How to Get or Buy the Master Ball in Pokemon Legends: Z-A

The Master Ball is one of the most iconic and powerful items in the Pokemon series, and Pokemon Legends: Z-A is no exception. Known for its perfect catch rate—guaranteeing success on any Pokemon—it's a tool best reserved for rare, one-of-a-kind encounters. While you can't expect to find dozens of them, there are clear ways to earn and even purchase one if you know where to look.

How to Get the Master Ball Through Gameplay

The Master Ball in Pokemon Legends: Z-A is earned through Mable's Research, a progression system unlocked early in the story. You'll first encounter Mable during Main Mission 03: A New Life in Lumiose City, which introduces you to the Pokemon Research Center and her unique point-based research system.

Step 1: Unlock Mable's Research

Once the mission is complete, you gain access to the Research interface. This system rewards you with items, including TMs and rare materials, as you earn Research Points and level up your rank.

Step 2: Reach Level 49 in Mable's Research

To receive the Master Ball, you must reach Level 49—a significant milestone that requires completing dozens of tasks and accumulating thousands of points. Once you reach that level, you can simply open the Research Menu and press X to claim your reward; you don't have to return to Mable in person.

Step 3: Complete Requests and Tallies

Points come from completing various Requests and tallies. These include:

• Catching Wild Pokemon — Every unique Pokemon species adds to your research progress.
• Catching by Type — Capturing Normal-, Fire-, or Grass-type Pokemon repeatedly contributes to type-based tallies.
• Surveying Wild Zones — Completing Pokedex entries and exploring each zone grants large point bonuses.
• Performing Side Activities — Even relaxing on benches, battling trainers, and unlocking Mega Evolutions earn Research Points.
• Trading Pokemon — Link Trades with other players add a small bonus to your rank.

Reaching Rank 49 will take considerable time, but it's worth the grind if you want this ultimate item legitimately.

Alternative Option: Buy Master Balls

If you prefer a faster route, players can also buy Master Balls through U4GM. For example, U4GM offers 10× Master Balls for $5.99, with instant delivery. This option is convenient for players who don't want to spend hours grinding or who want extras for multiple rare catches—especially for events, Shinies, or Alpha Pokemon.

While purists may prefer earning it through gameplay, having an extra supply of Master Balls ensures you'll never lose a once-in-a-lifetime Pokemon encounter.

When Should You Use the Master Ball?

The Master Ball's guaranteed capture means it should be reserved for Pokemon that are either:

• Extremely rare or hard to catch, such as roaming Legendaries or Alpha Shinies.
• Event-exclusive Pokemon that cannot be re-encountered.
• Personal favorites that you want to secure without risk.

In Pokemon Legends: Z-A, most Legendary Pokemon can be reliably caught with Ultra Balls after multiple attempts, so you might consider saving your Master Ball for a particularly special find—like a Shiny Starter or a one-off Alpha encounter.

Summary

To summarize:

• You earn the Master Ball by reaching Level 49 in Mable's Research, which requires significant dedication and consistent gameplay.
• You can purchase additional Master Balls safely from U4GM for $5.99 per 10-pack if you'd rather skip the grind.
• It's best used for catching rare Shinies, Alphas, or limited event Pokemon, rather than standard Legendaries.

With patience—or the right investment—you'll be holding one of the rarest items in Pokemon Legends: Z-A, ready for your next big catch.