Should the Master Ball play a bigger role in the games?

[Megan]

Considering that it's the best ball in the game and it's usually just given out or randomly found lying around; what's your opinion on how the games handle the Master Ball?

 

[Devalue]

Feels too rare for the player. Understands not wanting players to ignore the catching mechanic. Ought to be available in post-game for a high price, though. Developed these as early as Generation 1. Advanced technologically in the Pokemon world since then, much like the real world. How have their Pokeballs not improved? Expects standard Pokeballs to be like a 1 gigabyte hard drive today.

Saw Master Balls from Kieran and Sada/Turo in Scarlet/Violet too. Clearly acquired them somehow.

 

[RadEmpoleon]

Most games you only get 1, so it's hard to pick what to use it on. I ended up hoarding the Master Ball for "the right moment" which never actually comes. I will brute-force my way to catching a legendary (aka using a million Ultra Balls) before I even consider using the Master Ball.

 

[Janp]

I think it's a nice mechanic for some players to quickly get their desired Pokémon. I can't remember last time I used one personally tho, they are usually just sitting in my inventory the whole time.

I always preferred them to be handed to player either during the main quest or as a reward for doing a side quest. Never liked the ones just lying around randomly.

 

[Elite Overlord LeSabre™]

I actually wrote a short fan fiction about how Silph could have easily made Master Balls available to everyone, but chose not to because of corporate greed (and sent employees who tried to call them out on their shady practices to the Tiksi Branch.)

I usually save my Master Ball "for a rainy day" which basically means I just end up hoarding them. Which is a shame because I like its purple color scheme and would use it more often if it wasn't so rare.

I think that there should only be one available pre-Elite Four, but the postgame should offer a way to easily get more, preferably without having to rely on RNG; i.e., the lottery or winning at the battle facilities.

 

[Explorer of Time]

I'd like a Master Ball to be used by someone other than the player, at some point in the story. Perhaps as a way for your rival or the region's evil team leader to catch the opposite version's box legend?

 

[Devalue]

I'd like a Master Ball to be used by someone other than the player, at some point in the story. Perhaps as a way for your rival or the region's evil team leader to catch the opposite version's box legend?

Actually sees the Master Ball used twice in Scarlet/Violet's cutscenes: once with the final boss of the main story and another time in the DLC.