What Should You Use the Master Ball On in Pokémon Shining Pearl?

The Master Ball. Just hearing the name conjures images of guaranteed catches, averted crises, and a strategic advantage against the most elusive Pokémon. In Pokémon Shining Pearl, this coveted item is a one-time deal (unless you get exceptionally lucky at the lottery or utilize glitches), so its usage warrants careful consideration. The definitive answer? The best use of the Master Ball in Pokémon Shining Pearl is to catch a roaming legendary Pokémon, specifically Cresselia or, more practically, the Legendary Birds (Articuno, Zapdos, and Moltres) after transferring them from Pokémon Home.

These Pokémon have a unique mechanic: they roam the Sinnoh region after being triggered. This means they can appear in any patch of tall grass, making them incredibly difficult and time-consuming to track down and catch. Furthermore, they have a tendency to flee battles almost immediately, making conventional capture methods unreliable. Trying to whittle their health down and inflict status conditions is a frustrating process that often ends in failure. This is precisely where the Master Ball shines.

While some might argue for using it on a shiny Pokémon that is about to use Self-Destruct or Explosion, that scenario, while stressful, is significantly rarer than encountering the roaming legendaries repeatedly. Shiny hunting often takes patience and dedication, but roaming Pokémon introduce a whole new level of difficulty. Others suggest using it on the elusive Manaphy or Phione, but these Pokemon can be breeded and are generally less frustrating to obtain than the roaming legendaries.

By reserving your Master Ball for these flighty roamers, you essentially bypass hours of tedious searching, battling, and potential disappointment. It’s a pragmatic and efficient way to ensure you obtain these valuable additions to your team, especially if you’re aiming to complete your Pokédex or engage in competitive battling. There’s an undeniable satisfaction in the assurance of a successful catch, eliminating the frustration and RNG associated with traditional Poké Balls. Some people also like to hunt Shinies, using the Pokeradar or Masuda Method.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Where do I get the Master Ball in Pokémon Shining Pearl?

The Master Ball is located in the Galactic HQ in Veilstone City. After defeating Commander Saturn, you’ll find it on a table in the room.

2. Can I get more than one Master Ball in Pokémon Shining Pearl without exploits?

Officially, no. There is only one guaranteed Master Ball per playthrough.

3. Are there any glitches to duplicate the Master Ball?

Yes, there have been item duplication glitches discovered and widely circulated within the Pokémon community. However, using such glitches is at your own risk and may corrupt your save file. It is recommended that you engage in this activity after saving the game.

4. What other Pokémon are notoriously difficult to catch in Shining Pearl?

Aside from the roaming legendaries, Spiritomb can be tricky to acquire. Its encounter requires talking to 32 unique NPCs in the Grand Underground, and even then, it has a relatively low encounter rate in the required location. However, Spiritomb doesn’t flee battles, so it’s still catchable with Ultra Balls and patience.

5. What are the catch rates of the roaming legendaries?

The exact catch rates vary, but they are considerably low. Combine that with their propensity to flee battles, and you have a challenging capture scenario. This is the exact problem that the Master Ball resolves.

6. What are some strategies to catch Pokémon without using the Master Ball?

• Status Conditions: Paralyzing or putting Pokémon to sleep significantly increases their catch rate.
• Lower HP: Reducing a Pokémon’s HP to 1 is ideal.
• Type Matching: Using Poké Balls that are effective against the Pokémon’s type (e.g., Net Ball for Water/Bug-types) can help.
• Patience: Sometimes, persistence is key. Keep throwing Poké Balls, and eventually, you might get lucky.
• Quick Ball: Use a Quick Ball at the start of the battle. It has a high chance of catching the Pokemon at the start of the battle.

7. Does weather affect the Master Ball?

No, the Master Ball’s 100% catch rate is unaffected by weather conditions.

8. Is there a way to improve my luck in the Pokémon Lottery Corner for a chance at another Master Ball?

The Lottery Corner is primarily based on luck. However, the more Pokémon with different Trainer ID numbers you have, the better your chances of matching numbers and winning prizes. Consider trading with other players to increase your odds.

9. How do I track the roaming legendaries once they’re released?

The Pokétch app has a marking map that can display the Pokemon’s current location. Use this to your advantage to track down the Pokemon on the map. Fly to an area near the Pokemon, and then start walking in the tall grass. The Pokemon will eventually show up in the tall grass.

10. Are the roaming legendaries’ stats predetermined when they’re released?

No, the roaming legendaries’ stats and natures are determined when the battle begins. This means you can reset your game if you aren’t happy with the stats you get.

11. Can I use the Master Ball on a Shiny Pokemon?

Absolutely! Using the Master Ball on a Shiny Pokemon will guarantee a catch without any fear of it running away, fainting, or using self-destruct.

12. Is Koraidon/Miraidon a good Pokemon to use the masterball on?

Koraidon and Miraidon are not featured in Pokemon Shining Pearl as they are exclusively in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet. You may want to check out the Games Learning Society website for educational games.

13. What should I consider if I decide not to use the Master Ball on the roaming legendaries?

If you choose not to use the Master Ball on the roaming legendaries, be prepared for a potentially lengthy and frustrating catching process. Stock up on Ultra Balls, status-inducing moves, and healing items. Save frequently to avoid losing progress. Understand that you’ll need a strategy to prevent them from fleeing and be prepared to repeat the process many times.

14. What if I accidentally use my Master Ball?

If you accidentally use your Master Ball on a Pokémon you didn’t intend to catch, there’s no in-game way to retrieve it. Your only option would be to restart your game from your last save point, if you have one. This underscores the importance of saving frequently and being mindful when selecting items in battle.

15. Does gender affect the pokemon stats?

No, gender does not affect Pokemon stats. It mainly affects the ability to breed Pokemon in order to obtain new Pokemon.