Pokemon Sword and Shield bring back a mechanic from previous games that require players to keep track of Pokemon happiness and make efforts to boost it as well. Pokemon Sword and Shield happiness is is a hidden stat. The hidden stat affects some of the moves performed by your Pokemon in Pokemon Sword and Shield.
The happiness stats have taken different forms over the years. In the previous generations, it was known as “Friendship.”
The following information will help you understand the happiness mechanic in Pokemon Sword and Shield and explain how to keep Pokemon happy in Sword and Shield.
How to Increase Pokemon Happiness
There are some sure-fire ways to raise Pokemon Sword and Shield happiness level. It is to be noted that all captured Pokemon will have a base happiness stat.
Various Pokemon species have different base happiness stats and happiness builds over time. However, as I said, there are some sure-fire ways to help speed up the process and increase Pokemon happiness.
- Use Pokemon as much as possible in the battle
- Catch them using a luxury ball
- Use vitamins on the Pokemon
- Let Pokemon hold Soothe Ball
- Keep the Pokemon in your party when you travel
How to Prevent Happiness from Decreasing?
In addition to telling you about how to increase Pokemon happiness, we think it is best for you to know what actually causes Pokemon happiness to fall in Pokemon Sword and Shield. One of the first things you need to know is regarding the fainting during battle. DO NOT let you Pokemon faint during battle as it has a negative impact on the Pokemon happiness stats. Moreover, use bitter items on Pokemon and keep your Pokemon stored in the PC is a sure-fire way to ruin a Pokemon’s happiness. Also, trading Pokemon will decrease its happiness as well.
This marks the end of our Pokemon Sword and Shield happiness guide. If you need more help with the game check out new abilities, starter Pokemon, and perfect breading.