In Pokemon Red/Blue/Yellow, Pokemon could evolve by leveling up, when given an evolution stone, or by trading. While Pokemon Yellow was the first mainline Pokemon game to have Friendship, it wasn't until Pokemon Gold/Silver/Crystal where some species of Pokemon needed a high Friendship value in order to evolve. Since then, there have been countless evolution-by-friendship Pokemon with plenty of them returning in Pokemon Scarlet and Pokemon Violet.
Friendship could be difficult for trainers to increase. Many factors could decrease Friendship such as letting the Pokemon faint or healing it with herbal medicine. However, Pokemon Scarlet & Pokemon Violet have a few ways to quickly "level up" Friendship, so players would do well to keep them in mind when raising Pokemon with Friendship evolutions.
Pokemon That Evolve with High Friendship
Some of the Pokemon that evolve with Friendship can be caught early in the Paldea region. This gives the trainer and its partner Pokemon plenty of time to grow closer that they should evolve well before the midway point of Scarlet/Violet's campaign.
Normally, a Pokemon needs around 2-3 hearts (visible during Picnics) in order for evolution to take place. Another way to check Friendship is to speak to the NPC with the Marill in Cascarrafa. If she says "I'm sure you can become even closer," then trainers have a short way to go before the Pokemon will evolve.
The following list includes all Pokemon that are part of a Friendship evolution:
|
Pokemon |
Evolution |
Additional Requirements |
|---|---|---|
|
Pichu |
Pikachu |
N/A |
|
Eevee |
|
|
|
Chansey |
Blissey |
N/A |
|
Igglybuff |
Jigglypuff |
N/A |
|
Azurill |
Marill |
N/A |
|
Riolu |
Lucario |
When Riolu's Friendship is high enough, level it up during the day to evolve it into Lucario. |
|
Snom |
Frosmoth |
When Snom's friendship is high enough, level it up at night to evolve it into Frosmoth. |
How to Raise Friendship
While it's arguably easier to raise Friendship in recent Pokemon games compared to the earlier generations, it can still take time if players don't know what to do. Pokemon Scarlet and Pokemon Violet have several methods of increasing Friendship.
Walking
Walking adds a point towards Friendship after 128 steps. Thus, it's important to keep the Pokemon in the party and not in the PC. In addition to this, players can also have their Lead Pokemon walk alongside them. Lead Pokemon can be swapped out in the menu by hovering over the desired Pokemon and pressing Y-button.
By pressing ZR, trainers can send out their Lead Pokemon. This will allow the Pokemon to gather items, and by tapping R, trainers can have their Pokemon auto-battle wild Pokemon. In auto-battle: Once a Pokemon's HP drops to the red, it will return to its ball. Also, if the player character wanders too far from the Lead Pokemon, it will automatically return. This also applies when riding on Koraidon/Miraidon.
Using and Holding Items
Buy a Soothe Bell from Delibird Presents for 5000, and have the Pokemon hold it. This will double the amount of "Friendship Points" a Pokemon gains. There are also edible items such as Berries that will increase the Happiness of a Pokemon. However, be warned that these berries lowers one of the Pokemon's EVs.
Players can also feed their Pokemon Rare Candy, Exp. Candies, or Vitamins (ex: Calcium, Carbos). They won't give the same amount of points as a Friendship-Raising Berry, but this way, players won't have to worry about lowering any EVs.
Avoid feeding Pokemon herbal medicines.
Don't Let Pokemon Faint
Letting a Pokemon faint will decrease a Pokemon's happiness by 1 point if the opponent's level is 30 levels lower than the trainer's Pokemon. If the opponent's level is 30 levels higher, the trainer's Pokemon can lose anywhere from 5 to 10 points depending on their current Friendship Level.
Take Them On Picnics
Scarlet & Violet's Picnic feature is similar to the Camp feature in Sword & Shield. Here, trainers can create sandwiches, play ball, and even wash their Pokemon. Doing any of these activities will count towards a Pokemon's Happiness.
Sandwiches that are 3-star give the most points and will even recover HP, PP, and cure status conditions. Players can either follow a recipe or try to make their own from scratch. Sandwiches also give Meal Powers. One example of a Meal Power is increasing the Exp. Gain for a Type of Pokemon for a set amount of time.
The sandwiches that can be bought at the restaurants in Paldea will not increase friendship.
Pokemon Scarlet & Pokemon Violet are available for Nintendo Switch.