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 raises its big ears to check its surroundings. If it senses anything, it attacks immediately.
Quick to anger, it stabs enemies with its horn to inject a powerful poison when it becomes agitated.
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)
 Whiscash WaterGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Nidorino View Whiscash builds →Zen Headbutt 2x56-69% Mud-Slap 2x31-38% | ||
 Meditite FightingPsychic | D | |
Whiscash WaterGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Nidorino View Whiscash builds →Zen Headbutt 2x58-70% Mud Bomb 2x75-90% Mud-Slap 2x25-30% | ||
 Bronzor SteelPsychic | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Nidorino View Bronzor builds →Extrasensory 2x47-55% Confusion 2x33-40% | ||
 Wooper WaterGround | D | |
Obtain MethodRuins Of Alph Surfing Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Nidorino View Wooper builds →Mud Bomb 2x42-50% Mud Shot 2x37-45% | ||
 Spoink Psychic | D | |
 Drowzee Psychic | D | |
 Graveler RockGround | C | |
 Onix RockGround | C | |
Bronzor SteelPsychic | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Nidorino View Bronzor builds →Extrasensory 2x43-51% Confusion 2x28-34% | ||
 Numel FireGround | D | |
 Sandshrew Ground | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Nidorino View Sandshrew builds →Dig 2x83-99% Sand Tomb 2x40-48% | ||
Graveler RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Nidorino View Graveler builds →Earthquake 2x127-150%KO Dig 2x104-122%KO | ||
Onix RockGround | C | |
Bronzor SteelPsychic | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Nidorino View Bronzor builds →Extrasensory 2x44-52% Confusion 2x29-34% | ||
Numel FireGround | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Nidorino View Numel builds →Earth Power 2x88-104%KO Dig 2x72-86% | ||
Sandshrew Ground | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Nidorino View Sandshrew builds →Dig 2x86-101%KO Sand Tomb 2x39-46% | ||
Graveler RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Nidorino View Graveler builds →Earthquake 2x122-144%KO Dig 2x98-116%KO | ||
Onix RockGround | C | |
Bronzor SteelPsychic | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Nidorino View Bronzor builds →Extrasensory 2x42-50% Confusion 2x26-31% | ||
Numel FireGround | D | |
Sandshrew Ground | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Nidorino View Sandshrew builds →Dig 2x82-97% Sand Tomb 2x36-44% | ||
 Gligar Ground | C | |
Graveler RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Nidorino View Graveler builds →Earthquake 2x126-149%KO Dig 2x101-119%KO | ||
Onix RockGround | C | |
Bronzor SteelPsychic | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Nidorino View Bronzor builds →Future Sight 2x61-73% Extrasensory 2x41-49% Confusion 2x27-32% | ||
Numel FireGround | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Nidorino View Numel builds →Earth Power 2x86-103%KO Dig 2x71-84% | ||
In HeartGold & SoulSilver, 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 → | ||
HeartGold & SoulSilver 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 6 more.
HeartGold & SoulSilver 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 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
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Transfer Moves
How to Get Nidorino in HeartGold & SoulSilver
Nidorino starts showing up in mid-game routes at high spawn rates across 6 encounter spots. The list below is sorted so you can pick what fits your current progress without scrolling through everything.
Where To Catch Nidorino in HeartGold & SoulSilver
Nidoran♂ (male) is your first catch on the way to Nidorino. You'll find walking encounters from Lv. 12-23 across 11 total spots in the chain.
Step 1Catch Nidoran♂ (male)Route 35HeartGoldGrass Lv.12 RouteCommonEarlyRoute 35SoulSilverGrass Lv.12 RouteCommonEarlyRoute 36HeartGoldGrass Lv.12 RouteCommonEarlyRoute 36SoulSilverGrass Lv.12-13 RouteCommonEarlyMorning/dayRoute 36SoulSilverGrass Lv.12 RouteCommonEarly
Step 2Nidorino ✓Route 13HeartGoldGrass Lv.23 RouteCommonMidRoute 13SoulSilverGrass Lv.23 RouteCommonMidRoute 14HeartGoldGrass Lv.23 RouteCommonMidRoute 14SoulSilverGrass Lv.23 RouteCommonMidRoute 15SoulSilverGrass Lv.23 RouteCommonMidRoute 15HeartGoldGrass Lv.23 RouteCommonMidor evolve from Nidoran♂ (male) (Step 1)
Nidorino Guide
In HeartGold & SoulSilver, 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 HeartGold & SoulSilver, 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