Pokémon GO's Buddy Feature Is Getting Some Big Changes

Pokémon GO's Buddy Feature is currently a somewhat rudimentary way of allowing players to interact with their Pokémon, simply allowing them to gain more candy for a specified Pokémon while walking with them as their designated buddy. However, the feature is getting some large alterations in the future which will allow players to interact with their creatures more deeply, and gain more substantial benefits in the process.

The name of the feature is being changed to Buddy Adventures, with players buddy levels becoming higher with their Pokémon based off the amount they interact with them. This is measured by each Pokémon’s affection which can be increased through a range of activities, such as exploring, battling, playing with and feeding your buddy.

The different buddy levels are described on the Pokémon GO website as such:

• Good Buddy: Your buddy can join you on your map view! You’ll also see how your buddy feels on the buddy profile page.
• Great Buddy: Having a hard time catching a Pokémon? Your buddy may help you out in Pokémon encounters! It can also bring you items that can help you in your Pokémon GO journey.
• Ultra Buddy: Your buddy will help you explore the world around you by letting you know about interesting places nearby! Your buddy will also bring you Souvenirs, which you can keep track of on the buddy profile page.
• Best Buddy: Become Best Buddies, and your buddy will sport a Best Buddy Ribbon to show off to everyone just how close you two are! Pokémon that you’re Best Buddies with can get a CP boost in combat as long as they’re still assigned as your Buddy Pokémon.

The amount of affection earned from interactions and the amount of candy earned upon traveling with a Pokémon will also increase when a Pokémon reaches its highest mood (excited). All of this new information will be easily traceable on a Pokémon’s respective buddy profile.

Buddy Adventures is set to release for Pokémon GO some time in 2020.