how to know if your pokemon has high friendship platinum

3 min read 15-04-2025

how to know if your pokemon has high friendship platinum

Knowing your Pokémon's friendship level is crucial in Pokémon Platinum, impacting evolution, moves learned, and even their battle performance. This guide will show you several ways to gauge your Pokémon's friendship and get that perfect bond!

Understanding Friendship in Pokémon Platinum

Friendship, or Affection, in Pokémon Platinum is a hidden stat that increases through various actions. A Pokémon with high friendship will be more likely to:

Evolve: Certain Pokémon require a high friendship level to evolve.
Learn powerful moves: Some move tutors require a certain level of friendship to unlock powerful moves.
Perform better in battle: While not directly impacting stats, a happier Pokémon may perform better, though it's not a quantifiable effect.

Ways to Check Friendship Level (Indirect Methods)

Unfortunately, there's no direct friendship meter in Pokémon Platinum. You'll have to use indirect methods to assess their affection:

1. Using the Pokémon Check

The easiest method is using the Pokémon summary screen. This won't give you a precise number, but it offers clues:

Look at the heart gauge: This is a visual indicator of happiness. A near-full heart gauge suggests high friendship. A completely full heart is an excellent sign.
Pay attention to their behavior: A Pokémon with high friendship might act differently in battle or in the summary screen. They might show more enthusiasm or have slightly different animations.
Note any dialogue: Certain NPCs may make comments about your Pokémon's happiness, hinting at its friendship level.

2. Using the Move "Return"

The move "Return" is a Normal-type move that is significantly powerful when used by a Pokémon with high friendship. Its power directly reflects the level of affection. Test this by having your Pokémon learn and use the "Return" move in battle. A high-powered Return is a great indication of high friendship.

3. Observing Their Behavior in Battle

While not precise, a Pokémon with high friendship might exhibit different behavior in battle:

Increased effort: They might seem to try harder, taking fewer avoidable hits.
Better obedience: They might be less likely to disobey commands. This is a subtle sign, though.
Improved critical hits: Anecdotal evidence suggests improved critical hit rates with higher friendship, but it's not confirmed.

Increasing Your Pokémon's Friendship

If you discover your Pokémon's friendship isn't as high as you'd like, here are some tips to improve it:

Frequent battling: Winning battles gradually increases friendship.
Winning streaks: Keeping a winning streak also boosts affection.
Using Vitamins: Items like Carbos, Protein, etc., increase stats and friendship.
Healing: Healing your Pokémon increases friendship.
Walking: Carrying your Pokémon with you increases friendship over time.
Grooming: Using items like Soothe Bell increases friendship at an increased rate.
Feeding Berries: Certain berries increase friendship more effectively than others.
Winning contests: Winning Pokémon contests is a great way to increase friendship.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Is there a specific friendship number needed for evolution?

A: The exact friendship level for evolution varies depending on the Pokémon. Generally, a near-full heart gauge usually suggests sufficient friendship.

Q: Does friendship affect stats directly?

A: No, friendship doesn't directly boost stats like HP or Attack. The effect is more subtle, potentially influencing in-battle performance.

Q: Are there any tools or calculators to track friendship?

A: No, there aren't any official tools. The methods above are the most reliable options.

Conclusion: Nurturing the Bond

Building a strong bond with your Pokémon in Pokémon Platinum goes beyond just winning battles. It's about the care and attention you provide, ensuring a stronger partnership. By using the methods outlined above, you can get a good sense of your Pokémon's friendship and nurture that crucial bond for success in your Platinum adventure. Remember, a happy Pokémon is a powerful Pokémon!