BOLD NATURE CALCULATOR
Legends: Arceus uses Effort Levels instead of EVs and a different stat formula than mainline games. Natures still boost one stat by 10% and lower another, but the final numbers differ from what you'd see in Scarlet & Violet or Sword & Shield. The Bold nature calculator below uses the standard competitive formula (Lv50, 31 IVs). For PLA-specific stat calculations, the values shown here are approximate.
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 Legends: Arceus, Giratina is one of the most popular Bold users, alongside Clefable and Chansey. Legends: Arceus assigns natures randomly. No breeding, no Synchronize, no mints. Getting Bold is pure luck.
Bold raises Defense by 10% and lowers Attack by 10%. Physical walls and support Pokemon that use special moves. 57 Pokemon competitively run this nature.
| # | Pokemon | Tier | Role | Ability | +Def | -Atk | Spe |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Giratina GHOSTDRAGON | S | Bulky Support | Pressure | 120+17 | 100-12 | 90 |
| 2 |  Clefable FAIRY | B | Bulky Support | Magic Guard | 73+12 | 70-9 | 60 |
| 3 |  Chansey NORMAL | B | Bulky Support | Natural Cure | 5+5 | 5-3 | 50 |
| 4 |  Blissey NORMAL | B | Bulky Support | Natural Cure | 10+6 | 10-3 | 55 |
| 5 |  Vaporeon WATER | B | Bulky Support | Waterabsorb | 60+11 | 65-9 | 65 |
| 6 |  Cresselia PSYCHIC | B | Bulky Support | Levitate | 110+16 | 70-9 | 85 |
| 7 |  Roserade GRASSPOISON | B | Bulky Support | Natural Cure | 65+11 | 70-9 | 90 |
| 8 |  Umbreon DARK | B | Bulky Support | Synchronize | 110+16 | 65-9 | 65 |
| 9 |  Tangrowth GRASS | B | Bulky Support | Regenerator | 125+17 | 100-12 | 50 |
| 10 |  Dusclops GHOST | B | Bulky Support | Pressure | 130+18 | 70-9 | 25 |
| 11 |  Tentacruel WATERPOISON | B | Bulky Support | Liquidooze | 65+11 | 70-9 | 100 |
| 12 |  Uxie PSYCHIC | B | Bulky Support | Levitate | 130+18 | 75-10 | 95 |
| 13 |  Dusknoir GHOST | B | Bulky Support | Pressure | 135+18 | 100-12 | 45 |
| 14 |  Bronzor STEELPSYCHIC | C | Bulky Support | Levitate | 86+13 | 24-5 | 23 |
| 15 |  Tangela GRASS | C | Bulky Support | Regenerator | 115+16 | 55-8 | 60 |
| 16 |  Porygon2 NORMAL | C | Bulky Support | Trace | 90+14 | 80-10 | 60 |
| 17 |  Mesprit PSYCHIC | C | Bulky Support | Levitate | 105+15 | 105-13 | 80 |
| 18 |  Gastrodon WATERGROUND | C | Bulky Support | Stormdrain | 68+12 | 83-11 | 39 |
| 19 |  Prinplup WATER | C | Bulky Support | Torrent | 68+12 | 66-9 | 50 |
| 20 |  Mantine WATER | C | Bulky Support | Waterabsorb | 70+12 | 40-6 | 70 |
| 21 |  Chimecho PSYCHIC | C | Bulky Support | Levitate | 80+13 | 50-7 | 65 |
| 22 |  Bastiodon ROCKSTEEL | C | Bulky Support | Sturdy | 168+22 | 52-8 | 30 |
| 23 |  Duskull GHOST | C | Bulky Support | Levitate | 90+14 | 40-6 | 25 |
| 24 |  Mismagius GHOST | C | Bulky Support | Levitate | 60+11 | 60-8 | 105 |
| 25 |  Tentacool WATERPOISON | C | Bulky Support | Liquidooze | 35+8 | 40-6 | 70 |
| 26 |  Walrein ICEWATER | C | Bulky Support | Icebody | 90+14 | 80-10 | 65 |
| 27 |  Roselia GRASSPOISON | C | Bulky Support | Poison Point | 45+9 | 60-8 | 65 |
| 28 |  Nosepass ROCK | C | Utility | Sturdy | 135+18 | 45-7 | 30 |
| 29 |  Probopass ROCKSTEEL | C | Bulky Support | Magnetpull | 145+19 | 55-8 | 40 |
| 30 |  Grotle GRASS | C | Bulky Support | Shellarmor | 85+13 | 89-11 | 36 |
| 31 |  Misdreavus GHOST | C | Bulky Support | Levitate | 60+11 | 60-8 | 85 |
| 32 |  Growlithe FIRE | C | Bulky Support | Intimidate | 45+9 | 70-9 | 60 |
| 33 |  Shellos WATER | C | Bulky Support | Stormdrain | 48+10 | 48-7 | 34 |
| 34 |  Murkrow DARK | C | Physical Tank | Prankster | 42+9 | 85-11 | 91 |
| 35 |  Magmar FIRE | C | Bulky Support | Vitalspirit | 57+10 | 95-12 | 93 |
| 36 |  Turtwig GRASS | C | Bulky Support | Overgrow | 64+11 | 68-9 | 31 |
| 37 |  Golduck WATER | C | Bulky Support | Damp | 78+13 | 82-11 | 85 |
| 38 |  Togetic FAIRY | C | Utility | Serenegrace | 85+13 | 40-6 | 40 |
| 39 |  Hippopotas GROUND | C | Bulky Support | Sand Stream | 78+13 | 72-10 | 32 |
| 40 |  Stantler NORMAL | C | Bulky Support | Intimidate | 62+11 | 95-12 | 85 |
| 41 |  Octillery WATER | C | Bulky Support | Suctioncups | 75+12 | 105-13 | 45 |
| 42 |  Glalie ICE | C | Bulky Support | Innerfocus | 80+13 | 80-10 | 80 |
| 43 |  Magnemite ELECTRICSTEEL | C | Bulky Support | Analytic | 70+12 | 35-6 | 45 |
| 44 |  Sudowoodo ROCK | C | Bulky Support | Sturdy | 115+16 | 100-12 | 30 |
| 45 |  Mime Jr. PSYCHICFAIRY | D | Bulky Support | Technician | 45+9 | 25-5 | 60 |
| 46 |  Ralts PSYCHICFAIRY | D | Bulky Support | Trace | 25+7 | 25-5 | 40 |
| 47 |  Budew GRASSPOISON | D | Bulky Support | Poison Point | 35+8 | 30-5 | 55 |
| 48 |  Stunky POISONDARK | D | Bulky Support | Aftermath | 47+9 | 63-9 | 74 |
| 49 |  Chingling PSYCHIC | D | Bulky Support | Levitate | 50+10 | 30-5 | 45 |
| 50 |  Clefairy FAIRY | D | Bulky Support | Magic Guard | 48+10 | 45-7 | 35 |
| 51 |  Burmy BUG | D | Bulky Support | Shedskin | 45+9 | 29-5 | 36 |
| 52 |  Oshawott WATER | D | Bulky Support | Torrent | 45+9 | 55-8 | 45 |
| 53 |  Skorupi POISONBUG | D | Bulky Support | Battle Armor | 90+14 | 50-7 | 65 |
| 54 |  Snorunt ICE | D | Bulky Support | Moody | 50+10 | 50-7 | 50 |
| 55 |  Vulpix FIRE | D | Bulky Support | Drought | 40+9 | 41-7 | 65 |
| 56 |  Spheal ICEWATER | D | Bulky Support | Thickfat | 50+10 | 40-6 | 25 |
| 57 |  Magby FIRE | D | Bulky Support | Flame Body | 37+8 | 75-10 | 83 |
Giratina
GHOST DRAGON
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Pressure+Def
120 +17Spe
90Clefable
FAIRY
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Magic Guard+Def
73 +12Spe
60Chansey
NORMAL
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Natural Cure+Def
5 +5Spe
50Blissey
NORMAL
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Natural Cure+Def
10 +6Spe
55Vaporeon
WATER
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Waterabsorb+Def
60 +11Spe
65Cresselia
PSYCHIC
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Levitate+Def
110 +16Spe
85Roserade
GRASS POISON
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Natural Cure+Def
65 +11Spe
90Umbreon
DARK
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Synchronize+Def
110 +16Spe
65Tangrowth
GRASS
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Regenerator+Def
125 +17Spe
50Dusclops
GHOST
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Pressure+Def
130 +18Spe
25Tentacruel
WATER POISON
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Liquidooze+Def
65 +11Spe
100Uxie
PSYCHIC
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Levitate+Def
130 +18Spe
95Dusknoir
GHOST
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Pressure+Def
135 +18Spe
45Bronzor
STEEL PSYCHIC
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Levitate+Def
86 +13Spe
23Tangela
GRASS
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Regenerator+Def
115 +16Spe
60Porygon2
NORMAL
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Trace+Def
90 +14Spe
60Mesprit
PSYCHIC
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Levitate+Def
105 +15Spe
80Gastrodon
WATER GROUND
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Stormdrain+Def
68 +12Spe
39Prinplup
WATER
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Torrent+Def
68 +12Spe
50Mantine
WATER
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Waterabsorb+Def
70 +12Spe
70Chimecho
PSYCHIC
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Levitate+Def
80 +13Spe
65Bastiodon
ROCK STEEL
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Sturdy+Def
168 +22Spe
30Duskull
GHOST
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Levitate+Def
90 +14Spe
25Mismagius
GHOST
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Levitate+Def
60 +11Spe
105Tentacool
WATER POISON
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Liquidooze+Def
35 +8Spe
70Walrein
ICE WATER
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Icebody+Def
90 +14Spe
65Roselia
GRASS POISON
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Poison Point+Def
45 +9Spe
65Nosepass
ROCK
Role
UtilityAbility
Sturdy+Def
135 +18Spe
30Probopass
ROCK STEEL
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Magnetpull+Def
145 +19Spe
40Grotle
GRASS
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Shellarmor+Def
85 +13Spe
36Misdreavus
GHOST
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Levitate+Def
60 +11Spe
85Growlithe
FIRE
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Intimidate+Def
45 +9Spe
60Shellos
WATER
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Stormdrain+Def
48 +10Spe
34Murkrow
DARK
Role
Physical TankAbility
Prankster+Def
42 +9Spe
91Magmar
FIRE
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Vitalspirit+Def
57 +10Spe
93Turtwig
GRASS
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Overgrow+Def
64 +11Spe
31Golduck
WATER
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Damp+Def
78 +13Spe
85Togetic
FAIRY
Role
UtilityAbility
Serenegrace+Def
85 +13Spe
40Hippopotas
GROUND
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Sand Stream+Def
78 +13Spe
32Stantler
NORMAL
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Intimidate+Def
62 +11Spe
85Octillery
WATER
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Suctioncups+Def
75 +12Spe
45Glalie
ICE
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Innerfocus+Def
80 +13Spe
80Magnemite
ELECTRIC STEEL
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Analytic+Def
70 +12Spe
45Sudowoodo
ROCK
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Sturdy+Def
115 +16Spe
30Mime Jr.
PSYCHIC FAIRY
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Technician+Def
45 +9Spe
60Ralts
PSYCHIC FAIRY
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Trace+Def
25 +7Spe
40Budew
GRASS POISON
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Poison Point+Def
35 +8Spe
55Stunky
POISON DARK
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Aftermath+Def
47 +9Spe
74Chingling
PSYCHIC
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Levitate+Def
50 +10Spe
45Clefairy
FAIRY
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Magic Guard+Def
48 +10Spe
35Burmy
BUG
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Shedskin+Def
45 +9Spe
36Oshawott
WATER
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Torrent+Def
45 +9Spe
45Skorupi
POISON BUG
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Battle Armor+Def
90 +14Spe
65Snorunt
ICE
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Moody+Def
50 +10Spe
50Vulpix
FIRE
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Drought+Def
40 +9Spe
65Spheal
ICE WATER
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Thickfat+Def
50 +10Spe
25Magby
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 Giratina, Clefable, Chansey, and Blissey. 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.