Quick Links

• Disobedience in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet

  • How Obedience Works in Gen 9

• Obedience Level and Badge Requirements in Scarlet & Violet

  • Understanding Gym Badges

• Will Transferred or Traded Pokemon Still Obey?

  • Does OT Matter?

Obedience has been a core gameplay mechanic in Pokemon since its inception, evolving over time. In Pokemon Scarlet & Violet, the system remains familiar yet introduces a unique twist. Typically, new trainers can command Pokemon up to level 20. To increase this obedience threshold to levels 25 or 30, players must collect gym badges. However, Scarlet & Violet introduces a significant change to this mechanic.

Disobedience in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet

How Obedience Works in Gen 9

In Pokemon Scarlet & Violet, a Pokemon's obedience hinges on its level at the time of capture. If you're embarking on your adventure, "Pokemon caught at level 20 or below will heed your commands." This means that any Pokemon caught above level 20 will not obey until you earn your first gym badge. Once you catch a Pokemon within this obedience range, it will continue to follow your commands even if it surpasses the level limit.

For instance, if you catch a level 20 Fletchinder with zero badges and it levels up to 21 during battles or auto-battles, it will still obey you. However, if you catch a level 21 Fletchinder without any badges, it won't listen until you secure your first badge.

When attempting to use a disobedient Pokemon in auto-battle, it will refuse your commands, indicated by a blue speech bubble over its icon in the bottom-left corner of the screen. During manual battles, a disobedient Pokemon might refuse to use moves, fall asleep, or even harm itself due to confusion.

Obedience Level and Badge Requirements in Scarlet & Violet

Understanding Gym Badges

You can check the level at which your Pokemon will obey you by viewing your Trainer Card:

1. Open the map with the Y-button.
2. Press the X-button to select the Profile option.

To catch and command stronger Pokemon, you'll need to progress through the Victory Road story quest. This involves collecting all 8 gym badges in Paldea and challenging the Pokemon League. Each badge you earn increases the obedience level by 5 levels.

Given the open-world nature of Scarlet/Violet, you can battle Gym Leaders in almost any order. New players might consider starting with the Cortondo or Artazon Gym.

Here are the badge obedience 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 afterward will increase it to 30.

Will Transferred or Traded Pokemon Still Obey?

Does OT Matter?

Each Pokemon has an ID known as OT, or Original Trainer. In previous games, the OT influenced obedience; if you received a Pokemon via trade with a different OT/ID and it leveled beyond the obedience threshold, it would stop obeying.

In Scarlet & Violet, the OT no longer affects obedience. When transferring or trading Pokemon, the level at which the Pokemon is transferred or traded is considered its "met level".

For example, if you receive a Pokemon at level 17 and it levels up beyond 20, it will still obey your commands. However, if you receive a Pokemon at level 21, it will not listen until you earn the necessary badges.