CAREFUL NATURE CALCULATOR
Check how Careful nature changes any Pokemon's stats at level 50. Careful boosts Sp. Defense by 10% and cuts Sp. 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 Careful is the right call.
In Ruby & Sapphire, natures are permanent and can't be changed after catching or breeding.
Select a Pokemon above to see how Careful changes their stats
BEST CAREFUL NATURE POKEMON
10% more Sp. Defense and 10% less Sp. Attack. Careful suits Pokemon that rely on physical attacks or status moves while tanking special hits. Over in Ruby & Sapphire, Jirachi is one of the most popular Careful users, alongside Clefable and Registeel. Getting Careful in Ruby & Sapphire means wild catching with Synchronize or breeding in Emerald with an Everstone.
Careful raises Sp. Defense by 10% and lowers Sp. Attack by 10%. Special walls that rely on physical or status moves. 66 Pokemon competitively run this nature.
SHOWINGRegional39
| # | Pokemon | Tier | Role | Ability | +SpD | -SpA | Spe |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Jirachi STEELPSYCHIC | B | Bulky Support | Serenegrace | 100+15 | 100-12 | 100 |
| 2 |  Clefable FAIRY | B | Bulky Support | Magic Guard | 90+14 | 95-12 | 60 |
| 3 |  Registeel STEEL | B | Bulky Support | Clearbody | 150+20 | 75-10 | 50 |
| 4 |  Umbreon DARK | B | Bulky Support | Synchronize | 130+18 | 60-8 | 65 |
| 5 |  Snorlax NORMAL | B | Bulky Support | Thickfat | 110+16 | 65-9 | 30 |
| 6 |  Steelix STEELGROUND | B | Bulky Support | Sturdy | 65+11 | 55-8 | 30 |
| 7 |  Wailord WATER | B | Bulky Support | Pressure | 45+9 | 90-11 | 60 |
| 8 |  Skarmory STEEL | C | Bulky Support | Keeneye | 70+12 | 40-6 | 70 |
| 9 |  Forretress BUGSTEEL | C | Bulky Support | Sturdy | 60+11 | 60-8 | 40 |
| 10 |  Wobbuffet PSYCHIC | C | Bulky Support | Shadowtag | 58+11 | 33-6 | 33 |
| 11 |  Metang STEELPSYCHIC | C | Bulky Support | Clearbody | 80+13 | 55-8 | 50 |
| 12 |  Golbat POISON | C | Bulky Support | Innerfocus | 75+12 | 65-9 | 90 |
| 13 |  Dragonair DRAGON | C | Bulky Support | Shedskin | 70+12 | 70-9 | 70 |
| 14 |  Rhyhorn GROUNDROCK | C | Bulky Support | Reckless | 30+8 | 30-5 | 25 |
| 15 |  Trapinch GROUND | C | Bulky Support | Arenatrap | 45+9 | 45-7 | 10 |
| 16 |  Sableye DARKGHOST | C | Bulky Support | Prankster | 65+11 | 65-9 | 50 |
| 17 |  Swablu NORMAL | C | Bulky Support | Natural Cure | 75+12 | 40-6 | 50 |
| 18 |  Claydol GROUNDPSYCHIC | C | Bulky Support | Levitate | 120+17 | 70-9 | 75 |
| 19 |  Wailmer WATER | C | Bulky Support | Waterveil | 35+8 | 70-9 | 60 |
| 20 |  Hitmontop FIGHTING | C | Bulky Support | Intimidate | 110+16 | 35-6 | 70 |
| 21 |  Cradily ROCKGRASS | C | Bulky Support | Suctioncups | 107+15 | 81-11 | 43 |
| 22 |  Muk POISON | C | Bulky Support | Poisontouch | 100+15 | 65-9 | 50 |
| 23 |  Cacnea GRASS | C | Utility | Waterabsorb | 40+9 | 85-11 | 35 |
| 24 |  Vibrava GROUNDDRAGON | C | Bulky Support | Levitate | 50+10 | 50-7 | 70 |
| 25 |  Parasect BUGGRASS | C | Bulky Support | Effect Spore | 80+13 | 60-8 | 30 |
| 26 |  Skitty NORMAL | C | Physical Attacker | Cutecharm | 35+8 | 35-6 | 50 |
| 27 |  Marshtomp WATERGROUND | C | Bulky Support | Torrent | 70+12 | 60-8 | 50 |
| 28 |  Skiploom GRASS | C | Bulky Support | Infiltrator | 65+11 | 45-7 | 80 |
| 29 |  Hypno PSYCHIC | C | Physical Tank | Insomnia | 115+16 | 73-10 | 67 |
| 30 |  Kecleon NORMAL | C | Bulky Support | Protean | 120+17 | 60-8 | 40 |
| 31 |  Altaria DRAGON | C | Bulky Support | Natural Cure | 105+15 | 70-9 | 80 |
| 32 |  Miltank NORMAL | C | Bulky Support | Sapsipper | 70+12 | 40-6 | 100 |
| 33 |  Lickitung NORMAL | C | Bulky Support | Oblivious | 75+12 | 60-8 | 30 |
| 34 |  Vigoroth NORMAL | C | Bulky Support | Vitalspirit | 55+10 | 55-8 | 90 |
| 35 |  Phanpy GROUND | C | Bulky Support | Pickup | 40+9 | 40-6 | 40 |
| 36 |  Pineco BUG | C | Bulky Support | Sturdy | 35+8 | 35-6 | 15 |
| 37 |  Poliwrath WATERFIGHTING | C | Bulky Support | Waterabsorb | 90+14 | 70-9 | 70 |
| 38 |  Koffing POISON | C | Bulky Support | Neutralizinggas | 45+9 | 60-8 | 35 |
| 39 |  Feraligatr WATER | C | Physical Tank | Torrent | 83+13 | 79-10 | 78 |
| 40 |  Piloswine ICEGROUND | C | Physical Attacker | Thickfat | 60+11 | 60-8 | 50 |
| 41 |  Granbull FAIRY | C | Bulky Support | Intimidate | 60+11 | 60-8 | 45 |
| 42 |  Snubbull FAIRY | C | Bulky Support | Intimidate | 40+9 | 40-6 | 30 |
| 43 |  Swalot POISON | C | Bulky Support | Liquidooze | 83+13 | 73-10 | 55 |
| 44 |  Walrein ICEWATER | C | Bulky Support | Icebody | 90+14 | 95-12 | 65 |
| 45 |  Dunsparce NORMAL | C | Bulky Support | Serenegrace | 65+11 | 65-9 | 45 |
| 46 |  Krabby WATER | C | Utility | Sheerforce | 25+7 | 25-5 | 50 |
| 47 |  Ledian BUG | C | Bulky Support | Ironfist | 110+16 | 55-8 | 85 |
| 48 |  Volbeat BUG | C | Bulky Support | Swarm | 85+13 | 47-7 | 85 |
| 49 |  Jigglypuff NORMALFAIRY | C | Bulky Support | Cutecharm | 25+7 | 45-7 | 20 |
| 50 |  Shelgon DRAGON | C | Bulky Support | Rock Head | 50+10 | 60-8 | 50 |
| 51 |  Togepi FAIRY | D | Bulky Support | Serenegrace | 65+11 | 40-6 | 20 |
| 52 |  Bulbasaur GRASSPOISON | D | Bulky Support | Overgrow | 65+11 | 65-9 | 45 |
| 53 |  Baltoy GROUNDPSYCHIC | D | Bulky Support | Levitate | 70+12 | 40-6 | 55 |
| 54 |  Eevee NORMAL | D | Bulky Support | Adaptability | 65+11 | 45-7 | 55 |
| 55 |  Ledyba BUG | D | Bulky Support | Swarm | 80+13 | 40-6 | 55 |
| 56 |  Shuppet GHOST | D | Bulky Support | Cursedbody | 33+8 | 63-9 | 45 |
| 57 |  Gulpin POISON | D | Bulky Support | Liquidooze | 53+10 | 43-7 | 40 |
| 58 |  Nuzleaf GRASSDARK | D | Physical Attacker | Chlorophyll | 40+9 | 60-8 | 60 |
| 59 |  Seel WATER | D | Bulky Support | Thickfat | 70+12 | 45-7 | 45 |
| 60 |  Whismur NORMAL | D | Bulky Support | Soundproof | 23+7 | 51-8 | 28 |
| 61 |  Igglybuff NORMALFAIRY | D | Utility | Cutecharm | 20+7 | 40-6 | 15 |
| 62 |  Numel FIREGROUND | D | Bulky Support | Simple | 45+9 | 65-9 | 35 |
| 63 |  Wurmple BUG | D | Bulky Support | Shielddust | 30+8 | 20-4 | 20 |
| 64 |  Vulpix FIRE | D | Bulky Support | Flashfire | 65+11 | 50-7 | 65 |
| 65 |  Spinarak BUGPOISON | D | Bulky Support | Swarm | 40+9 | 40-6 | 30 |
| 66 |  Zubat POISON | D | Bulky Support | Infiltrator | 40+9 | 30-5 | 55 |
Jirachi
STEEL PSYCHIC
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Serenegrace+SpD
100 +15Spe
100Clefable
FAIRY
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Magic Guard+SpD
90 +14Spe
60Registeel
STEEL
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Clearbody+SpD
150 +20Spe
50Umbreon
DARK
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Synchronize+SpD
130 +18Spe
65Snorlax
NORMAL
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Thickfat+SpD
110 +16Spe
30Steelix
STEEL GROUND
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Sturdy+SpD
65 +11Spe
30Wailord
WATER
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Pressure+SpD
45 +9Spe
60Skarmory
STEEL
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Keeneye+SpD
70 +12Spe
70Forretress
BUG STEEL
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Sturdy+SpD
60 +11Spe
40Wobbuffet
PSYCHIC
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Shadowtag+SpD
58 +11Spe
33Metang
STEEL PSYCHIC
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Clearbody+SpD
80 +13Spe
50Golbat
POISON
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Innerfocus+SpD
75 +12Spe
90Dragonair
DRAGON
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Shedskin+SpD
70 +12Spe
70Rhyhorn
GROUND ROCK
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Reckless+SpD
30 +8Spe
25Trapinch
GROUND
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Arenatrap+SpD
45 +9Spe
10Sableye
DARK GHOST
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Prankster+SpD
65 +11Spe
50Swablu
NORMAL
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Natural Cure+SpD
75 +12Spe
50Claydol
GROUND PSYCHIC
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Levitate+SpD
120 +17Spe
75Wailmer
WATER
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Waterveil+SpD
35 +8Spe
60Hitmontop
FIGHTING
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Intimidate+SpD
110 +16Spe
70Cradily
ROCK GRASS
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Suctioncups+SpD
107 +15Spe
43Muk
POISON
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Poisontouch+SpD
100 +15Spe
50Cacnea
GRASS
Role
UtilityAbility
Waterabsorb+SpD
40 +9Spe
35Vibrava
GROUND DRAGON
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Levitate+SpD
50 +10Spe
70Parasect
BUG GRASS
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Effect Spore+SpD
80 +13Spe
30Skitty
NORMAL
Role
Physical AttackerAbility
Cutecharm+SpD
35 +8Spe
50Marshtomp
WATER GROUND
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Torrent+SpD
70 +12Spe
50Skiploom
GRASS
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Infiltrator+SpD
65 +11Spe
80Hypno
PSYCHIC
Role
Physical TankAbility
Insomnia+SpD
115 +16Spe
67Kecleon
NORMAL
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Protean+SpD
120 +17Spe
40Altaria
DRAGON
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Natural Cure+SpD
105 +15Spe
80Miltank
NORMAL
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Sapsipper+SpD
70 +12Spe
100Lickitung
NORMAL
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Oblivious+SpD
75 +12Spe
30Vigoroth
NORMAL
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Vitalspirit+SpD
55 +10Spe
90Phanpy
GROUND
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Pickup+SpD
40 +9Spe
40Pineco
BUG
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Sturdy+SpD
35 +8Spe
15Poliwrath
WATER FIGHTING
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Waterabsorb+SpD
90 +14Spe
70Koffing
POISON
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Neutralizinggas+SpD
45 +9Spe
35Feraligatr
WATER
Role
Physical TankAbility
Torrent+SpD
83 +13Spe
78Piloswine
ICE GROUND
Role
Physical AttackerAbility
Thickfat+SpD
60 +11Spe
50Granbull
FAIRY
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Intimidate+SpD
60 +11Spe
45Snubbull
FAIRY
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Intimidate+SpD
40 +9Spe
30Swalot
POISON
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Liquidooze+SpD
83 +13Spe
55Walrein
ICE WATER
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Icebody+SpD
90 +14Spe
65Dunsparce
NORMAL
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Serenegrace+SpD
65 +11Spe
45Krabby
WATER
Role
UtilityAbility
Sheerforce+SpD
25 +7Spe
50Ledian
BUG
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Ironfist+SpD
110 +16Spe
85Volbeat
BUG
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Swarm+SpD
85 +13Spe
85Jigglypuff
NORMAL FAIRY
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Cutecharm+SpD
25 +7Spe
20Shelgon
DRAGON
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Rock Head+SpD
50 +10Spe
50Togepi
FAIRY
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Serenegrace+SpD
65 +11Spe
20Bulbasaur
GRASS POISON
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Overgrow+SpD
65 +11Spe
45Baltoy
GROUND PSYCHIC
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Levitate+SpD
70 +12Spe
55Eevee
NORMAL
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Adaptability+SpD
65 +11Spe
55Ledyba
BUG
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Swarm+SpD
80 +13Spe
55Shuppet
GHOST
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Cursedbody+SpD
33 +8Spe
45Gulpin
POISON
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Liquidooze+SpD
53 +10Spe
40Nuzleaf
GRASS DARK
Role
Physical AttackerAbility
Chlorophyll+SpD
40 +9Spe
60Seel
WATER
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Thickfat+SpD
70 +12Spe
45Whismur
NORMAL
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Soundproof+SpD
23 +7Spe
28Igglybuff
NORMAL FAIRY
Role
UtilityAbility
Cutecharm+SpD
20 +7Spe
15Numel
FIRE GROUND
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Simple+SpD
45 +9Spe
35Wurmple
BUG
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Shielddust+SpD
30 +8Spe
20Vulpix
FIRE
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Flashfire+SpD
65 +11Spe
65Spinarak
BUG POISON
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Swarm+SpD
40 +9Spe
30Zubat
POISON
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Infiltrator+SpD
40 +9Spe
55CAREFUL NATURE GUIDE
+10%Sp. Defense
-10%Sp. Attack
Flavor Preference
Likes Bitter, dislikes Dry
Competitive Role
Special walls that rely on physical or status moves.
Careful vs Calm
Choose Careful
+Sp. Defense / -Sp. 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 Calm
+Sp. Defense / -Attack
- Defensive Pokemon that still need attacking power
- Pokemon that run both physical and special moves
How to Get
SynchronizeLead with a Careful Pokemon that has the Synchronize ability. Wild Pokemon will match its nature. (Gen 3+)
BreedingGive the parent with Careful nature an Everstone. The offspring will inherit it. (100% since Gen 5)
Nature MintUse a Careful Mint to change stat effects to Careful. The original nature name stays but stats change. (Gen 8+)
Other +Sp. Defense Natures
CAREFUL FAQs
What does the Careful nature do in Pokemon?
Careful gives your Pokemon 10% more Sp. Defense at the cost of Sp. Attack. That tradeoff works best when the lowered stat isn't part of your moveset. Pokemon with Careful nature prefer Bitter flavor and dislike Dry.
What are the best Careful nature Pokemon?
Competitively, Jirachi, Clefable, Registeel, and Umbreon run Careful most often. The +Sp. Defense boost complements their role, and the -Sp. Attack penalty barely affects their game plan.
Is Careful a good nature for competitive Pokemon?
For the right Pokemon, Careful is one of the best natures you can pick. It fills a solid niche for defensive builds. Just don't slap it on something that uses Sp. Attack-based moves.
How do I get a Careful nature Pokemon?
Breeding with an Everstone is the most reliable approach since Gen 5. The parent holding it passes its nature to every offspring. Synchronize works for wild catches. And if you already have the Pokemon, a Careful Mint from the Battle Tower changes the stat effects to Careful.
Should I use Careful or Calm?
Short answer: Careful for physical wall utility, Calm for special wall utility. There's no universal best. Check your Pokemon's base stats and common threats in the format you're playing to decide which tradeoff is better.