"Pokémon Go's" September update has already started rolling out on Android devices, with iOS sure to come by the end of the day. The new update adds the ability to have a Buddy System accompany players everywhere they go to gather more candy and experience. It is a great way for players with rare Pokémon or ones they only found in eggs to earn candy to evolve or strengthen their precious Pokémon.
The update allow gamers to have the Buddy System whether they are setting off to take on a Gym or just fancy a stroll in the park.
According to Euro gamer, the feature which is similar to Egg hatching in Pokémon Go, is a background activity that players do set and, after a certain distance, will give them rewards. The feature will work slightly differently according to which Pokémon a player Buddy up with, in short, rarer Pokémon will take longer to produce Candy, and there is a few quirks and exceptions players should take note of, too.
To enable Pokémon Go's Buddy feature, one should click on their trainer icon and then on the bar in the bottom left where there should be a "buddy" option. From there, the players click on whatever Pokémon they want to be their buddy. If a player want to switch to another Pokémon, the feature will be available from the same menu.
Once a player equip a buddy, they will either stand next to them, sit on their shoulder or fly behind them, depending on the type of Pokémon.
Every Pokémon requires a different amount of kilometers in order to get either one or two candies, depending on a players'. Each Pokémon is different; Pidgeys only require a player to walk one kilometer for a candy spawn, while Dratinis take five kilometers just for the same thing.
Currently, there is no concrete list for what Pokémon requires which distance, though reddit detectives have compiled one that seems fairly legit.
In addition, the Pokémon Go's Buddy feature allows players to work towards two late-game activities; powering up their Pokémon to take on Gyms, and filling out their Pokedex by evolving the creatures they have already caught.
In order to get more Candy for a Pokémon a player have to either hatch it from an egg or catch it in the wild or, and since the best Pokémon are usually the hardest to find, Candy is also very difficult to come by.
The Buddy system solves this problem quite nicely. For instance, if a player provided to catch one Dratini, as long as they keep walking and collecting Candy from their Buddy, they will one day get their hands on that all elusive Dragonite. (Though, with 1-2 Candy dropping every 5km walked, it could take a while.)
It is also speculated that the Buddy system is how a player will be able to make Legendary Pokémon such as Mew, Articuno, Mewtwo, Moltres and Zaptos stronger, whenever they eventually appear in the game, as the chance to catch more to earn extra Candy will be incredibly remote.
As with hatching Eggs, more elusive creatures require longer walking distance in order to get their rewards. This is particularly helpful if a player need just a couple more Candy to fill out a Pokedex entry and evolve a Pokémon, or for those who want to get XP fast in Pokémon Go, get even easier but useful Pidgey Candy for quick and easy gains.
Below is a list provided by The Silph Road sub-Reddit:
| 1km Buddy Pokémon | 2km Buddy Pokémon | 5km Buddy Pokémon |
| Caterpie | Ekans | Bulbasaur |
| Metapod | Arbok | Ivysaur |
| Weedle | Sandslash | Charmander |
| Butterfree | Sandshrew | Venusaur |
| Kakuna | Nidoran♀ | Charmeleon |
| Beedrill | Nidorina | Charizard |
| Pidgeotto | Nidoran | Wartortle |
| Pidgey | Nidoqueen♂ | Squirtle |
| Pidgeot | Nidorino | Blastoise |
| Rattata | Nidoking | Onix |
| Raticate | Vulpix | Hitmonlee |
| Spearow | Ninetails | Hitmonchan |
| Fearow | Oddish | Chansey |
| Pikachu | Gloom | Mr. Mime |
| Raichu | Vileplume | Scyther |
| Clefairy | Paras | Jynx |
| Clefable | Parasect | Electabuzz |
| Jigglypuff | Venonat | Magmar |
| Wigglytuff | Venomoth | Pinsir |
| Zubat | Diglett | Lapras |
| Golbat | Dugtrio | Eevee |
| Geodude | Meowth | Vaporeon |
| Graveler | Persian | Jolteon |
| Golem | Psyduck | Flareon |
| Magikarp | Golduck | Omanyte |
| Gyarados | Mankey | Omastar |
The above are Pokemon Go's Legendary Pokemon which have yet to be discovered, they are expected to appear in the game in a future update.
Other things to know about Pokémon Go's Buddy system;
- The Buddy system is home to one of Pokémon Go's secrets and Easter Eggs. While most Pokémon will be alongside you on the Trainer screen, walking a total of 10km withPikachuas your Buddy will see him sit on your shoulder, showing a sign of your close friendship. Cute!
- Contrary to some rumors, a player do not receive any XP for walking their Buddy Pokémon - just Candy.
- It is believed there isno daily limitto the amount of Candy a player can earn through the Buddy system in one day.
- While unconfirmed until the device is out in the wild, it is assumed that like hatching Eggs, usingPokémon Go Pluswill not contribute to the distance walked for a players' Buddy.
- Any Pokémon currently assigned as Buddy to a player cannot be withdrawn from their inventory to defend a friendly Gym. To get around this, a player should be sure to use a lower tier of that Pokémon evolution family (a Dratini instead of a Dragonite, for example) or just another of that same creature. You can, however, use it tofight in Gyms.
- Pokémon that have fainted can be used as a players' Buddy, according to users on The Silph Road sub-Reddit.
- All creatures in the same evolution chain require the same amount of walking distance for Candy to drop, allowing a player to put their later evolutions to work in Gyms.
- Evolving a Pokémon will reset a players' Candy counter, so time those evolutions wisely.
If you want to see the Buddy System in action, here's a video: