Stats & Training
Nidorino's stats barely vary. None sit in respectable range with no real gaps. It's a blank slate for EV investment. Worth 2 Attack stat exp, 1.06M XP medium-slow curve to max.
It raises its big ears to check its surroundings. If it senses anything, it attacks immediately.
Quick to anger, it stabs enemies with its horn to inject a powerful poison when it becomes agitated.
Nidorino Weakness
Ground and Psychic moves hit Nidorino for super-effective damage. It resists 4 types, giving it decent defensive coverage. Only 2 weaknesses makes it relatively easy to build around defensively.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Ground, Psychic |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Grass, Fighting, Poison, Bug |
- Dark and Steel types added — Fairy does not exist yet
- Moves are Physical or Special based on type, not per move
- Special stat split into Sp.Atk and Sp.Def
 Geodude RockGround | C | |
 Onix RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Nidorino View Onix builds →Dig 2x61-73% Mud-Slap 2x17-21% | ||
Geodude RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Nidorino View Geodude builds →Dig 2x87-103%KO Mud-Slap 2x24-30% | ||
 Sandshrew Ground | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Nidorino View Sandshrew builds →Dig 2x83-99% Mud-Slap 2x24-30% | ||
 Wooper WaterGround | D | |
Obtain MethodRuins Of Alph Surfing Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Nidorino View Wooper builds →Dig 2x61-73% Mud-Slap 2x17-21% | ||
 Drowzee Psychic | D | |
 Graveler RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Nidorino View Graveler builds →Dig 2x101-119%KO Mud-Slap 2x28-34% | ||
Onix RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Nidorino View Onix builds →Dig 2x60-72% Mud-Slap 2x17-20% | ||
Sandshrew Ground | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Nidorino View Sandshrew builds →Dig 2x83-99% Mud-Slap 2x23-27% | ||
Wooper WaterGround | D | |
Obtain MethodRuins Of Alph Surfing Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Nidorino View Wooper builds →Earthquake 2x75-89% Dig 2x60-72% Mud-Slap 2x17-20% | ||
Drowzee Psychic | D | |
Graveler RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Nidorino View Graveler builds →Dig 2x96-113%KO Mud-Slap 2x28-33% | ||
Onix RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Nidorino View Onix builds →Dig 2x57-67% Mud-Slap 2x17-20% | ||
Sandshrew Ground | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Nidorino View Sandshrew builds →Dig 2x81-97% Mud-Slap 2x22-27% | ||
Wooper WaterGround | D | |
Obtain MethodRuins Of Alph Surfing Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Nidorino View Wooper builds →Earthquake 2x70-83% Dig 2x57-67% Mud-Slap 2x17-20% | ||
Drowzee Psychic | D | |
Graveler RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Nidorino View Graveler builds →Dig 2x96-113%KO Mud-Slap 2x28-33% | ||
Onix RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Nidorino View Onix builds →Dig 2x57-67% Mud-Slap 2x17-20% | ||
 Girafarig NormalPsychic | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Nidorino View Girafarig builds →Confusion 2x62-73% Mud-Slap 2x17-20% | ||
Sandshrew Ground | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Nidorino View Sandshrew builds →Dig 2x81-97% Mud-Slap 2x22-27% | ||
Wooper WaterGround | D | |
Obtain MethodRuins Of Alph Surfing Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Nidorino View Wooper builds →Earthquake 2x70-83% Dig 2x57-67% Mud-Slap 2x17-20% | ||
Graveler RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Nidorino View Graveler builds →Dig 2x96-113%KO Mud-Slap 2x28-33% | ||
Onix RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Nidorino View Onix builds →Dig 2x57-67% Mud-Slap 2x17-20% | ||
 Phanpy Ground | D | |
Sandshrew Ground | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Nidorino View Sandshrew builds →Dig 2x81-97% Mud-Slap 2x22-27% | ||
 Swinub IceGround | D | |
In Gold & Silver, Jynx can KO Nidorino with Psychic (135-159%). Rhydon threatens a KO with Earthquake (162-190%). Alakazam's Psychic also KOs at 155-183%.
 Jynx IcePsychic | B | |
Recommended Build ItemLeftovers Moves
Damage vs Nidorino View Jynx builds →Ice Beam67-79% Psychic 2x135-159%KO Thief30-35% | ||
 Rhydon GroundRock | B | |
Recommended Build ItemLeftovers Moves
Damage vs Nidorino View Rhydon builds →Rock Slide61-72% Earthquake 2x162-190%KO | ||
 Alakazam Psychic | B | |
Recommended Build ItemLeftovers Moves
Damage vs Nidorino View Alakazam builds →Psychic 2x155-183%KO | ||
Gold & Silver Evolution
Nidorino is partway through a three-stage line between Nidoran♂ (male) and Nidoking. The chain involves an evolution item, so it's not a straightforward grind. So far, Defense got the biggest boost (+17 from Nidoran M). The final form adds another 140 stats on top. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
Breed with Nidorino to get Nidoran M eggs using 66 partners from the Ground and Monster egg groups. Notable egg moves include Amnesia, Beat Up, Confusion and 4 more.
Gold & Silver Nidorino Best Moveset
Best Build
Gen 2 build content has limited support (no abilities).
Try selecting a different game/generation filter, or check back later.
Moves
Don't skip the egg moves. Nidorino picks up Amnesia and Beat Up only through breeding, and both fill gaps the natural movepool can't. STAB runs through Poison Sting while coverage across 8 types adds range.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
How to Get Nidorino in Gold & Silver
6 encounter spots for Nidorino at high spawn rates starting from mid-game routes. Best and Earliest sort options below help narrow down your approach based on odds vs. Accessibility.
Where To Catch Nidorino in Gold & Silver
To get Nidorino, start by catching Nidoran♂ (male) through walking encounters at Lv. 12-23. The chain covers 2 catchable stages before reaching the final form.
Step 1Catch Nidoran♂ (male)Route 35GoldGrass Lv.12 Route30%EarlyRoute 35SilverGrass Lv.12 Route30%EarlyRoute 36GoldGrass Lv.12 Route30%EarlyRoute 36SilverGrass Lv.12 Route30%Early
Step 2Nidorino ✓Route 13GoldGrass Lv.23 Route30%MidRoute 13SilverGrass Lv.23 Route30%MidRoute 14GoldGrass Lv.23 Route30%MidRoute 14SilverGrass Lv.23 Route30%MidRoute 15SilverGrass Lv.23 Route30%MidRoute 15GoldGrass Lv.23 Route30%Midor evolve from Nidoran♂ (male) (Step 1)
Nidorino Guide
In Gold & Silver, Nidorino isn't fully evolved, so it's not built for competitive play. You'll want to evolve it into Nidoking to unlock its full potential. At 365 BST, it's a stepping stone rather than a team anchor.
In Gold & Silver, Nidorino fills the balanced role. It's a physical attacker with base 72 Attack. At base 65 Speed, it won't be moving first often.
In Gold & Silver, Nidorino does the job early-game if you need a Poison type on your team. Evolve it into Nidoking before the later gyms and it holds up fine through the story.
Game Availability
Nidorino has been part of the series since Red & Blue, appearing in 19 titles across all 10 generations. As a Gen 1 original, it's one of the most consistently available Pokemon in the franchise.
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