Why Do Pokemon Have Different Colored Circles?

So you're slowly but surely catching 'em all, and by now you have probably noticed that some Pokemon are harder to tame than others. When about to flick a Pokeball at your unsuspecting prey, you may be wondering: "What do the different colored circles around the Pokemon mean?" And that, my friend, is a brilliant observation! When taking aim at the Pokemon, we usually use the shrinking circle as a guide for accuracy — but these concentric rings mean so much more than that!

The color of the circle is one of little details in "Pokemon Go" that can help you take your Pokemon catching to the next level. With no tutorial, it can be tough to figure out the nuances of catching an Eevee with a CP of 350 versus one with a CP of 34. The color of the ring that is shrinking over your Pokemon target signifies how difficult it will be to catch the illusive creature. The circles come in a spectrum of hues starting with green (for the chillest Pokemon), going then to yellow, and all the way through orange to red.

Pokemon surrounded by a green ring should be easy to catch, and have a low CP. They do not tend to break out of their Pokeballs once captured, so no need to waste any Razz Berries on these guys!

The Yellow ring indicates that the Pokemon is of moderate difficulty to catch. They have a higher CP and are more desirable, so Razz Berries and even a Great Ball or two may be required. Do not lose hope if these guys break out of their Pokeballs — your persistence will be rewarded (eventually).

It is unusual to see a red ring, as they only are attached to the rarest of Pokemon. A creature with a red ring will have a very high CP and will be tough to catch. They will definitely make you work for it, and will probably eat quite a few of your Razz Berries. But if you want to be the very best, like no one ever was, stay focused and show that Pokemon who's boss (even if people give you strange looks on the street). Good luck!

Images: Pokemon Go/Youtube, Screenshots/"Pokemon Go"