Is Nidoking Good in HeartGold & SoulSilver Playthrough?
Poison/Ground at Moon Stone. AbilityPoison Point for contact damage. The physical/special split transforms Nidoking in HGSS, giving it both physical Ground and special coverage through TMs. Handles Jasmine, Pryce, and half the Kanto gyms. One of the best mid-game investments.
Nidoran♂ (male) trades roughly evenly with Falkner's team.
Nidoran♂ (male) trades roughly evenly with Bugsy's team.
Nidoran♂ (male) trades roughly evenly with Whitney's team.
Nidorino trades roughly evenly with Morty's team.
Nidoking has the type edge here and should clean up Chuck's team.
Nidoking resists most of Jasmine's coverage and hits back hard.
Nidoking has the type edge here and should clean up Pryce's team.
Nidoking has the type edge here and should clean up Clair's team.
Nidoking has the type edge here and should clean up Brock's team.
Nidoking trades roughly evenly with Misty's team.
Nidoking resists most of Lt. Surge's coverage and hits back hard.
Nidoking has the type edge here and should clean up Erika's team.
Nidoking trades roughly evenly with Janine's team.
Nidoking has the type edge here and should clean up Sabrina's team.
Nidoking has the type edge here and should clean up Blaine's team.
Nidoking has the type edge here and should clean up Blue's team.
Nidoking has the type edge here and should clean up Will's team.
Nidoking has the type edge here and should clean up Koga's team.
Nidoking has the type edge here and should clean up Bruno's team.
Nidoking has the type edge here and should clean up Karen's team.
Nidoking has the type edge here and should clean up Lance's team.
Catch Nidoran♂ (male)
Catch Nidoran M on Route 35 (walking, Lv 12, common).
Recommended Moves
- After Bugsy
- TM14IceBlizzardPower 120Accuracy 70%PP 5Goldenrod Department Store
- TM25ElectricThunderPower 120Accuracy 70%PP 10Goldenrod Department Store
- TM13IceIce BeamPower 95Accuracy 100%PP 10Goldenrod Game Corner
- TM24ElectricThunderboltPower 95Accuracy 100%PP 15Goldenrod Game Corner
- TM28GroundDigPower 80Accuracy 100%PP 10National Park
- After Whitney
- HM04NormalStrengthPower 80Accuracy 100%PP 15Gift from a Hiker on Route 42
- After Jasmine
- TM36PoisonSludge BombPower 135Accuracy 100%PP 10Route 43
- LV 37PoisonPoison JabPower 120Accuracy 100%PP 20
Evolve Nidoran♂ (male) to Nidorino
Nidoran♂ (male) evolves into Nidorino at Level 16. Your Nidoran♂ (male) should hit Level 16 before you reach Morty, at typical leveling pace.
Recommended Moves
- After Bugsy
- TM14IceBlizzardPower 120Accuracy 70%PP 5Goldenrod Department Store
- TM25ElectricThunderPower 120Accuracy 70%PP 10Goldenrod Department Store
- TM13IceIce BeamPower 95Accuracy 100%PP 10Goldenrod Game Corner
- TM24ElectricThunderboltPower 95Accuracy 100%PP 15Goldenrod Game Corner
- TM28GroundDigPower 80Accuracy 100%PP 10National Park
- After Whitney
- HM04NormalStrengthPower 80Accuracy 100%PP 15Gift from a Hiker on Route 42
- After Jasmine
- TM36PoisonSludge BombPower 135Accuracy 100%PP 10Route 43
- LV 43PoisonPoison JabPower 120Accuracy 100%PP 20
Evolve Nidorino to Nidoking
Nidorino evolves into Nidoking with a Moon Stone. You can pick up the Moon Stone in Ruins of Alph. 1 other location is also available.
Recommended Moves
- After Bugsy
- TM28GroundDigPower 120Accuracy 100%PP 10National Park
- TM15NormalHyper BeamPower 150Accuracy 90%PP 5Goldenrod Department Store
- TM38FireFire BlastPower 120Accuracy 85%PP 5Goldenrod Department Store
- After Chuck
- TM01FightingFocus PunchPower 150Accuracy 100%PP 20Prize for defeating Chuck
- After Jasmine
- TM36PoisonSludge BombPower 135Accuracy 100%PP 10Route 43
- After Clair
- TM26GroundEarthquakePower 150Accuracy 100%PP 10Victory Road
- LV 43GroundEarth PowerPower 135Accuracy 100%PP 10
- LV 58BugMegahornPower 120Accuracy 85%PP 10
How to Get Nidoking in HeartGold & SoulSilver
A Moon Stone turns Nidorino into Nidoking, mirroring the female line exactly. The early Johto routes give you the Nidoran-M base, then the stone finishes the job whenever you decide to spend it.
Catch Nidoran♂ (male) or Nidorino at any of these 6 spots to eventually evolve into Nidoking.
Encountered via tall grass encounters
- 1Catch Nidoran♂ (male)
- 2
- 3Evolve NidokingUse Moon Stone
Badge 3
Badge 4
Badge 5
Badge 6
Badge 7
Badge 8How to Obtain Nidoking in HGSS
The path to Nidoking starts with Nidoran♂ (male) at Lv. 12-17 via walking encounters. 2 catchable stages total, with locations listed for each one below.
- Step 2Catch or Evolve NidorinoSafari Zone - SavannahLv.15-17FloorRate 30%NightRoute 13Lv.23GrassRate 30%Route 14Lv.23GrassRate 30%Route 15Lv.23GrassRate 30%or evolve from Nidoran♂ (male) (Step 1)
- Step 3Nidoking ✓
How to Get Shiny Nidoking in HeartGold & SoulSilver
Nidoking needs a Moon Stone, so breed a male Nidoran Masuda-style and raise the line before evolving it. Compare Shiny Nidoking odds across every game
HeartGold & SoulSilver Shiny Nidoking Calculator
2 MethodsThe best route is Masuda Method, about 1 in 1,639 on each try.
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 | 173-- | -- |
| 25%one in four | 472-- | -- |
| 50%coin flip | 1,136-- | -- |
| 90%very likely | 3,773-- | -- |
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 HeartGold & SoulSilver 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
 Latios DragonPsychic | S | |
Obtain MethodPewter City Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Nidoking View Latios builds →Dream Eater 2x115-135%KO Surf 2x73-86% Ice Beam 2x73-86% Earthquake 2x55-65% | ||
 Mewtwo Psychic | S | |
Obtain MethodCerulean Cave Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Nidoking View Mewtwo builds →Future Sight 2x160-188%KO Ice Beam 2x84-100%KO Earthquake 2x65-76% Water Pulse 2x53-63% | ||
 Bronzong SteelPsychic | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Nidoking View Bronzong builds →Future Sight 2x91-107%KO Earthquake 2x54-64% | ||
 Latias DragonPsychic | S | |
Obtain MethodPewter City Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Nidoking View Latias builds →Dream Eater 2x100-117%KO Surf 2x63-74% Ice Beam 2x63-74% Earthquake 2x50-59% | ||
 Marowak Ground | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Nidoking View Marowak builds →Earthquake 2x74-88% Ice Beam 2x34-40% | ||
 Gardevoir Psychic | B | |
Available Move Moves
Damage vs Nidoking View Gardevoir builds →Future Sight 2x133-156%KO | ||
 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% | ||
 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% | ||
 Kingler Water | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Nidoking View Kingler builds →Crabhammer 2x113-133%KO Dig 2x60-71% Ice Beam 2x34-40% | ||
 Xatu Psychic | C | |
 Gyarados Water | S | |
Obtain MethodLake Of Rage Good Rod Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Nidoking View Gyarados builds →Aqua Tail 2x98-116%KO Earthquake 2x73-86% Ice Fang 2x47-56% | ||
 Mr. Mime Psychic | C | |
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 6 more.
HGSS Nidoking Best Moveset
Poison/Ground with 102 Attack and 85 Sp. Atk gives the moveset legitimate mixed offensive power from both sides. 85 Speed outruns most defensive targets, and the typing covers MoveEarthquake plus Poison hits naturally. Frailty at 81 HP and 77 Defense is the trade.
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
All 40 TMs are obtainable before the Elite Four
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Reminder Moves
Base Stats
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 HeartGold & SoulSilver Guide
In HeartGold & SoulSilver, Nidoking plays as a balanced. Speed is middling, so pick your spots carefully. Earthquake is the primary attack.
In HeartGold & SoulSilver, Nidoking pairs best with Gengar. Gengar has Decent synergy and covers what Nidoking can't handle on its own.
In HeartGold & SoulSilver, 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