Name origin

ninja
stealthy martial art
cicada
an insect


Nincada artwork by Ken Sugimori

Pokedex data

National № 290
Type Bug Ground
Species Trainee Pokémon
Height 1′8″ (0.51m)
Weight 12.1 lbs (5.5 kg)
Abilities Compoundeyes
Run Away (Dream World)
Local № 042 (Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald)
Japanese Tsuchinin

Breeding

Egg Groups Bug
Gender 50% male, 50% female
Egg cycles 16 (minimum 4,080 steps)

Training

EV yield 1 Defense
Catch rate 255 (33.3% with PokéBall, full HP)
Base Happiness 70 (normal)
Base EXP 65
Growth Rate Erratic

Type defenses

nor fir wat ele gra ice fig poi gro fly psy bug roc gho dra dar ste
2 2 0 2 ½ ½ ½ 2

Nincada stats

The base stats for Nincada are shown below left, with the possible range shown on the right for a level 100 Pokemon. Minimum/maximum values are based on hindering/beneficial nature, 0/252 EVs, 0/31 IVs.

HP 31
172 - 266
Attack 45
85 - 207
Defense 90
166 - 306
Sp. Atk 30
58 - 174
Sp. Def 30
58 - 174
Speed 40
76 - 196
Total 266

Pokedex descriptions

Ruby NINCADA lives underground for many years in complete darkness. This POKéMON absorbs nutrients from the roots of trees. It stays motionless as it waits for evolution.
Sapphire NINCADA lives underground. It uses its sharp claws to carve the roots of trees and absorb moisture and nutrients. This POKéMON can’t withstand bright sunlight so avoids it.
Emerald It makes its nest at the roots of a mighty tree. Using its whiskerlike antennae, it probes its surroundings in the pitch-black darkness of soil.
FireRed
LeafGreen
Because it lived almost entirely underground, it is nearly blind. It uses its antennae instead.
Diamond
Pearl
Platinum
Black
White
Black 2
White 2
It grows underground, sensing its surroundings using antennae instead of its virtually blind eyes.
HeartGold
SoulSilver
It can sometimes live underground for more than 10 years. It absorbs nutrients from the roots of trees.

Evolution chart


Moves learnt by level up

Nincada learns the following moves at the levels specified:

Lv.
Move
Type
Cat.
Power
Acc.
1 ScratchNormalPhysical40100
1 HardenNormalStatus--
5 Leech LifeBugPhysical20100
9 Sand-AttackGroundStatus-100
14 Fury SwipesNormalPhysical1880
19 Mind ReaderNormalStatus--
25 False SwipeNormalPhysical40100
31 Mud-SlapGroundSpecial20100
38 Metal ClawSteelPhysical5095
45 DigGroundPhysical80100

Egg moves

Nincada learns the following moves via breeding.
See the Nincada egg moves page for details and compatible parents.

Move
Type
Cat.
Power
Acc.
GustFlyingSpecial40100
Faint AttackDarkPhysical60
EndureNormalStatus--
Silver WindBugSpecial60100
Night SlashDarkPhysical70100
Bug BuzzBugSpecial90100
Bug BiteBugPhysical60100
Final GambitFightingSpecial-100

Nincada learns the following moves via breeding.
See the Nincada egg moves page for details and compatible parents.

Move
Type
Cat.
Power
Acc.
GustFlyingSpecial40100
Faint AttackDarkPhysical60
EndureNormalStatus--
Silver WindBugSpecial60100
Night SlashDarkPhysical70100
Bug BuzzBugSpecial90100
Bug BiteBugPhysical60100

Move Tutor moves

Nincada can be taught these attacks from move tutors (details):

Move
Type
Cat.
Power
Acc.
SnoreNormalSpecial40100
SpiteGhostStatus-100
Giga DrainGrassSpecial75100
Sleep TalkNormalStatus--
Bug BiteBugPhysical60100

Nincada can be taught these attacks from move tutors (details):

Move
Type
Cat.
Power
Acc.
String ShotBugStatus-95
SnoreNormalSpecial40100
SpiteGhostStatus-100
Mud-SlapGroundSpecial20100
Fury CutterBugPhysical2095
Bug BiteBugPhysical60100

Moves learnt by HM

Nincada is compatible with these Hidden Machines:

HM
Move
Type
Cat.
Power
Acc.
1 CutNormalPhysical5095

Moves learnt by TM

Nincada is compatible with these Technical Machines:

TM
Move
Type
Cat.
Power
Acc.
1 Hone ClawsDarkStatus--
6 ToxicPoisonStatus-90
10 Hidden PowerNormalSpecial-100
11 Sunny DayFireStatus--
17 ProtectNormalStatus--
21 FrustrationNormalPhysical-100
22 SolarBeamGrassSpecial120100
27 ReturnNormalPhysical-100
28 DigGroundPhysical80100
30 Shadow BallGhostSpecial80100
32 Double TeamNormalStatus--
37 SandstormRockStatus--
40 Aerial AceFlyingPhysical60
42 FacadeNormalPhysical70100
44 RestPsychicStatus--
48 RoundNormalSpecial60100
54 False SwipeNormalPhysical40100
70 FlashNormalStatus-100
76 Struggle BugBugSpecial30100
81 X-ScissorBugPhysical80100
87 SwaggerNormalStatus-90
90 SubstituteNormalStatus--

Nincada is compatible with these Technical Machines:

TM
Move
Type
Cat.
Power
Acc.
6 ToxicPoisonStatus-90
10 Hidden PowerNormalSpecial-100
11 Sunny DayFireStatus--
17 ProtectNormalStatus--
19 Giga DrainGrassSpecial75100
21 FrustrationNormalPhysical-100
22 SolarBeamGrassSpecial120100
27 ReturnNormalPhysical-100
28 DigGroundPhysical80100
30 Shadow BallGhostSpecial80100
32 Double TeamNormalStatus--
37 SandstormRockStatus--
40 Aerial AceFlyingPhysical60
42 FacadeNormalPhysical70100
43 Secret PowerNormalPhysical70100
44 RestPsychicStatus--
54 False SwipeNormalPhysical40100
58 EndureNormalStatus--
70 FlashNormalStatus-100
81 X-ScissorBugPhysical80100
82 Sleep TalkNormalStatus--
83 Natural GiftNormalPhysical-100
87 SwaggerNormalStatus-90
90 SubstituteNormalStatus--

Nincada sprites

NORMAL
Black/White
Nincada normal sprite
SHINY
Black/White
Nincada shiny sprite
NORMAL
HG/SS
Nincada normal sprite
SHINY
HG/SS
Nincada shiny sprite

See all Nincada sprites


Where to find Nincada

Sapphire
Ruby
Route 116
Emerald Route 116
Pearl
Diamond
Eterna Forest
Platinum Eterna Forest
HeartGold
SoulSilver
National Park

Pokeathlon stats

Speed
Power
Skill ★ ★
Stamina ★ ★ ★ ★
Jump ★ ★

Minimum      Base stat      Maximum


Answers to Nincada questions