Top 20 Pokeballs in All Pokemon Games

Throwing the right Pokeball can make all the difference in catching that elusive Pokemon. Want to master your Trainer skills? This guide explores the TOP 20 Pokeballs across ALL Pokemon games! 

Top 20 Poke Balls in Pokemon Games

The vast world of Pokemon boasts 38 unique Poke Balls! Each ball offers different catch rates and functions, with some being rare or exclusive to specific Pokemon generations. Here are the Top 20 Best Pokeballs Across All Pokemon Games, with acquisition methods generalized for all generations:

20. Sport Ball (Generation 3 - Pokemon Ruby & Sapphire)

• Catch Rate: Standard catch rate (no modifier)
• Tier: D 
• Description: Designed specifically for catching Pokemon in contests. Useless in most wild encounters.
• Not obtainable in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet. 

19. Friend Ball (Generation 4 - Pokemon Diamond & Pearl)

• Catch Rate: Slightly increased catch rate (no exact multiplier)
• Tier: C 
• Description: Offers a small boost to the catch rate and instantly increases friendship with the caught Pokemon. Useful for befriending Pokemon quickly.
• Acquisition: Can be purchased at Delibird Presents in Mesagoza. 

18. Dream Ball (Generation 5 - Pokemon Black & White)

• Catch Rate: Slightly increased catch rate (no exact multiplier) but only effective against sleeping Pokemon
• Tier: C 
• Description: Effective for catching sleeping Pokemon.
• Acquisition: Reward for completing specific Research Tasks. 

17. Moon Ball (Generation 4 - Pokemon Diamond & Pearl)

• Catch Rate: Slightly increased catch rate (no exact multiplier)
• Tier: C 
• Description: Offers a small catch rate bonus for Pokemon that evolve using Moon Stones.
• Acquisition: Reward for completing specific Research Tasks. 

16. Heal Ball (Generation 3 - Pokemon Ruby & Sapphire)

• Catch Rate: Standard catch rate (no modifier)
• Tier: C 
• Description: Provides a niche benefit by healing a small amount of HP for the caught Pokemon after capture.
• Acquisition: Can be purchased at Delibird Presents in Mesagoza. 

15. Great Ball (Generation 1 - Pokemon Red & Green)

• Catch Rate: Standard increased catch rate over a standard Poke Ball (no exact multiplier)
• Tier: B 
• Description: The Great Ball is a reliable workhorse for most trainers. It offers a significant boost to your catch rate compared to a standard Poke Ball, making it ideal for general encounters with wild Pokemon. 
• Acquisition: Great Balls can be conveniently purchased at any Poke Mart throughout the Paldea region. 

14. Net Ball (Generation 1 - Pokemon Red & Green)

• Catch Rate: Moderately increased catch rate for Water and Bug-type Pokemon (max +2x)
• Tier: B 
• Description: Offers a slight catch rate boost specifically for Water and Bug-type Pokemon.
• Acquisition: Can be purchased at Poke Marts throughout Paldea. 

13. Luxury Ball (Generation 3 - Pokemon Ruby & Sapphire)

• Catch Rate: Standard catch rate (no modifier)
• Tier: B 
• Description: While it doesn't affect the initial catch rate, the Luxury Ball helps a Pokemon become friendlier towards you faster after capture. Useful if you plan on using the Pokemon in your team long-term. 
• Acquisition: Reward for winning high ranks in the Academy Ace Tournament. 

12. Dive Ball (Generation 3 - Pokemon Ruby & Sapphire)

• Catch Rate: High catch rate underwater (max +3.5x)
• Tier: A 
• Description: An excellent choice for catching aquatic Pokemon. The Dive Ball offers a significant catch rate increase when used underwater, making it ideal for encounters in bodies of water. 
• Acquisition: Can be found as random loot in auctions at the Porto Marinda Auction House. 

11. Dusk Ball (Generation 4 - Pokemon Diamond & Pearl)

• Catch Rate: High catch rate in caves or at night (max +3x)
• Tier: A 
• Description: Perfectly suited for low-light situations. The Dusk Ball offers a substantial catch rate boost when used in caves or during nighttime encounters.
• Acquisition: Can be crafted using the Item Printer with specific materials. 

10. Fast Ball (Generation 2 - Pokemon Gold & Silver)

• Catch Rate: High catch rate for high-speed Pokemon (max +4x)
• Tier: A 
• Description: This Poke Ball excels at catching speedy Pokemon. It offers a significantly increased catch rate based on the target's speed stat.
• Pokemon Scarlet & Violet Acquisition: Reward for capturing a certain number of Pokemon. 

9. Timer Ball (Generation 2 - Pokemon Gold & Silver)

• Catch Rate: Increases over turns in battle (max +4x)
• Tier: A
• Description: The catch rate of a Timer Ball progressively increases the longer a wild Pokemon battle continues. It's ideal for prolonged encounters where you've weakened the target but haven't managed to catch it yet.
• Acquisition: Can be crafted using the Item Printer with specific materials. 

8. Ultra Ball (Generation 1 - Pokemon Red & Green)

• Catch Rate: High catch rate for most situations (no exact multiplier)
• Tier: A 
• Description: A reliable and versatile Poke Ball with a significantly higher catch rate than a standard Poke Ball. It's a staple for most trainers and a great choice for general encounters.
• Acquisition: Can be purchased at Poke Marts throughout Paldea. 

7. Level Ball (Generation 2 - Pokemon Gold & Silver)

• Catch Rate: Scales with your Pokemon's level (max +8x)
• Tier: S 
• Description: Rewards trainers with well-trained teams. The catch rate of a Level Ball increases based on the level of the Pokemon you use to throw it. The higher your Pokemon's level, the greater the catch rate bonus for the target Pokemon.
• Acquisition: Reward for capturing 320 Pokemon. 

6. Love Ball (Generation 2 - Pokemon Gold & Silver)

• Catch Rate: High catch rate for same-species opposite gender (max +6x)
• Tier: S 
• Description: This Poke Ball plays matchmaker! It offers a significantly increased catch rate for Pokemon of the same species and opposite gender as the Pokemon you throw it with. Perfect for breeding or catching specific pairs of Pokemon to use in battle or for breeding purposes.
• Acquisition: Reward for completing specific Research Tasks. 

5. Quick Ball (Generation 4 - Pokemon Diamond & Pearl)

• Catch Rate: High catch rate on the first turn (max +5x)
• Tier: S 
• Description: Throw this Poke Ball at the very beginning of an encounter for a significantly boosted catch rate. However, some players frown upon using it for rare Pokemon, as it can feel like an unfair advantage.
• Acquisition: Can be found as random loot in auctions at the Porto Marinda Auction House. 

4. Repeat Ball (Generation 3 - Pokemon Ruby & Sapphire)

• Catch Rate: Bonus catch rate for registered Pokemon (max +3x)
• Tier: S (Guaranteed Catch or Highly Specialized)
• Description: The ultimate tool for shiny hunters! The Repeat Ball offers a higher catch rate for Pokemon you've already encountered and registered in your Pokedex. The more times you've encountered a specific Pokemon, the higher the catch rate bonus with a Repeat Ball.
• Acquisition: Can be crafted using the Item Printer with specific materials. 

3. Beast Ball (Generation 7 - Pokemon Sun & Moon)

• Catch Rate: Exceptionally high catch rate for Ultra Beasts (no exact multiplier)
• Tier: S 
• Description: Designed specifically for capturing Ultra Beasts, these Poke Balls offer a very high catch rate for these legendary Pokemon. They are typically obtained during the storyline and not readily available throughout the game. 
• Acquisition: Limited availability during specific story events involving Ultra Beasts. 

2. Origin Ball (Generation 8 - Pokemon Sword & Shield)

• Catch Rate: Guaranteed Catch (100%) in specific situations
• Tier: S 
• Description: Similar to the Master Ball, the Origin Ball offers a 100% catch rate, but only under specific story-related circumstances. These are typically scripted encounters with legendary Pokemon that are crucial to the game's plot.
• Acquisition: Received as part of the storyline; cannot be obtained otherwise. 

1. Master Ball (Generation 1 - Pokemon Red & Green) 

• Catch Rate: Guaranteed Catch (100%)
• Tier: S 
• Description: The ultimate Poké Ball, offering a guaranteed catch rate for any Pokemon. It's incredibly rare and typically only obtained once per game, making it a valuable tool for encountering and capturing legendary Pokemon.
• Acquisition: One-time reward; location may vary depending on the specific game. In Pokemon Scarlet & Violet, details about obtaining the Master Ball are not fully revealed yet, as the game is still upcoming. However, it likely follows the tradition of being a one-time reward during the main story.

This ranking is a powerful tool, but the "best" choice depends on the battle, your target Pokemon, and your personal strategy. Mastering the strengths and weaknesses of each Poke Ball is the key to becoming a true Pokemon champion!

Poke Balls Tier System

The tier system used in this guide is a general categorization for Poke Balls throughout various Pokemon games. While there may be slight variations in tier placements for specific Poke Balls between generations, this system provides a foundational understanding of how Poke Balls compare in terms of effectiveness.

Beyond the Poke Ball

Choosing the right Poke Ball is key, but other factors affect catch rates:

• Weaken the Pokemon- A low HP Pokemon is easier to catch. Aim for the red health zone.
• Status Effects-Sleep, Freeze, or Paralysis greatly improve catch rates. Sleep is the most reliable.
• Critical Catches- A lucky critical hit can sometimes guarantee capture.

Bonus Balls

• Repeat Ball: Catches previously encountered Pokemon (in your Pokedex) easier. More encounters, higher catch rate.
• Friend Ball: Slightly easier catch rate and boosts friendship with the caught Pokemon. Great for befriending them quickly.

Mechanics

Catch rates are complex, but understanding these factors gives you an advantage in catching those tough Pokemon!

I hope you learned a thing or two from me today. Good luck, trainers!