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.
With a horn that’s harder than diamond, this Pokémon goes around shattering boulders as it searches for a moon stone.
It’s nervous and quick to act aggressively. The potency of its poison increases along with the level of adrenaline present in its body.
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 using 138 partners from the Ground and Monster egg groups.
Best Build
No build content available for this Pokemon in Gen 8.
Try selecting a different game/generation filter, or check back later.
Without TMs, Nidorino's movepool is bare bones. With them, you get coverage across 9 types on top of Sludge Bomb and Poison Jab for STAB. The natural kit handles basics, but TMs are doing the real work.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
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)EFFORTLESSGiant's BedSwordOverworldLv.60-65100%PostSandstormEFFORTLESSGiant's BedShieldOverworldLv.60-65100%PostSandstormEFFORTLESSOld CemeterySwordOverworldLv.60-6535%PostNormal WeatherEFFORTLESSOld CemeteryShieldOverworldLv.60-6535%PostNormal WeatherEASYGiant's BedShieldOverworldLv.60-6526%PostOvercastEASYGiant's BedShieldOverworldLv.60-6526%PostNormal WeatherEASYGiant's BedShieldOverworldLv.60-6526%PostThunderstormEASYGiant's BedShieldOverworldLv.60-6526%PostSnowingEASYGiant's BedShieldOverworldLv.60-6526%PostRainingEASYOld CemeterySwordOverworldLv.60-6525%PostIntense SunEASYOld CemeteryShieldOverworldLv.60-6525%PostIntense SunEASYOld CemeterySwordOverworldLv.60-6525%PostRainingEASYOld CemeteryShieldOverworldLv.60-6525%PostRainingEASYGiant's BedShieldOverworldLv.60-6524%PostSnowstormEASYGiant's BedShieldOverworldLv.60-6524%PostIntense SunEASYGiant's BedShieldOverworldLv.60-6522%PostHeavy FogEASYOld CemeterySwordOverworldLv.60-6522%PostHeavy FogEASYGiant's BedSwordOverworldLv.60-6521%PostOvercastEASYGiant's BedSwordOverworldLv.60-6521%PostNormal WeatherEASYGiant's BedSwordOverworldLv.60-6521%PostThunderstormEASYGiant's BedSwordOverworldLv.60-6521%PostSnowingEASYGiant's BedSwordOverworldLv.60-6521%PostRainingEASYGiant's BedShieldGrassLv.60-6520%PostNormal WeatherEASYGiant's BedSwordGrassLv.60-6520%PostSnowstormEASYGiant's BedShieldGrassLv.60-6520%PostSnowstormEASYGiant's BedSwordGrassLv.60-6520%PostSnowingEASYGiant's BedSwordGrassLv.60-6520%PostRainingEASYGiant's BedShieldGrassLv.60-6520%PostSnowingEASYGiant's BedSwordGrassLv.60-6520%PostHeavy FogEASYGiant's BedShieldGrassLv.60-6520%PostRainingEASYGiant's BedSwordGrassLv.60-6520%PostOvercastEASYGiant's BedShieldGrassLv.60-6520%PostHeavy FogEASYGiant's BedSwordGrassLv.60-6520%PostNormal WeatherEASYGiant's BedShieldGrassLv.60-6520%PostOvercastEASYOld CemeterySwordOverworldLv.60-6520%PostThunderstormEASYOld CemeteryShieldOverworldLv.60-6520%PostThunderstormEASYOld CemeterySwordOverworldLv.60-6520%PostSnowingEASYOld CemeteryShieldOverworldLv.60-6520%PostSnowingEASYOld CemeterySwordGrassLv.60-6520%PostNormal WeatherEASYOld CemeteryShieldGrassLv.60-6520%PostNormal WeatherEASYOld CemeterySwordOverworldLv.60-6520%PostOvercastEASYOld CemeteryShieldOverworldLv.60-6520%PostOvercastEASYOld CemeterySwordOverworldLv.60-6520%PostSnowstormEASYOld CemeteryShieldOverworldLv.60-6520%PostSnowstormEASYGiant's BedSwordOverworldLv.60-6519%PostSnowstormEASYGiant's BedSwordOverworldLv.60-6519%PostIntense SunEASYGiant's BedSwordOverworldLv.60-6517%PostHeavy FogEASYOld CemeteryShieldOverworldLv.60-6517%PostHeavy FogEASYGiant's BedSwordGrassLv.60-6516%PostThunderstormEASYGiant's BedSwordGrassLv.60-6516%PostIntense SunEASYGiant's BedShieldGrassLv.60-6516%PostThunderstormEASYGiant's BedShieldGrassLv.60-6516%PostIntense SunEASYOld CemeteryShieldGrassLv.60-6516%PostSnowingEASYOld CemeterySwordGrassLv.60-6516%PostRainingEASYOld CemeterySwordGrassLv.60-6516%PostHeavy FogEASYOld CemeteryShieldGrassLv.60-6516%PostRainingEASYOld CemeterySwordGrassLv.60-6516%PostOvercastEASYOld CemeteryShieldGrassLv.60-6516%PostHeavy FogEASYOld CemeteryShieldGrassLv.60-6516%PostOvercastEASYOld CemeterySwordGrassLv.60-6516%PostSnowstormEASYOld CemeteryShieldGrassLv.60-6516%PostSnowstormEASYOld CemeterySwordGrassLv.60-6516%PostIntense SunEASYOld CemeteryShieldGrassLv.60-6516%PostIntense SunEASYOld CemeterySwordGrassLv.60-6516%PostSnowingMODERATEOld CemeterySwordGrassLv.60-6514%PostThunderstormMODERATEOld CemeteryShieldGrassLv.60-6514%PostThunderstorm
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.
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