"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?

Obedience has been a core mechanic in Pokémon since its inception, evolving through the generations. In Pokémon Scarlet & Violet, this mechanic continues to play a crucial role, with Pokémon generally obeying their trainers up to level 20. To extend this obedience threshold to levels 25 and beyond, trainers must earn gym badges. While the overall concept remains consistent with past games, Scarlet & Violet introduce a unique twist to the obedience system.

Disobedience in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet

How Obedience Works in Gen 9

In Pokémon Scarlet & Violet, obedience is determined by the level at which a Pokémon is caught. If you're starting your journey, Pokémon caught at level 20 or below will heed your commands. However, if you catch a Pokémon above level 20 before obtaining your first gym badge, it won't listen to you until you earn that badge. Importantly, if a Pokémon was caught within the obedience range, it will continue to follow your commands even as it levels up beyond that range.

For instance, if you catch a level 20 Fletchinder with no badges and it levels up to 21, it will still obey you. Conversely, catching a level 21 Fletchinder without any badges means it won't follow your commands until you secure your first badge.

When a Pokémon refuses to obey, attempting to use it in auto-battle will result in it ignoring commands, indicated by a blue speech bubble over its icon in the bottom-left corner of the screen. In regular battles, a disobedient Pokémon might not use moves, go to sleep, or even hurt itself in confusion.

Obedience Level and Badge Requirements in Scarlet & Violet

Understanding Gym Badges

You can track the level at which your Pokémon will obey you by checking your Trainer Card:

1. Press the Y-button to open the map.
2. Then, press the X-button to access your Profile.

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

Given Scarlet & Violet's open-world format, you have the flexibility to challenge Gym Leaders in nearly any order. New players might find it beneficial to start with the Cortondo or Artazon Gyms.

Here are the obedience levels corresponding to each badge:

The obedience level is tied to the number of badges you possess, not the specific Gym Leader you defeat. For example, defeating Brassius first will increase the obedience level to 25, and defeating Katy afterward will raise it to 30.

Will Transferred or Traded Pokemon Still Obey?

Does OT Matter?

Each Pokémon has an identifier known as OT, which stands for Original Trainer. In previous generations, the OT could affect a Pokémon's obedience. If a traded Pokémon with a different OT/ID number exceeded the obedience level, it would stop listening to your commands.

However, in Scarlet & Violet, the OT no longer impacts obedience. When transferring or trading Pokémon, the level at which the Pokémon is received is considered its "met level".

For example, if you receive a level 17 Pokémon via trade and it levels up beyond 20, it will still obey you. But if you receive a level 21 Pokémon, it won't listen until you've earned the necessary badges.