Can You Catch Miraidon Without a Master Ball? A Pokémon Trainer’s Guide

Absolutely! While a Master Ball guarantees a successful capture, snagging Miraidon in Pokémon Violet without one is entirely possible, though it requires patience, strategy, and a bit of luck. This guide will arm you with the knowledge you need to add this powerful Legendary to your team using more readily available Poké Balls.

Understanding Miraidon’s Catch Rate

Miraidon, like many Legendary Pokémon, boasts a notoriously low catch rate of just 3. This means it’s statistically harder to catch than most other Pokémon you’ll encounter in the game. Don’t be discouraged; this simply means you’ll need to employ effective strategies to increase your odds.

Strategies for Catching Miraidon Without a Master Ball

Here’s a breakdown of methods to improve your chances of capturing Miraidon without resorting to your precious Master Ball:

• Weaken Miraidon: Reducing Miraidon’s HP is the most crucial factor. Get its health down to the red zone without knocking it out. Status conditions like paralysis, sleep, or freeze will further boost your catch rate. Paralysis is generally preferred as it doesn’t wear off like sleep can.

• Use Status Conditions: Applying a status condition such as Sleep, Paralysis, or Freeze significantly increases your chances of a successful capture. Sleep and Freeze are more effective than Paralysis, but come with the risk of wearing off naturally, thus Paralysis becomes the next best option.

• Choose the Right Poké Ball: While the standard Poké Ball is unlikely to work, there are many other options. Ultra Balls offer a significantly better catch rate than regular Poké Balls. Experiment with other specialized balls like Timer Balls (more effective the longer the battle goes on), Net Balls (not effective on Miraidon’s typing but good for future reference), or Dusk Balls (better in caves or at night). Remember, the capture ratio of each Pokeball increases proportionally with their rarity.

• Sandwiches and Catching Power: Make use of sandwich effects, specifically those that grant Catching Power. Certain recipes will increase your chances of capturing Pokémon, making those rare balls much more effective.

• Patience and Persistence: Catching a Legendary like Miraidon often takes multiple attempts. Don’t give up after a few failed throws. Keep weakening it, applying status conditions, and throwing your best Poké Balls.

• False Swipe and Hold Back: Two moves, False Swipe and Hold Back, are invaluable. These moves will always leave the target with at least 1 HP, preventing you from accidentally knocking out Miraidon.

Location of the Second Miraidon

After completing The Way Home questline, return to the Great Crater of Paldea, specifically to the bottom where you initially battled the AI-controlled Pokémon. Behind the large crystal formation, you’ll find a ramp leading to a plateau where the second Miraidon awaits.

Why Save Your Master Ball?

Master Balls are exceptionally rare in Pokémon games. The general consensus is that you should save it for particularly difficult or rare Pokémon, or even for Shiny Pokémon that could potentially use the move Self-Destruct/Explosion. The Games Learning Society advocates for strategic thinking in gaming, and saving your Master Ball aligns perfectly with this principle. Visit GamesLearningSociety.org to learn more.

FAQs: Catching Miraidon and Master Ball Usage

1. Can you catch Miraidon with any Poké Ball?

While theoretically possible, catching Miraidon with a regular Poké Ball is highly unlikely due to its low catch rate. Stick to Ultra Balls or specialized balls to significantly improve your odds.

2. Can I catch Miraidon with a Quick Ball?

Yes, it’s possible, but relies heavily on luck. Quick Balls have a higher catch rate if used on the first turn, so it’s worth a try, but don’t rely solely on it. Some players have reported success due to the color coordination of the Pokeball.

3. Is the Master Ball a 100% catch rate?

Yes, the Master Ball guarantees a 100% catch rate. It’s a surefire way to catch any Pokémon without fail.

4. Is it possible to fail a Master Ball throw?

No. The catch rate of the Master Ball was changed to 255, which means the ball cannot fail to catch a Pokemon.

5. Does Miraidon respawn if you knock it out?

Yes, if you knock out the second Miraidon in Area Zero, it will respawn. This allows you to retry the capture until you succeed.

6. What is the best Poké Ball to catch Miraidon with (excluding the Master Ball)?

The Ultra Ball is generally considered the best standard option. Timer Balls can become very effective in longer battles, and Dusk Balls are ideal if you’re playing at night or inside a cave.

7. Is the other Miraidon shiny locked?

Yes, both Koraidon and Miraidon are Shiny-locked in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. You cannot obtain a legitimate Shiny version of them in the game without hacking or external modification.

8. How many Master Balls are there in Pokémon Violet?

There’s typically only one Master Ball obtainable through normal gameplay in Pokémon Violet. This is why it’s so important to use it wisely.

9. Can Ultra Beasts break out of Master Balls?

No, Ultra Beasts cannot break out of Master Balls. A Master Ball guarantees a successful capture on any Pokémon, including Ultra Beasts.

10. What if I accidentally used my Master Ball on a common Pokémon?

Unfortunately, there’s no way to retrieve a Master Ball once it’s used. It’s a learning experience! Just be more careful in the future.

11. Can you breed Master Balls?

No, you cannot breed Master Balls. The Poké Ball type is passed down from the female Pokémon, but special balls like the Master Ball, Cherish Ball, and Strange Ball are excluded from this rule and act as regular Poké Balls for inheritance purposes.

12. How does Catching Power from sandwiches work?

Catching Power increases the likelihood of successfully catching a Pokémon with any given Poké Ball. The higher the level of Catching Power, the greater the boost. Experiment with different sandwich recipes to find the best ones for your needs.

13. What level is the second Miraidon?

The second Miraidon you encounter in Area Zero is at level 72. Make sure your team is adequately leveled to withstand its attacks.

14. What are Miraidon’s weaknesses?

Miraidon is a dual Electric/Dragon-Type Pokémon, making it weak to Ice, Ground, and Dragon-Type moves.

15. Should I use my Master Ball on Zacian or Zamazenta in other games?

Zacian and Zamazenta are good candidates for using the Master Ball on, especially if you don’t play multiplayer or plan on getting any future DLC. However, it’s a matter of personal preference and what you value most in the game.

Catching Miraidon without a Master Ball is a rewarding achievement that demonstrates your skill as a Pokémon trainer. With the right strategies and a little perseverance, you can add this Legendary to your team and continue your adventures in the Paldea region!