"Pokémon Go" has introduced an exciting new feature called Buddy System, which gives users that whole Ash and Pikachu experience.
The new Buddy System in "Pokémon Go" basically allows players to choose a Pokémon as your buddy. They will appear beside your avatar and walk with you wherever you go. It definitely reminds fans of the companionship between a Pokémon and its trainer, the kind of relationship on which the "Pokémon" anime series is anchored on.
Aside from accompanying you to place, your choice Pokémon buddy will drop extra candy that can be used to evolve and power up that Pokémon. Every time a player reaches a certain distance, the Pokémon will drop a candy. Which means, if you're aiming for a Raichu you better start taking Pikachu on long walks.
The Buddy System comes with stats on your progress. It shows how far you've walked your buddy and how far you still need to go to get a candy.
How to use "Pokémon Go" Buddy System
To activate this feature, tap your trainer profile picture found on the lower left corner of the screen. Then tap on an option that says "Buddy." This opens your Pokémon inventory, from which you can select the Pokémon you want to follow your around.
Your chose buddy Pokémon will be indicated with two smiling faces in the inventory.
Which Pokémon should you choose?
Players can choose any Pokémon they want, but it would more strategic to select those that you actually need candy for. Although you may have your favorites, the goal here is to collect as much candy for evolving or powering up. It would be pointless to walk around a Pokémon that already has a maximum CP.
How far do you need to walk to get a candy?
This feature works similarly to egg hatching. You have to work certain distances to get a candy and it will be different per Pokémon. According to Forbes, the smallest distance a Pokémon needs to get a candy would be 1 km. This works for Pikachu and Pidgey, for example.
CNET reported that an Ivysaur would require 3km to drop a candy, as well as the other starter Pokémon - Charmander, Bulbasaur and Squirtle. Most single evolution Pokémon require 5 km per candy.