Players can obtain the Master Ball in Pokemon Go, but they’ll have to complete a Research task to claim it. So, here’s everything you need to know about getting the Master Ball in Pokemon Go.
Niantic finally added the iconic Master Ball to Pokemon Go in May 2023, allowing players to get a single guaranteed catch for any Pokemon they encounter.
This is great news for anyone who’s managed to defeat their favorite Legendary Pokemon or find one of those elusive Galarian Legendary Birds, as you won’t need to worry about them running away anymore.
As you might have guessed, this type of Poke Ball isn’t easy to obtain, so we’ve put together a guide to help you get one of these rare items in Pokemon Go.
How to get the Master Ball
The Master Ball is only available to obtain during certain events in Pokemon Go and requires players to complete a Research questline.
The Masterwork Research that allows players to get the Master Ball will return from October 4 through October 11 as part of the Galarian Expedition event. It will cost $7.99 (or the local equivalent) and will give players the following rewards as they complete its tasks:
- One Master Ball
- 18,000 XP
- 10,000 Stardust
- Encounters with event-themed Pokemon such as Galarian Farfetch’d and Galarian Mr. Mime
Masterwork Research tasks typically take a long time to complete, but the quest won’t expire, allowing players to finish it at their own pace.
How to use the Master Ball
Once you have the Master Ball, you can use it by selecting and throwing it as you would any other Poke Ball. Don’t worry about missing your target, as it’s guaranteed to work no matter where you throw it.
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After tossing the Master Ball, a short cutscene will play before the game returns to its usual catch animation.
Previous Master Ball events
The Master Ball debuted on May 22, 2023 as part of the Rising Heroes season’s Let’s GO! Special Research. That research could be unlocked for free by logging in to the game during that season, but since it ended on June 1, 2023, you’re out of luck if you don’t already have it.
Fortunately, the Master Ball has returned several times since then through both free and paid events.
It became available for a second time on September 1, 2023 with the start of the Adventures Abound season and its Timed Investigation: Master Ball quest. The free quest had to be completed before November 21, 2023.
Right after that event ended, the Special Research: Master Ball was released as a paid questline for $7.99.
After that, the Master Ball returned during the Catching Wonders event through a free Masterwork Research challenge meant to be completed over a long period of time with no end date. However, you had to log in during the event, which ran from May 14, 2024 through May 19, 2024.
Now that you know how to get this rare item, we’ve also got a guide on the best Pokemon to catch with your Master Ball if you’re worried about wasting it.