The Great Buddy Catch Assist is a helpful feature in Pokémon GO where your buddy Pokémon can assist you during wild Pokémon encounters by bouncing a deflected Poké Ball back at the target Pokémon, giving you a second chance at the catch without needing to throw another ball.
Understanding the Catch Assist Mechanism
This beneficial interaction occurs specifically when a wild Pokémon you are attempting to catch bats a thrown Poké Ball back at you. Instead of the ball being lost, your buddy, if it has reached the "Great Buddy" friendship level, has a chance to intervene. When this happens, your buddy will quickly bounce the Poké Ball back towards the Pokémon, effectively re-throwing it for you.
How It Works
- Pokémon Deflection: You throw a Poké Ball, and the wild Pokémon hits it back, preventing a successful capture.
- Buddy Intervention: If your buddy is at the Great Buddy level or higher, there's a chance it will immediately react to the deflected ball.
- Re-throw: Your buddy will then volley the Poké Ball back at the wild Pokémon, giving you another opportunity to catch it with the same ball.
This feature is particularly useful for saving Poké Balls and maximizing your chances during critical encounters, especially when dealing with hard-to-catch Pokémon or during limited-time events.
Reaching Great Buddy Status
The Catch Assist perk becomes available once your buddy Pokémon achieves the "Great Buddy" friendship level. You increase your buddy's friendship level by earning hearts through various daily activities.
Here’s a breakdown of the buddy levels and their associated perks:
| Buddy Level | Hearts Required | Key Perks |
|---|---|---|
| Good Buddy | 1 | Your buddy appears on the map, adventure together. |
| Great Buddy | 70 | Catch Assist, your buddy may find locations. |
| Ultra Buddy | 150 | Your buddy finds Souvenirs and Candy surprises. |
| Best Buddy | 300 | Your buddy gets a CP boost in battle and a Best Buddy Ribbon. |
To earn hearts with your buddy, you can:
- Walk together
- Feed your buddy berries
- Play with your buddy
- Battle together (Gym, Team GO Rocket, PvP)
- Take snapshots
- Visit new places
Consistent interaction with your buddy will help you reach the Great Buddy level, unlocking the valuable Catch Assist feature and making your Pokémon catching adventures more efficient.
