A wild Abra being encountered in Pokémon Diamond Version and Pokémon Pearl Version
Wild Pokémon are Pokémon that have not yet been captured by a Pokémon Trainer. They first appeared in Generation I.
Description[]
Catching the different species of wild Pokémon is one of the requirements for the player to complete the Pokédex.
Locations[]
The player standing in tall grass, one of the main ways to encounter wild Pokémon, in Pokémon FireRed Version and Pokémon LeafGreen Version
Wild Pokémon most commonly appear while moving around in tall grass, which are patches typically located within routes. It is also common to encounter a wild Pokémon inside of a cave, while surfing on water, or while diving or in patches of seaweed (which is a method introduced and only found in Generation III). Wild Pokémon can be also be encountered through certain methods of interacting with the environment, such as using a fishing rod in water, or having a Pokémon use Rock Smash against a pile of rocks. In rare cases, a wild Pokémon could act as a mimic and thus be disguised as an item that resembles a Poké Ball, as is the case with Voltorb and Electrode. Certain species of Pokémon require specific methods to encounter. Overall, wild Pokémon can be found in most locations, but not in outdoor areas with no tall grass, nor within most cities and towns.
Since Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Pokémon: Let's Go, Eevee!, wild Pokémon can be encountered outside of tall grass, being part of the wilderness.
Certain locations specialize in catching wild Pokémon, namely the Safari Zone of a region.
A wild Pokémon can be attracted over by using Sweet Scent, typically in a patch of grass.
Encountering wild Pokémon works using the random number mechanic, and each tile where a wild Pokémon can appear has a number assigned to it. If the randomly generated number is less than the assigned number, the player encounters a wild Pokémon, with its species, possible level in the location, and gender (in later releases) being determined by the game. Some Pokémon have a smaller encounter rate than others, thus making them rare.
Battle[]
In the first three generations, only one wild Pokémon can be encountered at a time. In Generation IV, there are instances where wild Pokémon encounters are Double Battles, specifically while the player is partnered with another character on the field. In Generation V, Double Battles can occur even without the player being partnered with another character. In Generation VI, there are Horde Encounters, where the player fights five wild Pokémon at a time. In Generation VII, there are battles titled SOS Battles, where a wild Pokémon calls upon an ally Pokémon to assist them.
The player is usually able to escape from wild Pokémon encounters buy running, unlike Pokémon Trainer battles. However, if the trainer's Pokémon has a lower or equal level to the wild Pokémon encountered, escaping (running) will not work, and the wild Pokémon will trap and continue to attack.
A method of escaping a wild Pokémon without fail requires a Poké Doll item to be used.
Held items[]
Since Generation II, a wild Pokémon can sometimes carry a single held item, which depends on the Pokémon's species and the likelihood of it having one, usually ranging between 5% and 50%. Some wild Pokémon have the possibility of carrying one of two types of items, such as how a Linoone has a 50 percent chance of carrying an Oran Berry and a five percent chance of carrying a Sitrus Berry. Certain Abilties increase the likelihood of a wild Pokémon carrying an item (such as Pick Up and Honey Gather).
Certain items can only be obtained from a wild Pokémon, not necessarily by catching it, but if the player's Pokémon uses Thief or Covet. A Pokémon can use the Ability Frisk to determine a Pokémon's held item.
Appearances[]
Core series[]
Generation II[]
Headbutting trees is a unique way to encounter wild Pokémon in Pokémon Gold Version and Pokémon Silver Version, Pokémon Crystal Version, and the remakes Pokémon HeartGold Version and Pokémon SoulSilver Version.
Generation III[]
Wild Pokémon can be found underwater in Pokémon Ruby Version and Pokémon Sapphire Version, Pokémon Emerald Version, and the remakes Pokémon Omega Ruby and Pokémon Alpha Sapphire. Furthermore, the remakes also allows for wild Pokémon encounters through soaring.
Generation IV[]
In Pokémon Diamond Version and Pokémon Pearl Version, Pokémon Platinum Version, and the remakes Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Pokémon Shining Pearl, Double Battles against wild Pokémon can occur in Eterna Forest, Wayward Cave, Iron Island, Victory Road, and Stark Mountain.
Generation V[]
In Pokémon Black Version and Pokémon White Version and Pokémon Black Version 2 and Pokémon White Version 2, stepping on a shadow at Driftveil Drawbridge and Marvelous Bridge or in a puddle at Icirrus City also initiates an encounter. Audino can be found only by shaking bushes.
Anime[]
In Pokémon the Series, wild Pokémon have same role as in the core series, being Pokémon that live freely without any owner and inhabiting various locations. Unlike the core series, a Pokémon sometimes allows itself to be captured willingly (which is how Ash obtained Squirtle, Chikorita, Heracross, Oshawott, and Froakie). Many of Goh's Pokémon allowed themselves to be captured by him.
Wild Pokémon first appear in "Pokémon - I Choose You!". This episode showed that wild Pokémon can be aggressive, particularly toward caught Pokémon, which is shown when a wild Spearow attacks Ash's Pikachu. Ash's Pokédex explains that wild Pokémon tend to be jealous of caught Pokémon.
In "The Legend of Dratini", the wild Pokémon living in the Safari Zone can only be caught using Safari Balls, like in the core series.