Mid-stage Pokemon like Nidorino rarely see competitive play outside of special formats. It's a waypoint on the road to Nidoking, which is where the real potential kicks in. Only weak to Ground and Psychic. Known as the Poison Pin Pokemon.
Nidorino's stats barely vary. 0 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.
It has a violent disposition and stabs foes with its horn, which oozes venom upon impact.
Nidorino Weakness
GoodGround and Psychic-type 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 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.
How to Evolve
Breed with Nidorino to get Nidoran M eggs from the Ground and Monster egg groups. Notable egg moves include Amnesia, Beat Up, Confusion and 10 more.
Best Build
No build content available for this Pokemon in Gen 8.
Try selecting a different game/generation filter, or check back later.
Coverage runs deep. Nidorino can hit 12 types beyond STAB, including Flying and Normal. The offense anchors on Sludge Bomb and Poison Jab while TMs handle everything else.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
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)CHALLENGINGRoute 201Shining PearlUsing PokeRadarLv.320%EarlyRouteLEGENDARYRoute 201Brilliant DiamondUsing PokeRadarLv.22%EarlyRouteBogsunk CavernBrilliant DiamondGrassLv.58-63PostSwampPost-gameBogsunk CavernShining PearlGrassLv.58-63PostSwampPost-gameDazzling CaveBrilliant DiamondGrassLv.58-63PostCavePost-gameDazzling CaveShining PearlGrassLv.58-63PostCavePost-gameGrassland CaveShining PearlGrassLv.58-63PostCavePost-gameGrassland CaveBrilliant DiamondGrassLv.58-63PostCavePost-gameRiverbank CaveBrilliant DiamondGrassLv.58-63PostCavePost-gameRiverbank CaveShining PearlGrassLv.58-63PostCavePost-gameStargleam CavernBrilliant DiamondGrassLv.58-63PostCavePost-gameStargleam CavernShining PearlGrassLv.58-63PostCavePost-gameStill-Water CavernBrilliant DiamondGrassLv.58-63PostCavePost-gameStill-Water CavernShining PearlGrassLv.58-63PostCavePost-gameSunlit CavernBrilliant DiamondGrassLv.58-63PostCavePost-gameSunlit CavernShining PearlGrassLv.58-63PostCavePost-gameSwampy CaveBrilliant DiamondGrassLv.58-63PostSwampPost-gameSwampy CaveShining PearlGrassLv.58-63PostSwampPost-game
Step 2Nidorino ✓CHALLENGINGValor LakefrontShining PearlUsing PokeRadarLv.21-2220%MidWaterCHALLENGINGRoute 221Shining PearlUsing PokeRadarLv.2920%MidRouteLEGENDARYValor LakefrontBrilliant DiamondUsing PokeRadarLv.222%MidWaterLEGENDARYRoute 221Brilliant DiamondUsing PokeRadarLv.302%MidRouteBogsunk CavernBrilliant DiamondGrassLv.58-63PostSwampPost-gameBogsunk CavernShining PearlGrassLv.58-63PostSwampPost-gameDazzling CaveBrilliant DiamondGrassLv.58-63PostCavePost-gameDazzling CaveShining PearlGrassLv.58-63PostCavePost-gameGrassland CaveBrilliant DiamondGrassLv.58-63PostCavePost-gameGrassland CaveShining PearlGrassLv.58-63PostCavePost-gameRiverbank CaveBrilliant DiamondGrassLv.58-63PostCavePost-gameRiverbank CaveShining PearlGrassLv.58-63PostCavePost-gameStargleam CavernBrilliant DiamondGrassLv.58-63PostCavePost-gameStargleam CavernShining PearlGrassLv.58-63PostCavePost-gameStill-Water CavernBrilliant DiamondGrassLv.58-63PostCavePost-gameStill-Water CavernShining PearlGrassLv.58-63PostCavePost-gameSunlit CavernBrilliant DiamondGrassLv.58-63PostCavePost-gameSunlit CavernShining PearlGrassLv.58-63PostCavePost-gameSwampy CaveBrilliant DiamondGrassLv.58-63PostSwampPost-gameSwampy CaveShining PearlGrassLv.58-63PostSwampPost-gameor evolve from Nidoran♂ (male) (Step 1)
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.
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 appears in 19 games, including Yellow, Red & Blue, and Gold & Silver.
Nidorino has been part of the series since Red & Blue, appearing in 19 titles across all 9 generations. As a Gen 1 original, it's one of the most consistently available Pokemon in the franchise.
- Gen IY
Yellow - Gen IRBDebut
Red & Blue - Gen IIGS
Gold & Silver - Gen IIC
Crystal - Gen IIIRS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen IIIFRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen IIIE
Emerald - Gen IVPt
Platinum - Gen IVHGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen IVDP
Diamond & Pearl - Gen VBW
Black & White - Gen VB2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen VIXY
X & Y - Gen VIORAS
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen VIIUSUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen VIISM
Sun & Moon - Gen VIILGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen VIIISwSh
Sword & Shield - Gen VIIIPLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen VIIIBDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen IXSV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen IXLZA
Legends: Z-A