In Sword & Shield, 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.

What is Nidoking weak to?

In Sword & Shield, Nidoking's biggest threats include Gyarados (Water), Cloyster (Ice), and Golem (Ground), all carrying super-effective STAB moves. Psychic-type attackers are also a problem.

What is the best ability for Nidoking?

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.

What role does Nidoking play in battle?

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.

What are the best moves for Nidoking?

For Sword & Shield, the core moveset is Earthpower, Sludgewave, Thunderbolt, and Ice Beam. Earthpower leads at 24% usage. This set covers the attacker role with a mix of damage and utility.

Nidoking - Weakness, Evolution, Moveset, EVs & Stats

Special

Attacker

BTier

85Speed · Above Avg

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.

Base Stats

High

HP81

Attack102

Defense77

Sp. Atk85

Sp. Def75

Speed85

Total505

Details

Catch Rate

Challenging45 / 255

Growth Rate

Medium Slow1.06M XP

Height1.4 m

Weight62.0 kg

Base XP227

Abilities

Poison PointRare

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 ForceHATop Pick

Strengthens moves with extra effects to 1.3× their power, but prevents their extra effects.

EV Yield

HPAtk+3DefSpASpDSpe

Strong Attack training target

Pokedex Entries

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.

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.

Nidoking Weakness and Resistance Chart
Damage	Types
2x (Weak)	Water, Ice, Ground, Psychic
0.5x (Resist)	Fighting, Bug, Rock, Fairy
0.25x (Resist)	Poison
0x (Immune)	Electric

Type ChartAvg

4Weak

5Resist

1Immune

Score+1

4xCritical

None

2xWeak

Water Ice Ground Psychic

½xResist

Fighting Bug Rock Fairy

¼xResist

Poison

0xImmune

Electric

STAB (7)

Grass Fairy Fire Electric Poison Rock Steel

How to Beat Nidoking in Sword & Shield (Best Counters)

ClefableIgnores boosts via Unaware, threatens with Icy Wind Fairy	A
Recommended Build AbilityMagic Guard ItemLeftovers NatureBold Moves MoonblastSTAB Soft Boiled Calm Mind Knock Off Damage vs Nidoking Moonblast 20-24% Knock Off 13-16% View Clefable builds →
Tapu KokoRecovers with Roost, outspeeds ElectricFairy	A
Recommended Build AbilityElectric Surge ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureTimid Moves Dazzling Gleam ThunderboltSTAB RoostRecovery Volt Switch Damage vs Nidoking Dazzling Gleam 22-26% View Tapu Koko builds →
FerrothornImmune to Poison, threatens with Spikes, excellent bulk GrassSteel	A
Recommended Build AbilityIron Barbs ItemLeftovers NatureImpish Moves Leech Seed Knock Off SpikesHazard Gyro Ball Damage vs Nidoking Knock Off 18-22% View Ferrothorn builds →
CorviknightImmune to Poison, recovers with Roost FlyingSteel	A
Recommended Build AbilityPressure ItemRocky Helmet NatureImpish Moves RoostRecovery DefogUtility U Turn Body Press Damage vs Nidoking U Turn 9-11% View Corviknight builds →
SkarmoryImmune to Poison, recovers with Roost, threatens with Spikes SteelFlying	B
Recommended Build AbilitySturdy ItemRocky Helmet NatureImpish Moves RoostRecovery Body Press SpikesHazard Iron Defense View Skarmory builds →

Sword & Shield 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

3 Forms

#032Nidoran♂ (male)

Level 16

#033Nidorino

Moon Stone

#034Nidoking

Stat Comparison 3 Stages

Nidoran♂ (male)

Poison

Nidorino

Poison

Nidoking

PoisonGround

61+15

81+20

ATK

72+15

102+30

DEF

57+17

77+20

SP.ATK

55+15

85+30

SP.DEF

55+15

75+20

SPE

65+15

85+20

BST

273D-Tier

365D-Tier+92

505C-Tier+140

ROLE

Balanced

Attacker

TYPE

Utility

Physical

Mixed

Breeding

Moderate

Breed with Nidoking to get Nidoran M eggs using 152 partners from the Ground and Monster egg groups.

Egg Groups

GroundMonster

Gender

♂100.0%

Hatch Time

20 cycles·5,140 steps

Quick~5 min with Flame Body

Breed With (best first)

Sword & Shield 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

Experimental

Ability

Sheer Force

Item

Life OrbPOWER

Best Nature for Nidoking

Timid+SPE

Nidoking best EVs are Sp. Atk and Speed

EVs

SpA

SpD

Spe

Special Sweeper Moveset

Earth PowerSTAB
Sludge WaveSTAB
ThunderboltCoverage
Ice Beam

Recommended Teammates

HydreigonDecent

Moves

Hard to wall, honestly. Nidoking threatens 13 types beyond its own STAB, with Fighting and Normal standing out. Pair that with Earthquake and High Horsepower and switchins need to think twice.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1

Double Kick

D3010030Fighting

Lv 1

Earth Power

S9010010Ground

Lv 1

Flatter

D—10015Dark

Lv 1

Focus Energy

C——30Normal

Lv 1

Fury Attack

—158520Normal

Lv 1

Helping Hand+5

C——20Normal

Lv 1

Horn Attack

—6510025Normal

Lv 1

Leer

D—10030Normal

Lv 1

Megahorn

C1208510Bug

Lv 1

Peck

—3510035Flying

Lv 1

Poison Jab

B8010020Poison

Lv 1

Poison Sting

—1510035Poison

Lv 1

Toxic

C—9010Poison

Lv 1

Toxic Spikes

C——20Poison

TM Moves

TR17

Amnesia

C——20Psychic

TM31

Attract

C—10015Normal

TM64

Avalanche-4

C6010010Ice

TM37

Beat Up

D—10010Dark

TR06

Blizzard

C110705Ice

TR99

Body Press

C8010010Fighting

TR01

Body Slam

C8510015Normal

TM43

Brick Break

C7510015Fighting

TM81

Bulldoze

C6010020Ground

TM15

Dig

B8010010Ground

TR62

Dragon Pulse

C8510010Dragon

TR87

Drill Run

C809510Ground

TR67

Earth Power

S9010010Ground

TR10

Earthquake

B10010010Ground

TR26

Endure+4

C——10Normal

TM39

Facade

C7010020Normal

TR15

Fire Blast

B110855Fire

TM03

Fire Punch

C7510015Fire

TR02

Flamethrower

S9010015Fire

TM59

Fling

——10010Dark

TR64

Focus Blast

C120705Fighting

TR13

Focus Energy

C——30Normal

TM09

Giga Impact

B150905Normal

TM41

Helping Hand+5

C——20Normal

TM77

Hex

D6510010Ghost

TR94

High Horsepower

B959510Ground

TM08

Hyper Beam

C150905Normal

TR05

Ice Beam

S9010010Ice

TM04

Ice Punch

C7510015Ice

TM27

Icy Wind

D559515Ice

TR31

Iron Tail

C1007515Steel

TM01

Mega Kick

C120755Normal

Mega Punch

C808520Normal

TR28

Megahorn

C1208510Bug

TM53

Mud Shot

C559515Ground

TR24

Outrage

B12010010Dragon

TM02

Pay Day

—4010020Normal

TR57

Poison Jab

B8010020Poison

TM25

Protect+4

C——10Normal

TM33

Rain Dance

C——5Water

TM21

Rest

C——10Psychic

TM54

Rock Blast

D259010Rock

TM22

Rock Slide

C759010Rock

TM48

Rock Tomb

D609515Rock

TM76

Round

D6010015Normal

TM49

Sand Tomb

D358515Ground

TM32

Sandstorm

D——10Rock

TR33

Shadow Ball

C8010015Ghost

TM65

Shadow Claw

C7010015Ghost

TR27

Sleep Talk

C——10Normal

TR22

Sludge Bomb

S9010010Poison

TR78

Sludge Wave

S9510010Poison

TM96

Smart Strike

C70—10Steel

TM24

Snore

—5010015Normal

TR76

Stealth Rock

C——20Rock

TM98

Stomping Tantrum

C7510010Ground

TR75

Stone Edge

C100805Rock

TR20

Substitute

C——10Normal

TM34

Sunny Day

C——5Fire

TR39

Superpower

B1201005Fighting

TR04

Surf

C9010015Water

TR37

Taunt

C—10020Dark

TM23

Thief

C6010025Dark

TR95

Throat Chop

C8010015Dark

TR09

Thunder

C1107010Electric

TM05

Thunder Punch

C7510015Electric

TR08

Thunderbolt

S9010015Electric

TR54

Toxic Spikes

C——20Poison

TR35

Uproar

C9010010Normal

TR91

Venom Drench

——10020Poison

TM74

Venoshock

C6510010Poison

TM36

Whirlpool

D358515Water

Egg Moves

Nidoking doesn't have any Egg moves

Tutor Moves

Tut

Tutor

Scorching Sands

C7010010Ground

How to Get Nidoking in Sword & Shield

You're catching Nidoran♂ (male) first, not Nidoking. Nidoran♂ (male) appears at solid rates in the encounters below. The step cards map the full 3-stage chain with evolution methods between each stage.

How to Obtain Nidoking in Sword & Shield

Nidoran♂ (male) is your first catch on the way to Nidoking. You'll find walking encounters from Lv. 60-65 across 66 total spots in the chain.

Step 1Catch Nidoran♂ (male)
Giant's Bed
SwordOverworld Lv.60-65
100%Post
Sandstorm
Giant's Bed
ShieldOverworld Lv.60-65
100%Post
Sandstorm
Old Cemetery
SwordOverworld Lv.60-65
35%Post
Normal Weather
Old Cemetery
ShieldOverworld Lv.60-65
35%Post
Normal Weather
Giant's Bed
ShieldOverworld Lv.60-65
26%Post
Overcast
Giant's Bed
ShieldOverworld Lv.60-65
26%Post
Normal Weather
Giant's Bed
ShieldOverworld Lv.60-65
26%Post
Thunderstorm
Giant's Bed
ShieldOverworld Lv.60-65
26%Post
Snowing
Giant's Bed
ShieldOverworld Lv.60-65
26%Post
Raining
Old Cemetery
SwordOverworld Lv.60-65
25%Post
Intense Sun
Old Cemetery
ShieldOverworld Lv.60-65
25%Post
Intense Sun
Old Cemetery
SwordOverworld Lv.60-65
25%Post
Raining
Old Cemetery
ShieldOverworld Lv.60-65
25%Post
Raining
Giant's Bed
ShieldOverworld Lv.60-65
24%Post
Snowstorm
Giant's Bed
ShieldOverworld Lv.60-65
24%Post
Intense Sun
Giant's Bed
ShieldOverworld Lv.60-65
22%Post
Heavy Fog
Old Cemetery
SwordOverworld Lv.60-65
22%Post
Heavy Fog
Giant's Bed
SwordOverworld Lv.60-65
21%Post
Overcast
Giant's Bed
SwordOverworld Lv.60-65
21%Post
Normal Weather
Giant's Bed
SwordOverworld Lv.60-65
21%Post
Thunderstorm
Giant's Bed
SwordOverworld Lv.60-65
21%Post
Snowing
Giant's Bed
SwordOverworld Lv.60-65
21%Post
Raining
Giant's Bed
SwordGrass Lv.60-65
20%Post
Snowstorm
Giant's Bed
ShieldGrass Lv.60-65
20%Post
Normal Weather
Giant's Bed
ShieldGrass Lv.60-65
20%Post
Snowstorm
Giant's Bed
SwordGrass Lv.60-65
20%Post
Snowing
Giant's Bed
SwordGrass Lv.60-65
20%Post
Raining
Giant's Bed
ShieldGrass Lv.60-65
20%Post
Snowing
Giant's Bed
SwordGrass Lv.60-65
20%Post
Heavy Fog
Giant's Bed
ShieldGrass Lv.60-65
20%Post
Raining
Giant's Bed
SwordGrass Lv.60-65
20%Post
Overcast
Giant's Bed
ShieldGrass Lv.60-65
20%Post
Heavy Fog
Giant's Bed
SwordGrass Lv.60-65
20%Post
Normal Weather
Giant's Bed
ShieldGrass Lv.60-65
20%Post
Overcast
Old Cemetery
SwordOverworld Lv.60-65
20%Post
Thunderstorm
Old Cemetery
ShieldOverworld Lv.60-65
20%Post
Thunderstorm
Old Cemetery
SwordOverworld Lv.60-65
20%Post
Snowing
Old Cemetery
ShieldOverworld Lv.60-65
20%Post
Snowing
Old Cemetery
SwordGrass Lv.60-65
20%Post
Normal Weather
Old Cemetery
ShieldGrass Lv.60-65
20%Post
Normal Weather
Old Cemetery
SwordOverworld Lv.60-65
20%Post
Overcast
Old Cemetery
ShieldOverworld Lv.60-65
20%Post
Overcast
Old Cemetery
SwordOverworld Lv.60-65
20%Post
Snowstorm
Old Cemetery
ShieldOverworld Lv.60-65
20%Post
Snowstorm
Giant's Bed
SwordOverworld Lv.60-65
19%Post
Snowstorm
Giant's Bed
SwordOverworld Lv.60-65
19%Post
Intense Sun
Giant's Bed
SwordOverworld Lv.60-65
17%Post
Heavy Fog
Old Cemetery
ShieldOverworld Lv.60-65
17%Post
Heavy Fog
Giant's Bed
SwordGrass Lv.60-65
16%Post
Thunderstorm
Giant's Bed
ShieldGrass Lv.60-65
16%Post
Thunderstorm
Giant's Bed
SwordGrass Lv.60-65
16%Post
Intense Sun
Giant's Bed
ShieldGrass Lv.60-65
16%Post
Intense Sun
Old Cemetery
SwordGrass Lv.60-65
16%Post
Raining
Old Cemetery
ShieldGrass Lv.60-65
16%Post
Snowing
Old Cemetery
SwordGrass Lv.60-65
16%Post
Heavy Fog
Old Cemetery
ShieldGrass Lv.60-65
16%Post
Raining
Old Cemetery
ShieldGrass Lv.60-65
16%Post
Heavy Fog
Old Cemetery
SwordGrass Lv.60-65
16%Post
Overcast
Old Cemetery
ShieldGrass Lv.60-65
16%Post
Overcast
Old Cemetery
SwordGrass Lv.60-65
16%Post
Snowstorm
Old Cemetery
ShieldGrass Lv.60-65
16%Post
Snowstorm
Old Cemetery
SwordGrass Lv.60-65
16%Post
Intense Sun
Old Cemetery
SwordGrass Lv.60-65
16%Post
Snowing
Old Cemetery
ShieldGrass Lv.60-65
16%Post
Intense Sun
Old Cemetery
SwordGrass Lv.60-65
14%Post
Thunderstorm
Old Cemetery
ShieldGrass Lv.60-65
14%Post
Thunderstorm
Train until Level 16
Step 2Evolve into Nidorino
Moon Stone
Step 3Nidoking ✓

Nidoking Guide

In Sword & Shield, 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.
In Sword & Shield, Nidoking's biggest threats include Gyarados (Water), Cloyster (Ice), and Golem (Ground), all carrying super-effective STAB moves. Psychic-type attackers are also a problem.
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.
For Sword & Shield, the core moveset is Earthpower, Sludgewave, Thunderbolt, and Ice Beam. Earthpower leads at 24% usage. This set covers the attacker role with a mix of damage and utility.

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

Was this page helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Want to tell us more?

What was most useful?

About:

What could be improved?

About:

Thanks for your feedback