Which Pokémon Should you Best Buddy?

Working out which Pokémon to have as your Buddy, and which Pokémon are worth the slog to Best Buddy can be tricky. We’re written about the most efficient ways to grind to Best Buddy, but who should you be working on? It can take quite a while to get a Pokémon to Best Buddy level, a whopping 300 hearts are needed, so let’s take a look at which Pokémon are worth getting to Best Buddy level. This isn’t a tier list naming specific Pokémon, but a general look at which sort of Pokémon you should be looking at.

Master League Pokémon

If you participate in Master League, getting that Best Buddy CP boost might be the difference between a win and a loss. Being able to withstand that single extra Fast Move can make all the difference! For example, in a battle of two perfect level 50 Giratina Origin Forme with identical moves and shields, it is the Buddy Boost that will come through to win the battle for you. Getting that one extra level can make a difference in Master League, so consider Pokémon you like to use in your team. Playing in the regular Master League all but requires Level 50 Pokémon, so being able to get that extra level to 51 is a big deal. Just make sure they are actually your Buddy when you go into battle with them to get the boost!

Ultra/Great League PvP Pokémon

For some Pokémon to be at their most effective in Ultra League, they have to be your Best Buddy. Pokémon like Galarian Stunfisk, Umbreon, Mandibuzz and Skarmory in Ultra League, and for Great League Pokemon like Lickitung, Wobbuffet, Pachirisu, Medicham and Sableye. There are specific break points to be gained by having a Best Buddy Pokémon in these leagues, depending on the IV of the Pokémon you are using. Some of these examples will work without the Best Buddy boost, but depending on your IV spread, it may be essential to gain those extra wins with others. The aim is to have a Pokémon as close to 1500CP/2500CP as possible, and while how close you can get varies depending on IV, the Best Buddy boost can often be favourable over a non-Best Buddy Pokémon.

Perfect/Amazing IV Legendary Pokémon

If you aren’t one for PvP, you can still focus on Best Buddying those perfect/high IV Legendary Pokémon for raiding and gym battling. You’ll be able to last a little longer in battle, and therefore potentially need slightly less revives or potions. This is especially relevant if you are someone who intends to max out your Pokémon to level 50, getting that Buddy Boost takes them to level 51, unlocking their maximum potential. Plus, who wouldn’t want to flex their perfect IV Best Buddy legendary Pokémon?

Pokémon with Mega Evolutions

Pokémon HP Attack Defence
Artwork of Mega Venusaur from Pokémon GO Mega Venusaur GrassPoison 190 241 246
Artwork of Mega X Charizard from Pokémon GO Mega X Charizard FireDragon 186 273 213
Artwork of Mega Y Charizard from Pokémon GO Mega Y Charizard FireFlying 186 319 212
Artwork of Mega Blastoise from Pokémon GO Mega Blastoise Water 188 264 237
Artwork of Mega Beedrill from Pokémon GO Mega Beedrill BugPoison 163 303 148
Artwork of Mega Pidgeot from Pokémon GO Mega Pidgeot WaterGround 195 280 175
Artwork of Mega Alakazam from Pokémon GO Mega Alakazam Psychic 146 367 207
Artwork of Mega Slowbro from Pokémon GO Mega Slowbro WaterPsychic 216 224 259
Artwork of Mega Gengar from Pokémon GO Mega Gengar GhostPoison 155 349 199
Artwork of Mega Kangaskhan from Pokémon GO Mega Kangaskhan Normal 233 246 210
Artwork of Mega Pinsir from Pokémon GO Mega Pinsir BugFlying 163 305 231
Artwork of Mega Gyarados from Pokémon GO Mega Gyarados WaterDark 216 292 247
Artwork of Mega Aerodactyl from Pokémon GO Mega Aerodactyl RockFlying 190 292 210
Artwork of Mega X Mewtwo from Pokémon GO Mega X Mewtwo PsychicFighting 235 412 222
Artwork of Mega Y Mewtwo from Pokémon GO Mega Y Mewtwo Psychic 235 426 229
Artwork of Mega Ampharos from Pokémon GO Mega Ampharos ElectricDragon 207 294 203
Artwork of Mega Steelix from Pokémon GO Mega Steelix SteelGround 181 212 327
Artwork of Mega Scizor from Pokémon GO Mega Scizor BugSteel 172 279 250
Artwork of Mega Heracross from Pokémon GO Mega Heracross BugFighting 190 334 223
Artwork of Mega Houndoom from Pokémon GO Mega Houndoom DarkFire 181 289 194
Artwork of Mega Tyranitar from Pokémon GO Mega Tyranitar RockDark 225 309 276
Artwork of Mega Sceptile from Pokémon GO Mega Sceptile GrassDragon 172 320 186
Artwork of Mega Blaziken from Pokémon GO Mega Blaziken FireFighting 190 329 168
Artwork of Mega Swampert from Pokémon GO Mega Swampert WaterGround 225 283 218
Artwork of Mega Gardevoir from Pokémon GO Mega Gardevoir PsychicFairy 169 326 229
Artwork of Mega Sableye from Pokémon GO Mega Sableye DarkGhost 137 151 216
Artwork of Mega Mawile from Pokémon GO Mega Mawile SteelFairy 137 188 217
Artwork of Mega Aggron from Pokémon GO Mega Aggron Steel 172 247 331
Artwork of Mega Medicham from Pokémon GO Mega Medicham FightingPsychic 155 205 179
Artwork of Mega Manectric from Pokémon GO Mega Manectric Electric 172 286 179
Artwork of Mega Sharpedo from Pokémon GO Mega Sharpedo WaterDark 172 289 144
Artwork of Mega Camerupt from Pokémon GO Mega Camerupt FireGround 172 253 183
Artwork of Mega Altaria from Pokémon GO Mega Altaria DragonFairy 181 222 218
Artwork of Mega Banette from Pokémon GO Mega Banette Ghost 162 312 160
Artwork of Mega Absol from Pokémon GO Mega Absol Dark 163 314 130
Artwork of Mega Glalie from Pokémon GO Mega Glalie Ice 190 252 168
Artwork of Mega Salamence from Pokémon GO Mega Salamence DragonFlying 216 310 251
Artwork of Mega Metagross from Pokémon GO Mega Metagross SteelPsychic 190 300 289
Artwork of Mega Latias from Pokémon GO Mega Latias DragonPsychic 190 289 297
Artwork of Mega Latios from Pokémon GO Mega Latios DragonPsychic 190 335 241
Artwork of Mega Rayquaza from Pokémon GO Mega Rayquaza DragonFlying 233 389 216
Artwork of Mega Lopunny from Pokémon GO Mega Lopunny NormalFighting 163 282 214
Artwork of Mega Garchomp from Pokémon GO Mega Garchomp DragonGround 239 339 222
Artwork of Mega Lucario from Pokémon GO Mega Lucario FightingSteel 172 310 175
Artwork of Mega Abomasnow from Pokémon GO Mega Abomasnow GrassIce 207 240 191
Artwork of Mega Gallade from Pokémon GO Mega Gallade PsychicFighting 169 326 230
Artwork of Mega Audino from Pokémon GO Mega Audino NormalFairy 230 147 239
Artwork of Mega Diancie from Pokémon GO Mega Diancie RockFairy 137 342 235

Any Pokémon with a Mega evolution, whether that is currently in Pokémon GO, or one that is yet to come, is worth aiming for Best Buddy with. Having the CP boost means lasting longer in a raid, and therefore boosting all the other Pokémon in the raid for longer. While not all Mega Pokémon are made equal, some are much more meta relevant than others, having different types of Mega Pokémon as Best Buddy will help your raiding, especially when raiding with smaller squads of trainers.

Good IV Shadow Pokémon

With Shadow Pokémon taking more damage from opponents, consider making your good IV Shadow Pokémon a Best Buddy to gain that extra level. Shadow Pokémon deal more damage than regular Pokémon, and even Mega Pokémon, so being able to keep them in a raid for longer is advantageous. Being able to flex a really high IV or hundo Shadow Pokémon will never not be awesome! Make sure to TM away Frustration whenever possible too, especially on those Legendary Shadow Pokémon.

Your Favourite Pokémon

Now, controversial, and some would say not the best advice, but I personally recommend getting to Best Buddy with Pokémon that you love, just because! There doesn’t have to be a reason, or an advantage for them being Best Buddy, it can simply be because they are your favourite, or you have a special memory attached to that Pokémon.

I’ve got a shiny, lucky, 100IV Turtwig that was my first Best Buddy. I’ve also got a 100IV Whirlipede that is Best Buddy. I have one each of the shiny hatted Turtwig as Best Buddy, even though they have terrible IV. Why? Because they are some of my all time favourite Pokémon, and I wanted to. I have a 0IV shiny Unown I plan to Best Buddy, a shiny Turtwig I was traded by thekruseship at Pokémon Worlds that was the 50th shiny Turtwig in my collection will eventually be Best Buddy, and more.

Why? Simply because I want to, and I like them. These Pokémon don’t help me win raids, gain wins in PvP, and aren’t even meta relevant, but I think part of being a Pokémon fan is having your favourites, and making memories with your Pokémon, and making them Best Buddy is a great way to celebrate that.

Conclusion

Having meta Pokémon as your Best Buddy can be helpful, and for the hardcore PvP crowd essential in some cases, but ultimately, it’s up to you. If you are rural, having a Best Buddy that can help you defeat raids with less trainers could be the way to go, or you may find yourself wanting to focus on Pokémon you’ve caught on special days, or in amazing locations.

How do you personally decide which Pokémon to Best Buddy? Do you focus on hundos and meta relevant Pokémon, or maybe you’ve kept a single Pokémon you love as your Best Buddy since the mechanism was released. Let us know in the comments!

Author & tags

kittypokemonsalot
kittypokemonsalothttps://www.kittyramblesalot.com/
Pokémon GO Hub Editor in Chief and Writer. Turtwig obsessive, real life Psyduck, Pokémon GO AR Photographer, found footage horror fan.

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