Poké Ball: Difference between revisions

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.

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

* In {{g|Scarlet and Violet}}, the player cannot throw a Poké Ball at a wild [[Terastal phenomenon|Tera Pokémon]] until it is sufficiently weakened, breaking through its transformation.

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 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 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 [[Pokemon HOME]]'s server.

| {{tt|1×|1.5× prior to Generation VIII; 1.8× in BDSP}}

| Prior to [[Generation VIII]], it could not be obtained in normal gameplay, and was only usable within [[Safari Zone]]s.

| 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.

| Sets caught Pokémon's [[friendship]] to 200^{[[Generation II|Gen II]]-[[Generation VII|VII]]}, or 150^{[[Generation VIII|Gen VIII]]}

| 4× if used on a Pokémon that belongs to an evolutionary family which includes a Pokémon that evolves by using a [[Moon Stone]]<br>1× otherwise

| Prior to [[Generation VIII]], it could not be obtained in normal gameplay, and was only usable during the [[Bug-Catching Contest]].

|

[[File:UNITEPokeBall.PNG|thumb|250px|A UNITE Poké Ball catching a Pokémon]]

In {{g|UNITE}}, in addition to the regular Poké Balls a Trainer will use to send out their own Pokémon, they use a unique variety of Poké Ball. These Poké Balls are orange, purple, and yellow in colour, with a yellow stripe around in the middle and a white button. The pattern gives the Poké Ball a "U" design. These Poké Balls are used to catch Pokémon in UNITE battles, and appear to have a 100% catch rate. They also determine the amount of points a Trainer's current Pokémon has. A Trainer can throw multiple balls at once.

{{-}}

In [[Pokémon Pinball]] and [[Pokémon Pinball: Ruby & Sapphire]], the [[Poké Ball (item)|Poké Ball]], [[Great Ball]], [[Ultra Ball]], and [[Master Ball]] are available.

Smash Bros Pokemon Symbol.png|The Pokémon series's symbol from ''SSB'' and ''Melee''

Smash Bros Brawl Pokemon Symbol.png|The Pokémon series's symbol from ''Brawl'' and ''SSB4''

Poké Ball trophy:

Poké Ball trophy:

Poké Ball trophy:

Master Ball trophy:

[[File:Anime Poke Ball Mechanics.jpg|thumb|220px|A schematic displaying Poké Ball size, storage, and mechanics<!-- - モンスターボール monster ball ○ゆ yu (someone's signature?) ○改 revised ①普段ピンポン玉位 usually about ping-pong ball ②まん中のボタンをプチッと押す push the button on the center like puchi(onomatopoeia) ③ソフトボール位になる become about softball (2K中2位) about 2-koma-naka-2 (show each picture 2 frames, 2 inbetweens) ④投げる throw ○赤 red ○白 white 開く open Hi色トレス Hi(highlight)-color trace くぼんでる have a dent ミラーっぽいかんじでカゲ入れて下さい please apply shades like a mirror 赤い方 the red part モンスターボール サトシは常に6コベルトに装着 monster ball: Satoshi always attatchs 6 of them on his belt ボールなんとなくくっついてる balls sticks in some vague way-->]]

In the anime, 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#The 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 materialize 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 the anime. 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.

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 shown to be able to hear orders given by their Trainer right before they are sent out.

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 it may have lost its "mark" when it abandoned its previous Trainer by refusing to return to its old Poké Ball. Earlier in the same episode, Ash failed to catch the same Charmander while it still held its loyalty, despite its weak condition.

* [[Roy]] is in possession of an antique Poké Ball that he refers to as the Ancient Poké Ball. It was found by [[Roy's grandfather|his grandfather]] and later given to him. It first appeared in [[HZ004]], where Roy mentioned how he had never managed to open it. In [[HZ006]], the ball reacted with [[Liko]]'s pendant and opened to reveal a {{Shiny}} {{p|Rayquaza}} that flew away soon after. The ball is said to have belonged to an [[Lucius|ancient adventurer]] who once commanded Rayquaza. In [[HZ011]], another identical ancient Poké Ball appeared under the possession of a giant {{p|Arboliva}}. In the [[HZ012|next episode]], this Poké Ball was revealed to be Arboliva's, and to have been owned by the ancient adventurer as well.

Promo Annie Oakley Ball reverse.png|A promotional toy version of {{OBP|Annie|M05}} and [[Oakley]]'s Poké Balls, produced by [[Tomy]]

Roy Ancient Poké Ball anime.png|[[Roy]]'s Ancient Poké Ball in [[HZ006]]

[[File:Ultra Ball PG.png|thumb|250px|An Ultra Ball in [[Pokémon Generations]]]]

Like in the anime and the games, specialty balls do exist, although they are much more commonly used than in the anime. 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 {{chap|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 {{p|Genesect}} controlled by [[Colress]], eventually succeeding. 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 {{chap|Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon}}, Beast Balls were created for the [[Aether Foundation]] by Colress as a means of catching [[Ultra Beast]]s.

* Multiple Dynamaxed Poké Balls appeared in the {{chap|Sword & Shield}}, being used to both capture Dynamax Pokémon and send them out.

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 [[starter Pokémon]], he is shown to be able to pick up and lift Charmander directly from the Poké Ball without throwing it first.

Several 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.

* 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 features a TCG-centric mechanic, requiring a {{TCG|coin}} flip to search the deck for a {{TCG|Pokémon}} to be put in the hand. Most of the Poké Ball variants, both adapted from the games and exclusive to the TCG, are similar to this, with several requiring coin flips to use their effect.

* 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 appear in {{TCG|Dark Explorers}}, with its effect requiring the player to discard 2 cards from the hand to search the deck for a Pokémon.

* 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.

* 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, making it effective in decks that typically match up well against their own type. It was also reprinted in Celestial Storm.

* The {{TCG ID|Stormfront|Luxury Ball|86}}, first found 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|Dusk Ball|110}}, also first found in Mysterious Treasures, features an effect somewhat opposite from the Master Ball's: 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 found in {{TCG|Next Destinies}}, allows the player to search through their deck for a Pokémon who has a retreat cost of 3 or more and put it in their hand, whereas the {{TCG ID|Next Destinies|Level Ball|89}}, also found in {{TCG|Next Destinies}}, allows them to do the same with a Pokémon that has 90 HP or less.

* The {{TCG ID|Primal Clash|Repeat Ball|136}}, found 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.

* The {{TCG ID|Sun & Moon|Nest Ball|123}}, first found in {{TCG|Sun & Moon}}, allows the player to search their deck for a Basic Pokémon and put it on their bench, whereas the {{TCG ID|Sun & Moon|Timer Ball|134}}, also found in {{TCG|Sun & Moon}}, allows them to search for Evolution Pokémon for the amount of heads from flipping two coins.

* The {{TCG ID|Lost Thunder|Net Ball|187}}, first found 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 found 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 found 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 found 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 found 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 found 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|EX Team Magma vs Team Aqua|Team Magma Ball|80}} is [[Team Magma]]'s Poké Ball variant, found only in the {{TCG|EX Team Magma vs Team Aqua}} expansion. It allows the user to search for a Team Magma's Pokémon, but if a 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 [[Team Aqua]]'s Poké Ball variant, also found only in the {{TCG|EX Team Magma vs Team Aqua}} expansion. It works ''exactly'' the same as the Team Magma Ball, searching 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, found in the {{TCG|EX Team Rocket Returns}} expansion. No coin flip is required, and it simply allows the player to search for a {{TCG|Dark Pokémon}}.

* The {{TCG ID|Plasma Freeze|Team Plasma Ball|105}} is the [[Team Plasma]] variant of the Poké Ball, found in the {{TCG|Plasma Freeze}} expansion. It allows the user to search for a Team Plasma Pokémon without a coin flip required.

* The {{TCG ID|Double Crisis|Team Magma's Great Ball|31}} is another Team Magma Poké Ball variant, found 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 another Team Aqua Poké Ball variant, also found in the {{TCG|Double Crisis}} expansion. It searches the deck for a Basic Team Aqua Pokémon and a basic {{e|Water}} energy instead.

Magma Ball artwork.jpg|Team Magma Ball

Aqua Ball artwork.jpg|Team Aqua Ball

Rocket Ball artwork.jpg|Rocket's Poké Ball

Plasma Ball artwork.jpg|Team Plasma Ball

Magma Great Ball artwork.jpg|Team Magma's Great Ball

Aqua Great Ball artwork.jpg|Team Aqua's Great Ball

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

* 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]], customizable special effects are available through [[Seal]]s.

{{Poké Balls}}<br/>

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