Nincada

Contents
Info
Base stats
Evolution chart
Pokédex entries
Moves learned
Sprites
Locations
Language

Nincada is a Bug/Ground type Pokémon introduced in Generation 3. It is known as the Trainee Pokémon.

Pokédex data

National №	290
Type	Bug Ground
Species	Trainee Pokémon
Height	0.5 m (1′08″)
Weight	5.5 kg (12.1 lbs)
Abilities	1. Compound Eyes Run Away (hidden ability)
Local №	042 (Ruby/Sapphire/Emerald) 111 (X/Y — Central Kalos) 043 (Omega Ruby/Alpha Sapphire) 104 (Sword/Shield)

Training

EV yield	1 Defense
Catch rate	255 (33.3% with PokéBall, full HP)
Base Friendship	70 (normal)
Base Exp.	53
Growth Rate	Erratic

Breeding

Egg Groups	Bug
Gender	50% male, 50% female
Egg cycles	15 (3,599–3,855 steps)

Base stats

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	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.

Type defenses

The effectiveness of each type on Nincada.

Nor	Fir	Wat	Ele	Gra	Ice	Fig	Poi	Gro
	2	2	0		2	½	½	½

Fly	Psy	Bug	Roc	Gho	Dra	Dar	Ste	Fai
2

Evolution chart

#290
Nincada
Bug · Ground

(Level 20)

#291
Ninjask
Bug · Flying

(Level 20, empty spot in party, Pokéball in bag)

#291
Ninjask
Bug · Flying

#292
Shedinja
Bug · Ghost

Nincada changes

In Generations 3-4, Nincada has a base experience yield of 65.

Pokédex entries

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.
FireRed LeafGreen	Because it lived almost entirely underground, it is nearly blind. It uses its antennae instead.
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.
Diamond Pearl Platinum	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.
Black White Black 2 White 2	It grows underground, sensing its surroundings using antennae instead of its virtually blind eyes.
X	Because it lived almost entirely underground, it is nearly blind. It uses its antennae instead.
Y	It can sometimes live underground for more than 10 years. It absorbs nutrients from the roots of trees.
Omega 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.
Alpha 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.
Sword	Because it lived almost entirely underground, it is nearly blind. It uses its antennae instead.
Shield	It can sometimes live underground for more than 10 years. It absorbs nutrients from the roots of trees.

Moves learned by Nincada

In other generations
3
4
5
6
7
8

Sword/Shield Ultra Sun/Ultra Moon

Moves learnt by level up

Nincada learns the following moves in Pokémon Sword & Shield at the levels specified.

Lv.	Move	Type	Power	Acc.
1	Sand Attack	Ground	—	100
1	Scratch	Normal	40	100
5	Harden	Normal	—	—
10	False Swipe	Normal	40	100
15	Mud-Slap	Ground	20	100
21	Absorb	Grass	20	100
25	Metal Claw	Steel	50	95
30	Fury Swipes	Normal	18	80
35	Mind Reader	Normal	—	—
40	Dig	Ground	80	100

Egg moves

Nincada learns the following moves via breeding in Pokémon Sword & Shield. Details and compatible parents can be found on the Nincada egg moves page.

Move	Type	Power	Acc.
Bug Bite	Bug	60	100
Final Gambit	Fighting	—	100
Flail	Normal	—	100
Gust	Flying	40	100
Night Slash	Dark	70	100

Moves learnt by TM

Nincada is compatible with these Technical Machines in Pokémon Sword & Shield:

TM	Move	Type	Power	Acc.
11	Solar Beam	Grass	120	100
15	Dig	Ground	80	100
21	Rest	Psychic	—	—
24	Snore	Normal	50	100
25	Protect	Normal	—	—
28	Giga Drain	Grass	75	100
32	Sandstorm	Rock	—	—
34	Sunny Day	Fire	—	—
39	Facade	Normal	70	100
76	Round	Normal	60	100
94	False Swipe	Normal	40	100

Moves learnt by TR

Nincada is compatible with these Technical Records in Pokémon Sword & Shield:

TR	Move	Type	Power	Acc.
18	Leech Life	Bug	80	100
20	Substitute	Normal	—	—
26	Endure	Normal	—	—
27	Sleep Talk	Normal	—	—
33	Shadow Ball	Ghost	80	100
60	X-Scissor	Bug	80	100
61	Bug Buzz	Bug	90	100

Moves learnt by level up

Nincada learns the following moves in Pokémon Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon at the levels specified.

Lv.	Move	Type	Power	Acc.
1	Harden	Normal	—	—
1	Scratch	Normal	40	100
5	Absorb	Grass	20	100
9	Sand Attack	Ground	—	100
13	Fury Swipes	Normal	18	80
17	Mud-Slap	Ground	20	100
21	Metal Claw	Steel	50	95
25	Mind Reader	Normal	—	—
29	Bide	Normal	—	—
33	False Swipe	Normal	40	100
37	Dig	Ground	80	100

Egg moves

Nincada learns the following moves via breeding in Pokémon Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon. Details and compatible parents can be found on the Nincada egg moves page.

Move	Type	Power	Acc.
Bug Bite	Bug	60	100
Bug Buzz	Bug	90	100
Endure	Normal	—	—
Feint Attack	Dark	60	∞
Final Gambit	Fighting	—	100
Gust	Flying	40	100
Night Slash	Dark	70	100
Silver Wind	Bug	60	100

Move Tutor moves

Nincada can be taught these attacks in Pokémon Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon from move tutors (details):

Move	Type	Power	Acc.
Bug Bite	Bug	60	100
Giga Drain	Grass	75	100
Snore	Normal	50	100
Spite	Ghost	—	100

Moves learnt by TM

Nincada is compatible with these Technical Machines in Pokémon Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon:

TM	Move	Type	Power	Acc.
06	Toxic	Poison	—	90
10	Hidden Power	Normal	60	100
11	Sunny Day	Fire	—	—
17	Protect	Normal	—	—
21	Frustration	Normal	—	100
22	Solar Beam	Grass	120	100
27	Return	Normal	—	100
28	Leech Life	Bug	80	100
30	Shadow Ball	Ghost	80	100
32	Double Team	Normal	—	—
37	Sandstorm	Rock	—	—
40	Aerial Ace	Flying	60	∞
42	Facade	Normal	70	100
44	Rest	Psychic	—	—
48	Round	Normal	60	100
54	False Swipe	Normal	40	100
81	X-Scissor	Bug	80	100
87	Swagger	Normal	—	85
88	Sleep Talk	Normal	—	—
90	Substitute	Normal	—	—
100	Confide	Normal	—	—

Transfer-only moves

Nincada can only learn these moves in previous generations. It must be taught the moves in the appropriate game and then transferred to Pokémon Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon.

Move	Type	Power	Acc.	Method
Double-Edge	Normal	120	100	Generation 3 — Move tutor
Mimic	Normal	—	—	Generation 3 — Move tutor
Natural Gift	Normal	—	100	Generation 4 — TM
Fury Cutter	Bug	40	95	Generation 4 — Move tutor
String Shot	Bug	—	95	Generation 4 — Move tutor
Flash	Normal	—	100	Generation 6 — TM
Hone Claws	Dark	—	—	Generation 6 — TM
Secret Power	Normal	70	100	Generation 6 — TM
Struggle Bug	Bug	50	100	Generation 6 — TM
Cut	Normal	50	95	Generation 6 — HM

In other generations
3
4
5
6
7
8

Nincada sprites

Type	Generation 3	Generation 4	Generation 5	Generation 6	Generation 7	Generation 8
Normal					—	—
Shiny					—	—

See all Nincada sprites

Where to find Nincada

Ruby Sapphire	Route 116
FireRed LeafGreen	Trade/migrate from another game
Emerald	Route 116
Diamond Pearl Platinum	Eterna Forest
HeartGold SoulSilver	National Park
Black White Black 2 White 2	Trade/migrate from another game
X Y	Route 6
Omega Ruby Alpha Sapphire	Route 116
Sun Moon Ultra Sun Ultra Moon Let's Go Pikachu Let's Go Eevee	Trade/migrate from another game
Sword Shield	Route 5, South Lake Miloch, West Lake Axewell

Answers to Nincada questions

Other languages

English	Nincada
Japanese	ツチニン (Tutinin)
German	Nincada
French	Ningale

Name origin

ninja: stealthy martial art
cicada: a species of insect