Pokémon Nature Guide
This Pokémon Nature Guide covers all 25 natures, their stat boosts and reductions, and the best nature for every competitive role. Use alongside our random Pokémon generator to instantly assign a nature to your team.
All 25 Natures – Full Stat Table
Each nature increases one stat by +10% and decreases another by -10%. Five natures are neutral (no change).
| Nature | +10% (Boost) | −10% (Cut) | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hardy | — | — | Neutral |
| Docile | — | — | Neutral |
| Serious | — | — | Neutral |
| Bashful | — | — | Neutral |
| Quirky | — | — | Neutral |
| Adamant | Atk | Sp.Atk | Physical sweeper |
| Brave | Atk | Speed | Trick Room attacker |
| Lonely | Atk | Def | Niche physical |
| Naughty | Atk | Sp.Def | Niche physical |
| Bold | Def | Atk | Physical wall |
| Relaxed | Def | Speed | Trick Room wall |
| Impish | Def | Sp.Atk | Physical wall |
| Lax | Def | Sp.Def | Niche defensive |
| Modest | Sp.Atk | Atk | Special sweeper |
| Quiet | Sp.Atk | Speed | Trick Room special |
| Mild | Sp.Atk | Def | Niche special |
| Rash | Sp.Atk | Sp.Def | Niche special |
| Calm | Sp.Def | Atk | Special wall |
| Gentle | Sp.Def | Def | Niche special wall |
| Sassy | Sp.Def | Speed | Trick Room special wall |
| Careful | Sp.Def | Sp.Atk | Special wall |
| Timid | Speed | Atk | Fast special sweeper |
| Hasty | Speed | Def | Fast mixed attacker |
| Jolly | Speed | Sp.Atk | Fast physical sweeper |
| Naive | Speed | Sp.Def | Fast mixed attacker |
Best Natures by Competitive Role
⚔️ Physical Sweeper
Maximise Attack. Avoid cutting Speed unless you plan for Trick Room.
✨ Special Sweeper
Maximise Sp. Attack. Timid keeps you faster; Modest hits harder.
🛡️ Physical Wall
Boost Defense. Bold pairs well with recovery moves on tank builds.
🌀 Special Wall
Boost Sp. Def. Calm drops physical attack which walls rarely need.
🔄 Trick Room Attacker
Decrease Speed so you move first under Trick Room. Brave or Quiet.
⚡ Speed Control
Jolly is the most popular for physical leads that need to outspeed threats.
How Natures Work — Pokémon Nature Guide Basics
Natures were introduced in Generation III (Ruby and Sapphire) and have been a core competitive mechanic ever since. Each Pokémon has one nature assigned at the time it is caught, hatched, or created. A nature cannot be changed without mints (added in Sword and Shield).
The +10% boost and −10% cut apply to the Pokémon's final stat value after EVs and IVs are calculated. This means a nature matters most on a stat you have already invested EVs in — the bigger the stat, the bigger the absolute gain or loss.
The five neutral natures (Hardy, Docile, Serious, Bashful, Quirky) have no effect and are generally avoided in competitive play, since any neutral nature costs you a potential 10% boost.
Nature Mints (Sword/Shield onwards)
Starting from Pokémon Sword and Shield, you can purchase Nature Mints from the Battle Tower using Battle Points. A mint changes how a Pokémon's stats are calculated, effectively giving it a new nature's effect — without changing the displayed nature. This makes building competitive teams far more accessible since you no longer need to breed for the perfect nature.
Pokémon Nature Guide FAQ
How many natures are there in Pokémon?
There are 25 natures in total. Five are neutral (Hardy, Docile, Serious, Bashful, Quirky) with no stat effect. The remaining 20 each boost one stat by 10% and reduce another by 10%.
What is the best nature for a physical sweeper?
Adamant (boosts Attack, cuts Sp. Attack) is usually the top choice for physical sweepers that don't need Speed. Jolly (boosts Speed, cuts Sp. Attack) is preferred when you need to outspeed specific threats.
Can you change a Pokémon's nature after catching it?
You cannot change the nature itself, but starting in Sword and Shield you can use Nature Mints purchased at the Battle Tower. A mint makes the Pokémon's stats behave as if it has a different nature, without changing the displayed nature.
Do natures matter in casual playthroughs?
For most story playthroughs, natures have minimal impact — the 10% difference rarely decides gym battles. Natures matter most in competitive Pokémon (VGC, Showdown) where every stat point counts.
Which natures are best for competitive Pokémon?
The most commonly used competitive natures are Adamant and Jolly for physical attackers, Modest and Timid for special attackers, Bold and Impish for physical walls, and Calm and Careful for special walls. Brave and Quiet are used for Trick Room teams.
What are neutral natures in Pokémon?
Neutral natures (Hardy, Docile, Serious, Bashful, Quirky) apply no stat boost or reduction. They are generally avoided in competitive play since they waste the potential 10% boost that a beneficial nature would provide.
Generate a Random Pokémon Team
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