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Where it’s sometimes a mad dash to try to catch a Pokemon, some pro players even get pretty picky about what ball they put specific Pokemon in for cosmetic reasons. Let’s take a look at the 15 best types of Poke Balls in the Pokemon games, including some of the lesser-known catching devices out there.
Updated January 17th, 2023 by Russ Boswell: With the release of Generation 9, players were quick to jump into Pokemon Scarlet & Violet and start capturing as many Pokemon as possible. Thankfully, developers made the process easier by including some of the best possible Pokeballs to help aspiring trainers get their hands on the staggering 400 Pokemon available in the newest releases. To celebrate the newest region and all the new and interesting Pokemon introduced there, here’s an updated look at the best Pokeballs and where players can find them in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet.
15 Friend Ball
Boosting a Pokemon’s friendship can be a bit of a chore. It doesn’t matter how many vitamins a Trainer feeds it or how many levels it gains, the process is still incredibly slow. The Luxury Ball helps to double the rate at which friendship is gained, but even that is not fast enough. If only there was a way to max out friendship from the start!
That’s the purpose of the Friend Ball, added in Pokemon Gold & Silver. It has the same catch-rate as the basic Poke Ball, but instantly sets the caught Pokemon’s friendship to 150 (in Scarlet & Violet). For evolving Pokemon like Chansey or Golbat, this is a must-have Poke Ball. It also helps make Return a super-powerful move instantly, at least in the games that have the move. The Friend Ball’s design isn’t exactly aesthetically pleasing, but it does the job effectively.
How To Acquire Friend Balls In Pokemon Scarlet & Violet
Players can snag a Friend Ball by capturing and registering approximately 260 Pokemon in the Pokedex. Friend Balls can also be obtained as a possible reward prize from the Academy Ace Tournament. Players should note this tournament can only be accessed at the academy front desk once players have beaten the main game and conquered all eight gyms. Sometimes, Friend Balls will show up at the Porto Marinada Auction.
14 Dive Ball
Pokemon Ruby & Sapphire had a lot of water Pokemon and water routes. It also added a whole section of underwater areas using the Dive HM. So, these underwater areas needed their own special Poke Ball, one separate from the Nest Ball or the Lure Ball. When a Trainer goes diving, it only makes sense for them to bring a Dive Ball.
The Dive Ball is incredibly situational. It has a lot of overlap with the Net Ball and the Lure Ball, with the Net Ball being just more versatile across the board. The Dive Ball is boosted while surfing, fishing, or underwater, giving a 3.5x catch rate modifier. For Pokemon like Dratini, who can be found through fishing and surfing, it’s actually pretty useful. Its design is also blue and serene, like the ocean waves. Water-type Pokemon specialists may fancy this Poke Ball purely for its pleasant design.
How To Acquire Dive Balls In Pokemon Scarlet & Violet
Once players beat five gyms, they’ll be able to purchase Dive Balls directly from the shop at any Pokemon Center. Sometimes, patrons at the Porto Marinada auctions will offer up Dive Balls, and players can also find them at some Delibird Presents shops. They will also receive them as a reward for capturing and registering 170 Pokemon in the Pokedex.
13 Repeat Ball
There are a few Poke Balls that require the Trainer to have already caught the Pokemon. This seems like it would be entirely pointless, but there are reasons to have a whole collection of one species of Pokemon. For example, when Christmas is approaching and it only makes sense to punish the children on Wonder Trade with an armada of Delibird. In those situations, the Repeat Ball is ideal to have around.
The Repeat Ball is boosted when used on a Pokemon that is registered in the player’s Pokedex already. It is, in fact, designed for repeats. For most Trainers, this isn’t that useful. However, its design is pretty distinct, with a bright red color being dotted by circles across the top. If the player is looking for a snazzy Poke Ball to catch a personal favorite in, this is a good option.
How To Acquire Repeat Balls In Pokemon Scarlet & Violet
Repeat Balls can be found in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet randomly at the Porto Marinada auctions and also at Delibird Presents stores. They’re also available at the Pokemon Center shops scattered around the map once players have collected three gym badges.
12 Dusk Ball
The Dusk Ball is possibly one of the most cost-effective and useful Poke Balls in the whole series. Introduced in Pokemon Diamond & Pearl, the Dusk Ball boosts catch rates when used in a cave or, more importantly, at night. The catch rate goes past the Ultra Ball and can be used in nearly every situation, meaning that night owls get a boost while catching Pokemon.
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Players of Diamond& Pearl likely purchased these more than any other Poke Ball (aside from the Quick Ball) since they were incredibly versatile. On top of that, they also have a really cool design, looking somewhat ghoulish and spooky. Fans of Ghost Pokemon or ghost-hunting in general probably like the vibe of the Dusk Ball.
How To Acquire Dusk Balls In Pokemon Scarlet & Violet
Similar to many of the other Pokeball on this list, Dusk Balls can be obtained by visiting Delibird Presents stores, and are sometimes available at the Porto Marinada auctions. They’re also available as a reward for registering 140 Pokemon in the Pokedex and become available to purchase at the Pokemon Center shop once players amass seven badges.
11 Beast Ball
When talking about situational Poke Balls, the Beast Ball is potentially the best example. The ball is specifically designed to capture the Ultra Beasts, which it does with relative ease. For other Pokemon, it actually makes catching them harder. Aside from the Heavy Ball, it is the only other Poke Ball that actually hinders catch rate.
Against a regular Pokemon, the Beast Ball reduces catch rate to 0.1 of its base value. This makes it completely useless for catching pretty much anything. However, its design is one of the coolest, being a futuristic ball with cool gold accents. For Trainers looking to really flex on their opponents, catching a regular Pokemon in a Beast Ball is a great way to show that they mean business.
How To Acquire Beast Balls In Pokemon Scarlet & Violet
There are only two ways to obtain Beast Balls in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet, making them a relatively rare item. To get a Beast Ball, players will need to progress to the late game, as they’re sometimes given as a prize for completing the Academy Ace Tournament that becomes available after beating the game itself and all eight gyms. Players will also get a Beast Ball if they manage to find and capture all 400 Pokemon and successfully register them in the Pokedex.
10 Premier Ball
Some people like to consider the classic Poke Ball as one of the best just for the iconic look that’s burned into the minds of players and parents the world over. But, a rarer version is available, known as the Premier Ball. Starting in the third generation games, the Premier Ball could be obtained for free for every 10 Poke Balls purchased.
This ball is effectively identical to the standard red and white Poke Ball, but the coloring was entirely white with a red band across the center where the Poke Ball is black. Cosmetically, it is entirely more appealing and stands out in a sea of the common balls.
How To Acquire Premier Balls In Pokemon Scarlet & Violet
Trainers only need to buy 10 Poke Balls from a Poke Mart at any Pokemon Center to receive a Premier Ball. They will receive one Premier Ball for every ten Pokeballs purchased. It’s important to note that this works with all types of Pokeballs, not just the base type.
9 Master Ball
It would just be wrong to have a list of “best Poke Ball types” in Pokemon without mentioning the Master of them all. The Master Ball is meant to be a unique item in the Pokemon games in that it has a 100% catch rate. It doesn’t matter if players throw it at a Magikarp (please don’t) or a Mewtwo, it will catch it.
In the original games, Trainers earn a prototype model of the Master Ball as thanks for helping Silph Co. But, in later games, it’s possible to obtain more than one. In fact, in Pokemon Let’s Go, Pikachu and Pokemon Let’s Go, Eevee, a second one can be found in Cerulean Cave, not far from Mewtwo himself!
Although the item’s rarity hurts it, the Master Ball is the overall best Poke Ball in terms of catch rate. It just needs to be used wisely.
How To Acquire Master Balls In Pokemon Sword & Shield
Once players have successfully beaten the main game and watched the credits, they’ll be able to head to Director Clavell’s office at the Academy and obtain a single Master Ball from the director himself.
8 Quick Ball / Fast Ball (Tie)
Alright, so the Quick Ball and Fast Ball come in as a tie, but they are two separate balls. They come in together on this list because they’re generally used at the same time, the start of the encounter, albeit for different reasons. The Quick Ball is way more likely to succeed if it is thrown at the very beginning of an encounter, as it has a much higher catch rate at that point.
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As for the Fast Ball, it’s best used at the start of an encounter anyway, since it’s for Pokemon that are likely to flee or run away quickly, such as the teleporting Abra or the quick-fleeing legendary beasts from Johto. They’re always good to have on hand as a “just in case.”
How To Acquire Quick & Fast Balls In Pokemon Scarlet & Violet
Quick Balls are pretty abundant in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet. Players will receive one as a reward for capturing and registering 120 Pokemon in the Pokedex. They will also get one from Professor Jacq personally after obtaining 200 different Pokemon. Players can also grab Quick Balls sometimes at the Porto Marinada auctions, as well as in Delibird Presents shops. Quick Balls will also become available to purchase at Pokemon Center shops once players have six gym badges.
Fast Balls aren’t as abundant but there are still a few ways to obtain them. Like Quick Balls, they can be found randomly at the Porto Marinada auctions. Players can also receive them as a reward for completing the Academy Ace Tournament and are guaranteed to receive them for capturing and registering 240 Pokemon.
7 Love Ball
Love Balls look adorable, sporting a heart on the front and pink shell, but they can be utilized for people that are hunting for Pokemon they already own. The ball will have a higher catch rate if the Trainer’s Pokemon is the same species but the opposite gender.
This knocks the catch rate up to 8x a normal Poke Ball, which could be useful when shiny hunting or just trying to find a mate for a Pokemon. These are also popular due to them being introduced in Gen 2 via needing to turn pink apricots into Poke Balls.
How To Acquire Love Balls In Pokemon Scarlet & Violet
Love Balls can be found in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet by visiting the Porto Marinada auction. They will sometimes show up as an offering and players can bid against NPCs to obtain them. Past that, the only way to snag a Love Ball is by entering (and winning) the Academy Ace Tournament, which is available after players beat the game and all eight gyms. Even then, players will only have a chance to obtain the ball and will need to keep checking both areas to farm them effectively.
6 Luxury Ball
Look, the Luxury Ball helps Pokemon gain friendship quicker. That can work out for special NPCs that need to see a friendly Pokemon or for Pokemon the evolve with high friendship. This works out for Pokemon like Eevee that can evolve into Espeon or Umbreon with friendship.
But, all of that aside, this is a desirable cosmetic choice for Pokemon Trainers to utilize. Seriously, the black ball with red and yellow stripes is a pinnacle of Pokemon capturing technology. It’s sleek and looks great on your opponent’s screen. It’s definitely a ball that lives up to its name.
How To Acquire Luxury Balls In Pokemon Scarlet & Violet
Luxury Balls are expensive but pretty easy to come by. Players can sometimes snag them from the Porto Marinada auctions, they can be found in Delibird Presents stores, and are available as a reward for capturing and registering 190 Pokemon. Players will have the option to easily purchase them from the Poke Mart at Pokemon Centers once they collect four gym badges.
5 Cherish Ball
This nearly entirely red ball looks unassuming at first. With the black bands on the sides, it looks more like a grip than anything. But, the ball itself is special. As the official description in modern games explains, the Cherish Ball is “a quite rare Poke Ball that has been crafted in order to commemorate a special occasion of some sort.”
That’s because it can only be obtained via special events. It’s never given as an item that can be used but is what Event Pokemon (such as those from Mystery Gift) come in. For the rare Mythical Pokemon that come in the Cherish Ball, it only makes sense they’d get special treatment. It’s quite special indeed.
How To Acquire Cherish Balls In Pokemon Scarlet & Violet
The Cherish Ball can’t be purchased or acquired in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet.
4 Park Ball / Safari Ball (Tie)
The Safari Ball is a special ball used when traversing the Safari Zone. Considering players cannot battle in this Pokemon preserve, these balls are the only way to capture the rarities inside the park.
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As for the Park Ball, it was available via the migration capabilities of Gen 4 known as Pal Park. By transferring Pokemon from Gen 3, the Park Balls that were used to catch them would also be transferred. Considering that the Safari Zone was turned into a Pal Park, it deserves to be a tie here in memoriam of Safari Balls.
How To Acquire Park & Safari Balls In Pokemon Scarlet & Violet
Park & Safari balls can’t be purchased or acquired in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet.
3 Timer Ball
Where the Quick Ball is designed to work best at the very beginning of an encounter, the catch rate of a Timer Ball goes up the longer the battle goes on. This is a great way to stack catch rate for players stuck in a pretty lengthy battle, maybe against a Pokemon that is a much higher level.
Plus, that look is pretty rad. The ball looks like it has a red mohawk and is very uniquely designed. If someone wants a flashy ball to throw a Pokemon out of, the Timer Ball is a great option.
How To Acquire Timer Balls In Pokemon Sword & Shield
Timer Balls are common enough in Sword & Shield, particularly towards the end of the campaign. Watt Traders exchange the item for 50 W, while Timer Balls can be also purchased from Hammerlocke’s Poke Mart for1,000 Poke Dollars. For the Cram-o-matic, White Apricorns should be used to increase the chances of drawing this Poke Ball.
2 Net Ball
The Net Ball deserves to be on this list partially because of its awesome mesh look, but also due to its unique nature of catching. So, the Net Ball is used for Pokemon that people would normally catch with a net. This includes both Bug-type and Water-type Pokemon.
If a player has ever seen the bug catcher Trainer type, they knew that the only way to tame a Caterpie is with a net. Needless to say, a net is cast to catch fish in real life as well.
How To Acquire Net Balls In Pokemon Scarlet & Violet
After players have obtained two badges, they can freely purchase Net Balls from any Poke Mart found at the many Pokemon Centers placed around the map. Net Balls are also found in Delibird Presents stores and sometimes at the Porto Marinada auctions. They are obtainable as a reward for registering 70 Pokemon into the Pokedex.
1 Nest Ball
Alright, so a Trainer is in the endgame, their Pokemon are all super high levels and they are out across the region trying to complete that Pokedex. They are low on Ultra Balls and need that Weedle. No biggie. It’s a level 6 and doesn’t stand a chance against the player’s Ultra Necrozma.
As attacking Weedle is impossible, the best option is to throw a Nest Ball as the chances of catching the Pokemon go dramatically up without the need to accidentally overkill that poor little bug.
How To Acquire Nest Balls In Pokemon Scarlet & Violet
Nest Balls are available pretty early on in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet. Players can grab them from any Pokemon Center Poke Mart as soon as they collect three badges. They’ll also be able to grab them from Delibird Presents stores, and sometimes find them at the Porto Marinada auctions. They’re also offered as a reward for registering 90 Pokemon to the Pokedex.
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