Nincada sits at the start of its evolution line — not yet at full power, but that changes fast. Most trainers push through to Ninjask as fast as possible. Part of the Gen 3 roster. Electric moves can't touch it, which offsets the 4 weaknesses somewhat.
Nothing fancy in Nincada's spread. It leans mixed with Defense out front. And you'll get 1 Defense EV per KO for it. Follows a standard growth curve.
It grows underground, sensing its surroundings using antennae instead of its virtually blind eyes.
Nincada Weakness
AvgType-wise, Nincada takes extra damage from Fire, Water, Ice, and Flying. Electric moves do nothing thanks to a full immunity. Nincada's physical bulk (base 90 Def) helps cushion physical weakness hits, but special attackers are the bigger threat.
Nincada can evolve into Ninjask and Shedinja. Nincada sits before the split, so check the evolution methods below to pick your path. Evolving adds up to 190 stat points total.
How to Evolve
Breed Nincada easily with 91 breeding partners from the Bug egg group.
Nincada's built to absorb hits. Impish nature leans into physical wall duty, Eviolite gives it a bulk boost that only works before full evolution, and the moveset handles sustain. Compoundeyes and max HP and Defense EVs tie the defensive profile together.
Best Build
Best Nincada Moveset
- Unknown
- Protect
- Toxic
- Substitute
Recommended Teammates
Most of Nincada's flexibility comes from TMs. Same-type output runs through Bug Buzz and Dig, but Normal and Grass and the rest of the TM pool push it from predictable to genuinely threatening.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
The egg pool carries weight here. Bug Bite and Final Gambit aren't available any other way for Nincada, and they meaningfully change what it threatens. Stack those on top of Bug Buzz and Dig for solid options.
The egg pool carries weight here. Bug Bite and Bug Buzz aren't available any other way for Nincada, and they meaningfully change what it threatens. Stack those on top of Bug Buzz and Dig for solid options.
The egg pool carries weight here. Bug Bite and Bug Buzz aren't available any other way for Nincada, and they meaningfully change what it threatens. Stack those on top of Bug Buzz and Dig for solid options.
A solid number of locations for Nincada with decent spawn rates across early-game routes. The sort toggle below swaps between best odds and earliest access, so you can approach it based on where you are in the game.
Best Locations
10 walking and special encounters at Lv. 10-63 for Nincada across Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl. A few locations are version-exclusive, so your copy of the game affects what's available.
high spawn rates in early-game routes across 8 locations. Nincada's one of the easier catches on the list. Knock it out fast and save your time for harder targets.
Best Locations
You can catch Nincada through 8 walking encounters from Lv. 7-18, but availability differs between Shield and Sword. Some spots are exclusive to one version.
Nincada can't be caught in Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon. Bring it over from Ruby, Emerald, or Brilliant Diamond instead. The encounter info below covers the source games.
At 266 BST, Nincada is firmly in pre-evolution territory. Evolve it into Ninjask before bringing it to any serious fight.
Compound Eyes is the go-to ability for Nincada. It increases moves' accuracy to 1.3×. Its hidden ability Run Away can work in specific setups.
Nincada is leaning toward the physical side (base 45 Attack). Fragile — can't afford to take many hits, too. But the speed tells the real story — base 40 Speed is low. Priority moves or Trick Room are the way to go.
Nincada appears in 14 games, including Ruby & Sapphire, FireRed & LeafGreen, and Emerald.
Debuting in Ruby & Sapphire, Nincada appears in 14 games across 7 generations. A reliable presence in a solid number of games, typically found through catching or hatching as a base form.
- Gen IY
Yellow - Gen IRB
Red & Blue - Gen IIGS
Gold & Silver - Gen IIC
Crystal - Gen IIIRSDebut
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