Apriballs are super rare and unique balls in Pokemon Sword and Shield. First introduced in Generation 2 of the Pokemon Games, these special Pokeballs are commonly referred to as Apriballs since they were originally made from Apricorns players collected in earlier Pokemon titles. Since then, Apriballs have held incredibly high value in the eyes of players as there is usually a set number of these Pokeballs that players can collect.
In Pokemon Sword and Shield, a player is only able to obtain one of each Apriball in-game outside of special distributions. Since players can only collect one of each Apriball they are often traded online for rare, powerful, or shiny Pokemon, and are also traded for other Apriballs. There are 10 Apriballs a player can collect in Pokemon Sword and Shield, and each one has its own unique ability as well as their own location where they can be found. This guide will help players find all of the Apriballs and what each one does.
The Master Ball in Pokemon Sword and Shield
Let me start by saying this is not technically an Apriball, but a player is only able to obtain one of these balls per playthrough. The Masterball also has an extremely high value to players online and it can be traded for almost anything. This is because The Masterball has a 100% catch rate of any Pokemon it is used on.
The Masterball can be obtained after the main storyline is beaten. The player should simply enter their home in Postwick after becoming the Champion of the Galar Region and the Masterball will be given to them by Professor Magnolia. Again, players can trade the Masterball with other players online to obtain other rare items or Pokemon, but they can also be used to catch any Pokemon with 100% success. Most trainers who are looking to use their Masterball will wait until they encounter a Shiny Gigantimax Pokemon in a raid since the catch rate for those Pokemon are substantially lower and they are rarer than most Pokemon.
The Fast Ball in Pokemon Sword and Shield
No, this is not a technique used to throw a Pokeball faster. A Fast Ball is actually a rare Apriball that can be found in Pokemon Sword and Shield. Fast Balls have a 4x catch rate multiplier when used on Pokemon that have a base speed stat of 100 such as Jolteon, Sneasel, or Dugtrio.
To obtain a Fast Ball, trainers will need to participate in the Rotom Rally bike racing mini-game ten times. A player can play the Rotom Rally by talking to NPCs in the wild area located at the entrance to Motostoke, Hammerlocke, and near the Wild Area Daycare. The Fast Ball is given to players for free once they have completed the Rotom Rally for the tenth time.
The Friend Ball in Pokemon Sword and Shield
If a trainer is looking to increase the friendship between them and a newly caught Pokemon without the hassle of actually building that relationship, the Friend Ball is for them. This unique Apriball instantly increases the friendship level of a wild Pokemon by 200 points once it is caught with the Friend Ball.
A large portion of Apriballs are given to the player for free by simply progressing through the storyline. A man in a Pokeball-esque mascot uniform named Ball Guy can be found inside or outside every gym in Pokemon Sword and Shield and by talking to him he will give the player an Apriball for free.
To get the Friend Ball, go to Motostoke and talk to the Ball Guy located outside the gym. He will then give you the Friend Ball.
The Lure Ball in Pokemon Sword and Shield
A fisherman's best friend, the Lure Ball. Lure Balls are an Apriball that have a 5x catch rate multiplier if used on a Pokemon that the trainer has encountered while fishing. The Pokemon has to be one that the trainer has encountered from fishing and not while surfing in order to have the catch multiplier.
The Lure Ball can be obtained by talking to the Ball Guy located at the Hulbury Gym.
The Moon Ball in Pokemon Sword and Shield
The Moon Ball is a very selective ball as it only has an effect if used on a Pokemon that evolves via a moonstone. It can also be used on Pokemon that have been evolved from a moonstone or also belong to a line of Pokemon that has an evolution caused by a moonstone. If a Pokemon fits this criterion it will have a 4x catch rate multiplier.
This extraterrestrial Apriball can be obtained by talking to the Ball Guy located at the Circhester Gym.
The Dream Ball in Pokemon Sword and Shield
The Dream Ball is an Apriball that is especially effective on Pokemon that are asleep. If a Pokemon uses a move that puts other Pokemon to sleep (i.e. Yawn or Hypnosis), once asleep the Dream Ball will have a 4x catch rate multiplier.
The Dream Ball can be obtained by talking to the Ball Guy located at the Wyndon Gym.
The Level Ball in Pokemon Sword and Shield
The Level Ball has varying degrees of how useful it can be. The catch rate multiplier increases the higher a trainer's Pokemon's level is compared to the Pokemon they are trying to catch.
For instance, if a wild Pokemon is the same level or higher than the Pokemon you are using the ball will only have a 1x catch multiplier. If a trainer's Pokemon is a higher level but less than double the level of the wild Pokemon's the Level Ball will have a 2x catch multiplayer. If a trainer's Pokemon has a level greater than two times that of a wild Pokemon but it is less than four times the wild Pokemon's level the Level Ball will have a 4x catch multiplier. And lastly, if a trainer's Pokemon's level is four times the level or greater of the wild Pokemon the Level Ball will have an 8x catch rate multiplier.
The Level Ball can be obtained by talking to the Ball Guy located at the Hammerlocke Gym.
The Love Ball in Pokemon Sword and Shield
The Love Ball has a super high catch rate multiplier if used on the right Pokemon. If the Love Ball is used on a Pokemon of the same species that the trainer is using, and if the wild Pokemon is the opposite gender of the one being used by the trainer, the Love Ball will have an 8x catch rate multiplier.
The Love Ball can be obtained by talking to the Ball Guy located at the Ballonlea Gym.
The Heavy Ball in Pokemon Sword and Shield
The Heavy Ball is another Apriball that has varying degrees of usefulness. A simple rule of thumb is that the heavier the Pokemon is, the better chance you will have to catch it with a Heavy Ball. However, a Pokemon must first be over 220 pounds (100 kgs) for the ball to have an increased catch rate.
The Heavy Ball can be obtained by talking to the Ball Guy located at the Stow-On-Side Gym.
The Beast Ball in Pokemon Sword and Shield
The Beast Ball is currently the most difficult Apriball to use as it has a 0.1x catch rate multiplier when used on a Pokemon that is not an Ultra Beast. And as of now, there are no Ultra Beasts in Pokemon Sword and Shield. However, the Beast Ball is still highly coveted and Pokemon that have been caught with a Beast Ball are even more sought after.
The Beast Ball can be obtained after the player has beaten the main storyline. Once a player has become the Galar Region Champion they can return to Stow-On-Side and talk to one of the men running the stalls in the marketplace. They will give you the Beast Ball as a gift for becoming the new Champion.
Alternative Ways to get Apriballs in Pokemon Sword and Shield
Outside of the ways listed above, there are some other methods of obtaining Apriballs. Gamefreak has released promotional codes in the past that gift players with sets of Apriballs. As well, players can participate in in-game tournaments at Wyndon. Players must win the tournament in order for the Ball Guy to gift them with a random item. There is a chance that he will gift you with an Apriball. It is also important to note that you can only get a gift from the tournament once a day.
Also, players can trade Pokemon and other items for Apriballs. A great resource for trainers is Wooloo.farm, a website that allows players to curate trades between other players.
Pokemon Sword and Shield are available on the Nintendo Switch.