Cultivating strong bonds with your Pokémon in Pokémon Legends Z-A is vital for their evolution and effectiveness in battles. The Friendship metric reflects your companion’s trust and loyalty, achieved through diverse interactions. Efficiently raising this stat unlocks evolutionary milestones and strategic advantages. Below, we outline optimal methods for boosting affinity, tracking progress, and leveraging this system.

Optimizing Friendship Growth in Pokémon Legends Z-A

Urban Exploration with Companions

Assigning a Pokémon to lead your party during city expeditions gradually strengthens your bond. Allow them to participate in random encounters while roaming—victories in these skirmishes accelerate rapport. Note that this passive method requires patience, making it better suited for long-term goals.

Dining Establishments

Cafés scattered across the metropolis offer rapid Friendship boosts. Purchase beverages or meals for your active partner—each transaction elevates their affection stat significantly. While costing 1,500–2,000 Pokédollars per order, this method delivers instant results without location changes. Repeat until achieving maximum affinity.

Consumables and Gear

Select berries and held items provide Friendship boosts at a cost. Use these cautiously, as berries reduce specific base stats:

Complete Side Mission 36 to obtain the Soothe Bell. Equipping this item passively boosts Friendship gains without penalties, ideal for streamlining the bonding process.

Friendship’s Evolutionary Impact

Key evolutionary paths locked behind max Friendship include:

• Pichu → Pikachu
• Cleffa → Clefairy
• Buneary → Lopunny
• Eevee → Espeon/Umbreon/Sylveon
• Riolu → Lucario
• Budew → Roselia

Tracking Affinity Progress

Visit Café Pokémon-Amie and consult the exterior NPC to assess Friendship levels. She’ll analyze any team member or boxed Pokémon’s bond strength, providing verbal feedback on your partnership’s current status.