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Without poke balls, the Pokemon franchise would not be the same. These devices are what every trainer uses to catch allies from the wild. There are 27 different kinds of poke balls that are currently obtainable in Pokemon Sword & Shield that players can find, each with its own strengths and weaknesses.
Which one trainers should use at any given time will depend on the situation. Since each poke ball has a different catch rate modifier, players should determine the best scenario to use them. However, there are also important fashion-related reasons for poke ball choice in Pokemon Sword & Shield, as aesthetics play a big part in immersing gamers into the world of pocket monsters.
Poke Balls Introduced In Generation 1
Poke Ball
This is the standard poke ball with the red top and white bottom. The original Poke Ball has the default catch rate modifier of x1 and acts as the base mark for poke ball performance.
Great Ball
A slight improvement of the Poke Ball, the Great Ball has a catch rate modifier of x1.5, which makes it 50% more effective at catching Pokemon. A Great Ball can be identified by the blue top half that also has a couple of red tabs on it.
Ultra Ball
Arguably the most-used out of all the poke balls, the Ultra Ball is the most effective Pokemon catching device that can be bought in bulk at late-game shops. An Ultra Ball has a catch rate modifier of x2, which is twice as effective as the basic Poke Ball. They are yellow and black in coloration, which makes them easy to spot.
Master Ball
Without a doubt, the Master Ball is the best device for catching Pokemon, as it has an astoundingly high catch rate modifier of x255. To put this into context, the maximum potential to catch any given pokemon works on a factor of 255, which means that the Master Ball guarantees that you will capture any Pokemon you throw it at.
The catch is that there is often only a single Master Ball found in each Pokemon game, which prevents its power from being abused. The Master Ball is always purple with pink semi-circles on top as well as displays the letter "M" prominently.
Safari Ball
These camouflage-colored poke balls were only available in specific areas of Pokemon games prior to Generation 8. They were given to players in bulk each time they entered a Safari Zone, as regular poke balls were not allowed. The Safari Ball has a catch rate modifier of x1.5, making them equally as effective as the Great Ball.
Poke Balls Introduced In Generation 2
Fast Ball
This red and yellow poke ball has a pretty specific function that sets it apart from those of the previous Generation, and this is a trait that expanded to all newer poke balls. The Fast Ball will have a catch rate modifier of x4 when thrown at a Pokemon with a Speed stat higher than 100, however, if used on any other kind of target, its catch rate modifier will be x1.
Level Ball
For a great late-game advantage when catching Pokemon, this yellow and black poke ball marked with a red "V" is a great choice, as its catch rate modifier depends on the level difference between a trainer's active Pokemon and the target.
If both the trainer's active Pokemon and the wild Pokemon are the same levels, the Level Ball will have a catch rate modifier of x1, however, if the trainer's Pokemon is a higher level than the Wild Pokemon, the catch rate modifier will become x2. Furthermore, if one's Pokemon is twice the level of the target, the catch rate modifier becomes x4, and, finally, if one's pocket monster ally is quadruple the level of the target, the catch rate modifier will become x8.
Lure Ball
While fishing, this red and blue poke ball can be handy. Normally, the Lure ball will have a catch rate modifier of x1, however, while fishing, it will have a catch rate modifier of x4.
Heavy Ball
Rugged in appearance, this device has a grey top with blue orbs all around it, and it's best for catching Pokemon based on their weight. It is also unique in that it adds and subtracts flat values to or from the catch rate instead of applying a modifier that multiplies it. Here's a breakdown of what the Heavy Ball does:
- Catch rate gets -20 if it is used on a Pokemon that weighs 220.2 lbs or less
- Catch rate does not change if it is used on a Pokemon that weighs between 220.5 lbs and 440.7 lbs
- Catch rate gets +20 if it is used on a Pokemon that weighs between 440.9 lbs and 661.2 lbs
- Catch rate gets +30 if it is used on a Pokemon that weighs 661.4 lbs or more
Love Ball
Cute in name and design, this pink poke ball with a heart on the top is ideal for securing a mate for breeding one's Pokemon. By default, the Love Ball will have a catch rate modifier of x1, however, when it is used on a target that is the same species as a trainer's active Pokemon (but the opposite gender), it will get an x8 catch rate modifier.
Friend Ball
Uniquely, this green poke ball with red and yellow dots does not have a different catch rate modifier than the standard Poke Ball. The Friend Ball has a catch rate modifier of x1, though, when a Pokemon is caught with it, its Friendship level is raised to 200.
Moon Ball
Appropriately displaying a yellow crescent moon on its blue and black top-half, this poke ball is best suited for catching Pokemon that evolve via the usage of the Moon Stone. In regular circumstances, the Moon Ball will have a catch rate modifier of x1, however, when used on a Pokemon that evolves from contact with a Moon Stone, it gets a catch rate modifier of x4.
Sport Ball
Looking much like a regular Poke Ball, but with an "S" on top, this variant is rather boring compared to many others. The Sport Ball always has a catch rate modifier of x1.5, making it equal the Great Ball in effectiveness, though the Sport Ball is often found as an in-game reward more than a purchasable item.
Poke Balls Introduced In Generation 3
Net Ball
With a blue top covered in black lines, this poke ball looks appropriate for its name, like most others. Normally, it has a catch rate modifier of 1x, though, when used on either Water-type or Bug-type Pokemon, the Net Ball will get an x3.5 catch rate modifier.
Nest Ball
Due to the odd catch rate calculation, this green poke ball with yellow swirls acts uniquely. In regular situations, it will have a catch rate modifier of x1, however, if the target is between level 1 and level 29, the Nest Ball will apply a specific modifier formula:
- [(41 - the target Pokemon's level) ÷ 10] x the level of the target Pokemon
Repeat Ball
Probably one of the least-used poke balls, this orange one with a yellow double helix and black spots can still be handy for some trainers. Mostly, it will have the standard catch rate modifier of x1, although, when used on a target that is the same species as one of the player's owned Pokemon, the Repeat Ball will get a catch rate modifier of x3.5.
Timer Ball
This white and grey poke ball with orange wedges can be useful in longer battles with wild Pokemon. The Timer Ball's catch rate modifier will start out as x1 but will increase to a max of x4 after the battle has been going for 10 turns or more.
Luxury Ball
Elegant in appearance, this black, gold, and red device will not be more helpful in catching Pokemon, but very much so when raising them. The Luxury Ball only has a catch rate modifier of x1 but will cause the Pokemon caught in it to receive double the amount of Friendship while being raised by their new trainer.
Premier Ball
This poke ball is only aesthetically different from the standard Poke Ball in that it has an all-white appearance. The Premier Ball possesses a catch rate modifier of x1.
Dive Ball
Introduced in the same generation as the Dive mechanic, this poke ball will help undersea explorers catch Pokemon easier. The Dive Ball normally has a catch rate modifier of x1, however, if used while the trainer is diving, it will have a catch rate modifier of x3.5.
Poke Balls Introduced In Generation 4
Dusk Ball
Aptly for its name, this green and black poke ball is specialized for catching Pokemon in dark areas. Regularly, it has a catch rate modifier of x1, although, when used at night or in a cave, the Dusk Ball gains a catch rate modifier of x3.
Heal Ball
Another of the least-used poke balls, this pink and white orb doesn't have a unique catch rate mechanic and only has a catch rate modifier of x1. The Heal Ball's only functional difference from a standard Poke Ball is that it will fully heal a caught Pokemon's HP, PP, and remove any status conditions.
Quick Ball
Made for fans of getting things done quickly, this yellow and light blue poke ball is great for a fast catch. Normally, it possesses a catch rate modifier of x1, however, when used on the very first turn of battle, the catch rate modifier will increase to x5.
Cherish Ball
This all-red orb is not obtainable in-game and is only used for event Pokemon. As such, it does not possess a catch rate modifier.
Park Ball
Looking like a standard Poke Ball, but with a yellow top-half instead of a red one, this device can only be used in Pal Park. It has a catch rate modifier of x255, but, since it cannot be used in most parts of the game, it's not possible to make use of this perfect catch rate modifier.
Poke Balls Introduced In Generation 5 & Afterward
Dream Ball
This monochromatic pink poke ball was introduced in Generation 5 and is universally useful if players use the Sleep station condition to weaken wild Pokemon. Normally, the Dream Ball will have a catch rate of x1, though, when used on a sleeping Pokemon, it will gain an x4 catch rate modifier.
Beast Ball
The last type of poke ball introduced so far, this dark and light blue orb with yellow tabs is specifically designed to catch Ultra Beasts. If the Beast Ball is used on regular Pokemon, its catch rate modifier will be an abysmal x0.1, however, when used on an Ultra Beast, it will get an x5 catch rate modifier.
Pokemon Sword & Shield are available on the Nintendo Switch.