Get Pokemon to follow you in Pokemon ROWE with this complete guide.
Pokemon ROWE is the buffed version of Pokemon Emerald. This ROM hack takes everything you love about Hoenn and makes it even better. Its open world showcases a ton of improvements from Gen 8 Pokemon to modern features and QOL enhancements.
One of these features is emulating HGSS’s follower Pokemon concept, where one of your Pokemon can walk behind you all throughout your adventure. So, how do you get your Pokemon to follow you in Pokemon ROWE?
In this guide, I’ll teach you how to set your follower Pokemon.
Editor’s Update (July 2026): Improved the conclusion and FAQ section, as well added some relevant Pokemon ROWE guides as links.
How to Get Pokemon to Follow You in Pokemon ROWE
The follower Pokemon is on by default. You’ll notice this as soon as you pick your starter Pokemon. But what if yours is turned off and you don’t have your Pokemon following behind you? Or maybe you want a different Pokemon to follow you instead?
Let me show you how you can do that.
Setting Your Follower Pokemon Option On and Off
Start by opening your settings. Open the settings menu and press R to bring up custom settings. Go down until you find Auto Followers. If this is turned on, the first Pokemon in your party will automatically follow you.
But if you want to change your follower, you need to turn this off. If you don’t want a Pokemon following you, it needs to be off as well.
If you want to make any changes to your follower Pokemon options, the Auto Followers option needs to be turned off.
Changing Your Follower Pokemon
The first Pokemon in your party will be your follower by default. The easiest way to change your follower Pokemon is by placing the one you want at the front of your party, and they will become your follower.
But if you don’t want to change your lead Pokemon for battle purposes, you can also choose any Pokemon in your party as a follower.
First, make sure that the Auto Followers option is turned off in settings. Then, go to the start menu and then Pokemon.
Select the Pokemon you want and from the options select Follow. This will make them your follower in the overworld.
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How to Remove Follower Pokemon
If you want to stop your Pokemon from following you and go lone wolf in your journey, you can remove your follower Pokemon.
Turning off Auto Followers is required for this to work. Go to the start menu and open Pokemon. Select the Pokemon that is currently following you and choose Unfollow. Now you can walk by yourself in the overworld.
Frequently Asked Questions: Follower Pokemon in Pokemon ROWE
Can I have multiple Pokemon follow me at once?
No. Unlike other ROM hacks, Pokemon ROWE only allows you to have one follower Pokemon at a time.Â
You can swap between the Pokemon in your party anytime. But just like HeartGold and SoulSilver, you can only have one follower Pokemon at a time.
Can any Pokemon follow you?
Yes, you can set any Pokemon in your party as a follower. However, since Game Boy Advance games can only have a max size of 32 MB, there are limitations.
Some Pokemon can still be set as your follower, but instead of their normal sprite, a substitute doll will appear behind you. Still, most of the Legendaries and fully evolved Pokemon should appear as normal.
Why can’t I set a Pokemon as follower?
First, you should make sure that the Auto Followers setting is turned off. If it is off and you still can’t see the Follow option on your Pokemon, it means that Pokemon ROWE hasn’t added it as a follower Pokemon yet, and you may have to wait for future updates.
Conclusion
Now that you know how to get Pokemon to follow you in Pokemon ROWE, it’s time to choose which partner will join you on your adventure. Whether it’s your starter or your favorite team member, having a Pokemon by your side makes exploring Hoenn feel even more rewarding.
Although the follower feature doesn’t offer any gameplay benefits, it adds personality and charm to your journey. Watching your Pokemon travel alongside you makes the open world feel more alive.
If you’re looking for more Pokemon ROWE guides, ROM hacks, cheat codes, and other helpful Pokemon content, be sure to check out PokeCoders for the latest tips and updates.
