Nidoking, The Drill Pokémon. One swing of its mighty tail can snap a telephone pole as if it were a matchstick. It swings its big tail around during battle. If its foe flinches, it will charge with its sturdy body. Its tail is thick and powerful. If it binds an enemy, it can render the victim helpless quite easily. It is recognized by its rock-hard hide and its extended horn. Be careful with the horn as it contains venom. It uses its powerful tail in battle to smash, constrict, then break the prey's bones.

Overview

To be honest, I've always thought Nidoking was cool when I got him as a Pokémon card years ago. He has an incredible movepool which makes him a pretty awesome choice in UU, and possibly even OU! With a nice Speed, good offensive stats, and that vast movepool, he is a great Pokémon to use.

Ability

Poison Point: the much safer option, and it may cause Poison status which could mess some Pokémon up.
Rivalry: although risky, it could be useful if you go up against another male.

Move Sets

Will it mix? That is the question! UU

- Earth Power
- Thunderbolt
- Ice Beam
- Superpower
Item Attached: Life Orb
Ability: Poison Point
EVs and Nature:
EVs: 80 Atk / 252 SAtk / 176 Spd
Rash Nature (+SAtk, -SDef)

The UU MixKing. The Blendtec blender of Pokémon. It has amazing coverage and can take down plenty of teams just because of this fact. Earth Power gets STAB and is a good move in general. The type combo of Ice and Ground hits a lot of types neutrally and super effectively. Add Thunderbolt into the mix and only Shedinja resits all three attacks. Thunderbolt sorts out the bulky Water types who want to take Nidoking's other moves. Ice Beam hurts the Grass types who would like to try and force Nidoking to switch. Superpower is there for the Normal special walls in UU.

Will it mix? That is the question! OU

- Ice Beam
- Earthquake
- Megahorn
- Thunderbolt / Fire Blast
Item Attached: Life Orb
Ability: Poison Point
EVs and Nature:
EVs: 252 Atk / 168 SAtk / 88 Spd
Naughty Nature (+Atk, -SDef)

Less wall breaking, more beat top threats in OU. Ice Beam outright destroys the 4x Ice weak Dragons. Earthquake is Earthquake. One of the best moves in the game, and it gets STAB. Megahorn is there mostly for a certain Grass and Psychic Pokémon. Thunderbolt ruins Water Pokémon and Flying Pokémon, but Fire Blast is a lot stronger against most Steels in OU.

The King Must Lead His Army To Victory

- Taunt
- Stealth Rock
- Ice Beam
- Earth Power
Item Attached: Focus Sash
Ability: Poison Point
EVs and Nature:
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Modest Nature (+SAtk, -Atk)

A leap from the standard attacking sets, this set aims to set up Stealth Rock, stop it being set up by the opponent, and possibly deal some damage. Taunt stops the opponent setting up, which is vital. Stealth Rock is what it is, the best move in the game. Ice Beam and Earth Power, although they won't be getting much action, the combination of types means that if attacking is required, it is likely you can at least deal some damage.

King of Leon

- Earthquake
- Stone Edge
- Megahorn
- Sucker Punch
Item Attached: Choice Band / Life Orb
Ability: Poison Point
EVs and Nature:
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spd
Adamant Nature (+Atk, -SAtk)

Kings of Leon are a band... Choice Band... Nidoking... King of Leon... it made sense at the time. Earthquake is your main move, as always. Strong, reliable and STAB. Stone Edge gets awesome coverage with Earthquake, and is another good move. Megahorn sorts out any bulky Grass types, with Sucker Punch there to get a cheap priority hit in on a Psychic looking to revenge kill Nidoking.

EVs and Nature:

Will it mix? That is the question! UU
Max Special Attack as the set is primarily special. Enough Attack to 2HKO Chansey with Superpower, and the remainder goes into Speed.

Will it mix? That is the question! OU
Mainly physical, so max Attack. Due to OU being way stronger than UU, more EVs are thrown into offensive stats. The Speed lets you outrun Suicune and max Speed Adamant Tyranitar, which is always going to be useful. The remainder is put into Special Attack.

The King Must Lead His Army To Victory
Uh... this set is designed around getting killed off when its job is done so... don't invest in HP or anything.

King of Leon
It hits hard physically. It hits fast physically. Use 252 Attack and 252 Speed.

Other Options

Counter, Choice Specs, Poison moves, Super Fang, Toxic Spikes

Counter could be a surprise kill on some obscure lead set.

Choice Specs would be a surprise, but Nidoking does mixed so much better than single spectrum attacking.

Poison moves really aren't that good, despite STAB. However, you could throw Poison Jab or something on the Choice Band set.

Super Fang is awesome, it just doesn't really fit any sets Nidoking has.

Toxic Spikes are extra residual damage, but Stealth Rock is better for a set up... set.

Countering Nidoking

Bulky Grass types work well. Actually, any bulky types work well. Despite being awesome, Nidoking hasn't got ridiculous offensive stats, they are just... nice. Bulky Waters, bulky Grass types, bulky Grounds, they all work, just avoid the move that Nidoking probably has that can hurt you. Special moves are sucked up by Chansey and Clefable, but they eat a Superpower. Nidoking is fairly easy to revenge kill, so any fast Psychic or Water work. Really, if you work out Nidoking's sets, you will be able to play around him.

Locations in Games

Ruby/Sapphire/Emerald Trade from FRLG Colosseum/XD Trade from FRLG Fire Red/Leaf Green Evolve Nidorino Diamond/Pearl/Platinum Evolve Nidorino HeartGold/SoulSilver Evolve Nidorino

Animé Appearences

Nidoking has had a fair few Animé Appearences. Most notably, Gary & Paul have used them during their various travels. The rest were cameos Episode 47: A Chansey Operation Episode 63: Battle of the Badge Mewtwo Strikes Back Episode 79: Fourth Round Rumble Episode 90: In the Pink Episode 98: Meowth Rules The Power of One Episode 142: Wired for Battle Episode 196: The Ring Masters Celebi: Voice of the Forest Episode 225: Throwing In The Noctowl Episode 239: As Cold As Pryce Episode 268: A Claim To Flame Showdown At The Oak Corral Episode 348: The Bicker The Better Episode 403: Saved By The Beldum Episode 438: Odd Pokémon Out Episode 495: Setting a Not-So-Old Score Episode 596: A Pyramiding Rage Arceus & The Jewel of Life Episode 608: Historical Mystery Tour