IMPISH NATURE CALCULATOR
Check how Impish nature changes any Pokemon's stats at level 50. Impish boosts 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 Impish is the right call.
In Emerald, natures are permanent and can't be changed after catching or breeding.
Select a Pokemon above to see how Impish changes their stats
BEST IMPISH NATURE POKEMON
Impish gives 10% Defense at the cost of Sp. Attack. Physical walls that rely on Body Slam, Knock Off, or U-turn over special coverage will want this. In Emerald, Ho-Oh, Lugia, Donphan, and others all run Impish in competitive play. Emerald was the first generation with natures. Everstone breeding for Impish only works in Emerald.
Impish raises Defense by 10% and lowers Sp. Attack by 10%. Physical walls that rely on physical or status moves. 67 Pokemon competitively run this nature.
SHOWINGRegional34
| # | Pokemon | Tier | Role | Ability | +Def | -SpA | Spe |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Ho-Oh FIRE | S | Bulky Support | Regenerator | 90+14 | 110-13 | 90 |
| 2 |  Lugia PSYCHIC | S | Bulky Support | Multiscale | 130+18 | 90-11 | 110 |
| 3 |  Donphan GROUND | B | Bulky Support | Sturdy | 120+17 | 60-8 | 50 |
| 4 |  Shuckle BUGROCK | B | Bulky Support | Sturdy | 230+28 | 10-3 | 5 |
| 5 |  Steelix STEELGROUND | B | Bulky Support | Rockhead | 200+25 | 55-8 | 30 |
| 6 |  Torkoal FIRE | B | Bulky Support | Shellarmor | 140+19 | 85-11 | 20 |
| 7 |  Regirock ROCK | B | Bulky Support | Clearbody | 200+25 | 50-7 | 50 |
| 8 |  Rhydon GROUNDROCK | B | Bulky Support | Rockhead | 120+17 | 45-7 | 40 |
| 9 |  Kingler WATER | B | Bulky Support | Shellarmor | 115+16 | 50-7 | 75 |
| 10 |  Skarmory STEEL | C | Bulky Support | Sturdy | 140+19 | 40-6 | 70 |
| 11 |  Flygon GROUNDDRAGON | C | Bulky Support | Levitate | 80+13 | 80-10 | 100 |
| 12 |  Wooper WATERGROUND | C | Bulky Support | Unaware | 45+9 | 25-5 | 15 |
| 13 |  Vibrava GROUNDDRAGON | C | Bulky Support | Levitate | 50+10 | 50-7 | 70 |
| 14 |  Solrock ROCKPSYCHIC | C | Bulky Support | Levitate | 85+13 | 55-8 | 70 |
| 15 |  Forretress BUGSTEEL | C | Bulky Support | Sturdy | 140+19 | 60-8 | 40 |
| 16 |  Sandslash GROUND | C | Bulky Support | Sandveil | 110+16 | 45-7 | 65 |
| 17 |  Machoke FIGHTING | C | Bulky Support | Guts | 70+12 | 50-7 | 45 |
| 18 |  Ditto NORMAL | C | Bulky Support | Imposter | 48+10 | 48-7 | 48 |
| 19 |  Lairon STEELROCK | C | Bulky Support | Rockhead | 140+19 | 50-7 | 40 |
| 20 |  Weezing POISON | C | Bulky Support | Levitate | 120+17 | 85-11 | 60 |
| 21 |  Pineco BUG | C | Bulky Support | Sturdy | 90+14 | 35-6 | 15 |
| 22 |  Miltank NORMAL | C | Bulky Support | Thickfat | 105+15 | 40-6 | 100 |
| 23 |  Hitmontop FIGHTING | C | Bulky Support | Intimidate | 95+14 | 35-6 | 70 |
| 24 |  Sableye DARKGHOST | C | Bulky Support | Prankster | 75+12 | 65-9 | 50 |
| 25 |  Quagsire WATERGROUND | C | Bulky Support | Waterabsorb | 85+13 | 65-9 | 35 |
| 26 |  Cradily ROCKGRASS | C | Bulky Support | Stormdrain | 97+14 | 81-11 | 43 |
| 27 |  Granbull FAIRY | C | Bulky Support | Intimidate | 75+12 | 60-8 | 45 |
| 28 |  Armaldo ROCKBUG | C | Bulky Support | Battlearmor | 100+15 | 70-9 | 45 |
| 29 |  Onix ROCKGROUND | C | Bulky Support | Rockhead | 160+21 | 30-5 | 70 |
| 30 |  Arbok POISON | C | Bulky Support | Intimidate | 69+12 | 65-9 | 80 |
| 31 |  Slowpoke WATERPSYCHIC | C | Bulky Support | Regenerator | 65+11 | 40-6 | 15 |
| 32 |  Nincada BUGGROUND | C | Bulky Support | Compoundeyes | 90+14 | 30-5 | 40 |
| 33 |  Sandshrew GROUND | C | Bulky Support | Sandveil | 85+13 | 20-4 | 40 |
| 34 |  Kecleon NORMAL | C | Bulky Support | Protean | 70+12 | 60-8 | 40 |
| 35 |  Shelgon DRAGON | C | Bulky Support | Rockhead | 100+15 | 60-8 | 50 |
| 36 |  Pinsir BUG | C | Physical Attacker | Hypercutter | 100+15 | 55-8 | 85 |
| 37 |  Volbeat BUG | C | Bulky Support | Prankster | 75+12 | 47-7 | 85 |
| 38 |  Togetic FAIRY | C | Bulky Support | Serenegrace | 85+13 | 80-10 | 40 |
| 39 |  Vigoroth NORMAL | C | Bulky Support | Vitalspirit | 80+13 | 55-8 | 90 |
| 40 |  Magcargo FIREROCK | C | Bulky Support | Flame Body | 120+17 | 90-11 | 30 |
| 41 |  Golbat POISON | C | Bulky Support | Infiltrator | 70+12 | 65-9 | 90 |
| 42 |  Kangaskhan NORMAL | C | Bulky Support | Scrappy | 80+13 | 40-6 | 90 |
| 43 |  Snubbull FAIRY | C | Bulky Support | Intimidate | 50+10 | 40-6 | 30 |
| 44 |  Gligar GROUND | C | Bulky Support | Immunity | 105+15 | 35-6 | 85 |
| 45 |  Weepinbell GRASSPOISON | C | Bulky Support | Chlorophyll | 50+10 | 85-11 | 55 |
| 46 |  Nosepass ROCK | C | Bulky Support | Sturdy | 135+18 | 45-7 | 30 |
| 47 |  Duskull GHOST | C | Bulky Support | Levitate | 90+14 | 30-5 | 25 |
| 48 |  Qwilfish WATERPOISON | C | Bulky Support | Intimidate | 85+13 | 55-8 | 85 |
| 49 |  Grimer POISON | C | Bulky Support | Poisontouch | 50+10 | 40-6 | 25 |
| 50 |  Tropius GRASS | C | Bulky Support | Harvest | 83+13 | 72-10 | 51 |
| 51 |  Muk POISON | C | Bulky Support | Poisontouch | 75+12 | 65-9 | 50 |
| 52 |  Dunsparce NORMAL | C | Bulky Support | Serenegrace | 70+12 | 65-9 | 45 |
| 53 |  Sudowoodo ROCK | C | Bulky Support | Rockhead | 115+16 | 30-5 | 30 |
| 54 |  Phanpy GROUND | C | Bulky Support | Sandveil | 60+11 | 40-6 | 40 |
| 55 |  Parasect BUGGRASS | C | Bulky Support | Effect Spore | 80+13 | 60-8 | 30 |
| 56 |  Paras BUGGRASS | D | Physical Attacker | Dryskin | 55+10 | 45-7 | 25 |
| 57 |  Kabuto ROCKWATER | D | Bulky Support | Battlearmor | 90+14 | 55-8 | 55 |
| 58 |  Snorunt ICE | D | Bulky Support | Innerfocus | 50+10 | 50-7 | 50 |
| 59 |  Squirtle WATER | D | Bulky Support | Torrent | 65+11 | 50-7 | 43 |
| 60 |  Numel FIREGROUND | D | Bulky Support | Simple | 40+9 | 65-9 | 35 |
| 61 |  Seedot GRASS | D | Bulky Support | Chlorophyll | 50+10 | 30-5 | 30 |
| 62 |  Bulbasaur GRASSPOISON | D | Bulky Support | Overgrow | 49+10 | 65-9 | 45 |
| 63 |  Venonat BUGPOISON | D | Bulky Support | Compoundeyes | 50+10 | 40-6 | 45 |
| 64 |  Swinub ICEGROUND | D | Utility | Snowcloak | 40+9 | 30-5 | 50 |
| 65 |  Eevee NORMAL | D | Bulky Support | Adaptability | 50+10 | 45-7 | 55 |
| 66 |  Clefairy FAIRY | D | Bulky Support | Friendguard | 48+10 | 60-8 | 35 |
| 67 |  Slakoth NORMAL | D | Bulky Support | Truant | 60+11 | 35-6 | 30 |
Ho-Oh
FIRE
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Regenerator+Def
90 +14Spe
90Lugia
PSYCHIC
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Multiscale+Def
130 +18Spe
110Donphan
GROUND
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Sturdy+Def
120 +17Spe
50Shuckle
BUG ROCK
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Sturdy+Def
230 +28Spe
5Steelix
STEEL GROUND
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Rockhead+Def
200 +25Spe
30Torkoal
FIRE
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Shellarmor+Def
140 +19Spe
20Regirock
ROCK
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Clearbody+Def
200 +25Spe
50Rhydon
GROUND ROCK
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Rockhead+Def
120 +17Spe
40Kingler
WATER
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Shellarmor+Def
115 +16Spe
75Skarmory
STEEL
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Sturdy+Def
140 +19Spe
70Flygon
GROUND DRAGON
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Levitate+Def
80 +13Spe
100Wooper
WATER GROUND
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Unaware+Def
45 +9Spe
15Vibrava
GROUND DRAGON
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Levitate+Def
50 +10Spe
70Solrock
ROCK PSYCHIC
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Levitate+Def
85 +13Spe
70Forretress
BUG STEEL
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Sturdy+Def
140 +19Spe
40Sandslash
GROUND
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Sandveil+Def
110 +16Spe
65Machoke
FIGHTING
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Guts+Def
70 +12Spe
45Ditto
NORMAL
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Imposter+Def
48 +10Spe
48Lairon
STEEL ROCK
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Rockhead+Def
140 +19Spe
40Weezing
POISON
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Levitate+Def
120 +17Spe
60Pineco
BUG
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Sturdy+Def
90 +14Spe
15Miltank
NORMAL
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Thickfat+Def
105 +15Spe
100Hitmontop
FIGHTING
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Intimidate+Def
95 +14Spe
70Sableye
DARK GHOST
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Prankster+Def
75 +12Spe
50Quagsire
WATER GROUND
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Waterabsorb+Def
85 +13Spe
35Cradily
ROCK GRASS
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Stormdrain+Def
97 +14Spe
43Granbull
FAIRY
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Intimidate+Def
75 +12Spe
45Armaldo
ROCK BUG
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Battlearmor+Def
100 +15Spe
45Onix
ROCK GROUND
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Rockhead+Def
160 +21Spe
70Arbok
POISON
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Intimidate+Def
69 +12Spe
80Slowpoke
WATER PSYCHIC
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Regenerator+Def
65 +11Spe
15Nincada
BUG GROUND
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Compoundeyes+Def
90 +14Spe
40Sandshrew
GROUND
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Sandveil+Def
85 +13Spe
40Kecleon
NORMAL
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Protean+Def
70 +12Spe
40Shelgon
DRAGON
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Rockhead+Def
100 +15Spe
50Pinsir
BUG
Role
Physical AttackerAbility
Hypercutter+Def
100 +15Spe
85Volbeat
BUG
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Prankster+Def
75 +12Spe
85Togetic
FAIRY
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Serenegrace+Def
85 +13Spe
40Vigoroth
NORMAL
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Vitalspirit+Def
80 +13Spe
90Magcargo
FIRE ROCK
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Flame Body+Def
120 +17Spe
30Golbat
POISON
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Infiltrator+Def
70 +12Spe
90Kangaskhan
NORMAL
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Scrappy+Def
80 +13Spe
90Snubbull
FAIRY
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Intimidate+Def
50 +10Spe
30Gligar
GROUND
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Immunity+Def
105 +15Spe
85Weepinbell
GRASS POISON
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Chlorophyll+Def
50 +10Spe
55Nosepass
ROCK
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Sturdy+Def
135 +18Spe
30Duskull
GHOST
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Levitate+Def
90 +14Spe
25Qwilfish
WATER POISON
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Intimidate+Def
85 +13Spe
85Grimer
POISON
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Poisontouch+Def
50 +10Spe
25Tropius
GRASS
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Harvest+Def
83 +13Spe
51Muk
POISON
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Poisontouch+Def
75 +12Spe
50Dunsparce
NORMAL
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Serenegrace+Def
70 +12Spe
45Sudowoodo
ROCK
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Rockhead+Def
115 +16Spe
30Phanpy
GROUND
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Sandveil+Def
60 +11Spe
40Parasect
BUG GRASS
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Effect Spore+Def
80 +13Spe
30Paras
BUG GRASS
Role
Physical AttackerAbility
Dryskin+Def
55 +10Spe
25Kabuto
ROCK WATER
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Battlearmor+Def
90 +14Spe
55Snorunt
ICE
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Innerfocus+Def
50 +10Spe
50Squirtle
WATER
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Torrent+Def
65 +11Spe
43Numel
FIRE GROUND
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Simple+Def
40 +9Spe
35Seedot
GRASS
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Chlorophyll+Def
50 +10Spe
30Bulbasaur
GRASS POISON
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Overgrow+Def
49 +10Spe
45Venonat
BUG POISON
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Compoundeyes+Def
50 +10Spe
45Swinub
ICE GROUND
Role
UtilityAbility
Snowcloak+Def
40 +9Spe
50Eevee
NORMAL
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Adaptability+Def
50 +10Spe
55Clefairy
FAIRY
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Friendguard+Def
48 +10Spe
35Slakoth
NORMAL
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Truant+Def
60 +11Spe
30IMPISH NATURE GUIDE
+10%Defense
-10%Sp. Attack
Flavor Preference
Likes Sour, dislikes Dry
Competitive Role
Physical walls that rely on physical or status moves.
Impish vs Bold
Choose Impish
+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 Bold
+Defense / -Attack
- Defensive Pokemon that still need attacking power
- Pokemon that run both physical and special moves
How to Get
SynchronizeLead with a Impish Pokemon that has the Synchronize ability. Wild Pokemon will match its nature. (Gen 3+)
BreedingGive the parent with Impish nature an Everstone. The offspring will inherit it. (100% since Gen 5)
Nature MintUse an Impish Mint to change stat effects to Impish. The original nature name stays but stats change. (Gen 8+)
Other +Defense Natures
IMPISH FAQs
What does the Impish nature do in Pokemon?
It's a +10% Defense, -10% Sp. Attack nature. The 10% multiplier applies after base stats and EVs, so the actual point difference grows as stats get higher. Pokemon with Impish nature prefer Sour flavor and dislike Dry.
What are the best Impish nature Pokemon?
Ho-Oh, Lugia, Donphan, and Shuckle are among the strongest Impish picks. What they share is a reliance on Defense and little need for Sp. Attack. Check the tier list for current rankings.
Is Impish a good nature for competitive Pokemon?
Yes. It fills a solid niche for defensive builds. You'll see Impish on dedicated Defense-focused builds across most tiers and formats.
How do I get an Impish nature Pokemon?
Three options: (1) Synchronize lead forces wild Pokemon to match your lead's nature. (2) Everstone breeding passes the nature 100% of the time since Gen 5. (3) an Impish Mint changes the stat effects after the fact. Mints don't change the nature name, just the stat modifiers.
Should I use Impish or Bold?
It depends on what your team needs. Impish is the physical defense utility option. Bold is the special defense utility option. Most of the time, your Pokemon's moveset and role make the decision obvious.