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Obedience

2026-04-29T12:57:40Z

Sumsarasmus: /* Gallery */

'''Obedience''' (Japanese: '''{{ruby|言|い}}うことを{{ruby|聞|き}}く''' ''obey'') is a {{OBP|Pokémon|species}}'s willingness to listen to its {{pkmn|Trainer}}'s commands. While Pokémon usually obey their Trainers, a Pokémon may disobey if it does not respect its Trainer.

==In the games==
{{Incomplete|section|needs=In Generation III, do Mew and Deoxys without the [[fateful encounter]] flag still obey the player in link battles and tower facilities?}}
A Pokémon will often not obey the player's commands if the player does not have the appropriate progression in the game's story, such as having a certain number of [[Badge]]s. Completing the main story always makes all Pokémon obey the player. This mechanic exists to prevent players from trading in a high-leveled Pokémon from another game and easily beating the current game.

The method by which obedience is determined depends on the game:
*From [[Generation I]] to [[Generation VIII]], except in {{g|Legends: Arceus}}, only [[outsider Pokémon]] (i.e. [[trade]]d, [[Event Pokémon|event]], or [[transfer]]red Pokémon) can disobey the player, based on the outsider Pokémon's current [[level]]. This includes outsider Pokémon that the player received within the obedience threshold but then leveled to above the threshold.
**In {{game|FireRed and LeafGreen|s|Pokémon FireRed, LeafGreen}}, {{game|Emerald||Emerald}}, {{pkmn|Colosseum}}, and {{pkmn|XD: Gale of Darkness}}, {{p|Mew}} and {{p|Deoxys}} that were not met in a [[fateful encounter]] will always disobey the player, regardless of Badges or being non-outsider Pokémon. This exists to hinder players who [[Cheating|cheat]] to obtain them.
*In Legends: Arceus, all Pokémon including those caught by the player can disobey, but obedience is based on the Pokémon's [[met level]].
*Since [[Generation IX]], Pokémon caught by the player use their met level for obedience, while outsider Pokémon use the level at which they were received in the current game.
**Prior to [[Pokémon Scarlet and Violet#Other|version 1.2.0]] of {{g|Scarlet and Violet}}, due to a bug, the outsider level check would apply to a traded Pokémon even if it was traded back to its [[Original Trainer]].<ref>[https://en-americas-support.nintendo.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/60277 How to Update Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet]</ref>

Disobedient Pokémon will rarely perform the move the player ordered them to. Instead, they may do nothing; put themselves to [[Sleep (status condition)|sleep]]; inflict [[Confusion (status condition)|confusion]] damage on themselves; or, in Generations I through [[Generation IV|IV]], perform a different move. In Generations [[Generation III|III]] and IV, during a [[Double Battle]], a disobedient Pokémon may select a different target than the one the player selected. In Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, disobedient Pokémon may refuse to engage in [[Let's Go#Auto Battle|Auto Battles]], displaying a blue broken heart and wandering away from the target.

The closer a Pokémon's level is to the obedience threshold, the more likely they are to listen. For example, in a Generation IV game where the player has not yet received the first badge (putting the obedience threshold at level 10), an outsider Pokémon at level 100 will almost always ignore the player, while an outsider Pokémon at level 16 will occasionally listen.

Obedience does not apply to [[Pokémon battle|Link Battle]]s, [[battle facilities]], [[Max Raid Battle]]s,<ref>[https://www.reddit.com/r/pokemon/comments/e72y1l/tips_all_pokemon_obey_you_in_max_raid_battles/ Tips: All Pokemon obey you in Max Raid Battles regardless of Gym Badges : r/pokemon]</ref> [[Tera Raid Battle]]s,<ref>[https://www.reddit.com/r/pokemon/comments/z5261g/scarletviolet_raid_tip_pok%C3%A9mon_do_not_disobey_in/ Scarlet/Violet raid tip: Pokémon do not disobey in raids : r/pokemon]</ref> or the [[Synchro Machine]]. In these situations, the Pokémon will always obey the player.

===Badges===
The Badges or number of Badges that the player has affects their Pokémon's behavior. From Generation I to IV, usually the maximum level at which outsider Pokémon will obey the player is increased every second Badge (in Badge case order); from Generation V onward (except in {{g|Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl}}), this increase occurs for every Badge instead of every other Badge. In the Sinnoh games ([[Generation IV]] and [[Generation VIII]]), [[Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!]] and {{g|Scarlet and Violet}}, obedience is determined by the number of Badges, not which specific Badges the player has. This can be attributed to the non-linear way the player can obtain badges in those games; the {{badge|Cobble|Cobble}} and {{badge|Fen}}s in {{g|Diamond and Pearl}} as well as Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, the {{badge|Thunder|Thunder}}, {{badge|Rainbow|Rainbow}}, {{badge|Soul|Soul}}, {{badge|Marsh|Marsh}}, and {{badge|Volcano}}s in {{g|Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!}}, and all of them in Scarlet and Violet.

{| style="margin:auto; text-align:center; background: #{{electric color light}}; {{roundy}} border: 5px solid #{{electric color}}"
|-
! Badges by obedience level
|-
|
{| border="1" style="margin:auto; text-align:center; border: 1px solid #{{electric color light}}; border-collapse: collapse; background: white" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="2"
|- style="background:#{{electric color}}"
!
! {{color2|000|Indigo League}}
! {{color2|000|Johto League}}
! {{color2|000|Hoenn League}}
! {{color2|000|Sinnoh League}}
! {{color2|000|Unova League}}
! {{color2|000|Kalos League}}
! {{color2|000|Galar League}}
! {{color2|000|Paldea League}}
|-
! Up to Lv. 10
| ''No Badges''
| ''No Badges''
| ''No Badges''
| ''No Badges''
| ''No Badges''
|
|
|-
! Up to Lv. 20
| 1 Badge{{sup/7|PE}}
| Zephyr Badge{{sup/4|HGSS}}
| Stone Badge{{sup/6|ORAS}}
|
| Trio Badge{{sup/5|BW}} Basic Badge{{sup/5|B2W2}}
| ''No Badges''
| ''No Badges''
| ''No Badges''
|-
! Up to Lv. 25
|
|
|
|
|
|
|Grass Badge
| 1 Badge
|-
! Up to Lv. 30
| Cascade Badge 2 Badges{{sup/7|PE}}
| Hive Badge
| Knuckle Badge
| 2 Badges
| Basic Badge{{sup/5|BW}} Toxic Badge{{sup/5|B2W2}}
| Bug Badge
| Water Badge
| 2 Badges
|-
! Up to Lv. 35
|
|
|
|
|
|
|Fire Badge
| 3 Badges
|-
! Up to Lv. 40
| 3 Badges{{sup/7|PE}}
|
| Dynamo Badge{{sup/6|ORAS}}
|
| Insect Badge
| Cliff Badge
| Fighting Badge{{sup/8|Sw}} Ghost Badge{{sup/8|Sh}}
| 4 Badges
|-
! Up to Lv. 45
|
|
|
|
|
|
|Fairy Badge
| 5 Badges
|-
! Up to Lv. 50
| Rainbow Badge 4 Badges{{sup/7|PE}}
| Fog Badge
| Heat Badge
| 4 Badges
| Bolt Badge
| Rumble Badge
| Rock Badge{{sup/8|Sw}} Ice Badge{{sup/8|Sh}}
| 6 Badges
|-
! Up to Lv. 55
|
|
|
|
|
|
|Dark Badge
| 7 Badges
|-
! Up to Lv. 60
| 5 Badges{{sup/7|PE}}
|
| Balance Badge{{sup/6|ORAS}}
|
| Quake Badge
| Plant Badge
|
|-
! Up to Lv. 70
| Marsh Badge 6 Badges{{sup/7|PE}}
| Storm Badge{{sup/2|GSC}} Mineral Badge{{sup/4|HGSS}}
| Feather Badge
| 6 Badges
| Jet Badge
| Voltage Badge
|
|-
! Up to Lv. 80
| 7 Badges{{sup/7|PE}}
|
| Mind Badge{{sup/6|ORAS}}
|
| Freeze Badge{{sup/5|BW}} Legend Badge{{sup/5|B2W2}}
| Fairy Badge
|
|-
! Up to Lv. 90
|
|
|
|
|
| Psychic Badge
|
|-
! All Pokémon
| Earth Badge 8 Badges{{sup/7|PE}}
| Rising Badge
| Rain Badge
| 8 Badges
| Legend Badge{{sup/5|BW}} Wave Badge{{sup/5|B2W2}}
| Iceberg Badge
| Dragon Badge
| 8 Badges
|}
|}

===Stamps===
In the [[Alola]] region, the number of Stamps the player has earned by completing grand trials in the [[island challenge]] affect their Pokémon's behavior.

{| style="margin:auto; text-align:center; background: #{{electric color light}}; {{roundy}} border: 5px solid #{{electric color}}"
|-
! Stamps by obedience level
|-
|
{| border="1" style="margin:auto; text-align:center; border: 1px solid #{{electric color light}}; border-collapse: collapse; background: white" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="2"
|- style="background:#{{electric color}}"
!
! Stamp
! Stamp requirement
|-
!Up to Lv. 20
|''No stamps''
|''No stamp requirement''
|-
! Up to Lv. 35
| Melemele Trial Completion
| Defeat [[Island kahuna|Kahuna]] [[Hala]] in grand trial
|-
! Up to Lv. 50
| Akala Trial Completion
| Defeat [[Island kahuna|Kahuna]] [[Olivia]] in grand trial
|-
! Up to Lv. 65
| Ula'ula Trial Completion
| Defeat [[Island kahuna|Kahuna]] [[Nanu]] in grand trial
|-
! Up to Lv. 80
| Poni Trial Completion
| Defeat [[Island kahuna|Kahuna]] [[Hapu]] in grand trial
|-
! All Pokémon
| Island Challenge Completion
| Defeat the {{OBP|Pokémon League|Alola}}
|}
|}

===Galaxy Team rank===
In {{g|Legends: Arceus}}, the [[Rank (Galaxy Team)|Galaxy Team rank]] achieved by the player affects their Pokémon's behavior.

{| style="margin:auto; text-align:center; background: #{{electric color light}}; {{roundy}} border: 5px solid #{{electric color}}"
|-
! Rank by obedience level
|-
|
{| border="1" style="margin:auto; text-align:center; border: 1px solid #{{electric color light}}; border-collapse: collapse; background: white" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="2"
|- style="background:#{{electric color}}"
!
! Rank
! Point requirement
|-
! Up to Lv. 10
| No Star
| 0
|-
! Up to Lv. 20
| First Star
| 500
|-
! Up to Lv. 30
| Second Star
| 1,800
|-
! Up to Lv. 40
| Third Star
| 3,500
|-
! Up to Lv. 50
| Fourth Star
| 6,000
|-
! Up to Lv. 65
| Fifth Star
| 8,500
|-
! Up to Lv. 80
| Sixth Star
| 11,000
|-
! All Pokémon
| Seventh Star or higher
| At least 15,000
|}
|}

===Z-A Royale rank===
In {{g|Legends: Z-A}}, the player's [[Z-A Royale]] rank affects their Pokémon's behavior.

{| style="margin:auto; text-align:center; background: #{{electric color light}}; {{roundy}} border: 5px solid #{{electric color}}"
|-
! Rank by obedience level
|-
|
{| border="1" style="margin:auto; text-align:center; border: 1px solid #{{electric color light}}; border-collapse: collapse; background: white" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="2"
|- style="background:#{{electric color}}"
!
! Rank
! Promotion match
! Challenger's Ticket points required
|-
! Up to Lv. 20
| Rank Z
| ''None''
| ''N/A''
|-
! Up to Lv. 25
| Rank Y
| [[Zach]]
| 1,000
|-
! Up to Lv. 30
| Rank X
| [[Yvon]]
| 3,000
|-
! Up to Lv. 35
| Rank W
| [[Xavi]]
| 4,000
|-
! Up to Lv. 40
| Rank V
| [[Rintaro]]
| 5,000
|-
! Up to Lv. 60
| Rank F
| [[Vinnie]]
| 6,000
|-
! Up to Lv. 65
| Rank E
| [[Canari]]
| 32,000
|-
! Up to Lv. 70
| Rank D
| [[Ivor]]
| 35,000
|-
! Up to Lv. 75
| Rank C
| [[Corbeau]]
| 38,000
|-
! Up to Lv. 80
| Rank B
| [[Jacinthe]]
| 41,000
|-
! All Pokémon
| Rank A
| [[Grisham]]
| 45,000
|}
|}

===Disobedience quotes===
The following table may be sorted by [[generation]] by clicking on the appropriate header.

{| class="roundy sortable" style="margin:auto; text-align:center; background: #{{electric color dark}}; border: 5px solid #{{electric color}}" cellpadding=3
! style="background-color: #{{electric color light}}; {{roundytl|3px}}" class="unsortable" | Quote
! style="background-color: #{{electric color light}}" class="unsortable" | Effect
! style="background-color: #{{electric color light}}" | Gen I
! style="background-color: #{{electric color light}}" | Gen II
! style="background-color: #{{electric color light}}" | Gen III
! style="background-color: #{{electric color light}}" | Gen IV
! style="background-color: #{{electric color light}}" | Gen V
! style="background-color: #{{electric color light}}" | Gen VI
! style="background-color: #{{electric color light}}" | Gen VII
! style="background-color: #{{electric color light}}" | Gen VIII
! style="background-color: #{{electric color light}}; {{roundytr|3px}}" | Gen IX
|- style="background: #FFF"
| style="text-align:left" | <Pokémon> used instead, <move>!
| style="text-align:left" | The Pokémon uses a different move
| {{Yes}} || {{Yes}} || {{No}} || {{No}} || {{No}} || {{No}} || {{No}} || {{No}} || {{No}}
|- style="background: #FFF"
| style="text-align:left" rowspan=2 | <Pokémon> ignored orders!
| style="text-align:left" | The Pokémon does not attack
| {{Yes}} || {{Yes}} || {{No}} || {{Yes}} || {{No}} || {{No}} || {{No}} || {{No}} || {{No}}
|- style="background: #FFF"
| style="text-align:left" | The Pokémon uses a different move
| {{No}} || {{Yes}} || {{Yes}} || {{Yes}} || {{No}} || {{No}} || {{No}} || {{No}} || {{No}}
|- style="background: #FFF"
| style="text-align:left" | <Pokémon> is loafing around{{tt|!|"." in Gen I-II}}
| style="text-align:left" rowspan=4 | The Pokémon does not attack
| {{Yes}} || {{Yes}} || {{Yes}} || {{Yes}} || {{Yes}} || {{Yes}} || {{Yes}} || {{Yes}} || {{Yes}}
|- style="background: #FFF"
| style="text-align:left" | <Pokémon> turned away!
| {{Yes}} || {{Yes}} || {{Yes}} || {{Yes}} || {{Yes}} || {{Yes}} || {{Yes}} || {{Yes}} || {{Yes}}
|- style="background: #FFF"
| style="text-align:left" | <Pokémon> won't obey!
| {{Yes}} || {{Yes}} || {{Yes}} || {{Yes}} || {{Yes}} || {{Yes}} || {{Yes}} || {{Yes}} || {{Yes}}
|- style="background: #FFF"
| style="text-align:left" | <Pokémon> pretended not to notice!
| {{No}} || {{No}} || {{Yes}} || {{Yes}} || {{Yes}} || {{Yes}} || {{Yes}} || {{Yes}} || {{Yes}}
|- style="background: #FFF"
| style="text-align:left" | <Pokémon> began to nap!
| style="text-align:left" | The Pokémon goes to {{status|sleep}}
| {{Yes}} || {{Yes}} || {{Yes}} || {{Yes}} || {{Yes}} || {{Yes}} || {{Yes}} || {{Yes}} || {{Yes}}
|- style="background: #FFF"
| style="text-align:left" | <Pokémon> won't obey! It hurt itself in its confusion!
| style="text-align:left" | The Pokémon does {{status|confusion}} damage to itself
| {{Yes}} || {{Yes}} || {{Yes}} || {{Yes}} || {{Yes}} || {{Yes}} || {{Yes}} || {{Yes}} || {{Yes}}
|- style="background: #FFF"
| style="text-align:left" | <Pokémon> ignored orders...sleeping!
| style="text-align:left" rowspan=3 | The Pokémon does not attack (when using {{m|Snore}} or {{m|Sleep Talk}} while {{status|sleep|asleep}})
| {{No}} || {{Yes}} || {{No}} || {{No}} || {{No}} || {{No}} || {{No}} || {{No}} || {{No}}
|- style="background: #FFF"
| style="text-align:left" | <Pokémon> ignored orders while asleep!
| {{No}} || {{No}} || {{Yes}} ||{{Yes}} ||{{Yes}} ||{{No}} || {{No}} || {{No}} || {{No}}
|- style="background: #FFF"
| style="text-align:left" | <Pokémon> ignored orders and kept sleeping!
| {{No}} || {{No}} || {{No}} || {{No}} || {{No}} || {{Yes}} || {{Yes}} || {{Yes}} || {{Yes}}
|}

===Obedience formula and checks===
{{incomplete|section|Formula/checks from Generation V onward}}
====Generation I and II====
In battles in which [[experience]] can be earned, an [[outsider Pokémon]] may disobey the player if its level is greater than the maximum controllable level <code>M</code> granted by the player's Badges.

When using a move, if it is possible for the Pokémon to disobey, a random integer <math>R_1</math> from 0 to <math>T</math> is generated, where <math>T = PokemonLevel + ObedienceCap - 1</math>. If <math>R_1</math> is greater than or equal to <math>ObedienceCap</math>, the Pokémon disobeys. If a Pokémon disobeys, the effect of {{m|Encore}} immediately ends.

If the disobedient Pokémon was trying to use {{m|Snore}} or {{m|Sleep Talk}} while {{status|sleep|asleep}}, the Pokémon will ignore orders and do nothing. Otherwise, <math>R_2</math>, a second random integer from 0 to <math>T</math>, is independently generated. If <math>R_2</math> is less than <math>ObedienceCap</math>, the Pokémon uses another possible move instead (if any move is {{m|disable}}d, or if no other move has [[PP]] remaining, the Pokémon will simply not attack). Otherwise, another random integer <math>R_3</math> is generated, but this time ranging from 0 to 255.
* If <math>R_3 < (PokemonLevel - ObedienceCap)</math>, the Pokémon takes a nap and goes to {{status|sleep}} (potentially overriding other status conditions).
* Otherwise, if <math>R_3 < 2 \cdot (PokemonLevel - ObedienceCap)</math>, the Pokémon inflicts {{status|confusion}} damage to itself.
* Otherwise, the Pokémon does not attack.

The obedience check is not performed during the second turn of a {{cat|moves with a charging turn|move with a charging turn}}, or while locked into {{m|Bide}} or a {{cat|Consecutively executed moves|consecutively executed move}}.

====Generation III and IV====
{{incomplete|section|In Gen IV, check circumstances that skip the obedience check in Gen III}}
In battles in which [[experience]] can be earned, in the [[Trainer Tower]], and on the [[Trainer Hill]], an [[outsider Pokémon]] may disobey the player if its level is greater than the maximum controllable level <math>ObedienceCap</math> granted by the player's Badges. In {{game2|FireRed|LeafGreen|Emerald}}, this value is treated as 0 for the obedience check of a {{p|Deoxys}} or {{p|Mew}} that is not met in a [[fateful encounter]], regardless of the player's Badges.

If it is possible for the Pokémon to disobey, when using a move, the following value is calculated. (<math>R_1</math> is a random integer between 0 and 255.)

<math>ObedienceCheck = {(PokemonLevel + ObedienceCap) \times R_1 \over 256}</math>

If <math>ObedienceCheck</math> is greater than or equal to <math>ObedienceCap</math>, the Pokémon disobeys. If a Pokémon is determined to be disobedient and was commanded to use {{m|Rage}}, the effect of Rage immediately ends.

If the disobedient Pokémon was trying to use {{m|Snore}} or {{m|Sleep Talk}} while {{status|sleep|asleep}}, the Pokémon will ignore orders and do nothing. Otherwise, a second value is calculated to determine what disobedience action the Pokémon should take. (<math>R_2</math> is a random integer between 0 and 255, independent of the previous random integer.)

<math>DisobedienceAction = {(PokemonLevel + ObedienceCap) \times R_2 \over 256}</math>

If <math>DisobedienceAction</math> is less than <math>ObedienceCap</math>, the Pokémon uses another possible move instead. Otherwise, <math>R_3</math>, another independent random integer between 0 and 255, is generated.
* If <math>R_3 < (PokemonLevel - ObedienceCap)</math>, the Pokémon takes a nap and goes to {{status|sleep}}, unless it already has a major status condition, an {{m|uproar}} is occurring, or it has the [[Ability]] {{a|Vital Spirit}} or {{a|Insomnia}}.
* Otherwise, if <math>R_3 < 2 \cdot (PokemonLevel - ObedienceCap)</math>, the Pokémon inflicts {{status|confusion}} damage to itself.
* Otherwise, the Pokémon does not attack.

In Generation III, the obedience check is not performed when using {{m|Pursuit}} on a Pokémon about to [[recall|switch out]], during the second turn of a {{cat|moves with a charging turn|move with a charging turn}}, or while locked into {{m|Bide}} or a {{cat|Consecutively executed moves|consecutively executed move}}. In [[Generation IV]], the obedience check is not performed while locked into Bide (other moves skipped in Generation III are unconfirmed in Generation IV).

In [[Pokémon Colosseum]], [[Shadow Pokémon]] may disobey commands to use any moves but {{m|Shadow Rush}} if they are in [[Hyper Mode]].

===Gallery===
{{Missing image|section|Needs screenshots from SwSh, LGPE, SV, and Z-A}}
<gallery>
File:Disobedience Gen I.png|Disobedience in Gen I
File:Disobedience Gen II.png|Disobedience in Gen II
File:Disobedience Gen III.png|Disobedience in Gen III
File:Disobedience Gen IV.png|Disobedience in Gen IV
File:Disobedience Gen V.png|Disobedience in Gen V
File:Disobedience Gen VI.png|Disobedience in Gen VI
File:Disobedience Gen VII.png|Disobedience in Gen VII
File:Disobedience Gen VIII.png|Disobedience in Gen VIII
File:Obedience_SwSh.png|Disobedience in Pokemon Sword and Shield
</gallery>

==In animation==
===''Pokémon the Series''===
In the {{aniseries|OS}} episode ''[[EP044|The Problem with Paras]]'', [[Lacy (EP044)|Cassandra's grandmother]] mentioned that Pokémon will only obey Trainers if they respect them. This respect can be earned by obtaining more [[Badge]]s. As shown in ''[[EP073|Bad To The Bone]]'', this respect can be lost by losing the Badges. Unlike the {{pkmn|games}}, however, in {{pkmn|animation}} this is often overcome through emotional appeals or selflessness. On the other hand, Pokémon obtained by [[trade]] or being given orders by another individual that is not their trainer may result in disobedience.

===={{aniseries|OS}}====
[[File:Ash Charizard disobedience.png|thumb|250px|Ash's Charizard refusing to battle]]
In ''[[EP001|Pokémon - I Choose You!]]'', [[Ash's Pikachu]] was initially very hostile towards him due to having no respect for a beginning Trainer. It wasn't until Ash protected Pikachu from a flock of {{p|Spearow}} that he finally respected and listened to Ash.

In ''[[EP017|Island of the Giant Pokémon]]'', [[Jessie's Ekans]] and [[James's Koffing]] refused to obey {{MTR}} as he was not their trainer.

[[Ash's Primeape]] was incredibly violent and virtually uncontrollable, and thus, Ash rarely used it. However, during the [[P1 Grand Prix]], Ash saved Primeape from a dangerous fall, and it began to respect and listen to Ash.
[[File:Misty yelling at Psyduck.png|thumb|left|220px|Misty yelling at Psyduck for not listening]]
Although not purposefully disobedient, [[Misty's Psyduck]] rarely does what she commands it to do, usually because it simply does not understand. It comes out of its {{i|Poké Ball}} at its own will when Misty wants to call out another Pokémon on her [[Party|team]] (mostly for comedic relief).

In ''[[EP031|Dig Those Diglett!]]'', all of the {{pkmn|Trainer}}s' Pokémon proceeded to disobey their respective Trainers when they attempted to fight the Diglett, where they even refused to come out of their {{i|Poké Ball}}s. However, it was revealed that the various Pokémon had a very good reason for their disobedience, as the [[Gaiva Dam]]'s completion would have resulted in the immediate vicinity being wiped out from the flooding.

[[Jessie's Lickitung]], while generally obedient to Jessie, was shown in [[EP052|its debut episode]] to disobey Jessie once just prior to being defeated, with it being strongly implied in the Japanese version and to a far lesser extent the English dub that the primary reason for the disobedience was due to feeling hungry.

[[Ash's Charmander]] refused to obey him after evolving into {{p|Charmeleon}}, and continued to disobey as a {{AP|Charizard}}. When Ash commanded him, he would either ignore Ash's orders and use a different move, go to {{status|sleep}}, leave the battlefield, or attack Ash. In [[M01|one case]], he even attacked [[Mewtwo (M01)|a Pokémon]] without Ash telling him to do so. The rare instances where Charizard does express any obedience towards Ash is when fighting against another Pokémon that he sees as a worthy opponent, namely other {{type|Fire}} Pokémon such as [[Zippo]], a [[Mewtwo (M01)#Created|cloned Charizard]], or [[Blaine's Magmar]]. Charizard's disobedience ultimately cost Ash the [[Indigo Plateau Conference]] when he deemed [[Sparky]] an unworthy opponent and refused to battle, causing the Mouse Pokémon and its {{pkmn|Trainer}}, [[Ritchie]], to win by default. In addition, his lack of respect for Ash during that time was such that even after Ash [[EP063|won his Earth Badge]], he still refused to obey. After Ash stayed up all night to look after Charizard when he had become frozen in ''[[EP105|Charizard Chills]]'', Charizard regained his respect for Ash and from then on obeyed him without question. This character trait was severely downplayed in the remake to ''[[M01|Mewtwo Strikes Back]]'', ''[[M22|Mewtwo Strikes Back - Evolution]]'', only really being showcased twice in the film: when attacking Mewtwo like in the original film and when he attacked Dragonite when it appeared.

In ''[[EP073|Bad To The Bone]]'', [[Otoshi]]'s {{p|Marowak}} left its Trainer after he lost and failed to recover his Badges, as Marowak had lost respect for him. Marowak later returned when it saw how happy a group of Trainers and their Pokémon were together.

===={{aniseries|GS}}====
In ''[[EP261|Here's Lookin' at You, Elekid]]'', [[James's Victreebel|James's first Victreebel]] who was traded to the [[Magikarp salesman]] refused to obey him.

====[[Pokémon Chronicles]]====
[[Misty's Gyarados]] was incredibly hostile to her and everyone else when she returned to the [[Cerulean Gym]] and was almost the cause of the Gym being closed down in ''[[HS02|Cerulean Blues]]''. It nearly drowned her in the pool while she was trying to tame it. Gyarados started to obey her when she protected it against the attacks of the [[Invincible Pokémon Brothers]].

===={{aniseries|RS}}====
In ''[[AG046|Candid Camerupt!]]'', [[Ash's Corphish]] attacked [[Winstrate family|Vivi]]'s {{p|Marill}} at full force even though [[Max]], who borrowed Corphish, had explicitly told him to go easy on the {{pkmn|category|Aqua Mouse Pokémon}}.

In ''[[AG066|Exploud and Clear!]]'', {{OBP|Guy|AG066}}'s {{p|Loudred}} stopped obeying him after it evolved into {{p|Exploud}}, and ran off. However, after Guy jumped in front of {{TRT}}'s cork gun to protect it, it came to respect him.

In ''[[AG112|Showdown At Linoone]]'', [[Kimmy Shoney]] had a {{p|Linoone}} that went around stealing round objects and wouldn't listen to him.

===={{aniseries|DP}}====
In ''[[DP035|An Elite Meet and Greet!]]'', [[Dawn's Buizel]] refused to obey her commands during his battle against [[Lucian]]'s {{p|Bronzong}}, resulting in his defeat. Later, after Lucian commanded Buizel during his battle against {{TRT}}, Lucian showed Dawn how Buizel conducts himself in battles, and Dawn adjusted her battling style to fit Buizel's, giving him commands more suitable to the way he used to behave when he was in the {{pkmn2|wild}}. As a result, Buizel obeyed Dawn during the rematch. Buizel continued to obey her afterwards, and always obeyed Ash after Dawn traded Buizel to him.

In ''[[DP059|Luxray Vision!]]'', {{OBP|Marble|DP059}} had trouble getting her {{p|Luxray}} to obey her due to it having trouble with its Electric-type attacks since evolving from {{p|Luxio}}. Once Luxray was able to utilize its Electric-type attacks again, it had no trouble obeying Marble.

[[Dawn's Piloswine]] frequently disobeyed her after evolving from {{p|Swinub}}, and continued to disobey as a {{p|Mamoswine}}. In ''[[DP119|Trials and Adulations!]]'', Mamoswine was injured during a battle against a {{pkmn2|wild}} {{p|Aggron}}; Dawn and her Pokémon used the first aid skills Brock taught her in ''[[DP094|Doc Brock!]]'' to help Mamoswine recover, and later attempted to protect Mamoswine from Team Rocket. As a result, Mamoswine regained its respect for Dawn, and under her instructions, it was able to defeat Aggron. After that, although Mamoswine was still a little rebellious, it did not hesitate to help Dawn when she was in danger.

In ''[[DP148|Try For the Family Stone!]]'', [[Mitchell (DP148)|Mitchell]]'s {{P|Murkrow}} stopped obeying and ran away from him when he, out of both desperation to beat his sister [[Rhyanna]] and her {{P|Misdreavus}} and frustration out of his and Murkrow's previous failures to beat them, pushed Murkrow too hard in training it to learn [[Wing Attack]] by continuously pelting it with stones and denying it the chance to recover when it got hit; this also resulted in Murkrow starting to use its {{m|Confuse Ray|hypnosis power}} on unsuspecting travelers in its anger, which Rhyanna believed Mitchell to be responsible for. Murkrow started listening to Mitchell again after he apologized to it.

===={{aniseries|BW}}====
[[File:Excadrill covered.png|thumb|250px|Excadrill refusing to battle]]
In ''[[Pokémon the Series: Black & White]]'', {{an|Iris}} had recurring problems with disobedient Pokémon. Prior to her introduction, her {{TP|Iris|Excadrill}} had closed himself off from her, as he was ashamed of when he lost to [[Drayden]]'s {{p|Haxorus}} and distrustful of her guidance in battle (due to her having pushed him to keep battling even though he knew he couldn't win). When sent out of his {{i|Poké Ball}}, he would simply stay curled up as a drill. Following {{an|Cilan}}'s advice in ''[[BW033|Iris and Excadrill Against the Dragon Buster!]]'', Iris apologized to him; as a result, he regained his respect for Iris and began to obey her again.

Later, she caught an {{TP|Iris|Emolga}} who disliked battling, and would use {{m|Volt Switch}} to force another Pokémon into her place when sent into battle. She was also fond of using {{m|Attract}} to [[Infatuation|infatuate]] the opponent, and avoid actually battling. Since in the [[Club Battle]], only one Pokémon could be used, Emolga could not use Volt Switch without being disqualified; as a result, she actually listened to Iris's commands, and she continued to in later battles.

[[Luke's Zorua]] ran off and refused to listen to him after Luke continued to make Zorua play male characters when as a female, she only wanted to play female characters. Zorua listened to Luke again after he apologized.

{{an|Bianca}}'s new {{p|Escavalier}}, which had just evolved from a {{p|Karrablast}} by trading her {{p|Shelmet}} for it with [[Professor Juniper]], attacked her when she tried to greet it. Professor Juniper recommended that it have a [[Double Battle]] with her new {{p|Accelgor}}, which also evolved during the trade, against [[Ash's Boldore]] and [[Cilan's Crustle]]. Through half the battle, Escavalier refused to listen to Bianca, which resulted in Accelgor being injured while trying to protect it. Seeing what Accelgor was willing to do for it, Escavalier started to listen to Bianca's commands so it could protect Accelgor as well.

[[Iris's Dragonite]] initially refused to listen to her, particularly during the [[Pokémon World Tournament Junior Cup]]. He attacked with the moves he wanted to use, rather than the ones Iris commanded, which eventually resulted in Iris's loss against Ash in the semifinals. Slowly but surely, Dragonite started trusting his Trainer, and by ''[[BW097|Unova's Survival Crisis!]]'', he started to obey Iris.

===={{aniseries|XY}}====
[[File:Ash Froakie past.png|thumb|250px|Froakie abandoning one of its previous Trainers]]
[[Ash's Greninja|Ash's Froakie]], prior to joining Ash's team, was notorious for being troublesome, going through several Trainers that it proved unsuitable for. Either the Trainer would end up returning it to [[Professor Sycamore]] for being disobedient, or it would abandon its new Trainer and return to Professor Sycamore itself; the latter had happened when it met Ash in ''[[XY001|Kalos, Where Dreams and Adventures Begin!]]''. Even willingly joining Ash's party didn't automatically ensure its obedience; in ''[[XY003|A Battle of Aerial Mobility!]]'', when a wild {{AP|Fletchling}} upset {{an|Bonnie}} by stealing a Berry that she was trying to feed to a {{TP|Clemont|Dedenne}}, Froakie attacked the Tiny Robin Pokémon and refused to obey Ash's instructions to back down and leave it to Pikachu. However, Ash realized that the Bubble Frog Pokémon was only trying to stick up for Bonnie and the two came up with a strategy that ultimately resulted in Froakie's payback and Fletchling's capture. This confirmed to Froakie that it had found the right Trainer and it subsequently obeyed Ash without question.

In ''[[XY008|Grooming Furfrou!]]'', {{OBP|Jessica|XY008}} had trouble getting her {{p|Furfrou}} to obey her. This stemmed from the fact Furfrou didn't approve of her due to her not being confident in her skills.

===={{aniseries|SM}}====
In ''Pokémon the Series: Sun and Moon'', [[Jessie's Mimikyu]] sometimes refused to listen to its Trainer unless [[Ash's Pikachu]] is around for it to fight; although sometimes Mimikyu will target Pikachu instead if told to attack something else. While their relationship improved over time, Mimikyu continued to prioritize attacking any Pikachu it saw. This habit almost cost Jessie in the preliminary round of the [[Manalo Conference]], as Mimikyu continued to try to attack Ash's Pikachu even after the [[Battle Royal]] ended.

In ''[[SM047|A Masked Warning!]]'', Ash discovered that his {{AP|Lycanroc}} would become enraged whenever its fur is dirtied. Later, during a {{pkmn|battle}} with {{an|Gladion}}, Lycanroc landed in a puddle and became enraged by its muddied fur, causing it to attack Gladion's {{p|Type: Null}}, {{TP|Gladion|Silvally}}, without listening to Ash's commands. The same thing occurred again in ''[[SM074|Tough Guy Trials!]]'', during Ash's battle with [[Nanu]]'s {{p|Krookodile}}; Lycanroc was hit by {{m|Mud-Slap}} from Krookodile, causing it to get dirty and enraged once more, leading to its defeat soon after. This happened yet again in [[SM075|the next episode]], after [[Guardian deities (anime)|Tapu Bulu]] intentionally hit Lycanroc into the puddle along with Ash's other Pokémon, driving it mad once more. However, Ash was able to calm it down by having it remember everything that they went through together when it was still a {{p|Rockruff}}. Eventually, Lycanroc overcame its rage during the battle with Tapu Bulu, when it got hit by a tree trunk and landed into the puddle again.

===={{aniseries|JN}}====
In ''[[JN072|Everybody's Doing the Underground Shuffle!]]'', [[Goh]] and Ash's Pikachu battled a {{pkmn2|wild}} {{p|Seismitoad}} underneath [[Driftveil City]] while separated from Ash, [[Chloe]], and the others. Goh tried to [[Caught Pokémon|catch]] it, but Pikachu kept taking the initiative before Goh could command him, causing Seismitoad to flee.

===''Pokémon Horizons: The Series''===
In ''[[HZ075|The Wonders of the World!]]'', [[Gibeon]]'s [[White Zygarde]] was seen disobeying its Trainer's orders to not intervene in [[Laquium]]'s unrelenting expansion, presumably sensing the danger it posed to the ecosystem.

Pokémon affected by [[Laquium]] may disobey their trainers, picking moves and targeting opposing Pokémon on their own. This is first shown in ''[[HZ097|The Prankster]]'' with [[Stunner Fisk]]'s [[Stunfisk (Pokémon)|Stunfisk]], and is later pointed out by [[Dot]] during her, [[Liko]] and [[Roy]]'s battle against [[Indi]] and [[Rubina]]'s [[Tauros (Pokémon)|Tauros]] in ''[[HZ100|We Are the Rising Volt Tacklers!]]''. The Tauros picked their moves and targets based only on [[Type|type effectiveness]] and failed to obey their trainers' command to dodge, which allowed Dot and her team to successfully trick them into hitting each other.

===POKÉTOON===
In ''[[PT03|Blossom's Dream]]'', {{OBP|Blossom|POKÉTOON}} tried commanding [[Blossom's parents|her father]]'s {{p|Charizard}} to show some kids that it could still battle. Charizard did not obey any of her commands and yawned in response. Her father stated in the same episode that Charizard is his Pokémon and would not obey her. Later, Charizard obeyed Blossom perfectly when she asked it to help her stop a wild {{p|Nidoking}} and {{p|Nidoqueen}} from battling the local Trainers' Pokémon due to a misunderstanding.

==In the manga==
{{incomplete|section|Missing Enta's Zangoose from the Pokémon Battle Frontier manga}}
===The Electric Tale of Pikachu===
In ''[[ET01|Pikachu, I See You!]]'', similar to in {{aniseries|OS}}, {{OBP|Ash's Pikachu|EToP}} started off as hostile towards Ash. It was not until Ash protected it from a {{AP|Fearow}} and a flock of {{p|Spearow}} that Pikachu began to respect Ash.

In ''[[ET13|The Indigo Finals]]'', [[Ash's Charizard]] was revealed to have disobeyed Ash sometime before the 88th Pokémon League. During the League, Ash would have to hold a special flare with the fire of a {{p|Moltres}} to get Charizard to listen. When Ash used Charizard against [[Ritchie]]'s [[Zippo|Charley]], it became a brutal battle to the point that Ash had to get his Charizard to stop, but failed. With no other choice, Ash recalled Charizard to its Poké Ball and then forfeited the match.

===How I Became a Pokémon Card===
In [[PW05]], {{HIBAPC|Tsubasa}} trains a {{p|Pidgeot}} which does not obey him as it belonged to his grandfather.

===Movie adaptations===
In ''{{ma|I Choose You!}}'', {{OBP|Ash's Pikachu|M20}} started off as disobedient towards Ash when he and Ash first met. After an encounter with a flock of {{p|Spearow}}, Pikachu began to respect Ash when Ash selflessly protected him from that flock of Spearow.

===Pokémon Adventures===
[[File:Zeller disobedience.png|thumb|250px|Pearl's Buizel, Zeller, attacking his Trainer]]
There have been some instances where Pokémon don't obey their Trainers. Most commonly, this has been the case for traded Pokémon. There have also been some instances where Pokémon do not obey their original Trainers.

===={{MangaArc|Red, Green & Blue}}====
In ''[[PS005|Onix is On!]]'', {{adv|Red}}'s {{p|Pikachu}}, [[Pika]], refused to listen to Red due to Red being an inexperienced Trainer. Only after Red saved Pika from an attack did he begin to listen.

In ''[[PS006|Gyarados Splashes In!]]'', [[Misty]]'s {{p|Gyarados}}, now owned by Red and [[nickname]]d [[Gyara]], did not obey her. This was a result from [[Team Rocket]]'s experiments involving Pokémon in which the Pokémon in question had been used, causing his rage.

In ''[[PS018|A Tale of Ninetales]]'', Blue's new {{TP|Blue|Porygon}} refuses to listen to him. This is stated to be due to the fact that Pokémon exchanged at the [[Celadon Game Corner|Game Corner]] tend to be harder to control. Additionally, {{adv|Red}} and {{adv|Blue}}'s Pokémon get accidentally traded between them. Blue's Pokémon do not obey Red because they do not respect him.

===={{MangaArc|Gold, Silver & Crystal}}====
In ''[[PS109|Ampharos Amore]]'', {{adv|Silver}} and {{adv|Gold}} trade their Pokémon. In the next chapter, the Pokémon Gold traded to Silver, [[Polibo]], does not react to his commands.

===={{MangaArc|Diamond & Pearl}}====
{{adv|Pearl}}'s {{p|Buizel}}, {{DL|Pearl (Adventures)|Zeller}}, does not obey him, having turned hostile towards humans after [[Team Galactic]] detonated the Galactic Bomb and his home is destroyed.

===={{MangaArc|Black & White}}====
{{adv|Black}}'s {{p|Carracosta}}, [[Costa]], is a stubborn and unresponsive Pokémon. Due to this nature, his original Trainer, [[Marshal]], released him. He displayed the same attitude with Black and only began to listen to him shortly before he evolved.

===Pokémon Diamond and Pearl Adventure!===
In ''[[DPA01|In Search of the Legendary Pokémon Dialga!!]]'', when [[Hareta]] first met {{TP|Hareta|Piplup}}, it refused to listen to him. It wasn't until when Hareta attempted to calm down a {{pkmn2|wild}} {{p|Onix}}, Piplup began to respect Hareta.

===Pokémon Gold & Silver: The Golden Boys===
In ''[[GB03|The Legendary Pokémon Appears!]]'', {{GnB|Gold}} received a {{TP|Gold|Pikachu}} from the future. It didn't listen to Gold when they first met as its level was too high.

===Pokémon Newspaper Strip===
In the [[Pokémon Newspaper Strip]], [[Ash Ketchum (Pokémon Newspaper Strip)|Ash]]'s Pokémon often disobey him and attack him. In particular, Ash repeatedly ordered [[Ash's Pikachu|his Pikachu]] to enter its Poké Ball, but Pikachu ignored him.

==In other languages==
''Obey''
{{langtable|color={{electric color light}}|bordercolor={{electric color}}
|zh_yue=聽話 ''{{tt|Tēngwah|Obey}}''
|zh_cmn=聽話 / 听话 ''{{tt|Tīnghuà|Obey}}''
|fr=Obéir
|de=Gehorchen
|it=Obbedire
|ko=말을 듣다 ''{{tt|Mareul deutda|Obey}}''
|es=Obedecer
}}

==References==
{{reflist}}
{{Project Games notice}}

[[Category:Game mechanics]]
[[Category:Terminology]]
[[Category:Pokémon world]]

[[de:Gehorsam]]
[[es:Obediencia]]
[[it:Obbedienza]]
[[ja:いうことをきく]]

Poké Ball

2026-04-11T12:08:06Z

Sumsarasmus: /* Pokémon GO */Edited the text to be in past tense, as they have been made available now.

{{search|type of item|the item called Poké Ball|Poké Ball (item)}}
----
[[File:Poké Balls.png|thumb|250px|The 28 Poké Ball variants found in the [[core series]] (excluding those exclusive to Pokémon Legends: Arceus)]]
[[File:Poké Ball sketch.png|thumb|250px|Original concept]]
A '''Poké Ball''' (Japanese: '''モンスターボール''' ''Monster Ball'') is a type of [[item]] that is critical to a {{pkmn|Trainer}}'s quest, used for {{pkmn2|caught|catching}} and storing {{OBP|Pokémon|species}}. Both a general term used to describe the various kinds as well as a specific term to refer to the most basic among these variations, Poké Balls are ubiquitous in the modern [[Pokémon world]].

Up to six Pokémon can be carried with a {{pkmn|Trainer}} in Poké Balls, while more Poké Balls can be held in the [[Bag]] for later use. These six Pokémon in the Poké Balls can be attached to the user's belt for carrying them around. Some Pokémon do not like to be carried around in Poké Balls, such as [[Ash's Pikachu]].

Stylized Poké Balls are used in many places to symbolize Pokémon in general: the logos of the [[Battle Frontier]]s, the [[Pokémon Contest]]s, the [[Pokéathlon]], and the [[Pokémon Musical]] all feature a Poké Ball in their design, while several Poké Balls can be seen in every [[Pokémon Center]]. The headgear of the protagonists of [[Kanto]], [[Hoenn]], [[Sinnoh]], and [[Unova]]-based games feature Poké Ball designs, as do the [[Bag]]s of the protagonists of [[Johto]]-based games. {{ga|Ethan}}'s headgear is also similar to the top half of an Ultra Ball, and {{ga|Lucas}}'s Bag prominently features a Poké Ball.

==In the core series games==
The strength of a Poké Ball is determined by how much it raises a [[wild Pokémon]]'s [[catch rate]], and may in fact vary depending on the conditions of the battle. Poké Balls limit the power of Pokémon contained inside, taming them, though they do not cause the Pokémon inside to always obey the Trainer.

===History===
{{main|History of Poké Balls}}
[[File:Legends Arceus Poké Ball.png|thumb|150px|A Poké Ball used by those who explored the Hisui region]]
The invention of Poké Balls occurred in the [[Johto]] region, where [[Apricorn]]s grow; these fruits were cut apart and carved out, then fitted with a special device, and used to catch wild Pokémon. Some Trainers still use Poké Balls made from Apricorns, while [[Kurt]], a resident of [[Azalea Town]], still constructs them. [[Pokémon Legends: Arceus]] shows that the first settlers of the [[Sinnoh]] region, back when it was known as the [[Hisui]] region, used pre-modern Poké Balls made of [[Tumblestone]] and Apricorns, with [[Professor Laventon]] claiming they were a more recent invention. According to [[Professor Elm]], before the invention of the Poké Ball, people would [[Walking Pokémon|walk with their Pokémon]].

In the games, in the [[Memory Link]] event {{DL|Memory Link|A New Light}}, [[Drayden]] claims that Poké Balls did not exist during his childhood.

Modern Poké Balls are not normally made from Apricorns, with the exception of specialist Poké Balls such as the [[Moon Ball]]. Modern Poké Balls are manufactured by [[Silph Co.]], the [[Devon Corporation]], and the Kalos [[Poké Ball Factory]].

===Mechanics and design===
Though the technology behind a Poké Ball remains unknown and has evolved through the centuries to accommodate the diverse requirements of their creators, the basic mechanics are simple enough to understand and tend to remain constant: in a [[Pokémon battle]], once an opposing wild Pokémon has been weakened, the Pokémon Trainer can throw a Poké Ball at it. When a Poké Ball hits the Pokémon, as long as it is not deflected, the Poké Ball will open, cause the Pokémon to shrink, store it inside, and close. A Pokémon in this state is given a chance to struggle to attempt to break free from the ball and escape, instantly growing back in size if successful. Should a Pokémon escape a Poké Ball, the device is destroyed in the games, unlike in the animated series. A Pokémon that does not escape the Ball will be {{pkmn2|caught}}. [[Pokémon Legends: Arceus]] elaborates a bit on how the Pokémon are contained in a Poké Ball, with [[Professor Laventon]] explaining that Pokémon have the ability to reduce their size to miniscule, and Poké Balls take advantage of this to contain them.

Poké Balls are specifically constructed for Pokémon capture, transport, and training. As well as being physically difficult to escape from, due to sealing tightly shut as soon as a Pokémon enters one, the environment of a Poké Ball is designed to be attractive to Pokémon also; according to [[Lucian]] of the [[Sinnoh]] [[Elite Four]], weakened Pokémon instinctively curl up tight in an attempt to heal themselves, an action that the environment of the Poké Ball encourages. Although it is not known how a caught Pokémon perceives its time inside of its Ball, the device is said to create an environment that is "incredibly comfortable for Pokémon."<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20121127174918/http://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2012/11/23/pok-233-mon-39-s-burning-questions.aspx Game Informer: Pokémon's Burning Questions] (archive)</ref> [[Junichi Masuda]] compared the interior of a Poké Ball to "a high-end suite room in a fancy hotel.”<ref>[https://kotaku.com/what-its-like-inside-a-pokeball-according-to-a-pokemon-1788004256 What It's Like Inside A Pokeball, According To A ''Pokémon'' Developer | Kotaku]</ref> All of these factors strongly discourage Pokémon from escaping their Balls. In the manga, Bugsy refers to his "capture net" as being the net that is supposedly inside a Poké Ball, but visible and already deployed. According to Kurt, this invisible net captures and physically stores a Pokémon.

However, in {{g|Scarlet and Violet}}, the protagonist's {{ga|Koraidon}}{{sup/9|S}}/{{ga|Miraidon}}{{sup/9|V}} repeatedly shows that it can enter and leave its Poké Ball as it wishes.

When a Trainer [[Dynamax]]es or [[Gigantamax]]es a Pokémon, the Poké Ball expands to the size of an {{wp|Ball (association football)|association football}}.

In some games, a [[Ball Capsule]] can be used in combination with [[Sticker]]s to create special effects when the Pokémon is sent out.

===Poké Ball accuracy===
:''See also: [[Catch rate]]''

In some scenarios, a Poké Ball can miss the wild Pokémon completely (in contrast to breaking if the Poké Ball does not successfully capture the Pokémon):
* In the [[Generation I]] games, it was possible for a ball to miss the Pokémon when the likelihood of catching the Pokémon in question was particularly low—rather than the ball throwing animation playing and the ball wiggling zero times, a message would come up stating "You missed the {{ScPkmn}}!".
* In the Generation I games and {{game|FireRed and LeafGreen|s}}, the {{OBP|ghost|Pokémon Tower}}s in [[Lavender Town]]'s [[Pokémon Tower]] dodge any ball thrown at them before being unmasked by the [[Silph Scope]]. The [[Marowak (ghost)|Marowak ghost]] will dodge all Poké Balls even if it is unmasked.
* In {{LGPE}}, {{g|Legends: Arceus}} outside of battle, and {{g|Legends: Z-A}}, Poké Balls are thrown manually, and the player must aim properly to hit the Pokémon. In Legends: Arceus, {{hi|Heavy Ball}} and [[Feather Ball]] items have noticeably different throwing distances and trajectories compared to the standard variations.
** In Legends: Z-A, the player's Poké Balls that were thrown and missed can be retrieved by a [[lost Poké Ball collector]], located outside each [[Pokémon Center]].

In other scenarios, it is simply not possible to use Poké Balls in the first place:
* In the Generation I and II core series games, if both the player's party and their current [[Pokémon Storage System|Box]] are full, the player cannot throw a Poké Ball.
* In non-[[Legends]] [[core series]] games, in {{pkmn2|wild}} battles the player cannot throw a Poké Ball if there are multiple opponents—such as in wild [[Double Battle]]s, [[Horde Encounter]]s, or [[SOS Battle]]s—with the game claiming that it's impossible to aim.
** This is not the case in {{g|Legends: Arceus}} and {{g|Legends: Z-A}}.
* From {{game|Diamond and Pearl|s}} onward, it is not possible to throw a Poké Ball if the opposing Pokémon is in the [[semi-invulnerable turn]] of a move (such as {{m|Fly}} or {{m|Dig}}).
* Starting in [[Generation V]], in [[Double Battle|Double]] and [[Triple Battle]]s, it is not possible to issue a command to one Pokémon and then throw a Poké Ball as the second Pokémon's turn. However, it is still possible to throw a Poké Ball if one Pokémon is in the middle of a two-turn move.
* In {{2v2|Black|White|2}}, [[Ghetsis]] uses his cane to control a wild {{p|Kyurem}} and orders it to attack the {{player}}. The cane also emits signals that disrupt the use of empty Poké Balls, preventing Kyurem from being captured during the climax.
* In {{pkmn|Sun and Moon|Sun, Moon}}, {{pkmn|Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon|Ultra Sun, and Ultra Moon}}, the player is forbidden from throwing Poké Balls at wild Pokémon in a [[Island challenge|trial]] site until the trial has been cleared.
* In Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun, and Ultra Moon, a signal that prevents the use of empty Poké Balls is broadcast throughout [[Aether Paradise]] to protect the Pokémon living there. This prevents the player from capturing the wild {{p|Nihilego}} that attacks them on their first visit to the facility.
* In Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, the player cannot use a Poké Ball on a {{p|Necrozma}} that has {{form|Necrozma|fused}} with a {{p|Solgaleo}} or {{p|Lunala}}.
* In {{g|Sword and Shield}}, the player cannot catch a Pokémon whose level is above the limit the player's current [[Badge]]s can allow. Such Pokémon is described as "very strong-looking".
* In [[The Crown Tundra]] expansion, the player cannot catch {{p|Spectrier}} or {{p|Glastrier}} during the encounter with it in the village because "It won't let its guard down!"
* In {{g|Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl}}, the player cannot catch the {{form|Giratina|Origin Forme}} {{p|Giratina}} encountered inside the Distortion Room in [[Ramanas Park]].
* In {{g|Legends: Arceus}}, the player cannot catch certain Pokémon, including [[noble Pokémon]] and {{p|Arceus}}.
* In {{g|Scarlet and Violet}}, the player cannot throw a Poké Ball at a wild {{Tera}} Pokémon until it is sufficiently weakened, breaking through its transformation.

===Pokémon's Poké Ball===
Starting in [[Generation III]], each owned Pokémon's [[Pokémon data substructures (Generation III)#Origins|data]] stores the [[index number]] of the type of Poké Ball used to catch it or received in. An owned Pokémon's Poké Ball cannot be legitimately changed and is displayed in the Pokémon's [[summary]] screen.

There are special cases in how Poké Ball are assigned when obtaining Pokémon:
* [[Pokémon breeding|Bred]] Pokémon:
** Prior to Generation VI, all hatched Pokémon are in a {{i|Poké Ball|standard Poké Ball}}.
** In [[Generation VI]], a bred Pokémon will be in the same Poké Ball as its mother. Pokémon bred from a male or gender-unknown Pokémon and {{p|Ditto}} will hatch in a standard Poké Ball.
** Since [[Generation VII]], in addition to inheriting its mother's Poké Ball, a bred Pokémon can now inherit the non-Ditto parent's Poké Ball if bred with Ditto. If two Pokémon of the same species in different balls (regardless of their [[form]]) are bred, the resulting offspring will have an equal chance to inherit either parent's Poké Ball.
** In all generations, [[Master Ball]], [[Cherish Ball]], and [[Strange Ball]] cannot be inherited. If an offspring would inherit one of these balls, they will be in a standard Poké Ball instead.
* Pokémon [[transfer]]red from another game:
** Despite transferring Pokémon from [[Gen III]] to [[Generation IV|IV]] games in [[Pal Park]] involves catching them with [[Park Ball]]s, they retain their original Poké Ball and index number from Gen III games instead of being reassigned to Park Balls.
** Pokémon from [[Pokéwalker]] to {{game3|HeartGold and SoulSilver|HeartGold or SoulSilver|s}} are contained in standard Poké Balls.
** Pokémon from [[Pokémon Dream Radar]] to {{game3|Black 2 and White 2|Black 2 or White 2|s}} are contained in [[Dream Ball]]s.
** Pokémon transferred from [[Virtual Console]] versions of [[Gen I]] and [[Gen II|II]] games to [[Pokémon Bank]] via [[Poké Transporter]] are in standard Poké Balls, because Gen I and II games do not keep track of Pokémon's Poké Ball.
* {{p|Shedinja}} if obtained from evolving {{p|Nincada}}:
** In Gen III, Shedinja copies its parent Nincada's ball.
** Since Gen IV, obtaining Shedinja additionally requires owning a standard Poké Ball in inventory, which is consumed upon evolution. The resulting Shedinja will then be in the standard Poké Ball.
** In {{game3|Diamond and Pearl|Diamond, Pearl|s}}, and {{v2|Platinum}} only, evolving Shedinja in any [[Apricorn]] Balls or the [[Sport Ball]] (which, in Gen IV, are only coded to exist in {{game|HeartGold and SoulSilver|s|HeartGold and SoulSilver}}) will copy the ball to Shedinja without reassigning it to have a standard Poké Ball. In HeartGold and SoulSilver, as Nincada is only found in the [[Bug Catching Contest]] which only permits Sport Balls, only Sport Balls can be legitimately copied to Shedinja in Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum this way.
* In [[Pokémon Sword and Shield]], if the player has at least one standard Poké Ball, [[Great Ball]], or [[Ultra Ball]], cooking [[curry]] may attract a wild Pokémon that requests to join the player without a battle. If accepted, one Poké Ball is consumed to contain the Pokémon, prioritizing the first available type in the following order: a standard Poké Ball, a Great Ball, and then an Ultra Ball.
* In Pokémon Sword and Shield, catching {{p|Calyrex}} in its Ice Rider or Shadow Rider forms will assign the ball used to both Calyrex and its steed ({{p|Glastrier}} or {{p|Spectrier}}, respectively).

If a Pokémon is traded to a game that does not support its Poké Ball:
* Pokémon from {{2v2|HeartGold|SoulSilver}} caught in Apricorn Balls or a [[Sport Ball]] will be displayed in a standard Poké Ball in {{game2|Diamond|Pearl|Platinum}}. The original Poké Ball data is preserved and will be correctly displayed again when traded back to HeartGold or SoulSilver.
* Pokémon originating from Legends: Arceus transferred to {{g|Sword and Shield}} will have their ball converted into a standard Poké Ball, with their original ball data being stored in [[Pokémon HOME]]'s server.
* Pokémon originating from {{g|Legends: Arceus}} which are then transferred into another game (vice versa for those caught outside Legends: Arceus and then transferred in) will be displayed in [[Strange Ball]]s while in a game where the Pokémon's ball is not programmed into the game, but will still retain its original index number.

===Other gameplay mechanics===
* From Generation III onward, each variety of Poké Ball has a unique animation when it catches or sends out a Pokémon, except in {{LGPE}} and {{g|Legends: Arceus}}.
* {{m|Fling}} will fail if the user is holding any type of Poké Ball.

===Types of Poké Balls===
In the Pokémon games so far, there have been 34 (38 if the Hisuian Poké Ball, Great Ball, Ultra Ball, and Heavy Ball are considered distinct from their modern-day counterparts) different varieties of Poké Balls, all differing from each other in some way, whether it be an increased ability to catch a Pokémon from the wild or an effect which occurs only after the Pokémon has been caught.

Every Poké Ball (except the Beast Ball and Master Ball) has a 0.1× catch rate modifier when attempting to catch an [[Ultra Beast]].

{| class="roundtable sortable" style="background: #{{Poké Balls color light}}; border:3px solid #{{Poké Balls color dark}}"
! class="unsortable" |
! Name
! Gen.
! [[Index number|#]]
! class="unsortable" | [[Index number|Hex]]
! class="unsortable" | Catch rate modifier
! class="unsortable" | Notes
|-
|{{bag/s|Master Ball|SV}}
|[[Master Ball]]
| style="background: #{{Gen I color light}}; border: 1px solid #{{Gen I color dark}}; text-align: center" data-sort-value=1 | '''I'''
| style="text-align: center" | 1
| style="text-align: center" | 0x01
| N/A (guaranteed capture)
| The only Poké Ball other than the Beast Ball that does not have a 0.1× catch modifier when used on an Ultra Beast.
|-
|{{bag/s|Ultra Ball|SV}}
|[[Ultra Ball]]
| style="background: #{{Gen I color light}}; border: 1px solid #{{Gen I color dark}}; text-align: center" data-sort-value=1 | '''I'''
| style="text-align: center" | 2
| style="text-align: center" | 0x02
| 2×
|
|-
|{{bag/s|Great Ball|SV}}
|[[Great Ball]]
| style="background: #{{Gen I color light}}; border: 1px solid #{{Gen I color dark}}; text-align: center" data-sort-value=1 | '''I'''
| style="text-align: center" | 3
| style="text-align: center" | 0x03
| 1.5×
|
|-
|{{bag/s|Poké Ball|SV|Poké Ball (item)}}
|{{i|Poké Ball}}
| style="background: #{{Gen I color light}}; border: 1px solid #{{Gen I color dark}}; text-align: center" data-sort-value=1 | '''I'''
| style="text-align: center" | 4
| style="text-align: center" | 0x04
| 1×
| Must be in the player's [[Bag]] with an empty space in the [[party]] to obtain a {{p|Shedinja}} when {{p|Nincada}} [[Evolution|evolves]] from [[Generation IV]] onwards.
|-
|{{bag/s|Safari Ball|SV}}
|[[Safari Ball]]
| style="background: #{{Gen I color light}}; border: 1px solid #{{Gen I color dark}}; text-align: center" data-sort-value=1 | '''I'''
| style="text-align: center" | 5
| style="text-align: center" | 0x05
| {{tt|1×|As of Gen IX; 2× in Gen I; 1.5× from Gen II to SwSh; 1.5× in BDSP}}
| Prior to [[Generation VIII]], it was only usable within [[Safari Zone]]s.
|-
|{{bag/s|Net Ball|SV}}
|[[Net Ball]]
| style="background: #{{Gen III color light}}; border: 1px solid #{{Gen III color dark}}; text-align: center" data-sort-value=3 | '''III'''
| style="text-align: center" | 6
| style="text-align: center" | 0x06
| 3.5× if used on a {{t|Water}} or {{type|Bug}} Pokémon 1× otherwise
|
|-
|{{bag/s|Dive Ball|SV}}
|[[Dive Ball]]
| style="background: #{{Gen III color light}}; border: 1px solid #{{Gen III color dark}}; text-align: center" data-sort-value=3 | '''III'''
| style="text-align: center" | 7
| style="text-align: center" | 0x07
| 3.5× if used while {{m|surf}}ing, [[fishing]], or [[underwater]] 1× otherwise
| In [[Generation III]], it only had an increased catch rate [[underwater]].
|-
|{{bag/s|Nest Ball|SV}}
|[[Nest Ball]]
| style="background: #{{Gen III color light}}; border: 1px solid #{{Gen III color dark}}; text-align: center" data-sort-value=3 | '''III'''
| style="text-align: center" | 8
| style="text-align: center" | 0x08
| ((41 - Pokémon's level) ÷ 10)× if Pokémon's level is between 1 and 29 1× otherwise
|
|-
|{{bag/s|Repeat Ball|SV}}
|[[Repeat Ball]]
| style="background: #{{Gen III color light}}; border: 1px solid #{{Gen III color dark}}; text-align: center" data-sort-value=3 | '''III'''
| style="text-align: center" | 9
| style="text-align: center" | 0x09
| 3.5× if used on a Pokémon that is registered in the player's [[Pokédex]] as caught 1× otherwise
|
|-
|{{bag/s|Timer Ball|SV}}
|[[Timer Ball]]
| style="background: #{{Gen III color light}}; border: 1px solid #{{Gen III color dark}}; text-align: center" data-sort-value=3 | '''III'''
| style="text-align: center" data-sort-value=10 | 10
| style="text-align: center" | 0x0A
| (1 + number of turns passed in battle * {{tt|1229/4096|approx. 0.3}})×, maximum 4× at 10 turns
| Greater than an Ultra Ball at 4 turns. In {{g|Legends: Z-A}}, the total number of moves used since the beginning of the battle by both the wild Pokémon and the player's active Pokémon is used as the turn counter instead.
|-
|{{bag/s|Luxury Ball|SV}}
|[[Luxury Ball]]
| style="background: #{{Gen III color light}}; border: 1px solid #{{Gen III color dark}}; text-align: center" data-sort-value=3 | '''III'''
| style="text-align: center" data-sort-value=11 | 11
| style="text-align: center" | 0x0B
| 1×
| Doubles the rate at which the contained Pokémon's [[friendship]] increases.
|-
|{{bag/s|Premier Ball|SV}}
|[[Premier Ball]]
| style="background: #{{Gen III color light}}; border: 1px solid #{{Gen III color dark}}; text-align: center" data-sort-value=3 | '''III'''
| style="text-align: center" data-sort-value=12 | 12
| style="text-align: center" | 0x0C
| 1×
|
|-
|{{bag/s|Dusk Ball|SV}}
|[[Dusk Ball]]
| style="background: #{{Gen IV color light}}; border: 1px solid #{{Gen III color dark}}; text-align: center" data-sort-value=4 | '''IV'''
| style="text-align: center" data-sort-value=13 | 13
| style="text-align: center" | 0x0D
| 3× if used in a cave or at night 1× otherwise
|
|-
|{{bag/s|Heal Ball|SV}}
|[[Heal Ball]]
| style="background: #{{Gen IV color light}}; border: 1px solid #{{Gen IV color dark}}; text-align: center" data-sort-value=4 | '''IV'''
| style="text-align: center" data-sort-value=14 | 14
| style="text-align: center" | 0x0E
| 1×
| Fully restores a caught Pokémon's {{stat|HP}} and [[PP]] and removes their [[status condition]]s.
|-
|{{bag/s|Quick Ball|SV}}
|[[Quick Ball]]
| style="background: #{{Gen IV color light}}; border: 1px solid #{{Gen IV color dark}}; text-align: center" data-sort-value=4 | '''IV'''
| style="text-align: center" data-sort-value=15 | 15
| style="text-align: center" | 0x0F
| 5× if used on the first turn of a battle 1× otherwise
| In {{g|Legends: Z-A}}, the increased catch rate is instead applied if neither the wild Pokémon nor the player's active Pokémon have used any moves since the beginning of the battle.
|-
|{{bag/s|Cherish Ball|SV}}
|[[Cherish Ball]]
| style="background: #{{Gen IV color light}}; border: 1px solid #{{Gen IV color dark}}; text-align: center" data-sort-value=4 | '''IV'''
| style="text-align: center" data-sort-value=16 | 16
| style="text-align: center" | 0x10
| 1×
| Unobtainable by the player, but used for various [[event Pokémon]].
|-
|{{bag/s|Fast Ball|SV}}
|[[Fast Ball]]
| style="background: #{{Gen II color light}}; border: 1px solid #{{Gen II color dark}}; text-align: center" data-sort-value=2 | '''II'''
| style="text-align: center" data-sort-value=17 | 17
| style="text-align: center" | 0x11
| 4× if used on a Pokémon with a base {{stat|Speed}} {{cat|Pokémon whose base Speed stat is greater than 100|of at least 100}} 1× otherwise
| In [[Generation II]], it was intended to have a 4× catch modifier for Pokémon that can [[Escape#Wild Pokémon|flee]], but it only does for three of them: {{p|Magnemite}}, {{p|Grimer}} and {{p|Tangela}}.
|-
|{{bag/s|Level Ball|SV}}
|[[Level Ball]]
| style="background: #{{Gen II color light}}; border: 1px solid #{{Gen II color dark}}; text-align: center" data-sort-value=2 | '''II'''
| style="text-align: center" data-sort-value=18 | 18
| style="text-align: center" | 0x12
| 1× if the player's Pokémon is the same level as or a lower level than the wild Pokémon 2× if the player's Pokémon is at a higher level than the wild Pokémon but less than double it 4× if the player's Pokémon is more than double but less than four times the level of the wild Pokémon 8× if the player's Pokémon is of a level four times or more than that of the wild Pokémon
| In {{g|Legends: Z-A}}, if the player does not have a Pokémon out, the Level Ball will always have a catch rate modifier of 1×.
|-
|{{bag/s|Lure Ball|SV}}
|[[Lure Ball]]
| style="background: #{{Gen II color light}}; border: 1px solid #{{Gen II color dark}}; text-align: center" data-sort-value=2 | '''II'''
| style="text-align: center" data-sort-value=19 | 19
| style="text-align: center" | 0x13
| 4× if used on a Pokémon encountered while [[fishing]] 1× otherwise
| In [[Johto]], the bonus was 3x while in [[Alola]], the bonus was 5x In [[Generation IX]], it instead had an increased catch rate if used on Pokémon that are currently on or in water.
|-
|{{bag/s|Heavy Ball|SV}}
|[[Heavy Ball]]
| style="background: #{{Gen II color light}}; border: 1px solid #{{Gen II color dark}}; text-align: center" data-sort-value=2 | '''II'''
| style="text-align: center" data-sort-value=20 | 20
| style="text-align: center" | 0x14
| -20 if used on a Pokémon weighing [[List of Pokémon by weight#218.3 lbs. to 220.2 lbs. (99.0 kg to 99.9 kg)|220.2 lbs. (99.9 kg)]] or less ±0 if used on a Pokémon weighing [[List of Pokémon by weight#220.5 lbs. to 225.5 lbs. (100.0 kg to 102.3 kg)|220.5 lbs. (100.0 kg)]] – [[List of Pokémon by weight#330.7 lbs. to 440.7 lbs. (150.0 kg to 199.9 kg)|440.7 lbs. (199.9 kg)]] +20 if used on a Pokémon weighing [[List of Pokémon by weight#440.9 lbs. to 451.3 lbs. (200.0 kg to 204.7 kg)|440.9 lbs. (200.0 kg)]] – [[List of Pokémon by weight#617.3 lbs. to 661.2 lbs. (280.0 kg to 299.9 kg)|661.2 lbs. (299.9 kg)]] +30 if used on a Pokémon weighing [[List of Pokémon by weight#661.4 lbs. to 677.0 lbs. (300.0 kg to 307.1 kg)|661.4 lbs. (300.0 kg)]] or more
| In [[Pokémon Crystal Version|Pokémon Crystal]] only, there is a glitch that causes the retrieved weights of Pokémon whose index numbers are divisible by 64 ({{p|Kadabra}}, {{p|Tauros}}, and {{p|Sunflora}}) to become junk data that are, in turn, interpreted as massive weights, causing these particular Pokémon to receive the +40 capture modifier. In {{g|Sun and Moon}} only, a Heavy Ball will always fail to catch a Pokémon whose weight is less than 220.46 lbs (100.0 kg) and whose catch rate is less than or equal to 20. This is because the game will set the catch rate to 0 when the catch rate becomes negative due to the -20 modifier that is applied.
|-
|{{bag/s|Love Ball|SV}}
|[[Love Ball]]
| style="background: #{{Gen II color light}}; border: 1px solid #{{Gen II color dark}}; text-align: center" data-sort-value=2 | '''II'''
| style="text-align: center" data-sort-value=21 | 21
| style="text-align: center" | 0x15
| 8× if used on a Pokémon of the same species but opposite gender of the player's Pokémon 1× otherwise
| In [[Generation II]], it has an 8× catch modifier if both Pokémon are the same species ''and'' gender. In {{g|Legends: Z-A}}, if the player does not have a Pokémon out, the Love Ball will always have a catch rate modifier of 1×.
|-
|{{bag/s|Friend Ball|SV}}
|[[Friend Ball]]
| style="background: #{{Gen II color light}}; border: 1px solid #{{Gen II color dark}}; text-align: center" data-sort-value=2 | '''II'''
| style="text-align: center" data-sort-value=22 | 22
| style="text-align: center" | 0x16
| 1×
| Sets caught Pokémon's [[friendship]] to 200[[Generation II|Gen II]]-[[Generation VII|VII]], or 150[[Generation VIII|Gen VIII]]+
|-
|{{bag/s|Moon Ball|SV}}
|[[Moon Ball]]
| style="background: #{{Gen II color light}}; border: 1px solid #{{Gen II color dark}}; text-align: center" data-sort-value=2 | '''II'''
| style="text-align: center" data-sort-value=23 | 23
| style="text-align: center" | 0x17
| 4× if used on a Pokémon that evolves by using a [[Moon Stone]] 1× otherwise
| In [[Generation II]], it always has a 1× catch modifier due to a [[List of glitches in Generation II#Catch rate|programming error]].
|-
|{{bag/s|Sport Ball|SV}}
|[[Sport Ball]]{{tt|*|Park Ball in Generation II}}
| style="background: #{{Gen II color light}}; border: 1px solid #{{Gen I color dark}}; text-align: center" data-sort-value=2 | '''II'''
| style="text-align: center" data-sort-value=24 | 24
| style="text-align: center" | 0x18
| {{tt|1×|1.5× prior to Generation VIII}}
| Prior to [[Generation VIII]], it was only usable during the [[Bug-Catching Contest]].
|-
|{{bag/s|Dream Ball|SV}}
|[[Dream Ball]]
| style="background: #{{Gen V color light}}; border: 1px solid #{{Gen V color dark}}; text-align: center" data-sort-value=5 | '''V'''
| style="text-align: center" data-sort-value=25 | 25
| style="text-align: center" | 0x19
| 4× if used on a {{status|sleep}}ing or [[Status condition#Drowsy|drowsy]] Pokémon 1× otherwise
| Used only in [[Entralink|Entree Forest]] prior to [[Generation VIII]]. Guaranteed capture in [[Generation V]].
|-
|{{bag/s|Beast Ball|SV}}
|[[Beast Ball]]
| style="background: #{{Gen VII color light}}; border: 1px solid #{{Gen VII color dark}}; text-align: center" data-sort-value=6 | '''VII'''
| style="text-align: center" data-sort-value=26 | 26
| style="text-align: center" | 0x1A
| 5× if used on an [[Ultra Beast]] 0.1× otherwise
| If any other Poké Ball (except the Master Ball) is used on an Ultra Beast, it has a 0.1× catch modifier.
|-
|{{bag/s|Park Ball|SV}}
|[[Park Ball]]
| style="background: #{{Gen IV color light}}; border: 1px solid #{{Gen IV color dark}}; text-align: center" data-sort-value=4 | '''IV'''
| style="text-align: center" data-sort-value=27 | {{tt|27|Prior to Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, the Park Ball occupied this index value. This index value was reallocated to the Strange Ball, games released from BDSP onwards have no programmed index number for the Park Ball.}}
| style="text-align: center" | 0x1B
| N/A (guaranteed capture if used in [[Pal Park]]) {{tt|1× otherwise|If used outside of Pal Park, the game will behave as if the player had thrown a standard Poké Ball instead.}}
| Unobtainable by the player, but used in [[Pal Park]].
|-
|{{Bag/s|Strange Ball|SV}}
|[[Strange Ball]]
| style="background: #{{Gen VIII color light}}; border: 1px solid #{{Gen VIII color dark}}; text-align: center" data-sort-value=7 | '''VIII'''
| style="text-align: center" data-sort-value=27 | {{tt|27|Starting in Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, the Strange Ball was assigned this index number, replacing the Park Ball. From BDSP onwards, the Park Ball has no programmed index number, with the Strange Ball occupying its previous value.}}
| style="text-align: center" | 0x1B
| {{tt|0.75×|Defaults to Poké Ball (Hisui) catchrate in Legends: Arceus if obtained via cheating; has no catchrate in BDSP due to a lack of item data.}}
| Unobtainable by the player. Pokémon in [[Pokémon Legends: Arceus]] that were transferred from other games via [[Pokémon HOME]], as well as Pokémon from Legends: Arceus in [[Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl]] or [[Pokémon Scarlet and Violet]] will be displayed in this ball.
|-
|{{Bag/s|Poké Ball|LA|Poké Ball (Hisui)}}
|{{hi|Poké Ball}}
| style="background: #{{Gen VIII color light}}; border: 1px solid #{{Gen VIII color dark}}; text-align: center" data-sort-value=8 | '''VIII'''
| style="text-align: center" data-sort-value=28 | 28
| style="text-align: center" | 0x1C
| 0.75×
|
|-
|{{Bag/s|Great Ball|LA|Great Ball (Hisui)}}
|{{hi|Great Ball}}
| style="background: #{{Gen VIII color light}}; border: 1px solid #{{Gen VIII color dark}}; text-align: center" data-sort-value=8 | '''VIII'''
| style="text-align: center" data-sort-value=29 | 29
| style="text-align: center" | 0x1D
| 1.5×
|
|-
|{{Bag/s|Ultra Ball|LA|Ultra Ball (Hisui)}}
|{{hi|Ultra Ball}}
| style="background: #{{Gen VIII color light}}; border: 1px solid #{{Gen VIII color dark}}; text-align: center" data-sort-value=8 | '''VIII'''
| style="text-align: center" data-sort-value=30 | 30
| style="text-align: center" | 0x1E
| 2.25×
|
|-
|{{Bag/s|Feather Ball|LA}}
|[[Feather Ball]]
| style="background: #{{Gen VIII color light}}; border: 1px solid #{{Gen VIII color dark}}; text-align: center" data-sort-value=8 | '''VIII'''
| style="text-align: center" data-sort-value=31 | 31
| style="text-align: center" | 0x1F
| 1× 1.25× when boosted
| Can be thrown further than a regular Poké Ball. Is more effective for catching Pokémon {{tt|that fly high in the air|This only applies to specific flying encounters that fly well above the terrain.}}.
|-
|{{Bag/s|Wing Ball|LA}}
|[[Wing Ball]]
| style="background: #{{Gen VIII color light}}; border: 1px solid #{{Gen VIII color dark}}; text-align: center" data-sort-value=8 | '''VIII'''
| style="text-align: center" data-sort-value=32 | 32
| style="text-align: center" | 0x20
| 1.5× 1.75× when boosted
| Can be thrown further than a Feather Ball. Is more effective for catching Pokémon {{tt|that fly high in the air|This only applies to specific flying encounters that fly well above the terrain.}}.
|-
|{{Bag/s|Jet Ball|LA}}
|[[Jet Ball]]
| style="background: #{{Gen VIII color light}}; border: 1px solid #{{Gen VIII color dark}}; text-align: center" data-sort-value=8 | '''VIII'''
| style="text-align: center" data-sort-value=33 | 33
| style="text-align: center" | 0x21
| 2× 2.75× when boosted
| Can be thrown further than a Wing Ball. Is more effective for catching Pokémon {{tt|that fly high in the air|This only applies to specific flying encounters that fly well above the terrain.}}.
|-
|{{Bag/s|Heavy Ball|LA|Heavy Ball (Hisui)}}
|{{hi|Heavy Ball}}
| style="background: #{{Gen VIII color light}}; border: 1px solid #{{Gen VIII color dark}}; text-align: center" data-sort-value=8 | '''VIII'''
| style="text-align: center" data-sort-value=34 | 34
| style="text-align: center" | 0x22
| 1× 1.25× when boosted
| Doesn't fly far, but is more effective if the Pokémon {{tt|hasn't noticed the player|This bonus is always active during battle, regardless of whether the player was noticed prior to starting the battle. Therefore, the boosted catch rate will always apply in battle.}}.
|-
|{{Bag/s|Leaden Ball|LA}}
|[[Leaden Ball]]
| style="background: #{{Gen VIII color light}}; border: 1px solid #{{Gen VIII color dark}}; text-align: center" data-sort-value=8 | '''VIII'''
| style="text-align: center" data-sort-value=35 | 35
| style="text-align: center" | 0x23
| 1.75× 2× when boosted
| Upgraded version of the Heavy Ball. Doesn't fly far, but is more effective if the Pokémon {{tt|hasn't noticed the player|This bonus is always active during battle, regardless of whether the player was noticed prior to starting the battle. Therefore, the boosted catch rate will always apply in battle.}}.
|-
|{{Bag/s|Gigaton Ball|LA}}
|[[Gigaton Ball]]
| style="background: #{{Gen VIII color light}}; border: 1px solid #{{Gen VIII color dark}}; text-align: center" data-sort-value=8 | '''VIII'''
| style="text-align: center" data-sort-value=36 | 36
| style="text-align: center" | 0x24
| 2.5× 2.75× when boosted
| Upgraded version of the Leaden Ball. Doesn't fly far, but is more effective if the Pokémon {{tt|hasn't noticed the player|This bonus is always active during battle, regardless of whether the player was noticed prior to starting the battle. Therefore, the boosted catch rate will always apply in battle.}}.
|-
|{{Bag/s|Origin Ball|LA}}
|[[Origin Ball]]
| style="background: #{{Gen VIII color light}}; border: 1px solid #{{Gen VIII color dark}}; text-align: center" data-sort-value=8 | '''VIII'''
| style="text-align: center" data-sort-value=37 | 37
| style="text-align: center" | 0x25
| {{tt|N/A|Has no programmed catch rate, as it cannot be thrown outside of battle nor selected during battle, even if moved from Key Items to the player's normal inventory via cheating.}}
| Automatically catches {{form|Dialga and Palkia|Origin Forme}} {{p|Dialga}} or {{p|Palkia}} at the end of the main story in [[Pokémon Legends: Arceus]].
|- class="unsortable"
! colspan="7" style="background:#{{Poké Balls color light}}; {{roundybottom|8px}}" | All details are accurate to {{color2|000|Generation VIII}} games. For details that have changed between generations, please see an individual item's page.
|}

===Other variants===
{{missing image|section|Add image of the blue Poké Ball from the Poké Transfer}}
* In [[Pokémon Red and Blue Versions|Pokémon Red, Blue]], [[Pokémon Yellow Version|Yellow]], [[Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen Versions|FireRed, and LeafGreen]], [[Professor Oak]] mentions that his [[Parcel]] contains a custom Poké Ball. However, this is not said in [[Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!]].
* The [[GS Ball]] is an event item that appears only in {{game|Crystal}}, where it was part of a giveaway on the [[Mobile System GB]] for Japanese games, similar to [[event item]]s given out via [[Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection]] and [[Nintendo Network]] from [[Generation IV]] onward. It was not used to catch any Pokémon and was placed in the [[Key Item]]s pocket. If given to [[Kurt]] for inspection, it will activate an event where the player can catch a {{p|Celebi}} in [[Ilex Forest]].
* When transferring Pokémon via [[Poké Transfer]], a blue Poké Ball is used to catch the Pokémon in the minigame. They are shot using a bow.
* In the [[Timegate Traveler Series]] featured in [[Pokéstar Studios]], the future is ruled by {{type|Bug}} Pokémon that capture wild humans in Human Balls (Japanese: '''ヒューマンボール''' ''Human Ball'') instead of the other way around. They have no visual difference to Poké Balls.
* In {{game4|SMUSUM}}, the [[Poké Ride|Ride Pager]] contains a special Poké Ball used to release the summoned Ride Pokémon.
* In {{g|Sword and Shield}}, the [[Dynamax Band]] allows Trainers to increase the size of Poké Balls, making them look like giant [[Premier Ball]]s.
** When a Pokémon is [[Dynamax]]ed (including [[Gigantamax]]ing) with a Dynamax Band, the Trainer returns their active Pokémon to its Poké Ball, then turns the Poké Ball into a giant Poké Ball. This giant Poké Ball is then thrown, sending out the Dynamax Pokémon.
** In [[Max Raid Battle]]s and [[Dynamax Adventure]]s, when the {{pkmn2|wild}} Dynamax Pokémon is defeated, the Trainer turns an empty Poké Ball into a giant Poké Ball, then throws it at the wild Dynamax Pokémon in an attempt to catch it.

<gallery>
Oak's Parcel dialogue.png|"Ah! This is the custom POKé BALL I ordered! Thank you!"
GS Ball Crystal.png|The [[GS Ball]]
Sun Moon Poké Ride artwork.png|The Ride Pager Poké Ball
Dynamax Poké Ball Concept Art.jpg|Concept art of a giant Poké Ball for Dynamax by [[Ken Sugimori]]<ref>Shea, Brian (October 4, 2019). "[https://web.archive.org/web/20240416175406/https://www.gameinformer.com/gallery/2019/10/04/exclusive-pokemon-sword-and-shield-concept-art-gallery Exclusive Pokémon Sword And Shield Concept Art Gallery]." ''Game Informer'' (Archived on April 16, 2024.)</ref>
</gallery>

===Palette limitations===
In the games, certain Poké Balls appear off-color due to palette limitations. They are most likely intended to be standard Poké Balls rather than variations.

* In [[Generation I]], during a [[Pokémon battle]], the multiple kinds of Poké Ball have different throwing animations but otherwise look the same. They all appear with a black top and white bottom. This black and white design is clearly seen when the Poké Ball is shaking in an attempt to catch the wild Pokémon.
** In [[Generation II]], all kinds of Poké Ball look the same when used in-battle except they have different color palettes. Unlike in the previous generation, all Poké Balls use the same throwing animation, save for the [[Master Ball]].
** In both Generations I and II, the Poké Ball changes color once the wild Pokémon is successfully caught, shortly appearing with the color palette of the caught Pokémon. For instance, no matter what kind of Poké Ball, it appears to be green once a green Pokémon is caught, or pink once a pink Pokémon is caught.
* In Generation I, the [[trade]] animation invariably displays both Pokémon using the Poké Ball design with the black top and white bottom, the same design seen in Pokémon battles.
** In Generation II, the trade animation uses a red color palette for both traded Pokémon, specifically a darker red at the top and a lighter red at the bottom.
* In the Generations from I to {{gen|III}}, several Trainer sprites have off-color Poké Balls. They often reuse the same colors seen elsewhere in the sprites such as the character's hair or clothes.

<gallery>
Poké Ball trade Red Blue.png|A black Poké Ball at the start of a trade in Red and Blue
Spr RB Red 2.png|{{ga|Red}} with a purple Poké Ball in the [[game intro|intro]] of Red and Blue
Spr RG Blue 3.png|Blue with a black Poké Ball as {{pkmn|Champion}} in Red and Blue
Spr GS Oak.png|[[Professor Oak]] with an olive Poké Ball in [[Generation II]]
C Kris Back.png|{{ga|Kris}} with a blue Poké Ball in Generation II
Spr GS Morty.png|[[Morty]] with a purple Poké Ball in Generation II
Spr GS Erika.png|[[Erika]] with a green Poké Ball in Generation II
Spr GS Youngster.png|A {{tc|Youngster}} with a blue Poké Ball in Generation II
Spr GS Super Nerd.png|A {{tc|Super Nerd}} with gray Poké Balls in Generation II
Spr GS Boarder.png|A {{tc|Boarder}} with a yellow Poké Ball in Generation II
Spr GS Twins.png|{{tc|Twins}} with pink Poké Balls in Generation II
Spr RS Glacia.png|[[Glacia]] with a yellow Poké Ball in [[Generation III]]
Spr FRLG Psychic M.png|A {{tc|Psychic}} with purple Poké Balls in FireRed and LeafGreen
</gallery>

===Item balls===
{{main|Item#Obtaining items|Item → Obtaining items}}
[[File:Itemball.png|thumb|220px|{{ga|Red}} finding an item ball on {{rt|2|Kanto}}]]

Items contained in Poké Balls have been present from the very first games, with many items that are found on the field being found in Poké Balls in conspicuous locations. These items are sometimes important, and usually will be among the required items for pickup along the way. Sometimes, even Poké Ball variants can be found in item balls, though it may be that the item ball itself is supposed to represent the item that is found (whenever or not it's a Poké Ball). Many other items, however, are hidden, and are not in item balls, instead being directly on the field, and can be found more easily using an Itemfinder or [[Dowsing Machine]].

{{p|Voltorb}}, {{p|Electrode}}, {{p|Foongus}}, {{p|Amoonguss}}, and {{rf|Galarian}} {{p|Stunfisk}} appear as item balls in the overworld, but attack when interacted with (or if at close range for Galarian Stunfisk), except the Foongus in [[Accumula Town]]. In {{LGPE}}, fake item balls appear upside down.
{{-}}

===Game icons===
Poké Balls are often featured in the icons for Pokémon games, which are used on the home screens for the [[Nintendo DS]], [[Nintendo 3DS|3DS]], [[Nintendo Switch|Switch]], and mobile devices.
{| style="margin:auto; text-align:center; {{roundy|2px}} border:2px solid #{{Poké Balls color dark}}; background:#{{Poké Balls color}}; font-size:80%"
|-
| style="{{roundy|2px}} border:2px solid #{{Poké Balls color dark}}; background:#{{Poké Balls color light}}" | [[File:Diamond icon.png]][[File:Pearl icon.png]]
| style="{{roundy|2px}} border:2px solid #{{Poké Balls color dark}}; background:#{{Poké Balls color light}}" | [[File:Platinum icon.png]]
| style="{{roundy|2px}} border:2px solid #{{Poké Balls color dark}}; background:#{{Poké Balls color light}}" | [[File:HeartGold Icon.png]][[File:SoulSilver Icon.png]]
| style="{{roundy|2px}} border:2px solid #{{Poké Balls color dark}}; background:#{{Poké Balls color light}}" | [[File:Black Icon.png]][[File:White Icon.png]]
| style="{{roundy|2px}} border:2px solid #{{Poké Balls color dark}}; background:#{{Poké Balls color light}}" | [[File:Black 2 Icon.png]][[File:White 2 Icon.png]]
| style="{{roundy|2px}} border:2px solid #{{Poké Balls color dark}}; background:#{{Poké Balls color light}}" | [[File:X icon.png]][[File:Y icon.png]]
| style="{{roundy|2px}} border:2px solid #{{Poké Balls color dark}}; background:#{{Poké Balls color light}}" | [[File:Omega Ruby icon.png]][[File:Alpha Sapphire icon.png]]
| style="{{roundy|2px}} border:2px solid #{{Poké Balls color dark}}; background:#{{Poké Balls color light}}" | [[File:ORAS Demo icon.png]]
| style="{{roundy|2px}} border:2px solid #{{Poké Balls color dark}}; background:#{{Poké Balls color light}}" | [[File:Sun icon.png]][[File:Moon icon.png]]
| style="{{roundy|2px}} border:2px solid #{{Poké Balls color dark}}; background:#{{Poké Balls color light}}" | [[File:SM Demo icon.png]]
| style="{{roundy|2px}} border:2px solid #{{Poké Balls color dark}}; background:#{{Poké Balls color light}}" | [[File:Ultra Sun icon.png]][[File:Ultra Moon icon.png]]
| style="{{roundy|2px}} border:2px solid #{{Poké Balls color dark}}; background:#{{Poké Balls color light}}" | [[File:Let's Go Pikachu Icon.jpg|48px]][[File:Let's Go Eevee Icon.jpg|48px]]
| style="{{roundy|2px}} border:2px solid #{{Poké Balls color dark}}; background:#{{Poké Balls color light}}" | [[File:Poké Transporter icon.png]]
| style="{{roundy|2px}} border:2px solid #{{Poké Balls color dark}}; background:#{{Poké Balls color light}}" | [[File:Bank icon.png]]
| style="{{roundy|2px}} border:2px solid #{{Poké Balls color dark}}; background:#{{Poké Balls color light}}" | [[File:Pokémon HOME icon Switch.png|48px]]
| style="{{roundy|2px}} border:2px solid #{{Poké Balls color dark}}; background:#{{Poké Balls color light}}" | [[File:Pokémon HOME icon mobile.png|48px]]
| style="{{roundy|2px}} border:2px solid #{{Poké Balls color dark}}; background:#{{Poké Balls color light}}" | [[File:Pokémon GO Tales of Transformation icon.png|48px]]
|-
| '''{{GameIcon|D}}{{GameIcon|P}}'''
| '''{{GameIcon|Pt}}'''
| '''{{GameIcon|HG}}{{GameIcon|SS}}'''
| '''{{GameIcon|Bl}}{{GameIcon|W}}'''
| '''{{GameIcon|B2}}{{GameIcon|W2}}'''
| '''{{GameIcon|X}}{{GameIcon|y}}'''
| '''{{GameIcon|OR}}{{GameIcon|AS}}'''
| '''{{GameIcon|OR}}{{GameIcon|AS}}''' (Demo)
| '''{{GameIcon|Su}}{{GameIcon|Mo}}'''
| '''{{GameIcon|Su}}{{GameIcon|Mo}}''' (Demo)
| '''{{GameIcon|US}}{{GameIcon|UM}}'''
| '''{{GameIcon|LGP}}{{GameIcon|LGE}}'''
| '''{{color2|000|Poké Transporter|Transporter}}'''
| '''{{color2|000|Pokémon Bank|Bank}}'''
| '''{{color2|000|Pokémon HOME|HOME}}''' (Switch)
| '''{{color2|000|Pokémon HOME|HOME}}''' (Mobile)
| '''{{color2|000|Pokémon GO|GO}}'''
|}

==In the side series games==
[[File:Snag Ball.png|thumb|250px|[[Wes]] about to throw a [[Great Ball]] turned into a Snag Ball]]
===Pokémon Colosseum and XD: Gale of Darkness===
In {{g|Colosseum}} and {{g|XD: Gale of Darkness}}, a [[Snag Ball]] is not a single, separate type of Poké Ball, but rather any type of existing Poké Ball that has been "unlocked" by the Snag Machine, allowing it to [[snagging|snag]] an already-[[caught Pokémon]] during a {{pkmn|battle}}. While it is ''able'' to be used on any Pokémon, [[Rui]] will only allow [[Wes]] to use it on [[Shadow Pokémon]], while [[Michael]]'s Aura Reader will render the Snag Machine inoperable when a Pokémon other than a Shadow Pokémon is targeted.

It is possible to snag a [[Shadow Pokémon]] even if there are two on the opposing side of the field, unlike catching Pokémon in the core series games.
{{-}}

==In the spin-off games==
===Pokémon GO===
Players do not battle wild Pokémon in [[Pokémon GO]], and using Poké Balls is a matter of the player's aim. To throw one, the player must press their finger on the Poké Ball, move it, and release it. The Ball and Pokémon exist in a 3D environment, so the player may miss the Pokémon by throwing the Ball the wrong distance or too far to the side. Additionally, the wild Pokémon may attempt to dodge or attack every few seconds. When a Pokémon is attacking, any Poké Balls that hit it will be deflected. When a Pokémon dodges, it will move around but can still be hit by a thrown Ball.

:''See more: [[Caught Pokémon#Pokémon GO|Caught Pokémon → Pokémon GO]]

On the aiming screen, a colored circle displays over the Pokémon, gradually shrinks to nothing, then resets to its widest before continuing to shrink again. If the player's throw lands inside this circle, they will get a "Nice!", "Great!", or "Excellent!" catch chance bonus depending on how small the circle was. The player can also improve their catch chance by throwing a curveball. If the player spins the Ball while holding it, it will temporarily retain the spin and curve left or right when thrown.

:''See more: [[Catch rate (GO)]]

Three types of Poké Balls were available in Pokémon GO upon release: regular Poké Balls, Great Balls, and Ultra Balls. These remain the only types of Poké Balls that are generally available. They can be repeatably obtained by:
* Spinning [[PokéStop]]s or {{OBP|Gym|GO}}s (Lv. 12+ for Great Balls and Lv. 20+ for Ultra Balls)
* Opening a [[Gift]] (Lv. 12+ for Great Balls and Lv. 20+ for Ultra Balls)
* Completing certain [[Field Research]] or [[Special Research]] tasks
* Weekly [[Adventure Sync]] rewards

The player also receives Poké Balls upon [[Trainer level|leveling up]].
* Poké Balls awarded up to level 11 (including 50 Poké Balls starting at level 1)
* Great Balls awarded from level 12 to level 19
* Ultra Balls awarded starting level 20

Regular Poké Balls may be purchased in the Shop at the following rates:
* 20 for {{PCoin}}100
* 100 for {{PCoin}}460
* 200 for {{PCoin}}800

All three types of balls have also been available in limited-time Box deals.

Premier Balls debuted in Pokémon GO on June 20, 2017,{{fact}} a few days after its first anniversary with the introduction of {{OBP|Raid Battle|GO}}s. They can only be used for catching Raid Bosses and {{OBP|Shadow Pokémon|GO}}, and other types of Poké Balls cannot be used on them. If the player runs out, the Raid Boss or Shadow Pokémon will flee. The number of Premier Balls are awarded to the player after a Raid Battle or [[Team GO Rocket]] battle is based on how well they battled. Unused Premier Balls are not retained and do not roll over to future challenges. Like in the main series, Premier Balls are just as effective as regular Poké Balls.

Beast Balls debuted in Pokémon GO on July 1, 2022 at Pokémon GO Fest 2022 Berlin.{{fact}} They can only be used for catching [[Ultra Beast]]s, and other types of Poké Balls cannot be used on them. Currently, an unlimited number of Beast Balls are provided to the player during an Ultra Beast encounter.

Master Balls have existed in Pokémon GO's coding since release, but they didn't debut until May 22, 2023, as a reward from the Let's GO! [[Special Research]]. Future opportunities to get Master Balls are planned.<ref>[https://pokemongolive.com/post/masterball/ Never miss with the Master Ball—coming soon to Pokémon GO!]</ref>

GO Safari Balls debuted in Pokémon GO on November 16, 2024 at Pokémon GO Wild Area. The GO Safari Ball was available in Pokémon GO during the [[List of events in Pokémon GO|GO Wild Area event]]. They have a higher catch rate. When this event is active, players will receive GO Safari Balls from Timed Research and can use them in wild encounters.<ref>[https://pokemongolive.com/gowildarea/tickets Tickets – Pokémon GO]</ref> All unused GO Safari Balls expire and disappear from the player's [[Bag]] at the end of each day of the event.<ref>[https://pokemongolive.com/gowildarea/gameplay Event Gameplay – Pokémon GO]</ref><ref>[https://pokemongolive.com/gowildarea/global Pokémon GO Wild Area: Global]</ref> Pokémon caught in GO Safari Balls are unable to be sent to Pokémon HOME via the [[GO Transporter]].

====Description====
{| class="roundy" style="background:#{{night color}}; border:3px solid #{{blue color light}}"
|- style="color:#fff"
! style="background:#{{blue color light}}; {{roundytl|5px}}" | Image
! style="background:#{{blue color light}}" | English name
! style="background:#{{blue color light}}" | Japanese name
! style="background:#{{blue color light}}; {{roundytr|5px}}" | Description
|- style="background:#fff"
| [[File:GO Poké Ball.png|40px]]
| {{i|Poké Ball}}
| モンスターボール ''Monster Ball''
| A device for catching wild Pokémon. It's thrown like a ball, comfortably encapsulating its target.
|- style="background:#fff"
| [[File:GO Great Ball.png|40px]]
| [[Great Ball]]
| スーパーボール ''Super Ball''
| A high-performance Ball with a higher catch rate than a standard Poké Ball.
|- style="background:#fff"
| [[File:GO Ultra Ball.png|40px]]
| [[Ultra Ball]]
| ハイパーボール ''Hyper Ball''
| An ultra-performance Ball with a higher catch rate than a Great Ball.
|- style="background:#fff"
| style="{{roundybl|5px}}" | [[File:GO Master Ball.png|40px]]
| [[Master Ball]]
| マスターボール ''Master Ball''
| style="{{roundybr|5px}}" | The best Poké Ball with the ultimate level of performance. With it, you will catch any wild Pokémon without fail.
|- style="background:#fff"
| [[File:GO Premier Ball.png|40px]]
| [[Premier Ball]]
| プレミアボール ''Premier Ball''
| A somewhat rare Poké Ball made to commemorate a special occasion of some sort.
|- style="background:#fff"
| [[File:GO Beast Ball.png|40px]]
| [[Beast Ball]]
| ウルトラボール ''Ultra Ball''
| N/A
|- style="background:#fff"
| [[File:GO Safari Ball.png|40px]]
| [[Safari Ball|GO Safari Ball]]
| サファリボール ''Safari Ball''
| N/A
|}

===Pokémon Snap===
[[File:Pester Ball.png|thumb|A Pester Ball]]
In {{g|Snap}}, the [[Pester Ball]]s appear similar to Poké Balls at a glance. However, they are not used to catch Pokémon, and instead will release a Pokémon repellent on contact.

===Pokémon UNITE===
[[File:UNITEPokeBall.PNG|thumb|left|250px|A Unite Ball catching a Pokémon]]
In {{g|UNITE}}, Trainers use regular Poké Balls to send out their own Pokémon, after they have been [[fainting|knocked out]] in battle. (At the start of a Unite Battle, all Pokémon are present on the field.) During the game's tutorial, a {{UNITE|Pikachu}} from the [[Aeos Research Institute]] is sent out from a Poké Ball twice. This happens before Tutorial (Basics 1) and Tutorial (Basics 2).

A unique variety of Poké Ball, the '''Unite Ball''', is used as part of Unite Battles. (They are also known as '''Aeos Balls''') Unite Balls are orange, purple, and yellow in colour, with a yellow stripe around in the middle and a white button. The pattern gives the Unite Ball a "U" design. Each Trainer has a Unite Ball, and uses it to [[Caught Pokémon|catch]] the [[wild Pokémon]] their Pokémon [[fainting|knocks out]] in Unite Battles. After doing so, the Unite Ball stores the [[Aeos energy]] the Pokémon held. The stored energy is used by Pokémon to score at [[goal zone]]s. At the start of an Unite Battle, the player's Unite Ball only holds a maximum of 30 Aeos energy. After their Pokémon reaches [[Level]] 9, the capacity increases to 40. At level 12, the capacity is boosted again to 50. Trainers only have one Unite Ball canonically, and the interface only depicts a single Unite Ball. Regardless, Trainers throw a Unite Ball for every wild Pokémon defeated even if more than one is defeated at the same time.

In [[Mer Stadium|Mer Stadium's]] [[Catch 'Em]] battles, certain wild Pokémon have a white glow around them. When these Pokémon are defeated and captured, the player can send them out from their Unite Ball to temporarily take the place of their selected Pokémon. This function replaces the Trainer's {{DL|Pokémon UNITE|Battle Items}}. Additionally, after enough time has passed, the Battle Item will return to normal and that Pokémon will not be able to be switched into battle. If the captured Pokémon is sent out, a timer is set. When that timer elapses or the Pokémon faints, the Trainer's original Pokémon is sent back into battle from its Poké Ball. Defeating a Wild Pokémon while currently using a [[Caught Pokémon]] does not allow the player to switch to the defeated Wild Pokémon.

In [[Panic Parade]], certain wild Pokémon have a white glow around them and a Aeos Ball icon over their heads. When these Pokémon are defeated and captured, the player can send them out from their Unite Ball. This function replaces the Trainer's {{DL|Pokémon UNITE|Battle Items|Battle Item}}, and after using the Battle Item will return to normal. (Although "normal" in Panic Parade means no Battle Item at all.) If another item is picked up or another capturable Pokémon is captured, the first Pokémon is lost. The sent out Pokémon wanders to the nearest opposing Pokémon, uses their [[Unite Move]], then is recalled and leaves the battle.

Unite Balls (mislabeled Poké Balls) are used as part of the Prize Machine menu. By throwing Unite Balls at one of the items on display, the prize gauge for that item is increased. When the prize gauge of an item is full, the item is obtained. A single Unite Ball has a 66% chance to add 1 unit to the prize gauge, a 30% chance to add 2 units to the prize gauge, a 3.3% chance to add 3 units, a 0.6% chance to add 5 units, and a 0.1% chance to add 10 units. Players have two Unite Balls to use in this menu. After using a Unite Ball, players must wait 12 hours before it can be used again. Players can spend {{DL|Pokémon UNITE|Aeos gems}} to hasten this timer. Some events provide additional Unite Balls in the Prize Machine menu, under the umbrella name '''No-cost Holiday Balls'''. When available, only 10 of these Poké Balls can be obtained per day, and they are lost if they are not used before the next day begins. Usually there is a cap on the number of No-cost Holiday Balls obtainable per event, with that cap usually being 100. Sometimes, these additional Unite Balls have alternate names, such as '''Holiday Balls''' or '''Anniversary Balls'''. (Oddly, the menu's text states that "Poké Balls always hit their target..." in this mode, even though Unite Balls have never been shown to miss in any media.)

===Pokémon Pinball series===
{{main|Ball Upgrade}}
In [[Pokémon Pinball]] and [[Pokémon Pinball: Ruby & Sapphire]], the {{i|Poké Ball}}, [[Great Ball]], [[Ultra Ball]], and [[Master Ball]] are available.

The Poké Ball is the normal ball used in the pinball tables since the beginning of the game. In both games, if the player lights up the three Field Multiplier Lanes found in all tables, the ball is upgraded to the next kind of Poké Ball (a Poké Ball is upgraded into a Great Ball, a Great Ball into an Ultra Ball, and an Ultra Ball into a Master Ball). If a minute passes without new Poké Ball upgrades, the ball returns to the previous state. If the player loses a ball, the next ball is a Poké Ball.

The bonus points are as follows:
* The {{i|Poké Ball}} has no bonus multiplier.
* The [[Great Ball]] multiplies bonus points by ×2.
* The [[Ultra Ball]] multiplies bonus points by ×3.
* The [[Master Ball]] multiplies bonus points by ×4 in [[Pokémon Pinball]] and by ×5 in [[Pokémon Pinball: Ruby & Sapphire]].

====Pokémon Pinball====
{| style="margin:auto; text-align:center; {{roundy|10px}} border: 2px solid #{{Poké Balls color dark}}; background: #{{Poké Balls color}}"
| style="{{roundy|10px}} border: 2px solid #{{Poké Balls color dark}}; background: #{{Poké Balls color light}}; width:80px; height:20px" | [[File:Pinball Poké Ball.png]]
| style="{{roundy|10px}} border: 2px solid #{{Poké Balls color dark}}; background: #{{Poké Balls color light}}; width:80px; height:20px" | [[File:Pinball Great Ball.png]]
| style="{{roundy|10px}} border: 2px solid #{{Poké Balls color dark}}; background: #{{Poké Balls color light}}; width:80px; height:20px" | [[File:Pinball Ultra Ball.png]]
| style="{{roundy|10px}} border: 2px solid #{{Poké Balls color dark}}; background: #{{Poké Balls color light}}; width:80px; height:20px" | [[File:Pinball Master Ball.png]]
|- style="font-size:80%"
| {{color2|000|Poké Ball (item)|Poké Ball}}
| {{color2|000|Great Ball}}
| {{color2|000|Ultra Ball}}
| {{color2|000|Master Ball}}
|}

====Pokémon Pinball: Ruby & Sapphire====
{| style="margin:auto; text-align:center; {{roundy|10px}} border: 2px solid #{{Poké Balls color dark}}; background: #{{Poké Balls color}}"
| style="{{roundy|10px}} border: 2px solid #{{Poké Balls color dark}}; background: #{{Poké Balls color light}}; width:80px; height:20px" | [[File:Pinball RS Poké Ball.png]]
| style="{{roundy|10px}} border: 2px solid #{{Poké Balls color dark}}; background: #{{Poké Balls color light}}; width:80px; height:20px" | [[File:Pinball RS Great Ball.png]]
| style="{{roundy|10px}} border: 2px solid #{{Poké Balls color dark}}; background: #{{Poké Balls color light}}; width:80px; height:20px" | [[File:Pinball RS Ultra Ball.png]]
| style="{{roundy|10px}} border: 2px solid #{{Poké Balls color dark}}; background: #{{Poké Balls color light}}; width:80px; height:20px" | [[File:Pinball RS Master Ball.png]]
|- style="font-size:80%"
| {{color2|000|Poké Ball (item)|Poké Ball}}
| {{color2|000|Great Ball}}
| {{color2|000|Ultra Ball}}
| {{color2|000|Master Ball}}
|}

===Learn with Pokémon: Typing Adventure===
In [[Learn with Pokémon: Typing Adventure]], the Typing Balls are thrown after one successfully types a Pokémon's name. It has the overall design like that of a normal Poké Ball, only having an additional vertical line at the bottom, resembling the letter "T".

<gallery>
Typing Ball.png|A Typing Ball
</gallery>

===Super Smash Bros. series===
[[File:Poké Ball SSBB.png|thumb|220px|Render of a Poké Ball from [[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]]]
{{smashWiki|Poké Ball}}
In the {{sbw|Super Smash Bros. series}}, Poké Balls appear as items, which fighters can pick up and throw to release a random Pokémon. These Pokémon will typically attack the opponents of the player who summoned them, but may also have other effects. Starting in ''Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS/Wii U'', the Master Ball also appears as an item, which has the same effect as Poké Balls but can only summon {{pkmn2|Legendary}} or [[Mythical Pokémon]] (or {{p|Goldeen}}).

The Pokémon that can appear from Poké Balls differ between the games. The {{DL|Super Smash Bros.|Poké Ball Pokémon}} in [[Super Smash Bros.]] all come from [[Generation I]], the {{DL|Super Smash Bros. Melee|Poké Ball Pokémon}} in [[Super Smash Bros. Melee]] come from up to [[Generation II]], the {{DL|Super Smash Bros. Brawl|Poké Ball Pokémon}} in [[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]] come from up to [[Generation IV]], the {{DL|Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS/Wii U|Poké Ball and Master Ball Pokémon|Poké Ball Pokémon}} in [[Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS/Wii U]] come from up to [[Generation VI]], and the {{DL|Super Smash Bros. Ultimate|Poké Ball and Master Ball Pokémon|Poké Ball Pokémon}} in [[Super Smash Bros. Ultimate]] come from up to [[Generation VII]]. The only Pokémon that have appeared in all of the Super Smash Bros. games as Poké Ball Pokémon are {{p|Goldeen}}, {{p|Snorlax}}, and {{p|Mew}}.

<gallery>
Poké Ball SSB4.png|The Poké Ball in Super Smash Bros. for 3DS
Master Ball SSB4.png|The Master Ball in Super Smash Bros. for 3DS
</gallery>

The Pokémon series as a whole is represented by a Poké Ball logo in the Super Smash Bros. series. The logo was updated in ''Brawl''.

<gallery>
File:Smash Bros Pokemon Symbol.png|The Pokémon series' symbol from ''SSB'' and ''Melee''
File:Smash Bros Brawl Pokemon Symbol.png|The Pokémon series' symbol from ''Brawl,'' ''SSB4,'' and ''Ultimate.''
</gallery>

====[[Super Smash Bros. Melee]]====
;Poké Ball trophy:
:''These balls are used to catch and contain wild Pokémon. Most Pokémon must be weakened in some way before they can be caught, but once they're inside a Poké Ball, they enjoy their new home, since Poké Balls contain an environment specially designed for Pokémon comfort. [[Master Ball]]s are the strongest type.''

====[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]====
;Poké Ball trophy:
:''"An item used for capturing Pokémon and calling them out into battle. Pokémon live in these items which despite appearances, actually contain a wide, comfortable Pokémon-friendly world inside them. In Super Smash Bros., Pokémon give temporary support to who calls them out. You never know which you will get, but some are devastatingly powerful."''

====[[Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS/Wii U]]====
[[File:Poké Ball 3DS trophy SSB4.png|thumb|150px|Poké Ball trophy in Super Smash Bros. for 3DS]]
;Poké Ball trophy:
:'''NA''': ''An item used to call out different Pokémon. Which Pokémon emerges is a mystery, but it will aid whoever threw the Poké Ball. Some of the Pokémon contained inside are extremely powerful and will really intensify the battle. It's definitely worth beating your opponents to these!''
:'''PAL''': ''A ball holding one of any number of Pokémon just waiting to burst out and help you in battle. Which kind will it be? Well, that's a surprise, but whichever one it is, it'll definitely up the intensity of the battle! If you see one, make sure you're the one to grab it!''
{{-}}

[[File:Master Ball 3DS trophy SSB4.png|thumb|150px|Master Ball trophy in Super Smash Bros. for 3DS]]
;Master Ball trophy:
:'''NA''': ''These valuable, powerful balls can capture any wild Pokémon. In Smash Bros., hard-to-find Pokémon often pop out of them. You can easily identify a Master Ball by the distinct purple appearance and large M on the top. A Pokémon within a Master Ball may turn the tide of battle.''
:'''PAL''': ''A rare type of Poké Ball that never fails to catch a Pokémon. Throw one in this game, and the Mythical or Legendary Pokémon inside will come to your aid. Master Balls are easy to identify due to their purple colour and the large M on them. Use one to quickly turn the tide of any battle!''

===Pokémon Tower Battle===
In [[Pokémon Tower Battle]], the featured Pokémon come from {{i|Poké Ball|Poké Balls}}, with some rare Pokémon from [[Ultra Ball]]s and [[Master Ball]]s.

===Camp Pokémon===
{{sectionstub}}

In [[Camp Pokémon]], the Poké Ball Roll minigame features the Poké Ball, Great Ball, Ultra Ball, and Master Ball.

===Pokémon Sleep===
{{main|Poké Biscuit}}

Poké Balls do not exist in [[Pokémon Sleep]]. Instead, [[Poké Biscuit]]s are used to "befriend" Pokémon (which is the same mechanic as catching them in the core series games).
{{-}}

==In animation==
[[File:Poke Ball Interior.png|thumb|250px|Interior of a Poké Ball in {{aniseries|DP}}]]
===''Pokémon the Series''===
====Mechanics====
[[File:Paul Chimchar release.png|thumb|left|220px|[[Paul]] releasing {{TP|Paul|Chimchar}}]]
[[File:Anime Poke Ball Mechanics.jpg|thumb|220px|Concept art of a Poké Ball for {{aniseries|OS}}]]
In {{aniseries|PTS}}, Poké Balls are not always at full size. Pressing the button on the front will convert it between its full size, about the size of a {{wp|Baseball (object)|baseball}}, to a smaller size, about that of a {{wp|Table tennis#Ball|ping-pong ball}}, and back again. The larger size makes throwing the ball easier, while the smaller one makes for easier storage on a belt clip, in pockets, and in Bags.

When a Pokémon is sent out from a Poké Ball, it will be accompanied by a distinctive sound effect and a bright light as it returns from its energy form and materializes nearby, often on the ground. This bright light has been shown to vary depending on the type of Ball in which the Pokémon is contained in the games, while it has always been shown to be white in ''Pokémon the Series''. Pokémon are recalled to their Poké Ball by holding up the Poké Ball with its button pointed at the Pokémon. A beam of red, white, or blue light will shoot from the button, converting the Pokémon back into energy and returning it to the Ball. The beam, however, has a limited range and can be dodged by the Pokémon. If the beam hits a person, they will be stunned for a moment, but aside from that, no ill effects will make themselves apparent.

[[Released Pokémon|Releasing]] a Pokémon from a Trainer's ownership, unlike normally sending the Pokémon out, will bathe the Pokémon in a blue glow, and the Poké Ball will no longer mark it, making it able to be caught by another Trainer's Poké Ball.

A Poké Ball can also be broken, which will release it from ownership, as seen when Jessie releases her Dustox in ''[[DP073|Crossing Paths]]''. If a Trainer has done so accidentally, it must somehow be fixed before the Pokémon can be recalled. This was seen in ''[[EP107|Pokémon Food Fight!]]'', where Ash becomes unable to recall Snorlax after its Poké Ball is broken. In the manga, if a Poké Ball is broken before a Pokémon is sent out, then that particular Pokémon cannot be used until their Poké Ball has been repaired. This happened several times in the [[Pokémon Adventures]] manga, such as during {{adv|Red}}'s battle against {{adv|Giovanni}}, where the opening mechanism for the Poké Balls of Red's [[Saur|Venusaur]] and [[Gyara]]dos were damaged, preventing either of them from being used in the match.

In ''[[EP232|Just Waiting On A Friend]]'', an old Poké Ball was shown to bind the Pokémon caught with it, a {{p|Ninetales}}, to staying close to it, making it unable to leave its home until the Poké Ball was broken. This seems to be a quality unique to this particular Poké Ball, as later series have featured Pokémon venturing a long distance away from their Poké Balls, such as [[Goh's Suicune]], which was able to remain as a [[roaming Pokémon]] despite not leaving [[Goh]]'s ownership.

[[File:Iris Dragonite inside Poké Ball.png|thumb|left|250px|[[Iris's Dragonite]] inside a Poké Ball in {{aniseries|BW}}]]
Pokémon appear to be conscious while inside Poké Balls. Several Pokémon have shown the ability to leave and return to their Poké Balls at will, most notably among them [[Jessie's Wobbuffet]], [[Misty's Psyduck]], [[Ash's Oshawott]], [[Brock's Croagunk]], and [[Clemont's Chespin]], who tend to do so in every episode that they appear in. In ''[[EP031|Dig Those Diglett!]]'', many Pokémon belonging to [[Gary Oak]], as well as other Trainers, including Ash Ketchum, demonstrated the ability to prevent themselves from being sent from their Poké Balls, as they refused to fight against the Diglett, though this has not been demonstrated since. Pokémon have also been shown to be able to hear orders given by their Trainer right before they are sent out.

Pokémon can even make their Poké Ball jump and roll around at high speeds, while also being able to navigate, as seen in {{LGPE}}, when the {{OBP|partner Pokémon|Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!}} moves its Poké Ball onto an empty pedestal in [[Professor Oak's Laboratory]] after being caught in [[Pallet Town]].

[[File:Ash Pikachu failed catch.png|thumb|220px|A Poké Ball failing to catch an already owned Pokémon]]
Poké Balls are able to communicate with a Trainer's [[Pokédex]], as the system updates itself with information on newly caught Pokémon, and keeps track of how many Pokémon the Trainer has with them. If a Trainer catches a new Pokémon with the full six already with them, the Pokédex will automatically send the newly caught Pokémon in its Poké Ball to the [[Pokémon Storage System]] that the Trainer is using. As shown in ''[[DP002|Two Degrees of Separation!]]'', a Pokémon caught by a Poké Ball is "marked" by it, and thus most Poké Balls thrown at it will have no effect aside from temporarily stunning it. In the games, as well as in ''[[EP073|Bad To The Bone]]'', however, the Trainer of the Pokémon will block a Poké Ball thrown by another, though it is possible that this is more out of courtesy to their Pokémon than to prevent capture outright. In ''[[EP011|Charmander – The Stray Pokémon]]'', Ash was able to catch his {{AP|Charmander}} in a Poké Ball despite his previous ownership by [[Damian|another Trainer]], though he may have lost his "mark" when he abandoned his previous Trainer by refusing to return to his old Poké Ball. Earlier in the same episode, Ash failed to catch the same Charmander while he still held his loyalty, despite his weakened state.

[[File:Rice Ball Poké Ball.png|thumb|left|220px|Ash catching a [[rice ball]] thrown by a wild {{AP|Mankey|Primeape}}]]
Other wireless capabilities of Poké Balls are shown in ''[[M07|Destiny Deoxys]]'', as when the electricity of the city is down, {{OBP|Rebecca|M07}} claims that the "Poké Ball Management System" was no longer working without power. A similar mechanism is suggested to exist in the games, with the Paradise Protection Protocol issuing a lock signal that disables the use of any Poké Balls that do not have a specific ID.

Poké Balls are able to be decorated to no ill effect, with several Poké Balls that have been painted with special colors being seen in the ''Pokémon the Series''.

Should a Pokémon escape a Poké Ball, the device will return to the Trainer, who can attempt once again to catch the Pokémon.

It has sometimes been shown that [[item]]s can be contained in Poké Balls, apparently able to be captured in much the same way as a Pokémon. ''Pokémon the Series'' has used this as a gag on several occasions, most notably in ''[[EP025|Primeape Goes Bananas]]'', where {{Ash}} accidentally catches a [[rice ball]] when he throws a Poké Ball in an attempt to catch a wild Mankey.

====Types of Poké Balls====
[[File:Poké Ball anime.png|thumb|left|250px|A regular Poké Ball in {{aniseries|PTS}}]]
[[File:Ashball.png|thumb|250px|{{Ash}} pulling out a Poké Ball, preparing to catch a Pokémon]]
In {{aniseries|PTS}}, the basic Poké Ball is the most commonly used of all varieties, with other varieties appearing either very few times or not at all. A vast majority of Pokémon are shown to be stored in regular Poké Balls, to the point that large collections of Poké Balls can be seen with no variation among them. Even [[Ash's Pikachu]], the most prominent Pokémon in the series, which spends all its time [[walking Pokémon|outside with Ash]], has a plain Poké Ball that differs from others only by the small yellow lightning bolt symbol on it, as seen in ''[[EP001|Pokémon - I Choose You!]]''.

Despite this, the various other types of Poké Ball have been seen in ''Pokémon the Series'', usually to illustrate a special property about that particular ball. The lack of the different types is unsurprising, however, due to the fact that, when the animated series was first created, the games themselves did not even keep track of the Poké Ball that a Pokémon was caught in, and thus, it made no difference in sending a Pokémon out. This has recently become less common as of {{aniseries|SM}}, possibly to reflect the fact that NPC Trainers in [[Generation VII]] have certain types of Poké Balls associated with them.

The first time that a Poké Ball aside from the normal variation was seen was in [[EP035]], where Ash was given 30 Safari Balls in order to compete in the Safari Game. With these 30 Safari Balls, Ash attempted to catch various rare Pokémon; however, he only managed to capture an entire herd of {{AP|Tauros}}. They appeared in Safari Balls in ''[[EP065|Showdown at the Po-Ké Corral]]''; however, whenever Ash uses one of his Tauros in a battle, it is sent out from a standard Poké Ball.

The [[GS Ball]] was the second of the variant Poké Balls to appear in ''Pokémon the Series'', first appearing in ''[[EP083|Poké Ball Peril]]'', this time with a special purpose. This mysterious ball was unable to be opened by [[Professor Ivy]], and served as the reason for Ash's journeys to the [[Orange Islands]] (to pick it up) and [[Johto]] (to deliver it to [[Kurt]]), so that what was contained within it could be discovered. {{p|Celebi}} was long rumored to be related to the ball, something which the [[Pokémon Adventures]] and game canons verify, while [[Masamitsu Hidaka|a director of the animated series]] confirmed that, had it not been insisted that {{OBP|Celebi|M04}} appear in a central role in [[M04|the fourth movie]], the GS Ball arc would have concluded with Celebi being released from the ball and traveling with Ash and his friends.

Also related to Kurt, as in the games, the first non-standard Poké Ball variants, the [[Apricorn]] balls, made an appearance in ''Pokémon the Series'', and several were given to the members of the main cast. All three members of the main cast received a Fast Ball each in ''[[EP143|Going Apricorn!]]'', with {{an|Brock}} using his to catch a {{TP|Brock|Pineco}} shortly after receiving it. Many other Apricorn Poké Balls also appeared in a fantasy in this episode. In the [[EP144|next episode]], Brock received a Heavy Ball, while Ash and {{an|Misty}} received a Lure Ball each. While Brock's Heavy Ball and Ash and Misty's Fast Balls would remain unused (and have not been mentioned since), both Ash and Misty would use their Lure Balls to capture a {{AP|Totodile}} and {{TP|Misty|Corsola}}, respectively. Another Heavy Ball appeared in ''[[AG065|Gulpin It Down]]'', where it was used to capture a {{pkmn2|giant}} {{p|Gulpin}}, though this was not the one belonging to Brock. In ''[[EP183|Trouble's Brewing]]'', the {{DL|Kimono Girl|In animation|Kimono Sisters}} (excluding [[Sakura]]) were shown keeping their [[Eeveelution]]s inside Apricorn Poké Balls, with Satsuki's {{p|Jolteon}}'s ball being a Moon Ball, Sumomo's {{p|Vaporeon}}'s ball being a Lure Ball, and Tamao's {{p|Umbreon}}'s ball being a Fast Ball. While Koume's {{p|Flareon}}'s ball wasn't shown, her kimono pattern indicates it being a Love Ball.

[[File:Ash Poké Ball.png|thumb|250px|Ash calling out a Pokémon]]
The Master Ball itself has only appeared once as an actual Poké Ball, in ''[[AG075|Whiscash and Ash]]'', where it was used by [[Sullivan]] in a last resort attempt to catch a wild {{p|Whiscash}} called "[[Nero]]". Despite the fact that a Master Ball cannot be escaped from, the Whiscash ''swallowed'' the Master Ball, thus preventing capture, and disappeared back into the water. While not a Poké Ball itself, Misty owns a beach ball that is designed like the Master Ball, which can be seen in ''[[EP018|Beauty and the Beach]]'' and ''[[EP167|A Hot Water Battle]]''.

The Generation III specialty balls have mostly been seen in cameos. The Repeat Ball and Luxury Ball appeared in the opening of ''[[M06|Jirachi: Wish Maker]]''. These balls contained {{ga|Brendan}}'s {{p|Shiftry}} and {{p|Aggron}}, respectively.

The debut of most of the specialty balls, both from Generation III and IV, came in the ending [[Which One ~ Is It?]], which contained the first appearance of the Great Ball and Ultra Ball, as well as the first animated series appearance of the Premier, Heal, Net, Dusk, Nest, Quick, Timer, and Dive Balls.

The first proper appearance of the Great, Ultra, Net, Nest, Dusk, Dive, Repeat, Premier, and Heal Balls was in ''[[XY079|A Frenzied Factory Fiasco!]]'', where these balls were seen being manufactured at the [[Poké Ball Factory]], in addition to normal Poké Balls, Luxury Balls, and Safari Balls, although the last ones were not shown. Although [[James]] did mention a Quick Ball in the Japanese version, one was never shown in the episode (a fact that was picked up by the [[dub]], which removed the Quick Ball reference). {{TRT}} tried to steal many of these Poké Balls, but were foiled by Ash and his friends.

[[File:Dawn Poké Ball.png|thumb|left|250px|{{an|Dawn}}'s Poké Balls with Ball Capsules and Seals]]
It was revealed in ''[[SM004|First Catch in Alola, Ketchum-Style!]]'' that James had been collecting Poké Balls. When Jessie's attempts to catch a {{TP|Jessie|Mimikyu}} with typical Poké Balls had failed, she grabbed the Luxury Ball James had been polishing and used it instead, capturing Mimikyu, much to James's dismay. The rest of James's collection appeared in ''[[SM062|Acting True to Form!]]'', where it was revealed to also contain a Great, Ultra, Premier, Dusk, Heal, and Quick Ball, marking the first animated series appearance of a Quick Ball. The collection reappeared in ''[[JN026|Splash, Dash, and Smash for the Crown!]]'', where it now consisted of a Premier, Dive, Nest, Quick, Heal, and Dusk Ball.

{{an|Gladion}} keeps all of his known Pokémon in special Poké Balls. His {{TP|Gladion|Lycanroc}} is kept in an Ultra Ball (as first seen in ''[[SM027|A Glaring Rivalry!]]''), his {{TP|Gladion|Silvally}} is kept in a Premier Ball (as first seen in ''[[SM037|Rising from the Ruins!]]''), his {{TP|Gladion|Umbreon}} is kept in a Heal Ball (as first seen in ''[[SM053|Rescuing the Unwilling!]]''), his {{TP|Gladion|Zoroark}} is kept in a Dusk Ball (as first seen in the [[Poké Problem]] extra scene of [[SM127]]), and his {{DL|Ultra Beasts (anime)|Lillie|Nihilego}} is kept in a Beast Ball (as first seen in ''[[JN111|The Homecoming Crown!]]'').

[[File:James Poké Ball collection.png|thumb|250px|James's Poké Ball collection]]
Beast Balls debuted in ''[[SM061|A Mission of Ultra Urgency!]]'', in which the [[Aether Foundation]] provided multiple of them for Ash and {{ashcl}} to use during their missions as [[Ultra Guardians]]. Since then, Beast Balls have appeared in {{cat|Ultra Guardians episodes|a number of episodes}}. Most of the time they are only used to temporarily hold {{an|Ultra Beasts}} until they are released back into [[Ultra Space]]. The only Ultra Beasts that have been kept in a Beast Ball for longer than one episode are [[Ash's Naganadel]] and Gladion's {{p|Nihilego}}.

In ''[[JN045|Sword and Shield... The Legends Awaken!]]'', {{an|Leon}} used an Ultra Ball in an attempt to catch {{TP|Goh|Eternatus}}, only for Eternatus to break out.
[[File:Sealed Poké Ball anime.png|thumb|250px|left|A sealed Poké Ball]]
Many other Poké Balls have been shown in ''Pokémon the Series''; however, most of these are cosmetic alterations alone, such as Poké Balls with gold plating, diamond studded Poké Balls, and Poké Balls with stickers or special designs on them, usually to denote an organization. [[Ball Capsule]]s and [[Seal]]s can also be used to customize a Poké Ball's appearance, and they add special effects when the Pokémon is sent out. In the series, they are mostly used by {{pkmn|Coordinator}}s during [[Pokémon Contest]]s to create a showy entrance and ensure that the Pokémon will make a good impression right out of the Poké Ball.

Notably, a broken Poké Ball, snapped in half at its rusted hinges, was kept by both Ash and {{Gary}}, symbolizing their rivalry. After Ash defeated Gary during the [[Silver Conference]], Gary gave his half of the Ball to Ash as a sign of ending their rivalry.

In ''[[EP013|Mystery at the Lighthouse]]'', it was shown that if a Trainer catches a Pokémon while they already have six on hand, it is automatically sent to the regional {{pkmn|Professor}}. ''[[BW018|Sewaddle and Burgh in Pinwheel Forest]]'' shows a major difference in what happens after a Pokémon is captured. Instead of being automatically sent to the regional Professor, the Poké Ball is sealed and the button becomes red. The Pokémon is kept inactive until it is switched out by another actively in the Trainer's party.

=====Other variants=====
* A green Poké Ball appeared in ''[[EP001|Pokémon - I Choose You!]]''. Interestingly, the cover of the book {{OBP|Grass Pokédex|book}} greatly resembles this Poké Ball, and is labeled as a Safari Ball.
** In addition to this, the artwork of {{ga|Brendan}}, in {{2v2|Ruby|Sapphire}}, features Brendan holding a green Poké Ball.
* Several objects were used to contain and control Pokémon before Poké Balls themselves were developed. Large monumental objects have been shown several times in episodes to be containers for large ancient Pokémon, as seen most notably in ''[[EP072|The Ancient Puzzle of Pokémopolis]]''. Smaller objects have also been used, such as the staff belonging to [[Sir Aaron]], which contained his partner, {{OBP|Lucario|M08}}, until {{Ash}} released it in the current era. Special armor developed by [[Marcus]] was used to control Pokémon in ancient [[Michina Town]], though it did not directly ''contain'' the Pokémon; unlike other methods of using Pokémon, these Pokémon were enslaved, instead of befriended, and they turned against him the moment the armor was broken.
* In ''[[EP015|Battle Aboard the St. Anne]]'', the [[Magikarp salesman]] sold [[James]] a {{TP|James|Magikarp}}, which was contained in a gold-plated Poké Ball to make it seem more valuable than it actually was.
* {{OBP|Mewtwo|M01}} had a collection of strange Poké Balls known as (Japanese: '''ミュウツーボール''' ''Mewtwo Balls'') in ''[[M01|Mewtwo Strikes Back]]'', which incorporated an eye into their design, and were used primarily to capture Pokémon to be cloned. These balls had no trouble catching Pokémon which were already captured—even if they were already inside of Poké Balls.
* In ''[[M03|Spell of the Unown: Entei]]'', [[Molly Hale]], whose imagination caused the power of the {{OBP|Unown|M03}} to change the world around them, was able to use strange, crystalline Poké Balls when she challenged {{an|Brock}} and {{an|Misty}}. The Pokémon sent from these appeared normally, but dissolved into crystal, rather than being recalled. These crystal Poké Balls only appeared when used by her imagined older selves, and do not appear to actually exist.
* In ''[[EP095|A Shipful of Shivers]]'', it was revealed that the {{OBP|Captain|EP095}} kept his {{p|Haunter}} and {{p|Gastly}} inside contemporary looking Poké Balls, approximately 300 years before the present.
* A special variant of Poké Ball, the Lake Ball, was used during the [[Seaking Catching Competition]] in ''[[EP168|Hook, Line, and Stinker]]''; this is viewed by many to be similar to the Sport Ball used in the [[Bug-Catching Contest]]. They appear as blue and white Poké Balls, with a fish pattern around the edge, and a yellow arrow on the top and bottom of the ball. They don't shake after capture, implying an automatic catch.
* In ''[[EP248|One Trick Phony!]]'', specially marked Poké Balls appeared at the {{jo|Battle Park}}, containing the Park's [[rental Pokémon]]. They looked almost exactly like standard Poké Balls, except that they had the Park's stylized "BP" logo on the top.
* Older Poké Balls have also appeared in ''Pokémon the Series'', specifically the one carried by [[Sam]] in ''[[M04|Celebi: The Voice of the Forest]]'', which was colored differently, and it had a knob that needed to be twisted before the Pokémon inside could be sent out. While it is unknown how these types were manufactured, it is likely that they were made by hand using Apricorns, prior to the standardization and mass production of modern-day Poké Balls.
* The [[Iron-Masked Marauder]], an agent of [[Team Rocket]], used special [[Dark Ball]]s that corrupted Pokémon caught inside them and made them into mindless servants of the Trainer, as well as raising their power significantly. Multiple Pokémon were caught in these Poké Balls, including the {{pkmn2|Mythical}} {{OBP|Celebi|M04}} and a powerful {{p|Tyranitar}}. They seem capable of catching any Pokémon without fail.
* As in the games, the [[GS Ball]] appeared in {{aniseries|PTS}}, and was the primary motivation for Ash's trip to the [[Orange Islands]], where he would compete in his second Pokémon League. It also served as the catalyst for his journey to [[Johto]], as he needed to deliver the ball to [[Kurt]]. Former director [[Masamitsu Hidaka]] revealed that a shelved storyline, that would have concluded the GS Ball's arc, involved a {{p|Celebi}} that would have traveled with Ash and his friends through at least part of Johto. The storyline was viewed as redundant after the decision was made to introduce Celebi in the fourth movie instead.
* ''[[AG104|Claydol, Big and Tall]]'' featured the "Stone Balls", two huge Poké Balls made of stone used to seal away a destructive {{pkmn2|giant}} {{p|Claydol}} that had caused devastation on [[Izabe Island]] in the past. One of the balls was destroyed by {{TRT}}, who wanted to get their hands on Claydol. When it proved to be uncontrollable, the trio was forced to team up with Ash and his friends in order to reseal it within the second ball.
* In ''[[AG178|Battling the Enemy Within!]]'', an ancient relic resembling a Poké Ball was first mentioned by {{an|Brandon}}, who told Ash and his friends a story about the [[King of Pokélantis]], who had once tried to control {{p|Ho-Oh}} for his own evil purposes. When Ash later found the relic, it was revealed that the King of Pokélantis's spirit was actually sealed within it, and it possessed Ash until it was banished from his body and resealed back inside the relic.
* In ''[[BW037|A Fishing Connoisseur in a Fishy Competition!]]'', a specially marked Poké Ball, called the "Fishing Poké Ball", was used in the fake fishing contest set up by Team Rocket. This Poké Ball highly resembled the regular red and white Poké Ball, except that it had a dark fish mark on its red part.
* In ''[[M21|The Power of Us]]'', the participants of the [[Pokémon Catch Race]] used special "Catch Race Poké Balls" to catch specifically marked Pokémon around [[Fula City]]. These Poké Balls feature a blue-and-white color scheme, with a gold button.
* In {{aniseries|JN}}, starting from ''[[JN003|Ivysaur's Mysterious Tower!]]'', the Team Rocket trio was provided with the [[Rocket Prize Master]], a vending machine that lets them borrow random Pokémon from it, contained in special Team Rocket Poké Balls. When a Pokémon is sent out from them, these Balls drop a small leaflet explaining details about the Pokémon in question.
* Dynamaxed Poké Balls were first used in ''[[JN012|Flash of the Titans!]]'' during {{an|Lance}} and {{an|Leon}}'s [[World Coronation Series]] {{pkmn|battle}}. In ''[[JN045|Sword and Shield... The Legends Awaken!]]'', [[Goh]], with Ash's help, used a Dynamaxed Poké Ball to catch a weakened {{TP|Goh|Eternatus}}, which was later sealed away.

======Gallery======
<gallery>
Green Poké Ball anime.png|A green Poké Ball in ''[[EP001|Pokémon - I Choose You!]]''
Bulbasaur Ball.png|The Poké Ball containing {{p|Bulbasaur}} in ''[[EP001|Pokémon - I Choose You!]]''
Charmander Ball.png|The Poké Ball containing {{p|Charmander}} in ''[[EP001|Pokémon - I Choose You!]]''
Squirtle Ball.png|The Poké Ball containing {{TP|Gary|Squirtle|Blastoise}} in ''[[EP001|Pokémon - I Choose You!]]''
Ash Pikachu Poké Ball.png|The Poké Ball containing {{AP|Pikachu}} in ''[[EP001|Pokémon - I Choose You!]]''
James Magikarp Golden Poké Ball.png||The golden Poké Ball containing [[James's Magikarp]] in ''[[EP016|Pokémon Shipwreck]]''
Chansey Poke Ball.png|A [[Pokémon Inspection Agency|PIA]] [[Nurse Joy]]'s Poké Ball in ''[[EP042|Showdown at Dark City]]''
Meowzie Poké Ball.png|A diamond-encrusted Poké Ball in ''[[EP070|Go West Young Meowth]]''
Mewtwo Balls.png|{{OBP|Mewtwo|M01}}'s Mewtwo Balls
GS Ball anime.png|The [[GS Ball]]
Crystal Ball anime.png|[[Molly Hale]] holding a Crystal Poké Ball
Captain Ball.png|300+ year old modern Poké Balls
Lake Ball anime.png|The Lake Ball from ''[[EP168|Hook, Line, and Stinker]]''
Lokoko Poké Ball anime.png|[[Lokoko]]'s old Poké Ball from ''[[EP232|Just Waiting On a Friend]]''
Battle Park Ball.png|A Poké Ball used in the {{jo|Battle Park}} in ''[[EP248|One Trick Phony!]]''
Team Rocket Ball.png|A [[Team Rocket]] Ball from ''[[Mewtwo Returns]]''
Dark Ball.png|[[Iron-Masked Marauder]] holding a Dark Ball
Sammy Old Poké Ball.png|Sammy's old Poké Ball from ''[[M04|Celebi: The Voice of the Forest]]''
Annie Oakley Ball.png|{{OBP|Annie|M05}} and [[Oakley]]'s Poké Balls from ''[[M05|Pokémon Heroes: Latios & Latias]]''
Promo Annie Oakley Ball reverse.png|A promotional toy version of Annie and Oakley's Poké Balls, produced by [[Tomy]]
Giant stone Poké Ball anime.png|{{p|Claydol}}'s giant stone Poké Ball from ''[[AG104|Claydol, Big and Tall]]''
Pokélantis Poké Ball anime.png|A relic holding the [[King of Pokélantis]]'s spirit
Fishing Poké Ball.png|A Fishing Poké Ball from ''[[BW037|A Fishing Connoisseur in a Fishy Competition!]]''
Catch Race Poké Ball.png|A Catch Race Poké Ball from ''[[M21|The Power of Us]]''
Team Rocket Ball JN.png|Team Rocket Balls from {{aniseries|JN}}
Dynamax Poké Ball anime.png|A [[Dynamax]]ed Poké Ball in ''[[JN045|Sword and Shield... The Legends Awaken!]]''
</gallery>

====History====
{{main|History of Poké Balls}}
As mentioned, the generic Poké Ball design is not constant and has been remodeled and altered innumerable times in order to create new Poké Balls that are adapted for specific conditions. For example, it is seen in several {{aniseries|PTS}} episodes such as ''[[AG065|Gulpin it Down!]]'' and ''[[AG104|Claydol Big and Tall]]'' that normal Poké Balls have difficulty catching Pokémon which are extremely large or extremely heavy. In the latter episode, it is revealed that ancient civilizations overcame this issue by constructing immense Poké Balls many times the size of the standard model known today, and made from stone instead. Other civilizations such as [[Pokémopolis]] also discovered new technologies that more closely resembled modern Poké Ball technology, such as the [[Pokémopolis#Pokémopolis artifacts|Dark Device]] and the [[Pokémopolis#Pokémopolis artifacts|Unearthly Urn]], which were also adapted for the capture and storage of massive Pokémon but in small containers. However, devices like these became lost to the ages and their roles were subsequently supplanted by Heavy Balls in the modern world.

In ''[[EP095|A Shipful of Shivers]]'', modern Poké Balls are found in the [[ghost ship]], implying that modern Poké Balls were first made at least 300 years ago. According to ''[[Pocket Monsters: The Animation]]'', Poké Balls were developed to allow for various Trainers to efficiently capture and train Pokémon in relatively little risk to themselves, as the act of training a Pokémon often results in severe injuries and even death. It also claims that the Pokémon {{p|Primeape}} and its notoriously violent nature was directly responsible for their creation.

Prior to the invention of Poké Balls, Pokémon were referred to as magical creatures (Japanese: {{tt|魔獣|まじゅう}} ''majū''), indicating that the name Pokémon, short for Pocket Monster, did not come into common parlance as a term until Poké Balls allowed the various magical creatures to be stored easily.

====Pokédex entries====
{{Animedexheader|Kanto|no}}
{{Animedexbody|EP001|Poké Ball|Ash's Pokédex|While being {{pkmn|training|trained}}, a Pokémon ''usually'' stays inside its Poké Ball. However, there are many exceptions. Some Pokémon hate being confined.}}
{{Animedexfooter/Pokémon|Kanto}}

===''Pokémon Horizons: The Series''===
[[File:Poké Ball success.png|thumb|250px|A Poké Ball after catching a Pokémon in {{aniseries|HZ}}]]
Poké Balls in {{aniseries|HZ}} work the same way they do in {{aniseries|PTS}}.

As shown in ''[[HZ089|Where the Adventure Leads]]'', when a Trainer dies, their Poké Balls automatically release all of their Pokémon back into the wild.

====Other variants====
* [[Ancient Poké Ball]]s are a special type of Poké Ball. The search for these Poké Balls is an important plot within {{aniseries|HZ}}. The only known Ancient Poké Balls all belonged to the Ancient Adventurer [[Lucius]], who used them to capture the members of the [[Six Heroes]]. In addition to capturing Pokémon, they seem to have unique powers and react to certain stimuli, like [[Rystal]]'s {{p|Terapagos}}, [[Pagogo]], and Lucius's other Ancient Poké Balls.
* In ''[[HZ029|Orla and the Poké Ball Smith]]'', several custom-made Poké Balls created by [[Karna]] were shown. These include the Rocket Ball, which has miniature rocket engines that boost its speed; the Boomerang Ball, which curves back around once thrown; the Bomb-Bomb Ball, which has a fuse that lights up when the ball is about to be thrown and causes the ball to explode when it burns out; the Chase Ball, which homes in on the target Pokémon on a set of wheels; and an unnamed Ball that Karna gave to [[Orla]] as a gift at the end of the episode.
* In ''[[HZ075|The Wonders of the World!]]'', [[Gibeon]] was revealed to keep his [[White Zygarde|Zygarde]] in a Poké Ball that resembles the Ancient Poké Ball used by [[Lucius]] and are just as old as them.
* In ''[[HZ100|We Are the Rising Volt Tacklers!]]'', Orla have Karna a handmade Poké Ball as a parting gift when she left to rejoin the [[Rising Volt Tacklers]].

=====Gallery=====
<gallery>
Roy Ancient Poké Ball anime.png|An [[Ancient Poké Ball]] in {{aniseries|HZ}}
HZ029 Poké Ball 3.png|Some of [[Karna]]'s custom Poké Balls from ''[[HZ029|Orla and the Poké Ball Smith]]''
Rocket Ball.png|A Rocket Ball from ''[[HZ029|Orla and the Poké Ball Smith]]''
Boomerang Ball.png|A Boomerang Ball from ''[[HZ029|Orla and the Poké Ball Smith]]''
Bomb-Bomb Ball.png|A Bomb-Bomb Ball from ''[[HZ029|Orla and the Poké Ball Smith]]''
Chase Ball.png|A Chase Ball from ''[[HZ029|Orla and the Poké Ball Smith]]''
HZ029 Poké Ball 1.png|One of Karna's custom Poké Balls from ''[[HZ029|Orla and the Poké Ball Smith]]''
HZ029 Poké Ball 2.png|One of Karna's custom Poké Balls from ''[[HZ029|Orla and the Poké Ball Smith]]''
Gibeon Poké Ball.png|[[Gibeon]]'s Poké Ball from ''[[HZ088|The Earthshaking White Zygarde]]''
Orla custom Poké Ball.png|Orla's custom Poké Ball from ''[[HZ100|We Are the Rising Volt Tacklers!]]''
</gallery>

===Pokémon Origins===
[[File:Poké Ball PO.png|thumb|250px|A Poké Ball in Pokémon Origins]]
Besides the regular Poké Ball, the other Generation I variations of it were also seen during the [[Pokémon Origins]] miniseries. In ''[[PO03|File 3: Giovanni]]'', it was shown that [[Giovanni]] kept his strongest Pokémon, {{p|Rhyhorn}} and {{p|Rhydon}}, within Ultra Balls. In ''[[PO04|File 4: Charizard]]'', {{OBP|Red|Origins}} was seen catching an {{p|Arbok}} with a Great Ball and a {{p|Chansey}} with a Safari Ball. He also used Ultra Balls to capture the [[Legendary Pokémon]] {{p|Articuno}}, {{p|Zapdos}}, {{p|Moltres}}, and {{p|Mewtwo}}.

The Master Ball only appeared in a demonstration in ''File 3: Giovanni'', as it was still under development at the time. After [[Team Rocket]] was driven out of the [[Silph Co.]] building by Red, the development of the Master Ball was put on hold for a while.

Additionally, in Pokémon Origins, the sound effects and bright light used when a Trainer is catching, sending out, or recalling a Pokémon differ in comparison to the sound effects and lights that are used in the {{pkmn|animated series}}, more resembling the effects seen in {{game|FireRed and LeafGreen|s}}.

===Pokémon Generations===
[[File:Ultra Ball PG.png|thumb|left|250px|An Ultra Ball in [[Pokémon Generations]]]]
The only Poké Ball variant seen in [[Pokémon Generations]] was an Ultra Ball, which appeared in ''[[PG09|The Scoop]]''. It was shown being used by {{player|a Trainer}} to catch a {{p|Deoxys}} in outer space.
{{-}}

==In live-action media==
===The Strength of the Master===
In the Brazilian music video [[The Strength of the Master]], there are CGI-animated Poké Balls with the stylized "E" logo of the performer Eliana.

The Eliana Poké Balls are sometimes seen slowly floating or flying fast in the air, and often used as screen transitions during the music video. Eliana is also shown throwing this Poké Ball. The Eliana Poké Balls usually appear in a red version (but with the white half at the top, as opposed to the regular Poké Ball), but there is also a blue version.

At some point, two Eliana Poké Balls float in the air and glow in front of a boy and a girl, magically causing them to wear cosplays of {{Ash}} and {{an|Misty}}.

<gallery>
Eliana Poké Ball.png|Eliana Poké Ball
Eliana Poké Ball blue.png|Eliana Poké Ball (blue version)
Children Poké Balls Eliana.png|Eliana Poké Balls floating
Ash Misty cosplays Eliana.png|Eliana Poké Balls after causing the children to wear cosplays
</gallery>

==In the manga==
In the various [[Pokémon manga]], Poké Balls have been shown to appear differently, as an attempt to explain how a Trainer knows which Pokémon is in which ball, as most Pokémon manga series were, like the animated series, developed at a time when the games could not keep track of the ball a Pokémon was contained in.

===The Electric Tale of Pikachu===
[[File:Poké Ball EToP.png|thumb|left|200px|A Poké Ball in [[The Electric Tale of Pikachu]]]]
[[File:Enormo Poké Ball EToP.png|thumb|200px|The Enormo Poké Ball-X1]]
In [[The Electric Tale of Pikachu]], the rules are more similar to the animated series; however, Poké Balls are numbered on the outside, on the button, so that a Trainer knows which member of their team they are sending into battle. In The Electric Tale of Pikachu, Trainers must obtain a license before they are legally allowed to purchase Poké Balls.

It is also possible for a Pokémon to be placed inside a Poké Ball without it being owned by a Trainer. In ''[[ET11|Days of Gloom and Glory]]'', [[Meowzie]] steals a Poké Ball from a shop and puts her kitten in it so that it will not be hurt by a flood affecting the city.

In ''[[ET04|Haunting My Dreams]]'', a giant Poké Ball named the Enormo Poké Ball-X1 (Japanese: '''ビッグモンスターボールX1''' ''Big Monster Ball-X1'') or EPB-X1 for short, was created to capture the gigantic {{p|Haunter}}, [[Black Fog]]. It was destroyed when the Black Fog used {{m|Explosion}} to free itself after being captured.
{{-}}

===Magical Pokémon Journey===
In [[Magical Pokémon Journey]], the main characters generally do not capture Pokémon, rather, they befriend them. Although [[Almond]], one of the main characters, is known to be a [[Pokémon Trainer]], he is not actually depicted capturing or raising any Pokémon. In fact, in the bonus materials of {{Vol|Magical Pokémon Journey|2}}, in which the cast of the manga meet {{Ash}}, {{an|Misty}}, and {{an|Brock}} in a series of crossovers, it is revealed that [[Hazel]] and [[Coconut]] do not even know what Poké Balls are. When Ash and Misty explain that they are used to capture Pokémon, they both proceed to attempt to use them to capture Almond, as he is each of their love interest.

===Pokémon Adventures===
[[File:Yellow Seadra Poké Ball.png|thumb|200px|{{adv|Yellow}}'s {{p|Seadra}} inside his Poké Ball in [[Pokémon Adventures]]]]
In the [[Pokémon Adventures]] manga, the tops of Poké Balls are semitransparent, allowing the Pokémon inside, which is miniaturized, to be seen through the ball, while the Pokémon can likewise see out of the ball it is contained in. In this manga, unlike in the animated series, Pokémon already captured can be recaught in another Poké Ball, as is seen when {{adv|Red}} recatches [[Gyara|Misty's Gyarados]] in ''[[PS006|Gyarados Splashes In!]]'' (though {{adv|Blue}} states that catching a Pokémon that belongs to another is not possible in ''[[PS050|Lapras Lazily]]'').

Like in the animated series and the games, specialty balls do exist, although they are much more commonly used than in the animated series. In ''[[PS026|Holy Moltres]]'', [[Team Rocket]] was shown to have caught the {{adv|legendary birds}} in Ultra Balls. In ''[[PS035|And Mewtwo... Three!]]'', {{adv|Blaine}} gave Red the [[Master Ball]], which Red used to catch {{adv|Mewtwo}} shortly afterwards; [[PS582|much later]], Blaine himself caught Mewtwo with the Master Ball when Mewtwo decided to return to Blaine's training. In ''[[PS101|Teddiursa's Picnic]]'', {{adv|Gold}} and {{adv|Silver}} received a Friend Ball and Heavy Ball, respectively, with Silver using his ball to catch an {{TP|Silver|Ursaring}}, while Gold used his to catch a {{p|Teddiursa}} for [[Maizie]]. Close to the end of the {{MangaArc|Gold, Silver & Crystal}}, the [[Masked Man]] was shown creating a [[GS Ball]] and using it to catch {{adv|Celebi}}. In ''[[PS528|Innocent Scientist]]'', {{adv|Blake}} used Luxury Balls while trying to catch the {{TP|Blake|Genesect}} controlled by [[Colress]], eventually succeeding. In ''[[PS543|Abyssal Ruins]]'', Blake gave {{adv|Whitley}} a Quick Ball to catch a {{p|Karrablast}}. In ''[[PS583|Scizor Defends]]'', a Quick Ball was seen amongst the Poké Balls that {{adv|Y}} had used while trying to catch an {{p|Absol}}.

Safari Balls have been seen being used by Red at the {{safari|Kanto|Kanto Safari Zone}}, by {{adv|Diamond}}, {{adv|Pearl}}, and {{adv|Platinum}} at the [[Great Marsh]], and by Silver at the {{safari|Johto|Johto Safari Zone}}. {{adv|Crystal}} and {{adv|Emerald}} have also been shown using special balls to catch Pokémon, with Crystal specializing in [[Apricorn]] balls and Emerald specializing in Poké Balls introduced in [[Generation III]].

Additionally, the three original types of Poké Ball are used to identify the Trainer's rank; most Trainers keep their Pokémon in Poké Balls, [[Gym Leader]]s use Great Balls, and [[Elite Four]] members use Ultra Balls.

In the {{MangaArc|Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon}}, Beast Balls were created for the [[Aether Foundation]] by Blake, who was disguised as Colress, as a means of catching [[Ultra Beast]]s. Sun used one to catch his {{p|Stakataka}} in ''[[PASM30|Madness!! Mother Lusamine!]]''.

Like in the games, but unlike the animated series, Pokémon placed in their balls don't recover from [[status condition]]s nor regain lost health, no matter how much time passes.

====Variants====
* [[Bruno]] has modified his Poké Balls so that they are fitted onto the ends of his {{wp|Nunchaku|nunchucks}}. By swinging them quickly and throwing the nunchuck forward, Bruno can have his Pokémon quickly attack his opponent, giving him the advantage.
* [[Koga]] and his daughter [[Janine]] modified their Poké Balls into {{wp|shuriken}} to fit their ninja theme. In addition to being used as weapons, they can also be used to have their Pokémon pop up from different locations to surprise the opponent or to hold items to help an ally.
* [[Bugsy]] had [[Kurt]] modify his butterfly net into something he calls a Capture Net. His net has a Poké Ball nested into the middle of it. The bag of the net is made of the same material of the inside of a Poké Ball. Once a Pokémon is covered in the bag, they will automatically be sucked into the Poké Ball.
* [[Falkner]] has modified his Poké Balls into boomerangs using the feathers of his {{p|Skarmory}}. Because of Skarmory's feathers being transparent, they have the tendency to turn invisible, confusing enemies when Falkner throws them in random directions only for them to turn around and go straight for them.
* [[Erika]] and {{adv|Moon}} modified their Poké Balls to be at the end of their arrows.
* In ''[[PS283|It Takes Patience, Knowledge and a Really Quick Beedrill]]'', {{adv|Giovanni}} used a specifically designed Poké Ball with the letters "DNA" on its top half to capture {{adv|Deoxys}}.
* Multiple Dynamaxed Poké Balls appeared in the {{MangaArc|Sword & Shield}}, being used to both capture Dynamax Pokémon and send them out.

<gallery>
Bruno Nunchuck Poké Ball.png|Bruno's nunchuck with Poké Balls on them
Koga Shuriken Poké Ball.png|Koga's shuriken Poké Ball
Bugsy Poké Ball net.png|Bugsy's Capture Net
Falkner Boomerang Poké Ball.png|Falkner's boomerang Poké Balls
Erika Arrow Poké Ball.png|Erika with one of her Poké Ball arrows
Moon bow Adventures.png|Moon with one of her Poké Ball arrows
DNA Ball.png|Giovanni's Deoxys Poké Ball
Dynamax Poké Ball Adventures.png|A Dynamaxed Poké Ball
</gallery>

===Pokémon Gold & Silver: The Golden Boys===
Besides regular Poké Balls, Apricorn Poké Balls also received notable attention in the [[Pokémon Gold & Silver: The Golden Boys]] manga. They were first featured in ''[[GB07|The Great Search! Let's Rescue The Slowpoke!]]'', where {{GnB|Gold}} and [[Kurt]] used some of Kurt's hand-made Poké Balls to save a group of {{p|Slowpoke}} from drowning in the flooding [[Slowpoke Well]]. Kurt's Level Ball also proved crucial in stopping the [[Black Tyranitar]]'s rampage during the manga's climax.

===Pokémon: Yeah! I Got Pokémon!===
[[File:Poké Ball PM.png|thumb|200px|A Poké Ball in [[Pokémon Pocket Monsters]]]]
In [[Pokémon: Yeah! I Got Pokémon!]], Poké Balls are depicted as solid, with no visual identification as to which Poké Ball is which. In ''[[GDZ15|Special Chapter - Get Pikachu!]]'', it is revealed that when [[Shu]] met {{TP|Shu|Pikachu}}, Pikachu's Poké Ball had been abandoned in a forest because it was defective and it was causing Pikachu's electricity to be released throughout the surrounding area.

===Pokémon Pocket Monsters===
In [[Pokémon Pocket Monsters]], Poké Balls are often shown as transparent to identify when a Pokémon is inside. They usually have their typical appearance from far away, suggesting that they may not always be transparent, or are only see-through from up close. Pokémon appear to be able to see the world outside of their Poké Balls, as shown in ''[[PM003|Bring Down the Powerful Opponent Onix!!]]'', when {{TP|Red|Clefairy}} sees {{PPM|Red's Pikachu|Pikachu}} inside his Poké Ball, and they talk to each other. In ''[[PM001|Introducing the Pokémon Clefairy!!]]'', when {{PPM|Green}} is choosing Charmander as his [[first partner Pokémon]], he is shown to be able to pick up and lift Charmander directly from the Poké Ball without throwing it first.

<gallery>
Brock Pikachu PM.png|{{PPM|Red's Pikachu}} inside his Poké Ball, in his debut appearance
Green Charmander Poké Ball PPM.png|[[Green's Charmander]] being lifted from its Poké Ball
</gallery>

==In the TCG==
[[File:Rocket Sneak Attack artwork.png|thumb|Ultra Ball]]
Many variants of Poké Ball have been released in card form in the [[Pokémon Trading Card Game]], ranging from the standard variants found in the games and other media to variants specific to the TCG. Generally, Poké Balls are depicted as {{TCG|Item card}}s that search the player's [[deck]] for {{TCG|Pokémon}} and put them into the player's [[hand]]. Many Poké Ball cards require some number of successful {{TCG|coin}} flips in order to allow for the search to succeed, but some cards use the order of the player's [[deck]] to create inconsistency instead. There are even Poké Ball cards that are guaranteed to work, but these cards are balanced by only finding specific subsets of Pokémon, requiring some cost to be paid, or having another drawback.

Some cards, such as {{TCG ID|Skyridge|Apricorn Maker|121}} and {{TCG ID|Shining Fates|Ball Guy|57}}, refer to Poké Ball cards as a group, using the phrase "Item cards that have the word “Ball” in their name". This phraseology excludes cards with "Balloon" in their name even though they otherwise meet the criteria. (An example of an excluded card was {{TCG ID|BREAKpoint|Bursting Balloon|97}}, before the [[errata]] that changed {{TCG|Pokémon Tool card}}s to be a subtype of {{TCG|Trainer card}}s rather than Item cards.)

===List of Poké Ball cards based on the games===
*
* The standard {{TCG ID|Jungle|Poké Ball|64}} card, which was the first released, debuted in the {{TCG|Jungle}} expansion and has since been featured in many others. It requires the player to flip a coin and if it is successful, it searches the deck for a {{TCG|Pokémon}} and puts it in the player's hand.
* The Ultra Ball can be seen in the artwork of {{TCG ID|Team Rocket|Rocket's Sneak Attack|16}}, from the {{TCG|Team Rocket}} expansion. The 'H' on this Ultra Ball is derived from its Japanese name, ''Hyper Ball''. The {{TCG ID|Dark Explorers|Ultra Ball|102}} itself would debut in {{TCG|Dark Explorers}}, with its effect requiring the player to discard 2 cards from the hand to search the deck for any single Pokémon.
* The {{TCG ID|EX FireRed & LeafGreen|Great Ball|92}}, which first appeared in the {{TCG|EX FireRed & LeafGreen|TCG expansion}} coinciding with the {{game|FireRed and LeafGreen|s|remakes}} of the [[Generation I]] games, is somewhat of an upgrade to the Poké Ball, and does not require the coin flip that the Poké Ball does, instead restricting the search to Basic Pokémon. Later, in {{TCG|Emerging Powers}}, {{TCG ID|Emerging Powers|Great Ball|93}}'s effect was changed to have the player search the top 7 cards of the deck for any one Pokémon card and put it in the hand.
* The {{TCG ID|Gym Challenge|Master Ball|116}}, first appearing in the {{TCG|Gym Challenge}} expansion, and in the games the most powerful of the Poké Balls, provides a vastly different effect than the standard. Rather than searching the entire deck, only the top seven cards may be searched. One {{TCG|Pokémon}} found in these seven can be put into the hand, while the rest must be shuffled back into the deck. In {{TCG|Plasma Blast}}, the {{TCG ID|Plasma Blast|Master Ball|94}} was changed to an {{TCG|ACE SPEC card}} that allowed the player to search the entire deck for any one Pokémon. This effect is similar to Ultra Ball, but without the discard cost.
* Debuting in the {{TCG|Skyridge}} expansion, the {{TCG ID|Skyridge|Lure Ball|128}} is different from the basic Poké Balls in that it draws from the {{TCG|discard pile}} rather than the deck. For each heads flipped, with a maximum of three, an {{TCG|Evolution card}} can be returned from the discard pile and put into the hand. It has since been reprinted in {{TCG|Celestial Storm}}.
* Also debuting in Skyridge, the {{TCG ID|Skyridge|Friend Ball|126}}, another [[Apricorn]] Ball, has a unique effect entirely, allowing the user to search their deck for a Pokémon of the same {{TCG|type}} as one of the opponent's Pokémon and put it into their hand. It is effective in decks that typically match up well against their own type. It was also reprinted in Celestial Storm.
* The {{TCG ID|Skyridge|Fast Ball|124}} allows the player to go through their deck, turning over cards one at a time until they find the first [[Evolution]] card, and then taking that into their hand, shuffling afterward. Like the other two Apricorn Balls, it debuted in Skyridge, but unlike the others, it has not appeared since.
* The {{TCG ID|Great Encounters|Premier Ball|101}}, debuting in the {{TCG|Great Encounters}} expansion, is special, much as in the games, and allows the player to search either the deck ''or'' the discard pile for a {{TCG|Pokémon LV.X}} to put into their hand.
* The {{TCG ID|Stormfront|Luxury Ball|86}}, first released in the {{TCG|Stormfront}} expansion, is among the rarest of the Poké Ball varieties in the games, though its catch rate is the same as that of a normal Poké Ball. Likewise it is so with the TCG, allowing a non-{{TCG|Pokémon LV.X|LV.X}} Pokémon to be searched from the deck, but only if another Luxury Ball card is not in the discard pile.
* The {{TCG ID|Mysterious Treasures|Quick Ball|114}} released in the {{TCG|Mysterious Treasures}} expansion has a similar effect to the Fast Ball released in Skyridge, allowing the player to uncover cards from their deck until they find a Pokémon. An expansion of the Fast Ball's use, any Pokémon can be found, though this may prove an issue if the player is looking for an Evolution card specifically and finds a Basic Pokémon first, and vice versa. The Quick Ball was rereleased in the {{TCG|Sword & Shield}} expansion with a different effect, requiring players to discard 1 card in order to search their deck for a Basic Pokémon.
* The {{TCG ID|Mysterious Treasures|Dusk Ball|110}}, also first released in Mysterious Treasures, features an effect somewhat opposite from that of the pre-Plasma Blast version of Master Ball: Instead of the top seven cards being searched, only the bottom seven cards may be, and a Pokémon found there may be put into the player's hand.
* The {{TCG ID|Next Destinies|Heavy Ball|88}}, first released in {{TCG|Next Destinies}}, allows the player to search their deck for a Pokémon who has a [[Retreat Cost]] of 3 or more and put it into their hand.
* The {{TCG ID|Next Destinies|Level Ball|89}}, also first released in {{TCG|Next Destinies}}, allows the player to search their deck for a Pokémon that has 90 HP or less and put it into their hand.
* The {{TCG ID|Primal Clash|Dive Ball|125}}, released only in {{TCG|Primal Clash}}, allows the player to search their deck for a {{ct|Water}} Pokémon and put it into their hand.
* The {{TCG ID|Primal Clash|Repeat Ball|136}}, released only in {{TCG|Primal Clash}}, allows the player to search their deck for a Pokémon with the same name as one of their Pokémon in play and put it into their hand.
* The {{TCG ID|Sun & Moon|Nest Ball|123}}, first released in {{TCG|Sun & Moon}}, allows the player to search their deck for a Basic Pokémon and put it onto their Bench.
* The {{TCG ID|Sun & Moon|Timer Ball|134}}, first released in {{TCG|Sun & Moon}}, allows the player to search their deck for a number of Evolution Pokémon equal to the number of heads from flipping two coins.
* The {{TCG ID|Lost Thunder|Net Ball|187}}, first released in {{TCG|Lost Thunder}}, allows the player to search their deck for a Basic {{e|Grass}} Pokémon or a {{e|Grass}} Energy card and put it into their hand.
* The {{TCG ID|Celestial Storm|Beast Ball|125}}, first released in {{TCG|Celestial Storm}}, allows the player to look at their Prize Cards, and swap an [[Ultra Beast]] found there with the Beast Ball card.
* The {{TCG ID|Unified Minds|Cherish Ball|191}}, first released in {{TCG|Unified Minds}}, allows the player to search their deck for any {{TCG|Pokémon-GX}} and put it into their hand.
* The {{TCG ID|Evolving Skies|Dream Ball|146}}, first released in {{TCG|Evolving Skies}}, allows the player to search their deck for a Pokémon and put it on their bench, but the card can only be played if the player took it as a face down Prize card.
* The {{TCG ID|Astral Radiance|Feather Ball|141}}, first released in {{TCG|Astral Radiance}}, allows the player to search their deck for a Pokémon with no Retreat Cost and put it into their hand.
* The {{TCG ID|Astral Radiance|Hisuian Heavy Ball|146}}, first released in Astral Radiance, allows the player to look at their Prize cards, and swap a Basic Pokémon found there with the Hisuian Heavy Ball card.
* The {{TCG ID|Twilight Masquerade|Love Ball|156}}, first released in {{TCG|Twilight Masquerade}}, is similar in effect to Friend Ball, except it allows the user to search their deck for a Pokémon of the same name (instead of the same type) as one of the opponent's Pokémon, and put it into their hand.

<gallery>
PokéBallScarletViolet185.jpg|{{TCG|Poké Ball}}
GreatBallPaldeaEvolved183.jpg|{{TCG|Great Ball}}
UltraBallScarletViolet196.jpg|{{TCG|Ultra Ball}}
MasterBallTemporalForces153.jpg|{{TCG|Master Ball}}
FastBallSkyridge124.jpg|{{TCG|Fast Ball}}
LevelBallBattleStyles129.jpg|{{TCG|Level Ball}}
LureBallCelestialStorm138.jpg|{{TCG|Lure Ball}}
HeavyBallBREAKthrough140.jpg|{{TCG|Heavy Ball}}
LoveBallTwilightMasquerade156.jpg|{{TCG|Love Ball}}
FriendBallCelestialStorm131.jpg|{{TCG|Friend Ball}}
NetBallLostThunder187.jpg|{{TCG|Net Ball}}
NestBallScarletViolet181.jpg|{{TCG|Nest Ball}}
RepeatBallPrimalClash136.jpg|{{TCG|Repeat Ball}}
TimerBallSunMoon134.jpg|{{TCG|Timer Ball}}
LuxuryBallStormfront86.jpg|{{TCG|Luxury Ball}}
PremierBallGreatEncounters101.jpg|{{TCG|Premier Ball}}
DiveBallPrimalClash125.jpg|{{TCG|Dive Ball}}
DuskBallSurgingSparks175.jpg|{{TCG|Dusk Ball}}
QuickBallSwordShield179.jpg|{{TCG|Quick Ball}}
CherishBallUnifiedMinds191.jpg|{{TCG|Cherish Ball}}
DreamBallEvolvingSkies146.jpg|{{TCG|Dream Ball}}
BeastBallCelestialStorm125.jpg|{{TCG|Beast Ball}}
FeatherBallAstralRadiance141.jpg|{{TCG|Feather Ball}}
HisuianHeavyBallAstralRadiance146.jpg|{{TCG|Hisuian Heavy Ball}}
</gallery>

===List of Poké Balls original to the TCG===
* The {{TCG ID|Expedition|Dual Ball|139}} is two Poké Balls together, and has a similar (but not identical) effect to using two Poké Ball cards. The player flips two coins then searches their deck for one Basic Pokémon per heads result.
* The {{TCG ID|EX Team Magma vs Team Aqua|Team Magma Ball|80}} is a [[Team Magma]] variation of the Poké Ball, released only in the {{TCG|EX Team Magma vs Team Aqua}} expansion. First, the player flips a coin. If it has a heads result, the card allows the user to search for a Team Magma's Pokémon. If that coin flip results in tails, the search is limited to {{TCG|Basic Pokémon|Basic}} Team Magma Pokémon.
* The {{TCG ID|EX Team Magma vs Team Aqua|Team Aqua Ball|75}} is a [[Team Aqua]] variation of the Poké Ball, also released only in the {{TCG|EX Team Magma vs Team Aqua}} expansion. It has the same effect as the Team Magma Ball, but searches for Team Aqua's Pokémon instead.
* The {{TCG ID|EX Team Rocket Returns|Rocket's Poké Ball|89}} is the [[Team Rocket]] variation on the Poké Ball, released in the {{TCG|EX Team Rocket Returns}} expansion. It allows the player to search their deck for a {{TCG|Dark Pokémon}}.
* The {{TCG ID|Plasma Freeze|Team Plasma Ball|105}} is a [[Team Plasma]] variation of the Poké Ball, released in the {{TCG|Plasma Freeze}} expansion. It allows the user to search their deck for a {{TCG|Team Plasma}} Pokémon.
* The {{TCG ID|Double Crisis|Team Magma's Great Ball|31}} is a Team Magma variation on the Great Ball, released in the {{TCG|Double Crisis}} expansion. It searches the deck for a Basic Team Magma Pokémon and a Basic {{e|Fighting}} Energy.
* The {{TCG ID|Double Crisis|Team Aqua's Great Ball|27}} is a Team Aqua variation on the Great Ball, also released in the {{TCG|Double Crisis}} expansion. It searches the deck for a Basic Team Aqua Pokémon and a Basic {{e|Water}} Energy.
* The [[Team Rocket's Great Ball (Destined Rivals 175)|Team Rocket's Great Ball]] is a Team Rocket variation on the Great Ball, released in the [[Destined Rivals (TCG)|Destined Rivals]] expansion. The player flips a coin then searches their deck for an Evolution [[Owner's Pokémon (TCG)#Team Rocket's Pokémon|Team Rocket's Pokémon]] for heads or a Basic Team Rocket's Pokémon for tails.

<gallery>
File:DualBallCallLegends78.jpg|{{TCG|Dual Ball}}
File:Magma Ball artwork.jpg|{{TCG|Team Magma Ball}}
File:Aqua Ball artwork.jpg|{{TCG|Team Aqua Ball}}
File:Rocket Ball artwork.jpg|{{TCG|Rocket's Poké Ball}}
File:Plasma Ball artwork.jpg|{{TCG|Team Plasma Ball}}
File:Magma Great Ball artwork.jpg|{{TCG|Team Magma's Great Ball}}
File:Aqua Great Ball artwork.jpg|{{TCG|Team Aqua's Great Ball}}
File:TeamRocketGreatBallGRG.jpg|[[Team Rocket's Great Ball (Destined Rivals 175)|Team Rocket's Great Ball]]
</gallery>

==In the novels==
===Pocket Monsters: The Animation===
In [[Pocket Monsters: The Animation]], it is said that Poké Balls were invented in 1925 by [[Professor Westwood V|Professor Nishinomori]].

==In the guidebooks==
According to the [[Encyclopedia Pokemonica]], [[Pocket Monsters Encyclopedia]], and a [[Pokémon Daisuki Club]] site describing the [[Pokémon world]], modern Poké Balls were developed in 1925 from the research of [[Professor Westwood V|Professor Westwood]] of [[Celadon University]].

==In real life==
The Pokémon Company has occasionally partnered with certain companies in order to create certain products. This includes Poké Balls.
*The Pokémon Company has collaborated with {{wikipedia|Tiffany & Co.}} in order to make a Poké Ball that also acts as a jewelry case.
<gallery>
Collaboration Tiffany & Co. Poké Ball.png|The {{wikipedia|Tiffany & Co.}} Poké Ball.
</gallery>

==Trivia==
* In the [[Generation I]] games, after defeating the [[Blue (game)|rival]] for the first time in [[Kanto Route 22|Route 22]], if the player returns to [[Professor Oak's Laboratory]] without any Poké Balls in the item bag, [[Professor Oak]] will then gift the player 5 Poké Balls.<ref>[https://github.com/pret/pokered/blob/d79c578abd993f7eee4e85462a8cd5b7c4e14646/scripts/OaksLab.asm#L1022 Gift Poké Balls code in pokered disassembly]</ref>
** Since [[Generation II]] onwards, the player is automatically awarded Poké Balls upon acquiring the [[Pokédex]], or shortly after.
* {{an|Professor Oak}} has written {{wp|senryū}} about the Poké Ball in two of [[Professor Oak's Pokémon Lecture|his lectures]]:
** For [[DP003]], the [[Professor Oak's Big Pokémon Encyclopedia]] featured this senryū: 「ゲットだぜ　なげかたいろいろ　モンスターボール」 "''I caught a Pokémon! {{tt|Monster Balls|Poké Balls}} can be thrown in all sorts of ways.''"
** For [[BW002]], the [[Professor Oak's Pokémon Live Caster]] featured this senryū: 「あっポケモン　モンスターボール　わすれずに」 "''Oh, a Pokémon; don't forget to bring your {{tt|Monster Balls|Poké Balls}}.''"
* In some early artwork for {{game|Red and Green|s}}, Poké Balls are shown on the ground in two pieces while the Pokémon are in battle, rather than in the more familiar hinged form they take now. This may be a carryover from when Pokémon was known as Capsule Monsters, as the Poké Ball sprites in [[Generation I]] also do not show the button on the ball. In [[Generation II]], Poké Balls split in half when capturing a Pokémon as part of their animation, while the animated series had been using the hinge style since the very first episode.
* In the earlier volumes of the [[Pokémon Adventures]] manga, Poké Balls captured and released Pokémon in large puffs of smoke, often with a strong sound effect. This may have been based on the capture and release animations in Generation I and II. As [[Generation III]] onwards exchanged the smoke effect for Ball-specific animations, the effect in the manga shifted instead to bursts of light.
* Poké Balls are inspired by the capsules for ''{{wp|gashapon}}'' machines, which contain small, handheld toys.
** In {{aniseries|JN}}, the [[Rocket Prize Master]] ({{j|ロケット・ガチャット}}, ''Rocket Gachat''), first appearing in ''[[JN003|Ivysaur's Mysterious Tower!]]'', acts as such a machine but dispenses Pokémon in Poké Balls rather than plastic toys.
* In Generation II, after catching a Pokémon, the Poké Ball's color palette changes to that of the Pokémon that was just caught. It then changes back to normal thereafter.
* Starting in Generation III, all Poké Ball types have a special effect that appears whenever the ball is opened. These special effects also can be seen in [[Pokémon Colosseum]], [[Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness]] and [[Pokémon Battle Revolution]]. In [[Generation IV]] and {{pkmn|Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl}}, customizable special effects are available through [[Sticker]]s.
* In {{game2|Diamond|Pearl|Platinum}}, [[Cyrus]]'s computer indicates that a Poké Ball would limit the power of {{p|Dialga}} and {{p|Palkia}}. This leads to [[Team Galactic]] creating the [[Red Chain]] instead to shackle them so they can control their full power.
* [[Generation VI]] is the only completed generation to date to not have introduced a new type of Poké Ball.

==In other languages==
{{langtable
| color = {{red color light}}
| bordercolor = {{red color}}
| ja = モンスターボール ''Monster Ball''
| ar = كرة البوكي ''Kurt Al-Poké''
| zh_yue = 精靈球 ''{{tt|Jīnglìhng Kàuh|Monster Ball}}''
| zh_cmn = 精靈球 / 精灵球 ''{{tt|Jīnglíng Qiú|Monster Ball}}'' {{tt|*|Games, Mainland China (1998 - 2005, 2011 - present)}} 寶貝球 / 宝贝球 ''{{tt|Bǎobèi Qiú|Creatures Ball}}'' {{tt|*|Taiwan and Mainland China (2005 - 2011)}}
| hr = Pokélopta
| cs = Pokébal
| da = Pokéball
| nl = PokéBal {{tt|*|TCG}}
| fi = Poképallo
| fr = Poké Ball
| de = Pokéball
| he = פוקדור ''Pokadur''
| hi = पोकेबॉल ''Pokéball''
| hu = Pokélabda
| id = Poké Ball Bola Pokémon
| it = Poké Ball Sfera Poké {{tt|*|Occasionally in the first 11 seasons of the animated series}}
| ko = 몬스터볼 ''Monster Ball''
| ms = Poké Ball Pokéball
| pl = Pokéball
| pt_br = Poké Bola {{tt|*|Games, animated series, TCG (HeartGold & SoulSilver-Unleashed, Sun & Moon-present), Adventures (PS091-present), The Official Pokémon Handbook, Pokémon Characters Guidebook}} Poké bola {{tt|*|Adventures (PS135)}} Poké Ball {{tt|*|Red and Blue Manuals, TCG (Black & White-Generations), Adventures (PS001-PS085, PS461-PS518)}} Pokébola {{tt|*|Early animated series, The Electric Tale of Pikachu, Pokémon Club}}
| pt_eu = Pokébola Bola Poké {{tt|*|Platinum manual}}
| ro = Poké-minge
| ru = Поке-Болл ''Poké-Boll'' {{tt|*|TCG, animated series, GO}} Покешар ''Pokéshar'' {{tt|*|animated series}}
| es_la = Pokébola
| es_eu = Poké Ball
| sv = Poké Ball Pokéboll Pokéklot {{tt|*|Black version manual}} Poké-klot {{tt|*|Victini event pamphlet}}
| ta = போகிபால் ''Pokéball''
| te = పోకెబాల్ ''Pokéball''
| th = มอนสเตอร์บอล ''Monster Ball'' โปเกบอล ''Poké Ball'' {{tt|*|Medallion}}
| tr = Poké Top
| vi = Bóng chứa Pokémon Bóng Poké
| is = Pokébolti
| no = Pokéball
| ca = Poké Ball
}}

==References==
<references/>

==Related articles==
{{Poké Balls}}
{{Items}}
{{Smash Bros.}}

{{Project ItemDex notice}}

[[Category:Poké Balls|*]]
[[Category:Groups of items]]
[[Category:Super Smash Bros. trophies]]

[[de:Pokébälle]]
[[es:Pokébola/Poké Ball]]
[[fr:Ball]]
[[it:Poké Ball]]
[[ja:モンスターボール (総称)]]
[[zh:精靈球]]

Max Spirit (move)

2026-04-11T09:07:26Z

Sumsarasmus: /* Trivia */Added info about Guard and Spirit

{{MoveInfobox
|n=99999
|name=Max Spirit
|jname=ダイリカバリー
|jtrans=Dai Recovery
|jtranslit=Dai Rikabarī
|gameimage=Max Spirit GO.png
|gameimagewidth=300
|type=Normal
|damagecategory=Status
|basepp=—
|maxpp=—
|power=—
|accuracy=—
|priority=0
|gen=IX

|target=team
|spm=1
}}

'''Max Spirit''' (Japanese: '''ダイリカバリー''' ''{{tt|Dai|Dyna}} Recovery'') is a non-damaging {{type|Normal}} [[Max Move]] in {{g|GO}}.

==Effect==
Max Spirit restores the [[HP]] of the user and its allies by a percentage of the user's maximum HP: 8% at Level 1, 12% at Level 2, 16% at Level 3,<ref name="TheSilphRoad">[https://www.reddit.com/r/TheSilphRoad/comments/1gjanr7/max_battles_shield_or_heal/ Max battles: shield or heal?]</ref> and 20% at Level 4 (Level 3 under the [[Adventure Effect]] of {{m|Dynamax Cannon}}). For example, if a Pokémon with 200 maximum HP uses Level 2 Max Spirit, the HP of all Pokémon present in the {{GO|Dynamax}} phase will be restored by 24.

If any Pokémon has low HP, the Max Spirit button will be glowing. If all Pokémon already have full HP, Max Spirit can still be selected but it will have no effect.

==Description==
{{movedesc|Normal}}
{{movedescentry|'''[[Pokémon GO|{{color|{{night color}}|GO}}]]'''|Raises the spirits of the user and allied Pokémon, recovering their HP.}}
|}
|}{{left clear}}

==Learnset==
All {{GO|Dynamax}} and {{GO|Gigantamax}} Pokémon can learn Max Spirit. Crowned Sword {{p|Zacian}}, Crowned Shield {{p|Zamazenta}}, and {{p|Eternatus}} can learn a variant called Spirit. Players must first unlock Max Spirit and can then increase its level up to Level 3.

Activating Dynamax Cannon's Adventure Effect temporarily increases Max Spirit's level by 1, except for Zacian and Zamazenta. If Max Spirit is locked, Dynamax Cannon will temporarily unlock it at Level 1.

==Trivia==
* Max Spirit is the only move exclusive to {{g|GO}}, if Guard and Spirit are counted as variations of their Max move variants.
* Since {{p|Blissey}} has the highest base HP stat of [[List of Pokémon by base stats in Pokémon GO|all Pokémon in Pokémon GO]], a Level 4 Max Spirit from a [[Power up|Level 50]] Blissey with 15 HP [[Individual values|IVs]] would provide the highest possible single heal of 85 HP.

==In other languages==
{{Langtable|color={{normal color}}|bordercolor={{normal color dark}}
|zh_yue=極巨回復 ''{{tt|Gihkgeuih Wùihfuhk|Max Recovery}}''
|zh_cmn=極巨回復 ''{{tt|Jíjù Huífù|Max Recovery}}''
|fr=Régémax
|de=Dyna-Kampfgeist
|hi=मैक्स स्पिरिट ''Max Spirit''
|id=Max Spirit
|it=Dynaspirito
|ko=다이리커버리 {{tt|''Dai Rikeobeori''|Dai Recovery}}
|pl=MaksDuch
|pt_br=Espírito Max
|ru=Боевой Дух Макс ''{{tt|Boyevoy Dukh Maks|Max Fighting Spirit}}''
|es_la=Maxiánimo
|es_eu=Maxivigor
|tr=Maksi Ruh
|th=ไดรีคัฟเวอรี ''Dai Recovery''
}}

==References==
<references/>
{{Max Moves|normal}}
{{Project Moves and Abilities notice}}

[[Category:Max Moves]]

[[de:Dyna-Kampfgeist]]
[[it:Dynaspirito]]
[[ja:ダイリカバリー]]

Max Spirit (move)

2026-04-10T06:01:48Z

Sumsarasmus: Added image link

{{missing image|needs=move image in GO}}
{{MoveInfobox
|n=99999
|name=Max Spirit
|jname=ダイリカバリー
|jtrans=Dai Recovery
|jtranslit=Dai Rikabarī
|gameimage=Max_spirit_GO.png
|gameimagewidth=300
|type=Normal
|damagecategory=Status
|basepp=—
|maxpp=—
|power=—
|accuracy=—
|priority=0
|gen=IX

|target=team
|spm=1
}}

'''Max Spirit''' (Japanese: '''ダイリカバリー''' ''{{tt|Dai|Dyna}} Recovery'') is a non-damaging {{type|Normal}} [[Max Move]] in {{g|GO}}.

==Effect==
Max Spirit restores the [[HP]] of the user and its allies by a percentage of the user's maximum HP: 8% at Level 1, 12% at Level 2, 16% at Level 3,<ref name="TheSilphRoad">[https://www.reddit.com/r/TheSilphRoad/comments/1gjanr7/max_battles_shield_or_heal/ Max battles: shield or heal?]</ref> and 20% at Level 4 (Level 3 under the [[Adventure Effect]] of {{m|Dynamax Cannon}}). For example, if a Pokémon with 200 maximum HP uses Level 2 Max Spirit, the HP of all Pokémon present in the {{GO|Dynamax}} phase will be restored by 24.

If any Pokémon has low HP, the Max Spirit button will be glowing. If all Pokémon already have full HP, Max Spirit can still be selected but it will have no effect.

==Description==
{{movedesc|Normal}}
{{movedescentry|'''[[Pokémon GO|{{color|{{night color}}|GO}}]]'''|Raises the spirits of the user and allied Pokémon, recovering their HP.}}
|}
|}{{left clear}}

==Learnset==
All {{GO|Dynamax}} and {{GO|Gigantamax}} Pokémon can learn Max Spirit. Crowned Sword {{p|Zacian}}, Crowned Shield {{p|Zamazenta}}, and {{p|Eternatus}} can learn a variant called Spirit. Players must first unlock Max Spirit and can then increase its level up to Level 3.

Activating Dynamax Cannon's Adventure Effect temporarily increases Max Spirit's level by 1, except for Zacian and Zamazenta. If Max Spirit is locked, Dynamax Cannon will temporarily unlock it at Level 1.

==Trivia==
* Max Spirit is the only move exclusive to {{g|GO}}.
* Since {{p|Blissey}} has the highest base HP stat of [[List of Pokémon by base stats in Pokémon GO|all Pokémon in Pokémon GO]], a Level 4 Max Spirit from a [[Power up|Level 50]] Blissey with 15 HP [[Individual values|IVs]] would provide the highest possible single heal of 85 HP.

==In other languages==
{{Langtable|color={{normal color}}|bordercolor={{normal color dark}}
|zh_yue=極巨回復 ''{{tt|Gihkgeuih Wùihfuhk|Max Recovery}}''
|zh_cmn=極巨回復 ''{{tt|Jíjù Huífù|Max Recovery}}''
|fr=Régémax
|de=Dyna-Kampfgeist
|hi=मैक्स स्पिरिट ''Max Spirit''
|id=Max Spirit
|it=Dynaspirito
|ko=다이리커버리 {{tt|''Dai Rikeobeori''|Dai Recovery}}
|pl=MaksDuch
|pt_br=Espírito Max
|ru=Боевой Дух Макс ''{{tt|Boyevoy Dukh Maks|Max Fighting Spirit}}''
|es_la=Maxiánimo
|es_eu=Maxivigor
|tr=Maksi Ruh
|th=ไดรีคัฟเวอรี ''Dai Recovery''
}}

==References==
<references/>
{{Max Moves|normal}}
{{Project Moves and Abilities notice}}

[[Category:Max Moves]]

[[de:Dyna-Kampfgeist]]
[[it:Dynaspirito]]
[[ja:ダイリカバリー]]