Battle Another Trainer With Your Buddy Not Working

Okay, let's talk. You know that whole "Battle Another Trainer With Your Buddy" task? The one that's been haunting your Special Research for, like, forever?

Yeah, that one. I have a confession: I low-key dread it.

The Buddy Battle Blues

Don't get me wrong. I love my buddy. My perfect IV Swampert is the best. We've been through thick and thin, battling Rocket Grunts and spinning countless PokeStops.

But battling another trainer? With said buddy present? It just feels...awkward.

My Unpopular Opinion: It's Just...Weird

Hear me out. You have to find someone else willing to put up with it. Coordinate a time. Remember to actually put your buddy on the field before the match.

Then you have to not actually try to win. It feels like an elaborate charade.

It's like saying, "Hey, wanna pretend to battle so my game thinks I battled with my imaginary friend watching?" I know its not imaginary, but it does feel like it.

And let's be honest. Are you really focusing on your buddy's adorable cheers during the battle? Or are you strategically tapping to faint and get the task done? I know I am not looking at my buddy's cheering!

The Gimmick Factor

The whole thing feels like a forced gimmick. Like someone at Niantic said, "Hey, let's make them battle with their buddy! It'll be cute!"

And maybe, for some, it is cute. I admire those people. I really do.

But for me, it's just a hurdle between me and completing my research. It's one of the reasons why I'm still stuck with Jump-Start Research.

The Social Anxiety of It All

Let's be real. Asking someone to deliberately lose to me feels...wrong. Even if it's just a friendly tap-battle.

Plus, finding someone who needs to be tapped feels like an impossible task. Most of the people I know are really active in the game.

Or, worse, what if I accidentally win? I'd feel terrible! The shame! The horror!

The Solutions? (Maybe?)

Maybe Niantic could offer a different task. Perhaps "Feed your buddy 10 berries" or "Take a snapshot of your buddy in the wild."

Something that doesn't involve imposing on other players' time. Even better, let us use a Team Leader for this.

Or, maybe, I just need to find a friend who understands my pain. Someone who also secretly hates this task.

In Conclusion: I'm Not Alone, Right?

So, am I the only one who finds this "Battle Another Trainer With Your Buddy" task a bit...much?

Please tell me I'm not alone in this unpopular opinion. Let's unite in our shared dread!

I'll be over here, strategically avoiding Trainer Battles, hoping for a research breakthrough that doesn't involve coordinated losing. Good luck trainer!