Friendship

If you were looking for the Friendship features in Pokémon GO, see Friends (GO).

Happiness redirects here. For the "Happiness Pokémon" category, see Blissey (Pokémon).

This page is in need of spading. See its section on the spading page for more information, and how you can help. Still needs research overall, especially regarding values.

This article is incomplete. Please feel free to edit this article to add missing information and complete it. Reason: Generation VIII information, manga section

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Friendship (Japanese: なつき度 degree of emotional attachment), also referred to as loyalty in Generation II core series games, tame in Pokémon Stadium 2 and friendliness in Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness, and commonly referred to by fans as happiness, is a measurement of how much a Pokémon is attached to its Trainer and enjoys being in their care.

It affects the evolution of certain Pokémon, the power of Return and Frustration, and the availability of a few in-game items and Ribbons. Certain events increase a Pokémon's friendship (gaining a level, walking a certain amount of steps) or decrease it (fainting, using herbal medicine).

Friendship was introduced in Pokémon Yellow for the player's starter Pikachu only, and expanded to cover all Pokémon in Generation II.

Friendship is not the same as Affection, a stat introduced in Generation VI. However, since Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!, the two have been combined, since while Affection does not exist in either the Let's Go games and Pokémon Sword and Shield, but Pokémon with high friendship gain the same benefits as those that have high affection in other games.

In the core series games

Friendship debuted in Generation I as a mechanic that applied only to the player's Pikachu in Pokémon Yellow. In Generation II, it was expanded to cover all Pokémon. In all games, friendship is a value that ranges from 0 to 255 (stored as a single byte). In Pokémon Yellow, Pikachu's friendship is indicated by the expression it shows when the player talks to it, but in later games, certain NPCs in the games will evaluate the friendship of a Pokémon in the player's party.

A Pokémon's friendship is generally set when the player first obtains it. When a Pokémon is first caught from the wild, its friendship starts at its base friendship value. Trading a Pokémon also resets its friendship to its base value, unless it is being traded back to its original Trainer in Generation VI or later, in which case it regains the friendship it had before being traded away. A Pokémon caught in a Friend Ball starts with 200 friendship instead of its base friendship, while a Pokémon hatched from an Egg starts with 120 friendship.

Friendship is generally increased by taking good care of a Pokémon. Keeping a Pokémon in the player's party, raising it, using items on it, and getting it groomed will all increase a Pokémon's friendship. Letting it faint and using bitter herbal medicines on it will decrease a Pokémon's friendship.

Boosting friendship

In Pokémon Crystal, if a Pokémon is leveled up at its met location, it will gain twice as much friendship from that level up as usual. Since only Pokémon caught in Pokémon Crystal have a defined met location, Pokémon caught in the Generation I games, Pokémon Gold and Silver, and Pokémon from in-game trades will not receive this bonus. If a Pokémon that has a defined met location is traded to a Generation I game, this data is permanently erased, so it can no longer receive this bonus.

Starting in Generation III, if a Pokémon was caught in a Luxury Ball or is currently at the same location where it was caught (its met location), any increase to its friendship is boosted by an extra point (two points if both apply). If a Pokémon is holding a Soothe Bell, increases to its friendship are boosted by 50% of the change. In Generation III, Soothe Bell applies directly to the original change in friendship, while in later games, it applies to the friendship change after including Luxury Ball and met location bonuses. In Generation IV, being at its met location does not change the amount of friendship a Pokémon gains, but it does from Generation V onward.

In Generation V, the Befriending Power Pass Power boosts any increase to friendship by one to three points depending on the strength of the power used. In Generation VI, the Befriending Power O-Power has the same effect. Befriending Power does not exist in Generation VII.

None of these effects change the amount of friendship lost for negative changes or for changes of 0 (such as using an X Attack on a Pokémon with high friendship).

Mechanics using friendship

In Pokémon Yellow, friendship affected very little beyond the reactions Pikachu would show when interacted with.

Starting in Generation II, there are Pokémon that evolve by friendship, which can only evolve if they have 220 friendship or more. Additionally, the moves Return and Frustration vary in power depending on how high or low the user's friendship is.

From Generation IV onward, there is a Ribbon for Pokémon with maximum friendship, the Footprint Ribbon.

Some NPCs also only give gifts or teach moves when the player's Pokémon has a certain amount of friendship. Specifically, a Pokémon must have maximized friendship to learn Draco Meteor, Frenzy Plant, Blast Burn, Hydro Cannon, Grass Pledge, Fire Pledge, or Water Pledge in any generation.

In Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, Nameless Cavern becomes unlocked once the player has three Pokémon with maximum friendship on their team.

In Generation I

Pikachu with high friendship

In Pokémon Yellow, there is a friendship system exclusively for the player's starter Pikachu. Any Pikachu that the player is the Original Trainer of (according to their Original Trainer name and Trainer ID number) is treated as the player's starter Pikachu. Raichu and Outsider Pikachu are not affected, even if the Raichu was the player's starter Pokémon but evolved (which can only be done by first trading it to another game).

The starter Pikachu follows the player in the overworld, if it is in the party and not fainted (if the player has multiple, Pikachu will follow if the first starter Pikachu in the party is not fainted). If the player interacts with Pikachu, a window will pop up showing Pikachu's face, and the expression is affected by Pikachu's current friendship (though certain special events may elicit special reactions unrelated to Pikachu's current friendship). At maximum friendship, Pikachu jumps up and down before the window appears.

In Cerulean City, Melanie gives the player a Bulbasaur if the starter Pikachu's friendship is 147 or higher. Pikachu does not need to be in the player's party or even in the game itself to receive this Bulbasaur. This is the only significance of friendship outside of interacting with Pikachu.

Pikachu starts with a base friendship of 90. Various actions can increase or decrease Pikachu's friendship level.

Event		Change based on current friendship
		0 to 99	100 to 199	200 to 255
Starter Pikachu levels up while in the party		+5	+3	+2
Use medicine on starter Pikachu (even if unsuccessful), other than PP Up, Full Heal, Revive, Max Revive, Ether, Max Ether, Elixer, Max Elixer
Challenge a Gym Leader with non-fainted starter Pikachu in the party (if the player has multiple, the first Pikachu in the party must not be fainted)		+3	+2	+1
Walk 255 steps with Pikachu following (50% chance)		+2	+1
Teach Pikachu a TM or HM move		+1		0
Use a battle item on starter Pikachu (even if unsuccessful), other than X Accuracy
Starter Pikachu faints (including during link battles)	If opponent is less than 30 levels higher	-1
	If opponent is at least 30 levels higher, or outside of battle	-5		-10
Deposit starter Pikachu in the Pokémon Storage System from the party		-3		-5
Trade Pikachu away		-10		-20

There is a single friendship value per game, and it remains even if the starter Pikachu is traded away. Trading away Pikachu will decrease its friendship, but this decreased value will be remembered when it returns. The player can still obtain Bulbasaur from Melanie if Pikachu has the appropriate friendship, even if they no longer have a starter Pikachu in their game. If the player has multiple Pikachu which qualify as their starter Pikachu in a single game, all of these Pikachu share the same friendship value, so any friendship-modifying event applies to all of them.

Vitamins, battle items and HP-restoring items increase Pikachu's friendship even if they have no effect. For example, attempting to use a Potion on a Pikachu that has fainted or has full health, an Antidote when Pikachu is not poisoned, Calcium when Pikachu has already reached its maximum Special stat experience, or X Special when the Special stat has already been raised 6 stages in battle. This does not consume the item, so the same item can repeatedly increase Pikachu's friendship. However, battle items such as X Special only raise Pikachu's friendship if they are used in-battle, since they are unusable outside battles in the first place. Waking Pikachu up with the Poké Flute (either in or out of battle) does not change its friendship.

In Generation II

In Generation II, friendship was expanded to cover all Pokémon. All Pokémon have a base friendship of 70, but any Pokémon caught in a Friend Ball starts with 200 friendship and any Pokémon hatched from an Egg starts with 120 friendship.

In Pokémon Gold, Silver, and Crystal, an NPC who will evaluate the friendship of the first Pokémon in the player's party can be found at Goldenrod City.

The met location boost was first introduced in Pokémon Crystal.

Event		Change based on current friendship
		0 to 99	100 to 199	200 to 255
Grooming (haircut brothers) "<Pokémon> looks [...]"	"delighted!" (younger brother: 50%)	+10		+4
	"delighted!" (older brother: 30%)	+5		+2
	"happy!" (older brother: 10%, younger: 20%)	+3		+1
	"a little happier." (older brother: 60%, younger: 30%)	+1
Level up	AlwaysGS/Anywhere except met locationC	+5	+3	+2
	At met locationC	+10	+6	+4
Using a vitamin†		+5	+3	+2
Battling against a Gym Leader, Elite Four member, the Champion, or Red (whole party)		+3	+2	+1
Grooming (Daisy)		+3		+1
Walking 512 steps (whole party)		+1
Learn a TM		+1		0
Using a battle item††		+1		0
Fainting	If opponent is less than 30 levels higher	-1
	If opponent is at least 30 levels higher, or outside of battle	-5		-10
Using EnergyPowder or Heal Powder		-5		-10
Using Energy Root		-10		-15
Using Revival Herb		-15		-20

†: Vitamins affected include HP Up, Protein, Iron, Calcium, and Carbos
††: Battle items affected include X Attack, X Defend, X Speed, and X Special

In Generation III

In Generation III, different species of Pokémon were given individualized base friendship values. The Luxury Ball and Soothe Bell boosts were also introduced.

In Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald, an NPC who will evaluate the friendship of the first Pokémon in the player's party can be found at Verdanturf Town. In Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen, Daisy Oak will perform the same service in Pallet Town. In addition, in Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen, the degree to which a Pokémon moves towards the screen after an item is used on it will also indicate how high its friendship is.

In the table below, fainting in battle will not alter a Pokémon's friendship if it fainted from poison at the end of a turn.

Event		Change based on current friendship
		0 to 99	100 to 199	200 to 255
Using friendship-raising Berries†E		+10	+5	+2
Vivid ScentXD		+5	+4	+3
Level up		+5	+3	+2
Using a vitamin††		+5	+3	+2
Excite ScentXD		+4	+3	+2
Grooming (Daisy)FRLG		+3		+1
Battling against a Gym Leader, Elite Four member, or the Champion (whole party)		+3	+2	+1
Joy ScentXD		+3	+2	+1
Walking 255 steps (50% chance, whole party)		+1
Learn a TM or HM		+1		0
Using a battle item†††		+1		0
Fainting	If opponent is less than 30 levels higher	-1
	If opponent is at least 30 levels higher, or outside of battle	-5		-10
Using EnergyPowder or Heal Powder		-5		-10
Using Energy Root		-10		-15
Using Revival Herb		-15		-20

†: Berries affected include Pomeg Berry, Kelpsy Berry, Qualot Berry, Hondew Berry, Grepa Berry, and Tamato Berry (No. 21-26)
††: Vitamins affected include HP Up, Protein, Iron, Calcium, Zinc, Carbos, PP Up, PP Max, and Rare Candy
†††: Battle items affected include X Attack, X Defend, X Speed, X Special, X Accuracy, Dire Hit, and Guard Spec.

In Generation IV

This section is incomplete. Please feel free to edit this section to add missing information and complete it. Reason: Figure out the probabilities for the variable massage/grooming events

The Pokétch's Friendship Checker app with a Drifblim at maximum friendship.

In Generation IV only, a Pokémon's met location does not affect the amount of friendship it gains. In Pokémon Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum, the massage at the Ribbon Syndicate is also not affected by any friendship boosts, and the Soothe Bell does not affect friendship gained when using a battle item.

In Pokémon Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum, an NPC who will evaluate the friendship of the first Pokémon in the player's party can be found in Hearthome City, or the player may use the Friendship Checker app on the Pokétch. In Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver, an NPC in Goldenrod City will also evaluate the friendship of the first Pokémon in the player's party, or a walking Pokémon's friendship may also be gauged by its reaction when speaking to it.

Event		Change based on current friendship
		0 to 99	100 to 199	200 to 255
Massage (Ribbon Syndicate)DPPt "Our treatment has made your pampered baby [...] friendly to you."	"much more"	+30
	"more"	+10
	"a little more"	+5
Grooming (haircut brothers)HGSS "<Pokémon> looks [...]"	"delighted!"	+10
	"happy."	+5
	"a little happier."	+1
Grooming (Daisy)HGSS		+10
Using friendship-raising Berries†		+10	+5	+2
Level up		+5	+3	+2
Using a vitamin††		+5	+3	+2
Massage (Veilstone City Massage Girl)DPPt		+3
Battling against a Gym Leader, Elite Four member, or the Champion (whole party)		+3	+2	+1
Walking 255 steps (50% chance, whole party)		+1
Learn a TM or HM		+1		0
Using a battle item†††		+1		0
Fainting	If opponent is less than 30 levels higher	-1
	If opponent is at least 30 levels higher	-5		-10
Surviving poison with 1 HP outside of battle		-5		-10
Using EnergyPowder or Heal Powder		-5		-10
Using Energy Root		-10		-15
Using Revival Herb		-15		-20

†: Berries affected include Pomeg Berry, Kelpsy Berry, Qualot Berry, Hondew Berry, Grepa Berry, and Tamato Berry (No. 21-26)
††: Vitamins affected include HP Up, Protein, Iron, Calcium, Zinc, Carbos, PP Up, PP Max, and Rare Candy
†††: Battle items affected include X Attack, X Defend, X Speed, X Special, X Accuracy, Dire Hit, and Guard Spec.

In Generation V

This section is incomplete. Please feel free to edit this section to add missing information and complete it. Reason: Effects of Makeups at the Beauty Salon; check whether boosts like Luxury Ball apply to Join Avenue events

Generation V introduced Befriending Power as a Pass Power to boost friendship gains.

Friendship boosts do not apply to the massage in Castelia City.

In the Generation V games, an NPC who will evaluate the friendship of the Pokémon in the player's party can be found in Icirrus City, with a second NPC only found in Nacrene City during Pokémon Black and White who checks the player's first Pokémon. In Pokémon Black 2 and White 2, the player may also contact Bianca on the Xtransceiver to have their Pokémon's friendship rated.

Event		Change based on current friendship
		0 to 99	100 to 199	200 to 255
Beauty Salon: getting a Royal CutW2		+50
Beauty Salon: getting a Beauty CutB2		+40
Beauty Salon: getting a Smile CutB2W2		+30
Massage (Castelia StreetBW/Medal OfficeB2W2) "The massage has made your Pokémon [...] friendly to you!"	"much more" (6%)	+30
	"more" (20%)	+10
	"a little bit more" (74%)	+5
Beauty Salon: getting a ShampooB2W2		+20
Café: getting a Friendly ComboB2W2		+20
Beauty Salon: getting a BrushingB2W2		+10
Café: getting a Friendly LunchB2W2		+10
Using friendship-raising Berries†		+10	+5	+2
Café: getting a Friendly DrinkB2W2		+5
Level up in battle		+5	+4	+3
Battling against a Gym Leader, Elite Four member, or the Champion (whole party)		+5	+4	+3
Using a vitamin††		+5	+3	+2
Using a wing		+3	+2	+1
Walking 255 steps (50% chance, whole party)		+2		+1
Learn a TM or HM		+1		0
Using a battle item†††		+1		0
Fainting	If opponent is less than 30 levels higher	-1
	If opponent is at least 30 levels higher	-5		-10
Using EnergyPowder or Heal Powder		-5		-10
Using Energy Root		-10		-15
Using Revival Herb		-15		-20

†: Berries affected include Pomeg Berry, Kelpsy Berry, Qualot Berry, Hondew Berry, Grepa Berry, and Tamato Berry (No. 21-26)
††: Vitamins affected include HP Up, Protein, Iron, Calcium, Zinc, Carbos, PP Up, PP Max, and Rare Candy
†††: Battle items affected include X Attack, X Defend, X Speed, X Special, X Accuracy, Dire Hit, and Guard Spec.

In Generation VI

This section is incomplete. Please feel free to edit this section to add missing information and complete it. Reason: Check if Pokéblocks add friendship and chance of increasing friendship every 128 steps

In Generation VI, Befriending Power becomes an O-Power.

Friendship boosts do not apply to massages, drinks from the Juice Shoppe, or the Soothing Bag in Super Training.

In Pokémon X and Y, an NPC who will evaluate the friendship of the first Pokémon in the player's party can be found early on in Santalune City, or later in Laverre City. In Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, an NPC in Verdanturf Town will also evaluate the friendship of the first Pokémon in the player's party.

Event		Change based on current friendship
		0 to 99	100 to 199	200 to 255
Massage (Secret Pals)ORAS		+30
Massage (Cyllage CityXY/Mauville CityORAS) "The massage made your Pokémon [...] friendly toward you"	"much more" (6%)	+30
	"more" (20%)	+10
	"a little bit more" (74%)	+5
Super Training: Soothing Bag		+20
Juice Shoppe: Colorful Shake	Custom-made	+12 to 32 (depending on Berries used)
	Pre-made	+1 per $100
Using friendship-raising Berries†		+10	+5	+2
Level up in battle		+5	+4	+3
Battling against a Gym Leader, Elite Four member, or the Champion (whole party)		+5	+4	+3
Using a vitamin††		+5	+3	+2
Juice Shoppe: Rare Soda, Ultra Rare Soda, Perilous Soup, or EV Juices		+4
Using a wing		+3	+2	+1
Walking 128 steps (sometimes; for whole party)		+2		+1
Using a battle item†††		+1		0
Fainting	If opponent is less than 30 levels higher	-1
	If opponent is at least 30 levels higher	-5		-10
Using Energy Powder or Heal Powder		-5		-10
Using Energy Root		-10		-15
Using Revival Herb		-15		-20

†: Berries affected include Pomeg Berry, Kelpsy Berry, Qualot Berry, Hondew Berry, Grepa Berry, and Tamato Berry (No. 21-26)
††: Vitamins affected include HP Up, Protein, Iron, Calcium, Zinc, Carbos, PP Up, PP Max, and Rare Candy
†††: Battle items affected include X Attack, X Defense, X Speed, X Sp. Atk, X Sp. Def, X Accuracy, Dire Hit, and Guard Spec.

In Generation VII

Pokémon Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun, and Ultra Moon

This section is incomplete. Please feel free to edit this section to add missing information and complete it. Reason: Check Festival Plaza events and walking mechanics

Friendship boosts do not apply to massages.

In Pokémon Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, an NPC who will evaluate the friendship of a Pokémon in the player's party can be found in Konikoni City.

Event		Change based on current friendship
		0 to 99	100 to 199	200 to 255
Massage (Konikoni City)	"I think you'll notice a lot of friendly feelings!"	+40
	"[It] helped inspire some good, friendly feelings toward you."	+20
	"It's feeling a bit more friendly toward you already, I'd say."	+10
Food stalls: getting a Friendly Combo		+20
Food stalls: getting a Friendly Lunch		+10
Food stalls: getting a Friendly Drink		+5
Using friendship-raising Berries†		+10	+5	+2
Isle Avue hot springs		+5
Level up in battle		+5	+4	+3
Battling against an Island Kahuna, Elite Four member, or the Champion (whole party)		+5	+4	+3
Using a vitamin††		+5	+3	+2
Using a wing		+3	+2	+1
Walking 128 steps (sometimes; for whole party)		+2		+1
Using a battle item†††		+1		0
Fainting	If opponent is less than 30 levels higher	-1
	If opponent is at least 30 levels higher	-5		-10
Using Energy Powder or Heal Powder		-5		-10
Using Energy Root		-10		-15
Using Revival Herb		-15		-20

†: Berries affected include Pomeg Berry, Kelpsy Berry, Qualot Berry, Hondew Berry, Grepa Berry, and Tamato Berry (No. 21-26)
††: Vitamins affected include HP Up, Protein, Iron, Calcium, Zinc, Carbos, PP Up, PP Max, and Rare Candy
†††: Battle items affected include X Attack, X Defense, X Speed, X Sp. Atk, X Sp. Def, X Accuracy, Dire Hit, and Guard Spec.

Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!

This section is incomplete. Please feel free to edit this section to add missing information and complete it. Reason: How to raise friendship (ie walking or feeding candy) and friendship benefits (ie those seen with affection)

In Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!, friendship is factored into all of a Pokémon's stats, except HP. At maximum friendship, a Pokémon will receive a 10% boost to its stats, before AVs are added in. The friendship multiplier scales directly with the level of friendship, starting from a 0% boost at 0 friendship to receiving the full 10% at 255.

Evolutions

Several Pokémon evolve after being leveled up when their friendship value is 220 or higher.

Previous evolution		Friendship evolution			Later evolution
Zubat  Poison  Flying	Level 22+ →	Golbat  Poison  Flying	+ Level Up (with high friendship) →	Crobat  Poison  Flying	Crobat does not evolve
Meowth is the lowest in its line		Meowth Alolan Form  Dark	+ Level Up (with high friendship) →	Persian Alolan Form  Dark	Persian does not evolve
Happiny  Normal	+ File:Day Icon.png + Level Up (during the daytime holding Oval Stone) →	Chansey  Normal	+ Level Up (with high friendship) →	Blissey  Normal	Blissey does not evolve
Eevee is the lowest in its line		Eevee  Normal	+ File:Day Icon.png + Level Up (during the daytime with high friendship) →	Espeon  Psychic	Espeon does not evolve
			+ File:Night Icon.png + Level Up (during the nighttime with high friendship) →	Umbreon  Dark	Umbreon does not evolve
Pichu is the lowest in its line		Pichu  Electric	+ Level Up (with high friendship) →	Pikachu  Electric	Thunder Stone →	Raichu  Electric
					+ Thunder Stone (in Alola) →	Raichu Alolan Form  Electric  Psychic
Cleffa is the lowest in its line		Cleffa  Fairy	+ Level Up (with high friendship) →	Clefairy  Fairy	Moon Stone →	Clefable  Fairy
Igglybuff is the lowest in its line		Igglybuff  Normal  Fairy	+ Level Up (with high friendship) →	Jigglypuff  Normal  Fairy	Moon Stone →	Wigglytuff  Normal  Fairy
Togepi is the lowest in its line		Togepi  Fairy	+ Level Up (with high friendship) →	Togetic  Fairy  Flying	Shiny Stone →	Togekiss  Fairy  Flying
Azurill is the lowest in its line		Azurill  Normal  Fairy	+ Level Up (with high friendship) →	Marill  Water  Fairy	Level 18+ →	Azumarill  Water  Fairy
Budew is the lowest in its line		Budew  Grass  Poison	+ File:Day Icon.png + Level Up (during the daytime with high friendship) →	Roselia  Grass  Poison	Shiny Stone →	Roserade  Grass  Poison
Buneary is the lowest in its line		Buneary  Normal	+ Level Up (with high friendship) →	Lopunny  Normal	Lopunny does not evolve
Chingling is the lowest in its line		Chingling  Psychic	+ File:Night Icon.png + Level Up (during the nighttime with high friendship) →	Chimecho  Psychic	Chimecho does not evolve
Munchlax is the lowest in its line		Munchlax  Normal	+ Level Up (with high friendship) →	Snorlax  Normal	Snorlax does not evolve
Riolu is the lowest in its line		Riolu  Fighting	+ File:Day Icon.png + Level Up (during the daytime with high friendship) →	Lucario  Fighting  Steel	Lucario does not evolve
Woobat is the lowest in its line		Woobat  Psychic  Flying	+ Level Up (with high friendship) →	Swoobat  Psychic  Flying	Swoobat does not evolve
Sewaddle  Bug  Grass	Level 20+ →	Swadloon  Bug  Grass	+ Level Up (with high friendship) →	Leavanny  Bug  Grass	Leavanny does not evolve
Type: Null is the lowest in its line		Type: Null  Normal	+ Level Up (with high friendship) →	Silvally  Normal	Silvally does not evolve
Snom is the lowest in its line		Snom  Ice  Bug	+ File:Night Icon.png + Level Up (during the nighttime with high friendship) →	Frosmoth  Ice  Bug	Frosmoth does not evolve

Raters

Friendship raters are NPCs that will indicate the friendship of the first Pokémon in the player's party when spoken to.

Locations

Region	City	Location: NPC	Distinct evaluations
Kanto	Pallet Town (FRLG)	Blue's house: Daisy	7
	Pallet Town (PE)	Rival's house: Rival's sister	?
Johto	Goldenrod City	House east of the Department Store: woman	6
	Goldenrod CitySu	Goldenrod Department Store, fifth floor: woman	3
Hoenn	Verdanturf Town	Southwestern-most house: woman	7
	Pacifidlog Town	Southwestern-most house: Gentleman	3
Orre (XD only)	Gateon Port	Krabby Club, upper floor: the captain	7
Sinnoh	Hearthome City	Pokémon Fan Club (east of the Poké Mart): Beauty	6DP or 7Pt
	Route 213	House south of the Pastoria City gate: Dr. Footstep	5
	Eterna City	Pokémon Center: Aroma Lady	3
	Pokétch: Friendship Checker app		5
Unova	Icirrus City	Pokémon Fan Club (south of Gym): woman	7
	Nacrene City	Building east of the Pokémon Center: woman with a Pokémon	3
	B2W2: Call Bianca on the Xtransceiver		7
Kalos	Santalune City	House west of the Pokémon Center: Beauty	3
	Laverre City	Pokémon Fan Club (in the northwest): Pokémon Breeder	7
Alola	Konikoni City	Female Veteran next to the TM Shop's street sign	7
Galar	Hammerlocke	Young boy in building across the street from the Pokémon Center closest to the entrance	7

The Johto and Hoenn raters in the Goldenrod Department Store and Pacifidlog Town will give out TM21 (Frustration) or TM27 (Return) (or neither) depending on the friendship of the player's lead Pokémon.

Evaluation

Gold, Silver, and Crystal

Statement	Friendship
Goldenrod City
"It looks really happy! It must love you a lot."	250-255
"I get the feeling that it really trusts you."	200-249
"It's friendly toward you. It looks sort of happy."	150-199
"It's quite cute."	100-149
"You should treat it better. It's not used to you."	50-99
"It doesn't seem to like you at all. It looks mean."	0-49
Goldenrod Department Store (Sunday only)
"It's very attached to you. This move should be perfect for a pair like you."	150-255
"It's adorable! You should teach it good TM moves."	50-149
"It looks evil. How about this TM for it?"	0-49

Stadium 2

While there is no NPC that rates friendship, when viewing a table with Pokémon, its value is listed there (along other elements such as type, Trainer ID number or item), in levels. Pokémon data read from a Generation I game will always be rated as Not quite, even for Red's Pikachu in Pokémon Yellow, which does have its friendship tracked.

Rating	Friendship
Excellent	250-255
Very good	200-249
Pretty good	150-199
A little bit	100-149
Not quite	50-99
Not at all	0-49

Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald

Statement	Friendship
Verdanturf Town
"It adores you. It can't possibly love you any more. I even feel happy seeing it."	255
"It seems to be very happy. It obviously likes you a whole lot."	200-254
"It likes you quite a lot. It seems to want to be babied a little."	150-199
"It's getting used to you. It seems to believe in you."	100-149
"It's not very used to you yet. It neither loves nor hates you."	50-99
"It's very wary. It has scary viciousness in its eyes. It doesn't like you much at all."	1-49
"This is a little hard for me to say… Your Pokémon simply detests you. Doesn't that make you uncomfortable?"	0
Pacifidlog Town
"It clearly likes you very much. A Pokémon that adoring and adorable deserves a TM like this, no?"	151-255
"Hmm… It's not bad, but it's also not good. You, as the Trainer, need to put in some more effort."	100-150
"It has a vicious look to it. A frightening Pokémon like that deserves a TM like this."	0-99

Box: Ruby and Sapphire

In Pokémon Box: Ruby and Sapphire, when viewing a table of Pokémon, the Pokémon's friendship rating is listed, along with other properties (e.g. type, level, etc.).

Rating	Friendship
Excellent	250-255
Very good	200-249
Good	150-199
So-so	100-149
Not good	50-99
Meager	0-49

FireRed and LeafGreen

Main article: Daisy Oak

Statement	Friendship
"It couldn't possibly love you any more than it does now. Your Pokémon is happy beyond words."	255
"It looks very happy. I wish <rival> could see this and learn something from it."	200-254
"It's quite friendly with you. Keep being good to it!"	150-199
"It's warming up to you. Trust must be growing between you."	100-149
"It's not quite familiar with you yet. Pokémon are all quite wary when you first get them."	50-99
"<Player>, I don't like the way it glares at you. Could you try being a little nicer to it?"	1-49
"…Um, it's not easy for me to say this, but… Is there some reason why your Pokémon would hate you so much?"	0

XD: Gale of Darkness

The friendship rater is located inside the Krabby Club in Gateon Port. He is upstairs, straight to the rear of the club (not the ones backstage) and standing near the bartender. He looks like a boat captain. He is present after starting the events in Pyrite Town.

Statement	Friendship
"It simply adores you! It couldn't possibly get to like you more. This is wonderful!"	255
"It seems to like you very much. Your Pokémon seems to be very happy that it's with you."	200-254
"It likes you quite a bit. It wants to be pampered by you."	150-199
"It's growing friendly toward you. It seems to believe in you."	100-149
"It doesn't seem to be used to you yet. You should treat it kindly."	50-99
"Hmm… It's not friendly toward you. The look in its eyes is frightening. You should treat it more kindly."	1-49
"… This is awful. It detests you to a degree I hardly ever see. Are you sure you'll be okay?"	0

Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum

Statement	Friendship
Dr. Footstep
Refer to Dr. Footstep → Friendship levels.
Friendship Checker (Pokétch app)
Two large hearts	255
Two small hearts	200-254
One small heart	150-199
No hearts (moves towards stylus)	70-149
No hearts (moves away from stylus)	0-69
Eterna City
"It seems to like you. It must be happy being with you."	120-255
"It's becoming comfortable around you, I think."	70-119
"Hmm… It needs to get used to you more."	0-69
Hearthome City
"It simply adores you! Why, I feel like I am intruding!"	255
"It's very friendly toward you. I can tell you treat it kindly."	200-254
"It's quite friendly to you. It must be happy being with you."	150-199
"It's warming up to you. That's my impression."	100-149
"It's feeling neutral toward you. It's up to you to change that."	50-99
"Hmm… It seems to dislike you a little."	1-49
"Oh, my… I think this one really hasn't taken too kindly to you."	0

HeartGold and SoulSilver

Statement	Friendship
Goldenrod City
"It looks really happy! It must love you a lot."	250-255
"I get the feeling that it really trusts you."	200-249
"It's friendly toward you. It looks sort of happy."	150-199
"It's quite cute."	100-149
"You should treat it better. It's not used to you."	50-99
"It doesn't seem to like you at all. It looks mean."	0-49
Goldenrod Department Store (Sunday only)
"It's very attached to you. This move should be perfect for a pair like you."	149-255
"It's adorable! You should teach it good TM moves."	51-148
"It looks evil. How about this TM for it?"	0-50

Black and White

Statement	Friendship
Nacrene City
"It's very friendly toward you! It must be happy with you."	120-255
"It's a little bit friendly to you… Something like that."	70-119
"Hmmm… It may still take some time."	0-69
Icirrus City
"It is super friendly to you! I'm a bit jealous!"	255
"It is quite friendly to you! You must be a kind person!"	200-254
"It is friendly to you. It must be happy with you."	150-199
"It is a little friendly to you… That's what I'm getting."	100-149
"The relationship is neither good nor bad… It looks neutral."	50-99
"Hmmm… It may not like you very much."	1-49
"By any chance, you… Are you a very strict person? I feel that it really doesn't like you…"	0

Black 2 and White 2

Statement	Friendship
Icirrus City
"It is super friendly to you! I'm a bit jealous!"	255
"It is quite friendly to you! You must be a kind person!"	200-254
"It is friendly to you. It must be happy with you."	150-199
"It is a little friendly to you… That's what I'm getting."	100-149
"The relationship is neither good nor bad… It looks neutral."	50-99
"Hmmm… It may not like you very much."	1-49
"By any chance, you… Are you a very strict person? I feel that it really doesn't like you…"	0
Bianca
"What great friends you are! It's so nice how you trust each other! It makes me kinda jealous!"	255
"You two sure get along great! It looks like you are having fun together! You seem bright and cheerful!"	200-254
"You seem really close! You look so, so happy! It's enough to make me happy too!"	150-199
"You're starting to get to be friends. Just maybe, walking along the same path has made you understand one another."	100-149
"You still have room for improvement. How nice! I mean, you can become even better friends!"	50-99
"You aren't getting along, are you? It's glaring at you with a look that's kinda scary."	1-49
"You aren't getting along, are you? It doesn't look like it's having fun even when you're together."	0

X and Y

Statement	Friendship
Santalune City
"Let's see, you and <Pokémon> are… Very connected to each other! That's what it looks like to me!"	120-255
"Let's see, you and <Pokémon> are… Just getting to know each other… Yes, I think that's how I'd put it."	70-119
"Let's see, you and <Pokémon> are… Capable of understanding each other much more than now. Look forward to that, OK?"	0-69
Laverre City
"It's amazingly friendly toward you! It must be so happy spending every day with you!"	255
"You must really like your <Pokémon> and always keep it by your side!"	200-254
"Well, I think you and <Pokémon> will be an even greater combo someday!"	150-199
"It's a little bit friendly to you… Something like that."	100-149
"Hmm…I think you have a lot of time ahead of you to get to know one another better."	50-99
"Don't tell me! Are you just letting it get knocked out in Pokémon battles?!"	1-49
"What's this? Are you a disciplinarian? Or do you plan to use the move Frustration?"	0

Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire

Statement	Friendship
Verdanturf Town
"It's extremely friendly toward you. It couldn't possibly love you more. It's a pleasure to see!"	255
"It seems to be very happy. It's obviously friendly toward you."	200-254
"It's quite friendly toward you. It seems to want to be babied a little."	150-199
"It's getting used to you. It seems to believe in you."	100-149
"It's not very used to you yet. It neither loves nor hates you."	50-99
"It's very wary. It has a scary look in its eyes. It doesn't like you much at all."	1-49
"This is a little hard for me to say… Your Pokémon simply detests you. Doesn't that make you uncomfortable?"	0
Pacifidlog Town
"It's clearly very friendly toward you. A Pokémon that adoring and adorable deserves a TM like this, no?"	151-255
"Hmm… It's not bad, but it’s also not good. You, as the Trainer, need to put in some more effort."	100-150
"It has a vicious look to it. A frightening Pokémon like that deserves a TM like this."	0-99

Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun, and Ultra Moon

Statement	Friendship
"My! It feels incredibly close to you! Nothing makes it happier than being with you!"	255
"You clearly love your <Pokémon>, and you must spend a lot of time together."	200-254
"Hm. I'd say that you and <Pokémon> have the potential to be an even greater combo."	150-199
"Hmmm. I think…it feels friendly toward you. At least a little…"	100-149
"Hmmm… I'd say that you and your Pokémon still have a long way to go."	50-99
"What is going on here? Do you let it get knocked out a lot in battles or something? This is bad."	1-49
"Oh dear. You must be a merciless Trainer… Do you use Frustration or just not know better?"	0

Misconceptions

Although frequently reported to the contrary, the following factors do not affect friendship (note that these are focused on the system that has been in place since Generation II):

• Depositing a Pokémon in the Pokémon Storage System
• Healing a Pokémon with low HP or with a status condition
• Giving a Pokémon an item to hold (except the Soothe Bell)
• Evolving a Pokémon, regardless of method (level up, held item, or evolutionary stone, with the exception of trade evolutions, which reset the Pokémon's friendship)
• Using a Pokémon in battle
• Winning battles with a Pokémon
• Letting a Pokémon's HP fall to critical status
• Letting the player's Pokémon get a status condition like paralysis
• Walking when the player's Pokémon has a status condition
• Increasing Affection

In Yellow only, these actions fail if attempted and cause Pikachu to complain, but they don't affect its friendship:

• Trying to release the starter Pikachu
• Trying to evolve the starter Pikachu with a Thunder Stone

In spin-off games

This section is incomplete. Please feel free to edit this section to add missing information and complete it. Reason: Pokémon Pikachu and Pokémon Pikachu 2 GS

Pokémon Ranger: Shadows of Almia

Two Pokémon in a Happy Mood

Friendship also has an effect in the second game of the Pokémon Ranger series. Partner Pokémon can have the condition of Fine, Happy, or Very Happy. When it is in a Happy Mood, black musical notes appear to come out of it. Multicolored musical notes come out when it is Very Happy. This may happen whether or not it is with the player. This state of mind increases the speed the Partner Gauge fills up due to more Partner Energy being provided.

In Pokémon Pinball: Ruby & Sapphire

This section is incomplete. Please feel free to edit this section to add missing information and complete it. Reason: How the player obtains heart symbols

In Pokémon Pinball: Ruby & Sapphire, the player gets three friendship heart symbols in order to evolve any of the following Pokémon, which would normally evolve by friendship in the core series games.

Evolves from	Evolves into
Golbat	Crobat
Pichu	Pikachu
Igglybuff	Jigglypuff
Azurill	Marill

Gallery

Friendship sprite from Pinball: Ruby & Sapphire

In the anime

Ash and Pikachu

In the anime, the bond between Trainers and their Pokémon has been a theme since the first episode, in which Ash had trouble to form a friendship with his newly obtained Pikachu. After risking his own safety to protect his starter Pokémon from a flock of angry Spearow, Ash earned Pikachu's trust, and the two have been inseparable ever since.

Pokémon that have friendly relationships with their Trainers are said to perform better in battles. Ash believes that befriending a Pokémon will make it grow stronger, and he treats all his Pokémon with utmost care and respect. However, over the course of the series, some Trainers have been shown to focus on raw strength alone, disregarding their Pokémon's feelings and well being. Examples include Paul and Cross.

Aside from regular battles, friendship is valued in Pokémon Contests, since the level of cooperation between Coordinator and Pokémon is observed by the panel of judges during the Performance Stage. Additionally, in the Battle Stage, Coordinators are expected to be in synchronicity with their Pokémon the entire time. In Cruisin' for a Losin', the Director of the Contest Committee, Mr. Contesta, stated that a Pokémon's well being must be the number one priority of a Coordinator.

In Our Cup Runneth Over!, Contest Master Wallace stressed out the importance of kinship. He also said that playing with Pokémon can help Trainers and Coordinators in learning how to bring out the potential of their Pokémon. In addition to enhancing a Pokémon's appearance, Pokémon grooming is said to make them happier. Trainers who devote themselves to the development of techniques that improve a Pokémon's health and happiness are known as Pokémon Breeders. There are also people who study to become Pokémon Connoisseurs in order to be able to identify the compatibility between Trainers and Pokémon, and then offer advice on how to strengthen their friendship.

As in the games, friendship affects the power of Frustration. This was shown in Going for Choke!, in which Harley's Banette received a boost while using the move under the command of Jessie, a Trainer it does not like. Although the concept of Evolution by friendship has not been addressed directly, the Soothe Bell has appeared in the anime. In the XY series, the friendship between Ash and his Greninja triggered a temporary transformation known as Bond Phenomenon.

In contrast with the games, where a Pokémon of a certain level will only obey its Trainer if he or she possesses specific achievements, disobedient Pokémon in the anime will gain respect for their Trainers after realizing how far the Trainer is willing to go to befriend, protect, and care for the Pokémon.

In other languages

Language Title Chinese Cantonese 親密度 Chānmahtdouh Mandarin 親密度 / 亲密度 Qīnmìdù French Amitié German Zuneigung Freundschaft Italian Affetto Korean 친밀도 Chinmildo Polish Przyjaźń Portuguese Amizade* Spanish Amistad Vietnamese Độ thân thiết

See also

• List of Pokémon by base friendship
• Affection

External links

• GameFAQs: Pokemon Gold Version (GBC) Happiness Points FAQ by IDeLucas
• Generation IV Friendship FAQ by Ruimound
• Pokemon Gold, Silver and Crystal :: Happiness Guide

Pokémon individuality
Level • Stats • Friendship • Gender • Ability (Hidden Ability) • Nature • Characteristic Effort values • Individual values • Go Power • Effort level Condition • Performance • Affection • Memory

This game mechanic article is part of Project Games, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on the Pokémon games.