Should You Use Your Master Ball on Palkia? A Comprehensive Guide
The burning question for many Pokémon trainers facing the majestic Palkia is: should I use my precious Master Ball? The short answer is a resounding no, absolutely not. While the allure of a guaranteed catch is tempting, using the Master Ball on Palkia is generally considered a significant waste of this extremely rare and valuable item. This article will explain why and provide the necessary guidance to capture this legendary Pokémon effectively without resorting to a Master Ball.
Why You Shouldn’t Use a Master Ball on Palkia
The primary reason to avoid using a Master Ball on Palkia stems from its relatively high catch rate compared to other legendary Pokémon. The catch rate of Palkia isn’t particularly difficult to manage with the right strategy. The Master Ball is designed for Pokémon with incredibly low capture rates, those that are prone to fleeing, or those that appear very rarely. Palkia doesn’t fall into any of these categories.
Palkia’s Catch Rate
Palkia’s catch rate, while not as high as common Pokémon, is manageable with standard Poké Balls and a bit of patience. Many legendary Pokémon are significantly harder to catch. Therefore, it is best to reserve your Master Ball for a far more challenging encounter.
Alternative Capture Strategies
Instead of relying on the instant success of the Master Ball, trainers should employ alternative capture strategies. These methods not only save your Master Ball for more crucial encounters but also provide a richer gameplay experience. Here’s a common approach:
- Weakening Palkia: Before throwing any Poké Balls, you need to weaken Palkia significantly. Use Pokémon with super-effective type advantages (specifically Fairy or Dragon types), but be careful not to knock it out. Aim for around 1/3rd or less of its health.
- Status Conditions: Inflicting status conditions like paralysis or sleep can drastically increase your chances of a successful capture. These conditions make the Pokémon more docile and easier to contain within a Poké Ball.
- Using Quick Balls: The Quick Ball is very effective in the first turn of a battle. You should try using a Quick Ball at the very beginning of the Palkia encounter for a decent shot.
- Transition to Ultra Balls: If the Quick Ball doesn’t work, the next-best ball is the Ultra Ball. Combine Ultra Balls with the previous weakening and status tactics for optimal results.
- Be Patient: Capturing a legendary Pokémon often requires patience. Don’t be discouraged if your initial attempts fail. Keep at it, and you’ll eventually succeed.
The Value of the Master Ball
The Master Ball is incredibly rare, often only available once in a game, or occasionally twice in the case of Pokemon Go. This limited availability means every trainer must be extremely discerning about how they use it. The Master Ball should be reserved for those truly difficult Pokémon that pose a significant challenge to capture. This might include the roaming legendary Pokémon that flee the battle quickly, or rare encounters that are notoriously difficult to catch.
Related FAQs
Here are 15 Frequently Asked Questions to further clarify the topic of capturing Palkia and using the Master Ball effectively:
1. What is the best ball to use on Palkia besides the Master Ball?
The best ball to use on Palkia, other than the Master Ball, is the Ultra Ball. Pair this with the use of status conditions and weakening, as outlined above for a high probability of success. The Quick Ball is also effective if used immediately at the start of the battle.
2. What happens if Palkia faints?
If you accidentally make Palkia faint, you don’t need to panic. If you have saved prior to the encounter, you can reset the game. If you have not saved, you can beat the Elite Four. The legendary will then respawn at its original location for another attempt.
3. What type of Pokémon is best to use against Palkia?
Palkia is a Dragon/Water-type, making it weak to Fairy and Dragon-type attacks. Using Fairy-type Pokémon is highly recommended because they also resist Palkia’s Dragon-type attacks, giving them a defensive advantage.
4. Can I get more than one Master Ball?
In most Pokémon games, you can typically only obtain one Master Ball. However, in some games like Pokémon GO, it is possible to obtain additional Master Balls through special events or research tasks. In Pokémon Let’s Go, Pikachu and Eevee a second one is found in Cerulean Cave.
5. Is it possible to miss with a Master Ball?
No. The Master Ball has a 100% catch rate and cannot miss. It was previously thought to have a small possibility of failing but this was only under extremely rare conditions.
6. What legendary Pokémon are the best candidates for using a Master Ball?
The best candidates for a Master Ball are roaming legendary Pokémon, such as Galarian Articuno, Zapdos, and Moltres, which are extremely difficult to catch due to their high flee rates and very low catch rates. Some other legendaries may be good candidates if they have extremely low catch rates.
7. Does a Master Ball guarantee a shiny catch?
No, a Master Ball does not affect whether a Pokémon is shiny or not. It only guarantees a successful capture of the Pokémon you encounter.
8. Is there any way to increase the catch rate of Pokémon?
Yes, you can increase the catch rate by:
- Lowering the Pokémon’s HP: The lower the Pokémon’s health, the higher the chance of a successful capture.
- Inflicting Status Conditions: Paralysis, sleep, and freeze significantly boost the capture rate.
- Using specific Poké Balls: Ultra Balls, Dusk Balls (at night), and Net Balls (for Water types) provide a higher catch rate than a standard Poké Ball.
9. How many Ultra Balls do you need to catch Palkia?
The number of Ultra Balls needed to catch Palkia will vary, but with a good strategy, you likely won’t need more than a dozen or two. Weakening the Pokémon and applying status conditions are critical for success.
10. Why is it better to save the Master Ball for other Pokémon?
Saving the Master Ball for other Pokémon is critical because many legendary Pokémon are much harder to catch than Palkia. The Master Ball is designed for situations where a standard Poké Ball has very little chance of success.
11. Are there specific Poké Balls that work better against legendary Pokémon?
Yes, Ultra Balls are generally the best choice for most legendary Pokémon. You can also use Dusk Balls at night or in caves. Heavy Balls can also work well for heavy Pokémon such as Dialga, Giratina and Regigigas.
12. How do I increase my chances of catching Pokémon without a Master Ball?
To increase your chances, be sure to weaken the Pokémon, inflict a status condition, and choose the correct Poké Ball for the situation. Patience is also crucial.
13. Is Palkia easier to catch than Dialga?
No, Palkia is not necessarily easier to catch than Dialga. Their catch rates are similar, so capture them following the strategies outlined in this article for each.
14. Does using the Master Ball affect the IVs or nature of Palkia?
No, using the Master Ball does not affect the Individual Values (IVs) or nature of Palkia. These stats are random when the Pokémon is first encountered and are not changed by the type of Poké Ball used.
15. If I do use my Master Ball on Palkia, is it a huge mistake?
While it’s not the worst thing you could do, using a Master Ball on Palkia is generally considered a poor strategic choice. You will almost certainly face more difficult Pokémon that deserve the Master Ball more.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while the Master Ball offers a guaranteed catch, its rarity and the manageable catch rate of Palkia make it an inefficient choice. Conserve your Master Ball for the roaming legends and other exceptionally difficult encounters. By using the alternative strategies detailed in this article, you’ll successfully capture Palkia while also sharpening your Pokémon training skills. Happy catching!