Lax raises Defense 10% but cuts Sp. Defense. It's an unusual pick since most walls would rather keep their special bulk intact. In Scarlet & Violet, Slowbro is one of the most popular Lax users, alongside Duraludon and Houndoom. Tera shifts defensive matchups entirely. Lax's Defense boost lets you absorb hits you normally couldn't after Terastallizing.
Lax raises Defense by 10% and lowers Sp. Defense by 10%. Physically defensive Pokemon balancing both defense stats. 7 Pokemon competitively run this nature.
SHOWINGRegional6
| # | Pokemon | Tier | Role | Ability | +Def | -SpD | Spe |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Slowbro WATERPSYCHIC | A | Bulky Support | Regenerator | 110+16 | 80-10 | 30 |
| 2 |  Duraludon STEELDRAGON | A | Bulky Support | Heavymetal | 115+16 | 50-7 | 85 |
| 3 |  Houndoom DARKFIRE | B | Bulky Support | Flashfire | 50+10 | 80-10 | 95 |
| 4 |  Sandaconda GROUND | B | Physical Tank | Sandspit | 125+17 | 70-9 | 71 |
| 5 |  Nymble BUG | C | Bulky Support | Tintedlens | 40+9 | 25-5 | 45 |
| 6 |  Dunsparce NORMAL | C | Bulky Support | Serenegrace | 70+12 | 65-9 | 45 |
| 7 |  Bergmite ICE | C | Bulky Support | Sturdy | 85+13 | 35-6 | 28 |
Slowbro
WATER PSYCHIC
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Regenerator+Def
110 +16Spe
30Duraludon
STEEL DRAGON
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Heavymetal+Def
115 +16Spe
85Houndoom
DARK FIRE
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Flashfire+Def
50 +10Spe
95Sandaconda
GROUND
Role
Physical TankAbility
Sandspit+Def
125 +17Spe
71Nymble
BUG
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Tintedlens+Def
40 +9Spe
45Dunsparce
NORMAL
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Serenegrace+Def
70 +12Spe
45Bergmite
ICE
Role
Bulky SupportAbility
Sturdy+Def
85 +13Spe
28+10%Defense
-10%Sp. Defense
Flavor Preference
Likes Sour, dislikes Bitter
Competitive Role
Physically defensive Pokemon balancing both defense stats.
Lax vs Impish
Choose Lax
+Defense / -Sp. Defense
- 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 Lax Pokemon that has the Synchronize ability. Wild Pokemon will match its nature. (Gen 3+)
BreedingGive the parent with Lax nature an Everstone. The offspring will inherit it. (100% since Gen 5)
Nature MintUse a Lax Mint to change stat effects to Lax. The original nature name stays but stats change. (Gen 8+)
Other +Defense Natures
What does the Lax nature do in Pokemon?
Lax raises Defense by 10% and lowers Sp. Defense by 10%. At level 100 with full investment, that's roughly a 30-point swing on the boosted stat. Pokemon with Lax nature prefer Sour flavor and dislike Bitter.
What are the best Lax nature Pokemon?
Top Lax users include Slowbro, Duraludon, Houndoom, and Sandaconda. They benefit from the Defense boost because their main damage comes from that stat. The Sp. Defense drop doesn't hurt them since they don't rely on it.
Is Lax a good nature for competitive Pokemon?
Lax is a strong competitive nature. It fills a solid niche for defensive builds. The key is matching it to Pokemon that don't need Sp. Defense in their moveset.
How do I get a Lax nature Pokemon?
Synchronize is the fastest method. Lead with a Pokemon that has Synchronize and Lax nature, and wild encounters match it (Gen 3+). Breeding works too: give the Lax parent an Everstone and all offspring inherit the nature. Nature Mints (Gen 8+) let you change the stat effect to Lax without rebreeding.
Should I use Lax or Impish?
Lax prioritizes physical mixed defense, while Impish goes for dedicated physical wall. Pick Lax when your Pokemon's role depends on the stat it boosts. Go with Impish when dedicated physical wall matters more for your team.