Pokemon Natures Guide

Natures, introduced in Generation 3, are values which affect the Pokemon's growth of stats as they level up, and their overall stat range. Natures that boost a specific stat will make that particular stat 10% higher for the Pokemon at level 100 than for a nature that doesn't boost that specific stat. However, all natures that boost one stat will drop another, and that stat will be 10% lower than a Pokemon whose nature does not affect that stat. (So far, the only stat not affected by any nature is HP.)

For example, say we have three arbitrary Pokemon, all at level 100. They are the same species, and have the same DVs and EVs - the only difference are their natures. One of them has a Docile nature (does not raise or lower any stat), one of them has a Modest nature (raises Special Attack, lowers Attack), and the third has an Adamant nature (raises Attack, lowers Special Attack). If the Pokemon with the Docile nature has an Attack stat of 300, then the Adamant one would have an Attack stat of 330, and similarly, the Modest-natured one would have an Attack stat of 270.

Every possible combination of increases and decreases (except to the HP stat) are in the natures. Using this mechanism, trainers can toy with the Pokemon to get exactly what nature they want. For example, the best nature for a Porygon-Z would be Modest, as Porygon-Z has no need of physical attack moves.

Additionally, for those interested in contests, natures also affect what kind of food the Pokemon they like and dislike. Each stat is matched with a flavor, which in turn is matched with a contest type:

Stat	Flavor	Contest
Attack	Spicy	Cool
Defence	Sour	Tough
Sp. Attack	Dry	Beauty
Sp. Def	Bitter	Smart
Speed	Sweet	Cute

For example: Adamant raises Attack, but lowers Special Attack. It likes spicy food, dislikes dry food, and therefore, if used in a contest, would best be suited for a Cool contest. (So don't throw away that Adamant Plusle just yet.)

(Additionally, for Emerald players, the natures also affect how the Pokemon performs in the Battle Palace. However, I am unsure of the mechanics in that field.)

There are 25 possible natures, and I shall arrange them by what stats they affect.

Stat Changing Natures
Nature	Attack	Defense	Sp. Attack	Sp. Defense	Speed
Lonely	+	–
Adamant	+		–
Naughty	+			–
Brave	+				–
Bold	–	+
Impish		+	–
Lax		+		–
Relaxed		+			–
Modest	–		+
Mild		–	+
Rash			+	–
Quiet			+		–
Calm	–			+
Gentle		–		+
Careful			–	+
Sassy				+	–
Timid	–				+
Hasty		–			+
Jolly			–		+
Naive				–	+

Neutral Natures
Docile	Serious	Hardy	Quirky	Bashful
None of these natures change any stats

Guide by GizoidΩ/Bass