Which Poké Ball Doesn’t Fail? The Definitive Guide

The simple answer is: the Master Ball. The Master Ball boasts a 100% catch rate, making it the only Poké Ball that never fails under normal circumstances in the core Pokémon video games. It doesn’t matter if you’re trying to capture a lowly Magikarp or a powerful legendary like Mewtwo; a Master Ball will always do the trick. This certainty makes it an incredibly valuable and sought-after item.

Understanding Catch Rates and Poké Ball Mechanics

To truly appreciate the Master Ball, it’s important to understand how catch rates work in Pokémon games. Each Pokémon has a specific catch rate value, which, along with other factors like the Pokémon’s remaining health and any status conditions, influences the probability of a successful capture when using a regular Poké Ball or its more effective variants. Some Pokémon are notoriously difficult to catch, boasting low catch rates that make them incredibly frustrating to acquire. This is where specialized Poké Balls, with their modified catch rate multipliers, come into play.

While other Poké Balls such as Ultra Balls, Great Balls, Dusk Balls, and Timer Balls can significantly increase your chances of catching Pokémon, they are all still subject to the whims of chance. The game’s algorithms calculate the probability of success based on various factors. A particularly stubborn Pokémon might break free from even the best-laid plans and the most expensive Poké Ball.

The Master Ball circumvents this entire process. Its unique programming guarantees success regardless of the target Pokémon’s catch rate, health, or any other influencing factors. This is why many trainers save their Master Ball for the most challenging and important catches, typically reserving it for legendary or mythical Pokémon that are notoriously difficult to obtain.

The Nuances and Exceptions (Almost None!)

It’s crucial to reiterate that, in the core Pokémon video games, the Master Ball has a 100% success rate. There used to be a very, very slight chance of it failing due to older game’s programming limitations, but this has been fixed for recent generations of the franchise. Some of the older code meant you would need to meet a specific (nearly impossible) set of circumstances to cause it to fail, like a Pokémon having exactly 999 HP left and also a catch rate of 3 or less.

However, there are a few situations where a Master Ball might appear to fail, though they are usually scripted events.

• Trainer Battles: You cannot use Poké Balls, including the Master Ball, to catch Pokémon belonging to other trainers during battles. Attempting to do so will result in the ball being deflected.

• Certain Storyline Events: Some games have specific story events where a Pokémon cannot be caught, regardless of the Poké Ball used. These are typically boss battles or encounters where the narrative requires the Pokémon to remain uncaught.

• Pokémon GO: While Pokémon GO does feature the Master Ball, its mechanics differ slightly from the main series games. While its success rate is extremely high, there might still be very rare circumstances where a catch could theoretically fail due to server-side issues or glitches.

Strategic Use of the Master Ball

Given its scarcity and guaranteed success, it’s wise to use the Master Ball strategically. Most players choose to reserve it for the most elusive legendary or mythical Pokémon in the game, especially those that are known to have incredibly low catch rates and are frustratingly difficult to obtain using other Poké Balls.

However, the “best” way to use a Master Ball is ultimately a matter of personal preference. Some trainers might choose to use it on a rare shiny Pokémon they encounter unexpectedly, while others might opt to use it on a Pokémon with a particularly difficult-to-obtain Hidden Ability. The key is to consider the rarity and value of the Pokémon in question and weigh it against the knowledge that you only have one (or very few) Master Balls to use.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some frequently asked questions related to Poké Balls and the Master Ball:

1. What’s the difference between an Ultra Ball and a Master Ball?

An Ultra Ball is one of the most effective standard Poké Balls, offering a significantly higher catch rate than regular Poké Balls and Great Balls. However, it still relies on probability and can fail to catch a Pokémon. The Master Ball, on the other hand, has a 100% catch rate and never fails in standard gameplay.

2. Can you buy a Master Ball?

No, you cannot buy a Master Ball in most Pokémon games. They are typically obtained as rewards for completing specific storyline events, defeating certain trainers, or through limited-time distributions.

3. Is the Master Ball reusable?

No, the Master Ball is a single-use item. Once it’s thrown, it’s gone, regardless of whether it successfully catches the Pokémon.

4. Can a Pokémon break out of a Master Ball?

In the core Pokémon video games, no. The Master Ball guarantees a successful catch, and the Pokémon will not break free.

5. What happens if I throw a Master Ball at a trainer’s Pokémon?

The Master Ball will be deflected and returned to you, as you cannot catch another trainer’s Pokémon.

6. Does the Master Ball work in the Safari Zone?

Yes, the Master Ball works in the Safari Zone, guaranteeing a successful catch of any Pokémon encountered there.

7. What are the best Pokémon to use a Master Ball on?

The best Pokémon to use a Master Ball on are generally legendary or mythical Pokémon with low catch rates that are notoriously difficult to obtain. These include Pokémon like Mewtwo, Rayquaza, and Arceus.

8. Can you get more than one Master Ball in a Pokémon game?

In some Pokémon games, it is possible to obtain more than one Master Ball, either through post-game content, rare item drops, or special events. However, they are still relatively rare and should be used wisely.

9. Does the Master Ball guarantee a critical capture?

No, the Master Ball doesn’t guarantee a critical capture. However, since it always catches the Pokémon, the concept of a critical capture is irrelevant.

10. How does the Master Ball work in Pokémon GO?

In Pokémon GO, the Master Ball is a special item that greatly increases your chances of catching a Pokémon. While its catch rate is very high, it may not be a guaranteed success in every situation, unlike the main series games.

11. What is the rarest Poké Ball in the Pokémon games?

Besides the Master Ball, some of the rarest Poké Balls include the Safari Ball (often only obtainable through specific means like the Cram-O-Matic in Pokémon Sword & Shield), the Sport Ball, and event-exclusive balls like the Cherish Ball.

12. What happens if I lose my Master Ball?

Unfortunately, if you lose your Master Ball (by accidentally using it, for example), it is typically gone for good unless you can obtain another one through legitimate means within the game.

13. Is it better to use a Master Ball on a shiny Pokémon or a legendary Pokémon?

This depends on personal preference. Both shiny Pokémon and legendary Pokémon are rare and valuable. Consider which you value more and which is more difficult to obtain using other methods.

14. How do catch rates work in Pokémon games?

Catch rates are numerical values assigned to each Pokémon, indicating how difficult they are to catch. Lower catch rates mean the Pokémon is harder to catch, while higher catch rates mean it is easier. These values are used in an algorithm that calculates the probability of a successful capture based on factors like the Pokémon’s remaining health, status conditions, and the type of Poké Ball used.

15. Where can I learn more about the mechanics of Pokémon games?

You can learn more about the intricate mechanics of Pokémon games through various online resources, including fan-made wikis, strategy guides, and communities dedicated to Pokémon analysis and gameplay. You might also find the work of the Games Learning Society interesting, where games and how we learn with them is the main focus. Check them out at GamesLearningSociety.org.

In conclusion, while numerous Poké Balls offer varying degrees of effectiveness for capturing Pokémon, only the Master Ball guarantees success. Its 100% catch rate makes it a highly valuable and strategically important item for any Pokémon trainer seeking to catch the rarest and most powerful Pokémon.