The Pokémon GO Buddy Pokémon system is one of the most important features for players looking to earn Candy, boost their strongest Pokémon, and progress faster without relying entirely on catches or raids. Whether you are working towards evolutions, powering up rare Pokémon, or maximising battle performance, understanding how Buddy Pokémon work in Pokémon GO can make a huge difference.
In this Pokémon GO Buddy Pokémon guide, we will break down how the system works, how to earn hearts, the benefits of each buddy level, and the best strategies to get the most out of your Buddy Pokémon.
How Buddy Pokémon Work in Pokémon GO
The Buddy Pokémon feature allows you to select one Pokémon to walk alongside your character. As you move in the real world, your Buddy Pokémon earns Candy and builds friendship through daily interactions.
To set a Buddy Pokémon:
- Open your profile
- Tap your current buddy or the empty slot
- Choose the Pokémon you want to assign
Once selected, your Buddy Pokémon will appear on the map with you and begin earning progress immediately.
Buddy Pokémon Candy Distance Explained
One of the main reasons to use a Buddy Pokémon in Pokémon GO is to earn Candy while walking. Each Pokémon has a specific distance requirement before it finds Candy:
- 1 km buddies (common Pokémon like Magikarp)
- 3 km buddies (mid-tier Pokémon)
- 5 km buddies (rarer Pokémon)
- 20 km buddies (legendary Pokémon)
This makes Buddy Pokémon one of the best ways to farm Candy for rare and legendary Pokémon without relying on raids.
How to Earn Hearts With Your Buddy Pokémon
The Buddy Pokémon system includes a friendship mechanic based on hearts. You can earn hearts daily by interacting with your buddy in different ways:
- Walking together
- Feeding berries
- Playing with your buddy
- Taking snapshots
- Battling together
You can earn multiple hearts per day, and increasing this consistently is key to reaching higher buddy levels quickly.
Pokémon GO Buddy Levels and Rewards
As you earn hearts, your Buddy Pokémon will level up through four stages:
Good Buddy
- Your buddy appears on the map
Great Buddy
- Your buddy can help find items
- Catch Assist occasionally helps you catch Pokémon
Ultra Buddy
- Your buddy brings souvenirs
- Finds more useful items
Best Buddy
- CP boost when set as your active buddy
- Best Buddy ribbon for status
Reaching Best Buddy status is one of the best long-term upgrades you can give your strongest Pokémon.
Best Pokémon GO Buddy Benefits Explained
The Pokémon GO Buddy Pokémon system really shines when you reach Best Buddy level.
Key benefits include:
- Increased CP when the Pokémon is your current buddy
- Better performance in raids, gyms, and PvP
- A visible ribbon showing Best Buddy status
If you regularly battle, choosing a top-tier Pokémon as your buddy and working towards Best Buddy is a smart strategy.
How to Get Best Buddy Pokémon Faster
If you want to speed up your progress, there are a few simple ways to maximise hearts each day:
- Interact with your buddy multiple times daily
- Feed berries to keep them active on the map
- Take snapshots and play with them daily
- Walk consistently to earn distance hearts
- Battle with your buddy in gyms or raids
Consistency is key. Even small daily actions quickly add up over time.
Excited Buddy Pokémon and How It Works
An “Excited” Buddy Pokémon is a temporary boosted state that doubles many of your rewards.
When your buddy becomes excited:
- Candy distance is reduced by half
- You can earn more hearts per day
- Overall progress speeds up significantly
You can trigger this by interacting with your buddy frequently throughout the day or by using a Poffin item.
If you are working on evolutions, our Eevee evolutions guide is a great companion piece, especially for buddy-based evolution methods.
Best Pokémon to Choose as Your Buddy
Choosing the right Buddy Pokémon in Pokémon GO depends on your goals.
Here are the best use cases:
- Rare Pokémon you need Candy for
- Legendary Pokémon with 20 km distance
- Pokémon you want to evolve
- Strong Pokémon you use in PvP or raids
If you are unsure, prioritise Pokémon that are difficult to power up through normal gameplay.
If you are looking to boost your XP gains while grinding with your buddy, our Lucky Egg guide is a perfect next step.
Daily Buddy Pokémon Routine for Maximum Progress
To get the most out of the Pokémon GO Buddy Pokémon system, build a simple daily routine:
- Feed your buddy berries
- Play and take a snapshot
- Walk to earn Candy
- Battle at least once
- Repeat interactions throughout the day
This takes only a few minutes but significantly boosts your progress over time.
Pokémon GO Buddy Pokémon
The Pokémon GO Buddy Pokémon feature is one of the most efficient and underrated systems in the game. By consistently interacting with your buddy, walking regularly, and focusing on the right Pokémon, you can earn Candy faster, unlock powerful bonuses, and strengthen your team for every aspect of the game.
If you are not already using the Buddy Pokémon system daily, you are missing out on one of the easiest ways to progress in Pokémon GO.
