How to Change Pokémon Natures in Sword & Shield

In the world of Pokémon Sword & Shield, every trainer knows that a Pokémon’s nature can make or break its battle potential. A Naughty Pikachu, for example, might hit harder with physical moves but struggle with special attacks, while a Timid Charizard could outpace opponents but lack raw power. For years, trainers had to breed endlessly for the perfect nature—until Sword & Shield introduced Nature Mints, a game-changing item that lets you tweak stat growth without starting from scratch.

But how exactly do these mints work? Where do you get them? And what’s the catch? Let’s dive in.

Nature Mints: A Post-Game Lifeline for Competitive Trainers

Unlike earlier games, Sword & Shield offers a clever workaround for natures through Nature Mints, special items that alter how your Pokémon’s stats grow. Think of them as temporary overrides: they don’t change your Pokémon’s original nature (which still matters for breeding), but they do adjust its stat boosts to mimic the effects of a different nature.

Where to Find Nature Mints

After conquering the Champion Cup and unlocking the Battle Tower in Wyndon, head to the vendor on the far left inside the Tower. She sells a variety of mints for 50 Battle Points (BP) each—a currency earned through Ranked Battles or Battle Tower challenges.

Pro Tip: Struggling to farm BP? Focus on the Battle Tower’s Singles ladder with a leveled-up team. A streak of 5-6 wins can net you 20+ BP quickly!

Choosing the Right Mint for Your Team

With 21 different mints available, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Here’s a cheat sheet for popular builds:

• Adamant Mint: Perfect for physical attackers like Gyarados or Rillaboom (boosts Attack, lowers Sp. Attack).
• Modest Mint: A must-have for special attackers like Alakazam or Chandelure (boosts Sp. Attack, lowers Attack).
• Timid Mint: Ideal for speedy sweepers like Cinderace (boosts Speed, lowers Attack).
• Bold Mint: Tanky supports like Toxapex thrive with this (boosts Defense, lowers Attack).

How to Use Nature Mints Like a Pro

1. Prioritize Your Core Team: Focus on mints for Pokémon you use in Ranked Battles or raids.
2. Pair with Hyper Training: Combine mints with Bottle Caps (earned in the Battle Tower) to max out IVs.
3. Experiment: Try a Serious Mint on a balanced Pokémon like Snorlax for even stat growth.

The Fine Print: What Mints Don’t Fix

While mints are revolutionary, they aren’t a cure-all:

• Breeding Limitations: If you breed a Pokémon that used a Jolly Mint, its offspring will inherit its original nature—not the minted one.
• No Early-Game Access: You’ll need to reach the post-game Battle Tower first.
• BP Grind: At 50 BP per mint, optimizing a full team can take time.

The Verdict: Are Mints Worth It?

For casual players, mints are a luxury. But for competitive trainers, they’re indispensable. Why spend hours breeding for a Jolly nature when a mint can transform your shiny Dragapult into a speed demon? Just remember: mints are a tactical tool, not a replacement for smart teambuilding.

Hungry for more? Check out our guides on getting False Swipe, check IV’s, and evolve Yamask.

What’s your favorite mint combo? Share your battle secrets in the comments below!