Sequel catching and encounter methods
Distinguish grass, rustling patches, dust clouds, water, Hidden Grottos, gifts and trades.
Nintendo DS sequels; not the original Black and White story.
An encounter method is part of the location
Ordinary grass, dark grass, rustling grass, cave walking and dust clouds use different encounter lists. Water also separates Surf, rippling-water Surf, fishing and rippling-water fishing. An area’s name alone is insufficient. Open a Pokémon profile for the recorded version, level and method.
Prepare a controlled catching team
Lower HP and use a suitable status condition before throwing Balls. False Swipe leaves at least one HP when it works, but Ghost immunity and damaging status effects can defeat a careless plan. Bring enough Balls for a one-time encounter and save first. A capture-rate statistic is not a direct percentage chance.
Special sources need special requirements
Hidden Grottos regenerate and supply their own Hidden Ability encounters. Gifts, fossil revival and NPC trades do not appear in ordinary route grass. Historical event Pokémon and Dream Radar transfers require compatible external access; an old distribution menu does not create a new event.
Check your version, story progress and difficulty before using a location or battle record. These guides cover the original Nintendo DS sequels.