Buchinyan in the befriending screen.
Befriending is a core mechanic in the Yo-kai Watch series, where players can recruit Yo-kai, obtaining their medal and adding them to the Medallium. This process usually requires defeating them in a battle. While the system is usually based on random chance, some methods like Forbidden Fruit and Auto-Befriends can guarantee it.
Overview[]
Blazion in the befriending prompt.
In the main-line games, a Yo-kai can be befriended by progressing through a related story or quest (for auto-befriends), or by defeating them in a battle. However, some Yo-kai cannot be befriended (such as the majority of Boss Yo-kai), while others require special methods to obtain, such as exclusively through the Crank-a-kai, or are exclusive to a game version's Quests.
When a Yo-kai has been befriended, the player will initially be prompted, allowing them to choose whether or not to befriend the Yo-kai. If the player declines, the Yo-kai will walk away. The choice is only given in the standard befriending method (beating them in a battle). Most Yo-kai can be befriended in unlimited quantities, but some are limited to a certain amount per save file excluding trading.
There is a limit on the number of medals that the player can have. In Yo-kai Watch 2 and Yo-kai Watch 3, it varies, being raised by factors such as the amount of unique Yo-kai, number of Auto-Befriends, progress through Blasters T and more but the general consensus is that the Yo-kai Watch 3 cap is around 640, although some believe it can reach as high as 699. In Yo-kai Watch 2 the limit is set to 401.
In the games[]
Yo-kai Watch 2[]
Yo-kai Watch 2 introduces poking via the Model Zero Watch. Poking can give a random effect depending on where the Yo-kai is poked, including increasing the befriending odds. It also introduces the Superstar Soul, which works like a Yo-kai with the Popularity Skill but the soul can stack with the ability.
Yo-kai Watch 3[]
Yo-kai Watch 3 introduces Forbidden Fruit which has a 100% befriend rate. Forbidden Fruit is exclusive to the Blasters T mode. Poking is replaced by the Yo-kai Blaster. The Yo-kai Blaster has a chance to either harm an enemy, or increase their befriend rate. Both modes also have a 'high' mode that increases damage or rates. The player must shoot at the enemy Yo-kai's moving medals to increase the rate. In Blasters T, Yo-kai are befriended the same way as they are in Yo-kai Watch Blasters. Befriending rates can be increased with the usual Skills as well as Auras and Fragrance items that can be activated in the player's menu during a mission with three levels of effect.
Yo-kai Watch 4[]
Befriending has been changed in Yo-kai Watch 4, instead of Yo-kai having a chance to be befriended after a battle, they have a chance to drop Kon. Kon comes in three types: silver, red and gold with Yo-kai specific Kon as well as Tribe Kon. Yo-kai are now befriended in Konkatsu where a set amount of their Kon is needed to summon them as well as sometimes Materials. The player can also choose the level and personality of the Yo-kai with a varying cost. Only Yo-kai Watch Masters can extract Kon from Yo-kai, so if playing as a Yo-kai, the player will switch to their Watch Master. However, if the Yo-kai Watch Master has transformed (such as Cole or Summer), they will not be able to extract Kon.
Both Yo-kai and Kon can be freed from the Crank-a-kai.
Yo-kai Watch Blasters[]
Yo-kai can be befriended via missions and the Crank-a-kai. The befriending mechanic is different in this game to accommodate the new gameplay style. Upon being defeated, a Yo-kai will stay upright and will gain a pink circle underneath it. Interacting nearby will start the Friend Chance. The player then must time their button presses with a moving gauge and hearts in a circle around the Yo-kai. The number of hearts needed to match correctly depends on the rarity of the Yo-kai. Friend Chance can be cancelled out of by an enemy attack so it is advised to defeat all surrounding Yo-kai before attempting Friend Chance. There is a time limit on Friend Chance, and once it runs out, the Yo-kai will leave. Patrol Missions are specifically for befriending Yo-kai that patrol an area.
Yo-kai can also be befriended via the Crank-a-kai like the main line games, as well as sometimes as Mission rewards.
The only way to increase odds are the Superstar Soul, the Popularity ability along with the Popularity and Friend Finder auras respectively. Friend Finder makes the first defeated Yo-kai in a mission become befriended.
Yo-kai Sangokushi[]
Yo-kai can be befriended by beating them in battles, Crank-a-kai cranks, and special events.
Y School Heroes: Bustlin' School Life[]
Yo-kai Medals are called Summoning Medals, and can be obtained from enemy and boss drops as well as the Crank-a-kai using Gasha Coins.
Yo-kai Watch Dance: Just Dance Special Version[]
Although there isn't a direct equivalent for befriending. Players can unlock avatars, named Yo-kai Badges, by using Mojo points on the Crank-a-kai, with 10 Mojo points for normal Yo-kai Badges and 20 Mojo points for Legendary Yo-kai badges.
Yo-kai Watch: Wibble Wobble[]
Befriending odds can be increased using the following methods:
- Food, similar to the other games there are four levels of success, expressed with 1-4 hearts.
- Popularity Skill Yo-kai. The ability can be used up to three times per battle to maximally increase the odds per Yo-kai. This effect can stack.
- The shrine in Mount Wildwood. After paying 100y, you can occasionally see the phrase "I just know I'm going to make lots of new friends", which boosts the chances to the equivalent level of 3 heart food.
Successfully befriending a Yo-kai you already have will level up the Soultimate level instead. You cannot befriend multiple Yo-kai in one battle. The shrine buff and Food do not stack, instead the larger buff replaces the smaller one, whereas the Popularity Skill and Food do stack.
Yo-kai Watch Land[]
Yo-kai Watch Land doesn't have a standard Befriending system, rather you can scan the QR code on the back of Hasbro's Yo-kai Watch Medals to befriend them.
Yo-kai Watch World[]
Yo-kai can be befriended via events, the Crank-a-kai and by defeating them in a battle. The likelihood of befriending can be boosted via: a popularity skill and by giving them their favourite Food (note that there is only one Food item in each category within this game).
Yo-kai Watch: Medal Wars[]
You could befriend Yo-kai through events, the Crank-a-kai and by taking images.
Probability[]
Known Factors[]
Each Yo-kai has a base probability to be befriended, which can be influenced by many factors such as their rank, food etc. The confirmed factors include the following:
- Rank
- Food items
- Popularity Skill
- Popularity Soul
- Blue and Gold wisps
- Yo-kai Blaster/Poke Buffs
Speculation[]
There are a few other factors which haven't been confirmed:
- Certain Quests/Story Requirements: Some quests or story chapters might temporarily increase the likelihood of encountering and/or befriending certain Yo-kai. For example, if a quest requires a Shmoopie, it may become likelier.
- Early Befriends: If a player is befriending a Yo-kai for the first time or within the first few attempts, the Yo-kai may become more common.
- Titles: Certain Yo-kai types, such as Boss, Rare, and Wicked Yo-kai, are rarer, possessing a lower base chance.
In Yo-kai Watch, the approximate base rates for befriending are:
- E Rank: 6.67%
- D Rank: 3.33%
- C Rank: 1.33%
- B Rank: 0.33%
- A Rank: 0.1%
- S Rank: 0.01%
In the anime[]
Befriending is a common theme in the Yo-kai Watch anime series, especially in the early episodes, where new Yo-kai are introduced and featured in the storyline.
In other languages[]
| Language | Name | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
 Spanish
|
Hacer amigos | |
 French
|
Se lier d'amitié | |
 Italian
|
Fare amicizia | |
 German
|
Freundschaft schließen | |
 Dutch
|
Vriendschap sluiten | |
 Korean
|
Kr Name |