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Why can you catch a Pokemon that's asleep but not fainted? (Theory or fact)

Thinking for more of an in-lore explanation here, headcanon or otherwise. And I'm not so much looking for a detailed theory/explanation why you can't catch a fainted Pokemon as opposed to a general "why one works and not the other" kind of answer.

Comments

  • Flametix
    Flametix Member Posts: 539 ✭✭✭
    500 Comments 100 Agrees 100 LOLs 100 Likes

    they don't shrink when they sleep

  • MegaEagle9
    MegaEagle9 Member Posts: 38
    Name Dropper 10 Comments Photogenic

    Well when a pokemon is asleep they just close their eyes but when it faints its eyes turn swirly (well in the anime at least) and the swirlys work as a protective barrier that blocks all pokeballs

  • TheJeffers
    TheJeffers Member Posts: 1,110 ✭✭✭✭
    1000 Comments 500 Agrees 250 LOLs First Anniversary

    Their condition is referred to as "fainted" for public decency reasons. They're brown bread.

  • Eremas
    Eremas Member Posts: 774 ✭✭✭
    100 LOLs 100 Likes 100 Agrees 500 Comments

    I have a theory but the catch mechanic isn't thoroughly explained on the lore side.

  • Acornyo
    Acornyo Member Posts: 717 ✭✭✭✭
    First Anniversary 100 LOLs 50 Answers 500 Comments

    Your brain functions differently when you're asleep than when you're knocked out. When you're asleep, you can react to your surroundings (by waking up), but when you're knocked out, you can't. So, they probably just don't react to the Pokeball at all when they're fainted.

  • Resilient30
    Resilient30 Member Posts: 255 ✭✭✭
    25 LOLs First Answer 25 Likes 100 Comments
  • Eremas
    Eremas Member Posts: 774 ✭✭✭
    100 LOLs 100 Likes 100 Agrees 500 Comments

    You just can't mmkay