BOLD NATURE CALCULATOR
Natures weren't part of the series until Generation III (Ruby & Sapphire), so Gold & Silver doesn't have them. Every stat is calculated from base stats, IVs (called DVs back then), and Stat Experience alone. If you're looking for the Bold nature's stat effect, switch the game filter above to any Gen III or later title. That said, the concept still helps with planning teams for remakes like FireRed & LeafGreen or HeartGold & SoulSilver, where natures do apply.
BEST BOLD NATURE POKEMON
Walls that use status or special moves love Bold. 10% more Defense and Attack goes down, which doesn't matter if you're not clicking physical attacks. Over in Gold & Silver, Lugia is one of the most popular Bold users, alongside Clefable and Zapdos. Natures weren't in Gold & Silver. Competitive players apply Bold when breeding these Pokemon in Gen 3+ games.
Bold raises Defense by 10% and lowers Attack by 10%. Physical walls and support Pokemon that use special moves. 71 Pokemon competitively run this nature.
| # | Pokemon | Tier | Role | Ability | +Def | -Atk | Spe |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Lugia PSYCHIC | S | Bulky Support | Multiscale | 130+18 | 90-11 | 110 |
| 2 |  Clefable FAIRY | B | Bulky Support | Magic Guard | 73+12 | 70-9 | 60 |
| 3 |  Zapdos ELECTRIC | B | Bulky Support | Static | 85+13 | 90-11 | 100 |
| 4 |  Chansey NORMAL | B | Bulky Support | Natural Cure | 5+5 | 5-3 | 50 |
| 5 |  Celebi PSYCHICGRASS | B | Bulky Support | Natural Cure | 100+15 | 100-12 | 100 |
| 6 |  Blissey NORMAL | B | Bulky Support | Natural Cure | 10+6 | 10-3 | 55 |
| 7 |  Suicune WATER | B | Bulky Support | Pressure | 115+16 | 75-10 | 85 |
| 8 |  Moltres FIRE | B | Bulky Support | Flame Body | 90+14 | 100-12 | 90 |
| 9 |  Vaporeon WATER | B | Bulky Support | Waterabsorb | 60+11 | 65-9 | 65 |
| 10 |  Shuckle BUGROCK | B | Bulky Support | Sturdy | 230+28 | 10-3 | 5 |
| 11 |  Umbreon DARK | B | Bulky Support | Synchronize | 110+16 | 65-9 | 65 |
| 12 |  Tentacruel WATERPOISON | B | Bulky Support | Liquidooze | 65+11 | 70-9 | 100 |
| 13 |  Politoed WATER | C | Bulky Support | Drizzle | 75+12 | 75-10 | 70 |
| 14 |  Slowbro WATERPSYCHIC | C | Bulky Support | Regenerator | 110+16 | 75-10 | 30 |
| 15 |  Wartortle WATER | C | Bulky Support | Torrent | 80+13 | 63-9 | 58 |
| 16 |  Skarmory STEEL | C | Bulky Support | Sturdy | 140+19 | 80-10 | 70 |
| 17 |  Tangela GRASS | C | Bulky Support | Regenerator | 115+16 | 55-8 | 60 |
| 18 |  Porygon2 NORMAL | C | Bulky Support | Trace | 90+14 | 80-10 | 60 |
| 19 |  Shellder WATER | C | Bulky Support | Shellarmor | 100+15 | 65-9 | 40 |
| 20 |  Marill WATERFAIRY | C | Bulky Support | Sapsipper | 50+10 | 20-4 | 40 |
| 21 |  Forretress BUGSTEEL | C | Bulky Support | Sturdy | 140+19 | 90-11 | 40 |
| 22 |  Mantine WATER | C | Bulky Support | Waterabsorb | 70+12 | 40-6 | 70 |
| 23 |  Corsola WATERROCK | C | Bulky Support | Regenerator | 95+14 | 55-8 | 35 |
| 24 |  Xatu PSYCHIC | C | Bulky Support | Magic Bounce | 70+12 | 75-10 | 95 |
| 25 |  Blastoise WATER | C | Bulky Support | Torrent | 100+15 | 83-11 | 78 |
| 26 |  Koffing POISON | C | Bulky Support | Levitate | 95+14 | 65-9 | 35 |
| 27 |  Vileplume GRASSPOISON | C | Bulky Support | Effect Spore | 85+13 | 80-10 | 50 |
| 28 |  Hoothoot NORMAL | C | Bulky Support | Keeneye | 30+8 | 30-5 | 50 |
| 29 |  Mareep ELECTRIC | C | Bulky Support | Static | 40+9 | 40-6 | 35 |
| 30 |  Weezing POISON | C | Bulky Support | Levitate | 120+17 | 90-11 | 60 |
| 31 |  Slowpoke WATERPSYCHIC | C | Bulky Support | Oblivious | 65+11 | 65-9 | 15 |
| 32 |  Tentacool WATERPOISON | C | Bulky Support | Liquidooze | 35+8 | 40-6 | 70 |
| 33 |  Nidoqueen POISONGROUND | C | Bulky Support | Sheerforce | 87+13 | 92-12 | 76 |
| 34 |  Hypno PSYCHIC | C | Bulky Support | Insomnia | 70+12 | 73-10 | 67 |
| 35 |  Drowzee PSYCHIC | C | Special Tank | Insomnia | 45+9 | 48-7 | 42 |
| 36 |  Butterfree BUG | C | Bulky Support | Compoundeyes | 50+10 | 45-7 | 70 |
| 37 |  Meganium GRASS | C | Bulky Support | Leafguard | 100+15 | 82-11 | 80 |
| 38 |  Slugma FIRE | C | Bulky Support | Flame Body | 40+9 | 40-6 | 20 |
| 39 |  Pineco BUG | C | Utility | Sturdy | 90+14 | 65-9 | 15 |
| 40 |  Misdreavus GHOST | C | Bulky Support | Levitate | 60+11 | 60-8 | 85 |
| 41 |  Magcargo FIREROCK | C | Bulky Support | Flame Body | 120+17 | 50-7 | 30 |
| 42 |  Ariados BUGPOISON | C | Bulky Support | Insomnia | 70+12 | 90-11 | 40 |
| 43 |  Growlithe FIRE | C | Bulky Support | Intimidate | 45+9 | 70-9 | 60 |
| 44 |  Jigglypuff NORMALFAIRY | C | Bulky Support | Competitive | 20+7 | 45-7 | 20 |
| 45 |  Wigglytuff NORMALFAIRY | C | Bulky Support | Cutecharm | 45+9 | 70-9 | 45 |
| 46 |  Wooper WATERGROUND | C | Bulky Support | Waterabsorb | 45+9 | 45-7 | 15 |
| 47 |  Murkrow DARK | C | Physical Tank | Prankster | 42+9 | 85-11 | 91 |
| 48 |  Magmar FIRE | C | Bulky Support | Vitalspirit | 57+10 | 95-12 | 93 |
| 49 |  Noctowl NORMAL | C | Bulky Support | Tintedlens | 50+10 | 50-7 | 70 |
| 50 |  Hoppip GRASS | C | Bulky Support | Chlorophyll | 40+9 | 35-6 | 50 |
| 51 |  Bellossom GRASS | C | Bulky Support | Chlorophyll | 95+14 | 80-10 | 50 |
| 52 |  Golduck WATER | C | Bulky Support | Damp | 78+13 | 82-11 | 85 |
| 53 |  Togetic FAIRY | C | Utility | Serenegrace | 85+13 | 40-6 | 40 |
| 54 |  Wobbuffet PSYCHIC | C | Bulky Support | Telepathy | 58+11 | 33-6 | 33 |
| 55 |  Girafarig NORMALPSYCHIC | C | Bulky Support | Innerfocus | 65+11 | 80-10 | 85 |
| 56 |  Stantler NORMAL | C | Bulky Support | Intimidate | 62+11 | 95-12 | 85 |
| 57 |  Gloom GRASSPOISON | C | Bulky Support | Stench | 70+12 | 65-9 | 40 |
| 58 |  Octillery WATER | C | Bulky Support | Suctioncups | 75+12 | 105-13 | 45 |
| 59 |  Magnemite ELECTRICSTEEL | C | Bulky Support | Analytic | 70+12 | 35-6 | 45 |
| 60 |  Sudowoodo ROCK | C | Bulky Support | Sturdy | 115+16 | 100-12 | 30 |
| 61 |  Omanyte ROCKWATER | D | Bulky Support | Shellarmor | 100+15 | 40-6 | 35 |
| 62 |  Staryu WATER | D | Bulky Support | Natural Cure | 55+10 | 45-7 | 85 |
| 63 |  Seel WATER | D | Bulky Support | Thickfat | 55+10 | 45-7 | 45 |
| 64 |  Nidorina POISON | D | Bulky Support | Poison Point | 67+11 | 62-9 | 56 |
| 65 |  Chikorita GRASS | D | Bulky Support | Overgrow | 65+11 | 49-7 | 45 |
| 66 |  Ledyba BUG | D | Bulky Support | Earlybird | 30+8 | 20-4 | 55 |
| 67 |  Squirtle WATER | D | Bulky Support | Torrent | 65+11 | 48-7 | 43 |
| 68 |  Clefairy FAIRY | D | Bulky Support | Magic Guard | 48+10 | 45-7 | 35 |
| 69 |  Nidorino POISON | D | Bulky Support | Poison Point | 57+10 | 72-10 | 65 |
| 70 |  Vulpix FIRE | D | Bulky Support | Drought | 40+9 | 41-7 | 65 |
| 71 |  Magby FIRE | D | Bulky Support | Flame Body | 37+8 | 75-10 | 83 |
Lugia
PSYCHIC
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Multiscale+Def
130 +18Spe
110Clefable
FAIRY
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Magic Guard+Def
73 +12Spe
60Zapdos
ELECTRIC
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Static+Def
85 +13Spe
100Chansey
NORMAL
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Natural Cure+Def
5 +5Spe
50Celebi
PSYCHIC GRASS
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Natural Cure+Def
100 +15Spe
100Blissey
NORMAL
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Natural Cure+Def
10 +6Spe
55Suicune
WATER
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Pressure+Def
115 +16Spe
85Moltres
FIRE
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Flame Body+Def
90 +14Spe
90Vaporeon
WATER
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Waterabsorb+Def
60 +11Spe
65Shuckle
BUG ROCK
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Sturdy+Def
230 +28Spe
5Umbreon
DARK
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Synchronize+Def
110 +16Spe
65Tentacruel
WATER POISON
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Liquidooze+Def
65 +11Spe
100Politoed
WATER
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Drizzle+Def
75 +12Spe
70Slowbro
WATER PSYCHIC
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Regenerator+Def
110 +16Spe
30Wartortle
WATER
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Torrent+Def
80 +13Spe
58Skarmory
STEEL
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Sturdy+Def
140 +19Spe
70Tangela
GRASS
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Regenerator+Def
115 +16Spe
60Porygon2
NORMAL
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Trace+Def
90 +14Spe
60Shellder
WATER
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Shellarmor+Def
100 +15Spe
40Marill
WATER FAIRY
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Sapsipper+Def
50 +10Spe
40Forretress
BUG STEEL
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Sturdy+Def
140 +19Spe
40Mantine
WATER
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Waterabsorb+Def
70 +12Spe
70Corsola
WATER ROCK
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Regenerator+Def
95 +14Spe
35Xatu
PSYCHIC
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Magic Bounce+Def
70 +12Spe
95Blastoise
WATER
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Torrent+Def
100 +15Spe
78Koffing
POISON
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Levitate+Def
95 +14Spe
35Vileplume
GRASS POISON
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Effect Spore+Def
85 +13Spe
50Hoothoot
NORMAL
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Keeneye+Def
30 +8Spe
50Mareep
ELECTRIC
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Static+Def
40 +9Spe
35Weezing
POISON
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Levitate+Def
120 +17Spe
60Slowpoke
WATER PSYCHIC
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Oblivious+Def
65 +11Spe
15Tentacool
WATER POISON
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Liquidooze+Def
35 +8Spe
70Nidoqueen
POISON GROUND
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Sheerforce+Def
87 +13Spe
76Hypno
PSYCHIC
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Insomnia+Def
70 +12Spe
67Drowzee
PSYCHIC
Role
Special TankAbility
Insomnia+Def
45 +9Spe
42Butterfree
BUG
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Compoundeyes+Def
50 +10Spe
70Meganium
GRASS
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Leafguard+Def
100 +15Spe
80Slugma
FIRE
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Flame Body+Def
40 +9Spe
20Pineco
BUG
Role
UtilityAbility
Sturdy+Def
90 +14Spe
15Misdreavus
GHOST
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Levitate+Def
60 +11Spe
85Magcargo
FIRE ROCK
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Flame Body+Def
120 +17Spe
30Ariados
BUG POISON
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Insomnia+Def
70 +12Spe
40Growlithe
FIRE
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Intimidate+Def
45 +9Spe
60Jigglypuff
NORMAL FAIRY
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Competitive+Def
20 +7Spe
20Wigglytuff
NORMAL FAIRY
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Cutecharm+Def
45 +9Spe
45Wooper
WATER GROUND
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Waterabsorb+Def
45 +9Spe
15Murkrow
DARK
Role
Physical TankAbility
Prankster+Def
42 +9Spe
91Magmar
FIRE
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Vitalspirit+Def
57 +10Spe
93Noctowl
NORMAL
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Tintedlens+Def
50 +10Spe
70Hoppip
GRASS
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Chlorophyll+Def
40 +9Spe
50Bellossom
GRASS
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Chlorophyll+Def
95 +14Spe
50Golduck
WATER
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Damp+Def
78 +13Spe
85Togetic
FAIRY
Role
UtilityAbility
Serenegrace+Def
85 +13Spe
40Wobbuffet
PSYCHIC
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Telepathy+Def
58 +11Spe
33Girafarig
NORMAL PSYCHIC
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Innerfocus+Def
65 +11Spe
85Stantler
NORMAL
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Intimidate+Def
62 +11Spe
85Gloom
GRASS POISON
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Stench+Def
70 +12Spe
40Octillery
WATER
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Suctioncups+Def
75 +12Spe
45Magnemite
ELECTRIC STEEL
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Analytic+Def
70 +12Spe
45Sudowoodo
ROCK
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Sturdy+Def
115 +16Spe
30Omanyte
ROCK WATER
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Shellarmor+Def
100 +15Spe
35Staryu
WATER
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Natural Cure+Def
55 +10Spe
85Seel
WATER
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Thickfat+Def
55 +10Spe
45Nidorina
POISON
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Poison Point+Def
67 +11Spe
56Chikorita
GRASS
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Overgrow+Def
65 +11Spe
45Ledyba
BUG
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Earlybird+Def
30 +8Spe
55Squirtle
WATER
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Torrent+Def
65 +11Spe
43Clefairy
FAIRY
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Magic Guard+Def
48 +10Spe
35Nidorino
POISON
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Poison Point+Def
57 +10Spe
65Vulpix
FIRE
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Drought+Def
40 +9Spe
65Magby
FIRE
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Flame Body+Def
37 +8Spe
83BOLD NATURE GUIDE
+10%Defense
-10%Attack
Flavor Preference
Likes Sour, dislikes Spicy
Competitive Role
Physical walls and support Pokemon that use special moves.
Bold vs Impish
Choose Bold
+Defense / -Attack
- Pokemon that need to check physical threats (use +Def)
- Pokemon that need to check special threats (use +SpD)
- Walls and tanks that rarely attack
Choose Impish
+Defense / -Sp. Attack
- Defensive Pokemon that still need attacking power
- Pokemon that run both physical and special moves
How to Get
SynchronizeLead with a Bold Pokemon that has the Synchronize ability. Wild Pokemon will match its nature. (Gen 3+)
BreedingGive the parent with Bold nature an Everstone. The offspring will inherit it. (100% since Gen 5)
Nature MintUse a Bold Mint to change stat effects to Bold. The original nature name stays but stats change. (Gen 8+)
Other +Defense Natures
BOLD FAQs
What does the Bold nature do in Pokemon?
Bold raises Defense by 10% and lowers Attack by 10%. At level 100 with full investment, that's roughly a 30-point swing on the boosted stat. Pokemon with Bold nature prefer Sour flavor and dislike Spicy.
What are the best Bold nature Pokemon?
Top Bold users include Lugia, Clefable, Zapdos, and Chansey. They benefit from the Defense boost because their main damage comes from that stat. The Attack drop doesn't hurt them since they don't rely on it.
Is Bold a good nature for competitive Pokemon?
Bold is a strong competitive nature. It fills a solid niche for defensive builds. The key is matching it to Pokemon that don't need Attack in their moveset.
How do I get a Bold nature Pokemon?
Synchronize is the fastest method. Lead with a Pokemon that has Synchronize and Bold nature, and wild encounters match it (Gen 3+). Breeding works too: give the Bold parent an Everstone and all offspring inherit the nature. Nature Mints (Gen 8+) let you change the stat effect to Bold without rebreeding.
Should I use Bold or Impish?
Bold prioritizes special defense utility, while Impish goes for physical defense utility. Pick Bold when your Pokemon's role depends on the stat it boosts. Go with Impish when physical defense utility matters more for your team.