Is Nidoking Good in Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon Playthrough?
Poison/Ground with better offensive stats than Nidoqueen. The move tutors hand Nidoking everything it wants: MoveIce Punch, MoveThunder Punch, MoveSuperpower. Handles Molayne's Steel E4 with MoveEarthquake and puts in work across the board. One of the better imports if you can breed one early.
Nidoran♂ (male) has the type edge here and should clean up Ilima's team.
Nidoran♂ (male) trades roughly evenly with Hala's team.
Nidoran♂ (male) trades roughly evenly with Lana's team.
ElectricSteelReceived as a Totem-sized gift Pokemon by collecting enou... (Ultra Moon only)
BugElectricReceived as a Totem-sized gift Pokemon by collecting enou... (Ultra Sun only)
GrassReceived as a Totem-sized gift Pokemon by collecting enou... (Ultra Sun only)
GhostFairyReceived as a Totem-sized gift Pokemon by collecting enou...
Kiawe's typing presses Nidoran♂ (male)'s defenses.
Nidoran♂ (male) trades roughly evenly with Mallow's team.
Nidoran♂ (male) trades roughly evenly with Olivia's team.
Sophocles's typing presses Nidoran♂ (male)'s defenses.
Acerola's typing presses Nidoran♂ (male)'s defenses.
Nanu's team hits Nidoran♂ (male)'s weaknesses hard.
Nidoran♂ (male) trades roughly evenly with Mina's team.
Hapu's Pokemon outpace and outclass Nidoran♂ (male) here.
Molayne's Pokemon outpace and outclass Nidoran♂ (male) here.
Olivia's team hits Nidoran♂ (male)'s weaknesses hard.
Acerola's team hits Nidoran♂ (male)'s weaknesses hard.
Nidoran♂ (male) trades roughly evenly with Kahili's team.
Nidoran♂ (male) trades roughly evenly with Kukui's team.
Nidoking cannot be caught in this game. It must be traded in from a compatible game where it appears in the wild. Cross-region trading typically becomes available after defeating the Elite Four.
How to Get Nidoking in Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon
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 ✓
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
 Slowbro WaterPsychic | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Nidoking View Slowbro builds →Psyshock 2x77-91% Water Gun 2x39-48% | ||
 Jynx IcePsychic | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Nidoking View Jynx builds →Psyshock 2x86-102%KO Frost Breath 2x68-80% | ||
 Kadabra Psychic | B | |
 Mr. Mime PsychicFairy | C | |
 Wartortle Water | C | |
 Espeon Psychic | B | |
Slowbro WaterPsychic | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Nidoking View Slowbro builds →Psyshock 2x76-89% Water Gun 2x41-49% | ||
Jynx IcePsychic | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Nidoking View Jynx builds →Psyshock 2x82-97% Frost Breath 2x61-73% | ||
Kadabra Psychic | B | |
Mr. Mime PsychicFairy | C | |
Espeon Psychic | B | |
Slowbro WaterPsychic | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Nidoking View Slowbro builds →Psyshock 2x78-93% Water Gun 2x41-49% | ||
Jynx IcePsychic | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Nidoking View Jynx builds →Psyshock 2x90-106%KO Frost Breath 2x66-79% | ||
Kadabra Psychic | B | |
Mr. Mime PsychicFairy | C | |
Espeon Psychic | B | |
Slowbro WaterPsychic | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Nidoking View Slowbro builds →Psyshock 2x76-90% Water Gun 2x41-49% | ||
 Oranguru NormalPsychic | C | |
Jynx IcePsychic | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Nidoking View Jynx builds →Psyshock 2x83-98% Frost Breath 2x64-75% | ||
 Mudbray Ground | C | |
Available Move Moves
Damage vs Nidoking View Mudbray builds →High Horsepower 2x85-101%KO | ||
Espeon Psychic | B | |
Available Move Moves
Damage vs Nidoking View Espeon builds →Future Sight 2x138-163%KO | ||
Slowbro WaterPsychic | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Nidoking View Slowbro builds →Psyshock 2x77-91% Water Pulse 2x58-68% Bulldoze 2x30-37% | ||
 Poliwrath WaterFighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Nidoking View Poliwrath builds →Bubble Beam 2x47-55% Bulldoze 2x37-43% | ||
Oranguru NormalPsychic | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Nidoking View Oranguru builds →Psyshock 2x72-85% Bulldoze 2x27-33% | ||
 Hypno Psychic | C | |
Obtain MethodHauoli City Interact Encounter | ||
Espeon Psychic | B | |
Available Move Moves
Damage vs Nidoking View Espeon builds →Future Sight 2x138-163%KO | ||
 Golisopod BugWater | B | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Wimpod (Dividing Peak Tunnel Interact Encounter) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Nidoking View Golisopod builds →Razor Shell 2x84-99% Ice Beam 2x39-46% | ||
Slowbro WaterPsychic | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Nidoking View Slowbro builds →Dream Eater 2x96-113%KO Water Pulse 2x59-70% Ice Beam 2x57-68% Bulldoze 2x30-36% | ||
 Gardevoir PsychicFairy | B | |
 Primarina WaterFairy | B | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Popplio (Route 1 Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Nidoking View Primarina builds →Sparkling Aria 2x104-123%KO Ice Beam 2x70-82% | ||
Espeon Psychic | B | |
Available Move Moves
Damage vs Nidoking View Espeon builds →Future Sight 2x136-161%KO | ||
Gardevoir PsychicFairy | B | |
Available Move Moves
Damage vs Nidoking View Gardevoir builds →Future Sight 2x131-154%KO | ||
 Torterra GrassGround | C | |
 Slowking WaterPsychic | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Nidoking View Slowking builds →Dream Eater 2x90-107%KO Water Pulse 2x55-65% Ice Beam 2x55-65% Bulldoze 2x29-35% | ||
Golisopod BugWater | B | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Wimpod (Dividing Peak Tunnel Interact Encounter) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Nidoking View Golisopod builds →Razor Shell 2x81-96% Ice Beam 2x37-43% | ||
 Lunala PsychicGhost | S | |
Obtain MethodMahalo Trail Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Nidoking View Lunala builds →Dream Eater 2x118-139%KO Ice Beam 2x71-83% | ||
Espeon Psychic | B | |
Available Move Moves
Damage vs Nidoking View Espeon builds →Future Sight 2x135-159%KO | ||
 Flygon GroundDragon | C | |
Torterra GrassGround | C | |
 Krookodile GroundDark | B | |
Available Move Moves
Damage vs Nidoking View Krookodile builds →Earthquake 2x101-120%KO | ||
 Mewtwo Psychic | S | |
Obtain MethodUltra Space Wilds Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Nidoking View Mewtwo builds →Future Sight 2x159-188%KO Ice Beam 2x80-94% Earthquake 2x65-77% | ||
 Landorus Ground | B | |
Obtain MethodUltra Space Wilds Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Nidoking View Landorus builds →Earthquake 2x108-128%KO Psychic 2x62-73% | ||
Lunala PsychicGhost | S | |
Obtain MethodMahalo Trail Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Nidoking View Lunala builds →Dream Eater 2x121-143%KO Ice Beam 2x72-85% | ||
 Garchomp DragonGround | A | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Nidoking View Garchomp builds →Earthquake 2x112-132%KO Surf 2x47-55% | ||
 Marowak Ground | C | |
Obtain MethodHeahea Beach Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Nidoking View Marowak builds →Earthquake 2x75-89% Ice Beam 2x33-39% | ||
A | ||
Recommended Build AbilityFlashfire ItemLeftovers NatureCalm Moves View Heatran builds →
| ||
B | ||
Recommended Build AbilitySturdy ItemRocky Helmet NatureImpish Moves View Skarmory builds →
| ||
B | ||
Recommended Build AbilityMagic Guard ItemLeftovers NatureBold Moves
Damage vs Nidoking View Clefable builds →Moonblast14-16% | ||
B | ||
Recommended Build AbilityMagnetpull ItemChoice Specs NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Nidoking View Magnezone builds →Flash Cannon54-64% | ||
C | ||
Recommended Build AbilityDrizzle ItemDamprock NatureRelaxed Moves
Damage vs Nidoking View Pelipper builds →U Turn6-7% Hurricane32-37% Scald 2x47-55% | ||
Nidoking Evolutions
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
Breeding
Breed with Nidoking to get Nidoran M eggs using 218 partners from the Ground and Monster egg groups. Notable egg moves include Amnesia, Beat Up, Chip Away and 11 more.
USUM Nidoking Best Moveset
One of the format's most complete offensive packages. AbilitySheer Force boosts every coverage move by 30%% while removing secondary effects, and Poison/Ground TermStab at 85 Speed with Held ItemLife Orb hits nearly everything for real damage. The moveset holds A-tier through coverage nothing safely switches into.
Best Build
Nidoking best EVs are Sp. Atk and Speed
Special Sweeper Moveset
- Earth Power
- Ice Beam
- Sludge Wave
- Flamethrower
Recommended Teammates
Moves List
Hard to wall, honestly. Nidoking threatens 14 types beyond its own STAB, with Fighting and Bug standing out. Pair that with Earthquake and Sludge Wave and switchins need to think twice.
How to Read the Moves Table
Tabs
- Level-Up
- Learned by leveling up.
- TM
- Taught by a Technical Machine.
- Egg
- Inherited via breeding.
- Tutor
- NPC tutor (cost: items, BP, money).
- Reminder
- An NPC reteaches any move this Pokemon could have learned by leveling up.
- Transfer
- Carried over from an older game using Pokemon HOME.
- Event
- Given out through Mystery Gift events.
Visual Signals
CAT (Category)
How the move deals damage and which stats it uses.
A small dot on the icon's corner marks the move as contact. That triggers abilities like Static, Flame Body, Rough Skin, or Iron Barbs, plus items like Rocky Helmet and Sticky Barb.
Tier (S to D)
Each move's competitive rank in RankedBoost's system. TM, Egg, and Tutor sort by tier by default (best first). On Level-Up, click the Tier header to do the same.
PWR (Power)
Base damage. Numbers shown in a type color include STAB (base × 1.5). Hover any colored number to see the math.
— means no power (status moves) or variable power.
Sorting & Filter
Click any column header to sort. Level-Up opens with Lv 1 at the top. TM, Egg, and Tutor open with the highest-tier moves at the top.
Search filters by move name or type. The Filter button limits the list to STAB, Physical, Special, or Status moves.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Reminder Moves
Base Stats
Nidoking Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon Guide
In Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon, Sheer Force changes the entire equation for Nidoking. The 505 BST doesn't tell the full story. Ranked C-Tier as an attacker. Earthpower 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 special attacker with base 85 Sp. Atk. Defensively? Enough bulk to take a hit or two. Best used as an attacker.
For Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon, the core moveset is Earthpower, Ice Beam, Sludgewave, 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