How to Maximize Your Pokémon’s Happiness in Sword and Shield: A Comprehensive Guide

Making your Pokémon happy in Pokémon Sword and Shield is crucial, especially if you want certain Pokémon to evolve. Raising their Friendship level unlocks powerful evolutions and strengthens your bond, making your team even more formidable. So, how do you make a Pokémon happy? The key is to consistently perform actions that Pokémon perceive as positive, such as battling alongside them, providing them with treats, and generally showing them affection. The game rewards players who nurture their Pokémon, making it a deeply satisfying aspect of gameplay.

Methods to Increase Friendship in Pokémon Sword and Shield

Several methods can improve your Pokémon’s Friendship:

1. Catching with Special Balls: Catching a Pokémon in a Luxury Ball or a Friend Ball gives an immediate boost to their initial Friendship.

2. Soothe Bell: Equipping your Pokémon with a Soothe Bell increases the Friendship gained from all other activities. You can obtain the Soothe Bell from a character located in Hammerlocke.

3. Battling: Simply having the Pokémon in your party and using them in battles will gradually raise its Friendship. Even better if they participate actively in those battles.

4. Vitamins: Feeding your Pokémon Vitamins like HP Up, Protein, Iron, Calcium, Zinc, or Carbos not only boosts their stats but also increases their Friendship.

5. Curry Making: Pokémon love a good meal! Cook up some delicious Curry at your Pokémon Camp, and your team will bond over the tasty food.

6. Berries: Certain Berries like Pomeg, Kelpsy, Qualot, Hondew, Grepa, and Tamato berries increase Friendship. These berries, however, lower specific Effort Values (EVs). This can be beneficial if you’re also EV training your Pokémon.

7. Keeping Them in Your Party: The simple act of keeping your Pokémon in your party as you explore the Galar region subtly increases their Friendship.

8. Avoiding Harmful Actions: Fainting in battle reduces Friendship. Try to keep your Pokémon healthy and avoid using bitter herbs, which negatively impact Friendship.

How to Check Friendship Level

Knowing how to check your Pokémon’s Friendship level is essential. The Friendship Checker is located in Hammerlocke. Speak to the NPC inside one of the houses to have them assess your Pokémon’s Friendship. They will provide clues based on the number of hearts that appear when you interact with your Pokémon. Two large hearts indicate maximum Friendship.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Pokémon Friendship

1. What is the maximum Friendship level in Pokémon Sword and Shield?

The Friendship level ranges from 0 to 255. A Friendship level of 160 or higher is typically considered sufficient for evolutions that require Friendship. However, some evolutions require an even higher Friendship level, often around 220. For example, Riolu needs a Friendship level of 220 or higher to evolve into Lucario.

2. How does the Soothe Bell affect Friendship gains?

The Soothe Bell is a crucial item that boosts the amount of Friendship gained from various activities. It multiplies the Friendship points earned, making it significantly easier and faster to raise your Pokémon’s Friendship level.

3. Do all Pokémon evolve through Friendship?

No, not all Pokémon evolve through Friendship. Only specific Pokémon require high Friendship to trigger their evolution. Examples include Eevee (into Espeon or Umbreon), Riolu (into Lucario), and Togepi (into Togetic), among others.

4. Can certain items decrease Friendship?

Yes, certain items, particularly bitter herbs like Energy Powder, Energy Root, Heal Powder, and Revival Herb, can negatively impact your Pokémon’s Friendship. Avoid using these items if you are trying to raise their Friendship.

5. How do EVs relate to Friendship berries?

The Friendship berries (Pomeg, Kelpsy, Qualot, Hondew, Grepa, Tamato) increase Friendship while reducing specific Effort Values (EVs). This can be strategically useful when EV training, allowing you to fine-tune your Pokémon’s stats while simultaneously increasing their Friendship.

6. How many Friendship berries are needed to max out a Pokémon’s happiness?

While holding the Soothe Bell, most Pokémon will reach max Happiness after consuming around 20 of these berries, assuming they started with a low Friendship level. The exact number can vary depending on the Pokémon’s starting Friendship.

7. Does trading reset Friendship?

Yes, trading a Pokémon resets its Friendship to a base level of 70. This is important to consider if you are planning to evolve a Pokémon via Friendship and then trade it.

8. What are some other ways to raise friendship in pokemon?

Aside from the previously mentioned methods, other ways include leveling up the Pokémon, and simply walking around with them in your party. Regular interaction through battling and participating in Pokemon Camp events all contribute.

9. How does fainting affect Friendship?

If a Pokémon faints in battle, it will lose Friendship points. Therefore, it is important to keep your Pokémon healthy and healed to prevent unnecessary decreases in Friendship.

10. Are Luxury Balls better than Friend Balls for raising Friendship?

The Luxury Ball provides a small boost to Friendship gains after catching the Pokémon, while the Friend Ball makes the Pokémon friendlier upon capture. The Luxury Ball is generally considered better for long-term Friendship building.

11. Does biking increase Friendship as much as walking?

Biking does increase friendship, as it builds up steps quickly, which helps in raising the happiness levels, similar to walking or running side-by-side with your Pokémon.

12. Do rare candies increase happiness?

Yes, Rare Candies can increase happiness, but the amount depends on the current Friendship level of the Pokémon. If the Friendship is low (0-99), a Rare Candy gives a +5 boost; if it’s moderate (100-199), it’s +3; and if it’s already high (200-255), it’s +2.

13. What Pokémon commonly evolve through Friendship?

Several notable Pokémon require high Friendship to evolve, including:

*   Eevee (into Espeon during the day and Umbreon at night) *   Riolu (into Lucario during the day) *   Togepi (into Togetic) *   Golbat (into Crobat) *   Budew (into Roselia during the day) 

14. What does the Friendship checker tell you?

The Friendship Checker in Hammerlocke provides visual cues about your Pokémon’s Friendship level. The NPC offers remarks that correspond to the number of hearts displayed when you interact with your Pokémon. Two large hearts signify maximum Friendship.

15. How many steps does it take to raise friendship in Pokemon?

The happiness in a Pokemon rises by one point every 256 steps the player takes. Friendship caps at 255 points.

Conclusion: Nurturing Your Pokémon in Sword and Shield

Raising your Pokémon’s Friendship in Pokémon Sword and Shield is an essential part of the game, enriching your experience and unlocking new evolutions. By using items like the Soothe Bell, feeding your Pokémon Friendship berries, battling alongside them, and keeping them in your party, you can foster a strong bond. Regular interaction through battling and participating in Pokemon Camp events all contribute. Checking the Friendship level in Hammerlocke helps you track your progress. Engaging with the game’s mechanics in this way not only improves your Pokémon team but also offers a rewarding sense of connection. Whether you’re a competitive player or simply enjoy the companionship of your Pokémon, understanding and utilizing these techniques will undoubtedly enhance your journey through the Galar region.

For more insights into game-based learning and the educational impact of games, visit the Games Learning Society website at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/ or GamesLearningSociety.org.