To put it differently, Pokémon Go can be likened to the Dark Souls of the Pokémon franchise, especially when it comes to obtaining essential items like Poké Balls.
Unlike the main series games, such as Sun and Moon, which provide considerable guidance, Pokémon Go leaves players to their own devices.
While the prospect of exploring and figuring things out on your own can be freeing, there are advantages and disadvantages to this approach.
Discovering and accomplishing exciting milestones, like defeating a raid or constructing a team to take down Giovanni, can provide a tremendous sense of accomplishment.
However, the downside is that players may struggle to grasp the fundamentals, such as obtaining Poké Balls, understanding the catch mechanics, or increasing storage capacity.
In this article, we will discuss various ways to acquire different types of Poké Balls and how to stock up on them in preparation for upcoming events.
How to get Poké Balls in Pokémon Go
The easiest way to obtain Poké Balls is by purchasing them from the in-game store. However, it is important to note that spending real money on Poké Balls is not advisable.
While technically possible to purchase a pack of 20 Poké Balls for 100 PokéCoins (approximately $0.99 or equivalent in local currency), this can be obtained for free with minimal effort.
Therefore, it is highly recommended that players do not spend coins on Poké Balls.
So, how can you obtain Poké Balls for free in Pokémon Go?
One method is to spin the photodisk at a Pokéstop or Gym. Typically, each spin yields a few Poké Balls and a Great Ball, with the occasional Ultra Ball if you are fortunate.
However, the number of balls received will depend on your level and whether you have unlocked the latter two types of balls.
Another free method is to open Gifts. Once per day, players can open a gift from an in-game friend, which includes various free items and contributes to raising friendship levels.
The primary benefit of this method is working towards achieving Best Friend status, which grants a massive 100,000 XP.
Additionally, opening gifts can yield more than just Poké Balls, as the items received are randomized and can range from small amounts of Stardust to several Poké Balls.
Players can open up to 20 gifts per day, although during special events, this limit may increase to 30.
While this method may be slightly time-consuming, it is an easy way to continue playing the game for free, especially if you reside in rural areas with limited access to PokéStops.
Moving on, let’s discuss some additional ways to get free Poké Balls in Pokémon Go. One of these is through the Daily Free Box, which you can claim once a day from the in-game store.
The contents of this box are randomized, so you may receive a few Poké Balls or just a couple of Potions. As with most things in the game, it’s all up to chance.
Completing field research tasks is another method to acquire Poké Balls. There are two types of field research tasks: event-exclusive and regular tasks that change monthly.
Both types can reward you with Poké Balls, so make sure to spin PokéStops to collect them.
Special Research is another excellent way to acquire Poké Balls.
Every few weeks, a story event will be unlocked that usually corresponds to the current season in Pokémon Go. Completing a few simple tasks, such as catching 5 or 10 Pokémon, can unlock free Poké Balls. Don’t forget to take advantage of any opportunity to increase your item storage!
Another new method of obtaining Poké Balls for free is through the Daily Adventure Incense.
This feature was introduced in August 2022 and awards 30 Poké Balls per day to players who are low on this valuable resource.
Even if you don’t plan on catching any Pokémon, it’s worth using your free Daily Adventure Incense to get your hands on some extra Poké Balls.
Keep in mind that limited-time Boxes in the in-game store and Amazon Prime promotions may also contain free Poké Balls, Great Balls, or Ultra Balls. However, these should be viewed as exclusive perks and not reasons to make a purchase. Remember, you should never pay for something that the game provides for free!
How to get Great Balls in Pokémon Go
There are various methods to enhance your likelihood of success in Pokémon Go, and the simplest way is to switch from a Poké Ball to other types of balls.
Great Balls become available as soon as you reach Level 12, which is a fairly easy feat to achieve.
The probability calculation regarding catching a Pokémon is quite complex, but using a Great Ball raises your chances by 50%.
To put it simply, using a Great Ball increases the probability of obtaining a green circle when throwing a ball at a Pokémon. The greener the circle, the more straightforward it is to catch the Pokémon!
Similar to Pokéballs, Great Balls can be obtained by spinning PokéStops and opening Gifts. It’s important to incorporate these actions into your daily Pokémon Go routine.
Keep in mind that you can obtain Great Balls through Special Research as well, even if you haven’t reached Level 12 yet.
These research tasks can be part of the standard story missions or exclusive to Community Day events, where you need to catch three of the featured Pokémon of the day. While it’s rare to obtain them this way, it’s useful information to have.
How to get Ultra Balls in Pokémon Go
Upon reaching Level 20 in the game, trainers can access the most advanced tier of Poké Ball – the coveted Ultra Ball. This fan-favorite Poké Ball features a sleek black and yellow design and doubles the chances of catching a Pokémon.
It’s wise to stock up on Ultra Balls for those rare and elusive catches, such as shiny Pokémon or Galarian legendary birds, which can be found using your Daily Adventure Incense.
Ultra Balls can be obtained through spinning PokéStops and opening Gifts, but they drop at a much lower rate than regular Poké Balls and Great Balls.
It’s not uncommon to spend a whole day in a city like London, spinning PokéStops, and only acquire 5-10 Ultra Balls.
However, you can acquire Ultra Balls before reaching Level 20 by completing special research tasks, so keep an eye out for these opportunities.
How to get Premier Balls in Pokémon Go
Premier Balls are unique in Pokémon Go as they function differently compared to the main series games. In the regular games, you receive a Premier Ball for every 10 Poké Balls purchased.
(Fun fact: this still holds true for most mainline Pokémon games since Ruby and Sapphire. So, it’s a good idea to buy in multiples of 10!)
Typically, Premier Balls are as effective as regular Poké Balls, but this is not the case in Pokémon Go. In this game, Premier Balls have a variable catch rate.
Premier Balls are only available after completing a raid or attempting to catch a Shadow Pokémon.
The number of Premier Balls you receive after a raid depends on various factors such as the color of the gym (i.e., whether it matches your team’s color) and your raid performance. The better your performance, the more Premier Balls you get.
In addition, if you encounter a shiny Pokémon after beating a raid boss and your Premier Ball connects, you have a 100% chance of catching it.
Therefore, it’s always recommended to use a Pinap Berry when catching a shiny Pokémon with a Premier Ball obtained after a raid.
To increase your chances of catching Legendary Pokémon after defeating Giovanni in Pokémon Go, use a Pinap Berry and throw Premier Balls.
The first ball that connects with the Pokémon will always catch it. This is part of what players refer to as the “pity system,” which increases the catch rate with each Premier Ball thrown in a single encounter.
To optimize your chances, start by using a Pinap Berry and save the Razz/Golden Razz Berry for when you have 5-10 Premier Balls left.
Only use the Golden Razz Berry if you have very few Premier Balls remaining.
How to get Beast Balls in Pokémon Go
The introduction of Ultra Beasts during the summer of 2022 caused discontent among fans as the first Ultra Beast, Nihilego, was caught in a Premier Ball, which contradicts the main-series canon.
Nevertheless, Niantic introduced Beast Balls, the Poké Ball designed for catching Ultra Beasts in the main games, at in-person events during the same period.
However, it’s important to note that the type of Poké Ball used to catch a Pokémon has no impact on its performance after being caught. I
t simply serves as a cosmetic indicator at the bottom of a Pokémon’s information page. In reality, Beast Balls and Premier Balls function in the exact same way, with the only difference being their appearance.
Are there Master Balls in Pokémon Go?
Those familiar with the main series games will recognize the highly sought-after Master Ball, a single-use Poké Ball with a guaranteed 100% catch rate.
Unfortunately, Master Balls are not yet obtainable in Pokémon Go.
However, the game’s data indicates that the item is present in the game’s code, which suggests that it will be added to the game at some point in the future.
At present, the specifics regarding its release remain unknown, but we will keep you updated as more information becomes available.
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A gaming lover from a very young age, Justin has always had a keen eye for building his own computers or racing sims so that he can race his identical twin (and usually lose at the actual race).
Justin in the founder of BeStreamer and sees it as a free resource to help all gamers around the world