Nidoran♂ (male) Best Moveset
57 Attack and 50 Speed on a Poison pre-evo where hidden AbilityHustle boosts Attack at accuracy cost but can't be used competitively. The moveset waits for Nidoking where hidden AbilitySheer Force at 102 Attack reaches A-tier.
Nidoran♂ (male) saw minimal competitive use in Gen I (Red, Blue & Yellow). This was Nidoran♂ (male)'s competitive peak. A key development: had a combined Special stat of 40.
Best Moves
Best Build
Gen 1 build content has limited support (no abilities, held items, or natures).
Try selecting a different game/generation filter, or check back later.
Nidoran♂ (male) was a niche pick at best in Gen II (Gold, Silver & Crystal), rarely seen in standard play. This was a decline from E-Tier in the previous generation.
Gen 2 build content has limited support (no abilities).
Try selecting a different game/generation filter, or check back later.
Nidoran♂ (male) saw minimal competitive use in Gen III (Ruby, Sapphire & Emerald). Nidoran♂ (male) climbed from F-Tier as the competitive landscape shifted. Its most popular set ran poison point with Choice Band, favoring a Adamant nature.
No build content available for this Pokemon in Gen 3.
Try selecting a different game/generation filter, or check back later.
Nidoran♂ (male) saw minimal competitive use in Gen IV (Diamond, Pearl & Platinum). Nidoran♂ (male) maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran poison point with Oranberry, favoring a Adamant nature.
No build content available for this Pokemon in Gen 4.
Try selecting a different game/generation filter, or check back later.
Nidoran♂ (male) saw minimal competitive use in Gen V (Black & White / B2W2). Nidoran♂ (male) maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran poison point with Eviolite, favoring a Jolly nature.
No build content available for this Pokemon in Gen 5.
Try selecting a different game/generation filter, or check back later.
Nidoran♂ (male) saw minimal competitive use in Gen VI (X & Y / ORAS). Nidoran♂ (male) maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran poison point with Eviolite, favoring a Adamant nature.
No build content available for this Pokemon in Gen 6.
Try selecting a different game/generation filter, or check back later.
Nidoran♂ (male) saw minimal competitive use in Gen VII (Sun & Moon / USUM). Nidoran♂ (male) maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran poison point with Eviolite, favoring a Adamant nature.
No build content available for this Pokemon in Gen 7.
Try selecting a different game/generation filter, or check back later.
Nidoran♂ (male) saw minimal competitive use in Gen VIII (Sword & Shield / BDSP). Nidoran♂ (male) maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran poison point with Eviolite, favoring a Jolly nature.
No build content available for this Pokemon in Gen 8.
Try selecting a different game/generation filter, or check back later.
Nidoran♂ (male) Weakness
Nidoran♂ (male) is weak to Ground and Psychic. The Poison typing picks up 5 resistances to work with. Nidoran♂ (male)'s Poison typing only leaves 2 gaps to cover.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Ground, Psychic |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Grass, Fighting, Poison, Bug, Fairy |
What is Nidoran♂ (male) Weak Against
GoodBest Pokemon Against Nidoran♂ (male)
 Hatterene PsychicFairy | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityMagic Bounce ItemLeftovers NatureBold Moves
Damage vs Nidoran♂ (male) View Hatterene builds →Nuzzle11-13% | ||
 Landorus Ground | B | |
Recommended Build AbilitySheerforce ItemLife Orb NatureTimid Moves View Landorus builds →
| ||
Evolution
The three-stage chain from Nidoran♂ (male) through Nidorino ends here at Nidoran♂ (male). Want more? Breed for Nidoran♂ (male) eggs. A massive partner pool available via two egg groups. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
How to Get Nidoran♂ (male)
decent spawn rates across 18 locations for Nidoran♂ (male) in early-game routes. Scroll the sorted list below and pick whichever spot sits closest to your current route. The rate differences between locations are worth comparing.
Where To Catch Nidoran♂ (male) in BDSP
The path to Nidoran♂ (male) starts with Nidoran♂ (male) at Lv. 2-63 via walking and special encounters. 2 catchable stages total, with locations listed for each one below.
Step 1Nidoran♂ (male) ✓Route 201Lv.3Using PokeRadarShining PearlRate 20%Route 201Lv.2Using PokeRadarBrilliant DiamondRate 2%Bogsunk CavernLv.58-63GrassPost-gameDazzling CaveLv.58-63CavePost-gameGrassland CaveLv.58-63CavePost-gameRiverbank CaveLv.58-63CavePost-gameStargleam CavernLv.58-63CavePost-gameStill-Water CavernLv.58-63CavePost-gameSunlit CavernLv.58-63CavePost-gameSwampy CaveLv.58-63GrassPost-game
Step 2Catch or Evolve into NidorinoValor LakefrontLv.21-22Using PokeRadarShining PearlRate 20%Route 221Lv.29Using PokeRadarShining PearlRate 20%Valor LakefrontLv.22Using PokeRadarBrilliant DiamondRate 2%Route 221Lv.30Using PokeRadarBrilliant DiamondRate 2%Bogsunk CavernLv.58-63GrassPost-gameDazzling CaveLv.58-63CavePost-gameGrassland CaveLv.58-63CavePost-gameRiverbank CaveLv.58-63CavePost-gameStargleam CavernLv.58-63CavePost-gameStill-Water CavernLv.58-63CavePost-gameSunlit CavernLv.58-63CavePost-gameSwampy CaveLv.58-63GrassPost-gameor evolve from Nidoran♂ (male) (Step 1)
Step 3Evolve into Nidoking
Nidoran♂ (male) appears at high spawn rates across 66 spots in endgame routes. Sort by Best below if you want the highest rate, or Earliest if you want the quickest access point in your playthrough.
Where To Catch Nidoran♂ (male) in SwSh
Nidoran♂ (male) is your first catch on the way to Nidoran♂ (male). You'll find walking encounters from Lv. 60-65 across 66 total spots in the chain.
Step 1Nidoran♂ (male) ✓Giant's BedLv.60-65OverworldRate 100%SandstormOld CemeteryLv.60-65OverworldRate 35%Normal WeatherGiant's BedLv.60-65OverworldShieldRate 26%ThunderstormGiant's BedLv.60-65OverworldShieldRate 26%Normal WeatherGiant's BedLv.60-65OverworldShieldRate 26%RainingGiant's BedLv.60-65OverworldShieldRate 26%SnowingGiant's BedLv.60-65OverworldShieldRate 26%OvercastOld CemeteryLv.60-65OverworldRate 25%RainingOld CemeteryLv.60-65OverworldRate 25%Intense SunGiant's BedLv.60-65OverworldShieldRate 24%Intense SunGiant's BedLv.60-65OverworldShieldRate 24%SnowstormGiant's BedLv.60-65OverworldShieldRate 22%Heavy FogOld CemeteryLv.60-65OverworldSwordRate 22%Heavy FogGiant's BedLv.60-65OverworldSwordRate 21%RainingGiant's BedLv.60-65OverworldSwordRate 21%SnowingGiant's BedLv.60-65OverworldSwordRate 21%OvercastGiant's BedLv.60-65OverworldSwordRate 21%ThunderstormGiant's BedLv.60-65OverworldSwordRate 21%Normal WeatherGiant's BedLv.60-65GrassRate 20%SnowstormGiant's BedLv.60-65GrassRate 20%OvercastGiant's BedLv.60-65GrassRate 20%Heavy FogGiant's BedLv.60-65GrassRate 20%SnowingGiant's BedLv.60-65GrassRate 20%Normal WeatherGiant's BedLv.60-65GrassRate 20%RainingOld CemeteryLv.60-65OverworldRate 20%ThunderstormOld CemeteryLv.60-65GrassRate 20%Normal WeatherOld CemeteryLv.60-65OverworldRate 20%SnowstormOld CemeteryLv.60-65OverworldRate 20%OvercastOld CemeteryLv.60-65OverworldRate 20%SnowingGiant's BedLv.60-65OverworldSwordRate 19%Intense SunGiant's BedLv.60-65OverworldSwordRate 19%SnowstormGiant's BedLv.60-65OverworldSwordRate 17%Heavy FogOld CemeteryLv.60-65OverworldShieldRate 17%Heavy FogGiant's BedLv.60-65GrassRate 16%Intense SunGiant's BedLv.60-65GrassRate 16%ThunderstormOld CemeteryLv.60-65GrassRate 16%OvercastOld CemeteryLv.60-65GrassRate 16%RainingOld CemeteryLv.60-65GrassRate 16%SnowingOld CemeteryLv.60-65GrassRate 16%SnowstormOld CemeteryLv.60-65GrassRate 16%Heavy FogOld CemeteryLv.60-65GrassRate 16%Intense SunOld CemeteryLv.60-65GrassRate 14%Thunderstorm
Step 3Evolve into Nidoking
8 encounter spots for Nidoran♂ (male) at decent spawn rates starting from early-game routes. Best and Earliest sort options below help narrow down your approach based on odds vs. Accessibility.
Where To Catch Nidoran♂ (male) in LGPE
To get Nidoran♂ (male), start by catching Nidoran♂ (male) through walking encounters at Lv. 3-46. The chain covers 3 catchable stages before reaching the final form.
Step 1Nidoran♂ (male) ✓Route 22Lv.3-4GrassRate 20%Route 9Lv.17-22GrassRate 15%Route 10Lv.18-23GrassRate 15%Route 23Lv.41-46GrassRate 10%
Step 2Catch or Evolve into NidorinoRoute 9Lv.17-22GrassRate 5%Route 10Lv.18-23GrassRate 5%Route 23Lv.41-46GrassRate 19%or evolve from Nidoran♂ (male) (Step 1)
Nidoran♂ (male) can't be caught in Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon. Transfer Nidoran♂ (male) from Red & Blue, Yellow, or Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee and evolve through the 3-stage chain to get it. The step cards below map the full chain.
How to Obtain Nidoran♂ (male) in USUM
- Step 1Nidoran♂ (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 3Evolve into Nidoking
Base Stats
You won't find a real weakness in Nidoran♂ (male)'s stat line. It's well-rounded for the Poison Pin Pokemon, and what it does with that depends on moveset and items. Yields 1 Attack EV, on a 1.06M XP medium-slow curve.
The horn on a male Nidoran’s forehead contains a powerful poison. This is a very cautious Pokémon, always straining its large ears.
Nidoran♂ (male) Guide
Nidoran♂ (male) at 273 BST is a stepping stone. Evolve it when you can for a real stat jump.
Game Availability
Present since Red & Blue, Nidoran%e2%99%82 Male appears in 19 games spanning 10 generations. Gen 1 originals like Nidoran%e2%99%82 Male have the longest track record of availability in the series.
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