In Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Pokémon Shining Pearl, Ultra Balls have a higher general chance of catching a Pokémon than Great Balls. But the best ball can change with the encounter: Quick, Dusk, and Net Balls can be more effective under the right conditions.
Great Ball vs. Ultra Ball: the general comparison
The official Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Pokémon Shining Pearl Trainers Guide says an Ultra Ball “provides a higher chance of a successful catch than a Great Ball.” It describes the Great Ball as more effective than a standard Poké Ball. In those two games, then, choose an Ultra Ball over a Great Ball when you want the stronger general-purpose option.
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The guide does not provide numerical catch-rate multipliers or exact odds for either ball, so the comparison supports a ranking, not a percentage or guaranteed outcome.
When another Poké Ball may be the better choice
The same guide recommends matching the ball to the encounter. Its comparisons are specific to Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl:
#1 Best Overall
| Situation | Ball to consider | Guide’s comparison |
|---|---|---|
| First turn of battle | Quick Ball | Higher success rate than an Ultra Ball |
| At night or in a cave | Dusk Ball | Higher success rate than an Ultra Ball |
| Against a Water- or Bug-type Pokémon | Net Ball | Higher success rate than an Ultra Ball |
| No special condition applies | Ultra Ball | Higher chance of a successful catch than a Great Ball |
These comparisons do not establish which ball offers the best value for its price; the cited guide gives relative catch effectiveness, not prices or expected catches per unit of currency.
What else affects whether a Pokémon is caught?
Ball choice is only one factor. Pokémon.com’s “Ten Tips for Catching Legendary Pokémon” identifies the Pokémon’s species, its remaining HP, its status condition, and the type of ball used as factors in capture. Consider those alongside the ball’s suitability for the encounter rather than treating an Ultra Ball as a guarantee.
Rank #2
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Does this comparison apply to every Pokémon game?
No. The direct Great Ball-versus-Ultra Ball comparison above is documented for Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl; it should not be treated as a rule for every title. Catching can work differently from game to game. For example, the official Pokémon Legends: Arceus gameplay page describes field catching that involves approaching Pokémon, aiming throws, using stealth, or weakening a Pokémon in battle. That is a different context from the turn-based ball guidance in the Sinnoh games.
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For another game, check its own mechanics and ball descriptions before assuming the same ranking or conditions apply.
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