Pokémon Go Catch Bonus System Explained
Pokémon Go’s Updated Medal System and Catch Bonuses Explained
While it may not generate the same level of widespread attention as it did upon initial release, Pokémon Go continues to be actively developed by Niantic. A recent update introduced a catch bonus system, finally assigning a practical function to the medals trainers have been accumulating.
The medal collection within Pokémon Go has often prompted curiosity among players. What is their actual purpose? Earning medals is satisfying, and they provide a means of tracking progress, but their utility extended little beyond that – until now.
Understanding the New Medal Structure
The latest Pokémon Go application version (0.41.2 for Android and 1.11.2 for iOS) has restructured the medal system into two distinct categories. The upper section showcases “merit medals,” which serve purely as achievements and bragging rights.
The lower section, highlighted in red, now contributes to a new feature: your Pokémon “catch bonus.” Progress towards the next medal tier is now more readily visible. For instance, achieving a gold Youngster medal requires catching 300 Rattata. Tapping the medal icons at the bottom of the medals screen displays your current progress and remaining requirements.
How Catch Bonuses Work
The significant changes are found in the lower portion of the medals screen. To illustrate how this system functions, consider encountering a Nidoran. A small icon will now appear at the top of the catch screen, as indicated by the arrow.
Nidorans are Poison-type Pokémon, correlating with the Punk Girl medal. Accessing the medals screen and selecting the Punk Girl medal reveals a gold-level achievement, granting a +3 bonus to Poison-type Pokémon catches.
If a Magmar appears, a Fire-type Pokémon, it contributes to earning Kindler medals. A bronze-level medal in this instance provides a +1 bonus to Fire-type Pokémon catches.
In some cases, dual-type Pokémon may overlap with multiple medals. Pidgeys, for example, contribute to both the Schoolkid medal (for Normal-type Pokémon) and the Bird Keeper medal (for Flying-type Pokémon). However, the catch bonus for dual-type Pokémon is averaged, meaning a potential +6 bonus is capped at +3.
The Impact of Catch Bonuses on Gameplay
So, what effect do these catch bonuses have? They don’t directly increase XP gains upon a successful catch. You won’t receive 103 XP instead of 100 XP. Instead, the system is designed to simplify the process of catching Pokémon.
The exact mechanism of the catch bonus remains unclear, but many players believe it operates as a percentage increase. This aligns with Pokémon’s base capture rate and integrates with existing game multipliers, such as Pokéball types, throw accuracy, and Razz Berries.
Understanding Pokémon Go’s Catch Rate Mechanics
To fully grasp this, it’s helpful to understand the theoretical framework behind Pokémon Go’s catch rates. While the precise numbers may vary, this clarifies the game’s mechanics and how the new bonus functions.
Each Pokémon species possesses a base capture rate. Common Pokémon like Pidgey and Rattata typically have a 40% base rate, while rarer Pokémon, or evolved forms, have lower rates.
The base capture rate is distinct from the capture chance, which is influenced by the trainer’s level. As a trainer levels up, the capture chance decreases. A level 1 trainer encountering a Magikarp (56% base rate) has a 100% chance of capture. A level 25 trainer faces a 42% capture chance.
(This may seem counterintuitive, as higher levels often mean encountering Pokémon with higher CP, requiring more resources like Great Balls and Razz Berries to increase the capture chance.)
This capture chance is calculated *before* throwing the ball, where multipliers come into play. This underscores the importance of catching as many Pokémon as possible, as a lower-level trainer won’t benefit from high-level medal bonuses.
How Bonuses Affect Capture Percentage
A Pidgey, with a 40% base capture chance and a +3 bonus, could theoretically have a 43% chance of being caught. Combining this with throw type, Pokéball type, and Razz Berry multipliers further increases the capture chance.
To illustrate these multipliers, consider this hypothetical breakdown from a Reddit commenter:
Base catch chance: 10%
Bonus for gold medal: +3% to base catch chance
Multiplier for "great" throw: 1.5x
Multiplier for curveball: 1.25x
Multiplier for razz berry: 1.25x
Multiplier for ultra ball: 1.5x
Overall catch chance without bonus: (10%) * 1.5 * 1.25 * 1.25 * 1.5 = 35.2%
Overall catch chance with bonus: (10% + 3%) * 1.5 * 1.25 * 1.25 * 1.5 = 45.7%
While Niantic hasn’t released an official formula, empirical evidence suggests the new catch bonus system simplifies capturing common Pokémon and reduces resource consumption overall.
The updated system incentivizes catching more Pokémon, as increased catches lead to easier captures. While not as straightforward as the Buddy System, the new catch bonus adds significant value for dedicated trainers focused on leveling up.