Pokemon Guide
Nidorino is a Poison-type Pokemon known for its aggressive nature, venomous horn and evolution into Nidoking when exposed to a Moon Stone. This guide covers Nidorino’s stats, best moves, abilities, evolution, shiny form, typing, weaknesses, locations and current Pokemon game availability.
Normal Form
Shiny Form
Last Updated: May 2026 | Page Status: This Nidorino guide supports current Pokemon games and future updates. Location, moves and availability details will be updated as new Pokemon game data becomes available.
| Description | Quick Facts |
| Stats | Best Moves |
| All Moves | Weaknesses |
| Evolution | Locations |
| FAQ |
Nidorino is a Poison-type Pokemon and the middle stage of the male Nidoran evolution line. It is known for its aggressive nature, venomous horn and evolution into Nidoking when exposed to a Moon Stone.
Competitive Overview
Nidorino is usually more useful during progression than in serious competitive formats, where Nidoking tends to outclass it with stronger stats and broader coverage. Nidorino can still make use of Eviolite in formats where that item is available, giving it more defensive value than its base stats suggest.
Its main strengths are Poison typing, access to physical attacks and abilities such as Poison Point, Rivalry and Hustle. Its main drawbacks are modest bulk, limited offensive ceiling and the fact that evolving into Nidoking usually provides a major power spike.
Here are the key facts to know about Nidorino, including its type, abilities, height, weight and species information.
Name
Nidorino
National Dex
#0033
Type
Poison
Species
Poison Pin Pokemon
Height
2’11” / 0.9 m
90 cm
Weight
43.0 lbs / 19.5 kg
19.5 kg
Abilities
Poison Point, Rivalry, Hustle
Nidorino has balanced middle-stage stats with its best base stat being Attack. It is not as powerful as Nidoking, but it can still function as a physical attacker during a playthrough.
Nidorino uses Poison-type attacks, physical coverage and setup or utility moves across different Pokemon games. These are some of Nidorino’s most useful and recognizable moves.
A reliable Poison-type attack that gives Nidorino strong same-type damage when available.
A special Poison-type option that can pressure Fairy and Grass-type Pokemon.
A classic physical attack tied to Nidorino’s horn-focused design.
Useful early Fighting-type coverage in several games.
Coverage that helps Nidorino threaten Rock, Steel, Poison, Fire and Electric-type Pokemon.
A straightforward physical option that can be useful during a playthrough.
A utility move that can punish opposing switches in supported formats.
A doubles support option when Nidorino is used in team-based formats.
Nidorino can learn different moves across Pokemon games. Use the section below to view Nidorino’s move list by learn method.
Move data shown from: Pokemon Sword and Shield
Nidorino is a Poison-type Pokemon. This gives it useful resistances, but it also creates important weaknesses to watch for in battle.
Type
Poison
Weaknesses
Ground, Psychic
Resistances
Fighting, Poison, Bug, Grass, Fairy
Immunity
None
Nidorino’s abilities affect how it handles contact, support or offensive pressure depending on the game and format.
May poison a Pokemon that makes contact with Nidorino.
Changes damage based on the target’s gender, making Nidorino stronger against same-gender targets and weaker against opposite-gender targets.
Boosts physical attack power but lowers accuracy. This is Nidorino’s hidden ability.
Nidorino evolves from Nidoran♂ starting at Level 16 and evolves into Nidoking when exposed to a Moon Stone.
Stage 1
Starting form
Stage 2
Evolves from Nidoran♂ at Level 16
Stage 3
Evolves from Nidorino using a Moon Stone
Nidorino’s availability changes depending on the Pokemon game. In many games, it is either found in select routes or areas, or obtained by evolving Nidoran♂ at Level 16.
| Game | Where to Find Nidorino |
|---|---|
 Pokemon Red |
Safari Zone. |
 Pokemon Blue |
Celadon City and Safari Zone. |
 Pokemon Yellow |
Routes 9 and 23, and Safari Zone. |
| Game | Where to Find Nidorino |
|---|---|
 Pokemon Gold |
Routes 13, 14 and 15. |
 Pokemon Silver |
Routes 13, 14 and 15. |
 Pokemon Crystal |
Routes 13, 14 and 15. |
| Game | Where to Find Nidorino |
|---|---|
 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 |
Safari Zone. |
 Pokemon LeafGreen |
Route 11 and Safari Zone. |
| Game | Where to Find Nidorino |
|---|---|
 Pokemon Diamond |
Route 221 and Valor Lakefront. |
 Pokemon Pearl |
Route 221 and Valor Lakefront. |
 Pokemon Platinum |
Route 221 and Valor Lakefront. |
 Pokemon HeartGold |
Routes 13, 14 and 15. |
 Pokemon SoulSilver |
Routes 13, 14 and 15. |
| Game | Where to Find Nidorino |
|---|---|
 Pokemon Black |
Trade or migrate from another game. |
 Pokemon White |
Evolve Nidoran♂. |
 Pokemon Black 2 |
Trade or migrate from another game. |
 Pokemon White 2 |
Trade or migrate from another game. |
| Game | Where to Find Nidorino |
|---|---|
 Pokemon X |
Route 11. |
 Pokemon Y |
Route 11. |
 Pokemon Omega Ruby |
Trade or migrate from another game. |
 Pokemon Alpha Sapphire |
Trade or migrate from another game. |
| Game | Where to Find Nidorino |
|---|---|
 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 |
Routes 9, 10 and 23. |
 Pokemon Let’s Go Eevee |
Routes 9, 10 and 23. |
| Game | Where to Find Nidorino |
|---|---|
 Pokemon Sword |
Evolve Nidoran♂. |
 Pokemon Shield |
Evolve Nidoran♂. |
 Pokemon Brilliant Diamond |
Route 221, Valor Lakefront, Grassland Cave, Swampy Cave, Dazzling Cave, Riverbank Cave, Still-Water Cavern, Sunlit Cavern, Stargleam Cavern and Bogsunk Cavern. |
 Pokemon Shining Pearl |
Route 221, Valor Lakefront, Grassland Cave, Swampy Cave, Dazzling Cave, Riverbank Cave, Still-Water Cavern, Sunlit Cavern, Stargleam Cavern and Bogsunk Cavern. |
 Pokemon Legends: Arceus |
Not available in this game. |
| Game | Where to Find Nidorino |
|---|---|
 Pokemon Scarlet |
Not available in this game. |
 Pokemon Violet |
Not available in this game. |
 Pokemon Legends Z-A |
Not available in this game. |
| Game | Where to Find Nidorino |
|---|---|
 Pokemon Winds and Waves |
Coming soon once official location, encounter or transfer information is confirmed. |
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Here are quick answers to common questions about Nidorino. This FAQ is visible on-page content only and does not use FAQ schema markup.
Nidorino is a Poison-type Pokemon.
Nidorino is weak to Ground and Psychic-type moves.
Nidorino evolves from Nidoran♂ starting at Level 16.
Nidorino evolves into Nidoking when exposed to a Moon Stone.
Nidorino’s abilities are Poison Point, Rivalry and Hustle. Hustle is its hidden ability.
Nidorino’s best moves often include Poison Jab, Sludge Bomb, Horn Attack, Double Kick, Dig, Headbutt, Toxic Spikes and Helping Hand.
Nidorino is useful during some playthroughs, but it is usually better to evolve it into Nidoking for stronger overall performance.
The most common way to get Nidorino is to catch it in select games or evolve Nidoran♂ at Level 16.
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