Pokémon GO has received a new update that will officially bring the new buddy mode. Additionally, there are some improvements for Rocket battles.
What’s in update 0.163.0: Niantic has released patch notes for this update and mentioned the new buddy mode they teased weeks ago. Correspondingly, dataminers have also found many files describing this mode.
Furthermore, you will soon be able to fight Team GO Rocket more easily, as the game now remembers your battle teams.
Everything discovered about the buddy feature
What did Niantic announce? The developers only talk about new ways to interact with your buddy. Therefore, they have not provided any details yet.
What did dataminers find? A lot was found in the game files that fits the buddy feature. Days ago, dataminers had already found something, but now there is even more about the feature.
Initially, several tutorials were found that are supposed to explain the buddy system. This way, you won’t have any issues getting started.
The buddy helps in battle? Some miniatures of buddies were also found that can appear in quest rewards, during raids, or in rocket encounters. What they could bring is unclear. Perhaps your buddy will simply appear in battle and help you out.
These levels exist: You can level up your buddy. You can raise it up to level 5. In doing so, you will receive animations, just like during a level up of your account.
Besides the normal levels, there are also levels for your buddy’s emotions. There are 7 different emotional levels. It seems important that your buddy likes you. However, files were also found that indicate the opposite. Your buddy can also hate you.
What can you do with the buddy? A plethora of possibilities has been found in this regard. You can feed your buddy, pet it, and even walk with it on your screen.
Leveling up your buddy also has advantages. Its CP will likely be boosted the higher its level is. How exactly this will play out in battles remains to be seen.
These gifts exist: Your buddy will give you gifts. Dataminers have found various gifts that your buddy can collect. These include stones, flowers, or leaves.
Look forward to this medal: With the new buddy system, a new medal is also waiting for you. It is named “BestBuddyBadge” in the files. It is likely to count your buddies at their highest level.
What can you do with friends? A lot of files concerning interaction with friends have been found. Soon you will be able to admire your buddies with friends and, for example, take group photos.
When could the feature come? It is noteworthy that Niantic is already talking about it. In the last patch notes, they did not mention the buddy feature, even though a lot was found about it. The current mention suggests that a release is imminent.
So we can even expect the new buddy feature this year. After all, all necessary files have now been inserted.
Rocket battles could now be faster
This is new: The app now remembers which Pokémon you fought against rocket grunts with. So if you selected a team for a grunt and then face the next grunt, you will be suggested the same team. So you won’t have to switch it again.
This applies to each grunt individually as well. If you fight against a grunt that has normal Pokémon, your battle team will only be suggested against the next grunt with normal Pokémon.
Why this feature is important: Currently, Niantic is struggling with a bug that affects team selection in rocket battles. You often have to wait a long time for team selection. With the current feature, you will hopefully not have to select teams anymore because your battle teams will be saved. Thus, you circumvent the selection.
New loading screen with Pokémon from Gen 5
This is the screen: We previously reported on the new loading screen, but Niantic is now revisiting this topic.
The loading screen shows a large winter landscape with the Pokémon Sevipers and Wurmple. It seems that these Pokémon will soon be added to the game, otherwise, they would not be seen in the picture.
Appropriately, there would be the Christmas event in Pokémon GO. This starts on December 24 and also brings more new Pokémon from Generation 5.
Do you want to know which Pokémon are already available as shinies in the game? Then check this out:
