Do Beast Balls Have a 100% Catch Rate?
No, Beast Balls do NOT have a 100% catch rate. In the core Pokémon games where they are obtainable, Beast Balls are specifically designed to have a very low catch rate on regular Pokémon and a higher, but still not guaranteed, catch rate on Ultra Beasts. Their effectiveness is highly conditional and depends on the specific Pokémon encounter.
Understanding the Beast Ball: More Than Just Looks
The Beast Ball, with its distinctive and futuristic design, was introduced in Pokémon Sun and Moon as a specialized Poké Ball designed to capture the elusive and dangerous Ultra Beasts. However, its unique functionality often leads to confusion and misinformation regarding its catch rate. It’s crucial to understand the mechanics behind the Beast Ball to effectively utilize it.
The Mechanics of the Beast Ball
The catch rate of any Poké Ball is determined by a complex formula that takes into account several factors:
- Pokémon’s Catch Rate: Each Pokémon species has a base catch rate, a hidden stat that influences how easily it is caught. Pokémon with lower catch rates (e.g., Legendaries) are harder to catch.
- Pokémon’s HP: The lower the Pokémon’s remaining HP, the higher the chance of catching it.
- Status Conditions: Status conditions like Sleep and Paralysis significantly increase the catch rate.
- Poké Ball Modifier: Each type of Poké Ball has a modifier that multiplies the base catch rate.
- Game Version: The exact mechanics and effectiveness of Beast Balls can differ slightly between different game versions.
Beast Ball’s Catch Rate: The Nitty-Gritty
Here’s a breakdown of the Beast Ball’s catch rate in different scenarios:
- Ultra Beasts: In Pokémon Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun, and Ultra Moon, the Beast Ball has a 5x catch rate modifier against Ultra Beasts. This is significantly higher than the standard Poké Ball’s 1x modifier, making it the most effective ball for capturing them. However, even with this boost, the capture is not guaranteed and can still fail, especially if the Ultra Beast has a low catch rate or high remaining HP.
- Regular Pokémon: Against regular Pokémon, the Beast Ball has a 0.1x catch rate modifier in Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun, and Ultra Moon. This drastically reduces the catch rate, making it one of the worst Poké Balls to use for catching non-Ultra Beast Pokémon. It’s even less effective than a standard Poké Ball.
- Pokémon Sword and Shield & Scarlet and Violet: While Beast Balls exist in these games, they are not specifically tied to Ultra Beasts in terms of mechanics. Their catch rate modifier is 1x, making them function the same as a regular Poké Ball. They’re more of a novelty item for collectors or those who like their aesthetic. Catching Pokemon in these games comes down to the Pokemon’s stats, not the ball.
Why the Misconception?
The misconception that Beast Balls have a 100% catch rate likely stems from a few factors:
- Rarity and Design: The unique appearance and limited availability of Beast Balls give the impression that they are incredibly powerful.
- Association with Ultra Beasts: Since Beast Balls were designed for catching Ultra Beasts, players might assume they are guaranteed to work on them.
- Anecdotal Evidence: Players who successfully catch an Ultra Beast with a Beast Ball might mistakenly believe it’s due to a guaranteed catch rate, without realizing the influence of other factors like HP and status conditions.
Tips for Using Beast Balls Effectively
If you are determined to use Beast Balls, especially for catching Ultra Beasts, here are some tips to increase your chances of success:
- Lower the Pokémon’s HP: Reducing the Pokémon’s HP to red health significantly improves your chances of catching it.
- Inflict Status Conditions: Sleep and Paralysis are the most effective status conditions for increasing the catch rate.
- Use Roto Catch (if available): In some games, the Roto Catch power can temporarily increase your catch rate.
- Be Patient: Don’t be discouraged if your first few attempts fail. Keep trying, and eventually, you’ll likely succeed.
- Stock Up: Make sure you have plenty of Beast Balls before attempting to catch any Ultra Beasts.
FAQs About Beast Balls
H3 FAQ 1: Can you buy Beast Balls?
No, in the games where Beast Balls have a special modifier, you cannot buy them. You typically receive a limited number of them during the main storyline, specifically to catch Ultra Beasts. In later games, you can craft them after receiving a blueprint.
H3 FAQ 2: What is the best strategy for catching Ultra Beasts with Beast Balls?
The best strategy is to lower the Ultra Beast’s HP as much as possible, inflict a status condition like Sleep or Paralysis, and then repeatedly throw Beast Balls. Patience is key.
H3 FAQ 3: Are Beast Balls the only way to catch Ultra Beasts?
No, you can catch Ultra Beasts with other types of Poké Balls, but the Beast Ball has a significantly higher catch rate modifier for them in Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun, and Ultra Moon.
H3 FAQ 4: Do Beast Balls have any special animations when used?
Yes, Beast Balls have a unique capture animation that reflects their futuristic design.
H3 FAQ 5: Are Beast Balls more effective at night?
No, the time of day does not affect the catch rate of Beast Balls.
H3 FAQ 6: Can the Shiny Charm affect the catch rate of Beast Balls?
No, the Shiny Charm only affects the odds of encountering Shiny Pokémon, not the catch rate.
H3 FAQ 7: What happens if I run out of Beast Balls when trying to catch an Ultra Beast?
You will have to use other types of Poké Balls to attempt the catch. If you fail to catch the Ultra Beast and run out of all Poké Balls, you will faint and return to the last Pokémon Center you visited.
H3 FAQ 8: Do Beast Balls work on Legendary Pokémon?
Yes, Beast Balls can be used on Legendary Pokémon, but their catch rate against regular Legendary Pokémon is the same as a regular Poké Ball (1x modifier in Sword and Shield and Scarlet and Violet, and 0.1x in Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun, and Ultra Moon).
H3 FAQ 9: Are Beast Balls considered rare?
Yes, Beast Balls are generally considered rare due to their limited availability and specialized use.
H3 FAQ 10: Can I trade Beast Balls to other players?
Yes, you can trade Pokémon holding Beast Balls to other players.
H3 FAQ 11: Do Beast Balls have a different appearance in different games?
The basic design of the Beast Ball remains consistent across different games, although there might be minor graphical variations.
H3 FAQ 12: Can you breed Pokémon caught in Beast Balls?
Yes, you can breed Pokémon caught in Beast Balls, and the offspring may inherit the ball type depending on the parentage.
H3 FAQ 13: Are Beast Balls available in Pokémon GO?
No, Beast Balls are not currently available in Pokémon GO.
H3 FAQ 14: Do support powers such as catch power affect the catch rate of Beast Balls?
Yes, support powers that boost the catch rate in games where they’re available, like the Roto Catch, will also affect the catch rate when using Beast Balls.
H3 FAQ 15: Is there a trick to making Beast Balls more effective?
While there’s no “trick” to guarantee a catch, maximizing the standard capture techniques (lowering HP, inflicting status conditions) is the best way to increase their effectiveness. Remember to be patient and persistent.