The Poison Pin Pokemon. Nidoran-M needs Pal Park to reach Diamond & Pearl. Rivalry boosts damage, and A-Tier Nidoking is one of the move split's biggest winners.
Ability 1Poison PointAbility 1Has a 30% chance of poisoning attacking Pokémon on contact.Ability 2RivalryAbility 2Increases damage inflicted to 1.25× against Pokémon of the same gender, but decreases damage to 0.75× against the opposite gender.
273HP46Attack57Defense40Speed50Sp.Def40Sp.Atk40
Nidoran♂ (male)
Nidorino
Nidoking
Weak to
Mixed
Balanced
50Speed · Slow

Is Nidoran♂ (male) Good in Diamond & Pearl Playthrough?

Same Pokeradar postgame access as Nidoran-F. Nidoking at Moon Stone is the destination. The physical/special split helps Nidoking more than almost any other Gen 1 Pokemon, but you won't have it for the story.

StrongGoodEvenToughBadEGGGEGGGGEGEGGGENidoran MCatchRoarkGym 1NidorinoEvolveGardeniaGym 2NidokingEvolveMayleneGym 3Crasher WakeGym 4FantinaGym 5ByronGym 6CandiceGym 7VolknerGym 8AaronE4BerthaE4FlintE4LucianE4MarsBossJupiterBossSaturnBossCynthiaChamp*
Roark
Gym 1
Even

Nidoran♂ (male) trades roughly evenly with Roark's team.

Even
Geodude
Lv 12
RockGround
Rock Head
Stealth RockRock Throw
Even
Onix
Lv 12
RockGround
Rock Head
Stealth RockRock ThrowScreech
Even
Cranidos
Lv 14
Rock
Mold Breaker
HeadbuttPursuitLeer
Gardenia
Gym 2
Good

Nidorino has the type edge here and should clean up Gardenia's team.

Easy KO
Cherubi
Lv 19
Grass
Chlorophyll
Grass KnotLeech SeedGrowthSafeguard
You Win
Turtwig
Lv 19
Grass
Overgrow
Grass KnotRazor LeafWithdrawReflect
Even
Roserade
Lv 22
GrassPoison
Natural Cure
Grass KnotMagical LeafPoison StingStun Spore
Maylene
Gym 3
Good

Nidoking has the type edge here and should clean up Maylene's team.

You Win
Meditite
Lv 27
FightingPsychic
Pure Power
Drain PunchConfusionMeditateDetect
You Win
Machoke
Lv 27
Fighting
Guts
Brick BreakRock TombLeerForesight
You Win
Lucario
Lv 30
FightingSteel
Steadfast
Drain PunchForce PalmMetal ClawBone Rush
Crasher Wake
Gym 4
Good

Nidoking has the type edge here and should clean up Crasher Wake's team.

You Win
Gyarados
Lv 27
WaterFlying
Intimidate
BrineDragon RageBiteSwagger
Even
Quagsire
Lv 27
WaterGround
Damp
Mud BombSlamMud SportTail Whip
Even
Floatzel
Lv 30
Water
Swift Swim
BrineIce FangPursuitSwift
Fantina
Gym 5
Even

Nidoking trades roughly evenly with Fantina's team.

Even
Drifblim
Lv 32
GhostFlying
Aftermath
Ominous WindGustAstonishMinimize
Even
Gengar
Lv 34
GhostPoison
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
Shadow ClawPoison JabSpiteConfuse Ray
Risky
Mismagius
Lv 36
Ghost
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
Shadow BallPsybeamMagical LeafConfuse Ray
Byron
Gym 6
Good

Nidoking has the type edge here and should clean up Byron's team.

Even
Bronzor
Lv 36
SteelPsychic
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
Flash CannonExtrasensoryConfuse RayHypnosis
You Win
Steelix
Lv 36
SteelGround
Rock Head
Gyro BallIce FangDragon BreathSandstorm
You Win
Bastiodon
Lv 39
RockSteel
Sturdy
Flash CannonAncient PowerIron DefenseRest
Candice
Gym 7
Good

Nidoking has the type edge here and should clean up Candice's team.

Easy KO
Snover
Lv 38
GrassIce
Snow Warning
AvalancheRazor LeafIngrainLeer
Easy KO
Sneasel
Lv 38
DarkIce
Inner Focus
AvalancheSlashFeint AttackTaunt
You Win
Medicham
Lv 40
FightingPsychic
Pure Power
Ice PunchForce PalmDetectBulk Up
You Win
Abomasnow
Lv 42
GrassIce
Snow Warning
AvalancheWood HammerGrass WhistleSwagger
Volkner
Gym 8
Good

Nidoking has the type edge here and should clean up Volkner's team.

Easy KO
Raichu
Lv 46
Electric
Static
Charge BeamBrick BreakThunder WaveLight Screen
You Win
Ambipom
Lv 47
Normal
Technician
Shock WaveAgilityNasty PlotBaton Pass
You Win
Octillery
Lv 47
Water
Suction Cups
Charge BeamOctazookaAurora BeamBullet Seed
You Win
Luxray
Lv 49
Electric
Rivalry
Charge BeamThunder FangCrunchThunder Wave
Aaron
Elite Four
Good

Nidoking has the type edge here and should clean up Aaron's team.

You Win
Dustox
Lv 53
BugPoison
Shield Dust
ToxicBug BuzzDouble TeamLight Screen
You Win
Beautifly
Lv 53
BugFlying
Swarm
Energy BallBug BuzzPsychicShadow Ball
Easy KO
Vespiquen
Lv 54
BugFlying
Pressure
Attack OrderDefend OrderHeal OrderPower Gem
You Win
Heracross
Lv 54
BugFighting
Swarm
MegahornClose CombatNight SlashStone Edge
Even
Drapion
Lv 57
PoisonDark
Battle Armor
X ScissorCross PoisonIce FangAerial Ace
Bertha
Elite Four
Even

Nidoking trades roughly evenly with Bertha's team.

Even
Quagsire
Lv 55
WaterGround
Damp
DigDouble TeamProtectSandstorm
Even
Sudowoodo
Lv 56
Rock
Sturdy
EarthquakeSucker PunchHammer ArmSandstorm
You Win
Golem
Lv 56
RockGround
Rock Head
EarthquakeGyro BallBrick BreakSandstorm
Even
Whiscash
Lv 55
WaterGround
Oblivious
FissureAqua TailZen HeadbuttRock Slide
Even
Hippowdon
Lv 59
Ground
Sand Stream
EarthquakeStone EdgeCrunchCurse
Flint
Elite Four
Good

Nidoking has the type edge here and should clean up Flint's team.

You Win
Rapidash
Lv 58
Fire
Run Away
Flare BlitzSolar BeamBounceSunny Day
You Win
Steelix
Lv 57
SteelGround
Rock Head
Fire FangRock TombScreechSunny Day
Even
Drifblim
Lv 58
GhostFlying
Aftermath
Will O WispOminous WindDouble TeamBaton Pass
You Win
Lopunny
Lv 57
Normal
Cute Charm
Fire PunchCharmMirror CoatSunny Day
Even
Infernape
Lv 61
FireFighting
Blaze
Flare BlitzThunder PunchMach PunchEarthquake
Lucian
Elite Four
Even

Nidoking trades roughly evenly with Lucian's team.

You Win
Mr Mime
Lv 59
Psychic
Soundproof
PsychicThunderboltReflectLight Screen
You Win
Girafarig
Lv 59
NormalPsychic
Inner Focus
PsychicShadow BallDouble HitCrunch
You Win
Medicham
Lv 60
FightingPsychic
Pure Power
Drain PunchFire PunchThunder PunchIce Punch
Even
Alakazam
Lv 60
Psychic
Synchronize
PsychicEnergy BallFocus BlastRecover
Risky
Bronzong
Lv 63
SteelPsychic
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
PsychicGyro BallEarthquakeCalm Mind
Mars
Commander
Good

Nidoking has the type edge here and should clean up Mars's team.

You Win
Golbat
Lv 37
PoisonFlying
Inner Focus
Air CutterBiteToxicSupersonic
You Win
Bronzor
Lv 37
SteelPsychic
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
Gyro BallExtrasensoryIron DefenseConfuse Ray
You Win
Purugly
Lv 39
Normal
Thick Fat
SlashFeint AttackHypnosisFake Out
Jupiter
Commander
Good

Nidoking has the type edge here and should clean up Jupiter's team.

You Win
Zubat
Lv 18
PoisonFlying
Inner Focus
Giga DrainWing AttackBite
Easy KO
Skuntank
Lv 20
PoisonDark
Stench
Night SlashPoison GasScreechSmokescreen
Saturn
Commander
Good

Nidoking has the type edge here and should clean up Saturn's team.

You Win
Kadabra
Lv 38
Psychic
Synchronize
PsychicShock WaveRecoverEmbargo
You Win
Bronzor
Lv 38
SteelPsychic
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
Gyro BallExtrasensoryShadow BallConfuse Ray
Easy KO
Toxicroak
Lv 40
PoisonFighting
Anticipation
Poison JabBrick BreakX ScissorSwagger
Cynthia
Champion
Even

Nidoking trades roughly evenly with Cynthia's team.

Even
Spiritomb
Lv 61
GhostDark
Pressure
Dark PulsePsychicSilver WindEmbargo
Even
Roserade
Lv 60
GrassPoison
Natural Cure
Energy BallSludge BombShadow BallExtrasensory
Even
Gastrodon
Lv 60
WaterGround
Sticky Hold
Muddy WaterEarthquakeStone EdgeSludge Bomb
Even
Lucario
Lv 63
FightingSteel
Steadfast
Aura SphereDragon PulsePsychicEarthquake
Even
Milotic
Lv 63
Water
Marvel Scale
SurfIce BeamMirror CoatAqua Ring
Even
Garchomp
Lv 66
DragonGround
Sand Veil
Dragon RushEarthquakeBrick BreakGiga Impact

Catchable

Available before Badge 1
Type
Poison
Tier
E

Catch Nidoran M on Route 201 (Poké Radar, Lv 2, rare).

View Nidoran M locations

Evolve Nidoran♂ (male) to Nidorino

Level 16
Type
Poison
Tier
E

Nidoran♂ (male) evolves into Nidorino at Level 16. Your Nidoran♂ (male) should hit Level 16 before you reach Gardenia, at typical leveling pace.

View Nidorino locations

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

Use Moon Stone
Type
PoisonGround
Tier
A

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
  • 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 Nidoran♂ (male) in Diamond & Pearl

Male Nidoran is a Poke Radar catch on the starting route, and the version flip is inverted from the female. Pearl gets the common spawn here while Diamond pushes it to rare.

1 location to catch Nidoran♂ (male)

Where To Catch Nidoran♂ (male) in DP

The line opens with Nidoran♂ (male) at Lv. 2-3 via special encounters. 2 catchable stages total, with locations listed for each one below.

  1. Nidoking
    Step 3Evolve into Nidoking
    BREEDING
    Available
    Leave a compatible parent at the Pokemon Day Care to receive a Nidoran♂ (male) egg.

Bring the right balls: check Nidoran♂ (male) catch odds in the Diamond & Pearl Catch Rate Calculator before you throw.

How to Get Shiny Nidoran♂ (male) in Diamond & Pearl

Male Nidoran turns up on Route 201, and a PokeRadar chain there is what brings its shiny in fast. Compare Shiny Nidoran♂ (male) odds across every game

Normal vs Shiny
Normal Nidoran♂ (male) in Diamond & PearlNormal
Shiny Nidoran♂ (male) in Diamond & Pearl Shiny
Color ShiftPurpletoBlue
Shiny TierC Tier Shiny

Shiny Nidoran♂ (male) Evolution

3 Forms
Showing shiny artworkView Full Evolution Chart

Diamond & Pearl Shiny Nidoran♂ (male) Calculator

3 Methods
Fastest Path

The best route is PokeRadar Chain at full boosts, about 1 in 200 on each try. Tune it below.

Step 1 · Encounter Method3 in Diamond & Pearl

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.

Step 2 · Boost Your Oddstap to add
00

How many you have done, or plan to do.

120,000
Shiny Odds Per Try1 / 200PokeRadar Chain
Chance By Now50.2%at 139 encountersAbout 5 in 10 hunters have one by now
What To Expect
ChanceEncountersTime
10%lucky few22----
25%one in four58----
50%coin flip139----
90%very likely460----
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.

Where these shiny odds come from: Read our full methodology

Planning a longer hunt? Set up Nidoran♂ (male) in the Diamond & Pearl Shiny Odds Calculator to compare every method side by side.

Nidoran♂ (male) Weakness

Nidoran♂ (male) is weak to Ground and Psychic. The Poison typing picks up 4 resistances to work with. Nidoran♂ (male)'s Poison typing only leaves 2 gaps to cover.

Nidoran♂ (male) Weakness and Resistance Chart
DamageTypes
2x (Weak)Ground, Psychic
0.5x (Resist)Grass, Fighting, Poison, Bug
Gen IV Type Chart
  • Fairy type does not exist — Dragon has fewer checks
  • Physical / Special split now per-move (introduced Gen IV)

What is Nidoran♂ (male) Weak Against

Avg
2Weak
4Resist
0Immune
Score0
4xCritical
None
¼xResist
None
0xImmune
None

What is Nidoran♂ (male) Strong Against

1Strong
4Resisted
1Immune
Score-4
2xStrong
0xImmune

Best Pokemon Against Nidoran♂ (male)

Cubone
Cubone
Ground
C
Lunatone
Lunatone
RockPsychic
C
Solrock
Solrock
RockPsychic
C
Geodude
Geodude
RockGround
C
Onix
Onix
RockGround
C

Nidoran♂ (male) Evolutions

Nidoran♂ (male) kicks off a three-stage evolution line through Nidorino all the way to Nidoking. For breeding, average hatch time with a massive partner pool via two egg groups. Evolving adds up to 232 stat points total. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.

How to Evolve

3 Forms
Stat Comparison 3 Stages
Nidorino
Poison
Nidoking
PoisonGround
HP
46
61+15
81+20
ATK
57
72+15
102+30
DEF
40
57+17
77+20
SP.ATK
40
55+15
85+30
SP.DEF
40
55+15
75+20
SPE
50
65+15
85+20
BST
273E-Tier
365E-Tier+92
505A-Tier+140
ROLE
Balanced
Balanced
Attacker
TYPE
Utility
Physical
Mixed

Breeding

Moderate

Breed with Nidoran♂ (male) 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.

Egg Groups
FieldMonster
Gender
♂100.0%
Hatch Time
20 cycles·5,140 steps
Quick~5 min with Flame Body
Egg Moves
8moves
Breed With (best first)
raichupikachunidokinggolduckampharosvenusaurcharizardblastoisemeganiumferaligatrsceptileswampert

DP Nidoran♂ (male) Best Moveset

Slightly more offense than the female version at 57 Attack, but still far too low to compete. The moveset offers basic Poison attacks and not much else. Evolve through Nidorino to reach Nidoking.

Best Build

No build content available for this Pokemon in Gen 4.

Try selecting a different game/generation filter, or check back later.

Moves List

The TM pool is where it gets interesting. Coverage across 11 types means almost nothing walls Nidoran♂ (male) cleanly, with Sludge Bomb and Poison Jab anchoring the STAB side. Matchup flexibility isn't a problem.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1
Leer
——10030Normal
Lv 1
Peck
D3510035Flying
Lv 7
Focus Energy
———30Normal
Lv 9
Double Kick
—3010030Fighting
Lv 13
Poison Sting
S2210035Poison
Lv 19
Fury Attack
D158520Normal
Lv 21
Horn Attack
—6510025Normal
Lv 25
Helping Hand+5
———20Normal
Lv 31
Toxic Spikes
C——20Poison
Lv 33
Flatter
——10015Dark
Lv 37
Poison Jab
S12010020Poison
Lv 43
Captivate
——10020Normal
Lv 45
Horn Drill
——305Normal

TM Moves

32 of 33 TMs are obtainable before the Elite Four

TM
TM45
AttractAmity Squarebadge 2
——10015Normal
TM14
BlizzardLake Acuitybadge 2
D120705Ice
TM78
CaptivateRoute 204badge 2
——10020Normal
HM01
CutEterna Citybadge 1
—509530Normal
TM28
DigManiac Tunnelbadge 2
S8010010Ground
TM32
Double TeamWayward Cavebadge 2
———15Normal
TM58
Endure+4Veilstone Game Cornerbadge 2
C——10Normal
TM42
FacadeSurvival Area
D7010020Normal
TM21
FrustrationVeilstone Game Cornerbadge 2
D—10020Normal
TM10
Hidden PowerVeilstone Game Corner
D6010015Normal
TM13
Ice BeamRoute 216badge 2
D9510010Ice
TM23
Iron TailIron Islandbadge 5
D1007515Steel
TM83
Natural GiftVeilstone Department Storebadge 2
D—10015Normal
TM84
Poison JabRoute 212badge 5
S12010020Poison
TM17
Protect+4Veilstone Department Storebadge 2
C——10Normal
TM44
RestVeilstone Game Cornerbadge 2
C——10Psychic
TM27
ReturnVeilstone Game Cornerbadge 2
D—10020Normal
HM06
Rock SmashOreburgh Gate
D4010015Fighting
TM43
Secret PowerAmity Squarebadge 2
—7010020Normal
TM65
Shadow ClawPrize for defeating Gym Leader Fantina at Hearthome Citybadge 5
D7010015Ghost
TM34
Shock WaveRoute 215badge 2
D60—20Electric
TM82
Sleep TalkEterna Forestbadge 2
C——10Normal
TM36
Sludge BombGalactic HQ B2F in Veilstone Citynot until badge 7
S13510010Poison
HM04
StrengthLost Towerbadge 2
D8010015Normal
TM90
SubstituteVeilstone Game Cornerbadge 2
C——10Normal
TM87
SwaggerTM in Mr Backlot office in the Pokémon Mansion on Route 212badge 2
——9015Normal
TM46
ThiefEterna Citybadge 2
D6010025Dark
TM25
ThunderLake Valorbadge 2
D1207010Electric
TM24
ThunderboltVeilstone Game Cornerbadge 2
D9510015Electric
TM06
ToxicRoute 212badge 2
C—8510Poison
TM03
Water PulseRavaged Pathbadge 5
D6010020Water

Egg Moves

Egg
Egg
Amnesia
D——20Psychic
Egg
Beat Up
——10010Dark
Egg
Confusion
D5010025Psychic
Egg
Counter-5
D—10020Fighting
Egg
Disable
D—8020Normal
Egg
Sucker Punch+1
D801005Dark
Egg
Supersonic
——5520Normal
Egg
Take Down
D908520Normal

Tutor Moves

Nidoran♂ (male) can't learn any Tutor moves

Transfer Moves

Gen
Gen 3
Body Slam
D8510015Normal
Gen 3
Defense Curl
D——40Normal
Gen 3
Double-Edge
C12010015Normal
Gen 3
Mimic
———10Normal

Base Stats

Base Stats
Below
HP46
D
Attack57
D
Defense40
D
Sp. Atk40
D
Sp. Def40
D
Speed50
D
Total273
Details
Catch Rate
Easy235 / 255
Growth Rate
Medium Slow1.06M XP
Height0.5 m
Weight9.0 kg
Base XP55
Abilities
Poison Point
Has a 30% chance of poisoning attacking Pokémon on contact.
Rivalry
Increases damage inflicted to 1.25× against Pokémon of the same gender, but decreases damage to 0.75× against the opposite gender.
EV Yield
HPAtk+1DefSpASpDSpe
Attack training source
Pokedex Entry

It scans its surroundings by raising its ears out of the grass. Its toxic horn is for protection.

Pokemon Diamond / Pokemon Pearl

Nidoran♂ (male) Diamond & Pearl Guide

  • In Diamond & Pearl, Nidoran♂ (male) has 273 BST, so weigh it against what your team already covers.

Game Availability

Present since Red & Blue, Nidoran♂ (male) appears in 19 games spanning 9 generations. Gen 1 originals like Nidoran♂ (male) have the longest track record of availability in the series.

Explore

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