Pokeball

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What is a Pokeball?

A Pokeball is an Item in Pokemon Go used to capture Wild Pokemon. Pokeballs can be obtained as progression rewards in Pokemon Go or can be purchased as in-app microtransactions. Higher quality Pokeballs will offer a greater chance to catch Pokemon. Being that Pokeballs are single use items, Trainers should plan on using them wisely.

What are the Different Types of Pokeballs?

There are four different types of Pokeballs in Pokemon Go. These types include the standard Pokeball, Great Ball, Ultra Ball and Master Ball. Each Pokeball resides in a different Tier. The higher the Tier, the more powerful the Pokeball.

(Tier 1) Pokeball

The most basic of Pokeballs. The standard Pokeball is the easiest to acquire and cheapest to purchase. Standard Pokeballs are most effective at capturing common Pokemon.

(Tier 2) Great Ball

The Great Ball is slightly more difficult to obtain and more expensive to purchase when compared to the standard Pokeball. However, the Great Ball is more effective at capturing wild Pokemon than the Pokeball.

(Tier 3) Ultra Ball

The Ultra Ball is the second most powerful Pokeball in Pokemon Go. It is more expensive and more difficult to acquire than the Pokeball and Great Ball. However, the Ultra Ball is much more effective at capturing wild Pokemon than the lower Tiered Pokeballs.

(Tier 4) Master Ball 

The Master Ball is the most powerful Pokeball in Pokemon Go. Although the Master Ball is the rarest and most expensive Pokeball, it can effectively be used to capture any wild Pokemon in Pokemon Go. It is in a player’s best interest to save his or her Master Balls for encounters with extremely Rare Pokemon such as Mew or Mewtwo.

How to Capture Pokemon with Pokeballs

As players travel within the real world, they will come across wild Pokemon. When a Pokemon is nearby it will show up on the minimap of the user’s Mobile Device. That player must then travel to the Pokemon location to initiate the “capture mode”.

When trying to capture a Pokemon, a user will take aim with his or her smartphone’s touchscreen. By just flicking a finger across the screen, Pokeballs can be thrown at the wild pokemon. While within this “capture mode”, players can switch between different Pokeballs (depending on what Pokeballs are available in inventory).

Throw accuracy is important. If you miss a certain number of times the Pokemon may run away. The Type of Pokeball that is used is also important. If a Pokemon is too powerful it may break out of the Pokeball.

Note: As you progress through the game, you will encounter more powerful Pokemon. Many of these Pokemon cannot be caught with a standard Pokeball, but instead may require a Great Ball, Ultra Ball or sometimes even a Master Ball.

If you are accurate with your throws and the correct Tier of Pokeball is used, you will successfully capture a wild Pokemon! In addition, your Trainer will gain EXP and the captured Pokemon will show up in your Pokedex. 

Ways to Obtain Pokeballs

A couple common questions among Pokemon Go players include, How can I get Pokeballs? and What are the best ways to get Pokeballs? 

Pokeballs can be obtained in Pokemon Go for free by visiting Pokestops. Pokeballs will be awarded to players for achieving certain milestones such as, reaching a particular Trainer Level.

It is also important to note that as a player’s Trainer Level increases he or she will gain access to stronger Pokeballs. When players first start out they will not have immediate access to the higher Tiered Pokeballs. 

Pokeballs can also be obtained by traveling to Pokestops. Pokestops will be located at places such as public art installations, historical markers, monuments, museums, etc. Players will have to travel to Pokestops in order to obtain Pokeballs, Items, Eggs, etc.. 

Although In-App purchases are not required to play Pokemon Go, Pokeballs can also be purchased using Real Money via microtransactions. Prices are subject to change, but standard Pokeballs will be relatively cheap. Higher Tier Pokeballs, on the other hand, such as Ultra Balls and Master Balls will be more expensive.

Members of the Pokemon Go Community have voiced their opinions on the Real Money Microtransaction aspect of Pokemon Go. Many have stated that they will not be making an In App purchases, while some are okay with spending a little bit of money if the cost of Pokeballs is low enough. 

Despite some controversy, the ability to purchase Pokeballs for real money will not turn Pokemon Go into a Pay-to-Win type game that many fear. Players will still have to travel the same distance to actually capture the Pokemon. 

Pokeball Cost

Pokeballs can be purchased for Pokecoins in counts of 50, 100 or 200.

- The cost per Pokeball will be cheaper when bought in greater amounts.

Collecting & Saving Pokeballs
Saving Pokeballs is just as important as collecting them. Pokemon Go players will obtain Rare Pokeballs as they progress through the game. Now some may choose to use these Pokeballs immediately, while other more experienced players will save Ultra Balls and Master Balls for Legendary or Mythical Pokemon encounters.

Saving Master Balls is just one tip taken from The 10 Best Pokemon Go Tips for Beginners. Be sure to check out the other nine tips.

Players have inventory space where these special Pokeballs can be saved. It is recommended to use this Inventory Space to store Rare and Powerful items for use later on in the game. Using higher Tiered Pokeballs to capture weaker Pokemon is really just a waste. Common Pokemon should only be caught with standard Pokeballs, especially in the early stages of the game.

Pokemon Go Pokeball (FAQ) Frequently Asked Questions

What determines a Pokemon's capture difficulty?

Pokemon with higher CP will be more difficult to catch. Pay attention to this when choosing which Pokeball to use. 

Will the Master Ball have a 100% Capture Rate?

Yes, just as in other Pokemon games, the Master Ball will capture any Pokemon without fail. 

Thank you for reading. if you have any thoughts on Pokeballs in Pokemon Go, feel free to leave a comment below.