The newest update for the hit Augmented Reality Game "Pokemon GO" will allow players to take a Buddy Pokemon with them on their journey, giving gamers a completely different monster-catching and training experience. Now users can have their Pokemon friend walking along with them as their official companion. The app will show Buddy Pokemon on the official menu screen, as well as give players additional candies while walking.
According to IGN, the first step in this system is to pick the Pokemon buddy, and it is highly suggested that the buddy be a Pokemon which is still below its max CP and evolution levels. Also, the rarity of the Pokemon determines the amount of kilometers needed in order to receive the free candy. The website showcases a table which contains the number of kilometers necessary for each specific Pokemon.
Switching Pokemon buddies is also easy if players want to earn candy for a different Pokemon. The Buddy menu provides the option for swapping out, but players should be cautious in doing so as any progress made with the current Buddy Pokemon will be reset when swapped out. The best time to swap Pokemon is right after the free candy has been received.
Aside from these technical mechanics, the Silph Road also reports that the update adds a brand-new Easter Egg to the Pokemon GO. All players can see their Pokemon buddy walk beside their trainer icon, but it seems that Pikachu, being the iconic Pokemon that it is, has a special trait.
Selecting this Pokemon as a buddy and walking it for 10 kilometers will make it hop on the trainer's shoulder, which clearly references the "Pokemon" animated series where Pikachu has a habit of riding on Ash's shoulder during their journeys.
With this update, Niantic's aim of eradicating cheaters seems to be much closer, but only time can tell if their efforts will be successful.
