In Sword & Shield, 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.

What is Nidorino weak to?

In Sword & Shield, watch for Rhydon (Ground) and Alakazam (Psychic) when using Nidorino. They all hit it super-effectively with STAB. Only 2 weaknesses means fewer dedicated counters to worry about.

How do you evolve Nidorino?

In Sword & Shield, Nidoran M evolves into Nidorino at level 16. Nidorino evolves into Nidoking using a Moon Stone. Nidorino is a middle-stage evolution in the Nidoran M line.

What is the best ability for Nidorino?

Poison Point has a 30% chance of poisoning attacking Pokémon on contact. That's the one you want on Nidorino. Hustle is the hidden ability. Niche, but it has its uses. Rivalry works too if your team needs something different.

What role does Nidorino play in battle?

In Sword & Shield, 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.

Nidorino - Weakness, Evolution, Moveset, EVs & Stats

Physical

Balanced

DTier

65Speed · Below Avg

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 EVs, 1.06M XP medium-slow curve to max.

Base Stats

Avg

HP61

Attack72

Defense57

Sp. Atk55

Sp. Def55

Speed65

Total365

Details

Catch Rate

Moderate120 / 255

Growth Rate

Medium Slow1.06M XP

Height0.9 m

Weight19.5 kg

Base XP128

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.

HustleHA

Strengthens physical moves to inflict 1.5× damage, but decreases their accuracy to 0.8×.

EV Yield

HPAtk+2DefSpASpDSpe

Attack training target

Pokedex Entries

With a horn that’s harder than diamond, this Pokémon goes around shattering boulders as it searches for a moon stone.

Nidorino Weakness

Ground and Psychic moves hit Nidorino for super-effective damage. It resists 5 types, giving it decent defensive coverage. Only 2 weaknesses makes it relatively easy to build around defensively.

Nidorino Weakness and Resistance Chart
Damage	Types
2x (Weak)	Ground, Psychic
0.5x (Resist)	Grass, Fighting, Poison, Bug, Fairy

Type ChartGood

2Weak

5Resist

0Immune

Score+1

4xCritical

None

2xWeak

Ground Psychic

½xResist

Grass Fighting Poison Bug Fairy

¼xResist

None

0xImmune

None

STAB (2)

Grass Fairy

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

In Sword & Shield, Hatterene can KO Nidorino with Psychic (206-243%). Garchomp threatens a KO with Earthquake (197-232%). Krookodile's Earthquake also KOs at 171-202%.

Hatterene PsychicFairy	A
Recommended Build AbilityMagic Bounce ItemLeftovers NatureQuiet Moves Dazzling Gleam Trick Room PsychicSTAB ProtectPriority Damage vs Nidorino Dazzling Gleam 46-54% Psychic 2x 206-243%KO View Hatterene builds →
Garchomp DragonGround	A
Recommended Build AbilityRough Skin ItemLeftovers NatureJolly Moves EarthquakeSTAB Swords Dance Scale Shot Stealth Rock Damage vs Nidorino Earthquake 2x 197-232%KO View Garchomp builds →
Krookodile GroundDark	B
Recommended Build AbilityIntimidate ItemChoice Scarf NatureJolly Moves EarthquakeSTAB Knock Off Stealth Rock TauntUtility Damage vs Nidorino Earthquake 2x 171-202%KO Knock Off 56-66% View Krookodile builds →
Alakazam Psychic	B
Recommended Build AbilityMagic Guard ItemFocus Sash NatureModest Moves Dazzling Gleam PsyshockSTAB Expanding Force Focus Blast Damage vs Nidorino Dazzling Gleam 30-36% Psyshock 2x 182-214%KO Focus Blast 45-53% View Alakazam builds →

Sword & Shield 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

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 Nidorino 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 Nidorino Best Moveset

Best Build

No build content available for this Pokemon in Gen 8.

Try selecting a different game/generation filter, or check back later.

Moves

Without TMs, Nidorino's movepool is bare bones. With them, you get coverage across 9 types on top of Sludge Bomb and Poison Jab for STAB. The natural kit handles basics, but TMs are doing the real work.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1

Focus Energy

C——30Normal

Lv 1

Leer

D—10030Normal

Lv 1

Peck

—3510035Flying

Lv 1

Poison Sting

—1510035Poison

Lv 15

Fury Attack

—158520Normal

Lv 22

Toxic Spikes

C——20Poison

Lv 29

Double Kick

D3010030Fighting

Lv 36

Horn Attack

—6510025Normal

Lv 43

Helping Hand+5

C——20Normal

Lv 50

Toxic

C—9010Poison

Lv 57

Flatter

D—10015Dark

Lv 64

Poison Jab

C8010020Poison

Lv 71

Earth Power

D9010010Ground

TM Moves

TR17

Amnesia

C——20Psychic

TM31

Attract

C—10015Normal

TM37

Beat Up

D—10010Dark

TR06

Blizzard

D110705Ice

TR01

Body Slam

C8510015Normal

TM15

Dig

D8010010Ground

TR87

Drill Run

D809510Ground

TR67

Earth Power

D9010010Ground

TR26

Endure+4

C——10Normal

TM39

Facade

D7010020Normal

TR13

Focus Energy

C——30Normal

TM41

Helping Hand+5

C——20Normal

TR05

Ice Beam

D9010010Ice

TR31

Iron Tail

D1007515Steel

TR57

Poison Jab

C8010020Poison

TM25

Protect+4

C——10Normal

TM33

Rain Dance

C——5Water

TM21

Rest

C——10Psychic

TM76

Round

D6010015Normal

TM65

Shadow Claw

D7010015Ghost

TR27

Sleep Talk

C——10Normal

TR22

Sludge Bomb

C9010010Poison

TM96

Smart Strike

D70—10Steel

TM24

Snore

—5010015Normal

TM98

Stomping Tantrum

D7510010Ground

TR20

Substitute

C——10Normal

TM34

Sunny Day

C——5Fire

TM23

Thief

D6010025Dark

TR09

Thunder

D1107010Electric

TR08

Thunderbolt

D9010015Electric

TR54

Toxic Spikes

C——20Poison

TR91

Venom Drench

——10020Poison

TM74

Venoshock

D6510010Poison

Egg Moves

Nidorino doesn't have any Egg moves

Tutor Moves

Nidorino can't learn any Tutor moves

How to Get Nidorino in Sword & Shield

Nidorino doesn't appear wild. Catch Nidoran♂ (male) instead, it shows up at solid rates. Evolve it at level 16 to get Nidorino. The 2-stage line is mapped in the step cards below.

How to Obtain Nidorino in Sword & Shield

Nidoran♂ (male) is your first catch on the way to Nidorino. 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 2Nidorino ✓

Nidorino Guide

In Sword & Shield, 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 Sword & Shield, watch for Rhydon (Ground) and Alakazam (Psychic) when using Nidorino. They all hit it super-effectively with STAB. Only 2 weaknesses means fewer dedicated counters to worry about.
In Sword & Shield, Nidoran M evolves into Nidorino at level 16. Nidorino evolves into Nidoking using a Moon Stone. Nidorino is a middle-stage evolution in the Nidoran M line.
Poison Point has a 30% chance of poisoning attacking Pokémon on contact. That's the one you want on Nidorino. Hustle is the hidden ability. Niche, but it has its uses. Rivalry works too if your team needs something different.
In Sword & Shield, 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.

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

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