Master Ball

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The Master Ball (Japanese: マスターボール Master Ball) is a type of Poké Ball introduced in Generation I. It can be used to catch a wild Pokémon without fail. It was invented by the Silph Co.
==In the core series games==
===Price===
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===Effect===
====Manual activation====
When used from the Bag in a encounter, it catches the wild Pokémon without fail (with the exception of the ghost Marowak in Pokémon Tower). Despite the common misconception that the Master Ball has a low chance to fail in certain generations, it functions by simply overriding the catch formula entirely, skipping any calculations based on chance.
In Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!, throwing a Master Ball will bypass the Poké Ball manual aiming mechanic, and will instead show a cutscene of the Master Ball catching the chosen Pokémon. If used on Legendary Pokémon in these games, they will attempt to smack the ball away during the cutscene, but will still be caught anyway.
The Master 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, the opposing Trainer will bat the ball away, wasting the item (Generation III and earlier) or only the player's turn (from Generation IV onward).
====As a Pokémon's Poké Ball====
From Generation VI onward, bred Pokémon inherit their Poké Ball from their parents. However, the Master Ball, Cherish Ball, and Strange Ball cannot be passed down via breeding; instead, they act as a regular Poké Ball for inheritance purposes.
====Held item====
 will fail if used while holding a Master Ball.
===Description===
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===Acquisition===
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| Silph Co. (from the president after defeating Giovanni)
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| New Bark Town (from Professor Elm after earning all eight Johto Badges)
| Goldenrod Radio Tower (match all 5 digits in the Lucky Channel)
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| Magma Hideout/Aqua Hideout (entrance sealed after defeating Tate and Liza)
| Lilycove Department Store (match all 5 digits in the Pokémon Lottery Corner)
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| Aqua Hideout
| Lilycove Department Store (match all 5 digits in the Pokémon Lottery Corner)
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| Silph Co. (from the president after defeating Giovanni)
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| Agate Village (from Eagun after reading his incomplete email inside Realgam Tower)
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| Pokémon HQ Lab (from Professor Krane after clearing the Cipher Key Lair)
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| Team Galactic HQ (from Cyrus after defeating him)
| Jubilife TV (match all 5 digits in the Pokémon Lottery Corner)
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| New Bark Town (from Professor Elm after earning all eight Johto Badges)
| Goldenrod Radio Tower (match all 5 digits in the Lucky Channel)
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| Opelucid City (from Professor Juniper after earning all eight Badges), Castelia City Pokémon Center (from a man in black for having Pokémon from 50 different original Trainers)
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| Mistralton City (from Professor Juniper), Plasma Frigate (from Colress after defeating him during the post-game)
| Join Avenue (grand prize from s)
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| Poké Ball Factory (from president after defeating Celosia and Bryony)
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| Team Magma Hideout/Team Aqua Hideout
| Pokémon Lottery Corner (match all 5 digits)Secret Base ("Pick something up" with )
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| (all levels)
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| Aether Paradise (from Gladion after defeating Lusamine)
| Loto-ID Center (match 5 digits), Festival Plaza (Lottery shop: Big Dreams first prize)
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| Silph Co. (from the president after defeating Giovanni)
| Cerulean Cave
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| Postwick (from Professor Magnolia after becoming )
| Any Pokémon Center (match all 5 digits in the Loto-ID)
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| Freezington (from Peony after the first Dynamax Adventure and becoming )
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| Team Galactic HQ (from Cyrus after defeating him)
| Jubilife TV (match all 5 digits in the Pokémon Lottery Corner)
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| Naranja Academy/Uva Academy (from Clavell after completing The Way Home)
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| Blueberry Academy (from Drayton after defeating Kieran)Reward for registering 240 Pokémon in the Blueberry Pokédex
| Item Printer (Poké Ball Lotto)
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====Distribution====
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Games	Event	Language/Region	Distribution period
 	 	Japanese 	November 19 to December 3, 2011
 	 	Japanese 	January 19 to March 9, 2014
 	 	Japanese 	July 19 to October 15, 2014
 	 	Japanese 	December 1, 2014 to May 15, 2015
 	 	Japanese 	December 5, 2014 to November 30, 2015
 	 	Japanese 	May 12 to August 1, 2015
 	 	Japanese 	October 6, 2015 to January 11, 2016
 	 	Japanese 	
 	 	Japanese 	December 6, 2017 to January 31, 2019
 	 	All 	February 13 to March 29, 2018
 	 	Japanese 	July 10 to October 1, 2018
 	 	Japanese 	November 20, 2020 to April 30, 2021
 	 	South Korea 	April 26 to September 30, 2021
 	 	All 	December 14, 2023 to January 3, 2024
=====As a held item=====
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Games	Event	Language/Region	Distribution period
 	 	Japan 	July 3, 2016July 16 to September 30, 2016
===NPC usage===
====Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon====
The in Team Rainbow Rocket keep their Pokémon in Master Balls.
====Pokémon Scarlet and Violet====
AI Sada and AI Turo keep their Pokémon in Master Balls. During The Indigo Disk, Kieran briefly keeps in a Master Ball, which is broken by Terapagos after it assumes its .
===Cameo appearances===
====Pokémon X and Y====
A Master Ball appears in the in Lumiose City.
==In the side series games==
===Pokémon Stadium 2===
In Pokémon Stadium 2, Master Ball appears in the mini-game 's Frolic. It is the largest ball in that mini-game, appearing later than the rest and being worth 5 points.
===Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness===
In , Master Balls are used in the Battle Bingo game. The player starts with two and can gain an extra one from one of the ? spaces.
===Pokémon Dream World===
A decorative rug themed after the Master Ball could be found in the Hero's Catalogue in Pokémon Dream World.
==In the spin-off games==
===Pokémon Trading Card Game 2: The Invasion of Team GR!===
The card is available in Pokémon Trading Card Game 2: The Invasion of Team GR!.
()
===Pokémon GO===
In Pokémon GO, the Master Ball was first made available on May 22, 2023. It can be used to catch any encountered Pokémon without fail. It cannot miss, as a cutscene of the Pokémon being caught is triggered when one is thrown, bypassing the usual throwing mechanic. The Master Ball is the only Poké Ball that can be selected from the player's Bag during the bonus challenge of a , Max Battle, or Team GO Rocket battle. It also cannot be discarded from the Bag.
Using a Master Ball does not reward bonus XP for Curveball Throws or hitting the target circle. Instead, a 1,000 XP "Master Ball Throw" bonus is rewarded.
====Description====
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====Acquisition====
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| Complete Complete Complete Complete 
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===Pokémon Pinball series===
In Pokémon Pinball and Pokémon Pinball: Ruby & Sapphire, the Master Ball multiplies bonus points by ×4. Its effect of always guaranteeing capture is given to each Poké Ball.
 	
Sprite from	Sprite from
===Pokémon Frienda===
In Pokémon Frienda, after a set number of moves have been used and at least one opposing Pokémon has fainted, the player can insert ¥100 for a chance to catch all of the opposing Pokémon. A spinning wheel determines what Poké Balls are used on the Pokémon, with one of the options being a very small chance for a Master Ball.
===Super Smash Bros. series===
====Super Smash Bros. Brawl====
In Super Smash Bros. Brawl, the Poké Ball trophy mentions the Master Ball, identifying it as the strongest variety of Poké Ball.
====Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS/Wii U====
In Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS/Wii U, the Master Ball appears as a throwing item. It functions much like the Poké Ball item, but the Master Ball summons rare and Legendary Pokémon, , or a .
The Master Ball also appears as a trophy in both versions of the game.
=====Trophy information=====
NA: These valuable, powerful balls can capture any wild Pokémon. In Smash Bros., hard-to-find Pokémon often pop out of them. You can easily identify a Master Ball by the distinct purple appearance and large M on the top. A Pokémon within a Master Ball may turn the tide of battle.
PAL: A rare type of Poké Ball that never fails to catch a Pokémon. Throw one in this game, and the Mythical or Legendary Pokémon inside will come to your aid. Master Balls are easy to identify due to their purple colour and the large M on them. Use one to quickly turn the tide of any battle!
====Super Smash Bros. Ultimate====
In Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, the Master Ball functions the same way as it did in the previous games; summoning a Legendary or Mythical Pokémon, Zoroark, or Goldeen.
==Gallery==
===Artwork===
 	 	
Artwork from	Artwork by	Artwork from
===Sprites===
 	 	 	 	
In-battle sprite in 	Sprite from'sinstruction screen in	In-battle andSummary sprite from	Summary sprite from	Summary sprite from
 	 	 	 	
Summary sprite from and	In-battle sprite in 	Summary sprite from<BR> 	In-battle sprite in	
===Models===
 	 	 	 	
Model from in	In-battle model, , ,	Model from	Model from	Model from
==In animation==
===Pokémon the Series===
In Beauty and the Beach and A Hot Water Battle, had a beach ball that was decorated to look like a Master Ball. This Master Ball beach ball reappeared in the Pikachu short Pikachu's Ice Adventure. 
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In The Song of Jigglypuff, a picture of a Master Ball appeared on a billboard on a building in Neon Town.
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In Whiscash and Ash, Sullivan attempted to use a Master Ball in a last-ditch attempt to Nero, an oversized that had long eluded him. However, Nero swallowed the Master Ball and disappeared back into the water, not being caught. At the end of the episode, Nero was seen playing with the Master Ball on its tongue.
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A Master Ball appeared in Which One ~ Is It?, a Japanese ending theme from .
===Pokémon Horizons: The Series===
In Found You, Fuecoco!, the Master Ball was mentioned in one of Nidothing's videos.
===Pokémon Origins===
The Master Ball never made an actual appearance in Pokémon Origins, only appearing in Silph Co. president's secretary's demonstration in File 3: Giovanni. She mentioned that the Master Ball was still in development, and only existed as a prototype. She also told that it was why Team Rocket had taken over their office building; they intended to accelerate the development of the Master Ball and then steal it when it would be completed, making sure they would be the only ones possessing it. After Team Rocket was driven out of the building by , it was mentioned that the development of the Master Ball was being put on hold for a while.
==In the manga==
===Movie adaptations===
In , attempted to use a Master Ball to catch , but failed.
===Pokémon Adventures===
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In And Mewtwo... Three!, Blaine was revealed to be in possession of a Master Ball. Soon afterwards, used it to catch for Blaine.
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In Malamar Traps, Blaine was revealed to have re-caught Mewtwo with the Master Ball after reuniting with it at the Pokémon Village.
===Pokémon Diamond and Pearl Adventure!===
In (Violent) Earthquake! Cyrus's Consuming Ambition, Cyrus gave Hareta a Master Ball as recognition for him having moved his emotions, telling him to bring it with him to Mount Coronet. In Bonds Connect Across Space-Time..., the Master Ball fell out of Hareta's pocket at the Spear Pillar, and Professor Rowan told him about its capability to catch any Pokémon without fail. In an attempt to stop the battle between and , Hareta tried to use the Master Ball to catch Palkia, but Palkia, having total control over space, was able to make itself disappear out of Master Ball's way and then smack it aside.
===Pokémon Pocket Monsters===
 used a Master Ball in The Legendary Pokémon Appears!! to catch .
===Pokémon Zensho===
 obtained a Master Ball from the Silph Co.'s president in Saffron City as thanks for rescuing his company from the hands of Team Rocket.
===Gallery===
File:Master Ball Adventures.png|A Master Ball in Pokémon Adventures
File:Master Ball DPA.png|A Master Ball in Pokémon Diamond and Pearl Adventure!
File:Master Ball PM.png|A Master Ball in Pokémon Pocket Monsters
File:Master Ball Zensho.png|A Master Ball in Pokémon Zensho
==In the magazines==
===Pokémon Power===
In (issue 2, page 3), it is said that the Master Ball was the latest invention of Professor Oak. He publicly revealed the existence of the Master Ball in a press conference. Professor Oak licensed the Master Ball design to Silph Co., and this company's early field tests were said to be promising.
==In the TCG==
The Master Ball was first introduced as a in the Pokémon Trading Card Game in English during the Original Series in the , and in Japanese during the Original Era in the . It has been reprinted as a Trainer card in the Japanese-exclusive (in the Neo Era), the Japanese-exclusive expansion (in the VS Era), the English e-Card Series (the Japanese e-Card Era), and the English EX Series (the Japanese ADV Era and PCG Era). As a Trainer card, this card allowed the player to look at the top 7 cards of their deck and add one Pokémon card from those cards to their hand, then shuffle their deck. Notably, as this card only lets the players look at 7 cards from their deck, this card has a chance to fail to get any Pokémon, which is unlike how the in-game item works.
During the English Black & White Series (the Japanese BW Era), Master Ball was reprinted as an in the expansion in English and the in Japanese. This print has a new effect which more closely resembles the item's in-game mechanic, allowing the player to add any 1 Pokémon card from their deck to their hand without any drawback. As this print is an ACE SPEC card, a player may only have 1 copy of Master Ball in their deck. This print of Master Ball was later reprinted during the English Scarlet & Violet Series (the Japanese Scarlet & Violet Era) in the Japanese and the English expansion with the same effect, but a new ACE SPEC layout. The old pre-Black & White effect of Master Ball would be inherited by , starting with its print.
The Master Ball was also featured as a card in Pokémon Trading Card Game 2: The Invasion of Team GR!
==Trivia==
* is the only core series game in which the Master Ball does not appear at all.
* The from Pokémon Colosseum is often known as the Master Ball glitch, due to Master Balls commonly being used in this glitch.
* When the uses a Master Ball in Generation II, stars appear and a sound effect is played before the Ball closes and the Pokémon.
==In other languages==
==Related articles==
Category:Poké Balls
Category:Super Smash Bros.
Category:Items in Pokémon GO
de:Meisterball
es:Master Ball
fr:Master Ball
it:Master Ball
ja:マスターボール
zh:大师球（道具）