Unlike other Pokémon games, the Pokémon you capture in Pokémon Ranger are temporary allies. They join your party for a limited number of uses of their Field Move or until they are released. Each Pokémon has a specific Field Move and a 'Friendship Gauge' that depletes with use.
- Field Moves: These are special abilities used to clear obstacles, solve puzzles, or assist in captures. Examples include 'Crush', 'Cut', 'Burn', 'Soak', 'Tackle', 'Fly', and 'Electric'.
- Friendship Gauge: Each time a Pokémon uses its Field Move, its Friendship Gauge decreases. Once it reaches zero, the Pokémon returns to the wild.
- Party Limit: You can only hold a certain number of captured Pokémon at a time (initially 3, increasing with Ranger Rank). This requires strategic management of your party.
- Releasing Pokémon: You can manually release Pokémon from your party at any time via the Ranger Net. This is useful if you need to make space for a more useful Pokémon.
Always aim to have a diverse set of Field Moves in your party to be prepared for any situation. Don't be afraid to capture common Pokémon to replenish your Styler's energy during a difficult mission, as they can be released easily.