Characteristic

Characteristics (Japanese: 個性(こせい) personality) are a trait that each individual Pokémon has in the Pokémon games, indicating which of its IVs is the highest. The mechanic was introduced in Generation IV. It is displayed on the Pokémon's summary screen where its Nature, met level, met location, and met date are shown.

A Pokémon's Characteristic is determined by the remainder of its highest IV divided by 5 (known as the modulo operation in programming). Since it is calculated this way, Pokémon transferred from the Generation III games via Pal Park are assigned a Characteristic without their stats being changed.

List of Characteristics

Possible Individual Values HP Attack Defense Speed Special Attack Special Defense
0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 It loves to eat! It's proud of its power! It has a sturdy body! It likes to run! It's highly curious! It's strong willed!
1, 6, 11, 16, 21, 26, 31 It takes plenty of siestas! It likes to thrash about! It's capable of taking hits! It's alert to sounds! It's mischievous! It's somewhat vain!
2, 7, 12, 17, 22, 27 It nods off a lot! It's a little quick tempered! It's highly persistent! It's impetuous and silly! It's thoroughly cunning! It's strongly defiant!
3, 8, 13, 18, 23, 28 It scatters things often! It likes to fight! It has good endurance! It's somewhat of a clown! It's often lost in thought! It hates to lose!
4, 9, 14, 19, 24, 29 It likes to relax! It's quick tempered! It has good perseverance! It's quick to flee! It's very finicky! It's somewhat stubborn!

Note that having a certain Characteristic does not necessarily imply that the highest possible value for an IV is present. A Pokémon described as "alert to sounds" could have a 6 in Speed (and thus very low IVs across all of its stats since none could be higher than 6) instead of a 31 in Speed.

Mistranslations

In Generations IV and V, two of the Characteristics were not properly translated from the Japanese releases. The HP Characteristics corresponding to IVs of 1 and 2 were accidentally replaced by the Characteristics corresponding to IVs of 2 and 3, respectively. Rather than the HP Characteristics being ordered "Takes plenty of siestas", "Nods off a lot" (i.e., "Often dozes off"), and "Scatters things often" as they should have been, they were instead ordered "Often dozes off", "Often scatters things", "Scatters things often" (note that the last two are different, but only trivially).

Ties

In the event of a tie in highest IVs, the IV that determines the Pokémon's Characteristic is decided in the following manner:

Start with the Pokémon's personality value (Generation IV and V) or encryption constant (Generation VI onward). Take that value modulo 6. The result is an index number of a stat in this order: HP, Attack, Defense, Speed, Special Attack, Special Defense. In the event of a tie in IVs, the first IV checked is the IV corresponding to that index number. If that IV is not part of the tie, the game moves on to the next index number in the aforementioned order. If it goes past 5 (Special Defense), it wraps around back to 0 (HP). When the game finds an IV that is part of the tie, that is the IV that will determine the Characteristic displayed.

Starting in Generation V, the highest IV is initialized to a value of 0 in the stat with index number 0 (HP). As a result, if all of a Pokémon's IVs are 0, the stat chosen will always be HP, and the Pokémon's Characteristic will be "Loves to eat". The original tie-breaking method is only used for these Pokémon in the Generation IV games and the mobile device version of Pokémon HOME.

Because of this ordered method of checking the IVs, if two tied stats are directly next to each other in the index (for example Attack (1) and Defense (2)), the one with the lower index number (Attack in this case) determines the Pokémon’s Characteristic for 5/6 of all personality values/encryption constants, because if the modulo value lands on any other index number, it will always tick around to the lower index number first.

  • Due to the wraparound, Special Defense behaves the same way with HP.
  • The possible Characteristics are only weighted equally if the tied stats are spaced evenly across the stat index:
    • For two tied stats, the tied stats must be 3 apart, for example HP (0) and Speed (3).
    • For three tied stats, the tied stats must be 2 apart, for example Attack (1), Speed (3) and Special Defense (5).
    • For four or five tied stats, it is impossible for the possible Characteristics to be weighted equally.
    • For six tied stats, the possible Characteristics are always weighted equally.

Examples

A Mudkip has the following IVs:

Hit Points Attack Defense Speed Sp. Attack Sp. Defense
24 18 17 29 24 27

Since its highest IV is 29 in Speed, its Characteristic will be "Quick to flee."

A Ditto has the following IVs and a personality value of 1467750821 in base 10:

Hit Points Attack Defense Speed Sp. Attack Sp. Defense
8 0 0 17 17 10

Since its highest IV is 17 in both Speed and Special Attack, the result of 1467750821 mod 6, or 5, is used to check against the IV in Special Defense. Since the Special Defense is not part of the tie, the game moves on and wraps back until it reaches Speed, which is part of the tie. Its Characteristic will be "Impetuous and silly."

In the manga

Pokémon Adventures

Since the FireRed & LeafGreen arc, the Characteristics of each Pokédex holder's Pokémon have been visible on their bios.

In other languages

Language Title
Chinese Cantonese 個性 Gosing
Mandarin 個性 / 个性 Gèxìng
French PersonnalitéPE
CaractéristiqueBWB2W2
German Persönlichkeit
Italian Tratti unici
Korean 개성 Gaeseong
Portuguese Brazil Personalidade
Portugal Personalidade
Spanish Personalidad

Specific Characteristics

Japanese English[n 1] German Spanish (Spain) Spanish (Latin America) French[n 2] Italian Korean Chinese
食(た)べるのが　大好(だいす)き。
Taberu no ga daisuki.		 It loves to eat!VIII+
Loves to eatIV-VII		 Liebt es zu essen.V+
Liebt es, zu essen.IV		 Le encanta comer. Il adore manger.VIII+
Adore manger.IV-VII		 Adora mangiare. 먹는 것을 제일 좋아함.
Meongneun geoseul jeil joaham.		 非常喜歡吃東西。 / 非常喜欢吃东西。
Fēicháng xǐhuān chī dōngxī. / Fēisèuhng héifūn gāt dūngsāi.
昼寝(ひるね)を　よくする。
Hirune o yoku suru.		 It takes plenty of siestas!VIII+
Takes plenty of siestasVI-VII
Often dozes off.IV-V		 Nickt oft ein. A menudo se duerme. Le encanta dormir la siesta. Il s'assoupit souvent.VIII+
S'assoupit souvent.IV-VII		 Si addormenta spesso. 낮잠을 잘 잠.
Natjameul jal jam.		 經常睡午覺。 / 经常睡午觉。
Jīngcháng shuì wǔjiào. / Gīngsèuhng seuih nghgaau.
居眠(いねむ)りが　多(おお)い。
Inemuri ga ōi.		 It nods off a lot!VIII+
Nods off a lotVI-VII
Often scatters things.IV-V		 Schläft gern.V+
Schläft gerne.IV		 Duerme mucho. Il dort beaucoup.VIII+
Dort beaucoup.IV-VII		 Dorme a lungo. 말뚝잠이 많음.
Malttukjami maneum.		 常常打瞌睡。
Chángcháng dǎ kēshuì. / Sèuhngsèuhng dā hahpseuih.
ものを　よく　散(ち)らかす。
Mono o yoku chirakasu.		 It scatters things often!VIII+
Scatters things oftenIV-VII		 Macht oft Unordnung. Suele desordenar cosas. Il éparpille souvent les choses.VIII+
Éparpille des choses.IV-VII[n 3]		 Lascia cose in giro. 물건을 잘 어지름.
Mulgeoneul jal eojireum.		 經常亂扔東西。 / 经常乱扔东西。
Jīngcháng luànrēng dōngxī. / Gīngsèuhng lyuhnyìhng dūngsāi.
のんびりするのが　好(す)き。
Nonbiri suru no ga suki.		 It likes to relax!VIII+
Likes to relaxIV-VII		 Mag es, sich zu entspannen.V+
Mag es, zu entspannen.IV		 Le gusta relajarse. Il aime se détendre.VIII+
Aime se détendre.IV-VII		 Adora rilassarsi. 유유자적함을 좋아함.
Yuyujajeokhameul joaham.		 喜歡悠然自在。 / 喜欢悠然自在。
Xǐhuān yōurán zìzài. / Héifūn yàuhyìhn jihjoih.
力(ちから)が　自慢(じまん)。
Chikara ga jiman.		 It's proud of its power!VIII+
Proud of its powerIV-VII		 Ist stolz auf seine Stärke.VII+
Stolz auf seine Stärke.IV-VI		 Se enorgullece de su fuerza.VIII+
Está orgulloso de su fuerza.VI-VII
Orgulloso de su fuerza.IV-V		 Il est fier de sa puissance.VIII+
Est fier de sa puissance.IV-VII		 La forza è il suo vanto. 힘자랑이 특기임.
Himjarang-i teukgiim.		 以力氣大為傲。 / 以力气大为傲。
Yǐ lìqì dà wéi'ào. / Yíh lihkhei daaih wàih'ngouh.
暴(あば)れることが　好(す)き。
Abareru koto ga suki.		 It likes to thrash about!VIII+
Likes to thrash aboutIV-VII		 Prügelt sich gern.V+
Prügelt sich gerne.IV		 Le gusta revolverse. Le gusta revolcarse. Il aime se démener.VIII+
Aime se démener.IV-VII		 Adora dimenarsi. 난동부리기를 좋아함.
Nandongburigireul joaham.		 喜歡胡鬧。 / 喜欢胡闹。
Xǐhuān húnào. / Héifūn wùhnaauh.
ちょっと　怒(おこ)りっぽい。
Chotto okorippoi.		 It's a little quick tempered!VIII+
A little quick temperedIV-VII		 Besitzt Temperament. A veces se enfada. A veces se enoja. Il est un peu coléreux.VIII+
Un peu coléreux.IV-VII		 Si arrabbia facilmente. 약간 화를 잘 내는 성미임.
Yakgan hwareul jal naeneun seongmiim.		 有點容易生氣。 / 有点容易生气。
Yǒudiǎn róngyì shēngqì. / Yáuhdím yùhngyih sāanghei.
ケンカを　するのが　好(す)き。
Kenka o suru no ga suki.		 It likes to fight!VIII+
Likes to fightIV-VII		 Liebt Kämpfe. Le gusta luchar. Le gusta pelear. Il aime combattre.VIII+
Aime combattre.IV-VII		 Adora lottare.VII+
Adora combattere.IV-VI		 싸움을 좋아함.
Ssaumeul joaham.		 喜歡打架。 / 喜欢打架。
Xǐhuān dǎjià. / Héifūn dāgá.[n 4]
血(ち)の気(け)が　多(おお)い。
Chinoke ga ōi.		 It's quick tempered!VIII+
Quick temperedIV-VII		 Ist impulsiv.VII+
Impulsiv.IV-VI		 Tiene mal genio. Tiene mal carácter. Il s'emporte facilement.VIII+
S'emporte facilement.IV-VII		 È facilmente irritabile.VI+
Facilmente irritabile.IV-V		 혈기가 왕성함.
Hyeolgiga wangseongham.		 血氣方剛。 / 血气方刚。
Xuèqì fānggāng. / Hyuthei fōnggōng.
体(からだ)が　丈夫(じょうぶ)。
Karada ga jōbu.		 It has a sturdy body!VIII+
Sturdy bodyIV-VII		 Hat einen robusten Körper.VI+
Hat robusten Körper.IV-V		 Se caracteriza por su cuerpo resistente.VI+
Cuerpo resistente.IV-V		 Il a un corps robuste.VIII+
Corps robuste.IV-VII		 Ha un corpo robusto. 몸이 튼튼함.
Momi teunteunham.		 身體強壯。 / 身体强壮。
Shēntǐ qiángzhuàng. / Gyūntái geuhngjong.
打(う)たれ強(づよ)い。
Utare zuyoi.		 It's capable of taking hits!VIII+
Capable of taking hitsIV-VII		 Kann Treffer gut verkraften.V+
Kann Treffer gut ab.IV		 Encaja bien los ataques.VIII+
Es un buen fajador.VI-VII
Buen fajador.IV-V		 Resiste bien los ataques. Il sait encaisser les coups.VIII+
Sait encaisser les coups.IV-VII		 Incassa bene i colpi.VII+
È forte in attacco.VI
Forte in attacco.IV-V		 맷집이 강함.
Maetjibi gangham.		 抗打能力強。 / 抗打能力强。
Kàng dǎ nénglì qiáng. / Kong dā nàhnglihk geuhng.
粘(ねば)り強(づよ)い。
Nebari zuyoi.		 It's highly persistent!VIII+
Highly persistentIV-VII		 Ist äußerst zäh.PE+
Ist äußerst ausdauernd.SMUSUM
Äußerst ausdauernd.IV-VI		 Es muy persistente.VI+
Muy persistente.IV-V		 Il est très obstiné.VIII+
Très obstiné.IV-VII		 È molto ostinato.VI+
Molto ostinato.IV-V		 끈질김.
Kkeunjilgim.		 頑強不屈。 / 顽强不屈。
Wánqiáng bùqū. / Wàahngeuhng bātwāt.
辛抱強(しんぼうづよ)い。
Shinbō zuyoi.		 It has good endurance!VIII+
Good enduranceIV-VII		 Hat eine gute Ausdauer. Se caracteriza por ser muy resistente.VI+
Muy resistente.IV-V		 Il a une bonne endurance.VIII+
Bonne endurance.IV-VII		 È molto paziente.VI+
Molto paziente.IV-V		 인내심이 강함.
Innaesimi gangham.		 能吃苦耐勞。 / 能吃苦耐劳。
Néng chīkǔ nàiláo. / Nàhng gātfú noihlòuh.
我慢強(がまんづよ)い。
Gaman zuyoi.		 It has good perseverance!VIII+
Good perseveranceIV-VII		 Ist beharrlich. Es muy perseverante.VI+
Muy perseverante.IV-V		 Il est persévérant.VIII+
Persévérant.IV-VII		 È molto tenace.VI+
Molto tenace.IV-V		 잘 참음.
Jal chameum.		 善於忍耐。 / 善于忍耐。
Shànyú rěnnài. / Sihnyū yánnoih.
駆(か)けっこが　好(す)き。
Kakekko ga suki.		 It likes to run!VIII+
Likes to runIV-VII		 Ist gerne schnell unterwegs.PE+
Liebt es zu rennen.V-SMUSUM
Liebt es, zu rennen.IV		 Le gusta ir muy rápido.PE+
Le gusta correr.IV-SMUSUM		 Il aime la vitesse.VIII+
Aime la vitessePE
Aime courir.IV-SMUSUM		 Adora andare veloce.PE+
Adora correre.IV-SMUSUM		 달리기를 좋아함.
Dalligireul joaham.		 喜歡比誰跑得快。 / 喜欢比谁跑得快。
Xǐhuān bǐ shuí pǎo dé kuài. / Héifūn béi sèuih páau dāk faai.
物音(ものおと)に　敏感(びんかん)。
Monooto ni binkan.		 It's alert to sounds!VIII+
Alert to soundsIV-VII		 Achtet auf Geräusche. Siempre tiene el oído alerta.VI+
Oído siempre alerta.IV-V		 Il est attentif aux sons.VIII+
Attentif aux sons.IV-VII		 Fa attenzione ai suoni. 주위 소리에 민감함.
Juwi sorie min-gamham.		 對聲音敏感。 / 对声音敏感。
Duì shēngyīn mǐngǎn. / Deui sēngyām máhngám.
おっちょこちょい。
Otchokochoi.		 It's impetuous and silly!VIII+
Impetuous and sillyIV-VII		 Ist ungestüm und einfältig.VII+
Ungestüm und einfältig.IV-VI		 Es de carácter simple e impetuoso.VIII+
Resulta algo impetuoso y bobo.VI-VII
Impetuoso y bobo.IV-V		 Il est bête et impulsif.VIII+
Bête et impulsif.IV-VII		 È irruente e semplice.VI+
Irruente e semplice.IV-V		 촐랑대는 성격임.
Chollangdaeneun seonggyeogim.		 冒冒失失。
Màomàoshīshī. / Mahkmahksātsāt.
すこし　お調子者(ちょうしもの)。
Sukoshi ochōshimono.		 It's somewhat of a clown!VIII+
Somewhat of a clownIV-VII		 Ist ein bisschen albern.VII+
Ein bisschen albern.VI
Ist fast wie ein Clown.IV-V		 Le encanta hacer payasadas.VIII+
Es un poco payaso.IV-VII		 Il aime faire le pitre.VIII+
Aime faire le pitre.IV-VII		 È una specie di buffone.VI+
Una specie di buffone.IV-V		 약간 우쭐쟁이임.
Yakgan ujjuljaeng-iim.		 有點容易得意忘形。 / 有点容易得意忘形。
Yǒudiǎn róngyì déyìwàngxíng. / Yáuhdím yùhngyih dākyimòhngyìhng.
逃(に)げるのが　はやい。
Nigeru no ga hayai.[n 5]		 It's quick to flee!VIII+
Quick to fleeIV-VII		 Flüchtet schnell. Huye rápido. Il fuit rapidement.VIII+
Fuit rapidement.IV-VII		 Sa fuggire velocemente. 도망에는 선수임.
Domang-eneun seonsu-im.		 逃得快。
Táo dé kuài. / Tòuh dāk faai.
好奇心(こうきしん)が　強(つよ)い。
Kōkishin ga tsuyoi.		 It's highly curious!VIII+
Highly curiousIV-VII		 Ist sehr neugierig.VII+
Sehr neugierig.IV-VI		 Siente mucha curiosidad por todo.VIII+
Es extremadamente curioso.VI-VII
Extremadamente curioso.IV-V		 Il est extrêmement curieux.VIII+
Extrêmement curieux.IV-VII		 È un grande ficcanaso.VI+
Grande ficcanaso.IV-V		 호기심이 강함.
Hogisimi gangham.		 好奇心強。 / 好奇心强。
Hàoqí xīnqiáng. / Hóugēi sāmgeuhng.
イタズラが　好(す)き。
Itazura ga suki.		 It's mischievous!VIII+
MischievousIV-VII		 Ist hinterhältig.VII+
Hinterhältig.IV-VI		 Le gusta hacer travesuras.VI+
Travieso.IV-V		 Il est coquin.VIII+
Coquin.IV-VII		 È alquanto vivace.VI+
Alquanto vivace.IV-V		 장난을 좋아함.
Jangnaneul joaham.		 喜歡惡作劇。 / 喜欢恶作剧。
Xǐhuān èzuòjù. / Héifūn ngokjokkehk.
抜(ぬ)け目(め)が　ない。
Nukeme ga nai.		 It's thoroughly cunning!VIII+
Thoroughly cunningIV-VII		 Ist äußerst gerissen.VII+
Äußerst gerissen.IV-VI		 Es muy sagaz.VIII+
Es muy astuto.VI-VII
Muy astuto.IV-V		 Il est très astucieux.VIII+
Très astucieux.IV-VII		 È estremamente sagace.VI+
Estremamente sagace.IV-V		 빈틈이 없음.
Binteumi eopseum.		 做事萬無一失。 / 做事万无一失。
Zuòshì wànwúyīshī. / Jouhsih maahnmòuhyātsāt.
考(かんが)え事(ごと)が　多(おお)い。
Kangaegoto ga ōi.		 It's often lost in thought!VIII+
Often lost in thoughtIV-VII		 Ist oft in Gedanken. A menudo está en Babia. Vive en su propio mundo. Il est souvent dans la lune.VIII+
Souvent dans la lune.IV-VII		 Si perde nel suo mondo. 걱정거리가 많음.
Geokjeonggeoriga maneum.		 經常思考。 / 经常思考。
Jīngcháng sīkǎo. / Gīngsèuhng sīháau.
とても　きちょうめん。
Totemo kichōmen.		 It's very finicky!VIII+
Very finickyIV-VII		 Ist sehr pedantisch.VII+
Sehr pedantisch.IV-VI		 Es muy tiquismiquis.VIII+
Es muy melindroso.VI-VII
Muy melindroso.IV-V		 Es muy exigente. Il est très particulier.VIII+
Très particulier.IV-VII		 È molto esigente.VI+
Molto esigente.IV-V		 매우 꼼꼼함.
Mae-u kkomkkomham.		 一絲不苟。 / 一丝不苟。
Yīsībùgǒu. / Yātsībātgáu.
気(き)が　強(つよ)い。
Ki ga tsuyoi.		 It's strong willed!VIII+
Strong willedIV-VII		 Besitzt einen starken Willen.VI+
Besitzt starken Willen.IV-V		 Se distingue por su gran fuerza de voluntad.VIII+
Se distingue por ser muy voluntarioso.VI-VII
Voluntarioso.IV-V		 Il est très volontaire.VIII+
Très volontaire.IV-VII		 Sa il fatto suo. 기가 센 성격임.
Giga sen seonggyeogim.		 性格強勢。 / 性格强势。
Xìnggé qiángshì. / Singgaak geuhngsai.
ちょっぴり　みえっぱり。
Choppiri mieppari.[n 6]		 It's somewhat vain!VIII+
Somewhat vainIV-VII		 Ist etwas eitel.VII+
Etwas eitel.VI
Irgendwie eitel.IV-V		 Es un poco petulante.VIII+
Es algo orgulloso.VI-VII
Algo orgulloso.IV-V		 Es un poco arrogante. Il est un peu vaniteux.VIII+
Un peu vaniteux.IV-VII		 È abbastanza superficiale.VI+
Abbastanza superficiale.IV-V		 조금 겉치레를 좋아함.
Jogeum geotchirereul joaham.		 有一點點愛慕虛榮。 / 有一点点爱慕虚荣。
Yǒu yīdiǎndiǎn àimùxūróng. / Yáuh yātdímdím ngoimouhhēuiwìhng.
負(ま)けん気(き)が　強(つよ)い。
Makenki ga tsuyoi.		 It's strongly defiant!VIII+
Strongly defiantIV-VII		 Ist sehr aufsässig.VII+
Sehr aufsässig.IV-VI		 Es muy insolente.VI+
Muy insolente.IV-V		 Il a l'esprit rebelle.VIII+
Esprit rebelle.IV-VII		 È molto insolente.VI+
Molto insolente.IV-V		 오기가 센 성격임.
Ogiga sen seonggyeogim.		 爭強好勝。 / 争强好胜。
Zhēng qiáng hàoshèng. / Chāang geuhng hóusīng.
負(ま)けず嫌(ぎら)い。
Makezu girai.		 It hates to lose!VIII+
Hates to loseIV-VII		 Hasst Niederlagen. Odia perder. Il a horreur de perdre.VIII+
A horreur de perdre.IV-VII		 Non sopporta perdere. 지기 싫어함.
Jigi sireoham.		 不服輸。 / 不服输。
Bù fúshū. / Bāt fuhksyū.
ちょっぴり　強情(ごうじょう)。
Choppiri gōjō.		 It's somewhat stubborn!VIII+
Somewhat stubbornIV-VII		 Ist dickköpfig.VII+
Dickköpfig.IV-VI		 Es un poco cabezota.VI+
Un poco cabezota.IV-V		 Es un poco cabeza dura. Il est assez entêté.VIII+
Assez entêté.IV-VII		 È un po' testardo.VI+
Un po' testardo.IV-V		 조금 고집통이임.
Jogeum gojiptong-iim.		 有一點點固執。 / 有一点点固执。
Yǒu yīdiǎndiǎn gùzhí. / Yáuh yātdímdím gujāp.
  1. ↑ Characteristics end with a period in the English versions of the Generation IV and V games, but are otherwise identical
  2. ↑ Characteristics do not end with a period in the French versions of Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!, but are otherwise identical
  3. ↑ Acute accents on capital letters are omitted in the French versions of the Generation IV games
  4. ↑ Replaced with 喜欢争斗。 Xǐhuān zhēngdòu. in the mainland Chinese release of Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!
  5. ↑ Written in kanji as 逃げるのが　早い。 in the Japanese versions of the Generation V games
  6. ↑ Written in kanji as ちょっぴり　見栄っ張り。 in the Japanese versions of the Generation V games

Related articles

Pokémon individuality
Level (Experience) • Stats • Shininess • Gender • Nature • Characteristic
Ability (Hidden Ability) • Effort values • Individual values • Go Power • Effort level • Stat points
Size • Sheen • Condition • Performance • Friendship • Affection • Memory
Dynamax Level • Gigantamax Factor • Tera Type
This game mechanic article is part of Project Games, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on the Pokémon games.
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