Physical
Balanced
76Speed · Below Avg

Is Nidoqueen Good in Red & Blue Playthrough?

One of the best early-game investments in Red and Blue. Evolve Nidoran at 16, Moon Stone Nidorina right away, and you have a fully evolved Pokemon before Misty. Poison/Ground typing gives it good matchups against most of the game, and the balanced stats keep it relevant through the E4. Can do a bit of everything without being the best at anything, which is exactly what you want on a story team.

StrongGoodEvenToughBadTEEGEESGGGEEGBrockGym 1Nidoran FIn-Game TradeNidorinaEvolveMistyGym 2SurgeGym 3NidoqueenEvolveErikaGym 4KogaGym 5SabrinaGym 6BlaineGym 7GiovanniGym 8LoreleiE4BrunoE4AgathaE4LanceE4BlueChamp*
Brock
Gym 1
Tough

Brock's typing presses Nidoran♀ (female)'s defenses.

Risky
Geodude
Lv 12
RockGround
Rock Head
Defense CurlTackle
Avoid
Onix
Lv 14
RockGround
Rock Head
TackleScreech
Misty
Gym 2
Even

Nidorina trades roughly evenly with Misty's team.

Even
Staryu
Lv 18
Water
Illuminate
Water GunTackle
Risky
Starmie
Lv 21
WaterPsychic
Illuminate
TackleWater GunHarden
Lt. Surge
Gym 3
Even

Nidorina trades roughly evenly with Lt. Surge's team.

Even
Voltorb
Lv 21
Electric
Soundproof
Sonic BoomTackleScreech
Even
Pikachu
Lv 18
Electric
Static
Quick AttackThunder WaveGrowlThunder Shock
Even
Raichu
Lv 24
Electric
Static
GrowlThunder ShockThunder Wave
Erika
Gym 4
Good

Nidoqueen has the type edge here and should clean up Erika's team.

You Win
Victreebel
Lv 29
GrassPoison
Chlorophyll
Sleep PowderPoison PowderWrapAcid
You Win
Tangela
Lv 24
Grass
Chlorophyll
BindConstrict
You Win
Vileplume
Lv 29
GrassPoison
Chlorophyll
Sleep PowderStun SporePoison PowderAcid
Koga
Gym 5
Even

Nidoqueen trades roughly evenly with Koga's team.

Even
Koffing
Lv 37
Poison
Levitate
SmokescreenSludgeTackleSmog
Even
Muk
Lv 39
Poison
Stench
SludgeMinimizePoison GasPound
Even
Koffing
Lv 37
Poison
Levitate
SmokescreenSludgeTackleSmog
Risky
Weezing
Lv 43
Poison
Levitate
Self DestructSmokescreenSludgeTackle
Sabrina
Gym 6
Even

Nidoqueen trades roughly evenly with Sabrina's team.

Even
Kadabra
Lv 38
Psychic
Synchronize
PsychicRecoverPsybeamDisable
You Win
Mr Mime
Lv 37
PsychicFairy
Soundproof
Double SlapLight ScreenConfusionConfusion
You Win
Venomoth
Lv 38
BugPoison
Shield Dust
PsybeamStun SporeLeech LifePoison Powder
Even
Alakazam
Lv 43
Psychic
Synchronize
ReflectPsychicRecoverPsybeam
Blaine
Gym 7
Strong

Nidoqueen resists most of Blaine's coverage and hits back hard.

Easy KO
Growlithe
Lv 42
Fire
Intimidate
AgilityTake DownLeerEmber
Easy KO
Ponyta
Lv 40
Fire
Run Away
Fire SpinGrowlStompTail Whip
Easy KO
Rapidash
Lv 42
Fire
Run Away
Fire SpinGrowlStompTail Whip
You Win
Arcanine
Lv 47
Fire
Intimidate
Take DownLeerRoarEmber
Giovanni
Gym 8
Good

Nidoqueen has the type edge here and should clean up Giovanni's team.

Easy KO
Rhyhorn
Lv 45
GroundRock
Lightning Rod
Horn DrillFury AttackTail WhipStomp
Even
Dugtrio
Lv 42
Ground
Sand Veil
SlashSand AttackDigGrowl
You Win
Nidoqueen
Lv 44
PoisonGround
Poison Point
Body SlamPoison StingScratchScratch
You Win
Nidoking
Lv 45
PoisonGround
Poison Point
ThrashPoison StingHorn AttackHorn Attack
Easy KO
Rhydon
Lv 50
GroundRock
Lightning Rod
Horn DrillFury AttackTail WhipStomp
Lorelei
Elite Four
Good

Nidoqueen has the type edge here and should clean up Lorelei's team.

Even
Dewgong
Lv 54
WaterIce
Thick Fat
GrowlAurora BeamRestTake Down
You Win
Cloyster
Lv 53
WaterIce
Shell Armor
SupersonicClampAurora BeamSpike Cannon
You Win
Slowbro
Lv 54
WaterPsychic
Oblivious
GrowlWater GunWithdrawAmnesia
Even
Jynx
Lv 56
IcePsychic
Oblivious
Double SlapIce PunchBody SlamThrash
Even
Lapras
Lv 56
WaterIce
Water Absorb
Body SlamConfuse RayBlizzardHydro Pump
Bruno
Elite Four
Good

Nidoqueen has the type edge here and should clean up Bruno's team.

Easy KO
Onix
Lv 53
RockGround
Rock Head
Rock ThrowRageSlamHarden
Even
Hitmonchan
Lv 55
Fighting
Keen Eye
Ice PunchThunder PunchMega PunchCounter
Even
Hitmonlee
Lv 55
Fighting
Limber
Jump KickFocus EnergyHigh Jump KickMega Kick
Easy KO
Onix
Lv 56
RockGround
Rock Head
Rock ThrowRageSlamHarden
You Win
Machamp
Lv 58
Fighting
Guts
LeerFocus EnergyFissureSubmission
Agatha
Elite Four
Even

Nidoqueen trades roughly evenly with Agatha's team.

Even
Gengar
Lv 56
GhostPoison
Cursed Body
Confuse RayNight ShadeHypnosisDream Eater
Even
Golbat
Lv 56
PoisonFlying
Inner Focus
SupersonicConfuse RayWing AttackHaze
You Win
Haunter
Lv 55
GhostPoison
Levitate
Confuse RayNight ShadeHypnosisDream Eater
You Win
Arbok
Lv 58
Poison
Intimidate
BiteGlareScreechAcid
Even
Gengar
Lv 60
GhostPoison
Cursed Body
Confuse RayNight ShadeToxicDream Eater
Lance
Elite Four
Even

Nidoqueen trades roughly evenly with Lance's team.

You Win
Gyarados
Lv 58
WaterFlying
Intimidate
Dragon RageLeerHydro PumpHyper Beam
You Win
Dragonair
Lv 56
Dragon
Shed Skin
AgilitySlamDragon RageHyper Beam
You Win
Dragonair
Lv 56
Dragon
Shed Skin
AgilitySlamDragon RageHyper Beam
Risky
Aerodactyl
Lv 60
RockFlying
Rock Head
SupersonicBiteTake DownHyper Beam
Even
Dragonite
Lv 62
DragonFlying
Inner Focus
AgilitySlamBarrierHyper Beam
Blue
Champion
Good

Nidoqueen has the type edge here and should clean up Blue's team.

Even
Pidgeot
Lv 61
NormalFlying
Keen Eye
Mirror MoveAgilityWing AttackWhirlwind
Even
Alakazam
Lv 59
Psychic
Synchronize
ReflectPsychicRecoverPsybeam
Easy KO
Rhydon
Lv 61
GroundRock
Lightning Rod
LeerHorn DrillFury AttackTail Whip
You Win
Exeggutor
Lv 61
GrassPsychic
Chlorophyll
StompHypnosisBarrage
Even
Gyarados
Lv 63
WaterFlying
Intimidate
Hyper BeamHydro PumpLeerDragon Rage
You Win
Charizard
Lv 65
FireFlying
Blaze
Fire SpinFlamethrowerSlashRage
Trade Nidoran♀ (female)
Available after Badge 1
Type
Poison
Tier
E

Nidoran F can be received through an in-game trade on Underground Path 5-6. Trade Nidoran♂. Trade a Nidoran Male to the NPC in the Underground Path (Routes 5-6) to receive Nidoran Female.

View Nidoran F locations

Recommended Moves
  • After Misty
    • TM08NormalBody Slam85100%15
  • After Lt. Surge
    • TM24ElectricThunderbolt90100%15
    • LV 29DarkBite60100%25
  • After Erika
    • TM40NormalSkull Bash130100%10
    • TM10NormalDouble-Edge120100%15
  • After Sabrina
    • TM14IceBlizzard11070%5
    • TM25ElectricThunder11070%10
  • After Koga
    • TM09NormalTake Down9085%20
Evolve Nidoran♀ (female) to Nidorina
Level 16
Type
Poison
Tier
E

Your Nidoran♀ (female) should hit Level 16 before you reach Misty, at typical leveling pace.

View Nidorina locations

Recommended Moves
  • After Misty
    • TM08NormalBody Slam85100%15
  • After Lt. Surge
    • TM13IceIce Beam90100%10
    • TM24ElectricThunderbolt90100%15
  • After Erika
    • TM40NormalSkull Bash130100%10
    • TM10NormalDouble-Edge120100%15
  • After Sabrina
    • TM14IceBlizzard11070%5
    • TM25ElectricThunder11070%10
  • After Koga
    • TM09NormalTake Down9085%20
Evolve Nidorina to Nidoqueen
Use Moon Stone
Type
PoisonGround
Tier
D

You can pick up the Moon Stone in Mt. Moon. 4 other locations are also available.

Recommended Moves
  • After Lt. Surge
    • TM13IceIce Beam90100%10
    • TM24ElectricThunderbolt90100%15
  • After Erika
    • TM15NormalHyper Beam15090%5
    • TM40NormalSkull Bash130100%10
    • TM10NormalDouble-Edge120100%15
  • After Koga
    • TM26GroundEarthquake150100%10
  • After Blaine
    • TM38FireFire Blast11085%5
  • After Giovanni
    • TM05NormalMega Kick12075%5

How to Get Nidoqueen in Red & Blue

No wild encounters for Nidoqueen. The 3-stage chain runs through Nidoran♀ (female), which you can catch at decent rates from the locations below. Evolve through a special method once you've got the levels.

How to Obtain Nidoqueen in RB

Nidoran♀ (female) is your first catch on the way to Nidoqueen. You'll find walking and trade encounters from Lv. 2-33 across 19 total spots in the chain.

  1. Route 22
    Lv.2-4Grass
    BlueRate 10%
    Route 22
    Lv.3-4Grass
    RedRate 10%
    Safari Zone - Center
    Lv.22Floor
    BlueRate 20%
    Safari Zone - North
    Lv.22Floor
    BlueRate 20%
    Safari Zone - East
    Lv.24Floor
    BlueRate 20%
    Safari Zone - West
    Lv.25Floor
    BlueRate 20%
    Safari Zone - East
    Lv.24Floor
    RedRate 5%
    Safari Zone - West
    Lv.25Floor
    RedRate 5%
    Underground Path 5-6
    In-game trade
    Limited
    Trade for (give Nidoran♂)
  2. Nidorina
    Step 2Catch or Evolve Nidorina
    Safari Zone - North
    Lv.30Floor
    BlueRate 10%
    Safari Zone - North
    Lv.30Floor
    RedRate 5%
    Celadon City - Game Corner
    Lv.17Gift from NPC
    RedLimited
    Purchase: 1,200 coins
    Safari Zone - Center
    Lv.31Floor
    BlueRate 10%
    Safari Zone - East
    Lv.33Floor
    BlueRate 10%
    Safari Zone - West
    Lv.33Floor
    BlueRate 10%
    Safari Zone - Center
    Lv.31Floor
    RedRate 5%
    Route 11
    In-game trade
    Limited
    Trade for (give Nidorino)
    or evolve from Nidoran♀ (female) (Step 1)
  3. Nidoqueen
    Step 3Nidoqueen

Nidoqueen Weakness

Nidoqueen's Poison/Ground typing leaves it vulnerable to Water, Ice, Ground, Psychic, and Bug. It shrugs off Electric-type attacks completely.

Nidoqueen Weakness and Resistance Chart
DamageTypes
2x (Weak)Water, Ice, Ground, Psychic, Bug
0.5x (Resist)Fighting, Rock
0.25x (Resist)Poison
0x (Immune)Electric
Gen I Type Chart
  • Only 15 types exist — Dark, Steel, and Fairy are absent
  • Ghost has no effect on Psychic (a known bug, fixed in Gen II)
  • Special stat governs both offense and defense — no Sp.Atk / Sp.Def split

What is Nidoqueen Weak Against

Vulnerable
5Weak
3Resist
1Immune
Score-3
4xCritical
None
½xResist
¼xResist
0xImmune

What is Nidoqueen Strong Against

6Strong
0Resisted
0Immune
Score+6
½xResisted
None
0xImmune
None

Best Pokemon Against Nidoqueen

Nidoqueen Evolutions

Evolve Nidoran♀ (female) using a Moon Stone to get Nidoqueen. At 495 stats, this Poison/Ground type caps the chain without any egg option. Special grew the most through evolution (+45 over Nidoran F), and Nidoqueen peaks at 495 total stats. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.

How to Evolve

3 Forms
Stat Comparison 3 Stages
Nidorina
Poison
Nidoqueen
PoisonGround
HP
55
70+15
90+20
ATK
47
62+15
92+30
DEF
52
67+15
87+20
SP.ATK
40
55+15
75+20
SP.DEF
40
55+15
85+30
SPE
41
56+15
76+20
BST
275D-Tier
365D-Tier+90
505C-Tier+140
ROLE
Balanced
Balanced
Balanced
TYPE
Utility
Utility
Mixed
Breeding not available · Introduced in Gen 2

RB Nidoqueen Best Moveset

Similar coverage to Nidoking with MoveEarthquake and MoveBlizzard, slightly bulkier but noticeably weaker at 75 Special. The moves hit the same targets at lower power. Trades Nidoking's offensive edge for marginally better survivability.

Best Build

Experimental
Utility
Ability
Unknown
Item
None
Best Nature for Nidoqueen
HardyNEUTRAL

Utility Moveset

  • EarthquakeSTAB
  • ThunderboltCoverage
  • BlizzardCoverage
  • Body Slam

Moves List

Level-up moves are just the starting point for Nidoqueen. TMs unlock coverage across 7 types and turn a straightforward STAB kit around Earthquake and Poison Sting into something with actual range.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1
Body Slam
B8510015Normal
Lv 1
Scratch
4010035Normal
Lv 1
Tackle
D3510035Normal
Lv 1
Tail Whip
10030Normal
Lv 8
Scratch
4010035Normal
Lv 14
Poison Sting
D2210035Poison
Lv 23
Body Slam
B8510015Normal

TM Moves

TM
TM34
Bide+1
D10Normal
TM14
Blizzard
B110905Ice
TM08
Body Slam
B8510015Normal
TM11
Bubble Beam
D6510020Water
TM18
Counter-5
D10020Fighting
TM32
Double Team
15Normal
TM10
Double-Edge
C12010015Normal
TM26
Earthquake
B15010010Ground
TM38
Fire Blast
C120855Fire
TM27
Fissure
305Ground
TM07
Horn Drill
305Normal
TM15
Hyper Beam
C150905Normal
TM13
Ice Beam
A9510010Ice
TM05
Mega Kick
C120755Normal
TM01
Mega Punch
D808520Normal
TM31
Mimic
D10Normal
TM16
Pay Day
D4010020Normal
TM20
Rage
D2010020Normal
TM33
Reflect
C20Psychic
TM44
Rest
C10Psychic
TM48
Rock Slide
D759010Rock
TM19
Seismic Toss
D10020Fighting
TM40
Skull Bash
C10010010Normal
HM04
Strength
8010015Normal
TM17
Submission
D808025Fighting
TM50
Substitute
A10Normal
HM03
Surf
C9510015Water
TM09
Take Down
C908520Normal
TM25
Thunder
D1107010Electric
TM24
Thunderbolt
B9510015Electric
TM06
Toxic
C9010Poison
TM12
Water Gun
D4010025Water

Egg Moves

Nidoqueen doesn't have any Egg moves

Tutor Moves

Nidoqueen can't learn any Tutor moves

Base Stats

Base Stats
Above
HP90
B
Attack82
C
Defense87
C
Sp. Atk75
C
Sp. Def85
C
Speed76
C
Total495
Details
Catch Rate
Challenging45 / 255
Growth Rate
Medium Slow1.06M XP
Height1.3 m
Weight60.0 kg
Base XP227
EV Yield
HP+3AtkDefSpASpDSpe
Strong HP training target
Pokedex Entry

Its hard scales provide strong protection. It uses its hefty bulk to execute powerful moves.

Pokemon Red / Pokemon Blue

Nidoqueen Red & Blue Guide

  • For Red & Blue, we rate Nidoqueen C-Tier: a niche pick in Red & Blue's meta. At 495 BST, the stats are spread pretty evenly. Earthquake anchors the moveset.

  • In Red & Blue, watch for Starmie (Water), Lapras (Ice), and Rhydon (Ground) when using Nidoqueen. They all hit it super-effectively with STAB. Psychic and Bug-type attackers are also a problem. With 5 weakness types, most competitive teams carry at least one counter.

  • Base 76 Speed is workable. Faster than some, slower than many. On offense, Nidoqueen is a physical attacker with base 82 Attack. Defensively? Enough bulk to take a hit or two.

  • In Red & Blue, run Earthquake, Thunderbolt, Blizzard, and Body Slam on Nidoqueen. Earthquake is the most common pick at 0% usage. Earthquake provides reliable STAB damage.

  • For Red & Blue, Nidoqueen has answers, but so do you. Super-effective STAB from faster Pokemon is the simplest answer. Water, Ice, and Ground-type attackers hit hardest.

Game Availability

One of the original 151, Nidoqueen 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.

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