Electric moves don't affect Nidoking at all — that's the advantage of Poison/Ground typing. Sheer Force drops secondary effects for a straight power boost. Known as the Drill Pokemon. Flexible enough to run physical or special sets.
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 prides itself on its strength. It’s forceful and spirited in battle, making use of its thick tail and diamond-crushing horn.
Nidoking Weakness
AvgType-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.
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.
How to Evolve
Breed with Nidoking to get Nidoran M eggs using 138 partners from the Ground and Monster egg groups.
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. Sheerforce does its job quietly.
Best Build
Best Nidoking Moveset
- Earth Power
- Sludge Wave
- Thunderbolt
- Ice Beam
Recommended Teammates
Hard to wall, honestly. Nidoking threatens 13 types beyond its own STAB, with Fighting and Normal standing out. Pair that with Earthquake and High Horsepower and switchins need to think twice.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
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 Sword & Shield
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)EFFORTLESSGiant's BedSwordOverworldLv.60-65100%PostSandstormEFFORTLESSGiant's BedShieldOverworldLv.60-65100%PostSandstormEFFORTLESSOld CemeterySwordOverworldLv.60-6535%PostNormal WeatherEFFORTLESSOld CemeteryShieldOverworldLv.60-6535%PostNormal WeatherEASYGiant's BedShieldOverworldLv.60-6526%PostOvercastEASYGiant's BedShieldOverworldLv.60-6526%PostNormal WeatherEASYGiant's BedShieldOverworldLv.60-6526%PostThunderstormEASYGiant's BedShieldOverworldLv.60-6526%PostSnowingEASYGiant's BedShieldOverworldLv.60-6526%PostRainingEASYOld CemeterySwordOverworldLv.60-6525%PostIntense SunEASYOld CemeteryShieldOverworldLv.60-6525%PostIntense SunEASYOld CemeterySwordOverworldLv.60-6525%PostRainingEASYOld CemeteryShieldOverworldLv.60-6525%PostRainingEASYGiant's BedShieldOverworldLv.60-6524%PostSnowstormEASYGiant's BedShieldOverworldLv.60-6524%PostIntense SunEASYGiant's BedShieldOverworldLv.60-6522%PostHeavy FogEASYOld CemeterySwordOverworldLv.60-6522%PostHeavy FogEASYGiant's BedSwordOverworldLv.60-6521%PostOvercastEASYGiant's BedSwordOverworldLv.60-6521%PostNormal WeatherEASYGiant's BedSwordOverworldLv.60-6521%PostThunderstormEASYGiant's BedSwordOverworldLv.60-6521%PostSnowingEASYGiant's BedSwordOverworldLv.60-6521%PostRainingEASYGiant's BedShieldGrassLv.60-6520%PostNormal WeatherEASYGiant's BedSwordGrassLv.60-6520%PostSnowstormEASYGiant's BedShieldGrassLv.60-6520%PostSnowstormEASYGiant's BedSwordGrassLv.60-6520%PostSnowingEASYGiant's BedSwordGrassLv.60-6520%PostRainingEASYGiant's BedShieldGrassLv.60-6520%PostSnowingEASYGiant's BedSwordGrassLv.60-6520%PostHeavy FogEASYGiant's BedShieldGrassLv.60-6520%PostRainingEASYGiant's BedShieldGrassLv.60-6520%PostHeavy FogEASYGiant's BedSwordGrassLv.60-6520%PostOvercastEASYGiant's BedShieldGrassLv.60-6520%PostOvercastEASYGiant's BedSwordGrassLv.60-6520%PostNormal WeatherEASYOld CemeterySwordOverworldLv.60-6520%PostThunderstormEASYOld CemeteryShieldOverworldLv.60-6520%PostThunderstormEASYOld CemeterySwordOverworldLv.60-6520%PostSnowingEASYOld CemeteryShieldOverworldLv.60-6520%PostSnowingEASYOld CemeterySwordGrassLv.60-6520%PostNormal WeatherEASYOld CemeteryShieldGrassLv.60-6520%PostNormal WeatherEASYOld CemeterySwordOverworldLv.60-6520%PostOvercastEASYOld CemeteryShieldOverworldLv.60-6520%PostOvercastEASYOld CemeterySwordOverworldLv.60-6520%PostSnowstormEASYOld CemeteryShieldOverworldLv.60-6520%PostSnowstormEASYGiant's BedSwordOverworldLv.60-6519%PostSnowstormEASYGiant's BedSwordOverworldLv.60-6519%PostIntense SunEASYGiant's BedSwordOverworldLv.60-6517%PostHeavy FogEASYOld CemeteryShieldOverworldLv.60-6517%PostHeavy FogEASYGiant's BedSwordGrassLv.60-6516%PostThunderstormEASYGiant's BedSwordGrassLv.60-6516%PostIntense SunEASYGiant's BedShieldGrassLv.60-6516%PostThunderstormEASYGiant's BedShieldGrassLv.60-6516%PostIntense SunEASYOld CemeterySwordGrassLv.60-6516%PostRainingEASYOld CemeteryShieldGrassLv.60-6516%PostSnowingEASYOld CemeterySwordGrassLv.60-6516%PostHeavy FogEASYOld CemeteryShieldGrassLv.60-6516%PostRainingEASYOld CemeterySwordGrassLv.60-6516%PostOvercastEASYOld CemeteryShieldGrassLv.60-6516%PostHeavy FogEASYOld CemeteryShieldGrassLv.60-6516%PostOvercastEASYOld CemeterySwordGrassLv.60-6516%PostSnowstormEASYOld CemeteryShieldGrassLv.60-6516%PostSnowstormEASYOld CemeterySwordGrassLv.60-6516%PostIntense SunEASYOld CemeterySwordGrassLv.60-6516%PostSnowingEASYOld CemeteryShieldGrassLv.60-6516%PostIntense SunMODERATEOld CemeterySwordGrassLv.60-6514%PostThunderstormMODERATEOld CemeteryShieldGrassLv.60-6514%PostThunderstorm
Step 2Evolve into Nidorino- Step 3Nidoking ✓
Sheer Force changes the entire equation for Nidoking. The 505 BST doesn't tell the full story. Ranked B-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 special attacker with base 85 Sp. Atk. Defensively? Enough bulk to take a hit or two. Best used as an attacker.
Nidoking appears in 19 games, including Yellow, Red & Blue, and Gold & Silver.
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.
- Gen IY
Yellow - Gen IRBDebut
Red & Blue - Gen IIGS
Gold & Silver - Gen IIC
Crystal - Gen IIIRS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen IIIFRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen IIIE
Emerald - Gen IVPt
Platinum - Gen IVHGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen IVDP
Diamond & Pearl - Gen VBW
Black & White - Gen VB2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen VIXY
X & Y - Gen VIORAS
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen VIIUSUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen VIISM
Sun & Moon - Gen VIILGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen VIIISwSh
Sword & Shield - Gen VIIIPLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen VIIIBDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen IXSV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen IXLZA
Legends: Z-A