Pokémon Go Buddy System: A Complete Guide
Pokémon Go Receives Update with New Buddy System
A new update has been released for Niantic’s popular mobile game, Pokémon Go. This iteration introduces a highly anticipated feature designed to enhance the player experience.
Introducing the Poké Buddy Feature
The core addition within this update is the ability to designate a Poké buddy. This allows players to walk with a chosen Pokémon and accumulate candies as they travel.
This functionality is particularly beneficial for Pokémon that are infrequently encountered. Evolving these rare creatures can often feel improbable or dependent on luck.
How the Buddy System Works
The mechanics of the buddy system mirror the egg-hatching process already familiar to Pokémon Go trainers. Distance traveled is converted into kilometers.
Upon reaching a predetermined kilometer threshold, the assigned buddy Pokémon will discover and reward the player with a candy.
This provides trainers with increased agency over the evolution process, allowing for more consistent progress with their desired Pokémon.
Setting a New Buddy in Pokémon GO
The process of assigning a buddy Pokémon begins by navigating to your profile screen. Access this screen and select the three lines located in the bottom-right corner, similar to how you personalize your avatar or view your journal.
Within the profile options, a new "Buddy" selection will now be visible.
Selecting the Buddy option allows you to choose any Pokémon currently held within your Poké-inventory.
Upon making your selection, a confirmation will appear, finalizing your choice.
A buddy symbol will then be displayed at the top of the selected Pokémon’s stat screen, indicating their buddy status.
You can monitor your progress with your buddy at any time. Simply return to your profile screen and tap on your avatar.
To switch your current buddy to a different Pokémon, locate and tap the swap arrow icon situated in the lower-right corner.
Be aware that changing buddies will result in the loss of any progress made towards candy with the previous Pokémon. Therefore, it’s advisable to make changes immediately after obtaining your most recent candy.
A notification will appear each time you successfully earn a candy with your buddy.
An interesting exception exists with Pikachu. After walking alongside you until 10 candies are collected, Pikachu will then move to rest on your shoulder.
Pikachu is unique in this behavior. For further details regarding how different Pokémon will accompany you, consult the provided list detailing Poké positions.
Determining Walk Distance for Pokémon Candy Rewards
The central inquiry revolves around the amount of candy Pokémon acquire and the corresponding walking distance needed to obtain it.
The distance a trainer must walk alongside their buddy Pokémon is directly linked to the egg group from which it originally hatched. Specifically, Pokémon emerging from 2km eggs necessitate 1km of walking to yield a candy.
Those hatched from 5km eggs require 3km of walking, while Pokémon originating from 10km eggs earn a candy after a 5km walk.
To illustrate, Pikachu, hatching from a 2km egg, requires 1km of walking. Charmander, from a 5km egg, needs 3km, and Jynx, from a 10km egg, demands 5km. If the egg type is uncertain, a helpful tool is available from The Silph Road.
Navigate to the "Buddies" section to view the walking distances required for each Pokémon.
The process of earning candies mirrors that of hatching eggs, meaning updates occur at a similar pace.
Fortunately, unlike egg hatching, any distance walked exceeding the requirement before the application updates will contribute towards the next candy. For instance, walking 1.2km when only 1km is needed will credit the buddy with the extra 0.2km.
The Pokémon Go buddy system aims to address concerns from experienced trainers regarding the scarcity of certain Pokémon in their regions. However, it’s important to note that a trainer must first catch at least one of the desired Pokémon and have it in their collection.
This is unlikely to pose a challenge with commonly found Pokémon like Pidgey and Rattata.