Wild Pokémon
Wild Pokémon (Japanese: 野生ポケモン wild Pokémon) are any Pokémon that are not currently owned by a Pokémon Trainer. They are encountered by walking in tall grass or caves, traveling with Surf, headbutting trees, breaking open rocks with Rock Smash, by fishing, or by slathering Honey on trees and checking back later. Wild Pokémon can also appear when using Sweet Scent or Honey when standing stationary in grass.
Wild Pokémon are typically caught in Poké Balls, however, they are also used by Pokémon Rangers to perform tasks with a Capture Styler.
Wild Pokémon often do not know the best moveset for their level, but instead know the moves that were the most recently obtainable. Some wild Pokémon who can learn almost any move by way of an ability or special move (such as Smeargle) won't use this ability before being captured (i.e. Smeargle cannot use Sketch until the player battles with it, making that the only move it will know in the wild).
Also, in Generation II, listening to Pokémon March on the radio increases the probability of encountering wild Pokémon when walking through the grass, in caves or surfing, and listening to Pokémon Lullaby will decrease the probability. In Generations III and IV, several Pokémon abilities have the same effects when those Pokémon are in the lead spot.
In the first anime episode, Ash's Pokédex states that wild Pokémon tend to be jealous of human trained Pokémon. Also, In Diamond and Pearl, Pokémon can tell (through footprints) Dr. Footstep that wild Pokémon jeer that trained Pokémon have forgotten the wild.
Generation IV
In Pokémon Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum, wild double battles were introduced. There are five instances that this can happen.
- Eterna Forest (with Cheryl)
- Wayward Cave (with Mira)
- Iron Island (with Riley)
- Victory Road (with Marley)
- Stark Mountain (with Buck)
The protagonist will encounter another character that needs help getting through the said location. When the Trainer encounters a Pokémon with this person, it will be a wild double battle.
When this wild double battle occurs, the player cannot capture a Pokémon until one of them has fainted. After the protagonist goes through the area the first time, the wild Pokémon will only appear in single battles.
