Species guide · Ages 10+ · July 2026
Nidoking
Say it: NY-doh-king
Kids summary (simpler)Tap to expand
Nidoking is the Drill Pokémon — Poison and Ground from Nidoran♂ → Nidorino → Nidoking. In Pokémon GO it is a Poison/Ground attacker with Poison Jab + Earth Power / Earthquake. Poison helps against Grass and Fairy; Ground helps against Electric, Fire, Poison, Rock, and Steel. Water, Ice, Psychic, and Ground punish it. Evolve Nidorino or catch Nidoking from events.
Say it: NY-doh-king
Nidoking (#034) is a Poison / Ground Pokémon in Pokémon GO — the final form of Nidoran♂. Trainers use it as a Poison/Ground attacker with Poison Jab / Iron Tail / Double Kick / Poison Sting + Earthquake / Sludge Wave / Megahorn / Earth Power / Sand Tomb. Against Nidoking, lead with Water, Ice, Psychic, or Ground. Stats, type chart, moves, and counter picks below use our Game Master snapshot.
Type-colored placeholder — not official Pokémon artwork (see IP notice below).
Pokédex notes
Nidoking is a Poison / Ground-type Pokémon in Pokémon GO. National Dex #0034. Use the Poison/Ground type chart below before powering up — metas shift every season.
Where in GO: Wild spawns, eggs, Field Research, and seasonal events
Invest tip: Poison Jab + Earth Power / Earthquake is the dual kit. Shadow Nidoking is the raid DPS lean — remove Frustration before investing. No Community Day exclusive is required.
Type matchups
- Poison moves hit Grass and Fairy hard.
- Ground moves hit Fire, Electric, Poison, Rock, and Steel hard.
When Nidoking is your opponent, Water, Ice, Ground, Psychic hits hard.
Full type matchup guide →GO base stats
From Game Master snapshot — IVs, buddy, and power-ups change real battle stats.
- Attack
- 204
- Defense
- 156
- Stamina
- 191
Weak to
Resists
Best Pokémon to use against it
When this species is your opponent (Rocket battle, gym, raid, or PvP), these picks exploit its typings. Each list is a pool of options — not a required 12-Pokémon lobby.
Recommended
Strongest practical attackers for this matchup.
- 1. Primal Kyogre · beats Water
Waterfall + Origin Pulse — Primal lobby boost
- 2. Shadow Kyogre · beats Water
Waterfall + Origin Pulse
- 3. Mega Swampert · beats Water
Water Gun + Hydro Cannon · Elite TM
- 4. Kyogre · beats Water
Waterfall + Origin Pulse
- 5. Shadow Kingler · beats Water
Bubble + Crabhammer
- 6. Shadow Feraligatr · beats Water
Waterfall + Hydro Cannon · Elite TM
- 7. Kingler · beats Water
Bubble + Crabhammer
- 8. Swampert · beats Water
Water Gun + Hydro Cannon · Elite TM
- 9. Feraligatr · beats Water
Waterfall + Hydro Cannon · Elite TM
- 10. Samurott · beats Water
Waterfall + Hydro Cannon · Elite TM
- 11. Gyarados · beats Water
Waterfall + Aqua Tail
- 12. Empoleon · beats Water
Waterfall + Hydro Cannon · Elite TM
Budget
Solid alternatives when you cannot build the Recommended picks.
- 1. Kingler · beats Water
Bubble + Crabhammer
- 2. Gyarados · beats Water
Waterfall + Aqua Tail
- 3. Vaporeon · beats Water
Water Gun + Aqua Tail
- 4. Feraligatr · beats Water
Waterfall + Hydro Cannon · Elite TM
- 5. Swampert · beats Water
Water Gun + Hydro Cannon · Elite TM
- 6. Clawitzer · beats Water
Water Gun + Crabhammer
- 7. Floatzel · beats Water
Water Gun + Aqua Jet
- 8. Seismitoad · beats Water
Mud Shot + Hydro Pump
- 9. Carracosta · beats Water
Water Gun + Hydro Pump
- 10. Blastoise · beats Water
Water Gun + Hydro Cannon · Elite TM
- 11. Wailord · beats Water
Water Gun + Surf
- 12. Golisopod · beats Water
Waterfall + Aqua Jet
Recommended moves
Game Master “moves in GO” lists Nidoking’s always-available TM pool. Poison Jab + Earth Power covers Poison/Ground needs.
Fast
- Poison Jab · Standard
Poison energy / default
- Double Kick · Standard
Fighting energy
- Iron Tail · Standard
Steel damage
- Poison Sting · Standard
Poison alternate
Charged
- Earth Power · Standard
Best Ground nuke
- Earthquake · Standard
Ground alternate
- Sludge Wave · Standard
Poison nuke
- Megahorn · Standard
Bug coverage
- Sand Tomb · Standard
Ground / PvP
Moves in GO
Always-available Game Master learnset (regular TMs). Community Day / Elite TM moves appear above when we have curated notes for this species.
Fast
- poison jab
- iron tail
- double kick
- poison sting
Charged
- earthquake
- sludge wave
- megahorn
- earth power
- sand tomb
PvP league ranks (family snapshot)
- Great League · rank #135 of 954 · CP 1466
Poison Sting + Megahorn
- Ultra League · rank #77 of 747 · CP 2493
Poison Sting + Megahorn
- Master League · rank #170 of 1023 · CP 2902
Poison Sting + Megahorn
In your Collect
Name match only (text). Cards you have saved in Card Nexus Collect — not official art.
Sign in to see holdings, or open Collect.
Open Collect →Raid and PvP advice uses our Game Master snapshot (updated July 2026).
Raid attacker roles
In the Competitive Guide
- Ch. 20: Lucky Pokémon & Family Trades
When lucky status matters for trades and Stardust savings.
- Ch. 21: Best Friends & Lucky Friends
Friendship steps for raid bonuses and lucky trades.