BOLD NATURE CALCULATOR
Check how Bold nature changes any Pokemon's stats at level 50. Bold boosts Defense by 10% and cuts Attack by the same amount, so it matters more for some builds than others. Type a name below to see the exact stat shift and whether Bold is the right call.
In Winds & Waves, Nature Mints can change a Pokemon's stat effects without changing its actual nature.
Select a Pokemon above to see how Bold changes their stats
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 Winds & Waves, Toxapex is one of the most popular Bold users, alongside Tangrowth and Dusclops. Bold's 10% Defense boost carries into the latest generation. Check the table above for current top picks.
Bold raises Defense by 10% and lowers Attack by 10%. Physical walls and support Pokemon that use special moves. 23 Pokemon competitively run this nature.
| # | Pokemon | Tier | Role | Ability | +Def | -Atk | Spe |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Toxapex POISONWATER | B | Bulky Support | Regenerator | 152+20 | 63-9 | 35 |
| 2 |  Tangrowth GRASS | B | Bulky Support | Regenerator | 125+17 | 100-12 | 50 |
| 3 |  Dusclops GHOST | B | Bulky Support | Pressure | 130+18 | 70-9 | 25 |
| 4 |  Dusknoir GHOST | B | Bulky Support | Pressure | 135+18 | 100-12 | 45 |
| 5 |  Wailord WATER | B | Bulky Support | Pressure | 45+9 | 90-11 | 60 |
| 6 |  Tangela GRASS | C | Bulky Support | Regenerator | 115+16 | 55-8 | 60 |
| 7 |  Jellicent WATERGHOST | C | Bulky Support | Waterabsorb | 70+12 | 60-8 | 60 |
| 8 |  Corsola WATERROCK | C | Bulky Support | Regenerator | 95+14 | 55-8 | 35 |
| 9 |  Seismitoad WATERGROUND | C | Bulky Support | Waterabsorb | 75+12 | 95-12 | 74 |
| 10 |  Vileplume GRASSPOISON | C | Bulky Support | Effect Spore | 85+13 | 80-10 | 50 |
| 11 |  Duskull GHOST | C | Bulky Support | Levitate | 90+14 | 40-6 | 25 |
| 12 |  Palossand GHOSTGROUND | C | Bulky Support | Watercompaction | 110+16 | 75-10 | 35 |
| 13 |  Slugma FIRE | C | Bulky Support | Flame Body | 40+9 | 40-6 | 20 |
| 14 |  Magcargo FIREROCK | C | Bulky Support | Flame Body | 120+17 | 50-7 | 30 |
| 15 |  Pelipper WATER | C | Bulky Support | Keeneye | 100+15 | 50-7 | 65 |
| 16 |  Sandygast GHOSTGROUND | C | Bulky Support | Watercompaction | 80+13 | 55-8 | 15 |
| 17 |  Bellossom GRASS | C | Bulky Support | Chlorophyll | 95+14 | 80-10 | 50 |
| 18 |  Gloom GRASSPOISON | C | Bulky Support | Stench | 70+12 | 65-9 | 40 |
| 19 |  Eelektrik ELECTRIC | C | Bulky Support | Levitate | 70+12 | 85-11 | 40 |
| 20 |  Frillish WATERGHOST | D | Bulky Support | Waterabsorb | 50+10 | 40-6 | 40 |
| 21 |  Mareanie POISONWATER | D | Bulky Support | Regenerator | 62+11 | 53-8 | 45 |
| 22 |  Palpitoad WATERGROUND | D | Bulky Support | Waterabsorb | 55+10 | 65-9 | 69 |
| 23 |  Ledyba BUG | D | Bulky Support | Earlybird | 30+8 | 20-4 | 55 |
Toxapex
POISON WATER
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Regenerator+Def
152 +20Spe
35Tangrowth
GRASS
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Regenerator+Def
125 +17Spe
50Dusclops
GHOST
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Pressure+Def
130 +18Spe
25Dusknoir
GHOST
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Pressure+Def
135 +18Spe
45Wailord
WATER
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Pressure+Def
45 +9Spe
60Tangela
GRASS
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Regenerator+Def
115 +16Spe
60Jellicent
WATER GHOST
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Waterabsorb+Def
70 +12Spe
60Corsola
WATER ROCK
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Regenerator+Def
95 +14Spe
35Seismitoad
WATER GROUND
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Waterabsorb+Def
75 +12Spe
74Vileplume
GRASS POISON
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Effect Spore+Def
85 +13Spe
50Duskull
GHOST
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Levitate+Def
90 +14Spe
25Palossand
GHOST GROUND
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Watercompaction+Def
110 +16Spe
35Slugma
FIRE
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Flame Body+Def
40 +9Spe
20Magcargo
FIRE ROCK
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Flame Body+Def
120 +17Spe
30Pelipper
WATER
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Keeneye+Def
100 +15Spe
65Sandygast
GHOST GROUND
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Watercompaction+Def
80 +13Spe
15Bellossom
GRASS
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Chlorophyll+Def
95 +14Spe
50Gloom
GRASS POISON
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Stench+Def
70 +12Spe
40Eelektrik
ELECTRIC
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Levitate+Def
70 +12Spe
40Frillish
WATER GHOST
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Waterabsorb+Def
50 +10Spe
40Mareanie
POISON WATER
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Regenerator+Def
62 +11Spe
45Palpitoad
WATER GROUND
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Waterabsorb+Def
55 +10Spe
69Ledyba
BUG
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Earlybird+Def
30 +8Spe
55BOLD 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 Toxapex, Tangrowth, Dusclops, and Dusknoir. 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.