Best Impish Nature Pokemon in HeartGold & SoulSilver (+Defense)

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 HeartGold & SoulSilver, 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 HeartGold & SoulSilver, Ho-Oh, Lugia, Giratina, and others all run Impish in competitive play. The competitive scene in HeartGold & SoulSilver is mature. Impish is standard on any Pokemon that benefits from Defense.

Impish raises Defense by 10% and lowers Sp. Attack by 10%. Physical walls that rely on physical or status moves. 86 Pokemon competitively run this nature.

SHOWINGRegional46

#	Pokemon	Tier	Role	Ability	+Def	-SpA	Spe
1	Ho-Oh FIREFLYING	S	Bulky Support	Regenerator	90+14	110-13	90
2	Lugia PSYCHICFLYING	S	Bulky Support	Multiscale	130+18	90-11	110
3	Giratina GHOSTDRAGON	S	Bulky Support	Pressure	120+17	100-12	90
4	Gliscor GROUNDFLYING	B	Bulky Support	Poisonheal	125+17	45-7	95
5	Hippowdon GROUND	B	Bulky Support	Sand Stream	118+17	68-9	47
6	Donphan GROUND	B	Bulky Support	Sturdy	120+17	60-8	50
7	Shuckle BUGROCK	B	Bulky Support	Sturdy	230+28	10-3	5
8	Steelix STEELGROUND	B	Bulky Support	Rockhead	200+25	55-8	30
9	Uxie PSYCHIC	B	Bulky Support	Levitate	130+18	75-10	95
10	Rhyperior GROUNDROCK	B	Bulky Support	Solidrock	130+18	55-8	40
11	Torkoal FIRE	B	Bulky Support	Shellarmor	140+19	85-11	20
12	Regirock ROCK	B	Bulky Support	Clearbody	200+25	50-7	50
13	Rhydon GROUNDROCK	B	Bulky Support	Rockhead	120+17	45-7	40
14	Regigigas NORMAL	B	Bulky Support	Slowstart	110+16	80-10	100
15	Kingler WATER	B	Bulky Support	Shellarmor	115+16	50-7	75
16	Skarmory STEELFLYING	C	Bulky Support	Sturdy	140+19	40-6	70
17	Flygon GROUNDDRAGON	C	Bulky Support	Levitate	80+13	80-10	100
18	Wooper WATERGROUND	C	Bulky Support	Unaware	45+9	25-5	15
19	Vibrava GROUNDDRAGON	C	Bulky Support	Levitate	50+10	50-7	70
20	Solrock ROCKPSYCHIC	C	Bulky Support	Levitate	85+13	55-8	70
21	Forretress BUGSTEEL	C	Bulky Support	Sturdy	140+19	60-8	40
22	Gabite DRAGONGROUND	C	Bulky Support	Rough Skin	65+11	50-7	82
23	Sandslash GROUND	C	Bulky Support	Sandveil	110+16	45-7	65
24	Grotle GRASS	C	Bulky Support	Overgrow	85+13	55-8	36
25	Machoke FIGHTING	C	Bulky Support	Guts	70+12	50-7	45
26	Ditto NORMAL	C	Bulky Support	Imposter	48+10	48-7	48
27	Hippopotas GROUND	C	Bulky Support	Sand Stream	78+13	38-6	32
28	Lairon STEELROCK	C	Bulky Support	Rockhead	140+19	50-7	40
29	Weezing POISON	C	Bulky Support	Levitate	120+17	85-11	60
30	Pineco BUG	C	Bulky Support	Sturdy	90+14	35-6	15
31	Toxicroak POISONFIGHTING	C	Bulky Support	Dryskin	65+11	86-11	85
32	Miltank NORMAL	C	Bulky Support	Thickfat	105+15	40-6	100
33	Hitmontop FIGHTING	C	Bulky Support	Intimidate	95+14	35-6	70
34	Sableye DARKGHOST	C	Bulky Support	Prankster	75+12	65-9	50
35	Quagsire WATERGROUND	C	Bulky Support	Waterabsorb	85+13	65-9	35
36	Turtwig GRASS	C	Bulky Support	Shellarmor	64+11	45-7	31
37	Empoleon WATERSTEEL	C	Bulky Support	Torrent	88+14	111-14	60
38	Torterra GRASSGROUND	C	Bulky Support	Overgrow	105+15	75-10	56
39	Cradily ROCKGRASS	C	Bulky Support	Stormdrain	97+14	81-11	43
40	Granbull FAIRY	C	Bulky Support	Intimidate	75+12	60-8	45
41	Munchlax NORMAL	C	Bulky Support	Thickfat	40+9	40-6	5
42	Armaldo ROCKBUG	C	Bulky Support	Battlearmor	100+15	70-9	45
43	Onix ROCKGROUND	C	Bulky Support	Rockhead	160+21	30-5	70
44	Arbok POISON	C	Bulky Support	Intimidate	69+12	65-9	80
45	Slowpoke WATERPSYCHIC	C	Bulky Support	Regenerator	65+11	40-6	15
46	Nincada BUGGROUND	C	Bulky Support	Compoundeyes	90+14	30-5	40
47	Sandshrew GROUND	C	Bulky Support	Sandveil	85+13	20-4	40
48	Kecleon NORMAL	C	Bulky Support	Protean	70+12	60-8	40
49	Shelgon DRAGON	C	Bulky Support	Rockhead	100+15	60-8	50
50	Pinsir BUG	C	Physical Attacker	Hypercutter	100+15	55-8	85
51	Volbeat BUG	C	Bulky Support	Prankster	75+12	47-7	85
52	Togetic FAIRYFLYING	C	Bulky Support	Serenegrace	85+13	80-10	40
53	Vigoroth NORMAL	C	Bulky Support	Vitalspirit	80+13	55-8	90
54	Magcargo FIREROCK	C	Bulky Support	Flame Body	120+17	90-11	30
55	Golbat POISONFLYING	C	Bulky Support	Infiltrator	70+12	65-9	90
56	Kangaskhan NORMAL	C	Bulky Support	Scrappy	80+13	40-6	90
57	Snubbull FAIRY	C	Bulky Support	Intimidate	50+10	40-6	30
58	Bastiodon ROCKSTEEL	C	Bulky Support	Sturdy	168+22	47-7	30
59	Gligar GROUNDFLYING	C	Bulky Support	Immunity	105+15	35-6	85
60	Weepinbell GRASSPOISON	C	Bulky Support	Chlorophyll	50+10	85-11	55
61	Nosepass ROCK	C	Bulky Support	Sturdy	135+18	45-7	30
62	Duskull GHOST	C	Bulky Support	Levitate	90+14	30-5	25
63	Qwilfish WATERPOISON	C	Bulky Support	Intimidate	85+13	55-8	85
64	Grimer POISON	C	Bulky Support	Poisontouch	50+10	40-6	25
65	Tropius GRASSFLYING	C	Bulky Support	Harvest	83+13	72-10	51
66	Muk POISON	C	Bulky Support	Poisontouch	75+12	65-9	50
67	Dunsparce NORMAL	C	Bulky Support	Serenegrace	70+12	65-9	45
68	Pachirisu ELECTRIC	C	Bulky Support	Pickup	70+12	45-7	95
69	Sudowoodo ROCK	C	Bulky Support	Rockhead	115+16	30-5	30
70	Phanpy GROUND	C	Bulky Support	Sandveil	60+11	40-6	40
71	Parasect BUGGRASS	C	Bulky Support	Effect Spore	80+13	60-8	30
72	Shieldon ROCKSTEEL	C	Bulky Support	Sturdy	118+17	42-7	30
73	Paras BUGGRASS	D	Physical Attacker	Dryskin	55+10	45-7	25
74	Skorupi POISONBUG	D	Bulky Support	Sniper	90+14	30-5	65
75	Kabuto ROCKWATER	D	Bulky Support	Battlearmor	90+14	55-8	55
76	Snorunt ICE	D	Bulky Support	Innerfocus	50+10	50-7	50
77	Squirtle WATER	D	Bulky Support	Torrent	65+11	50-7	43
78	Numel FIREGROUND	D	Bulky Support	Simple	40+9	65-9	35
79	Chingling PSYCHIC	D	Special Attacker	Levitate	50+10	65-9	45
80	Seedot GRASS	D	Bulky Support	Chlorophyll	50+10	30-5	30
81	Bulbasaur GRASSPOISON	D	Bulky Support	Overgrow	49+10	65-9	45
82	Venonat BUGPOISON	D	Bulky Support	Compoundeyes	50+10	40-6	45
83	Swinub ICEGROUND	D	Utility	Snowcloak	40+9	30-5	50
84	Eevee NORMAL	D	Bulky Support	Adaptability	50+10	45-7	55
85	Clefairy FAIRY	D	Bulky Support	Friendguard	48+10	60-8	35
86	Slakoth NORMAL	D	Bulky Support	Truant	60+11	35-6	30

Ho-Oh

FIRE FLYING

Role

Bulky Support

Ability

Regenerator

+Def

90 +14

Spe

Lugia

PSYCHIC FLYING

Role

Bulky Support

Ability

Multiscale

+Def

130 +18

Spe

110

Giratina

GHOST DRAGON

Role

Bulky Support

Ability

Pressure

+Def

120 +17

Spe

Gliscor

GROUND FLYING

Role

Bulky Support

Ability

Poisonheal

+Def

125 +17

Spe

Hippowdon

GROUND

Role

Bulky Support

Ability

Sand Stream

+Def

118 +17

Spe

Donphan

GROUND

Role

Bulky Support

Ability

Sturdy

+Def

120 +17

Spe

Shuckle

BUG ROCK

Role

Bulky Support

Ability

Sturdy

+Def

230 +28

Spe

Steelix

STEEL GROUND

Role

Bulky Support

Ability

Rockhead

+Def

200 +25

Spe

Uxie

PSYCHIC

Role

Bulky Support

Ability

Levitate

+Def

130 +18

Spe

Rhyperior

GROUND ROCK

Role

Bulky Support

Ability

Solidrock

+Def

130 +18

Spe

Torkoal

FIRE

Role

Bulky Support

Ability

Shellarmor

+Def

140 +19

Spe

Regirock

ROCK

Role

Bulky Support

Ability

Clearbody

+Def

200 +25

Spe

Rhydon

GROUND ROCK

Role

Bulky Support

Ability

Rockhead

+Def

120 +17

Spe

Regigigas

NORMAL

Role

Bulky Support

Ability

Slowstart

+Def

110 +16

Spe

100

Kingler

WATER

Role

Bulky Support

Ability

Shellarmor

+Def

115 +16

Spe

Skarmory

STEEL FLYING

Role

Bulky Support

Ability

Sturdy

+Def

140 +19

Spe

Flygon

GROUND DRAGON

Role

Bulky Support

Ability

Levitate

+Def

80 +13

Spe

100

Wooper

WATER GROUND

Role

Bulky Support

Ability

Unaware

+Def

45 +9

Spe

Vibrava

GROUND DRAGON

Role

Bulky Support

Ability

Levitate

+Def

50 +10

Spe

Solrock

ROCK PSYCHIC

Role

Bulky Support

Ability

Levitate

+Def

85 +13

Spe

Forretress

BUG STEEL

Role

Bulky Support

Ability

Sturdy

+Def

140 +19

Spe

Gabite

DRAGON GROUND

Role

Bulky Support

Ability

Rough Skin

+Def

65 +11

Spe

Sandslash

GROUND

Role

Bulky Support

Ability

Sandveil

+Def

110 +16

Spe

Grotle

GRASS

Role

Bulky Support

Ability

Overgrow

+Def

85 +13

Spe

Machoke

FIGHTING

Role

Bulky Support

Ability

Guts

+Def

70 +12

Spe

Ditto

NORMAL

Role

Bulky Support

Ability

Imposter

+Def

48 +10

Spe

Hippopotas

GROUND

Role

Bulky Support

Ability

Sand Stream

+Def

78 +13

Spe

Lairon

STEEL ROCK

Role

Bulky Support

Ability

Rockhead

+Def

140 +19

Spe

Weezing

POISON

Role

Bulky Support

Ability

Levitate

+Def

120 +17

Spe

Pineco

BUG

Role

Bulky Support

Ability

Sturdy

+Def

90 +14

Spe

Toxicroak

POISON FIGHTING

Role

Bulky Support

Ability

Dryskin

+Def

65 +11

Spe

Miltank

NORMAL

Role

Bulky Support

Ability

Thickfat

+Def

105 +15

Spe

100

Hitmontop

FIGHTING

Role

Bulky Support

Ability

Intimidate

+Def

95 +14

Spe

Sableye

DARK GHOST

Role

Bulky Support

Ability

Prankster

+Def

75 +12

Spe

Quagsire

WATER GROUND

Role

Bulky Support

Ability

Waterabsorb

+Def

85 +13

Spe

Turtwig

GRASS

Role

Bulky Support

Ability

Shellarmor

+Def

64 +11

Spe

Empoleon

WATER STEEL

Role

Bulky Support

Ability

Torrent

+Def

88 +14

Spe

Torterra

GRASS GROUND

Role

Bulky Support

Ability

Overgrow

+Def

105 +15

Spe

Cradily

ROCK GRASS

Role

Bulky Support

Ability

Stormdrain

+Def

97 +14

Spe

Granbull

FAIRY

Role

Bulky Support

Ability

Intimidate

+Def

75 +12

Spe

Munchlax

NORMAL

Role

Bulky Support

Ability

Thickfat

+Def

40 +9

Spe

Armaldo

ROCK BUG

Role

Bulky Support

Ability

Battlearmor

+Def

100 +15

Spe

Onix

ROCK GROUND

Role

Bulky Support

Ability

Rockhead

+Def

160 +21

Spe

Arbok

POISON

Role

Bulky Support

Ability

Intimidate

+Def

69 +12

Spe

Slowpoke

WATER PSYCHIC

Role

Bulky Support

Ability

Regenerator

+Def

65 +11

Spe

Nincada

BUG GROUND

Role

Bulky Support

Ability

Compoundeyes

+Def

90 +14

Spe

Sandshrew

GROUND

Role

Bulky Support

Ability

Sandveil

+Def

85 +13

Spe

Kecleon

NORMAL

Role

Bulky Support

Ability

Protean

+Def

70 +12

Spe

Shelgon

DRAGON

Role

Bulky Support

Ability

Rockhead

+Def

100 +15

Spe

Pinsir

BUG

Role

Physical Attacker

Ability

Hypercutter

+Def

100 +15

Spe

Volbeat

BUG

Role

Bulky Support

Ability

Prankster

+Def

75 +12

Spe

Togetic

FAIRY FLYING

Role

Bulky Support

Ability

Serenegrace

+Def

85 +13

Spe

Vigoroth

NORMAL

Role

Bulky Support

Ability

Vitalspirit

+Def

80 +13

Spe

Magcargo

FIRE ROCK

Role

Bulky Support

Ability

Flame Body

+Def

120 +17

Spe

Golbat

POISON FLYING

Role

Bulky Support

Ability

Infiltrator

+Def

70 +12

Spe

Kangaskhan

NORMAL

Role

Bulky Support

Ability

Scrappy

+Def

80 +13

Spe

Snubbull

FAIRY

Role

Bulky Support

Ability

Intimidate

+Def

50 +10

Spe

Bastiodon

ROCK STEEL

Role

Bulky Support

Ability

Sturdy

+Def

168 +22

Spe

Gligar

GROUND FLYING

Role

Bulky Support

Ability

Immunity

+Def

105 +15

Spe

Weepinbell

GRASS POISON

Role

Bulky Support

Ability

Chlorophyll

+Def

50 +10

Spe

Nosepass

ROCK

Role

Bulky Support

Ability

Sturdy

+Def

135 +18

Spe

Duskull

GHOST

Role

Bulky Support

Ability

Levitate

+Def

90 +14

Spe

Qwilfish

WATER POISON

Role

Bulky Support

Ability

Intimidate

+Def

85 +13

Spe

Grimer

POISON

Role

Bulky Support

Ability

Poisontouch

+Def

50 +10

Spe

Tropius

GRASS FLYING

Role

Bulky Support

Ability

Harvest

+Def

83 +13

Spe

Muk

POISON

Role

Bulky Support

Ability

Poisontouch

+Def

75 +12

Spe

Dunsparce

NORMAL

Role

Bulky Support

Ability

Serenegrace

+Def

70 +12

Spe

Pachirisu

ELECTRIC

Role

Bulky Support

Ability

Pickup

+Def

70 +12

Spe

Sudowoodo

ROCK

Role

Bulky Support

Ability

Rockhead

+Def

115 +16

Spe

Phanpy

GROUND

Role

Bulky Support

Ability

Sandveil

+Def

60 +11

Spe

Parasect

BUG GRASS

Role

Bulky Support

Ability

Effect Spore

+Def

80 +13

Spe

Shieldon

ROCK STEEL

Role

Bulky Support

Ability

Sturdy

+Def

118 +17

Spe

Paras

BUG GRASS

Role

Physical Attacker

Ability

Dryskin

+Def

55 +10

Spe

Skorupi

POISON BUG

Role

Bulky Support

Ability

Sniper

+Def

90 +14

Spe

Kabuto

ROCK WATER

Role

Bulky Support

Ability

Battlearmor

+Def

90 +14

Spe

Snorunt

ICE

Role

Bulky Support

Ability

Innerfocus

+Def

50 +10

Spe

Squirtle

WATER

Role

Bulky Support

Ability

Torrent

+Def

65 +11

Spe

Numel

FIRE GROUND

Role

Bulky Support

Ability

Simple

+Def

40 +9

Spe

Chingling

PSYCHIC

Role

Special Attacker

Ability

Levitate

+Def

50 +10

Spe

Seedot

GRASS

Role

Bulky Support

Ability

Chlorophyll

+Def

50 +10

Spe

Bulbasaur

GRASS POISON

Role

Bulky Support

Ability

Overgrow

+Def

49 +10

Spe

Venonat

BUG POISON

Role

Bulky Support

Ability

Compoundeyes

+Def

50 +10

Spe

Swinub

ICE GROUND

Role

Utility

Ability

Snowcloak

+Def

40 +9

Spe

Eevee

NORMAL

Role

Bulky Support

Ability

Adaptability

+Def

50 +10

Spe

Clefairy

FAIRY

Role

Bulky Support

Ability

Friendguard

+Def

48 +10

Spe

Slakoth

NORMAL

Role

Bulky Support

Ability

Truant

+Def

60 +11

Spe

IMPISH 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, Giratina, and Gliscor 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.