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One of the toughest challenges of Pokemon is truly catching them all like the tagline suggests players to do.
In the absence of a master ball, certain Pokemon can get extremely hard to catch. The capture rate of the Pokemon in the game determined how hard it will get for players to capture it.
Of course, Legendary and Mythical Pokemon are extremely rare in the game and are very difficult to catch. However, there are also a handful of regular Pokemon that just won't seem to stay in the Poke Ball, too.
Note: This list is based on catch rates in the Pokemon games and does not include any Legendary or Mythical Pokemon.
Top 5 hardest Pokemon to catch of all time
The five hardest-to-catch Pokemon of all time in the games are as follows:
#5 - Steelix
Steelix comes in with a low catch rate of 25. For a long time, it could only be obtained by evolving Onix. Starting in Generation IV, it began popping up in the wild. Players will have to knock its HP down and probably put it to sleep to have the best chance of catching it. Otherwise, the best bet might just be getting an Onix and trading it to evolve with a Metal Coat.
#4 - Snorlax
Snorlax is another Pokemon with a 25 catch rate. In Generation I, there were only two in the game. Generation II only saw one available to catch. Snorlax was extremely rare at one point. The giant, sleepy Pokemon has always given fits. It makes sense seeing how low its catch rate is.
#3 - Clefable
Clefable evolves from Clefairy when exposed to a Moon Stone. In Generations I through IV and Generations VI through VII, excluding the Let's Go games, Clefable could not be found in the wild. Players had to evolve Clefairy in order to obtain Clefable.
In Sword and Shield, as well as its expansions, Clefable can be found in a variety of places. It is extremely hard to keep in the ball with another 25 catch rate.
#2 - Volcarona
Volcarona has a catch rate of 15. While not a Legendary or Mythical Pokemon, it is still extremely rare. Introduced in Generation V, there was only one found in either Black or White and then in Black 2 or White 2.
Generation VI made players evolve Larvesta to obtain it. Sun and Moon only allowed it in via trading. Even Sword and Shield waited until the Expansions to place it in the wild. Volcarona is a tough Pokemon to capture.
#1 - Metagross
The entire Metagross evolution line has a catch rate of 3. That is the same rate as Legendary and Mythical Pokemon. Considered a psuedo-Legendary, Metagross is said to be a "lower 3" than some of the rarest Pokemon.
The Black and White games, plus the sequels, and the Sword and Shield Expansions, are the only times it can be found in the wild. It has to evolve from Metang in every other game it has been available. It takes a lot of Ultra Balls to catch this Steel/Psychic-type.
