The Best Poké Balls After Negating Their Special Effects
In the Pokémon franchise, Poké Balls come in various types, each with its own special effect to increase their effectiveness in certain situations. However, what if these special effects were negated? Which Poké Ball would be the most effective then?
When considering Poké Balls with special effects but negating those effects, the Ultra Ball stands out as the best all-around choice for capturing Pokémon. Here’s a breakdown of why:
Ultra Ball
The Ultra Ball offers a standard catch rate modifier of 2x, making it one of the most effective general-purpose Poké Balls. Unlike other specialized balls, it does not have specific conditions limiting its effectiveness.
Dusk Ball
The Dusk Ball is normally effective in dark places due to a special effect that boosts its catch rate in such conditions. However, without that bonus, it becomes less favorable compared to Ultra Balls. Negating its special effect makes it a more reliable choice.
Quick Ball
The Quick Ball is designed for the first turn of battle, significantly increasing its catch rate during the first battle turn. However, its effectiveness drops dramatically after the first turn, making it less reliable overall, especially in longer battles.
Timer Ball
The Timer Ball increases its catch rate the longer the Pokémon is in the battle. While it can be effective, it might not be the best choice for quick captures because its effectiveness depends on the specific battle conditions.
Repeat Ball
The Repeat Ball is good for catching Pokémon you've previously caught, as it increases the catch rate based on the number of times you've encountered that Pokémon. Its effectiveness is situational, making it less consistent than the Ultra Ball.
Special Considerations
For scenarios where the special effect is negated, the Ultra Ball remains the best choice for its consistent catch rate. However, there are other scenarios to consider:
Park Ball and Safari Ball
The Pal Park (Gen IV) Park Ball offers a perfect catch rate in its specific scenario, making it a strong contender if the scenario doesn't apply. Similarly, the Safari Ball or Sport Ball, both of which have a flat 1.5x catch rate equivalent to a Great Ball, are only available in particular circumstances—either the Safari Zone or the Bug Catching Contest.
If none of these scenarios apply, the best Poké Ball is again the Ultra Ball. Most special Poké Balls have a flat 1x catch rate, the same as a standard red-and-white Poké Ball, unless in their specific conditions. The only exceptions are the Heavy Ball (Sun and Moon) and the Beast Ball, which has a 0.1x catch rate if used against anything other than an Ultra Beast. The Heavy Ball's catch modifier is addition-based, meaning it becomes a guaranteed failure if the Pokémon is under the weight threshold and has a catch rate of 20 or less, a bug fixed in Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon.
In conclusion, while there might not be a "best" Poké Ball in all scenarios, the Ultra Ball remains the most consistent choice, making it the best all-around Poké Ball for capturing Pokémon after negating their special effects.