So, you’ve spent three hours hunting for a Shiny Mega-capable Pokémon in the neon-soaked streets of Lumiose, and it finally pops. You catch it. You check the stats. And your heart sinks. It has a Modest nature, but it’s a physical attacker. In the old days, that Pokémon was basically a trophy for the box. But in Pokémon Legends: Z-A, that’s not the end of the road. Honestly, it's barely a speed bump.
Nature Mints are back, and they are arguably more important here than they were in Arceus. Why? Because the urban redevelopment of Lumiose City introduces a verticality and a combat pace where every stat point feels like it matters. If you want your Charizard to actually outspeed those high-level Rogue Mega Evolutions in the late game, you're going to need to get familiar with the flower stalls.
Pokémon Legends Z-A Nature Mints: Where to Find the Right Stalls
Lumiose City is huge. Like, confusingly huge if you’re just looking for one specific item. Unlike previous games where you might farm Mints in a field, Legends: Z-A ties them to the "Urban Redevelopment" theme. You buy them. Specifically, you look for the Flower Shops scattered across the different districts.
There isn't just one "Mint Store." That would be too easy. Instead, different stalls in different Plazas sell specific sets of Mints. Most people get lost looking for the Speed-boosting ones because they are tucked away.
The Rouge District "Nook"
This is the holy grail for most players. Just west of Rouge Plaza, there's a tiny alleyway between the buildings. It’s easy to walk right past it. Inside, you’ll find four different vendors.
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- The Physical Attack Dealer: One lady here sells Adamant, Lonely, Naughty, and Brave Mints. If you’ve got a Scizor or a Garchomp, this is your first stop.
- The Special Attack Dealer: Another stall sells Modest, Mild, Rash, and Quiet Mints.
- The Defensive Specialists: The other two stalls in this nook handle Bold/Impish (Defense) and Calm/Careful (Special Defense).
Finding the Speed Mints (Timid & Jolly)
If you're looking for the Jolly Mint or Timid Mint, don't bother with the main squares. You need to head to the Jaune District. There is a vendor located near Restaurant Le Nah. This is the only place to consistently buy the Mints that boost Speed, which is basically the meta for the Z-A Royale.
How Natures Actually Work in Lumiose
Basically, a Nature gives a 10% boost to one stat and a 10% penalty to another. In a game where Mega Evolution is the core mechanic, that 10% is the difference between surviving a Light of Ruin from a rogue Floette and getting sent back to the nearest MedCenter.
But here is the catch that trips people up: Mints do not change the text of the Nature.
If your Lucario was born "Lonely," it will always say "Lonely" in the summary. When you use an Adamant Mint, the stats will update to reflect the Adamant growth (Higher Attack, Lower Special Attack), but the name stays the same.
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Expert Tip: To see if a Mint worked, look at the stat numbers in the summary. The boosted stat will have a subtle red arrow/tint, and the decreased stat will be blue.
The Price of Perfection
Mints aren't cheap. Every single one costs $20,000 Pokedollars.
In the early game (Missions 1 through 5), this feels like an impossible amount of money. You're better off just catching multiple Pokémon until you find one with a "decent" nature. Honestly, save your cash for the mid-game. Once you unlock the Wild Zones and start finding high-tier treasures to sell at the Pokémon Center, $20k becomes pocket change.
Why You Shouldn't Use Mints Immediately
It's tempting to "fix" your starter the moment you get to Lumiose. Don't.
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Pokémon Legends: Z-A is structured around the rebuilding of the city. As you progress, certain areas—like Jaune Plaza—actually change. Before Mission 10, Jaune Plaza is a peaceful market. After that, it becomes Wild Zone 8. If you haven't bought your Mints before the Pokémon drive the shopkeepers out, you might have to hunt for new vendor spawns in different sectors.
Also, wait until you see the Effort Levels (ELs). Like in Arceus, stats are influenced by more than just Natures. If you use a Mint but your Effort Levels are at zero, you won't see the massive jump in power you’re expecting.
The Strategy: Which Mint for Which Pokémon?
If you're overwhelmed by the 21 different types, just focus on these four. They cover 90% of use cases:
- Adamant: For physical attackers (Attack up, Special Attack down).
- Modest: For special attackers (Special Attack up, Attack down).
- Jolly: For fast physical attackers (Speed up, Special Attack down).
- Timid: For fast special attackers (Speed up, Attack down).
If you’re using a tanky Pokémon like Steelix or Aggron, you might look at Relaxed or Sassy, especially if you're trying to out-slow an opponent under specific field effects. But for the general campaign and the Z-A Royale, Speed and raw Damage are king.
Actionable Next Steps for Trainers
Stop resetting your game for a "good" starter. It’s a waste of time in 2026. Instead, follow this workflow:
- Focus on the Missions: Get through Mission 5 as fast as possible to open up the city.
- Hoard Treasure: Don't sell your Stardust or Nuggets immediately. Keep them in your satchel until you're ready to "Mint" your final team.
- Check the Rouge District Nook: Pin this location on your map early. It’s the most efficient place to find 80% of the Mints in the game.
- Save Before Using: Mints are consumable. If you accidentally give a Modest Mint to your Gallade, that’s $20,000 down the drain. Save your game, apply the item, and verify the stat colors changed.
Once you’ve aligned your Pokémon’s stats with their move pools, you’ll find that even the toughest Mega Evolutions in the late-game districts become manageable. The "Power of Science" really is amazing, especially when it comes in the form of a magical herb.