Pokémon Natures
Natures are personality traits that change how a Pokémon's stats grow. Of the 25 natures, 20 raise one stat by 10% and lower another by 10%, while the other 5 are neutral and change nothing.
Natures were introduced in Generation 3 (2003), and no nature ever affects HP.
Last updated
- Total natures
- 25
- With stat effects
- 20
- Neutral (no effect)
- 5
- Effect size
- +10% / -10%
- Introduced
- Gen 3 (2003)
- Never affects
- HP
Pokémon nature chart (all 25 natures)
Every nature and the stat it raises and lowers. The 5 neutral natures (shown muted) have no effect on stats. Liked and disliked flavors follow the raised and lowered stat, which matters for berries and other flavor-based treats in the games.
| Nature | Raises | Lowers | Liked flavor | Disliked flavor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hardy | None | None | None | None |
| Docile | None | None | None | None |
| Serious | None | None | None | None |
| Bashful | None | None | None | None |
| Quirky | None | None | None | None |
| Lonely | Attack | Defense | Spicy | Sour |
| Brave | Attack | Speed | Spicy | Sweet |
| Adamant | Attack | Sp. Attack | Spicy | Dry |
| Naughty | Attack | Sp. Defense | Spicy | Bitter |
| Bold | Defense | Attack | Sour | Spicy |
| Relaxed | Defense | Speed | Sour | Sweet |
| Impish | Defense | Sp. Attack | Sour | Dry |
| Lax | Defense | Sp. Defense | Sour | Bitter |
| Timid | Speed | Attack | Sweet | Spicy |
| Hasty | Speed | Defense | Sweet | Sour |
| Jolly | Speed | Sp. Attack | Sweet | Dry |
| Naive | Speed | Sp. Defense | Sweet | Bitter |
| Modest | Sp. Attack | Attack | Dry | Spicy |
| Mild | Sp. Attack | Defense | Dry | Sour |
| Quiet | Sp. Attack | Speed | Dry | Sweet |
| Rash | Sp. Attack | Sp. Defense | Dry | Bitter |
| Calm | Sp. Defense | Attack | Bitter | Spicy |
| Gentle | Sp. Defense | Defense | Bitter | Sour |
| Sassy | Sp. Defense | Speed | Bitter | Sweet |
| Careful | Sp. Defense | Sp. Attack | Bitter | Dry |
How do natures work?
A Pokémon's nature is set when it is caught or received, and most of the time it is random. An affecting nature raises one of the Pokémon's five main stats by 10% and lowers a different one by 10%. It does not change the Pokémon's moves, appearance, or type.
The five neutral natures (Hardy, Docile, Serious, Bashful, and Quirky) raise and lower the same stat, so they cancel out and leave every stat unchanged. Natures also set a flavor the Pokémon likes and one it dislikes, tied to the raised and lowered stat, which affects certain in-game treats but not battle performance.
What is the best nature?
There is no single best nature. The right one depends on what the Pokémon is built to do, and the aim is always to raise the stat it relies on while lowering one it does not use. Four classic picks cover most battlers:
- Adamant (+Attack, -Special Attack): best for physical attackers, since it boosts damage from physical moves and lowers a stat they rarely use.
- Modest (+Special Attack, -Attack): best for special attackers, boosting special move damage while lowering unused physical Attack.
- Jolly (+Speed, -Special Attack): best for fast physical attackers that want to move first without losing physical power.
- Timid (+Speed, -Attack): best for fast special attackers that want to move first while keeping their special power intact.
Can you change a Pokémon's nature?
Yes, in the modern games. Since Generation 8 (2019) you can use an item called a Nature Mint to change which stat a Pokémon's nature raises and lowers. The Pokémon keeps its original nature name on screen, but its stats grow as if it had the minted nature, so you can fix an unhelpful nature without breeding for a new one.
Do natures matter for casual play?
Barely, until you reach competitive play. For story playthroughs the 10% swing rarely decides a battle, and you can finish every main series game without ever checking a nature. Natures start to matter in competitive and online battling, where small stat differences decide close matchups.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best Pokémon nature?
There is no single best nature. The right one depends on the Pokémon's role: Adamant suits physical attackers, Modest suits special attackers, Jolly suits fast physical attackers, and Timid suits fast special attackers. The goal is to raise the stat the Pokémon relies on and lower one it does not use.
Can you change a Pokémon's nature?
Yes. Since Generation 8 (2019) you can use an item called a Nature Mint. A Mint changes which stat a Pokémon's nature raises and lowers, so its stats grow as if it had a different nature. The Pokémon keeps its original nature name on screen, but the stat effect follows the Mint you used.
Do natures affect HP?
No. No nature ever raises or lowers HP. Every nature that has an effect changes one of the other five stats: Attack, Defense, Special Attack, Special Defense, or Speed.
How many Pokémon natures are there?
There are 25 Pokémon natures. 20 of them raise one stat by 10% and lower another by 10%, and the remaining 5 are neutral, meaning they change no stats at all.
Do natures matter in casual play?
Barely. For story playthroughs the 10% swing rarely decides a battle, and you can finish every main series game without ever checking a nature. Natures start to matter in competitive and online battling, where small stat differences decide close matchups.
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