Does Your Buddy Level Stay If You Change Buddies in Pokémon GO? The Ultimate Guide
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The burning question on every Trainer’s mind: Does your buddy level stay if you change buddies in Pokémon GO? The short answer is YES! When you swap out your buddy, the buddy level (Good Buddy, Great Buddy, Ultra Buddy, Best Buddy) is preserved. Think of it like shelving a book; it’s still there, just not actively being read. The hearts you’ve earned also remain intact. The game remembers your progress, allowing you to switch freely without fear of losing your hard-earned bond.
However, there are nuances. The current progress towards earning a candy or completing daily tasks does get reset when you switch. Therefore, it’s wise to claim your rewards before swapping Pokémon.
Let’s dive deeper into the fascinating world of Buddy Pokémon and address common questions that Trainers often have.
Understanding the Buddy System
The Buddy System in Pokémon GO is a fantastic feature that lets you form a deeper connection with your favorite Pokémon. By walking, playing, feeding, and battling together, you increase your friendship level, unlocking various perks along the way. These perks can include CP boosts, finding souvenirs, and even having your buddy appear on the map with you. Knowing how swapping impacts these perks is key to optimizing your buddy experience.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Buddy Swapping
What happens when you swap buddies?
When you swap buddies, the Pokémon you switched out retains its current buddy level and all the hearts you’ve previously earned. The meter for the current candy walk progress, or any active daily task progress, is reset. This means that you have to start over from 0km towards the next candy for the new buddy, and that daily task such as finding a location, battling, or taking a snapshot will need to be redone after the swap.
Can you swap buddies multiple times a day?
Absolutely! You can swap buddies up to 20 times per day. This is perfect for maximizing candy gains across multiple Pokémon or completing specific tasks that require different buddy types. To swap your buddy, tap the circle with your current buddy’s face at the bottom-left corner of your screen, then select the “Swap Buddies” button at the bottom.
Does swapping buddies lose progress towards evolution?
Swapping your buddy doesn’t directly lose evolution progress unless that progress is specifically tied to buddy interaction. For example, some Pokémon, like Eevee, require you to walk a certain distance with them as your buddy to evolve them into specific forms like Espeon or Umbreon. If you haven’t met that walking requirement and swap your buddy, that distance progress resets. However, if you’ve already fulfilled the requirement and are ready to evolve, swapping won’t erase that achievement. Be careful with those conditional evolutions!
Does your buddy level reset when you evolve your buddy?
No! Evolving your buddy doesn’t reset your buddy level or the hearts you’ve earned. Your Pokémon simply becomes a more powerful version of itself while retaining the friendship you’ve built.
What is the CP boost for a Best Buddy, and is it affected by swapping?
A Best Buddy receives a CP boost equivalent to two extra Power-Ups, effectively raising its level by one. This boost is only active when the Pokémon is currently set as your buddy. Swapping it out temporarily removes the CP boost.
What is the buddy candy limit per day?
While there’s no hard limit on the number of candies you can earn in total, you’re effectively limited by the distance you can walk, which maxes out at 40km per day for earning buddy candies. Therefore, optimal swapping can maximize the candy rewards across multiple eligible Pokemon in your collection!
How long does a Poffin’s effect last?
A Poffin significantly enhances your buddy experience. It makes your buddy excited, allowing it to appear on the map with you. Normally, your buddy walks with you for 3 hours. A Poffin doubles this duration to 6 hours, providing extended benefits. Remember, the visual of the buddy on the map, and the reduced walking distance for candies are the key benefits of the Excited Mood.
Can you trade a Best Buddy Pokémon?
While you can trade Pokémon, including those that have been your buddy, there are restrictions. You cannot assign a buddy to a Gym or transfer it to Pokémon HOME while it’s your buddy.
How do you “walk” your buddy without physically moving?
While technically against the spirit of the game, some players use GPS spoofing apps to simulate movement and earn buddy candies without leaving their homes. It is important to note that using such methods can result in bans or other penalties from Niantic. A safer approach is to utilize the Adventure Sync feature, which tracks your movement even when the app is closed, making it easier to accumulate distance naturally.
Should you always keep the same buddy?
The decision depends on your goals. If you’re focused on maximizing candy for a specific Pokémon, sticking with that buddy is efficient. However, if you need to complete diverse tasks or earn candies for multiple Pokémon, strategic swapping is beneficial. As long as you understand that you have to restart the walking distance for the new buddy, switching is often a good idea.
Can you get rid of a Pokémon that has been your buddy?
Yes, you can get rid of (transfer) Pokémon that have been your buddies. Just ensure they are not your current buddy, and then transfer them like any other Pokémon.
What happens when you make a Lucky Pokémon your buddy?
Making a Lucky Pokémon your buddy doesn’t inherently grant any special bonus beyond the regular buddy perks. However, it’s a fantastic way to strengthen a potentially powerful Lucky Pokémon.
How long does it take to reach Best Buddy status?
Reaching Best Buddy status requires earning 300 hearts. Since you can earn a maximum of 10 hearts per day, it takes at least 30 days of consistent interaction to reach this milestone.
Can buddies earn XL Candy?
Yes! Walking with a buddy gives you a chance of receiving XL Candy for that Pokémon, every time you earn regular candy. The chance of getting XL candy increases with the buddy’s level.
Do buddy levels go down if you don’t interact with your buddy?
No, your buddy level never goes down due to inactivity. Once you’ve reached a certain level of friendship, it remains there permanently.
Optimizing Your Buddy Experience
Strategic buddy swapping is a powerful tool for maximizing your gains in Pokémon GO. Here are some tips:
- Plan your swaps: Before swapping, consider what candies you need and what tasks you want to complete.
- Time your swaps: Swap after claiming candies and completing tasks to avoid losing progress.
- Utilize Poffins: Poffins are especially useful when you want to maximize buddy interaction time.
The Importance of Community and Continuous Learning
As with any game, staying informed and connected with the community is crucial for optimizing your gameplay. Resources like the Games Learning Society ( GamesLearningSociety.org ) provide valuable insights into the mechanics and strategies of games like Pokémon GO, helping you to deepen your understanding and improve your skills. Join the community forums, research best strategies, and have fun learning!
In conclusion, swapping buddies in Pokémon GO is a versatile feature that allows you to bond with multiple Pokémon without sacrificing your progress. By understanding the nuances of the buddy system and employing strategic swapping techniques, you can elevate your Trainer journey to new heights!