Poké Ball

Biodata

Functionality

• A Poké Ball is activated through its central switch. When Qing Wu prepared to release Zubat, he pressed the button and threw the ball; it opened and released the Pokémon as white light. 7
• A standard ball can expand from roughly ping-pong-ball size to apple size before use. 15
• On contact with a defeated Pokémon, the target is converted into white light and drawn inside. The center button flashes red during the capture attempt; three flashes followed by darkness indicate success. 15
• Captured Pokémon can be released again for treatment or battle, then recalled into the same ball. Qing Wu released Primeape after capturing it to remove its poison, then recalled it once it had been treated. 15
• Some powerful Pokémon can break free from a Poké Ball's restraint, while certain Pokémon simply dislike entering one. 105 131
• A damaged switch does not necessarily disable a ball's transfer function. Qing Wu remotely transferred cracked Poké Balls to his Nurturing House so their Pokémon could be released, moved into replacement balls, and sent back. 224

Known Variants

Assessment Sport Balls

• Team Rocket assessment participants receive thirty specially modified Sport Balls in their tactical backpacks. 230
• Once one captures a Pokémon, its switch automatically locks; participants cannot release the captured Pokémon. 230
• Captured Pokémon and collected resources determine an examinee's score, so the balls must be preserved until assessment. 230
• Additional Sport Balls can be redeemed from designated Psychic-type Pokémon suppliers using points earned from resources. 230
• Qing Wu judged the assessment Sport Ball's capture effectiveness to be above a regular Poké Ball but below a Great Ball after instantly capturing a Zubat. 233

Documented Captures