Nidorino isn't fully evolved, so it's not built for competitive play. You'll want to evolve it into Nidoking to unlock its full potential. At 365 BST, it's a stepping stone rather than a team anchor.

What is Nidorino weak to?

Watch for Rhydon (Ground) and Alakazam (Psychic) when using Nidorino. They all hit it super-effectively with STAB. Only 2 weaknesses means fewer dedicated counters to worry about.

How do you evolve Nidorino?

Nidoran M evolves into Nidorino at level 16. Nidorino evolves into Nidoking using a Moon Stone. Nidorino is a middle-stage evolution in the Nidoran M line.

What is the best ability for Nidorino?

Poison Point has a 30% chance of poisoning attacking Pokémon on contact. That's the one you want on Nidorino. Hustle is the hidden ability. Niche, but it has its uses. Rivalry works too if your team needs something different.

What role does Nidorino play in battle?

Nidorino fills the balanced role. It's a physical attacker with base 72 Attack. At base 65 Speed, it won't be moving first often.

Nidorino - Weakness, Evolution, Moveset, EVs & Stats

Physical

Balanced

DTier

65Speed · Below Avg

Nidorino's stats barely vary. None sit in respectable range with no real gaps. It's a blank slate for EV investment. Worth 2 Attack EVs, 1.06M XP medium-slow curve to max.

Base Stats

Avg

HP61

Attack72

Defense57

Sp. Atk55

Sp. Def55

Speed65

Total365

Details

Catch Rate

Moderate120 / 255

Growth Rate

Medium Slow1.06M XP

Height0.9 m

Weight19.5 kg

Base XP128

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.

HustleHATop Pick

Strengthens physical moves to inflict 1.5× damage, but decreases their accuracy to 0.8×.

EV Yield

HPAtk+2DefSpASpDSpe

Attack training target

Pokedex Entries

It has a violent disposition and stabs foes with its horn, which oozes venom upon impact.

Ground and Psychic moves hit Nidorino for super-effective damage. It resists 5 types, giving it decent defensive coverage. Only 2 weaknesses makes it relatively easy to build around defensively.

Nidorino Weakness and Resistance Chart
Damage	Types
2x (Weak)	Ground, Psychic
0.5x (Resist)	Grass, Fighting, Poison, Bug, Fairy

Type ChartGood

2Weak

5Resist

0Immune

Score+1

4xCritical

None

2xWeak

Ground Psychic

½xResist

Grass Fighting Poison Bug Fairy

¼xResist

None

0xImmune

None

STAB (2)

Grass Fairy

How to Beat Nidorino (Best Counters)

Garchomp can KO Nidorino with Earthquake (159-187%). Metagross threatens a KO with Psychic Fangs (227-267%). Hippowdon's Earthquake also KOs at 116-136%.

Garchomp DragonGround	S
Recommended Build AbilityRough Skin ItemRocky Helmet NatureJolly Moves EarthquakeSTAB Stealth Rock Dragon Tail SpikesHazard Damage vs Nidorino Earthquake 2x 159-187%KO View Garchomp builds →
Metagross SteelPsychic	A
Recommended Build AbilityClearbody ItemChoice Band NatureAdamant Moves Earthquake Bullet Punch Heavy Slam Psychic Fangs Damage vs Nidorino Earthquake 2x 178-209%KO Bullet Punch 53-63% Psychic Fangs 2x 227-267%KO View Metagross builds →
Hippowdon Ground	B
Recommended Build AbilitySand Stream ItemRocky Helmet NatureImpish Moves Slack Off EarthquakeSTAB Stealth Rock WhirlwindUtility Damage vs Nidorino Earthquake 2x 116-136%KO View Hippowdon builds →
Alakazam Psychic	B
Recommended Build AbilityMagic Guard ItemFocus Sash NatureTimid Moves PsychicSTAB Shadow Ball Focus Blast Dazzling Gleam Damage vs Nidorino Psychic 2x 167-197%KO Shadow Ball 50-59% Focus Blast 37-44% Dazzling Gleam 25-29% View Alakazam builds →

Nidorino is partway through a three-stage line between Nidoran♂ (male) and Nidoking. The chain involves an evolution item, so it's not a straightforward grind. So far, Defense got the biggest boost (+17 from Nidoran M). The final form adds another 140 stats on top. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.

How to Evolve

3 Forms

#032Nidoran♂ (male)

Level 16

#033Nidorino

Moon Stone

#034Nidoking

Stat Comparison 3 Stages

Nidoran♂ (male)

Poison

Nidorino

Poison

Nidoking

PoisonGround

61+15

81+20

ATK

72+15

102+30

DEF

57+17

77+20

SP.ATK

55+15

85+30

SP.DEF

55+15

75+20

SPE

65+15

85+20

BST

273D-Tier

365D-Tier+92

505C-Tier+140

ROLE

Balanced

Attacker

TYPE

Utility

Physical

Mixed

Breeding

Moderate

Breed with Nidorino to get Nidoran M eggs using 278 partners from the Ground and Monster egg groups.

Egg Groups

GroundMonster

Gender

♂100.0%

Hatch Time

20 cycles·5,140 steps

Quick~5 min with Flame Body

Breed With (best first)

The recommended build leans into Nidorino's strengths as a special attacker. Yacheberry provides extra utility, and max HP and Sp. Atk EVs back that up. Hustle rounds out the package.

Best Build

All 19 games

No build content available for this Pokemon in Gen 8.

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

Moves

All 19 games

Coverage runs deep. Nidorino can hit 10 types beyond STAB, including Flying and Normal. The offense anchors on Sludge Bomb and Poison Jab while TMs handle everything else.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1

Focus Energy

C——30Normal

Lv 1

Leer

D—10030Normal

Lv 1

Peck

—3510035Flying

Lv 1

Poison Sting

—1510035Poison

Lv 15

Fury Attack

—158520Normal

Lv 22

Toxic Spikes

C——20Poison

Lv 29

Double Kick

D3010030Fighting

Lv 36

Horn Attack

—6510025Normal

Lv 43

Helping Hand+5

C——20Normal

Lv 50

Toxic

C—9010Poison

Lv 57

Flatter

D—10015Dark

Lv 64

Poison Jab

C8010020Poison

Lv 71

Earth Power

D9010010Ground

TM Moves

TM45

Attract

C—10015Normal

TM14

Blizzard

D110705Ice

TM93

Cut

—509530Normal

TM28

Dig

D8010010Ground

TM32

Double Team

———15Normal

TM58

Endure+4

C——10Normal

TM42

Facade

D7010020Normal

TM13

Ice Beam

D9010010Ice

TM23

Iron Tail

D1007515Steel

TM84

Poison Jab

C8010020Poison

TM17

Protect+4

C——10Normal

TM18

Rain Dance

C——5Water

TM44

Rest

C——10Psychic

TM98

Rock Smash

D4010015Fighting

TM65

Shadow Claw

D7010015Ghost

TM34

Shock Wave

D60—20Electric

TM82

Sleep Talk

C——10Normal

TM36

Sludge Bomb

C9010010Poison

TM96

Strength

—8010015Normal

TM90

Substitute

C——10Normal

TM11

Sunny Day

C——5Fire

TM87

Swagger

D—8515Normal

TM46

Thief

D6010025Dark

TM25

Thunder

D1107010Electric

TM24

Thunderbolt

D9010015Electric

TM06

Toxic

C—9010Poison

TM03

Water Pulse

D6010020Water

Egg Moves

Nidorino doesn't have any Egg moves

Tutor Moves

Nidorino can't learn any Tutor moves

Coverage runs deep. Nidorino can hit 12 types beyond STAB, including Flying and Fighting. The offense anchors on Sludge Bomb and Poison Jab while TMs handle everything else.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1

Leer

D—10030Normal

Lv 1

Peck

—3510035Flying

Lv 7

Focus Energy

C——30Normal

Lv 9

Double Kick

D3010030Fighting

Lv 13

Poison Sting

—1510035Poison

Lv 20

Fury Attack

—158520Normal

Lv 23

Horn Attack

—6510025Normal

Lv 28

Helping Hand+5

C——20Normal

Lv 35

Toxic Spikes

C——20Poison

Lv 38

Flatter

D—10015Dark

Lv 43

Poison Jab

C8010020Poison

Lv 50

Captivate

——10020Normal

Lv 58

Horn Drill

——305Normal

TM Moves

TM45

Attract

C—10015Normal

TM14

Blizzard

D110705Ice

TM100

Confide

D——20Normal

TM32

Double Team

———15Normal

TM49

Echoed Voice

D4010015Normal

TM42

Facade

D7010020Normal

TM21

Frustration

D—10020Normal

TM10

Hidden Power

—6010015Normal

TM13

Ice Beam

D9010010Ice

TM84

Poison Jab

C8010020Poison

TM17

Protect+4

C——10Normal

TM18

Rain Dance

C——5Water

TM44

Rest

C——10Psychic

TM27

Return

D—10020Normal

TM48

Round

D6010015Normal

TM65

Shadow Claw

D7010015Ghost

TM88

Sleep Talk

C——10Normal

TM36

Sludge Bomb

C9010010Poison

TM67

Smart Strike

D70—10Steel

TM90

Substitute

C——10Normal

TM11

Sunny Day

C——5Fire

TM87

Swagger

D—8515Normal

TM46

Thief

D6010025Dark

TM25

Thunder

D1107010Electric

TM24

Thunderbolt

D9010015Electric

TM06

Toxic

C—9010Poison

TM09

Venoshock

D6510010Poison

Egg Moves

Egg

Amnesia

C——20Psychic

Egg

Beat Up

D—10010Dark

Egg

Chip Away

—7010020Normal

Egg

Confusion

—5010025Psychic

Egg

Counter-5

D—10020Fighting

Egg

Disable

C—10020Normal

Egg

Endure+4

C——10Normal

Egg

Head Smash

C150805Rock

Egg

Iron Tail

D1007515Steel

Egg

Poison Tail

—5010025Poison

Egg

Sucker Punch+1

D701005Dark

Egg

Supersonic

D—5520Normal

Egg

Take Down

D908520Normal

Egg

Venom Drench

——10020Poison

Tutor Moves

Tut

Tutor

Drill Run

D809510Ground

Tutor

Helping Hand+5

C——20Normal

Tutor

Iron Tail

D1007515Steel

Tutor

Shock Wave

D60—20Electric

Tutor

Snore

—5010015Normal

Tutor

Stomping Tantrum

D7510010Ground

Tutor

Super Fang

D—9010Normal

Tutor

Water Pulse

D6010020Water

Transfer Moves

Gen

Gen 1

Bide+1

———10Normal

Gen 3

Body Slam

C8510015Normal

Gen 1

Bubble Beam

D6510020Water

Gen 2

Curse

C——10Ghost

Gen 6

Cut

—509530Normal

Gen 3

Defense Curl

D——40Normal

Gen 2

Detect+4

C——5Fighting

Gen 6

Dig

D8010010Ground

Gen 3

Double-Edge

C12010015Normal

Gen 4

Headbutt

D7010015Normal

Gen 6

Hone Claws

C——15Dark

Gen 3

Mimic

D——10Normal

Gen 4

Mud-Slap

D2010010Ground

Gen 4

Natural Gift

——10015Normal

Gen 1

Rage

—2010020Normal

Gen 1

Reflect

C——20Psychic

Gen 6

Rock Smash

D4010015Fighting

Gen 6

Secret Power

—7010020Normal

Gen 1

Skull Bash

—13010010Normal

Gen 6

Strength

—8010015Normal

Gen 1

Tackle

D4010035Normal

Gen 1

Water Gun

—4010025Water

All 19 games

Nidorino appears at decent spawn rates across 20 spots in mid-game 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 Nidorino in Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl

Nidoran♂ (male) is your first catch on the way to Nidorino. You'll find walking and special encounters from Lv. 2-63 across 38 total spots in the chain.

Step 1Catch Nidoran♂ (male)
Route 201
Shining PearlUsing PokeRadar Lv.3 Route
20%Early
Route 201
Brilliant DiamondUsing PokeRadar Lv.2 Route
2%Early
Bogsunk Cavern
Brilliant DiamondGrass Lv.58-63 Swamp
Post
Post-game
Bogsunk Cavern
Shining PearlGrass Lv.58-63 Swamp
Post
Post-game
Dazzling Cave
Brilliant DiamondGrass Lv.58-63 Cave
Post
Post-game
Dazzling Cave
Shining PearlGrass Lv.58-63 Cave
Post
Post-game
Grassland Cave
Shining PearlGrass Lv.58-63 Cave
Post
Post-game
Grassland Cave
Brilliant DiamondGrass Lv.58-63 Cave
Post
Post-game
Riverbank Cave
Brilliant DiamondGrass Lv.58-63 Cave
Post
Post-game
Riverbank Cave
Shining PearlGrass Lv.58-63 Cave
Post
Post-game
Stargleam Cavern
Brilliant DiamondGrass Lv.58-63 Cave
Post
Post-game
Stargleam Cavern
Shining PearlGrass Lv.58-63 Cave
Post
Post-game
Still-Water Cavern
Brilliant DiamondGrass Lv.58-63 Cave
Post
Post-game
Still-Water Cavern
Shining PearlGrass Lv.58-63 Cave
Post
Post-game
Sunlit Cavern
Brilliant DiamondGrass Lv.58-63 Cave
Post
Post-game
Sunlit Cavern
Shining PearlGrass Lv.58-63 Cave
Post
Post-game
Swampy Cave
Brilliant DiamondGrass Lv.58-63 Swamp
Post
Post-game
Swampy Cave
Shining PearlGrass Lv.58-63 Swamp
Post
Post-game
Train until Level 16
Step 2Nidorino ✓
Valor Lakefront
Shining PearlUsing PokeRadar Lv.21-22 Water
20%Mid
Route 221
Shining PearlUsing PokeRadar Lv.29 Route
20%Mid
Valor Lakefront
Brilliant DiamondUsing PokeRadar Lv.22 Water
2%Mid
Route 221
Brilliant DiamondUsing PokeRadar Lv.30 Route
2%Mid
Bogsunk Cavern
Brilliant DiamondGrass Lv.58-63 Swamp
Post
Post-game
Bogsunk Cavern
Shining PearlGrass Lv.58-63 Swamp
Post
Post-game
Dazzling Cave
Brilliant DiamondGrass Lv.58-63 Cave
Post
Post-game
Dazzling Cave
Shining PearlGrass Lv.58-63 Cave
Post
Post-game
Grassland Cave
Brilliant DiamondGrass Lv.58-63 Cave
Post
Post-game
Grassland Cave
Shining PearlGrass Lv.58-63 Cave
Post
Post-game
Riverbank Cave
Brilliant DiamondGrass Lv.58-63 Cave
Post
Post-game
Riverbank Cave
Shining PearlGrass Lv.58-63 Cave
Post
Post-game
Stargleam Cavern
Brilliant DiamondGrass Lv.58-63 Cave
Post
Post-game
Stargleam Cavern
Shining PearlGrass Lv.58-63 Cave
Post
Post-game
Still-Water Cavern
Brilliant DiamondGrass Lv.58-63 Cave
Post
Post-game
Still-Water Cavern
Shining PearlGrass Lv.58-63 Cave
Post
Post-game
Sunlit Cavern
Brilliant DiamondGrass Lv.58-63 Cave
Post
Post-game
Sunlit Cavern
Shining PearlGrass Lv.58-63 Cave
Post
Post-game
Swampy Cave
Brilliant DiamondGrass Lv.58-63 Swamp
Post
Post-game
Swampy Cave
Shining PearlGrass Lv.58-63 Swamp
Post
Post-game
or evolve from Nidoran♂ (male) (Step 1)

Nidorino doesn't appear wild. Catch Nidoran♂ (male) instead, it shows up at solid rates. Evolve it at level 16 to get Nidorino. The 2-stage line is mapped in the step cards below.

How to Obtain Nidorino in Sword & Shield

Nidoran♂ (male) is your first catch on the way to Nidorino. You'll find walking encounters from Lv. 60-65 across 66 total spots in the chain.

Step 1Catch Nidoran♂ (male)
Giant's Bed
SwordOverworld Lv.60-65
100%Post
Sandstorm
Giant's Bed
ShieldOverworld Lv.60-65
100%Post
Sandstorm
Old Cemetery
SwordOverworld Lv.60-65
35%Post
Normal Weather
Old Cemetery
ShieldOverworld Lv.60-65
35%Post
Normal Weather
Giant's Bed
ShieldOverworld Lv.60-65
26%Post
Overcast
Giant's Bed
ShieldOverworld Lv.60-65
26%Post
Normal Weather
Giant's Bed
ShieldOverworld Lv.60-65
26%Post
Thunderstorm
Giant's Bed
ShieldOverworld Lv.60-65
26%Post
Snowing
Giant's Bed
ShieldOverworld Lv.60-65
26%Post
Raining
Old Cemetery
SwordOverworld Lv.60-65
25%Post
Intense Sun
Old Cemetery
ShieldOverworld Lv.60-65
25%Post
Intense Sun
Old Cemetery
SwordOverworld Lv.60-65
25%Post
Raining
Old Cemetery
ShieldOverworld Lv.60-65
25%Post
Raining
Giant's Bed
ShieldOverworld Lv.60-65
24%Post
Snowstorm
Giant's Bed
ShieldOverworld Lv.60-65
24%Post
Intense Sun
Giant's Bed
ShieldOverworld Lv.60-65
22%Post
Heavy Fog
Old Cemetery
SwordOverworld Lv.60-65
22%Post
Heavy Fog
Giant's Bed
SwordOverworld Lv.60-65
21%Post
Overcast
Giant's Bed
SwordOverworld Lv.60-65
21%Post
Normal Weather
Giant's Bed
SwordOverworld Lv.60-65
21%Post
Thunderstorm
Giant's Bed
SwordOverworld Lv.60-65
21%Post
Snowing
Giant's Bed
SwordOverworld Lv.60-65
21%Post
Raining
Giant's Bed
ShieldGrass Lv.60-65
20%Post
Normal Weather
Giant's Bed
SwordGrass Lv.60-65
20%Post
Snowstorm
Giant's Bed
ShieldGrass Lv.60-65
20%Post
Snowstorm
Giant's Bed
SwordGrass Lv.60-65
20%Post
Snowing
Giant's Bed
SwordGrass Lv.60-65
20%Post
Raining
Giant's Bed
ShieldGrass Lv.60-65
20%Post
Snowing
Giant's Bed
SwordGrass Lv.60-65
20%Post
Heavy Fog
Giant's Bed
ShieldGrass Lv.60-65
20%Post
Raining
Giant's Bed
ShieldGrass Lv.60-65
20%Post
Heavy Fog
Giant's Bed
SwordGrass Lv.60-65
20%Post
Overcast
Giant's Bed
ShieldGrass Lv.60-65
20%Post
Overcast
Giant's Bed
SwordGrass Lv.60-65
20%Post
Normal Weather
Old Cemetery
SwordOverworld Lv.60-65
20%Post
Thunderstorm
Old Cemetery
ShieldOverworld Lv.60-65
20%Post
Thunderstorm
Old Cemetery
SwordOverworld Lv.60-65
20%Post
Snowing
Old Cemetery
ShieldOverworld Lv.60-65
20%Post
Snowing
Old Cemetery
SwordGrass Lv.60-65
20%Post
Normal Weather
Old Cemetery
ShieldGrass Lv.60-65
20%Post
Normal Weather
Old Cemetery
SwordOverworld Lv.60-65
20%Post
Overcast
Old Cemetery
ShieldOverworld Lv.60-65
20%Post
Overcast
Old Cemetery
SwordOverworld Lv.60-65
20%Post
Snowstorm
Old Cemetery
ShieldOverworld Lv.60-65
20%Post
Snowstorm
Giant's Bed
SwordOverworld Lv.60-65
19%Post
Snowstorm
Giant's Bed
SwordOverworld Lv.60-65
19%Post
Intense Sun
Giant's Bed
SwordOverworld Lv.60-65
17%Post
Heavy Fog
Old Cemetery
ShieldOverworld Lv.60-65
17%Post
Heavy Fog
Giant's Bed
SwordGrass Lv.60-65
16%Post
Thunderstorm
Giant's Bed
SwordGrass Lv.60-65
16%Post
Intense Sun
Giant's Bed
ShieldGrass Lv.60-65
16%Post
Thunderstorm
Giant's Bed
ShieldGrass Lv.60-65
16%Post
Intense Sun
Old Cemetery
SwordGrass Lv.60-65
16%Post
Raining
Old Cemetery
ShieldGrass Lv.60-65
16%Post
Snowing
Old Cemetery
SwordGrass Lv.60-65
16%Post
Heavy Fog
Old Cemetery
ShieldGrass Lv.60-65
16%Post
Raining
Old Cemetery
SwordGrass Lv.60-65
16%Post
Overcast
Old Cemetery
ShieldGrass Lv.60-65
16%Post
Heavy Fog
Old Cemetery
ShieldGrass Lv.60-65
16%Post
Overcast
Old Cemetery
SwordGrass Lv.60-65
16%Post
Snowstorm
Old Cemetery
ShieldGrass Lv.60-65
16%Post
Snowstorm
Old Cemetery
SwordGrass Lv.60-65
16%Post
Intense Sun
Old Cemetery
SwordGrass Lv.60-65
16%Post
Snowing
Old Cemetery
ShieldGrass Lv.60-65
16%Post
Intense Sun
Old Cemetery
SwordGrass Lv.60-65
14%Post
Thunderstorm
Old Cemetery
ShieldGrass Lv.60-65
14%Post
Thunderstorm
Train until Level 16
Step 2Nidorino ✓

Nidorino isn't fully evolved, so it's not built for competitive play. You'll want to evolve it into Nidoking to unlock its full potential. At 365 BST, it's a stepping stone rather than a team anchor.
Watch for Rhydon (Ground) and Alakazam (Psychic) when using Nidorino. They all hit it super-effectively with STAB. Only 2 weaknesses means fewer dedicated counters to worry about.
Nidoran M evolves into Nidorino at level 16. Nidorino evolves into Nidoking using a Moon Stone. Nidorino is a middle-stage evolution in the Nidoran M line.
Poison Point has a 30% chance of poisoning attacking Pokémon on contact. That's the one you want on Nidorino. Hustle is the hidden ability. Niche, but it has its uses. Rivalry works too if your team needs something different.
Nidorino fills the balanced role. It's a physical attacker with base 72 Attack. At base 65 Speed, it won't be moving first often.

Nidorino has been part of the series since Red & Blue, appearing in 19 titles across all 10 generations. As a Gen 1 original, it's one of the most consistently available Pokemon in the franchise.

Click a game to view version-specific details

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Nidorino

Stats & Training