation they first appeared in:

| Gen | Species with catch rate 3 |
| --- | --- |
| 1 | [Articuno](https://pokee.si/pokemon/articuno), [Zapdos](https://pokee.si/pokemon/zapdos), [Moltres](https://pokee.si/pokemon/moltres), [Mewtwo](https://pokee.si/pokemon/mewtwo) |
| 2 | [Raikou](https://pokee.si/pokemon/raikou), [Entei](https://pokee.si/pokemon/entei), [Suicune](https://pokee.si/pokemon/suicune), [Lugia](https://pokee.si/pokemon/lugia), [Ho-Oh](https://pokee.si/pokemon/ho-oh) |
| 3 | [Beldum](https://pokee.si/pokemon/beldum), [Metang](https://pokee.si/pokemon/metang), [Metagross](https://pokee.si/pokemon/metagross), [Regirock](https://pokee.si/pokemon/regirock), [Regice](https://pokee.si/pokemon/regice), [Registeel](https://pokee.si/pokemon/registeel), [Latias](https://pokee.si/pokemon/latias), [Latios](https://pokee.si/pokemon/latios), [Kyogre](https://pokee.si/pokemon/kyogre), [Groudon](https://pokee.si/pokemon/groudon), [Jirachi](https://pokee.si/pokemon/jirachi), [Deoxys](https://pokee.si/pokemon/deoxys) |
| 4 | [Uxie](https://pokee.si/pokemon/uxie), [Mesprit](https://pokee.si/pokemon/mesprit), [Azelf](https://pokee.si/pokemon/azelf), [Dialga](https://pokee.si/pokemon/dialga), [Palkia](https://pokee.si/pokemon/palkia), [Heatran](https://pokee.si/pokemon/heatran), [Regigigas](https://pokee.si/pokemon/regigigas), [Giratina](https://pokee.si/pokemon/giratina), [Cresselia](https://pokee.si/pokemon/cresselia), [Manaphy](https://pokee.si/pokemon/manaphy), [Darkrai](https://pokee.si/pokemon/darkrai), [Arceus](https://pokee.si/pokemon/arceus) |
| 5 | [Victini](https://pokee.si/pokemon/victini), [Cobalion](https://pokee.si/pokemon/cobalion), [Terrakion](https://pokee.si/pokemon/terrakion), [Virizion](https://pokee.si/pokemon/virizion), [Tornadus](https://pokee.si/pokemon/tornadus), [Thundurus](https://pokee.si/pokemon/thundurus), [Reshiram](https://pokee.si/pokemon/reshiram), [Zekrom](https://pokee.si/pokemon/zekrom), [Landorus](https://pokee.si/pokemon/landorus), [Kyurem](https://pokee.si/pokemon/kyurem), [Keldeo](https://pokee.si/pokemon/keldeo), [Meloetta](https://pokee.si/pokemon/meloetta), [Genesect](https://pokee.si/pokemon/genesect) |
| 6 | [Zygarde](https://pokee.si/pokemon/zygarde), [Diancie](https://pokee.si/pokemon/diancie), [Hoopa](https://pokee.si/pokemon/hoopa), [Volcanion](https://pokee.si/pokemon/volcanion) |
| 7 | [Type: Null](https://pokee.si/pokemon/type-null), [Silvally](https://pokee.si/pokemon/silvally), [Tapu Koko](https://pokee.si/pokemon/tapu-koko), [Tapu Lele](https://pokee.si/pokemon/tapu-lele), [Tapu Bulu](https://pokee.si/pokemon/tapu-bulu), [Tapu Fini](https://pokee.si/pokemon/tapu-fini), [Magearna](https://pokee.si/pokemon/magearna), [Marshadow](https://pokee.si/pokemon/marshadow), [Zeraora](https://pokee.si/pokemon/zeraora), [Meltan](https://pokee.si/pokemon/meltan), [Melmetal](https://pokee.si/pokemon/melmetal) |
| 8 | [Kubfu](https://pokee.si/pokemon/kubfu), [Urshifu](https://pokee.si/pokemon/urshifu), [Zarude](https://pokee.si/pokemon/zarude), [Regieleki](https://pokee.si/pokemon/regieleki), [Regidrago](https://pokee.si/pokemon/regidrago), [Glastrier](https://pokee.si/pokemon/glastrier), [Spectrier](https://pokee.si/pokemon/spectrier), [Calyrex](https://pokee.si/pokemon/calyrex), [Enamorus](https://pokee.si/pokemon/enamorus) |
| 9 | [Koraidon](https://pokee.si/pokemon/koraidon), [Miraidon](https://pokee.si/pokemon/miraidon), [Okidogi](https://pokee.si/pokemon/okidogi), [Munkidori](https://pokee.si/pokemon/munkidori), [Fezandipiti](https://pokee.si/pokemon/fezandipiti), [Pecharunt](https://pokee.si/pokemon/pecharunt) |

Of the 76, 54 are Legendary and 19 are Mythical. The other three are the Beldum line: [Beldum](https://pokee.si/pokemon/beldum), [Metang](https://pokee.si/pokemon/metang) and [Metagross](https://pokee.si/pokemon/metagross). They are the only Pokémon with a catch rate of 3 that are not Legendary or Mythical, and Pokémon Database lists the same value for Beldum. Metagross is also one of the fan-named "pseudo-legendary" Pokémon. That is a fan term, not an official one.

Not every Legendary or Mythical Pokémon is at 3. Seventeen Legendary and four Mythical species sit above it.

| Catch rate | Legendary and Mythical species |
| --- | --- |
| 5 | Ogerpon |
| 6 | Wo-Chien, Chien-Pao, Ting-Lu, Chi-Yu |
| 10 | Zacian, Zamazenta |
| 30 | Phione |
| 45 | Mew, Celebi, Rayquaza, Shaymin, Xerneas, Yveltal, Cosmog, Cosmoem, Solgaleo, Lunala |
| 255 | Necrozma, Eternatus, Terapagos |

The 255s stand out. Pokémon Database shows 255 for [Eternatus](https://pokee.si/pokemon/eternatus), 255 for Terapagos and 255 for the base form of [Necrozma](https://pokee.si/pokemon/necrozma), with 3 for some of Necrozma's other forms. The data on this page uses the base form.

Outside the Legendary groups, the lowest rates after the Beldum line are the Paradox Pokémon [Walking Wake](https://pokee.si/pokemon/walking-wake) and [Iron Leaves](https://pokee.si/pokemon/iron-leaves) at 5. Then comes a run of species at 10, including Baxcalibur, Archaludon and Hydrapple.

## The easiest to catch: catch rate 255

Eighty-six of the 87 are the first stage of an evolution line, or have no evolution at all. The one exception is Watchog. The list includes [Caterpie](https://pokee.si/pokemon/caterpie), [Pidgey](https://pokee.si/pokemon/pidgey), [Rattata](https://pokee.si/pokemon/rattata), [Zubat](https://pokee.si/pokemon/zubat), [Starly](https://pokee.si/pokemon/starly), [Bidoof](https://pokee.si/pokemon/bidoof), [Lillipup](https://pokee.si/pokemon/lillipup), [Pikipek](https://pokee.si/pokemon/pikipek), [Wooloo](https://pokee.si/pokemon/wooloo), [Lechonk](https://pokee.si/pokemon/lechonk) and [Magikarp](https://pokee.si/pokemon/magikarp), among others. Three Legendary Pokémon are on it too, as covered above.

## Catch rates by group

| Group | Species | Average catch rate | Median | Lowest | Highest | Species with catch rate 3 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Legendary | 71 | 18.2 | 3 | 3 | 255 | 54 |
| Mythical | 23 | 9.7 | 3 | 3 | 45 | 19 |
| Ultra Beast | 11 | 42.3 | 45 | 30 | 45 | 0 |
| Paradox (not Legendary) | 20 | 25.5 | 30 | 5 | 50 | 0 |
| Pseudo-legendary (fan term) | 10 | 37.3 | 45 | 3 | 45 | 1 |
| Baby Pokémon | 19 | 121.8 | 125 | 25 | 255 | 0 |
| All other Pokémon | 871 | 106.4 | 75 | 3 | 255 | 2 |

Legendary Pokémon average 18.2, and Mythical ones 9.7, because 19 of the 23 are at 3. Ultra Beasts (all between 30 and 45) and Paradox Pokémon that are not Legendary (5 to 50) are harder than the typical Pokémon but easier than Legendary ones. Pseudo-legendary Pokémon average 37.3. Eight of the ten are at 45, with Metagross at 3 and Baxcalibur at 10.

Baby Pokémon are easier, with an average of 121.8 and a spread from 25 ([Mantyke](https://pokee.si/pokemon/mantyke)) to 255 ([Budew](https://pokee.si/pokemon/budew) and [Bonsly](https://pokee.si/pokemon/bonsly)). See the [baby Pokémon list](https://pokee.si/articles/baby-pokemon-list). The other 871 species average 106.4.

## Is catch rate the same as rarity?

No. Catch rate is about how hard a ball throw is, and rarity is about how often you meet the Pokémon at all. Mythical Pokémon, for instance, were traditionally handed out at events. [The rarest Pokémon](https://pokee.si/articles/rarest-pokemon) article covers that side, and [Legendary vs Mythical](https://pokee.si/articles/legendary-vs-mythical-pokemon) explains the two labels.

## Questions people ask

### What is the hardest Pokémon to catch?

There is a 76-way tie. Every species with a catch rate of 3 is as hard as the main-series games get, and that includes 54 Legendary and 19 Mythical Pokémon, plus Beldum, Metang and Metagross.

### What does a catch rate of 3 mean?

It is the lowest value in the games, out of 255. Pokémon Database puts the chance at 0.4% for a Poké Ball thrown at a full-health Pokémon, so lowering its health and adding a status condition matters a great deal.

### Which Pokémon are easiest to catch?

The 87 species with a catch rate of 255, such as Caterpie, Weedle, Pidgey, Rattata, Zubat and Magikarp. Pokémon Database gives a 33.3% chance for a Poké Ball on a full-health Pokémon.

### Are Legendary Pokémon always hard to catch?

Mostly, but not always. 54 of the 71 Legendary Pokémon have a catch rate of 3. The exceptions range from 5 (Ogerpon) to 255 (Necrozma, Eternatus and Terapagos).

### Is Pokémon GO catching the same as this?

No. Pokémon GO has its own capture rates and its own throwing mechanics. The numbers on this page are the main-series values in the pokee.si data.

## Sources

- [Pokémon Database: Articuno (catch rate 3)](https://pokemondb.net/pokedex/articuno)
- [Pokémon Database: Magikarp (catch rate 255)](https://pokemondb.net/pokedex/magikarp)
- [Pokémon Database: Beldum (catch rate 3)](https://pokemondb.net/pokedex/beldum)
- [Pokémon Database: Necrozma (catch rate by form)](https://pokemondb.net/pokedex/necrozma)
- [Pokémon Database: Zacian](https://pokemondb.net/pokedex/zacian)

---

Source: https://pokee.si/articles/hardest-pokemon-to-catch (HTML page). pokee.si is an unofficial fan site and is not affiliated with Nintendo, Creatures, GAME FREAK or The Pokémon Company. Pokémon and all related names and images are © their respective owners.