Pokémon GO continues to fascinate millions of players around the globe with its innovative blend of augmented reality and engaging gameplay. While Augmented Reality (AR) features unquestionably transform the game experience, some players may want to explore gaming strategies without the use of AR. In this article, we will delve into how to play with your Buddy Pokémon without AR, uncovering various strategies, tips, and tricks to maximize your enjoyment.
The Importance of Buddy Pokémon
Before we dive into how to play without AR, let’s understand why Buddy Pokémon are vital to your Pokémon GO experience. Every trainer is permitted to have one Buddy Pokémon at a time. Choosing a Buddy Pokémon opens a world of opportunities for collecting candy, earning bonuses, and discovering additional gameplay elements.
Benefits of Having a Buddy Pokémon:
- Gain Candy: You can earn candy by walking a specific distance with your Buddy Pokémon.
- Receive Hearts: By interacting with your Buddy, you can earn hearts, enhancing your friendship level.
Understanding the purpose of a Buddy Pokémon is crucial. This relationship not only nurtures your Pokémon but also contributes to your overall gameplay through a variety of features, which we can explore without using AR.
Engaging with Your Buddy Pokémon Without AR
While AR offers unique and immersive experiences like taking snapshots and experiencing fun interactions, Pokémon GO has various features that still allow for a rich gameplay experience without relying on a camera. Let’s explore some of these.
1. Choosing the Right Buddy Pokémon
Your first step in having a fulfilling experience is selecting a suitable Buddy Pokémon. Different Pokemon offer various advantages. Here’s what to consider:
Type and Strength:
– Choose a Pokémon that matches your play style.
– Limit Pokémon with low CP levels that may not contribute to battles effectively.
Personal Preference:
– Sometimes, your favorite Pokémon holds significant sentimental value. It’s completely acceptable to choose based on emotion rather than stats.
2. Interacting With Your Buddy Pokémon
When you’re not using AR, you can still have meaningful interactions with your Buddy Pokémon in the game:
Feeding Your Buddy:
– Open your Pokémon GO app and navigate to the Buddy screen.
– You can feed your Buddy Pokémon Poffins or Berries to increase its happiness and earn hearts.
Playing with Your Buddy:
– Engage in playful activities with your Buddy to increase your hearts. Although you can’t toss them a toy in AR, you can still press the play button and engage with animations through the app.
3. Walking with Your Buddy
Walking with your Buddy Pokémon is a core aspect of the Pokémon GO experience. Regardless of AR settings, this feature remains intact:
Understanding Distances:
– Every Pokémon requires you to walk a specific distance before receiving candy. Different Pokémon have varying candy distances (e.g., 1 km, 3 km, 5 km).
Tips for Efficient Walking:
- Utilize walking routes that you enjoy and can maintain for longer periods.
- Consider using buddy system partners to walk together and increase motivation.
4. Participating in Battles and Raids
Battles are a significant part of Pokémon GO, and playing without AR doesn’t prevent you from participating in them. You can battle your friends or take down raid bosses using your Buddy Pokémon.
How to Engage in Battles:
– Navigate to the battle section in Pokémon GO.
– Select your Buddy Pokémon and choose an appropriate battle team.
Understanding Raids:
– Raids take place at Gyms. Join forces with friends, and ensure your Buddy Pokémon is among the top contenders for victory.
Simplifying Candy Collection Without AR
Collecting candy is one of the highlights of being a trainer. Here are ways you can simplify candy collection without relying on AR features.
1. Utilize Pokémon Settings
Regularly check your Buddy Pokémon’s stats and setting. This practice will ensure that you understand how far you’ve walked and how many candies you’ve collected.
2. Evolve with Consistency
The evolution of Pokémon is often candy-dependent. As you collect candies, you can make evolutionary decisions quickly without utilizing AR. Make use of the in-game features to evolve when ready.
| Buddy Pokémon | Candy Needed for Evolution |
|---|---|
| Pidgey | 12 |
| Caterpie | 12 |
| Magikarp | 400 |
3. Maximize the Use of Events
Events in Pokémon GO often increase the rate at which players can collect candy. Keep an eye out for community days or special events that offer increased rewards, allowing you to accumulate items faster.
Taking Advantage of Game Features
The game is rich with features that help enhance your Buddy Pokémon experience without the need for Augmented Reality.
1. Monitoring Buddy Pokémon Stats
Maintain awareness of your Buddy’s status by checking its happiness meter and distance walked through the Buddy page. The progress bar provides insights into how close you are to achieving additional bonuses.
2. Bonuses from Engaging with Your Buddy
Different interactions with your Buddy offer various bonuses.
Bonus Interaction Ideas:
– Engage in daily play to earn coins.
– Participate in special events or tasks that involve your Buddy.
3. Utilizing Items and Power-Ups
The app offers numerous items that allow you to enhance your Buddy’s abilities. Use these in battles, and consider the best items to utilize based on your Buddy Pokémon’s type and strengths.
Building Meaningful Connections with Your Buddy Pokémon
Lastly, fostering a relationship with your Buddy Pokémon lies at the heart of Pokémon GO. While AR helps visualize interactions, it is not the only method to deepen this connection.
1. Keep it Fun
Ensure that you enjoy the process. The excitement of walking together, battling, and earning candy can be invigorated through community interactions or social challenges within the game.
2. Strategize for the Future
Think long-term about how your Buddy Pokémon will fit within your overall game strategy. Plan when and how to evolve, what power-ups to use, and consider utilizing your Buddy in various competitive aspects.
Conclusion: Embrace Your Buddy Pokémon Experience
Playing with your buddy Pokémon without AR can still be a rich and enjoyable experience. By utilizing the vast features of Pokémon GO, engaging with your Buddy, and strategizing gameplay, you can enjoy every moment. Remember, the emphasis should be on having fun and building a strong bond with your Pokémon partner. Whether you are walking miles, engaging in battles, or collecting candies, your adventure is only limited by your imagination.
So lace up your sneakers, choose your Buddy Pokémon wisely, and get ready to evolve your gameplay to extraordinary levels—all without the need for augmented reality. Happy playing!
What is the Buddy Pokémon feature in Pokémon GO?
The Buddy Pokémon feature in Pokémon GO allows players to select a Pokémon to be their companion, accompanying them on their virtual journey. This feature is designed to deepen the bond between players and their Pokémon, enhancing the gameplay experience by allowing players to earn candy and gain various bonuses based on their interaction with their Buddy. The Pokémon you choose as your buddy can follow you around in the game and will also assist you in activities like visiting PokéStops and battling.
Choosing the right Buddy Pokémon can add a strategic element to your gameplay. Different Pokémon offer different benefits, such as increased candy gain or unique interactions. This feature also provides an opportunity for players to showcase their favorite Pokémon, giving them a sense of identity and personal connection in the game.
Can I play with my Buddy Pokémon without using augmented reality?
Yes, you can easily interact with your Buddy Pokémon without using AR (augmented reality). In Pokémon GO, the Buddy system has been designed to allow players to enjoy various interactions without the need for AR mode. You can tap on your Buddy Pokémon icon in the vicinity of your character to initiate interaction, feed it berries, or engage in other activities just as you would in AR mode.
Playing without AR can also enhance your experience, especially in locations where AR may not be practical or enjoyable. This flexibility allows players to focus on activities like managing their collection, battling, or participating in events without the distractions and challenges that come with AR features.
What activities can I do with my Buddy Pokémon?
With your Buddy Pokémon, you can perform several activities that contribute to strengthening your bond. You can walk with your Pokémon to earn candy, feed it with berries to increase its happiness, and even participate in battles together. Each action contributes to the Friend-level with your Buddy, enhancing the bonuses you receive. For instance, the more you walk, the more candy you earn, which is crucial for evolving and powering up your Pokémon.
Additionally, you can take snapshots with your Buddy and interact with it in playful ways. By petting or playing with it, you can increase its affection level. These interactions not only serve to enhance your gameplay but also allow for a more immersive experience, fostering a deeper emotional connection with the Pokémon you’ve chosen as your companion.
What bonuses do I get from playing with my Buddy Pokémon?
Engaging with your Buddy Pokémon offers a variety of bonuses that can significantly enhance your gameplay. These bonuses can include increased candy gain when walking with your Buddy, additional raid bonuses, and access to new features as your Buddy’s happiness level increases. Stronger bonds can also lead to better performance in battles, making it strategically advantageous to invest time in your Buddy Pokémon.
Moreover, the happiness level of your Buddy can unlock unique features, such as special interactions and rewards when you go to PokéStops or participate in raids together. The more you interact with your Buddy, the more rewards you can potentially earn, transforming an enjoyable experience into a rewarding one as you progress in the game.
How do I change my Buddy Pokémon?
To change your Buddy Pokémon in Pokémon GO, navigate to your Trainer Profile, where you’ll see your current Buddy displayed. Simply tap on the Buddy icon, and you will be prompted to select a new Pokémon from your collection to become your Buddy. Once you make a selection, confirm your choice, and your new Buddy will be ready to accompany you on your adventures.
It’s worth noting that while you can change your Buddy at any time, switching Buddies will reset their walking distance for candy gain. Therefore, if you have been working on accumulating candy or achieving higher friendship levels, consider the timing of your switch to maximize your rewards.
Can I still gain candy if I don’t walk with my Buddy?
You can still gain candy from your Buddy Pokémon, but walking with them is the primary method to earn candy in the game. If you choose not to walk with your Buddy, you will not accumulate candy from that Pokémon. However, you can feed your Buddy berries to increase its happiness level, which may lead to more candy rewards later as you interact and bond with your Pokémon.
In addition, there are other ways to earn candy through events, trading Pokémon, or completing research tasks, which can help you build your candy stash even if you take a break from walking with your Buddy. Thus, while walking provides the most consistent candy gain, there are alternative methods available to keep your Pokémon powered up.
Is there a limit to how many Pokémon I can have as Buddies?
In Pokémon GO, you can have only one Buddy Pokémon at a time. However, you are free to change your Buddy as often as you like between different Pokémon from your collection. This feature allows players to strategize based on their goals or the specific candies they want to accumulate, making it a flexible option for anyone looking to enhance their gameplay.
Though you cannot have multiple Buddy Pokémon simultaneously, the ability to switch between them enables players to experiment with various Pokémon, test different strategies, and enjoy the unique features associated with each Buddy. Whether you choose to focus on a single Pokémon for an extended period or switch frequently, the Buddy system adds depth to the game, allowing for personalized experiences tailored to individual gameplay preferences.