Pokeball Types

Normal Pokeball Types

• Basic red-and-white Poke Balls are made available to you early in the game, but they are fairly weak. Poke Balls catch many low-level Pokemon without any difficulty. They become somewhat limited in usefulness as you progress in the game. Great Balls, colored red, white and blue, have a slightly better capture rate. Black-, white- and yellow-colored Ultra Balls are even more powerful. All three of these Pokeballs are available for purchase at almost any Pokemon Store. If you buy 10 basic Poke Balls in one shopping trip, you also get a free Premier Ball. These balls have the same catch rate as regular Poke Balls, but they have a different appearance.

Master Balls

• Master Balls provide the best capture rate of any type of Poke Ball. When used, a Master Ball never fails to catch its target. Master Balls are white, purple and pink, with a large white "M" on the front. Players often receive a Master Ball after they complete a special event in the game, like earning all of the gym badges or defeating a boss. In some "Pokemon" games, only one Master Ball is available. In other games, players can win more Master Balls by matching all of the numbers in the lottery.

Nest Ball, Dive Ball and Net Ball

• Nest Balls are designed for use on weak wild Pokemon. These white, green and yellow balls work better the weaker the player's target is. Dive Balls, colored white, light blue and dark blue, work best when the player uses them while underwater. If the Dive Ball is used in any other location, its catch rate drops to that of a regular Poke Ball. Net Balls, colored white, turquoise and black, have a higher chance of capturing water or bug-type Pokemon.

Timer Ball, Quick Ball and Repeat Ball

• Red, white and black Timer Balls are most effective when used after 10 turns have passed in battle. The catch rate of Timer Balls goes up slightly each time 10 more turns pass. Quick Balls, colored white, yellow and light blue, work best when the player uses them as soon as a battle begins. Repeat Balls, featuring a white, red, yellow and black design, work better when they are used on a Pokemon species the player has already caught.

Luxury Ball, Dusk Ball, Heal Ball and Safari Ball

• Catching a Pokemon in a black, gold and red Luxury Ball increases the Pokemon's happiness. A Pokemon's happiness is important, since some Pokemon only evolve when happy. Green, red and black Dusk Balls work well when used at night or inside of caves. When a Pokemon is captured in a pink, white and blue Heal Ball, its health is automatically restored, and it is cured of its status ailments. Safari Balls are only available for use in the Safari Zone, a game where you pay to catch rare Pokemon in a zoo-like setting.