Where to find your Pokémon's friendship level

Open your Pokédex, select the Pokémon you want to check, and scroll down to the "Summary" tab. You'll see a row of hearts near the bottom of the screen — each filled heart represents one friendship level, up to a maximum of five. The more hearts showing, the higher your friendship with that Pokémon.

This same heart display appears in your party menu during gameplay. Highlight any Pokémon in your active team and look at the right side of the screen — the hearts show up there too, so you don't have to open the full Pokédex every time.

Key Takeaways

  • Friendship levels range from zero to five hearts and appear in both the Pokédex summary and your active party menu.
  • Battling with a Pokémon, using items on it, and keeping it in your party all increase friendship over time.
  • Some Pokémon only evolve when friendship reaches a certain level, so checking hearts tells you if evolution is available.
  • Fainting in battle or using items that lower stats will decrease friendship, so avoid those if you want to keep bonds strong.

What each friendship level means for evolution and moves

Friendship unlocks specific evolutions and moves that don't happen any other way. Eevee evolves into Espeon or Umbreon depending on the time of day — but only if friendship is at three hearts or higher. Pichu evolves into Pikachu the same way. If your Pokémon knows a move called "Return," its power increases with friendship level, dealing more damage the stronger your bond.

Some Pokémon learn exclusive moves only when friendship reaches maximum (five hearts). Checking the hearts regularly tells you whether you're close to unlocking these bonuses or still have grinding to do.

How to raise friendship quickly

The fastest way to build friendship is to keep a Pokémon in your active party and use it in battles. Each battle where your Pokémon participates adds friendship points. Using healing items like Potions or Full Heals on your Pokémon outside of battle also increases friendship — this works even if the Pokémon isn't hurt.

Picnicking with your Pokémon raises friendship as well. Set up a picnic, interact with your team members, and let them eat sandwiches together. This method is slower than battling but works passively while you're exploring. Avoid fainting your Pokémon in battle or using items that lower their stats (like Swords Dance or Nasty Plot), because both of those decrease friendship.

Why friendship matters in Scarlet and Violet

Beyond evolution and exclusive moves, friendship affects how your Pokémon performs in battle. A Pokémon with high friendship is more likely to survive a hit that would normally knock it out, and it may land a critical hit when you need it most. These aren't may provide, but the higher your friendship, the better the odds.

Friendship also determines whether your Pokémon will obey you in battle. A Pokémon you just caught may ignore your commands if friendship is low, wasting your turn. Building friendship ensures your team listens when you give orders.

Checking friendship for specific evolution paths

If you're trying to evolve a Pokémon that requires friendship, the hearts tell you exactly where you stand. Pokémon like Chansey (evolves into Blissey), Golbat (evolves into Crobat), and Feebas (evolves into Milotic) all need high friendship to trigger their evolution. Once you hit three or four hearts, you're in range — the exact threshold depends on the Pokémon.

The Pokédex entry for each Pokémon lists its evolution method, so if you're unsure whether friendship is the trigger, check there first. Then use the heart display to track your progress toward that goal.

Friendship versus happiness — what's the difference

In older Pokémon games, the stat was called "happiness." Scarlet and Violet use the term "friendship" instead, but it's the same mechanic — a hidden number that ranges from zero to 255 internally, displayed to you as zero to five hearts. The name changed, but the system works identically.

Some online guides still use "happiness" when discussing these games. If you see that term in a guide about Scarlet or Violet, it's referring to the same friendship hearts you see in your Pokédex.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I check friendship for Pokémon in my box?

Yes. Open your Pokédex, find the Pokémon in your box, and view its summary. The hearts display works the same way whether the Pokémon is in your party or stored away. You don't have to carry a Pokémon in your active team to check its friendship level.

What happens if friendship drops to zero?

A Pokémon can have zero hearts and still battle and obey you — zero friendship just means you haven't built a bond yet. It's not a penalty. Start using that Pokémon in battles and healing it with items, and friendship will begin climbing when ready.

Does friendship reset if I switch Pokémon out of my party?

No. Friendship is tied to the individual Pokémon, not to whether it's in your party or your box. Removing a Pokémon from your active team doesn't erase the friendship you've built. It just stops increasing until you use that Pokémon again.

Can I max out friendship before attempting an evolution?

Yes. Reach five hearts, then trigger the evolution method — level up, use a stone, or whatever the Pokémon requires. Having maximum friendship doesn't prevent evolution; it just guarantees you've met the friendship requirement if one exists.