What You Should Use the Master Ball on Depends Entirely on Which Starter You Picked

The best Pokemon to use the Master Ball on in Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen is whatever legendary dog spawns, and that is entirely dependent on which starter was picked at the beginning of the adventure. Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen begin like all Pokemon games, with players kicking off their journey by choosing their starter Pokemon.

Since Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen are set in the Kanto region and based on the original games, the starters players choose from are the classic trio of Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle. The starters that players don’t pick can’t be caught in the game and are effectively unavailable for players to add to their roster without trading. But the other starters aren’t the only ones that are locked out based on which Pokemon players pick at the beginning of Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen.

Which Legendary Dogs Spawn Based on Your Starter in Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen

• Bulbasaur = Entei
• Charmander = Suicune
• Squirtle = Raikou

The Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen starter that players pick also determines which legendary dog spawns in the endgame. The legendary dogs are Johto region Pokemon that appear in Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen once players are deep in the endgame, with Entei spawning if players chose Bulbasaur, Raikou spawning if players chose Squirtle, and Suicune spawning if players chose Charmander. Basically, the legendary dog that spawns is the one that is super effective against your starter Pokemon. These legendary dogs are also the best Pokemon to use the Master Ball on.

Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen players get the Master Ball by playing through the story. They are then free to use it on whatever Pokemon they want, and it’s a guaranteed catch. Some will use the Master Ball for Mewtwo or other Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen legendaries, but it’s best to use them on the legendary dogs because of how frustrating it can be to catch them. The legendary dogs won’t spawn until players have obtained the National Dex in Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen, and once they do, they tend to use Roar and end the battle quickly, making it extremely frustrating to catch them with anything other than the Master Ball.

The Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen Roar Glitch Has Been Fixed

Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen on the Nintendo Switch are virtually identical to the versions that released for the Game Boy Advance back in the day, with some minor tweaks. One of the most-appreciated changes in the new versions of the games is the fact that the Roar glitch has been fixed. Previously, if Entei or Raikou used Roar, they would never show back up, effectively making them impossible to catch.

Image via Game Freak, Nintendo, The Pokemon Company

Even though you don’t have to worry about the Roar glitch in Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen, saving the Master Ball for the legendary dogs still makes the most sense. That being said, if you are worried about missing the opportunity to catch a shiny Pokemon or want to save the Master Ball for one of the other legendaries in the game, it’s not the end of the world if you use it on something else.

Unfortunately, it’s still not possible to get all three legendary dogs in one Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen save without trading. There are various other Pokemon blocked behind trading in Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen besides the legendaries, like the version exclusive Pokemon and Pokemon that only evolve through trading. The lack of online multiplayer support means it might be a little tricky for some Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen players to complete their Pokedex, but at least there is no Link Cable or GBA Wireless Adapter required. Eventual Pokemon Home support will also make it a little easier for Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen players that are looking to catch them all in the Gen 1 remakes.

Systems

Released

September 7, 2004

ESRB

Everyone 10+ / Mild Fantasy Violence, Simulated Gambling

Multiplayer

Online Multiplayer

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