Pokémon Sword and Shield: How to change your Pokémon's stats

Battle Tower in Wyndon
Battle Tower in Wyndon (Image credit: iMore)

Zacian's IVs

Zacian's IVs (Image credit: iMore)

So, you're the new Champion of Galar! Now, what's left to do in the game? It's time to focus on building your perfect team, of course! After all, those Battle Tower matches can be tough, and you're going to need a strong team to help you win your way to the top.

Since Battle Tower matches cap out both you and your opponent's Pokémon at level 50, you'll want to focus on making your strong Pokémon's stats better without emphasis on what level they are. The best way to do this is to change your Pokémon's stats using Nature Mints, as well as other stat-changing items.

What are Nature Mints?

Nature Mints you can buy

Nature Mints you can buy (Image credit: iMore)

Nature Mints are a new item introduced in Generation VIII of Pokémon. Before you can get them, you must complete the story in Pokémon Sword and Shield access the Battle Tower and the Nature Mints shop though, so it's a fairly late game thing.

With Nature Mints, you can change the Nature of a Pokémon, which influences their stats as they level up. Each Nature boosts one particular stat and decreases another, so you will want to focus on the best stat for a specific Pokémon. The only Nature that is different is Serious Nature, where all stats are equal.

What Nature Mints are available?

Zacian nature

Zacian nature (Image credit: iMore)

There is a Mint associated with each Nature in the game. Here are all of the available Mints.

Swipe to scroll horizontally
Header Cell - Column 0 Increased StatDecreased Stat
AdamantAttack SpeedAttack
BoldDefenseAttack
BraveAttackSpeed
CalmSpecial DefenseAttack
CarefulSpecial DefenseSpecial Attack
GentleSpecial DefenseDefense
HastySpeedDefense
ImpishDefenseSpecial Attack
JollySpeedSpecial Attack
LaxDefenseSpecial Defense
LonelyAttackDefense
MildSpecial AttackDefense
ModestSpecial AttackAttack
NaiveSpeedSpecial Defense
NaughtyAttack SpeedDefense
QuietSpecial AttackSpeed
RashSpecial AttackSpecial Defense
RelaxedDefenseSpeed
SassySpecial DefenseSpeed
SeriousAll Stats EqualAll Stats Equal
TimidSpeedAttack

Where and how do I get Nature Mints?

Nature Mints are only available at the front counter of the Battle Tower in Wyndon after you complete the story of Pokémon Sword and Shield. Just speak to the NPCs behind the counter at the Battle Tower, and you'll find the Nature Mints, along with other useful items that you can only buy with Battle Points (BP).

Each win you get in the Battle Tower rewards you with some BP (at least two BP per Singles match). Nature Mints cost 50 BP each, so it will take some time before you can purchase your first Mint.

For Battle Tower matches, you can choose either Singles or Doubles. If you want to earn slightly more BP at once, go for Doubles, but they may be harder in difficulty. You can only take three Pokémon from your party into Singles Battle Tower matches, and four for Doubles, and all Pokémon in a Battle Tower match are capped at level 50.

How to get specific Natures besides using Mints

Gardevoir with Synchronize

Gardevoir with Synchronize (Image credit: iMore)

For those who want to still breed Pokémon for specific Natures, that's still possible. Just give the Pokémon that has the Nature you want the Everstone item to hold, and it should produce a Pokémon with the same Nature.

You can also put a Pokémon with the Synchronize ability as your party leader, and all wild Pokémon you encounter will then share the same Nature with the Synchronize Pokémon.

Other ways you can change your Pokémon's stats

Feather items can increase a stat only slightly, and are one time use

Feather items can increase a stat only slightly, and are one time use (Image credit: iMore)

If you haven't beaten the game yet, there is another way to increase your Pokémon's stats through the use of the Feather items. You can find random Feathers hidden on the bridge between Turffield and Hulbury — just look for the sparkling spots on the ground for these hidden items. They will also respawn after a while, so you can get a handful of these feathers after enough time.

Swipe to scroll horizontally
Header Cell - Column 0 DescriptionIncreased stat
Health FeatherAn item for use on a Pokémon. It slightly increases the HP base points of a single Pokémon.HP
Muscle FeatherAn item for use on a Pokémon. It slightly increases the Attack base points of a single Pokémon.Attack
Resist FeatherAn item for use on a Pokémon. It slightly increases the Defense base points of a single Pokémon.Defense
Genius FeatherAn item for use on a Pokémon. It slightly increases the Sp. Atk base points of a single Pokémon.Special Attack
Clever FeatherAn item for use on a Pokémon. It slightly increases the Sp. Def base points of a single Pokémon.Special Defense
Swift FeatherAn item for use on a Pokémon. It slightly increases the Speed base points of a single Pokémon.Speed

Again, the feathers seem to respawn after a while, so you can always go back and check for more of them when you're able to.

Build the strongest team of Pokémon

Getting the Pokémon you want with the right Nature can be tricky, but now it's easier than ever to build the team you actually want. Mints are a welcome new addition to post-game Pokémon, and it's vital if you plan on playing competitively. And even if you haven't beaten the game yet, make sure to use Feathers for a slight stat increase as you work your way to becoming Galar Champion.

Have any questions about Nature Mints and changing your Pokémon stats in Sword and Shield? Drop a comment below and let us know.

Christine Chan

Christine Romero-Chan was formerly a Senior Editor for iMore. She has been writing about technology, specifically Apple, for over a decade at a variety of websites. She is currently part of the Digital Trends team, and has been using Apple’s smartphone since the original iPhone back in 2007. While her main speciality is the iPhone, she also covers Apple Watch, iPad, and Mac when needed. When she isn’t writing about Apple, Christine can often be found at Disneyland in Anaheim, California, as she is a passholder and obsessed with all things Disney, especially Star Wars. Christine also enjoys coffee, food, photography, mechanical keyboards, and spending as much time with her new daughter as possible.