Hobbies And Interests
Pokemon Catch Rates
You capture Pokemon with special balls. Each Pokemon has a catch rate that indicates how likely it is to break free of the ball. Catch rates range from zero to 255, where 255 is the easiest to catch. Latios' catch rate is three, meaning it's very difficult to capture. Only the strongest balls will work on Latios. A Master Ball, which catches any Pokemon without fail, is a sure bet, but you receive only one Master ball in the game. If you use it against Latios, you won't have it when you encounter other legendary Pokemon later in the game.
Pokeballs Available in SoulSilver
Pokemon SoulSilver has 24 other types of balls in addition to the Master Ball. The balls appropriate for catching Latios range in strength from one to four. The basic ball that all players receive at the start of the game is the Pokeball with strength one. Great Balls and Ultra Balls are slightly stronger, with strength 1.5 and two, respectively. An Ultra Ball will work on Latios if you lower Latios' health close to one hit point. A Fast Ball is also a good choice, because it has strength four when used to capture a Pokemon with speed greater than 100 that flees from battle as Latios does. A Quick Ball has strength four if used on the first turn of battle. A Timer Ball gains strength the longer the battle continues. It has strength two after 20 moves have passed, three after 30 moves and four after 40 turns or more. Dusk Balls gain strength up to 3.5 when used at night.
Locating Latios
Latios is a roaming Pokemon who you must pursue around the Kanto region to capture. It tries to flee every battle you have with it and constantly changes its location to elude you. Track it with the map in your Pokegear on the Nintendo DS touch screen. A tiny icon representing Latios marks its position any time you view the map. Latios stays still or in the same general area as long as you walk or bicycle to reach it. If you fly, Latios jumps to the other side of the map. When your paths finally intersect, a battle begins. You can usually get in one attack move before Latios runs away.
Battling and Capturing Latios
Always save your game right before you battle Latios. If you knock it out, your chance to capture it is over. By saving first, you can restart the game at the save point to try again. Place a Pokemon at the front of your party that knows Block or Mean Look, and use this move first to stop Latios from fleeing the battle. If you aren't saving your Master Ball, use it now to capture Latios right away. If you prefer to use less rare balls, then slowly reduce Latios' health with moderate to weak attack moves. Any attack move that puts Latios to sleep or paralyzes it increases the chance of it staying in the ball. Avoid moves that poison or burn, because they add extra damage every turn and could knock Latios out. If you have a Pokemon that knows False Swipe, use that move. False Swipe reduces Latios' health to one hit point without knocking it out. When Latios' health is in the red zone, keep tossing Ultra Balls and Fast Balls until Latios stays in the ball. Toss Timer Balls or Dusk Balls if the battle conditions are right.