Pokémon GO introduces the new Buddy feature! The system revolutionizes buddy Pokémon and gives them more meaning. We show you how it works.
What is this feature? This system revolves around your buddy Pokémon. Until now, you could only collect candies and the buddy had no further meaning.
With the new feature, which was teased a few weeks ago, you can interact much more with your buddy and even level up in the buddy level. There, more rewards and additional bonuses await.
Where does the information come from? The images and content of the feature came exclusively from Niantic. They have already granted us insight before anyone else.
All information about the Buddy feature
When does the Buddy feature start? Niantic states that the feature is expected to be released in early 2020. Trainers are to be gradually unlocked for it.
How does it work? Your buddy Pokémon will now have levels like your friends. You can level up these levels through interactions. You can upgrade your buddy from “Good Buddy” to “Best Buddy”. Depending on the level, different rewards await you:
- Good Buddy: Your buddy follows you on the map and you can see how your buddy’s mood is.
- Super Buddy: Your buddy can help you catch Pokémon. Also, he collects items that may be useful to you.
- Hyper Buddy: Your buddy informs you about interesting places nearby and brings souvenirs that you can see in the buddy profile.
- Best Buddy: Your buddy wears the “Best Buddy Band”. Additionally, his CP in battle is boosted as long as he is still chosen as your buddy.
How to level up the buddy level? There are various interactions for this. Just walking with him is enough. Battles count here too. You can also interact with your buddy by petting and feeding him. This also increases the level.
This is important for the mood of the buddy: Your buddy has different moods. If the mood is bad, you need to interact with him. If it is good, there are more bonuses for you.
You can also recognize your buddy’s affection by the hearts. The more hearts it shows, the more your buddy likes you.
These bonuses are available for the mood: The best mood of the Pokémon is “excited”. When it reaches this mood, the following bonuses are available:
- Buddy candies are found twice as fast
- The hearts per action are doubled
- You can earn bonus hearts
This will be unlocked a bit later: When all trainers worldwide have access to the new buddy feature, there will also be more actions in AR mode.
You can then interact with other players and take group photos. When exactly this feature is supposed to come is not yet known.
When will there be more information? Today, on December 17th, at 3 PM, Niantic will announce the big news themselves. There will also be a video that goes along with it.
The egg pools in Pokémon GO have also been revised. These Pokémon are already confirmed:
