As in other games in the Pokémon series, Pokémon Champions allows us to have Pokémon inside special types of Poké Balls. In other words, they do not have to be kept in ordinary Poké Balls: they can also come in Ultra Balls, Great Balls, Heal Balls, Friend Balls, Premier Balls, and many more.
This does not affect the Pokémon in any way in terms of gameplay. It is simply an interesting cosmetic detail displayed on each Pokémon's summary. In case you're wondering how it works, this section of our guide explains how you can obtain Pokémon in different types of Poké Balls. There are essentially three ways to get Pokémon in special Poké Balls in this game:
One quick and easy way to obtain Pokémon in special Poké Balls in Pokémon Champions is by using Pokémon HOME transfers. If you previously caught a Pokémon in a special Poké Ball in another compatible game, it will remain inside that same Poké Ball when you bring it over to Champions as a visiting Pokémon.
This works with every type of Poké Ball and any Pokémon that can be brought over to Champions from HOME. For example, if you want a Hydrapple in your team that is kept in a Fast Ball, the best way to get one is to catch it using that type of Poké Ball in another game where it appears, then bring it over to Champions.
Another way to obtain Pokémon in special Poké Balls is by redeeming Mystery Gift codes in Pokémon Champions. Time-limited codes may occasionally be released that permanently unlock a new Pokémon for your Box, and these Pokémon may come in unusual Poké Balls, such as a Cherish Ball.
Simply check the game's free codes regularly to make sure you don't miss an opportunity to receive Pokémon this way.
Finally, it is also worth pointing out that there is a completely random chance of finding Pokémon in special Poké Balls through Pokémon Champions' Recruitment menu.
This works in a similar way to Shiny Pokémon and Pokémon with special titles. Every time you visit Roster Ranch and 10 random Pokémon appear, any one of them may come inside a different, special type of Poké Ball.
You can tell that a Pokémon may be inside a Poké Ball other than the standard one if, during the recruitment animation, the third silhouette in the bushes is surrounded by sparkling bubbles and one of the Pokémon then appears with sparkles around it, like the Snorlax highlighted in the image above.
However, remember that you won't know exactly which type of special Poké Ball the Pokémon comes in. It could be any special Poké Ball, but you will not be able to check until you recruit the Pokémon and view its summary. As a tip, you can recruit it on a trial basis first, which does not cost anything. If you then decide you want to keep it, you can still recruit it permanently before its seven-day trial period expires.
