Why can’t I catch Pokémon in Pokémon GO?

Why Can’t I Catch Pokémon in Pokémon GO?

As a Pokémon GO enthusiast, you’re eager to catch those elusive creatures and build your team. However, sometimes you encounter situations where you can’t catch a Pokémon, no matter how hard you try. This article will provide you with the reasons behind this frustration and offer solutions to help you overcome this hurdle.

Soft Banned: The Most Common Reason

You’ve been soft banned. This is the most common reason why you can’t catch Pokémon in Pokémon GO. Soft banning means you’re restricted from collecting anything from Pokéstops, including Poké Balls, and can’t catch any Pokémon. This is done by Niantic, the game’s developer, to prevent cheating and maintain the game’s integrity. Don’t worry, soft banning is not a permanent ban, and you can still play the game. To resolve this issue, you can try uninstalling and reinstalling the game, or spin a PokéStop repeatedly (around 40 times) without expecting any rewards.

Types of Ban

There are two types of bans: soft ban and hard ban. A soft ban restricts you from collecting resources and catching Pokémon, as mentioned earlier. A hard ban, on the other hand, prevents you from logging in to the game altogether. In this case, you’ll need to contact Niantic’s support team to resolve the issue.

Cheating and Account Suspension

Some misbehaviors may result in immediate account termination without prior warning. This includes, but is not limited to, using third-party software to manipulate the game, hacking, or attempting to access another player’s account. To avoid account suspension, always play the game fairly and follow the game’s terms of service.

Game Mechanics and IVs

The game awards IV values using three random rolls, from 0 to 15. The chance to get a 100% IV (15/15/15) Pokémon in Pokémon GO is 1/4096, or in percentage, 0.0244%. This means that the game has a high chance of producing Pokémon with lower IVs. Additionally, the chance to get any combination of IVs is the same and equals 1/4096. IVs play a crucial role in determining a Pokémon’s stats, so it’s essential to understand how they work.

Factors Affecting Catching Chances

There are several factors that can affect your chances of catching a Pokémon:

• Type of ball: The type of ball you use can increase or decrease your chances of catching a Pokémon.
• Pokémon level: The level of the Pokémon you’re trying to catch can affect the catch rate.
• Health: The health of the Pokémon can also impact the catch rate.
• Status conditions: The status conditions of the Pokémon, such as paralysis or sleep, can affect its catch rate.

Legendary and Mythical Pokémon

Some Pokémon, like Meltan and Melmetal, are exclusive to certain events or regions, making them difficult to catch. Legendary and mythical Pokémon often have unique characteristics that set them apart from regular Pokémon.

Rarest Shinies

The rarity of shinies in Pokémon GO is determined by the game’s algorithm. The chance to get a shiny Pokémon is around 1/450. The rarity of shinies can vary depending on the Pokémon species and the event.

Conclusion

In conclusion, there are several reasons why you might not be able to catch Pokémon in Pokémon GO. Soft banning, cheating, and game mechanics can all contribute to this frustration. Understanding the game’s mechanics, including IVs and factors affecting catching chances, can help you improve your chances of catching those elusive Pokémon. Remember to always play the game fairly and follow the game’s terms of service to avoid account suspension.

Table: Catching Chances Factors

Table: IVs in Pokémon GO

References

• Niantic Helpshift
• Vintageisthenewold
• The Gamer