Level: Difference between revisions

The '''level''' (Japanese: '''レベル''' ''level'') is a measurement of how strong a {{OBP|Pokémon|species}} currently is. It is portrayed differently in the {{pkmn|anime}}, {{pkmn|games}}, {{pkmn|manga}}, and [[Pokémon Trading Card Game]].

[[File:Level.png|thumb|Level bar in {{game|Black and White|s}}]]

In the Pokémon games, a Pokémon's level is determined by how much [[experience]] it has. A Pokémon's level will range from 1 to 100. When a Pokémon gains a level, its stats increase by a small amount. Depending on the exact level, it may also learn a new [[move]] or [[evolution|evolve]]. A Pokémon's level is usually used to determine [[damage]] when the Pokémon uses an attacking move. Opponent's levels may be viewed in-battle, and {{player}}s may see their own Pokémon's levels in-battle, in the [[PC]] or by using the [[menu]].

After a move is issued, if that Pokémon levels up before its in-battle turn and replaces the move currently awaiting execution with a new move, the new move will be used instead of the old one in every generation except [[Generation VI]]. Multiple turn moves, such as {{m|Petal Dance}}, will cause [[Charge move replacement glitch|more complex behavior]].

In the [[Pokémon games]], the level cap is level 100. When a Pokémon has reached level 100, it cannot gain any more [[experience]] or level up. Due to this, previous to [[Generation]] {{gen|VIII}}, level 100 Pokémon cannot [[Methods of evolution#Leveling up|evolve in any way which requires leveling up]]. From Generation VIII onwards, using a [[Rare Candy]] on a level 100 Pokémon is able to trigger these types of evolutions.

From Generation III onwards, experience required to level up is taken from a lookup table, rather than by using a programmed equation as in Generations I and II; in Generation III, however, Pokémon still hatch from Eggs at level 5, and no wild Pokémon can be found at a level below 2. From Generation IV onwards, Pokémon hatch from Eggs at level 1 and some Pokémon are available in the wild at level 1 (however, [[starter Pokémon]] are still received at level 5).

{{main|Underleveled Pokémon}}

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An application of the [[Pomeg glitch]] in {{v2|Emerald}} makes it possible to evolve a Pokémon while it is still inside an Egg, allowing any such evolved forms to be obtained at level 5. In [[Generation IV]], this particular exploit of the Pomeg glitch was fixed; the Pomeg glitch was removed entirely in [[Generation V]].

{{main|Obedience}}

[[Outsider Pokémon]] (Pokémon obtained via [[trade]] or {{pkmn2|event}} distribution) occasionally disobey the player's commands if they are above a certain level. The [[Badge]]s the player owns determine the maximum level outsider Pokémon can be before there is a possibility for them to disobey. Not owning the region's second Badge means that no traded Pokémon whose level is above 10 (level 20 since Generation V) will obey the player; if the player has the region's eighth Badge (or the [[Trainer Card (game)#Stamps|Island Challenge Completion stamp]] in [[Alola]]), all Pokémon will always obey.

Apart from being part of the general [[damage]] formula, level also directly affects the following moves.

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Level affects the following Abilities.

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{{main|Power Up}}

Pokémon levels in {{g|GO}} are hidden values that may be increased by Powering Up with {{OBP|Stardust|GO}} and [[Candy]]. Each Power Up increases the level by one half, capped based on the [[Trainer level|Trainer's level]]. Each time a Pokémon is Powered Up, its CP (determined by HP, Attack, and Defense) is increased.

In the [[Pokémon Mystery Dungeon series]], level functions similarly to the core series. Like in the core series, each Pokémon's level, ranging from 1 to 100, depends on how much {{DL|Experience|In the Pokémon Mystery Dungeon series|experience}} it has. When a Pokémon gains a level, its stats increase slightly and it may try to learn a new move. The moves that can be learned by each Pokémon, and the exact levels they will try to learn them, are the same as contemporaneous core series games. In order for some Pokémon to [[Evolution|evolve]], a minimum level is also required. However, evolution does not occur automatically, requiring access to specific places instead.

A {{DL|Seed|Joy Seed}} or {{DL|Food (Mystery Dungeon)|Golden Banana}} can be used to increase a Pokémon's level. A {{DL|Seed|Doom Seed}} can be used to decrease a Pokémon's level. A Pokémon holding a {{DL|Ribbon|Joy Ribbon}} or {{DL|Looplet|Joy Looplet}} will gain experience points whenever it takes damage (the amount of experience gained this way varies between games).

Each Pokémon in [[Pokémon Shuffle]] has a level, which increases when it gains enough [[experience]]. As a Pokémon's level increases, its {{DL|Pokémon Shuffle|Attack power, Level, and XP|Attack power}} increases as well, with how much it increases per level determined by the Pokémon's {{DL|List of Pokémon by Pokémon Shuffle list number|Attack power table|Attack power at level 1}}. All Pokémon begin at level 1, with a maximum level of 10. However, Raise Max Level {{DL|Pokémon Shuffle|Enhancements}} are able to increase this cap for specific Pokémon, potentially up to level 30.

In [[Pokémon Team Turbo]], each stage is equivalent to a level in any of the minigames (Crossword Challenge, Domino Dash, Word Finder, Block Out, and Door Dilemma). When the player completes a stage, the text "Level Up!" appears.