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 swings its big tail around during battle. If its foe flinches, it will charge with its sturdy body.
Its tail is thick and powerful. If it binds an enemy, it can render the victim helpless quite easily.
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 |
- Fairy type does not exist — Dragon has fewer checks
- Physical / Special split now per-move (introduced Gen IV)
In HeartGold & SoulSilver, Flygon can KO Nidoking with Earthquake (112-132%). Azelf threatens a KO with Explosion (89-105%). Swampert's Earthquake also KOs at 96-113%.
 Flygon GroundDragon | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityLevitate ItemChoice Scarf NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Nidoking View Flygon builds →Earthquake 2x112-132%KO Outrage67-79% U Turn13-15% | ||
 Azelf Psychic | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityLevitate ItemFocus Sash NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Nidoking View Azelf builds →Explosion89-105%KO U Turn13-15% | ||
 Swampert WaterGround | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityTorrent ItemLeftovers NatureRelaxed Moves
Damage vs Nidoking View Swampert builds →Earthquake 2x96-113%KO Ice Beam 2x47-56% Waterfall 2x77-91% | ||
 Weavile DarkIce | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityPressure ItemExpert Belt NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Nidoking View Weavile builds →Ice Shard 2x51-60% Pursuit25-30% | ||
HeartGold & SoulSilver 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 131 partners from the Ground and Monster egg groups. Notable egg moves include Amnesia, Beat Up, Confusion and 6 more.
HeartGold & SoulSilver Nidoking Best Moveset
Nothing fancy here. Nidoking builds around Life Orb for extra damage on every hit for a health trade, Timid nature for the right stat lean, and max Sp. Atk and Speed EVs. Poison Point does its job quietly.
Best Build
Nidoking best EVs are Sp. Atk and Speed
Special Sweeper Moveset
- Ice Beam
- Earth Power
- Thunderbolt
- Earthquake
Recommended Teammates
Moves
Hard to wall, honestly. Nidoking threatens 14 types beyond its own STAB, with Fighting and Flying standing out. Pair that with Earthquake and Earth Power and switchins need to think twice.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Reminder Moves
Transfer Moves
How to Get Nidoking in HeartGold & SoulSilver
No wild encounters for Nidoking. The 3-stage chain runs through Nidoran♂ (male), which you can catch at solid rates from the locations below. Evolve through a special method once you've got the levels.
How to Obtain Nidoking in HeartGold & SoulSilver
The path to Nidoking starts with Nidoran♂ (male) at Lv. 12-23 via walking encounters. 2 catchable stages total, with locations listed for each one below.
Step 1Catch Nidoran♂ (male)Route 35HeartGoldGrass Lv.12 RouteCommonEarlyRoute 35SoulSilverGrass Lv.12 RouteCommonEarlyRoute 36HeartGoldGrass Lv.12 RouteCommonEarlyRoute 36SoulSilverGrass Lv.12-13 RouteCommonEarlyMorning/dayRoute 36SoulSilverGrass Lv.12 RouteCommonEarly
Step 2Catch or Evolve NidorinoRoute 13HeartGoldGrass Lv.23 RouteCommonMidRoute 13SoulSilverGrass Lv.23 RouteCommonMidRoute 14HeartGoldGrass Lv.23 RouteCommonMidRoute 14SoulSilverGrass Lv.23 RouteCommonMidRoute 15SoulSilverGrass Lv.23 RouteCommonMidRoute 15HeartGoldGrass Lv.23 RouteCommonMidor evolve from Nidoran♂ (male) (Step 1)
Step 3Nidoking ✓
Nidoking Guide
In HeartGold & SoulSilver, Sheer Force changes the entire equation for Nidoking. The 495 BST doesn't tell the full story. Ranked C-Tier. Ice Beam with Life Orb 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 mixed attacker with base 92 Attack and 85 Sp. Atk. Defensively? Enough bulk to take a hit or two.
In HeartGold & SoulSilver, 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