Natures

Something new to the game mechanics of Pokemon in the third generation compared to the last two is the addition of Nature Values, or just simply Natures. Choosing the right nature is important for your pokemon, as it can give you a definitive edge in battle. Along with that, it can also hamper your chances to win if used incorrectly. This guide points out how to use Nature Values effectively.

First off, let me explain how nature values affect pokemon. In the game mechanics of today, a nature value will always give a 10% increase in one stat and a 10% decrease in another stat. If you know of the neutral natures that give no bonus whatsoever, its because one stat is having a 10% increase and a 10% decrease in the same stat. They cancel each other out basically. Natures will give potential bonuses to every stat except for Hit Points.

So, the first thing to do when going for a nature for your pokemon is to have a moveset in mind. If you're going for a special sweeper, you might as well choose something that's going to increase your special attack. Along with that though, you're going to have to decrease one of your other stats. However, if you're not using any attacks that use the Attack stat, then you might as well choose the nature to decrease that stat (which is Modest, btw).

In HeartGold & SoulSilver, on the Skills page on your Pokémon's status screen, you may notice a slight hue on the stat name. This will indicate the stats that the nature of your Pokémon will boost. If the stat name has a slight tint of Red to it, it boosts that stat and if it has a hint of Blue, it hinders that stat. In addition to that, the natures also affect the Pokémon's Pokéathlon stats.

When transferring from Pokémon Red, Green, Blue or Yellow, the Pokémon's nature is determined by dividing the experience the Pokémon has by 25. Then, using the remainder of that, you can determine the nature so if the remainder is 10, then it is Timid, or if it's 0, it is Hardy.

Below are all the natures and what states they raise. The berries stop confusion when used on Pokémon of the certain nature

Natures Name Berry Raises Lowers Loved Pokéblock Hated Pokéblock Gen 1 Remainder
Hardy
がんばりや
  None None None None 0
Lonely
さみしがり
Figy Berry Attack Defense Spicy (Cool) Sour (Tough) 1
Brave
ゆうかん
Figy Berry Attack Speed Spicy (Cool) Sweet (Cute) 2
Adamant
いじっぱり
Figy Berry Attack Special Attack Spicy (Cool) Dry (Beauty) 3
Naughty
やんちゃ
Figy Berry Attack Special Defense Spicy (Cool) Bitter (Smart) 4
Bold
ずぶとい
Iapapa Berry Defense Attack Sour (Tough) Spicy (Cool) 5
Docile
すなお
  None None None None 6
Relaxed
のんき
Iapapa Berry Defense Speed Sour (Tough) Sweet (Cute) 7
Impish
わんぱく
Iapapa Berry Defense Special Attack Sour (Tough) Dry (Beauty) 8
Lax
のうてんき
Iapapa Berry Defense Special Defense Sour (Tough) Bitter (Smart) 9
Timid
おくびょう
Mago Berry Speed Attack Sweet (Cute) Spicy (Cool) 10
Hasty
せっかち
Mago Berry Speed Defense Sweet (Cute) Sour (Tough) 11
Serious
まじめ
  None None None None 12
Jolly
ようき
Mago Berry Speed Special Attack Sweet (Cute) Dry (Beauty) 13
Naďve
むじゃき
Mago Berry Speed Special Defense Sweet (Cute) Bitter (Smart) 14
Modest
ひかえめ
Wiki Berry Special Attack Attack Dry (Beauty) Spicy (Cool) 15
Mild
おっとり
Wiki Berry Special Attack Defense Dry (Beauty) Sour (Tough) 16
Quiet
れいせい
Wiki Berry Special Attack Speed Dry (Beauty) Sweet (Cute) 17
Bashful
てれや
  None None None None 18
Rash
うっかりや
Wiki Berry Special Attack Special Defense Dry (Beauty) Bitter (Smart) 19
Calm
おだやか
Aguav Berry Special Defense Attack Bitter (Smart) Spicy (Cool) 20
Gentle
おとなしい
Aguav Berry Special Defense Defense Bitter (Smart) Sour (Tough) 21
Sassy
なまいき
Aguav Berry Special Defense Speed Bitter (Smart) Sweet (Cute) 22
Careful
しんちょう
Aguav Berry Special Defense Special Attack Bitter (Smart) Dry (Beauty) 23
Quirky
きまぐれ
  None None None None 24

Thanks to Dragonair for writing this for us