Catching a Pokemon can be easy, can be though, depending on which Pokemon a trainer is trying to catch. When catching Weedle or Caterpie, patience, skill, and luck aren't exactly essential. However, the situation with more powerful and especially legendary Pokemon is different.
That can be seen in their catch rate; for example, the two previous examples have a catch rate of 255, the same as similar-level Pokemon such as Poliwag and Zubat. On the other side, there are high-level Pokemon with a catch rate of 3, which is the rate reserved for the Pokemon that are hardest to catch. There are currently 69 Pokemon with a catch rate of 3%, and below are the toughest ones to catch.
Updated June 15, 2023 by Ben Painter: Fans are still loving Pokemon Scarlet & Violet as they wait patiently for the release of the first DLC, The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero. What fans can do as the time passes is catch strong Pokemon, the legendaries and mythical Pokemon that take the top spots when it comes to catch rate. A Pokemon's catch rate determines how hard it is to capture. All the 'mons on this list have a catch rate of 3, the lowest it can go. This means all of these creatures are incredibly hard to get them to join any trainer's team. Make sure to save the Master Ball for the favorite, ensuring it can be caught without fail.
23 The Eon Duo: Latias & Latios
These two are the stars of the fifth movie in the anime, Pokemon Heroes: Latias & Latios. The Eon Duo are Dragon/Psychic Legendary Pokemon. The big difference between them is that Latias has higher special defense, while Latios has a higher special attack. It is up to the player which they prefer.
Latios (the blue one) made its debut in Ruby as a roaming Pokemon. Latias did the same in Sapphire. As roaming Pokemon, they are found randomly in the wild and run away after the first attack. This makes them incredibly difficult to catch, especially without a Master Ball.
22 Koraidon
One of the newer entries on this list is the box legendary of Pokemon Scarlet, Koraidon. This Fighting/Dragon Pokemon is with the player from the start, but cannot be used in battle until the main part of the story is completed.
It is lucky for trainers that this Pokemon does not need to be caught, as its low catch rate could cause some problems. However, if gamers want to test their catching skills, a second Koraidon can be caught in the post-game. Not only is this a powerful 'mon in battle, but it can also be ridden.
21 Miraidon
Koraidon hails from the ancient past, but Miraidon is from the distant future. It can only be found in Pokemon Violet, along with the other future Paradox Pokemon.
Miraidon is the same as Koraidon in the fact it doesn't need to be caught, which will save a lot of Pokeballs thanks to its high catch rate. Many fans agree that Miraidon has a better design than Koraidon, loving the metallic blue look. Its typing is also uncommon as an Electic/Dragon type.
20 Urshifu
Urshifu made its debut in the DLC of Pokemon Sword & Shield, The Isle of Armor. Gamers receive its pre-evolved form, Kubfu, so there is no need to capture this one in the game thankfully.
It has a perfect design, looking both powerful and majestic. It also has two different versions of typing depending on what tower it is trained in. The Single Strike Style Urshifu is Fighting/Dark type and is trained in the Tower of Darkness. The Rapid Strike Style Urshifu is Fighting/Water and is trained in the Tower of Waters. The Scroll of Darkness or Waters can be used to evolve this 'mon in Scarlet & Violet.
19 The Creation Trio
Dialga, Palkia and Giratina make up the creation trio and are the main Pokemon of Diamond, Pearl and Platinum respectively. They are crucial to the story, so gamers do have a chance to catch one in each of the games. But doesn't mean it will be easy, with that catch rate of 3.
Giratina's Origin Forme is one of the best-designed Pokemon in the whole franchise, so players may want to use that Master Ball. However, some may want to wait to use it on a roaming Pokemon that will run away from the battle.
18 The Regis
The Regi line has been around since Generation III, but once players were introduced to the Galar Region, they discovered two more Regis lurking in an ancient ruin. That brings the total to five Regis, and their ultimate patriarch in Regigigas. Each one of these titans has an incredibly low catch rate, making it difficult for trainers to snag them by traditional means. It doesn't help that they're pretty tanky. Thankfully, they have an array of weaknesses to help players whittle their health down.
Those looking for something on the "elemental Titan" side will need to make sure they bring lots of Pokeballs, status-effect-inducing pocket monsters, and luck with them to grab these Legendary Pokemon.
17 The Swords Of Justice
There are a lot of Legendary Pokemon out there that don't feel Legendary to some players. Case in point, the Swords of Justice. This group of creatures, based loosely on the Three Musketeers, was introduced in Generation V. Although they're unique in their dual Fighting-type, they leave much to be desired regarding that "Legendary pizazz." At the end of the day, the Swords of Justice just seem more like pseudo-Legendary Pokemon than the real deal.
That said, they're still rather difficult to catch. All of them, including their Mythical counterpart, Keldeo, have a catch rate of 3, making it a pain in the neck for any player that wants the complete set.
16 The Guardian Deities
Pokemon Sun & Moon was a bit divisive for some of the fanbase. There were some who appreciated its refreshing take on the Pokemon formula, especially with the Trials, while there were others that weren't nearly as enthusiastic about the "island adventure." As the game progressed, players would eventually meet the Legendary Pokemon that called the Alola Region home. The Tapu-named Guardian Deities were definitely a unique design, inspired by Island-based culture, but they would find themselves completely overshadowed by the Ultra Beasts, a subset of otherworldly Pokemon that showed up during the title's endgame.
Although the Tapus are a cool collection to have for any trainer looking to catch 'em all, their low 3 Catch Rate makes it difficult to get the entire four-stack.
15 Melmetal
Melmetal is a steel-type Pokemon that first appeared in Pokemon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Pokemon: Let's Go, Eevee!. The Mythical Pokemon also appears in Pokemon Go as an evolution of Meltan, though as of right now, this is the only game where Meltan can be evolved.
Melmetal appeared in the show Final Rivals! when Ash's Meltan evolves prior to the Manalo Conference finals. As per the website pokemonletsgo.pokemon.com, Melmetal's appearance was the first time that it had been seen in 3,000 years.
14 Metagross
Pseudo-legendary Pokemon Metagross first appeared in the 2005 (US release) film Pokemon: Destiny Deoxys. The Steel/Psychic dual-type Pokemon is an evolution of Metang, which is an evolution of Beldum. With the use of Metagrossite, Metagross can be Mega Evolved into Mega Metagross.
In Mega Evolution Special II, steel-type specialist trainer Steven Stone has a Shiny Metagross, which becomes his main battling Pokemon in Pokemon the Series: XY, the fifth series of Pokemon anime.
13 Glastrier
Glastrier is a Legendary Pokemon who is not believed to be an evolution, nor able to evolve into another Pokemon. The Ice-type is recognizable for its appearance that is reminiscent of the mythical Unicorn creature thanks to the large ice-spike protruding out of the center of its head.
The Wild Horse Pokemon can be found in the Pokemon Sword and Shield Expansion Pass at the Crown Shrine; players will need to obtain the Ice Carrot in order to summon it. There is only one in the game.
12 Marshadow
Much like the aforementioned Glastrier, it is not believed that Marshadow is an evolution, nor is it believed that the Pokemon can evolve into another form. The Mythical Pokemon is a dual-type that combines the contrasting styles of Fighting and Ghost. The Mythical Pokemon notably appears in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, where it is a Poké Ball summon.
Marshadow's first gaming appearance was in 2016's Pokemon Sun and Moon, while its main series anime debut came in the 57th episode of Pokemon the Series: Sun & Moon, titled The Dex Can't Help It!.
11 Volcanion
Volcanion continues the streak of Pokemon that aren't known to be an evolution, nor be able to evolve. The Mythical Pokemon is a dual-type that combines two polar opposite types: Fire and Water.
Volcanion's first gaming appearance was in Pokemon X and Y, part of the Generation VI core series. The Fire/Water type has appeared in every generation of games since, including the recent Pokemon Sword and Shield.
10 Arceus
Arceus is a normal-type Mythical Pokemon introduced in Generation IV. He is also known as "The Original One," and supposedly created the entire Pokemon universe. With no known evolutions, Arecus is nonetheless a formidable foe, which is to be expected from a "Pokemon God."
As said before, he was first introduced in Generation IV, where he is described as Pokemon that was born before the universe even existed and then shaped the universe with 1 000 hands. With that being said, the players would truly have a hard time catching him when or if they find him.
9 Articuno
Articuno is a legendary flying Pokemon well known to the old fans of the franchise. With his blue appearance and wings, with long and distinctive tail feathers, supposedly made of ice, Articuno is also able to control ice. The flapping of his wing causes air to chill. As a result, it is said that when Articuno flies, the snow will fall. That's why in Japan, he is named Freezer.
He lives in isolated locations, such as snowy mountains, and if the players want to catch him, there is likely where they will find him. Articuno has lower stats than Arceus, but with the same catch rate of 3 percent, it will prove a challenge to catch.
8 Zapdos
Zapdos, in Japanese simply named Thunder, is also a flying Pokemon similar to Articuno. But while Articuno controls ice, Zapatos controls electricity and thunder; with his wings, he can cause savage thunderstorms. His appearance all points to that with yellow color symbolizing electricity, and his sharp and spiked feathers further affirm that as well his head with yet another set of spiked feathers.
It is said the Zapados will appear when the sky turns dark and lighting showers down. Since he is a legendary Pokemon, in games like Pokemon Sun & Moon and Pokemon Diamond & Pearl, there is only one to catch.
7 Moltres
Along with the previous entries, Zapdos and Articuno, Moltres is one of the three legendary birds of Kanto. Moltres symbolizes fire, which he can control, and is modeled to represent it. It has a long, flowing head crest and a billowing tail, both made of reddish-orange and yellow flames, with his wings shrouded in fiery plumage.
By dipping itself in a magma of an active volcano, Moltres can heal itself. It is also said that seeing a Moltres means spring will arrive soon. Like the other two legendary birds, the player can obtain only one Moltres in the majority of Pokemon games.
6 Lugia
Lugia is a trio master of legendary birds. He is a protector of the sea who resides deep at the bottom of the ocean. In appearance, he is composed of traits of a dragon, bird, wyvern, and sea monster.
There is only one Lugia available to catch in all Pokemon games after meeting certain conditions. In Pokemon HeartGold & SoulSilver, he can be caught in the depths of a sea cave at Whirl Islands. Lugia appears as a mascot on Pokemon XD: Gale of Darkness, Pokemon Silver, and its remake Pokemon SoulSilver, and also served as a central character in Pokemon: The Movie 2000.
5 Ho-Oh
Ho-Oh is also a flying legendary pokemon, like the previous entries. He was introduced in the second generation and is the trio master of the legendary beasts - Raikou, Entei, and Suicune. He is also closely related to Lugia, and while he commands the sea, Ho-Oh commands the sky. He also has a mythological power to resurrect the dead and can cause rainbows with his seven-colored wings.
Ho-Oh is extremely hard to catch with only one specimen available to catch in all installments of Pokemon games. With a base stats of 680, he is much stronger than the previous entries - the legendary flying birds.
4 Raikou
Raikou is one of the three legendary Pokemon resurrected by Ho-Oh. Like Zapdos, he is able to cause thunder balls at will, and he can also fly by creating storm clouds. In appearance, he is tiger-like Pokemon with black stripes and a white underside and has two long fangs representing that of a saber-tooth cat. Most of its face consists of thick, white fur and a short yellow fur around its red eyes, while his tail is light blue with sharp angles and large claws.
Raikou tends to appear during thunderstorms and when other Electric-type Pokemon are in danger.