Why Pokémon Natures Are Important

There are many factors to consider when deciding on a team in the Pokémon game series. Picking types to balance each other, having a diverse set of attack and support moves, and choosing companions with good stats all play a part in creating a powerful Pokémon party to challenge Gym Leaders and Rivals. However, there is another important feature players should look for when selecting a Pokémon. Natures, otherwise known as the personality a certain Pokémon has, can lower and boost two stats by 10%. Because of this, catching a Pokémon with the correct nature can greatly impact effectiveness in a battle.

Pokémon Natures were added in Generation 3, during the Hoenn region. Currently, there are 25 different natures available in the Pokémon games, and understanding their effects on a Pokémon's growth can be helpful for deciding how to raise a certain companion. Pokémon Natures don't just affect stats, it can determine evolution in certain Pokémon like Toxtricity, as well as decide what flavor of Berry certain Pokémon enjoy.

While picking a specific Nature can be helpful for certain training methods and game mechanics, some fans may prefer to leave the Nature of their Pokémon up to chance. Playing with the mentality that a Pokémon's personality is just a character quirk, and not a strategy, can be just as fun as picking a specific team based on desired stats. Currently, the only way to know a Pokémon's Nature is by looking at its summary page. It would be interesting to see Natures integrated into more aspects of gameplay in upcoming Pokémon games. This could be done by adding specific battle animations unique to certain Natures, or creating different Nature-based behaviors when a Pokémon follows a player out of their ball, to give each partner a more unique personality. A Sassy animation could show a Pokémon taunting the opponent, where a Timid Pokémon might shake and shiver before it makes its first move.

Every Pokémon Nature Explained

Below is a list of all 25 Natures available, their stat benefits, and the flavor a Pokémon prefers and dislikes according to information provided by Serebii. From Pokéblocks and Curry, to training for big battles, the list should help fans pick the right personality for their Pokémon team.

Hardy - This Nature doesn't have any boosts to stats, favorite flavors, or hated flavors.
Lonely - This Nature raises Attack by 10% and lowers Defense by 10%. The favorite flavor is spicy and hates sour.
Brave - This Nature raises Attack by 10% and lowers Speed by 10%. The favorite flavor is spicy and hates sweet.
Adamant - This Nature raises Attack by 10% and lowers Special Attack by 10%. The favorite flavor is spicy and hates dry.
Naughty - This Nature raises Attack by 10% and lowers Special Defense by 10%. The favorite flavor is spicy and hates bitter.
Bold - This Nature raises Defense by 10% and lowers Attack by 10%. The favorite flavor is sour and hates spicy.
Docile - This Nature doesn't have any boosts to stats, favorite flavors, or hated flavors.
Relaxed - This Nature raises Defense by 10% and lowers Speed by 10%. The favorite flavor is sour and hates sweet.
Impish - This Nature raises Defense by 10% and lowers Special Attack by 10%. The favorite flavor is sour and hates dry.
Lax - This Nature raises Defense by 10% and lowers Special Defense by 10%. The favorite flavor is sour and hates bitter.
Timid - This Nature raises Speed by 10% and lowers Attack by 10%. The favorite flavor is sweet and hates spicy.
Hasty - This Nature raises Speed by 10% and lowers Defense by 10%. The favorite flavor is sweet and hates sour.
Serious - This Nature doesn't have any boosts to stats, favorite flavors, or hated flavors.

Jolly - This Nature raises Speed by 10% and lowers Special Attack by 10%. The favorite flavor is sweet and hates dry.
Naive - This Nature raises Speed by 10% and lowers Special Defense by 10%. The favorite flavor is sweet and hates bitter.
Modest - This Nature raises Special Attack by 10% and lowers Attack by 10%. The favorite flavor is dry and hates spicy.
Mild - This Nature raises Special Attack by 10% and lowers Defense by 10%. The favorite flavor is dry and hates sour.
Quiet - This Nature raises Special Attack by 10% and lowers Speed by 10%. The favorite flavor is dry and hates sweet.
Bashful - This Nature doesn't have any boosts to stats, favorite flavors, or hated flavors.
Rash - This Nature raises Special Attack by 10% and lowers Special Defense by 10%. The favorite flavor is dry and hates bitter.
Calm - This Nature raises Special Defense by 10% and lowers Attack by 10%. The favorite flavor is bitter and hates spicy.
Gentle - This Nature raises Special Defense by 10% and lowers Defense by 10%. The favorite flavor is bitter and hates sour.
Sassy - This Nature raises Special Defense by 10% and lowers Speed by 10%. The favorite flavor is bitter and hates sweet.
Careful - This Nature raises Special Defense by 10% and lowers Special Attack by 10%. The favorite flavor is bitter and hates dry.
Quirky - This Nature doesn't have any boosts to stats, favorite flavors, or hated flavors.

Pokémon natures aren't only useful in recent games. For fans of older titles such as Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, Nature plays a big role in Pokémon Contests, like determining what type of Contest classes players should enter their Pokémon in, and what Pokéblocks to feed certain ones. Pokémon with a heightened Speed stat will enjoy sweet things, which do best in Cute contests, whereas a Pokémon with a higher Special Defense stat will prefer bitter flavors and do well in a Smart Contest. Using the right Pokéblocks to boost the correct Nature will help win different Ribbons.

Pokémon Natures can be bred down, and with the female Pokémon holding an Everstone there is a 50% chance the offspring will share the same Nature. In Pokémon Sword and Shield, a Pokémon with the Synchronize ability at the front of the party will guarantee wild Pokémon copy its Nature. These tips can help players ensure they get the right stats, ending the slow grind of wild encounters to find the exact Nature a player is looking for. Expanding on natures in future Pokémon titles could offer more opportunities for immersion for players, and make connecting their team a more intimate and unique experience.

Next: Pokémon Diamond & Pearl Remakes: Are They Sold Together Or Separate?

Source: Serebii