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Greninja (Pokémon)

2026-04-29T01:07:52Z

TailsBOOM1992: /* Battle Bond Greninja */ Level 36 was the level, not 37

{{PokémonPrevNext/Head|type=Water|type2=Dark}}
{{PokémonPrevNext/GO|species=Greninja}}
{{PokémonPrevNext/Pokémon|type=Water|prevnum=0657|prev=Frogadier|nextnum=0659|next=Bunnelby|round=none}}
{{PokémonPrevNext/Disambig|species=Greninja}}
|}
{{Pokémon Infobox
|name=Greninja
|jname=ゲッコウガ
|jtranslit=Gekkōga
|tmname=Gekkouga
|forme=3
|form2=Mega Greninja
|form3=Ash-Greninja
|image2=0658Greninja-Mega.png
|image3=0658Greninja-Ash.png
|mega=Greninjite
|category=Ninja
|type1=Water
|type2=Dark
|ndex=0658
|height-ftin=4'11"
|height-m=1.5
|height-ftin2=4'11"
|height-m2=1.5
|height-ftin3=4'11"
|height-m3=1.5
|weight-lbs=88.2
|weight-kg=40.0
|weight-lbs2=88.2
|weight-kg2=40.0
|weight-lbs3=88.2
|weight-kg3=40.0
|abilitylayout=2+1
|abilitycolm=2
|ability1=Torrent
|abilityd=Protean
|abilitym=Protean
|abilityold=Battle Bond
|abilityoldcaption={{color2|000|Ash-Greninja|Battle Bond Greninja}}
|egggroupn=1
|egggroup1=Water 1
|egggroup1note= or {{color2|000|No Eggs Discovered (Egg Group)|No Eggs Discovered}}{{color2|000|Ash-Greninja|Battle Bond}}
|gendercode=31
|eggcycles=20
|expyield=239
|lv100exp=1,059,860
|evtotal=3
|evsp=3
|color=Blue
|formcolors=yes
|catchrate=45
|body=12
|pokefordex=greninja
|generation=6
|friendship=70
}}
'''Greninja''' ([[List of Japanese Pokémon names|Japanese]]: '''ゲッコウガ''' ''Gekkouga'') is a dual-type {{2t|Water|Dark}} {{OBP|Pokémon|species}} introduced in [[Generation VI]].

It [[Evolution|evolves]] from {{p|Frogadier}} starting at [[level]] 36. It is the final form of {{p|Froakie}}.

Greninja with the [[Ability]] {{a|Battle Bond}} are treated internally as a [[#Form data|distinct form]]. Battle Bond activates upon defeating an opponent; in [[Generation VII]], it allows Greninja to change into a special form known as '''Ash-Greninja'''. However, following the removal of Ash-Greninja in [[Generation IX]], Battle Bond was reworked to instead increase Greninja's [[stat]]s.

Greninja can [[Mega Evolution|Mega Evolve]] into '''Mega Greninja''' using the [[Greninjite]]. Mega Greninja was introduced in [[Pokémon Legends: Z-A]].

(Refer to [[#Form data|Game data→Form data]] for more details.)

==Biology==
[[File:Greninja Tumblr concept art.png|thumb|left|220px|Concept art of Greninja from {{g|X and Y}}]]
<div style="float:right; display:flex; flex-flow:row wrap;">
[[File:Riot Greninja.png|thumb|right|220px|Greninja extending its tongue]]
</div>
Greninja is a bipedal, {{wp|frog}}-like {{OBP|Pokémon|species}}. It is mostly dark blue with a yellow chest and abdomen, a white triangular marking over each eye, a light blue four-pointed star on each thigh, and yellow on the lower half of its face. It has red eyes with white pupils and its mouth is hidden behind a large, pink tongue that wraps around its neck and extends outward behind its head. Running down the middle of its head is a fin-like extension, and there is a similar fin on each side of its head. Light blue webbing connects its head fins. There is a large, white bubble-like bump on each elbow and knee. Its back feet have two toes, while its front feet have three toes. Each digit has a bulbous tip and yellow webbing.

Greninja can compress water into various weapons to slice up enemies, most commonly in the form of {{m|Water Shuriken|throwing stars}} that can split through metal. It has additionally been shown creating water katana and water kunai in both the {{pkmn|animated series}} and the [[Super Smash Bros. series|Super Smash Bros.]] video game series. An elusive Pokémon, Greninja's movements are swift, rapid, and graceful, akin to those of a ninja.<ref>[http://www.pokemonxy.com/en-us/pokemon/starters/ Starter Pokémon | Pokémon X and Pokémon Y] ([https://web.archive.org/web/20160224014849/http://www.pokemonxy.com/en-us/pokemon/starters/ archived])</ref> It uses this speed to confound and toy with enemies while slicing them up with the sharpest Water Shurikens. It can also create shurikens from the mucus it excretes from its thighs for sharp projectiles that can cut steel cables. As seen in the {{pkmn|animated series}}, Greninja's tongue is extremely long and many times its own height, and is strong enough to catch and hold a [[human]]. However, it usually keeps its tongue wrapped around its neck like a scarf. Doing so exposes its tongue to air movements, allowing Greninja to detect enemies it otherwise could not see.

In [[Generation VI]], {{m|Mat Block}} was its [[signature move]]. In [[Generation IX]], {{m|Water Shuriken}} is its signature move.

===Forms===
Greninja has two alternate [[form]]s: Ash-Greninja and Mega Greninja.

====Ash-Greninja====
[[File:Ash Greninja SM concept art.jpg|thumb|left|220px|Concept art of Ash-Greninja from {{g|Sun and Moon}}]]
As Ash-Greninja, its appearance has changed in order to more closely resemble [[Ash Ketchum]], specifically in his {{aniseries|XY}} outfit. Its skin is now a lighter shade of blue, and the yellow on its chest and abdomen has been reduced to a much smaller area. The fin-like extension on top of its head and the area between its eyes have turned red. The outer part of its side fins has turned black, as well as its cheeks, which now also puff out, resembling tufts of hair with a small, thunderbolt-shaped red streak. It now has a four-pointed star mark on its back where it creates a large Water Shuriken. Unlike regular Greninja, Ash-Greninja is most commonly seen standing up and is always [[gender|male]].

Through an occurrence called the [[Bond Phenomenon]], brought on by the bonds between people and Pokémon, certain Greninja, such as [[Ash's Greninja]] in {{aniseries|PTS}}, can tap into a miraculous source of power in battles where they need to break their limits, something that has only occurred once several hundred years ago in recorded history. Ash-Greninja's legs have strengthened, greatly increasing its speed; it becomes difficult to see and can defeat opponents in a flash.<ref>[http://www.pokemon-sunmoon.com/en-us/pokemon/ash-greninja/ Ash-Greninja | Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon] ([https://web.archive.org/web/20171023143056mp_/http://www.pokemon-sunmoon.com/en-us/pokemon/ash-greninja/ archived])</ref> As seen in the {{pkmn|animated series}}, the large Water Shuriken on its back is the symbol of a perfect transformation; before this state is reached, Ash-Greninja is covered in a turbulent veil of water.

Ash-Greninja is the [[Signature Ability|only known Pokémon]] that can have {{a|Battle Bond}} as an [[Ability]].
{{left clear}}

====Mega Greninja====
[[File:Mega Greninja large Water Shuriken.jpg|250px|thumb|right|Mega Greninja using its giant Water Shuriken]]
As Mega Greninja, its body is now mostly black, except for its lower legs, upper arms, and hands, which retain the same color, making it appear as though it is wearing a ninja outfit. The fins on either side of its head have extended outward and turned light blue, resembling shuriken with one edge much longer than the others. The four-pointed star marks it had on its thighs have been replaced by actual Water Shurikens.

[[File:658Greninja-Mega Dream.png|180px|thumb|left|Mega Greninja wielding its small Water Shurikens]] Mega Greninja clings upside down to a giant, six-pointed Water Shuriken that floats by spinning at high speeds, created from mucus secreted from a gelatinous membrane. [[Mega Evolution]] has significantly enhanced its reflexes; as a result, it has forgone stealth, showcasing its confidence in its capabilities and determination to win no matter what. By intentionally revealing itself, it provokes opponents into attacking, and its sharp reflexes enable it to both react accordingly and strike first. The mere sight of Mega Greninja clinging to its giant water shuriken is able to distract opponents, allowing it to preemptively render them unable to attack by binding them with its long tongue. Once its opponents are immobilized, it charges at them to strike with its massive shuriken.<ref>[https://legends.pokemon.com/en-us/story-world/pokemon/mega-greninja Mega Greninja | Pokémon Legends: Z-A]</ref><ref>[https://www.pokemon.co.jp/ex/legends_z-a/ja/pokemon/250912_03/ メガゲッコウガ｜『Pokémon LEGENDS Z-A』公式サイト (Mega Greninja | "Pokémon LEGENDS Z-A" Official Website)]</ref> The smaller shurikens on its thighs serve for both ranged and melee combat; in the latter case, one of their halves is used to slash at the opponents as if it was a dagger.
{{left clear}}

{| style="margin:auto; text-align:center; font-size:80%"
|
{| style="background: #{{water color}}; {{roundy|10px}} border: 3px solid #{{dark color dark}}"
|-
| Ash-Greninja
|-
| style="{{roundy|96px}} border: 2px solid #{{dark color dark}}; background: #{{water color light}}; width:96px; height:96px"| [[File:0658Greninja-Ash.png|100px]]
|}
|
{| style="background: #{{water color}}; {{roundy|10px}} border: 3px solid #{{dark color dark}}"
|-
| {{color2|000|Mega Evolution|Mega}} Greninja
|-
| style="{{roundy|96px}} border: 2px solid #{{dark color dark}}; background: #{{water color light}}; width:96px; height:96px"| [[File:0658Greninja-Mega.png|100px]]
|}
|
|}

===Evolution===
Greninja [[Evolution|evolves]] from {{p|Frogadier}} and is the final form of {{p|Froakie}}.

(For specifics on this Pokémon's Evolution in the games, refer to [[#Evolution data|Game data→Evolution data]].)
<div style="float:center; display:flex; flex-flow:row wrap;">
{{Evobox-3
|type1=water
|type2=dark
|pictype=art
|no1=0656
|name1=Froakie
|type1-1=Water
|evo1=
|no2=0657
|name2=Frogadier
|type1-2=Water
|evo2=
|no3=0658
|name3=Greninja
|type1-3=Water
|type2-3=Dark}}
</div>

==Game data==
===[[Pokédex]] entries===
{{Dex/Header|type=Water|type2=Dark}}
{{Dex/NA|gen=VI}}
{{Dex/Gen/4|gen=VI|reg1=Central Kalos|num1=009|reg2=Coastal Kalos|reg3=Mountain Kalos|reg4=Hoenn}}
{{Dex/Entry1|v=X|t=FFF|entry=It creates {{m|Water Shuriken|throwing stars out of compressed water}}. When it spins them and throws them at high speed, these stars can split metal in two.}}
{{Dex/Entry1|v=Y|t=FFF|entry=It appears and vanishes with a ninja's grace. It toys with its enemies using swift movements, while slicing them with throwing stars of sharpest water.}}
{{Dex/Entry1|v=Omega Ruby|t=FFF|entry=It creates throwing stars out of compressed water. When it spins them and throws them at high speed, these stars can split metal in two.}}
{{Dex/Entry1|v=Alpha Sapphire|t=FFF|entry=It appears and vanishes with a ninja's grace. It toys with its enemies using swift movements, while slicing them with throwing stars of sharpest water.}}
|}
|}
{{Dex/Gen/2|gen=VII|reg1=Alola|reg2=Kanto}}
{{Dex/NE|[[Generation VII]]}}
|}
|}
{{Dex/Gen/5|gen=VIII|reg1=Galar|reg2=Isle of Armor|reg3=Crown Tundra|reg4=Sinnoh|reg5=Hisui}}
{{Dex/NE|[[Generation VIII]]}}
|}
|}
{{Dex/Gen/5|gen=IX|reg1=Paldea|reg2=Kitakami|reg3=Blueberry|num3=217|reg4=Lumiose|num4=211|reg5=Hyperspace}}
{{Dex/Entry1|v=Scarlet|t=FFF|entry=The movement of air against the long tongue Greninja keeps wrapped around its neck allows it to sense enemies it can’t see.}}
{{Dex/Entry1|v=Violet|t=FFF|entry=It makes shuriken out of mucus excreted from its thighs. These shuriken can cut cleanly through steel cables.}}
{{Dex/Entry1|v=Legends: Z-A|t=FFF|entry=It creates throwing stars out of compressed water. When it spins them and throws them at high speed, these stars can split metal in two.}}
{{Dex/Form|Mega Greninja}}
{{Dex/Entry1|v=Legends: Z-A|t=FFF|entry=This Pokémon spins a giant shuriken at high speed to make it float, then clings to it upside down to catch opponents unawares.}}
|}
|}
{{Dex/Gen/1|reg1=Pokopia|num1=253}}
{{Dex/Entry1|v=Pokopia|t=FFF|entry=It makes shuriken out of mucus excreted from its thighs. These shuriken can cut cleanly through steel cables.}}
|}
|}
{{Dex/Footer}}
{|style="margin:auto; text-align:center; border:3px solid #{{dark color dark}}; background:#{{water color}}; font-size:80%; border-radius: 10px"
|-
|style="border:2px solid #{{water color light}}; background:#{{water color light}} | [[File:Pokédex Image Greninja SV Blueberry.png|x200px]]
|-
| Greninja in the {{color2|000|List of Pokémon by Blueberry Pokédex number|Blueberry Pokédex}}
|-
|}

===Game locations===
{{Availability/Header|type=water|type2=dark}}
{{Availability/NA|gen=VI}}
{{Availability/Gen|gen=VI}}
{{Availability/Entry2|v=X|v2=Y|t=FFF|t2=FFF|area=[[Evolution|Evolve]] {{p|Frogadier}}}}
{{Availability/Entry2/None||v=Omega Ruby|v2=Alpha Sapphire|area=[[Trade]] [[#In events|Event]]}}
|}
|}
{{Availability/Gen|gen=VII}}
{{Availability/Entry2/None||v=Sun|v2=Moon|area=[[Trade]] ('''Greninja''') [[#In events|Event]]: transfer from [[Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon Special Demo Version]] ('''Battle Bond Greninja''')}}
{{Availability/Entry2|v=Ultra Sun|v2=Ultra Moon|t=FFF|t2=FFF|area=[[Poni Wilds]] ({{DL|QR Scanner|Island Scan}}){{dotw|Fr}} ('''Greninja''') [[Trade]] ('''Battle Bond Greninja''')}}
{{Availability/Entry2/None|v=Let's Go Pikachu|v2=Let's Go Eevee|area=Unobtainable}}
|}
|}
{{Availability/Gen|gen=VIII}}
{{Availability/Entry2/None|v=Sword|v2=Shield|area=Unobtainable}}
{{Availability/Entry2/None|v=Brilliant Diamond|v2=Shining Pearl|area=Unobtainable}}
{{Availability/Entry1/None|v=Legends: Arceus|area=Unobtainable}}
|}
|}
{{Availability/Gen|gen=IX}}
{{Availability/Entry2/None|v=Scarlet|v2=Violet|area=[[Trade]], [[#Poké Portal News|Poké Portal News]] ('''Greninja''') {{g|HOME}} ('''Battle Bond Greninja''')}}
{{Availability/Entry1|v=The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero|color={{Teal Mask color light}}|t={{Indigo Disk color}}|link=The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero|area=[[Evolution|Evolve]] {{p|Frogadier}} ('''Greninja''')}}
{{Availability/Entry1|v=Legends: Z-A|color={{Legends Z-A color}}|t=fff|area=[[Evolution|Evolve]] {{p|Frogadier}}}}
{{Availability/Entry1|v=Mega Dimension|area=[[Hyperspace Lumiose]] (4★ & 5★ [[List of Water-type hyperspace wild zones|Water-type wild zones]], 4★ [[List of Dark-type hyperspace wild zones|Dark-type wild zones]])}}
|}
|}
{{Availability/Footer}}

====In side games====
{{Availability/Header|type=Water|type2=Dark}}
{{Availability/NA|gen=VI}}
{{Availability/Gen|gen=VI}}
{{Availability/Entry1|1|v=Battle Trozei|color={{defense color}}|area=[[Renegade Meadow#Stage 5|Renegade Meadow: Stage 5]]}}
{{Availability/Entry1|1|v=Rumble World|color={{fire color}}|area=[[Dewdrop Bay#Castle Moat|Dewdrop Bay: Castle Moat]] (Back Boss)}}
{{Availability/Entry1|1|v=Picross|color={{skill color light}}|area=[[Pokémon Picross Stages#Area 03|Area 03: Stage 05]]}}
|}
|}
{{Availability/Gen|gen=VII}}
{{Availability/Entry1|1|v=Rumble Rush|color={{fire color}}|area=[[Greninja Sea]], [[Zygarde Sea]]Final}}
|}
|}
{{Availability/Gen|gen=VIII}}
{{Availability/NA/Side|gen=VIII}}
|}
|}
{{Availability/Cross}}
{{Availability/Entry1|1|v=Shuffle|color={{beauty color}}|area=[[Expert Stages|Expert Stage: Stage EX24]] Event: ''[[Special Challenge|Greninja Appears]]'' Event: ''[[Daily Pokémon#Great Daily (first release)|Great Daily Pokémon]]'' (First release) Event: ''[[High-Speed Challenge|Ash-Greninja Appears]]'' ('''Ash-Greninja''')}}
{{Availability/Entry1|1|v=Masters EX|color={{masters color}}|area=Master Fair [[sync pair scout]]: {{sync|Serena|Greninja|Champion}}, {{sync|Calem|Greninja|Champion}} {{shinystar}}}}
{{Availability/Entry1|1|v=UNITE|t=FFF|color={{violet color}}|area=Beginner Login Bonus (Day 14 Reward) Obtain from License Journey for 980 License Points Purchase for 575 Aeos Gems}}
|}
|}
{{Availability/Footer}}

====In events====
=====Greninja=====
{{eventAvail/h|Region|type=water|type2=dark}}
{{eventAvail|{{gameabbrev6|ORAS}}|Super Smash Bros. Greninja|Japanese region|Japan|36|December 9, 2014 to March 31, 2015|link=List of Japanese region serial code event Pokémon distributions in Generation VI#Super Smash Bros. Greninja}}
{{eventAvail|{{gameabbrev6|XYORAS}}|Pokémon General Election 720 Greninja|All|Japan|100|July 3, 2016 July 16 to September 30, 2016|link=List of local event Pokémon distributions in Generation VI#Pokémon General Election 720 Greninja}}
|}

=====[[Poké Portal News]]=====
{{eventAvail/h|Tera Type|type=water|type2=dark|lochide=yes}}
{{eventAvail|{{gameabbrev9|SV}}|Greninja the Unrivaled|Poison|hide|100|January 27 to 29, 2023 February 10 to 12, 2023|link=Poké Portal News/2023#January 27 to 29 & February 10 to 12, 2023}}
|}

=====In-game events=====
=====Battle Bond Greninja=====
{{eventAvail/h|type=Water|type2=Dark|Region|lochide=yes}}
{{eventAvail|{{gameabbrev7|SM}}|Ash's Greninja|All|hide|36|November 18, 2016 onwards|link=List of game-based Pokémon distributions in Generation VII#Ash's Greninja}}
|}

===Held items===
{{HeldItems
|type=Water|type2=Dark
|event1=Master Ball|event1type=None|event1rar=100}}

===Stats===
====Base stats====
=====Greninja=====
{{Stats
|type=Water
|type2=Dark
|HP=72
|Attack=95
|Defense=67
|SpAtk=103
|SpDef=71
|Speed=122}}

=====Mega Greninja=====
{{BaseStats
|type=Water
|type2=Dark
|HP=72
|Attack=125
|Defense=77
|SpAtk=133
|SpDef=81
|Speed=142
}}

=====Ash-Greninja=====
{{BaseStats
|type=Water
|type2=Dark
|HP=72
|Attack=145
|Defense=67
|SpAtk=153
|SpDef=71
|Speed=132}}

===Type effectiveness===
{{TypeEffectiveness
|type1=Water
|type2=Dark
|Normal=100
|Fighting=200
|Flying=100
|Poison=100
|Ground=100
|Rock=100
|Bug=200
|Ghost=50
|Steel=50
|Fire=50
|Water=50
|Grass=200
|Electric=200
|Psychic=0
|Ice=50
|Dragon=100
|Dark=50
|Fairy=200
|notes=yes
|dark=yes
|newpsychic=1}}

===Learnset===
Greninja is available in {{pkmn|Scarlet and Violet}} and {{pkmn|Legends: Z-A}}.
====By [[Level|leveling up]]====
{{gameabbrev9|SV}}
{{learnlist/levelh/9|Greninja|Water|Dark|6}}
{{learnlist/level9|1|Night Slash|Dark|Physical|70|100|15||'''}}
{{learnlist/level9|1|Haze|Ice|Status|—|—|30}}
{{learnlist/level9|1|Role Play|Psychic|Status|—|—|10}}
{{learnlist/level9|1|Pound|Normal|Physical|40|100|35}}
{{learnlist/level9|1|Growl|Normal|Status|—|100|40}}
{{learnlist/level9|1|Water Gun|Water|Special|40|100|25||'''}}
{{learnlist/level9|1|Quick Attack|Normal|Physical|40|100|30}}
{{learnlist/level9|{{tt|Evo.|Learned upon evolving}}|Water Shuriken|Water|Special|15|100|20||'''}}
{{learnlist/level9|10|Lick|Ghost|Physical|30|100|30}}
{{learnlist/level9|14|Water Pulse|Water|Special|60|100|20||'''}}
{{learnlist/level9|19|Smokescreen|Normal|Status|—|100|20}}
{{learnlist/level9|23|Shadow Sneak|Ghost|Physical|40|100|30}}
{{learnlist/level9|28|Spikes|Ground|Status|—|—|20}}
{{learnlist/level9|33|Aerial Ace|Flying|Physical|60|—|20}}
{{learnlist/level9|42|Substitute|Normal|Status|—|—|10}}
{{learnlist/level9|49|Extrasensory|Psychic|Special|80|100|20}}
{{learnlist/level9|56|Double Team|Normal|Status|—|—|15}}
{{learnlist/level9|68|Hydro Pump|Water|Special|110|80|5||'''}}
{{learnlist/levelf/9|Greninja|Water|Dark|6}}

{{gameabbrev9|ZA}}
{{learnlist/levelh/ZA|Greninja|Water|Dark|6}}
{{learnlist/levelZA|1|10|Tackle|Normal|Physical|40|4}}
{{learnlist/levelZA|1|10|Growl|Normal|Status|—|6}}
{{learnlist/levelZA|{{tt|Evo.|Learned upon evolving}}|39|Water Shuriken|Water|Special|15|3||'''}}
{{learnlist/levelZA|5|8|Water Gun|Water|Special|40|6||'''}}
{{learnlist/levelZA|8|11|Quick Attack|Normal|Physical|30|3}}
{{learnlist/levelZA|10|13|Lick|Ghost|Physical|30|6}}
{{learnlist/levelZA|14|17|Bubble Beam|Water|Special|65|6||'''}}
{{learnlist/levelZA|18|21|Smokescreen|Normal|Status|—|10}}
{{learnlist/levelZA|23|26|Aerial Ace|Flying|Physical|60|9}}
{{learnlist/levelZA|28|31|Shadow Sneak|Ghost|Physical|40|3}}
{{learnlist/levelZA|35|38|Substitute|Normal|Status|—|10}}
{{learnlist/levelZA|38|41|Night Slash|Dark|Physical|70|7||'''}}
{{learnlist/levelZA|43|46|Bounce|Flying|Physical|85|12}}
{{learnlist/levelZA|51|54|Double Team|Normal|Status|—|15}}
{{learnlist/levelZA|57|60|Hydro Pump|Water|Special|110|12||'''}}
{{learnlist/levelf/9|Greninja|Water|Dark|6}}

====By [[TM]]====
{{gameabbrev9|SV}}
{{learnlist/tmh/9|Greninja|Water|Dark|6}}
{{learnlist/tm9|TM001|Take Down|Normal|Physical|90|85|20}}
{{learnlist/tm9|TM005|Mud-Slap|Ground|Special|20|100|10}}
{{learnlist/tm9|TM007|Protect|Normal|Status|—|—|10}}
{{learnlist/tm9|TM011|Water Pulse|Water|Special|60|100|20||'''}}
{{learnlist/tm9|TM012|Low Kick|Fighting|Physical|—|100|20}}
{{learnlist/tm9|TM014|Acrobatics|Flying|Physical|55|100|15}}
{{learnlist/tm9|TM018|Thief|Dark|Physical|60|100|25||'''}}
{{learnlist/tm9|TM020|Trailblaze|Grass|Physical|50|100|20}}
{{learnlist/tm9|TM022|Chilling Water|Water|Special|50|100|20||'''}}
{{learnlist/tm9|TM025|Facade|Normal|Physical|70|100|20}}
{{learnlist/tm9|TM027|Aerial Ace|Flying|Physical|60|—|20}}
{{learnlist/tm9|TM032|Swift|Normal|Special|60|—|20}}
{{learnlist/tm9|TM034|Icy Wind|Ice|Special|55|95|15}}
{{learnlist/tm9|TM035|Mud Shot|Ground|Special|55|95|15}}
{{learnlist/tm9|TM036|Rock Tomb|Rock|Physical|60|95|15}}
{{learnlist/tm9|TM039|Low Sweep|Fighting|Physical|65|100|20}}
{{learnlist/tm9|TM043|Fling|Dark|Physical|—|100|10||'''}}
{{learnlist/tm9|TM047|Endure|Normal|Status|—|—|10}}
{{learnlist/tm9|TM050|Rain Dance|Water|Status|—|—|5}}
{{learnlist/tm9|TM052|Snowscape|Ice|Status|—|—|10}}
{{learnlist/tm9|TM055|Dig|Ground|Physical|80|100|10}}
{{learnlist/tm9|TM057|False Swipe|Normal|Physical|40|100|40}}
{{learnlist/tm9|TM058|Brick Break|Fighting|Physical|75|100|15}}
{{learnlist/tm9|TM060|U-turn|Bug|Physical|70|100|20}}
{{learnlist/tm9|TM069|Ice Punch|Ice|Physical|75|100|15}}
{{learnlist/tm9|TM070|Sleep Talk|Normal|Status|—|—|10}}
{{learnlist/tm9|TM077|Waterfall|Water|Physical|80|100|15||'''}}
{{learnlist/tm9|TM081|Grass Knot|Grass|Special|—|100|20}}
{{learnlist/tm9|TM085|Rest|Psychic|Status|—|—|5}}
{{learnlist/tm9|TM086|Rock Slide|Rock|Physical|75|90|10}}
{{learnlist/tm9|TM087|Taunt|Dark|Status|—|100|20}}
{{learnlist/tm9|TM088|Swords Dance|Normal|Status|—|—|20}}
{{learnlist/tm9|TM090|Spikes|Ground|Status|—|—|20}}
{{learnlist/tm9|TM091|Toxic Spikes|Poison|Status|—|—|20}}
{{learnlist/tm9|TM094|Dark Pulse|Dark|Special|80|100|15||'''}}
{{learnlist/tm9|TM102|Gunk Shot|Poison|Physical|120|80|5}}
{{learnlist/tm9|TM103|Substitute|Normal|Status|—|—|10}}
{{learnlist/tm9|TM110|Liquidation|Water|Physical|85|100|10||'''}}
{{learnlist/tm9|TM123|Surf|Water|Special|90|100|15||'''}}
{{learnlist/tm9|TM130|Helping Hand|Normal|Status|—|—|20}}
{{learnlist/tm9|TM135|Ice Beam|Ice|Special|90|100|10}}
{{learnlist/tm9|TM142|Hydro Pump|Water|Special|110|80|5||'''}}
{{learnlist/tm9|TM143|Blizzard|Ice|Special|110|70|5}}
{{learnlist/tm9|TM145|Water Pledge|Water|Special|80|100|10||'''}}
{{learnlist/tm9|TM152|Giga Impact|Normal|Physical|150|90|5}}
{{learnlist/tm9|TM154|Hydro Cannon|Water|Special|150|90|5||'''}}
{{learnlist/tm9|TM163|Hyper Beam|Normal|Special|150|90|5}}
{{learnlist/tm9|TM171|Tera Blast|Normal|Special|80|100|10}}
{{learnlist/tm9|TM174|Haze|Ice|Status|—|—|30}}
{{learnlist/tm9|TM179|Smack Down|Rock|Physical|50|100|15}}
{{learnlist/tm9|TM193|Weather Ball|Normal|Special|50|100|10}}
{{learnlist/tm9|TM214|Sludge Wave|Poison|Special|95|100|10}}
{{learnlist/tm9|TM229|Upper Hand|Fighting|Physical|65|100|15}}
{{learnlist/tmf/9|Greninja|Water|Dark|6}}

{{gameabbrev9|ZA}}
{{learnlist/tmh/ZA|Greninja|Water|Dark|6}}
{{learnlist/tmZA|TM001|Headbutt|Normal|Physical|70|7}}
{{learnlist/tmZA|TM003|Psyshock|Psychic|Special|80|8}}
{{learnlist/tmZA|TM009|Flip Turn|Water|Physical|60|12||'''}}
{{learnlist/tmZA|TM010|Brick Break|Fighting|Physical|75|7}}
{{learnlist/tmZA|TM012|Rock Slide|Rock|Physical|75|7}}
{{learnlist/tmZA|TM013|Ice Beam|Ice|Special|90|8}}
{{learnlist/tmZA|TM017|Protect|Normal|Status|—|15}}
{{learnlist/tmZA|TM022|Aerial Ace|Flying|Physical|60|9}}
{{learnlist/tmZA|TM024|Ice Punch|Ice|Physical|75|7}}
{{learnlist/tmZA|TM027|Swift|Normal|Special|60|5}}
{{learnlist/tmZA|TM028|Dig|Ground|Physical|80|12}}
{{learnlist/tmZA|TM030|Swords Dance|Normal|Status|—|15}}
{{learnlist/tmZA|TM032|Double Team|Normal|Status|—|15}}
{{learnlist/tmZA|TM034|Night Slash|Dark|Physical|70|7||'''}}
{{learnlist/tmZA|TM035|Endure|Normal|Status|—|12}}
{{learnlist/tmZA|TM036|Rock Tomb|Rock|Physical|60|10}}
{{learnlist/tmZA|TM041|Water Pulse|Water|Special|60|6||'''}}
{{learnlist/tmZA|TM044|Hyper Beam|Normal|Special|150|20}}
{{learnlist/tmZA|TM049|Icy Wind|Ice|Special|55|7}}
{{learnlist/tmZA|TM055|Giga Impact|Normal|Physical|150|20}}
{{learnlist/tmZA|TM073|Surf|Water|Special|90|8||'''}}
{{learnlist/tmZA|TM076|Liquidation|Water|Physical|85|8||'''}}
{{learnlist/tmZA|TM082|U-turn|Bug|Physical|70|12}}
{{learnlist/tmZA|TM083|Nasty Plot|Dark|Status|—|15}}
{{learnlist/tmZA|TM085|Substitute|Normal|Status|—|10}}
{{learnlist/tmZA|TM088|Spikes|Ground|Status|—|7}}
{{learnlist/tmZA|TM089|Toxic Spikes|Poison|Status|—|7}}
{{learnlist/tmZA|TM090|Dark Pulse|Dark|Special|80|8||'''}}
{{learnlist/tmZA|TM095|Taunt|Dark|Status|—|12}}
{{learnlist/tmZA|TM096|Hydro Pump|Water|Special|110|12||'''}}
{{learnlist/tmZA|TM098|Waterfall|Water|Physical|80|8||'''}}
{{learnlist/tmZA|TM100|Gunk Shot|Poison|Physical|120|10}}
{{learnlist/tmZA|TM105|Blizzard|Ice|Special|110|12}}
{{learnlist/tmZA|TM109|Facade|Normal|Physical|70|7}}
{{learnlist/tmZA|TM110|Chilling Water|Water|Special|50|7||'''}}
{{learnlist/tmZA|TM113|Low Sweep|Fighting|Physical|65|6}}
{{learnlist/tmZA|TM115|Trailblaze|Grass|Physical|40|6}}
{{learnlist/tmZA|TM122|False Swipe|Normal|Physical|40|6}}
{{learnlist/tmZA|TM145|Razor Wind|Normal|Special|40|12}}
{{learnlist/tmZA|TM150|Vacuum Wave|Fighting|Special|40|3}}
{{learnlist/tmZA|TM159|Hydro Cannon|Water|Special|150|20||'''}}
{{learnlist/tmf/9|Greninja|Water|Dark|6}}

====By {{pkmn|breeding}}====
=====Greninja=====
{{learnlist/breedh/9|Greninja|Water|Dark|6}}
{{learnlist/breed9|{{MSP/H|0833|Chewtle}}{{MSP/H|0834|Drednaw}}{{MSP/H|0914|Quaquaval}}|Counter|Fighting|Physical|—|100|20|grid=4}}
{{learnlist/breed9|{{bag/s|Mirror Herb|SV}}{{tt|*|The Pokémon must hold a Mirror Herb to copy this move from another Pokémon.}}|Retaliate|Normal|Physical|70|100|5|grid=4}}
{{learnlist/breed9|{{MSP/H|0658|Greninja}}|Spikes|Ground|Status|—|—|20|grid=4}}
{{learnlist/breed9|{{MSP/H|0686|Inkay}}{{MSP/H|0687|Malamar}}|Switcheroo|Dark|Status|—|100|10|grid=4}}
{{learnlist/breed9|{{MSP/H|0194|Wooper|form=-Paldea}}{{MSP/H|0980|Clodsire}}{{MSP/H|0747|Mareanie}}{{MSP/H|0748|Mareanie}}|Toxic Spikes|Poison|Status|—|—|20|grid=4}}
{{learnlist/breedf/9|Greninja|Water|Dark|6}}

=====Battle Bond Greninja=====
{{learnlist/breedh/9|Greninja|Water|Dark|7}}
{{learnlist/breed9|{{bag/s|Mirror Herb|SV}}{{tt|*|The Pokémon must hold a Mirror Herb to copy this move from another Pokémon.}}|Counter|Fighting|Physical|—|100|20|grid=2}}
{{learnlist/breed9|{{bag/s|Mirror Herb|SV}}{{tt|*|The Pokémon must hold a Mirror Herb to copy this move from another Pokémon.}}|Retaliate|Normal|Physical|70|100|5|grid=2}}
{{learnlist/breed9|{{bag/s|Mirror Herb|SV}}{{tt|*|The Pokémon must hold a Mirror Herb to copy this move from another Pokémon.}}|Spikes|Ground|Status|—|—|20|grid=2}}
{{learnlist/breed9|{{bag/s|Mirror Herb|SV}}{{tt|*|The Pokémon must hold a Mirror Herb to copy this move from another Pokémon.}}|Switcheroo|Dark|Status|—|100|10|grid=2}}
{{learnlist/breed9|{{bag/s|Mirror Herb|SV}}{{tt|*|The Pokémon must hold a Mirror Herb to copy this move from another Pokémon.}}|Toxic Spikes|Poison|Status|—|—|20|grid=2}}
{{learnlist/breedf/9|Greninja|Water|Dark|7}}

====By a prior [[Evolution]]====
=====Greninja=====
{{learnlist/prevoh/9|Greninja|Water|Dark|6}}
{{learnlist/prevo9|0656|Froakie||0657|Frogadier||Round|Normal|Special|60|100|15}}
{{learnlist/prevo9|0656|Froakie||0657|Frogadier||Bounce|Flying|Physical|85|85|5}}
{{learnlist/prevof/9|Greninja|Water|Dark|6}}

=====Battle Bond Greninja=====
{{learnlist/prevoh/9|Greninja|Water|Dark|7}}
{{learnlist/prevo9null}}
{{learnlist/prevof/9|Greninja|Water|Dark|7}}

===Side game data===
====Greninja====
{{Spindata/Head|type=Water|type2=Dark}}
{{Spindata/PSMD|col=6|type=Water|ndex=658
|coset=23
|conto={{p|Shedinja}}, {{p|Lucario}}
|recruitment=Talk to in [[Noe Town]]
|P1=To live in the shadows cast by those who shine… That is the destiny of the ninja!
|P2=Ugh… Speaking as a ninja following its fate most rigorously, this is far from over…
|protag=1
}}
|-
{{Spindata/RumbleRush|col=6|type=Water|ndex=658
|walk=1.42
|hp=54
|attack=80
|defense=53
|speed=70
}}
|-
{{Spindata/Picross|col=6|type=Water|pokemon=Greninja
|skill=Blue Force
|maxsize=20
|rank=Hyper
|activation=Anytime
|recovery=01:30
|effect=It changes the color of hint numbers to blue on rows with confirmable squares.
|uses=5
|duration=120 sec
}}
|-
{{Spindata/Battle Trozei|col=3|type=Water|ndex=658
|power=3
|skill=Power of Five
|skilldesc=Increases the damage dealt by matching five Pokémon.
}}
{{Spindata/Shuffle|col=3|type=Water|ndex=658|num=177
|min=70
|max=125
|raisemaxlevel=10
|skill=Mind Zap
|skilldesc=Delays your opponent's disruptions.
|amelia=1
}}
|-
{{Spindata/Magikarp Jump|col=6|type=Water|ranks=5
|item=Shell Bell
|cost=500
|skill=Awards lots of JP
|recoverytime=5 hours
|rank1desc=+0%
|rank2desc=+40%|rank2cost=6
|rank3desc=+100%|rank3cost=8
|rank4desc=+180%|rank4cost=11
|rank5desc=+280%|rank5cost=20
}}
|-
{{Spindata/GO|col=6|type=Water|ndex=0658
|hatch=N/A
|buddy=3
|evolution=N/A
|stamina=176
|attack=223
|defense=152
|fast={{m|Bubble}}, {{m|Feint Attack}}, {{m|Water Shuriken}}{{tt|*|From August 13, 2023 onward}}
|special={{m|Hydro Pump}}, {{m|Surf}}, {{m|Aerial Ace}}, {{m|Night Slash}}, {{m|Hydro Cannon}}{{tt|†|Event-exclusive from Froakie Community Day}}, {{m|Frustration}}[[File:GO Shadow icon.png|24px|link=Shadow Pokémon (GO)|As Shadow Pokémon]], {{m|Return}}[[File:GO Purified icon.png|24px|link=Shadow Pokémon (GO)|As Purified Pokémon]]
}}
|}
{{-}}
{| style="margin:auto; text-align:center; {{roundy|20px}} border:2px solid #{{dark color dark}}; background:#{{water color}}; padding:2px; font-size:80%"
|-
! colspan="5" style="{{roundy|20px}} background:#{{water color light}};" | '''{{Colorlink|Event Pokémon (GO)|000|Costumes in Pokémon GO}}'''
|-
| style="{{roundy|80px}} border:2px solid #{{water color dark}}; background:#{{water color light}};"| [[File:GO0658Halloween.png|100px]]
|-
| Halloween costume
|}

====Ash-Greninja====
{{Spindata/Head|type=Water|type2=Dark}}
|-
{{Spindata/Picross|col=6|type=Water|pokemon=Ash-Greninja
|formname=Ash-Greninja
|skill=Blue Force
|maxsize=20
|rank=Hyper
|activation=Anytime
|recovery=01:30
|effect=It changes the color of hint numbers to blue on rows with confirmable squares.
|uses=3
|duration=300 sec
}}
|-
{{Spindata/Shuffle|type=Water|ndex=658A|num=177
|form=Ash-Greninja
|min=70
|max=110
|raisemaxlevel=5
|skill=Power of 4+
|skilldesc=Deals even more damage when you make a match of four.
|swapper=Unity Power
|amelia=2
|psb=[[High-Speed Challenge#Week 20|High-Speed Challenge (Week 20)]]
}}
|}

===Form data===
====Ash-Greninja====
In the [[S19|''XY&Z'' arc]] of {{aniseries|XY}}, [[Ash's Greninja]] gained the ability to transform into a stronger form known as Ash-Greninja through an occurrence referred to as the [[Bond Phenomenon]]. This form was introduced to the [[core series]] games in {{g|Sun and Moon}}.

In the [[Generation VII]] games, a Greninja with the Ability {{a|Battle Bond}} will transform into Ash-Greninja after it directly causes an opponent to [[fainting|faint]] without ending the battle. It will remain in this form until either it faints or the battle ends; in the former case, this prevents it from changing back into Ash-Greninja for the remainder of the battle. Ash-Greninja has different [[base stats]] than regular Greninja, with increased {{stat|Attack}}, {{stat|Special Attack}}, and {{stat|Speed}}. Additionally, the [[move]] {{m|Water Shuriken}} will be more [[power]]ful, having 20 power instead of 15, and will always hit 3 times, instead of varying between 2-5 hits. Greninja cannot transform into Ash-Greninja in the core series as of {{g|Scarlet and Violet|s}} due to Battle Bond's effect having been changed.

Internally, standard Greninja with Battle Bond are considered to be a separate form to Greninja with {{a|Torrent}} or {{a|Protean}}. These Greninja are always [[gender|male]], cannot {{pkmn|breeding|breed}}, and, like [[Special Pokémon]], are banned from the [[Battle Spot]]. A Greninja with Battle Bond can be transferred to Pokémon Sun and Moon from the [[Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon Special Demo Version|Special Demo Version]]. This is the only way to obtain it, so it is no longer obtainable for players who did not download the demo before the discontinuation of the [[Nintendo 3DS|3DS]] [[Nintendo eShop]] on March 27, 2023.

{{Evobox/Formes
|sprite1=0658Greninja
|name1=Greninja
|type1-1=Water
|type2-1=Dark
|forme1=Greninja
|loc1= Default form
|item1=Battle Bond
|itemfile1=None.png
|sprite2=0658Greninja-Ash
|forme2=Ash-Greninja
|type1-2=Water
|type2-2=Dark
|loc2=After knocking out one opponent
}}

{| style="margin:auto"
|- style="vertical-align:bottom"
|
{{Compare|name=Greninja|type=Water|type2=Dark|ndex=658|ab=Battle Bond|HP=72|Attack=95|Defense=67|SpAtk=103|SpDef=71|Speed=122}}
|
{{Compare|name=Greninja|forme=Ash-Greninja|type=Water|type2=Dark|image=658Greninja-Ash|ab=Battle Bond|HP=72|Attack=145|Defense=67|SpAtk=153|SpDef=71|Speed=132}}
|}

====Mega Evolution====
{{Evobox/Formes
|sprite1= 0658Greninja
|name1=Greninja
|type1-1=Water
|type2-1=Dark
|forme1=Greninja
|loc1=Default
|item1=Greninjite
|itemfile1=Z-A Greninjite.png
|itemsize1=40px
|sprite2=0658Greninja-Mega
|forme2=Mega Greninja
|loc2={{color2|000|Held item|Held}} Greninjite
}}

===Evolution data===
{{Evobox-3
|type1=water
|type2=dark
|pictype=art
|no1=0656
|name1=Froakie
|type1-1=Water
|evo1={{bag/s|Rare Candy|SV}} {{color2|000|Level|Level 16}}
|no2=0657
|name2=Frogadier
|type1-2=Water
|evo2={{bag/s|Rare Candy|SV}} {{color2|000|Level|Level 36}}
|no3=0658
|name3=Greninja
|type1-3=Water
|type2-3=Dark}}

====Battle Bond Greninja====
{{Evobox-1
|type1=Water
|type2=Dark
|pictype=art
|no1=0658
|name1=Greninja
|form1=Battle Bond Greninja
|type1-1=Water
|type2-1=Dark
}}

===Sprites===
{{Spritebox/Header|type=water|type2=dark}}
{{Spritebox/NA|gen=VI}}
{{Spritebox/6|ndex=658|crop=131}}
{{Spritebox/7/2Forms|ndex=658|form1=A|crop=131}}
{{Spritebox/NA|gen=VIII|is=yes}}

{{Spritebox/HOME/3Forms|ndex=0658|form1=A|form2=M}}
{{Spritebox/Footer|658|Greninja}}

==In animation==
[[File:Ash Greninja.png|thumb|250px|Greninja in the {{aniseries|JN}}]]
[[File:Ash Ash-Greninja.png|thumb|250px|Ash-Greninja in {{aniseries|XY}}]]
===Main series===
====Major appearances====
=====[[Ash's Greninja]]=====
{{Ash}}'s {{p|Frogadier}} evolved into a Greninja in ''[[XY100|A Festival of Decisions!]]'' while battling [[Heidayu]]'s {{p|Bisharp}}. It soon gained the ability to [[Bond Phenomenon|transform]] into Ash-Greninja. In ''[[XY139|Facing the Needs of the Many!]]'', Ash {{pkmn2|released}} Greninja so that it could continue its role as the protector of [[Kalos]].

=====[[Sanpei's Greninja]]=====
A Greninja appeared in ''[[XY052|A Stealthy Challenge!]]'', under the ownership of [[Sanpei]]. It reappeared in ''[[XY099|The Legend of the Ninja Hero!]]'' and ''[[XY100|A Festival of Decisions!]]''. It was mostly seen [[Walking Pokémon|outside of its Poké Ball]].

=====Other=====
Greninja debuted in ''[[XY017|A Rush of Ninja Wisdom!]]'', under the ownership of [[Ippei]], but only in a fantasy. His Greninja made its physical debut in ''[[XY099|The Legend of the Ninja Hero!]]'', later reappearing in [[XY100|the next episode]].

A Greninja appeared in ''[[M17|Diancie and the Cocoon of Destruction]]'', under the ownership of [[Riot]]. It was his main Pokémon, used to assist him in his thievery.

====Minor appearances====
A Greninja appeared in the opening sequence of ''[[M19|Volcanion and the Mechanical Marvel]]'', when it evolved from Froakie and Frogadier.

====Pokédex entries====
{{Animedexheader|Kalos}}
{{Animedexbody|XY052|Greninja|Ash's Pokédex|Greninja, the Ninja Pokémon, and the evolved form of {{p|Frogadier}}. Greninja's swift movements confound its opponents, and it can compress water into {{m|Water Shuriken|sharp-edged throwing stars}}.}}
{{Animedexbody|XY100|Greninja|Ash's Pokédex|Greninja, the Ninja Pokémon, and the final evolved form of {{p|Froakie}}. Greninja can compress water into sharp-edged throwing stars. With the grace of a ninja, it slips in and out of sight to attack from the shadows.}}
{{Animedexfooter/Pokémon|Kalos}}
{{Animedexheader|Galar}}
{{Animedexbody|JN108|Greninja|Goh's Rotom Phone|Greninja, the Ninja Pokémon. A {{t|Water}} and {{type|Dark}}. Greninja creates throwing stars from compressed water. When it sends them spinning at high speeds, they can split metal.}}
{{Animedexfooter/Pokémon|Galar}}

===GOTCHA!===
A Greninja briefly appeared in [[GOTCHA!]], under the ownership of {{ga|Serena}}.

==In the manga==
[[File:Y Croaky.png|thumb|100px|Greninja in [[Pokémon Adventures]]]]
===Movie adaptations===
[[Riot]] owns a Greninja in ''{{ma|Diancie and the Cocoon of Destruction}}''.

===Pokémon Adventures===
{{main|Croaky}}
{{adv|Y}}'s {{p|Frogadier}}, Croaky, evolved into a Greninja during a battle against [[Xerosic]] in ''[[PS587|Malamar Traps]]''.

===Pokémon Journeys===
{{main|Ash's Greninja}}
{{Ash}}'s Greninja appeared in a fantasy in ''[[JNM01|Legend? Check! Friends? Check!]]''.
{{-}}

==In the TCG==
{{main|Greninja (TCG)}}

==Other appearances==
[[File:Greninja Detective Pikachu.png|thumb|250px|Greninja in {{DetPikMov}}]]
===[[Super Smash Bros.]]===
{{main|Greninja (Super Smash Bros.)}}

==={{DetPikMov}}===
Five Greninja appeared in {{DetPikMov}}. They were genetically modified and put in chambers. They were later used to chase after [[Harry Goodman]], and also [[Tim Goodman|Tim]] and [[Lucy Stevens|Lucy]] when they broke into Howard's facility.

===[[Pokémon UNITE]]===
[[File:UNITE Greninja.png|220px|thumb|Greninja in Pokémon UNITE]]
{{main|Greninja (UNITE)}}
Greninja is playable through obtaining a Unite License. It is a ranged attacker that starts as Froakie and evolves into Frogadier at level 5, which evolves into Greninja at level 7.
{{-}}

==Trivia==
* Greninja is the only fully [[Evolution|evolved]] form of a [[first partner Pokémon]] that has an {{pkmn2|event}}-exclusive [[Ability]], that being {{a|Battle Bond}}.
* Greninja is the only fully-evolved first partner {{OBP|Pokémon|species}} to have a unique transformation that is not a [[Mega Evolution]], [[Gigantamax]] form, or [[regional form]], that being Ash-Greninja.
* Greninja and its pre-evolved forms are the only Water-type first partner Pokémon line to be exclusive to the {{egg|Water 1}} [[Egg Group]].
* Greninja shares its {{pkmn|category}} with {{p|Ninjask}}. They are both known as the Ninja Pokémon.
* Greninja won first place in the Japanese [http://www.pokemon-movie.jp/election/ Pokémon general election 720] (Japanese: '''ポケモン総選挙720''') poll to decide what Pokémon would be distributed at showings of ''[[M19|Volcanion and the Mechanical Marvel]]'' in Japan.
* It was revealed that Greninja was added into [[Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS/Wii U]] before [[Pokémon X and Y]] was even released. [[Masahiro Sakurai]] knew that a [[Generation VI]] Pokémon was going to be a playable fighter in that game, so when Greninja was decided, all they had to go on in terms of design was concept art, similar to {{few|Roy}} during the development of [[Super Smash Bros. Melee]].<ref>[http://www.siliconera.com/2014/06/10/super-smash-bros-characters-decided-upon-early-development/ All The Super Smash Bros. Characters Were Decided Upon Early In Development | Siliconera]</ref>
* In the [[Pokémon of the Year]] vote held by [[The Pokémon Company International]] and {{wp|Google}} in February 2020, Greninja won first place with 140,559 votes and beat {{p|Lucario}} at second place (102,259 votes) and {{p|Mimikyu}} at third (99,077 votes).
* Greninja is the only Pokémon playable in [[Super Smash Bros. Ultimate]] that is unavailable in a [[Generation VIII]] [[core series]] game.
** Greninja's appearance in Ultimate was its only appearance in a [[Nintendo Switch]] game until [[Pokémon UNITE]]'s release in 2021.
* Ash-Greninja is the only Pokémon to have no viewable [[Pokédex entry|Pokédex entries]] in {{g|HOME}}'s {{OBP|Pokédex|HOME}}.
** Because all forms prior to [[Generation VII]] shared entries with their original appearance, and due to Greninja not being in any [[regional Pokédex]] at all, Ash-Greninja is the only Pokémon to not have a Pokédex entry in any capacity.
* Mega {{p|Raichu}} X and Y, Mega Greninja, Mega {{p|Chesnaught}}, and Mega {{p|Delphox}} were the last Mega Evolutions revealed before the release of {{g|Legends: Z-A}}.
* Mega Greninja has the highest base {{stat|Speed}} stat of all {{t|Water}}- and {{type|Dark}} Pokémon.
* Greninja is featured on the utility hole of [[Lumiose City]]'s [[Bleu District]] and represents modesty.<ref>[[Mission (Legends: Z-A)#Side missions|Couver]]: ''"Each series of Pokémon utility holes has a theme. [...] The Bleu District's theme is said to be "modesty," Magenta should be "grace," and Jaune, "joviality.""'' ({{g|Legends: Z-A}} — [[Mega Dimension]])</ref>

===Origin===
Greninja's overall appearance is based on a frog,<ref>[http://www.officialnintendomagazine.co.uk/55933/features/interview-game-freak-on-the-origins-of-pokmon-x-y/ Official Nintendo Magazine - Interview: Game Freak on the origins of Pokémon X & Y] ([https://web.archive.org/web/20141007232727/http://www.officialnintendomagazine.co.uk/55933/features/interview-game-freak-on-the-origins-of-pokmon-x-y/ archived])</ref> and it may have been inspired by horned frogs from the {{wp|Genus|genera}} ''{{wp|Megophrys}}'' and ''{{wp|Ceratophrys}}'' due to the spiked protrusions above its eyes. Its color scheme and body shape is similar to that of the {{wp|splendid leaf frog}}. The bubble-like protrusions on its body may be based on a toad's {{wp|parotoid gland}}s, possibly referencing the traditional myth of {{wp|True toad|toads}} causing {{wp|wart}}s, though they may also be remnants of Froakie and Frogadier's frubbles.

As its species name implies, Greninja is also based on a {{wp|ninja}}. Japanese culture associates frogs and toads with ninjas based on the folk story ''The Tale of the Gallant {{wp|Jiraiya}}'' (Japanese: 児雷也豪傑物語 ''Jiraiya Gōketsu Monogatari''), about a ninja who can shapeshift into a large toad. Greninja and its pre-Evolutions may also draw inspiration from the thief or rogue {{wp|character class}} in {{wp|role-playing game}}s, which are generally ranged combatants that often rely on speed and stealth, focusing more on dodging attacks rather than withstanding damage.

Ash-Greninja's appearance is based on [[Ash Ketchum]]'s attire in {{aniseries|XY}} and his hair. It wears a {{wp|shuriken}} (ninja star) on its back made out of water.

Mega Greninja's black coloring may be based on the archetypal ninja outfit. Its habit of standing underneath a large water shuriken may draw from the ninja's supposed ability to impossibly walk and hang from surfaces, such as ceilings. It is also reminiscent of a frog on a {{wp|Nymphaeaceae|lily pad}}. Its large water shuriken may also be a reference to Ash-Greninja's giant {{m|Water Shuriken}} in the anime.

====Name origin====
Greninja may be a combination of ''grenouille'' (French for frog) and ''ninja''.

Gekkouga may be a combination of げこっ ''geko'' (croak) or 月光 ''gekkō'' (moonlight, in reference to a popular conception of ninja running through the night or to Greninja's {{t|Dark}} type) and 甲賀流 ''{{wp|Kōga-ryū}}''.

==In other languages==
{{Other languages|type=Water|type2=Dark
|ja=ゲッコウガ ''Gekkouga''|jameaning=From げこっ ''geko'' (croak) or 月光 ''gekkō'' (moonlight) and 甲賀流 ''{{wp|Kōga-ryū}}''
|fr=Amphinobi|frmeaning=From ''{{tt|amphibien|amphibian}}'' and ''{{wp|Ninja|shinobi}}''
|es=Greninja|esmeaning=Same as English name
|de=Quajutsu|demeaning=From ''{{tt|Quak|croak}}'' and ''{{wp|Ninjutsu}}''
|it=Greninja|itmeaning=Same as English name
|ko=개굴닌자 ''Gaegulninja''|komeaning=From 개굴개굴 ''gaegul-gaegul'' (croak) and ''ninja''
|zh_cmn=甲賀忍蛙 / 甲贺忍蛙 ''Jiǎhèrěnwā''|zh_cmnmeaning=From 甲賀流 ''Kōga-ryū'', 忍者 ''rěnzhě'' (ninja), and 蛙 ''wā'' (frog)
|zh_yue=甲賀忍蛙 ''Gaaphohyánwā''|zh_yuemeaning=From 甲賀流 ''Kōga-ryū'', 忍者 ''yánjé'' (ninja), and 蛙 ''wā'' (frog)
|pt_br=Greninja|pt_brmeaning=Same as English name
|el=Γκρενίντζα ''Greníntza''|elmeaning=From English name
|hi=ग्रेनिंजा ''Greninja''|himeaning=Transcription of English name
|ru=Грениндзя ''Grenindzya''|rumeaning=Transcription of English name
|th=เก็คโคกะ ''Kekkhoka''|thmeaning=Transcription of Japanese name
}}
{{-}}

''Ash-Greninja''
{{langtable|color={{water color}}|bordercolor={{dark color dark}}
|ja=サトシゲッコウガ ''Satoshi Gekkouga''
|zh_yue=小智版甲賀忍蛙 ''{{tt|Síuji-báan Gaaphohyánwā|Ash-Version Greninja}}''
|zh_cmn=小智版甲賀忍蛙 / 小智版甲贺忍蛙 ''{{tt|Xiǎozhì-bǎn Jiǎhèrěnwā|Ash-Version Greninja}}''
|cz=Ash-Greninja
|da=Ash-Greninja
|nl=Ash-Greninja
|fi=Ash-Greninja
|fr=Sachanobi
|de=Ash-Quajutsu
|hi=ऐश-ग्रेनिंजा ''Ash-Greninja''
|hu=Ash-Greninja
|it=Greninja Forma Ash
|ko=지우개굴닌자 ''Jiwoo Gegulninja''
|no=Ash-Greninja
|pl=Ashogreninja
|pt=Ash-Greninja
|ru=Эш-Грениндзя ''Esh Grenindzya''
|es=Greninja Ash
|sv=Ash-Greninja
|th=ซาโตชิเก็คโคกะ ''Satoshi Gekkouga''
|tr=Ash-Greninja Ash'in Greninja'sı{{tt|*|Pokémon GO}}
}}

==See also==
* [[Ash's Greninja]]
* [[Sanpei's Greninja]]
* [[Croaky]]
* [[Greninja (Super Smash Bros.)]]
* [[Greninja (UNITE)]]
* [[First partner Pokémon]]
* [[Bond Phenomenon]]
* [[List of Pokémon with form differences]]
* [[Mega Evolution]]

==References==
<references/>

==External links==
*{{sbw|Greninja|SmashWiki article on Greninja}}
* [[Ash's Greninja]]
* [[Weaponry in the Pokémon world]]

{{Mega Evolution}}
{{EventExclusive}}
{{Smash Bros.}}
{{-}}

{{PokémonPrevNext/Head|type=Water|type2=Dark}}
{{PokémonPrevNext/Pokémon|type=Water|prevnum=0657|prev=Frogadier|nextnum=0659|next=Bunnelby}}
|}
{{Project Pokédex notice}}

[[Category:Pokémon in the Mega Evolution Pokédex]]
[[Category:Pokémon that appeared in the animated series before their game debut]]
[[Category:Event-exclusive Pokémon]]
[[Category:Super Smash Bros. spirits]]
[[Category:Super Smash Bros. trophies]]

[[de:Quajutsu]]
[[es:Greninja]]
[[fr:Amphinobi]]
[[it:Greninja]]
[[ja:ゲッコウガ]]
[[zh:甲贺忍蛙]]

Shining Volcanion (Shining Legends 27)

2026-04-27T06:31:19Z

TailsBOOM1992: /* Trivia */ Shiny Volcanion distribution just happened

{{PokémoncardInfobox
|cardname=Shining Volcanion
|jname=ひかるボルケニオン
|jtrans=Shining Volcanion
|image=ShiningVolcanionShiningLegends27.jpg
|caption=Illus. [[Hitoshi Ariga]]
|species=Volcanion
|evostage=Basic
|type=Water
|hp=130
|weakness=Lightning
|retreatcost=3
|class=Shiny
}}
{{PokémoncardInfobox/Expansion|type=Water|expansion={{TCG|Shining Legends}}|rarity={{rar|Rare Shining}}|cardno=27/73|jpexpansion={{TCG|Shining Legends}}|jprarity={{rar|Shining}}|jpcardno=028/072}}
{{PokémoncardInfobox/Footer|type=Water|species=Volcanion}}

'''Shining Volcanion''' (Japanese: '''ひかるボルケニオン''' ''Shining Volcanion'') is a {{ct|Water}} Basic Pokémon card. It is part of the {{TCG|Shining Legends}} expansion.

==Card text==
{{Cardtext/Header|type=Water}}
{{Cardtext/Attack
|type=Water
|cost={{e|Water}}{{e|Water}}{{e|Water}}
|name=Dual Pump
|jname=デュアルポンプ
|jtrans=Dual Pump
|damage=
|effect=This attack does 50 damage to 2 of your opponent's Pokémon. ''(Don't apply Weakness and Resistance for Benched Pokémon.)''
}}
{{Cardtext/Attack
|type=Water
|cost={{e|Colorless}}{{e|Colorless}}{{e|Colorless}}{{e|Colorless}}
|name=Quad Smash
|jname=グランドスマッシュ
|jtrans=Grand Smash
|damage=50×
|effect=Flip 4 coins. This attack does 50 damage for each heads.
}}
{{Cardtext/Footer}}

===Pokédex data===
{{Carddex
|type=Water
|name=Volcanion
|species=Steam
|ndex=721
|height=5'07"
|jheight=1.7
|weight=429.9
|jweight=195.0
|dex=It lets out billows of steam and disappears into the dense fog. It's said to live in mountains where humans do not tread.
|jdex=水蒸気を噴き出して自分の姿を濃霧で隠す。人の立ち入らない山に住むという。
}}

==Trivia==
*Despite being based on the Shiny Volcanion design from the mainline games, {{Shiny}} Volcanion would not be legitimately obtainable in any main series game until it was distributed in [[Pokémon HOME]] for completing the [[Lumiose Pokédex]], [[Mega Evolution Pokédex]], and [[Hyperspace Pokédex]].<ref>[https://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-news/receive-shiny-volcanion-when-you-complete-your-pokemon-legends-z-a-pokedexes]</ref>
===Origin===
'''Quad Smash''' is an attack that first appeared on {{TCG ID|Undaunted|Metagross|18}} from {{TCG|Undaunted}}. This card's [[Pokédex]] entry comes from {{g|X}}. This card features the Shiny version of {{p|Volcanion}}.

{{Project TCG notice}}

[[Category:Shining Legends cards]]
[[Category:Illus. by Hitoshi Ariga]]
[[Category:Holographic cards]]

[[de:Schimmerndes Volcanion (Schimmernde Legenden 27)]]
[[es:Volcanion Luminoso (Leyendas Luminosas TCG)]]
[[fr:Volcanion Brillant (Légendes Brillantes 27)]]
[[it:Volcanion iridescente (Leggende Iridescenti 27)]]
[[ja:ひかるボルケニオン (SM3+)]]
[[zh:发光波尔凯尼恩（SM3+）]]

Azelf (Pokémon)

2026-02-10T20:46:48Z

TailsBOOM1992: /* Biology */ Grammar fix.

{{PokémonPrevNext/Head|type=Psychic}}
{{PokémonPrevNext/GO|species=Azelf}}
{{PokémonPrevNext/Pokémon|type=Psychic|prevnum=0481|prev=Mesprit|nextnum=0483|next=Dialga|round=none}}
{{PokémonPrevNext/Disambig|species=Azelf}}
|}
{{Pokémon Infobox
|name=Azelf
|jname=アグノム
|jtranslit=Agunomu
|tmname=Agnome
|ndex=0482
|type1=Psychic
|category=Willpower
|height-ftin=1'00"
|height-m=0.3
|weight-lbs=0.7
|weight-kg=0.3
|abilitylayout=1
|ability1=Levitate
|egggroupn=0
|egggroup1=No Eggs Discovered
|eggcycles=80
|evtotal=3
|evat=2
|evsa=1
|expyield=261
|oldexp=210
|lv100exp=1,250,000
|gendercode=255
|color=Blue
|catchrate=3
|body=06
|pokefordex=azelf
|generation=4
|friendship=140
}}
'''Azelf''' ([[List of Japanese Pokémon names|Japanese]]: '''アグノム''' ''Agnome'') is a {{type|Psychic}} [[Legendary Pokémon]] introduced in [[Generation IV]].

It is not known to [[Evolution|evolve]] into or from any other Pokémon.

Along with {{p|Uxie}} and {{p|Mesprit}}, Azelf is one of the [[lake guardians]] created by {{p|Arceus}}. It is known as the '''Being of Willpower''' (Japanese: '''{{ruby|意|い}}{{ruby|思|し}}の{{ruby|神|かみ}}''' ''Ishi no Kami'', "God of Willpower") in [[Sinnoh myths]].

==Biology==
Azelf is a small, gray-blue, fairy-like {{OBP|Pokémon|species}}. It has two tails that each have a red jewel on them. Azelf has a partially cyan face with another red gem encrusted into its forehead. Azelf has a cone-shaped head with elf ear-like protrusions on each side.

Azelf's spirit can leave its body without dying and return at will. It sleeps at the bottom of a lake to preserve the balance of the world. In the past, it has been referred to as the "Being of Willpower" due to its role in giving [[human]]s the determination to face challenges in life. Befittingly, it can control an individual's will or enter their body. [[Sinnoh myths|Legends]] say that if Azelf is harmed, it can cause [[human]]s to lose all will inside of them, making them completely immobile for all eternity. Azelf is highly feared due to it having the power to manipulate the will of foes into its own puppets. It was shown in ''[[DP151|The Needs of the Three!]]'' and ''[[DP152|The Battle Finale of Legend!]]'' that it can teleport itself, as well as other Pokémon and humans. Azelf can be very cautious around people and Pokémon. However, if threatened, it will reveal its bold side. Alongside the other [[lake guardians]], Azelf is needed for the creation of a [[Red Chain]], either through gems extracted from its body or through its [[Azelf's Fang|fang]]. Together, they're also capable of destroying a Red Chain. They even have the power to calm down {{p|Dialga}} or {{p|Palkia}} should they be enraged, but not both at once. Azelf lives in [[Lake Valor]], specifically in the Valor Cavern at the center of the lake, thus gaining its title as a lake guardian. In {{g|Legends: Arceus}}, Azelf is shown to be capable of [[Talking Pokémon|speaking human language]] via telepathy.

Azelf and the other lake guardians are the [[signature move|only known Pokémon]] capable of learning the move {{m|Mystical Power}}.

==Game data==
===NPC appearances===

==== In the side series games ====

* These notable Trainers all use Azelf:
** In {{G|Battle Revolution}}, during the [[Masters Battle/Set 4|Masters Battle Set 4]], [[Mysterial]] will use an Azelf as part of his team, if the player has copied Pokémon from a save file of {{G|Pearl}}.
** Additionally in Pokémon Battle Revolution, during the [[Masters Battle/Set 7|Masters Battle Set 7]], [[Kruger]] will use an Azelf as part of his team.

==== In the spin-off games ====
* [[Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time and Explorers of Darkness]]: Azelf is the guardian of the [[Time Gear]] of [[Crystal Crossing]]. When the {{player}} and partner arrive, Azelf has been defeated by {{mdc|Grovyle|2}}, but Azelf puts up a barrier to protect the Time Gear from being stolen.

===Pokédex entries===
{{Dex/Header|type=Psychic}}
{{Dex/NA|gen=IV}}
{{Dex/Gen/2|gen=IV|reg1=Sinnoh|num1=148|reg2=Johto}}
{{Dex/Entry1|v=Diamond|entry=Known as "The Being of Willpower." It sleeps at the bottom of a lake to keep the world in balance.}}
{{Dex/Entry1|v=Pearl|entry=It is thought that <sc>Uxie</sc>, <sc>Mesprit</sc> and <sc>Azelf</sc> all came from the same egg.}}
{{Dex/Entry1|v=Platinum|entry=When <sc>Azelf</sc> flew, people gained the determination to do things. It was the birth of willpower.}}
{{Dex/Entry2|v=HeartGold|v2=SoulSilver|entry=This Pokémon is said to have endowed humans with the determination needed to face any of life's difficulties.}}
|}
|}
{{Dex/Gen/1|gen=V|reg1=Unova}}
{{Dex/Entry2|v=Black|v2=White|t=FFF|entry=When Azelf flew, people gained the determination to do things. It was the birth of willpower.}}
{{Dex/Entry2|v=Black 2|v2=White 2|t=FFF|entry=When Azelf flew, people gained the determination to do things. It was the birth of willpower.}}
|}
|}
{{Dex/Gen/4|gen=VI|reg1=Central Kalos|reg2=Coastal Kalos|reg3=Mountain Kalos|reg4=Hoenn}}
{{Dex/Entry1|v=X|t=FFF|entry=Known as "The Being of Willpower." It sleeps at the bottom of a lake to keep the world in balance.}}
{{Dex/Entry1|v=Y|t=FFF|entry=It is thought that Uxie, Mesprit, and Azelf all came from the same egg.}}
{{Dex/Entry1|v=Omega Ruby|t=fff|entry=Known as "The Being of Willpower." It sleeps at the bottom of a lake to keep the world in balance.}}
{{Dex/Entry1|v=Alpha Sapphire|t=FFF|entry=It is thought that Uxie, Mesprit, and Azelf all came from the same egg.}}
|}
|}
{{Dex/Gen/2|gen=VII|reg1=Alola|reg2=Kanto}}
{{Dex/NE|[[Generation VII]]}}
|}
|}
{{Dex/Gen/5|gen=VIII|reg1=Galar|reg2=Isle of Armor|reg3=Crown Tundra|reg4=Sinnoh|num4=148|reg5=Hisui|num5=227}}
{{Dex/NE|[[Pokémon Sword and Shield|Sword and Shield]]}}
{{Dex/Entry1|v=Brilliant Diamond|entry=It is known as the Being of Willpower. It sleeps at the bottom of a lake to keep the world in balance.}}
{{Dex/Entry1|v=Shining Pearl|entry=It is thought that Uxie, Mesprit, and Azelf all came from the same egg.}}
{{Dex/Entry1|v=Legends: Arceus|t=FFF|entry=The dreaded Being of Willpower. Legends tell of this Pokémon manipulating the will of its adversaries and turning them into puppets of its own.}}
|}
|}
{{Dex/Gen/5|gen=IX|reg1=Paldea|reg2=Kitakami|reg3=Blueberry|reg4=Lumiose|reg5=Hyperspace}}
{{Dex/NE|[[Generation IX]]}}
|}
|}
{{Dex/Footer}}

===Game locations===
{{Availability/Header|type=Psychic}}
{{Availability/NA|gen=IV}}
{{Availability/Gen|gen=IV}}
{{Availability/Entry2|v=Diamond|v2=Pearl|area=[[Lake Valor|Valor Cavern]] ([[List of in-game event Pokémon in Pokémon Diamond and Pearl#Azelf|Only one]])}}
{{Availability/Entry1|v=Platinum|area=[[Lake Valor|Valor Cavern]] ([[List of in-game event Pokémon in Pokémon Platinum#Azelf|Only one]])}}
{{Availability/Entry2/None|v=HeartGold|v2=SoulSilver}}
|}
|}
{{Availability/Gen|gen=V}}
{{Availability/Entry2/None|v=Black|v2=White}}
{{Availability/Entry2|v=Black 2|v2=White 2|t=FFF|area={{rt|23|Unova}} ([[List of in-game event Pokémon in Pokémon Black 2 and White 2#Azelf|Only one]])}}
|}
|}
{{Availability/Gen|gen=VI}}
{{Availability/Entry2/None|v=X|v2=Y}}
{{Availability/Entry2|v=Omega Ruby|v2=Alpha Sapphire|t=fff|t2=FFF|area=[[Nameless Cavern]] ([[List of in-game event Pokémon in Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire#Azelf|Only one]], between 9:00 pm - 3:59 am)}}
|}
|}
{{Availability/Gen|gen=VII}}
{{Availability/Entry2/None|v=Sun|v2=Moon}}
{{Availability/Entry2|v=Ultra Sun|v2=Ultra Moon|t=FFF|t2=FFF|area=[[Ultra Space Wilds]] ({{DL|Ultra Space Wilds|Water World}}) ([[List of in-game event Pokémon in Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon#Azelf|Only one]])}}
{{Availability/Entry2/None|v=Let's Go Pikachu|v2=Let's Go Eevee|area=Unobtainable}}
|}
|}
{{Availability/Gen|gen=VIII}}
{{Availability/Entry2/None|v=Sword|v2=Shield|area=[[Trade]]Version 1.3.0+}}
{{Availability/Entry1|v=Expansion Pass|color={{Isle of Armor color}}|t={{Crown Tundra color dark}}|link=Pokémon Sword and Shield Expansion Pass|area=[[Max Lair]] ([[Dynamax Adventure]]) ([[List of in-game event Pokémon in Pokémon Sword and Shield#Azelf|Only one]])}}
{{Availability/Entry2|v=Brilliant Diamond|v2=Shining Pearl|area=[[Lake Valor|Valor Cavern]] ([[List of in-game event Pokémon in Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl#Azelf|Only one]])}}
{{Availability/Entry1|v=Legends: Arceus|t=FFF|area='''[[Crimson Mirelands]]:''' [[Valor Cavern]] ([[List of in-game event Pokémon in Pokémon Legends: Arceus#Azelf|Only one]])}}
|}
|}
{{Availability/Gen|gen=IX}}
{{Availability/Entry2/None|v=Scarlet|v2=Violet|area={{g|HOME}}}}
{{Availability/Entry1/None|v=Legends: Z-A|area=Unobtainable}}
|}
|}
{{Availability/Footer}}

====In side games====
{{Availability/Header|type=Psychic}}
{{Availability/NA|gen=IV}}
{{Availability/Gen|gen=IV}}
{{Availability/Entry2|v=MD Time|v2=MD Darkness|t2=FFF|link=Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time and Explorers of Darkness|area=[[Crystal Crossing]] (Crystal Lake)}}
{{Availability/Entry1|v=MD Sky|link=Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Sky|area=[[Crystal Crossing]] (Crystal Lake)}}
{{Availability/Entry1|v=Rumble|color={{fire color}}|area=[[Fiery Furnace]], [[Eternal Tower]] (EX Mode only)}}
|}
|}
{{Availability/Gen|gen=IV}}
{{Availability/Entry1|1|v=Rumble Blast|color={{fire color}}|area=Lake: [[Shimmering Lake]]{{tt|*|Get 10 customers}}}}
{{Availability/Entry1|1|v=Rumble U|color={{fire color}}|area=[[Verdant Plaza#Battle Royale|Verdant Plaza: Battle Royale]] (Reward), [[Entranceway#A Fateful Showdown!|Entranceway: A Fateful Showdown!]]}}
|}
|}
{{Availability/Gen|gen=VI}}
{{Availability/Entry1|1|v=Battle Trozei|color={{defense color}}|area=[[Mysterious Fountain#Stage 4|Mysterious Fountain: Stage 4]]}}
{{Availability/Entry1|1|v=Rumble World|color={{fire color}}|area=[[Plasma Tundra#Waltzing Glade|Plasma Tundra: Waltzing Glade]] (All Areas)}}
{{Availability/Entry1|1|v=Picross|color={{skill color light}}|area=[[Pokémon Picross Stages#Area 24|Area 24: Stage 06]]}}
|}
|}
{{Availability/Gen|gen=VII}}
{{Availability/Entry1|1|v=Rumble Rush|color={{fire color}}|area=[[Arceus Sea]], [[Mewtwo Sea]]Final}}
|}
|}
{{Availability/Gen|gen=VIII}}
{{Availability/NA/Side|gen=VIII}}
|}
|}
{{Availability/Cross}}
{{Availability/Entry1|1|v=Shuffle|color={{beauty color}}|area=Event: ''[[High-Speed Challenge|Azelf Appears]]''}}
|}
|}
{{Availability/Footer}}

===Stats===
====Base stats====
{{BaseStats
|type=Psychic
|HP= 75
|Attack=125
|Defense=70
|SpAtk= 125
|SpDef= 70
|Speed= 115}}

====Pokéathlon stats====
{{Pokéthlon
|type=Psychic
|Speed=4
|SpeedMax=4
|Power=2
|PowerMax=3
|Technique=5
|TechniqueMax=5
|Stamina=2
|StaminaMax=3
|Jump=4
|JumpMax=5
}}

===Type effectiveness===
{{TypeEffectiveness
|type1=Psychic
|Normal= 100
|Fighting= 50
|Flying= 100
|Poison= 100
|Ground= 0
|Rock= 100
|Bug= 200
|Ghost= 200
|Steel= 100
|Fire= 100
|Water= 100
|Grass= 100
|Electric=100
|Psychic= 50
|Ice= 100
|Dragon= 100
|Dark= 200
|Fairy= 100
|notes=yes
|levitate=yes
|newground=1}}

===Learnset===
Azelf is available in {{pkmn|Scarlet and Violet}}.
====By [[Level|leveling up]]====
{{learnlist/levelh/9|Azelf|Psychic|Psychic|4}}
{{learnlist/level9|1|Confusion|Psychic|Special|50|100|25||'''}}
{{learnlist/level9|1|Rest|Psychic|Status|—|—|5}}
{{learnlist/level9|{{tt|Rem.|Can only be learned via Move Reminder}}|Self-Destruct|Normal|Physical|200|100|5|patch=Version 2.0.1 onwards}}
{{learnlist/level9|{{tt|Rem.|Can only be learned via Move Reminder}}|Tri Attack|Normal|Special|80|100|10|patch=Version 2.0.1 onwards}}
{{learnlist/level9|{{tt|Rem.|Can only be learned via Move Reminder}}|Snore|Normal|Special|50|100|15|patch=Version 2.0.1 onwards}}
{{learnlist/level9|{{tt|Rem.|Can only be learned via Move Reminder}}|Safeguard|Normal|Status|—|—|25|patch=Version 2.0.1 onwards}}
{{learnlist/level9|{{tt|Rem.|Can only be learned via Move Reminder}}|Iron Tail|Steel|Physical|100|75|15|patch=Version 2.0.1 onwards}}
{{learnlist/level9|{{tt|Rem.|Can only be learned via Move Reminder}}|Payback|Dark|Physical|50|100|10|patch=Version 2.0.1 onwards}}
{{learnlist/level9|{{tt|Rem.|Can only be learned via Move Reminder}}|Assurance|Dark|Physical|60|100|10|patch=Version 2.0.1 onwards}}
{{learnlist/level9|{{tt|Rem.|Can only be learned via Move Reminder}}|Psycho Cut|Psychic|Physical|70|100|20||'''|patch=Version 2.0.1 onwards}}
{{learnlist/level9|{{tt|Rem.|Can only be learned via Move Reminder}}|Wonder Room|Psychic|Status|—|—|10|patch=Version 2.0.1 onwards}}
{{learnlist/level9|{{tt|Rem.|Can only be learned via Move Reminder}}|Magic Room|Psychic|Status|—|—|10|patch=Version 2.0.1 onwards}}
{{learnlist/level9|{{tt|Rem.|Can only be learned via Move Reminder}}|Round|Normal|Special|60|100|15|patch=Version 2.0.1 onwards}}
{{learnlist/level9|{{tt|Rem.|Can only be learned via Move Reminder}}|Ally Switch|Psychic|Status|—|—|15|patch=Version 2.0.1 onwards}}
{{learnlist/level9|{{tt|Rem.|Can only be learned via Move Reminder}}|Expanding Force|Psychic|Special|80|100|10||'''|patch=Version 2.0.1 onwards}}
{{learnlist/level9|7|Swift|Normal|Special|60|—|20}}
{{learnlist/level9|14|Detect|Fighting|Status|—|—|5}}
{{learnlist/level9|21|Psybeam|Psychic|Special|65|100|20||'''}}
{{learnlist/level9|28|Imprison|Psychic|Status|—|—|10}}
{{learnlist/level9|35|Extrasensory|Psychic|Special|80|100|20||'''}}
{{learnlist/level9|42|Nasty Plot|Dark|Status|—|—|20}}
{{learnlist/level9|49|Psychic|Psychic|Special|90|100|10||'''}}
{{learnlist/level9|56|Uproar|Normal|Special|90|100|10}}
{{learnlist/level9|63|Future Sight|Psychic|Special|120|100|10||'''}}
{{learnlist/level9|70|Last Resort|Normal|Physical|140|100|5}}
{{learnlist/level9|77|Explosion|Normal|Physical|250|100|5}}
{{learnlist/level9|84|Mystical Power|Psychic|Special|70|90|10||'''}}
{{learnlist/levelf/9|Azelf|Psychic|Psychic|4}}

====By [[TM]]====
{{learnlist/tmh/9|Azelf|Psychic|Psychic|4}}
{{learnlist/tm9|TM005|Mud-Slap|Ground|Special|20|100|10}}
{{learnlist/tm9|TM007|Protect|Normal|Status|—|—|10}}
{{learnlist/tm9|TM011|Water Pulse|Water|Special|60|100|20}}
{{learnlist/tm9|TM014|Acrobatics|Flying|Physical|55|100|15}}
{{learnlist/tm9|TM016|Psybeam|Psychic|Special|65|100|20||'''}}
{{learnlist/tm9|TM023|Charge Beam|Electric|Special|50|90|10}}
{{learnlist/tm9|TM025|Facade|Normal|Physical|70|100|20}}
{{learnlist/tm9|TM032|Swift|Normal|Special|60|—|20}}
{{learnlist/tm9|TM037|Draining Kiss|Fairy|Special|50|100|10}}
{{learnlist/tm9|TM041|Stored Power|Psychic|Special|20|100|10||'''}}
{{learnlist/tm9|TM043|Fling|Dark|Physical|—|100|10}}
{{learnlist/tm9|TM047|Endure|Normal|Status|—|—|10}}
{{learnlist/tm9|TM049|Sunny Day|Fire|Status|—|—|5}}
{{learnlist/tm9|TM050|Rain Dance|Water|Status|—|—|5}}
{{learnlist/tm9|TM051|Sandstorm|Rock|Status|—|—|10}}
{{learnlist/tm9|TM054|Psyshock|Psychic|Special|80|100|10||'''}}
{{learnlist/tm9|TM059|Zen Headbutt|Psychic|Physical|80|90|15||'''}}
{{learnlist/tm9|TM060|U-turn|Bug|Physical|70|100|20}}
{{learnlist/tm9|TM067|Fire Punch|Fire|Physical|75|100|15}}
{{learnlist/tm9|TM068|Thunder Punch|Electric|Physical|75|100|15}}
{{learnlist/tm9|TM069|Ice Punch|Ice|Physical|75|100|15}}
{{learnlist/tm9|TM070|Sleep Talk|Normal|Status|—|—|10}}
{{learnlist/tm9|TM073|Drain Punch|Fighting|Physical|75|100|10}}
{{learnlist/tm9|TM074|Reflect|Psychic|Status|—|—|20}}
{{learnlist/tm9|TM075|Light Screen|Psychic|Status|—|—|30}}
{{learnlist/tm9|TM079|Dazzling Gleam|Fairy|Special|80|100|10}}
{{learnlist/tm9|TM080|Metronome|Normal|Status|—|—|10}}
{{learnlist/tm9|TM081|Grass Knot|Grass|Special|—|100|20}}
{{learnlist/tm9|TM082|Thunder Wave|Electric|Status|—|90|20}}
{{learnlist/tm9|TM085|Rest|Psychic|Status|—|—|5}}
{{learnlist/tm9|TM087|Taunt|Dark|Status|—|100|20}}
{{learnlist/tm9|TM092|Imprison|Psychic|Status|—|—|10}}
{{learnlist/tm9|TM098|Skill Swap|Psychic|Status|—|—|10}}
{{learnlist/tm9|TM103|Substitute|Normal|Status|—|—|10}}
{{learnlist/tm9|TM109|Trick|Psychic|Status|—|100|10}}
{{learnlist/tm9|TM114|Shadow Ball|Ghost|Special|80|100|15}}
{{learnlist/tm9|TM116|Stealth Rock|Rock|Status|—|—|20}}
{{learnlist/tm9|TM119|Energy Ball|Grass|Special|90|100|10}}
{{learnlist/tm9|TM120|Psychic|Psychic|Special|90|100|10||'''}}
{{learnlist/tm9|TM122|Encore|Normal|Status|—|100|5}}
{{learnlist/tm9|TM125|Flamethrower|Fire|Special|90|100|15}}
{{learnlist/tm9|TM126|Thunderbolt|Electric|Special|90|100|15}}
{{learnlist/tm9|TM127|Play Rough|Fairy|Physical|90|90|10}}
{{learnlist/tm9|TM129|Calm Mind|Psychic|Status|—|—|20}}
{{learnlist/tm9|TM130|Helping Hand|Normal|Status|—|—|20}}
{{learnlist/tm9|TM132|Baton Pass|Normal|Status|—|—|40}}
{{learnlist/tm9|TM140|Nasty Plot|Dark|Status|—|—|20}}
{{learnlist/tm9|TM141|Fire Blast|Fire|Special|110|85|5}}
{{learnlist/tm9|TM152|Giga Impact|Normal|Physical|150|90|5}}
{{learnlist/tm9|TM161|Trick Room|Psychic|Status|—|—|5}}
{{learnlist/tm9|TM163|Hyper Beam|Normal|Special|150|90|5}}
{{learnlist/tm9|TM166|Thunder|Electric|Special|110|70|10}}
{{learnlist/tm9|TM171|Tera Blast|Normal|Special|80|100|10}}
{{learnlist/tm9|TM181|Knock Off|Dark|Physical|65|100|20}}
{{learnlist/tm9|TM191|Uproar|Normal|Special|90|100|10}}
{{learnlist/tm9|TM203|Psych Up|Normal|Status|—|—|10}}
{{learnlist/tm9|TM204|Double-Edge|Normal|Physical|120|100|15}}
{{learnlist/tm9|TM205|Endeavor|Normal|Physical|—|100|5}}
{{learnlist/tm9|TM217|Future Sight|Psychic|Special|120|100|10||'''}}
{{learnlist/tm9|TM218|Expanding Force|Psychic|Special|80|100|10||'''}}
{{learnlist/tmf/9|Azelf|Psychic|Psychic|4}}

====By {{pkmn|breeding}}====
{{learnlist/breedh/9|Azelf|Psychic|Psychic|4}}
{{learnlist/breed9null}}
{{learnlist/breedf/9|Azelf|Psychic|Psychic|4}}

===Side game data===
{{Spindata/Head|type=Psychic}}
{{Spindata/MDTDS|col=6|type=Psychic|ndex=482
|body=1
|rate=100
|IQ=G
}}
|-
{{Spindata/PSMD|col=6|type=Psychic|ndex=482
|coset=2
|conto={{p|Uxie}}
|recruitment=Meet up with at [[Spring of Resolve]]
|P1=To decide to do something and follow through… Willpower is worthy of respect.
|P2=It's sometimes important to have the courage to go back.
}}
|-
{{Spindata/Rumble|col=3|type=Psychic
|att=5
|def=3
|speed=4
}}
{{Spindata/RumbleBlast|col=3|type=Psychic
|att=5
|def=3
|speed=4
}}
|-
{{Spindata/RumbleRush|col=6|type=Psychic|ndex=482
|walk=2.08
|hp=54
|attack=83
|defense=53
|speed=70
}}
|-
{{Spindata/Battle Trozei|col=3|type=Psychic|ndex=482
|power=4
}}
{{Spindata/Shuffle|col=3|type=Psychic|ndex=482|num=497
|min=70
|max=125
|raisemaxlevel=10
|skill=Paralyze
|skilldesc=Leaves the foe paralyzed.
|swapper=Flash Mob
}}
|-
{{Spindata/GO|col=6|type=Psychic|ndex=482
|hatch=N/A
|buddy=20
|evolution=N/A
|stamina=181
|attack=270
|defense=151
|fast={{m|Confusion}}, {{m|Extrasensory}}
|special={{m|Future Sight}}, {{m|Swift}}, {{m|Fire Blast}}
}}
|}

===Evolution data===
<div style="float:center; display:flex; flex-flow:row wrap;">
{{Evobox-1
|type1=Psychic
|pictype=art
|no1=0482
|name1=Azelf
|type1-1=Psychic}}
</div>

===Sprites===
{{Spritebox/Header|type=Psychic}}
{{Spritebox/NA|gen=IV}}
{{Spritebox/4|ndex=482}}
{{Spritebox/5|ndex=482}}
{{Spritebox/6|ndex=482|crop=87}}
{{Spritebox/7|ndex=482|crop=72}}
{{Spritebox/8/SwShLA|ndex=482|LAcrop=125}}

{{Spritebox/HOME|ndex=0482}}
{{Spritebox/Footer|482|Azelf}}

==In animation==
[[File:Azelf anime.png|thumb|250px|Azelf in {{aniseries|DP}}]]
===Main series===
====Major appearances====
====={{DL|Lake guardians (anime)|Azelf|Azelf (anime)}}=====
In ''[[DP078|Pruning a Passel of Pals!]]'', Azelf's "soul" appeared to {{Ash}}, much like what {{DL|Lake guardians (anime)|Mesprit}} did to {{an|Dawn}}.

Azelf physically debuted in ''[[DP151|The Needs of the Three!]]'', where it was the first to be captured by [[J]] and [[Team Galactic]]. It was then controlled by Team Galactic to help fulfill its goal. In ''[[DP152|The Battle Finale of Legend!]]'', after breaking from their control with the help of [[Ash's Pikachu]] and {{AP|Staraptor}}, it helped in stopping [[Cyrus]]'s plot to use {{p|Dialga}} and {{p|Palkia}}. It reappeared in [[Pokémon: The Arceus Chronicles]], helping to stop a rampaging {{p|Heatran}}.

=====Other=====
In [[PK21]], an Azelf, Mesprit, and Uxie served {{AP|Pikachu}} and his friends some apples.

====Minor appearances====
In ''[[Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Sky - Beyond Time & Darkness]]'', an Azelf, along with the other members of its trio, were the protectors of the Time Gear.

A silhouetted Azelf appeared in a fantasy in ''[[JN053|Healing the Healer!]]''.

====Pokédex entries====
{{Animedexheader|Galar}}
{{Animedexbody|JNS02|Azelf|Goh's Rotom Phone|Azelf, the Willpower Pokémon. A {{t|Psychic}} type. Azelf is called "The Being of Willpower." It is said to have given people the strength of mind to deal with life's difficulties.}}
{{Animedexfooter/Pokémon|Galar}}

===GOTCHA!===
An Azelf briefly appeared as a silhouette in [[GOTCHA!]].

==In the manga==
[[File:Azelf Adventures.png|thumb|220px|Azelf in [[Pokémon Adventures]]]]
===Pocket Monsters DP===
Azelf appeared in [[PMDP13]] along with the other members of the [[lake guardians]].

===Pokémon Adventures===
{{main|Lake guardians (Adventures)#Azelf|Lake guardians (Adventures) → Azelf}}
In the {{MangaArc|Diamond & Pearl}}, Azelf was to be captured as part of [[Team Galactic]]'s plans. Commander [[Saturn]] led the operation to capture Azelf, and succeeded; despite the resistance of {{adv|Pearl}}. Azelf connected with Pearl the most, as he had great determination; Pearl had been at the center of Lake Valor and saw Azelf on his last visit there. It first appeared in ''[[PS398|Tackling Tangrowth]]''.

===Pokémon Diamond and Pearl Adventure!===
Along with Uxie and Mesprit, Azelf was captured by Team Galactic to create the Red Chain so that they can control the legendary Dialga. It was eventually freed and helped stop Dialga by breaking the Red Chain. It first appeared in ''[[DPA11|The Legendary Pokémon, Captured]]''.

===Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Blazing Exploration Team===
Azelf appeared in [[BET2]].

==In the TCG==
{{main|Azelf (TCG)}}

==Other appearances==
===[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]===
On the {{st|Spear Pillar}} stage, occasionally the [[lake guardians]] make cameo appearances during the fight; however, they do nothing.

====Trophy information====
''A Willpower Pokémon. Born from the same Egg as {{p|Uxie}} and {{p|Mesprit}}, this Pokémon maintains the balance of things in the world from the bottom of [[Lake Valor]]. Some say that anyone who injures it will become unable to perform any kind of action after seven days. It wields many strong attacks, like the devastating {{m|Last Resort}}. It can also protect itself from sleep attacks with {{m|Uproar}}.''

===[[Super Smash Bros. Ultimate]]===
Azelf appears as a {{sbw|Spirit}} alongside {{p|Mesprit}} and {{p|Uxie}}.

==Trivia==
* Azelf is tied with Uxie and Mesprit for the highest base friendship of all Legendary Pokémon.
* In [[Generation IX]], prior to the Version 2.0.1 update of {{g|Scarlet and Violet}}, Azelf was unable to learn moves via [[Move Reminder]].

===Origin===
Azelf seems to be based on a {{wp|pixie}} or a {{wp|fairy}}, although its Japanese name suggests that it is a {{wp|gnome}}. The lake guardians could possibly have originated from the {{wp|Imperial Regalia of Japan}}, which are also called the Three Sacred Treasures. Azelf would be the ''{{wp|Kusanagi}}'', which embodies valor. Additionally, it may draw inspiration from {{wp|Throne (angel)|Thrones}}—one of the three highest ranking {{wp|Angels in Christianity|angel classes in Christianity}}—also known as the "valiant ones."

Another possible inspiration for this Pokémon could be the Greek goddess Hera, also known as the Roman goddess Juno. Both Azelf and Hera are part of lesser known trios of divine beings that are closely related to more prominent trios of divine beings. Hera’s volatile temperament and ability to inflict madness and curses unto others are analogous to Azelf’s representation of willpower and its ability to possess people’s bodies.

====Name origin====
Azelf may be a combination of ''A'' of the acronym ''UMA'' (Unidentified Mysterious Animal, {{wp|wasei-eigo}} for cryptid) and ''elf''. It may also involve the pronoun ''us'', as well as ''azure''.

Agnome may be a combination of ''A'' of the acronym ''UMA'' (Unidentified Mysterious Animal, {{wp|wasei-eigo}} for cryptid) and ''gnome''.

==In other languages==
{{Other languages|type=Psychic|type2=Psychic
|ja=アグノム ''Agnome''|jameaning=From ''A'' of the acronym ''{{tt|UMA|Unidentified Mysterious Animal (cryptid)}}'' and ''gnome''
|fr=Créfadet|frmeaning=From ''{{tt|création|creation}}'' and ''{{wp|Farfadet|farfadet}}''
|es=Azelf|esmeaning=Same as English name
|de=Tobutz|demeaning=From ''{{tt|tu|French for you}}'' and ''{{wp|bogeyman|{{tt|Butzemann|bogeyman}}}}''
|it=Azelf|itmeaning=Same as English name
|ko=아그놈 ''Agnome''|komeaning=Transcription of Japanese name
|zh_cmn=亞克諾姆 / 亚克诺姆 ''Yǎkènuòmǔ / Yàkènuòmǔ''|zh_cmnmeaning=Transcription of Japanese name
|zh_yue=亞克諾姆 ''Ahāknohkmóuh''|zh_yuemeaning=Mandarin-based transcription of Japanese name
|hi=मयपरी ''Maypari''|himeaning=From {{tt|रहस्यमय ''rahasyamay''|mysterious}} and {{tt|परी ''pari''|fairy}}
|th=อักนอม ''Aknom''|thmeaning=Transcription of Japanese name
}}

==See also==
* [[Lake guardians (anime)]]
* [[Lake guardians]]
* [[Lake guardians (Adventures)]]
* [[Legendary Pokémon]]
* [[Myths and legends involving Legendary and Mythical Pokémon]]


==External links==

{{Legendary Pokémon}}{{PokémonPrevNext/Head|type=Psychic}}
{{PokémonPrevNext/Pokémon|type=Psychic|prevnum=0481|prev=Mesprit|nextnum=0483|next=Dialga}}
|}
{{Project Pokédex notice}}

[[Category:Legendary Pokémon]]
[[Category:Legendary trio Pokémon]]
[[Category:Sinnoh Legendary Pokémon]]
[[Category:Super Smash Bros. trophies]]

[[de:Tobutz]]
[[es:Azelf]]
[[fr:Créfadet]]
[[it:Azelf]]
[[ja:アグノム]]
[[zh:亚克诺姆]]

Zeraora (Pokémon)

2026-01-21T23:10:15Z

TailsBOOM1992: /* Forms */ Spelling fix

{{PokémonPrevNext/Head|type=Electric}}
{{PokémonPrevNext/GO|species=Zeraora}}
{{PokémonPrevNext/Pokémon|type=Electric|prevnum=0806|prev=Blacephalon|nextnum=0808|next=Meltan|round=none}}
{{PokémonPrevNext/Disambig|species=Zeraora}}
|}
{{Pokémon Infobox
|name=Zeraora
|jname=ゼラオラ
|tmname=Zeraora
|forme=2
|form2=Mega Zeraora
|image2=0807Zeraora-Mega.png
|mega=Zeraorite
|ndex=0807
|type1=Electric
|category=Thunderclap
|height-ftin=4'11"
|height-m=1.5
|weight-lbs=98.1
|weight-kg=44.5
|height-ftin2=4'11"
|height-m2=1.5
|weight-lbs2=98.1
|weight-kg2=44.5
|abilitylayout=1
|ability1=Volt Absorb
|egggroupn=0
|egggroup1=No Eggs Discovered
|eggcycles=120
|evtotal=3
|evsp=3
|expyield=270
|lv100exp=1,250,000
|gendercode=255
|color=Yellow
|catchrate=3
|body=12
|pokefordex=zeraora
|generation=7
|friendship=0
}}
'''Zeraora''' ([[List of Japanese Pokémon names|Japanese]]: '''ゼラオラ''' ''Zeraora'') is an {{type|Electric}} [[Mythical Pokémon]] introduced during [[Generation VII]], in {{g|Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon}}.

While it is not known to [[Evolution|evolve]] into or from any other Pokémon, Zeraora can [[Mega Evolution|Mega Evolve]] into '''Mega Zeraora''' using the [[Zeraorite]]. Mega Zeraora was introduced in the [[Mega Dimension]] [[Downloadable content|DLC]] for {{g|Legends: Z-A}}.

Zeraora was officially revealed on April 9, 2018, on [[Oha Suta]]. It is the last Pokémon in the [[List of Pokémon by Alola Pokédex number in Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon|Alola Pokédex]] ([[Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon|Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon Version]]) and [[List of Pokémon by Hyperspace Pokédex number|Hyperspace Pokédex]].

==Biology==
[[File:Fula City Zeraora.png|200px|thumb|left|Zeraora's claws glowing when attacking]]
Zeraora is a bipedal, feline {{OBP|Pokémon|species}} with primarily yellow and black fur. The fur is thinner and black on its lower legs, lower body, upper arms, and face, and is thicker and yellow everywhere else. There is also a zigzagging black stripe on each thigh and two more stripes on each forearm. There are small tufts of light blue fur on its chest and a longer tuft on its forehead. Zeraora also has a single, lightning bolt-shaped blue whisker on each cheek. A long, ponytail-like or tail-like bunch of fur extends from between its shoulders. Zeraora has large ears with black insides and blue eyes. Its forepaws have four clawed fingers and light blue pads, while its hindpaws have only three clawed toes.

In [[Pokémon the Movie: The Power of Us: Zeraora's Story]], it is explained that Zeraora was supposedly born from an explosion caused by a bolt of lightning striking an erupting volcano. It lacks an electricity-generating organ, so it gathers and stores electricity from outside sources. Through the strong electric currents emitted from its paw pads, Zeraora can create a very powerful magnetic field that it can use to levitate and move at high speeds. Its fur is known to stand on end whenever it is using massive amounts of electricity.<ref>[https://www.pokemon-sunmoon.com/ultra/en-us/gallery-detail-19.html Pokémon Ultra Sun and Pokémon Ultra Moon | Zeraora] ([https://web.archive.org/web/20180813214028/https://www.pokemon-sunmoon.com/ultra/en-us/gallery-detail-19.html archived])</ref> Zeraora can tear its opponents apart limb from limb by electrifying its claws. Even if the opponent dodges, they can still get electrocuted by the flying sparks. Zeraora can travel as fast as a lightning strike, with lightning flashing and thunder echoing when it runs. According to the [[Pokécology]] book, it is the fastest known Pokémon, with a top speed of 720,000 miles per hour (1,158,727.68 kilometers per hour, or Mach 938.3930029155). Zeraora has occasionally shown in towns, either seeking out battles or serving as a bodyguard for humans.<ref>[[Emma]]: ''"Zeraora has occasionally turned up in towns, looking as if it's hungry for battle. I've heard it sometimes even acts like a body guard for people."'' ([[Mega Dimension]])</ref> It is said to be one of the mightiest {{type|Electric}} Pokémon to have existed.<ref>[[Korrina]]: ''"That's one of the mightest Electirc-type Pokémon there is..."'' ([[Mega Dimension]])</ref>

Zeraora is the [[Signature move|only known Pokémon]] capable of learning the move {{m|Plasma Fists}}.

===Forms===
[[File:Mega Zeraora Charging With Power.png|200px|thumb|left|Mega Zeraora's two tufts of fur rising while it attacks]]
Zeraora can [[Mega Evolution|Mega Evolve]] into Mega Zeraora.

As Mega Zeraora, its fur becomes predominantly black, while the stripes on its thighs, the ends of the furs that extend from its nape, and the outlines on its facial fur remain yellow. Its face, neck, torso, upper arms, and the insides of its ears become gray. The fur that extends from its nape splits into two. Its lower legs become light blue, matching the larger tufts of fur on its chest. A blue spike extends from the back of each of its hands, and the tuft on its forehead sharpens into a horn. All of these light blue portions are where its electric energy is concentrated the most.

It is said that Mega Evolution removes an internal limiter within Zeraora's body that contains the electricity in its body, allowing Mega Zeraora to accumulate and store electric energy equivalent to 10 bolts of lightning. When it stops holding back, Mega Zeraora is said to become the strongest Electric-type Pokémon.<ref>[https://www.pokemon.co.jp/ex/legends_z-a_dlc/ja/pokemon/251119_01/ メガゼラオラ｜『Pokémon LEGENDS Z-A M次元ラッシュ』公式サイト (Mega Zeraora | "Pokémon LEGENDS Z-A M-Dimension Rush" Official Website)]</ref> It unleashes its full power and releases its energy at its own leisure, so its {{pkmn|Trainer}} needs to either trust its decision or be so in sync with Mega Zeraora that they can match its timing. Its stored energy is potent enough for it to easily fell multiple nearby opponents in a single strike.<ref>[https://legends.pokemon.com/en-us/news/mega_zeraora A Shocking Reveal | Pokémon Legends: Z-A]</ref>

{| style="margin:auto; text-align:center; font-size:80%"
|
{| style="background: #{{electric color}}; {{roundy|10px}} border: 3px solid #{{electric color dark}}"
|-
| {{color2|000|Mega Evolution|Mega}} Zeraora
|-
| style="{{roundy|96px}} border: 2px solid #{{electric color dark}}; background: #{{electric color light}}; width:96px; height:96px"| [[File:0807Zeraora-Mega.png|100px]]
|}
|}

==Game data==
===Pokédex entries===
{{Dex/Header|type=Electric}}
{{Dex/NA|gen=VII}}
{{Dex/Gen/2|gen=VII|reg1=Alola|num1=403|label1={{gameIcon|US}}{{gameIcon|UM}}:|reg2=Kanto}}
{{Dex/NE|[[Pokémon Sun and Moon|Sun, Moon]], {{LGPE|Let's Go, Pikachu!, and Let's Go, Eevee!}}}}
{{Dex/Entry1|v=Ultra Sun|t=FFF|entry=It electrifies its claws and tears its opponents apart with them. Even if they dodge its attack, they'll be electrocuted by the flying sparks.}}
{{Dex/Entry1|v=Ultra Moon|t=FFF|entry=It approaches its enemies at the speed of lightning, then tears them limb from limb with its sharp claws.}}
|}
|}
{{Dex/Gen/5|gen=VIII|reg1=Galar|reg2=Isle of Armor|reg3=Crown Tundra|reg4=Sinnoh|reg5=Hisui}}
{{Dex/NE|[[Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl|Brilliant Diamond, Shining Pearl]], and {{pkmn|Legends: Arceus}}}}
{{Dex/Entry1|v=Sword|t=FFF|entry=It runs as fast as lightning strikes, shredding its opponents with its high-voltage claws.{{tt|*|Pokédex entry only found in Pokémon HOME.}}}}
{{Dex/Entry1|v=Shield|t=FFF|entry=Electricity sparks from the pads on its limbs. Wherever Zeraora runs, lightning flashes and thunder echoes.{{tt|*|Pokédex entry only found in Pokémon HOME.}}}}
|}
|}
{{Dex/Gen/5|gen=IX|reg1=Paldea|reg2=Kitakami|reg3=Blueberry|reg4=Lumiose|reg5=Hyperspace|num5=132}}
{{Dex/NE|{{pkmn|Scarlet and Violet}}}}
{{Dex/Entry1|v=Legends: Z-A|t=FFF|entry=Electricity sparks from the pads on its limbs. Wherever Zeraora runs, lightning flashes and thunder echoes.}}
{{Dex/Form|Mega Zeraora}}
{{Dex/Entry1|v=Legends: Z-A|t=FFF|entry=It stores up 10 lightning strikes' worth of electricity. When it stops limiting itself, it's in the strongest class of electric Pokémon.}}
|}
|}
{{Dex/Footer}}
{|style="margin:auto; text-align:center; border:3px solid #{{electric color dark}}; background:#{{electric color}}; font-size:80%; border-radius: 10px"
|-
|style="{{roundy|20px}} border:2px solid #{{electric color dark}}; background:#{{electric color light}}| [[File:Pokédex Image Zeraora USUM.png|x200px]]
|-
|Zeraora in the {{color2|000|List of Pokémon by Alola Pokédex number|Alola Pokédex}}{{sup/7|USUM}}
|-
|}

===Game locations===
{{Availability/Header|type=Electric}}
{{Availability/NA|gen=VII}}
{{Availability/Gen|gen=VII}}
{{Availability/Entry2/None|v=Sun|v2=Moon|area=Unobtainable}}
{{Availability/Entry2/None|v=Ultra Sun|v2=Ultra Moon|area=[[#In events|Event]]}}
{{Availability/Entry2/None|v=Let's Go Pikachu|v2=Let's Go Eevee|area=Unobtainable}}
|}
|}
{{Availability/Gen|gen=VIII}}
{{Availability/Entry2/None|v=Sword|v2=Shield|area={{g|HOME}}}}
{{Availability/Entry2/None|v=Brilliant Diamond|v2=Shining Pearl|area=Unobtainable}}
{{Availability/Entry1/None|v=Legends: Arceus|area=Unobtainable}}
|}
|}
{{Availability/Gen|gen=IX}}
{{Availability/Entry2/None|v=Scarlet|v2=Violet|area=Unobtainable}}
{{Availability/Entry1/None|v=Legends: Z-A|area=[[Trade]]Version 2.0.0+}}
{{Availability/Entry1/None|v=Mega Dimension|area=[[Hyperspace Lumiose]] (requires [[Mystery Gift]] activation) ([[List of in-game event Pokémon in Pokémon Legends: Z-A#Zeraora|Only one]])}}
|}
|}
{{Availability/Footer}}

====In side games====
{{Availability/Header|type=Electric}}
{{Availability/NA|gen=VII}}
{{Availability/Gen|gen=VII}}
{{Availability/Entry1|1|v=Rumble Rush|color={{fire color}}|area=[[Rowlet Sea]]Final}}
|}
|}
{{Availability/Gen|gen=VIII}}
{{Availability/Entry1|1|v=New Snap|link=New Pokémon Snap|color={{orange color light}}|area=[[Barren Badlands]]Day Level 3, Night Level 2}}
|}
|}
{{Availability/Cross}}
{{Availability/Entry1|1|v=UNITE|t=FFF|color={{violet color}}|area=Release Bonus (July 21 to August 31, 2021) Zeraora Mission (Win 32 battles)}}
|}
|}
{{Availability/Footer}}

====In events====
{{eventAvail/h|Language/Region|type=Electric}}
{{eventAvail|{{gameabbrev7|USUM}}|Fula City Zeraora|All|Japan|50|July 1, 2018 July 13 to September 30, 2018|link=List of local event Pokémon distributions in Pokémon Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun, and Ultra Moon#Fula City Zeraora}}
{{eventAvail|{{gameabbrev7|USUM}}|Fula City Zeraora|PAL region|Online|50|October 1 to November 15, 2018 May 3 to May 26, 2019|link=List of PAL region serial code event Pokémon distributions in Pokémon Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun, and Ultra Moon#Fula City Zeraora}}
{{eventAvail|{{gameabbrev7|USUM}}|Fula City Zeraora|American region|Online|50|October 19, 2018 to January 24, 2019|link=List of American region serial code event Pokémon distributions in Pokémon Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun, and Ultra Moon#Fula City Zeraora}}
{{eventAvail|{{gameabbrev7|USUM}}|Fula City Zeraora|Japanese region|Online|50|December 1, 2018 to March 31, 2019|link=List of Japanese region serial code event Pokémon distributions in Pokémon Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun, and Ultra Moon#Fula City Zeraora}}
{{eventAvail|{{gameabbrev7|USUM}}|Fula City Zeraora|American region|Online|50|December 1, 2018 to March 31, 2019|link=List of American region serial code event Pokémon distributions in Pokémon Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun, and Ultra Moon#Asian Fula City Zeraora}}
{{eventAvail|{{gameabbrev7|USUM}}|Fula City Zeraora|PAL region|Online|50|December 1, 2018 to March 31, 2019|link=List of PAL region serial code event Pokémon distributions in Pokémon Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun, and Ultra Moon#Asian Fula City Zeraora}}
{{eventAvail|{{gameabbrev7|USUM}}|Fula City Zeraora|Taiwanese region|Online|50|December 1, 2018 to March 31, 2019|link=List of Taiwanese region serial code event Pokémon distributions in Pokémon Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun, and Ultra Moon#Fula City Zeraora}}
{{eventAvail|{{gameabbrev7|USUM}}|Fula City Zeraora|Korean region|Online|50|December 19, 2018 to February 28, 2019|link=List of Korean region serial code event Pokémon distributions in Pokémon Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun, and Ultra Moon#Fula_City_Zeraora}}
|}

=====In-game events=====
{{eventAvail/h|type=Electric|lochide=yes}}
{{eventAvail|{{gameabbrevss|HOME}}|One million victories Shiny Zeraora|Worldwide|hide|100{{shinystar|HOME}}|June 29, 2020 onwards|link=List of game-based Pokémon distributions in Generation VIII#One million victories Shiny Zeraora}}
|}

===Held items===
{{HeldItems
|type=Electric
|event1=Air Balloon|event1type=None|event1rar=100}}

===Stats===
====Base stats====
=====Zeraora=====
{{Stats
|type=Electric
|HP=88
|Attack=112
|Defense=75
|SpAtk=102
|SpDef=80
|Speed=143
}}

=====Mega Zeraora=====
{{Stats
|type=Electric
|HP=88
|Attack=157
|Defense=75
|SpAtk=147
|SpDef=80
|Speed=153
}}

===Type effectiveness===
{{TypeEffectiveness
|type1=Electric
|Normal=100
|Fighting=100
|Flying=50
|Poison=100
|Ground=200
|Rock=100
|Bug=100
|Ghost=100
|Steel=50
|Fire=100
|Water=100
|Grass=100
|Electric=0
|Psychic=100
|Ice=100
|Dragon=100
|Dark=100
|Fairy=100
|notes=yes
|voltabsorb=yes
|newelectric=½
}}

===Learnset===
Zeraora is available in {{pkmn|Legends Z-A}} Version 2.0.0+.

====By [[Level|leveling up]]====
{{learnlist/levelh/ZA|Zeraora|Electric|Electric|7}}
{{learnlist/levelZA|1|10|Quick Attack|Normal|Physical|30|3}}
{{learnlist/levelZA|1|10|Spark|Electric|Physical|65|6||'''}}
{{learnlist/levelZA|1|10|Fake Out|Normal|Physical|40|3}}
{{learnlist/levelZA|10|13|Snarl|Dark|Special|55|9}}
{{learnlist/levelZA|15|18|Power-Up Punch|Fighting|Physical|40|10}}
{{learnlist/levelZA|18|21|Brutal Swing|Dark|Physical|60|6}}
{{learnlist/levelZA|24|27|Slash|Normal|Physical|70|7}}
{{learnlist/levelZA|32|35|Volt Switch|Electric|Special|70|12||'''}}
{{learnlist/levelZA|40|43|Charge|Electric|Status|—|10}}
{{learnlist/levelZA|48|51|Thunder Punch|Electric|Physical|75|7||'''}}
{{learnlist/levelZA|56|59|Dynamic Punch|Fighting|Physical|100|12}}
{{learnlist/levelZA|64|67|Discharge|Electric|Special|80|8||'''}}
{{learnlist/levelZA|72|75|Wild Charge|Electric|Physical|90|8||'''}}
{{learnlist/levelZA|80|83|Agility|Psychic|Status|—|12}}
{{learnlist/levelZA|84|87|Plasma Fists|Electric|Physical|100|10||'''}}
{{learnlist/levelZA|96|99|Close Combat|Fighting|Physical|120|12}}
{{learnlist/levelf/9|Zeraora|Electric|Electric|7}}

====By [[TM]]====
{{learnlist/tmh/ZA|Zeraora|Electric|Electric|7}}
{{learnlist/tmZA|TM006|Calm Mind|Psychic|Status|—|18}}
{{learnlist/tmZA|TM008|Thunder Wave|Electric|Status|—|10}}
{{learnlist/tmZA|TM010|Brick Break|Fighting|Physical|75|7}}
{{learnlist/tmZA|TM011|Bulk Up|Fighting|Status|—|18}}
{{learnlist/tmZA|TM017|Protect|Normal|Status|—|15}}
{{learnlist/tmZA|TM018|Power-Up Punch|Fighting|Physical|40|10}}
{{learnlist/tmZA|TM020|Play Rough|Fairy|Physical|90|8}}
{{learnlist/tmZA|TM022|Aerial Ace|Flying|Physical|60|9}}
{{learnlist/tmZA|TM023|Thunder Punch|Electric|Physical|75|7||'''}}
{{learnlist/tmZA|TM027|Swift|Normal|Special|60|5}}
{{learnlist/tmZA|TM029|Fire Punch|Fire|Physical|75|7}}
{{learnlist/tmZA|TM035|Endure|Normal|Status|—|12}}
{{learnlist/tmZA|TM039|Discharge|Electric|Special|80|8||'''}}
{{learnlist/tmZA|TM044|Hyper Beam|Normal|Special|150|20}}
{{learnlist/tmZA|TM047|Agility|Psychic|Status|—|12}}
{{learnlist/tmZA|TM055|Giga Impact|Normal|Physical|150|20}}
{{learnlist/tmZA|TM066|Volt Switch|Electric|Special|70|12||'''}}
{{learnlist/tmZA|TM067|Thunderbolt|Electric|Special|90|8||'''}}
{{learnlist/tmZA|TM085|Substitute|Normal|Status|—|10}}
{{learnlist/tmZA|TM086|Wild Charge|Electric|Physical|90|8||'''}}
{{learnlist/tmZA|TM087|Iron Tail|Steel|Physical|100|10}}
{{learnlist/tmZA|TM093|Outrage|Dragon|Physical|120|15}}
{{learnlist/tmZA|TM095|Taunt|Dark|Status|—|12}}
{{learnlist/tmZA|TM101|Electroweb|Electric|Special|55|7||'''}}
{{learnlist/tmZA|TM102|Focus Blast|Fighting|Special|120|12}}
{{learnlist/tmZA|TM103|Work Up|Normal|Status|—|15}}
{{learnlist/tmZA|TM106|Thunder|Electric|Special|110|10||'''}}
{{learnlist/tmZA|TM107|Close Combat|Fighting|Physical|120|12}}
{{learnlist/tmZA|TM108|Comet Punch|Normal|Physical|30|6}}
{{learnlist/tmZA|TM109|Facade|Normal|Physical|70|7}}
{{learnlist/tmZA|TM113|Low Sweep|Fighting|Physical|65|6}}
{{learnlist/tmZA|TM116|Pay Day|Normal|Physical|40|6}}
{{learnlist/tmZA|TM122|False Swipe|Normal|Physical|40|6}}
{{learnlist/tmZA|TM131|Drain Punch|Fighting|Physical|75|7}}
{{learnlist/tmZA|TM133|Blaze Kick|Fire|Physical|85|7}}
{{learnlist/tmZA|TM141|Fake Out|Normal|Physical|40|3}}
{{learnlist/tmZA|TM145|Razor Wind|Normal|Special|40|12}}
{{learnlist/tmZA|TM150|Vacuum Wave|Fighting|Special|40|3}}
{{learnlist/tmf/9|Zeraora|Electric|Electric|7}}

===Side game data===
{{Spindata/Head|type=Electric}}
{{Spindata/RumbleRush|col=6|type=Electric|ndex=807
|walk=1.42
|hp=57
|attack=83
|defense=55
|speed=80
}}
|-
{{Spindata/NewSnap|col=6|type=Electric|ndex=807|pdex=234
|dex=Zeraora runs as fast as a lightning bolt, patrolling [[Voluca Island]] to keep the peace. We were lucky to spot it in the [[Barren Badlands]]!}}
|-
{{Spindata/GO|col=6|type=Electric|ndex=0807
|hatch=N/A
|buddy=20
|evolution=N/A
|stamina=204
|attack=252
|defense=177
|fast={{m|Spark}}, {{m|Volt Switch}}
|special={{m|Discharge}}, {{m|Thunder Punch}}, {{m|Wild Charge}}
}}
|}

===Form data===
====Mega Evolution====
{{Evobox/Formes
|sprite1=0807Zeraora
|name1=Zeraora
|type1-1=Electric
|forme1=Zeraora
|loc1=Default
|item1=Zeraorite
|itemfile1=Bag Zeraorite ZA Sprite.png
|itemsize1=40px
|sprite2=0807Zeraora-Mega
|forme2=Mega Zeraora
|loc2={{color2|000|Held item|Held}} Zeraorite
}}

===Evolution data===
<div style="float:center; display:flex; flex-flow:row wrap;">
{{Evobox-1
|type1=Electric
|pictype=art
|no1=0807
|name1=Zeraora
|type1-1=Electric}}
</div>

===Sprites===
{{Spritebox/Header|type=Electric}}
{{Spritebox/NA|gen=VII}}
{{Spritebox/7/USUM|ndex=807|crop=111}}
{{Spritebox/8|ndex=807}}
{{Spritebox/NA|gen=IX|is=yes}}
{{Spritebox/HOME|ndex=0807}}
{{Spritebox/Footer|807|Zeraora}}

==In animation==
[[File:Zeraora M21.png|thumb|250px|Zeraora in ''[[M21|The Power of Us]]'']]
===Major appearances===
====[[Zeraora (M21)]]====
Zeraora debuted in ''[[M21|The Power of Us]]''. Living in [[Fula City]], it was once hunted down by [[Pokémon hunter]]s and developed a hostility towards all humans following a fire that ravaged Fula City fifty years ago.

====Other====
Zeraora made its animated series debut in ''[[SM100|Battling the Beast Within!]]''. {{al|Dia}}, a former member of the [[Ultra Rangers]], befriended it at some point prior to the episode's events. He used it to save {{Ash}} and {{AP|Pikachu}} from {{DL|Ultra Beasts (anime)|Ultra Ruin Guzzlord|Guzzlord}}. Afterwards, it battled Pikachu and won. It also appeared in [[SM101|the next episode]].

===Minor appearances===

==In the manga==
[[File:Zeraora ESEZ.png|thumb|200px|Zeraora in ''Episode Zeraora'']]
===Movie adaptations===
{{main|Zeraora (M21)}}
A Zeraora appeared in [[ESEZ0]].
{{-}}

==In the TCG==
{{main|Zeraora (TCG)}}

==Other appearances==
[[File:UNITE Zeraora.png|200px|thumb|Zeraora in Pokémon UNITE]]
===[[Pokémon UNITE]]===
{{main|Zeraora (UNITE)}}
Zeraora is playable through obtaining a Unite License. It is a melee speedster.
{{-}}

==Trivia==
* Zeraora is the only {{type|Electric}} [[Mythical Pokémon]], excluding {{p|Arceus}} while holding a [[Zap Plate]].
* On April 26, 2018, [[The Pokémon Company]] released a special [[Battle Video]] for {{g|Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon}} {{DL|Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon|Version history|version 1.2}} that allowed Zeraora to be legitimately used and battled against in-game prior to its official release, using the code <code>QKUW-WWWW-WWWL-J5TL</code>.
* [[Marshadow (Pokémon)|Marshadow]], Zeraora, and [[Zarude (Pokémon)|Zarude]] were each revealed in the [[I Choose You! trilogy|“I Choose You!” movie trilogy]], portrayed alongside Johto Pokémon [[Ho-Oh (Pokémon)|Ho-Oh]], [[Lugia (Pokémon)|Lugia]], and [[Celebi (Pokémon)|Celebi]] respectively. Each member of the trio has a “Z” theme (Marshadow with its Zenith form & exclusive [[Z-Move]], and the names for the other two).
* In [[The Isle of Armor]] DLC for {{g|Sword and Shield}}, in order to obtain a {{Shiny}} Zeraora, a [[Dynamax]] Zeraora was required for one million players to battle, making it the only Mythical Pokémon that could be encountered in a [[Max Raid Battle]].
* Mega Zeraora has the highest base {{stat|Attack}} and base stat total of all Electric-type Pokémon.
** Mega Zeraora also has the highest base {{stat|Speed}} of all Mega-Evolved Pokémon.

===Origin===
Zeraora's feline appearance may take inspiration from {{wp|cat}}s and {{wp|tiger}}s. Its {{t|Electric}} type may allude to {{wp|Kanehekili}}, the Hawaiian god of thunder. Its design may also reference the {{wp|oni}}, a supernatural creature often associated with tiger pelts and lightning; or even the ''{{wp|raijū}}'', a creature that is the embodiment of lightning in an animal form, which is sometimes represented as a cat. Based on its swift movement and slicing up of its opponents, it may also draw inspiration from the {{wp|kamaitachi}}. Its {{Shiny}} coloration may be based on {{wp|white tiger}}s.

Because of its black and gray fur and massive amount of electrical energy, Mega Zeraora may be based on {{wp|thunderstorm}}s. The tail-like strip of fur on Zeraora's back splitting into two on Mega Zeraora may be a reference to the {{wp|nekomata}}, a cat {{wp|yōkai}} that has gained powers such that its tail is split into two.

====Name origin====
Zeraora's name may be derived from ''{{wp|Zeus}}'' (Greek god of thunder), زر ''zarra'' (Arabic for "to beam/glitter/shine", "to encroach upon one's enemy"), and 虎 ''tora'' (Japanese for tiger) or ''tora'' (Faroese for thunder).

==In other languages==
{{Other languages|type=Electric|type2=Electric
|ja=ゼラオラ ''Zeraora''|jameaning=From ''{{wp|Zeus}}'', {{tt|زر ''zarra''|Arabic for to beam/glitter/shine, to encroach upon one's enemy}}, {{tt|虎 ''tora''|Japanese for tiger}} and {{tt|''tora''|Faroese for thunder}}
|fr=Zeraora|frmeaning=Same as English/Japanese name
|es=Zeraora|esmeaning=Same as English/Japanese name
|de=Zeraora|demeaning=Same as English/Japanese name
|it=Zeraora|itmeaning=Same as English/Japanese name
|ko=제라오라 ''Zeraora''|komeaning=Transliteration of Japanese name
|zh_cmn=捷拉奧拉 / 捷拉奥拉 ''Jiélā'àolā''|zh_cmnmeaning=Transliteration of Japanese name
|zh_yue=捷拉奧拉 ''Jihtlāai'oulāai''|zh_yuemeaning=Mandarin-based transliteration of Japanese name
|hi=ज़ेराऑरा ''Zeraora''|himeaning=Transcription of Hindi/Japanese name
|he=זראורה ''Zera'ora''|hemeaning=Transcription of English name
|ru=Зераора ''Zeraora''|rumeaning=Transcription of English name
|th=เซราโอรา ''Seraora''|thmeaning=Transcription of Japanese name
}}

==Related articles==
* [[Zeraora (M21)]]
* [[Zeraora (UNITE)]]
* [[Mythical Pokémon]]
* [[Mega Evolution]]
* [[Rogue Mega Evolution]]

==References==
<references/>

==External links==

{{Mythical Pokémon}}
{{Mega Evolution}}
{{EventExclusive}}{{PokémonPrevNext/Head|type=Electric}}
{{PokémonPrevNext/Pokémon|type=Electric|prevnum=0806|prev=Blacephalon|nextnum=0808|next=Meltan}}
|}
{{Project Pokédex notice}}

[[Category:Pokémon in the Mega Evolution Pokédex]]
[[Category:Mythical Pokémon]]
[[Category:Event-exclusive Pokémon]]
[[Category:Pokémon introduced in Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon]]
[[Category:Pokémon with universal names]]

[[de:Zeraora]]
[[es:Zeraora]]
[[fr:Zeraora]]
[[it:Zeraora]]
[[ja:ゼラオラ]]
[[zh:捷拉奥拉]]

Game Freak

2025-10-09T01:22:59Z

TailsBOOM1992: /* Mario & Wario */ Game just officially released outside Japan via the NSO update

{{Company Infobox
| name = Game Freak, Inc.
| subtitle = 株式会社ゲームフリーク
| logo = Game Freak logo.png
| caption = Game Freak logo
| founded = April 26, 1989
| headquarters = '''Current:''' Kanda Square, 2-2-1 Kandanishiki-cho, Chiyoda, Tokyo '''Before summer 2020:''' Carrot Tower 22F, 4-1-1 Taishido, Setagaya, Tokyo '''Before November 19, 2007:''' Kashiwa 3rd 5F, 1-40-6 Kitazawa, Setagaya, Tokyo
| type = [[wp:Privately held company|Private]] [[wp:Kabushiki gaisha|KK]]
| subsidiaries = Koa Games
| industry = Video games
| links = Japan: [https://www.gamefreak.co.jp/ gamefreak.co.jp]
}}
'''Game Freak, Inc.''' (Japanese: '''{{j|株式会社ゲームフリーク}}''' ''{{wp|Kabushiki gaisha}} Game Freak''), officially stylized as '''GAME FREAK inc.''' or less commonly as '''GAMEFREAK inc.''', is a Japanese game development company founded on April 26, 1989 by [[Satoshi Tajiri]], [[Ken Sugimori]], and [[Junichi Masuda]]. Game Freak is responsible for the development of the [[core series]] [[Pokémon]] games, as well as the free-to-play spin-off game {{g|Quest}}, and shares ownership of [[The Pokémon Company]] with [[Creatures, Inc.]] and [[Nintendo]].

The company has 207 employees as of March 2024,<ref>[https://www.gamefreak.co.jp/company/about/ 会社概要｜GAME FREAK 株式会社ゲームフリーク]</ref> while Satoshi Tajiri serves as its {{wp|Representative director (Japan)|representative director}}. Its headquarters were initially located on the Kashiwa 3rd building in {{wp|Shimokitazawa}}.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/19970415053410/http://www.gamefreak.co.jp/GAIYO.HTM Game Freak website's about section as of April 15, 1997]</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20230705184748/https://twitter.com/Junichi_Masuda/status/1676597298359414784 Junichi Masuda's tweet from July 5, 2023]</ref> It moved to {{wp|Carrot Tower}} on November 19, 2007<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20071102222933/http://www.gamefreak.co.jp/information/company.html Game Freak website's about section as of November 2, 2007]</ref> and to Kanda Square in {{wp|Nishikichō}} between May and July 2020.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20200511125022/https://www.gamefreak.co.jp/company/about/ Game Freak website's about section as of May 11, 2020]</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20200720084932/https://www.gamefreak.co.jp/company/about/ Game Freak website's about section as of July 20, 2020]</ref>

Game Freak launched its website on January 29, 1997.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/19970415053304/http://www.gamefreak.co.jp/NEWS.htm Game Freak website's news section as of April 15, 1997]</ref> Between October 1999 and November 1999, the head office address and phone numbers were removed.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/19991002085400/http://www.gamefreak.co.jp/GAIYO/GAIYO.HTM Game Freak website's about section as of October 2, 1999]</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/19991104182114/http://www.gamefreak.co.jp/GAIYO/GAIYO.HTM Game Freak website's about section as of November 4, 1999]</ref> The address would then be readded during summer 2007.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20070705123753/http://www.gamefreak.co.jp/about01.html Game Freak website's about section as of July 5, 2007]</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20070928230735/http://www.gamefreak.co.jp/information/company.html Game Freak website's about section as of September 28, 2007]</ref>

On September 17, 2020, it was reported on {{wp|Weibo}} that Game Freak trademarked its Chinese name as '''{{lang|zh|遊戲狂想家}}''' ''Game Maniac'' after changing it from '''{{lang|zh|遊戲富利克}}''' ''Game Freak''.<ref>[https://archive.ph/xTOQa Weibo thread]</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20201122235237/https://twitter.com/poke_sirena/status/1307551640367505408 Tweet by @poke_sirena]</ref>

In Korean, the company is called '''{{k|게임프리크}}''' ''Game Freak''.

Game Freak acquired and absorbed the mobile development company Koa Games in October 2015.<ref>[https://gamebiz.jp/news/151524 ''Game Freak, known as "Pokémon" development company, merged with smartphone game development company Koa Games...'' - gamebiz.jp]</ref>

==History==
===Early history===
====Satoshi Tajiri's background====
The origin of the name "Game Freak" refers to a nickname used in Japan to refer to avid arcade game fans during the 1980s. At this point, competitive players including children used the term {{wp|Urawaza}} (Japanese: {{j|裏技}}, ''Secret Technique'') in the context of video game strategy, although {{wp|Masanobu Endo}} (creator of {{wp|Xevious}} himself) was not a fan of the potential conflict at the arcades (this atmosphere is also covered in Satoshi Tajiri's 1990 book about his youth as an arcade game fan "[https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/4880638242 A Catcher in Pac-Land]" (Japanese: {{j|パックランドでつかまえて}}), as this included video game secrets that were proven to be false (such as the Xevious Star (Japanese: {{j|ゼビウス星}}) and their veracity was subject to heated debate. He also did not want players to be spreading falsehoods and reportedly got angry regarding an interview about Xevious Star, but at the same time settled fans down from arguing during a visit. Another issue is that some of these techniques were (sometimes unknowingly) actually bugs (glitches) in the code.<ref>[https://www.kinephanos.ca/2015/game-freaks-who-play-with-bugs/ The Game Freaks Who Play With Bugs – Discussions on the Video Game Xevious] (Japanese: {{j|ゲームフリークはバグと戯れる―ビデオゲーム「ゼビウス」論}}) (Nakazawa Shinichi) (1984) (Translations from Jérémie Pelletier-Gagnon and Tsugumi Okabe for Geemu Media Mix Volume 5, Issue 1, December 2015, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada)</ref>

Satoshi Tajiri himself was an avid fan of arcade games, and once met Masanobu Endo at the arcades. Occasionally, prototypes of new games were also released at specific Game Centers, such as one at [[wikipedia:Chiyoda, Tokyo|Chiyoda, Tokyo]] famous for showcasing new Sega games. Satoshi Tajiri himself enjoyed visiting it.<ref>[https://news.denfaminicogamer.jp/projectbook/xevious Interview between Masanobu Endo, Satoshi Tajiri, Ken Sugimori - Denfaminicogamer (February 8, 2016)]</ref>

Tajiri also identified as a "Game Freak" (as seen in video game magazines he wrote to), and other than his other interests like bug-catching, enjoyed writing about video games. In 1983, he self-published the Game Freak magazine series for strategy/hidden techniques in arcade games. When [[Ken Sugimori]] discovered it, he became Tajiri's friend and part of Tajiri's Game Freak circle (and magazine staff).

Furthermore, Tajiri stated in a May 2000 interview at Game Freak headquarters that the concept for the Pokémon {{p|Mew}} (although [[Shigeki Morimoto]] programmed and designed it into the game) as an "illusory Pokémon" was inspired by rumors at the arcades (including from the Game Freaks), specifically a hidden/unused F4 phantom fighter ship in Xevious. This was republished for a Japan-exclusive December 2000 book called [https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/4822241998 Pokémon Story].<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=esIL1W_QBns Mew's Origins: A Story of Secrets, Rumors & Legends Ft. maxmoefoe (Pokémon) - DidYouKnowGaming?]</ref>

Other than Game Freak magazine, Satoshi Tajiri was also the author of the 1990 book "A Catcher in Pac-Land" and the 1995 book New Game Design. There was also a (possibly internal) 1993 Game Freak New Year postcard by Ken Sugimori thanking someone for their help the previous year (also revealing prerelease art of Kangaskhan and Exeggutor). This was later revealed to the public in a special 1999 edition of Game Freak magazine, though the official scan may only be in black and white.

====GAME FREAK magazine====
It was also around this time that arcade game fans wanted to know how video games worked and to compete as Game Freaks. Notably, Xevious expert at the time {{Jwp|大堀康祐|Yasuhiro Ohori (Japanese: 大堀康祐)}} (pseudonym Urusei Anzu) discovered how to score 10 million points in Xevious with the help of programming errors, and had his {{Jwp|ミニコミ|Mini-Comi}} "How to Score 10 Million Points in Xevious" (Japanese: ゼビウス1000万点への解法) published with fellow Game Freak Naohiko Nakagane (Japanese: 中金直彦). Coinciding with the Game Freak magazine series, Game Freak magazine republished their own version of the original as well.

The first Game Freak magazine (1983) featured Taizo Hori from {{wp|Dig Dug}} on the front cover, and mentioned "'''Tajiri Corp.'''" (although at the time, it was not an official corporation/company until 1989, also changing its name to Game Freak Co.). Run chiefly by Tajiri, with art made by Sugimori, the magazines typically were released at a length of around 28 pages and at a price of ¥300 (roughly US$3). Initially, the magazine was handwritten, but Tajiri later outsourced this to a professional printing company.
<gallery widths=150>
GameFreakCover1.jpg|Covers for volumes 4, 5, 7, and 8 of GAME FREAK magazine
GameFreakCovers2.jpg|Covers for volumes 13, 14, and 16 of Game Freak magazine
</gallery>

===Pre-Pokémon games===
====Quinty====
In 1989, Tajiri published and directed GAME FREAK's first video game, Quinty, (Japanese: '''{{j|クインティ}}''') for the Famicom. The player's character, Carton, ("Bon-Bon" in the American release) must rescue his girlfriend Jenny from his younger sister, Quinty, who is jealous of the attention that Jenny gets from him. Quinty can be played cooperatively, and involves a player(s) flipping adjacent tiles from a top-down perspective to throw the enemies into walls, where defeating all of them will finish the stage. Each world has ten individual levels with a variety of enemies that all have unique abilities, before battling Quinty at the end of the game.

The game features the earliest known work by [[Junichi Masuda]], who composed the entirety of the soundtrack, being aided in sound-effects by Yuji Shingai and Akihito Koriyama. The soundtrack is generally rather upbeat, with a couple of songs that appear to sound much like Masuda's later work - most notably the track '''Battle! (Boss)''' being similar to a combination of '''A Rival Appears''' from [[Pokémon Red & Pokémon Green: Super Music Collection|Pokémon Red and Green]] and '''A Rival Appears!''' from [[Pokémon HeartGold & Pokémon SoulSilver: Super Music Collection|Pokémon Gold and Silver]]. In 2017, Masuda explained that at the time, GAME FREAK didn't possess any official development equipment, so they had to effectively hack the Famicom to understand how it worked in order to begin work on the game.<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20201112022755/https://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2017/08/09/game-freaks-origins-and-non-pokemon-games.aspx</ref> Since Nintendo wasn't interested in Quinty due to GAME FREAK not yet being a formal development company, Tajiri reached out to {{wp|Namco}}, who agreed to have a contract surrounding the game so long as GAME FREAK was an incorporated company.

[[Ken Sugimori]] would provide illustrations for both the box art and manual, as well as a long-running Quinty manga that released in regular intervals for a few years following the launch of the game. Towards the manga's conclusion, a variety of characters would later resemble designs used in Pokémon, (albeit likely unintentionally) such as the [[Generation I]] [[Roughneck (Trainer class)|Cue Ball]] or [[Swimmer (Trainer class)|Swimmer]]. It was later localized as {{wp|Mendel Palace}} for its North American release in 1990, which had all of its promotional artwork by [[Ken Sugimori|Sugimori]] redrawn for the western market, as well as a change in almost every character name.

<gallery widths=150>
Quinty Box Art.png|Box art of Quinty, drawn by [[Ken Sugimori]]
Quinty Box Art NA.png|North American box art of Quinty
Quinty Manga Ending.jpg|Final page of the Quinty manga, drawn by [[Ken Sugimori]]
</gallery>

====Jerry Boy====
To help finance their work on [[Capsule Monsters|what would later become Pokémon]], GAME FREAK created a variety of games for other consoles whilst they worked on [[Generation I]] for over six-years. The first of these games was a cutesy 2D-platformer known as Jerry Boy (Japanese: {{j|ジェリーボーイ}}) for the Super Famicom in 1991. According to the credits, this job was shared with {{wp|System Sacom}}, who handled the actual programming whilst the game design was done at GAME FREAK. The player controls a young boy named Jerry, who is transformed into a blob by an evil wizard at the behest of his jealous brother, Tom, who has a crush on the young princess Emi.

According to Tajiri, Jerry Boy's development spanned over two years, beginning about a year and a half before the release of the Super Famicom. <ref name="TSI1993JerryBoy">[https://web.archive.org/web/20230215130305/https://www.chrismcovell.com/JBTribute/interview.html]</ref> Tajiri worked at Epic Sony as somewhat of an advisor, and heard around the office that the company wanted to have some games to release alongside the Super Famicom, given that they were responsible for developing the system's sound chip. Sugimori and Tajiri initially envisioned the game as an action-RPG featuring a slime as a playable character, which later grew into a platformer after realizing how they could use the shapeless design of a blob as part of the gameplay. The small team intentionally designed a far larger, more action-oriented game as a response to Quinty's poor sales on the Famicom, with roughly 200 sprites for the main character alone, as well as early plans that would allow the player to split into several smaller pieces, though this was later scrapped as a result of complications with the player's movement. At one point, Jerry was also able to change colors which was also removed during development, though this may have inspired some of the other designs for the sequel.<ref name=TSI1993JerryBoy/>

The artwork was sketched in the style of 2D-animation before being translated to game sprites, as opposed to the typical process of drawing the sprites first. Tajiri mentioned that Jerry's design would probably resemble {{wp|Akira Toriyama}}'s design of a Slime from the {{wp|Dragon Quest}} series for those already familiar with games, so the team decided to make him appear cuter to appeal to women or young children.<ref name=TSI1993JerryBoy/> Both Sugimori and Tajiri lamented the lack of difficulty for the final release of the game, with the bosses being highlighted as an example of poor balancing. When brought to the Super Nintendo as {{wp|Smart Ball}} in 1992, all content relating to the story and every village section was strangely removed, with the game's box art and promotional material again being redrawn from Sugimori's original work.

A short Jerry Boy manga following the events of the game was serialized in Family Computer Magazine between 1991 and 1992, which was collected and published into a single book alongside an additional '''Making of Jerry Boy''' story and a short '''Jerry Girl''' spin-off in 1993.<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20230411160732/https://www.chrismcovell.com/JBTribute/comicbook.html</ref> All of the various Jerry Boy manga was illustrated by Sugimori, whose style remains similar to that of the Quinty manga that ran at the same time. Likely as a result of the far simpler character design, Sugimori opts to draw characters with far thicker line weight here, combined with smaller paneling to better highlight the more frequent action.

The game's soundtrack was composed by Hirohiko Fukuda, Manabu Saito and Akira Yamaoka, likely as a result of it's co-development. This marks the first GAME FREAK game not to feature compositions from Junichi Masuda.

<gallery widths=150>
Jerry Boy Box Art.jpg|Box art of Jerry Boy, drawn by [[Ken Sugimori]]
Jerry Boy Box Art NA.png|North American box art of Jerry Boy
Jerry Boy Manga Cover.png|Cover of the Jerry Boy manga, drawn by [[Ken Sugimori]]
Jerry Girl Manga Chapter Cover.png|Chapter cover of the Jerry Girl spin-off manga, drawn by [[Ken Sugimori]]
</gallery>

====Jerry Boy 2====
Some time between 1994 and 2000, a near-finished prototype of a Jerry Boy sequel, known as Jerry Boy 2 was released online.<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20230411163827/https://snescentral.com/article.php?id=1107</ref> According to {{wp|Electronic Gaming Monthly}}, the game was set to be released in September of 1994, but went on to be cancelled for unknown reasons. Although Ken Sugimori remained as character designer on the sequel, Tajiri only supervised the project, which was largely co-produced, much like the original game. Takashi Fukushima took upon the role of the game's director suggesting that the co-production may have been with {{wp|Telenet Japan}}'s Team Riot, of which many members would leave to form {{wp|Media.Vision}} during the game's development, something that may have played a part in its cancellation. Another leading presumption among fans is that the falling out between [[Nintendo]] and {{wp|Sony}} was to blame, (given the time period) but this is also speculation. The story was written by new GAME FREAK recruit Ryosuke Taniguchi, who would go on to become a scenario writer on {{wp|Pulseman}} and [[Pokémon Red and Green Versions|Pokémon Red and Green.]]

Despite its cancellation, the only playable ROM of the game is largely complete, with the exception of some minor bugs, such as the credits theme ending improperly as loud noise.{{fact}} The plot follows a new main character known as Marine, who goes to visit "Jelly Land" with his four best friends and dog. They are halted by the evil wizard from the original Jerry Boy, and turned into different colored blobs. Determined to get their original bodies back, the cast ventures throughout the mysterious amusement park, facing the wizard at the very end. The game has had a complete overhaul from the original, with each character having various abilities, and are unlocked progressively after saving them from a boss. Also unlike the original, the player has the choice to choose from multiple levels at a time, instead of a linear adventure. Jerry Boy's 2 soundtrack was composed by {{wp|Yoshinori Sunahara}}, Tetsuya Furumoto and Takafumi Fujisawa, the final of whom would go onto create the console start-up jingle for the {{wp|PlayStation}}, {{wp|PlayStation 2}} and {{wp|PlayStation 3.}}

<gallery widths=150>
Jerry Boy 2 Promotional Flyer.png|The only known artwork for Jerry Boy 2, drawn by [[Ken Sugimori]]
</gallery>

====Yoshi====
On December 14, 1991, GAME FREAK launched ''{{smw|Yoshi (game)|Yoshi}}'' for the Famicom, which would see a simultaneous release with a Game Boy port of the game with the same name, and very similar gameplay. Both versions received worldwide releases the following year. ''Yoshi'' is a puzzle game where the player must match {{smw|Yoshi}} egg shells in various columns in order to hatch them, which prevents the columns from becoming too tall. Should the columns of enemies rise above the top of the screen, the player will lose.

''Yoshi'' was the first collaboration between GAME FREAK and [[Nintendo]] as a publisher, which would play a big part in helping to finance their development on {{game|Red and Green|s|Pokémon Red & Green}}. The project was offered by Nintendo<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20201112022755/https://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2017/08/09/game-freaks-origins-and-non-pokemon-games.aspx</ref> and suggested by Tajiri's friend, [[Tsunekazu Ishihara]], then member of Ape Inc..<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20151113010805/http://www.nintendo.co.jp/nom/0007/taidan1/page02.html</ref> Yoshi was developed in six months, and directed by Tajiri.<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20151113010805/http://www.nintendo.co.jp/nom/0007/taidan1/page02.html</ref>

Ken Sugimori acted as both a game designer and as a graphic artist on the project, which was largely unknown for some time given that the game has no ending or credits. The score was handled solely by [[Junichi Masuda]], who returns from his absence on the co-developed Jerry Boy titles. Despite being part of the existing {{smw|Super Mario (franchise)|Super Mario franchise}}, all of Masuda's compositions on ''Yoshi'' are purely original, and are not arrangements of any Mario music. Masuda also mentioned that GAME FREAK wanted to add in a realistic sounding Yoshi voice to the game, but Nintendo disapproved.<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20210109201340/https://www.siliconera.com/game-freak-director-junichi-masuda-on-the-making-of-yoshi-and-pokemon/</ref>

<gallery widths=150>
Yoshi Box Art JP NES.jpg|Yoshi's Japanese Famicom box art drawn by {{wp|Yōichi Kotabe}}
Yoshi Box Art US NES.jpg|Yoshi's North American NES box art drawn by {{wp|Yōichi Kotabe}}
Yoshi Box Art JP GB.jpg|Yoshi's Japanese Game Boy box art drawn by {{wp|Yōichi Kotabe}}
Yoshi GB (US).jpg|Yoshi's North American Game Boy box art drawn by {{wp|Yōichi Kotabe}}
</gallery>

====Magical Tarurūto-kun====
Magical Tarurūto-kun is a Japanese-only 2D-platformer developed by GAME FREAK for the {{wp|Mega Drive}}, released on April 24, 1992, and {{wp|Magical Taruruto|based on the anime of the same name.}} The game was directed and designed by [[Ken Sugimori]], whilst [[Junichi Masuda]] worked on the soundtrack. The player controls Tarurūto, and must thwart the evil Raivar by the end of the linear story. Tarurūto's abilities include the power to wield inanimate objects as makeshift weapons to use to his advantage, and to glide through levels with large pink wings.

Most of Masuda's compositions are relatively new here, though some stand out by virtue of being tied to the television anime that the game is based on. The game begins with the {{wp|SEGA}} jingle arranged by Masuda but with the voice of {{wp|Tarako}}, who voices the titular character of Tarurūto. Additionally, the '''Title Screen''' song is an arrangement of the first opening of the TV series, composed by {{wp|Kenji Yamamoto (composer, born 1958)|Kenji Yamamoto}}, {{wp|Yukihide Takekawa}} and {{wp|Dai Satō}}, the final of whom joined GAME FREAK after meeting Satoshi Tajiri at one of the Tokyo Gamers Night Groove events he organized around the time of the game's release, with him primarily handling public relations work for about a year before going freelance, and he would later join the Pokémon team over 30 years later as the lead scriptwriter of [[Pokémon Horizons: The Series|Pokémon Horizons.]] The song '''Battle! (Raivar)''' bears a striking resemblance to much of Masuda's later work on Pokémon, with several similarities to '''Battle! (Giratina)''' which he composed for [[Pokémon Black 2 & Pokémon White 2: Super Music Collection|Pokémon Platinum]].

<gallery widths=150>
Magical Taruruto-kun Box Art.png|Box art of Magical Tarurūto-kun drawn by {{wp|Shigeyasu Yamauchi}}
</gallery>

====Mario & Wario====
On August 27, 1993, GAME FREAK released a puzzle game exclusively in Japan, known as Mario & Wario. Directed by Satoshi Tajiri, the player must guide Mario to the end of each stage under the control of the player character known as Wanda, who is controlled with the {{wp|Super Famicom Mouse}} accessory. Mario & Wario appeared to have a variety of planned releases across the United States, Canada, Europe and Brazil as seen within magazine coverage from the era, planned to be sometime between September of 1993 and January of 1994, though no worldwide release was ever made until October 8, 2025 when it was added to Super Nintendo Entertainment System – Nintendo Classics via [[Nintendo Switch Online]].<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20230412145036/https://www.sm128c.com/mario-and-wario-western-release-0176</ref><ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=13ieq0wTB2E</ref> The reason for this is unknown, though it should be noted that the entire game is in English, with an unused Japanese title screen being accessible by editing bytes within the game data, suggesting that a planned worldwide release was scrapped very late on in development.<ref>https://tcrf.net/Mario_%26_Wario</ref>

[[Motofumi Fujiwara]] makes his GAME FREAK game debut as an artist, who would go on to become instrumental in designing various Pokémon from [[Pokémon Red and Green Versions|Pokémon Red and Green]] until [[Pokémon Scarlet and Violet|Pokémon Scarlet and Violet]], such as {{p|Eevee}}, {{p|Jolteon}} and {{p|Flareon}}. [[Junichi Masuda]] returns as the sole composer for Mario & Wario, with tracks that would resemble his later work in Pokémon Red and Green, namely the '''Credits''' theme sounding similar to '''Victory! (Wild Pokémon)''' from [[Pokémon Red & Pokémon Green: Super Music Collection|Pokémon Red and Green]].

Although the game released using the mouse accessory, the original idea was to control the game using the {{wp|Nintendo Super Scope}}, though [[Junichi Masuda]] mentioned that it was scrapped after being too difficult to work with for a variety of reasons. Initially, the player was to use the Super Scope to shoot nets at monsters to capture, but the size of televisions at the time, as well as the general inaccuracy of the Super Scope recognizing the edges of the screen would ultimately force the team to use the mouse accessory.<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20201112022755/https://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2017/08/09/game-freaks-origins-and-non-pokemon-games.aspx</ref>
<gallery widths=150>
Mario & Wario Box Art.jpg|Box art of Mario & Wario drawn by {{wp|Yōichi Kotabe}}
</gallery>

====Nontan to Issho: KuruKuru Puzzle====
Nontan to Issho KuruKuru Puzzle is another puzzle game released exclusively in Japan, developed by GAME FREAK. They were in charge of the Super Famicom version, which released on November 25, 1994, long after the Game Boy version released and developed by {{wp|Access (company)|Access}} on April 18, 1994. It is based on the Japanese children's book {{wp|Nontan}}.
<gallery widths=150>
Nontan to Issho KuruKuru Puzzle Box Art.png|Box art of Nontan to Issho: KuruKuru Puzzle drawn by {{wp|Sachiko Kiyono}}
</gallery>

====Pulseman====
Pulseman is a 2D action-platformer developed by GAME FREAK, and directed by both Ken Sugimori and Satoshi Tajiri, releasing on July 22, 1994. It had a brief release in the United States throughout 1995 as part of the {{wp|Sega Channel}} but became inaccessible after the end of the service. It got a re-release on the {{wp|Wii}} {{wp|Virtual Console}} on April 24, 2007 in Japan, with a July 13, 2009 launch in PAL regions and the United States, though these too became inaccessible after the closure of the {{wp|Wii Shop Channel}} on January 31, 2019.

The game also received three officially licensed cover based on the game's soundtrack by Junichi Masuda, and were arranged by a variety of musicians. All three were released exclusively in Japan. The first was '''Electrace Pulseman''' on August 1, 1994, which was supervised by ''Stereotype'', consisting of Satoshi Tajiri, Dai Sato of White Base and Yoshinori Sunahara. It contains ten tracks in total.

'''Electrace Pulseman Track List:''' 
{| class="sortable" style="margin: auto; background: #A0A0C4; {{roundy|10px}}; border: 5px solid #BBBBE8"
|-
! style="background-color: #CCF; {{roundytl|5px}}" |#
! style="background-color: #CCF" | Song Title
! style="background-color: #CCF; {{roundytr|5px}}" |Length
|- style="background:#FFF"
| 1
| INICIO/DEL CARTUCHO
| 5:43
|- style="background:#FFF"
| 2
| Electrace Pulse Man
| 7:17
|- style="background:#FFF"
| 3
| OPEN YOUR-MOSAIC-
| 3:47
|- style="background:#FFF"
| 4
| Electrace Pulse Man[revenge]
| 6:45
|- style="background:#FFF"
| 5
| IHR ZIEL
| 6:17
|- style="background:#FFF"
| 6
| DETESTI LEGGERE I MANUALI
| 5:31
|- style="background:#FFF"
| 7
| SALASANAT
| 6:49
|- style="background:#FFF"
| 8
| 16-bit SAD FINAL SECRET
| 5:39
|- style="background:#FFF"
| 9
| BACK SPACE STRIKES BACK
| 7:25
|- style="background:#FFF"
| 10
| GIGA DRIVER
| 5:40
|}
{{-}}

The second and third cover albums, both known as '''PULSEMAN''' (more commonly referred to as '''PULSEMAN Arranged''') were released in 1994 and 1995 respectively. The former was released as a two-disc vinyl record, with the latter as a CD release. Both have a different selection of music.

'''PULSEMAN 1994 Track List:'''
{| class="sortable" style="margin: auto; background: #A0A0C4; {{roundy|10px}}; border: 5px solid #BBBBE8"
|-
! style="background-color: #CCF; {{roundytl|5px}}" |#
! style="background-color: #CCF" | Song Title
! style="background-color: #CCF; {{roundytr|5px}}" |Length
|- style="background:#FFF"
| A1
| Pulseman Goes To Party
| 4:17
|- style="background:#FFF"
| A2
| Beatrice
| 7:79
|- style="background:#FFF"
| B1
| Pulse 3
| 8:19
|- style="background:#FFF"
| C1
| Pulseman Vs Sineman
| 13:10
|- style="background:#FFF"
| C2
| Absolute Science
| 4:05
|- style="background:#FFF"
| D1
| FAQ
| 5:24
|- style="background:#FFF"
| D2
| Macro Scope
| 6:37
|}
{{-}}

'''PULSEMAN 1995 Track List:'''
{| class="sortable" style="margin: auto; background: #A0A0C4; {{roundy|10px}}; border: 5px solid #BBBBE8"
|-
! style="background-color: #CCF; {{roundytl|5px}}" |#
! style="background-color: #CCF" | Song Title
! style="background-color: #CCF; {{roundytr|5px}}" |Length
|- style="background:#FFF"
| 1
| Beatrice
| 7:46
|- style="background:#FFF"
| 2
| Galaxy Gang
| 12:55
|- style="background:#FFF"
| 3
| Yama [Take2]
| 5:08
|- style="background:#FFF"
| 4
| FAQ
| 5:39
|- style="background:#FFF"
| 5
| Pulse 1
| 8:57
|- style="background:#FFF"
| 6
| C-Life
| 8:59
|- style="background:#FFF"
| 7
| Pulseman VS Sineman
| 12:58
|- style="background:#FFF"
| 8
| Absolute Science
| 4:13
|- style="background:#FFF"
| 9
| Macro Scope [Last Stage Mix]
| 5:54
|}
{{-}}

<gallery widths=150>
Pulseman Box Art.jpg|Box art of Pulseman
Electrace Pulseman Cover.jpg|Cover art for the Electrace Pulseman Album
Pulseman Arrange Cover.png|Cover art for the PULSEMAN Album
</gallery>

===1996-1999===
====[[Generation I]]====
{{main|Capsule Monsters}}
[[File:Capsule Monsters 1990 First Sprite Sheet.jpg|thumb|The first Pokémon ever designed in order from the 1990 Capsule Monsters pitch, such as {{p|Rhydon}} and [[List of unused Pokémon and character designs|Gyaōn]]<ref>https://helixchamber.com/media/capsule-monsters/capsule-monsters-sprite-sheet/</ref>]]
Though the idea for what would become the Pokémon games had existed in Tajiri's mind for a while, actual development Pokémon idea began as [[Capsule Monsters]], in 1990. Early that year, Tajiri pitched the idea to Ape ([[Creatures, Inc.]]) and Nintendo, with a contract to finish it in October; however, it was rejected, and issues trademarking the name led Tajiri to change it, first shortening it to CapuMon, then changing it to Pocket Monsters. Additionally, according to the official book [[Game Freak Asobi no Sekai Hyoujun o Nurikaeru Creative Shuudan]] written by [[Akihito Tomisawa]], [[Tsunekazu Ishihara]] states [[Creatures, Inc.]] had their own prototype for a game called "Toto" with a similar creature collecting concept; so Creatures, Inc. rejected it out of respect for Tajiri.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zOkpD6uqsxI YouTube video by DidYouKnowGaming? citing the book]</ref> With further revision of the idea, Tajiri pitched it again to Nintendo, and with the confidence of [[Shigeru Miyamoto]] swaying the decision, development was finally greenlit. Miyamoto was also the one responsible for splitting the games into two different versions after hearing Tajiri's enthusiasm about kids trading Pokémon between each other, those being [[Pokémon Red and Green Versions|Pokémon Red]] and [[Pokémon Red and Green Versions|Pokémon Green]].<ref>https://www.switchaboo.com/satoshi-tajiri-the-man-behind-pokemon/</ref>

{{main|Pokémon Red and Green}}
As a result, [[Pokémon Red and Green Versions|Red & Green]] had the longest development history of any game in the series, requiring a significantly larger team than in past titles. Although she first began as a graphic artist on Pulseman, [[Atsuko Nishida]]'s biggest contribution at this point was creating many of the original 151 creature designs, (including the eventual series mascot, {{p|Pikachu}}) amidst both company veterans such as [[Ken Sugimori]] and [[Motofumi Fujiwara]], as well as newcomers like [[Shigeki Morimoto]]. Morimoto's known contributions ({{p|Mankey}}, {{p|Diglett}} and {{p|Tauros}}) are all remarkably close to each other using their [[List of Pokémon by index number in Generation I|internal index number,]] which may provide evidence of when he first appeared. His most infamous design, {{p|Mew}}, was always planned to be a part of the game's story but its actual inclusion as a usable in-game Pokémon was very last minute, leading to a strange placement in the index list away from the rest of Morimoto's designs.<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20230416080242/https://helixchamber.com/2018/09/11/internallist/</ref> This is presumably because it was thrown in the game after the debugging period, and simply replaced the first [[MissingNo.|missing slot.]] Sugimori and Nishida were in charge of designing every non-Pokémon human character, the former being responsible for every single [[Gym Leader]]<ref>https://twitter.com/SUPER_32X/status/610807764617539587</ref>.

Junichi Masuda composed and arranged the entirety of [[Generation I]]'s [[Pokémon Red & Pokémon Green: Super Music Collection|soundtrack]], where he wrote a program that allowed for {{wp|PCM}} sampled playback to be converted for use on the [[Game Boy|Game Boy.]]<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20140516042339/https://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2014/05/13/pokemon_2700_s-music-master-the-man-behind-the-catchiest-songs.aspx</ref> All of Masuda's contributions to the soundtrack would be arranged by different composers for various media, with the '''Title Screen''' song being used as the main theme of {{aniseries|PTS}}. The melody from the track '''Battle! (Wild Pokémon)''' continues to be referenced in every future [[core series]] entry battle against a [[Wild Pokémon]], and his digitized [[Cry|cries]] personal to each Pokémon served as the basis for their sounds in [[Pokémon Stadium (Japanese)|Pokémon Stadium]] as well as their revised cries from [[Pokémon X and Y]] onwards.

The games finally launched on February 27, 1996, though when initially released in Japan, [[Pokémon Red and Green Versions|Pokémon Red and Green]] had a sluggish start to sales, a stark contrast to the launch of [[Pokémon Red and Blue Versions|Pokémon Red and Blue]] in the west.<ref>https://www.nintendo.co.uk/Iwata-Asks/Iwata-Asks-Pokemon-HeartGold-Version-SoulSilver-Version/Iwata-Asks-Pokemon-HeartGold-Version-SoulSilver-Version/1-Just-Making-The-Last-Train/1-Just-Making-The-Last-Train-225842.html</ref>

{{main|Pokémon Blue Version (Japanese)|Pokémon Blue}}
{{main|Pokémon Yellow Version|Pokémon Yellow}}
<gallery widths=150>
Red & Green Famitsu Promotional Flyer.png|Famitsu Promotional Flyer for [[Pokémon Red and Green Versions|Red and Green]] drawn by [[Ken Sugimori]]
Red JP boxart.png|Box art of [[Pokémon Red and Green Versions|Pokémon Red]] drawn by [[Ken Sugimori]]
Green JP boxart.png|Box art of [[Pokémon Red and Green Versions|Pokémon Green]] drawn by [[Ken Sugimori]]
Blue JP boxart.png|Box art of [[Pokémon Blue Version (Japanese)|Pokémon Blue]] drawn by [[Ken Sugimori]]
Yellow JP boxart.png|Box art of [[Pokémon Yellow Version|Pokémon Yellow]] drawn by [[Ken Sugimori]]
</gallery>

====Bazaar de Gosāru no Game de Gosāru====
<gallery widths=150>
Bazaar de Gosaru no Game de Gosaru Box Art.jpg|Box art of Bazaar de Gosāru no Game de Gosāru
</gallery>

====Bushi Seiryūden: Futari no Yūsha====
Bushi Seiryūden: Futari no Yūsha is a Japanese-only turn-based action game developed by GAME FREAK for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System, released on January 17, 1997.<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20230531214943/https://cedec.cesa.or.jp/2023/session/detail/s6429a1da844ee</ref>

<gallery widths=150>
Bushi Seiryuden Futari no Yusha Box Art.jpg|Box art of Bushi Seiryūden: Futari no Yūsha drawn by [[Ken Sugimori]]
</gallery>

====Click Medic====
<gallery widths=150>
Click Medic Box Art.jpg|Box art of Click Medic
</gallery>

====[[Generation II]]====
<gallery widths=150>
Gold JP boxart.png|Box art of [[Pokémon Gold and Silver Versions|Pokémon Gold]] drawn by [[Ken Sugimori]]
Silver JP boxart.png|Box art of [[Pokémon Gold and Silver Versions|Pokémon Silver]] drawn by [[Ken Sugimori]]
Crystal JP boxart.png|Box art of [[Pokémon Crystal|Pokémon Crystal]] drawn by [[Ken Sugimori]]
</gallery>

===2000s===
====[[Generation III]]====
<gallery widths=150>
Ruby JP boxart.png|Box art of [[Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire Versions|Pokémon Ruby]] drawn by [[Ken Sugimori]]
Sapphire JP boxart.png|Box art of [[Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire Versions|Pokémon Sapphire]] drawn by [[Ken Sugimori]]
FireRed JP boxart.png|Box art of [[Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen Versions|Pokémon FireRed]] drawn by [[Ken Sugimori]]
LeafGreen JP boxart.png|Box art of [[Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen Versions|Pokémon LeafGreen]] drawn by [[Ken Sugimori]]
Emerald JP boxart.png|Box art of [[Pokémon Emerald|Pokémon Emerald]] drawn by [[Ken Sugimori]]
</gallery>

====Drill Dozer====
<gallery widths=150>
Drill Dozer JP Box Art.jpg|Japanese box art of Drill Dozer, drawn by [[Ken Sugimori]]
Drill Dozer US Box Art.jpg|North American box art of Drill Dozer, drawn by [[Ken Sugimori]]
</gallery>

====[[Generation IV]]====
<gallery widths=150>
Diamond JP boxart.png|Box art of [[Pokémon Diamond and Pearl Versions|Pokémon Diamond]] drawn by [[Ken Sugimori]]
Pearl JP boxart.png|Box art of [[Pokémon Diamond and Pearl Versions|Pokémon Pearl]] drawn by [[Ken Sugimori]]
Platinum JP boxart.png|Box art of [[Pokémon Platinum Version|Pokémon Platinum]] drawn by [[Ken Sugimori]]
HeartGold JP boxart.png|Box art of [[Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver Versions|Pokémon HeartGold]]
SoulSilver JP boxart.png|Box art of [[Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver Versions|Pokémon SoulSilver]]
</gallery>

===2010s===
====[[Generation V]]====
<gallery widths=150>
Black JP boxart.png|Box art of [[Pokémon Black and White Versions|Pokémon Black]] drawn by [[Ken Sugimori]]
White JP boxart.png|Box art of [[Pokémon Black and White Versions|Pokémon White]] drawn by [[Ken Sugimori]]
Black 2 JP boxart.png|Box art of [[Pokémon Black 2 and White 2 Versions|Pokémon Black 2]]
White 2 JP boxart.png|Box art of [[Pokémon Black 2 and White 2 Versions|Pokémon White 2]]
</gallery>

====[[Harmoknight]]====
<gallery widths=150>
HarmoKnight.png|Key art of Harmoknight drawn by [[James Turner]]
</gallery>

====Pocket Card Jockey====
<gallery widths=150>
Pocket Card Jockey Key Art.jpeg|Key art of Pocket Card Jockey
Pocket Card Jockey Ride On Key Art.jpg|Key art of Pocket Card Jockey: Ride On!
Pocket Card Jockey Ride On iOS Icon.png|App icon of Pocket Card Jockey: Ride On!
</gallery>

====[[Generation VI]]====
The names for [[Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire]] were chosen by [[Masafumi Nukita]].<ref>https://archive.is/tS5lL</ref>
<gallery widths=150>
X JP boxart.png|Box art of [[Pokémon X and Y|Pokémon X]]
Y JP boxart.png|Box art of [[Pokémon X and Y|Pokémon Y]]
Omega Ruby JP boxart.png|Box art of [[Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire|Pokémon Omega Ruby]]
Alpha Sapphire JP boxart.png|Box art of [[Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire|Pokémon Alpha Sapphire]]
</gallery>

====Cancelled PlayStation 4 RPG====
An unknown Gear Project RPG made by GAME FREAK was planned for the {{wp|PlayStation 4}} between August 2014 and January 2015, but was later scrapped.<ref>https://archive.is/tS5lL</ref> It would have been directed by [[Masafumi Nukita]].

====Tembo the Badass Elephant====
<gallery widths=150>
Tembo the Badass Elephant Key Art.png|Key art of Tembo the Badass Elephant drawn by [[James Turner]]
</gallery>

====[[Generation VII]]====
<gallery widths=150>
Sun JP boxart.png|Box art of [[Pokémon Sun and Moon|Pokémon Sun]]
Moon JP boxart.png|Box art of [[Pokémon Sun and Moon|Pokémon Moon]]
Ultra Sun JP boxart.png|Box art of [[Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon|Pokémon Ultra Sun]]
Ultra Moon JP boxart.png|Box art of [[Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon|Pokémon Ultra Moon]]
Lets Go Pikachu EN boxart.png|Box art of [[Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!|Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu!]] drawn by [[Megumi Mizutani]]
Lets Go Eevee EN boxart.png|Box art of [[Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!|Pokémon: Let's Go, Eevee!]] drawn by [[Megumi Mizutani]]
</gallery>

====Giga Wrecker====
<gallery widths=150>
Giga Wrecker Key Art.jpg|Key art of Giga Wrecker
Giga Wrecker Soundtrack Cover.png|Cover art for the Giga Wrecker Soundtrack
Giga Wrecker Alt Switch Box Art.jpg|Giga Wrecker Alt.'s [[Nintendo Switch]] box art
Giga Wrecker Alt PS4 Box Art.jpg|Giga Wrecker Alt.'s {{wp|PlayStation 4}} box art
</gallery>

====[[Pokémon Quest]]====
<gallery widths=150>
Pokémon Quest icon mobile.png|English app icon of [[Pokémon Quest]]
Pokémon Quest icon mobile CN.png|Chinese app icon of [[NetEase]]'s [[Pokémon Quest]]
</gallery>

====Little Town Hero====
<gallery widths=150>
Little Town Hero Switch Icon.jpg|Little Town Hero's Nintendo Switch icon
Little Town Hero Switch Icon JP.jpg|Little Town Hero's Nintendo Switch icon (JP)
Little Town Hero Steam.jpg|Little Town Hero's Steam banner
</gallery>

====[[Generation VIII]]====
<gallery widths=150>
Sword JP boxart.png|Box art of [[Pokémon Sword and Shield|Pokémon Sword]]
Shield JP boxart.png|Box art of [[Pokémon Sword and Shield|Pokémon Shield]]
Pokémon_HOME_icon_Switch.png|Icon for [[Pokémon HOME]]
The Isle of Armor Key Art.png|Key art of [[The Isle of Armor]]
The Crown Tundra Key Art.png|Key art of [[The Crown Tundra]]
Legends Arceus JP boxart.png|Box art of [[Pokémon Legends: Arceus]]
</gallery>

===2020s===
====[[Generation IX]]====
<gallery widths="150">
File:Scarlet JP boxart.png|Box art of [[Pokémon Scarlet and Violet|Pokémon Scarlet]]
File:Violet JP boxart.png|Box art of [[Pokémon Scarlet and Violet|Pokémon Violet]]
File:The Teal Mask Key Art.png|Key art of [[The Teal Mask]]
File:The Indigo Disk Key Art.png|Key art of [[The Indigo Disk]]
File:Legends Z-A EN boxart.png|Box art of [[Pokémon Legends: Z-A]]
</gallery>

====Beast of Reincarnation ====
On May 9, 2023, GAME FREAK announced an action-adventure game titled Beast of Reincarnation, directed by [[Kota Furushima]] in joint collaboration with Private Division, alongside a concept art reveal drawn by [[Kazuma Koda]].<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20230509205901/https://www.privatedivision.com/2023/05/09/private-division-announces-publishing-partnership-with-game-freak/</ref> It is scheduled for a release in 2026.
<gallery widths="150">
Project Bloom Concept Art.jpg|Concept Art for Beast of Reincarnation by [[Kazuma Koda]]
</gallery>



==Key people==
* [[Satoshi Tajiri]] ({{j|田尻智}}) (founder, CEO, chairman of the board)
* [[Ken Sugimori]] ({{j|杉森建}}) (founder, board member, art director)
* [[Tetsuya Watanabe]] ({{j|渡辺哲也}}) (managing director)
* [[Takenori Ohta]] ({{j|太田健程}})
* [[Shigeki Morimoto]] ({{j|森本茂樹}})
* [[Motofumi Fujiwara]] ({{j|藤原基史}})
* [[Kōji Nishino]] ({{j|西野弘二}})

===Former members===
* [[Jun'ichi Masuda]] ({{j|増田順一}}) (founder, former board member, former head of development)

===Affiliates===
* Staff from Ape/Creatures, Inc. (notably [[Tsunekazu Ishihara]] and formally {{wp|Shigesato Itoi}} as the founder of Ape)
* Staff from Nintendo (notably [[Shigeru Miyamoto]])
* [[The Pokémon Company]]

==In the games==
[[File:Company Icon Game Freak.png|thumb|150px|Game Freak's logo in {{g|Sword and Shield}}]]
Game Freak employees appear in every core series game besides [[Pokémon Legends: Arceus]] and [[Pokémon Scarlet and Violet]]. The main reason to visit them is to obtain a [[diploma]] (or {{DL|Trainer Card (game)|stamps}} in the [[Alola]] region), awarded after the completion of the [[Pokédex]]. In {{game|HeartGold and SoulSilver|s}}, the sound designer gives the [[GB Sounds]] after the player has obtained all eight Kanto Gym Badges. In {{g|Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl}}, he gives the [[DS Sounds]] after the player has entered the [[Hall of Fame]].

Their headquarters are located on the third floor of the [[Celadon Condominiums]]. In [[Hoenn]], a group of Game Freak employees are on vacation, staying in [[Lilycove City]]'s [[Cove Lily Motel]]; in [[Sinnoh]], a single member is staying at the [[Hotel Grand Lake]]; in [[Unova]], they have an office on 22F of a building on {{DL|Castelia City|Castelia Street}} in [[Castelia City]] (referencing their {{DL|Pokémon world in relation to the real world|Real-world locations mentioned|former real office}} in {{wp|Carrot Tower}}); in [[Kalos]], the game director can be found staying at the {{DL|Coumarine City|Coumarine Hotel}} in [[Coumarine City]]; in [[Alola]], Game Freak's office can be found on the second floor of a building in [[Heahea City]]; and in [[Galar]], a group of Game Freak employees can be found staying in {{DL|Circhester|Hotel Ionia}} in [[Circhester]]. Although Game Freak does not appear physically in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, it supplies and signs the virtual diplomas for completing the Pokédex and is referred to as "the company that certifies Pokédex completion", making Pokémon Legends: Arceus the only core series game in which an in-universe Game Freak has no presence at all.

In some of the core games, the player can also fight against some members of the Game Freak's team. In {{game|Black and White|s}}, the player can battle a character representing [[Shigeki Morimoto]] in the office after stopping [[Team Plasma]]. In {{2v2|Black|White|2}}, they can also battle [[Kōji Nishino]], who uses a {{p|Snorlax}} as his highest leveled Pokémon, a reference to his nickname {{j|カビゴン}} ''Kabigon'', after which Snorlax is named (in the English versions, he calls himself Snorlax). Both Morimoto and Nishino have the Trainer class {{tc|GAME FREAK}}. In {{g|Sun and Moon}}, the player can battle Shigeki Morimoto in the Game Freak office after becoming [[Champion]], who will give the player an [[Oval Charm]] the first time he is defeated. He can be battled once a day. In {{g|Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon}}, the player can battle Morimoto again but this time [[Kazumasa Iwao]] will also be present and it is a [[Double Battle]] against the two. Morimoto reappears once again in [[Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!]] with his battle being located at [[Celadon Condominiums]]; in {{g|Sword and Shield}}, his battle is in {{DL|Circhester|Hotel Ionia}} and in Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl at the [[Hotel Grand Lake]].

The company is also one of the sponsors of [[Leon]], the {{pkmn|Champion}} of the [[Galar League]], in Pokémon Sword and Shield, with its logo visible on his cape.

==Logo screen==
{{incomplete|section|Screens for XY, ORAS, LGPE & PLA}}
=====Game Boy and Game Boy Color=====
{| class="roundy" style="background:#{{Pokémon color light}}; border:3px solid #{{Black color dark}}; margin:auto; text-align:center" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="3"
|-
! class="roundytop" style="background:#FFF" | [[File:Game Freak logo RGBY.png]]
! class="roundytop" style="background:#FFF" | [[File:Game Freak logo RBY.png]]
! class="roundytop" style="background:#FFF" | [[File:Game Freak logo GS.png]]
! class="roundytop" style="background:#FFF" | [[File:Game Freak logo C.png]]
|-
! class="roundybottom" style="background:#{{kanto color}}" | {{color2|FFF|Pokémon Red and Green Versions|RG}}{{color2|FFF|Pokémon Blue Version (Japanese)|B}}{{color2|FFF|Pokémon Yellow Version|Y}}
! class="roundybottom" style="background:#{{kanto color}}" | {{color2|FFF|Pokémon Red and Blue Versions|RB}}{{color2|FFF|Pokémon Yellow Version|Y}}
! class="roundybottom" style="background:#{{johto color}}" | {{color2|FFF|Pokémon Gold and Silver Versions|GS}}
! class="roundybottom" style="background:#{{johto color}}" | {{color2|FFF|Pokémon Crystal Version|C}}
|}

=====Game Boy Advance=====
{| class="roundy" style="background:#{{Pokémon color light}}; border:3px solid #{{Black color dark}}; margin:auto; text-align:center" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="3"
|-
! class="roundytop" style="background:#FFF" | [[File:Game Freak logo RS.png|x144px]]
! class="roundytop" style="background:#FFF" | [[File:Game Freak logo E.png|x144px]]
! class="roundytop" style="background:#FFF" | [[File:Game Freak logo FRLG.png|x144px]]
|-
! class="roundybottom" style="background:#{{Hoenn color}}" | {{color2|FFF|Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire Versions|RS}}
! class="roundybottom" style="background:#{{Hoenn color}}" | {{color2|FFF|Pokémon Emerald Version|E}}
! class="roundybottom" style="background:#{{Kanto color}}" | {{color2|FFF|Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen Versions|FRLG}}
|}

=====Nintendo DS=====
{| class="roundy" style="background:#{{Pokémon color light}}; border:3px solid #{{Black color dark}}; margin:auto; text-align:center" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="3"
|-
! class="roundytop" style="background:#FFF" | [[File:Game Freak logo DP.png|160px]]
! class="roundytop" style="background:#FFF" | [[File:Game Freak logo Pt.png|160px]]
! class="roundytop" style="background:#FFF" | [[File:Game Freak logo HGSS.png|160px]]
! class="roundytop" style="background:#FFF" | [[File:Game Freak logo BWB2W2.png|160px]]
|-
! class="roundybottom" style="background:#{{Sinnoh color}}" | {{color2|FFF|Pokémon Diamond and Pearl Versions|DP}}
! class="roundybottom" style="background:#{{Sinnoh color}}" | {{color2|FFF|Pokémon Platinum Version|Pt}}
! class="roundybottom" style="background:#{{Johto color}}" | {{color2|FFF|Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver Versions|HGSS}}
! class="roundybottom" style="background:#{{Unova color}}" | {{color2|FFF|Pokémon Black and White Versions|BW}}{{color2|FFF|Pokémon Black and White Versions 2|B2W2}}
|}



=====Nintendo Switch=====
{| class="roundy" style="background:#{{Pokémon color light}}; border:3px solid #{{Black color dark}}; margin:auto; text-align:center" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="3"
|-

! class="roundytop" style="background:#FFF" | [[File:Game Freak logo SwSh.png|x240px]]
|-

! class="roundybottom" style="background:#{{Galar color}}" | {{color2|FFF|Pokémon Sword and Shield|SwSh}}
|-

! class="roundytop" style="background:#FFF" | [[File:Game Freak logo SV.png|x240px]]
|-

! class="roundybottom" style="background:#{{Paldea color}}" | {{color2|FFF|Pokémon Scarlet and Violet|SV}}
|}

==See also==
* [[Satoshi Tajiri: New Game Design]]
* [[Satoshi Tajiri: The Man Who Created Pokémon]]

==External links==
{{StrategyWiki}}
* [https://www.gamefreak.co.jp/ Official website] (Japanese)
** [https://www.facebook.com/gamefreak.official/ Official Facebook page] (Japanese)
* {{wp|Game Freak|Game Freak on Wikipedia}}
* {{nw|Game Freak|Game Freak on NintendoWiki}}
* {{smw|Game Freak|Game Freak on Super Mario Wiki}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{Project Mass Media notice}}

[[Category:Companies]]
[[Category:Game developers]]

[[de:GAME FREAK]]
[[es:Game Freak]]
[[fr:GAME FREAK (studio de développement)]]
[[it:GAME FREAK]]
[[ja:ゲームフリーク]]
[[zh:GAME FREAK]]

Poké Ball

2025-01-20T14:42:49Z

TailsBOOM1992: /* Super Smash Bros. series */ Fixed a mistake I made when updating the text

{{Featured|May 9, 2007}}
{{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 fruit 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, being instantly growing back in size. Should a Pokémon escape a Poké Ball, the device is destroyed in the games (unlike in the animated series). A Pokémon who 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 (as they seal tightly shut as soon as a Pokémon is taken into them) 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. Furthermore, while it is not known how caught Pokémon perceives their time inside their Ball, the device is said to replicate a "Pokémon-friendly" environment that is "designed for comfort". 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.

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}}, and in {{g|Legends: Arceus}} outside of battle, Poké Balls are thrown manually, and the player must aim properly to hit the Pokémon. Some Poké Balls, namely the {{hi|Heavy Ball}} and [[Feather Ball]] lines, have noticeably different throwing distances and trajectories compared to the standard variations.

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 the [[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}}.
* 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.

===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. From Generation III onward, each variety of Poké Ball has a unique animation when it sends out a Pokémon (and also when it catches one prior to Generation VI), and the type of Poké Ball used to catch the Pokémon is preserved on its [[summary]] screen.

Prior to Generation VI, all hatched Pokémon are in a standard Poké Ball. In [[Generation VI]], a [[Pokémon breeding|bred]] Pokémon will be in the same Poké Ball as its mother, unless its mother was in a Cherish Ball or Master Ball, in which case the Pokémon will be in a standard Poké Ball; Pokémon bred from a male or gender-unknown Pokémon and {{p|Ditto}} will hatch in a standard Poké Ball. Since [[Generation VII]], Pokémon bred from a male and a Ditto inherit the father's ball as well, and if two Pokémon of the same species in different balls are bred, the resulting offspring will be in either the mother's or father's ball. This also applies if the parents are different [[regional form]]s. Much like the Cherish Ball or Master Ball, the Strange Ball introduced in [[Generation VIII]] cannot be inherited and resulting offspring will be in standard Poké Balls.

Regardless of the type of Poké Ball, {{m|Fling}} will fail if the user is holding one.

Starting in [[Generation III]], each type of Poké Ball has an [[index number]] associated with it that is stored in the [[Pokémon data substructures (Generation III)#Origins|data structure]] of the Pokémon when {{pkmn2|caught}} or otherwise obtained with a given type of ball. [[Generation I]] and [[Generation II|II]] did not store this data, resulting in any Pokémon [[transfer]]red from [[Virtual Console]] via [[Poké Transporter]] being placed into standard Poké Balls. Pokémon caught in [[Park Ball]]s within [[Pal Park]] will retain their original Poké Ball and index number from Generation III. Pokémon from {{2v2|HeartGold|SoulSilver}} caught in a Johto-exclusive Poké Ball (such as a Poké Ball made by [[Kurt]] or a Sport Ball) will be displayed in a standard Poké Ball while visiting {{game2|Diamond|Pearl|Platinum}}. 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 visiting a game where the Pokémon's ball is not programmed into the game, but will still retain its original index number. Pokémon originating from Legends: Arceus visiting {{g|Sword and Shield}} will temporarily have their ball converted into a standard Poké Ball, with their original ball data being stored in [[Pokémon HOME]]'s server.

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|Index]] #
! class="unsortable" | {{wp|Hexadecimal|Hex}}
! class="unsortable" | Catch rate modifier
! class="unsortable" | Notes
|-
|{{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" | 04
| 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|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" | 03
| 1.5×
|
|-
|{{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" | 02
| 2×
|
|-
|{{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" | 01
| 255× (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|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" | 05
| {{tt|1×|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|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" | 11
| 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" | 12
| 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
|
|-
|{{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" | 13
| 4× if used on a Pokémon encountered while [[fishing]] 1× otherwise
| In [[Johto]], the bonus was 3x while in [[Alola]], the bonus was 5x
|-
|{{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" | 14
| -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" | 15
| 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.
|-
|{{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" | 16
| 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" | 17
| 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" | 18
| {{tt|1×|1.5× prior to Generation VIII}}
| Prior to [[Generation VIII]], it was only usable during the [[Bug-Catching Contest]].
|-
|{{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" | 06
| 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" | 07
| 3.5× if used on a water-dwelling Pokémon 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" | 08
| ((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" | 09
| 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" | 0A
| (1 + number of turns passed in battle * {{tt|1229/4096|approx. 0.3}})×, maximum 4× at 10 turns
|
|-
|{{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" | 0B
| 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" | 0C
| 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" | 0D
| 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" | 0E
| 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" | 0F
| 5× if used on the first turn of a battle 1× otherwise
|
|-
|{{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" | 10
| 1×
| Unobtainable by the player, but used for various [[event Pokémon]].
|-
|{{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" | 1B
| 255× (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|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" | 19
| 4× if used on a {{status|sleep}}ing Pokémon 1× otherwise
| Used only in [[Entralink|Entree Forest]] prior to [[Generation VIII]]. Catch rate modifier 255× (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" | 1A
| 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|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" | 1B
| {{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)}}
|[[Poké Ball (Hisui)]]
| 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" | 1C
| 0.75×
|
|-
|{{Bag/s|Great Ball|LA|Great Ball (Hisui)}}
|[[Great Ball (Hisui)]]
| 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" | 1D
| 1.5×
|
|-
|{{Bag/s|Ultra Ball|LA|Ultra Ball (Hisui)}}
|[[Ultra Ball (Hisui)]]
| 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" | 1E
| 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" | 1F
| 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" | 20
| 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" | 21
| 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)}}
|[[Heavy Ball (Hisui)]]
| 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" | 22
| 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" | 23
| 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" | 24
| 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" | 25
| {{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===
{{incomplete|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 {{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]]
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.
** 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 {{game|Red and Blue|s}}
Spr RB Red 2.png|{{ga|Red}} with a purple Poké Ball in the [[game intro|intro]] from Pokémon Red and Blue
Spr RG Blue 2.png|{{ga|Blue}} with a purple Poké Ball in Pokémon Red and Blue
Spr RG Blue 3.png|Blue with a black Poké Ball as his {{pkmn|Champion}} sprite in Pokémon Red and Blue
Spr RG Juggler.png|{{tc|Juggler}} with black Poké Balls in Pokémon Red and Blue
Spr RG Psychic.png|{{tc|Psychic}} with black Poké Balls in Pokémon Red and Blue
GSC Ethan Back.png|{{ga|Ethan}} with a brown Poké Ball in [[Generation II]]
C Kris Back.png|{{ga|Kris}} with a blue Poké Ball in Generation II
Spr GS Oak.png|[[Professor Oak]] with an olive green Poké Ball in Generation II
Spr GS Fisher.png|{{tc|Fisher|Fisherman}} with a blue Poké Ball in Generation II
Spr GS Juggler.png|Juggler with blue Poké Balls in Generation II
Spr GS Psychic.png|Psychic with blue Poké Balls in Generation II
Spr RS Glacia.png|[[Glacia]] with a yellow Poké Ball in [[Generation III]]
</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]], and [[Nintendo Switch|Switch]].
{| 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 mobile.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}}'''
|}

==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 will debut in Pokémon GO on November 16, 2024 at Pokémon GO Wild Area. The GO Safari Ball will be made 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 zones]]. 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 [[Shivre City (Panic Parade)|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.
* {{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.
* 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!]]''
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 anime.png|{{OBP|Mewtwo|M01}}'s Mewtwo Balls
Crystal Ball anime.png|[[Molly Hale]] holding a Crystal Poké Ball
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}}.

====Other variants====
* 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]], [[Gibeon]] was revealed to keep his {{p|Zygarde}} in a Poké Ball that resembles those used by [[Lucius]].
{{-}}

=====Gallery=====
<gallery>
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 [[HZ075]]
</gallery>

====Ancient Poké Ball====
[[File:Roy Ancient Poké Ball anime.png|thumb|250px|Ancient Poké Ball in {{aniseries|HZ}}]]
[[File:Ancient Poké Ball HZ.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Concept art of [[Roy]]'s Ancient Poké Ball for {{aniseries|HZ}}]]
The search for these Poké Balls is an important plot within {{aniseries|HZ}}. These Poké Balls, in addition to capturing Pokémon, seem to have unique powers and react to certain stimuli, like [[Liko]]'s {{Ga|Terapagos|pendant}} and other Ancient Poké Balls.

=====History=====
These Poké Balls were used before the modern ones 100 years ago. The ancient adventurer [[Lucius]] was one of the {{Pkmn|trainer}}s who used these Poké Balls to catch his Pokémon, the [[Six Heroes]]. After the end of his journey, Lucius reached the Pokémon paradise [[Laqua]] and his Ancient Poké Balls were scattered all around the {{Pkmn|world}} along with his Pokémon. At some point, [[Black Rayquaza|his Rayquaza]]'s Poké Ball ended up at the shores of [[Roy's hometown|an island]], where it was found [[Roy's grandfather|a man]] who later gave it to his grandson [[Roy]].

Roy is in possession of one of Lucius's Ancient Poké Balls thanks to his grandfather. It first appeared in ''[[HZ004|The Treasure After the Storm!]]'', where Roy mentioned how he had never managed to open it. In ''[[HZ006|The Ancient Poké Ball]]'', the ball reacted with [[Liko]]'s pendant and opened to reveal a {{Shiny|Black}} {{p|Rayquaza}} that flew away soon after. The ball is said to have belonged to the ancient adventurer, who once commanded Rayquaza. In ''[[HZ011|Arboliva's Forest]]'', another identical Ancient Poké Ball appeared around a giant [[Lucius's Arboliva|Arboliva]]'s neck. In the [[HZ012|next episode]], this Poké Ball was revealed to be under the possession of Arboliva, and that it was owned by Lucius as well. Another Ancient Poké Ball appeared under the possession of the Lucius's [[Galarian form|Galarian]] [[Lucius's Moltres|Moltres]], between its talons. Another Ancient Poké Ball appeared under the possession of Lucius's giant [[Lucius's Lapras|Lapras]], in the island it lives in a [[Lapras Sea|sea]]. Another Ancient Poké Ball appeared under the possession of Lucius's [[Lucius's Kleavor|Kleavor]], in a cave in [[Tengu Mountain]].

=====Pokémon housed in Ancient Poké Balls=====
{| class="roundy" style="text-align:center; background:#{{scarlet color}}; border:3px solid #{{violet color light}}"
|- style="color:#fff"
! style="background:#{{blue color light}}; {{roundytl|5px}}" | Pokémon
! style="background:#{{blue color light}}" | Region
! style="background:#{{blue color light}}" | Debut
|- style="background:#fff"
| [[File:Black Rayquaza.png|150px]] [[Black Rayquaza]]
| [[Kanto]]
| ''[[HZ006|The Ancient Poké Ball]]''
|- style="background:#fff"
| [[File:Lucius Arboliva.png|150px]] {{pkmn2|Giant}} {{TP|Lucius|Arboliva}}
| [[Paldea]]
| ''[[HZ010|Nemona and Brassius and…]]''
|- style="background:#fff"
| [[File:Lucius Moltres.png|150px]] {{rf|Galarian}} {{TP|Lucius|Moltres}}
| [[Galar]]
| ''[[HZ022|Charge! Galar Mine!]]''
|- style="background:#fff"
| [[File:Lucius Lapras.png|150px]] Giant {{TP|Lucius|Lapras}}
| [[Lapras Sea|Unknown]]
| ''[[HZ031|Song Within the Mist]]''
|- style="background:#fff"
| [[File:Lucius Kleavor.png|150px]] {{TP|Lucius|Kleavor}}
| [[Kitakami]]
| [[HZ073]]
|- style="background:#fff"
| [[File:Lucius Entei.png|150px]] {{TP|Lucius|Entei}}
| [[Area Zero]]
| [[HZ075]]
|}

===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 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!]]'', [[Blaine]] gave Red the [[Master Ball]], which Red used to catch {{adv|Mewtwo}} shortly afterwards. 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 {{OBP|Red's Pikachu|Pocket Monsters|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.

<gallery>
DualBallCallLegends78.jpg|{{TCG|Dual Ball}}
Magma Ball artwork.jpg|{{TCG|Team Magma Ball}}
Aqua Ball artwork.jpg|{{TCG|Team Aqua Ball}}
Rocket Ball artwork.jpg|{{TCG|Rocket's Poké Ball}}
Plasma Ball artwork.jpg|{{TCG|Team Plasma Ball}}
Magma Great Ball artwork.jpg|{{TCG|Team Magma's Great Ball}}
Aqua Great Ball artwork.jpg|{{TCG|Team Aqua'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==
* {{an|Professor Oak}} has written {{wp|senryū}} about the Poké Ball in two of 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 {{g|Pinball}}, the Poké Balls serve as the balls in the machine; they can be used to capture Pokémon and are upgraded depending on the multiplier bonus at the time.
* 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 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]] and [[Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness]]. 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|*|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
}}

==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:Poké Ball]]
[[fr:Ball]]
[[it:Poké Ball]]
[[ja:モンスターボール (総称)]]
[[zh:精靈球]]

Poké Ball

2025-01-20T14:41:03Z

TailsBOOM1992: /* Super Smash Bros. series */ Updated a caption that was outdated

{{Featured|May 9, 2007}}
{{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 fruit 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, being instantly growing back in size. Should a Pokémon escape a Poké Ball, the device is destroyed in the games (unlike in the animated series). A Pokémon who 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 (as they seal tightly shut as soon as a Pokémon is taken into them) 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. Furthermore, while it is not known how caught Pokémon perceives their time inside their Ball, the device is said to replicate a "Pokémon-friendly" environment that is "designed for comfort". 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.

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}}, and in {{g|Legends: Arceus}} outside of battle, Poké Balls are thrown manually, and the player must aim properly to hit the Pokémon. Some Poké Balls, namely the {{hi|Heavy Ball}} and [[Feather Ball]] lines, have noticeably different throwing distances and trajectories compared to the standard variations.

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 the [[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}}.
* 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.

===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. From Generation III onward, each variety of Poké Ball has a unique animation when it sends out a Pokémon (and also when it catches one prior to Generation VI), and the type of Poké Ball used to catch the Pokémon is preserved on its [[summary]] screen.

Prior to Generation VI, all hatched Pokémon are in a standard Poké Ball. In [[Generation VI]], a [[Pokémon breeding|bred]] Pokémon will be in the same Poké Ball as its mother, unless its mother was in a Cherish Ball or Master Ball, in which case the Pokémon will be in a standard Poké Ball; Pokémon bred from a male or gender-unknown Pokémon and {{p|Ditto}} will hatch in a standard Poké Ball. Since [[Generation VII]], Pokémon bred from a male and a Ditto inherit the father's ball as well, and if two Pokémon of the same species in different balls are bred, the resulting offspring will be in either the mother's or father's ball. This also applies if the parents are different [[regional form]]s. Much like the Cherish Ball or Master Ball, the Strange Ball introduced in [[Generation VIII]] cannot be inherited and resulting offspring will be in standard Poké Balls.

Regardless of the type of Poké Ball, {{m|Fling}} will fail if the user is holding one.

Starting in [[Generation III]], each type of Poké Ball has an [[index number]] associated with it that is stored in the [[Pokémon data substructures (Generation III)#Origins|data structure]] of the Pokémon when {{pkmn2|caught}} or otherwise obtained with a given type of ball. [[Generation I]] and [[Generation II|II]] did not store this data, resulting in any Pokémon [[transfer]]red from [[Virtual Console]] via [[Poké Transporter]] being placed into standard Poké Balls. Pokémon caught in [[Park Ball]]s within [[Pal Park]] will retain their original Poké Ball and index number from Generation III. Pokémon from {{2v2|HeartGold|SoulSilver}} caught in a Johto-exclusive Poké Ball (such as a Poké Ball made by [[Kurt]] or a Sport Ball) will be displayed in a standard Poké Ball while visiting {{game2|Diamond|Pearl|Platinum}}. 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 visiting a game where the Pokémon's ball is not programmed into the game, but will still retain its original index number. Pokémon originating from Legends: Arceus visiting {{g|Sword and Shield}} will temporarily have their ball converted into a standard Poké Ball, with their original ball data being stored in [[Pokémon HOME]]'s server.

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|Index]] #
! class="unsortable" | {{wp|Hexadecimal|Hex}}
! class="unsortable" | Catch rate modifier
! class="unsortable" | Notes
|-
|{{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" | 04
| 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|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" | 03
| 1.5×
|
|-
|{{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" | 02
| 2×
|
|-
|{{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" | 01
| 255× (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|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" | 05
| {{tt|1×|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|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" | 11
| 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" | 12
| 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
|
|-
|{{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" | 13
| 4× if used on a Pokémon encountered while [[fishing]] 1× otherwise
| In [[Johto]], the bonus was 3x while in [[Alola]], the bonus was 5x
|-
|{{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" | 14
| -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" | 15
| 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.
|-
|{{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" | 16
| 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" | 17
| 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" | 18
| {{tt|1×|1.5× prior to Generation VIII}}
| Prior to [[Generation VIII]], it was only usable during the [[Bug-Catching Contest]].
|-
|{{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" | 06
| 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" | 07
| 3.5× if used on a water-dwelling Pokémon 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" | 08
| ((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" | 09
| 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" | 0A
| (1 + number of turns passed in battle * {{tt|1229/4096|approx. 0.3}})×, maximum 4× at 10 turns
|
|-
|{{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" | 0B
| 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" | 0C
| 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" | 0D
| 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" | 0E
| 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" | 0F
| 5× if used on the first turn of a battle 1× otherwise
|
|-
|{{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" | 10
| 1×
| Unobtainable by the player, but used for various [[event Pokémon]].
|-
|{{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" | 1B
| 255× (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|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" | 19
| 4× if used on a {{status|sleep}}ing Pokémon 1× otherwise
| Used only in [[Entralink|Entree Forest]] prior to [[Generation VIII]]. Catch rate modifier 255× (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" | 1A
| 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|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" | 1B
| {{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)}}
|[[Poké Ball (Hisui)]]
| 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" | 1C
| 0.75×
|
|-
|{{Bag/s|Great Ball|LA|Great Ball (Hisui)}}
|[[Great Ball (Hisui)]]
| 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" | 1D
| 1.5×
|
|-
|{{Bag/s|Ultra Ball|LA|Ultra Ball (Hisui)}}
|[[Ultra Ball (Hisui)]]
| 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" | 1E
| 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" | 1F
| 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" | 20
| 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" | 21
| 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)}}
|[[Heavy Ball (Hisui)]]
| 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" | 22
| 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" | 23
| 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" | 24
| 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" | 25
| {{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===
{{incomplete|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 {{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]]
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.
** 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 {{game|Red and Blue|s}}
Spr RB Red 2.png|{{ga|Red}} with a purple Poké Ball in the [[game intro|intro]] from Pokémon Red and Blue
Spr RG Blue 2.png|{{ga|Blue}} with a purple Poké Ball in Pokémon Red and Blue
Spr RG Blue 3.png|Blue with a black Poké Ball as his {{pkmn|Champion}} sprite in Pokémon Red and Blue
Spr RG Juggler.png|{{tc|Juggler}} with black Poké Balls in Pokémon Red and Blue
Spr RG Psychic.png|{{tc|Psychic}} with black Poké Balls in Pokémon Red and Blue
GSC Ethan Back.png|{{ga|Ethan}} with a brown Poké Ball in [[Generation II]]
C Kris Back.png|{{ga|Kris}} with a blue Poké Ball in Generation II
Spr GS Oak.png|[[Professor Oak]] with an olive green Poké Ball in Generation II
Spr GS Fisher.png|{{tc|Fisher|Fisherman}} with a blue Poké Ball in Generation II
Spr GS Juggler.png|Juggler with blue Poké Balls in Generation II
Spr GS Psychic.png|Psychic with blue Poké Balls in Generation II
Spr RS Glacia.png|[[Glacia]] with a yellow Poké Ball in [[Generation III]]
</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]], and [[Nintendo Switch|Switch]].
{| 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 mobile.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}}'''
|}

==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 will debut in Pokémon GO on November 16, 2024 at Pokémon GO Wild Area. The GO Safari Ball will be made 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 zones]]. 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 [[Shivre City (Panic Parade)|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.
* {{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.
* 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!]]''
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 anime.png|{{OBP|Mewtwo|M01}}'s Mewtwo Balls
Crystal Ball anime.png|[[Molly Hale]] holding a Crystal Poké Ball
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}}.

====Other variants====
* 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]], [[Gibeon]] was revealed to keep his {{p|Zygarde}} in a Poké Ball that resembles those used by [[Lucius]].
{{-}}

=====Gallery=====
<gallery>
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 [[HZ075]]
</gallery>

====Ancient Poké Ball====
[[File:Roy Ancient Poké Ball anime.png|thumb|250px|Ancient Poké Ball in {{aniseries|HZ}}]]
[[File:Ancient Poké Ball HZ.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Concept art of [[Roy]]'s Ancient Poké Ball for {{aniseries|HZ}}]]
The search for these Poké Balls is an important plot within {{aniseries|HZ}}. These Poké Balls, in addition to capturing Pokémon, seem to have unique powers and react to certain stimuli, like [[Liko]]'s {{Ga|Terapagos|pendant}} and other Ancient Poké Balls.

=====History=====
These Poké Balls were used before the modern ones 100 years ago. The ancient adventurer [[Lucius]] was one of the {{Pkmn|trainer}}s who used these Poké Balls to catch his Pokémon, the [[Six Heroes]]. After the end of his journey, Lucius reached the Pokémon paradise [[Laqua]] and his Ancient Poké Balls were scattered all around the {{Pkmn|world}} along with his Pokémon. At some point, [[Black Rayquaza|his Rayquaza]]'s Poké Ball ended up at the shores of [[Roy's hometown|an island]], where it was found [[Roy's grandfather|a man]] who later gave it to his grandson [[Roy]].

Roy is in possession of one of Lucius's Ancient Poké Balls thanks to his grandfather. It first appeared in ''[[HZ004|The Treasure After the Storm!]]'', where Roy mentioned how he had never managed to open it. In ''[[HZ006|The Ancient Poké Ball]]'', the ball reacted with [[Liko]]'s pendant and opened to reveal a {{Shiny|Black}} {{p|Rayquaza}} that flew away soon after. The ball is said to have belonged to the ancient adventurer, who once commanded Rayquaza. In ''[[HZ011|Arboliva's Forest]]'', another identical Ancient Poké Ball appeared around a giant [[Lucius's Arboliva|Arboliva]]'s neck. In the [[HZ012|next episode]], this Poké Ball was revealed to be under the possession of Arboliva, and that it was owned by Lucius as well. Another Ancient Poké Ball appeared under the possession of the Lucius's [[Galarian form|Galarian]] [[Lucius's Moltres|Moltres]], between its talons. Another Ancient Poké Ball appeared under the possession of Lucius's giant [[Lucius's Lapras|Lapras]], in the island it lives in a [[Lapras Sea|sea]]. Another Ancient Poké Ball appeared under the possession of Lucius's [[Lucius's Kleavor|Kleavor]], in a cave in [[Tengu Mountain]].

=====Pokémon housed in Ancient Poké Balls=====
{| class="roundy" style="text-align:center; background:#{{scarlet color}}; border:3px solid #{{violet color light}}"
|- style="color:#fff"
! style="background:#{{blue color light}}; {{roundytl|5px}}" | Pokémon
! style="background:#{{blue color light}}" | Region
! style="background:#{{blue color light}}" | Debut
|- style="background:#fff"
| [[File:Black Rayquaza.png|150px]] [[Black Rayquaza]]
| [[Kanto]]
| ''[[HZ006|The Ancient Poké Ball]]''
|- style="background:#fff"
| [[File:Lucius Arboliva.png|150px]] {{pkmn2|Giant}} {{TP|Lucius|Arboliva}}
| [[Paldea]]
| ''[[HZ010|Nemona and Brassius and…]]''
|- style="background:#fff"
| [[File:Lucius Moltres.png|150px]] {{rf|Galarian}} {{TP|Lucius|Moltres}}
| [[Galar]]
| ''[[HZ022|Charge! Galar Mine!]]''
|- style="background:#fff"
| [[File:Lucius Lapras.png|150px]] Giant {{TP|Lucius|Lapras}}
| [[Lapras Sea|Unknown]]
| ''[[HZ031|Song Within the Mist]]''
|- style="background:#fff"
| [[File:Lucius Kleavor.png|150px]] {{TP|Lucius|Kleavor}}
| [[Kitakami]]
| [[HZ073]]
|- style="background:#fff"
| [[File:Lucius Entei.png|150px]] {{TP|Lucius|Entei}}
| [[Area Zero]]
| [[HZ075]]
|}

===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 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!]]'', [[Blaine]] gave Red the [[Master Ball]], which Red used to catch {{adv|Mewtwo}} shortly afterwards. 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 {{OBP|Red's Pikachu|Pocket Monsters|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.

<gallery>
DualBallCallLegends78.jpg|{{TCG|Dual Ball}}
Magma Ball artwork.jpg|{{TCG|Team Magma Ball}}
Aqua Ball artwork.jpg|{{TCG|Team Aqua Ball}}
Rocket Ball artwork.jpg|{{TCG|Rocket's Poké Ball}}
Plasma Ball artwork.jpg|{{TCG|Team Plasma Ball}}
Magma Great Ball artwork.jpg|{{TCG|Team Magma's Great Ball}}
Aqua Great Ball artwork.jpg|{{TCG|Team Aqua'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==
* {{an|Professor Oak}} has written {{wp|senryū}} about the Poké Ball in two of 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 {{g|Pinball}}, the Poké Balls serve as the balls in the machine; they can be used to capture Pokémon and are upgraded depending on the multiplier bonus at the time.
* 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 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]] and [[Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness]]. 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|*|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
}}

==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:Poké Ball]]
[[fr:Ball]]
[[it:Poké Ball]]
[[ja:モンスターボール (総称)]]
[[zh:精靈球]]

Expedition Society

2025-01-15T07:18:59Z

TailsBOOM1992: /* Buizel */ grammatical fix

{| style="float:right; background: #{{gold color}}; width: 30%; max-width: 30%; margin-left: 5px; margin-bottom: 5px; {{roundy|10px}} border: 3px solid #{{ice color dark}};"
|-
|
{| style="text-align:center; background: #{{gold color}}; {{roundy|10px}}" width="100%"
|-
| <big><big>'''Expedition Society'''</big></big>
|}
|-
| style="text-align:center; background:#FFFFFF;" | [[File:Expedition_Society_artwork_PSMD.png|300px]] Artwork of the Expedition Society with the [[Pokémon Nexus]]
|-
|
{| style="background: #{{gold color}}; width: 100%; {{roundy|10px}} border-collapse:collapse;"
! style="background: #{{gold color light}}; {{roundyleft|10px}} border-right: 1px solid #{{gold color}}; width: 30%; text-align:right" | Debuts in
| style="background: #FFFFFF; border-left: 1px solid #{{gold color}}; {{roundyright|10px}}" | ''[[Pokémon Super Mystery Dungeon]]''
|-
! style="background: #{{gold color}};" colspan="2" |
|}
{| style="background: #{{gold color}}; width: 100%; {{roundy|10px}} border-collapse:collapse;"
! style="background: #{{gold color light}}; {{roundyleft|10px}} border-right: 1px solid #{{gold color}}; width: 30%; text-align:right" | Gender
| style="background: #FFFFFF; border-left: 1px solid #{{gold color}}; {{roundyright|10px}}" | Male (Ampharos, {{tt|Jirachi|He is referred to as male, but normally, Jirachi have no gender}}, Buizel, Archen, Bunnelby, Hero, {{tt|Partner|Can be either gender}}) Female (Mawile, Swirlix, Dedenne, {{tt|Partner|Can be either gender}})
|-
! style="background: #{{gold color}};" colspan="2" |
|}
{| style="background: #{{gold color}}; width: 100%; {{roundy|10px}} border-collapse:collapse;"
! style="background: #{{gold color light}}; {{roundyleft|10px}} border-right: 1px solid #{{gold color}}; width: 30%; text-align:right" | Current location
| style="background: #FFFFFF; border-left: 1px solid #{{gold color}}; {{roundyright|10px}}" | Expedition Society building
|}
|-
|
{| style="text-align:center; background: #{{gold color light}}; width:100%; {{roundy|10px}} border-collapse:collapse;" |
|-
| colspan="5" |
|-
|
| style="background: #FFFFFF; {{roundy|32px}}" width="32px" | {{MSP/HOME|0181|Ampharos|size=68px}}
|
| style="background: #FFFFFF; {{roundy|32px}}" width="32px" | {{MSP/HOME|0303|Mawile|size=68px}}
|
| style="background: #FFFFFF; {{roundy|32px}}" width="32px" | {{MSP/HOME|0385|Jirachi|size=68px}}
|
| style="background: #FFFFFF; {{roundy|32px}}" width="32px" | {{MSP/HOME|0418|Buizel|size=68px}}
|
| style="background: #FFFFFF; {{roundy|32px}}" width="32px" | {{MSP/HOME|0566|Archen|size=68px}}
|
| style="background: #FFFFFF; {{roundy|32px}}" width="32px" | {{MSP/HOME|0702|Dedenne|size=68px}}
|
| style="background: #FFFFFF; {{roundy|32px}}" width="32px" | {{MSP/HOME|0659|Bunnelby|size=68px}}
|
| style="background: #FFFFFF; {{roundy|32px}}" width="32px" | {{MSP/HOME|0684|Swirlix|size=68px}}
|
|-
| colspan="3" |
|}
|}
The '''Expedition Society''' (Japanese: '''{{j|{{tt|調査団|ちょうさだん}}}}''' ''Investigation Team'') is an organization in {{g|Super Mystery Dungeon}}. Members go on missions with the aim of completing the [[Pokémon Nexus]], while investigating incidents and helping other Pokémon. The Expedition Society consists of the {{player}}, their partner, {{mdc|Ampharos|smd}}, {{p|Mawile}}, {{p|Jirachi}}, {{p|Buizel}}, {{p|Archen}}, {{p|Dedenne}}, {{p|Bunnelby}}, and {{p|Swirlix}}. The Society has a base in [[Lively Town]].

==History==
The [[Hero Pokémon|hero]] and [[Partner Pokémon (Mystery Dungeon)|partner]] first meet the Expedition Society in Chapter 11, where they are chasing down Swirlix for eating all their food. They end up trampling the hero and [[Krokorok (Super Mystery Dungeon)|Krokorok]] several times, unintentionally "saving" them from him by destroying his motivation to rob them.

Later, when the hero and partner walk into the Expedition Society building, they find it completely empty. When they go upstairs, they see the Pokémon Nexus glowing mystically. Just then, the members of the Expedition Society come running in, still chasing Swirlix. Dedenne launches an electric attack, accidentally destroying the Pokémon Nexus. The Expedition Society members all collapse from hunger, and they have to beg the hero and partner to get them some food. Afterwards, the partner tells them how they came all the way to Lively Town to join the Expedition Society. Everyone is shocked by this, as there is a rule that kids aren't allowed in the Society. Ampharos suddenly comes in, to the surprise of the hero and partner, having met him in [[Serene Village]] before. Ampharos reveals that he is the chief of the Expedition Society. He then spontaneously overrules the rule, and accepts them as members.

A while later, the hero and partner go on an expedition with Archen to the [[Air Continent]]. There, they see two mysterious objects crash land in [[Mystical Forest]], and head there to investigate. When they get to the end, they discover [[Eon duo|Latios and Latias]], two [[Legendary Pokémon]], turned to stone. [[Legendary beasts (Super Mystery Dungeon)|Entei]] suddenly appears, asking if this is their handiwork. He soon leaves, however, stating that if [[Celebi (Pokémon)|Celebi]] is not there, he has no purpose to be there.

Eventually, the Expedition Society mounts a field trip to [[Fire Island]], with the ultimate goal of investigating whether Entei is the one turning Pokémon to stone. Ampharos assigns Buizel to accompany the hero and partner, as he is a Water type Pokémon. Close to the summit, they are attacked by a group of Magmar, led by Magmortar. After defeating them, Magmortar mentions that they won't stand a chance against the master of Fire Island. Reaching the summit, that master turns out to be Entei. Buizel challenges him but is quickly defeated. The hero and partner then fight Entei, but get defeated. Just as Entei is about to finish them off, their [[Harmony Scarf|Harmony Scarves]] start glowing. With a mysterious power, they evolve into their final evolutionary stages and defeat Entei with their newfound power. Ampharos and Mawile then arrive. Ampharos says that their suspicions have proven unfounded. The rest of the Society members then also arrive. Everyone collapses from hunger. Ampharos requests that Entei allow them to eat their lunch before they leave.

Some time later, a warning letter stating that Entei is the next target of whoever is turning Pokémon to stone arrives. It states to come to [[Showdown Mountain]]. The Expedition Society goes to Showdown Mountain, splitting into groups. The hero and partner go with Mawile and Bunnelby. Along the way, they spot that [[Krookodile (Super Mystery Dungeon)|Krookodile]] has been following them. He runs off in a hurry, dropping an ancient stone tablet, which Mawile picks up. When they reach the summit, they find Entei already turned to stone and the culprit gone. When they return to Lively Town, Ampharos assigns Buizel and Archen to search for Krookodile. They find no sign of him, but they find a half-written warning letter at his place. Because of this, they are now suspicious that Krookodile has something to do with the incidents.

Mawile deciphers the ancient tablet and discovers that it says there is information about the turning to stone incidents in the [[Prehistoric Ruins]], including a possible way to turn them to normal. The Society prepares to mount an expedition to the Prehistoric Ruins. At first, Ampharos refuses to let the hero and partner come, but the partner begs him to go, saying that they wish to put a stop to the culprit for the sake of all Pokémon.

However, tomorrow, something comes up that changes their plans. Dedenne comes rushing in, saying that Krookodile was sighted heading towards Serene Village. Ampharos then assigns a Krookodile pursuit squad consisting of the hero, partner, and Archen to chase after him. When they get to Serene Village, they find it completely peaceful. However, [[Nuzleaf (Super Mystery Dungeon)|Nuzleaf]] soon comes running, saying that a "mean-looking, red, ornery as can be Pokémon that sure looked like a crook" came barging through the gate to [[Revelation Mountain]] when he was on guard duty. They follow him up the mountain. Along the way, they get a call from Dedenne, but it gets interrupted when they apparently get attacked by something.

When they reach the summit, they see a spring of water surrounded by a mystical barrier. The partner is somehow able to read ancient writings next to it that say the following:

''"Should you hope to overcome this crisis, summon a person. A person will have the power to break the barrier over the spring. You must summon a person from the world of humans."''

They then get a call from Dedenne, saying that a special water called [[Luminous Water]] can bring Pokemon back from being turned to stone, and that it's there at Revelation Mountain. Krookodile then shows up, along with [[Raikou (Pokémon)|Raikou]] and [[Suicune (Pokémon)|Suicune]], who intend to avenge Entei. Krookodile ignores them and continues to advance towards the group. Nuzleaf tells the hero they need to get the barrier broken now, before it's too late. After breaking the barrier, Nuzleaf is revealed to be the true villain behind turning Pokemon to stone. He proceeds to turn Krookodile into stone with his dark power. Archen tells the hero to hurry and get the Luminous Water. However, [[Yveltal (Super Mystery Dungeon)|Yveltal]] then shows up, stopping them in their tracks. Yveltal and Nuzleaf combine forces to turn everyone into stone. Meanwhile, the [[Beheeyem (Super Mystery Dungeon)|Beheeyem]] turn the other members of the Society into stone at the Prehistoric Ruins.

The hero and partner, several days later, wake up in the [[Voidlands]], the world Pokemon's spirits are sent to after being turned to stone. As they make their way through the Voidlands, they learn that [[Dark Matter]] is behind Pokemon turning to stone, and absorbing their energy and the energy of the [[Tree of Life]] to become more powerful, so that it can eventually destroy the world. They eventually escape from the Voidlands, but Raikou, Entei, Suicune, and Mawile sacrifice themselves in the process.

After returning to the real world, they find out that many Pokemon have been turned to stone at that point. They go to the Expedition Society headquarters, where they find [[Espurr (Super Mystery Dungeon)|Espurr]].

She says that she witnessed Nuzleaf turn them to stone, and has been helping Ampharos ever since. They find a {{mdc|Beheeyem|smd}} sneaking around. After defeating him in a boss battle, the partner shows up, and they proceed to beat him up in revenge for turning everyone to stone. The Beheeyem begs for mercy and says that he was being controlled by Dark Matter, and that he had no control over his actions. Espurr says that [[Dark Matter]] can control Pokemon with even a little amount of darkness in their hearts, and the Pokemon that it controls gain the power to turn other Pokemon to stone. This explains Nuzleaf's actions.

The Beheeyem was told that the Tree of Life is in the Prehistoric Ruins, and they head there looking for it. However, when they reach the bottom of the ruins, they find out it was a trap. Nuzleaf had given the Beheeyem false information, knowing it had broken free from Dark Matter's control. Nuzleaf tells them the whole story: when the hero had first arrived in the Pokemon world, they had still had their memory. After taking a psychic attack from Beheeyem, the hero developed amnesia, and Nuzleaf plotted to use that to his advantage. He had the Beheeyem attack the hero, knowing they would run for help, and he showed up on the scene. He pretended to be kind and caring towards the player, while really plotting to use them to break the barrier over the spring and drain the Luminous Water so it would be impossible to bring Pokemon back from stone. Right when Nuzleaf is about to turn them to stone, [[Jirachi (Pokémon)|Jirachi]] and Ampharos show up, along with [[Celebi (Pokémon)|Celebi]]. Celebi teleports them to Primeval Forest, close to the Tree of Life. They explain about how Dark Matter is made up of the negative feelings of all Pokemon, and how the Harmony Scarves were made from the Tree of Life to battle it.

They reach the Tree of Life, nearly dead already, when they are attacked by Nuzleaf, Yveltal, and the Beheeyem, who have lost all sense of self due to Dark Matter's power growing very strong. The hero and partner evolve from the power of the Harmony Scarves again. After defeating them, Nuzleaf and the others get teleported to the top of the Tree of Life by Dark Matter. Dark Matter then starts lifting the Tree of Life out of the planet's atmosphere, and towards the sun. They desperately jump up to reach the Tree of Life, and get onto it. The Harmony Scarves help them to breathe so high up.

They begin to climb up the Tree of Life, and towards Dark Matter. They eventually find Nuzleaf and the others being imprisoned and tortured by Dark Matter's power, and they free them. They escape, while the hero and partner continue to the top to fight Dark Matter. They attempt to fight Dark Matter, but it regenerates itself. At this point, the Tree of Life runs out of power, and they lose their evolutions. Dark Matter then turns most of the remaining Pokemon left to stone. Nuzleaf, the Beheeyem, and Yveltal then show up and help out by attacking Dark Matter. They are inevitably turned to stone too. The hero and partner are about to give up, when the spirits of every Pokemon in the world begin to encourage them and give them strength. The final fight against Dark Matter then begins. When they are about to destroy Dark Matter, it asks them if they really want to do it, saying that its pieces will scatter across the world and it will come back one day, stronger than ever. The partner then reasons with Dark Matter that it's a part of everyone, and says they accept it. Dark Matter is then smashed, and the destruction of the world is stopped, and everyone turned back to normal. They return to Serene Village, and everyone is there except Nuzleaf, who couldn't bear to face the hero after everything he had done. The hero believes they are going to disappear and return to the human world now that the world has been saved. The next day, they meet up with the partner on the hill. The partner says that [[Xerneas (Super Mystery Dungeon)|Xerneas]] made them remember everything, and that they were actually Mew in their previous life. The partner says they're the one that has to disappear, not the hero. They say goodbye, and the hero is left there crying after they disappear.

Later, presumably several months later, the hero is standing outside, pondering everything that happened. They still haven't gotten over the partner disappearing. Ampharos comes up to them, and asks them whether they are thinking about their partner. Ampharos says that [[Xatu (Pokémon)|Xatu]] may know a way to bring them back, and that he resides at the [[Sand Dune of Spirits]]. When the hero reaches Xatu, he tells them that he saw a vision of Mew, the partner's previous self, in the [[Mystery Jungle (Super Mystery Dungeon)|Mystery Jungle]].

The hero goes to the Mystery Jungle, and finds Mew there. However, after meeting this Mew, the hero concludes that it is a different Mew, and not their partner. Despite this, however, there are a few moments where Mew looks and acts just like their partner did.

A few days later, the hero wakes up in Serene Village on the hill with the tree. At first, they don't know what's going on. After a while, they start remembering what had happened: Mew had fallen ill suddenly, and Xatu had come to the Expedition Society, claiming that he sensed a piece of Dark Matter still within Mew. The hero had taken Mew to Serene Village to show them the view from the hill, in hopes of making Mew feel better. However, the hero was suddenly attacked, and Mew kidnapped.

The hero heads back to the Expedition Society, whereupon they find out the attacker had left a note behind. The note states that they intend to sacrifice Mew in [[Purifying Cave]] to eliminate Dark Matter once and for all.

The hero heads to Purifying Cave to save Mew. When they reach the bottom, they discover it was Nuzleaf and the Beheeyem behind the kidnapping of Mew. Nuzleaf says that he's truly sorry, but that Dark Matter has to be destroyed. Mew begins to fade away. The hero wonders whether this is really the right thing to do. Remembering the pain they felt when they had to say goodbye to their partner, the hero realizes that they never want to have to say goodbye again. Their strong feelings start resonating with their Harmony Scarf, and it begins to glow. The light from the two Harmony Scarves combines, restoring the partner, but making the scarves disappear. Ampharos shows up, and he reveals that this was all arranged to lead the hero here. Xatu had not seen a piece of Dark Matter inside Mew, but in fact the partner's spirit. Nuzleaf and the Beheeyem, sincerely wishing to atone for their actions, agreed to help by kidnapping Mew and leading the hero to Purifying Cave. If the hero's feelings were strong enough, the partner could come back.

==Personalities and characteristics==
* '''Ampharos''' is the chief of the Expedition Society, and also refers to himself as the "Dashing Wanderer". With an extremely bad sense of direction, he is very careless and prone to getting lost when traveling on his own. Ampharos is also laid-back, and will even overwrite his own rules on a whim. However, he is capable of taking things seriously, and is a powerful Pokémon.
* '''Mawile''' is the Expedition Society's resident archaeologist. She spends her time studying the history of the world. She is also one of the most powerful members of the Society, as noted by Archen.
* '''Jirachi''' was born in [[Star Cave]]. He is the astronomer, and a self-proclaimed genius capable of fixing the Pokémon Nexus. He sleeps most of the time and is not easily awakened.
* '''Buizel''' is the marine explorer. He is brave, but also reckless, willing to challenge powerful opponents such as [[Entei (Pokémon)|Entei]] even when instructed not to.
* '''Archen''' is the aerial explorer, despite his inability to fly. He is also shown to be often the straight man of the expedition society as he usually tries to think situations through first.
* '''Dedenne''' is the communications operator. She transmits signals between the Exploration Society members.
* '''Bunnelby''' is the on-foot and underground explorer.
* '''Swirlix''' is the steward who prepares dinner for the Society every night. However, she is a glutton with an extremely ravenous hunger, so she eats much of the food she makes. She also thinks of almost nothing but food, even in the most inappropriate times.

===Connections===
* Ampharos is connected to Mawile and Dedenne.
* Mawile is connected to Ampharos and Jirachi.
* Jirachi is connected to Mawile and Buizel.
* Buizel is connected to Jirachi and Archen.
* Archen is connected to {{p|Electrike}} and Bunnelby.
* Bunnelby is connected to Archen and Swirlix.
* Dedenne is connected to Ampharos and Swirlix.
* Swirlix is connected to Bunnelby and Dedenne.

==Moves used==
===Ampharos===
{|
! [[Road to Primeval Forest]] Post-Epilogue
|-
|{{Pokémon/6
|game=XY
|ndex=181
|pokemon=Ampharos
|gender=male
|ability=Static
|level=54
|type1=Electric
|move1=Electro Ball|move1type=Electric|move1cat=Special
|move2=Dragon Pulse|move2type=Dragon|move2cat=Special
|move3=Fire Punch|move3type=Fire|move3cat=Physical
|move4=Swagger|move4type=Normal|move4cat=Status}}
|}
===Mawile===
{|
! At [[Showdown Mountain]]
! In the [[Voidlands]] Post-Epilogue
|-
|{{Pokémon/6
|game=XY
|ndex=303
|pokemon=Mawile
|gender=female
|ability=Hyper Cutter
|level=50
|type1=Steel|type2=Fairy
|move1=Iron Head|move1type=Steel|move1cat=Physical
|move2=Fairy Wind|move2type=Fairy|move2cat=Special
|move3=Iron Defense|move3type=Steel|move3cat=Status
|move4=Misty Terrain|move4type=Fairy|move4cat=Status}}
|{{Pokémon/6
|game=XY
|ndex=303
|pokemon=Mawile
|gender=female
|ability=Hyper Cutter
|level=50
|type1=Steel|type2=Fairy
|move1=Iron Head|move1type=Steel|move1cat=Physical
|move2=Sucker Punch|move2type=Dark|move2cat=Physical
|move3=Play Rough|move3type=Fairy|move3cat=Physical
|move4=Misty Terrain|move4type=Fairy|move4cat=Status}}
|}
===Jirachi===
{|
|-
| style="text-align: center" | '''Boss Battle''' Boosts: +150 {{stat|HP}}
! [[Road to Primeval Forest]] Post-Epilogue
|-
|{{Pokémon/6
|game=XY
|ndex=385
|pokemon=Jirachi
|gender=none
|ability=Serene Grace
|level={{tt|20|Boss character}}
|type1=Steel|type2=Psychic
|move1=Psychic|move1type=Psychic|move1cat=Special
|move2=Wish|move2type=Normal|move2cat=Status
|move3=Confusion|move3type=Psychic|move3cat=Special
|move4=Swift|move4type=Normal|move4cat=Special}}
|{{Pokémon/6
|game=XY
|ndex=385
|pokemon=Jirachi
|gender=none
|ability=Serene Grace
|level=48
|type1=Steel|type2=Psychic
|move1=Flash Cannon|move1type=Steel|move1cat=Special
|move2=Wish|move2type=Normal|move2cat=Status
|move3=Swift|move3type=Normal|move3cat=Special
|move4=Psychic|move4type=Psychic|move4cat=Special}}
|}

===Buizel===
{|
! At [[Fire Island Volcano]]
! In the [[Voidlands]] Post-Epilogue
|-
|{{Pokémon/6
|game=XY
|ndex=418
|pokemon=Buizel
|gender=male
|ability=Swift Swim
|level=34
|type1=Water
|move1=Water Gun|move1type=Water|move1cat=Special
|move2=Aqua Jet|move2type=Water|move2cat=Physical
|move3=Sonic Boom|move3type=Normal|move3cat=Special
|move4=Quick Attack|move4type=Normal|move4cat=Physical}}
|{{Pokémon/6
|game=XY
|ndex=418
|pokemon=Buizel
|gender=male
|ability=Swift Swim
|level=44
|type1=Water
|move1=Pursuit|move1type=Dark|move1cat=Physical
|move2=Aqua Jet|move2type=Water|move2cat=Physical
|move3=Hydro Pump|move3type=Water|move3cat=Special
|move4=Whirlpool|move4type=Water|move4cat=Special}}
|}
===Archen===
{|
! At [[Mystical Forest]]
! At [[Revelation Mountain]] In the [[Voidlands]] Post-Epilogue
|-
|{{Pokémon/6
|game=XY
|ndex=566
|pokemon=Archen
|gender=male
|ability=Defeatist
|level=25
|type1=Rock|type2=Flying
|move1=Quick Attack|move1type=Normal|move1cat=Physical
|move2=Wing Attack|move2type=Flying|move2cat=Physical
|move3=Double Team|move3type=Normal|move3cat=Status
|move4=Roost|move4type=Flying|move4cat=Status}}
|{{Pokémon/6
|game=XY
|ndex=566
|pokemon=Archen
|gender=male
|ability=Defeatist
|level={{tt|35|Revelation Mountain}}/{{tt|45|Voidlands, Post-Epilogue}}
|type1=Rock|type2=Flying
|move1=Quick Attack|move1type=Normal|move1cat=Physical
|move2=Smack Down|move2type=Rock|move2cat=Physical
|move3=Acrobatics|move3type=Flying|move3cat=Physical
|move4=Roost|move4type=Flying|move4cat=Status}}
|}
===Dedenne===
{|
! In the [[Voidlands]] Post-Epilogue
|-
|{{Pokémon/6
|game=XY
|ndex=702
|pokemon=Dedenne
|gender=female
|ability=Cheek Pouch
|level=39
|type1=Electric|type2=Fairy
|move1=Charm|move1type=Fairy|move1cat=Special
|move2=Parabolic Charge|move2type=Electric|move2cat=Special
|move3=Charge|move3type=Electric|move3cat=Status
|move4=Charge Beam|move4type=Electric|move4cat=Special}}
|}
===Bunnelby===
{|
! At [[Showdown Mountain]]
! In the [[Voidlands]] Post-Epilogue
|-
|{{Pokémon/6
|game=XY
|ndex=659
|pokemon=Bunnelby
|gender=male
|level={{tt|33|Guest character}}
|ability=Unknown
|type1=Normal
|move1=Dig|move1type=Ground|move1cat=Physical
|move2=Quick Attack|move2type=Normal|move2cat=Physical
|move3=Double Slap|move3type=Normal|move3cat=Physical
|move4=Leer|move4type=Normal|move4cat=Status}}
|{{Pokémon/6
|game=XY
|ndex=659
|pokemon=Bunnelby
|gender=male
|level=40
|ability=Pickup
|type1=Normal
|move1=Dig|move1type=Ground|move1cat=Physical
|move2=Super Fang|move2type=Normal|move2cat=Physical
|move3=Double Slap|move3type=Normal|move3cat=Physical
|move4=Leer|move4type=Normal|move4cat=Status}}
|}

==Quotes==
===Ampharos===
{| width="100%" class="expandable"
|
|-
|
* If spoken to while en route to the harbor with Archen:
:"''Oh? You managed to rope Archen into your adventures today, hm?''"

*When spoken to on the day after the player says that there a human:
:"''My,my! That was quite the surprise! So our little <player's name> is a human! I know we all seemed to accept it quite quickly last night at dinner... And I of course never lose my impeccable calm and composure... But I was truly shocked!''"

* The morning of the first day in Chapter 15:
:"''No, I fear he will go. Entei was after the culprit behind these turning to stone incidents. Perhaps that is also why he was on the Air Continent. As long as he doesn't believe it's a prank, Entei will go.''"
|}
===Mawile===
{| width="100%" class="expandable"
|
|-
|
* The morning of the first day in Chapter 15:
:"''Dedenne? Were these warnings only scattered over Lively Town?''"

* Close to Showdown Mountain's summit:
:"''Let's pick up the pace. ...? Who's there?!''"

* After [[Cave of the Deep]]:
:"''It would be faster to just have <partner's name> read it. Could you?''"
:"''If what's written here is correct... then this Dark Matter is responsible for all the turning to stone incidents.''"
:"''I don't know... It's the first I've heard of it, too.''"
:"''Maybe something happened to them as they were writing...''"
:"''Well, it does say to look out for them.''"
|}
===Jirachi===
{| width="100%" class="expandable"
|
|-
|
* When the player and partner go to wake him:
:"''Yeah...you got me...ugh..."''
:"''I’m Jirachi… *mumble mumble*"''
:"''Yeah? OK… but I’m still far too sleepy to deal with all that right now. Sorry… *snore*"''
:"''One more thing… I apparently toss and turn a lot while I’m sleeping… So if you two are standing right there… I might just up and attack you… If I do, sorry… *snore*"''
:"''Here I go. *snore*"''

* After the player and partner wake him up:
:"''Whoa-a-a-a! Hey now! My eyes are wide open! I woke up from that dream so suddenly!"''
:"''Huh? Who are you two? I just saw you in my dream! In my dream you two were… engaged in a heroic battle. At least I think so."''
:"''Whoa! That’s so strange… The Pokémon I just saw in my dream are standing here right in front of me."''
:"''Wait a minute. Are you two… fairies?"''
:"''The Expedition Society…?"''
:"''Oh! Are you saying you’re new recruits?"''
:"''I see! You should’ve said something sooner!"''
:"''Very well, as is my custom, allow me to introduce myself! Here I go!"''

* Introducing himself:
:"''I was born in Star Cave! Here I observe the movements of the stars and the sun! And while I’m at it, I make everyone’s dreams come true...maybe. ♪ I’m the Expedition Society’s astronomer, Jirachi—the genius!"''
|}
===Buizel===
{| width="100%" class="expandable"
|
|-
|
* When Krokorok tries to mug the player for the second time:
:"''What do you think you're doing, Krokorok!''"
:"''You wouldn't be trying to extort our newest members, now would you? Not that I would expect anything else from you.''"
:"''Somehow, I doubt that. Regardless... If I do find you picking on these two... You will live to regret it!''"
:"''{{mdc|Krookodile|smd}}!''"
:"''...''"
:"''I could hardly leave you alone in that situation. Those two are serious trouble. Krokorok's not much of a threat on his own, but Krookodile... He's the worst thing that ever happened to Lively Town. And he's strong, to boot. You'll want to be careful around him.''"

* Afterwards:
:"''That Krookodile is a real villain. You kids should be careful out there.''"

* After clearing [[Fire Island Volcano]]:
:"''Oh, hey, <partner's name>! Looks like it opens up a bit over there.''"
:"''Who's there?!''"
:"''<player's name>! <partner's name>! Here he comes!''"

* After defeating {{p|Magmortar}} and the four {{p|Magmar}}:
:"''Heh, well... I couldn't have done it without you... or maybe I could have. Heh...''"
:"''N-no! Trust me, I know nothing! Nothing! Hahahahaha! I mean, I don't really know what's going on... But I'm sure the chief knows what he's doing. We'll probably figure it out if we just go a little farther. Anyhow, let's get moving!''"

* At Fire Island Volcano's summit:
:"''Yes... It appears it is.''"
:"''So you're {{p|Entei}}, huh?''"
:"''Buizel, from the Expedition Society! Depending on what you say next... I'm ready to take you down, Entei!''"
:"''Is that your answer, Entei?! All right, if that's how it is! All that remains is for us to take you out! Get ready!''"
:"''Ughh...''"
:"''<partner's name>...<player's name>...don't try it. There's absolutely no way you can beat him.''"

* After the player and their partner are defeated by Entei:
:"''Uhhnn...''"
:"''<player's name>!''"

*When spoken to on the day after the player says that they are a human:
:"''I know there's concern right now about someone targeting <player's name> ...But don't you worry. The Expedition Society will protect you if need be. ''"

* The morning of the first day in Chapter 15:
:"''THAT Entei?!''"
:"''Were you even listening to what Dedenne was reading?! You'll be solid stone with your face full of snacks!''"

* After Cave of the Deep:
:"''It's really you!''"
:"''Hey! Jackpot! The gang's all here!''"
|}

===Archen===
{| width="100%" class="expandable"
|
|-
|
* At dinner the day the player first meets Krookodile:
:"''You two sure have some good appetites on you! ♪ I like to see that! Eat up so that you have plenty of energy to take on some grand adventures!''"
:"''Oh, across the sea.''"
:"''That's right. But I can't actually fly myself, so I have to ride on Lapras to get there.''"
:"''The Lapras Travel Liner, of course. It leaves from the port here. What, you guys haven't been? Do you want to come with me?''"
:"''If you're really going to fill out that World Map of yours, I think you've got to. Shouldn't you get it out of the way?''"
:"''All right. If that's what you want, come along with me tomorrow. And eat up well tonight! You're going to need your energy!''"

* The next morning:
:"''All righty. Shall we make for the harbor?''"

* If spoken to while en route to the harbor:
:"''We should get to the harbor.''"

* At the harbor:
:"''Hmm. I'd rather it was just for fun. But I'm afraid it's just another day of work.''"
:"''Don't ask me why, but the boss approved it this time.''"
:"''But I'll go along with you this first time, just in case. First we'll have to get you some passes, and then...''"
:"''Huh? Me?! Guess I have to say yes here...''"

* At the [[Kecleon Shop]]{{tt|*|Scene moves immediately there}}:
:"''And that's all there is to it. I don't care where we go. Just give us the cheapest passes you've got.''"
:"''Ha...ha ha...''"

* When woken up by Lapras:
:"''Huh? What?''"
:"''I feel like I've been sleeping for hours... Where did we end up, anyway?''"
:"''*yawn* I guess my brain is still sleeping, because I've got no idea where we are... I'm completely lost. Why don't we fire up the Expedition Gadget's map and have a look? What in the— Th-the Air Continent?! Wait... What? We...we came all the way to the Air Continent?!''"
:"''All you had to do was take us to some little island near the town! How could you dump me here, Lapras?!''"
:"''Urk! I did? I never even looked at the passes that I bought... Sorry, kids. And this is your first trip overseas and everything... Look at me, ruining your first big trip because I wasn't paying attention...''"
:"''Erm... Just for a little bit then. Well, this is Baram Town, anyway. It's got a café and shops and all, just like back in Lively Town. You can go exploring dungeons from here, too. All the dungeons from the Air Continent can be reached from right here, in fact. But we're not going to any of them today. You got that? We'll have a quick look around the town and then get you two back home safe.''"

* The morning of the first day in Chapter 15:
:"''How are they gonna turn HIM to stone?!''"
:"''This warning was in the plaza... I can't imagine Entei losing...''"

* After Cave of the Deep:
:"''Mawile! Dedenne!''"
|}

===Dedenne===
{| width="100%" class="expandable"
|
|-
|
* The morning of the first day in Chapter 15:
:"''Turned to Stone Warning The next target has been decided! The volcanic Entei, one of [[Legendary beasts|three]] [[Legendary Pokémon]]! Consider yourselves warned: I will turn Entei to stone!''"
:"''The place will be [[Showdown Mountain]], on the Water Continent! All are welcome to bear witness... as long as they, too, are prepared to be turned to stone! That is all!''"

* After [[Cave of the Deep]]:
:"''Oh, there are ancient writings over there, too!''"
:"''Dark Matter?''"
:"''What does it mean?''"
:"''There's something written over there, too!''"
:"''It looks like whoever wrote that was in a big rush...''"
:"''What in the world are Void Shadows?''"
:"''It's not all bad.''"
:"''...Yeah... Yup! Right nearby! What a relief!''"
:"''Yeah, that sounds right! That way!''"
|}

===Bunnelby===
{| width="100%" class="expandable"
|
|-
|
* The morning of the first day in Chapter 15:
:"''What?!''"
:"''That warning could just be a prank. Maybe Entei won't show up. That's a possibility, too, right?''"

* Close to Showdown Mountain's summit:
:"''I think we're finally getting close to the summit...''"
:"''That's it. Let's go. Yup. No doubt about it. Once we get through here, we'll be at the summit.''"
:"''Hey! Wait right there! Was that...Krookodile?''"
:"''Yeah.''"
|}
===Swirlix===
{| width="100%" class="expandable"
|
|-
|
* If spoken to while en route to the harbor with Archen:
:"''Oh, you're adventuring with Archen today? I know Archen is the suspicious type, so I'm just going to go ahead and say it... I wasn't stealing any food to eat! R-really... I wasn't!''"

* The morning of the first day in Chapter 15:
:"''I wanna take some snacks and go watch!''"
|}

==Gallery==
<gallery>
Expedition Society Base.png|In game view of the Expedition Society base
Expedition Society logo.png|The Expedition Society logo
Expedition Society badge.png|The Expedition Society badge
</gallery>

===Members===
<gallery>
181Ampharos PSMD.png|{{p|Ampharos}}
303Mawile PSMD.png|{{p|Mawile}}
385Jirachi PSMD.png|{{p|Jirachi}}
418Buizel PSMD.png|{{p|Buizel}}
566Archen PSMD.png|{{p|Archen}}
702Dedenne PSMD.png|{{p|Dedenne}}
659Bunnelby PSMD.png|{{p|Bunnelby}}
684Swirlix PSMD.png|{{p|Swirlix}}
</gallery>

==Trivia==
* Jirachi mentions being born in [[Star Cave]], the location in [[Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Sky]] where Jirachi is found.
** Jirachi's behavior while asleep further parallels the Jirachi encountered in Star Cave; it groggily warns the player and apologizes before attacking in its sleep, and it causes the surrounding area to tremble as it emits a burst of light before it finally springs awake, though with no recollection of any interactions it had while asleep.
*** It is unknown if they are the same individual or not.
* Swirlix is the only member of the expedition society the player never visit a story dungeon with.

==In other languages==
{{Langtable|color={{gold color}}|bordercolor={{ice color dark}}
|cs=Spolek badatelů<ref>http://www.mojenintendo.cz/pokemon-super-mystery-dungeon/</ref>
|fr=Grands Explorateurs
|de=Pokémon-Forscherteam
|hu=Felfedező Közösség<ref>http://www.mojenintendo.cz/download/katalog/poke_SMD_A6_brochure_hu_web.indd.pdf</ref>
|it=Gruppo Investigativo Pokémon
|pl=Stowarzyszenie Podróżników<ref>http://www.nintendo.pl/pokemon-super-mystery-dungeon/</ref><ref>http://www.mojenintendo.cz/download/katalog/poke_SMD_A6_brochure_pl.indd.pdf</ref>
|ru=Экспедиционное общество ''Ekspeditsionnoe obshchestvo''<ref>https://www.nintendo.ru/-/Nintendo-3DS/Pokemon-Super-Mystery-Dungeon-1021842.html</ref>
|es=Grupo Investigador
|pt=Expedition Society{{tt|*|Official website}}
}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==Related articles==
{{MDcharacters|gold|ice}}
{{Project CharacterDex notice}}

[[Category:Pokémon characters]]
[[Category:Pokémon Super Mystery Dungeon characters]]
[[Category:Male characters (Pokémon)]]
[[Category:Female characters (Pokémon)]]
[[Category:Gender unknown characters (Pokémon)]]

[[de:Pokémon-Forscherteam]]
[[fr:Grands Explorateurs]]
[[it:Gruppo Investigativo Pokémon]]
[[zh:宝可梦调查队]]

Azelf (Pokémon)

2024-11-07T06:49:45Z

TailsBOOM1992: /* Biology */ Despite being about Azelf, it mentioned Mespirit instead. Also minor grammar fix (more are needed)

{{PokémonPrevNext/Head|type=Psychic}}
{{PokémonPrevNext/GO|species=Azelf}}
{{PokémonPrevNext/Pokémon|type=Psychic|prevnum=0481|prev=Mesprit|nextnum=0483|next=Dialga|round=none}}
{{PokémonPrevNext/Disambig|species=Azelf}}
|}
{{Pokémon Infobox
|name=Azelf
|jname=アグノム
|jtranslit=Agunomu
|tmname=Agnome
|ndex=0482
|type1=Psychic
|category=Willpower
|height-ftin=1'00"
|height-m=0.3
|weight-lbs=0.7
|weight-kg=0.3
|abilitylayout=1
|ability1=Levitate
|egggroupn=0
|egggroup1=No Eggs Discovered
|eggcycles=80
|evtotal=3
|evat=2
|evsa=1
|expyield=261
|oldexp=210
|lv100exp=1,250,000
|gendercode=255
|color=Blue
|catchrate=3
|body=06
|pokefordex=azelf
|generation=4
|friendship=140
}}
'''Azelf''' ([[List of Japanese Pokémon names|Japanese]]: '''アグノム''' ''Agnome'') is a {{type|Psychic}} [[Legendary Pokémon]] introduced in [[Generation IV]].

It is not known to [[Evolution|evolve]] into or from any other Pokémon.

Along with {{p|Uxie}} and {{p|Mesprit}}, Azelf is a member of the [[lake guardians]], a [[Legendary trio]] first discovered in the [[Sinnoh]] region. Azelf is known as the '''Being of Willpower''' (Japanese: '''{{ruby|意思|いし}}の{{ruby|神|かみ}}''' ''God of Willpower'').

==Biology==
Azelf is a small, gray-blue, fairy-like {{OBP|Pokémon|species}}. It has two tails that each have a red jewel on them. Azelf has a partially cyan face with another red gem encrusted into its forehead. Azelf has a cone-shaped head with elf ear-like protrusions on each side.

Azelf's spirit can leave its body without dying and can return to the body at will. It sleeps at the bottom of a lake to preserve the balance of the world. It can control an individual's will or enter the body of an individual. [[Sinnoh myths|Legends]] say that if Azelf is harmed, it can cause humans to lose all will inside of them, making them completely immobile for all eternity. Azelf is highly feared due it having the power to manipulate the will of foes into its own puppets. It was shown in ''[[DP151|The Needs of the Three!]]'' and ''[[DP152|The Battle Finale of Legend!]]'' that it can teleport itself, as well as other Pokémon and humans. Azelf can be very cautious around people and Pokémon. However, if threatened, it will reveal its bold side. In the past, it has been referred to as the "'''Being of Willpower'''" due to its role in giving humans the determination to face challenges in life. Alongside the other [[lake guardians]], Azelf is needed for the creation of a [[Red Chain]], either through gems extracted from its body or through its [[Azelf's Fang|fang]]. Together they're also capable of destroying a Red Chain. They even have the power to calm down {{p|Dialga}} and {{p|Palkia}} should the deities be enraged, but not both at once. In {{g|Legends: Arceus}}, Azelf is shown to be capable of [[Talking Pokémon|speaking the human language]] via telepathy.

Azelf and the other lake guardians are the [[signature move|only known Pokémon]] capable of learning the move {{m|Mystical Power}}.

==Game data==
===NPC appearances===
* [[Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time and Explorers of Darkness]]: Azelf is the guardian of the [[Time Gear]] of [[Crystal Crossing]]. When the {{player}} and partner arrive, Azelf has been defeated by {{mdc|Grovyle|2}}, but Azelf puts up a barrier to protect the Time Gear from being stolen.

===Pokédex entries===
{{Dex/Header|type=Psychic}}
{{Dex/NA|gen=IV}}
{{Dex/Gen/2|gen=IV|reg1=Sinnoh|num1=148|reg2=Johto}}
{{Dex/Entry1|v=Diamond|entry=Known as "The Being of Willpower." It sleeps at the bottom of a lake to keep the world in balance.}}
{{Dex/Entry1|v=Pearl|entry=It is thought that <sc>Uxie</sc>, <sc>Mesprit</sc> and <sc>Azelf</sc> all came from the same egg.}}
{{Dex/Entry1|v=Platinum|entry=When <sc>Azelf</sc> flew, people gained the determination to do things. It was the birth of willpower.}}
{{Dex/Entry2|v=HeartGold|v2=SoulSilver|entry=This Pokémon is said to have endowed humans with the determination needed to face any of life's difficulties.}}
|}
|}
{{Dex/Gen/1|gen=V|reg1=Unova}}
{{Dex/Entry2|v=Black|v2=White|t=FFF|entry=When Azelf flew, people gained the determination to do things. It was the birth of willpower.}}
{{Dex/Entry2|v=Black 2|v2=White 2|t=FFF|entry=When Azelf flew, people gained the determination to do things. It was the birth of willpower.}}
|}
|}
{{Dex/Gen/2|gen=VI|reg1=Kalos|reg2=Hoenn}}
{{Dex/Entry1|v=X|t=FFF|entry=Known as "The Being of Willpower." It sleeps at the bottom of a lake to keep the world in balance.}}
{{Dex/Entry1|v=Y|t=FFF|entry=It is thought that Uxie, Mesprit, and Azelf all came from the same egg.}}
{{Dex/Entry1|v=Omega Ruby|t=fff|entry=Known as "The Being of Willpower." It sleeps at the bottom of a lake to keep the world in balance.}}
{{Dex/Entry1|v=Alpha Sapphire|t=FFF|entry=It is thought that Uxie, Mesprit, and Azelf all came from the same egg.}}
|}
|}
{{Dex/Gen/2|gen=VII|reg1=Alola|reg2=Kanto}}
{{Dex/NE|[[Generation VII]]}}
|}
|}
{{Dex/Gen/3|gen=VIII|reg1=Galar|reg2=Sinnoh|num2=148|reg3=Hisui|num3=227}}
{{Dex/NE|[[Pokémon Sword and Shield|Sword and Shield]]}}
{{Dex/Entry1|v=Brilliant Diamond|entry=It is known as the Being of Willpower. It sleeps at the bottom of a lake to keep the world in balance.}}
{{Dex/Entry1|v=Shining Pearl|entry=It is thought that Uxie, Mesprit, and Azelf all came from the same egg.}}
{{Dex/Entry1|v=Legends: Arceus|t=FFF|entry=The dreaded Being of Willpower. Legends tell of this Pokémon manipulating the will of its adversaries and turning them into puppets of its own.}}
|}
|}
{{Dex/Gen/3|gen=IX|reg1=Paldea|reg2=Kitakami|reg3=Blueberry}}
{{Dex/NE|[[Generation IX]]}}
|}
|}
{{Dex/Footer}}

===Game locations===
{{Availability/Header|type=Psychic}}
{{Availability/NA|gen=IV}}
{{Availability/Gen|gen=IV}}
{{Availability/Entry2|v=Diamond|v2=Pearl|area=[[Lake Valor|Valor Cavern]] ([[List of in-game event Pokémon in Pokémon Diamond and Pearl#Azelf|Only one]])}}
{{Availability/Entry1|v=Platinum|area=[[Lake Valor|Valor Cavern]] ([[List of in-game event Pokémon in Pokémon Platinum#Azelf|Only one]])}}
{{Availability/Entry2/None|v=HeartGold|v2=SoulSilver}}
|}
|}
{{Availability/Gen|gen=V}}
{{Availability/Entry2/None|v=Black|v2=White}}
{{Availability/Entry2|v=Black 2|v2=White 2|t=FFF|area={{rt|23|Unova}} ([[List of in-game event Pokémon in Pokémon Black 2 and White 2#Azelf|Only one]])}}
|}
|}
{{Availability/Gen|gen=VI}}
{{Availability/Entry2/None|v=X|v2=Y}}
{{Availability/Entry2|v=Omega Ruby|v2=Alpha Sapphire|t=fff|t2=FFF|area=[[Nameless Cavern]] ([[List of in-game event Pokémon in Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire#Azelf|Only one]], between 9:00 pm - 3:59 am)}}
|}
|}
{{Availability/Gen|gen=VII}}
{{Availability/Entry2/None|v=Sun|v2=Moon}}
{{Availability/Entry2|v=Ultra Sun|v2=Ultra Moon|t=FFF|t2=FFF|area=[[Ultra Space Wilds]] ({{DL|Ultra Space Wilds|Water World}}) ([[List of in-game event Pokémon in Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon#Azelf|Only one]])}}
{{Availability/Entry2/None|v=Let's Go Pikachu|v2=Let's Go Eevee|area=Unobtainable}}
|}
|}
{{Availability/Gen|gen=VIII}}
{{Availability/Entry2/None|v=Sword|v2=Shield|area=[[Trade]]Version 1.3.0+}}
{{Availability/Entry1|v=Expansion Pass|color={{Isle of Armor color}}|t={{Crown Tundra color}}|link=Pokémon Sword and Shield Expansion Pass|area=[[Max Lair]] ([[Dynamax Adventure]]) ([[List of in-game event Pokémon in Pokémon Sword and Shield#Azelf|Only one]])}}
{{Availability/Entry2|v=Brilliant Diamond|v2=Shining Pearl|area=[[Lake Valor|Valor Cavern]] ([[List of in-game event Pokémon in Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl#Azelf|Only one]])}}
{{Availability/Entry1|v=Legends: Arceus|t=FFF|area='''[[Crimson Mirelands]]:''' [[Valor Cavern]] ([[List of in-game event Pokémon in Pokémon Legends: Arceus#Azelf|Only one]])}}
|}
|}
{{Availability/Gen|gen=IX}}
{{Availability/Entry2/None|v=Scarlet|v2=Violet|area={{g|HOME}}}}
|}
|}
{{Availability/Footer}}

====In side games====
{{Availability/Header|type=Psychic}}
{{Availability/NA|gen=IV}}
{{Availability/Gen|gen=IV}}
{{Availability/Entry2|v=MD Time|v2=MD Darkness|t2=FFF|link=Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time and Explorers of Darkness|area=[[Crystal Crossing]] (Crystal Lake)}}
{{Availability/Entry1|v=MD Sky|link=Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Sky|area=[[Crystal Crossing]] (Crystal Lake)}}
{{Availability/Entry1|v=Rumble|color={{fire color}}|area=[[Fiery Furnace]], [[Eternal Tower]] (EX Mode only)}}
|}
|}
{{Availability/Gen|gen=IV}}
{{Availability/Entry1|1|v=Rumble Blast|color={{fire color}}|area=Lake: [[Shimmering Lake]]{{tt|*|Get 10 customers}}}}
{{Availability/Entry1|1|v=Rumble U|color={{fire color}}|area=[[Verdant Plaza#Battle Royale|Verdant Plaza: Battle Royale]] (Reward), [[Entranceway#A Fateful Showdown!|Entranceway: A Fateful Showdown!]]}}
|}
|}
{{Availability/Gen|gen=VI}}
{{Availability/Entry1|1|v=Battle Trozei|color={{defense color}}|area=[[Mysterious Fountain#Stage 4|Mysterious Fountain: Stage 4]]}}
{{Availability/Entry1|1|v=Rumble World|color={{fire color}}|area=[[Plasma Tundra#Waltzing Glade|Plasma Tundra: Waltzing Glade]] (All Areas)}}
{{Availability/Entry1|1|v=Picross|color={{skill color light}}|area=[[Pokémon Picross Stages#Area 24|Area 24: Stage 06]]}}
|}
|}
{{Availability/Gen|gen=VII}}
{{Availability/Entry1|1|v=Rumble Rush|color={{fire color}}|area=[[Arceus Sea]], [[Mewtwo Sea]]Final}}
|}
|}
{{Availability/Gen|gen=VIII}}
{{Availability/NA/Side|gen=VIII}}
|}
|}
{{Availability/Cross}}
{{Availability/Entry1|1|v=Shuffle|color={{beauty color}}|area=Event: ''[[High-Speed Challenge|Azelf Appears]]''}}
|}
|}
{{Availability/Footer}}

===Stats===
====Base stats====
{{BaseStats
|type=Psychic
|HP= 75
|Attack=125
|Defense=70
|SpAtk= 125
|SpDef= 70
|Speed= 115}}

====Pokéathlon stats====
{{Pokéthlon
|type=Psychic
|Speed=4
|SpeedMax=4
|Power=2
|PowerMax=3
|Technique=5
|TechniqueMax=5
|Stamina=2
|StaminaMax=3
|Jump=4
|JumpMax=5
}}

===Type effectiveness===
{{TypeEffectiveness
|type1=Psychic
|Normal= 100
|Fighting= 50
|Flying= 100
|Poison= 100
|Ground= 0
|Rock= 100
|Bug= 200
|Ghost= 200
|Steel= 100
|Fire= 100
|Water= 100
|Grass= 100
|Electric=100
|Psychic= 50
|Ice= 100
|Dragon= 100
|Dark= 200
|Fairy= 100
|notes=yes
|levitate=yes
|newground=1}}

===Learnset===
====By [[Level|leveling up]]====
{{learnlist/levelh/9|Azelf|Psychic|Psychic|4}}
{{learnlist/level9|1|Confusion|Psychic|Special|50|100|25||'''}}
{{learnlist/level9|1|Rest|Psychic|Status|—|—|5}}
{{learnlist/level9|{{tt|Rem.|Can only be learned via Move Reminder}}|Self-Destruct|Normal|Physical|200|100|5|patch=Version 2.0.1 onwards}}
{{learnlist/level9|{{tt|Rem.|Can only be learned via Move Reminder}}|Tri Attack|Normal|Special|80|100|10|patch=Version 2.0.1 onwards}}
{{learnlist/level9|{{tt|Rem.|Can only be learned via Move Reminder}}|Snore|Normal|Special|50|100|15|patch=Version 2.0.1 onwards}}
{{learnlist/level9|{{tt|Rem.|Can only be learned via Move Reminder}}|Safeguard|Normal|Status|—|—|25|patch=Version 2.0.1 onwards}}
{{learnlist/level9|{{tt|Rem.|Can only be learned via Move Reminder}}|Iron Tail|Steel|Physical|100|75|15|patch=Version 2.0.1 onwards}}
{{learnlist/level9|{{tt|Rem.|Can only be learned via Move Reminder}}|Payback|Dark|Physical|50|100|10|patch=Version 2.0.1 onwards}}
{{learnlist/level9|{{tt|Rem.|Can only be learned via Move Reminder}}|Assurance|Dark|Physical|60|100|10|patch=Version 2.0.1 onwards}}
{{learnlist/level9|{{tt|Rem.|Can only be learned via Move Reminder}}|Psycho Cut|Psychic|Physical|70|100|20||'''|patch=Version 2.0.1 onwards}}
{{learnlist/level9|{{tt|Rem.|Can only be learned via Move Reminder}}|Wonder Room|Psychic|Status|—|—|10|patch=Version 2.0.1 onwards}}
{{learnlist/level9|{{tt|Rem.|Can only be learned via Move Reminder}}|Magic Room|Psychic|Status|—|—|10|patch=Version 2.0.1 onwards}}
{{learnlist/level9|{{tt|Rem.|Can only be learned via Move Reminder}}|Round|Normal|Special|60|100|15|patch=Version 2.0.1 onwards}}
{{learnlist/level9|{{tt|Rem.|Can only be learned via Move Reminder}}|Ally Switch|Psychic|Status|—|—|15|patch=Version 2.0.1 onwards}}
{{learnlist/level9|{{tt|Rem.|Can only be learned via Move Reminder}}|Expanding Force|Psychic|Special|80|100|10||'''|patch=Version 2.0.1 onwards}}
{{learnlist/level9|7|Swift|Normal|Special|60|—|20}}
{{learnlist/level9|14|Detect|Fighting|Status|—|—|5}}
{{learnlist/level9|21|Psybeam|Psychic|Special|65|100|20||'''}}
{{learnlist/level9|28|Imprison|Psychic|Status|—|—|10}}
{{learnlist/level9|35|Extrasensory|Psychic|Special|80|100|20||'''}}
{{learnlist/level9|42|Nasty Plot|Dark|Status|—|—|20}}
{{learnlist/level9|49|Psychic|Psychic|Special|90|100|10||'''}}
{{learnlist/level9|56|Uproar|Normal|Special|90|100|10}}
{{learnlist/level9|63|Future Sight|Psychic|Special|120|100|10||'''}}
{{learnlist/level9|70|Last Resort|Normal|Physical|140|100|5}}
{{learnlist/level9|77|Explosion|Normal|Physical|250|100|5}}
{{learnlist/level9|84|Mystical Power|Psychic|Special|70|90|10||'''}}
{{learnlist/levelf/9|Azelf|Psychic|Psychic|4}}

====By [[TM]]====
{{learnlist/tmh/9|Azelf|Psychic|Psychic|4}}
{{learnlist/tm9|TM005|Mud-Slap|Ground|Special|20|100|10}}
{{learnlist/tm9|TM007|Protect|Normal|Status|—|—|10}}
{{learnlist/tm9|TM011|Water Pulse|Water|Special|60|100|20}}
{{learnlist/tm9|TM014|Acrobatics|Flying|Physical|55|100|15}}
{{learnlist/tm9|TM016|Psybeam|Psychic|Special|65|100|20||'''}}
{{learnlist/tm9|TM023|Charge Beam|Electric|Special|50|90|10}}
{{learnlist/tm9|TM025|Facade|Normal|Physical|70|100|20}}
{{learnlist/tm9|TM032|Swift|Normal|Special|60|—|20}}
{{learnlist/tm9|TM037|Draining Kiss|Fairy|Special|50|100|10}}
{{learnlist/tm9|TM041|Stored Power|Psychic|Special|20|100|10||'''}}
{{learnlist/tm9|TM043|Fling|Dark|Physical|—|100|10}}
{{learnlist/tm9|TM047|Endure|Normal|Status|—|—|10}}
{{learnlist/tm9|TM049|Sunny Day|Fire|Status|—|—|5}}
{{learnlist/tm9|TM050|Rain Dance|Water|Status|—|—|5}}
{{learnlist/tm9|TM051|Sandstorm|Rock|Status|—|—|10}}
{{learnlist/tm9|TM054|Psyshock|Psychic|Special|80|100|10||'''}}
{{learnlist/tm9|TM059|Zen Headbutt|Psychic|Physical|80|90|15||'''}}
{{learnlist/tm9|TM060|U-turn|Bug|Physical|70|100|20}}
{{learnlist/tm9|TM067|Fire Punch|Fire|Physical|75|100|15}}
{{learnlist/tm9|TM068|Thunder Punch|Electric|Physical|75|100|15}}
{{learnlist/tm9|TM069|Ice Punch|Ice|Physical|75|100|15}}
{{learnlist/tm9|TM070|Sleep Talk|Normal|Status|—|—|10}}
{{learnlist/tm9|TM073|Drain Punch|Fighting|Physical|75|100|10}}
{{learnlist/tm9|TM074|Reflect|Psychic|Status|—|—|20}}
{{learnlist/tm9|TM075|Light Screen|Psychic|Status|—|—|30}}
{{learnlist/tm9|TM079|Dazzling Gleam|Fairy|Special|80|100|10}}
{{learnlist/tm9|TM080|Metronome|Normal|Status|—|—|10}}
{{learnlist/tm9|TM081|Grass Knot|Grass|Special|—|100|20}}
{{learnlist/tm9|TM082|Thunder Wave|Electric|Status|—|90|20}}
{{learnlist/tm9|TM085|Rest|Psychic|Status|—|—|5}}
{{learnlist/tm9|TM087|Taunt|Dark|Status|—|100|20}}
{{learnlist/tm9|TM092|Imprison|Psychic|Status|—|—|10}}
{{learnlist/tm9|TM098|Skill Swap|Psychic|Status|—|—|10}}
{{learnlist/tm9|TM103|Substitute|Normal|Status|—|—|10}}
{{learnlist/tm9|TM109|Trick|Psychic|Status|—|100|10}}
{{learnlist/tm9|TM114|Shadow Ball|Ghost|Special|80|100|15}}
{{learnlist/tm9|TM116|Stealth Rock|Rock|Status|—|—|20}}
{{learnlist/tm9|TM119|Energy Ball|Grass|Special|90|100|10}}
{{learnlist/tm9|TM120|Psychic|Psychic|Special|90|100|10||'''}}
{{learnlist/tm9|TM122|Encore|Normal|Status|—|100|5}}
{{learnlist/tm9|TM125|Flamethrower|Fire|Special|90|100|15}}
{{learnlist/tm9|TM126|Thunderbolt|Electric|Special|90|100|15}}
{{learnlist/tm9|TM127|Play Rough|Fairy|Physical|90|90|10}}
{{learnlist/tm9|TM129|Calm Mind|Psychic|Status|—|—|20}}
{{learnlist/tm9|TM130|Helping Hand|Normal|Status|—|—|20}}
{{learnlist/tm9|TM132|Baton Pass|Normal|Status|—|—|40}}
{{learnlist/tm9|TM140|Nasty Plot|Dark|Status|—|—|20}}
{{learnlist/tm9|TM141|Fire Blast|Fire|Special|110|85|5}}
{{learnlist/tm9|TM152|Giga Impact|Normal|Physical|150|90|5}}
{{learnlist/tm9|TM161|Trick Room|Psychic|Status|—|—|5}}
{{learnlist/tm9|TM163|Hyper Beam|Normal|Special|150|90|5}}
{{learnlist/tm9|TM166|Thunder|Electric|Special|110|70|10}}
{{learnlist/tm9|TM171|Tera Blast|Normal|Special|80|100|10}}
{{learnlist/tm9|TM181|Knock Off|Dark|Physical|65|100|20}}
{{learnlist/tm9|TM191|Uproar|Normal|Special|90|100|10}}
{{learnlist/tm9|TM203|Psych Up|Normal|Status|—|—|10}}
{{learnlist/tm9|TM204|Double-Edge|Normal|Physical|120|100|15}}
{{learnlist/tm9|TM205|Endeavor|Normal|Physical|—|100|5}}
{{learnlist/tm9|TM217|Future Sight|Psychic|Special|120|100|10||'''}}
{{learnlist/tm9|TM218|Expanding Force|Psychic|Special|80|100|10||'''}}
{{learnlist/tmf/9|Azelf|Psychic|Psychic|4}}

====By {{pkmn|breeding}}====
{{learnlist/breedh/9|Azelf|Psychic|Psychic|4}}
{{learnlist/breed9null}}
{{learnlist/breedf/9|Azelf|Psychic|Psychic|4}}

===Side game data===
{{Spindata/Head|type=Psychic}}
{{Spindata/MDTDS|col=6|type=Psychic|ndex=482
|body=1
|rate=100
|IQ=G
}}
|-
{{Spindata/PSMD|col=6|type=Psychic|ndex=482
|coset=2
|conto={{p|Uxie}}
|recruitment=Meet up with at [[Spring of Resolve]]
|P1=To decide to do something and follow through… Willpower is worthy of respect.
|P2=It's sometimes important to have the courage to go back.
}}
|-
{{Spindata/Rumble|col=3|type=Psychic
|att=5
|def=3
|speed=4
}}
{{Spindata/RumbleBlast|col=3|type=Psychic
|att=5
|def=3
|speed=4
}}
|-
{{Spindata/RumbleRush|col=6|type=Psychic|ndex=482
|walk=2.08
|hp=54
|attack=83
|defense=53
|speed=70
}}
|-
{{Spindata/Battle Trozei|col=3|type=Psychic|ndex=482
|power=4
}}
{{Spindata/Shuffle|col=3|type=Psychic|ndex=482|num=497
|min=70
|max=125
|raisemaxlevel=10
|skill=Paralyze
|skilldesc=Leaves the foe paralyzed.
|swapper=Flash Mob
}}
|-
{{Spindata/GO|col=6|type=Psychic|ndex=482
|hatch=N/A
|buddy=20
|evolution=N/A
|stamina=181
|attack=270
|defense=151
|fast={{m|Confusion}}, {{m|Extrasensory}}
|special={{m|Future Sight}}, {{m|Swift}}, {{m|Fire Blast}}
}}
|}

===Evolution data===
<div style="float:center; display:flex; flex-flow:row wrap;">
{{Evobox-1
|type1=Psychic
|pictype=art
|no1=0482
|name1=Azelf
|type1-1=Psychic}}
</div>

===Sprites===
{{Spritebox/Header|type=Psychic}}
{{Spritebox/NA|gen=IV}}
{{Spritebox/4|ndex=482}}
{{Spritebox/5|ndex=482}}
{{Spritebox/6|ndex=482|crop=87}}
{{Spritebox/7|ndex=482|crop=72}}
{{Spritebox/8/LA|ndex=482|LAcrop=125}}

{{Spritebox/HOME|ndex=0482}}
{{Spritebox/Footer|482|Azelf}}

==In animation==
[[File:Azelf anime.png|thumb|250px|Azelf in {{aniseries|PTS}}]]
===Main series===
====Major appearances====
====={{DL|Lake guardians (anime)|Azelf|Azelf (anime)}}=====
In ''[[DP078|Pruning a Passel of Pals!]]'', Azelf's "soul" appeared to {{Ash}}, much like what {{DL|Lake guardians (anime)|Mesprit}} did to {{an|Dawn}}.

Azelf physically debuted in ''[[DP151|The Needs of the Three!]]'', where it was the first to be captured by [[J]] and [[Team Galactic]]. It was then controlled by Team Galactic to help fulfill its goal. In ''[[DP152|The Battle Finale of Legend!]]'', after breaking from their control with the help of [[Ash's Pikachu]] and {{AP|Staraptor}}, it helped in stopping [[Cyrus]]'s plot to use {{p|Dialga}} and {{p|Palkia}}. It reappeared in [[Pokémon: The Arceus Chronicles]], helping to stop a rampaging {{p|Heatran}}.

=====Other=====
In [[PK21]], an Azelf, Mesprit, and Uxie served {{AP|Pikachu}} and his friends some apples.

====Minor appearances====
In ''[[Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Sky - Beyond Time & Darkness]]'', an Azelf, along with the other members of its trio, were the protectors of the Time Gear.

A silhouetted Azelf appeared in a fantasy in ''[[JN053|Healing the Healer!]]''.

====Pokédex entries====
{{Animedexheader|Galar}}
{{Animedexbody|JNS02|Azelf|Goh's Rotom Phone|Azelf, the Willpower Pokémon. A {{t|Psychic}} type. Azelf is called "The Being of Willpower." It is said to have given people the strength of mind to deal with life's difficulties.}}
{{Animedexfooter/Pokémon|Galar}}

===GOTCHA!===
An Azelf briefly appeared as a silhouette in [[GOTCHA!]].

==In the manga==
[[File:Azelf Adventures.png|thumb|220px|Azelf in [[Pokémon Adventures]]]]
===Pocket Monsters DP===
Azelf appeared in [[PMDP13]] along with the other members of the [[lake guardians]].

===Pokémon Adventures===
{{main|Lake guardians (Adventures)#Azelf|Lake guardians (Adventures) → Azelf}}
In the {{MangaArc|Diamond & Pearl}}, Azelf was to be captured as part of [[Team Galactic]]'s plans. Commander [[Saturn]] led the operation to capture Azelf, and succeeded; despite the resistance of {{adv|Pearl}}. Azelf connected with Pearl the most, as he had great determination; Pearl had been at the center of Lake Valor and saw Azelf on his last visit there. It first appeared in ''[[PS398|Tackling Tangrowth]]''.

===Pokémon Diamond and Pearl Adventure!===
Along with Uxie and Mesprit, Azelf was captured by Team Galactic to create the Red Chain so that they can control the legendary Dialga. It was eventually freed and helped stop Dialga by breaking the Red Chain. It first appeared in ''[[DPA11|The Legendary Pokémon, Captured]]''.

===Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Blazing Exploration Team===
Azelf appeared in [[BET2]].

==In the TCG==
{{main|Azelf (TCG)}}

==Other appearances==
===[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]===
On the {{st|Spear Pillar}} stage, occasionally the [[lake guardians]] make cameo appearances during the fight; however, they do nothing.

====Trophy information====
''A Willpower Pokémon. Born from the same Egg as {{p|Uxie}} and {{p|Mesprit}}, this Pokémon maintains the balance of things in the world from the bottom of [[Lake Valor]]. Some say that anyone who injures it will become unable to perform any kind of action after seven days. It wields many strong attacks, like the devastating {{m|Last Resort}}. It can also protect itself from sleep attacks with {{m|Uproar}}.''

===[[Super Smash Bros. Ultimate]]===
Azelf appears as a {{sbw|Spirit}} alongside {{p|Mesprit}} and {{p|Uxie}}.

==Trivia==
* Azelf is tied with Uxie and Mesprit for the highest base friendship of all Legendary Pokémon.
* In [[Generation IX]], prior to the Version 2.0.1 update of {{g|Scarlet and Violet}}, Azelf was unable to learn moves via [[Move Reminder]].

===Origin===
Azelf seems to be based on a {{wp|pixie}} or a {{wp|fairy}}, although its Japanese name suggests that it is a {{wp|gnome}}. The lake guardians could possibly have originated from the {{wp|Imperial Regalia of Japan}}, which are also called the Three Sacred Treasures. Azelf would be the ''{{wp|Kusanagi}}'', which embodies valor. Additionally, it may draw inspiration from {{wp|Throne (angel)|Thrones}}—one of the three highest ranking {{wp|Angels in Christianity|angel classes in Christianity}}—also known as the "valiant ones."

====Name origin====
Azelf may be a combination of ''A'' of the acronym ''UMA'' (Unidentified Mysterious Animal, {{wp|wasei-eigo}} for cryptid) and ''elf''. It may also involve the pronoun ''us'', as well as ''azure''.

Agnome may be a combination of ''A'' of the acronym ''UMA'' (Unidentified Mysterious Animal, {{wp|wasei-eigo}} for cryptid) and ''gnome''.

==In other languages==
{{Other languages|type=Psychic|type2=Psychic
|ja=アグノム ''Agnome''|jameaning=From ''A'' of the acronym ''{{tt|UMA|Unidentified Mysterious Animal (cryptid)}}'' and ''gnome''
|fr=Créfadet|frmeaning=From ''{{tt|création|creation}}'' and ''{{wp|Farfadet|farfadet}}''
|es=Azelf|esmeaning=Same as English name
|de=Tobutz|demeaning=From ''{{tt|tu|French for you}}'' and ''{{wp|bogeyman|{{tt|Butzemann|bogeyman}}}}''
|it=Azelf|itmeaning=Same as English name
|ko=아그놈 ''Agnome''|komeaning=Transcription of Japanese name
|zh_cmn=亞克諾姆 / 亚克诺姆 ''Yǎkènuòmǔ / Yàkènuòmǔ''|zh_cmnmeaning=Transcription of Japanese name
|zh_yue=亞克諾姆 ''Ahāknohkmóuh''|zh_yuemeaning=Mandarin-based transcription of Japanese name
|hi=मयपरी ''Maypari''|himeaning=From {{tt|रहस्यमय ''rahasyamay''|mysterious}} and {{tt|परी ''pari''|fairy}}
|th=อักนอม ''Aknom''|thmeaning=Transcription of Japanese name
}}
 

==See also==
* [[Lake guardians (anime)]]
* [[Lake guardians]]
* [[Lake guardians (Adventures)]]
* [[Legendary Pokémon]]
* [[Myths and legends involving Legendary and Mythical Pokémon]]


==External links==

{{Legendary Pokémon}}{{PokémonPrevNext/Head|type=Psychic}}
{{PokémonPrevNext/Pokémon|type=Psychic|prevnum=0481|prev=Mesprit|nextnum=0483|next=Dialga}}
|}
{{Project Pokédex notice}}

[[Category:Legendary Pokémon]]
[[Category:Legendary trio Pokémon]]
[[Category:Sinnoh Legendary Pokémon]]

[[de:Tobutz]]
[[es:Azelf]]
[[fr:Créfadet]]
[[it:Azelf]]
[[ja:アグノム]]
[[zh:亚克诺姆]]