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The first step in Pokemon training is acquiring Pokemon: You can breed Pokemon in the day care, or trade for new Pokemon locally or online, but usually this is done by catching Pokemon in the wild. This is done using a type of item called a Poke ball. When Poke balls are thrown at a Pokemon, the Pokemon is turned into plasma or something and enters the ball. If the ball is able to complete the catching process, then the Pokemon is yours! However, if the Pokemon is still strong enough, then it will break out of the ball, so you usually should weaken it with your Pokemon first. There are many different types of Poke balls, each useful in different circumstances.
There are three normal Poke Balls that do not have special characteristics: the Poke Ball, the Great Ball, and the Ultra Ball. Great Balls are more effective than Poke Balls, and Ultra Balls are even better, but they cost more in shops. The Ultra Ball is typically the regular ball strong Pokemon trainers use in battle when no specialty ball is useful. Often when trainers encounter a weak to medium-strength Pokemon in the Wild, they will try using a type of poke ball called a Quick Ball right away. This ball has a higher rate of catching the earlier in the battle it is thrown. Or, if you get a Pokemon to very low health on the first move, a Quick Ball can still be useful; it doesn't have to be the first turn. Another very common specialty ball is the Dusk Ball. It has a higher rate of catching when used in caves, at night or in other dark places. Also, it just looks really cool. When a battle has been going on for many, many turns, a Timer Ball becomes very useful. It is the opposite of the Quick Ball in that it becomes more effective the longer a battle against a Wild Pokemon has been. Lastly, during your adventure, you may come across a special ball called the Master Ball. This is the ultimate Poke Ball. It will never fail to catch a wild Pokemon. However you cannot purchase the ball in marts. The image to the left is of all 26 Poke Balls. Left-to-right, top-to-bottom: Poke Ball: A normal Poke Ball. Great Ball: Better than the Poke Ball. Ultra Ball: Better than the Great Ball. Master Ball: Ultimate Poke Ball. Never fails. Safari Ball: Only used in the Pokemon Safari. Level Ball: Works better on Pokemon of lower levels than your Pokemon. Lure Ball: Works better when fishing. Moon Ball: Works better on Pokemon that evolve with a Moon Stone. Friend Ball: Makes the caught Pokemon friendly. Love Ball: Works great on Pokemon the opposite gender of but same species as your Pokemon. Heavy Ball: Works better on heavier Pokemon. Fast Ball: Works better on fast Pokemon or Pokemon able to flee from battle. Sport Ball: Only used in the Bug-Catching Contest. Premier Ball: Same as Poke Ball, but rarer. Repeat Ball: Works better on Pokemon you've already caught. Timer Ball: Works better the longer the battle's been. Nest Ball: Works better on lower-level Pokemon. Net Ball: Works better on Water- and Bug-type Pokemon. Dive Ball: Works better on Pokemon encountered underwater or while surfing or fishing. Luxury Ball: Makes the caught Pokemon more friendly. Heal Ball: Fully restores the caught Pokemon's HP, PP, and Status. Quick Ball: Works better early in the battle. Dusk Ball: Works better in caves or at night. Cherish Ball: Same as Poke Ball. Extremely rare. Park Ball: Only used in the Pal Park. Dream Ball: Only used in the Entree Forest. |
There are also battle strategies for catching Pokemon. If a wild Pokemon has a status condition (like if it's asleep, frozen or paralyzed) it will be easier to catch. Trainers often use moves that give the opponent a status condition on wild Pokemon they want to catch.
There is also a useful move for catching called False Swipe that is often used by Trainers trying to catch strong wild Pokemon. It always leaves the opponent with at least 1 HP, so it can greatly weaken a Pokemon without making it faint. A large number of Pokemon can learn this move, especially if you have the TM (Technical Machine, an item that teaches a Pokemon a move) for it.
There is also a useful move for catching called False Swipe that is often used by Trainers trying to catch strong wild Pokemon. It always leaves the opponent with at least 1 HP, so it can greatly weaken a Pokemon without making it faint. A large number of Pokemon can learn this move, especially if you have the TM (Technical Machine, an item that teaches a Pokemon a move) for it.