No. 0034 · Generation I · Drill Pokémon
ニドキングNidokingu · Most likely nīdoru ('needle') plus 'king'; nido (二度), 'twice', may be tucked in as well – apt for a Pokémon that has evolved twice to take the throne
The Drill Pokémon · Poison/Ground type · first seen in Pokémon Red & Green (1996)
01Overview
Meet Nidoking
Everything you need to know about the Drill Pokémon — the creature behind the number.
Meet Nidoking, the Drill Pokémon: a hulking purple bruiser that stomps about on two legs, swings a tail like a wrecking ball and leads with a horn like a battering ram. Part Poison, part Ground, it is the final form of the Nidoran♂ family – a Nidorino becomes one when it is exposed to a Moon Stone – and the king to Nidoqueen's queen. And every single Nidoking is male.
Almost everything about it is built for impact. Its hide is said to be as tough as steel, which makes its charging tackles all the more bruising; a ridge of spines runs down its back, its big ears are spiked, and grey armour plates cover its chest and belly. The long horn on its forehead is loaded with venom and hard enough to crush diamonds, and each hand ends in three sharp claws.
“It is recognized by its rock-hard hide and its extended horn. Be careful with the horn as it contains venom.”
Pokédex · Pokémon Red (Japan), Green (Japan) & FireRed · 1996
Then there is the tail – thick, muscular and the real star of the show. Nidoking sweeps it around to drive foes back before charging in, wraps it round prey to crush it, and, if the Pokédex is to be believed, can snap a telephone pole like a matchstick or bring down a metal transmission tower with a single swing.
Its temperament fits the muscle. Nidoking is enormously proud of its strength and fights with forceful, spirited gusto, and once it starts to rampage there is no controlling it – unless a Nidoqueen it has lived alongside for a long time is nearby, in which case the big brute calms right down. In the wild it is a rare sight, roaming savannas and open plains.
It is also one of the oldest monsters in the whole franchise. Ken Sugimori drew it among the very first Pokémon, with a classic kaiju in mind, and it has been a favourite of villains and rivals ever since: Giovanni sends one out in the Viridian Gym, while Gary and Paul, two of Ash's fiercest rivals, each trained one. In battle it is famous for packing far more than horn and tail – Giovanni's tournament Nidoking carries Flamethrower, Ice Beam and Thunderbolt – and its Sheer Force Hidden Ability makes moves with side effects hit about 30% harder, letting a held Life Orb boost them without its usual recoil.
How big is Nidoking?
At 1.4 m (4′07″) Nidoking stands about as tall as a typical ten-year-old, but at 62.0 kg (136.7 lb) it weighs as much as a grown adult – and a good share of that, you suspect, is tail.
02In the Pokédex's words
Nidoking's Pokédex entries
14 different entries across 37 games, from 1996 to 2020. Here is how the Pokédex has described Nidoking over the years, in the order the games came out.
Generation I
It is recognized by its rock-hard hide and its extended horn. Be careful with the horn as it contains venom.
Kanto Pokédex
It uses its powerful tail in battle to smash, constrict, then break the prey's bones.
Kanto Pokédex
Its steel-like hide adds to its powerful tackle. Its horns are so hard, they can pierce a diamond.
Kanto Pokédex
Has a rock-hard hide that is worn like armor. The long horn on its head is sharp and highly venomous.
Kanto Pokédex
Generation II
It swings its big tail around during battle. If its foe flinches, it will charge with its sturdy body.
Johto Pokédex
Its tail is thick and powerful. If it binds an enemy, it can snap the victim's spine quite easily.
Johto Pokédex
It uses its thick arms, legs and tail to attack forcefully. Melee combat is its specialty.
Johto Pokédex
Generation III
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.
Hoenn Pokédex
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.
Hoenn Pokédex
Generation IV
One swing of its mighty tail can snap a telephone pole as if it were a matchstick.
Sinnoh Pokédex
Its tail is thick and powerful. If it binds an enemy, it can render the victim helpless quite easily.
HeartGold & SoulSilver Pokédex
Generation VI
It is recognized by its rock-hard hide and its extended horn. Be careful with the horn, as it contains venom.
Kalos Pokédex
Generation VIII
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.
Rotom Phone (Sword & Shield)
Nidoking prides itself on its strength. It's forceful and spirited in battle, making use of its thick tail and diamond-crushing horn.
Rotom Phone (Sword & Shield)
03Stats, moves & where to find it
Nidoking in the video games
Base stat total 505 · 24 core-series games · 23 spin-offs · every move it learns, generation by generation.
Base stats
Generation VI raised Nidoking's Attack from 92 to 102, lifting its base stat total from 495 to 505 (81/102/77/85/75/85); nothing else has ever changed. In Generation I it had a single Special stat of 75; when Gold and Silver split Special in two, it got 85 Sp. Atk and 75 Sp. Def. Attack is its best stat, and it yields 3 Attack effort values. Its base experience yield was 195 in Generations I–IV, 223 in Generations V–VI and has been 227 since Generation VII. Base friendship was 70 in Generations II–VII and has been 50 since Generation VIII. It reaches level 100 at 1,059,860 Exp. (Medium Slow). Pokéathlon stats (HeartGold & SoulSilver): Power 5, Stamina 3 (max 4), Technique 3, Speed 2 (max 3), Jump 2.
Abilities
- Poison Pointsince Gen III
An opponent that makes contact with Nidoking may be poisoned by its spines. - Rivalrysince Gen IV
Nidoking hits harder against Pokémon of the same gender and softer against the opposite gender – and as it is always male, it is strongest against other males. - Sheer ForceHidden abilitysince Gen V
Moves with extra side effects lose those effects but gain about 30% more power – and a held Life Orb then costs Nidoking no HP for those moves.
Type matchups
How hard each attacking type hits a Poison/Ground Pokémon.
Its Ground half makes Nidoking completely immune to Electric-type moves. In Generation I, Bug-type moves were super effective (2×) against it, because Bug then beat Poison; from Generation II onwards Poison resists Bug. The Fairy resistance applies from Generation VI, when the Fairy type arrived.
Training & breeding
- Catch rate
- 45
- Base friendship
- 50
- Base experience
- 227
- Growth rate
- Medium Slow
- EV yield
- 3 Atk
- Egg groups
- Monster, Field
- Egg cycles
- 20
- Colour
- Purple
- Gender ratio
- 100% male
- Body shape
- bipedal, tailed
Where to find Nidoking
| Game | Year | How to get it |
|---|---|---|
| Red & Green | 1996 | Evolve Nidorino with a Moon Stone |
| Blue (Japan) | 1996 | Evolve Nidorino with a Moon Stone |
| Red & Blue | 1998 | Evolve Nidorino with a Moon StoneGiovanni's Viridian Gym team includes a Lv. 45 Nidoking that knows Thrash. |
| Yellow | 1998 | Evolve Nidorino with a Moon StoneGiovanni's Viridian Gym Nidoking is up to Lv. 55 here, armed with Earthquake, Double Kick – and Thunder. |
| Gold & Silver | 1999 | Evolve Nidorino with a Moon Stone |
| Crystal | 2000 | Evolve Nidorino with a Moon Stone |
| Ruby & Sapphire | 2002 | Not found in Hoenn – trade from FireRed or LeafGreen |
| FireRed & LeafGreen | 2004 | Evolve Nidorino with a Moon StoneGiovanni's Lv. 45 Gym Nidoking now has Earthquake and Double Kick to go with Thrash. |
| Emerald | 2004 | Not found in Hoenn – trade only |
| Diamond & Pearl | 2006 | Evolve Nidorino with a Moon StoneNidoking migrated from the Game Boy Advance games turns up in Pal Park's Field area. |
| Platinum | 2008 | Evolve Nidorino with a Moon Stone |
| HeartGold & SoulSilver | 2009 | Evolve Nidorino with a Moon StoneTravel back in time with an event Celebi and Giovanni leads with a Lv. 42 Nidoking at Tohjo Falls. Pokéathlon stats: Power 5, Stamina 3 (max 4), Technique 3, Speed 2 (max 3), Jump 2. |
| Black & White | 2010 | White: evolve Nidorino; Black: trade or transfer only |
| Black 2 & White 2 | 2012 | Evolve Nidorino with a Moon StoneGiovanni brings a Lv. 50 Nidoking to the Pokémon World Tournament – in some tournaments holding Choice Specs, with Flamethrower, Ice Beam, Thunderbolt and Earth Power. |
| X & Y | 2013 | Evolve Nidorino with a Moon Stone |
| Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire | 2014 | Trade only |
| Sun & Moon | 2016 | Not found in Alola – transfer only, via Pokémon Bank |
| Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon | 2017 | Not found in Alola – transfer only, via Pokémon BankAs boss of Team Rainbow Rocket, Giovanni fields a Lv. 68 Nidoking in his castle. In Japan, a matching Lv. 68 'Giovanni's Nidoking' was handed out at Pokémon Center and Pokémon Store shops from 20 January to 11 March 2018. |
| Let's Go, Pikachu! & Let's Go, Eevee! | 2018 | Wild on Route 23Giovanni's Lv. 49 Viridian Gym Nidoking knows Megahorn, Earthquake, Poison Jab and the one-hit-KO Horn Drill. |
| Sword & Shield | 2019 | The Crown Tundra (2020): wanders Giant's Bed; Max Raid Battles at Giant's Bed, Frigid Sea and Ballimere Lake; Dynamax Adventures in the Max LairWithout the expansion it can still be traded in (Version 1.3.0 onwards). |
| Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl | 2021 | Evolve Nidorino with a Moon Stone |
| Legends: Arceus | 2022 | Not available |
| Scarlet & Violet | 2022 | Not available |
| Legends: Z-A | 2025 | Not available |
Sprites through the ages
Spin-offs & cameos
Pokémon GO
Nidoking has ruled in Pokémon GO since the game launched on 6 July 2016. It never hatches from Eggs: instead, you feed a Nidorino 100 Nidoran♂ Candy, and as a buddy it finds Candy every 3 km. It served as a four-star raid boss from 4 November 2017 to 9 February 2018. Its Shiny form – blue, much like an ordinary Nidoqueen – debuted at Pokémon GO Fest 2019 in Dortmund on 4 July 2019, and Shadow Nidoking arrived on 10 June 2020. During the Crown Clash event in May 2025 a Nidoking wearing a crown appeared, and it could be Shiny right from the start. Its moveset has kept growing too: Iron Tail replaced Fury Cutter in February 2017, and Earth Power (2019), Sand Tomb (2021), Double Kick (2022), Poison Sting (2025) and Avalanche (2026) have all joined since, while Shadow and Purified versions add Frustration and Return.
Its Base Set holo – Thrash, Toxic and all – can be collected and played in the handheld version of the card game.
You can't catch one on the table: evolve a Nidorino to add Nidoking to your Pinball Pokédex.
Stomps into 3D with its own Stadium Pokédex entry, and Giovanni's Gym Leader Castle Nidoking packs Horn Drill, Thunder and Blizzard in Round 1.
Back in the arena, with the Pokédex showing its Gold or Silver entry depending on the cartridge you plug in.
Giovanni, the final opponent of the Easy 1P Stadium and an unlockable character, counts a Nidoking among his puzzle-battling Pokémon.
A rare piece that turns up in Endless Level 2, Forever Level 51, Pair Trozei and Mr. Who's Den.
Evolve a Nidorino to get one; it lives in the Safari friend area and proudly calls itself 'the male among males!'
Roams floors 1F–9F of Shimmer Desert, waiting to be recruited.
Still found in Shimmer Desert – and in the special episode 'Igglybuff the Prodigy', an explorer Nidoking is on the trail of the outlaw Armaldo.
A wind-up Nidoking can be battled and befriended in the Eternal Tower.
The whole Nidoran♂ family is exclusive to Go For It! Light Adventure Squad.
Brawls in Unexpected Land – and, as a Drill Pokémon, in the aptly named Variety Battle 'It's Drill Time!'
Appears in Stage 2 of the Safari Jungle on Fridays; its Brute Force skill deals normal damage even to types that resist Poison.
Clear Jungle Verde Stage 141 to catch it; its Power of 5 skill adds damage whenever you match five.
Joins through Nidoran♂'s Connection Orb mission, and one of its lines is pure pantomime: 'Fool me once, shame on Sandslash! Fool me twice, shame on Nidoking!'
Here since launch day, with a Shiny form since GO Fest 2019, Shadow and Purified versions, and a crown-wearing variant from 2025.
Joins the cube-shaped Kanto crowd on Tumblecube Island, where all 151 original Pokémon can be lured in with cooking.
Patrols the Dragonite, Garchomp, Butterfree and Bulbasaur Seas.
Teams up with Sygna Suit Giovanni in a Ground-type Strike sync pair that can Dynamax (from 19 May 2022); a Nidoran♂ Egg can also be raised all the way to Nidoking.
Turns up in Magma Cavern, Southern Cavern and the depths of Wish Cave and Purity Forest, plus the Mystery House in Silver Trench.
Moves
Red and Green set the tone. A Moon Stone turned Nidorino into a king whose own level-up list was short and loud, with Thrash from the start and again at level 23, because the real arsenal sat in the TM case: Earthquake, Thunderbolt, Ice Beam, Fire Blast, Surf and the one-hit gambles Horn Drill and Fissure. Gold and Silver hid the elemental beams behind Crystal's move tutor but opened the door to Egg moves, and FireRed and LeafGreen finally handed the king its crown jewel, Megahorn, at level 43.
From Diamond and Pearl, Nidoking grew into its Ground typing, with Earth Power at level 43 and Megahorn saved for 58. Black and White added Chip Away and the toxic tidal wave Sludge Wave, which, like Earth Power, gets an extra kick from Nidoking's Hidden Ability, Sheer Force. Let's Go made Thrash its evolution move, Sword and Shield served the whole list at level 1 with Megahorn on evolving and 72 TMs and TRs on top, and Nidoking sits out Legends: Arceus, Scarlet, Violet and Legends: Z-A, so that is its latest word for now.
Signature moves
Nidoking's original rampage: a level-1 move and a level-23 move in Red, Blue and Yellow, still level 23 through Diamond and Pearl (22 in FireRed and LeafGreen), level 35 from Black and White to Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, and the move it learns on evolving in Let's Go. Sword and Shield finally took it off the level-up list, leaving it to breeding.
Yellow taught it at level 12, and from Gold and Silver to Sword and Shield it is ready from level 1 in every game except Let's Go, where it has to be learnt as Nidoran♂ or Nidorino.
The king's horn at full charge. FireRed and LeafGreen introduced it at level 43, Diamond and Pearl made it the level-58 finale (also a level-1 move from X and Y onwards), Let's Go moved it to level 55, and Sword and Shield make it the move Nidoking learns on evolving.
Diamond and Pearl's level-43 reward was Nidoking's first Ground-type move by level-up. Tutors in Platinum, HeartGold and SoulSilver, Black 2 and White 2, Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire and Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon teach it too, and in Sword and Shield it is ready from level 1.
TM26 in every generation from Red and Blue to Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, and again in Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, with TR10 in Sword and Shield and TM41 in Let's Go: the classic Ground-type finisher for a Ground-type king.
Black and White's TM34 gave Nidoking a poisonous tidal wave to match its typing. It later became TR78 in Sword and Shield and a level-1 move in Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl.
Part of the famous spread of TM coverage that makes Nidoking a walking toolbox: TM13 in Red and Blue and again from Ruby and Sapphire to Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, a Crystal tutor move in Generation II, TM55 in Let's Go and TR05 in Sword and Shield.
Complete learnsets
Generation I · Red, Green, Blue & Yellow8 level-up · 32 TM/HM
Nidoking comes from using a Moon Stone on Nidorino in every version. Its level-1 moves are Tackle, Horn Attack, Poison Sting and Thrash, and it learns Horn Attack again at level 8 and Thrash again at level 23. Red, Green and Blue add Poison Sting at level 14, while Yellow swaps it for Double Kick at level 12. Moves it can only pick up earlier as Nidoran♂ or Nidorino, such as Leer, Focus Energy and Fury Attack (plus Double Kick outside Yellow), are listed under prior evolutions. Its 30 TMs range from Earthquake, Thunderbolt and Ice Beam to the one-hit gambles Horn Drill and Fissure, and its HMs are Surf and Strength. Move categories follow the old rule, where a move's type decided whether it was physical or special. The transfer moves are Generation II moves that can come back through the Time Capsule, including an event-only Lovely Kiss.
By level-up
| RGB | Y | Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | Tackle | Normal | Physical | 35 | 95 | 35 |
| 1 | 1 | Horn Attack | Normal | Physical | 65 | 100 | 25 |
| 1 | 1 | Poison Sting | Poison | Physical | 15 | 100 | 35 |
| 1 | 1 | Thrash | Normal | Physical | 90 | 100 | 20 |
| 8 | 8 | Horn Attack | Normal | Physical | 65 | 100 | 25 |
| N/A | 12 | Double Kick | Fighting | Physical | 30 | 100 | 30 |
| 14 | N/A | Poison Sting | Poison | Physical | 15 | 100 | 35 |
| 23 | 23 | Thrash | Normal | Physical | 90 | 100 | 20 |
By TM / HM / TR
| No. | Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TM01 | Mega Punch | Normal | Physical | 80 | 85 | 20 |
| TM05 | Mega Kick | Normal | Physical | 120 | 75 | 5 |
| TM06 | Toxic | Poison | Status | — | 85 | 10 |
| TM07 | Horn Drill | Normal | Physical | — | 30 | 5 |
| TM08 | Body Slam | Normal | Physical | 85 | 100 | 15 |
| TM09 | Take Down | Normal | Physical | 90 | 85 | 20 |
| TM10 | Double-Edge | Normal | Physical | 100 | 100 | 15 |
| TM11 | BubbleBeam | Water | Special | 65 | 100 | 20 |
| TM12 | Water Gun | Water | Special | 40 | 100 | 25 |
| TM13 | Ice Beam | Ice | Special | 95 | 100 | 10 |
| TM14 | Blizzard | Ice | Special | 120 | 90 | 5 |
| TM15 | Hyper Beam | Normal | Physical | 150 | 90 | 5 |
| TM16 | Pay Day | Normal | Physical | 40 | 100 | 20 |
| TM17 | Submission | Fighting | Physical | 80 | 80 | 25 |
| TM18 | Counter | Fighting | Physical | — | 100 | 20 |
| TM19 | Seismic Toss | Fighting | Physical | — | 100 | 20 |
| TM20 | Rage | Normal | Physical | 20 | 100 | 20 |
| TM24 | Thunderbolt | Electric | Special | 95 | 100 | 15 |
| TM25 | Thunder | Electric | Special | 120 | 70 | 10 |
| TM26 | Earthquake | Ground | Physical | 100 | 100 | 10 |
| TM27 | Fissure | Ground | Physical | — | 30 | 5 |
| TM31 | Mimic | Normal | Status | — | 100 | 10 |
| TM32 | Double Team | Normal | Status | — | — | 15 |
| TM33 | Reflect | Psychic | Status | — | — | 20 |
| TM34 | Bide | Normal | Physical | — | — | 10 |
| TM38 | Fire Blast | Fire | Special | 120 | 85 | 5 |
| TM40 | Skull Bash | Normal | Physical | 100 | 100 | 15 |
| TM44 | Rest | Psychic | Status | — | — | 10 |
| TM48 | Rock Slide | Rock | Physical | 75 | 90 | 10 |
| TM50 | Substitute | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| HM03 | Surf | Water | Special | 95 | 100 | 15 |
| HM04 | Strength | Normal | Physical | 80 | 100 | 15 |
From its pre-evolution
| Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP | Learnt as |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Double Kick | Fighting | Physical | 30 | 100 | 30 | Nidoran♂, Nidorino · level-up · RB |
| Focus Energy | Normal | Status | — | — | 30 | Nidoran♂, Nidorino · level-up |
| Fury Attack | Normal | Physical | 15 | 85 | 20 | Nidoran♂, Nidorino · level-up |
| Leer | Normal | Status | — | 100 | 30 | Nidoran♂, Nidorino · level-up |
By transfer
| Move | From |
|---|---|
| Amnesia | Gen II (breeding) |
| Confusion | Gen II (breeding) |
| Defense Curl | Gen II (TM) |
| Disable | Gen II (breeding) |
| Fire Punch | Gen II (TM) |
| Flamethrower | Gen II (tutor) |
| Headbutt | Gen II (TM) |
| Ice Punch | Gen II (TM) |
| Lovely Kiss | Gen II (event, as Nidoran♂) |
| Roar | Gen II (TM) |
| Supersonic | Gen II (breeding) |
| ThunderPunch | Gen II (TM) |
Generation II · Gold, Silver & Crystal5 level-up · 38 TM/HM · 7 egg · 3 tutor · 3 event
Nidoking comes from evolving Nidorino in Gold, Silver and Crystal. Tackle, Horn Attack, Double Kick and Poison Sting are there from the start, and Thrash at level 23 is its only new move by level-up. Its Egg moves are ones a Nidoran♂ can hatch with and keep through both evolutions; Counter needs chain breeding. Thunderbolt and Ice Beam are no longer TMs, so Crystal's move tutor (Flamethrower, Ice Beam and Thunderbolt) is the only way to teach them. Event Nidoran♂ could come with Lovely Kiss, Morning Sun or Sweet Kiss, which stay with it when it evolves. Categories still follow type, Curse is ???-type, and Hidden Power's category depends on the type it rolls.
By level-up
| GSC | Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tackle | Normal | Physical | 35 | 95 | 35 |
| 1 | Horn Attack | Normal | Physical | 65 | 100 | 25 |
| 1 | Double Kick | Fighting | Physical | 30 | 100 | 30 |
| 1 | Poison Sting | Poison | Physical | 15 | 100 | 35 |
| 23 | Thrash | Normal | Physical | 90 | 100 | 20 |
By TM / HM / TR
| No. | Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TM01 | DynamicPunch | Fighting | Physical | 100 | 50 | 5 |
| TM02 | Headbutt | Normal | Physical | 70 | 100 | 15 |
| TM03 | Curse | ??? | Status | — | — | 10 |
| TM05 | Roar | Normal | Status | — | 100 | 20 |
| TM06 | Toxic | Poison | Status | — | 85 | 10 |
| TM08 | Rock Smash | Fighting | Physical | 20 | 100 | 15 |
| TM10 | Hidden Power | Normal | Varies | — | 100 | 15 |
| TM11 | Sunny Day | Fire | Status | — | — | 5 |
| TM13 | Snore | Normal | Physical | 40 | 100 | 15 |
| TM14 | Blizzard | Ice | Special | 120 | 70 | 5 |
| TM15 | Hyper Beam | Normal | Physical | 150 | 90 | 5 |
| TM16 | Icy Wind | Ice | Special | 55 | 95 | 15 |
| TM17 | Protect | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| TM18 | Rain Dance | Water | Status | — | — | 5 |
| TM20 | Endure | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| TM21 | Frustration | Normal | Physical | — | 100 | 20 |
| TM23 | Iron Tail | Steel | Physical | 100 | 75 | 15 |
| TM25 | Thunder | Electric | Special | 120 | 70 | 10 |
| TM26 | Earthquake | Ground | Physical | 100 | 100 | 10 |
| TM27 | Return | Normal | Physical | — | 100 | 20 |
| TM30 | Shadow Ball | Ghost | Physical | 80 | 100 | 15 |
| TM31 | Mud-Slap | Ground | Physical | 20 | 100 | 10 |
| TM32 | Double Team | Normal | Status | — | — | 15 |
| TM33 | Ice Punch | Ice | Special | 75 | 100 | 15 |
| TM34 | Swagger | Normal | Status | — | 90 | 15 |
| TM35 | Sleep Talk | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| TM37 | Sandstorm | Rock | Status | — | — | 10 |
| TM38 | Fire Blast | Fire | Special | 120 | 85 | 5 |
| TM40 | Defense Curl | Normal | Status | — | — | 40 |
| TM41 | ThunderPunch | Electric | Special | 75 | 100 | 15 |
| TM43 | Detect | Fighting | Status | — | — | 5 |
| TM44 | Rest | Psychic | Status | — | — | 10 |
| TM45 | Attract | Normal | Status | — | 100 | 15 |
| TM46 | Thief | Dark | Special | 40 | 100 | 10 |
| TM48 | Fire Punch | Fire | Special | 75 | 100 | 15 |
| TM49 | Fury Cutter | Bug | Physical | 10 | 95 | 20 |
| HM03 | Surf | Water | Special | 95 | 100 | 15 |
| HM04 | Strength | Normal | Physical | 80 | 100 | 15 |
By breeding (egg moves)
| Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amnesia | Psychic | Status | — | — | 20 | Slowpoke, Slowbro, Snorlax, Sentret, Furret, Wooper, Quagsire, Swinub and 1 more |
| Beat Up | Dark | Physical | 10 | 100 | 10 | Sneasel |
| Confusion | Psychic | Special | 50 | 100 | 25 | Psyduck, Golduck, Slowpoke, Slowbro, Slowking, Espeon, Girafarig |
| Counter | Fighting | Physical | — | 100 | 20 | Chikorita, Bayleef, Meganium (chain breeding: the father must have learnt it as an Egg move itself) |
| Disable | Normal | Status | — | 55 | 20 | Psyduck, Golduck, Slowpoke, Slowbro, Slowking, Lickitung |
| Supersonic | Normal | Status | — | 55 | 20 | Lickitung |
| Take Down | Normal | Physical | 90 | 85 | 20 | Growlithe, Arcanine, Ponyta, Rapidash, Seel, Dewgong, Rhyhorn, Rhydon and 9 more |
By move tutor
| Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP | Games |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flamethrower | Fire | Special | 95 | 100 | 15 | Crystal |
| Ice Beam | Ice | Special | 95 | 100 | 10 | Crystal |
| Thunderbolt | Electric | Special | 95 | 100 | 15 | Crystal |
Event moves
| Move | Event |
|---|---|
| Lovely Kiss | Event Nidoran♂ (Generation II); the move is kept when it evolves |
| Morning Sun | Event Nidoran♂ (Generation II); the move is kept when it evolves |
| Sweet Kiss | Event Nidoran♂ (Generation II); the move is kept when it evolves |
From its pre-evolution
| Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP | Learnt as |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leer | Normal | Status | — | 100 | 30 | Nidoran♂, Nidorino · level-up |
| Focus Energy | Normal | Status | — | — | 30 | Nidoran♂, Nidorino · level-up |
| Fury Attack | Normal | Physical | 15 | 85 | 20 | Nidoran♂, Nidorino · level-up |
| Horn Drill | Normal | Physical | — | 30 | 5 | Nidoran♂, Nidorino · level-up |
By transfer
| Move | From |
|---|---|
| Bide | Gen I (TM) |
| Body Slam | Gen I (TM) |
| BubbleBeam | Gen I (TM) |
| Double-Edge | Gen I (TM) |
| Fissure | Gen I (TM) |
| Mega Kick | Gen I (TM) |
| Mega Punch | Gen I (TM) |
| Mimic | Gen I (TM) |
| Pay Day | Gen I (TM) |
| Rage | Gen I (TM) |
| Reflect | Gen I (TM) |
| Rock Slide | Gen I (TM) |
| Seismic Toss | Gen I (TM) |
| Skull Bash | Gen I (TM) |
| Submission | Gen I (TM) |
| Substitute | Gen I (TM) |
| Water Gun | Gen I (TM) |
Generation III · Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald, FireRed & LeafGreen (tutor data also covers XD)6 level-up · 38 TM/HM · 7 egg · 21 tutor
Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald, Colosseum and XD have no Nidoking of their own, so it has to be traded in; FireRed and LeafGreen let you evolve Nidorino. Peck and Focus Energy replace Tackle and Horn Attack among its starting moves, Thrash arrives at level 23 in Ruby, Sapphire and Emerald but level 22 in FireRed and LeafGreen, and only FireRed and LeafGreen add Megahorn at level 43. Leer, Horn Attack, Helping Hand, Fury Attack, Flatter and Horn Drill can only come from its earlier stages. Categories still follow type, so Shadow Ball and Sludge Bomb count as physical attacks while Thief and Fire Punch are special ones. Tutor moves are listed for FireRed and LeafGreen, Emerald and XD.
By level-up
| RSE | FRLG | Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | Peck | Physical | 35 | 100 | 35 | |
| 1 | 1 | Focus Energy | Normal | Status | — | — | 30 |
| 1 | 1 | Double Kick | Fighting | Physical | 30 | 100 | 30 |
| 1 | 1 | Poison Sting | Poison | Physical | 15 | 100 | 35 |
| 23 | 22 | Thrash | Normal | Physical | 90 | 100 | 20 |
| N/A | 43 | Megahorn | Bug | Physical | 120 | 85 | 10 |
By TM / HM / TR
| No. | Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TM01 | Focus Punch | Fighting | Physical | 150 | 100 | 20 |
| TM03 | Water Pulse | Water | Special | 60 | 100 | 20 |
| TM05 | Roar | Normal | Status | — | 100 | 20 |
| TM06 | Toxic | Poison | Status | — | 85 | 10 |
| TM10 | Hidden Power | Normal | Varies | — | 100 | 15 |
| TM11 | Sunny Day | Fire | Status | — | — | 5 |
| TM12 | Taunt | Dark | Status | — | 100 | 20 |
| TM13 | Ice Beam | Ice | Special | 95 | 100 | 10 |
| TM14 | Blizzard | Ice | Special | 120 | 70 | 5 |
| TM15 | Hyper Beam | Normal | Physical | 150 | 90 | 5 |
| TM17 | Protect | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| TM18 | Rain Dance | Water | Status | — | — | 5 |
| TM21 | Frustration | Normal | Physical | — | 100 | 20 |
| TM23 | Iron Tail | Steel | Physical | 100 | 75 | 15 |
| TM24 | Thunderbolt | Electric | Special | 95 | 100 | 15 |
| TM25 | Thunder | Electric | Special | 120 | 70 | 10 |
| TM26 | Earthquake | Ground | Physical | 100 | 100 | 10 |
| TM27 | Return | Normal | Physical | — | 100 | 20 |
| TM28 | Dig | Ground | Physical | 60 | 100 | 10 |
| TM30 | Shadow Ball | Ghost | Physical | 80 | 100 | 15 |
| TM31 | Brick Break | Fighting | Physical | 75 | 100 | 15 |
| TM32 | Double Team | Normal | Status | — | — | 15 |
| TM34 | Shock Wave | Electric | Special | 60 | — | 20 |
| TM35 | Flamethrower | Fire | Special | 95 | 100 | 15 |
| TM36 | Sludge Bomb | Poison | Physical | 90 | 100 | 10 |
| TM37 | Sandstorm | Rock | Status | — | — | 10 |
| TM38 | Fire Blast | Fire | Special | 120 | 85 | 5 |
| TM39 | Rock Tomb | Rock | Physical | 50 | 80 | 10 |
| TM41 | Torment | Dark | Status | — | 100 | 15 |
| TM42 | Facade | Normal | Physical | 70 | 100 | 20 |
| TM43 | Secret Power | Normal | Physical | 70 | 100 | 20 |
| TM44 | Rest | Psychic | Status | — | — | 10 |
| TM45 | Attract | Normal | Status | — | 100 | 15 |
| TM46 | Thief | Dark | Special | 40 | 100 | 10 |
| HM01 | Cut | Normal | Physical | 50 | 95 | 30 |
| HM03 | Surf | Water | Special | 95 | 100 | 15 |
| HM04 | Strength | Normal | Physical | 80 | 100 | 15 |
| HM06 | Rock Smash | Fighting | Physical | 20 | 100 | 15 |
By breeding (egg moves)
| Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amnesia | Psychic | Status | — | — | 20 | Slowpoke, Slowbro, Slowking, Snorlax, Sentret, Furret, Wooper, Quagsire and 9 more |
| Beat Up | Dark | Physical | 10 | 100 | 10 | Sneasel |
| Confusion | Psychic | Special | 50 | 100 | 25 | Psyduck, Golduck, Slowpoke, Slowbro, Slowking, Espeon, Girafarig |
| Counter | Fighting | Physical | — | 100 | 20 | Slakoth, Vigoroth, Slaking |
| Disable | Normal | Status | — | 55 | 20 | Psyduck, Golduck, Slowpoke, Slowbro, Slowking, Lickitung |
| Supersonic | Normal | Status | — | 55 | 20 | Lickitung, Whismur, Loudred, Exploud |
| Take Down | Normal | Physical | 90 | 85 | 20 | Growlithe, Ponyta, Rapidash, Seel, Dewgong, Rhyhorn, Rhydon, Tauros and 18 more |
By move tutor
| Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP | Games |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Body Slam | Normal | Physical | 85 | 100 | 15 | FRLG, Emerald, XD |
| Counter | Fighting | Physical | — | 100 | 20 | FRLG, Emerald |
| Defense Curl | Normal | Status | — | — | 40 | Emerald |
| Double-Edge | Normal | Physical | 120 | 100 | 15 | FRLG, Emerald, XD |
| DynamicPunch | Fighting | Physical | 100 | 50 | 5 | Emerald |
| Endure | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 | Emerald |
| Fire Punch | Fire | Special | 75 | 100 | 15 | Emerald |
| Fury Cutter | Bug | Physical | 10 | 95 | 20 | Emerald |
| Ice Punch | Ice | Special | 75 | 100 | 15 | Emerald |
| Icy Wind | Ice | Special | 55 | 95 | 15 | Emerald, XD |
| Mega Kick | Normal | Physical | 120 | 75 | 5 | FRLG, Emerald |
| Mega Punch | Normal | Physical | 80 | 85 | 20 | FRLG, Emerald |
| Mimic | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 | FRLG, Emerald, XD |
| Mud-Slap | Ground | Physical | 20 | 100 | 10 | Emerald |
| Rock Slide | Rock | Physical | 75 | 90 | 10 | FRLG, Emerald |
| Seismic Toss | Fighting | Physical | — | 100 | 20 | FRLG, Emerald, XD |
| Sleep Talk | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 | Emerald |
| Snore | Normal | Physical | 40 | 100 | 15 | Emerald |
| Substitute | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 | FRLG, Emerald, XD |
| Swagger | Normal | Status | — | 90 | 15 | Emerald, XD |
| ThunderPunch | Electric | Special | 75 | 100 | 15 | Emerald |
From its pre-evolution
| Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP | Learnt as |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leer | Normal | Status | — | 100 | 30 | Nidoran♂, Nidorino · level-up |
| Horn Attack | Normal | Physical | 65 | 100 | 25 | Nidoran♂, Nidorino · level-up |
| Helping Hand | Normal | Status | — | — | 20 | Nidoran♂, Nidorino · level-up |
| Fury Attack | Normal | Physical | 15 | 85 | 20 | Nidoran♂, Nidorino · level-up |
| Flatter | Dark | Status | — | 100 | 15 | Nidoran♂, Nidorino · level-up |
| Horn Drill | Normal | Physical | — | 30 | 5 | Nidoran♂, Nidorino · level-up |
Generation IV · Diamond, Pearl, Platinum, HeartGold & SoulSilver7 level-up · 56 TM/HM · 9 egg · 16 tutor
Every game in this generation lets you evolve Nidorino, and Nidoking can also be brought over from the Game Boy Advance games through Pal Park. This is the first generation in which every move has its own physical or special category. Nidoking learns its first Ground-type move by level-up, Earth Power at level 43, and Megahorn moves to level 58. Whirlpool (HM05) and the Head Smash Egg move are HeartGold and SoulSilver only, and the tutor moves come from Platinum and HeartGold and SoulSilver, with Headbutt and Super Fang taught only in HeartGold and SoulSilver. In Diamond and Pearl, Helping Hand has to be learnt as Nidoran♂ or Nidorino.
By level-up
| DPPt/HGSS | Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Peck | Physical | 35 | 100 | 35 | |
| 1 | Focus Energy | Normal | Status | — | — | 30 |
| 1 | Double Kick | Fighting | Physical | 30 | 100 | 30 |
| 1 | Poison Sting | Poison | Physical | 15 | 100 | 35 |
| 23 | Thrash | Normal | Physical | 90 | 100 | 20 |
| 43 | Earth Power | Ground | Special | 90 | 100 | 10 |
| 58 | Megahorn | Bug | Physical | 120 | 85 | 10 |
By TM / HM / TR
| No. | Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP | Games |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TM01 | Focus Punch | Fighting | Physical | 150 | 100 | 20 | |
| TM03 | Water Pulse | Water | Special | 60 | 100 | 20 | |
| TM05 | Roar | Normal | Status | — | 100 | 20 | |
| TM06 | Toxic | Poison | Status | — | 85 | 10 | |
| TM10 | Hidden Power | Normal | Special | — | 100 | 15 | |
| TM11 | Sunny Day | Fire | Status | — | — | 5 | |
| TM12 | Taunt | Dark | Status | — | 100 | 20 | |
| TM13 | Ice Beam | Ice | Special | 95 | 100 | 10 | |
| TM14 | Blizzard | Ice | Special | 120 | 70 | 5 | |
| TM15 | Hyper Beam | Normal | Special | 150 | 90 | 5 | |
| TM17 | Protect | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 | |
| TM18 | Rain Dance | Water | Status | — | — | 5 | |
| TM21 | Frustration | Normal | Physical | — | 100 | 20 | |
| TM23 | Iron Tail | Steel | Physical | 100 | 75 | 15 | |
| TM24 | Thunderbolt | Electric | Special | 95 | 100 | 15 | |
| TM25 | Thunder | Electric | Special | 120 | 70 | 10 | |
| TM26 | Earthquake | Ground | Physical | 100 | 100 | 10 | |
| TM27 | Return | Normal | Physical | — | 100 | 20 | |
| TM28 | Dig | Ground | Physical | 80 | 100 | 10 | |
| TM30 | Shadow Ball | Ghost | Special | 80 | 100 | 15 | |
| TM31 | Brick Break | Fighting | Physical | 75 | 100 | 15 | |
| TM32 | Double Team | Normal | Status | — | — | 15 | |
| TM34 | Shock Wave | Electric | Special | 60 | — | 20 | |
| TM35 | Flamethrower | Fire | Special | 95 | 100 | 15 | |
| TM36 | Sludge Bomb | Poison | Special | 90 | 100 | 10 | |
| TM37 | Sandstorm | Rock | Status | — | — | 10 | |
| TM38 | Fire Blast | Fire | Special | 120 | 85 | 5 | |
| TM39 | Rock Tomb | Rock | Physical | 50 | 80 | 10 | |
| TM41 | Torment | Dark | Status | — | 100 | 15 | |
| TM42 | Facade | Normal | Physical | 70 | 100 | 20 | |
| TM43 | Secret Power | Normal | Physical | 70 | 100 | 20 | |
| TM44 | Rest | Psychic | Status | — | — | 10 | |
| TM45 | Attract | Normal | Status | — | 100 | 15 | |
| TM46 | Thief | Dark | Physical | 40 | 100 | 10 | |
| TM52 | Focus Blast | Fighting | Special | 120 | 70 | 5 | |
| TM56 | Fling | Dark | Physical | — | 100 | 10 | |
| TM58 | Endure | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 | |
| TM59 | Dragon Pulse | Dragon | Special | 90 | 100 | 10 | |
| TM65 | Shadow Claw | Ghost | Physical | 70 | 100 | 15 | |
| TM68 | Giga Impact | Normal | Physical | 150 | 90 | 5 | |
| TM71 | Stone Edge | Rock | Physical | 100 | 80 | 5 | |
| TM72 | Avalanche | Ice | Physical | 60 | 100 | 10 | |
| TM76 | Stealth Rock | Rock | Status | — | — | 20 | |
| TM78 | Captivate | Normal | Status | — | 100 | 20 | |
| TM80 | Rock Slide | Rock | Physical | 75 | 90 | 10 | |
| TM82 | Sleep Talk | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 | |
| TM83 | Natural Gift | Normal | Physical | — | 100 | 15 | |
| TM84 | Poison Jab | Poison | Physical | 80 | 100 | 20 | |
| TM87 | Swagger | Normal | Status | — | 90 | 15 | |
| TM90 | Substitute | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 | |
| HM01 | Cut | Normal | Physical | 50 | 95 | 30 | |
| HM03 | Surf | Water | Special | 95 | 100 | 15 | |
| HM04 | Strength | Normal | Physical | 80 | 100 | 15 | |
| HM05 | Whirlpool | Water | Special | 15 | 70 | 15 | HGSS |
| HM06 | Rock Smash | Fighting | Physical | 40 | 100 | 15 | |
| HM08 | Rock Climb | Normal | Physical | 90 | 85 | 20 |
By breeding (egg moves)
| Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amnesia | Psychic | Status | — | — | 20 | Psyduck, Golduck, Slowpoke, Slowbro, Slowking, Snorlax, Sentret, Furret and 12 more |
| Beat Up | Dark | Physical | 10 | 100 | 10 | Sneasel, Weavile, Houndour, Houndoom |
| Confusion | Psychic | Special | 50 | 100 | 25 | Psyduck, Golduck, Slowpoke, Slowbro, Slowking, Espeon, Girafarig |
| Disable | Normal | Status | — | 80 | 20 | Psyduck, Golduck, Slowpoke, Slowbro, Slowking, Lickitung, Lickilicky |
| Counter | Fighting | Physical | — | 100 | 20 | Slakoth, Vigoroth, Slaking, Lucario |
| Head Smash | Rock | Physical | 150 | 80 | 5 | Cranidos, Rampardos |
| Sucker Punch | Dark | Physical | 80 | 100 | 5 | Rattata, Raticate, Diglett, Dugtrio, Sentret, Furret, Poochyena, Mightyena and 6 more |
| Supersonic | Normal | Status | — | 55 | 20 | Lickitung, Lickilicky, Whismur, Loudred, Exploud |
| Take Down | Normal | Physical | 90 | 85 | 20 | Bulbasaur, Ivysaur, Venusaur, Growlithe, Arcanine, Ponyta, Rapidash, Seel and 43 more |
By move tutor
| Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP | Games |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aqua Tail | Water | Physical | 90 | 90 | 10 | Pt, HGSS |
| Earth Power | Ground | Special | 90 | 100 | 10 | Pt, HGSS |
| Fire Punch | Fire | Physical | 75 | 100 | 15 | Pt, HGSS |
| Fury Cutter | Bug | Physical | 10 | 95 | 20 | Pt, HGSS |
| Headbutt | Normal | Physical | 70 | 100 | 15 | HGSS |
| Helping Hand | Normal | Status | — | — | 20 | Pt, HGSS |
| Ice Punch | Ice | Physical | 75 | 100 | 15 | Pt, HGSS |
| Icy Wind | Ice | Special | 55 | 95 | 15 | Pt, HGSS |
| Mud-Slap | Ground | Special | 20 | 100 | 10 | Pt, HGSS |
| Outrage | Dragon | Physical | 120 | 100 | 15 | Pt, HGSS |
| Snore | Normal | Special | 40 | 100 | 15 | Pt, HGSS |
| Sucker Punch | Dark | Physical | 80 | 100 | 5 | Pt, HGSS |
| Super Fang | Normal | Physical | — | 90 | 10 | HGSS |
| Superpower | Fighting | Physical | 120 | 100 | 5 | Pt, HGSS |
| ThunderPunch | Electric | Physical | 75 | 100 | 15 | Pt, HGSS |
| Uproar | Normal | Special | 50 | 100 | 10 | Pt, HGSS |
From its pre-evolution
| Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP | Learnt as |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leer | Normal | Status | — | 100 | 30 | Nidoran♂, Nidorino · level-up |
| Fury Attack | Normal | Physical | 15 | 85 | 20 | Nidoran♂, Nidorino · level-up |
| Horn Attack | Normal | Physical | 65 | 100 | 25 | Nidoran♂, Nidorino · level-up |
| Helping Hand | Normal | Status | — | — | 20 | Nidoran♂, Nidorino · level-up · DP |
| Toxic Spikes | Poison | Status | — | — | 20 | Nidoran♂, Nidorino · level-up |
| Flatter | Dark | Status | — | 100 | 15 | Nidoran♂, Nidorino · level-up |
| Captivate | Normal | Status | — | 100 | 20 | Nidoran♂, Nidorino · level-up |
| Horn Drill | Normal | Physical | — | 30 | 5 | Nidoran♂, Nidorino · level-up |
By transfer
| Move | From |
|---|---|
| Body Slam | Gen III (tutor) |
| Defense Curl | Gen III (tutor) |
| Double-Edge | Gen III (tutor) |
| DynamicPunch | Gen III (tutor) |
| Mega Kick | Gen III (tutor) |
| Mega Punch | Gen III (tutor) |
| Mimic | Gen III (tutor) |
| Seismic Toss | Gen III (tutor) |
Generation V · Black, White, Black 2 & White 28 level-up · 52 TM/HM · 13 egg · 17 tutor · 1 event
Nidoking cannot be found in Black; in White, Black 2 and White 2 it comes from evolving Nidorino. Chip Away joins at level 23, pushing Thrash back to level 35, and Sludge Wave arrives as TM34. All tutor moves, including the Ground-type Drill Run, are Black 2 and White 2 only. In Black and White, Nidoran♂ from the Pokémon Dream World could know Super Fang and kept it on evolving.
By level-up
| BW/B2W2 | Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Peck | Physical | 35 | 100 | 35 | |
| 1 | Focus Energy | Normal | Status | — | — | 30 |
| 1 | Double Kick | Fighting | Physical | 30 | 100 | 30 |
| 1 | Poison Sting | Poison | Physical | 15 | 100 | 35 |
| 23 | Chip Away | Normal | Physical | 70 | 100 | 20 |
| 35 | Thrash | Normal | Physical | 120 | 100 | 10 |
| 43 | Earth Power | Ground | Special | 90 | 100 | 10 |
| 58 | Megahorn | Bug | Physical | 120 | 85 | 10 |
By TM / HM / TR
| No. | Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TM01 | Hone Claws | Dark | Status | — | — | 15 |
| TM05 | Roar | Normal | Status | — | 100 | 20 |
| TM06 | Toxic | Poison | Status | — | 90 | 10 |
| TM09 | Venoshock | Poison | Special | 65 | 100 | 10 |
| TM10 | Hidden Power | Normal | Special | — | 100 | 15 |
| TM11 | Sunny Day | Fire | Status | — | — | 5 |
| TM12 | Taunt | Dark | Status | — | 100 | 20 |
| TM13 | Ice Beam | Ice | Special | 95 | 100 | 10 |
| TM14 | Blizzard | Ice | Special | 120 | 70 | 5 |
| TM15 | Hyper Beam | Normal | Special | 150 | 90 | 5 |
| TM17 | Protect | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| TM18 | Rain Dance | Water | Status | — | — | 5 |
| TM21 | Frustration | Normal | Physical | — | 100 | 20 |
| TM23 | Smack Down | Rock | Physical | 50 | 100 | 15 |
| TM24 | Thunderbolt | Electric | Special | 95 | 100 | 15 |
| TM25 | Thunder | Electric | Special | 120 | 70 | 10 |
| TM26 | Earthquake | Ground | Physical | 100 | 100 | 10 |
| TM27 | Return | Normal | Physical | — | 100 | 20 |
| TM28 | Dig | Ground | Physical | 80 | 100 | 10 |
| TM30 | Shadow Ball | Ghost | Special | 80 | 100 | 15 |
| TM31 | Brick Break | Fighting | Physical | 75 | 100 | 15 |
| TM32 | Double Team | Normal | Status | — | — | 15 |
| TM34 | Sludge Wave | Poison | Special | 95 | 100 | 10 |
| TM35 | Flamethrower | Fire | Special | 95 | 100 | 15 |
| TM36 | Sludge Bomb | Poison | Special | 90 | 100 | 10 |
| TM37 | Sandstorm | Rock | Status | — | — | 10 |
| TM38 | Fire Blast | Fire | Special | 120 | 85 | 5 |
| TM39 | Rock Tomb | Rock | Physical | 50 | 80 | 10 |
| TM41 | Torment | Dark | Status | — | 100 | 15 |
| TM42 | Facade | Normal | Physical | 70 | 100 | 20 |
| TM44 | Rest | Psychic | Status | — | — | 10 |
| TM45 | Attract | Normal | Status | — | 100 | 15 |
| TM46 | Thief | Dark | Physical | 40 | 100 | 10 |
| TM48 | Round | Normal | Special | 60 | 100 | 15 |
| TM49 | Echoed Voice | Normal | Special | 40 | 100 | 15 |
| TM52 | Focus Blast | Fighting | Special | 120 | 70 | 5 |
| TM56 | Fling | Dark | Physical | — | 100 | 10 |
| TM59 | Incinerate | Fire | Special | 30 | 100 | 15 |
| TM60 | Quash | Dark | Status | — | 100 | 15 |
| TM65 | Shadow Claw | Ghost | Physical | 70 | 100 | 15 |
| TM68 | Giga Impact | Normal | Physical | 150 | 90 | 5 |
| TM71 | Stone Edge | Rock | Physical | 100 | 80 | 5 |
| TM78 | Bulldoze | Ground | Physical | 60 | 100 | 20 |
| TM80 | Rock Slide | Rock | Physical | 75 | 90 | 10 |
| TM82 | Dragon Tail | Dragon | Physical | 60 | 90 | 10 |
| TM84 | Poison Jab | Poison | Physical | 80 | 100 | 20 |
| TM87 | Swagger | Normal | Status | — | 90 | 15 |
| TM90 | Substitute | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| TM94 | Rock Smash | Fighting | Physical | 40 | 100 | 15 |
| HM01 | Cut | Normal | Physical | 50 | 95 | 30 |
| HM03 | Surf | Water | Special | 95 | 100 | 15 |
| HM04 | Strength | Normal | Physical | 80 | 100 | 15 |
By breeding (egg moves)
| Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amnesia | Psychic | Status | — | — | 20 | Psyduck, Golduck, Slowpoke, Slowbro, Snorlax, Sentret, Furret, Wooper and 16 more |
| Beat Up | Dark | Physical | — | 100 | 10 | Sneasel, Houndour, Houndoom |
| Chip Away | Normal | Physical | 70 | 100 | 20 | Nidoking, Lickitung, Lickilicky, Rhyhorn, Rhydon, Rhyperior, Snorlax, Totodile and 13 more |
| Confusion | Psychic | Special | 50 | 100 | 25 | Psyduck, Golduck, Slowpoke, Slowbro, Slowking, Espeon, Girafarig, Woobat and 1 more |
| Counter | Fighting | Physical | — | 100 | 20 | Slakoth, Vigoroth, Slaking, Lucario |
| Disable | Normal | Status | — | 100 | 20 | Psyduck, Golduck, Slowpoke, Slowbro, Slowking, Lickitung, Lickilicky |
| Endure | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 | Dunsparce, Swinub, Piloswine, Mamoswine, Phanpy, Donphan, Vigoroth, Shieldon and 7 more |
| Head Smash | Rock | Physical | 150 | 80 | 5 | Cranidos, Rampardos, Tepig, Pignite, Emboar, Scraggy, Scrafty |
| Iron Tail | Steel | Physical | 100 | 75 | 15 | Aron, Lairon, Aggron |
| Poison Tail | Poison | Physical | 50 | 100 | 25 | Seviper |
| Sucker Punch | Dark | Physical | 80 | 100 | 5 | Rattata, Raticate, Diglett, Dugtrio, Sentret, Furret, Poochyena, Mightyena and 7 more |
| Supersonic | Normal | Status | — | 55 | 20 | Lickitung, Lickilicky, Whismur, Loudred, Exploud |
| Take Down | Normal | Physical | 90 | 85 | 20 | Bulbasaur, Ivysaur, Venusaur, Growlithe, Ponyta, Rapidash, Seel, Dewgong and 45 more |
By move tutor
| Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP | Games |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aqua Tail | Water | Physical | 90 | 90 | 10 | B2W2 |
| Dragon Pulse | Dragon | Special | 90 | 100 | 10 | B2W2 |
| Drill Run | Ground | Physical | 80 | 95 | 10 | B2W2 |
| Earth Power | Ground | Special | 90 | 100 | 10 | B2W2 |
| Fire Punch | Fire | Physical | 75 | 100 | 15 | B2W2 |
| Helping Hand | Normal | Status | — | — | 20 | B2W2 |
| Ice Punch | Ice | Physical | 75 | 100 | 15 | B2W2 |
| Icy Wind | Ice | Special | 55 | 95 | 15 | B2W2 |
| Iron Tail | Steel | Physical | 100 | 75 | 15 | B2W2 |
| Outrage | Dragon | Physical | 120 | 100 | 10 | B2W2 |
| Sleep Talk | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 | B2W2 |
| Snore | Normal | Special | 40 | 100 | 15 | B2W2 |
| Stealth Rock | Rock | Status | — | — | 20 | B2W2 |
| Super Fang | Normal | Physical | — | 90 | 10 | B2W2 |
| Superpower | Fighting | Physical | 120 | 100 | 5 | B2W2 |
| ThunderPunch | Electric | Physical | 75 | 100 | 15 | B2W2 |
| Uproar | Normal | Special | 90 | 100 | 10 | B2W2 |
Event moves
| Move | Event |
|---|---|
| Super Fang | Pokémon Dream World Nidoran♂; the move is kept when it evolves |
From its pre-evolution
| Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP | Learnt as |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leer | Normal | Status | — | 100 | 30 | Nidoran♂, Nidorino · level-up |
| Fury Attack | Normal | Physical | 15 | 85 | 20 | Nidoran♂, Nidorino · level-up |
| Horn Attack | Normal | Physical | 65 | 100 | 25 | Nidoran♂, Nidorino · level-up |
| Helping Hand | Normal | Status | — | — | 20 | Nidoran♂, Nidorino · level-up · BW |
| Toxic Spikes | Poison | Status | — | — | 20 | Nidoran♂, Nidorino · level-up |
| Flatter | Dark | Status | — | 100 | 15 | Nidoran♂, Nidorino · level-up |
| Captivate | Normal | Status | — | 100 | 20 | Nidoran♂, Nidorino · level-up |
| Horn Drill | Normal | Physical | — | 30 | 5 | Nidoran♂, Nidorino · level-up |
By transfer
| Move | From |
|---|---|
| Avalanche | Gen IV (TM) |
| Body Slam | Gen III (tutor) |
| Defense Curl | Gen III (tutor) |
| Double-Edge | Gen III (tutor) |
| DynamicPunch | Gen III (tutor) |
| Focus Punch | Gen III (TM), Gen IV (TM) |
| Fury Cutter | Gen III (tutor), Gen IV (tutor) |
| Headbutt | Gen IV (tutor) |
| Mega Kick | Gen III (tutor) |
| Mega Punch | Gen III (tutor) |
| Mimic | Gen III (tutor) |
| Mud-Slap | Gen III (tutor), Gen IV (tutor) |
| Natural Gift | Gen IV (TM) |
| Secret Power | Gen III (TM), Gen IV (TM) |
| Seismic Toss | Gen III (tutor) |
| Shock Wave | Gen III (TM), Gen IV (TM) |
| Water Pulse | Gen III (TM), Gen IV (TM) |
| Whirlpool | Gen IV (TM) |
Generation VI · X, Y, Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire9 level-up · 57 TM/HM · 14 egg · 19 tutor
Evolve Nidorino in X and Y; Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire need a trade. Megahorn is now listed at level 1 as well as level 58. TM94 is Rock Smash in X and Y but Secret Power in Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, where Rock Smash becomes HM06. Venom Drench joins the Egg moves, and all tutor moves are Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire only.
By level-up
| XY/ORAS | Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Megahorn | Bug | Physical | 120 | 85 | 10 |
| 1 | Peck | Physical | 35 | 100 | 35 | |
| 1 | Focus Energy | Normal | Status | — | — | 30 |
| 1 | Double Kick | Fighting | Physical | 30 | 100 | 30 |
| 1 | Poison Sting | Poison | Physical | 15 | 100 | 35 |
| 23 | Chip Away | Normal | Physical | 70 | 100 | 20 |
| 35 | Thrash | Normal | Physical | 120 | 100 | 10 |
| 43 | Earth Power | Ground | Special | 90 | 100 | 10 |
| 58 | Megahorn | Bug | Physical | 120 | 85 | 10 |
By TM / HM / TR
| No. | Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP | Games |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TM01 | Hone Claws | Dark | Status | — | — | 15 | |
| TM05 | Roar | Normal | Status | — | — | 20 | |
| TM06 | Toxic | Poison | Status | — | 90 | 10 | |
| TM09 | Venoshock | Poison | Special | 65 | 100 | 10 | |
| TM10 | Hidden Power | Normal | Special | 60 | 100 | 15 | |
| TM11 | Sunny Day | Fire | Status | — | — | 5 | |
| TM12 | Taunt | Dark | Status | — | 100 | 20 | |
| TM13 | Ice Beam | Ice | Special | 90 | 100 | 10 | |
| TM14 | Blizzard | Ice | Special | 110 | 70 | 5 | |
| TM15 | Hyper Beam | Normal | Special | 150 | 90 | 5 | |
| TM17 | Protect | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 | |
| TM18 | Rain Dance | Water | Status | — | — | 5 | |
| TM21 | Frustration | Normal | Physical | — | 100 | 20 | |
| TM23 | Smack Down | Rock | Physical | 50 | 100 | 15 | |
| TM24 | Thunderbolt | Electric | Special | 90 | 100 | 15 | |
| TM25 | Thunder | Electric | Special | 110 | 70 | 10 | |
| TM26 | Earthquake | Ground | Physical | 100 | 100 | 10 | |
| TM27 | Return | Normal | Physical | — | 100 | 20 | |
| TM28 | Dig | Ground | Physical | 80 | 100 | 10 | |
| TM30 | Shadow Ball | Ghost | Special | 80 | 100 | 15 | |
| TM31 | Brick Break | Fighting | Physical | 75 | 100 | 15 | |
| TM32 | Double Team | Normal | Status | — | — | 15 | |
| TM34 | Sludge Wave | Poison | Special | 95 | 100 | 10 | |
| TM35 | Flamethrower | Fire | Special | 90 | 100 | 15 | |
| TM36 | Sludge Bomb | Poison | Special | 90 | 100 | 10 | |
| TM37 | Sandstorm | Rock | Status | — | — | 10 | |
| TM38 | Fire Blast | Fire | Special | 110 | 85 | 5 | |
| TM39 | Rock Tomb | Rock | Physical | 60 | 95 | 15 | |
| TM41 | Torment | Dark | Status | — | 100 | 15 | |
| TM42 | Facade | Normal | Physical | 70 | 100 | 20 | |
| TM44 | Rest | Psychic | Status | — | — | 10 | |
| TM45 | Attract | Normal | Status | — | 100 | 15 | |
| TM46 | Thief | Dark | Physical | 60 | 100 | 25 | |
| TM48 | Round | Normal | Special | 60 | 100 | 15 | |
| TM49 | Echoed Voice | Normal | Special | 40 | 100 | 15 | |
| TM52 | Focus Blast | Fighting | Special | 120 | 70 | 5 | |
| TM56 | Fling | Dark | Physical | — | 100 | 10 | |
| TM59 | Incinerate | Fire | Special | 60 | 100 | 15 | |
| TM60 | Quash | Dark | Status | — | 100 | 15 | |
| TM65 | Shadow Claw | Ghost | Physical | 70 | 100 | 15 | |
| TM68 | Giga Impact | Normal | Physical | 150 | 90 | 5 | |
| TM71 | Stone Edge | Rock | Physical | 100 | 80 | 5 | |
| TM78 | Bulldoze | Ground | Physical | 60 | 100 | 20 | |
| TM80 | Rock Slide | Rock | Physical | 75 | 90 | 10 | |
| TM82 | Dragon Tail | Dragon | Physical | 60 | 90 | 10 | |
| TM84 | Poison Jab | Poison | Physical | 80 | 100 | 20 | |
| TM87 | Swagger | Normal | Status | — | 90 | 15 | |
| TM88 | Sleep Talk | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 | |
| TM90 | Substitute | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 | |
| TM94 | Rock Smash | Fighting | Physical | 40 | 100 | 15 | XY |
| TM94 | Secret Power | Normal | Physical | 70 | 100 | 20 | ORAS |
| TM98 | Power-Up Punch | Fighting | Physical | 40 | 100 | 20 | |
| TM100 | Confide | Normal | Status | — | — | 20 | |
| HM01 | Cut | Normal | Physical | 50 | 95 | 30 | |
| HM03 | Surf | Water | Special | 90 | 100 | 15 | |
| HM04 | Strength | Normal | Physical | 80 | 100 | 15 | |
| HM06 | Rock Smash | Fighting | Physical | 40 | 100 | 15 | ORAS |
By breeding (egg moves)
| Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amnesia | Psychic | Status | — | — | 20 | Psyduck, Golduck, Slowpoke, Slowbro, Snorlax, Sentret, Furret, Wooper and 16 more |
| Beat Up | Dark | Physical | — | 100 | 10 | Sneasel, Houndour, Houndoom |
| Chip Away | Normal | Physical | 70 | 100 | 20 | Nidoking, Lickitung, Lickilicky, Rhyhorn, Rhydon, Rhyperior, Snorlax, Totodile and 13 more |
| Confusion | Psychic | Special | 50 | 100 | 25 | Psyduck, Golduck, Slowpoke, Slowbro, Slowking, Espeon, Girafarig, Woobat and 3 more |
| Counter | Fighting | Physical | — | 100 | 20 | Slakoth, Vigoroth, Slaking, Lucario |
| Disable | Normal | Status | — | 100 | 20 | Psyduck, Golduck, Slowpoke, Slowbro, Slowking, Lickitung, Lickilicky |
| Endure | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 | Dunsparce, Swinub, Piloswine, Mamoswine, Phanpy, Vigoroth, Shieldon, Bastiodon and 5 more |
| Head Smash | Rock | Physical | 150 | 80 | 5 | Cranidos, Rampardos, Tepig, Pignite, Emboar, Scraggy, Scrafty, Tyrantrum |
| Iron Tail | Steel | Physical | 100 | 75 | 15 | Aron, Lairon, Aggron |
| Poison Tail | Poison | Physical | 50 | 100 | 25 | Seviper |
| Sucker Punch | Dark | Physical | 80 | 100 | 5 | Rattata, Raticate, Diglett, Dugtrio, Sentret, Furret, Houndour, Houndoom and 11 more |
| Supersonic | Normal | Status | — | 55 | 20 | Lickitung, Lickilicky, Whismur, Loudred, Exploud |
| Take Down | Normal | Physical | 90 | 85 | 20 | Bulbasaur, Ivysaur, Venusaur, Growlithe, Ponyta, Rapidash, Seel, Dewgong and 57 more |
| Venom Drench | Poison | Status | — | 100 | 20 | Seviper |
By move tutor
| Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP | Games |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aqua Tail | Water | Physical | 90 | 90 | 10 | ORAS |
| Dragon Pulse | Dragon | Special | 85 | 100 | 10 | ORAS |
| Drill Run | Ground | Physical | 80 | 95 | 10 | ORAS |
| Earth Power | Ground | Special | 90 | 100 | 10 | ORAS |
| Fire Punch | Fire | Physical | 75 | 100 | 15 | ORAS |
| Focus Punch | Fighting | Physical | 150 | 100 | 20 | ORAS |
| Helping Hand | Normal | Status | — | — | 20 | ORAS |
| Ice Punch | Ice | Physical | 75 | 100 | 15 | ORAS |
| Icy Wind | Ice | Special | 55 | 95 | 15 | ORAS |
| Iron Tail | Steel | Physical | 100 | 75 | 15 | ORAS |
| Outrage | Dragon | Physical | 120 | 100 | 10 | ORAS |
| Shock Wave | Electric | Special | 60 | — | 20 | ORAS |
| Snore | Normal | Special | 50 | 100 | 15 | ORAS |
| Stealth Rock | Rock | Status | — | — | 20 | ORAS |
| Super Fang | Normal | Physical | — | 90 | 10 | ORAS |
| Superpower | Fighting | Physical | 120 | 100 | 5 | ORAS |
| Thunder Punch | Electric | Physical | 75 | 100 | 15 | ORAS |
| Uproar | Normal | Special | 90 | 100 | 10 | ORAS |
| Water Pulse | Water | Special | 60 | 100 | 20 | ORAS |
From its pre-evolution
| Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP | Learnt as |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leer | Normal | Status | — | 100 | 30 | Nidoran♂, Nidorino · level-up |
| Fury Attack | Normal | Physical | 15 | 85 | 20 | Nidoran♂, Nidorino · level-up |
| Horn Attack | Normal | Physical | 65 | 100 | 25 | Nidoran♂, Nidorino · level-up |
| Helping Hand | Normal | Status | — | — | 20 | Nidoran♂, Nidorino · level-up · XY |
| Toxic Spikes | Poison | Status | — | — | 20 | Nidoran♂, Nidorino · level-up |
| Flatter | Dark | Status | — | 100 | 15 | Nidoran♂, Nidorino · level-up |
| Captivate | Normal | Status | — | 100 | 20 | Nidoran♂, Nidorino · level-up |
| Horn Drill | Normal | Physical | — | 30 | 5 | Nidoran♂, Nidorino · level-up |
By transfer
| Move | From |
|---|---|
| Avalanche | Gen IV (TM) |
| Body Slam | Gen III (tutor) |
| Defense Curl | Gen III (tutor) |
| Double-Edge | Gen III (tutor) |
| Dynamic Punch | Gen III (tutor) |
| Fury Cutter | Gen III (tutor), Gen IV (tutor) |
| Headbutt | Gen IV (tutor) |
| Mega Kick | Gen III (tutor) |
| Mega Punch | Gen III (tutor) |
| Mimic | Gen III (tutor) |
| Mud-Slap | Gen III (tutor), Gen IV (tutor) |
| Natural Gift | Gen IV (TM) |
| Seismic Toss | Gen III (tutor) |
| Whirlpool | Gen IV (TM) |
Generation VII · Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon9 level-up · 49 TM/HM · 14 egg · 21 tutor
Nidoking has no wild home in Alola: it reaches Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon only through Pokémon Bank. Its level-up list is the same as in Generation VI, and Smart Strike arrives as TM67. Tutor moves, including the new Stomping Tantrum and Throat Chop, are Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon only. Dig is no longer one of its TMs, so it can only arrive with a transferred Nidoking. In Japan, Giovanni's Nidoking (level 68) was given away for Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon from 20 January to 11 March 2018 as part of the Team Rainbow Rocket's Ambition event.
By level-up
| SM/USUM | Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Megahorn | Bug | Physical | 120 | 85 | 10 |
| 1 | Peck | Physical | 35 | 100 | 35 | |
| 1 | Focus Energy | Normal | Status | — | — | 30 |
| 1 | Double Kick | Fighting | Physical | 30 | 100 | 30 |
| 1 | Poison Sting | Poison | Physical | 15 | 100 | 35 |
| 23 | Chip Away | Normal | Physical | 70 | 100 | 20 |
| 35 | Thrash | Normal | Physical | 120 | 100 | 10 |
| 43 | Earth Power | Ground | Special | 90 | 100 | 10 |
| 58 | Megahorn | Bug | Physical | 120 | 85 | 10 |
By TM / HM / TR
| No. | Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TM05 | Roar | Normal | Status | — | — | 20 |
| TM06 | Toxic | Poison | Status | — | 90 | 10 |
| TM09 | Venoshock | Poison | Special | 65 | 100 | 10 |
| TM10 | Hidden Power | Normal | Special | 60 | 100 | 15 |
| TM11 | Sunny Day | Fire | Status | — | — | 5 |
| TM12 | Taunt | Dark | Status | — | 100 | 20 |
| TM13 | Ice Beam | Ice | Special | 90 | 100 | 10 |
| TM14 | Blizzard | Ice | Special | 110 | 70 | 5 |
| TM15 | Hyper Beam | Normal | Special | 150 | 90 | 5 |
| TM17 | Protect | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| TM18 | Rain Dance | Water | Status | — | — | 5 |
| TM21 | Frustration | Normal | Physical | — | 100 | 20 |
| TM23 | Smack Down | Rock | Physical | 50 | 100 | 15 |
| TM24 | Thunderbolt | Electric | Special | 90 | 100 | 15 |
| TM25 | Thunder | Electric | Special | 110 | 70 | 10 |
| TM26 | Earthquake | Ground | Physical | 100 | 100 | 10 |
| TM27 | Return | Normal | Physical | — | 100 | 20 |
| TM30 | Shadow Ball | Ghost | Special | 80 | 100 | 15 |
| TM31 | Brick Break | Fighting | Physical | 75 | 100 | 15 |
| TM32 | Double Team | Normal | Status | — | — | 15 |
| TM34 | Sludge Wave | Poison | Special | 95 | 100 | 10 |
| TM35 | Flamethrower | Fire | Special | 90 | 100 | 15 |
| TM36 | Sludge Bomb | Poison | Special | 90 | 100 | 10 |
| TM37 | Sandstorm | Rock | Status | — | — | 10 |
| TM38 | Fire Blast | Fire | Special | 110 | 85 | 5 |
| TM39 | Rock Tomb | Rock | Physical | 60 | 95 | 15 |
| TM41 | Torment | Dark | Status | — | 100 | 15 |
| TM42 | Facade | Normal | Physical | 70 | 100 | 20 |
| TM44 | Rest | Psychic | Status | — | — | 10 |
| TM45 | Attract | Normal | Status | — | 100 | 15 |
| TM46 | Thief | Dark | Physical | 60 | 100 | 25 |
| TM48 | Round | Normal | Special | 60 | 100 | 15 |
| TM49 | Echoed Voice | Normal | Special | 40 | 100 | 15 |
| TM52 | Focus Blast | Fighting | Special | 120 | 70 | 5 |
| TM56 | Fling | Dark | Physical | — | 100 | 10 |
| TM60 | Quash | Dark | Status | — | 100 | 15 |
| TM65 | Shadow Claw | Ghost | Physical | 70 | 100 | 15 |
| TM67 | Smart Strike | Steel | Physical | 70 | — | 10 |
| TM68 | Giga Impact | Normal | Physical | 150 | 90 | 5 |
| TM71 | Stone Edge | Rock | Physical | 100 | 80 | 5 |
| TM78 | Bulldoze | Ground | Physical | 60 | 100 | 20 |
| TM80 | Rock Slide | Rock | Physical | 75 | 90 | 10 |
| TM82 | Dragon Tail | Dragon | Physical | 60 | 90 | 10 |
| TM84 | Poison Jab | Poison | Physical | 80 | 100 | 20 |
| TM87 | Swagger | Normal | Status | — | 85 | 15 |
| TM88 | Sleep Talk | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| TM90 | Substitute | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| TM94 | Surf | Water | Special | 90 | 100 | 15 |
| TM100 | Confide | Normal | Status | — | — | 20 |
By breeding (egg moves)
| Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amnesia | Psychic | Status | — | — | 20 | Psyduck, Golduck, Slowpoke, Slowbro, Snorlax, Sentret, Furret, Wooper and 16 more |
| Beat Up | Dark | Physical | — | 100 | 10 | Sneasel, Houndour, Houndoom, Passimian |
| Chip Away | Normal | Physical | 70 | 100 | 20 | Nidoking, Lickitung, Lickilicky, Rhyhorn, Rhydon, Rhyperior, Snorlax, Totodile and 13 more |
| Confusion | Psychic | Special | 50 | 100 | 25 | Psyduck, Golduck, Slowpoke, Slowbro, Slowking, Espeon, Girafarig, Woobat and 4 more |
| Counter | Fighting | Physical | — | 100 | 20 | Slakoth, Vigoroth, Slaking, Lucario, Lycanroc (Midnight Form), Lycanroc (Dusk Form), Mudbray, Mudsdale |
| Disable | Normal | Status | — | 100 | 20 | Psyduck, Golduck, Slowpoke, Slowbro, Slowking, Lickitung, Lickilicky |
| Endure | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 | Dunsparce, Swinub, Piloswine, Mamoswine, Phanpy, Vigoroth, Shieldon, Bastiodon and 6 more |
| Head Smash | Rock | Physical | 150 | 80 | 5 | Cranidos, Rampardos, Tepig, Pignite, Emboar, Scraggy, Scrafty, Tyrantrum |
| Iron Tail | Steel | Physical | 100 | 75 | 15 | Aron, Lairon, Aggron |
| Poison Tail | Poison | Physical | 50 | 100 | 25 | Seviper |
| Sucker Punch | Dark | Physical | 70 | 100 | 5 | Rattata, Rattata (Alolan), Raticate, Raticate (Alolan), Diglett, Diglett (Alolan), Dugtrio, Dugtrio (Alolan) and 16 more |
| Supersonic | Normal | Status | — | 55 | 20 | Lickitung, Lickilicky, Whismur, Loudred, Exploud |
| Take Down | Normal | Physical | 90 | 85 | 20 | Bulbasaur, Ivysaur, Venusaur, Growlithe, Ponyta, Rapidash, Seel, Dewgong and 63 more |
| Venom Drench | Poison | Status | — | 100 | 20 | Seviper, Stunky, Skuntank, Salandit |
By move tutor
| Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP | Games |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aqua Tail | Water | Physical | 90 | 90 | 10 | USUM |
| Dragon Pulse | Dragon | Special | 85 | 100 | 10 | USUM |
| Drill Run | Ground | Physical | 80 | 95 | 10 | USUM |
| Earth Power | Ground | Special | 90 | 100 | 10 | USUM |
| Fire Punch | Fire | Physical | 75 | 100 | 15 | USUM |
| Focus Punch | Fighting | Physical | 150 | 100 | 20 | USUM |
| Helping Hand | Normal | Status | — | — | 20 | USUM |
| Ice Punch | Ice | Physical | 75 | 100 | 15 | USUM |
| Icy Wind | Ice | Special | 55 | 95 | 15 | USUM |
| Iron Tail | Steel | Physical | 100 | 75 | 15 | USUM |
| Outrage | Dragon | Physical | 120 | 100 | 10 | USUM |
| Shock Wave | Electric | Special | 60 | — | 20 | USUM |
| Snore | Normal | Special | 50 | 100 | 15 | USUM |
| Stealth Rock | Rock | Status | — | — | 20 | USUM |
| Stomping Tantrum | Ground | Physical | 75 | 100 | 10 | USUM |
| Super Fang | Normal | Physical | — | 90 | 10 | USUM |
| Superpower | Fighting | Physical | 120 | 100 | 5 | USUM |
| Throat Chop | Dark | Physical | 80 | 100 | 15 | USUM |
| Thunder Punch | Electric | Physical | 75 | 100 | 15 | USUM |
| Uproar | Normal | Special | 90 | 100 | 10 | USUM |
| Water Pulse | Water | Special | 60 | 100 | 20 | USUM |
From its pre-evolution
| Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP | Learnt as |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leer | Normal | Status | — | 100 | 30 | Nidoran♂, Nidorino · level-up |
| Fury Attack | Normal | Physical | 15 | 85 | 20 | Nidoran♂, Nidorino · level-up |
| Horn Attack | Normal | Physical | 65 | 100 | 25 | Nidoran♂, Nidorino · level-up |
| Helping Hand | Normal | Status | — | — | 20 | Nidoran♂, Nidorino · level-up · SM |
| Toxic Spikes | Poison | Status | — | — | 20 | Nidoran♂, Nidorino · level-up |
| Flatter | Dark | Status | — | 100 | 15 | Nidoran♂, Nidorino · level-up |
| Captivate | Normal | Status | — | 100 | 20 | Nidoran♂, Nidorino · level-up |
| Horn Drill | Normal | Physical | — | 30 | 5 | Nidoran♂, Nidorino · level-up |
By transfer
| Move | From |
|---|---|
| Avalanche | Gen IV (TM) |
| Bide | Gen I (TM) |
| Body Slam | Gen I (TM), Gen III (tutor) |
| Bubble Beam | Gen I (TM) |
| Curse | Gen II (TM) |
| Cut | Gen V (TM), Gen VI (TM) |
| Defense Curl | Gen II (TM), Gen III (tutor) |
| Detect | Gen II (TM) |
| Dig | Gen III (TM), Gen IV (TM), Gen V (TM), Gen VI (TM) |
| Double-Edge | Gen I (TM), Gen III (tutor) |
| Dynamic Punch | Gen II (TM), Gen III (tutor) |
| Fissure | Gen I (TM) |
| Fury Cutter | Gen II (TM), Gen III (tutor), Gen IV (tutor) |
| Headbutt | Gen II (TM), Gen IV (tutor) |
| Hone Claws | Gen V (TM), Gen VI (TM) |
| Incinerate | Gen V (TM), Gen VI (TM) |
| Mega Kick | Gen I (TM), Gen III (tutor) |
| Mega Punch | Gen I (TM), Gen III (tutor) |
| Mimic | Gen I (TM), Gen III (tutor) |
| Mud-Slap | Gen II (TM), Gen III (tutor), Gen IV (tutor) |
| Natural Gift | Gen IV (TM) |
| Pay Day | Gen I (TM) |
| Power-Up Punch | Gen VI (TM) |
| Rage | Gen I (TM) |
| Reflect | Gen I (TM) |
| Rock Smash | Gen II (TM), Gen V (TM), Gen VI (TM/HM) |
| Secret Power | Gen III (TM), Gen IV (TM), Gen VI (TM) |
| Seismic Toss | Gen I (TM), Gen III (tutor) |
| Skull Bash | Gen I (TM) |
| Strength | Gen I (TM), Gen II (TM), Gen V (TM), Gen VI (TM) |
| Submission | Gen I (TM) |
| Tackle | Gen I (level-up), Gen II (level-up) |
| Water Gun | Gen I (TM) |
| Whirlpool | Gen IV (TM) |
Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee! · Let's Go, Pikachu! & Let's Go, Eevee!9 level-up · 37 TM/HM
Nidoking lives wild on Route 23. Let's Go rewrites its level-up list: Thrash is learnt on evolving (and is also listed at level 1), Counter, Supersonic and Leer join the starting moves, and Megahorn arrives at level 55 (it is also TM60). Double Kick, Horn Attack, Fury Attack and Horn Drill have to be learnt as Nidoran♂ or Nidorino. There is no breeding or move tutoring in these games.
By level-up
| LGPE | Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Thrash | Normal | Physical | 120 | 100 | 10 |
| 1 | Supersonic | Normal | Status | — | 55 | 20 |
| 1 | Counter | Fighting | Physical | — | 100 | 20 |
| 1 | Leer | Normal | Status | — | 100 | 30 |
| 1 | Peck | Physical | 35 | 100 | 35 | |
| 1 | Focus Energy | Normal | Status | — | — | 30 |
| 1 | Poison Sting | Poison | Physical | 15 | 100 | 35 |
| Evo. | Thrash | Normal | Physical | 120 | 100 | 10 |
| 55 | Megahorn | Bug | Physical | 120 | 85 | 10 |
By TM / HM / TR
| No. | Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TM01 | Headbutt | Normal | Physical | 70 | 100 | 15 |
| TM02 | Taunt | Dark | Status | — | 100 | 20 |
| TM03 | Helping Hand | Normal | Status | — | — | 20 |
| TM05 | Rest | Psychic | Status | — | — | 10 |
| TM07 | Protect | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| TM08 | Substitute | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| TM09 | Reflect | Psychic | Status | — | — | 20 |
| TM10 | Dig | Ground | Physical | 80 | 100 | 10 |
| TM12 | Facade | Normal | Physical | 70 | 100 | 20 |
| TM13 | Brick Break | Fighting | Physical | 75 | 100 | 15 |
| TM15 | Seismic Toss | Fighting | Physical | — | 100 | 20 |
| TM17 | Dragon Tail | Dragon | Physical | 60 | 90 | 10 |
| TM19 | Iron Tail | Steel | Physical | 100 | 75 | 15 |
| TM22 | Rock Slide | Rock | Physical | 75 | 90 | 10 |
| TM23 | Thunder Punch | Electric | Physical | 75 | 100 | 15 |
| TM26 | Poison Jab | Poison | Physical | 80 | 100 | 20 |
| TM27 | Toxic | Poison | Status | — | 90 | 10 |
| TM31 | Fire Punch | Fire | Physical | 75 | 100 | 15 |
| TM34 | Dragon Pulse | Dragon | Special | 85 | 100 | 10 |
| TM35 | Ice Punch | Ice | Physical | 75 | 100 | 15 |
| TM36 | Thunderbolt | Electric | Special | 90 | 100 | 15 |
| TM37 | Flamethrower | Fire | Special | 90 | 100 | 15 |
| TM38 | Thunder | Electric | Special | 110 | 70 | 10 |
| TM39 | Outrage | Dragon | Physical | 120 | 100 | 10 |
| TM41 | Earthquake | Ground | Physical | 100 | 100 | 10 |
| TM43 | Shadow Ball | Ghost | Special | 80 | 100 | 15 |
| TM46 | Fire Blast | Fire | Special | 110 | 85 | 5 |
| TM47 | Surf | Water | Special | 90 | 100 | 15 |
| TM48 | Hyper Beam | Normal | Special | 150 | 90 | 5 |
| TM49 | Superpower | Fighting | Physical | 120 | 100 | 5 |
| TM51 | Blizzard | Ice | Special | 110 | 70 | 5 |
| TM52 | Sludge Bomb | Poison | Special | 90 | 100 | 10 |
| TM55 | Ice Beam | Ice | Special | 90 | 100 | 10 |
| TM56 | Stealth Rock | Rock | Status | — | — | 20 |
| TM57 | Pay Day | Normal | Physical | 40 | 100 | 20 |
| TM58 | Drill Run | Ground | Physical | 80 | 95 | 10 |
| TM60 | Megahorn | Bug | Physical | 120 | 85 | 10 |
From its pre-evolution
| Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP | Learnt as |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Double Kick | Fighting | Physical | 30 | 100 | 30 | Nidoran♂, Nidorino · level-up |
| Horn Attack | Normal | Physical | 65 | 100 | 25 | Nidoran♂, Nidorino · level-up |
| Fury Attack | Normal | Physical | 15 | 85 | 20 | Nidoran♂, Nidorino · level-up |
| Horn Drill | Normal | Physical | — | 30 | 5 | Nidoran♂, Nidorino · level-up |
Generation VIII · Sword & Shield (Version 1.3.0+ and The Crown Tundra), Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl16 level-up · 122 TM/HM · 23 egg · 1 tutor
Sword and Shield: Nidoking arrived with Version 1.3.0, by trade or in The Crown Tundra (Expansion Pass), where it wanders around Giant's Bed, turns up in Max Raid Battles at Giant's Bed, the Frigid Sea and Ballimere Lake, and appears in Dynamax Adventures in the Max Lair. Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl: evolve Nidorino. Both pairs share one level-up list with every move at level 1 and Megahorn on evolution, although Sludge Wave is a level-1 move only in Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl. Thrash leaves the level-up list but can still be passed down as an Egg move. TMs, TRs and Egg moves differ between the two pairs of games, Scorching Sands comes from the Expansion Pass move tutor, and some older moves it can bring along, such as Hidden Power, Return and Rage, were removed from Sword and Shield and cannot be used there. Nidoking does not appear in Legends: Arceus.
By level-up
| SwSh/BDSP | Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Megahorn | Bug | Physical | 120 | 85 | 10 |
| 1 | Sludge Wave | Poison | Special | 95 | 100 | 10 |
| 1 | Fury Attack | Normal | Physical | 15 | 85 | 20 |
| 1 | Toxic Spikes | Poison | Status | — | — | 20 |
| 1 | Double Kick | Fighting | Physical | 30 | 100 | 30 |
| 1 | Horn Attack | Normal | Physical | 65 | 100 | 25 |
| 1 | Helping Hand | Normal | Status | — | — | 20 |
| 1 | Toxic | Poison | Status | — | 90 | 10 |
| 1 | Flatter | Dark | Status | — | 100 | 15 |
| 1 | Poison Jab | Poison | Physical | 80 | 100 | 20 |
| 1 | Earth Power | Ground | Special | 90 | 100 | 10 |
| 1 | Leer | Normal | Status | — | 100 | 30 |
| 1 | Poison Sting | Poison | Physical | 15 | 100 | 35 |
| 1 | Peck | Physical | 35 | 100 | 35 | |
| 1 | Focus Energy | Normal | Status | — | — | 30 |
| Evo. | Megahorn | Bug | Physical | 120 | 85 | 10 |
By TM / HM / TR
| No. | Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP | Games |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TM00 | Mega Punch | Normal | Physical | 80 | 85 | 20 | SwSh |
| TM01 | Mega Kick | Normal | Physical | 120 | 75 | 5 | SwSh |
| TM02 | Pay Day | Normal | Physical | 40 | 100 | 20 | SwSh |
| TM03 | Fire Punch | Fire | Physical | 75 | 100 | 15 | SwSh |
| TM04 | Ice Punch | Ice | Physical | 75 | 100 | 15 | SwSh |
| TM05 | Thunder Punch | Electric | Physical | 75 | 100 | 15 | SwSh |
| TM08 | Hyper Beam | Normal | Special | 150 | 90 | 5 | SwSh |
| TM09 | Giga Impact | Normal | Physical | 150 | 90 | 5 | SwSh |
| TM15 | Dig | Ground | Physical | 80 | 100 | 10 | SwSh |
| TM21 | Rest | Psychic | Status | — | — | 10 | SwSh |
| TM22 | Rock Slide | Rock | Physical | 75 | 90 | 10 | SwSh |
| TM23 | Thief | Dark | Physical | 60 | 100 | 25 | SwSh |
| TM24 | Snore | Normal | Special | 50 | 100 | 15 | SwSh |
| TM25 | Protect | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 | SwSh |
| TM27 | Icy Wind | Ice | Special | 55 | 95 | 15 | SwSh |
| TM31 | Attract | Normal | Status | — | 100 | 15 | SwSh |
| TM32 | Sandstorm | Rock | Status | — | — | 10 | SwSh |
| TM33 | Rain Dance | Water | Status | — | — | 5 | SwSh |
| TM34 | Sunny Day | Fire | Status | — | — | 5 | SwSh |
| TM36 | Whirlpool | Water | Special | 35 | 85 | 15 | SwSh |
| TM37 | Beat Up | Dark | Physical | — | 100 | 10 | SwSh |
| TM39 | Facade | Normal | Physical | 70 | 100 | 20 | SwSh |
| TM41 | Helping Hand | Normal | Status | — | — | 20 | SwSh |
| TM43 | Brick Break | Fighting | Physical | 75 | 100 | 15 | SwSh |
| TM48 | Rock Tomb | Rock | Physical | 60 | 95 | 15 | SwSh |
| TM49 | Sand Tomb | Ground | Physical | 35 | 85 | 15 | SwSh |
| TM53 | Mud Shot | Ground | Special | 55 | 95 | 15 | SwSh |
| TM54 | Rock Blast | Rock | Physical | 25 | 90 | 10 | SwSh |
| TM59 | Fling | Dark | Physical | — | 100 | 10 | SwSh |
| TM64 | Avalanche | Ice | Physical | 60 | 100 | 10 | SwSh |
| TM65 | Shadow Claw | Ghost | Physical | 70 | 100 | 15 | SwSh |
| TM74 | Venoshock | Poison | Special | 65 | 100 | 10 | SwSh |
| TM76 | Round | Normal | Special | 60 | 100 | 15 | SwSh |
| TM77 | Hex | Ghost | Special | 65 | 100 | 10 | SwSh |
| TM81 | Bulldoze | Ground | Physical | 60 | 100 | 20 | SwSh |
| TM96 | Smart Strike | Steel | Physical | 70 | — | 10 | SwSh |
| TM98 | Stomping Tantrum | Ground | Physical | 75 | 100 | 10 | SwSh |
| TR01 | Body Slam | Normal | Physical | 85 | 100 | 15 | SwSh |
| TR02 | Flamethrower | Fire | Special | 90 | 100 | 15 | SwSh |
| TR04 | Surf | Water | Special | 90 | 100 | 15 | SwSh |
| TR05 | Ice Beam | Ice | Special | 90 | 100 | 10 | SwSh |
| TR06 | Blizzard | Ice | Special | 110 | 70 | 5 | SwSh |
| TR08 | Thunderbolt | Electric | Special | 90 | 100 | 15 | SwSh |
| TR09 | Thunder | Electric | Special | 110 | 70 | 10 | SwSh |
| TR10 | Earthquake | Ground | Physical | 100 | 100 | 10 | SwSh |
| TR13 | Focus Energy | Normal | Status | — | — | 30 | SwSh |
| TR15 | Fire Blast | Fire | Special | 110 | 85 | 5 | SwSh |
| TR17 | Amnesia | Psychic | Status | — | — | 20 | SwSh |
| TR20 | Substitute | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 | SwSh |
| TR22 | Sludge Bomb | Poison | Special | 90 | 100 | 10 | SwSh |
| TR24 | Outrage | Dragon | Physical | 120 | 100 | 10 | SwSh |
| TR26 | Endure | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 | SwSh |
| TR27 | Sleep Talk | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 | SwSh |
| TR28 | Megahorn | Bug | Physical | 120 | 85 | 10 | SwSh |
| TR31 | Iron Tail | Steel | Physical | 100 | 75 | 15 | SwSh |
| TR33 | Shadow Ball | Ghost | Special | 80 | 100 | 15 | SwSh |
| TR35 | Uproar | Normal | Special | 90 | 100 | 10 | SwSh |
| TR37 | Taunt | Dark | Status | — | 100 | 20 | SwSh |
| TR39 | Superpower | Fighting | Physical | 120 | 100 | 5 | SwSh |
| TR54 | Toxic Spikes | Poison | Status | — | — | 20 | SwSh |
| TR57 | Poison Jab | Poison | Physical | 80 | 100 | 20 | SwSh |
| TR62 | Dragon Pulse | Dragon | Special | 85 | 100 | 10 | SwSh |
| TR64 | Focus Blast | Fighting | Special | 120 | 70 | 5 | SwSh |
| TR67 | Earth Power | Ground | Special | 90 | 100 | 10 | SwSh |
| TR75 | Stone Edge | Rock | Physical | 100 | 80 | 5 | SwSh |
| TR76 | Stealth Rock | Rock | Status | — | — | 20 | SwSh |
| TR78 | Sludge Wave | Poison | Special | 95 | 100 | 10 | SwSh |
| TR87 | Drill Run | Ground | Physical | 80 | 95 | 10 | SwSh |
| TR91 | Venom Drench | Poison | Status | — | 100 | 20 | SwSh |
| TR94 | High Horsepower | Ground | Physical | 95 | 95 | 10 | SwSh |
| TR95 | Throat Chop | Dark | Physical | 80 | 100 | 15 | SwSh |
| TR99 | Body Press | Fighting | Physical | 80 | 100 | 10 | SwSh |
| TM01 | Focus Punch | Fighting | Physical | 150 | 100 | 20 | BDSP |
| TM03 | Water Pulse | Water | Special | 60 | 100 | 20 | BDSP |
| TM05 | Roar | Normal | Status | — | — | 20 | BDSP |
| TM06 | Toxic | Poison | Status | — | 90 | 10 | BDSP |
| TM11 | Sunny Day | Fire | Status | — | — | 5 | BDSP |
| TM12 | Taunt | Dark | Status | — | 100 | 20 | BDSP |
| TM13 | Ice Beam | Ice | Special | 90 | 100 | 10 | BDSP |
| TM14 | Blizzard | Ice | Special | 110 | 70 | 5 | BDSP |
| TM15 | Hyper Beam | Normal | Special | 150 | 90 | 5 | BDSP |
| TM17 | Protect | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 | BDSP |
| TM18 | Rain Dance | Water | Status | — | — | 5 | BDSP |
| TM23 | Iron Tail | Steel | Physical | 100 | 75 | 15 | BDSP |
| TM24 | Thunderbolt | Electric | Special | 90 | 100 | 15 | BDSP |
| TM25 | Thunder | Electric | Special | 110 | 70 | 10 | BDSP |
| TM26 | Earthquake | Ground | Physical | 100 | 100 | 10 | BDSP |
| TM28 | Dig | Ground | Physical | 80 | 100 | 10 | BDSP |
| TM30 | Shadow Ball | Ghost | Special | 80 | 100 | 15 | BDSP |
| TM31 | Brick Break | Fighting | Physical | 75 | 100 | 15 | BDSP |
| TM32 | Double Team | Normal | Status | — | — | 15 | BDSP |
| TM34 | Shock Wave | Electric | Special | 60 | — | 20 | BDSP |
| TM35 | Flamethrower | Fire | Special | 90 | 100 | 15 | BDSP |
| TM36 | Sludge Bomb | Poison | Special | 90 | 100 | 10 | BDSP |
| TM37 | Sandstorm | Rock | Status | — | — | 10 | BDSP |
| TM38 | Fire Blast | Fire | Special | 110 | 85 | 5 | BDSP |
| TM39 | Rock Tomb | Rock | Physical | 60 | 95 | 15 | BDSP |
| TM41 | Torment | Dark | Status | — | 100 | 15 | BDSP |
| TM42 | Facade | Normal | Physical | 70 | 100 | 20 | BDSP |
| TM44 | Rest | Psychic | Status | — | — | 10 | BDSP |
| TM45 | Attract | Normal | Status | — | 100 | 15 | BDSP |
| TM46 | Thief | Dark | Physical | 60 | 100 | 25 | BDSP |
| TM52 | Focus Blast | Fighting | Special | 120 | 70 | 5 | BDSP |
| TM56 | Fling | Dark | Physical | — | 100 | 10 | BDSP |
| TM58 | Endure | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 | BDSP |
| TM59 | Dragon Pulse | Dragon | Special | 85 | 100 | 10 | BDSP |
| TM65 | Shadow Claw | Ghost | Physical | 70 | 100 | 15 | BDSP |
| TM68 | Giga Impact | Normal | Physical | 150 | 90 | 5 | BDSP |
| TM71 | Stone Edge | Rock | Physical | 100 | 80 | 5 | BDSP |
| TM72 | Avalanche | Ice | Physical | 60 | 100 | 10 | BDSP |
| TM76 | Stealth Rock | Rock | Status | — | — | 20 | BDSP |
| TM80 | Rock Slide | Rock | Physical | 75 | 90 | 10 | BDSP |
| TM82 | Sleep Talk | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 | BDSP |
| TM83 | Bulldoze | Ground | Physical | 60 | 100 | 20 | BDSP |
| TM84 | Poison Jab | Poison | Physical | 80 | 100 | 20 | BDSP |
| TM87 | Swagger | Normal | Status | — | 85 | 15 | BDSP |
| TM90 | Substitute | Normal | Status | — | — | 10 | BDSP |
| TM93 | Cut | Normal | Physical | 50 | 95 | 30 | BDSP |
| TM95 | Surf | Water | Special | 90 | 100 | 15 | BDSP |
| TM96 | Strength | Normal | Physical | 80 | 100 | 15 | BDSP |
| TM98 | Rock Smash | Fighting | Physical | 40 | 100 | 15 | BDSP |
| TM100 | Rock Climb | Normal | Physical | 90 | 85 | 20 | BDSP |
By breeding (egg moves)
| Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Confusion | Psychic | Special | 50 | 100 | 25 | Psyduck, Golduck, Ponyta (Galarian), Rapidash (Galarian), Slowpoke, Slowpoke (Galarian), Slowbro, Slowbro (Galarian) and 8 more |
| Counter | Fighting | Physical | — | 100 | 20 | Zigzagoon (Galarian), Linoone (Galarian), Obstagoon, Lucario, Lycanroc (Midnight Form), Lycanroc (Dusk Form), Mudbray, Mudsdale and 7 more |
| Disable | Normal | Status | — | 100 | 20 | Vulpix, Vulpix (Alolan), Ninetales, Ninetales (Alolan), Psyduck, Golduck, Slowpoke, Slowpoke (Galarian) and 6 more |
| Head Smash | Rock | Physical | 150 | 80 | 5 | Scraggy, Scrafty, Tyrantrum, Drednaw |
| Horn Drill | Normal | Physical | — | 30 | 5 | Rhyhorn, Rhydon, Rhyperior, Excadrill, Tyrunt, Tyrantrum |
| Poison Tail | Poison | Physical | 50 | 100 | 25 | Druddigon, Silicobra, Sandaconda (chain breeding: the father must have learnt it as an Egg move itself) |
| Sucker Punch | Dark | Physical | 70 | 100 | 5 | Diglett, Diglett (Alolan), Dugtrio, Dugtrio (Alolan), Seedot, Nuzleaf, Shiftry, Mawile and 13 more |
| Supersonic | Normal | Status | — | 55 | 20 | Lickitung, Lickilicky, Mudkip, Marshtomp, Swampert, Whismur, Loudred, Exploud |
| Take Down | Normal | Physical | 90 | 85 | 20 | Bulbasaur, Ivysaur, Venusaur, Growlithe, Arcanine, Ponyta, Ponyta (Galarian), Rapidash and 46 more |
| Thrash | Normal | Physical | 120 | 100 | 10 | Meowth (Galarian), Perrserker, Cubone, Marowak, Marowak (Alolan), Tauros, Piloswine, Mamoswine and 21 more |
| Amnesia | Psychic | Status | — | — | 20 | Psyduck, Golduck, Slowpoke, Slowbro, Slowking, Snorlax, Sentret, Furret and 18 more |
| Beat Up | Dark | Physical | — | 100 | 10 | Sneasel, Weavile, Houndour, Houndoom |
| Confusion | Psychic | Special | 50 | 100 | 25 | Psyduck, Golduck, Slowpoke, Slowbro, Slowking, Espeon, Girafarig, Spoink and 1 more |
| Counter | Fighting | Physical | — | 100 | 20 | Slakoth, Vigoroth, Slaking, Lucario |
| Disable | Normal | Status | — | 100 | 20 | Vulpix, Ninetales, Psyduck, Golduck, Slowpoke, Slowbro, Slowking, Lickitung and 2 more |
| Head Smash | Rock | Physical | 150 | 80 | 5 | Cranidos, Rampardos |
| Horn Drill | Normal | Physical | — | 30 | 5 | Rhyhorn, Rhydon, Rhyperior |
| Poison Tail | Poison | Physical | 50 | 100 | 25 | Seviper |
| Sucker Punch | Dark | Physical | 70 | 100 | 5 | Rattata, Raticate, Diglett, Dugtrio, Sentret, Furret, Poochyena, Mightyena and 12 more |
| Supersonic | Normal | Status | — | 55 | 20 | Lickitung, Lickilicky, Mudkip, Marshtomp, Swampert, Whismur, Loudred, Exploud |
| Take Down | Normal | Physical | 90 | 85 | 20 | Bulbasaur, Ivysaur, Venusaur, Rattata, Raticate, Growlithe, Arcanine, Ponyta and 48 more |
| Thrash | Normal | Physical | 120 | 100 | 10 | Mankey, Primeape, Cubone, Marowak, Tauros, Totodile, Croconaw, Feraligatr and 8 more |
| Venom Drench | Poison | Status | — | 100 | 20 | Seviper, Stunky, Skuntank |
By move tutor
| Move | Type | Cat. | Pwr. | Acc. | PP | Games |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scorching Sands | Ground | Special | 70 | 100 | 10 | Expansion Pass |
By transfer
| Move | From |
|---|---|
| Aqua Tail | Gen IV (tutor), Gen V (tutor), Gen VI (tutor), Gen VII (tutor) |
| Bide | Gen I (TM) |
| Bubble Beam | Gen I (TM) |
| Captivate | Gen IV (TM, via Nidoran♂ or Nidorino), Gen V (via Nidoran♂ or Nidorino), Gen VI (via Nidoran♂ or Nidorino), Gen VII (via Nidoran♂ or Nidorino) |
| Chip Away | Gen V (level-up, breeding), Gen VI (level-up, breeding), Gen VII (level-up, breeding) |
| Confide | Gen VI (TM), Gen VII (TM) |
| Curse | Gen II (TM) |
| Defense Curl | Gen II (TM), Gen III (tutor) |
| Detect | Gen II (TM) |
| Double-Edge | Gen I (TM), Gen III (tutor) |
| Dragon Tail | Gen V (TM), Gen VI (TM), Gen VII (TM) |
| Dynamic Punch | Gen II (TM), Gen III (tutor) |
| Echoed Voice | Gen V (TM), Gen VI (TM), Gen VII (TM) |
| Fissure | Gen I (TM) |
| Frustration | Gen II (TM), Gen III (TM), Gen IV (TM), Gen V (TM), Gen VI (TM), Gen VII (TM) |
| Fury Cutter | Gen II (TM), Gen III (tutor), Gen IV (tutor) |
| Headbutt | Gen II (TM), Gen IV (tutor), Gen VII (TM) |
| Hidden Power | Gen II (TM), Gen III (TM), Gen IV (TM), Gen V (TM), Gen VI (TM), Gen VII (TM) |
| Hone Claws | Gen V (TM), Gen VI (TM) |
| Incinerate | Gen V (TM), Gen VI (TM) |
| Mimic | Gen I (TM), Gen III (tutor) |
| Mud-Slap | Gen II (TM), Gen III (tutor), Gen IV (tutor) |
| Natural Gift | Gen IV (TM) |
| Power-Up Punch | Gen VI (TM) |
| Quash | Gen V (TM), Gen VI (TM), Gen VII (TM) |
| Rage | Gen I (TM) |
| Reflect | Gen I (TM), Gen VII (TM) |
| Return | Gen II (TM), Gen III (TM), Gen IV (TM), Gen V (TM), Gen VI (TM), Gen VII (TM) |
| Secret Power | Gen III (TM), Gen IV (TM), Gen VI (TM) |
| Seismic Toss | Gen I (TM), Gen III (tutor), Gen VII (TM) |
| Skull Bash | Gen I (TM) |
| Smack Down | Gen V (TM), Gen VI (TM), Gen VII (TM) |
| Submission | Gen I (TM) |
| Super Fang | Gen IV (tutor), Gen V (tutor; Pokémon Dream World, as Nidoran♂), Gen VI (tutor), Gen VII (tutor) |
| Tackle | Gen I (level-up), Gen II (level-up) |
| Water Gun | Gen I (TM) |
Generation IX · Scarlet & Violet, Legends: Z-A (Nidoking is not available)
Nidoking cannot be obtained in Scarlet and Violet or in Legends: Z-A, so it has no Generation IX learnset. Its most recent moveset is the Generation VIII one.
04On screen
Nidoking in the anime
Debut EP047A Chansey Operation · First major role EP063The Battle of the Badge · Its appearances on screen, and 4 other trainers who raised one.
Nidoking has never travelled with Ash, but it has a habit of turning up in his rivals' hands. Its first big role came with Gary, whose Nidoking smashed the Viridian Gym Leader's Golem into a wall with a single Tackle, only to run into Mewtwo, an early glimpse of the Pokémon that would headline the first movie. It went out of the Indigo Plateau Conference with Gary, flipped by Melissa's Golem, and years later Paul's Nidoking pounded Registeel with Earth Power at the Battle Pyramid before an Iron Head ended its run.
Away from the rivals, Nidoking is usually the bruiser in the scene: a rampaging pink one on Pinkan Island, a bad-tempered one on a deserted island, and the wild one that Mew beat with its own Fire Blast, the flashback that set Goh on his quest to catch Mew. Oscar's Nidoking showed its softer side, teaming up with his girlfriend's Nidoqueen to beat Ash and May in a Tag Battle and earning the species its first Pokédex entry along the way, while a POKÉTOON short cast a Nidoking and Nidoqueen as worried parents chasing the girl they think has taken their son.
Other trainers’ Nidoking
First seen: EP063The Battle of the Badge
Now: In storage; it has not battled on screen since the Indigo Plateau Conference
Gary arrived at the Viridian Gym bragging about his ten Badges and agreed to a three-on-three battle with no time limit against a Gym Leader hidden in the shadows. He led with Nidoking, and when the Leader's Golem opened with Tackle, Nidoking replied with a Tackle of its own that smashed Golem into the wall and out of the battle. It then dodged a Crabhammer from Kingler before Gary swapped it out for Arcanine (EP063).
Then the Leader revealed his trump card. Gary sent Nidoking and Arcanine charging in together, but Mewtwo's Psychic lifted both of them clean off the ground. Ash later found Gary and his cheerleaders out cold, and a shaken Gary warned that nobody would ever beat that Pokémon. The same clash, redrawn from Mewtwo's point of view, opens Mewtwo Strikes Back (M01), and Nidoking and Arcanine fall to Mewtwo's psychic power again in the CGI remake, Mewtwo Strikes Back—Evolution (M22).
Nidoking was also Gary's last Pokémon standing in his fourth-round match at the Indigo Plateau Conference, on the Rock Field. Melissa's Golem caught its Horn Attack and turned it into a Seismic Toss, and Gary was out (EP077). In the dub he blamed his cheerleaders for distracting him, while in the Japanese version he said the goddess of fortune simply hadn't smiled on him. Gary then headed home to Pallet Town, and his Nidoking has not battled on screen since.
Moves usedTackleHorn Attack
Key battles
- EP063The Battle of the Badge · vs Golem Won
- EP063The Battle of the Badge · vs Mewtwo (alongside Arcanine) Lost
- EP077The Fourth Round Rumble · vs Golem Lost
First seen: DP128A Pyramiding Rage!
Paul's Nidoking only had one battle on screen, but it made it count. At the Battle Pyramid it stood up to Brandon's Registeel, shrugged off a Flash Cannon and hit back with super-effective Earth Power and Double Kick, sending the steel giant staggering backwards (DP128). Registeel stayed on its feet, though, and ploughed through a Thunderbolt with Iron Head to knock Nidoking out. Brandon won without losing a single Pokémon, and Dawn used the moment to scan Nidoking with her Pokédex. Paul's Nidoking now stays with his brother, Reggie.
- DP128A Pyramiding Rage! · vs Registeel Lost
First seen: AG072The Bicker the Better
Oscar and his girlfriend Andi are a lovestruck Hoenn couple, and his only known Pokémon is a Nidoking to match her Nidoqueen. In a Tag Battle against Ash and May, the two Nido Pokémon worked in perfect harmony while Ash and May squabbled, landing a joint Dynamic Punch and then finishing Corphish and Skitty with a double Submission (AG072). Jessie fancied the hefty pair as a present for Giovanni, but a double Hyper Beam sent Team Rocket blasting off. Oscar's Nidoking also earned the species its first anime Pokédex entry, from Ash's Pokédex.
- AG072The Bicker the Better · vs Corphish and Skitty Won
- AG072The Bicker the Better · vs Jessie and James Won
First seen: M12Pokémon: Arceus and the Jewel of Life
In the distant past of Michina Town, Damos kept a large group of Pokémon, two of them Nidoking. The pair were kept shut away until they were turned against Arceus, joining the attack on the Legendary Pokémon with Shock Wave (M12). In the original course of history it was Damos himself, under Marcus's Hypnosis, who sent them in; when Ash and his friends travelled back in time to change things, Marcus used the Nidoking against Arceus once more.
Ash & Nidoking
Ash has never caught a Nidoking, but he keeps finding one on the other side of the field, usually in a rival's hands. He watched Gary's Nidoking get flipped by Melissa's Golem at the Indigo Plateau Conference (EP077), lost a Tag Battle alongside May to Oscar's Nidoking and Andi's Nidoqueen (AG072), and saw Paul's Nidoking fall to Brandon's Registeel at the Battle Pyramid (DP128). Pikachu has had its own run-ins too, seeing off a bad-tempered Nidoking with Iron Tail on a deserted island (BW135).
Featured episodes
- EP088In the PinkOn Pinkan Island everything is pink, Nidoking included. When Team Rocket's Lickitung chases two pink Nidoran into a cave, a rampaging pink Nidoking chases Team Rocket off, then turns on Ash and his friends; Togepi's Metronome throws up a Barrier against its Hyper Beam before Officer Jenny lassos the giant and leaves it dizzy on the ground.
- EP096Meowth Rules!The villagers of Golden Island put Team Rocket's Meowth through his paces in their stadium by sending out a Nidoking against him. Meowth simply dodges until the big Pokémon wears itself out, and an Onix takes over.
- HS04Showdown at the Oak CorralMaking off with a haul of stolen Poké Balls, Butch and Cassidy run into a Nidoking that takes a shine to Cassidy, who happens to be disguised as a Nidoqueen. The Japanese version lets the scene run longer, with Cassidy kicking her admirer in the chest and being chased for it; the dub cuts it short.
- BW135Mystery on a Deserted Island!On a deserted island tied to an old pirate, a Nidoking goes after three Eevee until Pikachu drives it off with Iron Tail. Team Rocket later make it angry, and after it pelts them with Poison Sting they beat it on their way to the mountaintop.
- JN001Enter Pikachu!In a flashback to summer camp, young Goh and Chloe follow a Nidoking's cry to a clearing and find it battling Mew. Mew teleports away from every attack, and when the frustrated Nidoking fires Fire Blast, Mew dodges and knocks it out with a Fire Blast of its own, the sight that makes Goh vow to catch Mew one day.
- HZ084Where the Land Meets the SkyOn the climb up Mount Pericarp, a wild Nidoking and Tyranitar block the path until Lucius's Moltres drains their energy with Fiery Wrath and clears the way.
More appearances
- EP047A Chansey Operation Nidoking's very first appearance: one is among the Pokémon hurt in a car crash.
- EP140Wired for Battle! A Nidoking is among the Pokémon at Muramasa's dojo.
- EP194Ring Masters A Trainer's Nidoking competes in the Sumo Conference in Rikishii Town.
- EP223Throwing in the Noctowl In a flashback, Wings Alexander's Noctowl, back when it was still a Hoothoot, defeats a Nidoking.
- EP237As Cold as Pryce Pryce remembers a Trainer's Nidoking that battled his Piloswine.
- EP266A Claim to Flame! A Trainer's Nidoking takes part in a qualifying match for the Silver Conference.
- AG126Saved by the Beldum A Trainer's Nidoking is seen during the Ever Grande Conference.
- AG161Odd Pokémon Out! A Nidoking lives on Camomile Island.
- DP072Pokémon Ranger and the Kidnapped Riolu! Part 2 Henchmen working for J's client use a Nidoking to attack Dawn, Brock, Officer Jenny and Solana.
- DP140Historical Mystery Tour! Waking up alone in a field of tall grass, Ash spots an unusually large Nidoking and Nidoqueen.
- XYS05The Legend of X, Y, and Z! A soldier's Nidoking appears in a flashback.
- JN005Mind-Boggling Dynamax! The Nidoking that battled Mew returns in one of Goh's flashbacks.
- JN032Time After Time! Goh's memory of the Nidoking-versus-Mew battle plays out once more.
Beyond the main series
Anime gallery
Anime trivia
- Nidoking had to wait for its first anime Pokédex entry: it debuted in A Chansey Operation (EP047), but no Pokédex read up on one until The Bicker the Better (AG072), when Ash scanned Oscar's Nidoking.
- Ash's two greatest rivals both trained a Nidoking, and both saw it beaten by a Legendary Pokémon: Gary's fell to Giovanni's Mewtwo (EP063) and Paul's to Brandon's Registeel (DP128). Both Nidoking were voiced by Katsuyuki Konishi, in Japanese and English alike.
- In the Pink (EP088) has Officer Jenny warning that electric attacks won't stop the pink Nidoking because it is on a rampage. Being part Ground type, it would have shrugged them off anyway.
- The Sumo Conference in Ring Masters (EP194) has an 80 kg minimum weight, yet a Nidoking competes even though the species officially weighs 62 kg. In the examination room, one Nidoking is even coloured grey instead of purple.
- Gary's Nidoking was knocked out of the Indigo Plateau Conference when Melissa's Golem caught its Horn Attack and countered with Seismic Toss (EP077). Gary's Nidoqueen turned the same trick on Ash at the Silver Conference, catching Tauros's Horn Attack by the horns and countering with Hyper Beam (EP269).
- Cilan and Alexa's demonstration of Evolution stones in Mystery on a Deserted Island! (BW135) shows a Nidoran♂ turning straight into Nidoking with a Moon Stone, skipping Nidorino altogether. The same episode made Nidoking the dub's Who's That Pokémon?
- Nidoking was a red herring in the Japanese broadcast of Parallel Friendships! (SM101): its Pokémon Problem quiz asked which "king" Pokémon appeared, and the options were Kekking (Slaking), Koiking (Magikarp), Nidoking and the right answer, Akuziking (Guzzlord).
“Nidoking, the Drill Pokémon. Nidoking swings its large tail about to create distance, then charges in with the full force of its body behind it.”
Ash's Pokédex · AG072
05On the big screen
Nidoking in the movies
5 films, 1 Pikachu short and 1 special featuring Nidoking.
Nidoking has never headlined a Pokémon film, but it has a habit of turning up where the trouble is. Its debut came in the very first movie, Mewtwo Strikes Back (1998), as Gary's Nidoking was swept aside by an armoured Mewtwo at the Viridian Gym, and the 2019 CGI remake brought it back. Since then it has marched to war in Lucario and the Mystery of Mew, attacked Arceus as one of Damos's Pokémon in Arceus and the Jewel of Life and fallen under Marshadow's spell in I Choose You!. It sits out Detective Pikachu, Secrets of the Jungle and the Pikachu shorts, but the POKÉTOON Blossom's Dream (2021) finally gave it a proper role, as a furious father on the rampage. On TV, Silver's Nidoking battles Jimmy's Typhlosion in the Japanese opening of The Legend of Thunder!
Pokémon: The First Movie – Mewtwo Strikes Back
M01 · 1998
Gary's Nidoking (with his Arcanine)
Nidoking's big-screen debut is a rough one. After Giovanni fits Mewtwo with armour and puts it to work, the Viridian Gym becomes a place where challengers go to lose, and Gary Oak is one of them: his Nidoking and Arcanine are simply outclassed. The scene reworks Gary's defeat from the TV episode The Battle of the Badge, with new animation and a fresh angle on the fight. Eagle-eyed fans can also spot a colouring slip later on, when Fergus's Nidoqueen briefly wears Nidoking's colours as he runs to his injured Gyarados.
Pokémon: Lucario and the Mystery of Mew
M08 · 2005
Several Nidoking in the armies of the past
In the film's look back at the war of long ago, several Nidoking march with the feuding armies that clash in the valley below the palace. It takes Sir Aaron's sacrifice and the green light of the Tree of Beginning to bring the fighting to a halt and send everyone home.
Pokémon: Arceus and the Jewel of Life
M12 · 2009
Damos's two Nidoking (with his four Nidoqueen)
Back in the distant past of Michina Town, the kindly Damos keeps a whole menagerie, including two Nidoking and four Nidoqueen. They're kept locked away until the scheming Marcus takes them to face Arceus, and they turn their Shock Wave on the Original One.
Pokémon the Movie: I Choose You!
M20 · 2017
A Nidoking under Marshadow's control
The film's climax on Mount Tensei turns nasty when the Rainbow Wing darkens and Marshadow seizes control of the wild Pokémon around it. A Nidoking is among the possessed army that turns on Ash and his friends, until Pikachu's heartbroken Thunderbolt blasts Marshadow's hold away.
Pokémon: Mewtwo Strikes Back – Evolution
M22 · 2019
Gary's Nidoking
The CGI remake of the first film brings Gary's Nidoking back alongside his Arcanine, so the Poison/Ground bruiser gets a second outing in Mewtwo's story, this time in full 3D.
Pikachu shorts
- PT03Blossom's Dream (POKÉTOON) (2021) · A wild Nidoking and Nidoqueen, parents of Blossom's Nidoran♂
Nidoking gets its juiciest screen role in years in this Studio Colorido web short, as an overprotective dad. When Blossom runs off with a Nidoran♂, its furious parents chase her right into town, flattening the Dodrio, Rhyhorn and Electabuzz that the locals send to stop them. Once her partner Char-ly calms everyone down and Blossom explains, the pair let their son stay with his new Trainer, and by the end he has evolved into Nidorino.
TV specials
- The Legend of Thunder! (2001)
Nidoking isn't in the story of this Raikou special, but it has a starring moment in the Japanese opening, Naomi Tamura's A New Oath. Jimmy's Typhlosion is shown battling a Nidoking, and Silver, the rival from the Gold and Silver games, makes a rare cameo standing with his Nidoking after beating Jimmy. English broadcasts used a different opening theme.
06Trading Card Game · every card
Nidoking in the Pokémon TCG
29 cards since 1999, oldest first. Tap any card to see it full size.
Nidoking stomped into the card game in Japan's very first Expansion Pack in October 1996 and reached English players as a Base Set holo in January 1999. That first card, a 90 HP Grass type with a nasty Toxic attack, set the tone for everything since: Nidoking is a heavy Stage 2 that hits hard and loves to poison. Its colour has wandered more than most: it began as a Grass type, spent most of the 2000s and early 2010s as Fighting, turned Psychic from Steam Siege to Team Up, and has been Darkness since 151. Along the way it has been Giovanni's personal bruiser (twice, counting a Japanese CoroCoro promo), a Delta Species, a shape-shifting Crystal Pokémon, a golden BREAK card and, in 2025, Team Rocket's Nidoking ex with a towering 330 HP. Many of its cards are built around Nidoqueen: Pride Attack, Lovestrike, King's Palace, King's Drum and 151's Enthusiastic King all get stronger when the queen is close by.
The art has grown up with the game. Ken Sugimori's clean official style opened the account, and he came back for Giovanni's Nidoking and the 20th-anniversary Evolutions remake. The e-Card and EX years brought in new hands such as Naoyo Kimura, Hironobu Yoshida, Hisao Nakamura and Mitsuhiro Arita, and the Triumphant card even sneaks a Moon Stone into the picture. 5ban Graphics' CGI arrived with the BREAK card and returned for Team Rocket's ex. The modern rarities then gave Nidoking whole scenes of its own, in Misaki Hashimoto's 151 Illustration Rare and Uninori's Special Illustration Rare. In TCG Pocket, kawayoo's Team Up art lives on in Genetic Apex, alongside nagimiso's Illustration Rare and Souichirou Gunjima's Shiny.
Cards to know
- Base Set 11/102 — Ken Sugimori's original holo: a 90 HP brute whose Toxic made Poison hit twice as hard, back when most poisons only nibbled for 10.
- Gym Challenge 7/132 (Giovanni's Nidoking) — The Team Rocket boss's personal Nidoking, a 120 HP heavyweight that scares off anything with 50 HP or less.
- Aquapolis 150/147 (Crystal Nidoking) — A secret Crystal Pokémon that changes colour to match the Energy you feed it. The English print even listed the wrong Energy types until an erratum fixed it.
- Evolutions 46/108 (Nidoking BREAK) — Nidoking's one and only BREAK card: a gold, sideways slab of drill-horned poison.
- Team Up 59/181 — The royal couple's best trick. King's Drum doubles from 100 to 200 when Nidoqueen is on your Bench.
- Destined Rivals 233/182 (Team Rocket's Nidoking ex) — Uninori's Special Illustration Rare of Nidoking's first Pokémon ex: 330 HP, and a Tainted Horn that drops 8 damage counters on its victim at every checkup.
Every English-language card
Promo cards
Japan-exclusive cards
Pokémon TCG Pocket
Digital card games
- Pokémon Trading Card Game (Game Boy Color): Nidoking (Base Set 11 art, Ken Sugimori), card B10, from the Evolution booster pack. Science Club member David's Lovely Nidoran Deck runs one and Erik's Poison Deck two; the Auto Deck Machine's Water Beetle Deck (available from the start) and Science Corps Deck (after the Science Medal) have one each. Sprite: TCG1 B10 Nidoking.png.
- Pokémon Card GB2 (Japan only): Nidoking (Base Set 11 art, Ken Sugimori), card B07, in the Legendary Power pack. Science Club members Erik (Gathering Nidoran Deck) and Joseph (Poisonous Swamp Deck) each run two. Sprite: TCG2 B07 Nidoking.png.
The artists behind the cards
- Ken Sugimori — 3 artworks (Base Set, Giovanni's Nidoking in Gym Challenge, the Evolutions remake)
- 5ban Graphics — 3 (Nidoking BREAK, plus the regular and Full Art Team Rocket's Nidoking ex, the Full Art with Hideki Ishikawa)
- kawayoo — 1 (Team Up), reused for TCG Pocket's Genetic Apex
- One each: Atsuko Nishida (CoroCoro Giovanni's Nidoking), Naoyo Kimura (Aquapolis), Hironobu Yoshida (Crystal Nidoking), Hisao Nakamura (EX FireRed & LeafGreen), Mitsuhiro Arita (Nidoking δ), Kouki Saitou (Secret Wonders), Masakazu Fukuda (Rising Rivals), match (Triumphant), Shin Nagasawa (Plasma Freeze), Mina Nakai (Steam Siege), Shiburingaru and Misaki Hashimoto (151), Uninori (Destined Rivals SIR)
- TCG Pocket only: nagimiso and Souichirou Gunjima — 1 each
07On the page & beyond
Nidoking in manga, books & other media
From the earliest manga to story books and songs.
On paper, Nidoking is a scene-stealer. Pokémon Adventures gave it a chapter of its own, 'Long Live the Nidoking!', in which two Nidoking turn Red's Safari Zone tour into a monster movie, before he wins the day and rides out on one's back. Giovanni's Nidoking brings the Viridian Gym down with an Earthquake in the same series, while Pokémon Zensho gives Giovanni's boyhood Nidoking a genuinely heart-breaking story. Kosaku Anakubo's Pocket Monsters plays it for laughs, with a Nidoking falling for Clefairy in a Nidoqueen disguise. On the bookshelf it rampages through Scholastic's Secret of the Pink Pokémon and lends its name to a VIZ comic, The Nidoking Safari. Off the page, it's in the Pokérap verse that closed the anime's first episode and in Japan's Pokémon Ieru Kana?, it has its own track on the Red and Green Super Music Collection, and it has been both a Burger King key chain and a Bandai figure.
Manga
Books
Other media
More from the page
08Did you know?
Nidoking trivia
Name origins, design secrets and the facts that make Nidoking such a fan favourite.
What’s in a name?
Nidoking keeps the same name in English and Japanese – written ニドキング, Nidokingu, in katakana – and French, German, Spanish, Italian and Brazilian Portuguese leave it unchanged too. It most likely joins nīdoru, the Japanese rendering of 'needle', to 'king': a fitting title for a spiny monarch with a horn as hard as diamond. There may be a second pun hidden inside, as nido (二度) means 'twice' – and Nidoking has evolved twice to claim its crown. Chinese versions call it 尼多王 (Níduōwáng), where 王 means 'king', while Lithuanian adds its own ending to make Nidokingas.
Design origins
Nidoking was designed by Ken Sugimori and was one of the very first Pokémon ever created – and its motif was the kaiju, the giant monsters of Japanese cinema. You can see it in the upright stance, the thick, ground-sweeping tail and the spiny ridge down its back. Around that monster frame it mixes in a whole menagerie: the horn of a rhinoceros, the bulk of a gorilla, the big ears of a rabbit and the spines of a porcupine – all wrapped in a purple hide said to be as tough as steel.
Names around the world
| Language | Name | Origin |
|---|---|---|
| Japanese | ニドキング Nidokingu | From needle and king, and possibly 二度 nido (twice) |
| French | Nidoking | Same as the English name |
| Spanish | Nidoking | Same as the English name |
| German | Nidoking | Same as the English name |
| Italian | Nidoking | Same as the English name |
| Brazilian Portuguese | Nidoking | Same as the English name |
| Korean | 니드킹 Nideuking | Transcription of the Japanese name |
| Chinese (Mandarin) | 尼多王 Níduōwáng | Partial transcription of the Japanese name plus 王 (wáng, 'king') |
| Chinese (Cantonese) | 尼多王 Nèihdōwòhng | Partial transcription of the Japanese name plus 王 (wòhng, 'king') |
| Hindi | नीडोकिंग Nidoking | Transcription of the Japanese name |
| Russian | Нидокинг Nidoking | Transcription of the Japanese name |
| Thai | นิโดคิง Nidokhing | Transcription of the Japanese name |
| Lithuanian | Nidokingas | From the English name |
Did you know?
- In the Generation I games' code, Nidoking is index number 7 – behind only Rhydon, Kangaskhan, Nidoran♂, Clefairy, Spearow and Voltorb.
- Nidoking, designed by Ken Sugimori, was among the very first Pokémon ever created – and its motif was a classic kaiju.
- Nidoking shares the 'Drill Pokémon' category with Nidoqueen, Rhydon and Rhyperior – and all four are part Ground type.
- Nidoqueen can't breed, but Nidoking can: since Generation V, an Egg from Nidoking and Ditto hatches into either a Nidoran♂ or a Nidoran♀.
- Shiny Nidoking swaps its purple for blue, ending up looking a lot like a regular Nidoqueen.
- Rivals love a Nidoking. Gary's flattened Giovanni's Golem before Mewtwo stepped in, and Paul's went toe to toe with Brandon's Registeel before falling.
- In Pokémon Puzzle League, Giovanni owns a Nidoking and a Sandslash – two Pokémon he never has in the anime.
- Not sure how to say it? A segment on commonly mispronounced names during the 2023 Pokémon World Championships livestream gave it as 'NEE-do-king'.
- In Pokémon Yellow, Giovanni's Lv. 55 Nidoking knows Thunder – an Electric-type attack on a Pokémon that Electric moves can't touch.
- The Generation III Pokédex says its tail can topple a metal transmission tower; by Diamond & Pearl it was merely snapping telephone poles like matchsticks.
- SoulSilver toned down the grisly Silver entry: instead of snapping its victim's spine, Nidoking now just renders it 'helpless'.
- With Sheer Force, a Life Orb boosts Nidoking's moves without its usual HP cost whenever the Ability is powering up the attack.
- In Pokémon Masters EX, Sygna Suit Giovanni's passive skill Giovanni's Cunning turns Normal-type moves into Ground-type ones and stops them missing – so Nidoking's shaky Mega Kick always connects.
- In Pokémon Super Mystery Dungeon it declares: 'Fool me once, shame on Sandslash! Fool me twice, shame on Nidoking!'
- In Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Red & Blue Rescue Team it calls itself 'the male among males!' – and on levelling up, it boasts that the poison in its horn is turning vile.
- Pokémon Zensho gives Giovanni a sad backstory: he turned bitter, and to crime, after losing his childhood Nidoking.
- On Pinkan Island, where the local berries turn Pokémon pink, a wild pink Nidoking attacks Jessie and James in the anime episode 'In the Pink'.
- Its very first card, the Base Set holo, attacks with Thrash and Toxic – both moves Nidoking can really learn in the games.
09Quizzes, archive & further reading
More Nidoking
Test yourself
Professor Oak's Kanto Quiz: BeginnerProfessor Oak has a few questions before you set foot in the tall grass. How well do you know the region where it all began?Take the quiz →
Who's That Pokémon? Kanto: BeginnerIt's the classic challenge! Can you name these original 151 Pokémon from their silhouettes alone?Take the quiz →
Indigo League Anime: IntermediateGrab your cap and set off on Ash's very first adventure. How much do you remember from the Indigo League days?Take the quiz →
Pokémon Horizons Anime: BeginnerAll aboard for a brand-new adventure! See how well you know Liko, Roy and the crew of Pokémon Horizons: The Series.Take the quiz →
Mewtwo Strikes Back: BeginnerThe film that brought Pokémon to cinemas everywhere! How well do you remember Pokémon: The First Movie?Take the quiz →
Pokémon TCG: IntermediateShuffle up and draw! From the very first booster packs to the digital age, how well do you know the Pokémon Trading Card Game?Take the quiz →From the archive: Gengar’s Online Pokédex
Before this page, Pokémon Dungeon was home to Gengar’s Online Pokédex, the classic fan Pokédex for Red, Blue, Yellow, Gold, Silver & Crystal by Curtis Alumbaugh (Gengar) with Ian Alumbaugh (Haunter). Its Nidoking entry is preserved in full, with its original art, moves and locations.
Further reading
Pokémon and all related names, artwork, sprites, screenshots and card images are © Nintendo, Creatures Inc., GAME FREAK inc. and The Pokémon Company, used here for fan commentary. Images via the Bulbagarden Archives. Page updated 24 October 2026.