Is Nidoking Good in Diamond & Pearl Playthrough?
The physical/special split transforms Nidoking. Special MoveIce Beam, MoveThunderbolt, and MoveFlamethrower now properly use the Special Attack stat while physical MoveEarthquake uses Attack. That mixed offense covers almost every type. Postgame-only, but one of the strongest imports for the Battle Tower.
Nidoran♂ (male) trades roughly evenly with Roark's team.
Nidorino has the type edge here and should clean up Gardenia's team.
Nidoking has the type edge here and should clean up Maylene's team.
Nidoking has the type edge here and should clean up Crasher Wake's team.
Nidoking trades roughly evenly with Fantina's team.
Nidoking has the type edge here and should clean up Byron's team.
Nidoking has the type edge here and should clean up Candice's team.
Nidoking has the type edge here and should clean up Volkner's team.
Nidoking has the type edge here and should clean up Aaron's team.
Nidoking trades roughly evenly with Bertha's team.
Nidoking has the type edge here and should clean up Flint's team.
Nidoking trades roughly evenly with Lucian's team.
Nidoking has the type edge here and should clean up Mars's team.
Nidoking has the type edge here and should clean up Jupiter's team.
Nidoking has the type edge here and should clean up Saturn's team.
Nidoking trades roughly evenly with Cynthia's team.
Catch Nidoran♂ (male)
Catch Nidoran M on Route 201 (Poké Radar, Lv 2, rare).
Recommended Moves
- After Gardenia
- TM14IceBlizzardPower 120Accuracy 70%PP 5Lake Acuity
- TM25ElectricThunderPower 120Accuracy 70%PP 10Lake Valor
- TM13IceIce BeamPower 95Accuracy 100%PP 10Route 216
- TM24ElectricThunderboltPower 95Accuracy 100%PP 15Veilstone Game Corner
- TM28GroundDigPower 80Accuracy 100%PP 10Maniac Tunnel
- HM04NormalStrengthPower 80Accuracy 100%PP 15Lost Tower
- LV 37PoisonPoison JabPower 120Accuracy 100%PP 20
- After Candice
- TM36PoisonSludge BombPower 135Accuracy 100%PP 10Galactic HQ B2F in Veilstone City
- Post-Game
- TM42NormalFacadePower 70Accuracy 100%PP 20Survival Area
Evolve Nidoran♂ (male) to Nidorino
Nidoran♂ (male) evolves into Nidorino at Level 16. Your Nidoran♂ (male) should hit Level 16 before you reach Gardenia, at typical leveling pace.
Recommended Moves
- After Gardenia
- TM14IceBlizzardPower 120Accuracy 70%PP 5Lake Acuity
- TM25ElectricThunderPower 120Accuracy 70%PP 10Lake Valor
- TM13IceIce BeamPower 95Accuracy 100%PP 10Route 216
- TM24ElectricThunderboltPower 95Accuracy 100%PP 15Veilstone Game Corner
- TM28GroundDigPower 80Accuracy 100%PP 10Maniac Tunnel
- HM04NormalStrengthPower 80Accuracy 100%PP 15Lost Tower
- After Candice
- TM36PoisonSludge BombPower 135Accuracy 100%PP 10Galactic HQ B2F in Veilstone City
- LV 43PoisonPoison JabPower 120Accuracy 100%PP 20
- Post-Game
- TM42NormalFacadePower 70Accuracy 100%PP 20Survival Area
Evolve Nidorino to Nidoking
Nidorino evolves into Nidoking with a Moon Stone. You can usually obtain this item before you reach Maylene.
Recommended Moves
- After Gardenia
- TM28GroundDigPower 120Accuracy 100%PP 10Maniac Tunnel
- TM68NormalGiga ImpactPower 150Accuracy 90%PP 5Veilstone Game Corner
- TM15NormalHyper BeamPower 150Accuracy 90%PP 5Veilstone Department Store
- After Fantina
- TM84PoisonPoison JabPower 120Accuracy 100%PP 20Route 212
- After Byron
- TM26GroundEarthquakePower 150Accuracy 100%PP 10Wayward Cave (secret entrance under bike path)
- TM01FightingFocus PunchPower 150Accuracy 100%PP 20Oreburgh Gate
- After Candice
- TM36PoisonSludge BombPower 135Accuracy 100%PP 10Galactic HQ B2F in Veilstone City
- LV 43GroundEarth PowerPower 135Accuracy 100%PP 10
- Post-Game
- TM42NormalFacadePower 70Accuracy 100%PP 20Survival Area
How to Get Nidoking in Diamond & Pearl
Apply a Moon Stone to a Poke Radar Nidorino and you get Nidoking, since nothing wild appears in Sinnoh. That same stone is shared with Nidoqueen, Clefable, and Wigglytuff if you want all of them.
Catch Nidoran♂ (male) or Nidorino at any of these 3 spots to eventually evolve into Nidoking.
- 1Catch Nidoran♂ (male)
- 2
- 3Evolve NidokingUse Moon Stone
Badge 1
Badge 2
Badge 3
Badge 4
Badge 5How to Obtain Nidoking in DP
To get Nidoking, start by catching Nidoran♂ (male) through special encounters at Lv. 2-3. The chain covers 2 catchable stages before reaching the final form.
- Step 2Catch or Evolve NidorinoValor LakefrontLv.21-22Using PokeRadarPearlRate 20%Route 221Lv.29Using PokeRadarPearlRate 20%Valor LakefrontLv.22Using PokeRadarDiamondRate 2%Route 221Lv.30Using PokeRadarDiamondRate 2%or evolve from Nidoran♂ (male) (Step 1)
- Step 3Nidoking ✓BREEDINGAvailableLeave a compatible parent at the Pokemon Day Care to receive a Nidoran♂ (male) egg.
How to Get Shiny Nidoking in Diamond & Pearl
Nidoking needs a Moon Stone, so chain a male Nidoran on Route 201 at 1 in 200 and raise the line before evolving it. Compare Shiny Nidoking odds across every game
Diamond & Pearl Shiny Nidoking Calculator
3 MethodsThe best route is PokeRadar Chain at full boosts, about 1 in 200 on each try. Tune it below.
PokeRadar Chain: Chain shaking-grass patches without breaking the combo. The rate peaks at a chain of 40.
Masuda Method: Breed with a parent from a different-language game. Works on any breedable line.
Full Odds: Walk through grass, surf, or fish. Every encounter is its own independent shiny roll.
How many you have done, or plan to do.
| Chance | Encounters | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 10%lucky few | 22-- | -- |
| 25%one in four | 58-- | -- |
| 50%coin flip | 139-- | -- |
| 90%very likely | 460-- | -- |
Time assumes -- at your pace and does not change your shiny odds.
How is this calculated?
Every encounter has the same shiny chance, the Shiny Odds Per Try shown above. Each one is a separate roll that does not care how many you have already done, so the more you hunt, the higher your overall chance of at least one shiny. The formula below turns your odds and your number of tries into that combined chance.
chance after N tries = 1 − (1 − p)^N, where p = 1 / odds per try
Example at 1 in 8,192 (classic full odds): about 864 encounters for a 10 percent chance, 5,678 for 50 percent, and 18,862 for 90 percent.
The table above flips that around: it shows how many encounters it takes to reach a 10, 25, 50, and 90 percent chance at your current odds. Turning on boosts like the Shiny Charm, sandwiches, or chains improves your odds, so the encounter numbers drop.
These are estimates, not promises. Most games have no pity counter, meaning no guaranteed shiny no matter how many you hunt, so even Very Likely is not guaranteed: some hunters find one early, others go well past that point.
Want exact numbers for your session? Calculate your shiny odds in Diamond & Pearl with Nidoking preloaded.
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)
What is Nidoking Weak Against
AvgBest Pokemon Against Nidoking
 Bronzong SteelPsychic | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Nidoking View Bronzong builds →Future Sight 2x91-107%KO Earthquake 2x54-64% | ||
 Marowak Ground | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Nidoking View Marowak builds →Earthquake 2x74-88% Ice Beam 2x34-40% | ||
 Azelf Psychic | A | |
Obtain MethodLake Valor Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Nidoking View Azelf builds →Future Sight 2x133-156%KO Water Pulse 2x45-53% | ||
 Garchomp DragonGround | S | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Nidoking View Garchomp builds →Earthquake 2x113-133%KO Surf 2x49-58% | ||
 Kadabra Psychic | A | |
Available Move Moves
Damage vs Nidoking View Kadabra builds →Future Sight 2x128-151%KO | ||
 Rhydon GroundRock | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Nidoking View Rhydon builds →Earthquake 2x113-133%KO Avalanche 2x45-53% Surf 2x32-37% | ||
 Exeggutor GrassPsychic | C | |
 Jynx IcePsychic | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Nidoking View Jynx builds →Dream Eater 2x103-121%KO Ice Beam 2x98-116%KO Water Pulse 2x42-49% | ||
 Mesprit Psychic | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Nidoking View Mesprit builds →Future Sight 2x115-135%KO Ice Beam 2x60-72% Water Pulse 2x39-46% | ||
 Empoleon WaterSteel | B | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Piplup (Lake Verity Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Nidoking View Empoleon builds →Hydro Pump 2x121-142%KO Ice Beam 2x64-75% Earthquake 2x53-62% | ||
 Kingler Water | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Nidoking View Kingler builds →Crabhammer 2x113-133%KO Dig 2x60-71% Ice Beam 2x34-40% | ||
 Torterra GrassGround | C | |
 Xatu Psychic | C | |
 Lunatone RockPsychic | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Nidoking View Lunatone builds →Future Sight 2x105-124%KO Ice Beam 2x56-66% Earthquake 2x38-45% | ||
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). 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 Field and Monster egg groups. Notable egg moves include Amnesia, Beat Up, Confusion and 5 more.
DP Nidoking Best Moveset
Poison/Ground coverage hits almost everything for at least unresisted damage, and 102 Attack paired with 85 Sp. Atk means the moveset can go physical or special depending on the target. MoveEarthquake anchors the physical side while MoveIce Beam and MoveThunderbolt cover the special, and 85 Speed outruns most blocks.
Best Build
Nidoking best EVs are Sp. Atk and Speed
Special Sweeper Moveset
- Ice Beam
- Earth Power
- Thunderbolt
- Earthquake
Recommended Teammates
Moves List
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.
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
54 of 55 TMs are obtainable before the Elite Four
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Reminder Moves
Transfer Moves
Base Stats
One swing of its mighty tail can snap a telephone pole as if it were a matchstick.
Nidoking Diamond & Pearl Guide
In Diamond & Pearl, Nidoking plays as a balanced. Speed is middling, so pick your spots carefully. Earthquake is the primary attack.
In Diamond & Pearl, Nidoking pairs best with Gengar. Gengar has Decent synergy and covers what Nidoking can't handle on its own.
In Diamond & Pearl, Timid is the go-to nature for Nidoking. That's +Speed / -Attack. Pair it with 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe EVs. Fits the balanced role.
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 7Let's Go
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
Explore
Where to go next after Nidoking.
Keep playing · Diamond & PearlDiamond & Pearl Tier ListThe best Pokemon ranked tier by tierSee Diamond & Pearl Tier List