Competitive Information for Nidoking [Sword/Shield]
Poison / Ground
Abilities:
30% chance a Pokemon making contact with this Pokemon will be poisoned.
This Pokemon's attacks do 1.25x on same gender targets; 0.75x on opposite gender.
This Pokemon's attacks with secondary effects have 1.3x power; nullifies the effects.
Disclaimer: All videos and opinions are owned by their respective creators and may not reflect our views.
Movesets for Singles
Looking for a competitive moveset for Nidoking? These builds are optimized for Sword/Shield Single Battles. The movesets and EVs are designed to maximize damage against common opponents and threats in the Sword/Shield metagame. Check out the expert movesets below to boost your battle performance and dominate your opponents!
RillaboomRotom-HeatUrshifuSuicuneStakatakaTapu FiniMoltres-GalarKartanaIncineroarWhimsicott
Get ready to meet Nidoking, the sick Poison and Ground-typed Pokémon! Nidoking is a common Pokémon to see in the SS metagame. It is weak to Ground, Ice, Psychic, and Water-typed attacks. Delve into Nidoking's movesets below and strategize for victory!
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
Nidoking excels as a magnificent Special Sweeper during single battles. This approach seeks to crush rivals using formidable special power. 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/maa22
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
In single battles, Nidoking is known as a remarkable Physical Sweeper. It's primary goal is to take down the opponent's team with lethal 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/mba22
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
Dominating single battles, Nidoking is pretty popular Special Sweeper. It is primarily designed to take down the opponent's team with intense special moves. 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/mca22
Item: Black Sludge
Ability: Poison Point
Nature: Relaxed (+Def, -Spe)
EVs: 6 Hp / 251 Atk / 251 SpA
Moveset:
- Dragon Pulse
- Superpower
- Rock Slide
- Flamethrower
Prepare for single battles with Nidoking as a stupendous Mixed Sweeper. 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/mda22
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
Dominating single battles, Nidoking is a fabulous Special Sweeper. It was designed to crush rivals using heavy-hitting 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/mea22
Movesets for Doubles
Need a strong doubles moveset for Nidoking? These builds are perfect for VGC (Pokémon Video Game Championship) and other competitive Sword/Shield Double Battles. The VGC is the ultimate test of strategy and skill, and these movesets and EVs are designed to excel against multiple opponents at once while providing essential support to your team. Dominate the Sword/Shield metagame with these expert-crafted setups!
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
Nidoking thrives as a notable Physical Sweeper perfect for double battles. This moveset is designed to take down the opponent's team with devastating physical moves. 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/naa22
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
Prepare for double battles with Nidoking as an exquisite Special Sweeper. This setup is intended to crush rivals using formidable special moves. 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/nba22
Movepool
Want to know what moves Nidoking can learn? Check out the full list of moves available in the Pokemon Sword/Shield generation.
Sort and organize the learnset by type, category, accuracy, and power. Moves in bold get the same-type attack bonus (STAB) when used by Nidoking.
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 Defensive EV-spread for Pokemon Sword and Shield
Usage Data
Explore the latest analytical usage data for this Pokémon from various VGC and online competitions. We use this data to develop our strategies and movesets. The data is categorized by competition and skill level: top-ranking trainers, mid-level players, and entry-level players.
THIS SECTION IS CURRENTLY UNDER CONSTRUCTION
Some builds on this page have been hidden, click here to display them
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