A number of Pokemon can only evolve through having a high Friendship level with their trainer in Pokémon Legends: Z-A. While battling opponents is an obvious avenue for raising this stat, there are a number of other methods as well.
This guide for Pokémon Legends: Z-A is all about checking and maximizing the Friendship ratings of your Pokemon.
Exp. Points
Having your Pokemon in your team in order to gain Exp. Points in battles is the natural way to boost Friendship with them. Exp. Candies will also do the trick, if you are willing to leverage the in-game economy through farming Mega Shards to exchange for items.
Note that letting them faint in battle has a negative impact on their Friendship rating.
Items
Aside from Exp. Candies there are also a bevy of other items you can use on or give them in order to bribe your Friendship rating higher. Various medicinal items, vitamins, mints, and berries all count towards this.
Note that berries can have a negative impact on base stats while boosting Friendship, as clearly indicated by their description.
Cafés
Sitting down at a Café with your Pokemon raises your Friendship rating, and you can simply repeat this a few times for some quick leveling.
Soothe Bell
This item is acquired well into the game, as a reward for completing side mission 036 ‘Some Friendly Competition’, which itself is unlocked during main mission 14 when the Canari Quiz Whiz Contest becomes accessible.
The Soothe Bell is a unique held item that boosts Friendship gains for the Pokemon in possession of it, and is ideally given to them right before attempting to rapidly jack up the rating through the use of other items.
How To Check Your Current Friendship Rating?
Trainers can check their Friendship level with a given Pokemon by visiting the NPC dedicated to the task. She is seated at the Café Pokémon-Amie, just north of Magenta Plaza. After initiating conversation, select a relevant Pokemon, either on the team or from your Boxes, to know the current status of your Friendship with them.
If you don’t see her there, you will need to complete side mission 025 ‘Trubblesome Patrons’, which itself is unlocked after main mission 09, in order to permit the Café to open its doors.
Which Friendship Ratings Are High Enough For Evolution?
A maximum Friendship is unnecessary for actually evolving relevant Pokemon, just a high enough rating will do. In descending order:
- “It’s incredibly friendly/amicable toward you! Being with you must make it very happy!”
- “You really do like this Pokémon, and always keep it by your side, don’t you?”
- “It looks to me like you and your Pokémon could still become an even more wonderful team!”
- “You two are fairly friendly, but I can tell there’s still plenty of room for you to grow closer!”
A poor Friendship rating is indicated by the following results, in descending order:
- “Well, it’s grown somewhat friendly toward you.. Yes, that’s what I’d call this.”
- “Hmmm.. I think your relationship may still take some time to build up.”
- “It almost looks like you’ve been letting it get KO’d in battles nonstop, but that can’t be right. Right?”
- “What’s this? Are you a disciplinarian? This poor Pokémon isn’t the least bit friendly toward you!”
That is everything you need to know about checking and increasing your Friendship rating with your Pokemon in Pokémon Legends: Z-A.
