Sync pair
A sync pair (Japanese: バディーズ Buddies) is a pair consisting of one Pokémon Trainer and one Pokémon in Pokémon Masters. Each sync pair has one of three roles: strike sync pairs, which are focused on attacking; support sync pairs, which are focused on defending, healing HP, and increasing stats of the whole team; and tech sync pairs, which are focused on different tactics, such as inflicting status alterations.
Mechanics
Moves and skills
- Main article: List of moves in Pokémon Masters
Sync pairs have access to two different types of moves:
- Pokémon moves - these require a specific amount of move gauge slots to be used. An exception are quick moves which, similar to trainer moves, do not use move gauge slots but have a set number of times they can be used
- Trainer moves - these are unique to Pokémon Masters. They do not require the use of move gauge slots, but can only be used a set number of times in a battle
Each sync pair knows two moves when recruited, and can know up to four moves. Sync pairs can also unleash sync moves, which are powerful moves that can be used once a certain amount of moves have been used in battle. Sync pairs can also learn passive skills, which are similar to Abilities in the core series. Certain sync pairs can learn up to three passive skills.
Unlock | Items required | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Great Drinks // |
Ultra Drinks // |
Training Machine |
Super Training Machine |
Skill Capsule | |
Third move | × | × | 5 | × | × |
Fourth move | 10 | 3 | 30 | 5 | × |
Passive skill | 10 | 3 | × | 15 | 10 |
Sync pairs rewarded from Legendary Events instead use "custom" items exclusive to their respective event. The amount of each item needed also varies between these Sync pairs.
- As of Giovanni and Mewtwo's rerun, the pair was updated to no longer use Custom Super Training Machines. The item actually became unobtainable for any players who did not get them during the event's initial run, although it no longer served a purpose.
The pair given as a log-in gift, Professor Oak & Mew, uses only Custom Training Machines:
Sync Pair(s) | Unlock | Items Required |
---|---|---|
Custom Training Machines | ||
Professor Oak & Mew | Third move | 10 |
Fourth move | 20 | |
Passive skill | 15 |
The power of Pokémon moves can be increased. When the player scouts a sync pair that they already have, the power of the moves is increased by one level. The level of the moves starts at level one, and can be boosted to level 5. At level 5, the power of the moves is increased by 20% with respect to level 1.
Level
Sync pairs gain experience and level up by winning battles or by using Level-Up Manuals. Leveling up increases a sync pair's stats, with them being identical in their role to the stats of the main games except for Speed, which instead affects the rate at which the move gauge fills.
Sync pairs have level caps, with the number of stars determining the level cap. 3★ sync pairs have an initial level cap of 35, 4★ sync pairs have an initial level cap of 40, and 5★ sync pairs have an initial level cap of 45. The player can increase these level caps by using items or increasing the stars of the pair.
Pokémon hatched from Eggs do not have level caps, and are thus immediately eligible for the highest level that their star rating allows.
The items required differs depending on each pair's base number of stars, with pairs rewarded during the story having the cost of one star lower.
Sync pairs rewarded from Legendary Events instead use "custom" items exclusive to their respective event. The amount of each item needed also varies between these Sync pairs.
- Starting with Zinnia & Rayquaza, and for any legendary pairs re-run afterwards, Custom Drinks are used instead of Custom Training Machines to increase level cap.
The pair given as a log-in gift, Professor Oak & Mew, uses unique unlock costs that consist entirely of Custom items:
Sync Pair(s) | Raise in level cap | Items Required | |
---|---|---|---|
Custom Drinks | Custom Super Drinks | ||
Professor Oak & Mew (3★) | 35 → 50 | 10 | × |
50 → 65 | 20 | × | |
65 → 80 | 30 | 20 | |
80 → 95 | 50 | 30 | |
95 → 115 | 100 | 100 |
Reaching certain levels can allow the Pokémon to evolve; for example, at level 30, Barry's Piplup can evolve into Prinplup, at level 45 it can evolve into Empoleon, which then causes it to learn the sync move Late Fee Bubble Beam.
Increasing potential
The player can also increase the stats of sync pairs by using power-ups. Each power-up provides a +2 boost to HP, and a +1 boost to each other stat. Only the power-up corresponding to the number of sync pair stars can be used. For example, a 3★ power-up can only increase the potential of a 3★ sync pair. Once 20 power-ups are used, the number of stars for that sync pair increases by one. 5★ pairs can be given up to 20 5★ power-ups even though they can’t increase their number of stars, in this case each power-up increases the HP stat by 5 and the other stats by 2 if the pair was a 5★ pair when scouted, otherwise each 5★ power-ups will increase the HP stat by 2 and all the other stats by 1.
Type and resistance
Even though each pair has a single type, the resistances and defensive properties of the pair do not depend on it. Each sync pair has only a single weakness to a specific type and the resistances to status alterations, when available, are exclusively gained through passive skills.
Sync pair scout
Players can recruit sync pairs that are not available through the main story through sync pair scout at the shop. It costs 300 gems (or 100 paid gems daily (Up to 3 times if the Spotlight Scout features more than one Sync pair starting with Ethan and Hilda Spotlight Scout)) to scout one sync pair (3000 gems to scout 10 at once), which is chosen randomly from a pool of sync pairs. There is a 73% chance of obtaining a 3★ sync pair (70% in Poké Fair scouts), 20% chance of a 4★ sync pair, and 7% chance of a 5★ sync pair (10% in Poké Fair scouts). While the door opening animation ultimately reveals the number of stars of the pairs, sometimes the Poryphone animation will reveal the lower bound for the number of stars: if an antenna comes out of the Poryphone, a sync pair with no less than 4★ is being recruited, if the Poryphone sparks upon being inserted and the background turns rainbow during the scouting process which causes a parabolic antenna to come out, a 5★ pair is being recruited. In addition starting from version 1.5.0, a background preview animation of the 5★ pair will play.
As previously mentioned, if the player scouts a sync pair they have already recruited, then the sync pair receives an increase in level to their moves. Once the sync pair's move level is maxed out to level 5, if the player again scouts that sync pair, the player will instead receive a power-up item corresponding to the sync pair's number of stars.
A scout point will be awarded for every one hundred gems spent through sync pair scouts. If a player manages to achieve 400 scout points, the player will be able to scout for a sync pair of their choice. However, scout points gained during a specific spotlight scout will expire once the spotlight scout expires, and they will not carry over to another spotlight scout.
The available sync pairs change as the game introduces more Trainers, with specific spotlight scouts giving a higher chance of obtaining the sync pair that the event is focused on. Starting with Leaf Spotlight scout, any recently added sync pair who's spotlight scout is still active will not appear on this spotlight scout but will appear on the next spotlight scout once their spotlight scout ends.
Event | Duration | Notes |
---|---|---|
Launch Celebration Scout | August 29 to November 28, 2019 | One-time guaranteed 5★ scout. Can only be purchased with paid gems. |
Blue Spotlight Scout! | September 3 to 30, 2019 | 2% chance of recruiting Blue and Pidgeot. |
Olivia Spotlight Scout! | September 10 to 24, 2019 | 2% chance of recruiting Olivia and Lycanroc (Midnight Form). |
Lyra Spotlight Scout! | September 17 to 30, 2019 | 2% chance of recruiting Lyra and Chikorita. |
Hilbert Spotlight Scout! | September 24 to October 8, 2019 | 2% chance of recruiting Hilbert and Oshawott. |
Hilda Spotlight Scout | September 30 to October 17, 2019 | 2% chance of recruiting Hilda and Tepig. |
Featured Type Scout | October 8 to 24, 2019 | Increased chance of recruiting Blue, Bruno, Kahili, Marshal, Brawly, Maylene and Winona. |
Elesa Spotlight Scout | October 17 to 31, 2019 | 2% chance of recruiting Elesa and Zebstrika. |
Brendan Spotlight Scout | October 24 to November 7, 2019 | 2% chance of recruiting Brendan and Treecko. |
Caitlin Spotlight Scout | October 30 to November 14, 2019 April 20th to May 4th 2020 |
2% chance of recruiting Caitlin and Reuniclus. Does not include Clemont and Heliolisk in the April 2020 Spotlight. |
Phoebe Spotlight Scout | November 7 to 21, 2019 | 2% chance of recruiting Phoebe and Dusclops. |
Glacia Spotlight Scout | November 14 to 28, 2019 | 2% chance of recruiting Glacia and Glalie. |
Kris Spotlight Scout | November 21 to December 5, 2019 | 2% chance of recruiting Kris and Totodile. |
Grimsley Spotlight Scout | November 28 to December 12, 2019 December 26, 2019 to January 8, 2020 |
2% chance of recruiting Grimsley and Liepard. |
Seasonal Scout A | December 12, 2019 to January 1, 2020 | Increased chance of recruiting Rosa (Holiday 2019), Karen and Hilda. |
Seasonal Scout B | December 12, 2019 to January 1, 2020 | Increased chance of recruiting Siebold (Holiday 2019), Brendan and Blue. |
Lance Spotlight Poké Fair Scout | December 26, 2019 to January 22, 2020 August 20 to September 2, 2020 |
2% chance of recruiting Lance and Dragonite. 10% chance of recruiting 5★ sync pair in general (except limited pairs). |
Cynthia Spotlight Poké Fair Scout | January 1 to 22, 2020 May 2 to 14, 2020 |
2% chance of recruiting Cynthia and Garchomp. 10% chance of recruiting 5★ sync pair in general (except limited pairs). Does not include Wallace and Milotic in the May 2020 Spotlight. |
5★-Select Special Scout | January 3 to 22, 2020 February 25 to March 16, 2020 May 3 to 13, 2020 July 9 to 24, 2020 |
Can recruit any 5★ sync pair (except limited pairs). Can only be purchased with paid gems. |
Ethan Spotlight Scout | January 15 to 30, 2020 | 2% chance of recruiting Ethan and Cyndaquil. |
Leaf Spotlight Scout | January 22 to February 6, 2020 | 2% chance of recruiting Leaf and Eevee. Does not include Ethan and Cyndaquil. |
Kukui Spotlight Scout | January 30 to February 14, 2020 | 2% chance of recruiting Kukui and Lycanroc (Midday Form). Does not include Leaf and Eevee. |
Brendan and Lyra Spotlight Scout | February 10 to 24, 2020 | Increased chance of recruiting Brendan & Treecko and Lyra & Chikorita. Does not include Kukui and Lycanroc (Midday Form). |
Steven Spotlight Poké Fair Scout | February 14 to March 16, 2020 June 23 to July 14, 2020 |
2% chance of recruiting Steven and Metagross. 10% chance of recruiting 5★ sync pair in general (except limited pairs). Does not include Sygna Suit Grimsley and Sharpedo and Burgh and Leavanny in the June 2020 Spotlight. |
Poké Fair Scout + Present | February 28 to March 16, 2020 | 2% chance of recruiting Sygna Suit Red and Charizard. 10% chance of recruiting 5★ sync pair in general (except limited pairs). The player receives 100 Sygna Suit Red and Charizard Sync Orbs once they recruited them (maximum 5 times). |
Sygna Suit Elesa Spotlight Scout | February 28 to March 16, 2020 | 2% chance of recruiting Sygna Suit Elesa and Rotom. |
Grimsley and Karen Spotlight Scout | March 6 to 16, 2020 | Increased chance of recruiting Grimsley & Liepard and Karen & Houndoom. Does not include Sygna Suit Elesa and Rotom. |
Sabrina Spotlight Scout + Present | March 16 to 31, 2020 | 2% chance of recruiting Sabrina and Alakazam. The player receives 100 Sabrina and Alakazam Sync Orbs once they recruited them (maximum 5 times). |
Fantina Spotlight Scout | March 19 to April 2, 2020 | 2% chance of recruiting Fantina and Mismagius. Does not include Sabrina and Alakazam. |
Guzma and Plumeria Spotlight Scout | March 27 to April 14, 2020 | 1% chance of recruiting Guzma and Golisopod and Plumeria and Salazzle. Does not include Sabrina and Alakazam and Fantina and Mismagius. |
Clemont Spotlight Scout | April 14 to 28, 2020 | 2% chance of recruiting Clemont and Heliolisk. |
Wallace Spotlight Scout | April 30 to May 14, 2020 | 2% chance of recruiting Wallace and Millotic |
Wally Spotlight Scout | May 14 to 28, 2020 | 2% chance of recruiting Wally and Gallade |
Jasmine Spotlight Scout | May 21 to June 5, 2020 | 2% chance of recruiting Jasmine and Steelix. Does not include Wally and Gallade |
Dawn Spotlight Scout | May 28 to June 11, 2020 | 2% chance of recruiting Dawn and Turtwig. Does not include Jasmine and Steelix |
Double Feature Spotlight Scout | June 11 to 24, 2020 | Increased chance of Recruiting Sygna Suit Grimsley and Sharpedo and Sygna Suit Elesa and Rotom. |
Burgh Spotlight Scout | June 18 to July 2, 2020 | 2% chance of recruiting Burgh and Leavanny. Does not include Sygna Suit Grimsley and Sharpedo. |
Serena Spotlight Scout | June 30 to July 21, 2020 | 2% chance of recruiting Serena and Fennekin. Does not include Burgh and Leavanny. |
5★-Select Scout 48 Hours Only! | July 2 to 4, 2020 | Can recruit the following pairs: Hilda, Kris, Brendan or Blue. Can only be purchased with paid gems. |
5★-Select Scout One Week Only! | July 2 to 9, 2020 | Can recruit the following pairs: Hilda, Kris, Brendan, Blue, Phoebe, Olivia or Karen. Can only be purchased with paid gems. |
Ethan and Hilda Spotlight Scout | July 3 to 21, 2020 | Increased chance of recruiting Ethan and Cyndaquil and Hilda and Tepig. Does not include Serena and Fennekin. |
Plumeria and Lucy Spotlight Scout | July 10 to 24, 2020 | Increased chance of recruiting Plumeria and Salazzle and Lucy and Seviper. Does not include Serena and Fennekin. |
Morty Spotlight Scout | July 15 to 28, 2020 | 2% chance of recruiting Morty and Drifblim. Does not include Serena and Fennekin and Lucy and Seviper. |
Fantina and Phoebe Spotlight Scout | July 18 to 28, 2020 | Increased chance of recruiting Fantina and Mismagius and Phoebe and Dusclops. Does not include Serena and Fennekin, Lucy and Seviper and Morty and Drifblim. |
Guzma Spotlight Scout | July 20 to August 3, 2020 | 2% chance of recruiting Guzma and Golisopod. Daily Discount Scout can be done up to 3 times. Does not include Serena and Fennekin, Lucy and Seviper and Morty and Driblim. |
Steven Seasonal Scout | July 31 to August 17, 2020 | 2% chance of recruiting Steven (Summer 2020) and (Alolan) Sandslash. |
Lyra Seasonal Scout | July 31 to August 17, 2020 | 2% chance of recruiting Lyra (Summer 2020) and Jigglypuff. |
Kukui and Olivia Spotlight Scout | August 11 to 25, 2020 | Increased chance of recruiting Kukui and Lycanroc (Midday Form) and Olivia and Lycanroc (Midnight Form). |
Sygna Suit Cynthia Poké Fair Scout | August 17 to September 3, 2020 | 2% chance of recruiting Sygna Suit Cynthia and Kommo-o. 10% chance of recruiting 5★ sync pair in general (except limited pairs). |
List of sync pairs
The following is a list of currently playable sync pairs, listed in the order they are presented on the Sync Pairs story section.
Move types are also listed according to the Dex page. Only damaging move types are listed.
Starting in version 1.11.0, the player could form sync pairs with Pokémon that are hatched by random chance from Pokémon Eggs.
Unreleased characters
The following Trainers have been shown in supplementary material and in the game itself, but are not currently playable. They may become available in future updates. Note that some characters do not yet have a known sync partner.
Character | Partner Pokémon | Design Origin |
---|---|---|
Leaf Sygna Suit |
↔ Venusaur (Mega Venusaur) |
Masters |
Blue Sygna Suit |
↔ Blastoise (Mega Blastoise) |
Masters |
Archer |
Unknown | HeartGold and SoulSilver |
Ariana |
Unknown | HeartGold and SoulSilver |
Lisia |
↔ Altaria (Mega Altaria) |
Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire |
Palmer |
Unknown | Diamond, Pearl, Platinum, HeartGold, and SoulSilver |
Darach |
Unknown | Platinum, HeartGold, and SoulSilver |
Hugh |
Unknown | Black 2 and White 2 |
Cilan |
Unknown | Black, White, Black 2, and White 2 |
Chili |
Unknown | Black, White, Black 2, and White 2 |
Cress |
Unknown | Black, White, Black 2, and White 2 |
Professor Sycamore |
Unknown | X and Y |
Diantha |
Gardevoir |
X and Y |
Lillie |
Clefairy |
Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun, and Ultra Moon |
Mallow |
Steenee → Tsareena |
Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun, and Ultra Moon |
Gladion |
Unknown | Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun, and Ultra Moon |
Lusamine |
Unknown | Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun, and Ultra Moon |
Ryuki |
Turtonator |
Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun, and Ultra Moon |
James |
Unknown | Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee! |
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