Stats & Training
An unusually even spread gives Nidoking flexibility. Attack barely edges ahead. But Sp. Def isn't far off. Tough to catch and follows a 1.06M XP medium-slow curve. Yields 3 Attack EVs.
It is recognized by its rock-hard hide and its extended horn. Be careful with the horn as it contains venom.
It uses its powerful tail in battle to smash, constrict, then break the prey’s bones.
Nidoking Weakness
Type-wise, Nidoking takes extra damage from Water, Ice, Ground, and Psychic. Electric moves do nothing thanks to a full immunity. 4 resistances help offset the weaknesses.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Water, Ice, Ground, Psychic |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Fighting, Bug, Rock |
| 0.25x (Resist) | Poison |
| 0x (Immune) | Electric |
- Dark and Steel types added — Fairy does not exist yet
- Moves are Physical or Special based on type, not per move
In FireRed & LeafGreen, Starmie threatens a KO with Surf (115-136%).
 | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityMagnetpull ItemMagnet NatureModest Moves View Magneton builds →
| ||
 Starmie WaterPsychic | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityNatural Cure ItemLeftovers NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Nidoking View Starmie builds →Rapid Spin9-11% Ice Beam 2x77-90% Surf 2x115-136%KO | ||
 Jirachi SteelPsychic | A | |
Recommended Build AbilitySerenegrace ItemLeftovers NatureBold Moves View Jirachi builds →
| ||
 | B | |
Recommended Build AbilitySturdy ItemLeftovers NatureCareful Moves
Damage vs Nidoking View Forretress builds →Rapid Spin11-14% Explosion56-66% Earthquake 2x45-53% | ||
 Regice Ice | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityClearbody ItemLeftovers NatureQuiet Moves
Damage vs Nidoking View Regice builds →Ice Beam 2x116-137%KO Explosion42-50% | ||
FireRed & LeafGreen 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). Sp.Atk grew the most through evolution (+45 over Nidoran M), and Nidoking peaks at 495 total stats. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
Breed with Nidoking to get Nidoran M eggs using 102 partners from the Ground and Monster egg groups. Notable egg moves include Amnesia, Beat Up, Confusion and 4 more.
FireRed & LeafGreen Nidoking Best Moveset
Poison Point helps Nidoking stick around while dealing real damage. Leftovers for passive recovery each turn, spread EVs for the right balance, and Earthquake as the main threat. Not the fastest, but it doesn't need to be.
Best Build
Nidoking best EVs are Speed and Defense
Utility Moveset
- Earthquake
- Ice Beam
- Fire Blast
- Sludge Bomb
Recommended Teammates
Moves
Hard to wall, honestly. Nidoking threatens 13 types beyond its own STAB, with Fighting and Flying standing out. Pair that with Earthquake and Sludge Bomb and switchins need to think twice.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Reminder Moves
How to Get Nidoking in FireRed & LeafGreen
No wild encounters for Nidoking. The 3-stage chain runs through Nidoran♂ (male), 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 Nidoking in FireRed & LeafGreen
Nidoran♂ (male) is your first catch on the way to Nidoking. You'll find walking and trade encounters from Lv. 6-33 across 17 total spots in the chain.
Step 1Catch Nidoran♂ (male)Route 3FireRedGrass Lv.6-7 RouteUncommonEarlyRoute 3LeafGreenGrass Lv.6 RouteRareEarlySafari Zone - CenterFireRedGrass Lv.22 FacilityUncommonMidSafari Zone - WestFireRedGrass Lv.22 FacilityUncommonMidSafari Zone - EastFireRedGrass Lv.24 FacilityUncommonMidSafari Zone - NorthFireRedGrass Lv.30 FacilityUncommonMidSafari Zone - EastLeafGreenGrass Lv.24 FacilityRareMidSafari Zone - WestLeafGreenGrass Lv.30 FacilityRareMidRoute 5LeafGreenIn-game trade RouteLimitedTrade for (give Nidoran♀)Underground Path 5-6LeafGreenIn-game trade RouteLimitedTrade for (give Nidoran♀)
Step 2Catch or Evolve NidorinoSafari Zone - NorthFireRedGrass Lv.30 FacilityUncommonMidSafari Zone - WestFireRedGrass Lv.30 FacilityUncommonMidSafari Zone - NorthLeafGreenGrass Lv.30 FacilityRareMidSafari Zone - CenterFireRedGrass Lv.31 FacilityUncommonLateSafari Zone - EastFireRedGrass Lv.33 FacilityUncommonLateSafari Zone - CenterLeafGreenGrass Lv.31 FacilityRareLateRoute 11LeafGreenIn-game trade RouteLimitedTrade for (give Nidorina)or evolve from Nidoran♂ (male) (Step 1)
Step 3Nidoking ✓
Nidoking Guide
In FireRed & LeafGreen, Sheer Force changes the entire equation for Nidoking. The 495 BST doesn't tell the full story. Ranked C-Tier. Earthquake with Leftovers is the standard set.
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 physical attacker with base 92 Attack. Defensively? Enough bulk to take a hit or two.
In FireRed & LeafGreen, Sheer Force is the hidden ability. It strengthens moves with extra effects to 1.3× their power, but prevents their extra effects. Worth hunting for if you want Nidoking to compete at a higher level.
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 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