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.
Its steel-like hide adds to its powerful tackle. Its horns are so hard, they can pierce a diamond.
Its steel-like hide adds to its powerful tackle. Its horns are so hard, they can pierce a diamond.
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 |
 Gyarados Water | B | |
Obtain MethodRoute 20 Surfing Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Nidoking View Gyarados builds →Hydro Pump 2x69-81% Waterfall 2x88-104%KO | ||
 Articuno Ice | C | |
Obtain MethodSeafoam Islands Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Nidoking View Articuno builds →Ice Beam 2x79-94% Ice Shard 2x34-40% | ||
 Dugtrio Ground | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Nidoking View Dugtrio builds →Earthquake 2x91-108%KO Dig 2x73-87% | ||
 Marowak Ground | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Nidoking View Marowak builds →Bone Club 2x51-60% Bonemerang 2x39-46% | ||
 Lapras WaterIce | C | |
Obtain MethodSaffron City Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Nidoking View Lapras builds →Ice Beam 2x73-87% Surf 2x73-87% Water Gun 2x34-40% Ice Shard 2x34-40% | ||
In Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee, 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 AbilityMagic Guard ItemLeftovers NatureBold Moves
Damage vs Nidoking View Clefable builds →Moonblast20-24% | ||
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee 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
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee 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
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee uses different battle mechanics.
Competitive build content is not applicable for this game. Select a main series game for builds.
Moves
Hard to wall, honestly. Nidoking threatens 12 types beyond its own STAB, with Fighting and Flying standing out. Pair that with Earthquake and Sludge Bomb and switchins need to think twice.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
How to Get Nidoking in Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee
Nidoking tops out at low spawn rates across 2 locations in late-game routes. The encounters below are sorted by rate so you can see exactly what you're working with.
Where To Catch Nidoking in Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee
To get Nidoking, start by catching Nidoran♂ (male) through walking encounters at Lv. 3-46. The chain covers 3 catchable stages before reaching the final form.
Step 1Catch Nidoran♂ (male)Route 22Let's Go EeveeGrass Lv.3-4 Route20%EarlyRoute 22Let's Go PikachuGrass Lv.3-4 Route20%EarlyRoute 9Let's Go PikachuGrass Lv.17-22 Route15%MidRoute 9Let's Go EeveeGrass Lv.17-22 Route15%MidRoute 10Let's Go EeveeGrass Lv.18-23 Route15%MidRoute 10Let's Go PikachuGrass Lv.18-23 Route15%MidRoute 23Let's Go PikachuGrass Lv.41-46 Route10%LateRoute 23Let's Go EeveeGrass Lv.41-46 Route10%Late
Step 2Catch or Evolve NidorinoRoute 9Let's Go PikachuGrass Lv.17-22 Route5%MidRoute 9Let's Go EeveeGrass Lv.17-22 Route5%MidRoute 10Let's Go EeveeGrass Lv.18-23 Route5%MidRoute 10Let's Go PikachuGrass Lv.18-23 Route5%MidRoute 23Let's Go EeveeGrass Lv.41-46 Route19%LateRoute 23Let's Go PikachuGrass Lv.41-46 Route19%Lateor evolve from Nidoran♂ (male) (Step 1)
Step 3Nidoking ✓Route 23Let's Go EeveeGrass Lv.41-46 Route1%LateRoute 23Let's Go PikachuGrass Lv.41-46 Route1%Lateor evolve from Nidorino (Step 2)
Nidoking Guide
In Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee, 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 Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee, 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