Pokémon Conquest, like the main games, requires you to go around and obtain multiple Pokémon. As such, you will see the Pokémon out in the wild. However, that is not the only thing you'll find in the wild. With each Pokémon, you need a Warlords to command them.

When you enter an area, you can go over one of the wild areas and you shall see that there are either Pokémon or Warlords in the area. This is also noticiable on the overworld by two icons. Grey Warlords are the generic Warlords while the golden ones are the more unique ones which can level up to a higher level as you progress

Befriending Warlords

Method
To get a Warlords, there are a few methods you have to follow. These are relatively simple and just doing either one will allow the Warlords a chance to join your army. They are as follows.

  • The Warlords's Pokémon is defeated within 4 turns of the battle commencing
  • The Warlords's Pokémon was defeated before they managed to inflict any damage upon any of your Pokémon

This is not a guarantee however, as some Warlords will only join you when the story states it will fit and others won't join you at all until you play with them in the post-game.

Once defeated, they will state that they wish to join you at the end of the match. You will be given a lowdown on their stats as well as their current Pokémon. You can then decide whether or not to accept them and then state where they should be stationed for the time being.
Befriending Pokémon

Method
Befriending Pokémon is a bit more complicated. Available after you have obtained a few nations, you will be able to link up to the Pokémon. In battle, when you're moving around a Pokémon while there are wild Pokémon, you will find a medal above their head. These medals dictate how compatible the Pokémon is to the Warlords who owns the Pokémon you're controlling. Gold means they can reach a link of 80-100%, Silver means 60-80%, Bronze means 40-60% and a red cross means not compatible. To get them, all you need to do is place the Pokémon next to them and select the "Link" option

Once you've selected "Link", you will have to play a short mini-game where energy balls go right, across the screen, and you have to press the A Button as it gets near to the circle with the A Button. Doing this will fill up a metre which will determine how close you are to linking with it. This can take more than one turn, with little loss of link energy so the method doesn't have to be perfect. Once it's full, the Pokémon will disappear from battle and it shall join that Warlords.
Select Pokémon

Method
To change the Pokémon, you just need to access the Warlords in the Warlords list. You will see the Pokémon, as well as their stats and the Link they have with the Warlords. On the bottom screen, you'll be able to tap the various Pokémon in order to switch them around. However, this is not workable with the hero until later in the game.