Is Your Eevee Your Bestie? A Comprehensive Guide to Friendship Levels
Fast answer first. Then use the tabs or video for more detail.
- Watch the video explanation below for a faster overview.
- Game mechanics may change with updates or patches.
- Use this block to get the short answer without scrolling the whole page.
- Read the FAQ section if the article has one.
- Use the table of contents to jump straight to the detailed section you need.
- Watch the video first, then skim the article for specifics.
So, you’re wondering if your Eevee loves you as much as you love it? Figuring out if your Eevee has achieved a high friendship level involves a few key steps, depending on which Pokémon game you’re playing. The core principle is consistent: you need to check its friendship level using in-game mechanics. This usually involves speaking to a specific NPC (Non-Player Character) who acts as a “Friendship Checker.” In older games, you might use a Poketch App or a similar tool. They’ll offer different phrases or visual cues (like hearts) depending on how close you are. Remember, a happy Eevee is a powerful Eevee, especially if you’re aiming for evolutions like Espeon, Umbreon, or Sylveon, which rely heavily on friendship levels.
Where to Find Your Friendship Checker
The exact location of the Friendship Checker varies from game to game. Here’s a breakdown by generation:
Pokémon Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum
- How to Check: In Eterna City, enter the Pokémon Center and speak to the girl located inside. She’ll give you the Friendship Checker app for your Poketch.
- Using the App: Open the Poketch, select the Friendship Checker app, and tap and hold the Pokémon you want to check. The number and size of the hearts that appear will indicate the level of friendship. Two large hearts signify high friendship.
Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver
- How to Check: Head to Goldenrod City. The Friendship Checker is located in a house near the Cycle Shop.
- What to Look For: Speak to the NPC inside the house. She’ll provide a phrase that indicates your Pokémon’s friendship level. The phrase “It looks really happy! It must love you a lot.” indicates a very high level.
Pokémon Black, White, Black 2, and White 2
- How to Check: In Nacrene City, there’s a Pokémon Center. The Friendship Checker is found inside.
- What to Look For: Similar to other games, the NPC will provide a phrase to indicate friendship.
Pokémon X and Y
- How to Check: In Laverre City, find the house to the left of the Pokémon Center. The NPC inside is your Friendship Checker.
- What to Look For: The NPC will provide a phrase that indicates your Pokémon’s friendship level.
Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire
- How to Check: Visit the house in Hausey City. A woman inside will check your Pokémon’s friendship level.
- What to Look For: The NPC will provide a phrase that indicates your Pokémon’s friendship level.
Pokémon Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun, and Ultra Moon
- How to Check: Visit the Pokémon Center in Hau’oli City’s shopping district on Melemele Island. Talk to the woman inside.
- What to Look For: The woman will tell you how friendly your Pokémon is with you. Phrases indicating high friendship are key.
Pokémon Sword and Shield
- How to Check: Go to Hammerlocke and enter the building to the right of the Pokémon Center. Speak to the little boy on the right.
- What to Look For: The boy will provide a phrase depending on the friendship level. For high friendship, he might say something like, “Whoa, you’re the best friends ever! I can tell just being together gives you warm fuzzies!” This also earns you the Best Friends Ribbon.
Pokémon Legends: Arceus
- How to Check: In Jubilife Village, you must first complete a request for Belamy. Afterward, speak to him, and he’ll check your Pokémon’s friendship.
- What to Look For: Belamy’s dialogue will indicate the level of friendship.
Pokémon Scarlet and Violet
- How to Check: Head to Cascarrafa and go to the center of town. Speak to the NPC there to check your friendship level with your Pokémon.
- What to Look For: The NPC will provide a phrase that indicates your Pokémon’s friendship level.
Maximizing Eevee’s Friendship
Once you know how to check friendship, the next step is increasing it! Here’s how to become best buds with your Eevee:
- Catching & Holding the Right Items: Catching your Eevee in a Luxury Ball or Friend Ball provides a boost right from the start. Giving Eevee the Soothe Bell to hold further increases friendship gains.
- Battle Usage: Using Eevee in battles and allowing it to participate in victories significantly raises friendship.
- Vitamins and Care: Feeding Eevee Vitamins like Protein, Iron, Calcium, etc., increases friendship. Taking care of your Eevee through activities specific to each game, like Pokémon Camp in Sword and Shield, or Pokémon Amie in older games, is essential.
- Avoid Fainting: Try your best to avoid having Eevee faint in battle. Fainting lowers friendship, so strategic gameplay is a must.
- Walking: Simply having Eevee in your party as you travel can slowly increase its friendship level over time.
Remember to always check your progress with the Friendship Checker to ensure you’re on track for those special evolutions!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the specific friendship value Eevee needs to evolve into Espeon or Umbreon?
Eevee generally evolves into Espeon (daytime) or Umbreon (nighttime) if its friendship value is 160 or higher in Sword and Shield, Scarlet and Violet, and Legends Arceus, and 220 or higher in older games. The exact level can vary slightly depending on the game version.
2. How do I get the Soothe Bell?
In Pokémon Sword and Shield, the Soothe Bell is obtained from the Friendship Checker in Hammerlocke after reaching a certain level of friendship with a Pokémon. In other games, it is usually obtained through completing specific tasks or found in certain locations.
3. What happens if Eevee faints in battle? Does it affect friendship?
Yes, allowing Eevee to faint in battle negatively impacts its friendship level. Try to avoid this as much as possible!
4. How do I evolve Eevee into Sylveon?
To evolve Eevee into Sylveon, it needs high friendship (three hearts in some games) and must know a Fairy-type move. Then, level it up. Make sure it knows a Fairy-type move before leveling up.
5. Does the time of day affect friendship increases?
No, the time of day doesn’t directly affect the increase of friendship. However, it’s crucial for evolving Eevee into Espeon (daytime) or Umbreon (nighttime) after achieving the required friendship level.
6. What are Luxury Balls and Friend Balls, and where can I get them?
Luxury Balls and Friend Balls are special Poké Balls that provide an initial boost to friendship upon catching a Pokémon. They can often be purchased at specific Poké Marts or obtained as rewards for completing tasks. The availability varies depending on the game.
7. What is Eevee’s hidden ability, and does it relate to friendship?
Eevee’s hidden ability is Anticipation. It doesn’t directly affect friendship, but it can provide a strategic advantage in battles, helping you keep Eevee safe and happy!
8. How many steps does it take to raise Eevee’s friendship just by walking?
The number of steps required to significantly raise friendship through walking varies. It’s more efficient to combine walking with other methods like using Soothe Bell, battling, and using Vitamins.
9. Can I check friendship level before I’ve progressed far in the game?
Usually, the Friendship Checker becomes available after reaching a certain point in the game’s story, often after reaching a specific town or completing a particular quest.
10. Will traded Pokémon with high friendship disobey me?
Pokémon will only disobey you if their level is higher than the limit set by the number of gym badges you have. Pokémon with high friendship that you originally caught will always obey.
11. Is there a limit to how much I can increase friendship in a single day?
While there isn’t a hard limit, there’s often diminishing returns. Performing too many friendship-raising activities in a short time might not yield the same results as spreading them out.
12. How do berries affect friendship levels?
Certain berries like Pomeg, Kelpsy, Qualot, Hondew, Grepa, and Tamato Berries increase friendship while lowering specific EV points. These are particularly useful if you’re also EV training.
13. What does it mean to reach “max happiness” with a Pokémon?
“Max happiness” or “high friendship” generally refers to reaching a friendship value of 160 or higher in newer games, or 220 or higher in older titles. This is the threshold required for friendship-based evolutions like Espeon, Umbreon, and Sylveon.
14. Are there any consequences for neglecting Eevee and letting its friendship drop?
The main consequence is that Eevee won’t evolve into friendship-based evolutions. There aren’t typically other negative repercussions within the game.
15. Where can I find more information about the mechanics of Pokémon and learning?
The Games Learning Society is an excellent resource for information about the intersection of gaming and education. You can find more at GamesLearningSociety.org or https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/. They have lots of research and insights into how games can be used for learning and development!
By following these tips and tricks, you’ll be well on your way to having an Eevee that not only loves you but is ready to evolve into its full potential! Happy training!