Which Poké Ball is Best to Catch Dialga? A Comprehensive Guide
Choosing the right Poké Ball to capture a legendary Pokémon like Dialga can be the difference between a successful catch and a frustrating battle. While the allure of the Master Ball might be tempting, it’s often not the most practical choice for Dialga. The ideal ball, considering Dialga’s surprisingly manageable catch rate, is more nuanced than a simple ‘best’ option. This article will guide you through the various Poké Ball options, focusing on the most effective strategies for adding Dialga to your team, without wasting a precious Master Ball.
Optimal Choices for Dialga Capture
The most straightforward answer for a successful Dialga capture hinges on using a combination of Ultra Balls and a strategic approach. Here’s why:
- Ultra Balls: These offer a solid catch rate, particularly when Dialga’s health is low. They’re readily available for purchase, making them a reliable workhorse for this capture.
- Damage Strategy: Before even thinking about throwing Poké Balls, weaken Dialga with moves that are not super-effective. The lower its health, the higher the chance of a successful capture. This can take several turns, but is far more efficient than hoping for a lucky capture at full health.
- Status Conditions: Inflicting a status condition like paralysis or sleep can also drastically increase your chances of a successful capture. These can be as effective as reducing the Pokémon’s HP significantly.
While Ultra Balls form the backbone of the strategy, there are several other Poké Balls that can be beneficial in specific scenarios.
Situation-Specific Poké Ball Considerations
- Quick Ball: If you’re lucky enough to get one, you can try throwing it right at the start of the battle. The Quick Ball has a high catch rate on the first turn, which can sometimes snag a surprise capture of Dialga.
- Timer Ball: If the battle drags on, the Timer Ball becomes more effective with each passing turn. If you are in a long battle, this is a decent option.
- Heavy Ball: Heavy Balls are more effective against heavier Pokemon. Due to its weight, Dialga is very vulnerable to the Heavy Ball. This ball can even outperform Ultra Balls.
- Dusk Ball: This ball provides a good catch rate, especially when used at night or in a cave. This ball can be useful if it happens that you’re battling in those conditions.
Avoiding the Master Ball on Dialga
It’s strongly recommended not to use a Master Ball on Dialga. It’s one of the easiest legendary Pokémon to catch, with a catch rate that is as high as the relatively weak Pokémon, Chatot. This makes the use of the Master Ball a complete waste of a valuable resource that could be reserved for far more elusive Pokémon. Dialga’s catch rate is high enough that, with patience and a little luck, you can secure it with Ultra Balls or other situational Poké Balls.
The Dialga Catch Rate Myth
While Dialga is a legendary Pokémon, its catch rate is not as low as some other legendaries. The fact that it’s relatively easy to catch was due to the fact that it forced the player into a battle straight after a boss battle in the original Diamond/Pearl games. The developers likely made it easier to catch to prevent players from getting stuck.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Catching Dialga
1. What is Dialga’s catch rate?
Dialga has a base catch rate of 30. This is the same catch rate as Chatot, making it one of the easier legendary Pokémon to catch.
2. Is Dialga difficult to catch?
No, Dialga is considered one of the easiest legendary Pokémon to catch. This is in contrast to other legendary Pokémon which have very low catch rates.
3. Should I use a Master Ball on Dialga?
Absolutely not. Using a Master Ball on Dialga is a waste due to its relatively high catch rate. It’s best to save the Master Ball for a more elusive Pokémon.
4. What Poké Balls are best for Dialga?
The Ultra Ball is the most reliable option. Consider using a Quick Ball at the start of battle, a Timer Ball if the battle extends, or a Heavy Ball due to Dialga’s heavy weight.
5. How many Ultra Balls should I bring for Dialga?
It is wise to bring a large stock of Ultra Balls, just in case. 30-40 Ultra Balls should be enough to ensure you have enough for a successful catch.
6. What if Dialga faints? Can I get it again?
If Dialga faints, you can hard reset the game and reload your save. If you didn’t save, you can challenge the Elite Four and it will reappear, granting you another chance to capture it.
7. What are Dialga’s weaknesses?
Dialga is a Dragon/Steel type, making it weak to Fighting and Ground type moves. Use these types to lower its health, but avoid using them if you can to get to low health, as you risk defeating it.
8. Can status effects help when catching Dialga?
Yes, status effects such as paralysis or sleep greatly increase the catch rate, making it easier to secure Dialga in a Poké Ball.
9. Is there a difference between catching Dialga and Origin Dialga?
The Origin Ball is used to catch Origin Dialga but is only available for that specific event. Regular Dialga is caught with standard Poké Balls.
10. Is it better to catch Dialga or Palkia?
Ultimately, the choice between Dialga and Palkia is not very important, as you will be able to catch both in a playthrough. The game will give you a Poké Ball that will be able to catch the other legendary.
11. Is Origin Dialga better than regular Dialga?
Origin Dialga has slightly different stats than regular Dialga, with lower Attack but higher Special Defense. Otherwise, they are very similar.
12. Why is Dialga so easy to catch compared to other legendaries?
Dialga’s high catch rate is likely due to the fact that in older games, you would be forced into battle with them directly after defeating a Galactic boss. It’s also likely to ensure the player progresses through the story without being stuck.
13. What item should Dialga hold?
Dialga’s best held item is the Adamant Orb, which boosts both Steel and Dragon type moves by 20%. This is usually provided after you catch Dialga.
14. Which is better: Ultra Ball or Heavy Ball for Dialga?
While Ultra Balls are reliable, Heavy Balls often perform better against Dialga due to its heavy weight. If you have the option to use a Heavy Ball, do so.
15. Can you catch Dialga with an Origin Ball?
The Origin Ball is specifically for catching Origin Dialga, not regular Dialga. Regular Dialga is caught with normal Poké Balls like Ultra Balls.
Conclusion
Catching Dialga, while a momentous occasion, is not as challenging as capturing some other legendaries. The combination of a weakened Dialga, a healthy supply of Ultra Balls, strategic use of status conditions, and the occasional situational Poké Ball like the Quick Ball or Heavy Ball make it a manageable encounter without sacrificing a precious Master Ball. By following these guidelines, you can confidently add the mighty Dialga to your team without too much frustration, ensuring you are prepared for any future challenges.