Ferries, teams and level caps

When can I leave my region?

On a standard character, earn four badges in the region you’re leaving, then speak to its ferry attendant. Only destinations open to your character appear. If you sail to a fresh region, you’ll need four of its badges before you can sail back. Trial characters need to beat their region’s Champion before leaving.

• Kanto — Vermilion City
• Johto — Olivine City, in the plaza near the port
• Hoenn — the harbor desk in Slateport City
• Sinnoh — Sandgem Beach

Unova is outside this ferry network in both directions.

What happens to my team?

When you first sail to a region where you haven’t received a starter, the ferry puts your whole party in PC storage and takes you to the opening. If there isn’t room for the whole party, the ferry leaves you where you are. Make space and try again.

Returning to a region where you already received the starter keeps your party together. You arrive in the starter town, or at the dock if you’ve unlocked that region’s ferry.

Can I battle with a Pokémon from my old team?

Yes, if it’s within the level cap for your progress in the region where you’re standing. For example, Kanto’s cap starts at level 14 and rises to 21 after one Kanto badge. A level 20 Pikachu from another region can safely use moves in Kanto once you’ve earned that first badge.

You can withdraw an over-cap Pokémon and send it into a wild or trainer battle. When its turn comes to use a move, it faints before the move happens. Simply entering the battle or switching it out doesn’t cause the faint. Duels use their own level scaling.

Gym level caps by badge count

Use the row for the number of badges you hold in your current region. League progress has its own rules after badge eight.