How to Get Lure Balls in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet

Do you like fish, trainer? And I mean, really like fish? What about Vaporeon, you degenerate? If the answer is yes, there’s only one Pokeball for you, and that’s the Lure Ball. But it, and its more colorful siblings, might have eluded you as you traversed the Paldea wilds, forcing you to catch Pokemon with, dare I say it, plain Pokeballs. Fortunately, I have the solution for you. Here’s how to find Lure Balls in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet.

How to Get Lure Balls in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet

Sad facts, but Pokemon Scarlet and Violet hate color and freedom of expression. That’s plainly obvious by the fact they won’t let you ditch your school uniform. It’s also obvious because there are cool Pokeballs in the game, like the Lure Ball, but they’re a pain in the pants to get.

But it’s not impossible. There are two main methods. But you’re not going to like either of them.

Method 1

Head to Porto Marinada Auction Market. This market is only accessible once you’ve defeated Water-Type Pokemon Gym Leader and Chef(??), Kofu. Once there, let’s hope your luck is good.

Check the stalls to see if the Lure Ball (and yeah, it’ll just be one) is for sale. If it’s not, save, then shut your game down. Move your console’s timer forward by 72 minutes. Reopen the game and check the stocks. If there’s still no Lure Ball, rinse and repeat until it appears. And if it does appear? Don’t expect it to be cheap. These unique Pokeballs have hefty price tags on them, and trainers on Reddit have posted screen shots of being charged up to 100 grand for one Lure Ball. Practically criminal.

Method 2

A far easier (though more time-consuming) method is to farm out Ace Academy Tournaments. These tournaments are available after you complete the game and have beaten all the gym leaders. Once that’s done, you can go through a series of battles with trainers you’ve previously met. When you come out victorious, you’ll be granted a series of rewards, including a random rare item that might be a Lure Ball.

Related: How to Rematch Team Star Leaders in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet

I recommend Method 2, even though it’s more time-consuming, for two reasons. You can AFK this tournament by fighting it with only one Pokemon (ideally a Pixilate Sylveon) and having something hold down your controller’s A button. This is the method people used to farm money in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, and it can be left running overnight. By the time you return, it’s possible that you still might not have a Lure Ball in your inventory, but you’ll definitely have enough money to buy whatever you want in the game, including a Lure Ball at the Porto Marinada auctions.

Tip: remember to slap an Amulet Coin on your Pokemon before you send it out to war. Your wallet will thank you.

And… yeah. That’s the only way to get a Lure Ball. Heartbreaking, right? But good luck anyway.