Every Pokemon Nature explained -- which stat increases, which decreases, and optimal picks for competitive roles.
Last updated: 2026-06-03
Nature is a Pokemon characteristic introduced in Generation 3 that modifies two of its stats. Each Nature increases one stat by 10% and decreases another by 10%. Five Natures are "neutral" (Bashful, Docile, Hardy, Quirky, Serious) and affect no stats -- they increase and decrease the same stat, resulting in no net change. The remaining 20 Natures create a 10% increase in one stat and a 10% decrease in another. Stat modification applies to the base stat before EV investment, making Nature one of the most significant factors in a Pokemon's final performance.
The Nature is determined when an Egg is created or a Pokemon is encountered in the wild. Unlike IVs, Nature cannot be changed through normal gameplay. Mints, introduced in Generation 8, change the stat effects of a Pokemon's Nature for calculation purposes but do not change the displayed Nature, meaning the Nature still passes down through breeding as the original value. For serious competitive breeding, getting the correct natural Nature from the start is essential.
The Everstone is the single most important item for Nature breeding. When a Pokemon holds an Everstone and is placed in the Day Care or Nursery, there is a 100% chance that its Nature will be passed down to the offspring. This makes Everstone breeding completely deterministic -- you always know what Nature the Egg will have. Since Generation 6, if both parents hold Everstones, each parent's Nature has an equal 50% chance of being inherited.
The Everstone also works when breeding with Ditto. If Ditto holds an Everstone, the Nature is guaranteed to match Ditto's. This is the standard method for breeding competitive Pokemon: catch or obtain a Ditto with the desired Nature (Adamant, Modest, Jolly, or Timid are the most common), give it an Everstone, and pair it with the Pokemon you want to breed. Since Everstone inheritance does not conflict with Destiny Knot IV inheritance, you can use both items simultaneously -- one parent holds Everstone for Nature, the other holds Destiny Knot for IVs.
| Nature | Increased Stat | Decreased Stat | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adamant | Attack | Special Attack | Physical attackers (Garchomp, Tyranitar) |
| Modest | Sp. Attack | Attack | Special attackers (Charizard, Greninja) |
| Jolly | Speed | Sp. Attack | Fast physical attackers (Lucario, Weavile) |
| Timid | Speed | Attack | Fast special attackers (Gengar, Alakazam) |
| Bold | Defense | Attack | Physical walls (Toxapex, Slowbro) |
| Calm | Sp. Defense | Attack | Special walls (Blissey, Chansey) |
| Careful | Sp. Defense | Sp. Attack | Specially defensive pivots (Snorlax, Tyranitar) |
| Impish | Defense | Sp. Attack | Physical defenders (Hippowdon, Skarmory) |
| Brave | Attack | Speed | Trick Room attackers (Conkeldurr, Rhyperior) |
| Quiet | Sp. Attack | Speed | Trick Room special attackers (Torkoal, Hatterene) |
| Sassy | Sp. Defense | Speed | Trick Room special walls (Dusclops, Cresselia) |
| Relaxed | Defense | Speed | Trick Room physical walls (Slowbro-Galar, Steelix) |
| Naughty | Attack | Sp. Defense | Mixed attackers (Dragapult mixed set) |
| Lonely | Attack | Defense | Frail physical attackers (Deoxys-A) |
| Rash | Sp. Attack | Sp. Defense | Mixed special attackers (Kyogre, Reshiram) |
| Mild | Sp. Attack | Defense | Glass cannon special attackers |
| Naive | Speed | Sp. Defense | Mixed attackers needing speed (Greninja, Infernape) |
| Hasty | Speed | Defense | Fast mixed attackers (Cinderace, Blaziken) |
| Gentle | Sp. Defense | Defense | Niche special tanks |
The right Nature depends on the Pokemon's role and moveset. Physical attackers should use a Nature that boosts Attack and lowers the unused Special Attack (Adamant, Jolly, or Brave for Trick Room). Special attackers should boost Special Attack and lower Attack (Modest, Timid, or Quiet). Speed is the most important stat in competitive Pokemon, so Jolly and Timid are often preferred over Adamant and Modest when the Pokemon needs to outspeed key threats. For example, Jolly Garchomp outspeeds Timid Heatran and Modest Magnezone, while Adamant Garchomp does not.
Defensive Pokemon choose Natures that boost their primary defensive stat while lowering the attacking stat they do not use. Bold (Defense+, Attack-) is standard for physically defensive Pokemon like Slowbro and Toxapex. Calm (Sp. Defense+, Attack-) is standard for specially defensive walls like Blissey. For mixed defenses, Careful (Sp. Defense+, Sp. Attack-) or Impish (Defense+, Sp. Attack-) is typical. Trick Room teams invert Speed priorities, making Brave, Quiet, Relaxed, and Sassy essential for slow but powerful Pokemon that need to move first under Trick Room.
The Synchronize Ability, available on Pokemon like Ralts, Abra, Munna, and Umbreon, gives a 50% chance that wild Pokemon encountered will have the same Nature as the Synchronize Pokemon leading the party. This is the most efficient way to obtain Ditto with competitive Natures. Before hunting Ditto in max raids or wild areas, lead with a Synchronize Pokemon of the desired Nature. The same technique works for catching any wild Pokemon with the right Nature for breeding stock.
To build a complete Nature collection, you need at least one Synchronize Pokemon of each competitive Nature. The most efficient method is to catch a male Ralts in Generation 3 with Trace, breed it with a Ditto of each Nature, and evolve the resulting Ralts into Kirlia then Gardevoir with Synchronize. Keep one of each Nature in a labeled box. This box of Synchronizers becomes the foundation of all future breeding projects. Building this collection takes a few hours but saves countless hours in the long run.