Master 20km Buddy strategy in Pokemon Go with optimized candy farming and advanced leveling techniques
Understanding 20km Buddies in Pokemon Go
Mastering the 20km Buddy system represents the ultimate challenge in Pokemon Go candy farming efficiency. These high-distance companions demand strategic planning and optimization to maximize your resource gains.
The Buddy feature revolutionizes candy acquisition by rewarding physical activity with valuable Pokemon resources. Understanding the four distinct distance categories—1km, 3km, 5km, and the demanding 20km tier—is crucial for optimizing your gameplay strategy.
Whether you’re just starting your Pokemon journey or have been battling since 2016, the 20km Buddy category requires special attention. These Pokemon typically include Legendary creatures, Mythical species, and Ultra Beasts that are notoriously difficult to power up through conventional methods.
Strategic Insight: The 20km distance was specifically designed for Pokemon that are rarely available in raids or have limited candy sources. This makes them perfect candidates for long-term walking projects, especially when they rotate out of current raid bosses.
Advanced players should note that 20km Buddies work exceptionally well with Adventure Sync, allowing background distance tracking even when the app isn’t actively open. This passive earning capability makes them ideal for daily commuters and fitness enthusiasts.
Complete 20km Buddy Pokemon List
The following elite Pokemon require 20km of walking distance per candy, making them the most demanding but rewarding companions in your collection.
Legendary Pokemon dominating the 20km category include Articuno, Zapdos, Moltres, Mewtwo, Raikou, Entei, Suicune, and all subsequent Legendary releases. These powerful creatures typically appear in 5-star raids but become walking projects when unavailable.
Mythical Pokemon like Mew, Celebi, Jirachi, and Meltan also fall into the 20km category. These rare species often have limited candy acquisition methods outside of walking, making them perfect Buddy candidates.
Ultra Beasts including Nihilego, Buzzwole, and their interdimensional counterparts universally require 20km per candy. Their exotic nature and powerful stats justify the substantial walking investment.
Pro Tip: Prioritize Pokemon that you actively use in raids or PvP battles. The candy investment pays dividends when you can power up meta-relevant Pokemon rather than simply completing your Pokedex.
Seasoned trainers recommend focusing on one 20km Buddy at a time rather than frequently swapping. The cumulative distance adds up significantly when you maintain consistency with a single high-value Pokemon.
Buddy Setup and Management
Proper Buddy management separates casual players from strategic masters. Follow these optimized procedures for maximum efficiency.
To establish your initial Buddy partnership, execute these precise steps:
When transitioning between Buddy Pokemon, the procedure adjusts slightly for experienced trainers:
Advanced Strategy: The hunger meter mechanic can reduce required walking distance by feeding your Buddy berries. Golden Razz Berries provide the most substantial reduction, potentially cutting distance requirements by half when utilized strategically.
Critical Consideration: Daily candy acquisition caps exist, making multiple shorter walking sessions more effective than single marathon sessions. Plan your routes to maximize multiple candy triggers throughout the day.
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Buddy Levels and Rewards System
The Buddy affinity system delivers escalating rewards as your bond strengthens through accumulated walking distance and interactions.
As you accumulate heart points with your companion, you’ll progress through these milestone achievement tiers:
The CP boost from Best Buddy status provides a significant combat advantage, increasing your Pokemon’s power beyond normal maximum limits. This makes the 20km walking investment particularly valuable for Pokemon used in raid battles and PvP competitions.
Expert Insight: Different Buddy levels unlock various catch assist behaviors. At Great Buddy level, your companion will occasionally bounce back Pokeballs that Pokemon knock away, significantly improving catch rates for rare species.
Consult our comprehensive Buddy affinity guide for detailed strategies on maximizing heart gains and accelerating your progression through these valuable reward tiers.
This completes your strategic overview of 20km Buddy management in Pokemon Go. For additional gameplay enhancement, explore our dedicated guides covering Spotlight Hour events, current Raid Boss rotations, and monthly event calendars to coordinate your Buddy walking with limited-time opportunities.
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