Trainers,
Generation II brought us some big changes to Egg hatches and Buddy Candy distances. In order to help you get the maximum out of your Buddy, we’ve assembled a Tier List that includes both Gen 2 and Gen 1 Buddies that can evolve in Gen 2.
For this list, we’re taking into account their Maximum Combat Power, evolution potential, Kilometers for Candy cost and current position in the meta.
A+ Top Gen II Buddies
The “Top Tier” includes Pokémon we consider to be the best Gen II Buddy Pokémon. Their evolutions have high Max CP, dominate Gym Offense/Defense Tier lists and are powerful every day companions.
| Pokémon | Max CP when evolved | KMs for Candy | |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
Chansey | 3219 (Blissey) | 5KM |
 |
Larvitar | 3670 (Tyranitar) | 5KM |
 |
Eevee | 3000 (Espeon) | 5KM |
 |
Onix | 2439 (Steelix) | 5KM |
No special explanation is needed for Chansey and Larvitar. We decided to include Eevee and Onix in the Top Tier category due to several facts:
- Both Espeon PSYCHIC and Steelix STEEL are best Pokémon of their type
- Several researchers confirmed that Steelix is in the Top 15 (both Attack and Defense) and Espeon is in Top 10 (Attack)
- Eevee is here as you have to walk at least 10KM with an Eevee to get Espeon using the Day/Night cycle
A Great Gen II Buddies
In the “Great Tier” we categorized Pokémon who are great additions to your team, even though they are not in the Top 10s of Gym Offense and Defense. This is especially true for Phanpy, Mareep and Scyther, who evolve in useful Pokémon just under the Top 10s.
Note that Totodile is in the A tier, while other starters are in the B Tier due. You can read more on why on our Totodile family overview.
| Pokémon | Max CP when evolved | KMs for Candy | |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
Scyther | 2801 (Scizor) | 5KM |
 |
Slowpoke | 2482 (Slowking) | 3KM |
 |
Mareep | 2695 (Ampharos) | 5KM |
 |
Totodile | 2721 (Feraligatr) | 3KM |
 |
Phanpy | 3022 (Donphan) | 3KM |
 |
Teddiursa | 2760 (Ursaring) | 3KM |
B Good Gen II Buddies
Ah, the “Good Tier”. This Tier encompases Pokémon you will likely walk and not be happy about, as they’re either Pokédex novelty, have interesting typing or they’re too weak to be used in Gyms.
This tier does include interesting Pokémon, but their overall utility as Buddy Pokémon is rather low.
| Pokémon | Max CP when evolved | KMs for Candy | |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
Porygon | 2546 (Porygon2) | 3KM |
 |
Horsea | 2424 (Kingdra) | 3KM |
 |
Chikorita | 2227 (Meganium) | 3KM |
 |
Cyndaquil | 2686 (Typhlosion) | 3KM |
 |
Snubbull | 2440 (Granbull) | 3KM |
 |
Swinub | 2284 (Piloswine) | 3KM |
 |
Houndour | 2529 (Houndoom) | 3KM |
