While Pokémon Go fever may have cooled since its global outbreak in the summer, there are still plenty of trainers hunting wild Pocket Monsters from the safety of their mobile devices.

To keep players invested, developer Niantic Inc has been quietly working on updates for its Android and iOS apps, with the latest introducing a number of bug fixes and support for the upcoming Pokémon Go Plus peripheral.

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The biggest addition in update 0.37.0 for Android and 1.7.0 for iOS, however, is the "Buddy" system – a new gameplay mechanic that allows trainers to anoint any Pokémon from their team as an honorary companion.

The benefit – aside from the enjoyable sight of your favourite critter standing alongside your avatar – is an added bonus to those long-distance egg-hatching walks, as once you have reached pre-set distance markers, you receive a single Candy for the chosen Pokémon.

The system adds another way to farm Candy alongside the traditional methods, and will aid players in their quest to catch 'em all by delivering sought-after Candy for the rare Pokémon you may not see too often in the wild.

Here's everything you need to know about Pokémon Go's Buddy system:

Pokémon Go: How to assign a 'Buddy' Pokémon

As with most of its mechanics, how to actually select a Buddy in Pokémon Go is hidden away in the menus. Follow these steps and you will have a Poké-pal in no time:

  • From the GPS map screen, tap your avatar's mugshot in the bottom-left corner of the screen (this also shows your current level and XP bar)
  • Next, tap the 'More' icon (the three horizontal bars) in the bottom-right of the screen
  • Select the Buddy option
  • Tap on the Pokémon you want to assign as your Buddy
  • Once you have clicked the Pokémon it will be assigned to you and show the distance needed for a Candy to drop
  • If you want to check how long you have left after a quick jog, follow this process up until you have clicked the Buddy option and it will show a progress bar
  • To change your current Buddy, go to the same menu and select the Swap icon (bottom-right) – be warned, this will reset your Buddy progress with the current Pokémon.

Pokemon Go Buddy chart: List of all distance ranks for each Pokémon Candy

Before you set off traipsing around with your new best friend, it is worth noting that the distance required to nab a Candy changes with each particular Pokémon. Currently, the minimum distance is 1km and the maximum is 5km, with the rarer Pokémon requiring the longest treks.

Thanks to the efforts of users at the SilphRoad subreddit, a full list of each Pokémon's Buddy distance is now available so you can decide who will be joining you on your travels.

Here's the full list ordered by their Pokédex positions:

  • Bulbasaur, Ivysaur, Venusaur: 3km
  • Charmander, Charmeleon, Charizard: 3km
  • Squirtle, Wartortle, Blastoise: 3km
  • Caterpie, Metapod, Butterfree: 1km
  • Weedle, Kakuna, Beedrill: 1km
  • Pidgey, Pidgeotto, Pidgeot: 1km
  • Rattata, Raticate: 1km
  • Spearow, Fearow: 1km
  • Ekans, Arbok: 3km
  • Pikachu, Raichu: 1km
  • Sandshrew, Sandslash: 3km
  • Nidoran (Female), Nidorina, Nidoqueen: 3km
  • Nidoran (Male), Nidorino, Nidoking: 3km
  • Clefairy, Clefable: 1km
  • Vulpix, Ninetails: 3km
  • Jigglypuff, Wigglytuff: 1km
  • Zubat, Golbat: 1km
  • Oddish, Gloom, Vileplume: 3km
  • Paras, Parasect: 3km
  • Venonat, Venomoth: 3km
  • Diglett, Dugtrio: 3km
  • Meowth, Persian: 3km
  • Psyduck, Golduck: 3km
  • Mankey, Primeape: 3km
  • Growlithe, Arcanine: 3km
  • Poliwag, Poliwhirl, Poliwrath: 3km
  • Abra, Kadabra, Alakazam: 3km
  • Machop, Machoke, Machamp: 3km
  • Bellsprout, Weepinbell, Victreebel: 3km
  • Tentacool, Tentacruel: 3km
  • Geodude, Graveler, Golem: 1km
  • Ponyta, Rapidash: 3km
  • Slowpoke, Slowbro: 3km
  • Magnemite, Magneton: 3km
  • Farfetch'd: 3km
  • Doduo, Dodrio: 3km
  • Seel, Dewgong: 3km
  • Grimer, Muk: 3km
  • Shellder, Cloyster: 3km
  • Gastly, Haunter, Gengar: 3km
  • Onix: 5km
  • Drowzee, Hypno: 3km
  • Krabby, Kingler: 3km
  • Voltorb, Electrode: 3km
  • Exeggcute, Exeggutor: 3km
  • Cubone, Marowak: 3km
  • Hitmonlee: 5km
  • Hitmonchan: 5km
  • Lickitung: 3km
  • Koffing, Weezing: 3km
  • Rhyhorn, Rhydon: 3km
  • Chansey: 5km
  • Tangela: 3km
  • Kangaskhan: 3km
  • Horsea, Seadra: 3km
  • Goldeen, Seaking: 3km
  • Staryu, Starmie: 3km
  • Mr. Mime: 5km
  • Scyther: 5km
  • Jynx: 5km
  • Electabuzz: 5km
  • Magmar: 5km
  • Pinsir: 5km
  • Tauros: 3km
  • Magikarp, Gyarados: 1km
  • Lapras: 5km
  • Ditto: Not available in game
  • Eevee, Vaporeon, Jolteon, Flareon: 5km
  • Porygon: 3km
  • Omanyte, Omastar: 5km
  • Kabuto, Kabutops: 5km
  • Aerodactyl: 5km
  • Snorlax: 5km
  • Articuno, Zapdos, Moltres: Not available in game
  • Dratini, Dragonair, Dragonite: 5km
  • Mewtwo: Not available in game
  • Mew: Not available in game

IBTimes UK has a series of guides to aid you in finding and catching Pokémon, how to level up and evolve them and how to compete in battles at Gyms.

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