Decoding Your Pokémon’s Affection in Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl: Why the Petted Look?
So, your Pokémon in Brilliant Diamond (BD) and Shining Pearl (SP) keeps giving you that look. The one that screams, “Please, just a little scratch behind the ears?” While the game frustratingly doesn’t let you physically pet your Pokémon (we all wish!), this behavior is a clear signal: your friendship (also known as happiness or affection) level with that Pokémon is soaring! These adorable animations and text prompts are the game’s way of rewarding you for being a good trainer. They indicate that your bond is deepening, unlocking hidden benefits in battle and strengthening the connection you feel with your virtual partner. It’s all about the emotional link you forge!
Understanding Friendship vs. Affection in BDSP
It’s essential to understand that in BDSP, the terms friendship, happiness, and affection are often used interchangeably. While some Pokémon games, like those with Pokémon-Amie, have a distinct affection stat (raised through petting and playing), BDSP primarily focuses on friendship, a hidden value that increases based on your interactions with your Pokémon. There’s no actual petting mechanic to raise affection directly.
When you see text like “[Pokémon name] wants to be petted!” or “[Pokémon name] dozed off, relaxed around you!”, these are visual cues tied to this hidden friendship stat, which increases by doing things your Pokémon appreciates. These actions enhance your bond, which triggers special effects in battle, creating a far more engaging and emotional play experience.
How Friendship Levels Affect Gameplay
Higher friendship levels unlock several in-battle perks, making your Pokémon more likely to:
- Land critical hits: A sign that your Pokémon is fighting harder for you.
- Shake off status conditions: They don’t want to let you down!
- Endure attacks: They hold on with 1 HP, showcasing their determination.
- Avoid attacks altogether: Their reflexes seem sharper, fueled by your bond.
- Earn more experience: They level faster because they like being with you.
These subtle but significant advantages can turn the tide of battle, demonstrating the practical benefits of nurturing your Pokémon’s happiness.
Boosting Your Pokémon’s Friendship Level
Several actions contribute to increasing your Pokémon’s friendship level:
- Leveling up: A natural consequence of training together.
- Walking with your Pokémon: Keep your Pokémon in your party and take it on your journey!
- Healing at Pokémon Centers: They appreciate your care after a tough fight.
- Using Vitamins and Berries: These items, especially those sold in Eterna City, can boost stats and friendship.
- Winning battles: Achieving victory together strengthens the bond.
- Giving Massages: A daily massage in Veilstone City or a more expensive one at the Ribbon Syndicate in the Resort Area can drastically improve happiness.
Conversely, certain actions decrease friendship:
- Letting your Pokémon faint in battle: This is the quickest way to lower friendship.
- Using herbal medicine: Pokémon dislike the bitter taste of herbs, like Heal Powder, Energy Root, Energy Powder, and Revival Herb. However, using these items is sometimes necessary, and they won’t cause a significant drop in friendship.
The Role of Berries and Vitamins
Specifically, certain berries can drastically increase friendship while also boosting specific stats. The Pomeg, Kelpsy, Qualot, Hondew, Grepa, and Tamato Berries are all valuable for this purpose. Similarly, Vitamins like Protein, Iron, Calcium, Zinc, and HP Up not only raise your Pokémon’s stats but also contribute to increasing their friendship. Vitamins are particularly effective when given to Pokémon with lower happiness.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Pokémon Friendship in BDSP
1. How do I officially check my Pokémon’s friendship level in BDSP?
The Friendship Checker can be found in a house in Hearthome City. Talk to her with the Pokemon you want to check in your party. She will tell you phrases that give you an idea of how friendly your Pokemon is. If the Friendship Checker says “Looks up to you. It adores you!” that means your friendship is maxed out.
2. Can I turn off affection prompts in BDSP?
No, there is no setting to disable the affection-related text or animations. If the messages bother you, you can decrease your Pokémon’s friendship level. This is not recommended, as it diminishes the in-battle benefits.
3. Can Pokémon lose friendship in BDSP?
Yes, Pokémon can lose friendship. The most common cause is letting them faint in battle. Using bitter herbal medicine also lowers it.
4. Does trading Pokémon reset friendship?
Yes, trading resets friendship. However, if you trade a Pokémon and then trade it back, its friendship will be restored to its previous level. This feature keeps trainers from worrying about losing progress during trades with friends.
5. What’s the difference between friendship and affection in older Pokémon games?
In older games with Pokémon-Amie (like Pokémon X and Y), friendship (or happiness) was increased through standard actions like battling and leveling up, while affection was a separate stat increased through direct interaction with the Pokémon, such as petting and feeding. In BDSP, there is no separate affection stat or interaction outside of how it increases your Pokémon’s friendship.
6. How often can I give my Pokémon a massage in BDSP?
You can give your Pokémon one massage per day at the Massage Girl in Veilstone City and additional messages at the Ribbon Syndicate in the Resort Area. The Ribbon Syndicate massage is more effective but requires spending Battle Points.
7. What does it mean when my Pokémon shakes before a battle?
This animation indicates that your Pokémon has a high friendship level. This will typically result in additional battle benefits, like the ones listed above.
8. Does high friendship affect breeding?
No, friendship does not directly affect breeding in BDSP. Breeding depends on the compatibility of Pokémon species and genders.
9. What are the best berries to increase friendship in BDSP?
Pomeg, Kelpsy, Qualot, Hondew, Grepa, and Tamato Berries are the best choices. These lower specific stats while drastically increasing friendship, providing a balanced approach to Pokémon care.
10. How do I get the Eevee evolution Umbreon/Espeon in BDSP?
Eevee evolves into Umbreon or Espeon based on its friendship level and the time of day. Raise Eevee’s friendship to a high level and then level it up during the day (for Espeon) or at night (for Umbreon).
11. Can Pokémon have relationships with humans in the Pokémon world?
The nature of the relationships between humans and Pokémon is complex and varies. While Pokémon are generally considered companions and partners, some lore suggests deeper connections existed in the past.
12. How does friendship relate to Pokémon learning abilities?
Friendship itself doesn’t directly teach a Pokémon new moves. However, certain moves, like Return and Frustration, are directly affected by the Pokémon’s friendship level. Return becomes more powerful with higher friendship, while Frustration becomes more powerful with lower friendship.
13. Can using herbal medicine completely ruin my friendship with a Pokémon?
No, while using herbal medicine lowers friendship, it doesn’t completely ruin it. You can counteract the negative effects by continuing to engage in friendship-boosting activities.
14. Does running away from wild battles affect friendship?
No, running away from wild Pokémon battles does not affect your Pokémon’s friendship level.
15. Where can I learn more about the educational and social aspects of gaming?
The Games Learning Society is a great resource! Check out their website at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/ or GamesLearningSociety.org to find out more. They explore how games can be used in education and promote positive social change.
In conclusion, while you can’t physically pet your Pokémon in BDSP, those prompts and animations are meaningful indicators of a strong bond. Embrace them as a sign that you’re doing a great job caring for your team, and enjoy the in-battle benefits that come with it! Your Pokemon wants to be petted to show it has a high friendship with you.