Decoding Your Pokémon Bonds: How to Check Friendship Levels in Pokémon Scarlet
So, you’re wandering the vast Paldean landscape, side-by-side with your loyal Pokémon, and a burning question arises: “Just how close are we, really?”. Well, fret no more, intrepid trainer! Checking your Pokémon’s friendship level in Pokémon Scarlet is surprisingly straightforward. It involves a visit to a specific NPC in Cascarrafa, and this article serves as your definitive guide to that process, and everything else you need to know about friendship in Paldea.
Finding the Friendship Checker in Cascarrafa
The key to unlocking the secrets of your Pokémon’s affection lies in locating the Friendship Checker. She resides in the vibrant city of Cascarrafa. Specifically, you’ll find her on the middle level of the town.
Detailed Directions
Here’s a step-by-step guide to pinpoint her location:
- Head to Cascarrafa: This is the city with the large waterfall and water wheel.
- Navigate to the Middle Level: Use the waterwheel elevator to ascend from the lower level to the middle level.
- Look for the Hedges and Fountain: You’re looking for a small park-like area.
- East of the Southwestern Pokémon Center: The Friendship Checker is positioned relatively close to this landmark. Keep an eye out for her near the hedges adjacent to the fountain.
Initiating the Check
Once you find her, simply speak to her. She’ll offer to assess the friendship level of one of your Pokémon. Choose the Pokémon whose bond you’re curious about.
Interpreting the Results
Unfortunately, the Friendship Checker doesn’t give you a precise numerical value. Instead, she offers one of a few vague, yet telling, phrases. These phrases provide a general idea of your Pokémon’s affinity toward you.
Although the Friendship Checker provides a general idea of how close you are with your Pokémon, the friendship checker only provides vague guidance for how close you are with three phrases.
Why Friendship Matters
Building strong bonds with your Pokémon isn’t just about warm fuzzies. In Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, friendship plays a crucial role in:
- Evolution: Certain Pokémon, like Riolu (evolving into Lucario), Eevee (evolving into Espeon or Umbreon, depending on the time of day), and Chansey require high friendship to evolve.
- In-Battle Perks: While not as prominent as in some past games, friendship can still have subtle effects, such as Pokémon occasionally enduring otherwise fatal hits or shaking off status conditions.
Maximizing Friendship: A Trainer’s Guide
Knowing how to check friendship is important, but understanding how to increase it is even more so. Here’s a breakdown of the most effective methods:
- Luxury Ball Captures: Catching a Pokémon in a Luxury Ball gives it a small friendship boost right from the start.
- The Soothe Bell: Equipping your Pokémon with a Soothe Bell (available for purchase at Delibird Presents for 5000 Pokédollars) significantly accelerates friendship gains.
- Picnics: A Bonding Bonanza: Picnics are a friendship goldmine. Washing your Pokémon and feeding them sandwiches are both highly effective.
- The Let’s Go Feature: Having your Pokémon actively explore the world alongside you using the “Let’s Go!” feature gradually increases their friendship. Remember, every 128 steps while walking with them using the Let’s Go feature adds a point towards friendship.
- Battling (with Caution): Using your Pokémon in battles and allowing them to gain levels naturally boosts friendship. However, avoid letting them faint, as this can negatively impact their bond.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Friendship in Pokémon Scarlet
Here are the answers to the most frequently asked questions about increasing and measuring friendship in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, which will further assist you on your Paldean adventure.
1. What exactly is friendship in Pokémon, and how is it different from happiness?
While the terms are often used interchangeably, “friendship” is the technical term for the hidden stat that determines a Pokémon’s affection toward its trainer. Some older games used the term “happiness”. It’s a numerical value ranging from 0 to 255, although you cannot directly see the number.
2. Are there any specific sandwiches that boost friendship more than others?
There isn’t definitive evidence that specific sandwiches offer drastically different friendship boosts. The general act of feeding your Pokémon sandwiches during picnics is what matters most. Prioritize making sandwiches with ingredients your Pokémon enjoy.
3. Does battling stronger Pokémon increase friendship more quickly?
The strength of the opposing Pokémon doesn’t seem to affect friendship gains. What matters is actively using your Pokémon in battles and gaining experience.
4. If a Pokémon has max friendship, can it ever decrease?
Yes. Letting your Pokémon faint frequently in battle or trading it to another player will negatively impact their friendship.
5. Does the time of day affect friendship gains?
No, the time of day does not affect friendship gains, with one crucial exception: Eevee’s evolution. Leveling up Eevee with high friendship during the day will evolve it into Espeon, while leveling it up at night will result in Umbreon.
6. Are there any held items besides the Soothe Bell that affect friendship?
No, the Soothe Bell is the only held item specifically designed to boost friendship gains.
7. Do vitamins (like Protein, Iron, etc.) increase friendship?
Yes, giving your Pokémon vitamins does provide a small friendship boost.
8. How many washes during a picnic does it take to evolve a Pokémon that evolves via friendship, like Chansey?
It varies depending on the Pokémon’s base friendship. For Pokémon with a base friendship of 50, it usually takes around 17 washes to reach the required 220 friendship, with each wash probably adding 10 points.
9. What berries affect friendship levels?
Certain berries, such as the Grepa, Hondew, Kelpsy, Pomeg, Qualot, and Tamato berries, can raise friendship. However, they also lower specific stat EVs.
10. Can I check friendship level before reaching Cascarrafa?
Unfortunately, no. The Friendship Checker in Cascarrafa is the only in-game method to get an indication of a Pokémon’s friendship level in Scarlet and Violet.
11. Does auto-battling affect friendship?
Yes, auto-battling will strengthen your bond. It also depends on how the battles go, and if you are aware of your Pokémon’s health, and treat them carefully.
12. How can I find more Luxury Balls and Soothe Bells?
Luxury Balls can be purchased at Delibird Presents shops once you’ve earned a certain number of gym badges. Soothe Bells can be purchased from Delibird Presents for 5000 Pokédollars
13. Will trading a Pokémon reset its friendship level?
Yes, trading a Pokémon will reset its friendship level back to the base value.
14. How does the IV checker relate to friendship?
The IV checker is a completely separate feature. It allows you to see the Individual Values of your Pokémon’s stats, which determine their potential. To unlock it, complete the main story and reach the post-game content. Access it through the Pokémon Box by pressing the + button.
15. Are there any glitches or exploits to quickly maximize friendship?
While some glitches may exist, relying on them is not recommended. These are not very common and can be very risky as they may result in the game malfunctioning. The methods described above are generally the most efficient and reliable way to build strong bonds with your Pokémon.
Final Thoughts
Building strong bonds with your Pokémon in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet is a rewarding experience that enhances your gameplay and makes your team feel like true companions. By visiting the Friendship Checker in Cascarrafa and implementing the friendship-boosting techniques outlined above, you’ll be well on your way to forging unbreakable connections with your team.
To continue learning about educational and engaging experiences, explore the work of the Games Learning Society on their website: https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/. Happy training, and may your Pokémon always be filled with affection for you!