Stats & Training
Attack and Sp. Atk carry most of Nidoking's stat budget. Sp. Def's the obvious dump stat. Tough to catch and yields 3 Attack EVs. Follows a 1.06M XP medium-slow curve.
One swing of its mighty tail can snap a telephone pole as if it were a matchstick.
One swing of its mighty tail can snap a telephone pole as if it were a matchstick.
Nidoking Weakness
Type-wise, Nidoking takes extra damage from Water, Ice, Ground, and Psychic. Electric moves do nothing thanks to a full immunity. 5 resistances help offset the weaknesses.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Water, Ice, Ground, Psychic |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Fighting, Bug, Rock, Fairy |
| 0.25x (Resist) | Poison |
| 0x (Immune) | Electric |
 Garchomp DragonGround | A | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Nidoking View Garchomp builds →Earthquake 2x114-135%KO Surf 2x47-55% Dig 2x91-108%KO Bulldoze 2x69-81% | ||
 Pelipper Water | B | |
Obtain MethodPoni Wilds Surfing Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Nidoking View Pelipper builds →Hydro Pump 2x98-115%KO Blizzard 2x65-77% Surf 2x79-94% Ice Beam 2x53-63% | ||
 Metagross SteelPsychic | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Nidoking View Metagross builds →Earthquake 2x78-92% Psychic 2x79-94% Zen Headbutt 2x94-112%KO Psyshock 2x72-85% | ||
 Zygarde DragonGround | B | |
Obtain MethodRoute 16 Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Nidoking View Zygarde builds →Earthquake 2x91-108%KO Land's Wrath 2x81-96% Dig 2x73-87% Bulldoze 2x55-65% | ||
 Delibird Ice | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Nidoking View Delibird builds →Blizzard 2x73-87% Ice Beam 2x60-71% Frost Breath 2x40-48% | ||
In Sun & Moon, Zapdos's Heat Wave hits Nidoking for 38-45%.
 | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityStatic ItemLeftovers NatureCalm Moves
Damage vs Nidoking View Zapdos builds →Heat Wave38-45% | ||
 | B | |
Recommended Build AbilitySturdy ItemRocky Helmet NatureImpish Moves View Skarmory builds →
| ||
 | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityMagic Guard ItemLeftovers NatureBold Moves
Damage vs Nidoking View Clefable builds →Moonblast20-24% | ||
 | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityMagnetpull ItemChoice Specs NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Nidoking View Magnezone builds →Flash Cannon82-96% | ||
| B | |
Recommended Build AbilityDrizzle ItemDamprock NatureModest Moves
Damage vs Nidoking View Pelipper builds →Hurricane66-78% Scald 2x97-114%KO | ||
Sun & Moon Evolution
Getting Nidoking requires an evolution item, not just grinding levels. The chain starts at Nidoran♂ (male). Breed this form to get Nidoran♂ (male) eggs (average hatch time). Attack grew the most through evolution (+45 over Nidoran M), and Nidoking peaks at 505 total stats. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
Breed with Nidoking to get Nidoran M eggs using 218 partners from the Ground and Monster egg groups. Notable egg moves include Amnesia, Beat Up, Chip Away and 11 more.
Sun & Moon Nidoking Best Moveset
Nothing fancy here. Nidoking builds around Life Orb for extra damage on every hit for a health trade, Timid nature for the right stat lean, and max Sp. Atk and Speed EVs. Sheerforce does its job quietly.
Best Build
Nidoking best EVs are Sp. Atk and Speed
Special Sweeper Moveset
- Earth Power
- Ice Beam
- Sludge Wave
- Flamethrower
Recommended Teammates
Doubles Special Tank Moveset
- Earth Power
- Sludge Bomb
- Flamethrower
- Thunderbolt
Recommended Teammates
Moves
Hard to wall, honestly. Nidoking threatens 14 types beyond its own STAB, with Fighting and Bug standing out. Pair that with Earthquake and Sludge Wave and switchins need to think twice.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Reminder Moves
Transfer Moves
How to Get Nidoking in Sun & Moon
Nidoking can't be caught in Sun & Moon. Transfer Nidoran♂ (male) from Red, Yellow, or Let's Go Pikachu and evolve through the 3-stage chain to get it. The step cards below map the full chain.
How to Obtain Nidoking in Sun & Moon
Step 1Obtain Nidoran♂ (male)
Step 3Nidoking ✓
Nidoking Guide
In Sun & Moon, Sheer Force changes the entire equation for Nidoking. The 505 BST doesn't tell the full story. Ranked B-Tier as an attacker. Earthpower with Life Orb is the standard set.
Sheer Force is what you want on Nidoking. Every competitive set worth running is built with that ability in mind. The alternatives (Poison Point, Rivalry) work on paper but Sheer Force is what makes Nidoking worth using.
Base 85 Speed is workable. Faster than some, slower than many. On offense, Nidoking is a special attacker with base 85 Sp. Atk. Defensively? Enough bulk to take a hit or two. Best used as an attacker.
In Sun & Moon, Sheer Force is the hidden ability. It strengthens moves with extra effects to 1.3× their power, but prevents their extra effects. Worth hunting for if you want Nidoking to compete at a higher level.
Game Availability
One of the original 151, Nidoking has appeared in 19 games — most mainline games. From Red & Blue through the latest titles, it's rarely been left out of a regional Pokedex.
Click a game to view version-specific details
- Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 1RBDebut
Red & Blue - Gen 2GS
Gold & Silver - Gen 2C
Crystal - Gen 3RS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen 3FRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen 3E
Emerald - Gen 4Pt
Platinum - Gen 4HGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen 4DP
Diamond & Pearl - Gen 5BW
Black & White - Gen 5B2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen 6XY
X & Y - Gen 6ORAS
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen 7USUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen 7SM
Sun & Moon - Gen 7LGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen 8SwSh
Sword & Shield - Gen 8PLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen 8BDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen 9SV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen 9LZA
Legends: Z-A - Gen 10WW
Winds & Waves