Species guide · Ages 10+ · July 2026
Nincada
Say it: NI-nca-da
Kids summary (simpler)Tap to expand
Nincada is the Trainee Pokémon — Bug and Ground before Ninjask (and Shedinja via leftover Poké Ball — confirm live). In Pokémon GO it is usually candy on the way to Ninjask — not a finished raid attacker. Bug/Ground hits Grass, Psychic, and Electric well; Fire, Flying, Water, and Ice punish it. Catch Nincada from the wild, eggs, or events, then evolve.
Say it: NI-nca-da
Nincada (#290) is a Bug / Ground Pokémon in Pokémon GO — the pre-evolution of Ninjask. Trainers almost never power Nincada for raids; the value is candy and IVs for Ninjask (and Shedinja when available). Against Nincada, lead with Fire, Flying, Water, or Ice. 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
Nincada is a Bug / Ground-type Pokémon in Pokémon GO. National Dex #0290. Use the Bug/Ground type chart below before powering up — metas shift every season.
Where in GO: Wild spawns, eggs, Field Research, and seasonal events
Invest tip: Do not sink Stardust into Nincada. Keep high-IV copies for Ninjask. Shadow Nincada is the same — evolve toward Shadow Ninjask.
Type matchups
- Bug moves hit Grass, Psychic, and Dark hard.
- Ground moves hit Fire, Electric, Poison, Rock, and Steel hard.
When Nincada is your opponent, Fire, Water, Ice, Flying hits hard.
Full type matchup guide →GO base stats
From Game Master snapshot — IVs, buddy, and power-ups change real battle stats.
- Attack
- 80
- Defense
- 126
- Stamina
- 104
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. Mega Charizard Y · beats Fire
Fire Spin + Blast Burn · Elite TM
- 2. Reshiram · beats Fire
Fire Fang + Fusion Flare
- 3. Shadow Moltres · beats Fire
Fire Spin + Overheat
- 4. Shadow Charizard · beats Fire
Fire Spin + Blast Burn · Elite TM
- 5. Mega Blaziken · beats Fire
Fire Spin + Blast Burn · Elite TM
- 6. Shadow Entei · beats Fire
Fire Spin + Overheat
- 7. Blaziken · beats Fire
Fire Spin + Blast Burn · Elite TM
- 8. Darmanitan · beats Fire
Fire Fang + Overheat
- 9. Chandelure · beats Fire
Fire Spin + Overheat
- 10. Heatran · beats Fire
Fire Spin + Flamethrower
- 11. Emboar · beats Fire
Ember + Blast Burn · Elite TM
- 12. Infernape · beats Fire
Fire Spin + Blast Burn · Elite TM
Budget
Solid alternatives when you cannot build the Recommended picks.
- 1. Darmanitan · beats Fire
Fire Fang + Overheat
- 2. Arcanine · beats Fire
Fire Fang + Flamethrower
- 3. Flareon · beats Fire
Fire Spin + Overheat
- 4. Typhlosion · beats Fire
Incinerate + Blast Burn · Elite TM
- 5. Magmortar · beats Fire
Fire Spin + Fire Punch
- 6. Camerupt · beats Fire
Incinerate + Overheat
- 7. Torkoal · beats Fire
Fire Spin + Overheat
- 8. Rapidash · beats Fire
Fire Spin + Fire Blast
- 9. Pyroar · beats Fire
Fire Fang + Overheat
- 10. Simisear · beats Fire
Fire Spin + Flamethrower
- 11. Charizard · beats Fire
Fire Spin + Blast Burn · Elite TM
- 12. Houndoom · beats Fire
Fire Fang + Flamethrower
Recommended moves
Nincada’s Game Master pool is temporary. Real investment is Ninjask — evolve before serious TMs and power-ups.
Fast
- Bug Bite · Standard
Bug energy
- Scratch · Standard
Normal filler
Charged
- Bug Buzz · Standard
Bug nuke
- Night Slash · Standard
Dark coverage
- Aerial Ace · Standard
Flying coverage
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
- scratch
- bug bite
Charged
- night slash
- bug buzz
- aerial ace
PvP league ranks (family snapshot)
- Great League · rank #947 of 954 · CP 868
Bug Bite + Bug Buzz
- Master League · rank #991 of 1023 · CP 868
Bug Bite + Bug Buzz
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).
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.