Why Traded Pokémon in Pokémon FireRed Refuse to Obey Commands and How to Fix It

In the beloved Pokémon FireRed, players may encounter a frustrating issue where traded Pokémon refuse to follow their commands if the Pokémon's level exceeds a certain limit determined by the Gym Badges the player has earned. This tutorial will explain the mechanics behind this behavior and provide a solution to ensure your traded Pokémon listen to you once again.

Understand the Obedience Mechanic

Traded Pokémon in Pokémon FireRed possess a unique feature where they experience a 1.5x EXP boost, but this bonus comes with a catch. To prevent excessive level grinding and to maintain the intended gameplay experience, a designed obedience system restricts the obedience level of traded Pokémon based on the player's Gym Badges.

Here's a breakdown of how this mechanic works:

Obedience Levels

If you have 0 Gym Badges: You can only control Pokémon up to level 10. If you have 1 Gym Badge: You can control Pokémon up to level 20.

Apply this to your current situation with Ivysaur and Squirtle:

Ivysaur (Level 17): If you have 1 or more Gym Badges, Ivysaur should now obey you. If you have 0 badges, Ivysaur will disobey. Squirtle (Level 13): This Pokémon would obey you if you have 0 or 1 Gym Badge. Beyond that, it will start to disobey.

What Causes the Issue

This issue arises from the game's intended mechanics. Traded Pokémon have a specific level limit depending on the number of Gym Badges you've earned. Pokémon that you capture on your own will always obey you regardless of their level, as long as you've earned enough Gym Badges.

Players may find this mechanic frustrating, especially when they trade for a low-level Pokémon like Bulbasaur or Squirtlet that then refuses to obey once it levels up. This restriction serves to balance the game, preventing players from grinding levels to create powerful teams too early in the game.

Solution

The solution to this problem is straightforward: Continuously earn more Gym Badges to increase the level cap for obedience. Here's a step-by-step process:

Focus on defeating the remaining Gym Leaders to earn more badges. Beat Brock, Misty, and the other Gym Leaders in Cerulean City, Lilycove City, or Pallet Town, depending on your progress. Once you have the necessary badges, your traded Pokémon will start obeying you again.

Aim to challenge the Gyms in the order in which they appear to gradually build up your badge count and ensure your traded Pokémon return to following your commands.

Conclusion

Understanding and working with the obedience mechanics in Pokémon FireRed can help you navigate the game more smoothly and enjoy a balanced Pokémon experience. Remember, this limitation only affects the traded Pokémon and not those you capture yourself. By earning the required number of Gym Badges, you can resolve the disobedience issue and control your squad of Pokémon effectively.

Keywords: Pokémon FireRed, traded Pokémon, obedience mechanic, Gym Badges