Nidoking (#0034) – Stats, Moves, Evolution & Competitive Sets

Base stats

HP81141–188272–366

Atk10296–169188–333

Def7773–141143–278

SpA8581–150157–295

SpD7572–139139–273

Spe8581–150157–295

Total505Higher than 73% of all Pokémon

Ranges: 0 IV/EV with a hindering nature to 31 IV/252 EV with a helpful nature. EV yield: 3 Atk.

Stat calculatorChampions Stat Points & Stat Alignment, or EVs, IVs & nature

Speed tiers

Speed at Lv 50 in Pokémon Champions (base 85). Scarf and Tailwind use the Max+ value.

Max+150Max137No SP105Min94Scarf225Tailwind300

At max Speed, Nidoking outspeeds 15 of the 30 most used Pokémon in Champions VGC, and ties 1.

Others at their most common Speed investment in Champions VGC (Reg M-C · Doubles, Sep 2026); Pokémon holding a Mega Stone are shown as their Mega.

Type matchups

Weak to

Ground2×Ice2×Psychic2×Water2×

Resists

Poison¼×Bug½×Fairy½×Fighting½×Rock½×

Immune to

Electric0×

Takes normal damage from 8 types

NormalFlyingGhostSteelFireGrassDragonDark

Abilities

Poison Point
Has a 30% chance of poisoning attacking Pokémon on contact.
Rivalry
Increases damage inflicted to 1.25× against Pokémon of the same gender, but decreases damage to 0.75× against the opposite gender.
Sheer ForceHidden ability
Strengthens moves with extra effects to 1.3× their power, but prevents their extra effects.

Competitive

National DexRU

0.98% of teams · rank #104 · Singles, all Pokémon · 1630+ rating · 426,601 battles · Sep 2026

Most common build

Item: Life Orb
Ability: Sheer Force
Nature: Timid
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe

Earth Power
Ice Beam
Sludge Wave
Flamethrower

Each part is the most used on its own, so not every team runs this exact set.

Usage by rating

All players1.42%
Rated 1500+1.06%
Rated 1630+0.98%
Rated 1760+0.37%

Usage by month

Oct 20250.98%

Moves

Earth Power98.7%
Ice Beam96.7%
Sludge Wave81.3%
Flamethrower61.2%
Thunderbolt16.9%
Fire Blast13.8%
Stealth Rock7.8%
Toxic Spikes6.5%
Substitute6.3%
Sludge Bomb1.7%

Items

Life Orb75%
Focus Sash22.9%
Choice Scarf1.3%
Assault Vest0.3%
Poisonium Z0.2%
Choice Specs0.1%

Abilities

99.2%
0.7%
0.2%

EV spreads

Timid 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe30%
Modest 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe23.6%
Modest 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe19.4%
Modest 80 HP / 252 SpA / 176 Spe8.5%
Modest 192 HP / 252 SpA / 64 Spe4.6%

Common teammates

Checks & counters

Evolution

#0032Nidoran♂Poison
1. Level 16#0033NidorinoPoison
  1. Use Moon Stone#0034NidokingPoisonGround

Moves

Game Sort Type

Level up 16

EvoMegahornInflicts regular damage with no additional effect.BugPhys12085%10

1Double KickHits twice in one turn.FightingPhys30100%30

1Earth PowerHas a 10% chance to lower the target’s Special Defense by one stage.GroundSpec90100%10

1FlatterRaises the target’s Special Attack by one stage and confuses the target.DarkStatus—100%15

1Focus EnergyIncreases the user’s chance to score a critical hit.NormalStatus——30

1Fury AttackHits 2-5 times in one turn.NormalPhys1585%20

1Helping HandAlly’s next move inflicts half more damage.NormalStatus——20

1Horn AttackInflicts regular damage with no additional effect.NormalPhys65100%25

1LeerLowers the target’s Defense by one stage.NormalStatus—100%30

1MegahornInflicts regular damage with no additional effect.BugPhys12085%10

1PeckInflicts regular damage with no additional effect.FlyingPhys35100%35

1Poison JabHas a 30% chance to poison the target.PoisonPhys80100%20

1Poison StingHas a 30% chance to poison the target.PoisonPhys15100%35

1Sludge WaveHas a 10% chance to poison the target.PoisonSpec95100%10

1ToxicBadly poisons the target, inflicting more damage every turn.PoisonStatus—90%10

1Toxic SpikesScatters poisoned spikes, poisoning opposing Pokémon that switch in.PoisonStatus——20

TM / HM / TR 50

TM83BulldozeHas a 100% chance to lower the target’s Speed by one stage.GroundPhys60100%20

HM01CutInflicts regular damage with no additional effect.NormalPhys5095%30

HM03SurfInflicts regular damage and can hit Dive users.WaterSpec90100%15

HM04StrengthInflicts regular damage with no additional effect.NormalPhys80100%15

HM06Rock SmashHas a 50% chance to lower the target’s Defense by one stage.FightingPhys40100%15

HM08Rock ClimbHas a 20% chance to confuse the target.NormalPhys9085%20

TMRoarImmediately ends wild battles. Forces trainers to switch Pokémon.NormalStatus——20

TMFlamethrowerHas a 10% chance to burn the target.FireSpec90100%15

TMIce BeamHas a 10% chance to freeze the target.IceSpec90100%10

TMBlizzardHas a 10% chance to freeze the target.IceSpec11070%5

TMHyper BeamUser foregoes its next turn to recharge.NormalSpec15090%5

TMThunderboltHas a 10% chance to paralyze the target.ElectricSpec90100%15

TMThunderHas a 30% chance to paralyze the target.ElectricSpec11070%10

TMEarthquakeInflicts regular damage and can hit Dig users.GroundPhys100100%10

TMDigUser digs underground, dodging all attacks, and hits next turn.GroundPhys80100%10

TMToxicBadly poisons the target, inflicting more damage every turn.PoisonStatus—90%10

TMDouble TeamRaises the user’s evasion by one stage.NormalStatus——15

TMFire BlastHas a 10% chance to burn the target.FireSpec11085%5

TMRestUser sleeps for two turns, completely healing itself.PsychicStatus——5

TMRock SlideHas a 30% chance to make the target flinch.RockPhys7590%10

TMSubstituteTransfers 1/4 of the user’s max HP into a doll, protecting the user from further damage or status changes until it breaks.NormalStatus——10

TMThiefTakes the target’s item.DarkPhys60100%25

TMProtectPrevents any moves from hitting the user this turn.NormalStatus——10

TMSludge BombHas a 30% chance to poison the target.PoisonSpec90100%10

TMSandstormChanges the weather to a sandstorm for five turns.RockStatus——10

TMEndurePrevents the user’s HP from lowering below 1 this turn.NormalStatus——10

TMSwaggerRaises the target’s Attack by two stages and confuses the target.NormalStatus—85%15

TMAttractTarget falls in love if it has the opposite gender, and has a 50% chance to refuse attacking the user.NormalStatus—100%15

TMSleep TalkRandomly uses one of the user’s other three moves. Only works if the user is sleeping.NormalStatus——10

TMIron TailHas a 30% chance to lower the target’s Defense by one stage.SteelPhys10075%15

TMRain DanceChanges the weather to rain for five turns.WaterStatus——5

TMSunny DayChanges the weather to sunny for five turns.FireStatus——5

TMShadow BallHas a 20% chance to lower the target’s Special Defense by one stage.GhostSpec80100%15

TMTormentPrevents the target from using the same move twice in a row.DarkStatus—100%15

TMFacadePower doubles if user is burned, paralyzed, or poisoned.NormalPhys70100%20

TMFocus PunchIf the user takes damage before attacking, the attack is canceled.FightingPhys150100%20

TMTauntFor the next few turns, the target can only use damaging moves.DarkStatus—100%20

TMBrick BreakDestroys Reflect and Light Screen.FightingPhys75100%15

TMRock TombHas a 100% chance to lower the target’s Speed by one stage.RockPhys6095%15

TMShock WaveNever misses.ElectricSpec60—20

TMWater PulseHas a 20% chance to confuse the target.WaterSpec60100%20

TMFlingThrows held item at the target; power depends on the item.DarkPhys—100%10

TMPoison JabHas a 30% chance to poison the target.PoisonPhys80100%20

TMDragon PulseInflicts regular damage with no additional effect.DragonSpec85100%10

TMFocus BlastHas a 10% chance to lower the target’s Special Defense by one stage.FightingSpec12070%5

TMGiga ImpactUser foregoes its next turn to recharge.NormalPhys15090%5

TMAvalancheInflicts double damage if the user takes damage before attacking this turn.IcePhys60100%10

TMShadow ClawHas an increased chance for a critical hit.GhostPhys70100%15

TMStone EdgeHas an increased chance for a critical hit.RockPhys10080%5

TMStealth RockCauses damage when opposing Pokémon switch in.RockStatus——20

Pokédex entries

Category: Drill Pokémon
Debut: Kanto · Red & Green (JP)
Color: Purple
Shape
Habitat: Grassland
Pal Park area: Field

Kanto#034Original Johto#100Updated Johto#100Coastal Kalos#109Let’s Go Kanto#034Crown Tundra#070

Nidoking prides itself on its strength. It’s forceful and spirited in battle, making use of its thick tail and diamond-crushing horn.
Shield
When it goes on a rampage, it’s impossible to control. But in the presence of a Nidoqueen it’s lived with for a long time, Nidoking calms down.
Sword
Its tail is thick and powerful. If it binds an enemy, it can render the victim helpless quite easily.
SoulSilver
One swing of its mighty tail can snap a telephone pole as if it were a matchstick.
Diamond · Pearl · Platinum · Black · White · Black 2 · White 2 · Y
It is recognized by its rock-hard hide and its extended horn. Be careful with the horn as it contains venom.
FireRed · X
A NIDOKING’s thick tail packs enormously destructive power capable of toppling a metal transmission tower. Once it goes on a rampage, there is no stopping it.
Emerald
NIDOKING’s thick tail packs enormously destructive power. With one swing, it can topple a metal transmission tower. Once this Pokémon goes on a rampage, there is no stopping it.
Ruby · Sapphire · Omega Ruby · Alpha Sapphire
It uses its thick arms, legs and tail to attack forcefully. Melee combat is its specialty.
Crystal
Its tail is thick and powerful. If it binds an enemy, it can snap the victim's spine quite easily.
Silver
It swings its big tail around during battle. If its foe flinches, it will charge with its sturdy body.
Gold · HeartGold
Its steel-like hide adds to its powerful tackle. Its horns are so hard, they can pierce a diamond.
Yellow · Let’s Go, Pikachu! · Let’s Go, Eevee!
It uses its powerful tail in battle to smash, constrict, then break the prey's bones.
Red · Blue · LeafGreen

Names around the world

Japanese: ニドキング
Japanese (romaji): Nidoking
Korean: 니드킹
Chinese (Traditional): 尼多王
Chinese (Simplified): 尼多王
French: Nidoking
German: Nidoking
Spanish: Nidoking
Italian: Nidoking

Sprites

Tap any sprite to show it on the Pokédex above. ▶ marks official animations; Gen VIII–IX models are large, so they load only when you tap them.

Official artwork

3D models

Generation I

Generation II

Generation III

Generation IV

Generation V

Generation VI

Generation VII

Generation VIII · animated models

Training

EV yield: 3 Atk
Catch rate: 45 ≈5.9% with a Poké Ball at full HP
Base friendship: 70
Base experience: 227
Growth rate: Medium Slow

Breeding

Egg groups: MonsterField
Gender: ♂ 100%♀ 0%
Hatch time: 20 egg cycles ≈5,355 steps (Gen IV–VII)

Where to find

Shield: The Crown Tundra 7 areas

Ballimere Lake (Max Den C)Catch a wild Dynamax or Gigantamax Pokémon in a Max Raid battle. · Lv 45–60
Ballimere Lake (Max Den H)Catch a wild Dynamax or Gigantamax Pokémon in a Max Raid battle. · Lv 45–60
Frigid Sea (Max Den G)Catch a wild Dynamax or Gigantamax Pokémon in a Max Raid battle. · Lv 45–60
Giant's BedSpecial overworld spawn in a fixed location. · Lv 65
Giant's Bed (Max Den C)Catch a wild Dynamax or Gigantamax Pokémon in a Max Raid battle. · Lv 45–60
Giant's Bed (Max Den K)Catch a wild Dynamax or Gigantamax Pokémon in a Max Raid battle. · Lv 45–60
Max LairCapture during a Dynamax Adventure. · Lv 65

Sword: The Crown Tundra 7 areas

Ballimere Lake (Max Den C)Catch a wild Dynamax or Gigantamax Pokémon in a Max Raid battle. · Lv 45–60
Ballimere Lake (Max Den H)Catch a wild Dynamax or Gigantamax Pokémon in a Max Raid battle. · Lv 45–60
Frigid Sea (Max Den G)Catch a wild Dynamax or Gigantamax Pokémon in a Max Raid battle. · Lv 45–60
Giant's BedSpecial overworld spawn in a fixed location. · Lv 65
Giant's Bed (Max Den C)Catch a wild Dynamax or Gigantamax Pokémon in a Max Raid battle. · Lv 45–60
Giant's Bed (Max Den K)Catch a wild Dynamax or Gigantamax Pokémon in a Max Raid battle. · Lv 45–60
Max LairCapture during a Dynamax Adventure. · Lv 65

Let’s Go, Eevee! 1 area

Road 23Walking in the overworld · Lv 41–46

Let’s Go, Pikachu! 1 area

Road 23Walking in the overworld · Lv 41–46