Taming the Rebels: How to Make Your Pokémon Obey in Scarlet and Violet

Is your team running rampant in Paldea? Ignoring your carefully crafted strategies and doing whatever they please? The frustration of disobedient Pokémon in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet is a common hurdle, but fear not! The solution is often simpler than you think: earn more Gym Badges. These badges act as proof of your skill, earning the respect of your Pokémon and ensuring they listen to your commands in battle. Let’s dive into the specifics of how to regain control and become a true Pokémon Master!

Understanding the Obedience Mechanic

The obedience mechanic in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet is tied directly to your progress in the game, specifically the number of Gym Badges you’ve collected. Wild Pokémon that you catch are easier to control from the start, but traded Pokémon and those caught at higher levels present more of a challenge. Essentially, the game checks the level of a Pokémon against your badge count to determine if it will obey.

Here’s a breakdown of the obedience levels associated with each badge count:

• One Badge: Pokémon caught at or below level 25 will obey.
• Two Badges: Pokémon caught at or below level 30 will obey.
• Three Badges: Pokémon caught at or below level 35 will obey.
• Four Badges: Pokémon caught at or below level 40 will obey.
• Five Badges: Pokémon caught at or below level 45 will obey.
• Six Badges: Pokémon caught at or below level 50 will obey.
• Seven Badges: Pokémon caught at or below level 55 will obey.
• Eight Badges: All Pokémon, regardless of level, will obey.

Important Considerations:

• Caught vs. Traded: The level at which a Pokémon was caught is crucial. If you catch a Pokémon below the obedience level for your current badge count, it will always obey, even if it levels up beyond that threshold later. Traded Pokémon, however, are a different story. They’re judged based on their current level and your badge count.
• Starter Pokémon: Your loyal starter Pokémon will always obey you, no matter what level they reach. This is a fundamental aspect of the game, reflecting the initial bond you forge with your first companion.
• Leveling Up: Simply leveling up a disobedient Pokémon won’t automatically make it obedient. You must earn more badges to increase the level cap for obedience.

Strategic Approaches to Gain Obedience

Now that you understand the system, let’s look at ways to ensure your Pokémon listen to you:

1. Earn More Gym Badges: This is the most direct and reliable solution. Progress through the Victory Road storyline and challenge the Gym Leaders in Paldea. Each badge you earn increases the level cap for obedience, gradually bringing your unruly team under control.
2. Use Lower-Level Pokémon: If you’re struggling with disobedience, consider temporarily replacing high-level Pokémon with those that are within your current obedience range. Focus on training these obedient Pokémon and using them to progress through the gyms.
3. Strategic Team Building: Be mindful of the levels of Pokémon you’re adding to your team, especially if they’re traded. If you know you’ll be using a traded Pokémon, try to acquire it at a lower level to ensure obedience early on.
4. Avoid Over-Leveling Before Gyms: While it’s tempting to grind levels early on, doing so can backfire if you’re relying on traded Pokémon. Progress through the gyms at a reasonable pace to keep your team obedient.
5. Understand the Game’s Design: Remember that the open-world structure of Scarlet and Violet means you can tackle the gyms in a non-linear order. Research the gym leaders and their Pokémon levels to determine the optimal path for your team’s current capabilities.
6. Focus on Story Progression: Sometimes, disobedience can be a sign that you’re venturing into areas that are designed for higher-level players. Concentrating on the main storyline and completing objectives in a more structured way can help you level up your team and earn badges efficiently.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some frequently asked questions about Pokémon obedience in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet:

1. Why is my Pokémon randomly disobeying me, even when I have badges?

   • It’s likely the Pokémon’s level exceeds the obedience level for the number of badges you possess, or it was originally caught at a level exceeding your current badge limitations. Check your badge count and the Pokémon’s level to confirm.

2. Does the Pokémon’s nature affect obedience?

   • No, the Pokémon’s nature doesn’t directly impact its obedience in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. Obedience is solely determined by the Pokémon’s level, whether it was traded or caught, and your number of Gym Badges.

3. Will Pokémon eventually obey me if I just keep using them?

   • No, simply using a disobedient Pokémon will not magically make it obedient. You must either earn more Gym Badges or replace the Pokémon with one that meets the obedience requirements.

4. I traded for a Pokémon that’s now over-leveled. What can I do?

   • Your best options are to earn more badges to increase your obedience level, or temporarily replace the over-leveled Pokémon with a lower-level one until you have enough badges to control it.

5. Are there any items that can make my Pokémon obey?

   • No, there are no items in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet that directly influence a Pokémon’s obedience. The only factors are level, badge count, and whether the Pokémon was caught or traded.

6. Does the Pokémon’s friendship level affect obedience?

   • While high friendship is beneficial for other aspects of the game, such as battle performance, it doesn’t directly affect whether a Pokémon will obey you. Obedience is tied to badges and levels.

7. My starter Pokémon isn’t obeying me. What’s wrong?

   • This is likely a glitch, as your starter Pokémon is programmed to always obey you. Try restarting your game or contacting Nintendo Support if the issue persists.

8. Can I reset a Pokémon’s level to make it obey?

   • No, you cannot reset a Pokémon’s level in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. The only solutions are to earn more badges or use different Pokémon.

9. If I breed a disobedient Pokémon, will the offspring obey me?

   • The offspring will obey you, as long as its level is within the obedience range for your current badge count. Bred Pokémon are treated similarly to wild-caught Pokémon in terms of obedience.

10. Does the Teal Mask DLC change how obedience works?

    • The core mechanics of obedience remain the same in the Teal Mask DLC. You still need to earn badges (or progress through the DLC story) to control higher-level Pokémon. Some have speculated on a level cap being introduced in the Teal Mask DLC, but this is speculative and may affect other game elements, rather than obedience.

11. Is there a penalty for using disobedient Pokémon?

    • Yes, disobedient Pokémon can be unreliable in battle. They might ignore your commands, attack randomly, or even fall asleep. This can severely hinder your progress and make battles more challenging.

12. Does having all eight badges guarantee all Pokémon will always obey, even in post-game content?

    • Yes, once you have all eight Gym Badges, all Pokémon will obey you, regardless of their level or where you obtained them.

13. I’m having trouble with a specific Gym Leader. Any tips for leveling up my Pokémon quickly?

    • Focus on battling high-level wild Pokémon in areas appropriate for your current progress. Use Exp. Candy if you have them, and consider using a Lucky Egg to further boost experience gains. Also, be sure to craft TMs to give your Pokemon an advantage.

14. Does the game tell me if a Pokémon will disobey me before I use it in battle?

    • No, the game doesn’t explicitly warn you that a Pokémon will disobey. However, if you know its level and your badge count, you can predict whether it will be obedient.

15. Can playing with others in the Union Circle effect the obedience of Pokemon?

    • No, engaging with others in the Union Circle will not effect the obedience of your Pokemon. Your own progress is separate from that of those you are adventuring with, so any Pokemon that disobey you will not obey while in the Union Circle either.

Conclusion

Conquering the challenge of disobedient Pokémon in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet requires understanding the underlying mechanics and implementing strategic solutions. By prioritizing Gym Badge acquisition, carefully selecting your team, and managing Pokémon levels, you can regain control and embark on a more rewarding adventure in the Paldea region. Remember, patience and strategic planning are key to becoming a true Pokémon Master!

The educational applications of games like Pokemon are often overlooked. The strategic thinking required to manage a team and understand game mechanics are invaluable. Organizations such as the Games Learning Society or GamesLearningSociety.org, are dedicated to understanding and promoting the benefits of learning through gaming. Make sure to check them out!