Master Ball (Gym Challenge 116)

Trainer Item
Master Ball
マスターボール Master Ball
MasterBallGymChallenge116.jpg
Gym Challenge print
Illus. Keiji Kinebuchi

Master Ball (Japanese: マスターボール Master Ball) is an ACE SPEC Item card. It was first released in the Gym Challenge expansion as a Trainer card.

Card text

Gym Challenge print
ACE SPEC You can't have more than 1 ACE SPEC card in your deck.
ACE SPEC You can't have more than 1 ACE SPEC card in your deck.
Team Plasma
Team Plasma
ACE SPEC You can't have more than 1 ACE SPEC card in your deck.
Team Flare TCG logo.png FLARE
Prism Star (Prism Star) Rule
You can't have more than 1 Prism Star card with the same name in your deck. If a Prism Star card would go to the discard pile, put it in the Lost Zone instead.
TAG TEAM
display:none;
display:none;
display:none;
display:none;
display:none;
{{{ruletext}}}
VSTAR Power
Look at 7 cards from the top of your deck. You may choose a Basic Pokémon or Evolution card from those cards, show it your opponent, then put it into your hand. Shuffle the rest into your deck.
 
Do Nothing  
At the beginning of your turn, flip a coin. If heads, you can do nothing during your turn. If tails, your opponent can do nothing during his or her next turn.
Ability
Do Nothing
 
At the beginning of your turn, flip a coin. If heads, you can do nothing during your turn. If tails, your opponent can do nothing during his or her next turn.
 
Do Nothing  
At the beginning of your turn, flip a coin. If heads, you can do nothing during your turn. If tails, your opponent can do nothing during his or her next turn.
VS Era and e-Card Series prints
ACE SPEC You can't have more than 1 ACE SPEC card in your deck.
ACE SPEC You can't have more than 1 ACE SPEC card in your deck.
Team Plasma
Team Plasma
ACE SPEC You can't have more than 1 ACE SPEC card in your deck.
Team Flare TCG logo.png FLARE
Prism Star (Prism Star) Rule
You can't have more than 1 Prism Star card with the same name in your deck. If a Prism Star card would go to the discard pile, put it in the Lost Zone instead.
TAG TEAM
display:none;
display:none;
display:none;
display:none;
display:none;
{{{ruletext}}}
VSTAR Power
Look at 7 cards from the top of your deck. You may choose a Basic Pokémon or Evolution card from those cards, show it your opponent, and put it into your hand. Shuffle the rest into your deck.
 
Do Nothing  
At the beginning of your turn, flip a coin. If heads, you can do nothing during your turn. If tails, your opponent can do nothing during his or her next turn.
Ability
Do Nothing
 
At the beginning of your turn, flip a coin. If heads, you can do nothing during your turn. If tails, your opponent can do nothing during his or her next turn.
 
Do Nothing  
At the beginning of your turn, flip a coin. If heads, you can do nothing during your turn. If tails, your opponent can do nothing during his or her next turn.
EX Series prints
ACE SPEC You can't have more than 1 ACE SPEC card in your deck.
ACE SPEC You can't have more than 1 ACE SPEC card in your deck.
Team Plasma
Team Plasma
ACE SPEC You can't have more than 1 ACE SPEC card in your deck.
Team Flare TCG logo.png FLARE
Prism Star (Prism Star) Rule
You can't have more than 1 Prism Star card with the same name in your deck. If a Prism Star card would go to the discard pile, put it in the Lost Zone instead.
TAG TEAM
display:none;
display:none;
display:none;
display:none;
display:none;
{{{ruletext}}}
VSTAR Power
Look at the top 7 cards from your deck. Choose a Basic Pokémon or Evolution card from those cards, show it to your opponent, and put it into your hand. Put the other 6 cards back on top of your deck. Shuffle your deck afterward.
 
Do Nothing  
At the beginning of your turn, flip a coin. If heads, you can do nothing during your turn. If tails, your opponent can do nothing during his or her next turn.
Ability
Do Nothing
 
At the beginning of your turn, flip a coin. If heads, you can do nothing during your turn. If tails, your opponent can do nothing during his or her next turn.
 
Do Nothing  
At the beginning of your turn, flip a coin. If heads, you can do nothing during your turn. If tails, your opponent can do nothing during his or her next turn.
Black & White Series print
ACE SPEC You can't have more than 1 ACE SPEC card in your deck.
ACE SPEC You can't have more than 1 ACE SPEC card in your deck.
Team Plasma
Team Plasma
ACE SPEC You can't have more than 1 ACE SPEC card in your deck.
Team Flare TCG logo.png FLARE
Prism Star (Prism Star) Rule
You can't have more than 1 Prism Star card with the same name in your deck. If a Prism Star card would go to the discard pile, put it in the Lost Zone instead.
TAG TEAM
display:none;
display:none;
display:none;
display:none;
display:none;
{{{ruletext}}}
VSTAR Power
Search your deck for a Pokémon, reveal it, and put it into your hand. Shuffle your deck afterward.
 
Do Nothing  
At the beginning of your turn, flip a coin. If heads, you can do nothing during your turn. If tails, your opponent can do nothing during his or her next turn.
Ability
Do Nothing
 
At the beginning of your turn, flip a coin. If heads, you can do nothing during your turn. If tails, your opponent can do nothing during his or her next turn.
 
Do Nothing  
At the beginning of your turn, flip a coin. If heads, you can do nothing during your turn. If tails, your opponent can do nothing during his or her next turn.
You may play as many Item cards as you like during your turn (before your attack).
Scarlet & Violet Series print
ACE SPEC You can't have more than 1 ACE SPEC card in your deck.
ACE SPEC You can't have more than 1 ACE SPEC card in your deck.
Team Plasma
Team Plasma
ACE SPEC You can't have more than 1 ACE SPEC card in your deck.
Team Flare TCG logo.png FLARE
Prism Star (Prism Star) Rule
You can't have more than 1 Prism Star card with the same name in your deck. If a Prism Star card would go to the discard pile, put it in the Lost Zone instead.
TAG TEAM
display:none;
display:none;
display:none;
display:none;
display:none;
{{{ruletext}}}
VSTAR Power
Search your deck for a Pokémon, reveal it, and put it into your hand. Then, shuffle your deck.
 
Do Nothing  
At the beginning of your turn, flip a coin. If heads, you can do nothing during your turn. If tails, your opponent can do nothing during his or her next turn.
Ability
Do Nothing
 
At the beginning of your turn, flip a coin. If heads, you can do nothing during your turn. If tails, your opponent can do nothing during his or her next turn.
 
Do Nothing  
At the beginning of your turn, flip a coin. If heads, you can do nothing during your turn. If tails, your opponent can do nothing during his or her next turn.
You may play any number of Item cards during your turn.


e-Reader data

The Expedition Base Set print includes a Dot Code strip for use with the e-Reader, and has the card ID B-50-#. The short strip contains a brief card summary. There is no long strip for this card.

Release information

Original Series

In Japan, this card was first available as a glossy card on sheet fifteen of Expansion Sheet 2. It was reprinted as a non-glossy Holofoil card in both decks of the Quick Starter Gift Set. This print was released in the English Gym Challenge expansion, which originated from the Japanese Yamabuki City Gym Standard Deck. Master Ball was also featured in Pokémon Trading Card Game 2: The Invasion of Team GR! for Game Boy Color.

TCG2 F55 Master Ball.png
TCG GB2 Sky Flying Pokémon sprite
RioluDiamondPearl61.jpg
Diamond & Pearl print
Illus. Ken Sugimori
RioluDiamondPearl61.jpg
Diamond & Pearl print
Illus. Ken Sugimori
RioluDiamondPearl61.jpg
Diamond & Pearl print
Illus. Ken Sugimori
RioluDiamondPearl61.jpg
Diamond & Pearl print
Illus. Ken Sugimori
RioluDiamondPearl61.jpg
Diamond & Pearl print
Illus. Ken Sugimori
RioluDiamondPearl61.jpg
Diamond & Pearl print
Illus. Ken Sugimori
RioluDiamondPearl61.jpg
Diamond & Pearl print
Illus. Ken Sugimori
RioluDiamondPearl61.jpg
Diamond & Pearl print
Illus. Ken Sugimori
RioluDiamondPearl61.jpg
Diamond & Pearl print
Illus. Ken Sugimori
RioluDiamondPearl61.jpg
Diamond & Pearl print
Illus. Ken Sugimori
RioluDiamondPearl61.jpg
Diamond & Pearl print
Illus. Ken Sugimori
RioluDiamondPearl61.jpg
Diamond & Pearl print
Illus. Ken Sugimori
RioluDiamondPearl61.jpg
Diamond & Pearl print
Illus. Ken Sugimori
RioluDiamondPearl61.jpg
Diamond & Pearl print
Illus. Ken Sugimori
RioluDiamondPearl61.jpg
Diamond & Pearl print
Illus. Ken Sugimori
RioluDiamondPearl61.jpg
Diamond & Pearl print
Illus. Ken Sugimori
RioluDiamondPearl61.jpg
Diamond & Pearl print
Illus. Ken Sugimori


Neo Series

Although no reprints were made during the Neo Series, the Japanese Neo Era saw the release of the Intro Pack Neo, which included reprints of Master Ball in its Chikorita and Totodile Half Decks.

VS Era and e-Card Series

Master Ball was reprinted in the Japanese Pokémon VS expansion using the e-Card Series layout. The first English print using this layout was included in the Expedition Base Set, which originated from the Japanese Base Expansion Pack.

EX Series

This card was reprinted using the EX Series layout in both decks of the Japanese Gift Box. The first English print using this layout was included in the EX Deoxys expansion, which itself originated from the Japanese Deoxys and Rayquaza Constructed Starter Decks. In Japan, it was released as a Holofoil PLAY Promotional card and given to members of the Pokémon Players Club who attended any of the Spring 2004 Battle Road events, held at five locations between March 21 and April 4, 2004. It was later reprinted in the EX Delta Species expansion, first released in the Japanese Holon Research Tower Water Quarter Deck, followed by reprints in the Japanese Gift Box Mew • Lucario, the EX Power Keepers expansion, and the Japanese World Champions Pack. The World Champions Pack print retains the EX Series layout despite its release during the Japanese DP Era.

Black & White Series

During the Black & White Series, Master Ball was reprinted as an ACE SPEC Item card with a new effect and a different artwork by 5ban Graphics. It was included in the Plasma Blast expansion, first released in the Japanese Blastoise + Kyurem-EX Combo Deck.

Scarlet & Violet Series

Master Ball was again reprinted as an ACE SPEC Item card during the Scarlet & Violet Series and featured artwork by Studio Bora Inc. It was included in the Temporal Forces expansion, which originated from the Japanese Starter Deck & Build Sets.

Gallery

MasterBallGymChallenge116.jpg
Gym Challenge through
EX Power Keepers print
Illus. Keiji Kinebuchi
MasterBallPlasmaBlast94.jpg
Plasma Blast print
Illus. 5ban Graphics
MasterBallTemporalForces153.jpg
Temporal Forces print
Illus. Studio Bora Inc.
RioluDiamondPearl61.jpg
Diamond & Pearl print
Illus. Ken Sugimori
RioluDiamondPearl61.jpg
Diamond & Pearl print
Illus. Ken Sugimori
RioluDiamondPearl61.jpg
Diamond & Pearl print
Illus. Ken Sugimori
RioluDiamondPearl61.jpg
Diamond & Pearl print
Illus. Ken Sugimori
RioluDiamondPearl61.jpg
Diamond & Pearl print
Illus. Ken Sugimori
RioluDiamondPearl61.jpg
Diamond & Pearl print
Illus. Ken Sugimori
RioluDiamondPearl61.jpg
Diamond & Pearl print
Illus. Ken Sugimori
RioluDiamondPearl61.jpg
Diamond & Pearl print
Illus. Ken Sugimori
RioluDiamondPearl61.jpg
Diamond & Pearl print
Illus. Ken Sugimori
RioluDiamondPearl61.jpg
Diamond & Pearl print
Illus. Ken Sugimori
RioluDiamondPearl61.jpg
Diamond & Pearl print
Illus. Ken Sugimori
RioluDiamondPearl61.jpg
Diamond & Pearl print
Illus. Ken Sugimori
RioluDiamondPearl61.jpg
Diamond & Pearl print
Illus. Ken Sugimori
RioluDiamondPearl61.jpg
Diamond & Pearl print
Illus. Ken Sugimori
RioluDiamondPearl61.jpg
Diamond & Pearl print
Illus. Ken Sugimori


Trivia

Both the Gym Challenge and Expedition Base Set prints of this card have a clause that reads "show it your opponent". It should read "show it to your opponent". The EX Deoxys print fixes this error.

Origin

The Master Ball is a type of Poké Ball in the Pokémon games notable for having a 100% chance of catching the wild Pokémon it is used on.


Project TCG logo.png This article is part of Project TCG, a Bulbapedia project that aims to report on every aspect of the Pokémon Trading Card Game.