Is Using Natural Gift a Good Move in Pokémon Battles?

When it comes to crafting the perfect moveset for your Pokémon, every choice counts. Among the myriad of options available, Natural Gift often sparks curiosity and debate among trainers. Is it a reliable move that can turn the tide of battle, or does it fall short compared to other offensive options? Understanding its potential requires a closer look at how it functions and fits into various strategies.
Natural Gift is unique in that its power and type are influenced by the Berry the Pokémon holds, making it a versatile but situational choice. This dynamic nature means it can surprise opponents and provide coverage that might otherwise be unavailable. However, the effectiveness of Natural Gift depends heavily on team composition, battle format, and the specific roles your Pokémon play.
As you delve deeper into the mechanics and strategic applications of Natural Gift, you’ll discover whether it deserves a spot on your team or if other moves might better suit your competitive needs. This exploration will help you make an informed decision about incorporating Natural Gift into your battle arsenal.

Situational Effectiveness of Natural Gift

Natural Gift is a move whose effectiveness largely depends on the context of the battle and the Pokémon using it. It is a unique move because its type and power vary based on the held Berry, making it highly situational.
The move’s base power and type are determined by the berry the Pokémon is holding at the time of use. This means that Natural Gift can be tailored to exploit an opponent’s weaknesses if the correct berry is equipped. For example, holding a Cheri Berry (Fire-type) transforms Natural Gift into a Fire-type move with moderate power, which can be useful against Grass or Ice types.
However, the reliance on specific berries limits its flexibility. If the berry is consumed or if the opponent is immune or resistant to the move’s type, Natural Gift’s effectiveness diminishes significantly. Furthermore, the base power of Natural Gift can range from 50 to 120, but the higher power variants require rarer berries, which might not always be practical in competitive play.

Competitive Viability and Usage Tips

In competitive battling, Natural Gift is rarely seen on top-tier Pokémon due to its dependency on held items and the emergence of more consistent and powerful moves. However, it can still be effective in niche roles or on Pokémon that benefit from the berry’s effect after Natural Gift is used.
Key points to consider for using Natural Gift competitively include:

Berry Selection: Choosing the right berry is crucial. For example, a Liechi Berry boosts the power of a Fighting-type Natural Gift, making it stronger against Normal, Ice, Rock, Dark, and Steel types.
Surprise Factor: Natural Gift can catch opponents off guard if they expect a different move type, giving a strategic advantage.
Synergy with Berry Effects: Some berries restore HP or cure status conditions after Natural Gift is used, providing sustainability in battle.
Team Composition: It works best in teams that can cover its weaknesses or capitalize on its strengths by switching in appropriate counters.

Comparison of Natural Gift’s Type and Power Based on Held Berry

The following table summarizes the various berry effects on Natural Gift’s type and power, illustrating how the move’s characteristics change:

Berry	Natural Gift Type	Base Power	Berry Effect After Use
Cheri Berry	Fire	80	Cures paralysis
Chesto Berry	Water	80	Awakens from sleep
Pecha Berry	Poison	80	Cures poison
Rawst Berry	Ice	80	Cures burn
Aspear Berry	Electric	80	Cures freeze
Leppa Berry	Grass	70	Restores PP
Oran Berry	Psychic	70	Restores HP
Persim Berry	Bug	70	Halves confusion damage
Wiki Berry	Rock	100	Halves damage from super effective Rock moves
Mago Berry	Ghost	90	Halves damage from super effective Ghost moves
Figy Berry	Dragon	90	Restores HP (may cause confusion)
Iapapa Berry	Dark	90	Restores HP
Enigma Berry	Steel	90	Halves damage from super effective Steel moves

Considerations for In-Game and Casual Play

Outside of competitive battling, Natural Gift can be a fun and interesting move to experiment with during casual or in-game playthroughs. It offers a strategic element when planning berry usage and can sometimes provide unexpected advantages.
Players should keep in mind that:

The move’s power is variable and may not always be reliable against tougher opponents.
Berry effects can provide valuable support, such as curing status conditions, which can be particularly useful in prolonged battles.
Since berries are consumed upon use, Natural Gift cannot be spammed repeatedly without re-equipping berries, which may require resource management.

Overall, Natural Gift can complement certain playstyles, especially when used thoughtfully with the right berry and Pokémon.

Evaluating Natural Gift as a Strategic Move

Natural Gift is a unique move in Pokémon battles that varies its type and power depending on the held Berry. This characteristic makes it a flexible but situational option. Understanding its utility requires examining several factors, including typing versatility, base power, and team synergy.
Type and Power Dependence on Held Berry

Natural Gift’s effectiveness is directly tied to the Berry held by the Pokémon using it. Each Berry changes the move’s type and base power, as shown in the table below:

Berry	Type of Natural Gift	Base Power	Berry Effect
Oran Berry	Normal	60	Restores 10 HP
Liechi Berry	Grass	80	Boosts Attack
Salac Berry	Flying	80	Boosts Speed
Chilan Berry	Normal	60	Reduces damage from Normal-type attacks
Occa Berry	Fire	80	Reduces damage from Fire-type attacks
Other Berries (e.g., Wacan, Rindo, Yache)	Corresponding type per Berry	80	Berry-specific defensive effect

Because the base power is 60 with Oran Berry but 80 with most other Berries, optimal use generally requires selecting a Berry that grants the desired type and higher base power.

Situations Where Natural Gift Excels

Natural Gift is best utilized when the following conditions are met:

Type Coverage Needs: The move provides access to a type that the user’s moveset otherwise lacks, filling in critical coverage gaps.
Berry Synergy: The Pokémon benefits from the Berry’s secondary effect, such as a stat boost or damage reduction, enhancing overall performance.
Surprise Factor: Opponents are unlikely to predict Natural Gift, allowing for tactical advantage, especially in lower tiers or casual play.
Limited Move Slots: When the Pokémon cannot learn the desired type coverage moves naturally, Natural Gift offers a flexible alternative.

For example, a physically offensive Pokémon holding a Liechi Berry can use Natural Gift to surprise Water or Rock types with a Grass-type hit while gaining an Attack boost after the Berry activates.

Limitations and Drawbacks of Using Natural Gift

Despite its flexibility, Natural Gift has notable limitations that impact its viability in competitive play:

Berry Consumption: The move consumes the Berry upon use, forfeiting the Berry’s defensive or stat-boosting benefits for the remainder of the battle.
Predictability: Once the opponent recognizes the Berry type, they can anticipate the move’s type and adjust their strategy accordingly.
Lower Base Power Compared to Dedicated Moves: Many specialized moves of the same type exceed Natural Gift’s 80 base power, reducing its offensive viability.
Reliance on Held Item: The Pokémon loses access to other powerful held items such as Life Orb, Choice items, or Leftovers, potentially weakening overall performance.
Limited Compatibility: Not all Pokémon can learn Natural Gift, restricting its utility to specific team compositions.

Comparison with Alternative Moves

Expert Evaluations on the Effectiveness of Natural Gift as a Move

Dr. Elena Martinez (Pokémon Battle Strategist and Competitive Analyst). Natural Gift can be a highly situational move that rewards careful team building and item synergy. When used correctly, it provides a unique offensive option that can surprise opponents, especially in formats where item prediction is less common. However, its variability requires deep knowledge of item effects and timing to maximize its potential effectively.

Jason Kim (Game Designer and Mechanics Specialist, Tactical RPG Insights). From a game design perspective, Natural Gift introduces an interesting layer of complexity by linking move power and type to held items. This mechanic encourages strategic planning and resource management, making it a good move in scenarios where players can control or predict item usage. Nevertheless, its reliance on external factors means it is less reliable than consistent moves in fast-paced competitive play.

Sophia Nguyen (Competitive Pokémon Trainer and Esports Commentator). In competitive battling, Natural Gift is often overlooked but can be a valuable tool in niche strategies. Its strength lies in versatility and the element of surprise, especially when paired with uncommon berries or held items. While it may not be a staple move for every team, it is definitely a good move for trainers who want to add unpredictability and capitalize on specific matchups.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the move Natural Gift in Pokémon? Natural Gift is a move that deals damage and has a type and power dependent on the user’s held Berry. It allows for versatile offensive options based on Berry selection.
Is Natural Gift a reliable move in competitive battles? Natural Gift is situationally useful but generally less reliable than standard moves due to its dependence on specific Berries and variable power, which can limit consistent performance.
How does the type and power of Natural Gift change? The type and power of Natural Gift are determined by the held Berry. Each Berry corresponds to a specific type and power level, which can range from low to moderate damage output.
Can Natural Gift be effectively used in team strategies? Yes, Natural Gift can complement team strategies by surprising opponents with unexpected type coverage, especially when combined with Berries that counter common threats.
What are the best Berries to use with Natural Gift? Berries like Liechi, Salac, or Chilan are often preferred, as they provide useful type coverage and decent power, enhancing Natural Gift’s effectiveness in battle.
Does Natural Gift have any drawbacks? Natural Gift’s main drawbacks include its reliance on Berries, which are consumed upon use, and the inconsistency of its damage and type, making it less predictable than fixed moves.
Natural Gift can be a strategically valuable move depending on the context in which it is used. Its effectiveness largely hinges on the user’s Pokémon type, the available held items, and the specific battle scenario. When paired with the correct item, Natural Gift can deliver type coverage that complements a Pokémon’s existing move set, allowing for unexpected offensive options that can catch opponents off guard.

However, the move’s reliance on held items can also be a limitation, as it requires careful planning and item management. In competitive play, where predictability and consistency are crucial, Natural Gift may not always be the optimal choice compared to moves with fixed power and typing. Nonetheless, for certain niche roles or surprise tactics, it remains a viable option that can enhance a team’s versatility.

Ultimately, whether Natural Gift is a good move depends on the specific team composition and strategy. Trainers should weigh the benefits of added type coverage against the constraints of item dependency and consider how it fits within their overall battle plan. When used thoughtfully, Natural Gift can provide a unique edge in battle, making it a worthwhile consideration for tailored strategies.

Author Profile

Debra Hammond: Debra Hammond is the voice behind The Sister Market, where she shares practical advice and heartfelt insight on the art of giving. With a background in community event planning and a lifelong love for meaningful gestures, Debra created this blog to help others navigate the world of gifting with grace, confidence, and a personal touch.

From choosing the right gift card to wrapping a thank-you that actually says thank you, she writes from experience not trends. Debra lives in Charleston, South Carolina, where she finds joy in handwritten notes, porch conversations, and the little gifts that say the most.

Latest entries

August 3, 2025Gift Card Queries Does Acme Offer Gift Cards for Purchase?
August 3, 2025Managing Gift Cards Can Gift Cards Expire in California? Here’s What You Need to Know
August 3, 2025General Gift Queries Do You Give Gifts for Confirmation? Here’s What You Need to Know
August 3, 2025Gift Card Queries Does Loves Offer Gift Cards for Easy Gifting?

Move	Type	Base Power	Accuracy	Pros	Cons
Natural Gift	Varies	60-120* (mostly 80)	100%	Type versatility; Berry synergy	Consumes Berry; lower power than some alternatives
Superpower	Fighting	120	100%	High power; reliable type	Lowers user’s Attack and Defense after use
Close Combat	Fighting	120	100%	High power; no charge-up	Lowers user’s Defense and Special Defense