Pokémon Natures Explained: The Mysterious Psychology Behind The 10% Bumps

Fellow Pokémon explorers —

It's me, Ruin Maniac Beau, and I've been pondering …

Pokémon Natures — those charming personality traits that increase and decrease certain base stats by 10%. You might have heard about them; you might even know which stats they affect by heart. But have you ever wondered …

Why does Naughty increase Attack and decrease Special Defence?

Or perhaps …

How come Serious heightens Defence while … also lowering it?

I have, and in this essay, I want to make an ambitious attempt to unearth the mystery behind each one of the 25 qualities and explain why I think Game Freak's (English) localisation team decided to name them the way they did.

The task won't be easy, and I shall require some of Sage's psychic powers to help me understand the psychology at play behind each Nature.

First, however, allow me to define the five stats that Nature can affect; that way, we have a better idea of understanding their side effects.

• Attack — physical striking force; body employed
• Defence — physical shielding force; body employed
• Special Attack — cognitive striking force; mind employed
• Special Defence — cognitive shielding force; mind employed
• Speed — physical and cognitive responsiveness; body and mind employed

I excluded HP or Hit Point because, as you may know, Nature doesn't like to mess with it. Nevertheless, if you were wondering what this stat connotes, here you go:

• HP — physical and cognitive resilience; body and mind employed

Lastly, as an aid for us both, I'll display the definitions of the adjectives representing each Nature, courtesy of Google.

Before I dive in, I'd like to invite you to play a little game. Once you've read all 25 Natures, take a moment and guess which one I would be if I were a Pokémon. Don't scroll down; that's cheating and confirms to me that your Nature is either Naughty, Hasty, or Rash … See you at the bottom!

First, get those muscles warmed up because we begin with the Attack-boosting Natures, starting with …

😑 1. Hardy

+ Attack | – Attack

capable of enduring difficult conditions; robust.

Hardy is an admirable Nature. As a Ruin Maniac, I could use some hardiness when I'm out exploring in Unova's Desert Resort and a swarm of wild Hippowdon appear, each with a Sand Stream ability …

A Hardy Pokémon is impelling its body to withstand a crisis (+ Attack). I believe the reason it spikes Attack instead of Defence is because the Pokémon is actively counteracting the force as opposed to passively taking the hit. This also gives away the reason for Hardy's disbenefit: As the Pokémon is so focused on matching the energy, they have a harder time affording a full-blown strike (– Attack).

😪 2. Lonely

+ Attack | – Defence

sad because one has no friends or company.

That sounds like me last December while hunting for a shiny Unown B in the Ruins of Alph … Do people have nothing better to do over the holidays?!

A Lonely Pokémon is dejected, which is a powerful emotion, and when you're overcome by emotions, you're more prone to lashing out (+ Attack). Don't believe me? Remind Misty that someone owes her a bike and watch the bumps rise on Ash's head. The drawback of Lonely is that the Pokémon is in a vulnerable state, which makes it more sensitive to attacks (– Defence).

😤 3. Adamant

+ Attack | – Special Attack

refusing to be persuaded or to change one's mind.

Since I was a child, I've always been somewhat stubborn towards things that matter a great deal to me. What can I say, I'm a player with convictions; nothing's going to stop me from finding a Master Ball in Cerulean Cave — nothing!

An Adamant Pokémon thinks he "knows thyself" and refuses to be lenient when their thoughts are questioned; they set up boundaries and are willing to protect them at all costs (+ Attack). The catch of Adamant Pokémon is that they're more likely to make a fool of themselves when their belief falls flat, causing them to fumble when asked to reason their judgement (– Special Attack).

😈 4. Naughty

+ Attack | – Special Defence

(especially of a child) badly behaved; disobedient.

Let's admit it, we both feel like breaking the rules sometimes. Remember the Box exploit in Gold and Silver to get all three starters? I may or may not have indulged in it …

A Naughty Pokémon does things they aren't supposed to do because they believe the rules don't apply to them and, therefore, have no problem making a move (+ Attack). The downside with Naughty is that the Pokémon presents a lack of decency, which may stem from mental disorders, or simply from pure ignorance (– Special Defence).

😠 5. Brave

+ Attack | – Speed

ready to face and endure danger or pain; showing courage.

Courage — that's something I needed to find in order to face Cynthia and her Choice Scarf Garchomp at the Battle Tower in Brilliant Diamond …

A Brave Pokémon has a fervour powered by honour, pride, and altruism. Most heroes present this noble trait, and it's known to imbue them with the strength to take down the villain (+ Attack). But, although a Brave Pokémon has the guts to dive into the unknown, it exposes itself to a myriad of unforeseen events that may strike faster than its trainer can scream "Alolan Alomomola!" (– Speed).

Fists away; that's enough sparring for today. It's time to pick up your shield because the next Natures are all about taking the hit. First up, we have …

🤠 6. Bold

+ Defence | – Attack

showing a willingness to take risks; confident and courageous.

Full-odds shiny hunting in the Safari Zone — anyone crazy enough to attempt such an endeavour has got to have some … (Safari)Balls … with them.

Bold may remind you of Brave, but don't be mistaken, there's a difference: A Bold Pokémon doesn't take risks in the name of honour or altruism but for the sake of … risk-taking. In this sense, unlike Brave, Bold Pokémon are not as easily intimidated (+ Defence). The disadvantage is that they're so focused on surviving the peril that their fight system has to be put on hold (– Attack).

😇 7. Docile

+ Defence | – Defence

ready to accept control or instruction; submissive.

Pikachu in the first episode of the anime — that's about as far away from Docile as a Pokémon can get. However, in the last episode of Ash's journey, Pikachu is his most loyal partner. (This makes me wonder if Game Freak will ever implement a nature-shifting mechanic that occurs only to your starter to symbolise growth …)

A Docile Pokémon embraces being the follower, which allows them to sit back and rely on others, such as a trainer or a fellow wildling, for safety and success (+ Defence). The tradeoff, paradoxically, is that they become dependent and risk trusting someone who ends up leading them down the wrong path, at which point they'll feel lost, which makes them easy targets (– Defence).

😏 8. Impish

+ Defence | – Special Attack

inclined to do slightly naughty things for fun; mischievous.

Ah, one of my favourites … What, you want me to let you in on one of my Nasty Plots? Fine, but don't tell, OK? The last time I played SoulSilver, I never delivered Kenya — that mail-wielding Spearow from Goldenrod — to the man on Route 31. Instead, I removed the parcel from her and … sold it at the nearest PokéMart —

MUAHAHAHAHAHA!

Ahem … Impish reminds of Naughty, but there's a nuance: Naughty Pokémon perform mischief without a filter while an Impish Pokémon is smart enough to know that mischief can't be taken too far; this allows them to stay safe in the grey zone (+ Defence). The drawback is that, if caught, they have a hard time justifying their actions because causing trouble for the sole sake of their amusement is, well, a flawed preconception (– Special Attack).

🥱 9. Lax

+ Defence | – Special Def

not sufficiently strict, severe, or careful.

There's a reason they partially baptised Snorlax with this Nature; the giant is as carefree as one can get! Although I consider myself an easy-going guy, it's not rare to find me with a straight face, especially when chain fishing in Kalos …

A Lax Pokémon shows a carefree attitude towards life, which, temporarily can spare them from facing the unpleasant (+ Defence). The reality is that life often calls for severity to overcome obstacles and enable growth, and in those moments, Lax Pokémon lack the right ideas — and motivation — to deal with them (– Special Defence).

😴 10. Relaxed

+ Defence | – Speed

free from tension and anxiety.

The dream Nature if there ever was one, wouldn't you agree? I for one aspire for less tension and anxiety in my life daily, and that's where turning on my Nintendo and catching some tall-grassers can help.

Relaxed is oddly similar to Lax; heck, the word even sandwiches it! However, unlike Lax, a Relaxed Pokémon understands that a hedonistic lifestyle only gets them so far, reserving their downtime for when they truly deserve it (+ Defence). Their problem is that when they relax, they relax hard and become drowsy, letting their guard down (– Speed).

Shields away; you survived the blow. It's time to sit down and plot your next move because the next Natures concern outsmarting foes. To start, we have …

🙂 11. Modest

+ Special Attack | – Attack

unassuming in the estimation of one's abilities or achievements.

A formidable Nature, and not just competitive players will agree with me. The people I admire the most radiate this trait, so I naturally try to adopt it into my own path through life.

A Modest Pokémon doesn't boast about themselves; in fact, they shy away from praise because they know there's always room for improvement (+ Special Attack). Their Achilles' heel is that they are more likely to lack the self-confidence and impetus to stand up for themselves in times when their abilities are challenged and their achievements call to be defended (– Attack).

😗 12. Mild

+ Special Attack | – Defence

gentle and not easily provoked.

On the surface, Mild may sound lacklustre, but I think there's a lot to be said about it. If the key to life is survival, in a world where torment binds the easily triggered, Mild souls present the best odds to thrive.

A Mild Pokémon walks around with a pacific attitude towards life. They actively stay out of trouble because they have the wits to know that war and negativity won't do anyone any good (+ Special Attack). The inconvenience for the Mild-natured is that, when adversity forces itself upon them, they have a hard time facing it because, well, it goes against their ways (– Defence).

🫣 13. Bashful

+ Special Attack | – Special Attack

reluctant to draw attention to oneself; shy.

As someone with an online presence, I can't say I'm repelled by the idea of being in the spotlight; my tolerance, however, has an end. (Incidentally, why aren't all shiny Pokémon programmed to have a 50% chance of having this Nature?)

Bashful is similar to Modest, but not in all regards: Unlike Modest, a Bashful Pokémon doesn't boast about themselves because they understand the concept of "nobody's perfect"; a Bashful Pokémon avoids the centre stage because they've learnt that being seen makes you a target (+ Special Attack). The root of this mentality happens to coincide with their weak point: They lack self-belief, which dithers their combative spirit (– Special Attack).

🤬 14. Rash

+ Special Attack | – Special Defence

acting or done without careful consideration of the possible consequences; impetuous.

Could this be the most negative Nature of them all? It sure sounds like the one with the highest stakes. The last time I remember being rash was when I started a shiny hunt for Growlithe without checking if it knew Roar …

A Rash Pokémon acts on emotion and doesn't think twice, granting them a fierce and impulsive character (+ Special Attack). The big disadvantage this Nature presents is that the Pokémon overlook the the possible consequences of their actions, which, if come forth, torture their soul by making them regret their decision to act in the first place (– Special Defence).

🤐 15. Quiet

+ Special Attack | – Speed

carried out discreetly, secretly, or with moderation.

Quiet, that's one thing I've certainly not been during the writing of this essay — 2,135 words and counting! (FYI, if you wanted me to zip it, the only thing you'd have to do is point me in the direction of some ruins.)

Similar to Bashful, a Quiet Pokémon understands the benefit of going unseen. Where the two Natures differ is in their approach to conflict: Quiet Pokémon don't necessarily move away from conflict; the reason they move in silence is so they can make a better judgement of their foe and claim the upper hand (+ Special Attack). The tradeoff is that they must tread carefully, which unavoidably ingrains them with … a … slow … pace (– Speed).

All right, genius; that’s enough brainstorming. But before we can execute the master plan, it’s time to close our eyes and clear our minds. Step one, be …

😌 16. Calm

+ Special Defence | – Attack

not showing or feeling nervousness, anger, or other strong emotions.

A clear mind is an underrated superpower and goes a long way. I don't know about you, but apart from playing Pokémon, the things that always succeed in calming me down are walks, music, pets, and meditation.

A Calm Pokémon has a stable mental state, which gives their soul peace and keeps their mind from dark thoughts and overthinking spirals (+ Special Defence). The complication that Calm Pokémon face is that they are so hooked on their inner bliss that they lose awareness of the outside world … No wonder they have a hard time responding to threats (– Attack).

😊 17. Gentle

+ Special Defence | – Defence

having or showing a mild, kind, or tender temperament or character.

My wife — trainer class: Kimono Girl — is the most gentle person I know, so it must be one of the best traits of them all because she's been able to put up with me and my Pokémania for almost seven years.

Gentle is similar to Calm in the sense that the Pokémon is looking for peace; the difference is that the Gentle ones aim to wrap the world in peace too by pleasing others, spreading joy, and avoiding bad times (+ Special Defence). Sadly, Pokémon that are gentle-natured ignore the fact that not everyone is as fair-souled as they are and, thus, are more severely hurt by deception (– Defence).

🧐 18. Careful

+ Special Defence | – Special Attack

making sure of avoiding potential danger, mishap, or harm; cautious.

Have you ever tried DexNav chaining? Watch out for slipping on the circle pad. Stocking up on repels? Consider the Super Repel — it's got the best value out of the three. Being careful is probably one of the most useful traits one can have.

Careful is the opposite of Rash; even their stat bumps are inverted. A Careful Pokémon is mindful of their surroundings and discrete in their approach, allowing them to choose their fights and stay on top of things (+ Special Defence). The detriment is that, if caught in the moment, they are more prone to self-sabotage for not having been … careful enough (– Special Attack).

🥸 19. Quirky

+ Special Defence | – Special Defence

having or characterised by peculiar or unexpected traits or aspects.

A trait with great depth. On the one hand, being different can lead to great things, such as originality and success; on the other hand, it makes you isolated because the odds are others won't share your idiosyncrasies.

A Quirky Pokémon approaches life distinctly from the rest. This can be a good thing because it proves to them that they're special, which can raise their self-esteem (+ Special Defence). The downside is that Quirky Pokémon have a harder time fitting in, a characteristic which, ironically, may lead them to think poorly of themselves (– Special Defence).

🥴 20. Sassy

+ Special Defence | – Speed

lively, bold, and full of spirit; cheeky.

The most sassy type of people I can think of are 1) children and 2) adults who behave like children — hey, that's me! I'll admit, this Nature is a hard one to crack, but let's see what I can come up with …

If a Sassy Pokémon isn't afraid to spice things up, that means it has a high level of confidence; it also suggests that it's not easily embarrassed, making it less likely to worry about what others may think of it (+ Special Defence). Overconfidence — there's got to be a downside to that, but Speed-related? … I got it! The overconfidence blinds them from knowing when the play has turned inappropriate; in other words, Sassy Pokémon don't know when to stop (– Speed); in this case, Speed doesn't refer to physical responsiveness but cognitive.

Wake up! Yoga class is over and your opponent is readying an attack. It’s time to put your plot into action, and it's OK to be a little …

😨 21. Timid

+ Speed | – Attack

showing a lack of courage or confidence; easily frightened.

Fear is no stranger to any of us, not even Pokémon — picture Misty's Togepi in the anime. After all, the world can be an overwhelming place, and it's only normal to lack confidence in the face of hardship.

Timid is the opposite of Bold. A Timid Pokémon fears more easily than others, likely due to a past trauma involving a strict trainer or a fierce foe. This makes them very good at fleeing danger, and to do that, you need to be quick (+ Speed). The biggest hurdle Timid Pokémon face is getting over their cowardice; when conflict comes knocking at the door, instead of retaliating, they freeze (– Attack).

🫨 22. Hasty

+ Speed | – Defence

done with excessive speed or urgency; hurried.

When you get into shiny hunting, the first thing you learn is there's no room for hastiness. The second thing you learn is there's no room for hastiness. The one time my hastiness surges is when a Pokémon Direct countdown begins.

A Hasty Pokémon lacks patience and struggles to restrain a temptation, which makes their spirit volatile and their movements unpredictable (+ Speed). The problem with Hasty Pokémon is that they're going so fast that they easily miss possible dangers and, like Icarus, risk flying too close to the Sun (– Defence).

😁 23. Jolly

+ Speed | – Special Attack

happy and cheerful.

This is perhaps the most positive of the Pokémon Natures. If you're enjoying this essay, chances are you're feeling jolly. Thinking about that, makes me jolly. See how fast good energy can spread?

A Jolly Pokémon sees the world with roseate eyes and radiates positive energy, which stimulates its body and soul, turning it bouncy (+ Speed). The pitfall Jolly Pokémon fall into is that, when hit with too much negative energy at once, their happiness drains; worse still, it can take them a long time to pull themselves together and find a new reason to smile (– Special Attack).

🤪 24. Naive

+ Speed | – Special Defence

showing a lack of experience, wisdom, or judgement.

Being naive is an unavoidable trait for any newcomer. Take me, for example — this is the first Pokémon essay I write, and there's a good chance it might suck, but I can't let that stop me because the first step towards confidence is trying.

A Naive Pokémon is new to the world and, therefore, doesn't quite understand how things work. The good news is that this makes them eager to learn and prove themselves (+ Speed). Unfortunately, during this learning curve, they make countless clumsy mistakes, which can cause their patience to suffer and their self-esteem to dwindle (– Special Defence).

😐 25. Serious

+ Speed | – Speed

demanding or characterised by careful consideration or application.

We've arrived at the last Nature … I'm serious. But, seriously, thank you for reaching this point. Being serious may not be the most charming of traits, but one cannot deny its practical values.

A Serious Pokémon looks at the world with a sharp eye and evaluates opportunities with careful consideration, placing them one step ahead (+ Speed). The problem? By adopting such a strict attitude, they foolishly fall behind on the more simple things in life that come with a less severe mindset, such as making friends and embracing new adventures (– Speed).

… Is that it? That's it!

Phew, that was a lot to take in … Are you still with me or am I typing into the void? If you survived my Chatter, you now know the reasons behind the 10% stat bumps caused by Pokémon Natures. Again, these are not the official explanations but merely my silly interpretations. The officials do not exist and likely never will; it's been almost 22 years and Game Freak's still hasn't spilt the beans …

Have a different interpretation of any of the Natures? Care to share which one you would be as a Pokémon? Don't hesitate to reach out to me.

And now, it's time to play the game I presented at the start. Go on, take a moment and think which one of the 25 Natures I would be if I were a Pokémon. Once you've found your answer, open the toggle below.

Well, that's all for now, friends.

Until next time,
Ruin Maniac Beau