Nidoking
Nidoking is a Poison/Ground type Pokémon introduced in Generation 1.
Pokédex data
| National № | 0034 |
|---|---|
| Type | Poison Ground |
| Species | Drill Pokémon |
| Height | 1.4 m (4′07″) |
| Weight | 62.0 kg (136.7 lbs) |
| Abilities | 1. Poison Point 2. Rivalry Sheer Force (hidden ability) |
| Local № | 0034 (Red/Blue/Yellow) 0100 (Gold/Silver/Crystal) 0034 (FireRed/LeafGreen) 0100 (HeartGold/SoulSilver) 0109 (X/Y — Coastal Kalos) 0034 (Let's Go Pikachu/Let's Go Eevee) 0070 (The Crown Tundra) |
Training
| EV yield | 3 Attack |
|---|---|
| Catch rate | 45 (5.9% with PokéBall, full HP) |
| Base Friendship | 50 (normal) |
| Base Exp. | 227 |
| Growth Rate | Medium Slow |
Breeding
| Egg Groups | Field, Monster |
|---|---|
| Gender | 100% male, 0% female |
| Egg cycles | 20 (4,884–5,140 steps) |
Base stats
| HP | 81 | 272 | 366 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Attack | 102 | 188 | 333 | |
| Defense | 77 | 143 | 278 | |
| Sp. Atk | 85 | 157 | 295 | |
| Sp. Def | 75 | 139 | 273 | |
| Speed | 85 | 157 | 295 | |
| Total | 505 | Min | Max |
The ranges shown on the right are for a level 100 Pokémon. Maximum values are based on a beneficial nature, 252 EVs, 31 IVs; minimum values are based on a hindering nature, 0 EVs, 0 IVs.
Evolution chart
Nidoking changes
- In Generation 3, Nidoking does not have the Rivalry ability.
- In Generation 1, Nidoking has a base Special stat of 75.
- In Generations 1-5, Nidoking has a base Attack of 92.
- In Generations 1-4, Nidoking has a base experience yield of 195.
- In Generation 5, Nidoking has a base experience yield of 223.
- In Generations 2-7, Nidoking has a base Friendship value of 70.
Pokédex entries
| Red Blue |
It uses its powerful tail in battle to smash, constrict, then break the prey’s bones. |
|---|---|
| Yellow | Its steel-like hide adds to its powerful tackle. Its horns are so hard, they can pierce a diamond. |
| Gold | It swings its big tail around during battle. If its foe flinches, it will charge with its sturdy body. |
| Silver | Its tail is thick and powerful. If it binds an enemy, it can snap the victim’s spine quite easily. |
| Crystal | It uses its thick arms, legs and tail to attack forcefully. Melee combat is its specialty. |
| Ruby Sapphire |
NIDOKING’s thick tail packs enormously destructive power. With one swing, it can topple a metal transmission tower. Once this POKéMON goes on a rampage, there is no stopping it. |
| FireRed | It is recognized by its rock-hard hide and its extended horn. Be careful with the horn as it contains venom. |
| LeafGreen | It uses its powerful tail in battle to smash, constrict, then break the prey’s bones. |
| Emerald | A NIDOKING’s thick tail packs enormously destructive power capable of toppling a metal transmission tower. Once it goes on a rampage, there is no stopping it. |
| Diamond Pearl Platinum |
One swing of its mighty tail can snap a telephone pole as if it were a matchstick. |
| HeartGold | It swings its big tail around during battle. If its foe flinches, it will charge with its sturdy body. |
| SoulSilver | Its tail is thick and powerful. If it binds an enemy, it can render the victim helpless quite easily. |
| Black White Black 2 White 2 |
One swing of its mighty tail can snap a telephone pole as if it were a matchstick. |
| X | It is recognized by its rock-hard hide and its extended horn. Be careful with the horn, as it contains venom. |
| Y | One swing of its mighty tail can snap a telephone pole as if it were a matchstick. |
| Omega Ruby Alpha Sapphire |
Nidoking’s thick tail packs enormously destructive power. With one swing, it can topple a metal transmission tower. Once this Pokémon goes on a rampage, there is no stopping it. |
| Let's Go Pikachu Let's Go Eevee |
Its steel-like hide adds to its powerful tackle. Its horns are so hard, they can pierce a diamond. |
| Sword | When it goes on a rampage, it’s impossible to control. But in the presence of a Nidoqueen it’s lived with for a long time, Nidoking calms down. |
| Shield | Nidoking prides itself on its strength. It’s forceful and spirited in battle, making use of its thick tail and diamond-crushing horn. |
| Brilliant Diamond Shining Pearl |
One swing of its mighty tail can snap a telephone pole as if it were a matchstick. |
Moves learned by Nidoking
Moves learnt by level up
Nidoking does not learn any level up moves in Pokémon Legends: Z-A.
Egg moves
Nidoking does not learn any moves by breeding in Pokémon Legends: Z-A.
Moves learnt by TM
Nidoking cannot be taught any TM moves in Pokémon Legends: Z-A.
Moves learnt by level up
Nidoking learns the following moves in Pokémon Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl at the levels specified.
Lv. | Move | Type | Cat. | Power | Acc. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Double Kick | Fighting | 30 | 100 | |
| 1 | Earth Power | Ground | 90 | 100 | |
| 1 | Flatter | Dark | — | 100 | |
| 1 | Focus Energy | Normal | — | — | |
| 1 | Fury Attack | Normal | 15 | 85 | |
| 1 | Helping Hand | Normal | — | — | |
| 1 | Horn Attack | Normal | 65 | 100 | |
| 1 | Leer | Normal | — | 100 | |
| 1 | Megahorn | Bug | 120 | 85 | |
| 1 | Peck | Flying | 35 | 100 | |
| 1 | Poison Jab | Poison | 80 | 100 | |
| 1 | Poison Sting | Poison | 15 | 100 | |
| 1 | Sludge Wave | Poison | 95 | 100 | |
| 1 | Toxic | Poison | — | 90 | |
| 1 | Toxic Spikes | Poison | — | — |
Moves learnt on evolution
Nidoking learns the following moves when it evolves in Pokémon Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl (regardless of level).
Egg moves
Nidoking learns the following moves via breeding in Pokémon Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl. Details and compatible parents can be found on the Nidoking gen 8 learnset page.
Move | Type | Cat. | Power | Acc. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amnesia | Psychic | — | — | |
| Beat Up | Dark | — | 100 | |
| Confusion | Psychic | 50 | 100 | |
| Counter | Fighting | — | 100 | |
| Disable | Normal | — | 100 | |
| Head Smash | Rock | 150 | 80 | |
| Horn Drill | Normal | — | 30 | |
| Poison Tail | Poison | 50 | 100 | |
| Sucker Punch | Dark | 70 | 100 | |
| Supersonic | Normal | — | 55 | |
| Take Down | Normal | 90 | 85 | |
| Thrash | Normal | 120 | 100 | |
| Venom Drench | Poison | — | 100 |
Moves learnt by TM
Nidoking is compatible with these Technical Machines in Pokémon Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl:
Nidoking sprites
| Type | Generation 1 | Generation 2 | Generation 3 | Generation 4 | Generation 5 | Generation 6 | Generation 7 | Generation 8 | Generation 9 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Normal |
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— |
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— |
| Shiny | — |
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— | — | — |
Where to find Nidoking
| Red Blue Yellow |
Evolve Nidoran♂/Nidorino |
|---|---|
| Gold Silver Crystal |
Evolve Nidoran♂/Nidorino |
| Ruby Sapphire |
Trade/migrate from another game |
| FireRed LeafGreen |
Evolve Nidoran♂/Nidorino |
| Emerald | Trade/migrate from another game |
| Diamond Pearl Platinum HeartGold SoulSilver |
Evolve Nidoran♂/Nidorino |
| Black | Trade/migrate from another game |
| White | Evolve Nidoran♂/Nidorino |
| Black 2 White 2 |
Trade/migrate from another game |
| X Y |
Evolve Nidoran♂/Nidorino |
| Omega Ruby Alpha Sapphire |
Trade/migrate from another game |
| Sun Moon Ultra Sun Ultra Moon |
Trade/migrate from another game |
| Let's Go Pikachu Let's Go Eevee |
Route 23 |
| Sword Shield Brilliant Diamond Shining Pearl |
Evolve Nidoran♂/Nidorino |
| Legends: Arceus | Not available in this game |
| Scarlet Violet Legends: Z-A |
Location data not yet available |
Answers to Nidoking questions
- What is a good moveset for Nidoking?
- Can you breed the different Nidoran lines to get any Nidoran?
- Swap breeding for shiny sheer force nidoking/nidoqueen?
- What level should I evolve my Nidorino in FRLG?
- Can Nidoking remember Horn Drill in FireRed?
- How do I spread pokerus?
- Which is better in attack? Lucario or nidoking?
- Nidoking or Nidoqueen in Fire red?
- Does the ability rivarly only affect you upon switching in?
View more questions on PokéBase »
Other languages
| English | Nidoking |
|---|---|
| Japanese | ニドキング (Nidoking) |
| German | Nidoking |
| French | Nidoking |
| Italian | Nidoking |
| Spanish | Nidoking |
| Korean | 니드킹 (nideuking) |
| Chinese (Simplified) | 尼多王 |
| Chinese (Traditional) | 尼多王 |
| English |
Drill Pokémon |
|---|---|
| Japanese | ドリルポケモン |
| German | Bohrer-Pokémon |
| French | Pokémon Perceur |
| Italian | Pokémon Trapano |
| Spanish | Pokémon Taladro |
| Korean | 드릴포켓몬 |
| Chinese (Simplified) | 钻锥宝可梦 |
| Chinese (Traditional) | 鑽錐寶可夢 |
Name origin
- nidoru
- Japanese for ‘needle’
- king
- male royalty


