Hey there, fellow Pokémon trainer! If you’re anything like me, you’ve been spending countless hours exploring the vibrant streets of Lumiose City in Pokémon Legends Z-A, trying to build the perfect team and evolve all your favorite Pokémon. But let me tell you something – there’s one item that’s an absolute game-changer when it comes to evolving friendship-based Pokémon, and I’m about to show you exactly how to get your hands on it.
I’m talking about the Soothe Bell, folks. This little bell might not look like much at first glance, but trust me when I say it’s going to save you hours of grinding and make your Pokémon evolution journey so much smoother. When I first discovered how to get this item, I couldn’t believe I’d been playing without it for so long!
What Makes the Soothe Bell So Special?
Before I dive into the nitty-gritty of where to find it, let me explain why this item is worth your time. The Soothe Bell is a held item that boosts the friendship points your Pokémon gains from various activities. Instead of taking forever to max out your Pokémon’s friendship level, this handy little bell gives you a 50% bonus to all friendship-building actions.
I remember when I was trying to evolve my Riolu into Lucario – what a pain that was without the Soothe Bell! I was spending so much time at cafes and feeding berries, but once I got this bell, the process became incredibly faster. The same goes for other friendship-based evolutions like Crobat, Espeon, Umbreon, and many others.
The Main Quest: Side Mission 36 – Some Friendly Competition
Alright, let’s get to the good stuff. The Soothe Bell isn’t just lying around waiting for you to pick it up – you need to complete a specific side mission to earn it. Here’s everything you need to know about Side Mission 36: Some Friendly Competition.
How to Unlock the Mission
First things first, you can’t just waltz into this side mission right from the start of the game. You need to progress through the main story until you reach Main Mission 14, where you’ll unlock the Canari Quiz Whiz Contest. Once you’ve completed that part of the story, Side Mission 36 will become available.
I learned this the hard way when I first started playing – I was running around Lumiose City like a headless Meowth trying to find this mission, only to realize I hadn’t progressed far enough in the main story yet. So make sure you’ve reached that point before you start hunting!
Finding Chou at Cafe Rouleau
Once the mission is unlocked, you need to head over to Cafe Rouleau in the Magenta District. The cafe is located just off Estival Avenue, and if you’ve already discovered Wild Zone 9, you can fast travel directly there – super convenient!
When I first went looking for Cafe Rouleau, I got a bit turned around in the Magenta District. Let me save you some trouble: it’s in the southwestern part of the map, and you’ll spot it pretty easily once you’re in the right area. Look for a trainer named Chou sitting outside the cafe with her Pokémon – she’s hard to miss with her Clefairy and Lopunny hanging around.
The Battle Challenge
Here’s the straightforward part: Chou will challenge you to a battle against her two Pokémon. It’s a singles match, and you’ll need to defeat both her Clefairy and Lopunny to complete the mission.
Now, I’m not going to lie – this battle isn’t exactly the most challenging in the game, but it’s always good to be prepared. From my experience, bringing a Lucario if you have one makes this battle a breeze. Lucario’s Fighting-type moves are super effective against both Clefairy (Normal-type) and Lopunny (also Normal-type), giving you a nice advantage with STAB (Same Type Attack Bonus) damage.
Of course, if you don’t have a Lucario yet, don’t worry! Any well-leveled Pokémon with good type coverage should handle this battle just fine. Just make sure your team is in good shape before accepting the challenge.
The Rewards: More Than Just the Soothe Bell
After you defeat Chou’s Pokémon, she’ll reward you with two things: 3,000 Poké Dollars and, most importantly, the Soothe Bell! While the cash is nice, let’s be real – we’re here for that bell.
I remember how excited I was when I finally got my hands on it. It felt like I had unlocked a secret shortcut to Pokémon evolution paradise. No more endless grinding at cafes or feeding countless berries (well, at least not as many!).
How to Use the Soothe Bell Effectively?
Now that you’ve got the Soothe Bell, you need to know how to use it properly. It’s not just a matter of having it in your inventory – you need to equip it to the right Pokémon for maximum effectiveness.
Equipping the Soothe Bell
Here’s the step-by-step process I use to equip the Soothe Bell:
- Make sure the Pokémon you want to evolve is in your active party
- Open your Satchel and navigate to the “Other Items” tab
- Scroll down until you find the Soothe Bell
- Press A and select “Give to Pokémon”
- Choose the Pokémon you want to hold the item
It’s that simple! Once equipped, your Pokémon will gain friendship 50% faster from all activities. That means less time grinding and more time enjoying other aspects of the game.
Maximizing Friendship Growth
The Soothe Bell works best when combined with other friendship-building methods. Here are my favorite strategies for maxing out friendship quickly:
Cafe Visits
Drinking coffee or tea at cafes is probably the fastest way to build friendship. When I visit cafes, I make sure to have the Pokémon I want to befriend out and active before ordering. With the Soothe Bell equipped, you’ll see friendship levels skyrocket!
Bench Time
Don’t underestimate the power of simply sitting on a bench with your Pokémon. Spending 10 seconds on a bench gives your entire team a friendship boost. It’s a small amount, but it adds up over time, especially with the Soothe Bell’s bonus.
Battle Participation
Using your Pokémon in battles and winning is a classic friendship-building method. Just make sure they don’t faint – losing battles, especially to much higher-level Pokémon, can actually decrease friendship. I learned this the hard way when my Riolu kept getting knocked out by wild Pokémon 30+ levels higher!
Berry Feeding
Certain berries like Pomeg, Kelpsy, Qualot, Hondew, Grepa, and Tamato berries can boost friendship. With the Soothe Bell equipped, these berries become even more effective at building those precious friendship points.
Understanding Friendship Mechanics in Pokémon Legends Z-A
Let me break down how friendship actually works in this game, because understanding the mechanics will help you make the most of your Soothe Bell.
Friendship Levels and Caps
In Pokémon Legends Z-A, friendship caps out at 160 for evolution purposes. However, you can actually push it beyond this for additional benefits, though you’ll need to visit cafes or sit on benches to get it to maximum.
When your Pokémon reaches maximum happiness (above 160), they get a nice bonus – their base critical hit rate increases to 1 in 12. That’s a pretty significant boost that can make a difference in tough battles!
Friendship Building Activities and Their Effects
Here’s a handy table I put together showing how different activities affect friendship at various levels:
| Activity | Friendship 0-99 | Friendship 100-159 | Friendship 160+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level Up (no Exp. Candy) | +3 | +2 | 0 |
| Faint (vs. <30 levels higher) | -1 | -1 | -1 |
| Faint (vs. >30 levels higher) | -5 | -5 | -10 |
| Drink at Cafe (active Pokémon) | +30 | +30 | +30 |
| Bench Time (10 seconds, whole team) | +10 | +10 | +10 |
| Friendship Berries | +10 | +5 | +1 |
| Vitamins (HP Up, Protein, etc.) | +4 | +2 | 0 |
| Feathers | +2 | +1 | 0 |
| Exp. Candy XS/S | +1 | +1 | 0 |
| Exp. Candy M | +2 | +1 | 0 |
| Exp. Candy L | +3 | +2 | 0 |
| Exp. Candy XL | +4 | +2 | 0 |
As you can see, the Soothe Bell’s 50% bonus makes all these numbers even better! That +30 from cafe visits becomes +45, and the +10 from bench time becomes +15. It really adds up quickly.
Checking Your Pokémon’s Friendship
How do you know if your friendship-building efforts are working? Well, there’s actually a friendship checker in the game! You can find it at Café Pokémon-Amie on Autumnal Avenue, but only after you’ve cleared Side Mission #25, “Trubblesome Patrons.”
When I first discovered this, I was checking my Pokémon’s friendship constantly – I probably drove that poor Roselia trainer crazy with how often I visited! The checker will give you different phrases based on your Pokémon’s friendship level:
- “What’s this? Are you a disciplinarian? This poor Pokémon isn’t the least bit friendly toward you!” (Very low friendship)
- “It almost looks like you’ve been letting it get KO’d in battles nonstop…” (Low friendship)
- “It’s starting to warm up to you. A little more time and attention should do the trick!” (Medium friendship)
- “You’re clearly taking good care of it. It seems very happy!” (High friendship)
- “Wow! Your Pokémon absolutely adores you! You must have an incredible bond!” (Maximum friendship)
Advanced Tips for Soothe Bell Users
Now that you’ve got the basics down, let me share some advanced strategies I’ve discovered for making the most of your Soothe Bell.
Timing Your Evolution
One thing I’ve learned is that timing matters when it comes to friendship-based evolutions. Some Pokémon only evolve during certain times of day or under specific conditions. For example:
- Espeon evolves during the day
- Umbreon evolves at night
- Crobat evolves from high friendship (any time)
- Sylveon evolves with high friendship and knowing a Fairy-type move
I recommend planning your friendship grinding around these conditions. If you’re going for an Espeon, focus your cafe visits and bench time during the day. For Umbreon, save those activities for nighttime.
Multiple Pokémon Strategy
Here’s a pro tip I wish I’d known earlier: you can cycle the Soothe Bell between Pokémon! Once one Pokémon reaches maximum friendship, you can take the bell back and give it to another Pokémon that needs friendship building. This way, you’re not limited to just one friendship evolution at a time.
I like to keep a rotation going – I’ll max out one Pokémon’s friendship, evolve it, then move the Soothe Bell to the next candidate. It’s much more efficient than trying to build friendship for multiple Pokémon simultaneously without the bell.
Combining with Other Items
While the Soothe Bell is fantastic on its own, you can combine it with other items and strategies for even better results. For example, using Luxury Balls to catch Pokémon gives them a friendship boost right from the start. Combine that with the Soothe Bell, and you’re looking at some seriously fast friendship building.
I also like to use vitamins and feathers alongside the Soothe Bell for an extra boost, especially in the early friendship stages where they provide more significant gains.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Let me share some mistakes I made when I first started using the Soothe Bell, so you can avoid them:
Forgetting to Equip It
This might sound obvious, but I can’t tell you how many times I’ve spent time building friendship only to realize I forgot to actually equip the Soothe Bell to my Pokémon. Always double-check that your target Pokémon is holding the bell before you start grinding!
Neglecting Other Friendship Methods
The Soothe Bell is powerful, but it’s not a magic solution. You still need to actively build friendship through battles, cafe visits, and other activities. Don’t make the mistake of thinking the bell alone will do all the work.
Letting Pokémon Faint
This is a big one. Letting your Pokémon faint, especially to much higher-level opponents, can significantly decrease friendship. I learned this the hard way when my Riolu kept getting knocked out by wild Pokémon 30+ levels higher, undoing all my hard work. Be careful in battles!
Not Planning Ahead
Some Pokémon require specific conditions beyond just high friendship to evolve. Make sure you know what those conditions are before you start grinding friendship. There’s nothing worse than maxing out a Pokémon’s friendship only to realize you need to wait until nightfall or teach it a specific move type.
The Soothe Bell in Competitive Play
While the Soothe Bell is primarily used for evolution purposes, it’s worth noting that it doesn’t have much use in competitive battles. Once your Pokémon is evolved, you’ll probably want to switch to more battle-oriented items like Choice Bands, Life Orbs, or type-specific boosting items.
I keep a few Soothe Bells in my inventory for new Pokémon I catch, but my evolved team members usually get more combat-appropriate items. It’s all about using the right tool for the right job!
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to max out friendship with the Soothe Bell?
From my experience, with the Soothe Bell equipped, you can max out a Pokémon’s friendship in about 30-45 minutes of focused grinding. Without it, you’re looking at several hours. The bell really is a game-changer!
Can I get multiple Soothe Bells?
Unfortunately, as far as I can tell, you can only get one Soothe Bell per playthrough from Side Mission 36. However, you can use it on multiple Pokémon by moving it between them once each reaches maximum friendship.
Does the Soothe Bell work on all Pokémon?
Yes, the Soothe Bell works on all Pokémon that can benefit from increased friendship. However, not all Pokémon evolve through friendship, so make sure your target Pokémon actually needs high friendship to evolve before you start grinding.
What’s the fastest way to build friendship with the Soothe Bell?
In my opinion, the fastest method is visiting cafes with your Pokémon out and active. Each drink gives a massive +30 friendship boost, which becomes +45 with the Soothe Bell’s 50% bonus. Combine this with bench sitting and battle participation for maximum efficiency.
Can I use the Soothe Bell for Pokémon that don’t evolve through friendship?
While you can technically equip the Soothe Bell to any Pokémon, it’s most effective for those that evolve through friendship. For other Pokémon, you’re better off using items that provide battle benefits instead.
Final Thoughts
The Soothe Bell is honestly one of the most valuable items you can get in Pokémon Legends Z-A, especially if you’re a completionist like me who wants to evolve every Pokémon. The time and effort it saves is incredible, and once you have it, you’ll wonder how you ever played without it.
I hope this guide has helped you understand not just how to get the Soothe Bell, but how to use it effectively to make your Pokémon journey more enjoyable. Remember to progress through Main Mission 14 to unlock Side Mission 36, find Chou at Cafe Rouleau, defeat her Clefairy and Lopunny, and claim your well-deserved Soothe Bell!
Happy training, everyone! And don’t forget to bookmark this guide for future reference – you never know when you’ll need to evolve another friendship-based Pokémon!
Looking for more Pokémon Legends Z-A guides? Check out our other articles on webcomicsweekend.com for tips on Mega Evolutions, Wild Zone exploration, and building the perfect team!