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Obedience has been a fundamental gameplay mechanic in Pokémon since its inception, evolving with each generation. In Pokémon Scarlet & Violet, the core principles remain similar to past games, where Pokémon generally obey their trainers up to level 20. To extend this obedience limit to levels 25/30, trainers must earn gym badges. However, Scarlet & Violet introduce a unique twist to this mechanic that distinguishes it from earlier generations.
Disobedience in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet
How Obedience Works in Gen 9
In Pokémon Scarlet & Violet, obedience is determined by the level at which you catch a Pokémon. If you're starting your adventure, "Pokémon caught at level 20 or below will listen to your commands." This means that a Pokémon caught above level 20 won't obey until you earn your first gym badge. Conversely, if you catch a Pokémon within the obedience range, it will continue to follow your commands even if its level surpasses the limit.
For instance, if you catch a level 20 Fletchinder with no badges and it reaches level 21 through battles, it will still obey you. However, if you catch a level 21 Fletchinder without any badges, it won't listen until you obtain your first badge.
When a Pokémon refuses to obey, it may ignore your commands in auto-battle, indicated by a blue speech bubble over its icon in the bottom-left corner of the screen. In regular battles, a disobedient Pokémon might refuse to use moves, fall asleep, or even hurt itself due to confusion.
Obedience Level and Badge Requirements in Scarlet & Violet
Understanding Gym Badges
You can check the level at which your Pokémon will obey by viewing your Trainer Card:
- Open the map with the Y-button.
- Press the X-button to select the Profile option.
To catch stronger Pokémon and ensure they obey you, you'll need to progress through the Victory Road story quest, which involves collecting all 8 of Paldea's gym badges and then challenging the Pokémon League. Each badge you earn increases the obedience level by 5 levels.
Given Scarlet & Violet's open-world nature, you can battle Gym Leaders in almost any order. New players might want to start with the Cortondo Gym or the Artazon Gym.
Here are the badge obedience levels:
| Badge No. | Obedience Level |
|---|---|
| 1 | Up to level 25 |
| 2 | Up to level 30 |
| 3 | Up to level 35 |
| 4 | Up to level 40 |
| 5 | Up to level 45 |
| 6 | Up to level 50 |
| 7 | Up to level 55 |
| 8 | All levels |
The obedience level is determined by the number of badges you possess, not the specific Gym Leader you defeat. For example, defeating Brassius first will raise the obedience level to 25, and defeating Katy next will increase it to 30.
Will Transferred or Traded Pokemon Still Obey?
Does OT Matter?
Each Pokémon has an ID called OT, which stands for Original Trainer. In previous generations, the OT could affect a Pokémon's obedience. If you received a Pokémon through trade with a different OT/ID number and it leveled beyond the obedience threshold, it would stop listening to your commands.
In Pokémon Scarlet & Violet, the OT no longer impacts obedience. When transferring or trading Pokémon, the level at which the Pokémon is transferred or traded is considered its "met level".
For example, a Pokémon traded to you at level 17, which you then level up beyond 20, will still obey your orders. However, if you receive a Pokémon at level 21, it won't listen until you earn the necessary badges.
