You picked a buddy because it looked cool. Now you’re 50 kilometers in, and you realize you’ll never have enough candy to power it up. That’s the problem with picking a best buddy without a plan.
The buddy system in Pokémon GO isn’t just a cosmetic feature. It affects how fast you earn candy, which Pokémon get a CP boost, and how efficiently you use your playtime. If you’re a beginner, one wrong choice can waste weeks of walking.
Here’s a practical checklist to help you pick the right Pokémon to work toward Best Buddy status—without regret.
Step 1: Decide your goal first
Ask yourself one question: Why do I want a Best Buddy?
- For battles (PvP or Raids): You want a Pokémon that gets a real performance boost from the CP increase.
- For candy farming: You want a Pokémon that’s rare or that you need to evolve.
- For the medal/achievement: You just want the badge. Pick something easy to walk.
Most beginners skip this step and end up walking a Pokémon they can’t actually use. Be honest about your goal.
Step 2: Check the candy family
Not all candy is created equal. If your buddy is a common spawn (like Pidgey or Rattata), you’ll get candy from catching them faster than from walking. That’s a waste of walking distance.
Instead, check if the Pokémon is:
– Rare in your area
– A regional exclusive
– One you need to evolve multiple times (like Magikarp or Swablu)
– A legendary or pseudo-legendary
For example, if you need candy to evolve a Gyarados, walking a Magikarp is smart. Walking a common Caterpie is not.
Step 3: Look at the CP boost ceiling
When your Pokémon reaches Best Buddy, it gets a CP boost of one full level (up to level 51). This matters most for Pokémon that already have high CP potential.
Use a keyword research approach here: look up the max CP of Pokémon you’re considering. A high-CP Pokémon like Dragonite or Metagross gets a bigger absolute boost than a low-CP one like Wobbuffet.
For beginners, focus on Pokémon that are already strong in raids or gyms. A Best Buddy boost can turn a solid attacker into a beast.
Step 4: Check if it needs XL candy
This is a trap many beginners fall into. Some Pokémon require XL candy to power up past level 40. If you’re not level 40 yet, you can’t earn XL candy from walking them. That means walking a Pokémon like Mewtwo or Dialga before you hit level 40 is almost useless for powering up.
If you’re below level 40, choose a buddy that only needs regular candy. Later, when you’re ready, you can switch to an XL candy project.
Step 5: Set your walking distance expectation
Different Pokémon have different walking distances per candy.
– 1 km: Common, easy to farm candy (Pidgey, Rattata)
– 3 km: Most middle-tier Pokémon (Eevee, Ralts)
– 5 km: Stronger Pokémon, often pseudo-legendaries (Dratini, Larvitar)
– 20 km: Legendaries and Mythicals (Mewtwo, Lugia)
If you walk 5 km per day, a 20 km buddy gives you one candy every 4 days. A 3 km buddy gives you one candy every 1.5 days. For beginners, shorter distances are much more efficient.
Common mistakes beginners make
- Picking a buddy you can already catch. You don’t need to walk a common spawn. Catch them instead.
- Ignoring the CP boost. A Best Buddy boost is wasted on a weak Pokémon you’ll never use.
- Walking a legendary too early. You can’t earn XL candy below level 40, so the walking is mostly wasted.
- Not switching buddies. You can change your buddy daily. Don’t feel locked in.
Mini scenario: how a casual player saved 3 weeks of walking
A beginner named Alex wanted a Best Buddy. He picked his favorite Pokémon, a Pikachu. After 3 weeks of walking, he had a Best Buddy Pikachu with a tiny CP boost and not enough candy to evolve it into a Raichu (he needed a Thunder Stone, not walking). He wasted 3 weeks.
Then he switched to a Dratini, which he needed to evolve into Dragonite. He walked 3 km per candy, earned enough in 2 weeks, and evolved a Dragonite that actually helped in raids. The difference was planning.
Use a rank tracking mindset: track your progress weekly. If your buddy choice isn’t paying off, switch.
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FAQ
Q: Can I have more than one Best Buddy at the same time?
A: Yes, but only one can be your active buddy at a time. The CP boost from Best Buddy only applies while that Pokémon is your active buddy.
Q: Does the Best Buddy CP boost work in all battle modes?
A: It works in raids, gyms, and Team GO Rocket battles. It does not work in GO Battle League (PvP) unless the Pokémon is your active buddy at the time of battle.
Q: How long does it take to reach Best Buddy?
A: It takes about 30 days of daily play (feeding, playing, walking) to reach Best Buddy. The exact time depends on how much you interact each day.
Q: Should I prioritize a shiny or a high-IV Pokémon for Best Buddy?
A: Go with high IV (stats) over shiny. The CP boost from Best Buddy is more valuable on a Pokémon with good stats, especially for battles.
Q: Can I switch buddies and keep progress toward Best Buddy?
A: Yes, progress is saved per Pokémon. You can switch between multiple buddies and pick up where you left off.
