"Pokemon Scarlet & Violet: Mastering Obedience Guide"

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?

Understanding the intricacies of Pokemon obedience can greatly enhance your gaming experience in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet. This mechanic, a staple since the series' inception, has evolved over time. In Scarlet & Violet, the core concept remains that Pokemon will obey trainers up to level 20 without any badges. To extend this obedience to higher levels, trainers must earn gym badges, similar to previous generations. However, Scarlet & Violet introduce a unique twist to this system.

Disobedience in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet

How Obedience Works in Gen 9

In Pokemon Scarlet & Violet, obedience is uniquely tied to the level at which you catch a Pokemon. If you catch a Pokemon at level 20 or below, it will heed your commands regardless of its current level. This means a Pokemon like a Fletchinder, caught at level 20, will continue to obey even if it levels up to 21 or beyond, as long as you haven't earned any badges yet. Conversely, catching a Pokemon above level 20 without any badges will result in disobedience until you secure your first gym badge.

When a Pokemon disobeys, it may refuse to battle or auto-battle, indicated by a blue speech bubble over its icon. In combat, a disobedient Pokemon might not execute moves, go to sleep, or even harm itself out of confusion.

Obedience Level and Badge Requirements in Scarlet & Violet

Understanding Gym Badges

To monitor the obedience level of your Pokemon, you can check your Trainer Card:

1. Access the map by pressing the Y-button.
2. Select the Profile option with the X-button.

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

In the open-world setting of Scarlet & Violet, you have the flexibility to challenge Gym Leaders in various orders. Beginners might find it easier to start with the Cortondo or Artazon Gyms.

Here's how badges affect obedience levels:

The obedience level increases with the number of badges, not specifically which 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 Pokemon has an Original Trainer (OT) ID. In games prior to Scarlet & Violet, this OT ID could affect a Pokemon's obedience, especially for traded Pokemon that exceeded the obedience level.

However, in Scarlet & Violet, the OT ID no longer influences obedience. When transferring or trading Pokemon, the level at which the Pokemon is received is considered its "met level". For instance, a Pokemon traded to you at level 17 will obey even if it levels beyond 20. But if you receive a Pokemon at level 21, it will not listen until you earn the necessary badges.