One Change Pokemon GO Should Consider for Ultra Balls

Drawing inspiration from its predecessors, Pokémon GO offers players an assortment of Poké Balls to collect, earn, and occasionally buy. Among these, the rarer ones, like Ultra Balls, boost your chances of catching Pokémon, second in power only to the elusive Master Ball that guarantees a catch every time. Still, even with an Ultra Ball, Pokémon can frustratingly escape, leaving players exasperated. A simple tweak could remedy this: ensuring that an Excellent Throw with an Ultra Ball results in a guaranteed catch, or at least greatly enhances the probability of catching the Pokémon.

In the world of Pokémon GO, unlike the main series games where the game handles throwing Poké Balls, users have to aim and throw manually. This introduces an element of skill and precision, as missing the target is entirely possible depending on both aim and the Pokémon’s unpredictable movements. A well-placed throw can earn you a Nice, Great, or the coveted Excellent Throw. Landing an Excellent Throw requires hitting the center of the shrinking target ring at its smallest, a feat that’s notoriously difficult on the small screens of mobile devices. Achieving this consistently is a mark of skill, often required for advanced tasks and sometimes necessary for obtaining rare items like the Master Ball. Yet, the payout for this tricky maneuver is modest, even when utilizing an Ultra Ball, which adds to the frustration.

Ultra Balls are a prized commodity, and there’s nothing more vexing than watching a Pokémon escape after using one. The randomness of captures means even veteran players with years of experience and skills might see a prized or rare Pokémon slip away. Introducing a mechanic where an Excellent Throw with an Ultra Ball results in an automatic capture would be a welcome reward for devoted players who hone their throwing skills. It would encourage more strategic use of Ultra Balls, saving them for when players are confident of executing an Excellent Throw, or opting to take the gamble if the Pokémon has high personal value, such as a rare or Shiny variant.

Part of the excitement and occasional disappointment of Pokémon GO lies in raids, where players need to capture Pokémon using a limited number of special balls, known as Premier Balls, after a raid battle. Failing to capture a Pokémon post-raid, especially after investing time and effort, can be particularly disheartening. Granting an Excellent Throw at least a chance for an automatic catch post-raid would not only make raids more rewarding but also motivate players to improve their throwing technique and enhance their overall game experience.

This adjustment would effectively keep players engaged, offering them the satisfaction of knowing their skill and dedication are rewarded, possibly empowering them to take calculated risks to capture that coveted Shiny or Legendary Pokémon.