Even in emb I only use ballpoint for knit type fabric. I normally use either topstitch, sharps or emb, or universal needles in embroidery; this depends on what I'm making. Sometimes you need the sharp tip to go thru the fabric better and it causes less damage. Just like doing FSL on emb, it is all done on stabilizer so you want a sharp to minimize the tearing affects on the stabilizer. I am slowly switching my needles to Inspira though. The eye of the needle is flat where the thread goes against it and therefore it has a less tendancy to shred the thread as most needles with the oval eyes. I'm finding alot of good results from these needles. Like most have said, there is no hard and fast rule to anything and with all of the different types of machines and thread and fabric you can't or shouldn't lock yourself into hard and fast rules on anything.