Competitive Information for Nidoking [Sword/Shield]
Poison / Ground
Abilities:
Movesets for Singles
What is a good competitive moveset for Nidoking? These builds have been optimized for Pokemon competing in Sword/Shield Single Battles. The movesets and EVs have been specifically calibrated to deal the most amount of damage to the largest group of potentially common opponents and typing threats for the Sword/Shield generation metagame.
RillaboomRotom-HeatUrshifuSuicuneStakatakaTapu FiniMoltres-GalarKartanaIncineroarWhimsicott
Nidoking is a stupendous Poison and Ground-typed Pokemon. Nidoking is a pretty regular Pokemon to see in Generation 8. Nidoking is typically seen in the UU tier (Underused). Nidoking is weak to Ground, Ice, Psychic, and Water-typed attacks.
Item: Life Orb / Expert Belt
Ability: Sheer Force
Nature: Modest (+SpA, -Atk)
EVs: 28 Hp / 4 Def / 252 SpA / 52 SpD / 172 Spe
IVs: 0 Atk
Moveset:
- Earth Power
- Ice Beam
- Sludge Bomb
- Protect
Special Sweeper Nidoking (Popular/Trending)
Nidoking is a sensational Special Sweeper for single battles. It's goal is to take down the opponent's team with high-damaging special attacks. Expert Belt boosts the damage of Nidoking's super effective moves by 20%. Life Orb boosts the power of Nidoking's damaging moves by 1.3x but it then loses 1/10 its max HP immediately after the attack. However, Sheer Force negates the recoil damage from Life Orb while still increasing the damage from both it's ability and the orb making it an amazing item for Nidoking. With Sheer Force, Nidoking's attacks with secondary effects have 1.3x power; nullifies the effects.
◆ Ice Beam is a special 90-base power Ice-type move (10% chance to freeze the target).
◆ Sludge Bomb is a special STAB-boosted 90-base power Poison-type move (30% chance to poison the target).
◆ Protect is a status move (prevents moves from affecting your Nidoking this turn).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/is10a22
Item: Life Orb / Choice Band
Ability: Sheer Force
Nature: Adamant (+Atk, -SpA)
EVs: 4 Hp / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Moveset:
- Earthquake / Drill Run
- Outrage
- Shadow Claw / Double-Edge
- Poison Jab / Poison Tail
Physical Sweeper Nidoking (Sheer Force)
Nidoking is a spectacular Physical Sweeper for single battles. It attempts to take down the opponent's team with brute physical power. Choice Band will increase the damage of Nidoking's physical moves by 1.5x at the cost of locking you into the first move you pick. Life Orb boosts the power of Nidoking's damaging moves by 1.3x but it then loses 1/10 its max HP immediately after the attack. However, Sheer Force negates the recoil damage from Life Orb while still increasing the damage from both it's ability and the orb making it an amazing item for Nidoking. With Sheer Force, Nidoking's attacks with secondary effects have 1.3x power; nullifies the effects. Shadow Claw was added to provide additional threat coverage.
◆ Drill Run is a physical STAB-boosted 80-base power Ground-type move (high critical hit ratio).
◆ Outrage is a physical 120-base power Dragon-type move (lasts 2-3 turns. Confuses your Nidoking afterwards).
◆ Shadow Claw is a physical 70-base power Ghost-type move (high critical hit ratio).
◆ Double-Edge is a physical 120-base power Normal-type move (has 33% recoil).
◆ Poison Jab is a physical STAB-boosted 80-base power Poison-type move (30% chance to poison the target).
◆ Poison Tail is a physical STAB-boosted 50-base power Poison-type move (high critical hit ratio. 10% chance to poison).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/is11a22
Item: Life Orb / Choice Specs
Ability: Sheer Force
Nature: Modest (+SpA, -Atk)
EVs: 4 Hp / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
IVs: 0 Atk
Moveset:
- Sludge Wave / Sludge Bomb
- Earth Power / Scorching Sands
- Thunderbolt
- Surf
Special Sweeper Nidoking (Sheer Force)
Nidoking is an interesting Special Sweeper for single battles. It's purpose is to take down the opponent's team with high-damaging special attacks. Choice Specs will increase the damage of Nidoking's special moves by 1.5x but will lock you into the first move you pick. Life Orb boosts the power of Nidoking's damaging moves by 1.3x but it then loses 1/10 its max HP immediately after the attack. However, Sheer Force negates the recoil damage from Life Orb while still increasing the damage from both it's ability and the orb making it an amazing item for Nidoking. With Sheer Force, Nidoking's attacks with secondary effects have 1.3x power; nullifies the effects.
◆ Sludge Bomb is a special STAB-boosted 90-base power Poison-type move (30% chance to poison the target).
◆ Earth Power is a special STAB-boosted 90-base power Ground-type move (10% chance to lower the target's special defense by 1 stage).
◆ Scorching Sands is a special STAB-boosted 70-base power Ground-type move (30% chance to burn the target. Thaws target).
◆ Thunderbolt is a special 90-base power Electric-type move (10% chance to paralyze the target).
◆ Surf is a special 90-base power Water-type move (hits adjacent pokemon. Double damage on dive).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/is12a22
Item: Black Sludge
Ability: Poison Point
Nature: Relaxed (+Def, -Spe)
EVs: 6 Hp / 251 Atk / 251 SpA
Moveset:
- Dragon Pulse
- Superpower
- Rock Slide
- Flamethrower
Nidoking Mixed Sweeper (Mixed Nido)
Nidoking is a pretty decent Mixed Sweeper for single battles. With Poison Point, 30% chance a pokemon making contact with Nidoking will be poisoned. With a Black Sludge equipped to it, each turn, if Nidoking is a poison type, restores 1/16 max hp; loses 1/8 if not.
◆ Superpower is a physical 120-base power Fighting-type move (lowers your Nidoking's attack and defense by 1 stage).
◆ Rock Slide is a physical 75-base power Rock-type move (30% chance to make the foes flinch).
◆ Flamethrower is a special 90-base power Fire-type move (10% chance to burn the target).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/is13a22
Item: Life Orb
Ability: Sheer Force
Nature: Timid (+Spe, -Atk)
EVs: 4 Hp / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
IVs: 0 Atk
Moveset:
- Sludge Wave / Venoshock
- Earth Power
- Ice Beam
- Flamethrower
Nidoking Special Sweeper (Sheer Nidoking)
Nidoking is a wonderful Special Sweeper for single battles. It's purpose is to take down the opponent's team with high-damaging special attacks. Life Orb boosts the power of Nidoking's damaging moves by 1.3x but it then loses 1/10 its max HP immediately after the attack. However, Sheer Force negates the recoil damage from Life Orb while still increasing the damage from both it's ability and the orb making it an amazing item for Nidoking. With Sheer Force, Nidoking's attacks with secondary effects have 1.3x power; nullifies the effects. Most people would never think to use Nidoking as a Special Attacker but holy crap does he do it well!
◆ Venoshock is a special STAB-boosted 65-base power Poison-type move (power doubles if the target is poisoned).
◆ Earth Power is a special STAB-boosted 90-base power Ground-type move (10% chance to lower the target's special defense by 1 stage).
◆ Ice Beam is a special 90-base power Ice-type move (10% chance to freeze the target).
◆ Flamethrower is a special 90-base power Fire-type move (10% chance to burn the target).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/is14a22
Movesets for Doubles
What is a good doubles moveset for Nidoking? These builds have been optimized for Sword/Shield Double Battles. They have movesets and EVs specifically calibrated to generally work best versus multiple Pokemon at once as well as helping to support other team members and allys in the Sword/Shield generation metagame.
RillaboomRotom-HeatUrshifuSuicuneStakatakaTapu FiniMoltres-GalarKartanaIncineroarWhimsicott
Item: Life Orb / Choice Band
Ability: Sheer Force
Nature: Adamant (+Atk, -SpA)
EVs: 4 Hp / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Moveset:
- Earthquake / Drill Run
- Rock Slide
- Shadow Claw / Double-Edge
- Poison Jab / Poison Tail
Doubles Physical Sweeper Nidoking (Sheer Force)
Nidoking is a notable Physical Sweeper for double battles. It is designed to take down the opponent's team with brute physical power. Choice Band will increase the damage of Nidoking's physical moves by 1.5x at the cost of locking you into the first move you pick. Life Orb boosts the power of Nidoking's damaging moves by 1.3x but it then loses 1/10 its max HP immediately after the attack. However, Sheer Force negates the recoil damage from Life Orb while still increasing the damage from both it's ability and the orb making it an amazing item for Nidoking. With Sheer Force, Nidoking's attacks with secondary effects have 1.3x power; nullifies the effects. Shadow Claw was added to provide additional threat coverage.
◆ Drill Run is a physical STAB-boosted 80-base power Ground-type move (high critical hit ratio).
◆ Rock Slide is a physical 75-base power Rock-type move (30% chance to make the foes flinch).
◆ Shadow Claw is a physical 70-base power Ghost-type move (high critical hit ratio).
◆ Double-Edge is a physical 120-base power Normal-type move (has 33% recoil).
◆ Poison Jab is a physical STAB-boosted 80-base power Poison-type move (30% chance to poison the target).
◆ Poison Tail is a physical STAB-boosted 50-base power Poison-type move (high critical hit ratio. 10% chance to poison).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/id10a22
Item: Life Orb / Choice Specs
Ability: Sheer Force
Nature: Modest (+SpA, -Atk)
EVs: 4 Hp / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
IVs: 0 Atk
Moveset:
- Sludge Wave / Sludge Bomb
- Surf
- Earth Power / Scorching Sands
- Incinerate / Flamethrower
Doubles Special Sweeper Nidoking (Sheer Force)
Nidoking is a notable Special Sweeper for double battles. It's purpose is to take down the opponent's team with high-damaging special attacks. Choice Specs will increase the damage of Nidoking's special moves by 1.5x but will lock you into the first move you pick. Life Orb boosts the power of Nidoking's damaging moves by 1.3x but it then loses 1/10 its max HP immediately after the attack. However, Sheer Force negates the recoil damage from Life Orb while still increasing the damage from both it's ability and the orb making it an amazing item for Nidoking. With Sheer Force, Nidoking's attacks with secondary effects have 1.3x power; nullifies the effects.
◆ Sludge Bomb is a special STAB-boosted 90-base power Poison-type move (30% chance to poison the target).
◆ Surf is a special 90-base power Water-type move (hits adjacent pokemon. Double damage on dive).
◆ Earth Power is a special STAB-boosted 90-base power Ground-type move (10% chance to lower the target's special defense by 1 stage).
◆ Scorching Sands is a special STAB-boosted 70-base power Ground-type move (30% chance to burn the target. Thaws target).
◆ Incinerate is a special 60-base power Fire-type move (destroys the foes berry/gem).
◆ Flamethrower is a special 90-base power Fire-type move (10% chance to burn the target).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/id11a22
Movepool
Wondering what moves can Nidoking learn? Here is the list of moves this Pokemon can learn in this selected generation.
Sort and organize the learnset by move type, category, accuracy, and power. Bolded moves will gain the same-type attack bonus (STAB) if this Pokemon uses them.
Damage Modifiers:
Combo List
These are a list of several common move combinations Nidoking can perform in Sword/Shield. Not every combo going to be game-changing, but some can be pretty fun to play with. Sometimes these can be easily overlooked or forgotten, hence why we find and list them here. Discover what items, abilities, and moves this Pokemon can use in combination with each other to gain a strategic advantage in competitive battles.
Competitive SS Move and Ability Combos for Nidoking
- Moves: Swagger + Flatter
- Moves: Rain dance + Thunder
- Moves: Rest + Sleep talk
- Moves: Rest + Snore
- Moves: Thunderbolt + Ice beam
- Moves: Body Press + Curse
- Moves: Body Press + Defense Curl
- Moves: Body Press + Skull Bash
- Ability: Sheer force + Item: Life orb
- Move: Swagger + Item: Mirror Herb
- Move: Fling + Item: King's Rock
- Move: Facade + Item: Flame Orb
- Move: Facade + Item: Toxic Orb
- Ability: Sheer Force + Additional Effect Move: Icy Wind
- Ability: Sheer Force + Additional Effect Move: Mud Shot
- Ability: Sheer Force + Additional Effect Move: Body Slam
- Ability: Sheer Force + Additional Effect Move: Bubble Beam
- Ability: Sheer Force + Additional Effect Move: Bulldoze
- Ability: Sheer Force + Additional Effect Move: Confusion
- Ability: Sheer Force + Additional Effect Move: Earth Power
- Ability: Sheer Force + Additional Effect Move: Fire Punch
- Ability: Sheer Force + Additional Effect Move: Flamethrower
- Ability: Sheer Force + Additional Effect Move: Fling
- Ability: Sheer Force + Additional Effect Move: Headbutt
- Ability: Sheer Force + Additional Effect Move: Ice Beam
- Ability: Sheer Force + Additional Effect Move: Ice Punch
- Ability: Sheer Force + Additional Effect Move: Mud-Slap
- Ability: Sheer Force + Additional Effect Move: Poison Jab
- Ability: Sheer Force + Additional Effect Move: Poison Sting
- Ability: Sheer Force + Additional Effect Move: Poison Tail
- Ability: Sheer Force + Additional Effect Move: Power-Up Punch
- Ability: Sheer Force + Additional Effect Move: Rock Smash
- Ability: Sheer Force + Additional Effect Move: Scorching Sands
- Ability: Sheer Force + Additional Effect Move: Shadow Ball
- Ability: Sheer Force + Additional Effect Move: Sludge Bomb
- Ability: Sheer Force + Additional Effect Move: Sludge Wave
- Ability: Sheer Force + Additional Effect Move: Snore
- Ability: Sheer Force + Additional Effect Move: Rock Tomb
- Ability: Sheer Force + Additional Effect Move: Throat Chop
- Ability: Sheer Force + Additional Effect Move: Thunder Punch
- Ability: Sheer Force + Additional Effect Move: Thunderbolt
- Ability: Sheer Force + Additional Effect Move: Water Pulse
- Ability: Sheer Force + Additional Effect Move: Dynamic Punch
- Item: Blunder Policy + Move: Dynamic Punch
- Ability: Sheer Force + Additional Effect Move: Blizzard
- Ability: Sheer Force + Additional Effect Move: Focus Blast
- Ability: Sheer Force + Additional Effect Move: Thunder
- Ability: Sheer Force + Additional Effect Move: Iron Tail
- Ability: Sheer Force + Additional Effect Move: Fire Blast
- Ability: Sheer Force + Additional Effect Move: Rock Slide
- Moves with Priority: Detect, Endure, Helping Hand, Protect, Sucker Punch
- Moves that Break Screens: Brick Break
- Moves that inflict status (and combo with the move Hex): Scorching Sands, Toxic
Moves that boost Nidoking's stats
- Amnesia
- Curse
- Defense Curl
- Hone Claws
- Power-Up Punch
- Skull Bash
Most notable and possible best moves for Nidoking
- Earth Power
- Earthquake
- Flamethrower
- Head Smash
- Ice Beam
- Protect
- Reflect
- Rest
- Sludge Bomb
- Stealth Rock
- Taunt
- Toxic
Common Effort Values for Nidoking in Sword and Shield
- Modest Nature ( 28/0/4/252/52/172 )
- Modest Nature ( 4/0/0/252/0/252 )
- Optimize Nidoking's EV spread for Pokemon Sword and Shield
Related Videos
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Here are the best movesets for Nidoking. Top rated Nidoking Sword/Shield movesets. You can find Nidoking builds Sword/Shield. Nidoking movesets Sword/Shield are listed here. VGC Nidoking Competitive Movesets can be found here. Find various EV spreads, find the best nature for Nidoking in Sword/Shield along with competitive movesets. Basic info and Movesets for evolution