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 the series began, evolving with each generation. In Pokemon Scarlet & Violet, the system remains largely familiar: Pokemon will obey trainers up to level 20 without any badges. To extend this obedience to levels 25/30 and beyond, trainers must earn gym badges. However, Scarlet & Violet introduce a unique twist to this mechanic.

Disobedience in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet

How Obedience Works in Gen 9

In Pokemon Scarlet & Violet, obedience is determined by the level at which a Pokemon was caught. For beginners, "Pokemon caught at level 20 or below will listen to your commands." This means a Pokemon caught above level 20 will not obey until you earn your first gym badge. If a Pokemon is caught within the obedience range, it will continue to obey even if it levels up beyond that range.

For instance, if you catch a level 20 Fletchinder with no badges, it will still obey you even at level 21. However, a level 21 Fletchinder caught with no badges won't listen until you obtain your first badge.

Disobedient Pokemon in auto-battle will refuse commands, indicated by a blue speech bubble over their icon. In battles, they may not execute moves, and could even fall asleep or hurt themselves in confusion.

Obedience Level and Badge Requirements in Scarlet & Violet

Understanding Gym Badges

To check the level at which your Pokemon will obey, view 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 complete the Victory Road story quest, which involves collecting all eight of Paldea's gym badges and challenging the Pokemon League. Each badge increases the obedience level by 5 levels.

In the open-world setting of Scarlet & Violet, you can battle Gym Leaders in almost any order. New players might want to start 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 next will increase it to 30.

Will Transferred or Traded Pokemon Still Obey?

Does OT Matter?

Each Pokemon has an ID known as OT (Original Trainer). In previous generations, the OT affected obedience, causing traded Pokemon to stop obeying if they leveled beyond the obedience threshold.

In Scarlet & Violet, the OT no longer impacts obedience. When transferring or trading Pokemon, the level at which they are received is considered their "met level". For example, a Pokemon traded to you at level 17 will continue to obey even if it levels beyond 20. However, a Pokemon received at level 21 will not obey until you earn the necessary badges.