Stats & Training
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.
It has a violent disposition and stabs foes with its horn, which oozes poison upon impact.
It has a violent disposition and stabs foes with its horn, which oozes poison upon impact.
Nidorino Weakness
Ground and Psychic moves hit Nidorino for super-effective damage. It resists 4 types, giving it decent defensive coverage. Only 2 weaknesses makes it relatively easy to build around defensively.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Ground, Psychic |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Grass, Fighting, Poison, Bug |
- Fairy type does not exist — Dragon has fewer checks
- Physical / Special split now per-move (introduced Gen IV)
 Lunatone RockPsychic | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Nidorino View Lunatone builds →Dream Eater 2x132-155%KO Earthquake 2x58-68% Psychic 2x120-141%KO Confusion 2x68-81% | ||
 Quagsire WaterGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Nidorino View Quagsire builds →Earthquake 2x116-138%KO Dig 2x95-113%KO Mud Bomb 2x66-78% Mud Shot 2x56-67% | ||
 Gligar Ground | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Nidorino View Gligar builds →Earthquake 2x107-127%KO Dig 2x86-102%KO | ||
 Graveler RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Nidorino View Graveler builds →Earthquake 2x128-152%KO Dig 2x105-124%KO | ||
 Bronzor SteelPsychic | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Nidorino View Bronzor builds →Dream Eater 2x53-64% Earthquake 2x35-42% Psychic 2x51-60% Extrasensory 2x45-53% | ||
Lunatone RockPsychic | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Nidorino View Lunatone builds →Dream Eater 2x126-149%KO Earthquake 2x53-63% Psychic 2x113-134%KO Confusion 2x65-77% | ||
Quagsire WaterGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Nidorino View Quagsire builds →Earthquake 2x113-134%KO Dig 2x90-107%KO Mud Bomb 2x62-74% Mud Shot 2x52-62% | ||
Gligar Ground | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Nidorino View Gligar builds →Earthquake 2x103-122%KO Dig 2x83-98% | ||
Graveler RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Nidorino View Graveler builds →Earthquake 2x123-146%KO Dig 2x98-116%KO | ||
Bronzor SteelPsychic | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Nidorino View Bronzor builds →Dream Eater 2x52-62% Earthquake 2x34-40% Psychic 2x48-56% Extrasensory 2x43-50% | ||
 Steelix SteelGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Nidorino View Steelix builds →Earthquake 2x113-133%KO Dig 2x92-108%KO | ||
 Gastrodon WaterGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Nidorino View Gastrodon builds →Earthquake 2x110-131%KO Dig 2x89-106%KO Mud Bomb 2x80-94% Mud-Slap 2x28-33% | ||
Lunatone RockPsychic | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Nidorino View Lunatone builds →Dream Eater 2x127-150%KO Earthquake 2x53-63% Psychic 2x115-136%KO Confusion 2x66-78% | ||
Quagsire WaterGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Nidorino View Quagsire builds →Earthquake 2x113-133%KO Dig 2x92-108%KO Mud Bomb 2x63-75% Mud Shot 2x54-64% | ||
Bronzor SteelPsychic | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Nidorino View Bronzor builds →Future Sight 2x61-72% Dream Eater 2x52-61% Earthquake 2x32-39% Psychic 2x47-56% | ||
Steelix SteelGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Nidorino View Steelix builds →Earthquake 2x112-132%KO Dig 2x90-106%KO | ||
Gastrodon WaterGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Nidorino View Gastrodon builds →Earthquake 2x109-129%KO Dig 2x88-103%KO Mud Bomb 2x78-93% Mud-Slap 2x26-31% | ||
Lunatone RockPsychic | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Nidorino View Lunatone builds →Dream Eater 2x122-145%KO Earthquake 2x53-64% Psychic 2x112-132%KO Confusion 2x63-75% | ||
Quagsire WaterGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Nidorino View Quagsire builds →Earthquake 2x112-132%KO Dig 2x90-106%KO Mud Bomb 2x61-72% Mud Shot 2x53-62% | ||
Bronzor SteelPsychic | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Nidorino View Bronzor builds →Future Sight 2x59-70% Dream Eater 2x50-59% Earthquake 2x34-40% Psychic 2x46-54% | ||
 Bronzong SteelPsychic | A | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Nidorino View Bronzong builds →Future Sight 2x132-156%KO Earthquake 2x79-93% Dream Eater 2x111-131%KO Psychic 2x99-117%KO | ||
Steelix SteelGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Nidorino View Steelix builds →Earthquake 2x115-135%KO Dig 2x91-108%KO | ||
Gastrodon WaterGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Nidorino View Gastrodon builds →Earthquake 2x112-133%KO Dig 2x89-105%KO Mud Bomb 2x82-96% Mud-Slap 2x27-32% | ||
Lunatone RockPsychic | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Nidorino View Lunatone builds →Dream Eater 2x128-151%KO Earthquake 2x54-64% Psychic 2x117-137%KO Confusion 2x66-78% | ||
Quagsire WaterGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Nidorino View Quagsire builds →Earthquake 2x115-135%KO Dig 2x91-108%KO Mud Bomb 2x64-76% Mud Shot 2x54-64% | ||
In Diamond & Pearl, Gliscor can KO Nidorino with Earthquake (125-147%). Alakazam's Psychic also KOs at 187-220%.
 Gliscor Ground | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityHypercutter ItemLeftovers NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Nidorino View Gliscor builds →Earthquake 2x125-147%KO Ice Fang27-32% | ||
 Celebi PsychicGrass | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityNatural Cure ItemLeftovers NatureBold Moves View Celebi builds →
| ||
 Alakazam Psychic | B | |
Recommended Build AbilitySynchronize ItemFocus Sash NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Nidorino View Alakazam builds →Psychic 2x187-220%KO Focus Blast41-49% Shadow Ball55-65% | ||
 Garchomp DragonGround | C | |
Ground is super effective against NidorinoView Garchomp → | ||
Diamond & Pearl Evolution
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
Breeding
Breed with Nidorino to get Nidoran M eggs using 131 partners from the Ground and Monster egg groups. Notable egg moves include Amnesia, Beat Up, Confusion and 5 more.
Diamond & Pearl Nidorino Best Moveset
Best Build
No build content available for this Pokemon in Gen 4.
Try selecting a different game/generation filter, or check back later.
Moves
Coverage runs deep. Nidorino can hit 11 types beyond STAB, including Flying and Fighting. The offense anchors on Sludge Bomb and Poison Jab while TMs handle everything else.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Transfer Moves
How to Get Nidorino in Diamond & Pearl
Skip the tall grass for Nidorino. This Pokemon only appears through the PokeRadar, which requires you to know where to look. 4 spots are covered below with full details. These become available in mid-game encounter areas.
Where To Catch Nidorino in Diamond & Pearl
Nidoran♂ (male) is your first catch on the way to Nidorino. You'll find special encounters from Lv. 2-30 across 6 total spots in the chain.
Step 1Catch Nidoran♂ (male)Route 201PearlUsing PokeRadar Lv.3 RouteUncommonEarlyRoute 201DiamondUsing PokeRadar Lv.2 RouteRareEarly
Step 2Nidorino ✓Valor LakefrontPearlUsing PokeRadar Lv.22 WaterUncommonMidValor LakefrontDiamondUsing PokeRadar Lv.22 WaterRareMidRoute 221DiamondUsing PokeRadar Lv.22 Route2%MidRoute 221PearlUsing PokeRadar Lv.29-30 Route2%Midor evolve from Nidoran♂ (male) (Step 1)
Nidorino Guide
In Diamond & Pearl, 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.
In Diamond & Pearl, 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.
Game Availability
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
- Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 1RBDebut
Red & Blue - Gen 2GS
Gold & Silver - Gen 2C
Crystal - Gen 3RS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen 3FRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen 3E
Emerald - Gen 4Pt
Platinum - Gen 4HGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen 4DP
Diamond & Pearl - Gen 5BW
Black & White - Gen 5B2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen 6XY
X & Y - Gen 6ORAS
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen 7USUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen 7SM
Sun & Moon - Gen 7LGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen 8SwSh
Sword & Shield - Gen 8PLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen 8BDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen 9SV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen 9LZA
Legends: Z-A - Gen 10WW
Winds & Waves