If you’ve ever caught two Pokémon of the same species and noticed that one performs better in battle than the other, Pokémon Natures may be the reason. Introduced in Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire (Generation III), Natures are one of the most important mechanics for optimizing a Pokémon’s performance.
While casual players can complete most Pokémon games without worrying about Natures, understanding them becomes essential when building competitive teams, tackling difficult battles, or maximizing a Pokémon’s potential. A well-chosen Nature can significantly improve a Pokémon’s strongest stat while reducing a less important one.
For example, a fast attacker benefits from increased Speed, while a defensive Pokémon may prefer enhanced Defense or Special Defense. Choosing the wrong Nature can limit a Pokémon’s effectiveness and make battles more challenging than necessary.
In this comprehensive guide, you’ll learn how Pokémon Natures work, what every Nature does, how to select the best Nature for different Pokémon, common mistakes players make, and expert strategies used by competitive trainers.
Key Takeaways
- Pokemon Natures affect stat growth.
- Most Natures increase one stat by 10% and decrease another by 10%.
- There are 25 different Natures.
- Five Natures are neutral and do not modify stats.
- Choosing the right Nature can greatly improve battle performance.
- Competitive players carefully select Natures based on a Pokémon’s role.
- Modern Pokémon games offer easier ways to change or influence Natures.
What Are Pokemon Natures?
A Pokémon’s Nature is a hidden characteristic that influences how its stats develop as it gains levels.
Most Natures:
- Increase one stat by 10%
- Decrease another stat by 10%
The affected stats include:
- Attack
- Defense
- Special Attack
- Special Defense
- Speed
HP is never affected by Nature.
For example:
Adamant Nature
- +Attack
- -Special Attack
This Nature is ideal for physical attackers because it boosts offensive power while reducing a stat they rarely use.
How Pokémon Natures Work
When a Pokémon levels up, its stats increase according to several factors:
- Base Stats
- Individual Values (IVs)
- Effort Values (EVs)
- Level
- Nature
A Nature modifies the final stat calculation by approximately 10%.
Example
Imagine a Pokémon reaches:
- Attack: 200
- Special Attack: 180
With an Adamant Nature:
- Attack becomes 220
- Special Attack becomes 162
Over many levels, this difference becomes significant.
Complete Pokémon Nature Chart
| Nature | Increased Stat | Decreased Stat |
|---|---|---|
| Adamant | Attack | Special Attack |
| Brave | Attack | Speed |
| Lonely | Attack | Defense |
| Naughty | Attack | Special Defense |
| Bold | Defense | Attack |
| Relaxed | Defense | Speed |
| Impish | Defense | Special Attack |
| Lax | Defense | Special Defense |
| Modest | Special Attack | Attack |
| Mild | Special Attack | Defense |
| Quiet | Special Attack | Speed |
| Rash | Special Attack | Special Defense |
| Calm | Special Defense | Attack |
| Gentle | Special Defense | Defense |
| Careful | Special Defense | Special Attack |
| Sassy | Special Defense | Speed |
| Timid | Speed | Attack |
| Hasty | Speed | Defense |
| Jolly | Speed | Special Attack |
| Naive | Speed | Special Defense |
Neutral Natures
These Natures do not affect stats:
- Hardy
- Docile
- Serious
- Bashful
- Quirky
Best Pokémon Natures by Role
Physical Attackers
Physical attackers rely heavily on Attack.
Recommended Natures
Adamant
- +Attack
- -Special Attack
Best for:
- Dragonite
- Garchomp
- Tyranitar
- Scizor
Jolly
- +Speed
- -Special Attack
Best for:
- Weavile
- Talonflame
- Excadrill
Choose Jolly when Speed is more important than raw damage.
Special Attackers
Special attackers benefit from stronger Special Attack.
Modest Nature
- +Special Attack
- -Attack
Excellent for:
- Alakazam
- Gengar
- Chandelure
- Hydreigon
Timid Nature
- +Speed
- -Attack
Perfect when outspeeding opponents matters.
Popular choices:
- Greninja
- Latios
- Flutter Mane
Defensive Pokémon
Defensive Pokémon prioritize survivability.
Bold Nature
- +Defense
- -Attack
Best for:
- Blissey
- Toxapex
- Clefable
Calm Nature
- +Special Defense
- -Attack
Great for:
- Umbreon
- Milotic
- Sylveon
Best Competitive Pokemon Natures
Competitive Pokémon battles often come down to tiny stat differences.
Here are some of the most commonly used Natures:
| Nature | Usage |
|---|---|
| Adamant | Physical attackers |
| Jolly | Fast physical sweepers |
| Modest | Special attackers |
| Timid | Fast special sweepers |
| Bold | Physical walls |
| Calm | Special walls |
| Careful | Mixed defensive Pokémon |
| Impish | Physical tanks |
These Natures consistently appear on tournament teams because they maximize efficiency.
Pokémon Nature Examples
Understanding theory is easier with real examples.
Garchomp
Role:
Physical sweeper
Best Nature:
Jolly
Why?
Garchomp already has excellent Attack.
Increasing Speed allows it to outspeed more opponents.
Charizard
Special attacker build:
Timid
Benefits:
- Increased Speed
- Strong special attacks
- Better offensive pressure
Blissey
Role:
Special wall
Best Nature:
Bold
Reason:
Blissey already possesses incredible HP and Special Defense.
Boosting Defense helps cover one of its weaknesses.
How to Get the Nature You Want
Breeding with Everstone
One of the most reliable methods involves using an Everstone.
When a parent Pokémon holds an Everstone during breeding:
- The offspring usually inherits that parent’s Nature.
This method is widely used by competitive breeders.
Catching Multiple Pokémon
Sometimes trainers repeatedly catch Pokémon until they find the desired Nature.
This method is less efficient but works early in the game.
Nature Mints
Modern Pokémon games introduced Nature Mints.
These items:
- Change stat effects
- Mimic another Nature
Benefits:
- No breeding required
- Saves time
- Competitive-friendly
Nature Mints are especially useful in Pokémon Sword and Shield and Pokémon Scarlet and Violet.
Common Mistakes Players Make
Ignoring Natures Completely
Many players overlook Natures and miss easy stat improvements.
A proper Nature can significantly boost performance.
Using Neutral Natures
Neutral Natures rarely provide competitive advantages.
Most battle-focused Pokémon benefit from specialized stat boosts.
Choosing Adamant for Special Attackers
One of the most common mistakes.
Adamant reduces Special Attack, making it poor for Pokémon that rely on special moves.
Following Online Builds Blindly
A Nature should fit your strategy.
Not every Pokémon needs the same Nature as tournament builds.
Consider your team composition and playstyle.
Expert Tips for Choosing the Right Nature
Identify Your Pokémon’s Primary Attack Type
Ask:
Does it use Attack or Special Attack?
The answer often narrows your Nature choices immediately.
Consider Speed Benchmarks
Competitive battles often depend on Speed.
Sometimes a Timid or Jolly Nature is better than extra damage.
Don’t Boost Unnecessary Stats
Focus on enhancing strengths rather than trying to improve everything.
Specialization usually produces better results.
Build Around Team Roles
Every Pokémon serves a purpose:
- Sweeper
- Tank
- Support
- Wall
- Utility
Nature selection should support that role.
Pokémon Natures in Modern Games
Recent Pokémon games have made Nature management much easier.
Features now include:
- Nature Mints
- Easier breeding mechanics
- Improved stat displays
- Competitive training tools
These improvements allow players to build competitive teams without spending hundreds of hours breeding.
As a result, Natures remain important while becoming more accessible than ever before.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best Nature in Pokémon?
There is no universally best Nature. The ideal Nature depends on the Pokémon’s stats, moves, and battle role.
Do Pokémon Natures really matter?
Yes. Natures can significantly affect performance, especially in competitive battles.
Which Nature is best for physical attackers?
Adamant and Jolly are generally the strongest choices.
Which Nature is best for special attackers?
Modest and Timid are the most common options.
Can you change a Pokémon’s Nature?
Yes. Modern games include Nature Mints that modify stat effects.
Are neutral Natures bad?
Not necessarily, but they usually provide fewer competitive advantages.
Does Nature affect HP?
No. HP is the only major stat unaffected by Nature.
Can breeding pass down Natures?
Yes. Using an Everstone greatly increases the chance of passing down a Nature.
Conclusion
Pokémon Natures may seem like a small mechanic at first, but they play a major role in maximizing a Pokémon’s potential. Whether you’re building a competitive team, preparing for difficult battles, or simply trying to understand the game’s deeper systems, learning how Natures work is one of the most valuable skills a trainer can develop.
The key is matching a Nature to a Pokémon’s intended role. Physical attackers often prefer Adamant or Jolly, special attackers typically benefit from Modest or Timid, and defensive Pokémon usually thrive with Bold, Calm, Impish, or Careful.
With modern tools such as Nature Mints and improved breeding systems, optimizing Pokémon has never been easier. By understanding Natures and applying them strategically, you’ll build stronger teams, make smarter decisions, and gain a significant advantage in battle.
