How to Catch Pokemon

Want to catch a wild Pokemon? Bring a healthy team and at least one Poke Ball, then head to a map with wild encounters.

The quick catch routine

1. Move through the map until a wild Pokemon appears.
2. Start the battle and lower its HP without knocking it out.
3. Tap Backpack, choose a Poke Ball and press Use Item.
4. If it escapes, keep battling and try again. If it faints, find another encounter.

New Trainers get 10 Poke Balls, 2 Great Balls and 1 Ultra Ball from Professor Oak after the Ash battle. You can also buy standard balls from Mart Co.

Which ball should you use?

A Poke Ball is fine for an ordinary first catch. Great Balls and Ultra Balls give you stronger options, so save them for a Pokemon that is proving harder to catch. The game has other special balls too. Check an item before spending it.

Where did the catch go?

Your active team holds up to six Pokemon. If the new Pokemon is not on the team bar, it is safe in your Pokemon Box. Move it into the next open team slot when you want to use it in battle.

A few common snags

• No encounter yet? Keep moving through the grass.
• No ball in Backpack? Collect Oak's kit or visit Mart Co.
• Knocked the Pokemon out? Return to the map and look for another.
• Caught it but cannot see it? Check your Box.

See all Pokemon Dusk Reborn game guides

Last checked against the September 2026 Rebirth update.