SOS Battles

In Alola, a wild Pokémon in trouble does not go down quietly: it calls for help, and a second Pokémon bursts out of the grass. The game calls this mechanic the SOS Battle; players often talk about SOS calls. Annoying when you want to catch something, it becomes valuable once you master it.

📢The basics

• After the first Trial, Ilima’s, wild Pokémon can call for a reinforcement during battle. The battle then becomes a two-on-one.
• You cannot catch anything while two wild Pokémon are present. You first have to knock one of them out.
• The reinforcement is often a Pokémon of the same species, but not always: some call their evolution or an entirely different species.
• Effort points gained are doubled as long as the chain lasts.

🎯Triggering or avoiding reinforcements

A wild Pokémon calls for help more often when its HP is low, and even more often if your Pokémon has the Ability Intimidate, Pressure or Unnerve, or if you use an Adrenaline Orb, a single-use item that triggers calls. It never calls if it is asleep, paralyzed or suffering from another status condition: that is the best way to catch it in peace.

🐾Pokémon that only appear as reinforcements

Some Pokémon can only be met in SOS Battles: Chansey called by a Cleffa or an Elekid, Mareanie called by a Corsola, Gyarados called by a Magikarp… In rain, hail or a sandstorm, other Pokémon, such as Goomy, Castform or Vanillish, may answer the call. Here are all the reinforcements recorded in the locations of Alola.

123 encounters

🔁Why chains matter

The more reinforcements you chain in a single battle, the more likely newly called Pokémon are to have perfect IVs, their Hidden Ability, or even to be Shiny. It is the favorite technique of demanding players. Our guide SOS Battle chains details the method and the numbers.