Master Ball in Pokemon Go
Image via Niantic

How to get Master Balls in Pokémon Go

Become a Pokémon master.

Master Balls, like Shinies, are among the most sought-after items in the game. They offer a trainer’s dream advantage: A 100% guaranteed Pokémon capture. However, due to their exclusive nature, the chances of obtaining a Master Ball in Pokémon Go are relatively low. Here’s how you can increase your odds. 

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How do I get Master Balls in Pokémon Go?

Participate in exclusive events or complete Masterwork Research tasks to get Master Balls in Pokémon Go. These objectives typically involve various aspects of the game, such as catching a certain number of Pokémon or nice throws. Once you’ve completed a few of these tasks, you’ll unlock a Master Ball. For instance, the Catching Wonders event will host a Masterwork Research on May 14, 2024. 

Master Ball event in Pokemon Go
Image via Niantic

Fortunately, unlike past celebrations, there is no time limit to complete the Masterwork Research. We’ve seen two other Master Ball appearances during a Special Research and Master Ball quest, but those events have since ended. Now, it shouldn’t be as time-restrictive, as the Masterwork Research does not have an expiration date. 

Completing the Masterwork Research quest not only grants you the coveted Master Ball but also rewards you with other valuable items such as Stardust, Berries, and Pokémon encounters. It may take some time to complete specific tasks, often involving the capture of a significant amount of a Pokémon, but the rewards are worth it. 

After you’ve obtained a Master Ball in Pokémon Go, it’s wise to reserve it for the most formidable and rare creatures. Remember, it guarantees a capture, so you can use it without fear of the Pokémon escaping.

What to use Master Ball on in Pokémon Go

If you can’t quite put your finger on a particular Pokémon to use the Master Ball on, you can save it for the following creatures:

Legendaries like Mewtwo, Galarian Moltres, and Uxie should be the first on your radar. They are some of the best Pokémon out there, hence their legendary moniker. Other critters shown on this list are rare creatures to get due to the passing of an event or limitations of a specific region. Thus, you can keep your Master Ball handy for these particular Pokémon.


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Kristina Ebanez
Staff Writer - Kristina has been a video game lover ever since she saw Solid Snake get under that cardboard box in Metal Gear Solid. She continues to show off her love for gaming and has been writing about it for more than two years. Aside from the Metal Gear Solid series, she enjoys playing The Sims, Call of Duty, Disney Dreamlight Valley, Horizon Forbidden West, Minecraft, and many more.