Pukachu and the extra treasure

[Ducallan]

What Andrew (RIP) said isn't changed by someone helping you: if your level alone is greater than the combat strength of the pukachu, then you get the extra treasure (not an extra level). The only viable strategy (to specifically deny the extra treasure) is to boost the pukachu to the point where its strength is greater than the combatant's level. Or, to be extremely munchkinly, you could always lower the combatant's level...