There are a lot of values that can influence the stats of a Pokemon. From IVs to EV training, getting Pokemon to have specific stats is a meticulous skill to refine. But one of the bigger and easier to influence values is a Pokemon’s nature. Added in Generation 3, a Pokemon’s nature acts as a tradeoff between two stats, boosting one and lowering another.
The Mechanics of Natures
Natures affect two stats, raising one by 10% and lowering the other by 10%. The stats affected can be any of the six stats a Pokemon has aside from HP. It also determines the flavors a Pokemon prefers with each stat corresponding to a flavor. For example, if a Pokemon has a nature that boosts attack it will enjoy the spicy flavor and decreases defense it will dislike the sour flavor.
There are 25 different stat combinations for natures including five natures that have no effect.
In Pokemon Sword and Shield, Mints were added and can be used to effectively change the nature of a Pokemon. When fed to a Pokemon, its nature changes to the one corresponding to the Mint used. However, Mints do not change flavor preferences and do not change the nature passed down when breeding with an everstone.
Passing down natures during breeding was removed in Generation V and natures became an independent value.
Nature Table
| Nature | Increased Stat | Decreased Stat | Favorite Flavor | Disliked Flavor |
| Hardy | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Lonely | Attack | Defense | Spicy | Sour |
| Brave | Attack | Speed | Spicy | Sweet |
| Adamant | Attack | Special Attack | Spicy | Dry |
| Naughty | Attack | Special Defense | Spicy | Bitter |
| Bold | Defense | Attack | Sour | Spicy |
| Docile | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Relaxed | Defense | Speed | Sour | Sweet |
| Impish | Defense | Special Attack | Sour | Dry |
| Lax | Defense | Special Defense | Sour | Bitter |
| Timid | Speed | Attack | Sweet | Spicy |
| Hasty | Speed | Defense | Sweet | Sour |
| Serious | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Jolly | Speed | Special Attack | Sweet | Dry |
| Naive | Speed | Special Defense | Sweet | Bitter |
| Modest | Special Attack | Attack | Dry | Spicy |
| Mild | Special Attack | Defense | Dry | Sour |
| Quiet | Special Attack | Speed | Dry | Sweet |
| Bashful | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Rash | Special Attack | Special Defense | Dry | Bitter |
| Calm | Special Defense | Attack | Bitter | Spicy |
| Gentle | Special Defense | Defense | Bitter | Sour |
| Sassy | Special Defense | Speed | Bitter | Sweet |
| Careful | Special Defense | Special Attack | Bitter | Dry |
| Quirky | --- | --- | --- | --- |
Trivia
There is only one Pokemon that takes into account its nature when evolving. Toxel will evolve into Toxtricity with two forms. The amped form and the low-key form. Which form it evolves into is determined by nature.
Conclusion
Teambuilding can be a daunting process but breaking it down to individual numbers can help a lot. Knowing what you want to do can guide which of these values you change. Natures can be a great place to start with this since they form the basic framework for stat specialization. Choosing which stat to buff and which to nerf can give you a better idea of what the Pokemon is going to be in battle.
