Pokemon GO Buddy: Evolve & Level Up Your Pokemon

In Pokemon Go, the Buddy System allows trainers to select a Pokemon to accompany them on their journey. This feature enables the buddy Pokemon to earn candy, which the trainer uses to evolve them or increase their CP, by walking a set distance. Interacting with the Pokemon Go buddy, feeding it berries, playing with it, and battling together, will increase the friendship level between the trainer and the Pokemon.

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Your Ultimate Guide to Buddy Pokémon in Pokémon Go

Okay, Trainer, listen up! Ever feel like your Pokémon Go journey is missing that je ne sais quoi? Like you’re wandering alone in a digital world yearning for companionship? Well, fear not, because the Buddy Pokémon feature is here to add a whole heap of adorable to your adventure!

Think of it as adopting a pocket-sized pal that not only looks cute trotting alongside you but also showers you with sweet, sweet loot. We’re talking about bonus candy for those pesky evolutions, a CP boost to crush those gym battles, and even unique rewards that make you the envy of every other trainer on the block! Having a buddy Pokemon can increase your chance of winning battles.

So, what’s the deal with this guide, you ask? Consider this your one-stop shop for everything Buddy Pokémon. We’re diving deep into the heart of this feature. By the end, you’ll be a Buddy Pokémon pro, racking up affection hearts faster than you can say “Pikachu!” We’ll be mapping out the journey, from basic bonding to advanced strategies, so buckle up, grab your favorite berry, and let’s get this show on the road!

Decoding the Buddy System: Level Up Your Friendship (and Your Game!)

Alright, Trainer, let’s dive deep into the heart (pun intended!) of the Buddy Pokémon system: the levels and affection. Think of it like building a real friendship, but with fewer awkward silences and way more digital berries involved. You’re not just throwing a Pokémon in a slot; you’re nurturing a bond that actually pays off.

Buddy Level Breakdown: From Good to Best

Just like leveling up your Pokémon, your buddy also has a journey to embark on. There are four key milestones to hit:

Good Buddy: This is where it all begins! Your buddy will now appear on the map with you, turning you into the coolest explorer this side of the PokéStop.
Great Buddy: Now you’re talking! Your buddy gets even more helpful, giving you a hand in catching wild Pokémon. Plus, they’ll bring you little presents (we’re not talking diamonds, but hey, it’s the thought that counts, right?).
Ultra Buddy: Things are getting serious. Your buddy will now alert you to interesting places nearby, showing you where to find that rare spawn. And, more importantly, they start bringing you souvenirs – tiny digital trinkets to remember your adventures.
Best Buddy: The pinnacle of Pokémon friendship! You’ll get a CP boost for your buddy when they’re in battle. But even better, you both will get the Best Buddy ribbon, showing off to the world the awesome bond you have.

Heart to Heart: Earning Affection

So how do you climb these ranks? It all comes down to affection, measured in sweet, sweet hearts. You can earn these hearts daily through a bunch of activities:

Feeding: Gotta keep your buddy’s tummy full! Give them Berries to keep them on the map.
Playing: Get silly! Tap your buddy in AR mode and see what happens. A little playtime goes a long way.
Walking: This is Pokémon GO, after all! Take your buddy for a stroll and rack up those kilometers.
Taking a Snapshot: Capture those precious moments! Snap a pic of your buddy, and earn a heart.
Battling Together: Use your buddy in battles at gyms or raid to rack up those affection points.

Maximizing Your Daily Heart Harvest:

Consistency is key! Here’s the plan to maximize your heart gains every day:

Set Reminders: Integrate buddy interactions into your daily routine – feed them, play with them, and take a snapshot.
Walk Efficiently: Plan your walking routes to include PokéStops and Gyms to capitalize on buddy assist bonuses.
Poffin Power: If you’re serious about maxing out your buddy, consider using a Poffin. These treats instantly max out your buddy’s hunger and make them Excited, doubling your heart gains.
Battle Buddies: Don’t forget to bring your buddy with you when you battle, whether you’re taking on a gym or raiding with friends.

Core Interactions: Bonding with Your Buddy

Alright, trainer, let’s dive into the nitty-gritty of actually hanging out with your digital pal! Think of this section as your guide to becoming the ultimate Pokémon Go buddy parent. These interactions are your bread and butter for racking up those affection hearts and leveling up your friendship.

Feeding Your Buddy

Ever felt that pang of responsibility when your buddy looks longingly at you from the map? That’s your cue to feed them! Berries are the key to keeping your buddy happy and, more importantly, on the map.

Berry Breakdown:
- Razz Berry: The classic! A simple treat that fills their hunger meter.
- Nanab Berry: Got a hyper buddy? This calms them down, making them easier to catch if they pop up in the wild (though it doesn’t directly affect the feeding process).
- Pinap Berry: Double the candy! Use this when catching wild Pokémon alongside your buddy to maximize your sweet rewards.
- Golden Razz Berry: The VIP berry. Fully restores their hunger and makes wild Pokémon much easier to catch. Save these for special occasions!
- Silver Pinap Berry: A mix of both! It increases catch rate and provides extra candy when catching Pokemon in the wild.
Poffins: Want to really spoil your buddy? A Poffin instantly fills their hunger meter and makes them “excited.” Excited buddies earn double hearts for all activities, making it the express lane to Best Buddy status. Plus, they stay on the map longer!

Playing with Your Buddy in AR Mode

Time to get real (well, virtually real) with your buddy! AR Mode lets you interact with your Pokémon in the real world.

Step-by-Step Guide:
1. Tap your buddy on the map.
2. Tap “Play!”
3. Find a flat surface.
4. Point your camera and wait for your buddy to appear.
5. Rub them to earn affection!
Benefits: Besides the affection boost, playing in AR Mode is just plain fun. See your buddy in your living room, at the park – wherever you are!
Troubleshooting: AR not working? Make sure your phone supports AR, that the game has camera permissions enabled, and that you have adequate lighting. Sometimes, restarting the app can do the trick!

Taking Snapshots of Your Buddy

Strike a pose! Taking snapshots isn’t just for showing off your stylish buddy (though, let’s be honest, that’s a big part of it).

How it Matters: Taking a snapshot earns you an Affection Heart each day. It’s a quick and easy way to boost your buddy’s happiness.
Creative Tips: Find cool backgrounds, use different camera angles, and catch your buddy in action! Share your best shots on social media with #PokemonGOBuddy to show off your photography skills.

Spinning PokéStops with Your Buddy

Here’s a little-known secret: having your buddy on the map when you spin PokéStops can net you extra goodies!

Bonus Items: Sometimes, your buddy will surprise you with bonus items when you spin a PokéStop. This can include extra Poké Balls, berries, or even gifts!

Unlocking the Rewards: Candy, Gifts, and CP Boosts

Alright, trainer, let’s talk about the good stuff—the rewards you get from showering your buddy with love and attention! Think of it as the payoff for all those walks, berries, and silly AR photos. We’re diving deep into candy, gifts, and those sweet CP boosts that can make your Pokémon a total powerhouse.

Candy Acquisition: Fueling Your Pokémon Dreams

Walking Distance and Candy

Ever wonder how that seemingly endless trek with your buddy actually benefits you? Well, for every step you take (literally!), your buddy is working hard to find you candy. The amount of walking you need to do for each candy depends on the Pokémon. A tiny Wailmer? You might be walking a marathon. A cute little Pikachu? They are more generous.

Strategies for Maximizing Candy Gains

Know Your Distances: Before you commit to a buddy, check out how far you need to walk to earn candy. Websites and apps dedicated to Pokémon Go are your best friend here!
Short and Sweet: Need candy fast? Choose a buddy with a shorter walking distance requirement. Those 1km buddies are perfect for a quick candy fix.
Events are Your Friend: Keep an eye out for in-game events that reduce buddy walking distances. It’s the perfect time to grind out candy for your faves!
Rare Candies are GOLD: When you can, use those rare candies earned from raids and research task to earn more candy faster.

Gifts and Souvenirs: A Buddy’s Treasure

What Your Buddy Can Find

Your buddy isn’t just a pretty face; they’re also a scavenger! At higher buddy levels, they’ll occasionally bring you gifts like berries or potions. But the real gems are the souvenirs—unique little collectibles that show off your buddy’s adventurous spirit.

How These Items Enhance Gameplay

Berries: Extra berries are always a win, especially when you’re trying to catch that elusive legendary.
Souvenirs: Okay, souvenirs don’t exactly boost your Pokémon’s stats, but they’re super cool to collect and show off your bond!
Potions: Revives and potions always come in handy when in a pinch.

CP Boost: Unleash the Beast

The Best Buddy CP Boost

This is where things get serious. When you reach Best Buddy status, your Pokémon gets a CP boost in battle. This boost can be the difference between victory and defeat in raids, gyms, and even trainer battles!

Impact on Raids, Gyms, and Trainer Battles

Raids: That extra CP can help your Pokémon deal more damage and last longer in battle, giving you a better shot at taking down tough raid bosses.
Gyms: Defending a gym? A CP-boosted Pokémon is a formidable opponent that will make attackers think twice.
Trainer Battles: In the world of PvP, every point of CP matters. That Best Buddy boost can give you the edge you need to climb the ranks!

Advanced Mechanics: Beyond Walks and Berries – Evolution and Trainer Profile Secrets!

Okay, so you’re basically a Buddy Pokémon master now, right? You’re tossing berries like a pro, snapping AR pics that Ansel Adams would envy, and raking in that sweet, sweet candy. But, like a Level 40 Trainer eyeing that Level 50 cap, there’s always more to discover! Let’s dive into the nitty-gritty of how your buddy impacts evolution and where to stalk… ahem, check their progress on your Trainer profile.

Evolution Requirements: Not All ‘Mon Evolve the Same!

Ever noticed some Pokémon are a wee bit picky about evolving? Some aren’t satisfied with just a handful of candies; they want a relationship. Yup, certain Pokémon require you to have them as your buddy and fulfill specific tasks before they’ll take that evolutionary leap. Why? Because Niantic likes to keep us on our toes, that’s why!

Think of it as Pokémon Go’s version of a reality TV show. Some prime examples include:

Eevee: The undisputed king/queen of evolution shenanigans. While some Eeveelutions are tied to nicknames or location-based tricks, others require buddy status and walking a certain distance with Eevee as your buddy during the day or night.
Galarian Yamask: This spooky little spirit demands you complete a raid while it’s your buddy. Talk about a demanding ghost!

Buddy Status Display in Trainer Profile: Become a Stalker… of Affection

Alright, you’ve showered your buddy with affection, walked what feels like the distance to Mordor, and you’re itching to know your hard work is paying off. Where do you see all this buddy-licious progress?

Head to your Trainer profile (that’s you, superstar!). Then:

Tap on your buddy Pokémon. Boom! All the juicy details appear.
Here, you’ll see your buddy’s current level, how many hearts you’ve earned today, and a progress bar indicating how close you are to leveling up that bond. It’s like checking your relationship status, only way less complicated (and probably more rewarding).

This is where you’ll monitor if you’ve met the specific requirements for Pokémon evolutions, such as the walking distance requirement. It’s your one-stop-shop for all things buddy-related!

Strategies for Optimizing Buddy Interactions: Become a Buddy Boss!

Alright, trainers, ready to level up your Buddy game? Let’s dive into some smart strategies that’ll have your buddy showering you with gifts and affection like you’re the coolest kid in the Pokémon world.

First things first, routine is key. Think of your buddy like a Tamagotchi (remember those?). Consistent interaction is the name of the game. Set reminders, make it part of your daily Pokémon Go pilgrimage. Feed your buddy, play with them, take a snapshot, and walk those kilometers – every single day. Maximize those daily hearts! Speaking of maximizing, don’t forget about Poffins. These little treats are like a double shot of espresso for your buddy’s happiness, instantly putting them in an Excited mood, which doubles heart gains. Keep an eye out for them in special research or the shop!

Bonus Tip: Set your alarm 30 minutes before midnight. Log in and interact with your Buddy, so you don’t miss out on hearts for the next day!

Making the Most of PokéStops with Your Pal

PokéStops are already your best friend for balls and potions, but with your buddy in tow, they become even more lucrative. Remember that Best Buddy Perk? When your buddy reaches Best Buddy status, they have a chance to bring you bonus items when you spin a PokéStop. It’s like your buddy is saying, “Hey, I got you something!”

But that’s not all! Your buddy can find even more special things at PokéStops! Your buddy will also give you a heads up about where to find interesting places to spin.

Don’t just spin and run. Take a second to appreciate the moment. Snap a photo of your buddy near the PokéStop. Maybe they’re admiring the local art, or perhaps they’re photobombing the stop with their adorable face. Share those moments on social media. Brag a little – you’ve earned it.

In short, be consistent, be proactive, and let your buddy be your guide. With these strategies, you’ll be swimming in candy and souvenirs in no time. Happy buddying, trainers!

So, there you have it! Go explore with your buddy, snag some candy, and maybe even discover new places along the way. Happy catching, trainers!

Pokemon Go Buddy: Evolve & Level Up Your Pokemon