Nincada

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

Nincada

Nincada artwork by Ken Sugimori

Additional artwork

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 50 (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.

NorFirWatEleGraIceFigPoiGro
2202½½½
FlyPsyBugRocGhoDraDarSteFai
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

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.
Brilliant Diamond
Shining Pearl		 It grows underground, sensing its surroundings using antennae instead of its virtually blind eyes.

Moves learned by Nincada

Brilliant Diamond/Shining Pearl Sword/Shield

Moves learnt by level up

Nincada learns the following moves in Pokémon Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl at the levels specified.

Lv.
Move
Type
Cat.
Power
Acc.
1Sand AttackGroundStatus — 100
1ScratchNormalPhysical 40 100
5HardenNormalStatus — —
10False SwipeNormalPhysical 40 100
15Mud-SlapGroundSpecial 20 100
21AbsorbGrassSpecial 20 100
25Metal ClawSteelPhysical 50 95
30Fury SwipesNormalPhysical 18 80
35Mind ReaderNormalStatus — —
40DigGroundPhysical 80 100

Egg moves

Nincada learns the following moves via breeding in Pokémon Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl. Details and compatible parents can be found on the Nincada gen 8 learnset page.

Move
Type
Cat.
Power
Acc.
Bug BiteBugPhysical 60 100
Final GambitFightingSpecial — 100
FlailNormalPhysical — 100
GustFlyingSpecial 40 100
Night SlashDarkPhysical 70 100

Moves learnt by TM

Nincada is compatible with these Technical Machines in Pokémon Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl:

TM
Move
Type
Cat.
Power
Acc.
11Sunny DayFireStatus — —
17ProtectNormalStatus — —
19Giga DrainGrassSpecial 75 100
22Solar BeamGrassSpecial 120 100
28DigGroundPhysical 80 100
30Shadow BallGhostSpecial 80 100
32Double TeamNormalStatus — —
37SandstormRockStatus — —
40Aerial AceFlyingPhysical 60 ∞
42FacadeNormalPhysical 70 100
44RestPsychicStatus — —
54False SwipeNormalPhysical 40 100
58EndureNormalStatus — —
62Bug BuzzBugSpecial 90 100
70FlashNormalStatus — 100
81X-ScissorBugPhysical 80 100
82Sleep TalkNormalStatus — —
87SwaggerNormalStatus — 85
90SubstituteNormalStatus — —
93CutNormalPhysical 50 95

Moves learnt by level up

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

Lv.
Move
Type
Cat.
Power
Acc.
1Sand AttackGroundStatus — 100
1ScratchNormalPhysical 40 100
5HardenNormalStatus — —
10False SwipeNormalPhysical 40 100
15Mud-SlapGroundSpecial 20 100
21AbsorbGrassSpecial 20 100
25Metal ClawSteelPhysical 50 95
30Fury SwipesNormalPhysical 18 80
35Mind ReaderNormalStatus — —
40DigGroundPhysical 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 gen 8 learnset page.

Move
Type
Cat.
Power
Acc.
Bug BiteBugPhysical 60 100
Final GambitFightingSpecial — 100
FlailNormalPhysical — 100
GustFlyingSpecial 40 100
Night SlashDarkPhysical 70 100

Move Tutor moves

Nincada can be taught these attacks in Pokémon Sword & Shield from move tutors (details):

Move
Type
Cat.
Power
Acc.
Skitter SmackBugPhysical 70 90

Moves learnt by TM

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

TM
Move
Type
Cat.
Power
Acc.
11Solar BeamGrassSpecial 120 100
15DigGroundPhysical 80 100
21RestPsychicStatus — —
24SnoreNormalSpecial 50 100
25ProtectNormalStatus — —
28Giga DrainGrassSpecial 75 100
32SandstormRockStatus — —
34Sunny DayFireStatus — —
39FacadeNormalPhysical 70 100
76RoundNormalSpecial 60 100
94False SwipeNormalPhysical 40 100

Moves learnt by TR

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

TR
Move
Type
Cat.
Power
Acc.
18Leech LifeBugPhysical 80 100
20SubstituteNormalStatus — —
26EndureNormalStatus — —
27Sleep TalkNormalStatus — —
33Shadow BallGhostSpecial 80 100
60X-ScissorBugPhysical 80 100
61Bug BuzzBugSpecial 90 100

Nincada sprites

Type Generation 3 Generation 4 Generation 5 Generation 6 Generation 7 Generation 8 Generation 9
Normal Nincada sprite from Ruby & Sapphire Nincada sprite from Diamond & Pearl Nincada sprite from Black & White Nincada sprite from X & Y — Nincada sprite from Sword & Shield —
Shiny Nincada Shiny sprite from Ruby & Sapphire Nincada Shiny sprite from Diamond & Pearl Nincada Shiny sprite from Black & White Nincada Shiny sprite from X & Y — — —

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		 Trade/migrate from another game
Let's Go Pikachu
Let's Go Eevee		 Not available in this game
Sword
Shield		 Route 5, South Lake Miloch, West Lake Axewell
Brilliant Diamond
Shining Pearl		 Eterna Forest, Grassland Cave, Riverbank Cave, Still-Water Cavern, Sunlit Cavern
Legends: Arceus Not available in this game
Scarlet
Violet		 Not available in this game

Answers to Nincada questions

Other languages

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

Name origin

ninja
stealthy martial art
cicada
a species of insect