Transfer-only in Ruby & Sapphire. Import Nidoran-M for Nidoking's A-Tier status. Poison Point adds a contact-punishing bonus.
Ability 1Poison PointAbility 1Has a 30% chance of poisoning attacking Pokémon on contact.
273HP46Attack57Defense40Speed50Sp.Def40Sp.Atk40
Nidoran♂ (male)
Nidorino
Nidoking
Weak to
Physical
Balanced
50Speed · Slow

Is Nidoran♂ (male) Good in Ruby & Sapphire Playthrough?

Not native to Hoenn. AbilityPoison Point on the Nidoking line. If imported from FRLG, the offensive stats and TM coverage are still excellent. But getting one into RS requires a second game and a link cable.

StrongGoodEvenToughBadEGTETEBEETEETRoxanneGym 1BrawlyGym 2WattsonGym 3FlanneryGym 4NormanGym 5WinonaGym 6Tate & LizaGym 7WallaceGym 8Nidoran MTradeSidneyE4PhoebeE4GlaciaE4DrakeE4StevenChamp*
Roxanne
Gym 1
Even

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

Even
Geodude
Lv 14
RockGround
Rock Head
TackleDefense CurlRock ThrowRock Tomb
Even
Nosepass
Lv 15
Rock
Sturdy
TackleHardenRock ThrowRock Tomb
Brawly
Gym 2
Good

Nidoran♂ (male) has the type edge here and should clean up Brawly's team.

You Win
Machop
Lv 17
Fighting
Guts
LeerKarate ChopSeismic TossBulk Up
You Win
Makuhita
Lv 18
Fighting
Thick Fat
Arm ThrustKnock OffSand AttackBulk Up
Wattson
Gym 3
Tough

Wattson's typing presses Nidoran♂ (male)'s defenses.

Risky
Magnemite
Lv 22
ElectricSteel
Magnet Pull
SupersonicSonic BoomThunder ShockThunder Wave
Risky
Voltorb
Lv 20
Electric
Soundproof
RolloutSelf DestructSparkSonic Boom
Avoid
Magneton
Lv 23
ElectricSteel
Magnet Pull
SupersonicSonic BoomShock WaveThunder Wave
Flannery
Gym 4
Even

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

You Win
Slugma
Lv 26
Fire
Magma Armor
OverheatSmogLight ScreenSunny Day
You Win
Slugma
Lv 26
Fire
Magma Armor
FlamethrowerRock SlideLight ScreenSunny Day
Even
Torkoal
Lv 28
Fire
White Smoke
OverheatBody SlamFlailAttract
Norman
Gym 5
Tough

Norman's typing presses Nidoran♂ (male)'s defenses.

Risky
Slaking
Lv 28
Normal
Truant
EncoreFacadeYawnFeint Attack
Even
Vigoroth
Lv 30
Normal
Vital Spirit
SlashFeint AttackFacadeEncore
Risky
Slaking
Lv 31
Normal
Truant
Focus PunchSlack OffFacadeFeint Attack
Winona
Gym 6
Even

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

Even
Swellow
Lv 31
NormalFlying
Guts
Quick AttackAerial AceDouble TeamEndeavor
You Win
Pelipper
Lv 30
WaterFlying
Keen Eye
Water GunSupersonicProtectAerial Ace
Risky
Skarmory
Lv 32
SteelFlying
Keen Eye
Sand AttackFury AttackSteel WingAerial Ace
Even
Altaria
Lv 33
DragonFlying
Natural Cure
EarthquakeDragon BreathDragon DanceAerial Ace
Tate & Liza
Gym 7
Bad

Tate & Liza's Pokemon outpace and outclass Nidoran♂ (male) here.

Avoid
Lunatone
Lv 42
RockPsychic
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
Light ScreenPsychicHypnosisCalm Mind
Avoid
Solrock
Lv 42
RockPsychic
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
Sunny DaySolar BeamPsychicFlamethrower
Wallace
Gym 8
Even

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

Even
Luvdisc
Lv 40
Water
Swift Swim
Water PulseAttractSweet KissFlail
Avoid
Whiscash
Lv 42
WaterGround
Oblivious
Rain DanceWater PulseAmnesiaEarthquake
You Win
Sealeo
Lv 40
IceWater
Thick Fat
EncoreBody SlamAurora BeamWater Pulse
Even
Seaking
Lv 42
Water
Swift Swim
Water PulseRain DanceFury AttackHorn Drill
Risky
Milotic
Lv 43
Water
Marvel Scale
Water PulseTwisterRecoverIce Beam
Sidney
Elite Four
Even

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

Even
Mightyena
Lv 46
Dark
Intimidate
RoarTake DownSand AttackCrunch
Even
Shiftry
Lv 48
GrassDark
Chlorophyll
Fake OutDouble TeamSwaggerExtrasensory
You Win
Cacturne
Lv 46
GrassDark
Sand Veil
Leech SeedFeint AttackNeedle ArmCotton Spore
Even
Sharpedo
Lv 48
WaterDark
Rough Skin
CrunchSwaggerSurfSlash
Risky
Absol
Lv 49
Dark
Pressure
Aerial AceSnatchSwords DanceSlash
Phoebe
Elite Four
Tough

Phoebe's team hits Nidoran♂ (male)'s weaknesses hard.

Risky
Dusclops
Lv 48
Ghost
Pressure
Shadow PunchConfuse RayCurseFuture Sight
Risky
Banette
Lv 49
Ghost
Insomnia
Shadow BallSpiteWill O WispFeint Attack
Avoid
Sableye
Lv 50
DarkGhost
Keen Eye
Shadow BallPsychicAttractFeint Attack
Avoid
Banette
Lv 49
Ghost
Insomnia
Shadow BallPsychicToxicSkill Swap
Risky
Dusclops
Lv 51
Ghost
Pressure
Shadow BallIce BeamConfuse RayEarthquake
Glacia
Elite Four
Even

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

Even
Glalie
Lv 50
Ice
Inner Focus
Light ScreenCrunchHailIce Beam
Even
Sealeo
Lv 50
IceWater
Thick Fat
SurfBody SlamHailIce Ball
Even
Sealeo
Lv 52
IceWater
Thick Fat
AttractDiveHailBlizzard
Even
Glalie
Lv 52
Ice
Inner Focus
Shadow BallCrunchHailIce Beam
Risky
Walrein
Lv 53
IceWater
Thick Fat
SurfBody SlamBlizzardSheer Cold
Drake
Elite Four
Even

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

You Win
Shelgon
Lv 52
Dragon
Rock Head
Rock TombDragon ClawProtectCrunch
You Win
Altaria
Lv 54
DragonFlying
Natural Cure
Take DownDragon BreathDragon DanceRefresh
Risky
Flygon
Lv 53
GroundDragon
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
DigDragon BreathFlySandstorm
Risky
Flygon
Lv 53
GroundDragon
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
FlamethrowerCrunchDragon BreathSand Attack
Even
Salamence
Lv 55
DragonFlying
Intimidate
FlamethrowerDragon ClawFlyCrunch
Steven
Champion
Tough

Steven's team hits Nidoran♂ (male)'s weaknesses hard.

Risky
Skarmory
Lv 57
SteelFlying
Keen Eye
ToxicAerial AceSpikesSteel Wing
Avoid
Claydol
Lv 55
GroundPsychic
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
ReflectLight ScreenAncient PowerEarthquake
Risky
Aggron
Lv 56
SteelRock
Sturdy
ThunderEarthquakeSolar BeamDragon Claw
Even
Cradily
Lv 56
RockGrass
Suction Cups
Giga DrainAncient PowerSludge BombConfuse Ray
Risky
Armaldo
Lv 56
RockBug
Battle Armor
Water PulseAncient PowerAerial AceSlash
Avoid
Metagross
Lv 58
SteelPsychic
Clear Body
EarthquakePsychicMeteor MashHyper Beam

Trade

Transfer-only
Type
Poison
Tier
E

Nidoran M 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.

View Nidoran M locations

How to Get Nidoran♂ (male) in Ruby & Sapphire

To begin the Nidoking line you trade a Nidoran-M in from another game. Hoenn produces nothing for this Pokemon in the wild.

How to Obtain Nidoran♂ (male) in RS

  1. Nidoran♂ (male)
    Step 1Nidoran♂ (male) ✓
    CARTRIDGE TRADE
    Available
    Catch in FireRed & LeafGreen via Walking · Safari Zone, then trade to the current game via link cable.
    LATER APPEARANCE
    Not Tradeable
    Appears in Red & Blue via Walking · Route 22. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.
    LATER APPEARANCE
    from Yellow
    Not Tradeable
    Appears in Yellow via Walking · Route 22. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.
    LATER APPEARANCE
    Not Tradeable
    Appears in Gold & Silver via Walking · Route 35. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.
    LATER APPEARANCE
    from Crystal
    Not Tradeable
    Appears in Crystal via Walking · Route 35 · the Yanma swarm that Bug Catcher Arnie reports by. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.
    LATER APPEARANCE
    Not Tradeable
    Appears in Diamond & Pearl via Pokeradar · Route 201. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.
    LATER APPEARANCE
    Not Tradeable
    Appears in Platinum via Pokeradar · Route 201. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.
  2. Nidorino
    Step 2Evolve into Nidorino
  3. Nidoking
    Step 3Evolve into Nidoking

How to Get Shiny Nidoran♂ (male) in Ruby & Sapphire

Nidoran♂ makes no Hoenn appearance, so hunt a shiny along Route 3 in FireRed or LeafGreen and bring it over. See every game where Shiny Nidoran♂ (male) can be hunted

Normal vs Shiny
Normal Nidoran♂ (male) in Ruby & SapphireNormal
Shiny Nidoran♂ (male) in Ruby & Sapphire Shiny
Color ShiftPurpletoBlue
Shiny TierC Tier Shiny

Shiny Nidoran♂ (male) Evolution

3 Forms
Showing shiny artworkView Full Evolution Chart

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 III Type Chart
  • Dark and Steel types added — Fairy does not exist yet
  • Moves are Physical or Special based on type, not per move

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)

Latios
Latios
DragonPsychic
S
Latias
Latias
DragonPsychic
S
Metagross
Metagross
SteelPsychic
S
Gardevoir
Gardevoir
Psychic
B
Kadabra
Kadabra
Psychic
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 102 partners from the Field and Monster egg groups. Notable egg moves include Amnesia, Beat Up, Confusion and 4 more.

Egg Groups
FieldMonster
Gender
♂100.0%
Hatch Time
20 cycles·5,140 steps
Quick~5 min with Flame Body
Egg Moves
7moves
Breed With (best first)
raichupikachunidokinggolduckampharosvenusaurcharizardblastoisemeganiumferaligatrsceptileswampert

RS Nidoran♂ (male) Best Moveset

Poison pre-evolution with AbilityPoison Point. Nothing competitive at this stage. Nidoking's coverage movepool is the goal two evolutions away.

Best Build

No build content available for this Pokemon in Gen 3.

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

Moves List

The TM pool is where it gets interesting. Coverage across 10 types means almost nothing walls Nidoran♂ (male) cleanly, with Sludge Bomb and Poison Sting anchoring the STAB side. Matchup flexibility isn't a problem.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1
Leer
D—10030Normal
Lv 1
Peck
D3510035Flying
Lv 8
Focus Energy
D——30Normal
Lv 12
Double Kick
—3010030Fighting
Lv 17
Poison Sting
S2210035Poison
Lv 20
Horn Attack
—6510025Normal
Lv 23
Helping Hand+5
———20Normal
Lv 30
Fury Attack
—158520Normal
Lv 38
Flatter
D—10015Dark
Lv 47
Horn Drill
——305Normal

TM Moves

All 25 TMs are obtainable before the Elite Four

TM
TM45
AttractVerdanturf Townbadge 2
——10015Normal
TM14D120705Ice
HM01D509530Normal
TM28
DigRoute 114badge 3
S6010010Ground
TM32
Double TeamRoute 113badge 2
———15Normal
TM42D7010020Normal
TM10
Hidden PowerFortree Citybadge 3
—6010015Normal
TM13
Ice BeamAbandoned Shipbadge 2
D9510010Ice
TM23
Iron TailMeteor Fallsnot until badge 8
D1007515Steel
TM17C——10Normal
TM18
Rain DanceAbandoned Shipnot until badge 7
C——5Water
TM44
RestLilycove Citybadge 5
C——10Psychic
TM27
ReturnFallarbor Townbadge 3
D—10020Normal
HM06
Rock SmashMauville Citybadge 2
D2010015Fighting
TM43
Secret PowerRoute 111badge 3
—7010020Normal
TM34D60—20Electric
TM36
Sludge BombDewford Townbadge 5
S13510010Poison
HM04
StrengthRusturf Tunnelbadge 3
—8010015Normal
TM11
Sunny DayScorched Slabbadge 5
C——5Fire
TM46
ThiefSlateport Citybadge 1
D6010025Dark
TM25D1207010Electric
TM24
ThunderboltMauville Game Cornerbadge 2
D9510015Electric
TM06
ToxicFiery Pathbadge 4
C—8510Poison
TM03
Water PulsePrize for defeating Wallacenot until badge 8
D6010020Water

Egg Moves

Egg
Egg
Amnesia
D——20Psychic
Egg
Beat Up
D—10010Dark
Egg
Confusion
—5010025Psychic
Egg
Counter-5
D—10020Fighting
Egg
Disable
D—5520Normal
Egg
Supersonic
——5520Normal
Egg
Take Down
D908520Normal

Tutor Moves

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

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.
EV Yield
HPAtk+1DefSpASpDSpe
Attack training source
Pokedex Entry

The male NIDORAN has developed muscles for moving its ears. Thanks to them, the ears can be freely moved in any direction. Even the slightest sound does not escape this POKéMON’s notice.

Pokemon Ruby / Pokemon Sapphire

Nidoran♂ (male) Ruby & Sapphire Guide

  • No. Nidoran♂ (male) isn't catchable in Ruby & Sapphire. Catch one in FireRed or LeafGreen, then trade it over.

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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