Badge

Early artwork

A selection of familiar and unfamiliar badges can be seen in early character artwork by Ken Sugimori. It appears that the original concept of badges was more similar to an embroidered patch than the pinned badge they are portrayed as in the Pokémon animated series and subsequent game entries. While some of these patches do resemble badges seen in the final game like the Cascade Badge, the Volcano Badge or even the Rainbow Badge, others don't appear to be based on anything, and may have only been made for the sake of aesthetics, much like real-life embroidered patches, such as Red's "Leaf Badge" or Silver's "Artsy Badge".

Other instances of embroidered "badges" can be seen in the cover art for the Games That Stand Out Collection magazine, with the male Trainer's rock or diamond badge and the female Trainer's teardrop badge, which shares a resemblance to the Cascade Badge. However, given the nature of this illustration (the designs were made specifically for this cover and weren't intended to be used in the franchise^[2]), it is likely that these designs were chosen randomly. The latter badge's resemblance to the Cascade Badge was most likely a coincidence, given it is a stylized drop of water.

Stat boost

In Generations I-III, some badges boost a certain stat or stats of the player's Pokémon. This boost is applied only in internal battles, not link battles. In Generations I and II, the stat or stats are increased by 12.5%; in Generation III, the stat or stats are increased by 10%. This boost does not exist from Generation IV onward.

In Generation I, this boost is reapplied whenever the player's Pokémon's stats are raised or lowered, allowing boosts to be stacked (this stacking effect is lost if the Pokémon levels up). In Generation II, if the attack is a critical hit and the attacker's used offensive stat stage is less than or equal to the opponent's defensive stat stage, all badge boosts are ignored.

Note that in Generation I, the game states that the Thunder Badge raises Speed and the Soul Badge raises Defense, but these are not the actual effects caused.

Type boost

In Generation II, every badge boosts the power of the moves of a certain type by 12.5% (1/8), despite never being referenced in the games. The type strengthened matches the type theme of the Gym (for example, Zephyr Badge boosts the Flying type); despite the Viridian Gym no longer having a type theme in Generation II, the Earth Badge boosts Ground-type moves.

These boosts work similarly to the way same-type attack bonus (STAB) boosts work, and are, in fact, calculated in-between weather modifiers and STAB. Just like stat boosts, type boosts are not applied in link battles.

Obedience

Main article: Obedience

Badges affect a Pokémon's behavior. Outsider Pokémon over a certain level will refuse to obey the player without the appropriate badge. In Pokémon Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum, Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!, and Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, obedience is determined by the number of badges, not which specific badges the player has. Starting in Legends: Arceus, this applies even to non-outsider Pokémon, but is based on the level the Pokémon was met at when caught (as displayed on the Summary screen), rather than its current level. This prevents a Pokémon from suddenly becoming disobedient once it exceeds a player's current obedience level (listed below), as long as it was caught at or below that level. In Generation IX if a Pokémon is received in a trade, the level at which it was traded instead becomes the level it was met at, even if traded back to its Original Trainer.

In the Pokémon the Series episode The Problem with Paras, Lacy mentioned this when Ash's Charmeleon refused to obey him.

Catch level limit

In Pokémon Sword and Shield, the player cannot catch wild Pokémon above a certain level without appropriate badges. Such uncatchable wild Pokémon are described as being "very strong-looking" upon encounter, and attempting to use a Poké Ball displays the message, "You can't throw a Poké Ball! It won't let its guard down!"

HM moves

Main article: HM

While Trainers can teach their Pokémon HM moves and use them in battle, Trainers require the appropriate badge to use them in the overworld in Generations I through IV as well as Generation VI. In Generation V only, badges are not needed to use HM moves in the overworld.

Poké Mart stock

From Generation IV onwards, the number of badges a Trainer possesses affects which items Poké Marts sell. The more badges, the more items that become available for purchase, with more expensive items generally appearing after more badges are obtained.

Generation IV
Poké Ball HGSS: After catching tutorial on Route 29 $200	Great Ball3 badges $600
Ultra Ball5 badges $1200	Potion $300
Super Potion1 badge $700	Hyper Potion5 badges $1200
Max Potion7 badges $2500	Full Restore8 badges $3000
Revive3 badges $1500	Antidote $100
Parlyz Heal $200	Awakening1 badge $250
Burn Heal1 badge $250	Ice Heal1 badge $250
Full Heal5 badges $600	Escape Rope1 badge $550
Repel1 badge $350	Super Repel3 badges $500
Max Repel7 badges $700

Generation V
Poké Ball $200	Great Ball1 badge $600
Ultra Ball5 badges $1200	Potion $300
Super Potion1 badge $700	Hyper Potion3 badges $1200
Max Potion7 badges $2500	Full Restore8 badges $3000
Revive3 badges $1500	Antidote1 badge $100
Parlyz Heal1 badge $200	Awakening1 badge $250
Burn Heal1 badge $250	Ice Heal1 badge $250
Full Heal5 badges $600	Escape Rope1 badge $550
Repel1 badge $350	Super Repel3 badges $500
Max Repel5 badges $700

Generation VI
Poké Ball ORAS: after obtaining Pokédex $200	Great Ball1 badge $600
Ultra Ball3 badges $1,200	Potion $300
Super Potion1 badge $700	Hyper Potion2 badges $1,200
Max Potion4 badges $2,500	Full Restore5 badges $3,000
Revive2 badges $1,500	Antidote XY: 1 badge, ORAS: after obtaining Pokédex $100
Paralyze Heal1 badge $200	Awakening1 badge $250
Burn Heal1 badge $250	Ice Heal1 badge $250
Full Heal3 badges $600	Escape Rope1 badge $550
Repel1 badge $350	Super Repel2 badges $500
Max Repel3 badges $700

Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!
Poké Ball $100	Great Ball1 badge $300
Ultra Ball4 badges $500	Potion $200
Super Potion2 badges $700	Hyper Potion4 badges $1,500
Max Potion6 badges $2,500	Full Restore8 badges $3,000
Antidote $200	Burn Heal $300
Ice Heal $100	Awakening $100
Paralyze Heal $300	Full Heal3 badges $400
Revive3 badges $2,000	Escape Rope1 badge $300
Repel1 badge $400	Super Repel3 badges $700
Max Repel5 badges $900	Lure2 badges $400
Super Lure4 badges $700	Max Lure6 badges $900
X Attack1 badge $550	X Defense1 badge $500
X Sp. Atk1 badge $350	X Sp. Def1 badge $350
X Speed1 badge $350	X Accuracy1 badge $950
Dire Hit1 badge $650	Guard Spec.1 badge $700

Generation VIII
Poké Ball After meeting Leon on Route 2 $200	Great Ball1 badge $600
Ultra Ball5 badges $800	Potion $200
Super Potion1 badge $700	Hyper Potion4 badges $1,500
Max Potion7 badges $2,500	Full Restore8 badges $3,000
Antidote $200	Burn Heal $200
Ice Heal $200	Awakening $200
Paralyze Heal $200	Full Heal6 badges $400
Revive $2,000	Repel3 badges $400
Super Repel5 badges $700	Max Repel7 badges $900
Poké Doll2 badges $300

Pokémon League

In the games, in order to enter the Pokémon League and challenge the Elite Four and Champion, the player must have all eight badges from that region (in the case of the Indigo Plateau, either Kanto or Johto; for Paldea, only the badges earned from the Gyms are accepted by the League, as the others are unofficial designs merely meant to resemble the proper badges). In Unova, Kalos, and Generation I, III, and VII Kanto, badges are checked individually through a series of badge Check Gates; in Hoenn, Sinnoh, and Generation II and IV Kanto, badges are checked all at once.

Indigo League

In Generations IV and VII, these badges do not affect stats.

Indigo League
Badges: 8	Region: Kanto
Boulder Badge グレーバッジ Gray Badge Pewter City Giver Brock Others in the games None Others in animation Lola, Flint, and Forrest HM FlashRBYFRLG Obeying Pokémon N/A Increased stat(s) Attack Basis It is a simple gray octagon. Notes None
Cascade Badge ブルーバッジ Blue Badge Cerulean City Giver Misty Others in the games None Others in animation Lily, Daisy, and Violet HM CutRBYFRLG Obeying Pokémon Up to Lv. 30 Increased stat(s) None Basis It is in the shape of a light blue raindrop. Notes None
Thunder Badge オレンジバッジ Orange Badge Vermilion City Giver Lt. Surge Others in the games None Others in animation Visquez HM FlyRBYFRLG Obeying Pokémon N/A Increased stat(s) DefenseRBY, SpeedFRLG Basis It is in the shape of an eight-pointed gold star with an orange octagon in the center. Notes None
Rainbow Badge レインボーバッジ Rainbow Badge Celadon City Giver Erika Others in the games None Others in animation None HM StrengthRBYFRLG Obeying Pokémon Up to Lv. 50 Increased stat(s) None Basis It is shaped like a flower, showing grass, with rainbow colored petals. Notes None
Soul Badge ピンクバッジ Pink Badge Fuchsia City Giver Koga Others in the games JanineGSCHGSS Others in animation None HM SurfRBYFRLG Obeying Pokémon N/A Increased stat(s) SpeedRBY, DefenseFRLG Basis It is in the shape of a fuchsia heart. Notes None
Marsh Badge ゴールドバッジ Gold Badge Saffron City Giver Sabrina Others in the games None Others in animation None HM Rock SmashFRLG Obeying Pokémon Up to Lv. 70 Increased stat(s) None Basis It is two concentric golden circles. Notes None
Volcano Badge クリムゾンバッジ Crimson Badge Seafoam Islands Giver Blaine Others in the games None Others in animation None HM WaterfallFRLG Obeying Pokémon N/A Increased stat(s) Special Attack & Special Defense* Basis It is red and shaped like a flame with a small pink diamond in the center. Notes None
Earth Badge グリーンバッジ Green Badge Viridian City Giver Giovanni Others in the games BlueGSCHGSS Others in animation Jessie, James, Meowth, and Agatha HM Rock ClimbHGSS Obeying Pokémon Up to Lv. 100 Increased stat(s) None Basis It is shaped like a plant, most likely a Sakaki tree, which is where Giovanni's Japanese name comes from. Notes None

Johto League

In Generation IV, these badges do not affect stats.

Johto League
Badges: 8	Region: Johto
Zephyr Badge ウイングバッジ Wing Badge Violet City Giver Falkner Others in the games None Others in animation None HM FlashGSC, Rock SmashHGSS Obeying Pokémon Up to Lv. 20HGSS Increased stat(s) Attack Basis It is shaped like a pair of wings. Notes The badge is named after the Greek god of the west wind.
Hive Badge インセクトバッジ Insect Badge Azalea Town Giver Bugsy Others in the games None Others in animation None HM Cut Obeying Pokémon Up to Lv. 30 Increased stat(s) None Basis It is shaped like a ladybug viewed from above. Notes None
Plain Badge レギュラーバッジ Regular Badge Goldenrod City Giver Whitney Others in the games None Others in animation None HM Strength Obeying Pokémon N/A Increased stat(s) Speed Basis It is a plain diamond. Notes This badge is not obtainable until after the player talks to Whitney a second time.
Fog Badge ファントムバッジ Phantom Badge Ecruteak City Giver Morty Others in the games None Others in animation None HM Surf Obeying Pokémon Up to Lv. 50 Increased stat(s) None Basis It is shaped like a wispy ghost. Notes None
Storm Badge ショックバッジ Shock Badge Cianwood City Giver Chuck Others in the games None Others in animation None HM Fly Obeying Pokémon Up to Lv. 70GSC Increased stat(s) None Basis It is shaped like a fist. Notes None
Mineral Badge スチールバッジ Steel Badge Olivine City Giver Jasmine Others in the games None Others in animation Jasmine's colleague HM None Obeying Pokémon Up to Lv. 70HGSS Increased stat(s) Defense Basis It is a steel-colored octagon. Notes None
Glacier Badge アイスバッジ Ice Badge Mahogany Town Giver Pryce Others in the games None Others in animation None HM Whirlpool Obeying Pokémon N/A Increased stat(s) Special Attack & Special Defense Basis It is a hexagon with a snowflake design. Notes This badge is not obtainable until the player has cleared out Team Rocket HQ. In Generation II, due to a bug, the Special Defense boost is only applied if the (pre-boost) Special Attack stat is in between 206 and 432 (inclusive) or 661 and above.
Rising Badge ライジングバッジ Rising Badge Blackthorn City Giver Clair Others in the games None Others in animation None HM Waterfall Obeying Pokémon Up to Lv. 100 Increased stat(s) None Basis It is shaped like a dragon's face. Notes This badge is not obtainable until the player has explored the Dragon's Den.

Hoenn League

In Generation VI, these badges do not affect stats.

Hoenn League
Badges: 8	Region: Hoenn
Stone Badge ストーンバッジ Stone Badge Rustboro City Giver Roxanne Others in the games None Others in animation None HM Cut Obeying Pokémon Up to Lv. 20ORAS Increased stat(s) Attack Basis It is shaped like a rectangle with two of its corners more emphasized than the others. Notes None
Knuckle Badge ナックルバッジ Knuckle Badge Dewford Town Giver Brawly Others in the games None Others in animation None HM FlashRSE Obeying Pokémon Up to Lv. 30 Increased stat(s) None Basis It is shaped like a boxing glove. Notes None
Dynamo Badge ダイナモバッジ Dynamo Badge Mauville City Giver Wattson Others in the games None Others in animation None HM Rock Smash Obeying Pokémon Up to Lv. 40ORAS Increased stat(s) Speed Basis It is shaped like a coiled wire. Notes None
Heat Badge ヒートバッジ Heat Badge Lavaridge Town Giver Flannery Others in the games None Others in animation Mr. Moore HM Strength Obeying Pokémon Up to Lv. 50 Increased stat(s) None Basis It is shaped like a wisp of fire. Notes None
Balance Badge バランスバッジ Balance Badge Petalburg City Giver Norman Others in the games None Others in animation None HM Surf Obeying Pokémon Up to Lv. 60ORAS Increased stat(s) Defense Basis It is shaped like two circles, counterbalancing each other or a barbell. Notes None
Feather Badge フェザーバッジ Feather Badge Fortree City Giver Winona Others in the games None Others in animation None HM Fly Obeying Pokémon Up to Lv. 70 Increased stat(s) None Basis It is shaped like feathers on a bird's wing. Notes None
Mind Badge マインドバッジ Mind Badge Mossdeep City Giver Tate and Liza Others in the games None Others in animation None HM Dive Obeying Pokémon Up to Lv. 80ORAS Increased stat(s) Special Attack & Special Defense Basis It is shaped like a heart, with two sides closing in, possibly in reference to how Tate and Liza are twins. Notes None
Rain Badge レインバッジ Rain Badge Sootopolis City Giver Wallace Others in the games JuanE Others in animation Juan HM Waterfall Obeying Pokémon Up to Lv. 100 Increased stat(s) None Basis It is shaped like three raindrops arranged in a triangle. Notes None

Sinnoh League

When badges are touched in the games, they play a single note, and will make a musical C major scale when all eight badges are collected. When a player rubs the stylus across them numerous times to polish them (as they gradually tarnish), they will begin to shine. This process can be continued until four sparkles are visible. The musical notes are also the most clearly defined and accurately tuned when there are four sparkles.

Unlike other generations, it is the number of badges that determines which outsider Pokémon obey the Trainer, rather than the badges themselves (this distinction is important because the order in which the Cobble, Fen, and Relic Badges are obtained differs between Diamond/Pearl and Platinum). For every second badge the maximum level of obeying Pokémon increases (0 badges—level 10; 2 badges—level 30; 4 badges—level 50; 6 badges—level 70; 8 badges—level 100). The number of badges collected also affects the items that the player can purchase in Poké Marts.

Sinnoh League
Badges: 8	Region: Sinnoh
Coal Badge コールバッジ Coal Badge Oreburgh City Giver Roark Others in the games None Others in animation Byron HM Rock Smash Obeying Pokémon N/A Increased stat(s) None Basis It is shaped like a boulder and a Poké Ball combined. It also resembles Roark's hard hat, or possibly a treasure chest. Notes None
Forest Badge フォレストバッジ Forest Badge Eterna City Giver Gardenia Others in the games None Others in animation None HM Cut Obeying Pokémon N/A Increased stat(s) None Basis It is shaped like three trees of a forest, with the trunks whited out. Notes None
Cobble Badge コボルバッジ Cobble Badge Veilstone City Giver Maylene Others in the games None Others in animation None HM Fly Obeying Pokémon N/A Increased stat(s) None Basis It is reminiscent of bricks or a tatami mat. Notes This is the third badge in Diamond and Pearl, but the fourth in Platinum.
Fen Badge フェンバッジ Fen Badge Pastoria City Giver Crasher Wake Others in the games None Others in animation None HM DefogDP, SurfPt Obeying Pokémon N/A Increased stat(s) None Basis It is shaped like a lake with gray reeds around it or a wave seen from the front, a reference to the type of wetland called a fen. It also resembles Crasher Wake's Mask. Notes This is the fourth badge in Diamond and Pearl, but the fifth in Platinum.
Relic Badge レリックバッジ Relic Badge Hearthome City Giver Fantina Others in the games None Others in animation None HM SurfDP, DefogPt Obeying Pokémon N/A Increased stat(s) None Basis It is similar in appearance to a Will-o'-the-wisp or a ghostly aura. It also resembles Fantina's hair. Notes This is the fifth badge in Diamond and Pearl, but the third in Platinum.
Mine Badge マインバッジ Mine Badge Canalave City Giver Byron Others in the games None Others in animation None HM Strength Obeying Pokémon N/A Increased stat(s) None Basis It is shaped like three stones and three pickaxes combined. Notes None
Icicle Badge グレイシャバッジ Glacier Badge Snowpoint City Giver Candice Others in the games None Others in animation None HM Rock Climb Obeying Pokémon N/A Increased stat(s) None Basis It is shaped like an iceberg or two icy mountains. Notes None
Beacon Badge ビーコンバッジ Beacon Badge Sunyshore City Giver Volkner Others in the games None Others in animation None HM Waterfall Obeying Pokémon N/A Increased stat(s) None Basis It is shaped like a lighthouse. Notes None

Unova League

Unlike previous badges, the level at which traded Pokémon will obey the player goes up by ten per badge, rather than the previous system of rising twenty levels after every even-numbered badge. They can be polished like Sinnoh's badges, although they do not make different notes when polished at the same level. Instead, the picture of the Gym Leader from whom the badge was earned gets grayer.

In Black 2 and White 2, the badges no longer dull over a period of time, and Sinnoh's notes were reintegrated into the badge screen.

Although badges are not required to use any of the HMs outside of battle, some HMs cannot be obtained until after obtaining certain badges. However, as they are not required, traded Pokémon that have learned an HM move in another game can still use the HM move before acquiring any badges.

Black and White

Unova League
Badges: 8	Region: Unova
Trio Badge トライバッジ Tri Badge Striaton City Giver Cilan Others in the games Chili and Cress Others in animation Chili and Cress HM None Obeying Pokémon Up to Lv. 20 Increased stat(s) None Basis It is shaped like a bow tie, similar to those worn by the Striaton Gym Leaders. It may also bear a resemblance to an opened pea pod, which contains two large peas; one green and one blue, with a smaller red pea at the center. Notes The Gym Leader who gives the badge is the same one who was battled.
Basic Badge ベーシックバッジ Basic Badge Nacrene City Giver Lenora Others in the games None Others in animation None HM None Obeying Pokémon Up to Lv. 30 Increased stat(s) None Basis It is shaped like a purple spine of a book. Notes None
Insect Badge ビートルバッジ Beetle Badge Castelia City Giver Burgh Others in the games None Others in animation None HM None Obeying Pokémon Up to Lv. 40 Increased stat(s) None Basis It is shaped like a green heart divided into three parts or the wings and body of an insect. Notes None
Bolt Badge ボルトバッジ Bolt Badge Nimbasa City Giver Elesa Others in the games None Others in animation None HM None Obeying Pokémon Up to Lv. 50 Increased stat(s) None Basis It is shaped like a lightning bolt or a Pikachu or Emolga tail, with an orange crown sticking out of the tip. Notes None
Quake Badge クェイクバッジ Quake Badge Driftveil City Giver Clay Others in the games None Others in animation None HM None Obeying Pokémon Up to Lv. 60 Increased stat(s) None Basis It is shaped like a vertical piece of earth, the top half of which has cracked and slid out of place, resembling the result of an earthquake, or as two tectonic plates interacting. Notes None
Jet Badge ジェットバッジ Jet Badge Mistralton City Giver Skyla Others in the games None Others in animation Miles HM None Obeying Pokémon Up to Lv. 70 Increased stat(s) None Basis It is shaped like a stylized feather, with a soaring bird at the bottom. Notes None
Freeze Badge アイシクルバッジ Icicle Badge Icirrus City Giver Brycen Others in the games None Others in animation None HM None Obeying Pokémon Up to Lv. 80 Increased stat(s) None Basis It is shaped like three white icicles. Notes None
Legend Badge レジェンドバッジ Legend Badge Opelucid City Giver Drayden Others in the games IrisW Others in animation None HM None Obeying Pokémon Up to Lv. 100 Increased stat(s) None Basis It is shaped like a dragon's head with the snout pointing downwards, a medieval mace, or a dragon's wing when stretched out. Notes None

Black 2 and White 2

Unova League
Badges: 8	Region: Unova
Basic Badge ベーシックバッジ Basic Badge Aspertia City Giver Cheren Others in the games None Others in animation None HM None Obeying Pokémon Up to Lv. 20 Increased stat(s) None Basis It is shaped like a purple spine of a book, similar to those found in libraries. Notes None
Toxic Badge トキシックバッジ Toxic Badge Virbank City Giver Roxie Others in the games None Others in animation None HM None Obeying Pokémon Up to Lv. 30 Increased stat(s) None Basis It is shaped like a smoke signal with four small purple circles lining up to a poison mark. Notes None
Insect Badge ビートルバッジ Beetle Badge Castelia City Giver Burgh Others in the games None Others in animation None HM None Obeying Pokémon Up to Lv. 40 Increased stat(s) None Basis It is shaped like a green heart divided into three parts or the wings and body of an insect. Notes None
Bolt Badge ボルトバッジ Bolt Badge Nimbasa City Giver Elesa Others in the games None Others in animation None HM None Obeying Pokémon Up to Lv. 50 Increased stat(s) None Basis It is shaped like a lightning bolt or a Pikachu or Emolga tail, with an orange crown sticking out of the tip. Notes None
Quake Badge クェイクバッジ Quake Badge Driftveil City Giver Clay Others in the games None Others in animation None HM None Obeying Pokémon Up to Lv. 60 Increased stat(s) None Basis It is shaped like a vertical piece of earth, the top half of which has cracked and slid out of place, resembling the result of an earthquake. Notes None
Jet Badge ジェットバッジ Jet Badge Mistralton City Giver Skyla Others in the games None Others in animation Miles HM None Obeying Pokémon Up to Lv. 70 Increased stat(s) None Basis It is shaped like a stylized feather, with a soaring bird at the bottom. Notes None
Legend Badge レジェンドバッジ Legend Badge Opelucid City Giver Drayden Others in the games None Others in animation None HM None Obeying Pokémon Up to Lv. 80 Increased stat(s) None Basis It is shaped like a dragon's head with the snout pointing downwards, a medieval mace, or a dragon's wing when stretched out. Notes None
Wave Badge ウェーブバッジ Wave Badge Humilau City Giver Marlon Others in the games None Others in animation None HM None Obeying Pokémon Up to Lv. 100 Increased stat(s) None Basis It is shaped like a raindrop with waves in it. Notes None