Pokémon GO Great Balls are one of the most useful catching items you’ll unlock as you progress through the game. Offering a higher catch rate than a standard Poké Ball, Pokémon GO Great Balls are ideal for catching stronger Pokémon, higher CP encounters and rarer wild spawns without immediately using an Ultra Ball.
If you’re wondering how to get Pokémon GO Great Balls, when you should use them and whether they’re worth saving, here’s everything you need to know.
What are Pokémon GO Great Balls?
Pokémon GO Great Balls are an upgraded version of the standard Poké Ball that increase your chances of catching a Pokémon. They become available as you level up and gradually replace regular Poké Balls as one of your main catching items.
While they aren’t as powerful as Ultra Balls, Pokémon GO Great Balls offer an excellent balance between catch rate and availability. Many experienced Trainers use them as their default ball for anything that’s a little harder to catch than common wild Pokémon.
Pokémon GO Great Balls information
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Item Type | Catching Item |
| Catch Multiplier | 1.5× |
| Available From | PokéStops, Gyms, Gifts, Research and Events |
| Can Be Purchased | Occasionally in Shop bundles |
| Can Be Deleted | Yes |
| Best Used For | Higher CP and evolved Pokémon |
How do Pokémon GO Great Balls work?
Pokémon GO Great Balls provide a 1.5× catch multiplier, giving you a better chance of catching Pokémon than a standard Poké Ball.
However, the ball itself isn’t the only thing that affects your catch chance. Pokémon GO also takes several other factors into account, including:
- Curveball throws
- Nice, Great and Excellent Throws
- Razz Berries and Golden Razz Berries
- Your Catch Medals
- Pokémon level
- Pokémon species
- Weather Boost
Because all of these bonuses stack together, an Excellent Curveball with a Great Ball can dramatically improve your chances of catching even stubborn Pokémon.
How to get Pokémon GO Great Balls
There are several ways to collect Great Balls, and active players should rarely find themselves running out.
| Method | |
|---|---|
| Spin PokéStops | The most reliable source |
| Spin Gyms | Regularly awards Great Balls |
| Open Gifts | Friends often send Great Balls |
| Field Research | Some tasks reward Great Balls |
| Special Research | One-time rewards |
| Adventure Sync | Weekly rewards can include Great Balls |
| Events | Event research often rewards Great Balls |
| Shop Bundles | Occasionally available |
The easiest way to build up a healthy supply of Pokémon GO Great Balls is simply by playing regularly, spinning every PokéStop you pass and opening Gifts from friends each day.
When should you use Pokémon GO Great Balls?
Knowing when to use Pokémon GO Great Balls is just as important as knowing how to get them.
They’re best saved for Pokémon that have an orange or dark orange catch circle, higher CP Pokémon and evolved species that regularly break out of standard Poké Balls.
Good situations to use Pokémon GO Great Balls include:
- Higher CP wild Pokémon
- Fully evolved Pokémon
- Rare event spawns
- Pokémon needed to complete your Pokédex
- Pokémon with lower catch rates
For common Pokémon with a green catch circle, a standard Poké Ball is usually enough.
Pokémon GO Great Balls vs Poké Balls vs Ultra Balls
Every type of ball has its own purpose, so using the right one helps you avoid wasting stronger catching items.
| Ball | Catch Multiplier | Best Used For |
|---|---|---|
| Poké Ball | 1× | Everyday catches |
| Great Ball | 1.5× | Higher CP and evolved Pokémon |
| Ultra Ball | 2× | Rare or difficult catches |
| Master Ball | Guaranteed catch | Extremely valuable encounters |
Many experienced players use Poké Balls for common Pokémon, Pokémon GO Great Balls for stronger wild catches, and Ultra Balls only when they really need the extra catch chance.
Are Great Balls worth saving?
Yes, but don’t be afraid to use them.
Some players end up carrying hundreds of Pokémon GO Great Balls because they’re worried about running out. In reality, they’re earned regularly through normal gameplay, so they’re designed to be used.
Rather than saving every Great Ball, use them whenever a Poké Ball feels slightly risky while keeping Ultra Balls for Legendary Pokémon, rare spawns and particularly difficult catches.
Tips for using Great Balls
Getting the most from Pokémon GO Great Balls doesn’t just come down to using them at the right time.
A few simple habits can significantly improve your catch success.
- Always throw Curveballs if possible.
- Aim for Great or Excellent Throws.
- Use a Razz Berry before upgrading to an Ultra Ball.
- Keep enough Item Bag space to collect more Great Balls.
- Save Ultra Balls for the toughest encounters.
Making these small changes means you’ll usually catch more Pokémon while using fewer balls overall.
Have You Collected Them All?
Keep track of all Costume Pikachu with our free collection tracker. Your progress is saved automatically, just bookmark the page so you can come back whenever a new event arrives.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the catch multiplier for Great Balls?
Great Balls have a 1.5× catch multiplier, making them stronger than standard Poké Balls but weaker than Ultra Balls.
How do you get Great Balls?
You can get Pokémon GO Great Balls by spinning PokéStops and Gyms, opening Gifts, completing Field Research, progressing through Special Research and earning Adventure Sync rewards.
Should I use Great Balls on every Pokémon?
No. They’re best saved for stronger or rarer Pokémon. Standard Poké Balls are usually enough for common catches.
Can you buy Pokémon GO Great Balls?
Sometimes. Great Balls occasionally appear in Shop bundles, although most players earn more than enough through regular gameplay.
Do Curveballs work with Great Balls?
Yes. Curveballs, Excellent Throws and Berry bonuses all stack with the increased catch multiplier of Pokémon GO Great Balls, giving you a much better chance of catching difficult Pokémon.
How many Pokémon GO Great Balls should I keep?
Most active Trainers try to keep between 100 and 200 Pokémon GO Great Balls in their Item Bag. This leaves plenty available for events while still giving you enough space for Poké Balls, Ultra Balls and other useful items.
