Great Ball

This article is about the modern incarnation of the Great Ball. For the Great Ball from Legends: Arceus, see Great Ball (Hisui).

The Great Ball (Japanese: スーパーボール Super Ball) is a type of Poké Ball introduced in Generation I. It is an improved variant of the regular Poké Ball that can be used to catch wild Pokémon.

Great Ball
スーパーボール
Super Ball
Bag Great Ball Sprite.png
Great Ball
Artwork from Pokémon Global Link
Introduced in Generation I
Pocket
Generation I Bag Items pocket icon.png Items
Generation II Bag Poké Balls pocket icon.png Poké Balls
Generation III Bag Poké Balls pocket icon.png Poké Balls
Generation IV Bag Poké Balls pocket icon.png Poké Balls
Generation V Bag Items pocket icon.png Items (Poké Balls)
Generation VI Bag Items pocket icon.png Items
Generation VII Bag Items pocket icon.png Items (Catching PocketPE)
Generation VIII Bag Poké Balls pocket icon.png Poké Balls
Generation IX Bag Poké Balls pocket icon.png Poké Balls

In the core series games

Price

Games Cost Sell price
RGBY/RBY
GSC
RSEFRLG
DPPtHGSS
BWB2W2
XYORAS
SMUSUM
SwShBDSP
$600 $300
PE $300 $150
SV $600 $150

In Pokémon Crystal, a Great Ball costs $500 during the Goldenrod Department Store rooftop sale.

Effect

Manual activation

When used from the Bag in a wild encounter, it will attempt to catch the wild Pokémon with a catch rate modifier of 1.5×.

If used on an Ultra Beast, the catch rate modifier is instead always set to 410/4096× (~0.1×).

The Great Ball cannot be used in situations in which Poké Balls cannot be used, such as in wild battles with two or more opponents currently present or against a trial Pokémon. If used in a Trainer battle (except if used as a Snag Ball on a Shadow Pokémon), the opposing Trainer will deflect it, wasting the ball (in Generation III and earlier) or only the player's turn (from Generation IV onward). If used on the ghost Marowak, it will dodge it, wasting the ball.

Held item

Fling fails if the user is holding a Great Ball.

Description

Games Description
Stad A Ball for catching wild Pokémon. More effective than a Poké Ball.
GSC A Ball with a decent success rate.
RSEColo.XD A good Ball with a higher catch rate than a Poké Ball.
FRLG A good, quality Ball that offers a higher Pokémon catch rate than a standard Poké Ball.
DPPtHGSS
BWB2W2
A good, high-performance Ball that provides a higher Pokémon catch rate than a standard Poké Ball.
XYORAS A good, high-performance Poké Ball that provides a higher Pokémon catch rate than a standard Poké Ball can.
SMUSUM A good, high-performance Poké Ball that provides a higher Pokémon catch rate than a standard Poké Ball.
PE
SwShBDSP
SV
A good, high-performance Poké Ball that provides a higher success rate for catching Pokémon than a standard Poké Ball.

Acquisition

Games Finite methods Repeatable methods
RBY
RGBY
Route 4, S.S. Anne Lavender, Saffron, Fuchsia, Cinnabar, and Indigo Plateau Poké Marts, Celadon Department Store
GSC Route 32, Union Cave, Olivine LighthouseGS Ecruteak, Olivine, Mahogany, Blackthorn, Indigo Plateau, Pewter, Cerulean, Lavender, Saffron, and Fuchsia Poké Marts, Goldenrod Department Store, Celadon Department Store, Just a Souvenir Shop (after defeating Team Rocket)
Goldenrod Department Store rooftop sale (before becoming Champion)C
Route 44 (random gift from Fisher Wilton)C
Purchased by the player's Mom
Pokémon Pikachu 2 GS (300 W)
RSE Routes 109, 110, 117, and 115, Petalburg Woods (×2), Rustboro City, Jagged Pass Petalburg (after earning 4 Badges), Slateport, Mauville, Verdanturf, Fallarbor, Lavaridge, and Fortree Poké Marts, Lilycove Department Store
Pickup (Lv. 1-40E)
Trainer Hill consolation prizeE
FRLG Routes 4 and 11, S.S. Anne, Pokémon Tower Lavender, Saffron, Fuchsia, Cinnabar Island, Indigo Plateau, Four Island, Six Island, and Seven Island Poké Marts, Celadon Department Store
Two Island vendor (before upgrading the Network Machine with the Ruby and Sapphire)
Colo. Pyrite Bldg Outskirt Stand
XD Cipher Lab, Pyrite Town
Realgam Tower (Battle CD 03 and 07 completion prizes)
Gateon, Agate, Pyrite, and Phenac Poké Marts, Outskirt Stand
Pickup (Lv. 1-40)
DPPt Routes 207Pt, 208Pt, 209Pt, 211Pt, 212DP, and 213DP, Oreburgh City, Eterna ForestDP, Wayward CavePt, Lost Tower, Pokémon MansionDP, Great Marsh, Celestic Town All Poké Marts (after earning 3 Badges), Celestic Town shop, Veilstone Department Store
Pokémon News Press
Pickup (Lv. 1-40)
HGSS Route 32, Ruins of Alph, Union Cave, Slowpoke Well All Poké Marts (after earning 3 Badges), Goldenrod Department Store, Celadon Department Store, Just a Souvenir Shop (after defeating Team Rocket)
Pickup (Lv. 1-40)
PW Town Outskirts (750+ steps)
BW Routes 2, 3, 4, and 5, Striaton City, Pinwheel Forest
Passerby Analytics HQ (complete "Which version is more popular?" survey)
All Poké Marts (after earning 1 Badge)
Pickup (Lv. 1-40)
White ForestW (Robbie)
B2W2 Route 20, Virbank City, Striaton City
Passerby Analytics HQ (complete "Which version is more popular?" survey)
All Poké Marts (after earning 1 Badge)
Join Avenue (Antique Shop, souvenir)
Pickup (Lv. 1-40)
Hidden Grotto (5% chance)
Virbank Complex (exchange for a Poké Ball, daily)
DW* Pleasant Forest
XY Routes 4 and 5, Santalune City All Poké Marts (after earning 1 Badge), Santalune City, Route 5, Route 4
Pickup (Lv. 1-40)
ORAS Routes 109, 110, 117, and 115, Rustboro City, Petalburg Woods, Jagged Pass, Meteor Falls All Poké Marts (after earning 1 Badge), Lilycove Department Store
Pickup (Lv. 1-40)
PMC* Mine Cart Adventure (all levels)
SMUSUM Route 4, Trainers' School, Hau'oli City, Hau'oli Cemetery, Verdant Cavern, Melemele Meadow, Ten Carat Hill All Poké Marts (after clearing 1 trial), Thrifty Megamart
Festival Plaza (Ball Shop, General Store)
Route 1 (sometimes received from Mom after healing at home)USUM
Pickup (Lv. 1-40)
PE Routes 4, 5, 11, 2, 10, and 16, Pewter City, Mt. Moon, Rock Tunnel, Lavender Town, Team Rocket Hideout, Silph Co.
Received from Campers and Picnickers after defeating them (except in Gyms)
All Poké Marts (after earning 1 Badge), Celadon Department Store
Cerulean Cave
SwSh Route 2, Motostoke, Galar Mine, Motostoke Outskirts All Poké Marts (after earning 1 Badge)
Hidden recurring item (Giant's Seat, North Lake Miloch, Motostoke Riverbank, Bridge Field, Stony Wilderness, Dusty Bowl, Giant's Mirror, Hammerlocke Hills, Giant's Cap)
SwShIA Armor Station Poké Mart (after earning 1 Badge), Fields of Honor Watt Trader
Hidden recurring item (Fields of Honor, Brawlers' Cave, Courageous Cavern)
Cram-o-matic
SwShCT Crown Tundra Station Poké Mart (after earning 1 Badge), Freezington Peddler
Hidden recurring item (Frostpoint Field, Giant's Bed, Snowslide Slope, Tunnel to the Top, Roaring-Sea Caves, Frigid Sea, Ballimere Lake)
BDSP Routes 212 and 213, Oreburgh City, Eterna Forest, Lost Tower, Pokémon Mansion, Great Marsh, Celestic Town All Poké Marts (after earning 3 Badges), Celestic Town shop, Veilstone Department Store
Pokémon News Press
SV Cabo Poco, Levincia, Alfornada Cavern, Casseroya Lake, Poco Path, East Province (Area One), East Province (Area Two), East Province (Area Three), North Province (Area Three), South Province (Area One), South Province (Area Two), South Province (Area Three), South Province (Area Four), South Province (Area Five), West Province (Area One)
Reward for registering 20 Pokémon in the Paldea Pokédex (×10)
All Poké Marts (after earning 1 Gym Badge), Porto Marinada auction
Sparkling overworld item (Alfornada Cavern, Dalizapa Passage, Glaseado Mountain, Tagtree Thicket, East Province (Area One), East Province (Area Two), North Province (Area One), North Province (Area Three), South Province (Area Five), West Province (Area One), West Province (Area Three))
SVTM Apple Hills, Fellhorn Gorge, Infernal Pass, Mossfell Confluence, Paradise Barrens Peachy's (after earning 1 Gym Badge)
Sparkling overworld item (Crystal Pool, Fellhorn Gorge, Infernal Pass, Kitakami Road, Mossfell Confluence, Oni Mountain, Oni's Maw, Paradise Barrens, Reveler's Road, Wistful Fields)
SVID Canyon Biome, Central Plaza, Coastal Biome, Polar Biome, Savanna Biome Vending machines (Terarium)
Item Printer (Poké Ball Lotto)

Distribution

Games Event Language/Region Distribution period
SV Japanese 7-11 Onigiri Balls Japan November 18, 2022 to January 10, 2023

NPC usage

Pokémon Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun, and Ultra Moon

In Pokémon Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun, and Ultra Moon, the following Trainer classes keep their Pokémon in Great Balls:

Pokémon Sword and Shield

Bede keeps his Pokémon in Great Balls.

In Pokémon Sword and Shield, the following Trainer classes keep their Pokémon in Great Balls:

Cameo appearances

Pokémon Stadium 2

In Pokémon Stadium 2, Great Balls appear in the mini-game Furret's Frolic. They are worth two points each.

Gallery

Artwork

     
Artwork from
Generation I
Artwork by
Ken Sugimori
Artwork from
Scarlet and Violet

Sprites

         
In-battle sprite in
Generation II
Sprite from
Furret Frolic's
instruction screen in
Stadium 2
In-battle and
Summary sprite from
Generation III
Summary sprite from
Colosseum
Summary sprite from
XD: Gale of Darkness
       
Summary sprite from
Generations IV and V
In-battle sprite in
Generation IV
Summary sprite from
Battle Revolution
In-battle sprite in
Generation V

Models

       
Model from
Furret Frolic in
Stadium 2
In-battle model
X, Y, Omega Ruby,
Alpha Sapphire
, Sun, Moon,
Ultra Sun, and Ultra Moon
Model from
Let's Go, Pikachu! and
Let's Go, Eevee!
Model from
Generation VIII

In the spin-off games

Pokémon Shuffle

  This section is incomplete.
Please feel free to edit this section to add missing information and complete it.
Reason: Image

Whenever the player defeats an uncaught Pokémon, they get a chance to catch that Pokémon, with a regular Poké Ball provided automatically. If the player fails to catch a Pokémon with that Poké Ball, they can use a Great Ball at a cost of 2500 Coins (Pokémon Shuffle) or 3500 Coins (Pokémon Shuffle Mobile). If a Great Ball fails, the player can purchase another, unless they have already used four Great Balls on the current catch attempt. If the fourth Great Ball fails, the Pokémon will automatically run away.

The Great Ball is generally twice as effective as a regular Poké Ball. On rare occasions, Super Catch Power will activate after failing a Poké Ball, which boosts the player's odds of catching the Pokémon to 50% or more.

Pokémon GO

 
A Great Ball in Pokémon GO

Great Balls can be used during wild Pokémon encounters to attempt to capture a wild Pokémon with a catch rate modifier of 1.5×.

Description

Games Description
GO A high-performance ball with a higher catch rate than a standard Poké Ball.

Acquisition

The player is awarded Great Balls when they level up to any level from 12 to 19.

Great Balls can also be repeatably obtained by

Pokémon Pinball series

In Pokémon Pinball and Pokémon Pinball: Ruby & Sapphire, the Great Ball multiplies bonus points by ×2.

Gallery

   
Sprite from
Pinball
Sprite from
Pinball: Ruby & Sapphire

In the anime

 
A Great Ball in the anime

Main series

A Great Ball appeared in Which One ~ Is It?, a Japanese ending theme from Pokémon the Series: Diamond and Pearl.

In A Frenzied Factory Fiasco!, multiple Great Balls were seen at the Poké Ball Factory.

A pair of Great Balls appeared in Team Rocket's boss fantasy in Let Sleeping Pokémon Lie!.

In Acting True to Form!, a Great Ball appeared as a part of James's Poké Ball collection.

In Mad About Blue!, Bluto was shown to keep his Seismitoad in a Great Ball.

 
A Great Ball in Pokémon Origins

Pokémon Origins

In File 4: Charizard, Red caught an Arbok using a Great Ball.

In the manga

 
A Great Ball in Pokémon Adventures

Pokémon Adventures

In the Pokémon Adventures manga, Gym Leaders outside of Galar keep their Pokémon in Great Balls provided for them by the Pokémon Association.

Red, Green & Blue arc

In A Glimpse of the Glow, a Team Rocket Grunt was shown carrying Great Balls on his belt.

In the TCG

 
Great Ball
Main article: Great Ball (EX FireRed & LeafGreen 92)

The Great Ball was introduced as a Trainer card in the Pokémon Trading Card Game during the English EX Series (the Japanese PCG Era). It was first released in the Japanese Flight of Legends expansion and the English EX FireRed & LeafGreen expansion, with artwork by Nakaoka. It originally allowed the player to search their deck for any Basic Pokémon (excluding Pokémon-ex), and put it onto their Bench. Then, they shuffle their deck. During the English Black & White Series (the Japanese BW Era) the card was reclassified as an Item card, and its effect was changed completely. Now, it let the player search the top seven cards of the deck for any one Pokémon card, put it in their hand, and then shuffle the other cards back into their deck. Great Ball has been reprinted many times since.

Trivia

In other languages

Language Title
Chinese Cantonese 超級球 Chīukāp Kàuh
Mandarin 超級球 / 超级球 Chāojí Qiú
  Finnish Tehopallo
  French Super Ball
  German Superball
  Indonesian Bola Great
  Italian Mega Ball
  Korean 수퍼볼 Super Ball
  Polish Superball
Portuguese   Brazil Grande Bola
  Portugal Bola Grande
  Russian Мега-Болл Mega-Boll
Большой шар Bolshoi shar
Spanish   Latin America Súper Bola
  Spain Súper Ball *
Superball *
  Swedish Stor boll
  Thai ซูเปอร์บอล Super Ball
เกรทบอล Great Ball *
  Vietnamese Bóng Super



  This item article is part of Project ItemDex, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on all items.