How to Catch Suicune in Pokémon Crystal

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Reviewed by Ishrak

Last Updated: March 10, 2025 Fact Checked

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• Triggering events
|
• Master Ball
|
• Video
|
• Q&A
|
• Tips
|
• Things You'll Need

|Show more |Show less

Suicune is a legendary Water-type Pokémon that is available in Crystal after you beat certain portions of the game. Suicune can be difficult to capture, and often puts up quite a fight. With the right team, however, you can make quick work of it. See Step 1 below and you'll have Suicune fighting for your team in no time.

Steps

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Triggering events

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1. 
   1
   Release Suicune into the wild. In order to make Suicine available for capture, you will need to trigger certain events in the game. Only after triggering these events will you be able to go to Tin Tower and attempt to capture the legendary Pokémon for yourself.

   • Visit the Burned Tower in Ecruteak City and talk to Eusine.
   • Fall down the hole after battling your Rival, who will make a rude comment about you falling down the hole.
   • Walk onto the platform to awaken the three Legendary Pokémon.
   • Surf to Cianwood City to catch a glimpse of Suicune.
   • After beating Pryce at Mahogany town, go beat Team Rocket at the Johto Radio Tower.
   • Return to Ecruteak City and visit the Tin Tower. The guard will allow you to pass.
2. 
   2
   Stock up on essential items. Before battling Suicune, you'll want to ensure that you have enough items to keep you alive for a long fight. Grab lots of Hyper Potions, and as many Ultra Balls as you can afford (it is recommended that you have anywhere from 30-50 Balls).
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3. 
   3
   Assemble the team. You can make quick work of Suicine with the right team. Since you don't want to knock Suicune out, but you want to get it as weak as possible, one of the moves you'll want to have on your Pokémon is False Swipe. Put a high-level Scyther or Scizor in your party for this role.

   • You'll also want someone to put Suicune to sleep with a move like Hypnosis. Gengar or Haunter may be good choices for this role.
4. 
   4
   Save your game. Immediately before fighting Suicune, make sure that your game is saved. This will make it easy to retry in case you accidentally knock it out or your party gets wiped out.
5. 
   5
   Start the battle. As soon as the fight starts, put Suicune to sleep. Once Suicune is asleep, switch to your Scyther or Scizor and start using False Swipe. False Swipe will always leave the opponent with at least one HP, so continue using it until Suicune has only one hit point left.

   • If Suicune wakes up at any point, switch back to Haunter/Gengar and use Hypnosis again.
6. 
   6
   Start throwing Poké Balls. Now that Suicune only has one hit point left, it's time to start chucking Poké Balls at it. Use any ball––Ultra, Master, Great, Poke, Fast, and Lure Balls all work. This can take a really long time, so be prepared to keep throwing balls. Make sure that Suicune is asleep, as this will make it much easier to catch.
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Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Master Ball

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1. 
   1
   Start the battle at Tin Tower. Do this after you get the Master Ball from Professor Elm. You don't need to battle or weaken it.
2. 
   2
   Use the Master Ball. The Master Ball cannot fail! You have Suicune.
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Community Q&A

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• Question

  If I lose the battle against Suicune, will I be able to catch it again, or is it permanently gone?

  

  Guardian Diancie

  Community Answer

  If you lose the battle, Suicune will be permanently gone. You should always save your game before encountering legendary Pokémon.

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  Not Helpful 7 Helpful 23
• Question

  If a legendary Pokémon faints during battle, can I still catch it?

  

  Community Answer

  No. Legendary Pokémon generally appear only once. If you accidentally defeat one, you must perform a soft reset (L+R+Start+Select) *before* saving to have another chance to catch it. If you save after its defeat, that legendary Pokémon will be permanently gone from your current save file.

  Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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• Question

  Where do I first battle Suicune?

  

  Community Answer

  You will first battle Suicune in the Tin Tower after defeating Gym Leader Pryce. Refer to the guide for more specific details.

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  Thank you for your feedback.
  If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow

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Tips

• If you want to, go to Blackthorn City to buy Ultra Balls. Or you could just beat the gym leader, then get the Master Ball. However, this ball is very precious. First, clone it to 3 balls. This will help you to catch Entei and Raikou as well.
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Things You'll Need

• 30+ Ultra Balls
• 20+ Revives
• 30+ Hyper Potions