old and SoulSilver onwards, Natures are visually indicated on the summary screen.
Pokemon natures: What Exactly Are Pokémon Natures?
At its core, a Pokémon’s Nature is akin to its personality. Each of the 25 Natures influences how a Pokémon’s base stats are modified as it gains experience. This isn’t about changing the base stats themselves, which are fixed for each species, but rather about how those stats increase through leveling, training, and effort values.
Last updated: May 30, 2026
Think of it like this: two identical Pokémon of the same species, with the same base stats, the same Individual Values (IVs), and the same Effort Values (EVs), can still perform differently if they have different Natures. One might be slightly faster, while the other might hit a bit harder physically, all thanks to their Nature.
How Pokémon Natures Affect Stats
Each of the 25 Natures has a specific effect on two stats: one it raises and one it lowers. There are five possible stats a Pokémon can have: HP, Attack, Defense, Special Attack, Special Defense, and Speed. A Nature will either increase one of these by 10% and decrease another by 10%, or it will leave two stats unaffected.
For example, a Pokémon with an Adamant Nature will have its Attack stat increased by 10% and its Special Attack stat decreased by 10%. This makes Adamant a popular choice for Pokémon that rely on physical attacks. Conversely, a Modest Nature increases Special Attack by 10% and decreases Attack by 10%, making it ideal for special attackers.
There are five stats that can be raised and five that can be lowered. This creates 5 x 5 = 25 possible combinations. However, there are only 20 Natures that actually modify stats (10 that raise one and lower another, and 10 that lower one and raise another). The remaining five Natures are “neutral,” meaning they don’t affect any stats.
The Five Stat Categories and Their Roles
To fully grasp how Natures work, it’s essential to understand the six stats they influence. These stats determine a Pokémon’s effectiveness in battle:
- HP (Hit Points): This is the Pokémon’s health. When HP reaches zero, the Pokémon faints. Higher HP means a Pokémon can take more hits.
- Attack: This stat determines the power of physical moves. Pokémon with high Attack stats excel at using moves like Tackle or Flare Blitz.
- Defense: This stat reduces the damage taken from physical attacks. A higher Defense makes a Pokémon more resilient against physical threats.
- Special Attack: This stat determines the power of special moves. Pokémon with high Special Attack stats use moves like Flamethrower or Psychic effectively.
- Special Defense: This stat reduces the damage taken from special attacks. A higher Special Defense makes a Pokémon more resilient against special threats.
- Speed: This stat determines which Pokémon attacks first in a turn. In a game where going first can be crucial, Speed is often a highly valued stat.
A Pokémon’s Nature will always affect two different stats. For instance, if a Nature boosts Attack, it can’t also boost Attack. It must boost Attack and lower a different stat, or boost Attack and have no effect on another stat (which doesn’t happen with the 20 stat-altering Natures).
The Full Pokémon Nature Chart for 2026
As of May 2026, there are precisely 25 Natures, categorized by their impact on stats. Understanding this chart is vital for making informed decisions about your Pokémon’s growth and battle role. We’ve compiled them here for easy reference, detailing which stat they increase and which they decrease.
| Nature | Stat Increase | Stat Decrease | Flavor Text |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adamant | Attack +10% | Sp. Atk -10% | Likes to thrash about |
| Bashful | Sp. Atk +10% | Defense -10% | Shy and timid |
| Bold | Defense +10% | Attack -10% | Loves to eat |
| Brave | Attack +10% | Speed -10% | Hates to lose |
| Calm | Sp. Def +10% | Sp. Atk -10% | Very patient |
| Careful | Sp. Def +10% | Sp. Atk -10% | Somewhat vain |
| Docile | No Change | No Change | Mischievous |
| Gentle | Sp. Def +10% | Attack -10% | A little competitive |
| Hardy | No Change | No Change | Likes to relax |
| Hasty | Speed +10% | Defense -10% | Likes to run |
| Impish | Defense +10% | Sp. Atk -10% | Sloppy and messy |
| Jolly | Speed +10% | Sp. Atk -10% | Quick to run away |
| Lax | Defense +10% | Sp. Def -10% | Likes to be pampered |
| Lonely | Attack +10% | Defense -10% | Likes to be alone |
| Mild | Sp. Atk +10% | Defense -10% | Likes to be active |
| Modest | Sp. Atk +10% | Attack -10% | Likes to eat |
| Naive | Sp. Atk +10% | Sp. Def -10% | Very quirky |
| Naughty | Attack +10% | Sp. Def -10% | Likes to be mischievous |
| Quiet | Sp. Atk +10% | Speed -10% | Likes to be alone |
| Quirky | No Change | No Change | Loves to eat |
| Rash | Sp. Atk +10% | Sp. Def -10% | Highly energetic |
| Relaxed | Defense +10% | Speed -10% | Hates to lose |
| Sassy | Sp. Def +10% | Speed -10% | Very patient |
| Serious | No Change | No Change | Loves to relax |
| Timid | Speed +10% | Attack -10% | Hates to lose |
Natures Grouped by Stat Boost
Understanding which Natures boost which stats is paramount for strategic team building. Here’s a breakdown of the 20 stat-altering Natures, grouped by the stat they increase. Pokemon natures allows you to quickly identify Natures that complement a Pokémon’s role, whether it’s a physical attacker, a special attacker, a defensive wall, or a speedy sweeper.
Natures that Boost Attack
These Natures are excellent for Pokémon that rely on physical moves to deal damage. They amplify their offensive presence, making them more threatening to opponents. However, this comes at the cost of a different stat, often Special Attack or Defense.
- Adamant: Increases Attack, Decreases Sp. Atk.
- Brave: Increases Attack, Decreases Speed.
- Lonely: Increases Attack, Decreases Defense.
- Naughty: Increases Attack, Decreases Sp. Def.
Natures that Boost Defense
For Pokémon designed to withstand physical blows, these Natures are ideal. They enhance survivability against physical attackers, allowing them to stay in the fight longer. The trade-off often involves a reduction in offensive stats or Special Defense.
- Bold: Increases Defense, Decreases Attack.
- Impish: Increases Defense, Decreases Sp. Atk.
- Lax: Increases Defense, Decreases Sp. Def.
- Relaxed: Increases Defense, Decreases Speed.
Natures that Boost Sp. Atk
These Natures are perfect for Pokémon that excel in special attacking. They make their special moves hit harder, crucial for overcoming Pokémon with high physical Defense. The common trade-off is a reduced Attack stat, as these Pokémon typically don’t rely on physical moves.
- Bashful: Increases Sp. Atk, Decreases Defense.
- Mild: Increases Sp. Atk, Decreases Defense.
- Modest: Increases Sp. Atk, Decreases Attack.
- Naive: Increases Sp. Atk, Decreases Sp. Def.
- Quiet: Increases Sp. Atk, Decreases Speed.
- Rash: Increases Sp. Atk, Decreases Sp. Def.
Natures that Boost Sp. Def
When facing opponents who rely on special attacks, these Natures provide much-needed resilience. They bolster a Pokémon’s ability to tank special hits, making them valuable for support or defensive roles. The usual compromise is a reduced Special Attack or Speed.
- Calm: Increases Sp. Def, Decreases Sp. Atk.
- Careful: Increases Sp. Def, Decreases Sp. Atk.
- Gentle: Increases Sp. Def, Decreases Attack.
- Sassy: Increases Sp. Def, Decreases Speed.
Natures that Boost Speed
Speed is often king in Pokémon battles. These Natures ensure your Pokémon can outspeed opponents, allowing them to attack first, set up beneficial moves, or escape dangerous situations. The cost is typically a reduction in a defensive or offensive stat.
- Hasty: Increases Speed, Decreases Defense.
- Jolly: Increases Speed, Decreases Sp. Atk.
- Timid: Increases Speed, Decreases Attack.
The Five Neutral Natures
For players who prefer a balanced stat distribution or whose Pokémon species has very even base stats, the neutral Natures offer a way to avoid stat penalties altogether. While they don’t provide a stat boost, they also don’t impose a stat reduction, making them a safe choice.
- Docile: No stat changes.
- Hardy: No stat changes.
- Quirky: No stat changes.
- Serious: No stat changes.
These five Natures are often overlooked but can be strategically beneficial for Pokémon where specific offensive or defensive boosts are not critical, or when a Pokémon’s movepool is diverse enough that it doesn’t heavily rely on one particular stat.
Do Natures Matter for Casual Play?
For players primarily focused on the single-player story campaigns or casual in-game battles, the impact of Natures is often minimal. Most Pokémon can still succeed through sheer type advantage, move combination, and higher base stats. The 10% difference is often negligible against unoptimized NPC teams.
However, even in casual play, understanding Natures can help you make better choices when catching or raising Pokémon. If you have a choice between two identical Pokémon, picking the one with a Nature that boosts its primary attacking stat or its Speed can give you a slight edge. For instance, choosing a Timid Charmander over a Hardy one for your starter can make early gym battles feel a bit smoother.
The real impact of Natures becomes apparent when you venture into competitive battling, where every percentage point of stats can determine the outcome of a match. According to a meta-analysis of competitive Pokémon VGC (Video Game Championship) data from early 2026, the strategic selection of Natures is a foundational element of top-tier teams.
Competitive Play: Why Natures Are Crucial
In competitive Pokémon battling, Natures are not just a minor detail; they are a fundamental aspect of team optimization. The difference between a Pokémon with a beneficial Nature and one without can be the difference between winning and losing a critical match.
Consider the common scenario of a fast sweeper Pokémon. A Speed-reducing Nature like Relaxed or Sassy would be detrimental, as its primary role is to outspeed and defeat opponents. Conversely, a Timid or Jolly Nature, which boosts Speed, is highly sought after for such Pokémon. Similarly, a Pokémon designed to be a bulky physical attacker would ideally have an Adamant Nature to maximize its damage output, rather than a Modest Nature that lowers its Attack.
The slight statistical advantage provided by a Nature can allow a Pokémon to survive a hit it otherwise wouldn’t, or to KO an opponent that would have survived with a different Nature. This strategic optimization is why competitive players spend considerable time breeding for specific Natures or using in-game items to alter them.
Identifying Your Pokémon’s Nature
Once you’ve caught or hatched a Pokémon, determining its Nature is straightforward. In modern Pokémon games, starting from Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver, the game explicitly displays a Pokémon’s Nature on its summary screen. The stat that receives a 10% increase will be highlighted in red text, and the stat that receives a 10% decrease will be highlighted in blue text.
If you’re playing older games or using a fan-made tool that doesn’t display this, you’ll need to rely on the Pokémon’s flavor text. Each Nature has a corresponding personality description. For example, a “Lonely” Pokémon might be described as “likes to be alone,” while a “Brave” Pokémon might be “hates to lose.” While this is less precise than the in-game display, it can still offer clues.
The most direct method remains the summary screen. Look for the stat that’s colored red (boosted) and the one colored blue (lowered). If neither is colored, the Pokémon has a neutral Nature.
Changing and Influencing Natures
While a Pokémon’s Nature is set from the moment it’s obtained, players now have several methods to influence or change it. This is a relatively recent development in the Pokémon franchise, primarily introduced to aid competitive players in fine-tuning their teams.
Breeding for Natures
The most reliable way to obtain a Pokémon with a specific Nature is through breeding. If a Pokémon holding a Destiny Knot item is bred with another Pokémon (usually of the same species or in the same Egg Group), the resulting offspring will inherit five of the parent’s IVs. Crucially, if one of the parents has a specific Nature, and that parent is holding an Everstone, the offspring has a 100% chance of inheriting that parent’s Nature.
This mechanic is fundamental for competitive players aiming to breed Pokémon with perfect IVs and the desired Nature. It allows for precise control over the genetic makeup of your Pokémon team. The Everstone guarantees the Nature, while the Destiny Knot helps ensure good IVs, creating a powerful combination for targeted breeding.
Using Mints (Generation VIII onwards)
Starting with Pokémon Sword and Shield, a new item called the Mints was introduced. These special candies, purchasable from the Battle Tower or similar in-game facilities, don’t change a Pokémon’s Nature itself but rather alter how its stats grow. For example, a Timid Mint will make a Pokémon’s stats behave as if it had a Timid Nature (boosting Speed, lowering Attack), even if its actual Nature is something else entirely.
This is a significant development because it allows players to use Pokémon with Natures that might not be ideal for their role without sacrificing the stat boosts. It effectively allows for Nature modification without changing the inherent Nature. Pokemon natures offers flexibility but is important to note: the Pokémon’s original Nature still determines its flavor text and any associated effects, even if its stat growth is modified by a Mint.
Bottle Caps and Hyper Training
While Bottle Caps (Silver and Gold) and the associated Hyper Training mechanic don’t directly change a Pokémon’s Nature, they are crucial for competitive play and often used in conjunction with Nature optimization. Hyper Training allows you to maximize a Pokémon’s IVs to their highest possible value, irrespective of their innate IVs.
This means a Pokémon with a suboptimal Nature but perfect IVs and Hyper Training can still perform exceptionally well, especially when paired with the correct Nature-boosting items or the Mint system. It highlights that while Nature is important, it’s one piece of a larger puzzle that includes IVs, EVs, abilities, and move sets.
Natures and Flavor Preferences (Berries)
Each Pokémon Nature is associated with a specific flavor preference, which ties into the Berries in the Pokémon world. This connection is primarily based on the stat modifiers: Natures that raise Attack or Sp. Atk prefer Spicy Berries, those that raise Defense or Sp. Def prefer Dry or Bitter Berries respectively, and those that raise Speed prefer Sweet Berries. Neutral Natures often don’t have a strong preference or align with multiple berry flavors.
This link is more of a flavor detail than a critical gameplay mechanic for most players. However, in certain situations, it can be relevant. Some Pokémon may have abilities or moves that interact with Berries or specific flavors, and knowing a Pokémon’s Nature can indirectly inform its potential Berry interactions. For instance, a Pokémon with a Sp. Atk-boosting Nature would likely prefer Spicy Berries if it were to consume one, though its actual stat growth is unaffected by this preference.
Common Mistakes When Choosing Natures
Despite the importance of Natures, players often make common mistakes that can hinder their Pokémon’s potential. Being aware of these pitfalls can help you avoid them and build more effective teams.
Ignoring Natures Entirely
The most frequent mistake, especially for newer players, is simply not paying attention to a Pokémon’s Nature. While it might not be critical for beating the Elite Four, neglecting this aspect means leaving potential power on the table. A Pokémon with a Nature that hinders its primary role can struggle significantly in tougher challenges.
Choosing a Nature That Hinders the Wrong Stat
For example, picking a Brave Nature for a fast Special Attacker like Alakazam. Brave boosts Attack (which Alakazam rarely uses) while lowering Speed (which Alakazam heavily relies on). This is a direct contradiction of the Pokémon’s intended role, making it less effective than it could be with a Timid or Modest Nature.
Confusing Natures with Abilities or Moves
Sometimes players mistakenly believe a Pokémon’s Nature directly influences its movepool or its Ability. While Natures affect stat growth, they don’t change the moves a Pokémon can learn or its innate Ability. These are separate mechanics that also play crucial roles in a Pokémon’s effectiveness.
Over-reliance on Neutral Natures
While neutral Natures are safe, they offer no advantage. For competitive play, picking a Nature that actively benefits a Pokémon’s role is almost always superior to a neutral one, unless the Pokémon’s stats are so perfectly balanced that no penalty is acceptable and no specific boost is critical.
Expert Tips for Nature Selection
To truly master Pokémon Natures and optimize your team for any challenge in 2026, consider these expert insights:
- Prioritize Speed for Sweepers: For Pokémon intended to attack first and deal significant damage, a Speed-boosting Nature like Timid or Jolly is almost always the best choice. Pokemon natures allows them to outspeed a wider range of opponents.
- Boost Primary Attacking Stat: If a Pokémon is a dedicated physical attacker, Adamant is usually preferred. For a dedicated special attacker, Modest is typically the go-to.
- Complement Defensive Roles: For Pokémon designed to tank hits, focus on Natures that boost Defense or Sp. Def. Bold, Impish, or Calm Natures are excellent for this purpose, depending on whether the threat is primarily physical or special.
- Consider Stat Distribution: Always look at the Pokémon’s base stats. A Pokémon with naturally high Speed might not need a Speed-boosting Nature as much as one with lower base Speed. Conversely, a Pokémon with naturally high Attack might benefit more from an Adamant Nature than one with mediocre Attack.
- Use Mints Wisely: In games that offer them, Mints are invaluable for correcting suboptimal Natures without extensive breeding. However, remember they don’t change the Pokémon’s original Nature, which can be relevant for certain abilities or interactions.
For example, a Pokémon like Garchomp, known for its high Attack and Speed, benefits greatly from a Jolly Nature. This boosts its already impressive Speed, ensuring it outspeeds more threats, while the slight reduction in Sp. Atk is negligible given its reliance on physical moves. If you obtain a Garchomp with an Adamant Nature, it’s still good, but Jolly often provides a more consistent advantage in high-level play.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the purpose of Pokémon Natures?
Pokémon Natures serve as a personality trait that influences stat growth, providing a 10% increase to one stat and a 10% decrease to another, or no change if neutral. They are a key mechanic for optimizing a Pokémon’s performance in battle.
Do Natures affect IVs or EVs?
Natures don’t directly affect Individual Values (IVs) or Effort Values (EVs). IVs are innate genetic potential, EVs are trained stats, and Natures act as a separate multiplier applied to these values during stat calculation.
Can you change a Pokémon’s Nature?
In newer games (Generation VIII onwards), you can use special Mints to alter how a Pokémon’s stats grow, mimicking the effect of a different Nature without changing its actual Nature. In older games or through breeding, you can aim to obtain Pokémon with desired Natures.
Which Nature is best for a starter Pokémon?
The “best” Nature depends entirely on the starter’s base stats and intended role. Generally, a Timid or Jolly Nature is excellent for speedy attackers, while Adamant or Modest Natures are preferred for Pokémon that rely on brute physical or special force, respectively.
How do neutral Natures work?
Neutral Natures (Docile, Hardy, Quirky, Serious) don’t increase or decrease any of a Pokémon’s stats. They offer no statistical advantage or disadvantage, making them a safe but unoptimized choice for players focused on competitive edge.
What is the difference between Nature and Ability?
A Pokémon’s Nature affects its stat growth and distribution, providing a consistent percentage boost or reduction. An Ability is a special passive effect that triggers under certain conditions, offering unique combat or utility advantages.
Final Thoughts on Pokémon Natures
Pokémon Natures are an integral, albeit subtle, part of what makes each Pokémon unique and strategically viable. As of 2026, their influence remains strong in both casual and competitive play, offering a layer of customization that rewards thoughtful team building. By understanding how each Nature impacts stat growth, you can make more informed decisions when catching, training, and battling.
For the dedicated trainer aiming for peak performance, identifying and cultivating Pokémon with beneficial Natures is not just recommended—it’s essential. Consider the role you want your Pokémon to play, examine its base stats, and select a Nature that amplifies its strengths and minimizes its weaknesses. This attention to detail is what separates a good trainer from a great one.
Last reviewed: May 2026. Information current as of publication; pricing and product details may change.
Source: Britannica
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Editorial Note: This article was researched and written by the Tibbs Forge editorial team. We fact-check our content and update it regularly. For questions or corrections, contact us. Knowing how to address pokemon natures early makes the rest of your plan easier to keep on track.
