As Pokemon Go continues to evolve and engage its global player base, one element has increasingly become a central part of the gameplay experience: the Friendship feature. Pokemon Go has taken the spirit of camaraderie and mutual aid intrinsic to the Pokemon series and brought it to life in a mobile format. This article will delve into how you can make the most of the Friendship feature to enhance your Pokemon Go experience.
Becoming Friends and Raising Friendship Levels
To become friends in Pokemon Go, trainers simply share their unique Trainer codes and accept the ensuing Friend requests. Once linked, Trainers can increase their Friendship Level by performing various in-game activities together, such as participating in Gym or Raid Battles, exchanging Gifts, or engaging in Trainer Battles.
Each activity improves your Friendship Level, advancing it through four stages: Good Friend, Great Friend, Ultra Friend, and Best Friend. Each stage offers increasing bonuses, including extra Premier Balls for Raids and a substantial amount of experience.
Trading Benefits
One of the main benefits of Friendship in Pokemon Go lies in the realm of trading. Not only does a higher Friendship Level reduce the amount of Stardust required for a trade, but it also increases the likelihood that a traded Pokemon becomes a Lucky Pokemon – a coveted status that reduces the Stardust cost for powering up.
Battling Together
Friends can team up in Gym and Raid Battles, and the higher your Friendship Level, the more attack bonus you'll receive during these encounters. This advantage can often be the difference between victory and defeat in high-level Raid Battles.
Gifts and Souvenirs
Friends can send and receive Gifts that contain helpful items, such as Potions, Berries, and even the elusive Rare Candy. As your Friendship Level increases, the number and quality of items you receive from Gifts also improve.
From level Ultra Friend onwards, your buddy Pokemon may also bring you Souvenirs, which are essentially mementos of their adventures. While Souvenirs don't provide any gameplay benefits, they add to the immersive experience and are fun collectibles.
Final Thoughts
In Pokemon Go, friendships aren't just for the sake of camaraderie - they offer tangible gameplay benefits that can greatly enhance your Pokemon Go experience. So go ahead and connect with fellow trainers, exchange those gifts, and dive into battles together. The road to becoming Best Friends might be long, but the journey is filled with rewarding experiences and mutual growth in the world of Pokemon Go.
