5th Gen Master Ball discussion

Started by Juxapose September 10th, 2013 10:23 AM
  • 4656 views
  • 48 replies
Male
Seen December 14th, 2016
Posted November 30th, 2016
305 posts
9.8 Years
So, does anyone even use a Master Ball in Gen 5?

In my games, I have 2. I don't even bother using them. Why?

When I get to my legendaries (Reshiram, Zekrom, Kyurem, Terrakion, Verizion, Cobaldion), I use quick balls. For some reason, I catch these Pokemon like 60% of the time. It didn't work? Just reload the game, and chances are: I caught it. Not to mention that since I have both games, I can transfer the data from one game to another and have it so that repeat balls also become a good spammable ball against legendaries.

I don't care too much for shiny Pokemon. Most of the time, Shiny Pokemon have horrid IV stats, and don't have the correct nature. Chances are that the Shiny Pokemon will be a species that I don't even want to use;-;. And considering that many players just RNG a shiny Pokemon, they don't even feel special anymore.

So tell me forum, do you still use Master Balls?

If you do, why?

If you don't, why not?

Flushed

never eat raspberries

Seen November 4th, 2017
Posted May 18th, 2017
2,301 posts
9.7 Years
I don't use Masterballs anymore, in any generation. I really never feel the need to. The only logical times I can think of using it is for a runner, which I rarely chase down, or a shiny that can Roar/Explode, which is so rare I feel bad for you if it happens.

Firox

eepz, come help pwease!

Age 37
Male
Seattle, WA
Seen September 15th, 2021
Posted July 17th, 2020
2,585 posts
11 Years
I have only used my Master Ball only once (I own 6 copies of my 5th gen games, 1 black, 1 white, 2 black 2,and 2 white 2).

I used it in one of my Black 2 games to catch a shiny Mienfoo. My team was just too strong for poor Mienfoo so I feared that if I hit it would faint.

I have 3 more Master Balls I have not used (in 2 of my games I only recently started) so far no plans to use them.
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Jellicent♀

Age 30
Male
Seen July 11th, 2022
Posted March 8th, 2021
2,614 posts
11.3 Years
I always have a mind set to use them, but then just never do. I guess I really just forget about them, mainly. xD
The only time I really ever use them is with Tornadus or Thundurus, or even one of the 3 Musketeers because those are HARD to catch. ;A;

Squirrel

Age 28
Male
Seen 1 Week Ago
Posted July 10th, 2021
9,551 posts
11.7 Years
The only Pokémon I would use it on are the roamers but I prefer to catch them normally since it's a bit more challenging and fun that way. I think I actually ended up using it on Kyurem just because I was bored of fighting the ugly brute and wanted the battle to be over, but in general I much prefer to keep it held back and to use regular methods for catching things. It's not the hardest game in the world so adding in extra little challenges like that can make it a bit more entertaining.

Hiatus

Seen 1 Week Ago
Posted July 24th, 2021
12,283 posts
10.8 Years
Most of the time, I use Master Ball only to catch legendaries that you randomly run into in the wild. If I ever use it on a Pokémon that you'd normally be able to catch with an Ultra Ball, then I always end up with the feeling of regret. The last time I've used a Master Ball was to catch Cresselia in Pokémon Platinum. In Pokémon Black, I wanted to use it on Tornadus, but I was never able to find that Pokémon. xD

Cassandra

Transgender Queen

Female
I got a DMCA notice for saying where I live.
Seen September 22nd, 2016
Posted June 12th, 2016
161 posts
9.9 Years
I've vowed never to use master balls again. After catching Lugia with a simple pokeball, master balls seem worthless. Unless there is a pokemon that I want and just don't feel like weakening and catching, I'll chuck a master ball at it. But otherwise, the dang things are worthless.
Seen September 12th, 2016
Posted June 17th, 2016
1,254 posts
15.3 Years
I've vowed never to use master balls again. After catching Lugia with a simple pokeball, master balls seem worthless. Unless there is a pokemon that I want and just don't feel like weakening and catching, I'll chuck a master ball at it. But otherwise, the dang things are worthless.
I had an old classmate who used simple red/white Pokeballs to catch legendaries,
when asked why not use Ultra or other Pokeballs...
His response was... The better Pokeballs are expensive, {D:}
and he lost his Masterball...{D:}
Male
Seen December 14th, 2016
Posted November 30th, 2016
305 posts
9.8 Years
I see that most people don't use their master balls. Now I have a new question for the forum to discuss.

Since the creation of Quick Balls, Dusk Balls, and other balls that make Pokemon easy to catch, do you appreciate this change, or absolutely hate it?

Personally, I appreciate it. When there were only a few legendary Pokemon, using your skill and wits was a fun way to prove yourself in the world of Pokemon. But our modern day games have so many legendary Pokemon, cutting them all down to red, putting them to sleep, and chucking Ultra balls became busy-work. Nice to know that I don't have to do it anymore.

Sheep

She/Her
Australia
Seen 2 Hours Ago
Posted 12 Hours Ago
39,267 posts
16.6 Years
I keep them for roaming legends aka Tornadus and Thundurus. That's all I've ever really been using Master Balls so far.. non-roamers I can catch with enough patience but roamers just take way too long and hng.

Satoshi Ookami

Memento Mori

Age 30
Male
Abyss of Time, Great Seal
Seen August 5th, 2018
Posted July 3rd, 2018
14,253 posts
14.8 Years
I always use Master Balls for main game legendary... not for particular reason... just habit, I guess.
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Brendino

The Ruins of Alph
Seen 14 Hours Ago
Posted April 6th, 2023
8,567 posts
13.5 Years
I've been doing it for a few gens now, but I always save my Master Balls for random shiny Pokemon that might appear, just so I know I can catch it right away. White was the first time this actually proved useful though, as I caught a shiny Ducklett on the Driftveil Drawbridge. Looking back, I probably could've attempted to catch it with something else, but at least I didn't have to go through any hassle and got it right away.

CoffeeDrink

GET WHILE THE GETTIN'S GOOD

Male
Lootin' Your Poké's
Seen December 4th, 2016
Posted December 4th, 2016
1,250 posts
9.7 Years
I use regular pokeballs, koff~

If 100 of 'em isn't enough, I spring for greatballs (goodness gracious). I used a masterball on Zekrom, and by accident I might add. I think I could have done it using the standard pokeball, given enough time, koffi~
Male
In a Rabbit
Seen July 13th, 2022
Posted June 9th, 2022
824 posts
9.9 Years
I've never used a Master Ball before. Not even when I come across shinies. I only use them when I come across a shiny that's capable of selfdestructing, teleporting, etc. Which has never happened.

I don't care too much for shiny Pokemon. Most of the time, Shiny Pokemon have horrid IV stats, and don't have the correct nature. Chances are that the Shiny Pokemon will be a species that I don't even want to use;-;. And considering that many players just RNG a shiny Pokemon, they don't even feel special anymore.
I believe the method of obtaining a shiny is more important than the shiny itself. For instance, if you came across a Shiny Gyarados, Dragonite, or Garchomp, you can brag about it being found in the wild as opposed to the in-game gifts. Likewise, a shiny starter that you got by pure luck has more bragging rights than a person who RNGed or hacked. This might not be known at face-value, but so long as the player knows, s'all that matters.

Decimosoma

Free to dream, free to smile

Seen February 13th, 2014
Posted February 9th, 2014
268 posts
9.7 Years
When it comes to Master balls, Generation 5 is an absolute joke. The Swords of Justice Trio were so easy to catch that I find walking on a beach even more of a challenge.

So much trouble to get the item for Heatran, quick ball failed and catch it on full HP with a dusk ball. Cresselia was the most easiest to catch and it's capture was quite ironic. Quick ball failed and catched it on full hp with a normal Pokéball.

The lake guardians.. I don't even need to start on this, do I? They were just quick ball captures, even Metang was harder to catch with those three combined.

For now on i'm only using my Master balls to catch shinies wether they have horrible IVs or bad natures is totally irrelevant to me.

Imperator161

Seen February 5th, 2023
Posted July 31st, 2020
1,415 posts
14.7 Years
I generally only use master balls for roaming legendaries. I also like to keep a spare master ball around for those rare circumstances when I desperately need to catch something as quickly as possible (e.g., a shiny that knows self-destruct, roar, etc.).

Overall, though, I catch most of my Pokémon in dusk balls. I almost always play at night, so they work really well.
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Miau

If I fits...

Female
Seen October 31st, 2022
Posted October 23rd, 2022
812 posts
10.8 Years
I haven't used my Master Balls yet, and probably won't too soon anyway. I've caught almost all the legendaries, usually with Dusk Balls or Ultra Balls, a Timer Ball for Cobalion and a random Quick Ball for Uxie. I actually liked chasing after the roaming Thundurus in White, and even though I did get a bit annoyed when I realized it can flee while sleeping (why?!), I still didn't use the Master Ball.

I probably will use it on a shiny though, when and if I ever encounter one in the wild :)