Niantic has revealed the next major update for Pokemon GO. It’s called Pokemon GO: Buddy Adventure and will allow your buddy Pokemon will follow by your side in Pokemon GO. You’ll be able to bond with your Pokemon by increasing your Buddy Level. You can do this by feeding it treats, as well as battling and exploring with your Pokemon buddy. Swapping Buddy Pokemon will also no longer reset progress towards earning candy. The update is releasing before the end of 2019. That’s not all though, soon after the update drops, you’ll be able to meet other buddies and their Pokemon in a shared AR experience.
The announcement was made in a new trailer that’s great and reminiscent of the original Pokemon GO trailer.
MORE ON POKEMON GO: BUDDY ADVENTURE
Unlock exciting new Perks with Buddy Adventure
As you and your buddy get closer and your Buddy Level increases, you’ll get to unlock exciting new Perks together! The Buddy Levels are Good Buddy, Great Buddy, Ultra Buddy, and Best Buddy.
- 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.
How to become better friends with your buddy
Become better friends with your buddy by earning affection. Affection is measured by hearts, and you can earn hearts with your buddy by exploring with your buddy on the map, battling with your buddy, playing with and feeding your buddy, and taking snapshots of your buddy. The more affection you earn, the better your buddy’s mood will be!
When you reach the highest mood (excited), you can unlock the following Perks:
- The distance it takes for your buddy to find Candy will be cut in half.
- The number of hearts earned per action will double.
- Trainers can earn bonus hearts!