Pokemon GO artwork
Image via Niantic

All Pokémon GO Buddy Evolutions with Special Buddy Tasks

These Pokémon are demanding.

When playing Pokémon GO, it’s natural to want to build the strongest possible team. As such, you may be looking to evolve your Pokémon into bigger and mostly better forms. Some of these evolutions aren’t as simple as spending candy and pressing a button, though. 

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There are a large number of Pokémon who will only evolve after you’ve completed certain Buddy Tasks. These can be as simple as walking a certain distance, or catching a certain number of Pokémon of a certain type. In this guide, we’ll go through specific Buddy Task evolutions. Others, such as the bizarre case of Inkay, will not be included. 

How to select or change your Buddy in Pokémon GO

Player and Buddy in Pokemon GO
Screenshot by Destructoid

Of course it’s no use simply doing these tasks if the required Pokémon isn’t set as your Buddy at the time. 

To select a Pokémon Buddy, navigate to your Pokédex and select which Pokémon you want as your Buddy. After picking one, scroll down and select the Buddy icon to select your first Buddy. 

If you’ve already got a Buddy and want to switch it out for another Pokémon, open their Buddy Profile via the button in the bottom left corner of the map, then select ‘Swap Buddies’ at the bottom of their Profile. 

Once you’ve got your Buddy at your side, you can choose to either get them out of their Pokéball to walk beside you on the map, or keep them inside. Either way, your efforts towards evolving them via Buddy Tasks will count.

Pokémon who evolve through distance walked in Pokémon GO

Woobat can be evolved after walking 1 Kilometer with it as your Buddy in Pokemon GO
Screenshot by Destructoid

One of the simplest types of Buddy Tasks in Pokémon GO is walking. Different Pokémon require different distances before you’ll be able to evolve them:

PokemonEvolutionDistance walkedOther requirements
WoobatSwoobat1 Kilometer50 Woobat Candy
Hisuian SneaselSneasler7 Kilometers100 Sneasel Candy
Evolve during the day
EeveeEspeon10 Kilometers25 Eevee Candy
Evolve during the day
EeveeUmbreon10 Kilometers25 Eevee Candy
Evolve at night
Mime Jr.Mr. Mime15 Kilometers50 Mr. Mime Candy
BonslySudowoodo15 Kilometers50 Sudowoodo Candy
HappinyChansey15 Kilometers25 Chansey Candy
FeebasMilotic20 Kilometers100 Feebas Candy
PawmoPawmot25 Kilometers100 Pawmo Candy

Pokémon with specific Buddy Tasks to evolve

Pancham can be evolved after catching 32 Dark type Pokemon while it is your Buddy in Pokemon Go
Screenshot by Destructoid

Things get slightly more complicated with these Pokémon, as they have specific requirements which must be completed while they’re set as your Buddy before you can even attempt to evolve them. 

You’ll know if your Buddy has one of these tasks, because there will be a drop down menu under the Evolve button which details the task.

PokemonEvolutionBuddy TaskOther requirements
PrimeapeAnnihilapeDefeat 30 Ghost or Psychic type Pokémon100 Mankey Candy
CharcadetArmarougeDefeat 30 Psychic type Pokémon50 Charcadet Candy
Galarian SlowpokeGalarian SlowbroCatch 30 Poison type Pokémon50 Slowpoke Candy
Galarian SlowpokeGalarian SlowkingCatch 30 Psychic type Pokémon50 Slowpoke Candy
PanchamPangoroCatch 32 Dark type Pokémon50 Pancham Candy
Galarian Farfetch’dSirfetch’dMake 10 excellent throws50 Farfetch Candy
FloetteFlorgesEarn 20 hearts as a Buddy100 Flabebe Candy
Eevee SylveonEarn 70 hears as a Buddy25 Eevee Candy
SwirlixSlurpuffFeed 25 treats50 Swirlix Candy
SpritzeeAromatisseUse 1 Incense50 Spritzee Candy
Hisuian QwilfishOverqwilWin 10 Raids50 Qwilfish Candy
Galarian YamaskRunerigusWin 10 Raids50 Yamask Candy

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Author
Image of Paula Vaynshteyn
Paula Vaynshteyn
With her first experience of gaming being on an Atari ST, Paula has been gaming for her entire life. She’s 7,000 hours deep into Final Fantasy XIV, spends more time on cozy games than she would care to admit, and is also your friendly resident Whovian. Juggling online adventuring with family life has its struggles, but she wouldn’t have it any other way.