Quick Links
Since the third generation of Pokemon, a mechanic called Natures was implemented that affected the growth of a Pokemon’s stats. Competitive players take advantage of Natures to give them a needed boost in certain stats while casual players may not think twice about their Pokemon’s Nature. As expected, the Nature feature is used once againPokemon Brilliant Diamond&Shining Pearl.
The first Pokemon players get inPokemon Brilliant DiamondandShining Pearlis Chimchar, Piplup, or Turtwig. The usefulness and measure of “how good” Sinnoh starters are will vary from person to person. However, getting a Starter with the right stats can require a lot of soft resetting if they don’t get the Nature they want.
Updated June 07, 2025 by Renri Seong:For the first time in the Sinnoh mainline games, players are able to obtain all three Sinnoh starters inPokemon Brilliant DiamondandPokemon Shining Pearlwithout trading. Trainers start out by choosing Turtwig, Chimchar, or Piplup. However, they can get two starters they didn’t choose in the Grand Underground. For the gamers who received a starter Pokemon with a sub-optimal Nature, they can simply catch another one in the Grand Underground or trade with another player. The following guide has been updated to include ways to get starter Pokemon with their best Nature, and how to change Natures with Mints.
Best Nature for Chimchar
Chimchar’s final evolution is the Fire/Fighting-type Infernape. While some people may beannoyed with this particular Pokemon typing, Infernape has a decent movepool and a good Hidden Ability (Iron Fist). Stat-wise, theChimchar-line excels in Speed, Special Attack, and Attack. On the other hand, its Defense and Special Defense leave much to be desired.
UnlikePokemon Diamond & Pearl, there are moreFire-types than just Chimchar and Ponyta available inBrilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl. But there are some trainers who like Infernape and prefer it over other Fire/Fighting-types such as Blaziken. With the Fire/Fighting-typing, this Pokemon will be vulnerable to Psychic and Flying-type moves but can dish out Super-Effective damage on Steel, Normal, Ice, and Rock-type.
RELATED:Pokemon Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl: How to Change Clothes and Hairstyles
Speed
Special Defense
Despite Chimchar having a solid Special Attack,most of the damage-inflicting moves it will learn upon leveling up are Physical. This means players will want to prioritize Chimchar’s Attack over its Special Attack. For those whowantto use both Special and Physical Moves in battle,consider Natures that give it a Speed boost, but a Defense/Special Defense decrease, such as Naive.
Natures to avoid for Chimchar are Sassy (+Sp. Def, -Spd), Modest (+Sp. Atk, -Atk), and Relaxed (+Def, -Spd). Generally, any nature that gives Chimchar a slow Speed growth should be avoided the most. The best way to use Chimchar in battle is to make sure it can finish the opponent off quickly with its high Speed and Attack/Special Attack.
Best Nature for Piplup
The adorable Water-type starter, Piplup, will fully evolve into the Water/Steel-type Empoleon. Unlike Chimchar, Piplup is not a Physical-fighter and its movepool favors Special moves (such as Hydro Pump) over Physical (such as Aqua Jet).
Piplup and its evolutionshave goodSpecial Attackor Special Defense,and lowerAttack, Defense, or Speed. When it gains the additional Steel-typing as Empoleon, it will become immune to Poison-type attacks, but gain a weakness to Ground.
Attack
Since it’s wise to prioritize Attack/Special Attack in battle, the Piplup-line can take a blow to its Special Defense. However, the best Nature for Piplup is Modest with the second-best option being Rash.
Natures to avoid are Quiet (+Sp. Atk, -Spd), Jolly (+Spd, -Sp. Atk), and Adamant (+Atk, -Sp. Atk). While its Speed isn’t too high, it’s better to avoid having a Piplup with a Nature that will slow its Speed growth - especially in competitive battles. Adamant Nature should be avoided for having the opposite increases/decreases of Piplup’s best Nature (Modest). A Jolly Piplup’s Special Attack (its best Stat) will suffer in favor of its already-average Speed. Likewise, Quiet does give Piplup a boost in Special Attack, but it’s not worth sacrificing Speed.
RELATED:Pokemon Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl: 10 Best Grass-Type Pokemon & Where To Catch Them
Best Nature for Turtwig
The Grass-type starter, Turtwig, will fully evolve into the dual Grass/Ground-type Torterra. Unsurprisingly, the Turtwig-linedoesn’t have excellent Speedand its Special Attack isn’t too great either. Where it lacks in certain stats, it makes up for in moves such as Earthquake and Wood Hammer as Torterra. The best way to use Turtwig is to have a Nature that will give it an increase in its Attack, Defense, or Special Defense.
When it evolves into Torterra, Turtwig will have immunity from Electric-type moves. However, it will now take 4x damage to Ice-types because of its Grass/Ground-typing, both types that are vulnerable to Ice-moves.
Special Attack
Turtwig and its evolutions work best defensively. Try to get a Nature that improves upon itsDefense and Special Defense are preferredover a Nature that will increase Turtwig’s Speed or Special Attack.
However, certain Natures such as Lonely won’t negatively impact Turtwig too much.At the cost of a little Defense, Turtwig will get better Attack growth, which is preferred over increases to its Special Attack. However, between Attack-raising Nature Adamant and Lonely, Adamant is the better option because Turtwig’s Special Attack base is low.
Avoid having a Modest (+Sp. Atk, -Atk), Hasty (+Spd, -Def), and Naive (+Spd, -Sp. Def) Turtwig. Another Nature that is best ignored for Turtwig is Timid since it will give a +Spd, but -Atk.
Additional Natures for Starters
Those looking to stick to in-game content and do not wish to battle other players don’t need to worry as much about better Natures for their starter. Those that are should not only avoid Natures that will go against the respective Pokemon’s growth, but they should also try and avoid “Neutral Natures.”
Specifically, “Neutral Natures” are Docile, Quirky, Hardy, and Bashful. Unlike the other Natures in-game, they do not offer stat increases or decreases. For someone who’s looking toplay it safe, these can work for their starter Pokemon. However, it’s best to avoid a Pokemon with themfor competitive battling.
Setting Turtwig, Chimchar, and Piplup’s Natures in the Wild
After players defeat Champion Cynthiaand get the National Dex, more Pokemon will start appearing in the Grand Underground. Among those are the Sinnoh Starters: Turtwig, Chimchar, and Piplup. They’ll all be around level 60 at the time they start appearing, so they’ll be ready to evolve into their final evolutions immediately upon capture. These Pokemon can be found in the following hideaways:
Now, players have the option of catching as many Sinnoh starters as they see,orthey can catch a Pokemon with theSynchronize Abilityand set it to the front of the party. With Synchronize, there’s a 50% chance the wild Pokemon will have the same Nature as trainer’s Pokemon. One Pokemon that has Synchronize is Ralts. Trainerscan catch Ralts early inBDSPat the Fountainspring Cave.
For example, if players want an Adamant Chimchar, catch or breed a Ralts with an Adamant Nature and the Synchronize ability. Then, go up to the Chimchar to start the battle. Catch it, check its Nature, and there’s a 50% chance it will be the same as the Ralts. If not, enter and exit the cave until Chimchar appears again. Always ensure the Synchronize-Pokemon is at thefrontof the party or else this method will not work. Alternatively, players can save before battling Chimchar, and continue reloading until they get the nature they want.
Using Mints to Change Nature
The other way to change the starter Pokemon’s Nature is bybuying Nature Mints at the Battle Tower for 50 BP each.Challenge the trainers here to rack up Battle Points, and speak to the receptionist on the left. Depending onhow many BP the player has, this method may take longer than the Synchronize Method. Furthermore, Battle Points are best saved for better items such as the Ability Patch.
To use a Nature Mint, simply go into the Bag, select the Mint, and then select thePokemonwhose Nature needs changing.
Pokemon Brilliant DiamondandShining Pearlare available now on Nintendo Switch.
MORE:Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl Acknowledge Bidoof’s ‘HM Slave’ Role
