If you’re a Pokémon fan, you’ve probably heard the term “natures” before. But what exactly are they, and how do they impact your Pokémon’s performance? In this article, we’ll break down everything you need to know about Pokémon natures, from what they are to how they can affect your gameplay. Let’s dive in!
What Are Pokémon Natures?
In the world of Pokémon, natures are special traits that influence a Pokémon’s stats. Each Pokémon has a nature, which can enhance or reduce certain attributes. There are 25 different natures in total, and each one affects two of the Pokémon’s stats. Understanding these natures is crucial for training your Pokémon effectively and maximizing their potential in battles.
How Do Natures Work?
Every Pokémon has six main stats:
- HP (Hit Points): This determines how much damage a Pokémon can take before fainting.
- Attack: This affects the damage dealt by physical moves.
- Defense: This determines how much damage a Pokémon can reduce from physical attacks.
- Special Attack: This affects the damage dealt by special moves.
- Special Defense: This determines how much damage a Pokémon can reduce from special attacks.
- Speed: This stat determines which Pokémon moves first in battle.
When a Pokémon has a specific nature, it will get a +10% boost to one of its stats while receiving a -10% decrease in another. For example, if a Pokémon has a Jolly nature, it will have an increase in Speed but a decrease in Special Attack.
List of Pokémon Natures
Here’s a list of all the natures and their effects on stats:
- Adamant: +Attack, -Special Attack
- Bashful: No effect (neutral)
- Bold: +Defense, -Attack
- Brave: +Attack, -Speed
- Calm: +Special Defense, -Attack
- Careful: +Special Defense, -Special Attack
- Docile: No effect (neutral)
- Gentle: +Special Defense, -Defense
- Hardy: No effect (neutral)
- Hasty: +Speed, -Defense
- Impish: +Defense, -Special Attack
- Jolly: +Speed, -Special Attack
- Lax: +Defense, -Special Defense
- Lonely: +Attack, -Defense
- Mild: +Special Attack, -Defense
- Modest: +Special Attack, -Attack
- Naive: +Speed, -Special Defense
- Naughty: +Attack, -Special Defense
- Quiet: +Special Attack, -Speed
- Quirky: No effect (neutral)
- Rash: +Special Attack, -Special Defense
- Relaxed: +Defense, -Speed
- Sassy: +Special Defense, -Speed
- Serious: No effect (neutral)
- Timid: +Speed, -Attack
How to Determine a Pokémon’s Nature
You can find out a Pokémon’s nature in several ways:
- In-Game Menus: When you view your Pokémon in your party, their nature will be listed right next to their stats.
- Summary Screen: You can also check the summary screen for each Pokémon to see their nature and how it affects their stats.
Why Are Natures Important?
Understanding natures is key for several reasons:
- Maximizing Stats: Choosing the right nature can help you maximize the effectiveness of your Pokémon’s strongest moves.
- Strategic Play: Knowing the best natures for your Pokémon can help you create a competitive team. For example, if you’re training a physical attacker, you might want to choose a nature that boosts Attack.
- Breeding: If you want to breed Pokémon with specific natures, you can use items like the Everstone to pass down natures from parent to child.
Best Natures for Different Pokémon Types
Different Pokémon types benefit from different natures. Here are some suggestions for popular Pokémon types:
Physical Attackers
- Adamant: This is a great choice for physical attackers who want to hit hard without worrying about special moves. Pokémon like Gyarados and Lucario benefit from this nature.
- Jolly: This nature is perfect for speedy physical attackers like Electrode or Weavile, allowing them to outspeed opponents.
Special Attackers
- Modest: Ideal for Pokémon like Alakazam and Gardevoir, this nature enhances their Special Attack, making their special moves even more powerful.
- Timid: This is a good choice for special attackers that rely on speed, like Gengar and Greninja, ensuring they can strike first.
Defensive Pokémon
- Bold: Best suited for defensive Pokémon like Blissey or Skarmory, this nature boosts their Defense, allowing them to take more hits.
- Calm: This nature is perfect for special defenders like Chansey, enhancing their Special Defense.
Versatile Pokémon
- Relaxed: A great choice for Pokémon like Ferrothorn, this nature allows them to increase their Defense while still maintaining a decent Speed.
- Impish: Useful for Pokémon like Snorlax, boosting Defense while lowering Special Attack.
Breeding for Natures
If you want a Pokémon with a specific nature, breeding is a great option. Here’s how to do it:
- Find Two Pokémon: Choose two Pokémon of the same species or egg group.
- Use Everstone: If one of the parents holds an Everstone, the resulting offspring has a 50% chance of inheriting that parent’s nature.
- Hatch Eggs: Keep hatching eggs until you get the desired nature.
Changing Natures
If you already have a Pokémon and want to change its nature, you can use specific items:
- Nature Mints: Introduced in Pokémon Sword and Shield, these items allow you to change a Pokémon’s nature without breeding. For example, using a Jolly Mint will change your Pokémon’s nature to Jolly, giving it the associated benefits.
Conclusion
Understanding Pokémon natures is essential for anyone looking to optimize their gameplay. Whether you’re training for battles, breeding for specific traits, or just wanting to make your Pokémon the best they can be, knowing how natures work will give you a significant advantage. Remember to consider the stats you want to boost and choose the right nature accordingly. Happy training, and may your Pokémon battles be ever in your favor!
FAQs
Q1: Can a Pokémon have more than one nature?
No, each Pokémon can only have one nature at a time.
Q2: Do natures affect shiny Pokémon?
No, natures do not influence whether a Pokémon is shiny. Shiny status is determined by a separate mechanic.
Q3: Can I change a Pokémon’s nature without breeding?
Yes, you can use Nature Mints in Pokémon Sword and Shield to change a Pokémon’s nature.
Q4: Are there natures that have no effect?
Yes, there are five natures that have no effect on stats. These are Bashful, Docile, Hardy, Quirky, and Serious.
Q5: How do I know what nature is best for my Pokémon?
Consider your Pokémon’s moveset and role on your team. Focus on natures that boost the stats that align with their strengths.
By understanding Pokémon natures and how they work, you can take your Pokémon training to the next level. Whether you’re a competitive player or a casual fan, knowing how to maximize your Pokémon’s potential is crucial for success in the Pokémon world.
