Poké Ball: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 19:32, 19 September 2024

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This article is about the type of item. For the item called Poké Ball, see Poké Ball (item).

The 28 Poké Ball variants found in the core series (excluding those exclusive to Pokémon Legends: Arceus)

Original concept

A Poké Ball (Japanese: モンスターボール Monster Ball) is a type of item that is critical to a Trainer's quest, used for catching and storing Pokémon. Both a general term used to describe the various kinds as well as a specific term to refer to the most basic among these variations, Poké Balls are ubiquitous in the modern Pokémon world.

Up to six Pokémon can be carried with a Trainer in Poké Balls, while more Poké Balls can be held in the Bag for later use. These six Pokémon in the Poké Balls can be attached to the user's belt for carrying them around. Some Pokémon do not like to be carried around in Poké Balls, such as Ash's Pikachu.

Stylized Poké Balls are used in many places to symbolize Pokémon in general: the logos of the Battle Frontiers, the Pokémon Contests, the Pokéathlon, and the Pokémon Musical all feature a Poké Ball in their design, while several Poké Balls can be seen in every Pokémon Center. The headgear of the protagonists of Kanto, Hoenn, Sinnoh, and Unova-based games feature Poké Ball designs, as do the Bags of the protagonists of Johto-based games. Ethan's headgear is also similar to the top half of an Ultra Ball, and Lucas's Bag prominently features a Poké Ball.

In the core series games

The strength of a Poké Ball is determined by how much it raises a wild Pokémon's catch rate, and may in fact vary depending on the conditions of the battle. Poké Balls limit the power of Pokémon contained inside, taming them, though they do not cause the Pokémon inside to always obey the Trainer.

History

Main article: History of Poké Balls

A Poké Ball used by those who explored the Hisui region

The invention of Poké Balls occurred in the Johto region, where Apricorns grow; these fruit were cut apart and carved out, then fitted with a special device, and used to catch wild Pokémon. Some Trainers still use Poké Balls made from Apricorns, while Kurt, a resident of Azalea Town, still constructs them. Pokémon Legends: Arceus shows that the first settlers of the Sinnoh region, back when it was known as the Hisui region, used pre-modern Poké Balls made of Tumblestone and Apricorns, with Professor Laventon claiming they were a more recent invention. According to Professor Elm, before the invention of the Poké Ball, people would walk with their Pokémon.

In the games, in the Memory Link event A New Light, Drayden claims that Poké Balls did not exist during his childhood.

Modern Poké Balls are not normally made from Apricorns, with the exception of specialist Poké Balls such as the Moon Ball. Modern Poké Balls are manufactured by Silph Co., the Devon Corporation, and the Kalos Poké Ball Factory.

Mechanics and design

Though the technology behind a Poké Ball remains unknown and has evolved through the centuries to accommodate the diverse requirements of their creators, the basic mechanics are simple enough to understand and tend to remain constant: in a Pokémon battle, once an opposing wild Pokémon has been weakened, the Pokémon Trainer can throw a Poké Ball at it. When a Poké Ball hits the Pokémon, as long as it is not deflected, the Poké Ball will open, cause the Pokémon to shrink, store it inside, and close. A Pokémon in this state is given a chance to struggle to attempt to break free from the ball and escape, being instantly growing back in size. Should a Pokémon escape a Poké Ball, the device is destroyed in the games (unlike in the anime). A Pokémon who does not escape the Ball will be caught. Pokémon Legends: Arceus elaborates a bit on how the Pokémon are contained in a Poké Ball, with Professor Laventon explaining that Pokémon have the ability to reduce their size to miniscule, and Poké Balls take advantage of this to contain them.

Poké Balls are specifically constructed for Pokémon capture, transport, and training. As well as being physically difficult to escape from (as they seal tightly shut as soon as a Pokémon is taken into them) the environment of a Poké Ball is designed to be attractive to Pokémon also; according to Lucian of the Sinnoh Elite Four, weakened Pokémon instinctively curl up tight in an attempt to heal themselves, an action that the environment of the Poké Ball encourages. Furthermore, while it is not known how caught Pokémon perceives their time inside their Ball, the device is said to replicate a "Pokémon-friendly" environment that is "designed for comfort". All of these factors strongly discourage Pokémon from escaping their Balls. In the manga, Bugsy refers to his "capture net" as being the net that is supposedly inside a Poké Ball, but visible and already deployed. According to Kurt, this invisible net captures and physically stores a Pokémon.

When a Trainer Dynamaxes or Gigantamaxes a Pokémon, the Poké Ball expands to the size of an association football.

In some games, a Ball Capsule can be used in combination with Stickers to create special effects when the Pokémon is sent out.

Poké Ball accuracy

See also: Catch rate

In some scenarios, a Poké Ball can miss the wild Pokémon completely (in contrast to breaking if the Poké Ball does not successfully capture the Pokémon):

In the Generation I games, it was possible for a ball to miss the Pokémon when the likelihood of catching the Pokémon in question was particularly low—rather than the ball throwing animation playing and the ball wiggling zero times, a message would come up stating "You missed the Pokémon!".
In the Generation I games and Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen, the ghosts in Lavender Town's Pokémon Tower dodge any ball thrown at them before being unmasked by the Silph Scope. The Marowak ghost will dodge all Poké Balls even if it is unmasked.
In Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!, and in Pokémon Legends: Arceus outside of battle, Poké Balls are thrown manually, and the player must aim properly to hit the Pokémon. Some Poké Balls, namely the Heavy Ball and Feather Ball lines, have noticeably different throwing distances and trajectories compared to the standard variations.

In other scenarios, it is simply not possible to use Poké Balls in the first place:

In the Generation I and II core series games, if both the player's party and their current Box are full, the player cannot throw a Poké Ball.
In the core series games, in wild battles the player cannot throw a Poké Ball if there are multiple opponents—such as in wild Double Battles, Horde Encounters, or SOS Battles—with the game claiming that it's impossible to aim.
- This is not the case in Pokémon Legends: Arceus.
From Pokémon Diamond and Pearl onward, it is not possible to throw a Poké Ball if the opposing Pokémon is in the semi-invulnerable turn of a move (such as Fly or Dig).
Starting in Generation V, in Double and Triple Battles, it is not possible to issue a command to one Pokémon and then throw a Poké Ball as the second Pokémon's turn. However, it is still possible to throw a Poké Ball if one Pokémon is in the middle of a two-turn move.
In Black 2 and White 2, Ghetsis uses his cane to control a wild Kyurem and orders it to attack the player. The cane also emits signals that disrupt the use of empty Poké Balls, preventing Kyurem from being captured during the climax.
In Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun, and Ultra Moon, the player is forbidden from throwing Poké Balls at wild Pokémon in a trial site until the trial has been cleared.
In Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun, and Ultra Moon, a signal that prevents the use of empty Poké Balls is broadcast throughout Aether Paradise to protect the Pokémon living there. This prevents the player from capturing the wild Nihilego that attacks them on their first visit to the facility.
In Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, the player cannot use a Poké Ball on a Necrozma that has fused with a Solgaleo or Lunala.
In Pokémon Sword and Shield, the player cannot catch a Pokémon whose level is above the limit the player's current Badges can allow. Such Pokémon is described as "very strong-looking".
In The Crown Tundra expansion, the player cannot catch Spectrier or Glastrier during the encounter with it in the village because "It won't let its guard down!"
In Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, the player cannot catch the Origin Forme Giratina encountered inside the Distortion Room in Ramanas Park.
In Pokémon Legends: Arceus, the player cannot catch certain Pokémon, including noble Pokémon and Arceus.
In Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, the player cannot throw a Poké Ball at a wild Tera Pokémon until it is sufficiently weakened, breaking through its transformation.

Types of Poké Balls

In the Pokémon games so far, there have been 34 (38 if the Hisuian Poké Ball, Great Ball, Ultra Ball, and Heavy Ball are considered distinct from their modern-day counterparts) different varieties of Poké Balls, all differing from each other in some way, whether it be an increased ability to catch a Pokémon from the wild or an effect which occurs only after the Pokémon has been caught. From Generation III onward, each variety of Poké Ball has a unique animation when it sends out a Pokémon (and also when it catches one prior to Generation VI), and the type of Poké Ball used to catch the Pokémon is preserved on its summary screen.

Prior to Generation VI, all hatched Pokémon are in a standard Poké Ball. In Generation VI, a bred Pokémon will be in the same Poké Ball as its mother, unless its mother was in a Cherish Ball or Master Ball, in which case the Pokémon will be in a standard Poké Ball; Pokémon bred from a male or gender-unknown Pokémon and Ditto will hatch in a standard Poké Ball. Since Generation VII, Pokémon bred from a male and a Ditto inherit the father's ball as well, and if two Pokémon of the same species in different balls are bred, the resulting offspring will be in either the mother's or father's ball. This also applies if the parents are different regional forms. Much like the Cherish Ball or Master Ball, the Strange Ball introduced in Generation VIII cannot be inherited and resulting offspring will be in standard Poké Balls.

Regardless of the type of Poké Ball, Fling will fail if the user is holding one.

Starting in Generation III, each type of Poké Ball has an index number associated with it that is stored in the data structure of the Pokémon when caught or otherwise obtained with a given type of ball. Generation I and II did not store this data, resulting in any Pokémon transferred from Virtual Console via Poké Transporter being placed into standard Poké Balls. Pokémon caught in Park Balls within Pal Park will retain their original Poké Ball and index number from Generation III. Pokémon from HeartGold and SoulSilver caught in a Johto-exclusive Poké Ball (such as a Poké Ball made by Kurt or a Sport Ball) will be displayed in a standard Poké Ball while visiting Pokémon Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum. Pokémon originating from Pokémon Legends: Arceus which are then transferred into another game (vice versa for those caught outside Legends: Arceus and then transferred in) will be displayed in Strange Balls while visiting a game where the Pokémon's ball is not programmed into the game, but will still retain its original index number. Pokémon originating from Legends: Arceus visiting Pokémon Sword and Shield will temporarily have their ball converted into a standard Poké Ball, with their original ball data being stored in Pokémon HOME's server.

Every Poké Ball (except the Beast Ball and Master Ball) has a 0.1× catch rate modifier when attempting to catch an Ultra Beast.

	Name	Gen.	Index #	Hex	Catch rate modifier	Notes
	Poké Ball	I	4	04	1×	Must be in the player's Bag with an empty space in the party to obtain a Shedinja when Nincada evolves from Generation IV onwards.
	Great Ball	I	3	03	1.5×
	Ultra Ball	I	2	02	2×
	Master Ball	I	1	01	255× (guaranteed capture)	The only Poké Ball other than the Beast Ball that does not have a 0.1× catch modifier when used on an Ultra Beast.
	Safari Ball	I	5	05	1×	Prior to Generation VIII, it was only usable within Safari Zones.
	Fast Ball	II	17	11	4× if used on a Pokémon with a base Speed of at least 100 1× otherwise	In Generation II, it was intended to have a 4× catch modifier for Pokémon that can flee, but it only does for three of them: Magnemite, Grimer and Tangela.
	Level Ball	II	18	12	1× if the player's Pokémon is the same level as or a lower level than the wild Pokémon 2× if the player's Pokémon is at a higher level than the wild Pokémon but less than double it 4× if the player's Pokémon is more than double but less than four times the level of the wild Pokémon 8× if the player's Pokémon is of a level four times or more than that of the wild Pokémon
	Lure Ball	II	19	13	4× if used on a Pokémon encountered while fishing 1× otherwise	In Johto, the bonus was 3x while in Alola, the bonus was 5x
	Heavy Ball	II	20	14	-20 if used on a Pokémon weighing 220.2 lbs. (99.9 kg) or less ±0 if used on a Pokémon weighing 220.5 lbs. (100.0 kg) – 440.7 lbs. (199.9 kg) +20 if used on a Pokémon weighing 440.9 lbs. (200.0 kg) – 661.2 lbs. (299.9 kg) +30 if used on a Pokémon weighing 661.4 lbs. (300.0 kg) or more	In Pokémon Crystal only, there is a glitch that causes the retrieved weights of Pokémon whose index numbers are divisible by 64 (Kadabra, Tauros, and Sunflora) to become junk data that are, in turn, interpreted as massive weights, causing these particular Pokémon to receive the +40 capture modifier. In Pokémon Sun and Moon only, a Heavy Ball will always fail to catch a Pokémon whose weight is less than 220.46 lbs (100.0 kg) and whose catch rate is less than or equal to 20. This is because the game will set the catch rate to 0 when the catch rate becomes negative due to the -20 modifier that is applied.
	Love Ball	II	21	15	8× if used on a Pokémon of the same species but opposite gender of the player's Pokémon 1× otherwise	In Generation II, it has an 8× catch modifier if both Pokémon are the same species and gender.
	Friend Ball	II	22	16	1×	Sets caught Pokémon's friendship to 200^{Gen II-VII}, or 150^{Gen VIII+}
	Moon Ball	II	23	17	4× if used on a Pokémon that evolves by using a Moon Stone 1× otherwise	In Generation II, it always has a 1× catch modifier due to a programming error.
	Sport Ball*	II	24	18	1×	Prior to Generation VIII, it was only usable during the Bug-Catching Contest.
	Net Ball	III	6	06	3.5× if used on a Water or Bug-type Pokémon 1× otherwise
	Dive Ball	III	7	07	3.5× if used on a water-dwelling Pokémon 1× otherwise	In Generation III, it only had an increased catch rate underwater.
	Nest Ball	III	8	08	((41 - Pokémon's level) ÷ 10)× if Pokémon's level is between 1 and 29 1× otherwise
	Repeat Ball	III	9	09	3.5× if used on a Pokémon that is registered in the player's Pokédex as caught 1× otherwise
	Timer Ball	III	10	0A	(1 + number of turns passed in battle * 1229/4096)×, maximum 4× at 10 turns
	Luxury Ball	III	11	0B	1×	Doubles the rate at which the contained Pokémon's friendship increases.
	Premier Ball	III	12	0C	1×
	Dusk Ball	IV	13	0D	3× if used in a cave or at night 1× otherwise
	Heal Ball	IV	14	0E	1×	Fully restores a caught Pokémon's HP and PP and removes their status conditions.
	Quick Ball	IV	15	0F	5× if used on the first turn of a battle 1× otherwise
	Cherish Ball	IV	16	10	1×	Unobtainable by the player, but used for various event Pokémon.
	Park Ball	IV	27	1B	255× (guaranteed capture if used in Pal Park) 1× otherwise	Unobtainable by the player, but used in Pal Park.
	Dream Ball	V	25	19	4× if used on a sleeping Pokémon 1× otherwise	Used only in Entree Forest prior to Generation VIII. Catch rate modifier 255× (guaranteed capture) in Generation V.
	Beast Ball	VII	26	1A	5× if used on an Ultra Beast 0.1× otherwise	If any other Poké Ball (except the Master Ball) is used on an Ultra Beast, it has a 0.1× catch modifier.
	Strange Ball	VIII	27	1B	0.75×	Unobtainable by the player. Pokémon in Pokémon Legends: Arceus that were transferred from other games via Pokémon HOME, as well as Pokémon from Legends: Arceus in Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl or Pokémon Scarlet and Violet will be displayed in this ball.
	Poké Ball (Hisui)	VIII	28	1C	0.75×
	Great Ball (Hisui)	VIII	29	1D	1.5×
	Ultra Ball (Hisui)	VIII	30	1E	2.25×
	Feather Ball	VIII	31	1F	1× 1.25× when boosted	Can be thrown further than a regular Poké Ball. Is more effective for catching Pokémon that fly high in the air.
	Wing Ball	VIII	32	20	1.5× 1.75× when boosted	Can be thrown further than a Feather Ball. Is more effective for catching Pokémon that fly high in the air.
	Jet Ball	VIII	33	21	2× 2.75× when boosted	Can be thrown further than a Wing Ball. Is more effective for catching Pokémon that fly high in the air.
	Heavy Ball (Hisui)	VIII	34	22	1× 1.25× when boosted	Doesn't fly far, but is more effective if the Pokémon hasn't noticed the player.
	Leaden Ball	VIII	35	23	1.75× 2× when boosted	Upgraded version of the Heavy Ball. Doesn't fly far, but is more effective if the Pokémon hasn't noticed the player.
	Gigaton Ball	VIII	36	24	2.5× 2.75× when boosted	Upgraded version of the Leaden Ball. Doesn't fly far, but is more effective if the Pokémon hasn't noticed the player.
	Origin Ball	VIII	37	25	N/A	Automatically catches Origin Forme Dialga or Palkia at the end of the main story in Pokémon Legends: Arceus.
All details are accurate to Generation VIII games. For details that have changed between generations, please see an individual item's page.

Other variants

This section is incomplete.
Please feel free to edit this section to add missing information and complete it.
Reason: Add image of the blue Poké Ball from the Poké Transfer

In Pokémon Red, Blue, Yellow, FireRed, and LeafGreen, Professor Oak mentions that his Parcel contains a custom Poké Ball. However, this is not said in Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!.
The GS Ball is an event item that appears only in Pokémon Crystal, where it was part of a giveaway on the Mobile System GB for Japanese games, similar to event items given out via Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection and Nintendo Network from Generation IV onward. It was not used to catch any Pokémon and was placed in the Key Items pocket. If given to Kurt for inspection, it will activate an event where the player can catch a Celebi in Ilex Forest.
When transferring Pokémon via Poké Transfer, a blue Poké Ball is used to catch the Pokémon in the minigame. They are shot using a bow.
In the Timegate Traveler Series featured in Pokéstar Studios, the future is ruled by Bug-type Pokémon that capture wild humans in Human Balls (Japanese: ヒューマンボール Human Ball) instead of the other way around. They have no visual difference to Poké Balls.
In Pokémon Sword and Shield, the Dynamax Band allows Trainers to increase the size of Poké Balls, making them look like giant Premier Balls.
- When a Pokémon is Dynamaxed (including Gigantamaxing) with a Dynamax Band, the Trainer returns their active Pokémon to its Poké Ball, then turns the Poké Ball into a giant Poké Ball. This giant Poké Ball is then thrown, sending out the Dynamax Pokémon.
- In Max Raid Battles and Dynamax Adventures, when the wild Dynamax Pokémon is defeated, the Trainer turns an empty Poké Ball into a giant Poké Ball, then throws it at the wild Dynamax Pokémon in an attempt to catch it.

"Ah! This is the custom POKé BALL I ordered! Thank you!"
The GS Ball
Concept art of a giant Poké Ball for Dynamax by Ken Sugimori^[1]

Palette limitations

In the games, certain Poké Balls appear off-color due to palette limitations. They are most likely intended to be standard Poké Balls rather than variations.

In Generation I, during a Pokémon battle, the multiple kinds of Poké Ball have different throwing animations but otherwise look the same. They all appear with a black top and white bottom. This black and white design is clearly seen when the Poké Ball is shaking in an attempt to catch the wild Pokémon.
- In Generation II, all kinds of Poké Ball look the same when used in-battle except they have different color palettes. Unlike in the previous generation, all Poké Balls use the same throwing animation.
- In both Generations I and II, the Poké Ball changes color once the wild Pokémon is successfully caught, shortly appearing with the color palette of the caught Pokémon. For instance, no matter what kind of Poké Ball, it appears to be green once a green Pokémon is caught, or pink once a pink Pokémon is caught.
In Generation I, the trade animation invariably displays both Pokémon using the Poké Ball design with the black top and white bottom, the same design seen in Pokémon battles.
- In Generation II, the trade animation uses a red color palette for both traded Pokémon, specifically a darker red at the top and a lighter red at the bottom.
In the Generations from I to III, several Trainer sprites have off-color Poké Balls. They often reuse the same colors seen elsewhere in the sprites such as the character's hair or clothes.

A black Poké Ball at the start of a trade in Pokémon Red and Blue
Red with a purple Poké Ball in the intro from Pokémon Red and Blue
Blue with a purple Poké Ball in Pokémon Red and Blue
Blue with a black Poké Ball as his Champion sprite in Pokémon Red and Blue
Juggler with black Poké Balls in Pokémon Red and Blue
Psychic with black Poké Balls in Pokémon Red and Blue
Ethan with a brown Poké Ball in Generation II
Kris with a blue Poké Ball in Generation II
Professor Oak with an olive green Poké Ball in Generation II
Juggler with blue Poké Balls in Generation II
Psychic with blue Poké Balls in Generation II
Glacia with a yellow Poké Ball in Generation III

Item balls

Main article: Item → Obtaining items

Red finding an item ball on Route 2

Items contained in Poké Balls have been present from the very first games, with many items that are found on the field being found in Poké Balls in conspicuous locations. These items are sometimes important, and usually will be among the required items for pickup along the way. Sometimes, even Poké Ball variants can be found in item balls, though it may be that the item ball itself is supposed to represent the item that is found (whenever or not it's a Poké Ball). Many other items, however, are hidden, and are not in item balls, instead being directly on the field, and can be found more easily using an Itemfinder or Dowsing Machine.

Voltorb, Electrode, Foongus, Amoonguss, and Galarian Stunfisk appear as item balls in the overworld, but attack when interacted with (or if at close range for Galarian Stunfisk), except the Foongus in Accumula Town. In Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!, fake item balls appear upside down.

Game icons

Poké Balls are often featured in the icons for Pokémon games, which are used on the home screens for the Nintendo DS, 3DS, and Switch.

D P

Pt

HG SS

B W

B2 W2

X Y

OR AS

OR AS
(Demo)

S M

S M
(Demo)

US UM

Transporter

Bank

HOME

In the side series games

Wes about to throw a Great Ball turned into a Snag Ball

Pokémon Colosseum and XD: Gale of Darkness

In Pokémon Colosseum and Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness, a Snag Ball is not a single, separate type of Poké Ball, but rather any type of existing Poké Ball that has been "unlocked" by the Snag Machine, allowing it to snag an already-caught Pokémon during a battle. While it is able to be used on any Pokémon, Rui will only allow Wes to use it on Shadow Pokémon, while Michael's Aura Reader will render the Snag Machine inoperable when a Pokémon other than a Shadow Pokémon is targeted.

It is possible to snag a Shadow Pokémon even if there are two on the opposing side of the field, unlike catching Pokémon in the core series games.

In the spin-off games

Pokémon GO

Players do not battle wild Pokémon in Pokémon GO, and using Poké Balls is a matter of the player's aim. To throw one, the player must press their finger on the Poké Ball, move it, and release it. The Ball and Pokémon exist in a 3D environment, so the player may miss the Pokémon by throwing the Ball the wrong distance or too far to the side. Additionally, the wild Pokémon may attempt to dodge or attack every few seconds. When a Pokémon is attacking, any Poké Balls that hit it will be deflected. When a Pokémon dodges, it will move around but can still be hit by a thrown Ball.

See more: Caught Pokémon → Pokémon GO

On the aiming screen, a colored circle displays over the Pokémon, gradually shrinks to nothing, then resets to its widest before continuing to shrink again. If the player's throw lands inside this circle, they will get a "Nice!", "Great!", or "Excellent!" catch chance bonus depending on how small the circle was. The player can also improve their catch chance by throwing a curveball. If the player spins the Ball while holding it, it will temporarily retain the spin and curve left or right when thrown.

See more: Catch rate (GO)

Three types of Poké Balls were available in Pokémon GO upon release: regular Poké Balls, Great Balls, and Ultra Balls. These remain the only types of Poké Balls that are generally available. They can be repeatably obtained by:

Spinning PokéStops or Gyms (Lv. 12+ for Great Balls and Lv. 20+ for Ultra Balls)
Opening a Gift (Lv. 12+ for Great Balls and Lv. 20+ for Ultra Balls)
Completing certain Field Research or Special Research tasks
Weekly Adventure Sync rewards

The player also receives Poké Balls upon leveling up.

Poké Balls awarded up to level 11 (including 50 Poké Balls starting at level 1)
Great Balls awarded from level 12 to level 19
Ultra Balls awarded starting level 20

Regular Poké Balls may be purchased in the Shop at the following rates:

20 for 100
100 for 460
200 for 800

All three types of balls have also been available in limited-time Box deals.

Premier Balls debuted in Pokémon GO on June 20, 2017,^{[citation needed]} a few days after its first anniversary with the introduction of Raid Battles. They can only be used for catching Raid Bosses and Shadow Pokémon, and other types of Poké Balls cannot be used on them. If the player runs out, the Raid Boss or Shadow Pokémon will flee. The number of Premier Balls are awarded to the player after a Raid Battle or Team GO Rocket battle is based on how well they battled. Unused Premier Balls are not retained and do not roll over to future challenges. Like in the main series, Premier Balls are just as effective as regular Poké Balls.

Beast Balls debuted in Pokémon GO on July 1, 2022 at Pokémon GO Fest 2022 Berlin.^{[citation needed]} They can only be used for catching Ultra Beasts, and other types of Poké Balls cannot be used on them. Currently, an unlimited number of Beast Balls are provided to the player during an Ultra Beast encounter.

Master Balls have existed in Pokémon GO's coding since release, but they didn't debut until May 22, 2023, as a reward from the Let's GO! Special Research. Future opportunities to get Master Balls are planned.^[2]

Description

English name	Japanese name	Description
Poké Ball	モンスターボール Monster Ball	A device for catching wild Pokémon. It's thrown like a ball, comfortably encapsulating its target.
Great Ball	スーパーボール Super Ball	A high-performance Ball with a higher catch rate than a standard Poké Ball.
Ultra Ball	ハイパーボール Hyper Ball	An ultra-performance Ball with a higher catch rate than a Great Ball.
Master Ball	マスターボール Master Ball	The best Poké Ball with the ultimate level of performance. With it, you will catch any wild Pokémon without fail.
Premier Ball	プレミアボール Premier Ball	A somewhat rare Poké Ball made to commemorate a special occasion of some sort.
Beast Ball	ウルトラボール Ultra Ball	N/A

Pokémon Snap

A Pester Ball

In Pokémon Snap, the Pester Balls appear similar to Poké Balls at a glance. However, they are not used to catch Pokémon, and instead will release a Pokémon repellent on contact.

Pokémon UNITE

A Unite Ball catching a Pokémon

In Pokémon UNITE, Trainers use regular Poké Balls to send out their own Pokémon, after they have been knocked out in battle. (At the start of a Unite Battle, all Pokémon are present on the field.) During the game's tutorial, a Pikachu from the Aeos Research Institute is sent out from a Poké Ball twice. This happens before Tutorial (Basics 1) and Tutorial (Basics 2).

A unique variety of Poké Ball, the Unite Ball, is used as part of Unite Battles. (They are also known as Aeos Balls) Unite Balls are orange, purple, and yellow in colour, with a yellow stripe around in the middle and a white button. The pattern gives the Unite Ball a "U" design. Each Trainer has a Unite Ball, and uses it to catch the wild Pokémon their Pokémon knocks out in Unite Battles. After doing so, the Unite Ball stores the Aeos energy the Pokémon held. The stored energy is used by Pokémon to score at goal zones. At the start of an Unite Battle, the player's Unite Ball only holds a maximum of 30 Aeos energy. After their Pokémon reaches Level 9, the capacity increases to 40. At level 12, the capacity is boosted again to 50. Trainers only have one Unite Ball canonically, and the interface only depicts a single Unite Ball. Regardless, Trainers throw a Unite Ball for every wild Pokémon defeated even if more than one is defeated at the same time.

In Mer Stadium's Catch 'Em battles, certain wild Pokémon have a white glow around them. When these Pokémon are defeated and captured, the player can send them out from their Unite Ball to temporarily take the place of their selected Pokémon. This function replaces the Trainer's Battle Items. Additionally, after enough time has passed, the Battle Item will return to normal and that Pokémon will not be able to be switched into battle. If the captured Pokémon is sent out, a timer is set. When that timer elapses or the Pokémon faints, the Trainer's original Pokémon is sent back into battle from its Poké Ball. Defeating a Wild Pokémon while currently using a Caught Pokémon does not allow the player to switch to the defeated Wild Pokémon.

In Panic Parade, certain wild Pokémon have a white glow around them and a Aeos Ball icon over their heads. When these Pokémon are defeated and captured, the player can send them out from their Unite Ball. This function replaces the Trainer's Battle Item, and after using the Battle Item will return to normal. (Although "normal" in Panic Parade means no Battle Item at all.) If another item is picked up or another capturable Pokémon is captured, the first Pokémon is lost. The sent out Pokémon wanders to the nearest opposing Pokémon, uses their Unite Move, then is recalled and leaves the battle.

Unite Balls (mislabeled Poké Balls) are used as part of the Prize Machine menu. By throwing Unite Balls at one of the items on display, the prize gauge for that item is increased. When the prize gauge of an item is full, the item is obtained. A single Unite Ball has a 66% chance to add 1 unit to the prize gauge, a 30% chance to add 2 units to the prize gauge, a 3.3% chance to add 3 units, a 0.6% chance to add 5 units, and a 0.1% chance to add 10 units. Players have two Unite Balls to use in this menu. After using a Unite Ball, players must wait 12 hours before it can be used again. Players can spend Aeos gems to hasten this timer. Some events provide additional Unite Balls in the Prize Machine menu, under the umbrella name No-cost Holiday Balls. When available, only 10 of these Poké Balls can be obtained per day, and they are lost if they are not used before the next day begins. Usually there is a cap on the number of No-cost Holiday Balls obtainable per event, with that cap usually being 100. Sometimes, these additional Unite Balls have alternate names, such as Holiday Balls or Anniversary Balls. (Oddly, the menu's text states that "Poké Balls always hit their target..." in this mode, even though Unite Balls have never been shown to miss in any media.)

Pokémon Pinball series

Main article: Ball Upgrade

In Pokémon Pinball and Pokémon Pinball: Ruby & Sapphire, the Poké Ball, Great Ball, Ultra Ball, and Master Ball are available.

The Poké Ball is the normal ball used in the pinball tables since the beginning of the game. In both games, if the player lights up the three Field Multiplier Lanes found in all tables, the ball is upgraded to the next kind of Poké Ball (a Poké Ball is upgraded into a Great Ball, a Great Ball into an Ultra Ball, and an Ultra Ball into a Master Ball). If a minute passes without new Poké Ball upgrades, the ball returns to the previous state. If the player loses a ball, the next ball is a Poké Ball.

The bonus points are as follows:

The Poké Ball has no bonus multiplier.
The Great Ball multiplies bonus points by ×2.
The Ultra Ball multiplies bonus points by ×3.
The Master Ball multiplies bonus points by ×4 in Pokémon Pinball and by ×5 in Pokémon Pinball: Ruby & Sapphire.

Pokémon Pinball


Poké Ball	Great Ball	Ultra Ball	Master Ball

Pokémon Pinball: Ruby & Sapphire


Poké Ball	Great Ball	Ultra Ball	Master Ball

Learn with Pokémon: Typing Adventure

In Learn with Pokémon: Typing Adventure, the Typing Balls are thrown after one successfully types a Pokémon's name. It has the overall design like that of a normal Poké Ball, only having an additional vertical line at the bottom, resembling the letter "T".

A Typing Ball

Super Smash Bros. series

Render of a Poké Ball from Super Smash Bros. Brawl

SmashWiki has more about this subject:

Poké Ball

In the Super Smash Bros. series, Poké Balls appear as items, which fighters can pick up and throw to release a random Pokémon. These Pokémon will typically attack the opponents of the player who summoned them, but may also have other effects. Starting in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS/Wii U, the Master Ball also appears as an item, which has the same effect as Poké Balls but can only summon Legendary or Mythical Pokémon (or Goldeen).

The Pokémon that can appear from Poké Balls differ between the games. The Poké Ball Pokémon in Super Smash Bros. all come from Generation I, the Poké Ball Pokémon in Super Smash Bros. Melee come from up to Generation II, the Poké Ball Pokémon in Super Smash Bros. Brawl come from up to Generation IV, the Poké Ball Pokémon in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS/Wii U come from up to Generation VI, and the Poké Ball Pokémon in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate come from up to Generation VII. The only Pokémon that have appeared in all of the Super Smash Bros. games as Poké Ball Pokémon are Goldeen, Snorlax, and Mew.

The Poké Ball in Super Smash Bros. for 3DS
The Master Ball in Super Smash Bros. for 3DS

The Pokémon series as a whole is represented by a Poké Ball logo in the Super Smash Bros. series. The logo was updated in Brawl.

The Pokémon series' symbol from SSB and Melee
The Pokémon series' symbol from Brawl and SSB4

Super Smash Bros. Melee

Poké Ball trophy: These balls are used to catch and contain wild Pokémon. Most Pokémon must be weakened in some way before they can be caught, but once they're inside a Poké Ball, they enjoy their new home, since Poké Balls contain an environment specially designed for Pokémon comfort. Master Balls are the strongest type.

Super Smash Bros. Brawl

Poké Ball trophy: "An item used for capturing Pokémon and calling them out into battle. Pokémon live in these items which despite appearances, actually contain a wide, comfortable Pokémon-friendly world inside them. In Super Smash Bros., Pokémon give temporary support to who calls them out. You never know which you will get, but some are devastatingly powerful."

Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS/Wii U

Poké Ball trophy in Super Smash Bros. for 3DS

Poké Ball trophy: NA: An item used to call out different Pokémon. Which Pokémon emerges is a mystery, but it will aid whoever threw the Poké Ball. Some of the Pokémon contained inside are extremely powerful and will really intensify the battle. It's definitely worth beating your opponents to these!; PAL: A ball holding one of any number of Pokémon just waiting to burst out and help you in battle. Which kind will it be? Well, that's a surprise, but whichever one it is, it'll definitely up the intensity of the battle! If you see one, make sure you're the one to grab it!

Master Ball trophy in Super Smash Bros. for 3DS

Master Ball trophy: NA: These valuable, powerful balls can capture any wild Pokémon. In Smash Bros., hard-to-find Pokémon often pop out of them. You can easily identify a Master Ball by the distinct purple appearance and large M on the top. A Pokémon within a Master Ball may turn the tide of battle.; PAL: A rare type of Poké Ball that never fails to catch a Pokémon. Throw one in this game, and the Mythical or Legendary Pokémon inside will come to your aid. Master Balls are easy to identify due to their purple colour and the large M on them. Use one to quickly turn the tide of any battle!

Pokémon Tower Battle

In Pokémon Tower Battle, the featured Pokémon come from Poké Balls, with some rare Pokémon from Ultra Balls and Master Balls.

Camp Pokémon

This section is a stub. You can help Bulbapedia by expanding it.

In Camp Pokémon, the Poké Ball Roll minigame features the Poké Ball, Great Ball, Ultra Ball, and Master Ball.

Pokémon Sleep

Main article: Poké Biscuit

Poké Balls do not exist in Pokémon Sleep. Instead, Poké Biscuits are used to "befriend" Pokémon (which is the same mechanic as catching them in the core series games).

In the anime

Main series

Mechanics

Paul releasing Chimchar

Concept art of a Poké Ball from the original series

Interior of a Poké Ball from the anime

In the anime, Poké Balls are not always at full size. Pressing the button on the front will convert it between its full size, about the size of a baseball, to a smaller size, about that of a ping-pong ball, and back again. The larger size makes throwing the ball easier, while the smaller one makes for easier storage on a belt clip, in pockets, and in Bags.

When a Pokémon is sent out from a Poké Ball, it will be accompanied by a distinctive sound effect and a bright light as it returns from its energy form and materializes nearby, often on the ground. This bright light has been shown to vary depending on the type of Ball in which the Pokémon is contained in the games, while it has always been shown to be white in the anime. Pokémon are recalled to their Poké Ball by holding up the Poké Ball with its button pointed at the Pokémon. A beam of red, white, or blue light will shoot from the button, converting the Pokémon back into energy and returning it to the Ball. The beam, however, has a limited range and can be dodged by the Pokémon. If the beam hits a person, they will be stunned for a moment, but aside from that, no ill effects will make themselves apparent.

Releasing a Pokémon from a Trainer's ownership, unlike normally sending the Pokémon out, will bathe the Pokémon in a blue glow, and the Poké Ball will no longer mark it, making it able to be caught by another Trainer's Poké Ball.

A Poké Ball can also be broken, which will release it from ownership, as seen when Jessie releases her Dustox in Crossing Paths. If a Trainer has done so accidentally, it must somehow be fixed before the Pokémon can be recalled. This was seen in Pokémon Food Fight!, where Ash becomes unable to recall Snorlax after its Poké Ball is broken. In the manga, if a Poké Ball is broken before a Pokémon is sent out, then that particular Pokémon cannot be used until their Poké Ball has been repaired. This happened several times in the Pokémon Adventures manga, such as during Red's battle against Giovanni, where the opening mechanism for the Poké Balls of Red's Venusaur and Gyarados were damaged, preventing either of them from being used in the match.

In Just Waiting On A Friend, it is implied that Pokémon are bound to the Poké Ball they are caught in, and cannot go very far from it.

Iris's Dragonite inside a Poké Ball in the anime

Pokémon appear to be conscious while inside Poké Balls. Several Pokémon have shown the ability to leave and return to their Poké Balls at will, most notably among them Jessie's Wobbuffet, Misty's Psyduck, Ash's Oshawott, Brock's Croagunk, and Clemont's Chespin, who tend to do so in every episode that they appear in. In Dig Those Diglett!, many Pokémon belonging to Gary Oak, as well as other Trainers, including Ash Ketchum, demonstrated the ability to prevent themselves from being sent from their Poké Balls, as they refused to fight against the Diglett, though this has not been demonstrated since. Pokémon have also been shown to be able to hear orders given by their Trainer right before they are sent out.

Pokémon can even make their Poké Ball jump and roll around at high speeds, while also being able to navigate, as seen in Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!, when the partner Pokémon moves its Poké Ball onto an empty pedestal in Professor Oak's Laboratory after being caught in Pallet Town.

A Poké Ball failing to catch an already owned Pokémon

Poké Balls are able to communicate with a Trainer's Pokédex, as the system updates itself with information on newly-caught Pokémon, and keeps track of how many Pokémon the Trainer has with them. If a Trainer catches a new Pokémon with the full six already with them, the Pokédex will automatically send the newly-caught Pokémon in its Poké Ball to the Pokémon Storage System that the Trainer is using. As shown in Two Degrees of Separation!, a Pokémon caught by a Poké Ball is "marked" by it, and thus most Poké Balls thrown at it will have no effect aside from temporarily stunning it. In the games, as well as in Bad to the Bone, however, the Trainer of the Pokémon will block a Poké Ball thrown by another, though it is possible that this is more out of courtesy to their Pokémon than to prevent capture outright. In Charmander – The Stray Pokémon, Ash was able to catch his Charmander in a Poké Ball despite his previous ownership by another Trainer, though he may have lost his "mark" when he abandoned his previous Trainer by refusing to return to his old Poké Ball. Earlier in the same episode, Ash failed to catch the same Charmander while he still held his loyalty, despite his weakened state.

Ash catching a rice ball thrown by a wild Mankey

Other wireless capabilities of Poké Balls are shown in Destiny Deoxys, as when the electricity of the city is down, Rebecca claims that the "Poké Ball Management System" was no longer working without power. A similar mechanism is suggested to exist in the games, with the Paradise Protection Protocol issuing a lock signal that disables the use of any Poké Balls that do not have a specific ID.

Poké Balls are able to be decorated to no ill effect, with several Poké Balls that have been painted with special colors being seen in the anime.

Should a Pokémon escape a Poké Ball, the device will return to the Trainer, who can attempt once again to catch the Pokémon.

It has sometimes been shown that items can be contained in Poké Balls, apparently able to be captured in much the same way as a Pokémon. The anime has used this as a gag on several occasions, most notably in Primeape Goes Bananas, where Ash accidentally catches a rice ball when he throws a Poké Ball in an attempt to catch a wild Mankey.

Types of Poké Ball

A regular Poké Ball in the anime

Ash pulling out a Poké Ball, preparing to catch a Pokémon

In the anime, the basic Poké Ball is the most commonly used of all varieties, with other varieties appearing either very few times or not at all. A vast majority of Pokémon are shown to be stored in regular Poké Balls, to the point that large collections of Poké Balls can be seen with no variation among them. Even Ash's Pikachu, the most prominent Pokémon in the anime which spends all its time outside with Ash, has a plain Poké Ball that differs from others only by the small yellow lightning bolt symbol on it, as seen in Pokémon - I Choose You!.

Despite this, the various other types of Poké Ball have been seen in the anime, usually to illustrate a special property about that particular ball. The lack of the different types is unsurprising, however, due to the fact that, when the anime was first created, the games themselves did not even keep track of the Poké Ball that a Pokémon was caught in, and thus, it made no difference in sending a Pokémon out. This has recently become less common as of Pokémon the Series: Sun & Moon, possibly to reflect the fact that NPC Trainers in Generation VII have certain types of Poké Balls associated with them.

The first time that a Poké Ball aside from the normal variation was seen was in EP035, where Ash was given 30 Safari Balls in order to compete in the Safari Game. With these 30 Safari Balls, Ash attempted to catch various rare Pokémon; however, he only managed to capture an entire herd of Tauros. They appeared in Safari Balls in Showdown at the Po-Ké Corral; however, whenever Ash uses one of his Tauros in a battle, it is sent out from a standard Poké Ball.

A Poké Ball after catching a Pokémon in Pokémon Horizons: The Series

The GS Ball was the second of the variant Poké Balls to appear in the anime, this time with a special purpose. This mysterious ball was unable to be opened by Professor Ivy, and served as the reason for Ash's journeys to the Orange Islands (to pick it up) and Johto (to deliver it to Kurt), so that what was contained within it could be discovered. Celebi was long rumored to be related to the ball, something which the Pokémon Adventures and game canons verify, while a director of the anime confirmed that, had it not been insisted that Celebi appear in a central role in the fourth movie, the GS Ball arc would have concluded with Celebi being released from the ball and traveling with Ash and his friends.

Also related to Kurt, as in the games, the first non-standard Poké Ball variants, the Apricorn balls, made an appearance in the anime, and several were given to the members of the main cast. All three members of the main cast received a Fast Ball each in Going Apricorn!, with Brock using his to catch a Pineco shortly after receiving it. Many other Apricorn Poké Balls also appeared in a fantasy in this episode. In the next episode, Brock received a Heavy Ball, while Ash and Misty received a Lure Ball each. While Brock's Heavy Ball and Ash and Misty's Fast Balls would remain unused (and have not been mentioned since), both Ash and Misty would use their Lure Balls to capture a Totodile and Corsola, respectively. Another Heavy Ball appeared in Gulpin It Down, where it was used to capture a giant Gulpin, though this was not the one belonging to Brock. In Trouble's Brewing, the Kimono Sisters (excluding Sakura) were shown keeping their Eeveelutions inside Apricorn Poké Balls, with Satsuki's Jolteon's ball being a Moon Ball, Sumomo's Vaporeon's ball being a Lure Ball, and Tamao's Umbreon's ball being a Fast Ball. While Koume's Flareon's ball wasn't shown, her kimono pattern indicates it being a Love Ball.

Ash calling out a Pokémon

The Master Ball itself has only appeared once as an actual Poké Ball, in Whiscash and Ash, where it was used by Sullivan in a last resort attempt to catch a wild Whiscash called "Nero". Despite the fact that a Master Ball cannot be escaped from, the Whiscash swallowed the Master Ball, thus preventing capture, and disappeared back into the water. While not a Poké Ball itself, Misty owns a beach ball that is designed like the Master Ball, which can be seen in Beauty and the Beach and A Hot Water Battle.

The Generation III specialty balls have mostly been seen in cameos. The Repeat Ball and Luxury Ball appeared in the opening of Jirachi: Wish Maker. These balls contained Brendan's Shiftry and Aggron, respectively.

The debut of most of the specialty balls, both from Generation III and IV, came in the ending Which One ~ Is It?, which contained the first appearance of the Great Ball and Ultra Ball, as well as the first anime appearance of the Premier, Heal, Net, Dusk, Nest, Quick, Timer, and Dive Balls.

The first proper appearance of the Great, Ultra, Net, Nest, Dusk, Dive, Repeat, Premier, and Heal Balls was in A Frenzied Factory Fiasco!, where these balls were seen being manufactured at the Poké Ball Factory, in addition to normal Poké Balls, Luxury Balls, and Safari Balls, although the last ones were not shown. Although James did mention a Quick Ball in the Japanese version, one was never shown in the episode (a fact that was picked up by the dub, which removed the Quick Ball reference). Team Rocket tried to steal many of these Poké Balls, but were foiled by Ash and his friends.

Dawn's Poké Balls with Ball Capsules and Seals

It was revealed in First Catch in Alola, Ketchum-Style! that James had been collecting Poké Balls. When Jessie's attempts to catch a Mimikyu with typical Poké Balls had failed, she grabbed the Luxury Ball James had been polishing and used it instead, capturing Mimikyu, much to James's dismay. The rest of James's collection appeared in Acting True to Form!, where it was revealed to also contain a Great, Ultra, Premier, Dusk, Heal, and Quick Ball, marking the first proper anime appearance of a Quick Ball. The collection reappeared in Splash, Dash, and Smash for the Crown!, where it now consisted of a Premier, Dive, Nest, Quick, Heal, and Dusk Ball.

Gladion keeps all of his known Pokémon in special Poké Balls. His Lycanroc is kept in an Ultra Ball (as first seen in A Glaring Rivalry!), his Silvally is kept in a Premier Ball (as first seen in Rising from the Ruins!), his Umbreon is kept in a Heal Ball (as first seen in Rescuing the Unwilling!), his Zoroark is kept in a Dusk Ball (as first seen in the Poké Problem extra scene of SM127), and his Nihilego is kept in a Beast Ball (as first seen in The Homecoming Crown!).

James's Poké Ball collection

Beast Balls debuted in A Mission of Ultra Urgency!, in which the Aether Foundation provided multiple of them for Ash and his classmates to use during their missions as Ultra Guardians. Since then, Beast Balls have appeared in a number of episodes. Most of the time they are only used to temporarily hold Ultra Beasts until they are released back into Ultra Space. The only Ultra Beasts that have been kept in a Beast Ball for longer than one episode are Ash's Naganadel and Gladion's Nihilego.

In Sword and Shield... The Legends Awaken!, Leon used an Ultra Ball in an attempt to catch Eternatus, only for Eternatus to break out.

A sealed Poké Ball

Many other Poké Balls have been shown in the anime; however, most of these are cosmetic alterations alone, such as Poké Balls with gold plating, diamond studded Poké Balls, and Poké Balls with stickers or special designs on them, usually to denote an organization. Ball Capsules and Seals can also be used to customize a Poké Ball's appearance, and they add special effects when the Pokémon is sent out. In the anime, they are mostly used by Coordinators during Pokémon Contests to create a showy entrance and ensure that the Pokémon will make a good impression right out of the Poké Ball.

Notably, a broken Poké Ball, snapped in half at its rusted hinges, was kept by both Ash and Gary, symbolizing their rivalry. After Ash defeated Gary during the Silver Conference, Gary gave his half of the Ball to Ash as a sign of ending their rivalry.

In Mystery at the Lighthouse, it was shown that if a Trainer catches a Pokémon while they already have six on hand, it is automatically sent to the regional Professor. Sewaddle and Burgh in Pinwheel Forest shows a major difference in what happens after a Pokémon is captured. Instead of being automatically sent to the regional Professor, the Poké Ball is sealed and the button becomes red. The Pokémon is kept inactive until it is switched out by another actively in the Trainer's party.

Other variants

Some of Karna's custom Poké Balls

A green Poké Ball appeared in Pokémon - I Choose You!. Interestingly, the cover of the book Grass Pokédex greatly resembles this Poké Ball, and is labeled as a Safari Ball.
- In addition to this, the artwork of Brendan, in Ruby and Sapphire, features Brendan holding a green Poké Ball.
Several objects were used to contain and control Pokémon before Poké Balls themselves were developed. Large monumental objects have been shown several times in episodes to be containers for large ancient Pokémon, as seen most notably in The Ancient Puzzle of Pokémopolis. Smaller objects have also been used, such as the staff belonging to Sir Aaron, which contained his partner, Lucario, until Ash released it in the current era. Special armor developed by Marcus was used to control Pokémon in ancient Michina Town, though it did not directly contain the Pokémon; unlike other methods of using Pokémon, these Pokémon were enslaved, instead of befriended, and they turned against him the moment the armor was broken.
Mewtwo had a collection of strange Poké Balls known as (Japanese: ミュウツーボール Mewtwo Balls) in Mewtwo Strikes Back, which incorporated an eye into their design, and were used primarily to capture Pokémon to be cloned. These balls had no trouble catching Pokémon which were already captured—even if they were already inside of Poké Balls.
In Spell of the Unown: Entei, Molly Hale, whose imagination caused the power of the Unown to change the world around them, was able to use strange, crystalline Poké Balls when she challenged Brock and Misty. The Pokémon sent from these appeared normally, but dissolved into crystal, rather than being recalled. These crystal Poké Balls only appeared when used by her imagined older selves, and do not appear to actually exist.
A special variant of Poké Ball, the Lake Ball, was used during the Seaking Catching Competition in Hook, Line, and Stinker; this is viewed by many to be similar to the Sport Ball used in the Bug-Catching Contest. They appear as blue and white Poké Balls, with a fish pattern around the edge, and a yellow arrow on the top and bottom of the ball. They don't shake after capture, implying an automatic catch.
In One Trick Phony!, specially marked Poké Balls appeared at the Battle Park, containing the Park's rental Pokémon. They looked almost exactly like standard Poké Balls, except that they had the Park's stylized "BP" logo on the top.
Older Poké Balls have also appeared in the anime, specifically the one carried by Sam in Celebi: The Voice of the Forest, which was colored differently, and it had a knob that needed to be twisted before the Pokémon inside could be sent out. While it is unknown how these types were manufactured, it is likely that they were made by hand using Apricorns, prior to the standardization and mass production of modern-day Poké Balls.
The Iron-Masked Marauder, an agent of Team Rocket, used special Dark Balls that corrupted Pokémon caught inside them and made them into mindless servants of the Trainer, as well as raising their power significantly. Multiple Pokémon were caught in these Poké Balls, including the Mythical Celebi and a powerful Tyranitar. They seem capable of catching any Pokémon without fail.
As in the games, the GS Ball appeared in the anime, and was the primary motivation for Ash's trip to the Orange Islands, where he would compete in his second Pokémon League. It also served as the catalyst for his journey to Johto, as he needed to deliver the ball to Kurt. Former director Masamitsu Hidaka revealed that a shelved storyline, that would have concluded the GS Ball's arc, involved a Celebi that would have traveled with Ash and his friends through at least part of Johto. The storyline was viewed as redundant after the decision was made to introduce Celebi in the fourth movie instead.
Claydol, Big and Tall featured the "Stone Ball", a huge Poké Ball made of stone used to keep an evil, giant Claydol that levied destruction everywhere. This Poké Ball is about the size of a two-story house.
In Battling the Enemy Within!, an ancient relic resembling a Poké Ball was first mentioned by Brandon, who told Ash and his friends a story about the King of Pokélantis, who had once tried to control Ho-Oh for his own evil purposes. When Ash later found the relic, it was revealed that the King of Pokélantis's spirit was actually sealed within it, and it possessed Ash until it was banished from his body and resealed back inside the relic.
In A Fishing Connoisseur in a Fishy Competition!, a specially marked Poké Ball, called the "Fishing Poké Ball", was used in the fake fishing contest set up by Team Rocket. This Poké Ball highly resembled the regular red and white Poké Ball, except that it had a dark fish mark on its red part.
In The Power of Us, the participants of the Pokémon Catch Race used special "Catch Race Poké Balls" to catch specifically marked Pokémon around Fula City. These Poké Balls feature a blue-and-white color scheme, with a gold button.
In Pokémon Journeys: The Series, starting from Ivysaur's Mysterious Tower!, the Team Rocket trio was provided with the Rocket Prize Master, a vending machine that lets them borrow random Pokémon from it, contained in special Team Rocket Poké Balls. When a Pokémon is sent out from them, these Balls drop a small leaflet explaining details about the Pokémon in question.
Dynamaxed Poké Balls were first used in Flash of the Titans! during Lance and Leon's World Coronation Series battle. In Sword and Shield... The Legends Awaken!, Goh, with Ash's help, used a Dynamaxed Poké Ball to catch a weakened Eternatus, which was later sealed away.
In Orla and the Poké Ball Smith, several custom-made Poké Balls created by Karna were shown. These include the Rocket Ball, which has miniature rocket engines that boost its speed; the Boomerang Ball, which curves back around once thrown; the Bomb-Bomb Ball, which has a fuse that lights up when the ball is about to be thrown and causes the ball to explode when it burns out; the Chase Ball, which homes in on the target Pokémon on a set of wheels; and an unnamed Ball that Karna gave to Orla as a gift at the end of the episode.

A green Poké Ball in Pokémon - I Choose You!
The Poké Ball containing Bulbasaur in Pokémon - I Choose You!
The Poké Ball containing Charmander in Pokémon - I Choose You!
The Poké Ball containing Squirtle in Pokémon - I Choose You!
The Poké Ball containing Pikachu in Pokémon - I Choose You!
A diamond-encrusted Poké Ball in Go West Young Meowth
Mewtwo's Mewtwo Balls
Molly Hale holding a Crystal Poké Ball
The Lake Ball from Hook, Line, and Stinker
Lokoko's old Poké Ball from Just Waiting On a Friend
A Poké Ball used in the Battle Park in One Trick Phony!
A Team Rocket Ball from Mewtwo Returns
Iron-Masked Marauder holding a Dark Ball
Sammy's old Poké Ball from Celebi: The Voice of the Forest
Annie and Oakley's Poké Balls from Pokémon Heroes: Latios & Latias
A promotional toy version of Annie and Oakley's Poké Balls, produced by Tomy
Claydol's giant stone Poké Ball from Claydol, Big and Tall
A relic holding the King of Pokélantis's spirit
A Fishing Poké Ball from A Fishing Connoisseur in a Fishy Competition!
A Catch Race Poké Ball from The Power of Us
Team Rocket Balls from Pokémon Journeys: The Series
A Dynamaxed Poké Ball in Sword and Shield... The Legends Awaken!
A Rocket Ball from Orla and the Poké Ball Smith
A Boomerang Ball from Orla and the Poké Ball Smith
A Bomb-Bomb Ball from Orla and the Poké Ball Smith
A Chase Ball from Orla and the Poké Ball Smith
One of Karna's custom Poké Balls from Orla and the Poké Ball Smith
One of Karna's custom Poké Balls from Orla and the Poké Ball Smith

History

Main article: History of Poké Balls

As mentioned, the generic Poké Ball design is not constant and has been remodeled and altered innumerable times in order to create new Poké Balls that are adapted for specific conditions. For example, it is seen in several anime episodes such as Gulpin it Down! and Claydol Big and Tall that normal Poké Balls have difficulty catching Pokémon which are extremely large or extremely heavy. In the latter episode, it is revealed that ancient civilizations overcame this issue by constructing immense Poké Balls many times the size of the standard model known today, and made from stone instead. Other civilizations such as Pokémopolis also discovered new technologies that more closely resembled modern Poké Ball technology, such as the Dark Device and the Unearthly Urn, which were also adapted for the capture and storage of massive Pokémon but in small containers. However, devices like these became lost to the ages and their roles were subsequently supplanted by Heavy Balls in the modern world.

In A Shipful of Shivers, modern Poké Balls are found in the ghost ship, implying that modern Poké Balls were first made at least 300 years ago. According to Pocket Monsters: The Animation, Poké Balls were developed to allow for various Trainers to efficiently capture and train Pokémon in relatively little risk to themselves, as the act of training a Pokémon often results in severe injuries and even death. It also claims that the Pokémon Primeape and its notoriously violent nature was directly responsible for their creation.

Prior to the invention of Poké Balls, Pokémon were referred to as magical creatures (Japanese: 魔獣 majū), indicating that the name Pokémon, short for Pocket Monster, did not come into common parlance as a term until Poké Balls allowed the various magical creatures to be stored easily.

Pokédex entries

Episode	Subject	Source	Entry
EP001	Poké Ball	Ash's Pokédex	While being trained, a Pokémon usually stays inside its Poké Ball. However, there are many exceptions. Some Pokémon hate being confined.

Ancient Poké Ball

The search for these Poké Balls is an important plot within Pokémon Horizons: The Series. These Poké Balls, in addition to capturing Pokémon, seem to have unique powers and react to certain stimuli, like Liko's pendant and other Ancient Poké Balls.

History

Roy is in possession of an antique Poké Ball that he refers to as the Ancient Poké Ball. It was found by his grandfather and later given to him. It first appeared in The Treasure After the Storm!, where Roy mentioned how he had never managed to open it. In The Ancient Poké Ball, the ball reacted with Liko's pendant and opened to reveal a Black Rayquaza that flew away soon after. The ball is said to have belonged to an ancient adventurer who once commanded Rayquaza. In Arboliva's Forest, another identical Ancient Poké Ball appeared under the possession of a giant Arboliva. In the next episode, this Poké Ball was revealed to be Arboliva's, and to have been owned by the ancient adventurer as well. Another Ancient Poké Ball appeared under the possession of the adventurer's Galarian Moltres. Another Ancient Poké Ball appeared under the possession of the adventurer's Lapras.

Pokémon housed in Ancient Poké Balls

Pokémon	Region	Debut
Black Rayquaza	Kanto*	The Ancient Poké Ball
Giant Arboliva	Paldea	Nemona and Brassius and…
Galarian Moltres	Galar	Charge! Galar Mine!
Giant Lapras	Unknown	Song Within the Mist

Gallery

Concept art of Roy's Ancient Poké Ball from Pokémon Horizons: The Series

Pokémon Origins

A Poké Ball in Pokémon Origins

Besides the regular Poké Ball, the other Generation I variations of it were also seen during the Pokémon Origins miniseries. In File 3: Giovanni, it was shown that Giovanni kept his strongest Pokémon, Rhyhorn and Rhydon, within Ultra Balls. In File 4: Charizard, Red was seen catching an Arbok with a Great Ball and a Chansey with a Safari Ball. He also used Ultra Balls to capture the Legendary Pokémon Articuno, Zapdos, Moltres, and Mewtwo.

The Master Ball only appeared in a demonstration in File 3: Giovanni, as it was still under development at the time. After Team Rocket was driven out of the Silph Co. building by Red, the development of the Master Ball was put on hold for a while.

Additionally, in Pokémon Origins, the sound effects and bright light used when a Trainer is catching, sending out, or recalling a Pokémon differ in comparison to the sound effects and lights that are used in the main Pokémon anime, more resembling the effects seen in Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen.

Pokémon Generations

An Ultra Ball in Pokémon Generations

The only Poké Ball variant seen in Pokémon Generations was an Ultra Ball, which appeared in The Scoop. It was shown being used by a Trainer to catch a Deoxys in outer space.

In the manga

In the various Pokémon manga, Poké Balls have been shown to appear differently, as an attempt to explain how a Trainer knows which Pokémon is in which ball, as most Pokémon manga series were, like the anime, developed at a time when the games could not keep track of the ball a Pokémon was contained in.

The Electric Tale of Pikachu

A Poké Ball in The Electric Tale of Pikachu

The Enormo Poké Ball-X1

In The Electric Tale of Pikachu, the rules are more similar to the anime; however, Poké Balls are numbered on the outside, on the button, so that a Trainer knows which member of their team they are sending into battle. In The Electric Tale of Pikachu, Trainers must obtain a license before they are legally allowed to purchase Poké Balls.

It is also possible for a Pokémon to be placed inside a Poké Ball without it being owned by a Trainer. In Days of Gloom and Glory, Meowzie steals a Poké Ball from a shop and puts her kitten in it so that it will not be hurt by a flood affecting the city.

In Haunting My Dreams, a giant Poké Ball named the Enormo Poké Ball-X1 (Japanese: ビッグモンスターボールX1 Big Monster Ball-X1) or EPB-X1 for short, was created to capture the gigantic Haunter, Black Fog. It was destroyed when the Black Fog used Explosion to free itself after being captured.

Magical Pokémon Journey

In Magical Pokémon Journey, the main characters generally do not capture Pokémon, rather, they befriend them. Although Almond, one of the main characters, is known to be a Pokémon Trainer, he is not actually depicted capturing or raising any Pokémon. In fact, in the bonus materials of Volume 2, in which the cast of the manga meet Ash, Misty and Brock in a series of crossovers, it is revealed that Hazel and Coconut do not even know what Poké Balls are. When Ash and Misty explain that they are used to capture Pokémon, they both proceed to attempt to use them to capture Almond, as he is each of their love interest.

Pokémon Adventures

Yellow's Seadra inside his Poké Ball in Pokémon Adventures

In the Pokémon Adventures manga, the tops of Poké Balls are semitransparent, allowing the Pokémon inside, which is miniaturized, to be seen through the ball, while the Pokémon can likewise see out of the ball it is contained in. In this manga, unlike in the anime, Pokémon already captured can be recaught in another Poké Ball, as is seen when Red recatches Misty's Gyarados in Gyarados Splashes In! (though Blue states that catching a Pokémon that belongs to another is not possible in Lapras Lazily).

Like in the anime and the games, specialty balls do exist, although they are much more commonly used than in the anime. In Holy Moltres, Team Rocket was shown to have caught the legendary birds in Ultra Balls. In And Mewtwo... Three!, Blaine gave Red the Master Ball, which Red used to catch Mewtwo shortly afterwards. In Teddiursa's Picnic, Gold and Silver received a Friend Ball and Heavy Ball, respectively, with Silver using his ball to catch an Ursaring, while Gold used his to catch a Teddiursa for Maizie. Close to the end of the Gold, Silver & Crystal arc, the Masked Man was shown creating a GS Ball and using it to catch Celebi. In Innocent Scientist, Blake used Luxury Balls while trying to catch the Genesect controlled by Colress, eventually succeeding. In Abyssal Ruins, Blake gave Whitley a Quick Ball to catch a Karrablast. In Scizor Defends, a Quick Ball was seen amongst the Poké Balls that Y had used while trying to catch an Absol.

Safari Balls have been seen being used by Red at the Kanto Safari Zone, by Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum at the Great Marsh, and by Silver at the Johto Safari Zone. Crystal and Emerald have also been shown using special balls to catch Pokémon, with Crystal specializing in Apricorn balls and Emerald specializing in Poké Balls introduced in Generation III.

Additionally, the three original types of Poké Ball are used to identify the Trainer's rank; most Trainers keep their Pokémon in Poké Balls, Gym Leaders use Great Balls, and Elite Four members use Ultra Balls.

In the Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon arc, Beast Balls were created for the Aether Foundation by Blake, who was disguised as Colress, as a means of catching Ultra Beasts. Sun used one to catch his Stakataka in Madness!! Mother Lusamine!.

Like in the games, but unlike the anime, Pokémon placed in their balls don't recover from status conditions nor regain lost health, no matter how much time passes.

Variants

Bruno has modified his Poké Balls so that they are fitted onto the ends of his nunchucks. By swinging them quickly and throwing the nunchuck forward, Bruno can have his Pokémon quickly attack his opponent, giving him the advantage.
Koga and his daughter Janine modified their Poké Balls into shuriken to fit their ninja theme. In addition to being used as weapons, they can also be used to have their Pokémon pop up from different locations to surprise the opponent or to hold items to help an ally.
Bugsy had Kurt modify his butterfly net into something he calls a Capture Net. His net has a Poké Ball nested into the middle of it. The bag of the net is made of the same material of the inside of a Poké Ball. Once a Pokémon is covered in the bag, they will automatically be sucked into the Poké Ball.
Falkner has modified his Poké Balls into boomerangs using the feathers of his Skarmory. Because of Skarmory's feathers being transparent, they have the tendency to turn invisible, confusing enemies when Falkner throws them in random directions only for them to turn around and go straight for them.
Erika and Moon modified their Poké Balls to be at the end of their arrows.
In It Takes Patience, Knowledge and a Really Quick Beedrill, Giovanni used a specifically designed Poké Ball with the letters "DNA" on its top half to capture Deoxys.
Multiple Dynamaxed Poké Balls appeared in the Sword & Shield arc, being used to both capture Dynamax Pokémon and send them out.

Bruno's nunchuck with Poké Balls on them
Koga's shuriken Poké Ball
Bugsy's Capture Net
Falkner's boomerang Poké Balls
Erika with one of her Poké Ball arrows
Moon with one of her Poké Ball arrows
Giovanni's Deoxys Poké Ball
A Dynamaxed Poké Ball

Pokémon Gold & Silver: The Golden Boys

Besides regular Poké Balls, Apricorn Poké Balls also received notable attention in the Pokémon Gold & Silver: The Golden Boys manga. They were first featured in The Great Search! Let's Rescue The Slowpoke!, where Gold and Kurt used some of Kurt's hand-made Poké Balls to save a group of Slowpoke from drowning in the flooding Slowpoke Well. Kurt's Level Ball also proved crucial in stopping the Black Tyranitar's rampage during the manga's climax.

Pokémon: Yeah! I Got Pokémon!

A Poké Ball in Pokémon Pocket Monsters

In Pokémon: Yeah! I Got Pokémon!, Poké Balls are depicted as solid, with no visual identification as to which Poké Ball is which. In Special Chapter - Get Pikachu!, it is revealed that when Shu met Pikachu, Pikachu's Poké Ball had been abandoned in a forest because it was defective and it was causing Pikachu's electricity to be released throughout the surrounding area.

Pokémon Pocket Monsters

In Pokémon Pocket Monsters, Poké Balls are often shown as transparent to identify when a Pokémon is inside. They usually have their typical appearance from far away, suggesting that they may not always be transparent, or are only see-through from up close. Pokémon appear to be able to see the world outside of their Poké Balls, as shown in Bring Down the Powerful Opponent Onix!!, when Clefairy sees Pikachu inside his Poké Ball, and they talk to each other. In Introducing the Pokémon Clefairy!!, when Green is choosing Charmander as his first partner Pokémon, he is shown to be able to pick up and lift Charmander directly from the Poké Ball without throwing it first.

Red's Pikachu inside his Poké Ball, in his debut appearance
Green's Charmander being lifted from its Poké Ball

In the TCG

Ultra Ball

Many variants of Poké Ball have been released in card form in the Pokémon Trading Card Game, ranging from the standard variants found in the games and other media to variants specific to the TCG. Generally, Poké Balls are depicted as Item cards that search the player's deck for Pokémon and put them into the player's hand. Many Poké Ball cards require some number of successful coin flips in order to allow for the search to succeed, but some cards use the order of the player's deck to create inconsistency instead. There are even Poké Ball cards that are guaranteed to work, but these cards are balanced by only finding specific subsets of Pokémon, requiring some cost to be paid, or having another drawback.

Some cards, such as Apricorn Maker and Ball Guy, refer to Poké Ball cards as a group, using the phrase "Item cards that have the word “Ball” in their name". This phraseology excludes cards with "Balloon" in their name even though they otherwise meet the criteria. (An example of an excluded card was Bursting Balloon, before the errata that changed Pokémon Tool cards to be a subtype of Trainer cards rather than Item cards.)

List of Poké Ball cards based on the games

The standard Poké Ball card, which was the first released, debuted in the Jungle expansion and has since been featured in many others. It requires the player to flip a coin and if it is successful, it searches the deck for a Pokémon and puts it in the player's hand.
The Ultra Ball can be seen in the artwork of Rocket's Sneak Attack, from the Team Rocket expansion. The 'H' on this Ultra Ball is derived from its Japanese name, Hyper Ball. The Ultra Ball itself would debut in Dark Explorers, with its effect requiring the player to discard 2 cards from the hand to search the deck for any single Pokémon.
The Great Ball, which first appeared in the TCG expansion coinciding with the remakes of the Generation I games, is somewhat of an upgrade to the Poké Ball, and does not require the coin flip that the Poké Ball does, instead restricting the search to Basic Pokémon. Later, in Emerging Powers, Great Ball's effect was changed to have the player search the top 7 cards of the deck for any one Pokémon card and put it in the hand.
The Master Ball, first appearing in the Gym Challenge expansion, and in the games the most powerful of the Poké Balls, provides a vastly different effect than the standard. Rather than searching the entire deck, only the top seven cards may be searched. One Pokémon found in these seven can be put into the hand, while the rest must be shuffled back into the deck. In Plasma Blast, the Master Ball was changed to an ACE SPEC card that allowed the player to search the entire deck for any one Pokémon. This effect is similar to Ultra Ball, but without the discard cost.
Debuting in the Skyridge expansion, the Lure Ball is different from the basic Poké Balls in that it draws from the discard pile rather than the deck. For each heads flipped, with a maximum of three, an Evolution card can be returned from the discard pile and put into the hand. It has since been reprinted in Celestial Storm.
Also debuting in Skyridge, the Friend Ball, another Apricorn Ball, has a unique effect entirely, allowing the user to search their deck for a Pokémon of the same type as one of the opponent's Pokémon and put it into their hand. It is effective in decks that typically match up well against their own type. It was also reprinted in Celestial Storm.
The Fast Ball allows the player to go through their deck, turning over cards one at a time until they find the first evolution card, and then taking that into their hand, shuffling afterward. Like the other two Apricorn Balls, it debuted in Skyridge, but unlike the others, it has not appeared since.
The Premier Ball, debuting in the Great Encounters expansion, is special, much as in the games, and allows the player to search either the deck or the discard pile for a Pokémon LV.X to put into their hand.
The Luxury Ball, first released in the Stormfront expansion, is among the rarest of the Poké Ball varieties in the games, though its catch rate is the same as that of a normal Poké Ball. Likewise it is so with the TCG, allowing a non-LV.X Pokémon to be searched from the deck, but only if another Luxury Ball card is not in the discard pile.
The Quick Ball released in the Mysterious Treasures expansion has a similar effect to the Fast Ball released in Skyridge, allowing the player to uncover cards from their deck until they find a Pokémon. An expansion of the Fast Ball's use, any Pokémon can be found, though this may prove an issue if the player is looking for an Evolution card specifically and finds a Basic Pokémon first, and vice versa. The Quick Ball was rereleased in the Sword & Shield expansion with a different effect, requiring players to discard 1 card in order to search their deck for a Basic Pokémon.
The Dusk Ball, also first released in Mysterious Treasures, features an effect somewhat opposite from that of the pre-Plasma Blast version of Master Ball: Instead of the top seven cards being searched, only the bottom seven cards may be, and a Pokémon found there may be put into the player's hand.
The Heavy Ball, first released in Next Destinies, allows the player to search their deck for a Pokémon who has a Retreat Cost of 3 or more and put it into their hand.
The Level Ball, also first released in Next Destinies, allows the player to search their deck for a Pokémon that has 90 HP or less and put it into their hand.
The Dive Ball, released only in Primal Clash, allows the player to search their deck for a Water-type Pokémon and put it into their hand.
The Repeat Ball, released only in Primal Clash, allows the player to search their deck for a Pokémon with the same name as one of their Pokémon in play and put it into their hand.
The Nest Ball, first released in Sun & Moon, allows the player to search their deck for a Basic Pokémon and put it onto their Bench.
The Timer Ball, first released in Sun & Moon, allows the player to search their deck for a number of Evolution Pokémon equal to the number of heads from flipping two coins.
The Net Ball, first released in Lost Thunder, allows the player to search their deck for a Basic Pokémon or a Energy card and put it into their hand.
The Beast Ball, first released in Celestial Storm, allows the player to look at their Prize Cards, and swap an Ultra Beast found there with the Beast Ball card.
The Cherish Ball, first released in Unified Minds, allows the player to search their deck for any Pokémon-GX and put it into their hand.
The Dream Ball, first released in Evolving Skies, allows the player to search their deck for a Pokémon and put it on their bench, but the card can only be played if the player took it as a face down Prize card.
The Feather Ball, first released in Astral Radiance, allows the player to search their deck for a Pokémon with no Retreat Cost and put it into their hand.
The Hisuian Heavy Ball, first released in Astral Radiance, allows the player to look at their Prize cards, and swap a Basic Pokémon found there with the Hisuian Heavy Ball card.
The Love Ball, first released in Twilight Masquerade, is similar in effect to Friend Ball, except it allows the user to search their deck for a Pokémon of the same name (instead of the same type) as one of the opponent's Pokémon, and put it into their hand.

List of Poké Balls original to the TCG

The Dual Ball is two Poké Balls together, and has a similar (but not identical) effect to using two Poké Ball cards. The player flips two coins then searches their deck for one Basic Pokémon per heads result.
The Team Magma Ball is a Team Magma variation of the Poké Ball, released only in the EX Team Magma vs Team Aqua expansion. First, the player flips a coin. If it has a heads result, the card allows the user to search for a Team Magma's Pokémon. If that coin flip results in tails, the search is limited to Basic Team Magma Pokémon.
The Team Aqua Ball is a Team Aqua variation of the Poké Ball, also released only in the EX Team Magma vs Team Aqua expansion. It has the same effect as the Team Magma Ball, but searches for Team Aqua's Pokémon instead.
The Rocket's Poké Ball is the Team Rocket variation on the Poké Ball, released in the EX Team Rocket Returns expansion. It allows the player to search their deck for a Dark Pokémon.
The Team Plasma Ball is a Team Plasma variation of the Poké Ball, released in the Plasma Freeze expansion. It allows the user to search their deck for a Team Plasma Pokémon.
The Team Magma's Great Ball is a Team Magma variation on the Great Ball, released in the Double Crisis expansion. It searches the deck for a Basic Team Magma Pokémon and a Basic Energy.
The Team Aqua's Great Ball is a Team Aqua variation on the Great Ball, also released in the Double Crisis expansion. It searches the deck for a Basic Team Aqua Pokémon and a Basic Energy.

In the novels

Pocket Monsters: The Animation

In Pocket Monsters: The Animation, it is said that Poké Balls were invented in 1925 by Professor Nishinomori.

In the guidebooks

According to the Encyclopedia Pokemonica, Pocket Monsters Encyclopedia, and a Pokémon Daisuki Club site describing the Pokémon world, modern Poké Balls were developed in 1925 from the research of Professor Westwood of Celadon University.

In real life

The Pokémon Company has occasionally partnered with certain companies in order to create certain products. This includes Poké Balls.

The Pokémon Company has collaborated with Tiffany & Co. in order to make a Poké Ball that also acts as a jewelry case.

The Tiffany & Co. Poké Ball.

Trivia

Professor Oak has written senryū about the Poké Ball in two of his lectures:
- For DP003, the Professor Oak's Big Pokémon Encyclopedia featured this senryū: 「ゲットだぜ　なげかたいろいろ　モンスターボール」 "I caught a Pokémon! Monster Balls can be thrown in all sorts of ways."
- For BW002, the Professor Oak's Pokémon Live Caster featured this senryū: 「あっポケモン　モンスターボール　わすれずに」 "Oh, a Pokémon; don't forget to bring your Monster Balls."
In Pokémon Pinball, the Poké Balls serve as the balls in the machine; they can be used to capture Pokémon and are upgraded depending on the multiplier bonus at the time.
In some early artwork for Pokémon Red and Green, Poké Balls are shown on the ground in two pieces while the Pokémon are in battle, rather than in the more familiar hinged form they take now. This may be a carryover from when Pokémon was known as Capsule Monsters, as the Poké Ball sprites in Generation I also do not show the button on the ball. In Generation II, Poké Balls split in half when capturing a Pokémon as part of their animation, while the anime had been using the hinge style since the very first episode.
In the earlier volumes of the Pokémon Adventures manga, Poké Balls captured and released Pokémon in large puffs of smoke, often with a strong sound effect. This may have been based on the capture and release animations in Generation I and II. As Generation III onwards exchanged the smoke effect for Ball-specific animations, the effect in the manga shifted instead to bursts of light.
Poké Balls are inspired by the capsules for gashapon machines, which contain small, handheld toys.
In Generation II, after catching a Pokémon, the Poké Ball's color palette changes to that of the Pokémon that was just caught. It then changes back to normal thereafter.
Starting in Generation III, all Poké Ball types have a special effect that appears whenever the ball is opened. These special effects also can be seen in Pokémon Colosseum and Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness. In Generation IV and Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, customizable special effects are available through Stickers.
In Pokémon Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum, Cyrus's computer indicates that a Poké Ball would limit the power of Dialga and Palkia. This leads to Team Galactic creating the Red Chain instead to shackle them so they can control their full power.
Generation VI is the only completed generation to date to not have introduced a new type of Poké Ball.

In other languages

Language		Title
Japanese		モンスターボール Monster Ball
Arabic		كرة البوكي Kurt Al-Poké
Chinese	Cantonese	精靈球 Jīnglìhng Kàuh
Chinese	Mandarin	精靈球 / 精灵球 Jīnglíng Qiú * 寶貝球 / 宝贝球 Bǎobèi Qiú *
Croatian		Pokélopta
Czech		Pokébal
Danish		Pokéball
Dutch		PokéBal *
Finnish		Poképallo
French		Poké Ball
German		Pokéball
Hebrew		פוקדור Pokadur
Hindi		पोकेबॉल Pokéball
Hungarian		Pokélabda
Icelandic		Pokébolti
Indonesian		Poké Ball Bola Pokémon
Italian		Poké Ball Sfera Poké *
Korean		몬스터볼 Monster Ball
Malaysian		Poké Ball Pokéball
Norwegian		Pokéball
Polish		Pokéball
Portuguese	Brazil	Poké Bola * Poké bola * Poké Ball * Pokébola *
Portuguese	Portugal	Pokébola Bola Poké *
Romanian		Poké-minge
Russian		Поке-Болл Poké-Boll * Покешар Pokéshar *
Spanish	Latin America	Pokébola
Spanish	Spain	Poké Ball
Swedish		Poké Ball Pokéboll Pokéklot * Poké-klot *
Tamil		போகிபால் Pokéball
Telugu		పోకెబాల్ Pokéball
Thai		มอนสเตอร์บอล Monster Ball โปเกบอล Poké Ball *
Turkish		Poké Topu
Vietnamese		Bóng chứa Pokémon Bóng Poké

References

↑ Shea, Brian (October 4, 2019). "Exclusive Pokémon Sword And Shield Concept Art Gallery." Game Informer (Archived on April 16, 2024.)
↑ Never miss with the Master Ball—coming soon to Pokémon GO!

Types of items
General	Evolution stones • Fossils • Flutes • Shards • Held items Evolution items • Escape items • Exchangeable items • Valuable items Battle items • Scents • Nectars • Candy • Ingredients
Medicine	Status condition healing items • Vitamins • Feathers Mints • Mochi • Drinks • Herbal medicine
Berry and Apricorn	Poké Balls • Apricorns • Berries • Mulch
Aesthetic	Decorations • Accessories • Backdrops • Props • Décor Clothing (XY • SMUSUM • LGPE • SwSh • BDSP • LA • SV)
Other	Mail • Key Items • Event items Wonder Launcher items • Rotom Powers

Super Smash Bros. series
Games:	Super Smash Bros. • Super Smash Bros. Melee • Super Smash Bros. Brawl Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS/Wii U • Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

Characters:	Pikachu • Jigglypuff • Mewtwo • Pichu Pokémon Trainer (Squirtle • Ivysaur • Charizard) • Lucario • Greninja • Incineroar

Stages:	Saffron City • Pokémon Stadium • Poké Floats • Pokémon Stadium 2 • Spear Pillar Prism Tower • Unova Pokémon League • Kalos Pokémon League

Poké Ball and Master Ball:	Abomasnow • Abra • Alolan Exeggutor • Alolan Raichu • Alolan Vulpix • Arceus • Articuno • Beedrill Bellossom • Bewear • Blastoise • Bonsly • Celebi • Chansey • Charizard • Chespin • Chikorita • Clefairy Cyndaquil • Darkrai • Dedenne • Deoxys • Ditto • Eevee • Electrode • Entei • Fennekin Fletchling • Gardevoir • Genesect • Giratina • Gogoat • Goldeen • Groudon • Gulpin • Hitmonlee Ho-Oh • Inkay • Jirachi • Keldeo • Koffing • Kyogre • Kyurem • Latias and Latios Lugia • Lunala • Manaphy • Marill • Marshadow • Meloetta • Meowth • Mew • Metagross • Mimikyu Moltres • Munchlax • Onix • Oshawott • Palkia • Piplup • Porygon2 • Pyukumuku • Raikou • Scizor • Snivy Snorlax • Solgaleo • Spewpa • Staryu • Starmie • Suicune • Swirlix • Tapu Koko • Togedemaru • Togepi Torchic • Unown • Venusaur • Victini • Vulpix • Weavile • Weezing • Wobbuffet • Xerneas • Zapdos • Zoroark

Collectables:	Trophies (Melee • Brawl • for Nintendo 3DS/Wii U) Stickers Spirits

Misc:	The Subspace Emissary • My Music • Final Smash • Pokémon Change • Brawl cameos

This item article is part of Project ItemDex, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on all items.

[1] Shea, Brian (October 4, 2019). "Exclusive Pokémon Sword And Shield Concept Art Gallery." Game Informer (Archived on April 16, 2024.)

[2] Never miss with the Master Ball—coming soon to Pokémon GO!

[1]

[2]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-{{Featured}}
+{{Featured|May 9, 2007}}
-[[Image:Pokeball.jpg|frame|right|A Poké Ball as seen in [[Super Smash Bros. Melee]].]]
+{{search|type of item|the item called Poké Ball|Poké Ball (item)}}
-A '''Poké Ball''' (Japanese: モンスターボール ''Monster Ball'') is a type of [[item]] critical in any [[Pokémon trainer|trainer's]] quest.  It is used for [[Captured Pokémon|capturing]] and storing [[wild Pokémon]]; a trainer may carry as many Poké Balls and ball variants as they desire.  However, a trainer may only carry up to 6 [[Pokémon]] at a time in their [[party]].  Therefore, if a trainer owns more than 6 Pokémon, they may be stored in [[Bill's PC|a Pokémon storage system]], and withdrawn or deposited at any [[Pokémon Center]].  There are 4 different basic levels of Poké Ball, and over a dozen variations on the Poké Ball design throughout the games.
+----
+[[File:Poké Balls.png|thumb|250px|The 28 Poké Ball variants found in the [[core series]] (excluding those exclusive to Pokémon Legends: Arceus)]]
+[[File:Poké Ball sketch.png|thumb|250px|Original concept<!-- - 背面のボタンで開閉する open / close by the button on the back-->]]
+A '''Poké Ball''' (Japanese: '''モンスターボール''' ''Monster Ball'') is a type of [[item]] that is critical to a {{pkmn|Trainer}}'s quest, used for {{pkmn2|caught|catching}} and storing {{OBP|Pokémon|species}}. Both a general term used to describe the various kinds as well as a specific term to refer to the most basic among these variations, Poké Balls are ubiquitous in the modern Pokémon world.
-A Poké Ball's strength is determined by how much it raises a wild Pokémon's [[catch rate]]. Many Poké Balls' strengths change based on certain conditions.
+Up to six Pokémon can be carried with a {{pkmn|Trainer}} in Poké Balls, while more Poké Balls can be held in the [[Bag]] for later use. These six Pokémon in the Poké Balls can be attached to the user's belt for carrying them around. Some Pokémon do not like to be carried around in Poké Balls, such as [[Ash's Pikachu]].
-=Mechanics=
+Stylized Poké Balls are used in many places to symbolize Pokémon in general: the logos of the [[Battle Frontier]]s, the [[Pokémon Contest]]s, the [[Pokéathlon]], and the [[Pokémon Musical]] all feature a Poké Ball in their design, while several Poké Balls can be seen in every [[Pokémon Center]]. The headgear of the protagonists of [[Kanto]], [[Hoenn]], [[Sinnoh]], and [[Unova]]-based games feature Poké Ball designs, as do the [[Bag]]s of the protagonists of [[Johto]]-based games. {{ga|Ethan}}'s headgear is also similar to the top half of an Ultra Ball, and {{ga|Lucas}}'s Bag prominently features a Poké Ball.
-[[Image:Open PokeBall.gif|frame|right|Interior of a Poké Ball from the anime.]]
-Though the technology behind the workings of a Poké Ball remains unknown, the basic mechanics are fairly simple to understand.  In a [[Pokémon battle|battle]], once the opposing [[wild Pokémon]] has been weakened, the [[Pokémon trainer|trainer]] will throw a Poké Ball at it.  Assuming the Poké Ball hits it and is not dodged or hit back to the trainer, the Poké Ball will open, convert the wild Pokémon to an energy form, pull the energy into its hollow center, and then close.  The wild Pokémon will then be given the chance to struggle to try and escape the Poké Ball.  If it escapes, in the anime, the Poké Ball flies back towards the trainer, while in the games, the Poké Ball bursts open and cannot be reused.  If it does not escape, the wild Pokémon will be [[Captured Pokémon|captured]].
-As seen in anime episodes like ''[[AG065|Gulpin it Down!]]'' and ''[[AG104|Claydol Big and Tall]]'', normal Poké Balls have difficulty capturing extremely large and heavy Pokémon, to the point that the Pokémon will not even be taken entirely into the Poké Ball.  The latter of these episodes shows how ancient civilizations overcame this issue: to capture and hold a very large Pokémon, they constructed a very large Poké Ball out of stone.  However, giant stone Poké Balls are nearly impossible to use, so with the advancement of technology a better solution came in the form of Heavy Balls.
+==In the core series games==
+The strength of a Poké Ball is determined by how much it raises a [[wild Pokémon]]'s [[catch rate]], and may in fact vary depending on the conditions of the battle. Poké Balls limit the power of Pokémon contained inside, taming them, though they do not cause the Pokémon inside to always obey the Trainer.
-Besides capturing new Pokémon, Poké Balls are also used to store captured Pokémon.  A trainer can have six Poké Balls with Pokémon in them at one time.  When starting a battle, he can throw out one or more of these onto the battlefield, and they will open, releasing their Pokémon quickly.  When a trainer wants to recall their Pokémon, they simply hold up the Poké Ball and point it at their Pokémon, and a beam will come from the Poké Ball's button, converting the Pokémon into energy again and drawing it back in.  Also, some Pokémon know how to enter and leave their Poké Balls at will.
+===History===
+{{main|History of Poké Balls}}
+[[File:Legends Arceus Poké Ball.png|thumb|150px|A Poké Ball used by those who explored the Hisui region]]
+The invention of Poké Balls occurred in the [[Johto]] region, where [[Apricorn]]s grow; these fruit were cut apart and carved out, then fitted with a special device, and used to catch wild Pokémon. Some Trainers still use Poké Balls made from Apricorns, while [[Kurt]], a resident of [[Azalea Town]], still constructs them. [[Pokémon Legends: Arceus]] shows that the first settlers of the [[Sinnoh]] region, back when it was known as the [[Hisui]] region, used pre-modern Poké Balls made of [[Tumblestone]] and Apricorns, with [[Professor Laventon]] claiming they were a more recent invention. According to [[Professor Elm]], before the invention of the Poké Ball, people would [[Walking Pokémon|walk with their Pokémon]].
-Poké Balls are not always at full size.  Tapping the button on the front can convert it from full size, about the same size as a [[wp:Baseball (object)|baseball]], to a miniature size, about the same size as a [[wp:Table tennis#The ball|ping-pong ball]].  This smaller size is more useful for storage, being small enough to carry in pockets or on belts.
+In the games, in the [[Memory Link]] event {{DL|Memory Link|A New Light}}, [[Drayden]] claims that Poké Balls did not exist during his childhood.
-Poké Balls presumably can communicate with a trainer's [[Pokédex]], since the system updates itself with new captured Pokémon information, and keeps track of how many full Poké Balls the trainer has on-hand.  If the trainer catches a new Pokémon while their team of six is full, it will be transported to the [[Pokémon storage system]] they are using.
+Modern Poké Balls are not normally made from Apricorns, with the exception of specialist Poké Balls such as the [[Moon Ball]]. Modern Poké Balls are manufactured by [[Silph Co.]], the [[Devon Corporation]], and the Kalos [[Poké Ball Factory]].
-When a Pokémon is released from its ball, it usually has a burst of light come out with it.  However, when a [[Ball Capsule]] and [[seal]]s are used, visual effects will accompany the Pokémon's release.  It has also been shown that if a Pokémon is sent out with a blue light, that Pokémon will be released and will be able to go back into the wild.
+===Mechanics and design===
+Though the technology behind a Poké Ball remains unknown and has evolved through the centuries to accommodate the diverse requirements of their creators, the basic mechanics are simple enough to understand and tend to remain constant: in a [[Pokémon battle]], once an opposing wild Pokémon has been weakened, the Pokémon Trainer can throw a Poké Ball at it. When a Poké Ball hits the Pokémon, as long as it is not deflected, the Poké Ball will open, cause the Pokémon to shrink, store it inside, and close. A Pokémon in this state is given a chance to struggle to attempt to break free from the ball and escape, being instantly growing back in size. Should a Pokémon escape a Poké Ball, the device is destroyed in the games (unlike in the anime). A Pokémon who does not escape the Ball will be {{pkmn2|caught}}. [[Pokémon Legends: Arceus]] elaborates a bit on how the Pokémon are contained in a Poké Ball, with [[Professor Laventon]] explaining that Pokémon have the ability to reduce their size to miniscule, and Poké Balls take advantage of this to contain them.
-=Types of Poké Ball=
+Poké Balls are specifically constructed for Pokémon capture, transport, and training. As well as being physically difficult to escape from (as they seal tightly shut as soon as a Pokémon is taken into them) the environment of a Poké Ball is designed to be attractive to Pokémon also; according to Lucian of the [[Sinnoh]] [[Elite Four]], weakened Pokémon instinctively curl up tight in an attempt to heal themselves, an action that the environment of the Poké Ball encourages. Furthermore, while it is not known how caught Pokémon perceives their time inside their Ball, the device is said to replicate a "Pokémon-friendly" environment that is "designed for comfort". All of these factors strongly discourage Pokémon from escaping their Balls. In the manga, Bugsy refers to his "capture net" as being the net that is supposedly inside a Poké Ball, but visible and already deployed. According to Kurt, this invisible net captures and physically stores a Pokémon.
-==[[Generation I]] Poké Balls==
-===In the games===
+When a Trainer [[Dynamax]]es or [[Gigantamax]]es a Pokémon, the Poké Ball expands to the size of an {{wp|Ball (association football)|association football}}.
-{| border="1" cellpadding="2" align="left" style="margin: 5px; border: 1px solid #88a; border-collapse: collapse;"
-|- style="background: #ccf;"
+In some games, a [[Ball Capsule]] can be used in combination with [[Sticker]]s to create special effects when the Pokémon is sent out.
-! Image
-! Name
+===Poké Ball accuracy===
-! Catch rate
+:''See also: [[Catch rate]]''
-! Buy
-! Sell
+In some scenarios, a Poké Ball can miss the wild Pokémon completely (in contrast to breaking if the Poké Ball does not successfully capture the Pokémon):
-|- align="center"
+* In the [[Generation I]] games, it was possible for a ball to miss the Pokémon when the likelihood of catching the Pokémon in question was particularly low—rather than the ball throwing animation playing and the ball wiggling zero times, a message would come up stating "You missed the {{ScPkmn}}!".
-| [[Image:SugimoriPokeBall.png]]
+* In the Generation I games and {{game|FireRed and LeafGreen|s}}, the {{OBP|ghost|Pokémon Tower}}s in [[Lavender Town]]'s [[Pokémon Tower]] dodge any ball thrown at them before being unmasked by the [[Silph Scope]]. The [[Marowak (ghost)|Marowak ghost]] will dodge all Poké Balls even if it is unmasked.
-| [[Image:PokeBallSpriteSmall.png]] Poké Ball<br><small>(モンスターボール ''Monster Ball'')</small>
+* In {{LGPE}}, and in {{g|Legends: Arceus}} outside of battle, Poké Balls are thrown manually, and the player must aim properly to hit the Pokémon. Some Poké Balls, namely the {{hi|Heavy Ball}} and [[Feather Ball]] lines, have noticeably different throwing distances and trajectories compared to the standard variations.
+In other scenarios, it is simply not possible to use Poké Balls in the first place:
+* In the Generation I and II core series games, if both the player's party and their current [[Pokémon Storage System|Box]] are full, the player cannot throw a Poké Ball.
+* In the [[core series]] games, in {{pkmn2|wild}} battles the player cannot throw a Poké Ball if there are multiple opponents—such as in wild [[Double Battle]]s, [[Horde Encounter]]s, or [[SOS Battle]]s—with the game claiming that it's impossible to aim.
+** This is not the case in {{g|Legends: Arceus}}.
+* From {{game|Diamond and Pearl|s}} onward, it is not possible to throw a Poké Ball if the opposing Pokémon is in the [[semi-invulnerable turn]] of a move (such as {{m|Fly}} or {{m|Dig}}).
+* Starting in [[Generation V]], in [[Double Battle|Double]] and [[Triple Battle]]s, it is not possible to issue a command to one Pokémon and then throw a Poké Ball as the second Pokémon's turn. However, it is still possible to throw a Poké Ball if one Pokémon is in the middle of a two-turn move.
+* In {{2v2|Black|White|2}}, [[Ghetsis]] uses his cane to control a wild {{p|Kyurem}} and orders it to attack the {{player}}. The cane also emits signals that disrupt the use of empty Poké Balls, preventing Kyurem from being captured during the climax.
+* In {{pkmn|Sun and Moon|Sun, Moon}}, {{pkmn|Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon|Ultra Sun, and Ultra Moon}}, the player is forbidden from throwing Poké Balls at wild Pokémon in a [[Island challenge|trial]] site until the trial has been cleared.
+* In Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun, and Ultra Moon, a signal that prevents the use of empty Poké Balls is broadcast throughout [[Aether Paradise]] to protect the Pokémon living there. This prevents the player from capturing the wild {{p|Nihilego}} that attacks them on their first visit to the facility.
+* In Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, the player cannot use a Poké Ball on a {{p|Necrozma}} that has {{form|Necrozma|fused}} with a {{p|Solgaleo}} or {{p|Lunala}}.
+* In {{g|Sword and Shield}}, the player cannot catch a Pokémon whose level is above the limit the player's current [[Badge]]s can allow. Such Pokémon is described as "very strong-looking".
+* In [[The Crown Tundra]] expansion, the player cannot catch {{p|Spectrier}} or {{p|Glastrier}} during the encounter with it in the village because "It won't let its guard down!"
+* In {{g|Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl}}, the player cannot catch the {{form|Giratina|Origin Forme}} {{p|Giratina}} encountered inside the Distortion Room in [[Ramanas Park]].
+* In {{g|Legends: Arceus}}, the player cannot catch certain Pokémon, including [[noble Pokémon]] and {{p|Arceus}}.
+* In {{g|Scarlet and Violet}}, the player cannot throw a Poké Ball at a wild {{Tera}} Pokémon until it is sufficiently weakened, breaking through its transformation.
+===Types of Poké Balls===
+In the Pokémon games so far, there have been 34 (38 if the Hisuian Poké Ball, Great Ball, Ultra Ball, and Heavy Ball are considered distinct from their modern-day counterparts) different varieties of Poké Balls, all differing from each other in some way, whether it be an increased ability to catch a Pokémon from the wild or an effect which occurs only after the Pokémon has been caught. From Generation III onward, each variety of Poké Ball has a unique animation when it sends out a Pokémon (and also when it catches one prior to Generation VI), and the type of Poké Ball used to catch the Pokémon is preserved on its [[summary]] screen.
+Prior to Generation VI, all hatched Pokémon are in a standard Poké Ball. In [[Generation VI]], a [[Pokémon breeding|bred]] Pokémon will be in the same Poké Ball as its mother, unless its mother was in a Cherish Ball or Master Ball, in which case the Pokémon will be in a standard Poké Ball; Pokémon bred from a male or gender-unknown Pokémon and {{p|Ditto}} will hatch in a standard Poké Ball. Since [[Generation VII]], Pokémon bred from a male and a Ditto inherit the father's ball as well, and if two Pokémon of the same species in different balls are bred, the resulting offspring will be in either the mother's or father's ball. This also applies if the parents are different [[regional form]]s. Much like the Cherish Ball or Master Ball, the Strange Ball introduced in [[Generation VIII]] cannot be inherited and resulting offspring will be in standard Poké Balls.
+Regardless of the type of Poké Ball, {{m|Fling}} will fail if the user is holding one.
+Starting in [[Generation III]], each type of Poké Ball has an [[index number]] associated with it that is stored in the [[Pokémon data substructures (Generation III)#Origins|data structure]] of the Pokémon when {{pkmn2|caught}} or otherwise obtained with a given type of ball. [[Generation I]] and [[Generation II|II]] did not store this data, resulting in any Pokémon [[transfer]]red from [[Virtual Console]] via [[Poké Transporter]] being placed into standard Poké Balls. Pokémon caught in [[Park Ball]]s within [[Pal Park]] will retain their original Poké Ball and index number from Generation III. Pokémon from {{2v2|HeartGold|SoulSilver}} caught in a Johto-exclusive Poké Ball (such as a Poké Ball made by [[Kurt]] or a Sport Ball) will be displayed in a standard Poké Ball while visiting {{game2|Diamond|Pearl|Platinum}}. Pokémon originating from {{g|Legends: Arceus}} which are then transferred into another game (vice versa for those caught outside Legends: Arceus and then transferred in) will be displayed in [[Strange Ball]]s while visiting a game where the Pokémon's ball is not programmed into the game, but will still retain its original index number. Pokémon originating from Legends: Arceus visiting {{g|Sword and Shield}} will temporarily have their ball converted into a standard Poké Ball, with their original ball data being stored in [[Pokémon HOME]]'s server.
+Every Poké Ball (except the Beast Ball and Master Ball) has a 0.1× catch rate modifier when attempting to catch an [[Ultra Beast]].
+{| class="roundtable sortable" style="background: #{{Poké Balls color light}}; border:3px solid #{{Poké Balls color dark}}"
+! class="unsortable" |
+! Name
+! Gen.
+! [[Index number|Index]]&nbsp;#
+! class="unsortable" | {{wp|Hexadecimal|Hex}}
+! class="unsortable" | Catch rate modifier
+! class="unsortable" | Notes
+|-
+|{{bag/s|Poké Ball|SV|Poké Ball (item)}}
+|{{i|Poké Ball}}
+| style="background: #{{Gen I color light}}; border: 1px solid #{{Gen I color dark}}; text-align: center" data-sort-value=1 | '''I'''
+| style="text-align: center" | 4
+| style="text-align: center" | 04
 | 1×
-| {{PDollar}}200
+| Must be in the player's [[Bag]] with an empty space in the [[party]] to obtain a {{p|Shedinja}} when {{p|Nincada}} [[Evolution|evolves]] from [[Generation IV]] onwards.
-| {{PDollar}}100
+|-
-|- align="center"
+|{{bag/s|Great Ball|SV}}
-| [[Image:SugimoriGreatBall.png]]
+|[[Great Ball]]
-| [[Image:GreatBallSpriteSmall.png]] Great Ball<br><small>(スーパーボール ''Super Ball'')</small>
+| style="background: #{{Gen I color light}}; border: 1px solid #{{Gen I color dark}}; text-align: center" data-sort-value=1 | '''I'''
+| style="text-align: center" | 3
+| style="text-align: center" | 03
 | 1.5×
-| {{PDollar}}600
+|
-| {{PDollar}}300
+|-
-|- align="center"
+|{{bag/s|Ultra Ball|SV}}
+|[[Ultra Ball]]
+| style="background: #{{Gen I color light}}; border: 1px solid #{{Gen I color dark}}; text-align: center" data-sort-value=1 | '''I'''
+| style="text-align: center" | 2
+| style="text-align: center" | 02
+| 2×
+|
+|-
+|{{bag/s|Master Ball|SV}}
+|[[Master Ball]]
+| style="background: #{{Gen I color light}}; border: 1px solid #{{Gen I color dark}}; text-align: center" data-sort-value=1 | '''I'''
+| style="text-align: center" | 1
+| style="text-align: center" | 01
+| 255× (guaranteed capture)
+| The only Poké Ball other than the Beast Ball that does not have a 0.1× catch modifier when used on an Ultra Beast.
+|-
+|{{bag/s|Safari Ball|SV}}
+|[[Safari Ball]]
+| style="background: #{{Gen I color light}}; border: 1px solid #{{Gen I color dark}}; text-align: center" data-sort-value=1 | '''I'''
+| style="text-align: center" | 5
+| style="text-align: center" | 05
+| {{tt|1×|2× in Gen I; 1.5× from Gen II to SwSh; 1.5× in BDSP}}
+| Prior to [[Generation VIII]], it was only usable within [[Safari Zone]]s.
+|-
+|{{bag/s|Fast Ball|SV}}
+|[[Fast Ball]]
+| style="background: #{{Gen II color light}}; border: 1px solid #{{Gen II color dark}}; text-align: center" data-sort-value=2 | '''II'''
+| style="text-align: center" data-sort-value=17 | 17
+| style="text-align: center" | 11
+| 4× if used on a Pokémon with a base {{stat|Speed}} {{cat|Pokémon whose base Speed stat is greater than 100|of at least 100}}<br>1× otherwise
+| In [[Generation II]], it was intended to have a 4× catch modifier for Pokémon that can [[Escape#Wild Pokémon|flee]], but it only does for three of them: {{p|Magnemite}}, {{p|Grimer}} and {{p|Tangela}}.
+|-
+|{{bag/s|Level Ball|SV}}
+|[[Level Ball]]
+| style="background: #{{Gen II color light}}; border: 1px solid #{{Gen II color dark}}; text-align: center" data-sort-value=2 | '''II'''
+| style="text-align: center" data-sort-value=18 | 18
+| style="text-align: center" | 12
+| 1× if the player's Pokémon is the same level as or a lower level than the wild Pokémon<br>2× if the player's Pokémon is at a higher level than the wild Pokémon but less than double it<br>4× if the player's Pokémon is more than double but less than four times the level of the wild Pokémon<br>8× if the player's Pokémon is of a level four times or more than that of the wild Pokémon
+|
+|-
+|{{bag/s|Lure Ball|SV}}
+|[[Lure Ball]]
+| style="background: #{{Gen II color light}}; border: 1px solid #{{Gen II color dark}}; text-align: center" data-sort-value=2 | '''II'''
+| style="text-align: center" data-sort-value=19 | 19
+| style="text-align: center" | 13
+| 4× if used on a Pokémon encountered while [[fishing]]<br>1× otherwise
+| In [[Johto]], the bonus was 3x while in [[Alola]], the bonus was 5x
+|-
+|{{bag/s|Heavy Ball|SV}}
+|[[Heavy Ball]]
+| style="background: #{{Gen II color light}}; border: 1px solid #{{Gen II color dark}}; text-align: center" data-sort-value=2 | '''II'''
+| style="text-align: center" data-sort-value=20 | 20
+| style="text-align: center" | 14
+| -20 if used on a Pokémon weighing [[List of Pokémon by weight#218.3 lbs. to 220.2 lbs. (99.0 kg to 99.9 kg)|220.2&nbsp;lbs. (99.9&nbsp;kg)]] or less<br>±0 if used on a Pokémon weighing [[List of Pokémon by weight#220.5 lbs. to 225.5 lbs. (100.0 kg to 102.3 kg)|220.5&nbsp;lbs. (100.0&nbsp;kg)]] – [[List of Pokémon by weight#330.7 lbs. to 440.7 lbs. (150.0 kg to 199.9 kg)|440.7&nbsp;lbs. (199.9&nbsp;kg)]]<br>+20 if used on a Pokémon weighing [[List of Pokémon by weight#440.9 lbs. to 451.3 lbs. (200.0 kg to 204.7 kg)|440.9&nbsp;lbs. (200.0&nbsp;kg)]] – [[List of Pokémon by weight#617.3 lbs. to 661.2 lbs. (280.0 kg to 299.9 kg)|661.2&nbsp;lbs. (299.9&nbsp;kg)]]<br>+30 if used on a Pokémon weighing [[List of Pokémon by weight#661.4 lbs. to 677.0 lbs. (300.0 kg to 307.1 kg)|661.4&nbsp;lbs. (300.0&nbsp;kg)]] or more
+| In [[Pokémon Crystal Version|Pokémon Crystal]] only, there is a glitch that causes the retrieved weights of Pokémon whose index numbers are divisible by 64 ({{p|Kadabra}}, {{p|Tauros}}, and {{p|Sunflora}}) to become junk data that are, in turn, interpreted as massive weights, causing these particular Pokémon to receive the +40 capture modifier.<br>In {{g|Sun and Moon}} only, a Heavy Ball will always fail to catch a Pokémon whose weight is less than 220.46&nbsp;lbs (100.0&nbsp;kg) and whose catch rate is less than or equal to 20. This is because the game will set the catch rate to 0 when the catch rate becomes negative due to the -20 modifier that is applied.
+|-
+|{{bag/s|Love Ball|SV}}
+|[[Love Ball]]
+| style="background: #{{Gen II color light}}; border: 1px solid #{{Gen II color dark}}; text-align: center" data-sort-value=2 | '''II'''
+| style="text-align: center" data-sort-value=21 | 21
+| style="text-align: center" | 15
+| 8× if used on a Pokémon of the same species but opposite gender of the player's Pokémon<br>1× otherwise
+| In [[Generation II]], it has an 8× catch modifier if both Pokémon are the same species ''and'' gender.
+|-
+|{{bag/s|Friend Ball|SV}}
+|[[Friend Ball]]
+| style="background: #{{Gen II color light}}; border: 1px solid #{{Gen II color dark}}; text-align: center" data-sort-value=2 | '''II'''
+| style="text-align: center" data-sort-value=22 | 22
+| style="text-align: center" | 16
+| 1×
+| Sets caught Pokémon's [[friendship]] to 200<sup>[[Generation II|Gen II]]-[[Generation VII|VII]]</sup>, or 150<sup>[[Generation VIII|Gen VIII]]+</sup>
+|-
+|{{bag/s|Moon Ball|SV}}
+|[[Moon Ball]]
+| style="background: #{{Gen II color light}}; border: 1px solid #{{Gen II color dark}}; text-align: center" data-sort-value=2 | '''II'''
+| style="text-align: center" data-sort-value=23 | 23
+| style="text-align: center" | 17
+| 4× if used on a Pokémon that evolves by using a [[Moon Stone]]<br>1× otherwise
+| In [[Generation II]], it always has a 1× catch modifier due to a [[List of glitches in Generation II#Catch rate|programming error]].
+|-
+|{{bag/s|Sport Ball|SV}}
+|[[Sport Ball]]{{tt|*|Park Ball in Generation II}}
+| style="background: #{{Gen II color light}}; border: 1px solid #{{Gen I color dark}}; text-align: center" data-sort-value=2 | '''II'''
+| style="text-align: center" data-sort-value=24 | 24
+| style="text-align: center" | 18
+| {{tt|1×|1.5× prior to Generation VIII}}
+| Prior to [[Generation VIII]], it was only usable during the [[Bug-Catching Contest]].
+|-
+|{{bag/s|Net Ball|SV}}
+|[[Net Ball]]
+| style="background: #{{Gen III color light}}; border: 1px solid #{{Gen III color dark}}; text-align: center" data-sort-value=3 | '''III'''
+| style="text-align: center" | 6
+| style="text-align: center" | 06
+| 3.5× if used on a {{t|Water}} or {{type|Bug}} Pokémon<br>1× otherwise
+|
+|-
+|{{bag/s|Dive Ball|SV}}
+|[[Dive Ball]]
+| style="background: #{{Gen III color light}}; border: 1px solid #{{Gen III color dark}}; text-align: center" data-sort-value=3 | '''III'''
+| style="text-align: center" | 7
+| style="text-align: center" | 07
+| 3.5× if used on a water-dwelling Pokémon<br>1× otherwise
+| In [[Generation III]], it only had an increased catch rate [[underwater]].
+|-
+|{{bag/s|Nest Ball|SV}}
+|[[Nest Ball]]
+| style="background: #{{Gen III color light}}; border: 1px solid #{{Gen III color dark}}; text-align: center" data-sort-value=3 | '''III'''
+| style="text-align: center" | 8
+| style="text-align: center" | 08
+| ((41 - Pokémon's level) ÷ 10)× if Pokémon's level is between 1 and 29<br>1× otherwise
+|
+|-
+|{{bag/s|Repeat Ball|SV}}
+|[[Repeat Ball]]
+| style="background: #{{Gen III color light}}; border: 1px solid #{{Gen III color dark}}; text-align: center" data-sort-value=3 | '''III'''
+| style="text-align: center" | 9
+| style="text-align: center" | 09
+| 3.5× if used on a Pokémon that is registered in the player's [[Pokédex]] as caught<br>1× otherwise
 |
-| [[Image:SafariBallSpriteSmall.png]] Safari Ball<br><small>(サファリボール ''Safari Ball'')</small>
+|-
+|{{bag/s|Timer Ball|SV}}
+|[[Timer Ball]]
+| style="background: #{{Gen III color light}}; border: 1px solid #{{Gen III color dark}}; text-align: center" data-sort-value=3 | '''III'''
+| style="text-align: center" data-sort-value=10 | 10
+| style="text-align: center" | 0A
+| (1 + number of turns passed in battle * {{tt|1229/4096|approx. 0.3}})×, maximum 4× at 10 turns
+|
+|-
+|{{bag/s|Luxury Ball|SV}}
+|[[Luxury Ball]]
+| style="background: #{{Gen III color light}}; border: 1px solid #{{Gen III color dark}}; text-align: center" data-sort-value=3 | '''III'''
+| style="text-align: center" data-sort-value=11 | 11
+| style="text-align: center" | 0B
+| 1×
+| Doubles the rate at which the contained Pokémon's [[friendship]] increases.
+|-
+|{{bag/s|Premier Ball|SV}}
+|[[Premier Ball]]
+| style="background: #{{Gen III color light}}; border: 1px solid #{{Gen III color dark}}; text-align: center" data-sort-value=3 | '''III'''
+| style="text-align: center" data-sort-value=12 | 12
+| style="text-align: center" | 0C
+| 1×
+|
+|-
+|{{bag/s|Dusk Ball|SV}}
+|[[Dusk Ball]]
+| style="background: #{{Gen IV color light}}; border: 1px solid #{{Gen III color dark}}; text-align: center" data-sort-value=4 | '''IV'''
+| style="text-align: center" data-sort-value=13 | 13
+| style="text-align: center" | 0D
+| 3× if used in a cave or at night<br>1× otherwise
+|
+|-
+|{{bag/s|Heal Ball|SV}}
+|[[Heal Ball]]
+| style="background: #{{Gen IV color light}}; border: 1px solid #{{Gen IV color dark}}; text-align: center" data-sort-value=4 | '''IV'''
+| style="text-align: center" data-sort-value=14 | 14
+| style="text-align: center" | 0E
+| 1×
+| Fully restores a caught Pokémon's {{stat|HP}} and [[PP]] and removes their [[status condition]]s.
+|-
+|{{bag/s|Quick Ball|SV}}
+|[[Quick Ball]]
+| style="background: #{{Gen IV color light}}; border: 1px solid #{{Gen IV color dark}}; text-align: center" data-sort-value=4 | '''IV'''
+| style="text-align: center" data-sort-value=15 | 15
+| style="text-align: center" | 0F
+| 5× if used on the first turn of a battle<br>1× otherwise
+|
+|-
+|{{bag/s|Cherish Ball|SV}}
+|[[Cherish Ball]]
+| style="background: #{{Gen IV color light}}; border: 1px solid #{{Gen IV color dark}}; text-align: center" data-sort-value=4 | '''IV'''
+| style="text-align: center" data-sort-value=16 | 16
+| style="text-align: center" | 10
+| 1×
+| Unobtainable by the player, but used for various [[event Pokémon]].
+|-
+|{{bag/s|Park Ball|SV}}
+|[[Park Ball]]
+| style="background: #{{Gen IV color light}}; border: 1px solid #{{Gen IV color dark}}; text-align: center" data-sort-value=4 | '''IV'''
+| style="text-align: center" data-sort-value=27 | {{tt|27|Prior to Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, the Park Ball occupied this index value. This index value was reallocated to the Strange Ball, games released from BDSP onwards have no programmed index number for the Park Ball.}}
+| style="text-align: center" | 1B
+| 255× (guaranteed capture if used in [[Pal Park]])<br>{{tt|1× otherwise|If used outside of Pal Park, the game will behave as if the player had thrown a standard Poké Ball instead.}}
+| Unobtainable by the player, but used in [[Pal Park]].
+|-
+|{{bag/s|Dream Ball|SV}}
+|[[Dream Ball]]
+| style="background: #{{Gen V color light}}; border: 1px solid #{{Gen V color dark}}; text-align: center" data-sort-value=5 | '''V'''
+| style="text-align: center" data-sort-value=25 | 25
+| style="text-align: center" | 19
+| 4× if used on a {{status|sleep}}ing Pokémon<br>1× otherwise
+| Used only in [[Entralink|Entree Forest]] prior to [[Generation VIII]].<br>Catch rate modifier 255× (guaranteed capture) in [[Generation V]].
+|-
+|{{bag/s|Beast Ball|SV}}
+|[[Beast Ball]]
+| style="background: #{{Gen VII color light}}; border: 1px solid #{{Gen VII color dark}}; text-align: center" data-sort-value=6 | '''VII'''
+| style="text-align: center" data-sort-value=26 | 26
+| style="text-align: center" | 1A
+| 5× if used on an [[Ultra Beast]]<br>0.1× otherwise
+| If any other Poké Ball (except the Master Ball) is used on an Ultra Beast, it has a 0.1× catch modifier.
+|-
+|{{Bag/s|Strange Ball|SV}}
+|[[Strange Ball]]
+| style="background: #{{Gen VIII color light}}; border: 1px solid #{{Gen VIII color dark}}; text-align: center" data-sort-value=7 | '''VIII'''
+| style="text-align: center" data-sort-value=27 | {{tt|27|Starting in Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, the Strange Ball was assigned this index number, replacing the Park Ball. From BDSP onwards, the Park Ball has no programmed index number, with the Strange Ball occupying its previous value.}}
+| style="text-align: center" | 1B
+| {{tt|0.75×|Defaults to Poké Ball (Hisui) catchrate in Legends: Arceus if obtained via cheating; has no catchrate in BDSP due to a lack of item data.}}
+| Unobtainable by the player. Pokémon in [[Pokémon Legends: Arceus]] that were transferred from other games via [[Pokémon HOME]], as well as Pokémon from Legends: Arceus in [[Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl]] or [[Pokémon Scarlet and Violet]] will be displayed in this ball.
+|-
+|{{Bag/s|Poké Ball|LA|Poké Ball (Hisui)}}
+|[[Poké Ball (Hisui)]]
+| style="background: #{{Gen VIII color light}}; border: 1px solid #{{Gen VIII color dark}}; text-align: center" data-sort-value=8 | '''VIII'''
+| style="text-align: center" data-sort-value=28 | 28
+| style="text-align: center" | 1C
+| 0.75×
+|
+|-
+|{{Bag/s|Great Ball|LA|Great Ball (Hisui)}}
+|[[Great Ball (Hisui)]]
+| style="background: #{{Gen VIII color light}}; border: 1px solid #{{Gen VIII color dark}}; text-align: center" data-sort-value=8 | '''VIII'''
+| style="text-align: center" data-sort-value=29 | 29
+| style="text-align: center" | 1D
 | 1.5×
-| -
+|
-| -
+|-
-|- align="center"
+|{{Bag/s|Ultra Ball|LA|Ultra Ball (Hisui)}}
-| [[Image:SugimoriUltraBall.png]]
+|[[Ultra Ball (Hisui)]]
-| [[Image:UltraBallSpriteSmall.png]] Ultra Ball<br><small>(ハイパーボール ''Hyper Ball'')
+| style="background: #{{Gen VIII color light}}; border: 1px solid #{{Gen VIII color dark}}; text-align: center" data-sort-value=8 | '''VIII'''
-| 2×
+| style="text-align: center" data-sort-value=30 | 30
-| {{PDollar}}1200
+| style="text-align: center" | 1E
-| {{PDollar}}600
+| 2.25×
-|- align="center"
+|
-| [[Image:SugimoriMasterBall.png]]
+|-
-| [[Image:MasterBallSpriteSmall.png]] Master Ball<br><small>(マスターボール ''Master Ball'')
+|{{Bag/s|Feather Ball|LA}}
-| 255x{{fn|1}}
+|[[Feather Ball]]
-| -
+| style="background: #{{Gen VIII color light}}; border: 1px solid #{{Gen VIII color dark}}; text-align: center" data-sort-value=8 | '''VIII'''
-| {{PDollar}}0
+| style="text-align: center" data-sort-value=31 | 31
+| style="text-align: center" | 1F
+| 1×<br>1.25× when boosted
+| Can be thrown further than a regular Poké Ball. Is more effective for catching Pokémon {{tt|that fly high in the air|This only applies to specific flying encounters that fly well above the terrain.}}.
+|-
+|{{Bag/s|Wing Ball|LA}}
+|[[Wing Ball]]
+| style="background: #{{Gen VIII color light}}; border: 1px solid #{{Gen VIII color dark}}; text-align: center" data-sort-value=8 | '''VIII'''
+| style="text-align: center" data-sort-value=32 | 32
+| style="text-align: center" | 20
+| 1.5×<br>1.75× when boosted
+| Can be thrown further than a Feather Ball. Is more effective for catching Pokémon {{tt|that fly high in the air|This only applies to specific flying encounters that fly well above the terrain.}}.
+|-
+|{{Bag/s|Jet Ball|LA}}
+|[[Jet Ball]]
+| style="background: #{{Gen VIII color light}}; border: 1px solid #{{Gen VIII color dark}}; text-align: center" data-sort-value=8 | '''VIII'''
+| style="text-align: center" data-sort-value=33 | 33
+| style="text-align: center" | 21
+| 2×<br>2.75× when boosted
+| Can be thrown further than a Wing Ball. Is more effective for catching Pokémon {{tt|that fly high in the air|This only applies to specific flying encounters that fly well above the terrain.}}.
+|-
+|{{Bag/s|Heavy Ball|LA|Heavy Ball (Hisui)}}
+|[[Heavy Ball (Hisui)]]
+| style="background: #{{Gen VIII color light}}; border: 1px solid #{{Gen VIII color dark}}; text-align: center" data-sort-value=8 | '''VIII'''
+| style="text-align: center" data-sort-value=34 | 34
+| style="text-align: center" | 22
+| 1×<br>1.25× when boosted
+| Doesn't fly far, but is more effective if the Pokémon {{tt|hasn't noticed the player|This bonus is always active during battle, regardless of whether the player was noticed prior to starting the battle. Therefore, the boosted catch rate will always apply in battle.}}.
+|-
+|{{Bag/s|Leaden Ball|LA}}
+|[[Leaden Ball]]
+| style="background: #{{Gen VIII color light}}; border: 1px solid #{{Gen VIII color dark}}; text-align: center" data-sort-value=8 | '''VIII'''
+| style="text-align: center" data-sort-value=35 | 35
+| style="text-align: center" | 23
+| 1.75×<br>2× when boosted
+| Upgraded version of the Heavy Ball. Doesn't fly far, but is more effective if the Pokémon {{tt|hasn't noticed the player|This bonus is always active during battle, regardless of whether the player was noticed prior to starting the battle. Therefore, the boosted catch rate will always apply in battle.}}.
+|-
+|{{Bag/s|Gigaton Ball|LA}}
+|[[Gigaton Ball]]
+| style="background: #{{Gen VIII color light}}; border: 1px solid #{{Gen VIII color dark}}; text-align: center" data-sort-value=8 | '''VIII'''
+| style="text-align: center" data-sort-value=36 | 36
+| style="text-align: center" | 24
+| 2.5×<br>2.75× when boosted
+| Upgraded version of the Leaden Ball. Doesn't fly far, but is more effective if the Pokémon {{tt|hasn't noticed the player|This bonus is always active during battle, regardless of whether the player was noticed prior to starting the battle. Therefore, the boosted catch rate will always apply in battle.}}.
+|-
+|{{Bag/s|Origin Ball|LA}}
+|[[Origin Ball]]
+| style="background: #{{Gen VIII color light}}; border: 1px solid #{{Gen VIII color dark}}; text-align: center" data-sort-value=8 | '''VIII'''
+| style="text-align: center" data-sort-value=37 | 37
+| style="text-align: center" | 25
+| {{tt|N/A|Has no programmed catch rate, as it cannot be thrown outside of battle nor selected during battle, even if moved from Key Items to the player's normal inventory via cheating.}}
+| Automatically catches {{form|Dialga and Palkia|Origin Forme}} {{p|Dialga}} or {{p|Palkia}} at the end of the main story in [[Pokémon Legends: Arceus]].
+|- class="unsortable"
+! colspan="7" style="background:#{{Poké Balls color light}}; {{roundybottom|8px}}" | <small>All details are accurate to {{color2|000|Generation VIII}} games. For details that have changed between generations, please see an individual item's page.</small>
+|}
+===Other variants===
+{{incomplete|section|Add image of the blue Poké Ball from the Poké Transfer}}
+* In [[Pokémon Red and Blue Versions|Pokémon Red, Blue]], [[Pokémon Yellow Version|Yellow]], [[Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen Versions|FireRed, and LeafGreen]], [[Professor Oak]] mentions that his [[Parcel]] contains a custom Poké Ball. However, this is not said in [[Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!]].
+* The [[GS Ball]] is an event item that appears only in {{game|Crystal}}, where it was part of a giveaway on the [[Mobile System GB]] for Japanese games, similar to [[event item]]s given out via [[Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection]] and [[Nintendo Network]] from [[Generation IV]] onward. It was not used to catch any Pokémon and was placed in the [[Key Item]]s pocket. If given to [[Kurt]] for inspection, it will activate an event where the player can catch a {{p|Celebi}} in [[Ilex Forest]].
+* When transferring Pokémon via [[Poké Transfer]], a blue Poké Ball is used to catch the Pokémon in the minigame. They are shot using a bow.
+* In the [[Timegate Traveler Series]] featured in [[Pokéstar Studios]], the future is ruled by {{type|Bug}} Pokémon that capture wild humans in Human Balls (Japanese: '''ヒューマンボール''' ''Human Ball'') instead of the other way around. They have no visual difference to Poké Balls.
+* In {{g|Sword and Shield}}, the [[Dynamax Band]] allows Trainers to increase the size of Poké Balls, making them look like giant [[Premier Ball]]s.
+** When a Pokémon is [[Dynamax]]ed (including [[Gigantamax]]ing) with a Dynamax Band, the Trainer returns their active Pokémon to its Poké Ball, then turns the Poké Ball into a giant Poké Ball. This giant Poké Ball is then thrown, sending out the Dynamax Pokémon.
+** In [[Max Raid Battle]]s and [[Dynamax Adventure]]s, when the {{pkmn2|wild}} Dynamax Pokémon is defeated, the Trainer turns an empty Poké Ball into a giant Poké Ball, then throws it at the wild Dynamax Pokémon in an attempt to catch it.
+<gallery>
+Oak's Parcel dialogue.png|"Ah! This is the custom POKé BALL I ordered! Thank you!"
+GS Ball Crystal.png|The [[GS Ball]]
+Dynamax Poké Ball Concept Art.jpg|Concept art of a giant Poké Ball for Dynamax by [[Ken Sugimori]]<ref>Shea, Brian (October 4, 2019). "[https://web.archive.org/web/20240416175406/https://www.gameinformer.com/gallery/2019/10/04/exclusive-pokemon-sword-and-shield-concept-art-gallery Exclusive Pokémon Sword And Shield Concept Art Gallery]." ''Game Informer'' (Archived on April 16, 2024.)</ref>
+</gallery>
+===Palette limitations===
+In the games, certain Poké Balls appear off-color due to palette limitations. They are most likely intended to be standard Poké Balls rather than variations.
+* In [[Generation I]], during a [[Pokémon battle]], the multiple kinds of Poké Ball have different throwing animations but otherwise look the same. They all appear with a black top and white bottom. This black and white design is clearly seen when the Poké Ball is shaking in an attempt to catch the wild Pokémon.
+** In [[Generation II]], all kinds of Poké Ball look the same when used in-battle except they have different color palettes. Unlike in the previous generation, all Poké Balls use the same throwing animation.
+** In both Generations I and II, the Poké Ball changes color once the wild Pokémon is successfully caught, shortly appearing with the color palette of the caught Pokémon. For instance, no matter what kind of Poké Ball, it appears to be green once a green Pokémon is caught, or pink once a pink Pokémon is caught.
+* In Generation I, the [[trade]] animation invariably displays both Pokémon using the Poké Ball design with the black top and white bottom, the same design seen in Pokémon battles.
+** In Generation II, the trade animation uses a red color palette for both traded Pokémon, specifically a darker red at the top and a lighter red at the bottom.
+* In the Generations from I to {{gen|III}}, several Trainer sprites have off-color Poké Balls. They often reuse the same colors seen elsewhere in the sprites such as the character's hair or clothes.
+<gallery>
+Poké Ball trade Red Blue.png|A black Poké Ball at the start of a trade in {{game|Red and Blue|s}}
+Spr RB Red 2.png|{{ga|Red}} with a purple Poké Ball in the [[game intro|intro]] from Pokémon Red and Blue
+Spr RG Blue 2.png|{{ga|Blue}} with a purple Poké Ball in Pokémon Red and Blue
+Spr RG Blue 3.png|Blue with a black Poké Ball as his {{pkmn|Champion}} sprite in Pokémon Red and Blue
+Spr RG Juggler.png|{{tc|Juggler}} with black Poké Balls in Pokémon Red and Blue
+Spr RG Psychic.png|{{tc|Psychic}} with black Poké Balls in Pokémon Red and Blue
+GSC Ethan Back.png|{{ga|Ethan}} with a brown Poké Ball in [[Generation II]]
+C Kris Back.png|{{ga|Kris}} with a blue Poké Ball in Generation II
+Spr GS Oak.png|[[Professor Oak]] with an olive green Poké Ball in Generation II
+Spr GS Juggler.png|Juggler with blue Poké Balls in Generation II
+Spr GS Psychic.png|Psychic with blue Poké Balls in Generation II
+Spr RS Glacia.png|[[Glacia]] with a yellow Poké Ball in [[Generation III]]
+</gallery>
+===Item balls===
+{{main|Item#Obtaining items|Item → Obtaining items}}
+[[File:Itemball.png|thumb|220px|{{ga|Red}} finding an item ball on {{rt|2|Kanto}}]]
+Items contained in Poké Balls have been present from the very first games, with many items that are found on the field being found in Poké Balls in conspicuous locations. These items are sometimes important, and usually will be among the required items for pickup along the way. Sometimes, even Poké Ball variants can be found in item balls, though it may be that the item ball itself is supposed to represent the item that is found (whenever or not it's a Poké Ball). Many other items, however, are hidden, and are not in item balls, instead being directly on the field, and can be found more easily using an Itemfinder or [[Dowsing Machine]].
+{{p|Voltorb}}, {{p|Electrode}}, {{p|Foongus}}, {{p|Amoonguss}}, and {{rf|Galarian}} {{p|Stunfisk}} appear as item balls in the overworld, but attack when interacted with (or if at close range for Galarian Stunfisk), except the Foongus in [[Accumula Town]]. In {{LGPE}}, fake item balls appear upside down.
+{{-}}
+===Game icons===
+Poké Balls are often featured in the icons for Pokémon games, which are used on the home screens for the [[Nintendo DS]], [[Nintendo 3DS|3DS]], and [[Nintendo Switch|Switch]].
+{| style="margin:auto; text-align:center; {{roundy|2px}} border:2px solid #{{Poké Balls color dark}}; background:#{{Poké Balls color}}; font-size:80%"
+|-
+| style="{{roundy|2px}} border:2px solid #{{Poké Balls color dark}}; background:#{{Poké Balls color light}}" | [[File:Diamond icon.png]][[File:Pearl icon.png]]
+| style="{{roundy|2px}} border:2px solid #{{Poké Balls color dark}}; background:#{{Poké Balls color light}}" | [[File:Platinum icon.png]]
+| style="{{roundy|2px}} border:2px solid #{{Poké Balls color dark}}; background:#{{Poké Balls color light}}" | [[File:HeartGold Icon.png]][[File:SoulSilver Icon.png]]
+| style="{{roundy|2px}} border:2px solid #{{Poké Balls color dark}}; background:#{{Poké Balls color light}}" | [[File:Black Icon.png]][[File:White Icon.png]]
+| style="{{roundy|2px}} border:2px solid #{{Poké Balls color dark}}; background:#{{Poké Balls color light}}" | [[File:Black 2 Icon.png]][[File:White 2 Icon.png]]
+| style="{{roundy|2px}} border:2px solid #{{Poké Balls color dark}}; background:#{{Poké Balls color light}}" | [[File:X icon.png]][[File:Y icon.png]]
+| style="{{roundy|2px}} border:2px solid #{{Poké Balls color dark}}; background:#{{Poké Balls color light}}" | [[File:Omega Ruby icon.png]][[File:Alpha Sapphire icon.png]]
+| style="{{roundy|2px}} border:2px solid #{{Poké Balls color dark}}; background:#{{Poké Balls color light}}" | [[File:ORAS Demo icon.png]]
+| style="{{roundy|2px}} border:2px solid #{{Poké Balls color dark}}; background:#{{Poké Balls color light}}" | [[File:Sun icon.png]][[File:Moon icon.png]]
+| style="{{roundy|2px}} border:2px solid #{{Poké Balls color dark}}; background:#{{Poké Balls color light}}" | [[File:SM Demo icon.png]]
+| style="{{roundy|2px}} border:2px solid #{{Poké Balls color dark}}; background:#{{Poké Balls color light}}" | [[File:Ultra Sun icon.png]][[File:Ultra Moon icon.png]]
+| style="{{roundy|2px}} border:2px solid #{{Poké Balls color dark}}; background:#{{Poké Balls color light}}" | [[File:Poké Transporter icon.png]]
+| style="{{roundy|2px}} border:2px solid #{{Poké Balls color dark}}; background:#{{Poké Balls color light}}" | [[File:Bank icon.png]]
+| style="{{roundy|2px}} border:2px solid #{{Poké Balls color dark}}; background:#{{Poké Balls color light}}" | [[File:Pokémon HOME icon mobile.png|48px]]
 |-
-| colspan="7" style="font-size: small;" |
+| '''{{GameIcon|D}}{{GameIcon|P}}'''
-<small>
+| '''{{GameIcon|Pt}}'''
-* {{fnb|1}} Master Balls always catch the wild Pokémon.</small>
+| '''{{GameIcon|HG}}{{GameIcon|SS}}'''
+| '''{{GameIcon|Bl}}{{GameIcon|W}}'''
+| '''{{GameIcon|B2}}{{GameIcon|W2}}'''
+| '''{{GameIcon|X}}{{GameIcon|y}}'''
+| '''{{GameIcon|OR}}{{GameIcon|AS}}'''
+| '''{{GameIcon|OR}}{{GameIcon|AS}}''' <br> (Demo)
+| '''{{GameIcon|Su}}{{GameIcon|Mo}}'''
+| '''{{GameIcon|Su}}{{GameIcon|Mo}}''' <br> (Demo)
+| '''{{GameIcon|US}}{{GameIcon|UM}}'''
+| '''{{color2|000|Poké Transporter|Transporter}}'''
+| '''{{color2|000|Pokémon Bank|Bank}}'''
+| '''{{color2|000|Pokémon HOME|HOME}}'''
 |}
-These Poké Balls were first introduced in Generation I and have appeared in each game since, with the exception of the Safari Ball which did not appear in the second Generation of games.
+==In the side series games==
+[[File:Snag Ball.png|thumb|250px|[[Wes]] about to throw a [[Great Ball]] turned into a Snag Ball]]
+===Pokémon Colosseum and XD: Gale of Darkness===
+In {{g|Colosseum}} and {{g|XD: Gale of Darkness}}, a [[Snag Ball]] is not a single, separate type of Poké Ball, but rather any type of existing Poké Ball that has been "unlocked" by the Snag Machine, allowing it to [[snagging|snag]] an already-[[caught Pokémon]] during a {{pkmn|battle}}. While it is ''able'' to be used on any Pokémon, [[Rui]] will only allow [[Wes]] to use it on [[Shadow Pokémon]], while [[Michael]]'s Aura Reader will render the Snag Machine inoperable when a Pokémon other than a Shadow Pokémon is targeted.
-The Poké Ball is considered the most basic and universal form of Ball. Nearly every [[Poké Mart]] carries it or one of its two upgrades, the Great Ball and Ultra Ball.  The only known place where these three Balls are not plentiful is [[Orre]], due to its lack of wild Pokémon.  With the discovery of [[PokéSpot|PokéSpots]], however, they are becoming more commonly available in this region as well.
+It is possible to snag a [[Shadow Pokémon]] even if there are two on the opposing side of the field, unlike catching Pokémon in the core series games.
+{{-}}
-The Master Ball is the final and best upgrade of the Poké Ball, as well as the most rare.  It was developed by [[Silph Co.]], but only a few were created before [[Team Rocket]] invaded and the project was discontinued.  Master Balls are now given only to esteemed Pokémon researchers.  Because of this, only one can be found normally in each game (though it can be won in all other generations after the first; it is the grand prize for the [[Lucky Channel|Lucky Number show]], [[Lilycove Department Store|Lilycove City's Lottery]], and at [[Jubilife TV]], respectively).  It could be sold for {{PDollar}}0 in Generation II, but in later Generations the Poké Marts would refuse it.
+==In the spin-off games==
+===Pokémon GO===
+Players do not battle wild Pokémon in [[Pokémon GO]], and using Poké Balls is a matter of the player's aim. To throw one, the player must press their finger on the Poké Ball, move it, and release it. The Ball and Pokémon exist in a 3D environment, so the player may miss the Pokémon by throwing the Ball the wrong distance or too far to the side. Additionally, the wild Pokémon may attempt to dodge or attack every few seconds. When a Pokémon is attacking, any Poké Balls that hit it will be deflected. When a Pokémon dodges, it will move around but can still be hit by a thrown Ball.
-The Safari Ball is the only one of the original Poké Ball forms that is not considered one of the basic Poké Ball types.  When playing a game in the [[Safari Zone]], thirty of these will be provided to capture Pokémon with.  If the game ends before all thirty are used, the remainder are returned when leaving the Safari Zone.  It is as strong as a Great Ball, but catching Pokémon is often more difficult with it due to the fact that there are no formal [[Pokémon battle|battle]]s with Pokémon in the Safari Zone.
+:''See more: [[Caught Pokémon#Pokémon GO|Caught Pokémon → Pokémon GO]]
-<br clear="all">
-====Super Smash Bros.====
+On the aiming screen, a colored circle displays over the Pokémon, gradually shrinks to nothing, then resets to its widest before continuing to shrink again. If the player's throw lands inside this circle, they will get a "Nice!", "Great!", or "Excellent!" catch chance bonus depending on how small the circle was. The player can also improve their catch chance by throwing a curveball. If the player spins the Ball while holding it, it will temporarily retain the spin and curve left or right when thrown.
-Normal Poké Balls are also an item in the ''[[Super Smash Bros.]]'' series.  When thrown, on top of doing a small amount of damage to any opposing character they may hit, they release a randomly selected Pokémon.
-=====[[Super Smash Bros. Melee]] Trophy information=====
+:''See more: [[Catch rate (GO)]]
-These balls are used to capture and contain wild Pokémon.  Most Pokémon must be weakened in some way before they can be captured, but once they're inside a Poké Ball, they enjoy their new home, since Poké Balls contain an environment specially designed for Pokémon comfort.  Master Balls are the strongest type.
-===In the anime===
+Three types of Poké Balls were available in Pokémon GO upon release: regular Poké Balls, Great Balls, and Ultra Balls. These remain the only types of Poké Balls that are generally available. They can be repeatably obtained by:
+* Spinning [[PokéStop]]s or {{OBP|Gym|GO}}s (Lv. 12+ for Great Balls and Lv. 20+ for Ultra Balls)
+* Opening a [[Gift]] (Lv. 12+ for Great Balls and Lv. 20+ for Ultra Balls)
+* Completing certain [[Field Research]] or [[Special Research]] tasks
+* Weekly [[Adventure Sync]] rewards
-Beyond any doubt, the original Poké Ball is the most commonly used type of Ball in the anime.  The vast majority of Pokémon are stored in regular Poké Balls, to the point that large collections of Poké Balls can be seen with no variations among them.  Even [[Ash's Pikachu]], which spends all of its time out of its Poké Ball, is shown to have a regular Poké Ball with a little lightning bolt drawn on it in ''[[EP001|Pokémon, I Choose You!]]''.  On the other hand, the Great Ball and Ultra Ball upgrades are very rare.
+The player also receives Poké Balls upon [[Trainer level|leveling up]].
+* Poké Balls awarded up to level 11 (including 50 Poké Balls starting at level 1)
+* Great Balls awarded from level 12 to level 19
+* Ultra Balls awarded starting level 20
-A Master Ball has been seen in ''[[AG075|Whiscash and Ash]]''.  It was used by [[Sullivan]] in his attempt to capture a {{p|Whiscash}}.  However, despite the fact that the Master Ball cannot be escaped from, he did not catch the Whiscash; instead, the Pokémon swallowed it whole and escaped back into the water.
+Regular Poké Balls may be purchased in the Shop at the following rates:
+* 20 for {{PCoin}}100
+* 100 for {{PCoin}}460
+* 200 for {{PCoin}}800
-Safari Balls were seen in ''[[EP035|The Legend of Dratini]]''.  In this episode, [[Ash Ketchum|Ash]] received thirty with which he could capture Safari Zone Pokémon.  However, despite his best efforts to catch other Pokémon, he ended up using all thirty to capture a herd of [[Ash's Tauros|Tauros]].
+All three types of balls have also been available in limited-time Box deals.
-Occasionally, an [[item]] will be caught instead of a [[Pokémon]], such as a [[rice ball|jelly donut]] or something else that would be smaller than the Poké Ball. These, however, are just jokes. In a commercial for [[Kids WB]], Ash caught a talking sock singing that Ash couldn't catch him.
+Premier Balls debuted in Pokémon GO on June 20, 2017,{{fact}} a few days after its first anniversary with the introduction of {{OBP|Raid Battle|GO}}s. They can only be used for catching Raid Bosses and {{OBP|Shadow Pokémon|GO}}, and other types of Poké Balls cannot be used on them. If the player runs out, the Raid Boss or Shadow Pokémon will flee. The number of Premier Balls are awarded to the player after a Raid Battle or [[Team GO Rocket]] battle is based on how well they battled. Unused Premier Balls are not retained and do not roll over to future challenges. Like in the main series, Premier Balls are just as effective as regular Poké Balls.
-==[[Generation II]] Poké Balls==
+Beast Balls debuted in Pokémon GO on July 1, 2022 at Pokémon GO Fest 2022 Berlin.{{fact}} They can only be used for catching [[Ultra Beast]]s, and other types of Poké Balls cannot be used on them. Currently, an unlimited number of Beast Balls are provided to the player during an Ultra Beast encounter.
-===In the games===
-{| border="1" cellpadding="2" align="left" style="margin: 5px; border: 1px solid #88a; border-collapse: collapse;"
+Master Balls have existed in Pokémon GO's coding since release, but they didn't debut until May 22, 2023, as a reward from the Let's GO! [[Special Research]]. Future opportunities to get Master Balls are planned.<ref>[https://pokemongolive.com/post/masterball/ Never miss with the Master Ball—coming soon to Pokémon GO!]</ref>
-|- style="background: #ccf;"
-! Name
+====Description====
-! From
+{| class="roundy" style="background:#{{night color}}; border:3px solid #{{blue color light}}"
-! Catch rate
+|- style="color:#fff"
-! Sell
+! style="background:#{{blue color light}}; {{roundytl|5px}}" | Image
-|- align="center"
+! style="background:#{{blue color light}}" | English name
-| Park Ball<br><small>(パークボール ''Park Ball'')</small>
+! style="background:#{{blue color light}}" | Japanese name
-| -
+! style="background:#{{blue color light}}; {{roundytr|5px}}" | Description
-| 1.5×
+|- style="background:#fff"
-| -
+| [[File:GO Poké Ball.png|40px]]
-|- align="center"
+| {{i|Poké Ball}}
-| Level Ball<br><small>(レベルボール ''Level Ball'')</small>
+| モンスターボール<br>''Monster Ball''
-| [[Apricorn|Red]]
+| A device for catching wild Pokémon. It's thrown like a ball, comfortably encapsulating its target.
-|  If the player's current Pokémon's level is:
+|- style="background:#fff"
-* Higher than the wild Pokémon's, 2×;
+| [[File:GO Great Ball.png|40px]]
-* Double or more than that of the wild Pokémon's, 4×;
+| [[Great Ball]]
-* Four times as much or higher, 8×.
+| スーパーボール<br>''Super Ball''
-| {{PDollar}}500
+| A high-performance Ball with a higher catch rate than a standard Poké Ball.
-|- align="center"
+|- style="background:#fff"
-| Lure Ball<br><small>(ルアーボール ''Lure Ball'')</small>
+| [[File:GO Ultra Ball.png|40px]]
-| [[Apricorn|Blu]]
+| [[Ultra Ball]]
-| If wild Pokémon was hooked on a rod, 3×.
+| ハイパーボール<br>''Hyper Ball''
-| {{PDollar}}500
+| An ultra-performance Ball with a higher catch rate than a Great Ball.
-|- align="center"
+|- style="background:#fff"
-| Moon Ball<br><small>(ムーンボール ''Moon Ball'')</small>
+| style="{{roundybl|5px}}" | [[File:GO Master Ball.png|40px]]
-| [[Apricorn|Ylw]]
+| [[Master Ball]]
-| If wild Pokémon evolves with a Moon Stone, 4×.
+| マスターボール<br>''Master Ball''
-| {{PDollar}}500
+| style="{{roundybr|5px}}" | The best Poké Ball with the ultimate level of performance. With it, you will catch any wild Pokémon without fail.
-|- align="center"
+|- style="background:#fff"
-| Friend Ball{{fn|2}}<br><small>(フレンドボール ''Friend Ball'')</small>
+| [[File:GO Premier Ball.png|40px]]
-| [[Apricorn|Grn]]
+| [[Premier Ball]]
-| 1×
+| プレミアボール<br>''Premier Ball''
-| {{PDollar}}500
+| A somewhat rare Poké Ball made to commemorate a special occasion of some sort.
-|- align="center"
+|- style="background:#fff"
-| Fast Ball<br><small>(スピードボール ''Speed Ball'')</small>
+| [[File:GO Beast Ball.png|40px]]
-| [[Apricorn|Wht]]
+| [[Beast Ball]]
-| If wild Pokémon is one that flees from battles{{fn|3}}, 4×.
+| ウルトラボール<br>''Ultra Ball''
-| {{PDollar}}500
+| N/A
-|- align="center"
-| Heavy Ball<br><small>(ヘビーボール ''Heavy Ball'')</small>
-| [[Apricorn|Blk]]
-| If the wild Pokémon is:
-* Between 100kg and 200kg, normal;
-* Between 200kg and 300kg, +20;
-* More than 300kg, +30;
-* Under 100kg, -20.
-| {{PDollar}}500
-|- align="center"
-| Love Ball<br><small>(ラブラブボール ''Love Love Ball'')</small>
-| [[Apricorn|Pnk]]
-| If the player's current Pokémon and<br>the wild Pokémon are opposite genders, 8×
-| {{PDollar}}500
-|-
-| colspan="7" style="font-size:small;" |
-<small>
-* {{fnb|2}} The wild Pokémon has a happiness value of 200 after being caught with a Friend Ball.
-* {{fnb|3}} Fast Ball has an effect with {{p|Abra}}, {{p|Magnemite}}, {{p|Grimer}}, {{p|Tangela}}, {{p|Mr. Mime}}, {{p|Eevee}}, {{p|Porygon}},<br>{{p|Dratini}}, {{p|Dragonair}}, {{p|Entei}}, {{p|Suicune}} and {{p|Raikou}}, although not all these Pokémon can be found in the wild.</small>
 |}
-<br clear="all">[[Image:Custom Balls.jpg|thumb|Three of [[Kurt]]'s Custom Poké Balls]]
-The Park Ball is much like the Safari Ball absent in the Generation II games, including being equal to a Great Ball in strength.  It is used in the [[National Park]] during their [[Bug-Catching Contest]].  Thirty Park Balls are provided for this, and the Pokémon can be battled before they are captured.  However, while all thirty balls can be used and catch Pokémon before the contest ends, only one Pokémon can be kept for the contest judging.
-Most of the Poké Balls available in Generation II, however, are the custom Poké Balls crafted by [[Kurt]].  This Poké Ball expert can be found in [[Azalea Town]], and once per day he will craft an [[Apricorn]] into a special Poké Ball based on its color.  Because of the much larger variety of Poké Balls available, Generation II was the first generation to introduce a [[bag]] with a separate pocket for Poké Balls.
+===Pokémon Snap===
-<br clear="all">
+[[File:Pester Ball.png|thumb|A Pester Ball]]
+In {{g|Snap}}, the [[Pester Ball]]s appear similar to Poké Balls at a glance. However, they are not used to catch Pokémon, and instead will release a Pokémon repellent on contact.
+===Pokémon UNITE===
+[[File:UNITEPokeBall.PNG|thumb|left|250px|A Unite Ball catching a Pokémon]]
+In {{g|UNITE}}, Trainers use regular Poké Balls to send out their own Pokémon, after they have been [[fainting|knocked out]] in battle. (At the start of a Unite Battle, all Pokémon are present on the field.) During the game's tutorial, a {{UNITE|Pikachu}} from the [[Aeos Research Institute]] is sent out from a Poké Ball twice. This happens before Tutorial (Basics 1) and Tutorial (Basics 2).
+A unique variety of Poké Ball, the '''Unite Ball''', is used as part of Unite Battles. (They are also known as '''Aeos Balls''') Unite Balls are orange, purple, and yellow in colour, with a yellow stripe around in the middle and a white button. The pattern gives the Unite Ball a "U" design. Each Trainer has a Unite Ball, and uses it to [[Caught Pokémon|catch]] the [[wild Pokémon]] their Pokémon [[fainting|knocks out]] in Unite Battles. After doing so, the Unite Ball stores the [[Aeos energy]] the Pokémon held. The stored energy is used by Pokémon to score at [[goal zones]]. At the start of an Unite Battle, the player's Unite Ball only holds a maximum of 30 Aeos energy. After their Pokémon reaches [[Level]] 9, the capacity increases to 40. At level 12, the capacity is boosted again to 50. Trainers only have one Unite Ball canonically, and the interface only depicts a single Unite Ball. Regardless, Trainers throw a Unite Ball for every wild Pokémon defeated even if more than one is defeated at the same time.
+In [[Mer Stadium|Mer Stadium's Catch 'Em]] battles, certain wild Pokémon have a white glow around them. When these Pokémon are defeated and captured, the player can send them out from their Unite Ball to temporarily take the place of their selected Pokémon. This function replaces the Trainer's {{DL|Pokémon UNITE|Battle Items}}. Additionally, after enough time has passed, the Battle Item will return to normal and that Pokémon will not be able to be switched into battle. If the captured Pokémon is sent out, a timer is set. When that timer elapses or the Pokémon faints, the Trainer's original Pokémon is sent back into battle from its Poké Ball. Defeating a Wild Pokémon while currently using a [[Caught Pokémon]] does not allow the player to switch to the defeated Wild Pokémon.
+In [[Shivre City (Panic Parade)|Panic Parade]], certain wild Pokémon have a white glow around them and a Aeos Ball icon over their heads. When these Pokémon are defeated and captured, the player can send them out from their Unite Ball. This function replaces the Trainer's {{DL|Pokémon UNITE|Battle Items|Battle Item}}, and after using the Battle Item will return to normal. (Although "normal" in Panic Parade means no Battle Item at all.) If another item is picked up or another capturable Pokémon is captured, the first Pokémon is lost. The sent out Pokémon wanders to the nearest opposing Pokémon, uses their [[Unite Move]], then is recalled and leaves the battle.
-===In the anime===
+Unite Balls (mislabeled Poké Balls) are used as part of the Prize Machine menu. By throwing Unite Balls at one of the items on display, the prize gauge for that item is increased. When the prize gauge of an item is full, the item is obtained. A single Unite Ball has a 66% chance to add 1 unit to the prize gauge, a 30% chance to add 2 units to the prize gauge, a 3.3% chance to add 3 units, a  0.6% chance to add 5 units, and a 0.1% chance to add 10 units. Players have two Unite Balls to use in this menu. After using a Unite Ball, players must wait 12 hours before it can be used again. Players can spend {{DL|Pokémon UNITE|Aeos gems}} to hasten this timer. Some events provide additional Unite Balls in the Prize Machine menu, under the umbrella name '''No-cost Holiday Balls'''. When available, only 10 of these Poké Balls can be obtained per day, and they are lost if they are not used before the next day begins. Usually there is a cap on the number of No-cost Holiday Balls obtainable per event, with that cap usually being 100. Sometimes, these additional Unite Balls have alternate names, such as '''Holiday Balls''' or '''Anniversary Balls'''. (Oddly, the menu's text states that "Poké Balls always hit their target..." in this mode, even though Unite Balls have never been shown to miss in any media.)
-In ''[[EP161|The Bug Stops Here]]'', Ash and {{an|Casey}} compete in the Bug-Catching Contest and use Park Balls to capture {{t|Bug}} Pokémon.  Ash wins the contest with a [[Casey's Beedrill|Beedrill]], but gives it to Casey instead.
-The custom Apricorn Poké Balls were seen and used a few times during the anime.  In ''[[EP143|Goin' Apricorn]]'', Ash, [[Misty]], and [[Brock]] receive Fast Balls from Kurt, and by the end of the episode Brock uses his to capture [[Brock's Forretress|a Pineco]].  By the end of the next episode, ''[[EP144|Gettin' The Bugs Out]]'', Ash and Misty receive Lure Balls, and Brock receives a Heavy Ball.  In ''[[EP151|The Totodile Duel]]'', both Ash and Misty tried to capture a [[Ash's Totodile|Totodile]] with their Lure Balls, with Ash succeeding.  Later, in ''[[EP213|A Corsola Caper]]'', Misty got a second chance to use her Lure Ball, capturing [[Misty's Corsola|a Corsola]] with it.  The other two Fast Balls and the Heavy Ball were not seen or mentioned again, but a different Heavy Ball was used in ''[[AG065|Gulpin It Down!]]'' to capture a giant {{p|Gulpin}}.
+===Pokémon Pinball series===
+{{main|Ball Upgrade}}
+In [[Pokémon Pinball]] and [[Pokémon Pinball: Ruby & Sapphire]], the {{i|Poké Ball}}, [[Great Ball]], [[Ultra Ball]], and [[Master Ball]] are available.
+The Poké Ball is the normal ball used in the pinball tables since the beginning of the game. In both games, if the player lights up the three Field Multiplier Lanes found in all tables, the ball is upgraded to the next kind of Poké Ball (a Poké Ball is upgraded into a Great Ball, a Great Ball into an Ultra Ball, and an Ultra Ball into a Master Ball). If a minute passes without new Poké Ball upgrades, the ball returns to the previous state. If the player loses a ball, the next ball is a Poké Ball.
+The bonus points are as follows:
+* The {{i|Poké Ball}} has no bonus multiplier.
+* The [[Great Ball]] multiplies bonus points by ×2.
+* The [[Ultra Ball]] multiplies bonus points by ×3.
+* The [[Master Ball]] multiplies bonus points by ×4 in [[Pokémon Pinball]] and by ×5 in [[Pokémon Pinball: Ruby & Sapphire]].
+====Pokémon Pinball====
+{| style="margin:auto; text-align:center; {{roundy|10px}} border: 2px solid #{{Poké Balls color dark}}; background: #{{Poké Balls color}}"
+| style="{{roundy|10px}} border: 2px solid #{{Poké Balls color dark}}; background: #{{Poké Balls color light}}; width:80px; height:20px" | [[File:Pinball Poké Ball.png]]
+| style="{{roundy|10px}} border: 2px solid #{{Poké Balls color dark}}; background: #{{Poké Balls color light}}; width:80px; height:20px" | [[File:Pinball Great Ball.png]]
+| style="{{roundy|10px}} border: 2px solid #{{Poké Balls color dark}}; background: #{{Poké Balls color light}}; width:80px; height:20px" | [[File:Pinball Ultra Ball.png]]
+| style="{{roundy|10px}} border: 2px solid #{{Poké Balls color dark}}; background: #{{Poké Balls color light}}; width:80px; height:20px" | [[File:Pinball Master Ball.png]]
+|- style="font-size:80%"
+| {{color2|000|Poké Ball (item)|Poké Ball}}
+| {{color2|000|Great Ball}}
+| {{color2|000|Ultra Ball}}
+| {{color2|000|Master Ball}}
+|}
-==[[Generation III]] Poké Balls==
+====Pokémon Pinball: Ruby & Sapphire====
-===In the games===
+{| style="margin:auto; text-align:center; {{roundy|10px}} border: 2px solid #{{Poké Balls color dark}}; background: #{{Poké Balls color}}"
-{| border="1" cellpadding="2" align="left" style="margin: 5px; border: 1px solid #88a; border-collapse: collapse;"
+| style="{{roundy|10px}} border: 2px solid #{{Poké Balls color dark}}; background: #{{Poké Balls color light}}; width:80px; height:20px" | [[File:Pinball RS Poké Ball.png]]
-|- style="background: #ccf;"
+| style="{{roundy|10px}} border: 2px solid #{{Poké Balls color dark}}; background: #{{Poké Balls color light}}; width:80px; height:20px" | [[File:Pinball RS Great Ball.png]]
-! Image
+| style="{{roundy|10px}} border: 2px solid #{{Poké Balls color dark}}; background: #{{Poké Balls color light}}; width:80px; height:20px" | [[File:Pinball RS Ultra Ball.png]]
-! Name
+| style="{{roundy|10px}} border: 2px solid #{{Poké Balls color dark}}; background: #{{Poké Balls color light}}; width:80px; height:20px" | [[File:Pinball RS Master Ball.png]]
-! Catch rate
+|- style="font-size:80%"
-! Buy
+| {{color2|000|Poké Ball (item)|Poké Ball}}
-! Sell
+| {{color2|000|Great Ball}}
-|- align="center"
+| {{color2|000|Ultra Ball}}
-| [[Image:SugimoriLuxuryBall.png]]
+| {{color2|000|Master Ball}}
-| [[Image:LuxuryBallSpriteSmall.png]] Luxury Ball<br><small>(ゴージャスボール ''Gorgeous Ball'')</small>
-| 1×
-| -
-| {{PDollar}}500
-|- align="center"
-| [[Image:SugimoriPremierBall.png]]
-| [[Image:PremierBallSpriteSmall.png]] Premier Ball<br><small>(プレミアボール ''Premier Ball'')</small>
-| 1×
-| -
-| {{PDollar}}100
-|- align="center"
-| [[Image:SugimoriNetBall.png]]
-| [[Image:NetBallSpriteSmall.png]] Net Ball<br><small>(ネットボール ''Net Ball'')</small>
-| If wild Pokémon is a {{type2|Bug}} or {{type2|Water}}, 3×.
-| {{PDollar}}1000
-| {{PDollar}}500
-|- align="center"
-| [[Image:SugimoriDiveBall.png]]
-| [[Image:DiveBallSpriteSmall.png]] Dive Ball<br><small>(ダイブボール ''Dive Ball'')</small>
-| If battling underwater, 3.5×.
-| {{PDollar}}1000
-| {{PDollar}}500
-|- align="center"
-| [[Image:SugimoriNestBall.png]]
-| [[Image:NestBallSpriteSmall.png]] Nest Ball<br><small>(ネストボール ''Nest Ball'')</small>
-| If the wild Pokémon is:
-* Between level 1 and level 19, 3×;
-* Between level 20 and level 29, 2×;
-* Above level 30, 1×.
-| {{PDollar}}1000
-| {{PDollar}}500
-|- align="center"
-| [[Image:SugimoriRepeatBall.png]]
-| [[Image:RepeatBallSpriteSmall.png]] Repeat Ball<br><small>(リピートボール ''Repeat Ball'')</small>
-| If one of the wild Pokémon's species<br>has been caught before, 3×.
-| {{PDollar}}1000
-| {{PDollar}}500
-|- align="center"
-| [[Image:SugimoriTimerBall.png]]
-| [[Image:TimerBallSpriteSmall.png]] Timer Ball<br><small>(タイマーボール ''Timer Ball'')</small>
-| If the number of turns that have passed is:
-* Between 1 and 9, 1×;
-* Between 10 and 19, 2×;
-* Between 20 and 29, 3×;
-* More than 30, 4×.
-| {{PDollar}}1000
-| {{PDollar}}500
 |}
-<br clear="all">
-All of the third generation Poké Balls were developed by the [[Devon Corporation]].
-The Luxury Ball is rare, second only to the Master Ball.  One can be found on the [[Abandoned Ship]], and others can be obtained from winning [[Pokémon Contests]].  It is also given by [[Selphy|Lady Selphy]] for showing her the Pokémon she asks for. It heightens the rate at which the [[Happiness]] of the Pokémon captured with it increases.
+===Learn with Pokémon: Typing Adventure===
+In [[Learn with Pokémon: Typing Adventure]], the Typing Balls are thrown after one successfully types a Pokémon's name. It has the overall design like that of a normal Poké Ball, only having an additional vertical line at the bottom, resembling the letter "T".
+<gallery>
+Typing Ball.png|A Typing Ball
+</gallery>
+===Super Smash Bros. series===
+[[File:Poké Ball SSBB.png|thumb|220px|Render of a Poké Ball from [[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]]]
+{{smashWiki|Poké Ball}}
+In the {{sbw|Super Smash Bros. series}}, Poké Balls appear as items, which fighters can pick up and throw to release a random Pokémon. These Pokémon will typically attack the opponents of the player who summoned them, but may also have other effects. Starting in ''Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS/Wii U'', the Master Ball also appears as an item, which has the same effect as Poké Balls but can only summon {{pkmn2|Legendary}} or [[Mythical Pokémon]] (or {{p|Goldeen}}).
+The Pokémon that can appear from Poké Balls differ between the games. The {{DL|Super Smash Bros.|Poké Ball Pokémon}} in [[Super Smash Bros.]] all come from [[Generation I]], the {{DL|Super Smash Bros. Melee|Poké Ball Pokémon}} in [[Super Smash Bros. Melee]] come from up to [[Generation II]], the {{DL|Super Smash Bros. Brawl|Poké Ball Pokémon}} in [[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]] come from up to [[Generation IV]], the {{DL|Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS/Wii U|Poké Ball and Master Ball Pokémon|Poké Ball Pokémon}} in [[Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS/Wii U]] come from up to [[Generation VI]], and the {{DL|Super Smash Bros. Ultimate|Poké Ball and Master Ball Pokémon|Poké Ball Pokémon}} in [[Super Smash Bros. Ultimate]] come from up to [[Generation VII]]. The only Pokémon that have appeared in all of the Super Smash Bros. games as Poké Ball Pokémon are {{p|Goldeen}}, {{p|Snorlax}}, and {{p|Mew}}.
+<gallery>
+Poké Ball SSB4.png|The Poké Ball in Super Smash Bros. for 3DS
+Master Ball SSB4.png|The Master Ball in Super Smash Bros. for 3DS
+</gallery>
+The Pokémon series as a whole is represented by a Poké Ball logo in the Super Smash Bros. series. The logo was updated in ''Brawl''.
+<gallery>
+Smash Bros Pokemon Symbol.png|The Pokémon series' symbol from ''SSB'' and ''Melee''
+Smash Bros Brawl Pokemon Symbol.png|The Pokémon series' symbol from ''Brawl'' and ''SSB4''
+</gallery>
+====[[Super Smash Bros. Melee]]====
+;Poké Ball trophy:
+:''These balls are used to catch and contain wild Pokémon. Most Pokémon must be weakened in some way before they can be caught, but once they're inside a Poké Ball, they enjoy their new home, since Poké Balls contain an environment specially designed for Pokémon comfort. [[Master Ball]]s are the strongest type.''
+====[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]====
+;Poké Ball trophy:
+:''"An item used for capturing Pokémon and calling them out into battle. Pokémon live in these items which despite appearances, actually contain a wide, comfortable Pokémon-friendly world inside them. In Super Smash Bros., Pokémon give temporary support to who calls them out. You never know which you will get, but some are devastatingly powerful."''
+====[[Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS/Wii U]]====
+[[File:Poké Ball 3DS trophy SSB4.png|thumb|150px|Poké Ball trophy in Super Smash Bros. for 3DS]]
+;Poké Ball trophy:
+:'''NA''': ''An item used to call out different Pokémon. Which Pokémon emerges is a mystery, but it will aid whoever threw the Poké Ball. Some of the Pokémon contained inside are extremely powerful and will really intensify the battle. It's definitely worth beating your opponents to these!''
+:'''PAL''': ''A ball holding one of any number of Pokémon just waiting to burst out and help you in battle. Which kind will it be? Well, that's a surprise, but whichever one it is, it'll definitely up the intensity of the battle! If you see one, make sure you're the one to grab it!''
+{{-}}
+[[File:Master Ball 3DS trophy SSB4.png|thumb|150px|Master Ball trophy in Super Smash Bros. for 3DS]]
+;Master Ball trophy:
+:'''NA''': ''These valuable, powerful balls can capture any wild Pokémon. In Smash Bros., hard-to-find Pokémon often pop out of them. You can easily identify a Master Ball by the distinct purple appearance and large M on the top. A Pokémon within a Master Ball may turn the tide of battle.''
+:'''PAL''': ''A rare type of Poké Ball that never fails to catch a Pokémon. Throw one in this game, and the Mythical or Legendary Pokémon inside will come to your aid. Master Balls are easy to identify due to their purple colour and the large M on them. Use one to quickly turn the tide of any battle!''
+===Pokémon Tower Battle===
+In [[Pokémon Tower Battle]], the featured Pokémon come from {{i|Poké Ball|Poké Balls}}, with some rare Pokémon from [[Ultra Ball]]s and [[Master Ball]]s.
+===Camp Pokémon===
+{{sectionstub}}
+In [[Camp Pokémon]], the Poké Ball Roll minigame features the Poké Ball, Great Ball, Ultra Ball, and Master Ball.
+===Pokémon Sleep===
+{{main|Poké Biscuit}}
+Poké Balls do not exist in [[Pokémon Sleep]]. Instead, [[Poké Biscuit]]s are used to "befriend" Pokémon (which is the same mechanic as catching them in the core series games).
+{{-}}
+==In the anime==
+===Main series===
+====Mechanics====
+[[File:Paul Chimchar release.png|thumb|220px|[[Paul]] releasing {{TP|Paul|Chimchar}}]]
+[[File:Anime Poke Ball Mechanics.jpg|thumb|220px|Concept art of a Poké Ball from the [[original series]]<!-- - モンスターボール monster ball ○ゆ yu (someone's signature?) ○改 revised ①普段ピンポン玉位 usually about ping-pong ball ②まん中のボタンをプチッと押す push the button on the center like puchi(onomatopoeia) ③ソフトボール位になる become about softball (2K中2位) about 2-koma-naka-2 (show each picture 2 frames, 2 in-betweens) ④投げる throw ○赤 red ○白 white 開く open Hi色トレス Hi(highlight)-color trace くぼんでる have a dent ミラーっぽいかんじでカゲ入れて下さい please apply shades like a mirror 赤い方 the red part モンスターボール サトシは常に6コベルトに装着 monster ball: Satoshi always attaches 6 of them on his belt ボールなんとなくくっついてる balls sticks in some vague way-->]]
+[[File:Poke Ball Interior.png|thumb|left|220px|Interior of a Poké Ball from the anime]]
+In the anime, Poké Balls are not always at full size. Pressing the button on the front will convert it between its full size, about the size of a {{wp|Baseball (object)|baseball}}, to a smaller size, about that of a {{wp|Table tennis#Ball|ping-pong ball}}, and back again. The larger size makes throwing the ball easier, while the smaller one makes for easier storage on a belt clip, in pockets, and in Bags.
+When a Pokémon is sent out from a Poké Ball, it will be accompanied by a distinctive sound effect and a bright light as it returns from its energy form and materializes nearby, often on the ground. This bright light has been shown to vary depending on the type of Ball in which the Pokémon is contained in the games, while it has always been shown to be white in the anime. Pokémon are recalled to their Poké Ball by holding up the Poké Ball with its button pointed at the Pokémon. A beam of red, white, or blue light will shoot from the button, converting the Pokémon back into energy and returning it to the Ball. The beam, however, has a limited range and can be dodged by the Pokémon. If the beam hits a person, they will be stunned for a moment, but aside from that, no ill effects will make themselves apparent.
-The Premier Ball is given with every purchase of ten Poké Balls in [[Hoenn]] Poké Marts (or [[Kanto]] Poké Marts in [[Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen]]) .  However, it is not different from regular Poké Balls in any manner except appearance.
+[[Released Pokémon|Releasing]] a Pokémon from a Trainer's ownership, unlike normally sending the Pokémon out, will bathe the Pokémon in a blue glow, and the Poké Ball will no longer mark it, making it able to be caught by another Trainer's Poké Ball.
-The Net Ball and Dive Ball can only be purchased at the Poké Mart in [[Mossdeep City]].  This is likely due to the city's high affiliation with the {{t|Water}} type.
+A Poké Ball can also be broken, which will release it from ownership, as seen when Jessie releases her Dustox in ''[[DP073|Crossing Paths]]''. If a Trainer has done so accidentally, it must somehow be fixed before the Pokémon can be recalled. This was seen in ''[[EP107|Pokémon Food Fight!]]'', where Ash becomes unable to recall Snorlax after its Poké Ball is broken. In the manga, if a Poké Ball is broken before a Pokémon is sent out, then that particular Pokémon cannot be used until their Poké Ball has been repaired. This happened several times in the [[Pokémon Adventures]] manga, such as during {{adv|Red}}'s battle against {{adv|Giovanni}}, where the opening mechanism for the Poké Balls of Red's [[Saur|Venusaur]] and [[Gyara]]dos were damaged, preventing either of them from being used in the match.
-The Nest Ball can only be purchased at the Poké Mart in [[Verdanturf Town]].
+In [[EP232|''Just Waiting On A Friend'']], it is implied that Pokémon are bound to the Poké Ball they are caught in, and cannot go very far from it.
-The Repeat Ball and Timer Ball can be purchased in [[Rustboro City]] after going through [[Rusturf Tunnel]] from [[Verdanturf Town]] for the first time.
+[[File:Iris Dragonite inside Poké Ball.png|thumb|left|250px|[[Iris's Dragonite]] inside a Poké Ball in the anime]]
+Pokémon appear to be conscious while inside Poké Balls. Several Pokémon have shown the ability to leave and return to their Poké Balls at will, most notably among them [[Jessie's Wobbuffet]], [[Misty's Psyduck]], [[Ash's Oshawott]], [[Brock's Croagunk]], and [[Clemont's Chespin]], who tend to do so in every episode that they appear in. In ''[[EP031|Dig Those Diglett!]]'', many Pokémon belonging to [[Gary Oak]], as well as other Trainers, including Ash Ketchum, demonstrated the ability to prevent themselves from being sent from their Poké Balls, as they refused to fight against the Diglett, though this has not been demonstrated since. Pokémon have also been shown to be able to hear orders given by their Trainer right before they are sent out.
-All Poké Balls released in [[Generation I]] are available as well.
+Pokémon can even make their Poké Ball jump and roll around at high speeds, while also being able to navigate, as seen in {{LGPE}}, when the {{OBP|partner Pokémon|Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!}} moves its Poké Ball onto an empty pedestal in [[Professor Oak's Laboratory]] after being caught in [[Pallet Town]].
-<br clear="all">
-===In the anime===
+[[File:Ash Pikachu failed catch.png|thumb|220px|A Poké Ball failing to catch an already owned Pokémon]]
-The Luxury Ball and the Repeat Ball made a short cameo appearance in the beginning of ''[[Jirachi: Wish Maker]]'', containing [[Brendan]]'s {{p|Aggron}} and {{p|Shiftry}}.
+Poké Balls are able to communicate with a Trainer's [[Pokédex]], as the system updates itself with information on newly-caught Pokémon, and keeps track of how many Pokémon the Trainer has with them. If a Trainer catches a new Pokémon with the full six already with them, the Pokédex will automatically send the newly-caught Pokémon in its Poké Ball to the [[Pokémon Storage System]] that the Trainer is using. As shown in ''[[DP002|Two Degrees of Separation!]]'', a Pokémon caught by a Poké Ball is "marked" by it, and thus most Poké Balls thrown at it will have no effect aside from temporarily stunning it. In the games, as well as in ''[[EP073|Bad to the Bone]]'', however, the Trainer of the Pokémon will block a Poké Ball thrown by another, though it is possible that this is more out of courtesy to their Pokémon than to prevent capture outright. In ''[[EP011|Charmander – The Stray Pokémon]]'', Ash was able to catch his {{AP|Charmander}} in a Poké Ball despite his previous ownership by [[Damian|another Trainer]], though he may have lost his "mark" when he abandoned his previous Trainer by refusing to return to his old Poké Ball. Earlier in the same episode, Ash failed to catch the same Charmander while he still held his loyalty, despite his weakened state.
-==[[Generation IV]] Poké Balls==
+[[File:Rice Ball Poké Ball.png|thumb|left|220px|Ash catching a [[rice ball]] thrown by a wild {{AP|Mankey|Primeape}}]]
-===In the games===
+Other wireless capabilities of Poké Balls are shown in ''[[M07|Destiny Deoxys]]'', as when the electricity of the city is down, {{OBP|Rebecca|M07}} claims that the "Poké Ball Management System" was no longer working without power. A similar mechanism is suggested to exist in the games, with the Paradise Protection Protocol issuing a lock signal that disables the use of any Poké Balls that do not have a specific ID.
-Five new Poké Balls were introduced in the Generation IV games.
-{| border="1" cellpadding="2" align="left" style="margin: 5px; border: 1px solid #88a; border-collapse: collapse;"
+Poké Balls are able to be decorated to no ill effect, with several Poké Balls that have been painted with special colors being seen in the anime.
-|- style="background: #ccf;"
-! Image
+Should a Pokémon escape a Poké Ball, the device will return to the Trainer, who can attempt once again to catch the Pokémon.
-! Name
-! Catch Rate
+It has sometimes been shown that [[item]]s can be contained in Poké Balls, apparently able to be captured in much the same way as a Pokémon. The anime has used this as a gag on several occasions, most notably in ''[[EP025|Primeape Goes Bananas]]'', where {{Ash}} accidentally catches a [[rice ball]] when he throws a Poké Ball in an attempt to catch a wild Mankey.
-|- align="center"
+{{-}}
-| [[Image:SugimoriHealBall.png]]
-| [[Image:HealthballDP.png]] Heal Ball <small>(ヒールボール ''Heal Ball'')</small>
+====Types of Poké Ball====
-| 1x; fully heals a captured Pokémon.
+[[File:Poké Ball anime.png|thumb|left|250px|A regular Poké Ball in the anime]]
-|- align="center"
+[[File:Ashball.png|thumb|250px|{{Ash}} pulling out a Poké Ball, preparing to catch a Pokémon]]
-| [[Image:SugimoriDuskBall.png]]
+In the {{pkmn|anime}}, the basic Poké Ball is the most commonly used of all varieties, with other varieties appearing either very few times or not at all. A vast majority of Pokémon are shown to be stored in regular Poké Balls, to the point that large collections of Poké Balls can be seen with no variation among them. Even [[Ash's Pikachu]], the most prominent Pokémon in the anime which spends all its time [[walking Pokémon|outside with Ash]], has a plain Poké Ball that differs from others only by the small yellow lightning bolt symbol on it, as seen in ''[[EP001|Pokémon - I Choose You!]]''.
-| [[Image:DuskballDP.png]] Dusk Ball <small>(ダークボール ''Dark Ball'')</small>
-| If within a dark area or during the night, 4x
+Despite this, the various other types of Poké Ball have been seen in the anime, usually to illustrate a special property about that particular ball. The lack of the different types is unsurprising, however, due to the fact that, when the anime was first created, the games themselves did not even keep track of the Poké Ball that a Pokémon was caught in, and thus, it made no difference in sending a Pokémon out. This has recently become less common as of ''[[Pokémon the Series: Sun & Moon]]'', possibly to reflect the fact that NPC Trainers in [[Generation VII]] have certain types of Poké Balls associated with them.
-|- align="center"
-| [[Image:SugimoriCherishBall.png]]
+The first time that a Poké Ball aside from the normal variation was seen was in [[EP035]], where Ash was given 30 Safari Balls in order to compete in the Safari Game. With these 30 Safari Balls, Ash attempted to catch various rare Pokémon; however, he only managed to capture an entire herd of {{AP|Tauros}}. They appeared in Safari Balls in ''[[EP065|Showdown at the Po-Ké Corral]]''; however, whenever Ash uses one of his Tauros in a battle, it is sent out from a standard Poké Ball.
-| [[Image:CherishballDP.png]] Cherish Ball <small>(プレジャスボール ''Precious Ball'')</small>
-| 1x
+[[File:Poké Ball success.png|thumb|left|250px|A Poké Ball after catching a Pokémon in ''[[Pokémon Horizons: The Series]]'']]
-|- align="center"
+The [[GS Ball]] was the second of the variant Poké Balls to [[EP083|appear in the anime]], this time with a special purpose. This mysterious ball was unable to be opened by [[Professor Ivy]], and served as the reason for Ash's journeys to the [[Orange Islands]] (to pick it up) and [[Johto]] (to deliver it to [[Kurt]]), so that what was contained within it could be discovered. {{p|Celebi}} was long rumored to be related to the ball, something which the [[Pokémon Adventures]] and game canons verify, while [[Masamitsu Hidaka|a director of the anime]] confirmed that, had it not been insisted that {{OBP|Celebi|M04}} appear in a central role in [[M04|the fourth movie]], the GS Ball arc would have concluded with Celebi being released from the ball and traveling with Ash and his friends.
-| [[Image:SugimoriQuickBall.png]]
-| [[Image:QuickballDP.png]] Quick Ball <small>(クイックボール ''Quick Ball'')</small>
+Also related to Kurt, as in the games, the first non-standard Poké Ball variants, the [[Apricorn]] balls, made an appearance in the anime, and several were given to the members of the main cast. All three members of the main cast received a Fast Ball each in ''[[EP143|Going Apricorn!]]'', with {{an|Brock}} using his to catch a {{TP|Brock|Pineco}} shortly after receiving it. Many other Apricorn Poké Balls also appeared in a fantasy in this episode. In the [[EP144|next episode]], Brock received a Heavy Ball, while Ash and {{an|Misty}} received a Lure Ball each. While Brock's Heavy Ball and Ash and Misty's Fast Balls would remain unused (and have not been mentioned since), both Ash and Misty would use their Lure Balls to capture a {{AP|Totodile}} and {{TP|Misty|Corsola}}, respectively. Another Heavy Ball appeared in ''[[AG065|Gulpin It Down]]'', where it was used to capture a {{pkmn2|giant}} {{p|Gulpin}}, though this was not the one belonging to Brock. In ''[[EP183|Trouble's Brewing]]'', the {{DL|Kimono Girl|In the anime|Kimono Sisters}} (excluding [[Sakura]]) were shown keeping their [[Eeveelution]]s inside Apricorn Poké Balls, with Satsuki's {{p|Jolteon}}'s ball being a Moon Ball, Sumomo's {{p|Vaporeon}}'s ball being a Lure Ball, and Tamao's {{p|Umbreon}}'s ball being a Fast Ball. While Koume's {{p|Flareon}}'s ball wasn't shown, her kimono pattern indicates it being a Love Ball.
-| Starts at 4x, and for every 5 turns in battle,<br />the capture rate decreases by 1x.
+[[File:Ash Poké Ball.png|thumb|250px|Ash calling out a Pokémon]]
-|- align="center"
+The Master Ball itself has only appeared once as an actual Poké Ball, in ''[[AG075|Whiscash and Ash]]'', where it was used by [[Sullivan]] in a last resort attempt to catch a wild {{p|Whiscash}} called "[[Nero]]". Despite the fact that a Master Ball cannot be escaped from, the Whiscash ''swallowed'' the Master Ball, thus preventing capture, and disappeared back into the water. While not a Poké Ball itself, Misty owns a beach ball that is designed like the Master Ball, which can be seen in ''[[EP018|Beauty and the Beach]]'' and ''[[EP167|A Hot Water Battle]]''.
-|
-| Park Ball <small>(パークボール ''Park Ball'')</small>
+The Generation III specialty balls have mostly been seen in cameos. The Repeat Ball and Luxury Ball appeared in the opening of ''[[M06|Jirachi: Wish Maker]]''. These balls contained {{ga|Brendan}}'s {{p|Shiftry}} and {{p|Aggron}}, respectively.
-| 100% capture rate. [[Pal Park]] only.
+The debut of most of the specialty balls, both from Generation III and IV, came in the ending [[Which One ~ Is It?]], which contained the first appearance of the Great Ball and Ultra Ball, as well as the first anime appearance of the Premier, Heal, Net, Dusk, Nest, Quick, Timer, and Dive Balls.
+The first proper appearance of the Great, Ultra, Net, Nest, Dusk, Dive, Repeat, Premier, and Heal Balls was in ''[[XY079|A Frenzied Factory Fiasco!]]'', where these balls were seen being manufactured at the [[Poké Ball Factory]], in addition to normal Poké Balls, Luxury Balls, and Safari Balls, although the last ones were not shown. Although [[James]] did mention a Quick Ball in the Japanese version, one was never shown in the episode (a fact that was picked up by the [[dub]], which removed the Quick Ball reference). {{TRT}} tried to steal many of these Poké Balls, but were foiled by Ash and his friends.
+[[File:Dawn Poké Ball.png|thumb|left|250px|{{an|Dawn}}'s Poké Balls with Ball Capsules and Seals]]
+It was revealed in ''[[SM004|First Catch in Alola, Ketchum-Style!]]'' that James had been collecting Poké Balls. When Jessie's attempts to catch a {{TP|Jessie|Mimikyu}} with typical Poké Balls had failed, she grabbed the Luxury Ball James had been polishing and used it instead, capturing Mimikyu, much to James's dismay. The rest of James's collection appeared in ''[[SM062|Acting True to Form!]]'', where it was revealed to also contain a Great, Ultra, Premier, Dusk, Heal, and Quick Ball, marking the first proper anime appearance of a Quick Ball. The collection reappeared in ''[[JN026|Splash, Dash, and Smash for the Crown!]]'', where it now consisted of a Premier, Dive, Nest, Quick, Heal, and Dusk Ball.
+{{an|Gladion}} keeps all of his known Pokémon in special Poké Balls. His {{TP|Gladion|Lycanroc}} is kept in an Ultra Ball (as first seen in ''[[SM027|A Glaring Rivalry!]]''), his {{TP|Gladion|Silvally}} is kept in a Premier Ball (as first seen in ''[[SM037|Rising from the Ruins!]]''), his {{TP|Gladion|Umbreon}} is kept in a Heal Ball (as first seen in ''[[SM053|Rescuing the Unwilling!]]''), his {{TP|Gladion|Zoroark}} is kept in a Dusk Ball (as first seen in the [[Poké Problem]] extra scene of [[SM127]]), and his {{DL|Ultra Beasts (anime)|Lillie|Nihilego}} is kept in a Beast Ball (as first seen in ''[[JN111|The Homecoming Crown!]]'').
+[[File:James Poké Ball collection.png|thumb|250px|James's Poké Ball collection]]
+Beast Balls debuted in ''[[SM061|A Mission of Ultra Urgency!]]'', in which the [[Aether Foundation]] provided multiple of them for Ash and {{ashcl}} to use during their missions as [[Ultra Guardians]]. Since then, Beast Balls have appeared in {{cat|Ultra Guardians episodes|a number of episodes}}. Most of the time they are only used to temporarily hold {{an|Ultra Beasts}} until they are released back into [[Ultra Space]]. The only Ultra Beasts that have been kept in a Beast Ball for longer than one episode are [[Ash's Naganadel]] and Gladion's {{p|Nihilego}}.
+In ''[[JN045|Sword and Shield... The Legends Awaken!]]'', {{an|Leon}} used an Ultra Ball in an attempt to catch {{TP|Goh|Eternatus}}, only for Eternatus to break out.
+[[File:Sealed Poké Ball anime.png|thumb|250px|left|A sealed Poké Ball]]
+Many other Poké Balls have been shown in the anime; however, most of these are cosmetic alterations alone, such as Poké Balls with gold plating, diamond studded Poké Balls, and Poké Balls with stickers or special designs on them, usually to denote an organization. [[Ball Capsule]]s and [[Seal]]s can also be used to customize a Poké Ball's appearance, and they add special effects when the Pokémon is sent out. In the anime, they are mostly used by {{pkmn|Coordinator}}s during [[Pokémon Contest]]s to create a showy entrance and ensure that the Pokémon will make a good impression right out of the Poké Ball.
+Notably, a broken Poké Ball, snapped in half at its rusted hinges, was kept by both Ash and {{Gary}}, symbolizing their rivalry. After Ash defeated Gary during the [[Silver Conference]], Gary gave his half of the Ball to Ash as a sign of ending their rivalry.
+In ''[[EP013|Mystery at the Lighthouse]]'', it was shown that if a Trainer catches a Pokémon while they already have six on hand, it is automatically sent to the regional {{pkmn|Professor}}. ''[[BW018|Sewaddle and Burgh in Pinwheel Forest]]'' shows a major difference in what happens after a Pokémon is captured. Instead of being automatically sent to the regional Professor, the Poké Ball is sealed and the button becomes red. The Pokémon is kept inactive until it is switched out by another actively in the Trainer's party.
+=====Other variants=====
+[[File:HZ029 Poké Ball 3.png|thumb|250px|Some of [[Karna]]'s custom Poké Balls]]
+* A green Poké Ball appeared in ''[[EP001|Pokémon - I Choose You!]]''. Interestingly, the cover of the book {{OBP|Grass Pokédex|book}} greatly resembles this Poké Ball, and is labeled as a Safari Ball.
+** In addition to this, the artwork of {{ga|Brendan}}, in {{2v2|Ruby|Sapphire}}, features Brendan holding a green Poké Ball.
+* Several objects were used to contain and control Pokémon before Poké Balls themselves were developed. Large monumental objects have been shown several times in episodes to be containers for large ancient Pokémon, as seen most notably in ''[[EP072|The Ancient Puzzle of Pokémopolis]]''. Smaller objects have also been used, such as the staff belonging to [[Sir Aaron]], which contained his partner, {{OBP|Lucario|M08}}, until {{Ash}} released it in the current era. Special armor developed by [[Marcus]] was used to control Pokémon in ancient [[Michina Town]], though it did not directly ''contain'' the Pokémon; unlike other methods of using Pokémon, these Pokémon were enslaved, instead of befriended, and they turned against him the moment the armor was broken.
+* {{OBP|Mewtwo|M01}} had a collection of strange Poké Balls known as (Japanese: '''ミュウツーボール''' ''Mewtwo Balls'') in ''[[M01|Mewtwo Strikes Back]]'', which incorporated an eye into their design, and were used primarily to capture Pokémon to be cloned. These balls had no trouble catching Pokémon which were already captured—even if they were already inside of Poké Balls.
+* In ''[[M03|Spell of the Unown: Entei]]'', [[Molly Hale]], whose imagination caused the power of the {{OBP|Unown|M03}} to change the world around them, was able to use strange, crystalline Poké Balls when she challenged {{an|Brock}} and {{an|Misty}}. The Pokémon sent from these appeared normally, but dissolved into crystal, rather than being recalled. These crystal Poké Balls only appeared when used by her imagined older selves, and do not appear to actually exist.
+* A special variant of Poké Ball, the Lake Ball, was used during the [[Seaking Catching Competition]] in ''[[EP168|Hook, Line, and Stinker]]''; this is viewed by many to be similar to the Sport Ball used in the [[Bug-Catching Contest]]. They appear as blue and white Poké Balls, with a fish pattern around the edge, and a yellow arrow on the top and bottom of the ball. They don't shake after capture, implying an automatic catch.
+* In ''[[EP248|One Trick Phony!]]'', specially marked Poké Balls appeared at the {{jo|Battle Park}}, containing the Park's [[rental Pokémon]]. They looked almost exactly like standard Poké Balls, except that they had the Park's stylized "BP" logo on the top.
+* Older Poké Balls have also appeared in the anime, specifically the one carried by [[Sam]] in ''[[M04|Celebi: The Voice of the Forest]]'', which was colored differently, and it had a knob that needed to be twisted before the Pokémon inside could be sent out. While it is unknown how these types were manufactured, it is likely that they were made by hand using Apricorns, prior to the standardization and mass production of modern-day Poké Balls.
+* The [[Iron-Masked Marauder]], an agent of [[Team Rocket]], used special [[Dark Ball]]s that corrupted Pokémon caught inside them and made them into mindless servants of the Trainer, as well as raising their power significantly. Multiple Pokémon were caught in these Poké Balls, including the {{pkmn2|Mythical}} {{OBP|Celebi|M04}} and a powerful {{p|Tyranitar}}. They seem capable of catching any Pokémon without fail.
+* As in the games, the [[GS Ball]] appeared in the anime, and was the primary motivation for Ash's trip to the [[Orange Islands]], where he would compete in his second Pokémon League. It also served as the catalyst for his journey to [[Johto]], as he needed to deliver the ball to [[Kurt]]. Former director [[Masamitsu Hidaka]] revealed that a shelved storyline, that would have concluded the GS Ball's arc, involved a {{p|Celebi}} that would have traveled with Ash and his friends through at least part of Johto. The storyline was viewed as redundant after the decision was made to introduce Celebi in the fourth movie instead.
+* ''[[AG104|Claydol, Big and Tall]]'' featured the "[[Stone Ball]]", a huge Poké Ball made of stone used to keep an evil, giant {{p|Claydol}} that levied destruction everywhere. This Poké Ball is about the size of a two-story house.
+* In ''[[AG178|Battling the Enemy Within!]]'', an ancient relic resembling a Poké Ball was first mentioned by {{an|Brandon}}, who told Ash and his friends a story about the [[King of Pokélantis]], who had once tried to control {{p|Ho-Oh}} for his own evil purposes. When Ash later found the relic, it was revealed that the King of Pokélantis's spirit was actually sealed within it, and it possessed Ash until it was banished from his body and resealed back inside the relic.
+* In ''[[BW037|A Fishing Connoisseur in a Fishy Competition!]]'', a specially marked Poké Ball, called the "Fishing Poké Ball", was used in the fake fishing contest set up by {{TRT}}. This Poké Ball highly resembled the regular red and white Poké Ball, except that it had a dark fish mark on its red part.
+* In ''[[M21|The Power of Us]]'', the participants of the [[Pokémon Catch Race]] used special "Catch Race Poké Balls" to catch specifically marked Pokémon around [[Fula City]]. These Poké Balls feature a blue-and-white color scheme, with a gold button.
+* In ''[[Pokémon Journeys: The Series]]'', starting from ''[[JN003|Ivysaur's Mysterious Tower!]]'', the Team Rocket trio was provided with the [[Rocket Prize Master]], a vending machine that lets them borrow random Pokémon from it, contained in special Team Rocket Poké Balls. When a Pokémon is sent out from them, these Balls drop a small leaflet explaining details about the Pokémon in question.
+* Dynamaxed Poké Balls were first used in ''[[JN012|Flash of the Titans!]]'' during {{an|Lance}} and {{an|Leon}}'s [[World Coronation Series]] {{pkmn|battle}}. In ''[[JN045|Sword and Shield... The Legends Awaken!]]'', [[Goh]], with Ash's help, used a Dynamaxed Poké Ball to catch a weakened {{TP|Goh|Eternatus}}, which was later sealed away.
+* In ''[[HZ029|Orla and the Poké Ball Smith]]'', several custom-made Poké Balls created by [[Karna]] were shown. These include the Rocket Ball, which has miniature rocket engines that boost its speed; the Boomerang Ball, which curves back around once thrown; the Bomb-Bomb Ball, which has a fuse that lights up when the ball is about to be thrown and causes the ball to explode when it burns out; the Chase Ball, which homes in on the target Pokémon on a set of wheels; and an unnamed Ball that Karna gave to [[Orla]] as a gift at the end of the episode.
+<gallery>
+Green Poké Ball anime.png|A green Poké Ball in ''[[EP001|Pokémon - I Choose You!]]''
+Bulbasaur Ball.png|The Poké Ball containing {{p|Bulbasaur}} in ''[[EP001|Pokémon - I Choose You!]]''
+Charmander Ball.png|The Poké Ball containing {{p|Charmander}} in ''[[EP001|Pokémon - I Choose You!]]''
+Squirtle Ball.png|The Poké Ball containing {{TP|Gary|Squirtle|Blastoise}} in ''[[EP001|Pokémon - I Choose You!]]''
+Ash Pikachu Poké Ball.png|The Poké Ball containing {{AP|Pikachu}} in ''[[EP001|Pokémon - I Choose You!]]''
+Meowzie Poké Ball.png|A diamond-encrusted Poké Ball in ''[[EP070|Go West Young Meowth]]''
+Mewtwo Balls anime.png|{{OBP|Mewtwo|M01}}'s Mewtwo Balls
+Crystal Ball anime.png|[[Molly Hale]] holding a Crystal Poké Ball
+Lake Ball anime.png|The Lake Ball from ''[[EP168|Hook, Line, and Stinker]]''
+Lokoko Poké Ball anime.png|[[Lokoko]]'s old Poké Ball from ''[[EP232|Just Waiting On a Friend]]''
+Battle Park Ball.png|A Poké Ball used in the {{jo|Battle Park}} in ''[[EP248|One Trick Phony!]]''
+Team Rocket Ball.png|A [[Team Rocket]] Ball from ''[[Mewtwo Returns]]''
+Dark Ball.png|[[Iron-Masked Marauder]] holding a Dark Ball
+Sammy Old Poké Ball.png|Sammy's old Poké Ball from ''[[M04|Celebi: The Voice of the Forest]]''
+Annie Oakley Ball.png|{{OBP|Annie|M05}} and [[Oakley]]'s Poké Balls from ''[[M05|Pokémon Heroes: Latios & Latias]]''
+Promo Annie Oakley Ball reverse.png|A promotional toy version of Annie and Oakley's Poké Balls, produced by [[Tomy]]
+Giant stone Poké Ball anime.png|{{p|Claydol}}'s giant stone Poké Ball from ''[[AG104|Claydol, Big and Tall]]''
+Pokélantis Poké Ball anime.png|A relic holding the [[King of Pokélantis]]'s spirit
+Fishing Poké Ball.png|A Fishing Poké Ball from ''[[BW037|A Fishing Connoisseur in a Fishy Competition!]]''
+Catch Race Poké Ball.png|A Catch Race Poké Ball from ''[[M21|The Power of Us]]''
+Team Rocket Ball JN.png|Team Rocket Balls from ''[[Pokémon Journeys: The Series]]''
+Dynamax Poké Ball anime.png|A [[Dynamax]]ed Poké Ball in ''[[JN045|Sword and Shield... The Legends Awaken!]]''
+Rocket Ball.png|A Rocket Ball from ''[[HZ029|Orla and the Poké Ball Smith]]''
+Boomerang Ball.png|A Boomerang Ball from ''[[HZ029|Orla and the Poké Ball Smith]]''
+Bomb-Bomb Ball.png|A Bomb-Bomb Ball from ''[[HZ029|Orla and the Poké Ball Smith]]''
+Chase Ball.png|A Chase Ball from ''[[HZ029|Orla and the Poké Ball Smith]]''
+HZ029 Poké Ball 1.png|One of [[Karna]]'s custom Poké Balls from ''[[HZ029|Orla and the Poké Ball Smith]]''
+HZ029 Poké Ball 2.png|One of Karna's custom Poké Balls from ''[[HZ029|Orla and the Poké Ball Smith]]''
+</gallery>
+====History====
+{{main|History of Poké Balls}}
+As mentioned, the generic Poké Ball design is not constant and has been remodeled and altered innumerable times in order to create new Poké Balls that are adapted for specific conditions. For example, it is seen in several anime episodes such as ''[[AG065|Gulpin it Down!]]'' and ''[[AG104|Claydol Big and Tall]]'' that normal Poké Balls have difficulty catching Pokémon which are extremely large or extremely heavy. In the latter episode, it is revealed that ancient civilizations overcame this issue by constructing immense Poké Balls many times the size of the standard model known today, and made from stone instead. Other civilizations such as [[Pokémopolis]] also discovered new technologies that more closely resembled modern Poké Ball technology, such as the [[Pokémopolis#Pokémopolis artifacts|Dark Device]] and the [[Pokémopolis#Pokémopolis artifacts|Unearthly Urn]], which were also adapted for the capture and storage of massive Pokémon but in small containers. However, devices like these became lost to the ages and their roles were subsequently supplanted by Heavy Balls in the modern world.
+In ''[[EP095|A Shipful of Shivers]]'', modern Poké Balls are found in the [[ghost ship]], implying that modern Poké Balls were first made at least 300 years ago. According to ''[[Pocket Monsters: The Animation]]'', Poké Balls were developed to allow for various Trainers to efficiently capture and train Pokémon in relatively little risk to themselves, as the act of training a Pokémon often results in severe injuries and even death. It also claims that the Pokémon {{p|Primeape}} and its notoriously violent nature was directly responsible for their creation.
+Prior to the invention of Poké Balls, Pokémon were referred to as magical creatures (Japanese: {{tt|魔獣|まじゅう}} ''majū''), indicating that the name Pokémon, short for Pocket Monster, did not come into common parlance as a term until Poké Balls allowed the various magical creatures to be stored easily.
+====Pokédex entries====
+{{Animedexheader|Kanto|no}}
+{{Animedexbody|EP001|Poké Ball|Ash's Pokédex|While being {{pkmn|training|trained}}, a Pokémon ''usually'' stays inside its Poké Ball. However, there are many exceptions. Some Pokémon hate being confined.}}
+{{Animedexfooter/Pokémon|Kanto}}
+====Ancient Poké Ball====
+[[File:Roy Ancient Poké Ball anime.png|thumb|250px|Ancient Poké Ball]]
+The search for these Poké Balls is an important plot within ''[[Pokémon Horizons: The Series]]''. These Poké Balls, in addition to capturing Pokémon, seem to have unique powers and react to certain stimuli, like Liko's pendant and other Ancient Poké Balls.
+=====History=====
+[[Roy]] is in possession of an antique Poké Ball that he refers to as the Ancient Poké Ball. It was found by [[Roy's grandfather|his grandfather]] and later given to him. It first appeared in ''[[HZ004|The Treasure After the Storm!]]'', where Roy mentioned how he had never managed to open it. In ''[[HZ006|The Ancient Poké Ball]]'', the ball reacted with [[Liko]]'s pendant and opened to reveal a {{Shiny|Black}} [[Black Rayquaza|Rayquaza]] that flew away soon after. The ball is said to have belonged to an [[Lucius|ancient adventurer]] who once commanded Rayquaza. In ''[[HZ011|Arboliva's Forest]]'', another identical Ancient Poké Ball appeared under the possession of a giant [[Six Heroes#Lucius's Arboliva|Arboliva]]. In the [[HZ012|next episode]], this Poké Ball was revealed to be Arboliva's, and to have been owned by the ancient adventurer as well. Another Ancient Poké Ball appeared under the possession of the adventurer's [[Galarian form|Galarian]] [[Six Heroes#Lucius's Moltres|Moltres]]. Another Ancient Poké Ball appeared under the possession of the adventurer's [[Six Heroes#Lucius's Lapras|Lapras]].
+=====Pokémon housed in Ancient Poké Balls=====
+{| class="roundy" style="text-align:center; background:#{{scarlet color}}; border:3px solid #{{violet color light}}"
+|- style="color:#fff"
+! style="background:#{{blue color light}}; {{roundytl|5px}}" | Pokémon
+! style="background:#{{blue color light}}" | Region
+! style="background:#{{blue color light}}" | Debut
+|- style="background:#fff"
+| [[File:Black Rayquaza.png|150px]]<br>[[Black Rayquaza]]
+| [[Kanto]]{{tt|*|Formerly}}
+| ''[[HZ006|The Ancient Poké Ball]]''
+|- style="background:#fff"
+| [[File:Lucius Arboliva.png|150px]]<br>{{pkmn2|Giant}} {{p|Arboliva}}
+| [[Paldea]]
+| ''[[HZ010|Nemona and Brassius and…]]''
+|- style="background:#fff"
+| [[File:Lucius Moltres.png|150px]]<br>{{rf|Galarian}} {{p|Moltres}}
+| [[Galar]]
+| ''[[HZ022|Charge! Galar Mine!]]''
+|- style="background:#fff"
+| [[File:Lucius Lapras.png|150px]]<br>Giant {{p|Lapras}}
+| [[Lapras Sea|Unknown]]
+| ''[[HZ031|Song Within the Mist]]''
 |}
-<br clear="all">
-All of the Generation I and Generation III Poké Balls are also available, though the Dive Ball can only be obtained randomly through the man in [[Solaceon Town]] upon showing him the Pokémon he asks for, or transferred ahead held by a Pokémon through [[Pal Park]]. This is due to a lack of use for it in Sinnoh. Also, for the first time, a Ball was redesigned; that is, the Safari Ball was given a new camouflage pattern. The Park Ball is colored [[Pokémon Gold and Silver|gold and silver]], with a [[Pokémon Crystal|light blue]] center. The Cherish Ball cannot be acquired for use; instead, they contain Pokémon distributed at events.
-<br clear="all">
-===In the manga===
+=====Gallery=====
-[[Image:Seadraspe.PNG|frame|right|{{Special|Silver}}'s {{p|Seadra}}'s Poké Ball in [[Pokémon Special]].]]
+<gallery>
-[[Image:Pkballdengeki.PNG|frame|right|A Poké Ball in [[Electric Tale of Pikachu]].]]
+Ancient Poké Ball HZ.jpg|Concept art of [[Roy]]'s Ancient Poké Ball from ''[[Pokémon Horizons: The Series]]''
-In [[Pokémon Special]] manga, one can see the miniature of the Pokémon inside the Poké Ball; the type of ball doesn't matter. In the [[Electric Tale of Pikachu]] manga, however, the center of a Poké Ball has a small number to differentiate it from others.
+</gallery>
+===Pokémon Origins===
+[[File:Poké Ball PO.png|thumb|250px|A Poké Ball in Pokémon Origins]]
+Besides the regular Poké Ball, the other Generation I variations of it were also seen during the [[Pokémon Origins]] miniseries. In ''[[PO03|File 3: Giovanni]]'', it was shown that [[Giovanni]] kept his strongest Pokémon, {{p|Rhyhorn}} and {{p|Rhydon}}, within Ultra Balls. In ''[[PO04|File 4: Charizard]]'', {{OBP|Red|Origins}} was seen catching an {{p|Arbok}} with a Great Ball and a {{p|Chansey}} with a Safari Ball. He also used Ultra Balls to capture the [[Legendary Pokémon]] {{p|Articuno}}, {{p|Zapdos}}, {{p|Moltres}}, and {{p|Mewtwo}}.
+The Master Ball only appeared in a demonstration in ''File 3: Giovanni'', as it was still under development at the time. After [[Team Rocket]] was driven out of the [[Silph Co.]] building by Red, the development of the Master Ball was put on hold for a while.
+Additionally, in Pokémon Origins, the sound effects and bright light used when a Trainer is catching, sending out, or recalling a Pokémon differ in comparison to the sound effects and lights that are used in the main Pokémon anime, more resembling the effects seen in {{game|FireRed and LeafGreen|s}}.
-==Other Poké Balls==
+===Pokémon Generations===
-These Poké Balls are found outside of the standard games.  They are often too unusual to fit in with other groups of Poké Balls, and some are so unusual that it is questionable if they even qualify as Poké Balls. Most of these have separate articles, which describe their unique properties in greater detail.
+[[File:Ultra Ball PG.png|thumb|left|250px|An Ultra Ball in [[Pokémon Generations]]]]
+The only Poké Ball variant seen in [[Pokémon Generations]] was an Ultra Ball, which appeared in ''[[PG09|The Scoop]]''. It was shown being used by {{player|a Trainer}} to catch a {{p|Deoxys}} in outer space.
+{{-}}
-===In the games===
+==In the manga==
-; [[Pester Ball|Pester Balls]]
+In the various [[Pokémon manga]], Poké Balls have been shown to appear differently, as an attempt to explain how a Trainer knows which Pokémon is in which ball, as most Pokémon manga series were, like the anime, developed at a time when the games could not keep track of the ball a Pokémon was contained in.
-: Seen in [[Pokémon Snap]], this unusual Poké Ball cannot catch Pokémon. Instead, it releases an irritating gas.
-; [[GS Ball]]
+===The Electric Tale of Pikachu===
-: Seen in [[Pokémon Crystal]], this Poké Ball cannot catch Pokémon. Instead, it is a special item that can be used to make {{p|Celebi}} appear in the [[Ilex Forest]].
+[[File:Poké Ball EToP.png|thumb|left|200px|A Poké Ball in [[The Electric Tale of Pikachu]]]]
+[[File:Enormo Poké Ball EToP.png|thumb|200px|The Enormo Poké Ball-X1]]
+In [[The Electric Tale of Pikachu]], the rules are more similar to the anime; however, Poké Balls are numbered on the outside, on the button, so that a Trainer knows which member of their team they are sending into battle. In The Electric Tale of Pikachu, Trainers must obtain a license before they are legally allowed to purchase Poké Balls.
-; [[Snag Ball|Snag Balls]]
+It is also possible for a Pokémon to be placed inside a Poké Ball without it being owned by a Trainer. In ''[[ET11|Days of Gloom and Glory]]'', [[Meowzie]] steals a Poké Ball from a shop and puts her kitten in it so that it will not be hurt by a flood affecting the city.
-: Though not a Poké Ball in its own right, this is seen in [[Pokémon Colosseum]] and [[Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness]]. It is a ball that has been modified using the [[Snag Machine]]. It is capable of [[snagging]] a [[captured Pokémon]] during a [[Pokémon battle]] as if it were wild.
-===In the anime===
+In ''[[ET04|Haunting My Dreams]]'', a giant Poké Ball named the Enormo Poké Ball-X1 (Japanese: '''ビッグモンスターボールX1''' ''Big Monster Ball-X1'') or EPB-X1 for short, was created to capture the gigantic {{p|Haunter}}, [[Black Fog]]. It was destroyed when the Black Fog used {{m|Explosion}} to free itself after being captured.
-; Pre-Poké Ball Objects
+{{-}}
-: There are multiple artifacts and antiques which have similar properties to modern Poké Balls but are not technically the same thing - some, in fact, are not even balls. These range from unusual artifacts found in the ancient city of [[Pokémopolis]] which contain [[Giant Pokémon]] inside (seen in ''[[EP072|The Ancient Puzzle of Pokémopolis]]'') to antique Poké Balls which look similar to their modern-day equivalents but have an altered design and are made from a more fragile material (seen in ''[[EP232|Just Waiting on a Friend]]'').  Given that these were made before the development of the technology used in modern Poké Balls, the workings behind these objects are a mystery.  Another early Poké Ball design is seen in [[Pokémon 4Ever]] when [[Professor Oak|Sammy]] uses a Poké Ball brought from his own time with a lock on its button to call out his {{p|Charmeleon}}.  This model seems to be much closer to the modern design.
-[[Image:Green pokeball.JPG|thumb|A green Poké Ball]]
+===Magical Pokémon Journey===
-; Green Poké Balls
+In [[Magical Pokémon Journey]], the main characters generally do not capture Pokémon, rather, they befriend them. Although [[Almond]], one of the main characters, is known to be a [[Pokémon Trainer]], he is not actually depicted capturing or raising any Pokémon. In fact, in the bonus materials of {{Vol|Magical Pokémon Journey|2}}, in which the cast of the manga meet {{Ash}}, {{an|Misty}} and {{an|Brock}} in a series of crossovers, it is revealed that [[Hazel]] and [[Coconut]] do not even know what Poké Balls are. When Ash and Misty explain that they are used to capture Pokémon, they both proceed to attempt to use them to capture Almond, as he is each of their love interest.
-: Official name unknown. In ''[[EP001|Pokémon, I Choose You!]]'', in the [[Pokémon League]] [[Pokémon battle|battle]] seen at the very start of the episode, one trainer, assumably [[Bruno]], throws out a green Poké Ball which contains an {{p|Onix}}.  This was the first Poké Ball seen in the anime.  No details on this Poké Ball were given, and its color has never been explained; shortly after in the episode, regular red Poké Balls are used.
-: It is possibly supposed to be some special sort of Poké Ball, like a Great Ball or Ultra Ball, to help show the elite status of the trainers battling.  Additionally, since some [[Generation II]] information was known at this point, it could be an early assumption of one of the [[apricorn]] balls. It's also very similar to a Safari Ball anime design, except it doesn't have an "S" letter.
-; Solid Gold Poké Balls
+===Pokémon Adventures===
-: There are not actually any solid gold Poké Balls in the Pokémon world.  However, the idea is often used to fool greedy criminals like [[Brodie]] in ''[[AG119|The Ribbon Cup Caper]]'' or gullible consumers like [[James]] in ''[[EP015|Battle Aboard the St. Anne]]''.
+[[File:Yellow Seadra Poké Ball.png|thumb|200px|{{adv|Yellow}}'s {{p|Seadra}} inside his Poké Ball in [[Pokémon Adventures]]]]
+In the [[Pokémon Adventures]] manga, the tops of Poké Balls are semitransparent, allowing the Pokémon inside, which is miniaturized, to be seen through the ball, while the Pokémon can likewise see out of the ball it is contained in. In this manga, unlike in the anime, Pokémon already captured can be recaught in another Poké Ball, as is seen when {{adv|Red}} recatches [[Gyara|Misty's Gyarados]] in ''[[PS006|Gyarados Splashes In!]]'' (though {{adv|Blue}} states that catching a Pokémon that belongs to another is not possible in ''[[PS050|Lapras Lazily]]'').
-; Mewtwo Balls
+Like in the anime and the games, specialty balls do exist, although they are much more commonly used than in the anime. In ''[[PS026|Holy Moltres]]'', [[Team Rocket]] was shown to have caught the {{adv|legendary birds}} in Ultra Balls. In ''[[PS035|And Mewtwo... Three!]]'', [[Blaine]] gave Red the [[Master Ball]], which Red used to catch {{adv|Mewtwo}} shortly afterwards. In ''[[PS101|Teddiursa's Picnic]]'', {{adv|Gold}} and {{adv|Silver}} received a Friend Ball and Heavy Ball, respectively, with Silver using his ball to catch an {{TP|Silver|Ursaring}}, while Gold used his to catch a {{p|Teddiursa}} for [[Maizie]]. Close to the end of the {{MangaArc|Gold, Silver & Crystal}}, the [[Masked Man]] was shown creating a [[GS Ball]] and using it to catch {{adv|Celebi}}. In ''[[PS528|Innocent Scientist]]'', {{adv|Blake}} used Luxury Balls while trying to catch the {{TP|Blake|Genesect}} controlled by [[Colress]], eventually succeeding. In ''[[PS543|Abyssal Ruins]]'', Blake gave {{adv|Whitley}} a Quick Ball to catch a {{p|Karrablast}}. In ''[[PS583|Scizor Defends]]'', a Quick Ball was seen amongst the Poké Balls that {{adv|Y}} had used while trying to catch an {{p|Absol}}.
-: Official name unknown. Marked by an eerie eye incorporated into their design, these Poké Balls were created and used by [[Mewtwo (anime)|Mewtwo]] in ''[[Mewtwo Strikes Back]]''. They can be moved around easily with Mewtwo's {{t|Psychic}} powers, and they can capture any Pokémon, including those which are already inside other Poké Balls. Mewtwo used these to gather Pokémon to be cloned.
-; [[GS Ball]]
+Safari Balls have been seen being used by Red at the {{safari|Kanto|Kanto Safari Zone}}, by {{adv|Diamond}}, {{adv|Pearl}}, and {{adv|Platinum}} at the [[Great Marsh]], and by Silver at the {{safari|Johto|Johto Safari Zone}}. {{adv|Crystal}} and {{adv|Emerald}} have also been shown using special balls to catch Pokémon, with Crystal specializing in [[Apricorn]] balls and Emerald specializing in Poké Balls introduced in [[Generation III]].
-: This was in the possession of [[Professor Ivy]], who gave it to [[Ash Ketchum|Ash]], who in turn gave it to [[Kurt]] to study. Despite this, its purpose is completely unknown, since it was never mentioned again after being given to Kurt, and has most likely been forgotten. There is a large amount of fan speculation as to what purpose it holds.
-; Lake Balls
+Additionally, the three original types of Poké Ball are used to identify the Trainer's rank; most Trainers keep their Pokémon in Poké Balls, [[Gym Leader]]s use Great Balls, and [[Elite Four]] members use Ultra Balls.
-: These balls were used only in the [[Seaking Catching Day|Seaking Catching Competition]], similar to the Park Balls used in the Bug-Catching Contest. They only appeared in ''[[EP168|Hook, Line, and Stinker]]'', and have not been seen since. They appear as blue and white Poké Balls, with a fish pattern around the edge, and a yellow arrow on the top and bottom of the ball.
-; [[Dark Ball|Dark Balls]]
+In the {{MangaArc|Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon}}, Beast Balls were created for the [[Aether Foundation]] by Blake, who was disguised as Colress, as a means of catching [[Ultra Beast]]s. Sun used one to catch his {{p|Stakataka}} in ''[[PASM30|Madness!! Mother Lusamine!]]''.
-: These were used by [[The Iron Masked Marauder]] in ''[[Pokémon 4Ever]]''. Presumably technology of [[Team Rocket]], these Poké Balls will take over the mind of any Pokémon caught by them, making them turn into mindless  servants of whoever caught them. These were used to capture multiple Pokémon, including {{p|Celebi}}.
-[[Image:Chansey PokeBall.PNG|right|200px|thumb|A disguised [[Nurse Joy]] holding [[Nurse Joy's Chansey|her Chansey's]] Poké Ball.]]
-; Crystal Poké Balls
+Like in the games, but unlike the anime, Pokémon placed in their balls don't recover from [[status condition]]s nor regain lost health, no matter how much time passes.
-:These were created by [[Unown (Spell of the Unown)|the Unown]] for [[Molly Hale|Molly]] to battle with during ''[[Spell of the Unown]]''.
-; Rocket Poké Balls
+====Variants====
-:These were used in ''[[Mewtwo Returns]]'', and look like normal Poké Balls but black with a red "R" on them. Hundreds were used by the many Rockets in the special.
+* [[Bruno]] has modified his Poké Balls so that they are fitted onto the ends of his {{wp|Nunchaku|nunchucks}}. By swinging them quickly and throwing the nunchuck forward, Bruno can have his Pokémon quickly attack his opponent, giving him the advantage.
+* [[Koga]] and his daughter [[Janine]] modified their Poké Balls into {{wp|shuriken}} to fit their ninja theme. In addition to being used as weapons, they can also be used to have their Pokémon pop up from different locations to surprise the opponent or to hold items to help an ally.
+* [[Bugsy]] had [[Kurt]] modify his butterfly net into something he calls a Capture Net. His net has a Poké Ball nested into the middle of it. The bag of the net is made of the same material of the inside of a Poké Ball. Once a Pokémon is covered in the bag, they will automatically be sucked into the Poké Ball.
+* [[Falkner]] has modified his Poké Balls into boomerangs using the feathers of his {{p|Skarmory}}. Because of Skarmory's feathers being transparent, they have the tendency to turn invisible, confusing enemies when Falkner throws them in random directions only for them to turn around and go straight for them.
+* [[Erika]] and {{adv|Moon}} modified their Poké Balls to be at the end of their arrows.
+* In ''[[PS283|It Takes Patience, Knowledge and a Really Quick Beedrill]]'', {{adv|Giovanni}} used a specifically designed Poké Ball with the letters "DNA" on its top half to capture {{adv|Deoxys}}.
+* Multiple Dynamaxed Poké Balls appeared in the {{MangaArc|Sword & Shield}}, being used to both capture Dynamax Pokémon and send them out.
-; {{p|Chansey}} Poké Balls
+<gallery>
-: Used by a [[Nurse Joy]] in [[EP042|Showdown at Dark City]].
+Bruno Nunchuck Poké Ball.png|Bruno's nunchuck with Poké Balls on them
-<br clear="all">
+Koga Shuriken Poké Ball.png|Koga's shuriken Poké Ball
+Bugsy Poké Ball net.png|Bugsy's Capture Net
+Falkner Boomerang Poké Ball.png|Falkner's boomerang Poké Balls
+Erika Arrow Poké Ball.png|Erika with one of her Poké Ball arrows
+Moon bow Adventures.png|Moon with one of her Poké Ball arrows
+DNA Ball.png|Giovanni's Deoxys Poké Ball
+Dynamax Poké Ball Adventures.png|A Dynamaxed Poké Ball
+</gallery>
-===In the [[Pokémon Trading Card Game|TCG]]===
+===Pokémon Gold & Silver: The Golden Boys===
-[[Image:Aqua - Aqua Ball.jpg|thumb|right|An Aqua Ball|150px]][[Image:Magma - Magma Ball.jpg|thumb|right|A Magma Ball|150px]]
+Besides regular Poké Balls, Apricorn Poké Balls also received notable attention in the [[Pokémon Gold & Silver: The Golden Boys]] manga. They were first featured in ''[[GB07|The Great Search! Let's Rescue The Slowpoke!]]'', where {{GnB|Gold}} and [[Kurt]] used some of Kurt's hand-made Poké Balls to save a group of {{p|Slowpoke}} from drowning in the flooding [[Slowpoke Well]]. Kurt's Level Ball also proved crucial in stopping the [[Black Tyranitar]]'s rampage during the manga's climax.
-; {{TCG ID|Expedition|Dual Ball|139}}
-: This ball is found in {{TCG|Expedition}}, {{TCG|EX Team Magma vs Team Aqua}}, {{TCG|EX Delta Species}}, and {{TCG|EX Crystal Guardians}}.
-; {{TCG ID|EX Team Magma vs Team Aqua|Team Aqua Ball|75}}
+===Pokémon: Yeah! I Got Pokémon!===
-: This ball is found in {{TCG|EX Team Magma vs Team Aqua}}.
+[[File:Poké Ball PM.png|thumb|200px|A Poké Ball in [[Pokémon Pocket Monsters]]]]
+In [[Pokémon: Yeah! I Got Pokémon!]], Poké Balls are depicted as solid, with no visual identification as to which Poké Ball is which. In ''[[GDZ15|Special Chapter - Get Pikachu!]]'', it is revealed that when [[Shu]] met {{TP|Shu|Pikachu}}, Pikachu's Poké Ball had been abandoned in a forest because it was defective and it was causing Pikachu's electricity to be released throughout the surrounding area.
-; {{TCG ID|EX Team Magma vs Team Aqua|Team Magma Ball|80}}
+===Pokémon Pocket Monsters===
-: This ball is found in {{TCG|EX Team Magma vs Team Aqua}}.
+In [[Pokémon Pocket Monsters]], Poké Balls are often shown as transparent to identify when a Pokémon is inside. They usually have their typical appearance from far away, suggesting that they may not always be transparent, or are only see-through from up close. Pokémon appear to be able to see the world outside of their Poké Balls, as shown in ''[[PM003|Bring Down the Powerful Opponent Onix!!]]'', when {{TP|Red|Clefairy}} sees {{OBP|Red's Pikachu|Pocket Monsters|Pikachu}} inside his Poké Ball, and they talk to each other. In ''[[PM001|Introducing the Pokémon Clefairy!!]]'', when {{PPM|Green}} is choosing Charmander as his [[first partner Pokémon]], he is shown to be able to pick up and lift Charmander directly from the Poké Ball without throwing it first.
-; {{TCG ID|EX Team Rocket Returns|Rocket's Poké Ball|89}}
+<gallery>
-: This ball is found in {{TCG|EX Team Rocket Returns}}.
+Brock Pikachu PM.png|{{PPM|Red's Pikachu}} inside his Poké Ball, in his debut appearance
+Green Charmander Poké Ball PPM.png|[[Green's Charmander]] being lifted from its Poké Ball
+</gallery>
-=References=
+==In the TCG==
-* Fritz, Chris. [http://pokefor.greenchu.de/meowth346/gbc/poke-balls/ Pokémon Forever GBC Poké Ball information].
+[[File:Rocket Sneak Attack artwork.png|thumb|Ultra Ball]]
-* Fritz, Chris. [http://pokefor.greenchu.de/meowth346/gba/pokeball/ Pokémon Forever GBA Poké Ball information].
+Many variants of Poké Ball have been released in card form in the [[Pokémon Trading Card Game]], ranging from the standard variants found in the games and other media to variants specific to the TCG. Generally, Poké Balls are depicted as {{TCG|Item card}}s that search the player's [[deck]] for {{TCG|Pokémon}} and put them into the player's [[hand]]. Many Poké Ball cards require some number of successful {{TCG|coin}} flips in order to allow for the search to succeed, but some cards use the order of the player's [[deck]] to create inconsistency instead. There are even Poké Ball cards that are guaranteed to work, but these cards are balanced by only finding specific subsets of Pokémon, requiring some cost to be paid, or having another drawback.
-{{Smash Bros. Melee}}
+Some cards, such as {{TCG ID|Skyridge|Apricorn Maker|121}} and {{TCG ID|Shining Fates|Ball Guy|57}}, refer to Poké Ball cards as a group, using the phrase "Item cards that have the word “Ball” in their name". This phraseology excludes cards with "Balloon" in their name even though they otherwise meet the criteria. (An example of an excluded card was {{TCG ID|BREAKpoint|Bursting Balloon|97}}, before the [[errata]] that changed {{TCG|Pokémon Tool card}}s to be a subtype of {{TCG|Trainer card}}s rather than Item cards.)
-{{Smash Bros. Brawl}}
+===List of Poké Ball cards based on the games===
+* The standard {{TCG ID|Jungle|Poké Ball|64}} card, which was the first released, debuted in the {{TCG|Jungle}} expansion and has since been featured in many others. It requires the player to flip a coin and if it is successful, it searches the deck for a {{TCG|Pokémon}} and puts it in the player's hand.
+* The Ultra Ball can be seen in the artwork of {{TCG ID|Team Rocket|Rocket's Sneak Attack|16}}, from the {{TCG|Team Rocket}} expansion. The 'H' on this Ultra Ball is derived from its Japanese name, ''Hyper Ball''. The {{TCG ID|Dark Explorers|Ultra Ball|102}} itself would debut in {{TCG|Dark Explorers}}, with its effect requiring the player to discard 2 cards from the hand to search the deck for any single Pokémon.
+* The {{TCG ID|EX FireRed & LeafGreen|Great Ball|92}}, which first appeared in the {{TCG|EX FireRed & LeafGreen|TCG expansion}} coinciding with the {{game|FireRed and LeafGreen|s|remakes}} of the [[Generation I]] games, is somewhat of an upgrade to the Poké Ball, and does not require the coin flip that the Poké Ball does, instead restricting the search to Basic Pokémon. Later, in {{TCG|Emerging Powers}}, {{TCG ID|Emerging Powers|Great Ball|93}}'s effect was changed to have the player search the top 7 cards of the deck for any one Pokémon card and put it in the hand.
+* The {{TCG ID|Gym Challenge|Master Ball|116}}, first appearing in the {{TCG|Gym Challenge}} expansion, and in the games the most powerful of the Poké Balls, provides a vastly different effect than the standard. Rather than searching the entire deck, only the top seven cards may be searched. One {{TCG|Pokémon}} found in these seven can be put into the hand, while the rest must be shuffled back into the deck. In {{TCG|Plasma Blast}}, the {{TCG ID|Plasma Blast|Master Ball|94}} was changed to an {{TCG|ACE SPEC card}} that allowed the player to search the entire deck for any one Pokémon. This effect is similar to Ultra Ball, but without the discard cost.
+* Debuting in the {{TCG|Skyridge}} expansion, the {{TCG ID|Skyridge|Lure Ball|128}} is different from the basic Poké Balls in that it draws from the {{TCG|discard pile}} rather than the deck. For each heads flipped, with a maximum of three, an {{TCG|Evolution card}} can be returned from the discard pile and put into the hand. It has since been reprinted in {{TCG|Celestial Storm}}.
+* Also debuting in Skyridge, the {{TCG ID|Skyridge|Friend Ball|126}}, another [[Apricorn]] Ball, has a unique effect entirely, allowing the user to search their deck for a Pokémon of the same {{TCG|type}} as one of the opponent's Pokémon and put it into their hand. It is effective in decks that typically match up well against their own type. It was also reprinted in Celestial Storm.
+* The {{TCG ID|Skyridge|Fast Ball|124}} allows the player to go through their deck, turning over cards one at a time until they find the first evolution card, and then taking that into their hand, shuffling afterward. Like the other two Apricorn Balls, it debuted in Skyridge, but unlike the others, it has not appeared since.
+* The {{TCG ID|Great Encounters|Premier Ball|101}}, debuting in the {{TCG|Great Encounters}} expansion, is special, much as in the games, and allows the player to search either the deck ''or'' the discard pile for a {{TCG|Pokémon LV.X}} to put into their hand.
+* The {{TCG ID|Stormfront|Luxury Ball|86}}, first released in the {{TCG|Stormfront}} expansion, is among the rarest of the Poké Ball varieties in the games, though its catch rate is the same as that of a normal Poké Ball. Likewise it is so with the TCG, allowing a non-{{TCG|Pokémon LV.X|LV.X}} Pokémon to be searched from the deck, but only if another Luxury Ball card is not in the discard pile.
+* The {{TCG ID|Mysterious Treasures|Quick Ball|114}} released in the {{TCG|Mysterious Treasures}} expansion has a similar effect to the Fast Ball released in Skyridge, allowing the player to uncover cards from their deck until they find a Pokémon. An expansion of the Fast Ball's use, any Pokémon can be found, though this may prove an issue if the player is looking for an Evolution card specifically and finds a Basic Pokémon first, and vice versa. The Quick Ball was rereleased in the {{TCG|Sword & Shield}} expansion with a different effect, requiring players to discard 1 card in order to search their deck for a Basic Pokémon.
+* The {{TCG ID|Mysterious Treasures|Dusk Ball|110}}, also first released in Mysterious Treasures, features an effect somewhat opposite from that of the pre-Plasma Blast version of Master Ball: Instead of the top seven cards being searched, only the bottom seven cards may be, and a Pokémon found there may be put into the player's hand.
+* The {{TCG ID|Next Destinies|Heavy Ball|88}}, first released in {{TCG|Next Destinies}}, allows the player to search their deck for a Pokémon who has a [[Retreat Cost]] of 3 or more and put it into their hand.
+* The {{TCG ID|Next Destinies|Level Ball|89}}, also first released in {{TCG|Next Destinies}}, allows the player to search their deck for a Pokémon that has 90 HP or less and put it into their hand.
+* The {{TCG ID|Primal Clash|Dive Ball|125}}, released only in {{TCG|Primal Clash}}, allows the player to search their deck for a {{ct|Water}} Pokémon and put it into their hand.
+* The {{TCG ID|Primal Clash|Repeat Ball|136}}, released only in {{TCG|Primal Clash}}, allows the player to search their deck for a Pokémon with the same name as one of their Pokémon in play and put it into their hand.
+* The {{TCG ID|Sun & Moon|Nest Ball|123}}, first released in {{TCG|Sun & Moon}}, allows the player to search their deck for a Basic Pokémon and put it onto their Bench.
+* The {{TCG ID|Sun & Moon|Timer Ball|134}}, first released in {{TCG|Sun & Moon}}, allows the player to search their deck for a number of Evolution Pokémon equal to the number of heads from flipping two coins.
+* The {{TCG ID|Lost Thunder|Net Ball|187}}, first released in {{TCG|Lost Thunder}}, allows the player to search their deck for a Basic {{e|Grass}} Pokémon or a {{e|Grass}} Energy card and put it into their hand.
+* The {{TCG ID|Celestial Storm|Beast Ball|125}}, first released in {{TCG|Celestial Storm}}, allows the player to look at their Prize Cards, and swap an [[Ultra Beast]] found there with the Beast Ball card.
+* The {{TCG ID|Unified Minds|Cherish Ball|191}}, first released in {{TCG|Unified Minds}}, allows the player to search their deck for any {{TCG|Pokémon-GX}} and put it into their hand.
+* The {{TCG ID|Evolving Skies|Dream Ball|146}}, first released in {{TCG|Evolving Skies}}, allows the player to search their deck for a Pokémon and put it on their bench, but the card can only be played if the player took it as a face down Prize card.
+* The {{TCG ID|Astral Radiance|Feather Ball|141}}, first released in {{TCG|Astral Radiance}}, allows the player to search their deck for a Pokémon with no Retreat Cost and put it into their hand.
+* The {{TCG ID|Astral Radiance|Hisuian Heavy Ball|146}}, first released in Astral Radiance, allows the player to look at their Prize cards, and swap a Basic Pokémon found there with the Hisuian Heavy Ball card.
+* The {{TCG ID|Twilight Masquerade|Love Ball|156}}, first released in {{TCG|Twilight Masquerade}}, is similar in effect to Friend Ball, except it allows the user to search their deck for a Pokémon of the same name (instead of the same type) as one of the opponent's Pokémon, and put it into their hand.
+<gallery>
+PokéBallScarletViolet185.jpg|{{TCG|Poké Ball}}
+GreatBallPaldeaEvolved183.jpg|{{TCG|Great Ball}}
+UltraBallScarletViolet196.jpg|{{TCG|Ultra Ball}}
+MasterBallTemporalForces153.jpg|{{TCG|Master Ball}}
+FastBallSkyridge124.jpg|{{TCG|Fast Ball}}
+LevelBallBattleStyles129.jpg|{{TCG|Level Ball}}
+LureBallCelestialStorm138.jpg|{{TCG|Lure Ball}}
+HeavyBallBREAKthrough140.jpg|{{TCG|Heavy Ball}}
+LoveBallTwilightMasquerade156.jpg|{{TCG|Love Ball}}
+FriendBallCelestialStorm131.jpg|{{TCG|Friend Ball}}
+NetBallLostThunder187.jpg|{{TCG|Net Ball}}
+NestBallScarletViolet181.jpg|{{TCG|Nest Ball}}
+RepeatBallPrimalClash136.jpg|{{TCG|Repeat Ball}}
+TimerBallSunMoon134.jpg|{{TCG|Timer Ball}}
+LuxuryBallStormfront86.jpg|{{TCG|Luxury Ball}}
+PremierBallGreatEncounters101.jpg|{{TCG|Premier Ball}}
+DiveBallPrimalClash125.jpg|{{TCG|Dive Ball}}
+DuskBallParadiseDragona54.jpg|{{TCG|Dusk Ball}}
+QuickBallSwordShield179.jpg|{{TCG|Quick Ball}}
+CherishBallUnifiedMinds191.jpg|{{TCG|Cherish Ball}}
+DreamBallEvolvingSkies146.jpg|{{TCG|Dream Ball}}
+BeastBallCelestialStorm125.jpg|{{TCG|Beast Ball}}
+FeatherBallAstralRadiance141.jpg|{{TCG|Feather Ball}}
+HisuianHeavyBallAstralRadiance146.jpg|{{TCG|Hisuian Heavy Ball}}
+</gallery>
+===List of Poké Balls original to the TCG===
+* The {{TCG ID|Expedition|Dual Ball|139}} is two Poké Balls together, and has a similar (but not identical) effect to using two Poké Ball cards. The player flips two coins then searches their deck for one Basic Pokémon per heads result.
+* The {{TCG ID|EX Team Magma vs Team Aqua|Team Magma Ball|80}} is a [[Team Magma]] variation of the Poké Ball, released only in the {{TCG|EX Team Magma vs Team Aqua}} expansion. First, the player flips a coin. If it has a heads result, the card allows the user to search for a Team Magma's Pokémon. If that coin flip results in tails, the search is limited to {{TCG|Basic Pokémon|Basic}} Team Magma Pokémon.
+* The {{TCG ID|EX Team Magma vs Team Aqua|Team Aqua Ball|75}} is a [[Team Aqua]] variation of the Poké Ball, also released only in the {{TCG|EX Team Magma vs Team Aqua}} expansion. It has the same effect as the Team Magma Ball, but searches for Team Aqua's Pokémon instead.
+* The {{TCG ID|EX Team Rocket Returns|Rocket's Poké Ball|89}} is the [[Team Rocket]] variation on the Poké Ball, released in the {{TCG|EX Team Rocket Returns}} expansion. It allows the player to search their deck for a {{TCG|Dark Pokémon}}.
+* The {{TCG ID|Plasma Freeze|Team Plasma Ball|105}} is a [[Team Plasma]] variation of the Poké Ball, released in the {{TCG|Plasma Freeze}} expansion. It allows the user to search their deck for a {{TCG|Team Plasma}} Pokémon.
+* The {{TCG ID|Double Crisis|Team Magma's Great Ball|31}} is a Team Magma variation on the Great Ball, released in the {{TCG|Double Crisis}} expansion. It searches the deck for a Basic Team Magma Pokémon and a Basic {{e|Fighting}} Energy.
+* The {{TCG ID|Double Crisis|Team Aqua's Great Ball|27}} is a Team Aqua variation on the Great Ball, also released in the {{TCG|Double Crisis}} expansion. It searches the deck for a Basic Team Aqua Pokémon and a Basic {{e|Water}} Energy.
+<gallery>
+DualBallCallLegends78.jpg|{{TCG|Dual Ball}}
+Magma Ball artwork.jpg|{{TCG|Team Magma Ball}}
+Aqua Ball artwork.jpg|{{TCG|Team Aqua Ball}}
+Rocket Ball artwork.jpg|{{TCG|Rocket's Poké Ball}}
+Plasma Ball artwork.jpg|{{TCG|Team Plasma Ball}}
+Magma Great Ball artwork.jpg|{{TCG|Team Magma's Great Ball}}
+Aqua Great Ball artwork.jpg|{{TCG|Team Aqua's Great Ball}}
+</gallery>
+==In the novels==
+===Pocket Monsters: The Animation===
+In [[Pocket Monsters: The Animation]], it is said that Poké Balls were invented in 1925 by [[Professor Westwood V|Professor Nishinomori]].
+==In the guidebooks==
+According to the [[Encyclopedia Pokemonica]], [[Pocket Monsters Encyclopedia]], and a [[Pokémon Daisuki Club]] site describing the [[Pokémon world]], modern Poké Balls were developed in 1925 from the research of [[Professor Westwood V|Professor Westwood]] of [[Celadon University]].
+==In real life==
+The Pokémon Company has occasionally partnered with certain companies in order to create certain products. This includes Poké Balls.
+*The Pokémon Company has collaborated with {{wikipedia|Tiffany & Co.}} in order to make a Poké Ball that also acts as a jewelry case.
+<gallery>
+Collaboration Tiffany & Co. Poké Ball.png|The {{wikipedia|Tiffany & Co.}} Poké Ball.
+</gallery>
+==Trivia==
+* {{an|Professor Oak}} has written {{wp|senryū}} about the Poké Ball in two of his lectures:
+** For [[DP003]], the [[Professor Oak's Big Pokémon Encyclopedia]] featured this senryū: 「ゲットだぜ　なげかたいろいろ　モンスターボール」 ''"I caught a Pokémon! {{tt|Monster Balls|Poké Balls}} can be thrown in all sorts of ways."''
+** For [[BW002]], the [[Professor Oak's Pokémon Live Caster]] featured this senryū: 「あっポケモン　モンスターボール　わすれずに」 ''"Oh, a Pokémon; don't forget to bring your {{tt|Monster Balls|Poké Balls}}."''
+* In {{g|Pinball}}, the Poké Balls serve as the balls in the machine; they can be used to capture Pokémon and are upgraded depending on the multiplier bonus at the time.
+* In some early artwork for {{game|Red and Green|s}}, Poké Balls are shown on the ground in two pieces while the Pokémon are in battle, rather than in the more familiar hinged form they take now. This may be a carryover from when Pokémon was known as Capsule Monsters, as the Poké Ball sprites in [[Generation I]] also do not show the button on the ball. In [[Generation II]], Poké Balls split in half when capturing a Pokémon as part of their animation, while the anime had been using the hinge style since the very first episode.
+* In the earlier volumes of the [[Pokémon Adventures]] manga, Poké Balls captured and released Pokémon in large puffs of smoke, often with a strong sound effect. This may have been based on the capture and release animations in Generation I and II. As [[Generation III]] onwards exchanged the smoke effect for Ball-specific animations, the effect in the manga shifted instead to bursts of light.
+* Poké Balls are inspired by the capsules for {{wp|gashapon}} machines, which contain small, handheld toys.
+* In Generation II, after catching a Pokémon, the Poké Ball's color palette changes to that of the Pokémon that was just caught. It then changes back to normal thereafter.
+* Starting in Generation III, all Poké Ball types have a special effect that appears whenever the ball is opened. These special effects also can be seen in [[Pokémon Colosseum]] and [[Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness]]. In [[Generation IV]] and {{pkmn|Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl}}, customizable special effects are available through [[Sticker]]s.
+* In {{game2|Diamond|Pearl|Platinum}}, [[Cyrus]]'s computer indicates that a Poké Ball would limit the power of {{p|Dialga}} and {{p|Palkia}}. This leads to [[Team Galactic]] creating the [[Red Chain]] instead to shackle them so they can control their full power.
+* [[Generation VI]] is the only completed generation to date to not have introduced a new type of Poké Ball.
+==In other languages==
+{{langtable|color={{red color light}}|bordercolor={{red color}}
+|ja=モンスターボール ''Monster Ball''
+|ar=كرة البوكي ''Kurt Al-Poké''
+|zh_yue=精靈球 ''{{tt|Jīnglìhng Kàuh|Monster Ball}}''
+|zh_cmn=精靈球 / 精灵球 ''{{tt|Jīnglíng Qiú|Monster Ball}}'' {{tt|*|Games, Mainland China (1998 - 2005, 2011 - present)}}<br>寶貝球 / 宝贝球 ''{{tt|Bǎobèi Qiú|Creatures Ball}}'' {{tt|*|Taiwan and Mainland China (2005 - 2011)}}
+|hr=Pokélopta
+|cs=Pokébal
+|da=Pokéball
+|nl=PokéBal {{tt|*|TCG}}
+|fi=Poképallo
+|fr=Poké Ball
+|de=Pokéball
+|he=פוקדור ''Pokadur''
+|hi=पोकेबॉल ''Pokéball''
+|hu=Pokélabda
+|id=Poké Ball<br>Bola Pokémon
+|it=Poké Ball<br>Sfera Poké {{tt|*|Occasionally in the first 11 seasons of the anime}}
+|ko=몬스터볼 ''Monster Ball''
+|ms=Poké Ball<br>Pokéball
+|pl=Pokéball
+|pt_br=Poké Bola {{tt|*|Games, anime, TCG (HeartGold & SoulSilver-Unleashed, Sun & Moon-present), Adventures (PS091-present), The Official Pokémon Handbook, Pokémon Characters Guidebook}}<br>Poké bola {{tt|*|Adventures (PS135)}}<br>Poké Ball {{tt|*|TCG (Black & White-Generations), Adventures (PS001-PS085, PS461-PS518)}}<br>Pokébola {{tt|*|Early anime, The Electric Tale of Pikachu, Pokémon Club}}
+|pt_eu=Pokébola<br>Bola Poké {{tt|*|Platinum manual}}
+|ro=Poké-minge
+|ru=Поке-Болл ''Poké-Boll'' {{tt|*|TCG, anime, GO}}<br>Покешар ''Pokéshar'' {{tt|*|Anime}}
+|es_la=Pokébola
+|es_eu=Poké Ball
+|sv=Poké Ball<br>Pokéboll<br>Pokéklot {{tt|*|Black version manual}}<br>Poké-klot {{tt|*|Victini event pamphlet}}
+|ta=போகிபால் ''Pokéball''
+|te=పోకెబాల్ ''Pokéball''
+|th=มอนสเตอร์บอล ''Monster Ball''<br>โปเกบอล ''Poké Ball'' {{tt|*|Medallion}}
+|tr=Poké Topu
+|vi=Bóng chứa Pokémon<br>Bóng Poké
+|is=Pokébolti
+|no=Pokéball}}
+==References==
+<references/>
+{{-}}
+{{Poké Balls}}<br>
+{{Items}}<br>
+{{Smash Bros.}}
+{{-}}
 {{Project ItemDex notice}}
-[[Category:Game mechanics]]
+[[Category:Poké Balls|*]]
-[[Category:Equipment]]
+[[Category:Groups of items]]
-[[Category:Super Smash Bros.]]
+[[Category:Super Smash Bros. trophies]]
-[[de:Pokéball]]
-[[ja:モンスターボール]]
+[[de:Pokébälle]]
-[[pl:Poké Ball]]
+[[es:Poké Ball]]
+[[fr:Ball]]
+[[it:Poké Ball]]
+[[ja:モンスターボール (総称)]]
+[[zh:精靈球]]

Poké Ball: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 19:32, 19 September 2024

In the core series games

History

Mechanics and design

Poké Ball accuracy

Types of Poké Balls

Other variants

Palette limitations

Item balls

Game icons

In the side series games

Pokémon Colosseum and XD: Gale of Darkness

In the spin-off games

Pokémon GO

Description

Pokémon Snap

Pokémon UNITE

Pokémon Pinball series

Pokémon Pinball

Pokémon Pinball: Ruby & Sapphire

Learn with Pokémon: Typing Adventure

Super Smash Bros. series

Super Smash Bros. Melee

Super Smash Bros. Brawl

Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS/Wii U

Pokémon Tower Battle

Camp Pokémon

Pokémon Sleep

In the anime

Main series

Mechanics

Types of Poké Ball

Other variants

History

Pokédex entries

Ancient Poké Ball

History

Pokémon housed in Ancient Poké Balls

Gallery

Pokémon Origins

Pokémon Generations

In the manga

The Electric Tale of Pikachu

Magical Pokémon Journey

Pokémon Adventures

Variants

Pokémon Gold & Silver: The Golden Boys

Pokémon: Yeah! I Got Pokémon!

Pokémon Pocket Monsters

In the TCG

List of Poké Ball cards based on the games

List of Poké Balls original to the TCG

In the novels

Pocket Monsters: The Animation

In the guidebooks

In real life

Trivia

In other languages

References

Navigation menu

Search