Symbol encounter

The subject of this article has no official English name. The name currently in use is the official English translation of the Japanese name.

A symbol encounter (Japanese: シンボルエンカウント symbol encounter) is a type of wild Pokémon encounter introduced in Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!. It is when a wild Pokémon can be seen walking around in the overworld.

Unlike most wild encounters in previous core series games, a battle can be avoided by not making contact with the Pokémon in the overworld, similarly to phenomena and ambush encounters.

In Pokémon Sword and Shield, symbol encounters can have different responses to the player's presence. Upon noticing the player, a Pokémon may do one of the following depending on its species:

• Flee from the player, disappearing if it evades the player for long enough. This behavior is denoted by sweat drops emerging from the Pokémon.
• Ignore the player and resume its regular activity.
• Approach the player and greet them repeatedly with its cry and a species-specific animation. If ignored for long enough, it will return to its regular activity. This behavior is denoted by a speech bubble with a question mark "?" appearing above the Pokémon before it approaches.
• Pursue the player and attempt to force them into a battle. This behavior is denoted by a speech bubble with an exclamation mark "!" appearing above the Pokémon before it approaches.

In Pokémon Sword and Shield, if the player knocks out a Pokémon, there is a 50% chance that the next symbol encounter the game generates will be of the same species and form as that defeated Pokémon, as long as it is possible for that species and form to appear as a symbol encounter.

In Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, symbol encounters do not appear on regular routes and dungeons, instead reserved for the Grand Underground.

See also

• Random encounter
• Wanderer
• Fishing
• Berry tree
• Pokémon Den

References

This game mechanic article is part of Project Games, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on the Pokémon games.