Archen#566

Base stats

Last column: what percentage of 1084 species and regional forms have a lower value. Strong point: Attack; weak point: Defense.

A nature can improve this entry further: its boost hits hardest on Attack, the stat in which this species already leads. Which nature does that — see the list of natures.

Which nature to choose

It hits physically: its Attack (112) is 38 points higher than its Sp. Atk. So the drop hits a stat the set usually does not use at all. Evolution does not change it, so pick it for the final form, not for these numbers.

• Adamant +Atk · −SpA The default choice: the boost goes where this species is already strong.
• Jolly +Spe · −SpA Mid-range Speed means the turn order is still worth fighting for — check exactly whom you will outspeed before you give up power.

• Hidden Power and Weather Ball still deal damage based on Sp. Atk. If either of them is going into the set, lowering Sp. Atk is no longer free.
• Defeatist halves Attack and Sp. Atk when HP drops to half or less. The nature boosts the base before that multiplier but does not prevent the drop — keeping HP up is part of this choice.

A conclusion drawn from base stats alone — a specific moveset can reverse it. All 25 natures.