Nidoking Pokemon Guide: Stats, Best Moves, Abilities and More

Varno Harris II

Publish Date: May 19, 2026

Pokemon Guide

Nidoking Pokemon Guide

Nidoking is a Poison / Ground-type Pokemon known for its powerful horn, strong physical presence and wide movepool across many Pokemon games. This guide covers Nidoking’s stats, best moves, abilities, evolution, shiny form, typing, weaknesses, locations and current Pokemon game availability.

Normal Form

Nidoking

Shiny Form

Shiny Nidoking

Last Updated: May 2026 | Page Status: This Nidoking guide supports current Pokemon games and future updates. Location, moves and availability details will be updated as new Pokemon game data becomes available.

Nidoking Guide Contents

Description	Quick Facts
Stats	Best Moves
All Moves	Weaknesses
Evolution	Locations
FAQ

Nidoking Description

Nidoking is a Poison and Ground-type Pokemon and the final evolution of the male Nidoran line. It is known for its powerful horn, strong physical presence and wide movepool across many Pokemon games.

Competitive Overview

Is Nidoking Good in Competitive?

Nidoking has often been valued in competitive Pokemon because of its strong coverage and Sheer Force sets. While its raw stats are not always elite, its ability to threaten many types with Poison, Ground, Ice, Electric, Fire and other coverage moves gives it strong matchup flexibility.

Nidoking’s biggest strengths are its Poison and Ground typing, wide attacking movepool and Sheer Force damage potential. Its biggest issues are only moderate bulk and Speed, meaning it often needs careful positioning to avoid faster offensive Pokemon.

Nidoking Quick Facts

Here are the key facts to know about Nidoking, including its type, abilities, height, weight and species information.

Name

Nidoking

National Dex

#0034

Type

Poison / Ground

Species

Drill Pokemon

Height

4’07” / 1.4 m

140 cm

Weight

136.7 lbs / 62.0 kg

62.0 kg

Abilities

Poison Point, Rivalry, Sheer Force

Nidoking Stats

Nidoking has solid mixed attacking stats, respectable Speed and a high base stat total for a Generation 1 final evolution. Its Attack is its highest traditional stat, but it can also use special coverage effectively in many games.

Attack

102

Defense

Special Attack

Special Defense

Speed

Nidoking Best Moves Across Pokemon Games

Nidoking has one of the broader movepools among early-generation Pokemon, including Ground, Poison, Ice, Electric, Fire, Fighting and Rock coverage. These are some of Nidoking’s most useful and recognizable moves.

Ground type Pokemon icon

Earth Power

A strong Ground-type special attack that pairs well with Sheer Force in many competitive sets.

Ground type Pokemon icon

Earthquake

A powerful physical Ground-type attack and one of Nidoking’s most iconic coverage moves.

Poison type Pokemon icon

Sludge Wave

A strong Poison-type special attack that can pressure Fairy and Grass-type Pokemon.

Ice type Pokemon icon

Ice Beam

Useful coverage against Dragon, Flying, Grass and Ground-type Pokemon.

Electric type Pokemon icon

Thunderbolt

Coverage that helps Nidoking hit Water and Flying-type Pokemon.

Fire type Pokemon icon

Flamethrower

Coverage against Steel, Grass, Bug and Ice-type Pokemon.

Fighting type Pokemon icon

Superpower

A physical coverage option that can hit Normal, Rock, Steel, Ice and Dark-type Pokemon.

Rock type Pokemon icon

Stone Edge

A high-power Rock-type move that helps against Flying, Bug, Fire and Ice-type Pokemon.

Nidoking All Moves

Nidoking can learn different moves across Pokemon games. Use the section below to view Nidoking’s move list by learn method.

Move data shown from: Pokemon Sword and Shield

Level-Up Moves

Level	Move	Type	Category	Power	Accuracy
Start	Megahorn	Bug	Physical	120	85
1	Double Kick	Fighting	Physical	30	100
1	Earth Power	Ground	Special	90	100
1	Flatter	Dark	Status	–	100
1	Focus Energy	Normal	Status	–	–
1	Fury Attack	Normal	Physical	15	85
1	Helping Hand	Normal	Status	–	–
1	Horn Attack	Normal	Physical	65	100
1	Leer	Normal	Status	–	100
1	Megahorn	Bug	Physical	120	85
1	Peck	Flying	Physical	35	100
1	Poison Jab	Poison	Physical	80	100
1	Poison Sting	Poison	Physical	15	100
1	Toxic	Poison	Status	–	90
1	Toxic Spikes	Poison	Status	–	–

TM Moves

Method	Move	Type	Category	Power	Accuracy
TM	Amnesia	Psychic	Status	–	–
TM	Attract	Normal	Status	–	100
TM	Avalanche	Ice	Physical	60	100
TM	Beat Up	Dark	Physical	–	100
TM	Blizzard	Ice	Special	110	70
TM	Body Press	Fighting	Physical	80	100
TM	Body Slam	Normal	Physical	85	100
TM	Brick Break	Fighting	Physical	75	100
TM	Bulldoze	Ground	Physical	60	100
TM	Dig	Ground	Physical	80	100
TM	Dragon Pulse	Dragon	Special	85	100
TM	Drill Run	Ground	Physical	80	95
TM	Earth Power	Ground	Special	90	100
TM	Earthquake	Ground	Physical	100	100
TM	Endure	Normal	Status	–	–
TM	Facade	Normal	Physical	70	100
TM	Fire Blast	Fire	Special	110	85
TM	Fire Punch	Fire	Physical	75	100
TM	Flamethrower	Fire	Special	90	100
TM	Fling	Dark	Physical	–	100
TM	Focus Blast	Fighting	Special	120	70
TM	Focus Energy	Normal	Status	–	–
TM	Giga Impact	Normal	Physical	150	90
TM	Helping Hand	Normal	Status	–	–
TM	Hex	Ghost	Special	65	100
TM	High Horsepower	Ground	Physical	95	95
TM	Hyper Beam	Normal	Special	150	90
TM	Ice Beam	Ice	Special	90	100
TM	Ice Punch	Ice	Physical	75	100
TM	Icy Wind	Ice	Special	55	95
TM	Iron Tail	Steel	Physical	100	75
TM	Mega Kick	Normal	Physical	120	75
TM	Mega Punch	Normal	Physical	80	85
TM	Megahorn	Bug	Physical	120	85
TM	Mud Shot	Ground	Special	55	95
TM	Outrage	Dragon	Physical	120	100
TM	Pay Day	Normal	Physical	40	100
TM	Poison Jab	Poison	Physical	80	100
TM	Protect	Normal	Status	–	–
TM	Rain Dance	Water	Status	–	–
TM	Rest	Psychic	Status	–	–
TM	Rock Blast	Rock	Physical	25	90
TM	Rock Slide	Rock	Physical	75	90
TM	Rock Tomb	Rock	Physical	60	95
TM	Round	Normal	Special	60	100
TM	Sand Tomb	Ground	Physical	35	85
TM	Sandstorm	Rock	Status	–	–
TM	Shadow Ball	Ghost	Special	80	100
TM	Shadow Claw	Ghost	Physical	70	100
TM	Sleep Talk	Normal	Status	–	–
TM	Sludge Bomb	Poison	Special	90	100
TM	Sludge Wave	Poison	Special	95	100
TM	Smart Strike	Steel	Physical	70	–
TM	Snore	Normal	Special	50	100
TM	Stealth Rock	Rock	Status	–	–
TM	Stomping Tantrum	Ground	Physical	75	100
TM	Stone Edge	Rock	Physical	100	80
TM	Substitute	Normal	Status	–	–
TM	Sunny Day	Fire	Status	–	–
TM	Superpower	Fighting	Physical	120	100
TM	Surf	Water	Special	90	100
TM	Taunt	Dark	Status	–	100
TM	Thief	Dark	Physical	60	100
TM	Throat Chop	Dark	Physical	80	100
TM	Thunder	Electric	Special	110	70
TM	Thunder Punch	Electric	Physical	75	100
TM	Thunderbolt	Electric	Special	90	100
TM	Toxic Spikes	Poison	Status	–	–
TM	Uproar	Normal	Special	90	100
TM	Venom Drench	Poison	Status	–	100
TM	Venoshock	Poison	Special	65	100
TM	Whirlpool	Water	Special	35	85

Tutor Moves

Move	Type	Category	Power	Accuracy
Scorching Sands	Ground	Special	70	100

Nidoking Typing, Weaknesses and Resistances

Nidoking is a Poison / Ground-type Pokemon. This gives it useful resistances, but it also creates important weaknesses to watch for in battle.

Type

Poison / Ground

Weaknesses

Ground, Water, Psychic, Ice

Resistances

Fighting, Poison, Bug, Rock, Fairy

Immunity

Electric

Nidoking Abilities

Nidoking’s abilities affect how it handles contact, support or offensive pressure depending on the game and format.

Poison Point

May poison a Pokemon that makes contact with Nidoking.

Rivalry

Changes damage based on the target’s gender, making Nidoking stronger against same-gender targets and weaker against opposite-gender targets.

Sheer Force

Boosts moves with added effects while removing those added effects. This is Nidoking’s hidden ability and is often its most important competitive ability.

Nidoking Evolution

Nidoking is the final evolution of Nidoran♂. Nidoran♂ evolves into Nidorino at Level 16, and Nidorino evolves into Nidoking when exposed to a Moon Stone.

Stage 1

Nidoran♂

Poison type Pokemon icon

Starting form

Stage 2

Nidorino

Poison type Pokemon icon

Evolves from Nidoran♂ at Level 16

Stage 3

Nidoking

Evolves from Nidorino using a Moon Stone

Where to Find Nidoking in Pokemon Games

Nidoking’s availability changes depending on the Pokemon game. In many games, Nidoking is obtained by evolving Nidorino with a Moon Stone rather than being caught directly.

Generation 1: Pokemon Red, Blue and Yellow

Game	Where to Find Nidoking
Pokemon Red	Evolve Nidorino using a Moon Stone.
Pokemon Blue	Evolve Nidorino using a Moon Stone.
Pokemon Yellow	Evolve Nidorino using a Moon Stone.

Generation 2: Pokemon Gold, Silver and Crystal

Game	Where to Find Nidoking
Pokemon Gold	Evolve Nidorino using a Moon Stone.
Pokemon Silver	Evolve Nidorino using a Moon Stone.
Pokemon Crystal	Evolve Nidorino using a Moon Stone.

Generation 3: Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald, FireRed and LeafGreen

Game	Where to Find Nidoking
Pokemon Ruby	Trade or migrate from another game.
Pokemon Sapphire	Trade or migrate from another game.
Pokemon Emerald	Trade or migrate from another game.
Pokemon FireRed	Evolve Nidorino using a Moon Stone.
Pokemon LeafGreen	Evolve Nidorino using a Moon Stone.

Generation 4: Diamond, Pearl, Platinum, HeartGold and SoulSilver

Game	Where to Find Nidoking
Pokemon Diamond	Evolve Nidorino using a Moon Stone.
Pokemon Pearl	Evolve Nidorino using a Moon Stone.
Pokemon Platinum	Evolve Nidorino using a Moon Stone.
Pokemon HeartGold	Evolve Nidorino using a Moon Stone.
Pokemon SoulSilver	Evolve Nidorino using a Moon Stone.

Generation 5: Black, White, Black 2 and White 2

Game	Where to Find Nidoking
Pokemon Black	Trade or migrate from another game.
Pokemon White	Evolve Nidorino using a Moon Stone.
Pokemon Black 2	Trade or migrate from another game.
Pokemon White 2	Trade or migrate from another game.

Generation 6: X, Y, Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire

Game	Where to Find Nidoking
Pokemon X	Evolve Nidorino using a Moon Stone.
Pokemon Y	Evolve Nidorino using a Moon Stone.
Pokemon Omega Ruby	Trade or migrate from another game.
Pokemon Alpha Sapphire	Trade or migrate from another game.

Generation 7: Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun, Ultra Moon and Let’s Go

Game	Where to Find Nidoking
Pokemon Sun	Trade or migrate from another game.
Pokemon Moon	Trade or migrate from another game.
Pokemon Ultra Sun	Trade or migrate from another game.
Pokemon Ultra Moon	Trade or migrate from another game.
Pokemon Let’s Go Pikachu	Route 23, or evolve Nidorino using a Moon Stone.
Pokemon Let’s Go Eevee	Route 23, or evolve Nidorino using a Moon Stone.

Generation 8: Sword, Shield, Brilliant Diamond, Shining Pearl and Legends: Arceus

Game	Where to Find Nidoking
Pokemon Sword	Evolve Nidorino using a Moon Stone.
Pokemon Shield	Evolve Nidorino using a Moon Stone.
Pokemon Brilliant Diamond	Evolve Nidorino using a Moon Stone.
Pokemon Shining Pearl	Evolve Nidorino using a Moon Stone.
Pokemon Legends: Arceus	Not available in this game.

Generation 9: Scarlet, Violet and Legends Z-A

Game	Where to Find Nidoking
Pokemon Scarlet	Not available in this game.
Pokemon Violet	Not available in this game.
Pokemon Legends Z-A	Not available in this game.

Generation 10: Pokemon Winds and Waves

Game	Where to Find Nidoking
Pokemon Winds and Waves	Coming soon once official location, encounter or transfer information is confirmed.

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Nidoking FAQ

Here are quick answers to common questions about Nidoking. This FAQ is visible on-page content only and does not use FAQ schema markup.

What type is Nidoking?

Nidoking is a Poison and Ground-type Pokemon.

What is Nidoking weak against?

Nidoking is weak to Ground, Water, Psychic and Ice-type moves.

What does Nidoking evolve from?

Nidoking evolves from Nidorino when exposed to a Moon Stone.

What is Nidoking’s final evolution?

Nidoking is the final evolution of the male Nidoran line.

What are Nidoking’s abilities?

Nidoking’s abilities are Poison Point, Rivalry and Sheer Force. Sheer Force is its hidden ability.

What are Nidoking’s best moves?

Nidoking’s best moves often include Earth Power, Earthquake, Sludge Wave, Ice Beam, Thunderbolt, Flamethrower, Superpower and Stone Edge.

Is Nidoking good in Pokemon?

Yes, Nidoking is often useful because of its wide coverage, strong offensive pressure and Sheer Force sets.

How do you get Nidoking?

The most common way to get Nidoking is to evolve Nidorino using a Moon Stone.

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Nidoking Pokemon Guide: Stats, Best Moves, Abilities and More

Nidoking Pokemon Guide

Nidoking

Shiny Nidoking

Nidoking Guide Contents

Nidoking Description

Is Nidoking Good in Competitive?

Nidoking Quick Facts

Nidoking Stats

Nidoking Best Moves Across Pokemon Games

Earth Power

Earthquake

Sludge Wave

Ice Beam

Thunderbolt

Flamethrower

Superpower

Stone Edge

Nidoking All Moves

Nidoking Typing, Weaknesses and Resistances

Nidoking Abilities

Poison Point

Rivalry

Sheer Force

Nidoking Evolution

Nidoran♂

Nidorino

Nidoking

Where to Find Nidoking in Pokemon Games

Related Nidoking and Pokemon Guides

View Every Pokemon

Latest Pokemon News

Nidoking FAQ

What type is Nidoking?

What is Nidoking weak against?

What does Nidoking evolve from?

What is Nidoking’s final evolution?

What are Nidoking’s abilities?

What are Nidoking’s best moves?

Is Nidoking good in Pokemon?

How do you get Nidoking?