Nidoking Best Moveset
Same A-tier as the original Gen 4, but hidden AbilitySheer Force redefines the moveset completely. Every attack with a secondary effect gains 30% power while losing that effect, and Poison/Ground TermStab at 102 Attack and 85 Speed through that boost creates offensive pressure the original set couldn't reach.
Poison/Ground had limited STAB options in Gen I (Red & Blue). Nidoking's 85 base Special wasn't enough to take full advantage of its wide movepool.
Utility Moveset
- Earthquake
- Rock Slide
- Thunderbolt
- Ice Beam
Recommended Teammates
The Special split gave Nidoking 85 Sp. Atk and access to Lovely Kiss. Mixed attacking sets with Earthquake, Ice Beam, and Thunderbolt made it wildly unpredictable.
Best Moves
Best Build
Utility Moveset
- Earthquake
- Ice Beam
- Lovely Kiss
- Thunder
Recommended Teammates
Lost Lovely Kiss but kept the coverage arsenal. Poison Point wasn't exciting, but the sheer move variety kept Nidoking viable in Gen III (Ruby & Sapphire).
Utility Moveset
- Earthquake
- Ice Beam
- Fire Blast
- Sludge Bomb
Recommended Teammates
Life Orb arrived in Gen IV (Diamond & Pearl), boosting Nidoking's mixed sets at the cost of recoil. The 92 Attack and 85 Sp. Atk spread hit from both sides.
Special Sweeper Moveset
- Ice Beam
- Earth Power
- Thunderbolt
- Earthquake
Recommended Teammates
Sheer Force was the game-changer. Life Orb plus Sheer Force on moves like Earth Power, Ice Beam, and Thunderbolt meant boosted damage with zero recoil.
Special Sweeper Moveset
- Earth Power
- Ice Beam
- Sludge Wave
- Flamethrower
Recommended Teammates
Same Sheer Force formula that worked in Gen V. Consistent damage from a Pokemon that hit almost everything for super-effective damage.
Special Sweeper Moveset
- Earth Power
- Ice Beam
- Sludge Wave
- Flamethrower
Recommended Teammates
Eight generations of competitive relevance. Sheer Force coverage spam worked because so few Pokemon could safely switch into every move Nidoking threatened.
Special Sweeper Moveset
- Earth Power
- Ice Beam
- Sludge Wave
- Flamethrower
Recommended Teammates
The formula still worked in Gen VIII (Sword & Shield). Not flashy, but four-move coverage with Sheer Force punished teams that didn't pack a dedicated answer.
Special Sweeper Moveset
- Earth Power
- Ice Beam
- Sludge Wave
- Flamethrower
Recommended Teammates
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.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Water, Ice, Ground, Psychic |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Fighting, Bug, Rock, Fairy |
| 0.25x (Resist) | Poison |
| 0x (Immune) | Electric |
What is Nidoking Weak Against
AvgBest Pokemon Against Nidoking
Kyurem can KO Nidoking with Draco Meteor (89-104%). Urshifu deals 60-71% with Close Combat.
 Kyurem DragonIce | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityPressure ItemLoaded Dice NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Nidoking View Kyurem builds →Icicle Spear 2x26-31% Draco Meteor89-104%KO | ||
B | ||
Recommended Build AbilityPrankster ItemLightclay NatureCareful Moves View Grimmsnarl builds →
| ||
 Urshifu FightingDark | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityUnseenfist ItemChoice Band NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Nidoking View Urshifu builds →Close Combat60-71% Close Combat60-71% | ||
Recommended Build AbilityDesolateland ItemRedorb NatureJolly Moves View Groudon-Primal builds →
| ||
Recommended Build AbilityPrimordialsea ItemBlueorb NatureTimid Moves View Kyogre-Primal builds →
| ||
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
How to Get Nidoking
You're catching Nidoran♂ (male) first, not Nidoking. Nidoran♂ (male) appears at decent 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 BDSP
To get Nidoking, start by catching Nidoran♂ (male) through walking and special encounters at Lv. 2-63. The chain covers 2 catchable stages before reaching the final form.
Step 1Catch Nidoran♂ (male)Route 201Lv.3Using PokeRadarShining PearlRate 20%Route 201Lv.2Using PokeRadarBrilliant DiamondRate 2%Bogsunk CavernLv.58-63GrassPost-gameDazzling CaveLv.58-63CavePost-gameGrassland CaveLv.58-63CavePost-gameRiverbank CaveLv.58-63CavePost-gameStargleam CavernLv.58-63CavePost-gameStill-Water CavernLv.58-63CavePost-gameSunlit CavernLv.58-63CavePost-gameSwampy CaveLv.58-63GrassPost-game
Step 2Catch or Evolve NidorinoValor LakefrontLv.21-22Using PokeRadarShining PearlRate 20%Route 221Lv.29Using PokeRadarShining PearlRate 20%Valor LakefrontLv.22Using PokeRadarBrilliant DiamondRate 2%Route 221Lv.30Using PokeRadarBrilliant DiamondRate 2%Bogsunk CavernLv.58-63GrassPost-gameDazzling CaveLv.58-63CavePost-gameGrassland CaveLv.58-63CavePost-gameRiverbank CaveLv.58-63CavePost-gameStargleam CavernLv.58-63CavePost-gameStill-Water CavernLv.58-63CavePost-gameSunlit CavernLv.58-63CavePost-gameSwampy CaveLv.58-63GrassPost-gameor evolve from Nidoran♂ (male) (Step 1)
Step 3Nidoking ✓
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 SwSh
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 BedLv.60-65OverworldRate 100%SandstormOld CemeteryLv.60-65OverworldRate 35%Normal WeatherGiant's BedLv.60-65OverworldShieldRate 26%ThunderstormGiant's BedLv.60-65OverworldShieldRate 26%Normal WeatherGiant's BedLv.60-65OverworldShieldRate 26%RainingGiant's BedLv.60-65OverworldShieldRate 26%SnowingGiant's BedLv.60-65OverworldShieldRate 26%OvercastOld CemeteryLv.60-65OverworldRate 25%RainingOld CemeteryLv.60-65OverworldRate 25%Intense SunGiant's BedLv.60-65OverworldShieldRate 24%Intense SunGiant's BedLv.60-65OverworldShieldRate 24%SnowstormGiant's BedLv.60-65OverworldShieldRate 22%Heavy FogOld CemeteryLv.60-65OverworldSwordRate 22%Heavy FogGiant's BedLv.60-65OverworldSwordRate 21%RainingGiant's BedLv.60-65OverworldSwordRate 21%SnowingGiant's BedLv.60-65OverworldSwordRate 21%OvercastGiant's BedLv.60-65OverworldSwordRate 21%ThunderstormGiant's BedLv.60-65OverworldSwordRate 21%Normal WeatherGiant's BedLv.60-65GrassRate 20%SnowstormGiant's BedLv.60-65GrassRate 20%OvercastGiant's BedLv.60-65GrassRate 20%Heavy FogGiant's BedLv.60-65GrassRate 20%SnowingGiant's BedLv.60-65GrassRate 20%Normal WeatherGiant's BedLv.60-65GrassRate 20%RainingOld CemeteryLv.60-65OverworldRate 20%ThunderstormOld CemeteryLv.60-65GrassRate 20%Normal WeatherOld CemeteryLv.60-65OverworldRate 20%SnowstormOld CemeteryLv.60-65OverworldRate 20%OvercastOld CemeteryLv.60-65OverworldRate 20%SnowingGiant's BedLv.60-65OverworldSwordRate 19%Intense SunGiant's BedLv.60-65OverworldSwordRate 19%SnowstormGiant's BedLv.60-65OverworldSwordRate 17%Heavy FogOld CemeteryLv.60-65OverworldShieldRate 17%Heavy FogGiant's BedLv.60-65GrassRate 16%Intense SunGiant's BedLv.60-65GrassRate 16%ThunderstormOld CemeteryLv.60-65GrassRate 16%OvercastOld CemeteryLv.60-65GrassRate 16%RainingOld CemeteryLv.60-65GrassRate 16%SnowingOld CemeteryLv.60-65GrassRate 16%SnowstormOld CemeteryLv.60-65GrassRate 16%Heavy FogOld CemeteryLv.60-65GrassRate 16%Intense SunOld CemeteryLv.60-65GrassRate 14%Thunderstorm
Step 2Evolve into NidorinoBREEDINGAvailableLeave Nidoking with a compatible partner at the Pokemon Day Care to receive a Nidorino egg.
Step 3Nidoking ✓
Nidoking tops out at low spawn rates across 2 locations in late-game routes. The encounters below are sorted by rate so you can see exactly what you're working with.
Where To Catch Nidoking in LGPE
To get Nidoking, start by catching Nidoran♂ (male) through walking encounters at Lv. 3-46. The chain covers 3 catchable stages before reaching the final form.
Step 1Catch Nidoran♂ (male)Route 22Lv.3-4GrassRate 20%Route 9Lv.17-22GrassRate 15%Route 10Lv.18-23GrassRate 15%Route 23Lv.41-46GrassRate 10%
Step 2Catch or Evolve NidorinoRoute 9Lv.17-22GrassRate 5%Route 10Lv.18-23GrassRate 5%Route 23Lv.41-46GrassRate 19%or evolve from Nidoran♂ (male) (Step 1)
Step 3Nidoking ✓Route 23Lv.41-46GrassRate 1%or evolve from Nidorino (Step 2)
No wild encounters for Nidoking in Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon. Bring Nidoran♂ (male) over from Red & Blue, Yellow, or Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee, then level through the stages. Each step in the chain is laid out below.
How to Obtain Nidoking in USUM
Step 1Obtain Nidoran♂ (male)CARTRIDGE TRADEAvailableCatch in Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee via Walking · Route 22, then trade to the current game via link cable.LATER APPEARANCEfrom Red & BlueNot TradeableAppears in Red & Blue via Walking · Route 22. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom YellowNot TradeableAppears in Yellow via Walking · Route 9. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom Gold & SilverNot TradeableAppears in Gold & Silver via Walking · Route 35. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom CrystalNot TradeableAppears in Crystal via Walking · National Park. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom FireRed & LeafGreenNot TradeableAppears in FireRed & LeafGreen via Walking · Safari Zone. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom Diamond & PearlNot TradeableAppears in Diamond & Pearl via Pokeradar · Route 201. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.
Step 2Evolve into Nidorino- Step 3Nidoking ✓
Base Stats
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.
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 Guide
Sheer Force changes the entire equation for Nidoking. The 505 BST doesn't tell the full story. Ranked C-Tier as an attacker.
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 mixed attacker with base 102 Attack and 85 Sp. Atk. Defensively? Enough bulk to take a hit or two. Best used as an attacker.
The core moveset is Earthpower, Sludgewave, Ice Beam, and Flamethrower. Earthpower leads at 0% 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
- Gen 1RBDebut
Red & Blue - Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 2GS
Gold & Silver - Gen 2C
Crystal - Gen 3RS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen 3E
Emerald - Gen 3FRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen 4DP
Diamond & Pearl - Gen 4Pt
Platinum - Gen 4HGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen 5BW
Black & White - Gen 5B2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen 6XY
X & Y - Gen 6ORAS
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen 7SM
Sun & Moon - Gen 7USUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen 7LGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen 8SwSh
Sword & Shield - Gen 8BDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen 8PLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen 9SV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen 9LZA
Legends: Z-A - Gen 10WW
Winds & Waves