Learn how you can increase Friendship in Pokemon Legends Z-A quickly. We’ll also explore how the Friendship stat is beneficial.

You’ll want to increase Friendship in Pokemon Legends Z-A with all of your Pokemon, as the mechanic is tied to their evolution in some instances. The Friendship or Happiness stat determines a Pokemon’s affinity toward you as their trainer. The game offers several ways to improve this affinity. However, some methods work faster, while others might take a considerable amount of time. Regardless of how you improve the Friendship stat, it’s crucial that you do. So, we’ll dive into the various methods of increasing Friendship, its uses, and how you can keep track of Friendship levels.
How To Increase Friendship in Pokemon Legends Z-A
The following are some methods by which you’ll be able to improve the Friendship stat of your Pokemon.
Exploration
In this method, you just place the Pokemon whose Friendship stat you want to improve in Slot 1. Then, let them accompany you while exploring the various parts of the city. Simply letting them out of their Pokeball is a powerful way of building their affinity toward you. Also, if you engage in battle with your companion Pokemon at this time, those fights will strengthen the bonds between you. However, keep in mind that improving the Friendship level this way can take some time, and it’s clearly not the quickest way to get the stat up.
Visiting Cafes

You’ll find several cafes and restaurants while exploring the city. You can visit any of these places with your active Pokemon. Order items from the menu. Doing so should increase your Friendship level with that Pokemon considerably. This is by far the fastest way to get the Friendship stat up for any Pokemon, allowing you to get them evolve-ready in a matter of seconds. You can keep repeating the orders as long as their Friendship isn’t maxed. You don’t even need to leave the cafe or restaurant between each order. However, keep in mind that this process will require you to shell out anywhere between 1500 and 2000 Poke Dollars for the orders.
Using Items and Equipment
Certain in-game consumables and equipment can also bolster your Pokemon’s Friendship stat. For instance, eating the different types of berries can help form a better bond between you and the Pokemon. However, each consumable also comes with a penalty to the Pokemon’s other stats. That’s why we don’t particularly recommend using these berries solely for the Friendship increase. Still, let’s take a look at what items you can use to improve the Pokemon’s affinity.
Berry Name | Penalties |
---|---|
Pomeg Berry | Reduction in HP stat base points. |
Qualot Berry | Reduction in Defense stat base points. |
Kelpsy Berry | Reduction in Attack stat base points. |
Grepa Berry | Reduction in SP Defense stat base points. |
Hondew Berry | Reduction in SP Attack stat base points. |
Tamato Berry | Reduction in Speed stat base points. |
You can purchase any of the berries from market stalls and other merchants spread across the city.
Beyond these consumables, there’s one other specific in-game item that can boost Friendship level with a Pokemon. For that, you need to complete Side Mission 36: Some Friendly Competition. It’s a quest where a trainer will challenge you to a Pokemon duel. You have to defeat their Clefairy with your chosen Pokemon. Once you do that, the quest giver will reward you with the Soothe Bell item. After acquiring this item, simply proceed to the inventory screen and have your chosen Pokemon hold the Soothe Bell. This immediately increases their affinity toward you.
Also Read: Pokemon Legends Z-A: How To Change Pokemon Nature
Why Should You Increase Friendship in Pokemon Legends Z-A

You won’t be able to evolve certain Pokemon without first maxing out their Friendship levels. Evolving the creatures is critical as the game progresses, since you’ll come across tougher opponents against whom your base Pokemon simply won’t be strong enough. The following are the evolutions where the Friendship stat matters.
- Evolving Eevee to Espeon
- Evolving Eevee to Umbreon
- Evolving Eevee to Sylveon
- Evolving Budew to Roselia
- Evolving Riolu to Lucario
- Evolving Buneary to Lopunny
- Evolving Pichu to Pikachu
- Evolving Cleffa to Clefairy
How To Check Friendship Levels
You won’t be able to check the Friendship stat with any of your Pokemon from within the game menu. Instead, you need to reach Cafe Pokemon-Amie, and speak to the female NPC sitting outside that cafe. Now, choose one of the Pokemon from your team or from the Boxes for her to examine. After that, she’ll let you know just how strong the bonds of friendship are between that Pokemon and you.
Also Read: Pokemon Legends Z-A: What is the Maximum Level

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