Bandai Namco has shared new information about the Buddy system in Code Vein II through a Japanese press release, revealing how companions will work in the upcoming action RPG. Players who bring a Buddy along will gain access to a Link Points (LP) system that works alongside their health. When taking damage, LP depletes first, giving players an extra layer of protection. HP only goes down after LP runs out. When healing, HP fills up first, and any extra healing goes toward recovering LP.

Each Buddy in Code Vein II provides different advantages through two types of buffs:

Link Traits are special abilities unique to each Revenant Buddy. These work during combat and exploration, but only stay active when the link is strong—meaning the LP gauge hasn’t been emptied.

Buddy Bonus Traits are permanent stat boosts or action improvements tied to whichever Buddy you choose. These effects get stronger as you build your relationship with that Buddy.

Buddies aren’t just passive companions. They can use Revenant Attacks to drain blood from enemies and share some of it with the player, which recovers a small amount of Ichor—the resource used for casting spells. If the player gets knocked out, Buddies can use Gift Heal to bring them back. However, this puts the Buddy out of action for a while afterward.

Players can swap Buddies at any checkpoint. There’s also a piece of Jail Equipment called Guardian’s Heart that lets players go into missions without a Buddy if they prefer. The game launches worldwide on January 30, 2026, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and PC via Steam. Japanese console players will get access one day earlier on January 29.