Unlocking Power: The Best Natures for Special Attack Pokémon
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The core question we’re tackling today is straightforward: What nature increases special attack in Pokémon? The answer is Modest and Rash. A Modest nature increases a Pokémon’s Special Attack stat by 10%, while decreasing its Attack stat by 10%. This is the most common and typically recommended nature for Pokémon whose primary offensive strategy revolves around special attacks. Alternatively, the Rash nature increases a Pokemon’s Special Attack stat by 10%, but lowers the Special Defense stat by 10%. This can be useful for a glass cannon Pokemon that relies on powerful special attacks to win battles. Understanding how natures affect your Pokémon is critical for competitive battling and maximizing their potential. Choosing the right nature for your Pokémon can significantly influence their performance in any battle.
Understanding Pokémon Natures
Before we delve deeper, it’s important to understand what Pokémon natures are and how they work. Every Pokémon you encounter will have a randomly assigned nature. Each nature, with the exception of five (Hardy, Docile, Serious, Bashful, and Quirky), will increase one stat by 10% while decreasing another stat by 10%. These seemingly small percentages can make a huge difference in the long run, especially when training for competitive play. There are 25 total natures, and each plays a unique role. For any Pokémon that prioritizes using special attacks like Flamethrower, Psychic, or Hydro Pump, having the correct nature can turn a potentially good attacker into a formidable powerhouse.
Why Modest is King for Special Attackers
The Modest nature is frequently the go-to choice for Pokémon whose movesets are predominantly special-based. The boost in Special Attack directly enhances the power of moves like Flamethrower, Ice Beam, Thunderbolt, etc., allowing Pokémon to hit harder. The decrease in Attack is usually irrelevant since these Pokémon won’t be relying on physical moves. For example, a Pokémon like Alakazam, known for its exceptional Special Attack stat, would greatly benefit from a Modest nature, making its Psychic-type moves even more devastating.
Rash Nature: A Riskier, But Powerful Alternative
The Rash nature, as mentioned earlier, provides the same +10% Special Attack increase as Modest, but it lowers Special Defense instead of Attack. This nature is useful for Pokémon that are naturally very fragile and rely on hitting hard and fast before they’re defeated, also known as “glass cannons.” The risk of taking more damage from special attacks is outweighed by the benefit of increasing damage output. It’s a great option for a Pokemon with dual attack power that could use an increase in one stat without hurting the other.
Other Natures to Consider
While Modest and Rash are the primary choices, other natures might be situationally viable. For example, if you intend to build a mixed attacker (using both physical and special moves), a nature like Hasty or Naive might be considered, although these reduce defenses for the benefit of speed. However, be aware that they reduce Defense and Special Defense respectively. When you want to avoid hurting defense or special defense, you would choose either the Modest or the Rash nature. The best nature for a Pokemon with special attack is almost always either the Modest or Rash nature, depending on whether you want to decrease defense or special defense.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions to help further clarify the topic:
1. What does Careful Nature do in Pokémon?
A Careful nature raises Special Defense by 10% and lowers Special Attack by 10%. This is the opposite of what you’d want for a special attacker.
2. What is the best nature for special defense Pokémon?
For Pokémon focused on Special Defense, the best natures are Careful (increases Special Defense, reduces Special Attack) and Calm (increases Special Defense, reduces Attack).
3. What Pokémon nature increases speed but lowers special attack?
The Jolly nature increases Speed by 10% but lowers Attack by 10%. The Timid nature increases Speed by 10% but lowers Attack by 10%.
4. What does Brave nature do in Pokémon?
A Brave nature increases Attack by 10% and decreases Speed by 10%. It’s useful for physical attackers that don’t rely on speed.
5. What does Naive nature do in Pokémon?
A Naive nature increases Speed by 10% and decreases Special Defense by 10%. This is suitable for mixed attackers focusing on speed.
6. Is Sassy Nature good for piplup?
No, a Sassy nature (increases Special Defense, decreases Speed) is not ideal for Piplup, which generally benefits more from boosting offensive stats. Modest and Rash natures are more preferable for the Piplup line.
7. How do you increase special attack in Pokemon?
You can raise a Pokemon’s Special Attack stat through various methods: using vitamins (like Special Attack Feather, for EVs), leveling up, using moves that raise Special Attack, or naturally having high special attack through breeding and nature.
8. What moves can raise special attack?
Some notable moves that raise Special Attack include: Calm Mind, Ancient Power, Work Up, and Silver Wind.
9. What normal type Pokemon has the highest special attack?
Drampa and Porygon-Z tie for first place at 135 Special Attack, alongside Mega Pidgeot. They’re followed by Meloetta (128) and Arceus (120).
10. What nature is best for Lucario?
For Lucario, the Hasty or Naive natures are often preferred because they increase Speed while lowering a defense stat, allowing Lucario to hit fast without compromising offensive ability.
11. Can you change a Pokemon’s nature?
Yes, you can change a Pokémon’s effective nature using mints. Mints can be purchased in shops and will allow you to have the stat effects of any nature.
12. What nature increases special defense?
The Calm (raises Special Defense, lowers Attack) and Careful (raises Special Defense, lowers Special Attack) natures increase Special Defense.
13. Is quirky nature good?
No, the Quirky nature is one of the neutral natures that does not affect any stats, making it essentially useless for competitive play.
14. What move boosts special attack by 2?
Shell Smash is a move that increases Special Attack (along with Attack and Speed) by two stages, while decreasing Defense and Special Defense.
15. What is the best item for special attack Pokemon?
For Pokémon that deal Special Attack damage, Wise Glasses is a great held item that provides both a flat and percentage increase in Special Attack. The Life Orb will increase both physical and special attack damage at the cost of a little health, and the Choice Specs will also significantly raise special attack but lock a Pokemon into using a single move.
Conclusion
Choosing the correct nature is a key aspect of effective Pokémon training, especially for special attackers. While other factors, like effort values (EVs), individual values (IVs), and movesets play important roles, the nature of your Pokémon serves as an important foundation. For Pokémon that rely on their Special Attack, the Modest and Rash natures are the most beneficial choices. By understanding this, you’re now better prepared to build a strong and effective team that dominates battles.