Niantic’s taking the Buddy Pokemon feature in Pokemon GO to grand new heights with Buddy Adventure.
Rather than just having your officially designated Buddy Pokemon totter alongside you as you journey around the world (or your neighborhood), Buddy Adventure brings a wide range of benefits and new features to Pokemon GO.
Think of it as the next evolution in Pokemon friendship, a big step up from those Pokemon Tomagotchi Pets or the PokeWalker.
To get things started, trainers will need their Pokemon to like them enough to become a buddy. For that, trainers must feed Pokemon Berries and interact with them in AR+ mode. Trainers can battle with their Buddy, explore, and take snapshots to increase Buddy Level as well.
That’s just the beginning, though. As Buddy Level increases, so too do the activities a Pokemon can complete, such as:
- Good Buddy: A buddy can join on a trainer’s map view! Trainers also see how their buddy feels on the buddy profile page.
- Great Buddy: Having a hard time catching a Pokémon? A trainer’s buddy may help them out in Pokemon encounters! It can also bring trainers items that can help them in your Pokemon GO journey.
- Ultra Buddy: Buddies will help trainers explore the world by letting them know about interesting places nearby! Buddies will also bring trainers Souvenirs, which trainers can keep track of on the buddy profile page.
- Best Buddy: Become Best Buddies, and buddies will sport a Best Buddy Ribbon to show off just how close it is to its trainer. Pokemon Best Buddies can get a CP boost in combat as long as they’re still assigned as a Buddy Pokémon.
One of the highlights of this update is just seeing how every Pokemon acts differently. The Niantic art team said they put a huge deal of time and care into the update, and they collaborated closely with The Pokemon Company to give each ‘mon a unique personality.
In a development blog post, the project’s Lead Designer, Laura Warner, said
I’m surprised by the number of Pokemon I’m falling in love with from interacting with them.
Like watching a Spheal roll behind me on the map… I just care about Pokemon unlike ever before. We’re excited for Trainers to try out different buddies and see how each one becomes their friend!
You can find out more about Buddy Adventure here, though there’s currently no anticipated release date for the feature, aside from a vague 2020 release window.
Stay tuned to GameSkinny for more Pokemon GO and Buddy Adventure news as it emerges.
