The Sentient Level Is?

2. Higher Intelligence.

Here the path splits into three more options to help me as a writer and help you as a reader to find what interests you:

The Victory Route:

You win most battles, there is less sex, this will contain more sex at available at a much later point in the story but will largely be a more SFW Pokemon Story told from a more adult perspective. But there will be naughty bits.

The Neutral Route:

Battles end in both wins and losses, you dictate which move the Pokemon use and as such whether to win or lose the battles. More Sexy stuff than above and will contain the most options to explore. This option has the potential to lead back into both the victory or loss routes as well should you so choose.

The Loss Route:

You lose at most battles if not all of them. Dawn will slowly be corrupted by the sheer level of dick she will be filled with. There will be far more sex down this route than the others but the story will still remain. There is potential for a good ending at the end of this one, but far, far more bad endings. This journey will be painted white.