Pokémon Platinum: Maxing Out Friendship – A Trainer’s Guide

So, you’re aiming for the elusive evolution that hinges on high friendship in Pokémon Platinum? You’re not alone. Many trainers find themselves scratching their heads, wondering just how to quickly and effectively boost that hidden stat. Let’s cut to the chase: increasing friendship in Pokémon Platinum involves a combination of actions that signal care and attention to your Pokémon. This includes walking with them in your party, avoiding fainting in battle, giving them massages, using specific items, and timing is crucial. You need to maximize these actions while minimizing detrimental ones to achieve maximum friendship, unlocking those evolutions or special interactions. Let’s dive deep into the methods and strategies to become a true Pokémon pal.

The Friendship Formula: Unveiling the Secrets

The friendship stat (also known as Happiness or Affection in some games) in Pokémon Platinum is a hidden value ranging from 0 to 255. Certain Pokémon, like Eevee (for Espeon and Umbreon), Golbat (for Crobat), and Riolu (for Lucario), require a high friendship level (typically 220 or more, often 200-220 is enough) to evolve. Understanding the nuances of how this value increases or decreases is critical.

Key Actions that Boost Friendship

Several factors contribute positively to a Pokémon’s friendship. The most effective methods include:

• Walking with your Pokémon: Simply having the Pokémon in your party will slowly, but steadily, increase its friendship as you take steps.
• Leveling Up: Each level gained provides a significant friendship boost. This is one of the most reliable ways to see quick gains.
• Using Vitamins: Vitamins like Protein, Iron, Calcium, Zinc, and HP Up give a solid boost to friendship. These are expensive, but effective.
• Using Soothe Bell: Equipping a Soothe Bell to your Pokémon increases the effectiveness of other friendship-boosting actions. The Soothe Bell is located in the Pokémon Mansion on Route 212.
• Giving Massages: Massages in Veilstone City (from the woman in the house northeast of the Pokémon Center) can provide a decent friendship boost. This can only be done once per day per Pokémon.
• Winning Contests: Winning Pokémon Contests increases friendship.
• Using specific Berries: Certain berries, such as Pomeg Berry, Kelpsy Berry, Qualot Berry, Hondew Berry, Grepa Berry, and Tamato Berry, increase friendship but decrease a specific stat (HP, Attack, Defense, Special Attack, Special Defense, and Speed, respectively). These are useful if you have excess of one of these stats.
• Making Use of the Luxury Ball: Capturing a Pokémon with a Luxury Ball will help accelerate its Friendship growth rate.

Actions to Avoid: Keeping Your Pokémon Happy

Conversely, some actions negatively impact friendship:

• Fainting in Battle: Allowing your Pokémon to faint is a major friendship killer. Avoid this at all costs.
• Using Herbal Medicine: Herbal medicines like Energy Powder, Energy Root, Heal Powder, and Revival Herb significantly decrease friendship, despite healing your Pokémon. This is because your Pokémon hate the taste. Only use these if you have absolutely no other choice.
• Trading a Pokémon: Trading a Pokémon resets its friendship level.

The Importance of Timing

The time of day can affect certain friendship events. For instance, Eevee will only evolve into Espeon during the daytime (4:00 AM to 6:00 PM) and Umbreon during the nighttime (6:00 PM to 4:00 AM) after reaching sufficient friendship. Riolu will only evolve into Lucario during the daytime. Make sure your Nintendo DS clock is set correctly.

Maximizing Friendship: A Step-by-Step Guide

1. Acquire a Soothe Bell: This item doubles the friendship increase from most activities. Find it in the Pokémon Mansion.
2. Equip the Soothe Bell: Give it to the Pokémon you want to evolve.
3. Use Vitamins: Start by giving your Pokémon Vitamins until they no longer have any effect. The maximum stat cap will prevent overfeeding them.
4. Massages: Visit Veilstone City daily for massages.
5. Walk, Walk, Walk: Keep the Pokémon in your party and walk around. The more steps you take, the better. Cycling is also fine.
6. Level Up Strategically: Battle and level up in areas where your Pokémon is unlikely to faint.
7. Avoid Fainting: Use potions and status healing items liberally. Never let your Pokémon faint.
8. Time-Sensitive Evolutions: Be mindful of the time of day for evolutions like Espeon, Umbreon, and Lucario.
9. Check Friendship: Regularly check your Pokémon’s friendship level (see FAQ).
10. Use Luxury Ball: Catching with a Luxury Ball.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Friendship in Pokémon Platinum

1. How do I check my Pokémon’s friendship level in Platinum?

The Friendship Checker is located in the Pokémon Center in Eterna City. Talk to the woman standing next to her Pokémon. She will provide a general indication of your Pokémon’s friendship through a rating system. If she says something like “It looks really happy! I am sure that it loves you,” this usually indicates high enough friendship for evolution. You can also check the Friendship App on your Pokétch once you’ve got it.

2. What’s the quickest way to raise friendship?

The fastest method is a combination of Soothe Bell, Vitamins, and daily massages. Leveling up also provides a substantial boost.

3. Does trading a Pokémon affect its friendship?

Yes, trading a Pokémon resets its friendship to its base value. Avoid trading a Pokémon you’re trying to evolve via friendship.

4. How much does the Soothe Bell actually help?

The Soothe Bell doubles the friendship gained from most activities, making it an essential tool for efficient friendship building.

5. Can I use Rare Candies to increase friendship?

Yes, Rare Candies work like any other level-up method. They will also raise friendship, but be aware of their scarcity.

6. What are the base friendship values for Pokémon?

Different Pokémon start with different base friendship values. Some start at 0, others at 70, and some at 140. Pokémon with lower base friendship will take longer to evolve.

7. Does fainting decrease friendship significantly?

Yes, fainting in battle has a major negative impact on friendship. Avoid it if possible.

8. How do I get the Soothe Bell?

You can find the Soothe Bell in the Pokémon Mansion on Route 212. It’s in one of the rooms.

9. Are there any other items that affect friendship besides the Soothe Bell?

No. The Soothe Bell is the only item that directly boosts the rate at which friendship increases.

10. What time of day do Espeon and Umbreon evolve?

Eevee evolves into Espeon during the daytime (4:00 AM to 6:00 PM) and Umbreon during the nighttime (6:00 PM to 4:00 AM), provided it has a high enough friendship level.

11. Can I check friendship before getting the Friendship Checker in Eterna City?

No. The Friendship Checker in Eterna City is the only in-game method to gauge friendship levels (besides the hidden Pokétch app) until you get access to the friendship checker in the Pokétch.

12. Do eggs hatch with any friendship?

Yes, Pokémon hatched from eggs start with a base friendship level of 120. This makes them easier to train than Pokémon caught in the wild with a base friendship of 70 or lower. Use a Luxury Ball!