Pokémon natures guide: Different natures and how they help growth

There are 25 Natures in total, and most - though not all - increase one base stat while decreasing another. Natures are randomly selected, which makes certain tactics a bit more difficult.

If you're confused, take a deep breath. We're here to help.

Love Pokémon? Listen to our developer podcast interview!

We'll share below a complete guide on all 25 natures, and what they mean for the progress of your Pokémon.

What are Pokémon natures?

Pokémon natures were first introduced in Generation 3 of the main gaming series (Ruby/Sapphire), with each Pokémon being randomly assigned one nature from a total of 25.

Each nature that your Pokémon is listed as having increases one of its stats by 10 per cent and decreases another by 10 per cent.

For example, a Pokémon listed as being ‘brave’ will have a higher than usual attack stat.

Read more on Pokémon:

• Pokémon Go friend codes - and how to find them
• Pokémon type chart - strengths and weaknesses explained
• Legendary Pokémon - the full list
• Pokémon Emerald cheats - what you need to know
• Best Pokémon gifts - the greatest merch
• Pokémon Go Unova Stone guide - what is it?
• Pokémon games in order - where to start

There are five natures which provide zero bonus as they both increase and decrease the same stat by 10 per cent, cancelling itself out.

You can check which nature your Pokémon has by looking at their summary.

Here’s all 25 natures and the effects they have on your Pokémon:

1. Adamant: increases Attack, reduces Special Attack
2. Bashful: no effect
3. Brave: increases Attack, reduces Speed
4. Bold: increases Defence, reduces Attack
5. Calm: increases Special Attack, reduces Attack
6. Careful: increases Special Defence, reduces Special Attack
7. Docile: no effect
8. Gentle: increases Special Defence, reduces Defence
9. Hardy: no effect
10. Hasty: increases Speed, reduces Defence
11. Impish: increases Defence, reduces Special Attack
12. Jolly: increases Speed, reduces Special Attack
13. Lax: increases Defence, reduces Special Defence
14. Lonely: increases Attack, reduces Defence
15. Mild: increases Special Attack, reduces Defence
16. Modest: increases Special Attack, reduces Attack
17. Naive: increases Speed, reduces Special Defence
18. Naughty: increases Attack, reduces Special Defence
19. Quiet: increases Special Attack, reduces Speed
20. Quirky: no effect
21. Rash: increases Special Attack, reduces Special Defence
22. Relaxed: increases Defence, reduces Speed
23. Sassy: increases Special Defence, reduces Speed
24. Serious: no effect
25. Timid: increases Speed, reduces Attack

When out in the wild, many trainers will catch several of the same Pokémon in a bid to find one with a desired nature best suited to the Pokémon’s strengths and weaknesses.

A Pokémon’s nature also influences which berries and PokeBlocks it likes as each flavour is linked to a stat:

• Attack: Spicy
• Attack: Dry
• Defence: Sour
• Defence: Bitter
• Speed: Sweet

In Sword/Shield, Pokémon trainers also have the option of changing their Pokémon’s nature by purchasing ‘Mints’ at the Battle Tower once you have completed the main storyline.

Mints overwrite a Pokémon’s nature by changing both the increased and lowered stats affected by its nature.

How to use Pokémon natures in battle

Weaponising your Pokémon’s nature is an easy way to get the upper hand in battles. To take advantage of the mechanic, increase the stat a Pokémon excels at and reduce another that they will never use.

In the long run, it’s recommended to boost the stat your Pokémon is already good at, rather than wasting energy on trying to up a stat that will always be weaker due to your Pokémon’s nature.

For instance with a timid Pikachu, their nature will increase speed and lower attack, so to make the most of its nature and maximise its potential, up its speed stat as much as possible.

Subscribe to our free gaming newsletter for all the latest intel. Looking for something to watch? Check out our TV Guide or Streaming Guide.

Try Radio Times magazine today and get 10 issues for only £10 – subscribe now. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.