Stats & Training
Sp. Def leads and Defense gets almost nothing. That's Nihilego's stat line in a nutshell. 4 stats sit in respectable range, but the spread is brutal. Tough to catch and yields 3 Sp. Def EVs.
A life-form from another world, it was dubbed a UB and is thought to produce a strong neurotoxin.
It appeared in this world from an Ultra Wormhole. Nihilego appears to be a parasite that lives by feeding on people and Pokémon.
Nihilego Weakness
Ground, Water, Psychic, and Steel moves hit Nihilego for super-effective damage. Ground hits land at 4x, so they're the biggest threat. With 6 resistances, the defensive profile is strong. Nihilego's special bulk (base 131 Sp.Def) helps absorb special-type weaknesses, though physical moves exploit the lower Defense.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 4x (Critical) | Ground |
| 2x (Weak) | Water, Psychic, Steel |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Normal, Fire, Flying, Bug, Fairy |
| 0.25x (Resist) | Poison |
 Swampert WaterGround | A | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Nihilego View Swampert builds →Earthquake 4x241-284%KO Muddy Water 2x40-47% Surf 2x40-47% Scald 2x36-42% | ||
 Zygarde DragonGround | B | |
Obtain MethodRoute 16 Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Nihilego View Zygarde builds →Earthquake 4x222-261%KO Land's Wrath 4x199-235%KO Dig 4x180-212%KO Bulldoze 4x135-160%KO | ||
 Krookodile GroundDark | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Nihilego View Krookodile builds →Earthquake 4x252-297%KO Dig 4x202-238%KO Bulldoze 4x152-179%KO Sand Tomb 4x91-108%KO | ||
 Torterra GrassGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Nihilego View Torterra builds →Earthquake 4x238-280%KO Bulldoze 4x144-170%KO | ||
 Flygon GroundDragon | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Nihilego View Flygon builds →Earthquake 4x222-261%KO Earth Power 4x77-91% Steel Wing 2x52-62% Bulldoze 4x135-160%KO | ||
In Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon, Scizor can KO Nihilego with Bullet Punch (109-129%). Tapu Lele's Psychic also KOs at 98-115%.
 Scizor BugSteel | S | |
Recommended Build AbilityTechnician ItemChoice Band NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Nihilego View Scizor builds →Bullet Punch 2x109-129%KO Superpower109-128%KO U Turn48-56% | ||
 | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityStatic ItemLeftovers NatureCalm Moves
Damage vs Nihilego View Zapdos builds →Heat Wave10-12% Thunderbolt29-34% | ||
 | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityPsychic Surge ItemChoice Specs NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Nihilego View Tapu Lele builds →Moonblast26-30% Psyshock 2x87-102%KO Psychic 2x98-115%KO | ||
 | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityRegenerator ItemBlack Sludge NatureBold Moves
Damage vs Nihilego View Toxapex builds →Scald 2x23-28% | ||
 | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityDrizzle ItemDamprock NatureModest Moves
Damage vs Nihilego View Pelipper builds →Hurricane18-21% Scald 2x52-61% | ||
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon Evolution
At 570 base stat total, Nihilego hits hard for a Rock/Poison type. No evolution chain and no egg group, just a straight pickup. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon Nihilego Best Moveset
The recommended build leans into Nihilego's strengths as a special attacker. Air Balloon provides temporary Ground immunity, and max Sp. Atk and Speed EVs back that up. Beastboost rounds out the package.
Best Build
Nihilego best EVs are Sp. Atk and Speed
Special Sweeper Moveset
- Power Gem
- Thunderbolt
- Clear Smog
- Sludge Bomb
Recommended Teammates
Doubles Special Sweeper Moveset
- Power Gem
- Protect
- Sludge Bomb
- Hidden Power Ice
Utility Moveset
- Power Gem
- Sludge Wave
- Stealth Rock
- Toxic Spikes
Recommended Teammates
Moves
Leveling does the heavy lifting. Nihilego picks up Head Smash and Psychic along the way, building toward a complete offensive set. TMs add coverage across 7 types, but the foundation's already strong by then.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
How to Get Nihilego in Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon
You'll find Nihilego at Ultra Space as a set encounter. It's always there at that location, so come prepared for the battle. The location details below cover exact positioning.
Best Locations to Catch Nihilego in Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon
Nihilego Guide
For Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon, we rate Nihilego B-Tier: a solid option in Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon for the right team. At 570 BST, it fits the sweeper role. Power Gem with Air Balloon is the standard set.
Beast Boost raises this Pokémon's highest stat by one stage when it faints another Pokémon. That's the one you want on Nihilego. It's the only ability Nihilego has.
Base 103 Speed lets it outrun most of the field. On offense, Nihilego is a special attacker with base 127 Sp. Atk. Defensively? Tanky enough to absorb a few hits. Best used as a sweeper.
In Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon, run Power Gem, Thunderbolt, Clearsmog, and Sludge Bomb on Nihilego. Power Gem is the most common pick at 21% usage. This set covers the sweeper role with a mix of damage and utility.
Game Availability
Nihilego joined the series in Sun & Moon and has been available in 3 titles so far. With 4 generations of appearances, it's established itself despite the later start.
Click a game to view version-specific details
- Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 1RB
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 7SMDebut
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