Deoxys is one of the most mysterious creatures in thePokemonseries and is said to have been created when an extraterrestrial virus was exposed to a laser beam. The Mythical Pokemon was first introduced in Generation III and has four unique Formes: Attack, Defense, Speed, and Normal. In the National Pokedex, its number is 386.
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While Deoxys is technically a Generation III Pokemon, players were unable to catch it inPokemon Ruby& Sapphire. In fact, Deoxys can’t be caught in the overwhelming majority of mainlinePokemongames. BetweenPokemon EmeraldandPokemon Omega Ruby&Alpha Sapphire, however, there are still ways to catch the elusive extraterrestrial.
Updated July 30, 2025, by Tom Bowen:With Arceus set to return both in its own standalone spinoff title and as an event Pokemon in Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl, many series fans are wondering whether another long-forgotten powerhouse may soon be returning to the meta. Deoxys hasn’t appeared in a mainline Pokemon game since gen 6 and is currently unavailable in Sword & Shield. The Powerful Mythical Pokemon did feature in the gen 4 games though, leading some to wonder whether it too might appear as an event Pokemon in the Diamond & Pearl remakes at some point in the not too distant future. Assuming it does, newer players may be surprised by just how powerful Deoxys really is.
Is Deoxys Really That Good?
One of the things that makes Deoxys such an excellent Pokemon for competitive play is its ability to switch between four different forms. Each one is geared towards a different style of play, with ridiculously high stats in certain areas. Three of its four forms are also incredibly fast, allowing it to get the drop on just about every other Pokemon in the series. Is HP is pretty low (as too are its defenses while in its Normal and Attack Formes), but most Pokemon probably won’t get a chance to attack it due to its blistering speed and monstrous attack power.
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How to Catch Deoxys in Pokemon Emerald
InPokemon Emerald, the only place where Deoxys can be caught is on Birth Island, which is near Six Island and Seven Island in the Sevii Island region. Before being able to travel there though, players will first need to get their hands on an AuroraTicket, which can be downloaded through the game’s Mystery Gift feature.
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With the ticket now in hand, players can talk to the sailor by the S.S. Tidal and board the ship to Birth Island. This mysterious location doesn’t appear on the Town Map, nor is it mentioned in the PokeNav. Deoxys won’t show itself immediately after the player’s arrival either, as there’s a puzzle that needs to be solved.
After solving the puzzle, interacting with the rock again will cause it to shatter into tiny pieces. After it does so, Deoxy will appear, allowing players to challenge and hopefully catch the Mythical Pokemon. Also, inPokemon Emerald, Deoxys will transform into its Speed Forme after being caught.
How to Catch Deoxys in Pokemon FireRed & LeafGreen
InPokemon FireRed&LeafGreen, Deoxys is once again found on the mysterious and aptly named Birth Island. Just as they do inPokemon Emerald, they’ll need an AuroraTicket if their to have any hope of getting there, which is only obtainable by using the games' Mystery Gift function.
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Once players have the AuroraTicket, they should speak to the sailor by the Seagallop Ferry. If all goes well, they’ll then be able to ride the boat to Birth Island, which, just like last time, is invisible on the map. Upon their arrival, Deoxys will not be on the island, with only a rock present.
Those who playedEmeraldwill know that this rock is in fact a puzzle, though it’s a little trickier to solve this time around. If players are able to figure it out though, the rock will break and Deoxys will appear. After they catch it, it will change into its Attack Forme.
How to Catch Deoxys in Pokemon Diamond, Pearl & Platinum
InPokemon Diamond,Pokemon Pearl, andPokemon Platinum, Deoxys can be caught at the Pal Park. This is a special reserve for Pokemon located on the far right side of Route 221 in the Sinnoh region. Unfortunately, however, it’snot open for business untilthe player gets the National Pokedex.
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Once Pal Park opens, players will unlock the “Migrate” option in the main menu. From here, the player can transfer Deoxys fromPokemon Emerald,Pokemon FireRed, orPokemon LeafGreen. They’ll then have to catch it again in Pal Park’s special Catching Show.
During the Catching Show, the player has to encounter and catch Deoxys as one of the six Pokemon roaming around. It’s located in the Mountains area, which is in the northeastern regen and is the only place to catch Deoxys in the fourth generation ofPokemongames.
How to Catch Deoxys in Pokemon HeartGold & SoulSilver
InPokemon HeartGold&SoulSilver, the only way to catch Deoxys is in the Pal Park. As in the previous generation, this serves as a special nature reserve for Pokemon and is available after players unlock the National Dex. It can be found in Fuchsia City, which is in the Kanto region.
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Once Pal Park opens, players get access to the “Migrate” option in the main menu. Technically, they do not capture a new Deoxys but rather transfer an old one fromPokemon Emerald,Pokemon FireRed, orPokemon LeafGreen. This again takes place in Pal Park’s Catching Show.
The map is this time divided into five areas: Forest, Pond, Field, Sea, and Mountain. Mountain is again where Deoxys can be encountered and is in the northeast part of the map. If Deoxys was one of the six Pokemon let into Pal Park, it can be encountered and caught there.
How to Catch Deoxys in Pokemon Black & White and Pokemon Black 2 & White 2
InPokemon Black&WhiteandPokemon Black 2&White 2, Deoxys is caught (or rather transferred) through the Poke Transfer feature. This isaccessed via the Poke Transfer Labon Route 15. Poke Transfer is only unlocked after players have beaten the main story and unlocked the National Dex, however.
Deoxys, like other Pokemon who are transferred over this way, is obtainable through a special mini-game in which players shoot Poke Balls at six different Pokemon at a time using a bow. It’s a little odd, but remains the only way to transfer Deoxys into the gen 5 games.
How to Catch Deoxys in Pokemon Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire
InPokemon Omega Ruby&Alpha Sapphire, Deoxys can be caught at the end of the Delta Episode, which unlocks once players have beaten the main story. First, however, players will need to encounter andcapture Rayquaza at Sky Pillar, which many consider to be the best Pokemon in the two games.
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After catching Rayquaza, players travel into space to prevent an incoming meteor from ending the world. Following this, a weird triangular pattern appears on screen and so too does Deoxys. At this point, players will have a chance to capture the Pokemon, which is easier said than done.
Unlike previous encounters, Deoxys is Level 80 (on par with Arceus and Calryex for the highest level encounter), making it very difficult to catch. All is not lost if players fail though as they can simply defeat the Elite Four again and then go back to Sky Pillar, where Deoxys will be waiting.
