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Nidoking (Japanese: ニドキング Nidoking) is a dual-type Poison/Ground Pokémon introduced in Generation I.

It evolves from Nidorino when exposed to a Moon Stone. It is the final form of Nidoran♂.

It is related to Nidoran♀ and, starting in Generation V, can produce Eggs that contain either Nidoran♂ or Nidoran♀ when bred with Ditto.

Biology

Nidoking is a large, bipedal, purple Pokémon with distinct reptilian features. It has narrow eyes, large, spiny ears, fur-like tufts on its cheeks, and a short snout filled with pointed teeth. There is a long, venomous horn on its forehead and a ridge of spines down its back. Gray plates cover its chest and belly, and there is a gray, rounded spine on each elbow. Each hand was three claws, while each foot has only a single hoof-like nail. It has a long, powerful tail. Nidoking is a male-only species.

It is said that Nidoking's tail is capable of toppling a metal transmission tower. Nidoking uses this tail to smash, constrict, or break the bones of its prey and enemies. The tail can also be swung to create distance between it and its foes before Nidoking charges. Its steel-like hide adds to its powerful, rampaging charges. Being the result of an evolution via Evolution stone, Nidoking is rarely found in the wild, though they can be found in savannas and plains.

In the anime

In the main series

Major appearances

In The Battle of the Badge, Gary Oak used a Nidoking to battle Giovanni's Golem during their Gym battle. Nidoking was revealed to have tremendous power as he managed to Tackle Golem head-on, launch it across the battlefield, and defeat it in one hit. However, when Giovanni used Mewtwo, Nidoking was no match and was defeated easily. This battle was shown again from Mewtwo's perspective in Mewtwo Strikes Back. In The Fourth Round Rumble, Nidoking battled Melissa's Golem but was defeated easily. He reappeared again in Mewtwo Strikes Back—Evolution, a remake of Mewtwo Strikes Back, where he played the same role.

In In the Pink, a pink Nidoking was a resident of Pinkan Island. He attacked Jessie and James as they were attempting to capture a pink Nidoran couple. He was eventually subdued by Officer Jenny.

In Showdown at the Oak Corral, a Nidoking tried to mate with Cassidy, who was in a Nidoqueen costume at the time.

In The Bicker the Better, Oscar has a Nidoking, while his girlfriend Andi had a Nidoqueen. They had a Double Battle with Ash and May, and due to Oscar and Andi's communication with each other, they were able to defeat Ash and May with relative ease.

In A Pyramiding Rage!, Paul used a Nidoking to battle Brandon's Registeel. Although Nidoking was powerful and versatile, Registeel was still able to hold its own and eventually brought down Nidoking.

In the original timeline of Arceus and the Jewel of Life, two Nidoking were used by Damos, who was under Hypnosis, to attack Arceus with Shock Wave. When Ash and his friends traveled to the past to prevent this, Marcus, the one responsible for hypnotizing Damos, managed to use the Nidoking again to attack Arceus.

In Mystery on a Deserted Island!, a Nidoking was a resident of the Deserted Island. He was first seen chasing a trio of Eevee before being intimidated into leaving by Pikachu's Iron Tail. He later attacked Team Rocket but was defeated by them.

In a flashback in Enter Pikachu!, a young Goh and Chloe saw a Nidoking battling a Mew that was copying its moves. He reappeared in flashbacks in Mind-Boggling Dynamax! and JN032.

Minor appearances

In A Chansey Operation, a sick Nidoking was seen.

A Nidoking appeared in Meowth Rules!, under the ownership of the Golden Island villagers.

In The Power of One, a Nidoking sensed the disturbance caused by Lawrence III.

A Nidoking appeared in a fantasy in The Rivalry Revival.

In Wired for Battle!, a Nidoking was in Muramasa's dojo.

In Ring Masters, a Nidoking competed in Rikishii Town's Sumo Conference.

Multiple Nidoking appeared in Celebi: The Voice of the Forest.

In a flashback in Throwing in the Noctowl, a Nidoking was defeated by Wings Alexander's then-Hoothoot.

In As Cold as Pryce, Pryce remembered a Trainer's Nidoking as one of the Pokémon that fought his Piloswine.

In A Claim to Flame!, a female Trainer's Nidoking participated in a qualifying match for the Silver Conference.

In Saved by the Beldum, a Trainer's Nidoking was seen during the Ever Grande Conference. He reappeared in a flashback in Shocks and Bonds.

In Lucario and the Mystery of Mew, multiple Nidoking were part of the feuding armies that were eventually placated by Sir Aaron in the past.

In Odd Pokémon Out!, a Nidoking was a resident of Camomile Island.

A Coordinator's Nidoking appeared in Settling a Not-So-Old Score!.

In Pokémon Ranger and the Kidnapped Riolu! (Part 2), J's client's henchmen used a Nidoking to attack Dawn, Brock, Officer Jenny, and Solana.

In Historical Mystery Tour!, Ash encountered a Nidoking in Xatu's Forest.

A Nidoking appeared in the opening sequence of Zoroark: Master of Illusions.

A Nidoking appeared in Cilan's demonstration in Mystery on a Deserted Island!, where he evolved from a Nidoran♂.

A soldier's Nidoking appeared in a flashback in The Legend of X, Y, and Z!.

In I Choose You!, a Nidoking was under the control of Marshadow.

Pokédex entries

Episode Pokémon Source Entry AG072 Nidoking Ash's Pokédex 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.

Episode Pokémon Source Entry DP128 Nidoking Dawn's Pokédex Nidoking, the Drill Pokémon. One swing of its mighty tail can snap a telephone pole as if it were nothing but a matchstick.

In Pokémon Origins

In File 1: Red, a Nidoking was one of the Pokémon seen in Professor Oak's introduction.

In the manga

In the Ash & Pikachu manga

Gary owns a Nidoking, which appeared in One Half Of A Poké Ball.

In the Pokémon Adventures manga

In Long Live the Nidoking!, two Nidoking were fighting for a Nidoqueen.

Red caught several rampaging Nidoking in the Safari Zone in A Hollow Victreebel.

Giovanni used his Nidoking to destroy his former Gym with a powerful Earthquake in Long Live the Nidoqueen!?. He was later seen again in the Sevii Islands, where his Rock Tomb tripped a biker that Deoxys had attacked.

A Nidoking appeared in a flashback along with a Nidoqueen while the Day-Care Couple was reminiscing about the times they had raising Pokémon in Gligar Glide.

A Nidoking was seen in a Poké Ball at Professor Oak's Laboratory in Cherrygrove City in Off Course with Corsola.

A Nidoking appeared in The Last Battle XIII as one of the Pokémon sent to participate in the fight in Ilex Forest.

A Nidoking appeared in Out-Odding Oddish, under the ownership of a Pokéathlon participant.

In the Pokémon Pocket Monsters manga

Giovanni has a Nidoking, which was used in his Gym battle against Red in Get The Last Badge!!.

Professor Oak owns a Nidoking, which debuted in Save the Pokémon Zoo!!.

In the Pokémon Zensho manga

In Pokémon Zensho, Giovanni became bitter and turned to crime after losing his Nidoking when he was young.

In the TCG

Game data

NPC appearances

Spoiler warning: this article may contain major plot or ending details.

Spoilers end here.

Pokédex entries

Game locations

In side games

In events

Held items

Stats

Base stats

Generations I-V

Generation VI onward

Pokéathlon stats

Type effectiveness

Learnset

Generation VIII Other generations: I - II - III - IV - V - VI - VII This Pokémon is unavailable within Generation VIII.

Click on the generation numbers above to see Nidoking's learnsets from other generations.





Side game data

Evolution

Sprites

Trivia

Nidoking and its female counterpart Nidoqueen share their category name with Rhydon and Rhyperior. They are all known as the Drill Pokémon. Additionally, all four are partly Ground types.

Although its female counterpart Nidoqueen cannot be bred, Nidoking can.

Nidoqueen and Nidoking are the only Pokémon with a Poison/Ground type combination.

Nidoking is a popular choice with anime rivals, as two of Ash's main rivals (Gary and Paul) have one, as well as Jimmy's main rival.

Origin

Nidoking appears to share traits of rhinoceroses, gorillas, mice, rabbits, and porcupines.

Name origin

Nidoking may be a combination of needle and king (reflective of its gender and being the final evolution). Nido may also be based on cnidocyte, a type of venomous cell responsible for the stings delivered by stinging animals, most notably by jellyfish. Alternatively, it may be based on 二 ni (two) or 二度 nido (two times/two degrees), referring to there being two distinct evolutionary lines using the name with similar names and traits.

In other languages

Language Title Meaning Japanese ニドキング Nidoking Possibly from "needle", plus "king" French Nidoking Same as Japanese name Spanish Nidoking Same as Japanese name German Nidoking Same as Japanese name Italian Nidoking Same as Japanese name Korean 니드킹 Nidoking Transliteration of Japanese name Cantonese Chinese 尼多王 Nèihdōwòhng A portmanteau of 尼多, the common prefix of the names of this Pokémon's evolutionary line, and 王 wòhng Mandarin Chinese 尼多王 Níduōwáng A portmanteau of 尼多, the common prefix of the names of this Pokémon's evolutionary line, and 王 wáng More languages Lithuanian Nidokingas From English name Russian Нидокинг Nidoking Transcription of Japanese name Thai นิโดคิง Nidoking Transcription of trademarked Japanese name







