Nidoking [4F]

[Heysup]

www.smogon.com/dp/pokemon/nidoking


[SET]
name: Mixed Attacker (UU)
move 1: Earth Power
move 2: Thunderbolt
move 3: Ice Beam
move 4: Superpower / Hidden Power Grass
item: Life Orb
ability: Poison Point
nature: Rash
evs: 80 Atk / 252 SpA / 176 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Nidoking's main attraction is its awesome type coverage, and this set abuses the coverage to its fullest. The main advantage of using this set over a physical set is that you can deal with Water and Grass-type Pokemon with so many super effective options. With decent Speed and offensive stats to back Nidoking's awesome coverage, it is definitely a force to be reckoned with in the UU metagame.</p>

<p>This Nidoking is designed to KO physically defensive Pokemon with its special attack, and KO specially defensive Pokemon with Superpower. 80 Atk EVs guarantees the OHKO on Chansey with Superpower if it switches into Earth Power with Stealth Rock in play, while Pokemon like Registeel can barely touch Nidoking and is easily KOed by its STAB Earth Power. While Nidoking can obviously take care of some of the previously mentioned walls, this Nidoking set is limited because of its lack of physical offense. However, this set is quite fast, outspeeding neutral nature base 80s, allowing it to sweep very effectively. If you would like, you can only use 44 Speed EVs, to increase Nidoking's Attack stat high enough to effectively use Earthquake. This allows Nidoking to beat defensive Roserade more effectively, and it has a much easier time plowing through a stall team.</p>

<p>Since Nidoking can still be switched into and outsped, defensive Pokemon are greatly appreciated with this set to spounge the hits. For example, defensive Pokemon like Milotic are tough for this Nidoking set to get around, so Pokemon like Roserade and Venusaur can be helpful to absorb incoming Surfs. However, since this set can take some bulky Water-types and physically defensive Pokemon such as Regirock by surprise, Fire-type Pokemon such as Moltres, Magmortar, Charizard and Blaziken can all benefit from this, because it makes their sweep much easier to pull off.</p>

[SET]
name: Physical Attacker
move 1: Earthquake
move 2: Megahorn
move 3: Stone Edge
move 4: Sucker Punch
item: Life Orb
ability: Poison Point
nature: Adamant / Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Earthquake is your main attack, with the rest of the set offering great type coverage. Stone Edge is for Flying-types such as Altaria; Megahorn rips through Grass-types such as Tangrowth, and Sucker Punch takes out speedy Ghost-types, like Rotom and Mismagius in UU, or Gengar in OU.</p>

<p>This is more suited for UU competition; however if you wish to use it in OU, there are a few alternative moves to consider. Ice Punch can replace Stone Edge to take care of Dragon-types and Gliscor more easily. Losing Stone Edge leaves you open to Gyarados, so you can replace Sucker Punch with ThunderPunch, which also puts a dent in Skarmory. Fire Punch is also worth considering as it handles Heracross, Bronzong, Skarmory and Forretress.</p>

<p>This Nidoking set is focused on taking out weakened counters and sweeping, rather than weakening and taking out counters like the mixed sets. This Nidoking set works well with Pokemon such as Blaziken or Magmortar, who lure out the bulky Water-types and weaken them with STAB Fighting attacks or Thunderbolts respectively. It also benefits being used with Pokemon who can deal with Earthquake immune Pokemon, so that Nidoking can sweep with Earthquake late game. Pokemon like Hitmontop with Pursuit lure out levitating Ghost-types such as Mismagius who attempt to block Rapid Spin, but then get trapped in by Pursuit, leaving their team open for an Earthquake sweep. Scyther can be a nice Pursuit user as well, granting some decent defensive synergy on top of removing Nidoking's counters.</p>

<p>Nidoking benefits from Pokemon who can take the attacks from Pokemon who try to revenge kill him, or Pokemon that can take a hit and KO back. Milotic, Steelix, and even Regirock come to mind, both being able to take an Earthquake and KO back with Surf or Earthquake respectively. However all of these Pokemon are taken care of by Tangrowth making it a great partner for Nidoking. Tangrowth can take the Surfs and Earthquakes all day, while also threatening the previously mentioned Pokemon with its STAB Power Whip.</p>

[SET]
name: Lead
move 1: Earth Power
move 2: Ice Beam
move 3: Stealth Rock
move 4: Taunt
item: Life Orb / Focus Sash
ability: Poison Point
nature: Modest
evs: 80 HP / 252 SpA / 176 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
<p>With enough bulk to survive the common leads' attacks, the ability to set up Stealth Rock while also having Taunt, and having nice type-coverage, Nidoking makes a great lead. Against leads like Arcanine, Nidoking can simply Earth Power for the KO, as Arcanine is easily KOed while Nidoking isn't KOed by any attack Arcanine has to offer. Pokemon like defensive Roserade, Uxie, and Mesprit are Taunted and rendered useless. Against Pokemon like Swellow and Yanmega who require Protect to be useful, Nidoking can set up Stealth Rock and switch to a counter the next turn, as neither them OHKO Nidoking with the extra HP EVs added.</p>

<p>Nidoking has trouble with some leads in particular, namely Ambipom and offensively oriented Roserade. To deal with Ambipom, a bulky hard hitting Pokemon is recommended. Rhydon and Relicanth come to mind with their nice damage output, high defense, and resistance to Fake Out. Scarf Roserade is harder to counter outright because of Sleep Powder and unpredictability; however Registeel or a more defensive Roserade are often safe choices, not taking much from any of Roserade's unboosted attacks, while the latter can just switch out of sleep.</p>


[SET]
name: Mixed Attacker (OU)
move 1: Earthquake
move 2: Megahorn
move 3: Ice Beam
move 4: Fire Blast / Thunderbolt
item: Life Orb
ability: Poison Point
nature: Naughty
evs: 252 Atk / 168 SpA / 88 Spe

<p>The OU version of the previous set. This is great for breaking many of the walls Nidoking may encounter in OU battles. Megahorn rips into Cresselia and Celebi; Ice Beam handles Dragons and Grounds like Hippowdon and Gliscor. Fire Blast covers Skarmory, Forretress, Bronzong and also 2HKOs Weezing. Or you can switch to Thunderbolt for Suicune and Gyarados, while still retaining coverage on Skarmory. Thunder is also usable if you are willing to trade accuracy for power and a higher Paralysis chance.</p>

<p>88 Speed EVs allow Nidoking to outrun everything from minimum Speed Cresselia and Suicune, up to Adamant Tyranitar and finally, minimum Speed Gliscor.</p>

<p>It should be noted that Tyranitar is offensively superior with this style of set. Nidoking's only real advantages are his immunities to Toxic and Thunder Wave, and his ability to absorb Toxic Spikes. Nidoking's good set of type resists (Bug, Fighting, Rock) don't count for a great deal, especially with Life Orb and no HP investment. </p>

<p>Due to Nidoking's ability to absorb Toxic Spikes, it makes a great partner for Pokemon like Blissey, who fails to counter Pokemon like Empoleon if Toxic Spikes are in play. Nidoking works best with teams that have some fast sweepers to take advantage of the weakened walls. Dragon Dance Gyarados in particular is a great partner for Nidoking, being immune to Earthquake, and allowing Nidoking to come in on Rock Slides, Stone Edges, and Thunderbolts.</p>

[Team Options]

<p>Nidoking is most commonly seen as a wall breaker, which is always a great way to support your team. With his mixed attacker set clearing the feild of many of the common walls, such as Steelix, Registeel, and Milotic, many sweepers can then set up their sweep much easier. For example, Pokemon such as Mismagius have trouble getting by Registeel on its own, but fortunately for Mismagius, Nidoking is not only a safe switch-in, but he can take Registeel out of the match with a STAB Earthquake or Earthpower.</p>

<p>With Nidoking's only decent offensive stats, many bulkier Pokemon can take a couple hits before biting the dust, and covering all of their STABs with resistances would be near impossible, so defensive Pokemon such as Registeel, Regirock, and Chansey are good partners. Tangrowth takes many of Nidoking's weaknesses easily, such as Ground and Water-type attacks, while also benefitting from weakened walls.</p>

<p>Nidoking also helps his team, by absorbing Toxic Spikes. Stat boosting Pokemon such as Espeon really appreciate this, and so Espeon also works quite will with Nidoking. Not to mention Espeon also appreciates how Nidoking takes out its counters.</p>

[Other Options]

<p>You can use Poison Jab and Sludge Bomb in the appropriate sets, but very rarely will they outdamage Nidoking's other options. Nor will Surf, which Nidoking can also learn. Thief is somewhat of a filler move—which seems an odd idea on something as diverse as Nidoking—but it can be used to steal Leftovers from a tank.</p>

<p>Rivalry can provide a very welcome boost provided you are facing a male opponent, although you will have your offense dropped when facing a Pokemon of the opposite gender. However, a boosting item like Life Orb does compensate for this somewhat. Overall, Poison Point is the safer option.<p>

[EVs]

<p>A simple 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe spread is fine for the purely physical set is fine. Adamant or Modest natures are recommended, although if you desire more Speed, Jolly and Timid are fine too.</p>

<p>For the Life Orb mixed attacker sets, Nidoking needs to use both attack stats to break down walls, so it must sacrifice some Speed. Make sure your EV stat is odd if you're using Life Orb, so the damage rounds down as well. The Superpower set maximizes its Special Attack, and uses just enough Attack Power to 2HKO Chansey with Earth Power and Superpower with the rest dumped in Speed, and can outspeed neutral nature base 80s. The pure wall breaker uses just enough Speed to outspeed defensive Roserade and the rest goes into its offensive stats with emphasis on its Special Attack. The OU mixed attacker set outspeeds Tyranitar, and minimum Speed Suicune, and maximizes its Attack stat before investing in Special Attack.</p>

[Opinion]

<p>Nidoking has a really awesome movepool and decent but unspectacular stats to use it with. In OU, he requires a bit of skill to get the most of, and you will often find better candidates for a team slot. However, in the lower environments he is very deadly.</p>

<p> In an environment with stall all over the place, Nidoking can be of much use to many teams by helping to tear down the walls. However, many people overlook Nidoking when its fellow wall breaker Blaziken is also an option. Without the Fighting-type STAB, and the incredibly high offensive stats that Blaziken has, Nidoking can be viewed as outclassed. This is not the case, however, because Nidoking has a much more varied movepool. With Thunderbolt, Nidoking can take out bulky Water-types much more reliably than Blaziken, while also boasting Ice Beam to take care of Altaria, who is one of the biggest issues Blaziken has.</p>

<p>With a great movepool for a wall breaker or sweeper, and the fact he can switch into resisted attacks (including Fighting, Electric, and Rock-type attacks), Nidoking can be a great asset to any team.</p>

[Counters]

<p>The best way to "counter" Nidoking is to send in a generic wall, find out his set and item, and work from there. Even with a boosting Nidoking's power is a bit low in OU, so a bulky sweeper like Salamence or Gyarados will work as long as you stay away from the super effective moves. The safest bets in UU are usually bulky Grass-type Pokemon such as Tangrowth, who will not take much from a STAB Ground-type attack. They need to stay clear of boosted Megahorns and Ice Beams though.</p>

<p>The Ground / Water-types, like Quagsire and Swampert are fairly safe bets. Thanks to their good defensive stats, they should survive most attacks well enough, however they should stay clear of boosted Earth Powers and the occasional Hidden Power Grass too. Poliwrath does a decent job of countering Nidoking if he avoids boosted Thunderbolts.</p>

<p>Any fast Pokemon that can use a super effective move can easily revenge kill Nidoking. Espeon is a good example, as it can Substitute to scout for Sucker Punch as well as OHKO Nidoking with a STAB Psychic.</p>

 

[Kier]

With a STAB Earthquake, Nidoking can 2HKO all special walls who try to get in the way of its powerful special attacks.... Ice Beam comes in handy, OHKOing Altaria who is a general pain for most wall breakers, and is the main attraction for Nidoking over Blaziken with its BoltBeam coverage

Nidoking also benefits from Pokemon who can take the attacks from Pokemon who try to revenge kill him. There are too many Pokemon that threaten Nidoking when it's locked into one of its attacks to list and provide resistances for....

With its mixed attacker set clearing the field of many of the common walls....

Nidoking also helps its team (comma removed) by absorbing Toxic Spikes. Stat boosting Pokemon such as Espeon really appreciate this. Nidoking also beats many of Espeon's counters, such as (example); as such, Espeon works well when paired with Nidoking.

I originally set out just to fix all the misuses of "it's" in this analysis but I think I may just proofread the entire thing since there seems to be a few mistakes here.

 

[Heysup]

I originally set out just to fix all the misuses of "it's" in this analysis but I think I may just proofread the entire thing since there seems to be a few mistakes here.

Yea, I fixed most of the inconsistant crap like "He" and "it". Nidoking is a "He", so I changed most things to "His", instead of "its".

 

[Caelum]

Don't remove an entire set (in this case Mixed Attacker : OU) without explaining why you chose to do it.

Edit: I don't mean in the actual analysis explain it, but explain it to us in your post

 

[Heysup]

Don't remove an entire set (in this case Mixed Attacker : OU) without explaining why you chose to do it.

Edit: I don't mean in the actual analysis explain it, but explain it to us in your post

Well the quick answer, is because Nidoking is UU, not OU. I could add a Paragraph in saying "With Paralysis support, this Nidoking set can also work in OU, but is otherwise too slow to hit the quicker Pokemon such as Heatran and Gyarados."

I just dont think it's nessesary when Nidoking is

|  125 | Nidoking   |

In OU.

Especially When the mixed attacker isnt Even used at all:

| Nidoking   | Nature       | Adamant          |    50.9 |
| Nidoking   | Nature       | Modest           |    18.0 |
| Nidoking   | Nature       | Jolly            |    10.3 |
| Nidoking   | Nature       | Other (4)        | <   8.8 |

 

[jrrrrrrr]

[SET]
name: Mixed Attacker

[SET COMMENTS]

<p>Sucker Punch can be used over Ice Beam to be a back up revenge killer, but without STAB, an attack increasing nature, and having to sacrifice the coverage Ice Beam gives, Ice Beam is recommended.</p>

Sounds weird. I'd change it to something like "Sucker Punch can be used over Ice Beam to serve as a back-up revenge killer, but without STAB or an Attack boosting nature it is not well suited for the role. The type coverage provided by Ice Beam is recommended for most teams." Either way, Attack needs to be capitalized, and this sentence needs to be reworded.

<p>The EVs selected for this set are quite odd looking at first glance, as there are only 4 EVs put into Speed. This is because Nidoking needs as much attacking power as possible from both ends of the spectrum, and it is already faster than the walls of UU.</p>

minor grammatical fixes here.

<p>Rash is the ideal nature, because Nidoking can switch in on the odd Rock Slides, Stone Edges, and weak Iron Heads and Gyro Balls from Pokemon like Regirock, Registeel, and Steelix:<p>

Nidoking doesn't resist Steel, and those pokemon almost always carry EQ anyways. I'm not sure how accurate this sentence actually is, although you should keep the argument that defense is better than spdef on this set. I know I'd only switch Nidoking into any of those mons if I was expecting TWave or Stealth Rock, personally.

<p>Nidoking clears the path for many sweepers who have trouble getting passed the bulkier Pokemon of UU. One example would be an Agility Blaziken, which greatly benefits from having bulky Water-types such as Milotic weakened, so it can pull off a sweep easier. Another example would be something like Espeon or Mismagius, who have trouble Calm Minding with Registeel and the like roaming around. Luckily for them Nidoking makes a great switch in and can 2HKO Registeel with ease.</p>

A few more minor fixes. I'll get back to this later if I can.

 

[Kier]

Ok, this one is half the length of Blaziken lol.

With this one, I didnt need to change much at all either.

www.smogon.com/dp/pokemon/nidoking

[SET]
name: Mixed Attacker
move 1: Earthquake
move 2: Earth Power / Fire Blast
move 3: Thunderbolt
move 4: Ice Beam / Sucker Punch
item: Life Orb
ability: Poison Point
nature: Rash
evs: 252 Atk / 252 SpA / 4 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
<p>With his vast movepool and decent offensive stats, Nidoking is one of the best wall breakers in UU. With a STAB Earthquake, Nidoking can 2HKO all special walls who try to get in the way of his powerful special attacks. Earth Power will always OHKO Steelix, getting the metagame's most common physical wall out of the way. Thunderbolt hits bulky Water-types, such as Slowbro or Milotic, who may switch in on a Fire Blast or an Earthquake. Ice Beam comes in handy, OHKOing Altaria (who is a pain for most wall breakers), and is an advantage Nidoking has over Blaziken with Nidoking's "BoltBeam" coverage. Fire Blast can be used over Earth Power—it still has a very good chance to OHKO Steelix, and Earth Power hits Shaymin harder than Ice Beam.</p>

<p>Sucker Punch can be used over Ice Beam if one needs a priority attack to be a back up revenge killer, but without STAB, an attack increasing nature, and having to sacrifice the coverage Ice Beam gives [remove], but the type coverage of Ice Beam is generally more useful.</p>

<p>Mixed Attacking Nidoking needs as much attacking power as possible, so his EVs are dumped into both Attack and Special Attack. Nidoking already outspeeds many UU walls without EV investment, but the remaining EVs are placed into Speed for good measure. (just seemed awkward, this is my spin on it)</p>

<p>Rash is the ideal nature, because Nidoking can switch in on the odd Rock Slides, Stone Edges, and weak Iron Heads and Gyro Balls from Pokémon like Regirock, Registeel, and Steelix.<p>

<p>Nidoking clears the path for many sweepers who have trouble getting past the bulkier Pokémon of UU. One example would be an Agility Blaziken, who can pull off a sweep more easily when bulky Water-types such as Milotic have been weakened. Espeon or Mismagius, who have trouble Calm Minding when the opponent is carrying Registeel, will have a much easier time setting up after Nidoking has eliminated their counter.</p>

<p>Nidoking works well when paired with Pokémon such as Shaymin and Tangrowth, who use their Grass-type resistances to sponge hits for Nidoking from Pokémon who threaten him. Ground and Water attacks barely dent these two Grass-types, and leaves them a free turn to fire off STAB attacks or support moves. Registeel is also welcome on a team with Nidoking, as it can provide Stealth Rock and/or Thunder Wave support and it [remove] can take attacks from Roserade, who can easily revenge kill Nidoking otherwise.<p>

Sorry to mangle your writing but as always the changes I make (I feel) help the piece read more naturally. Hopefully you don't mind. I will try to do the rest of the analysis when I don't have so much schoolwork on my plate. :¬)

 

[User 12783]

[SET COMMENTS]
<p>The physical attacker is the most commonly used set in OU, seeing as the main natures used is Adamant, but the damage it can cause in UU is extraordinary as well.Earthquake is your main attack, with the rest of the set offering great type coverage. Stone Edge is for Flying-types such as Altaria; Megahorn rips through Grass-types such as Shaymin, and Sucker Punch takes out speedy Ghosts, like Rotom and Mismagius, or in OU, Gengar. </p>

<p>This is more suited to UU competition however, but if you wish to use it in OU, there are a few alternative moves to consider. Ice Punch can replace Stone Edge to take care of Dragon-types and Gliscor more easily. Losing Stone Edge leaves you open to Gyarados, so you can replace Sucker Punch with ThunderPunch, which also puts a dent in Skarmory. Fire Punch is also worth considering as it handles Heracross, Bronzong, Skarmory and Forretress.</p>

<p>Life Orb can replace Choice Band if you wish to ease your prediction worries, at the expense of a little power and 10% of Nidoking's health each turn he attacks. The big advantage of Life Orb is you don't get stuck using a futile attack, such as Earthquake on Mismagius. This also turns Nidoking into a better sweeper, rather than a "hit and run" attacker. With Life Orb and Sucker Punch, Nidoking can finish the opponent off before they attack.</p>

<p>This Nidoking set has its mind set more on taking out weakened counters and sweeping, rather than weakening and taking out counters like the mixed set. Though that may sound similar it leads to using these two sets differently. Nidoking works well with Pokemon such as Blaziken or Magmortar, who lure out the bulky Water-types and weaken them with STAB Fighting attacks or Thunderbolts respectively. It also benefits being used with Pokemon who can deal with Earthquake immune Pokemon, so that Nidoking can sweep with Earthquake late game. Pokemon like Hitmontop with Pursuit lure out Ghosts such as Mismagius, who attempt to block Rapid Spin, but then get trapped in by Pursuit, leaving their team open for an Earthquake sweep.</p>

<p>Nidoking also benefits from Pokemon who can take the attacks from Pokemon who try to revenge kill him. There are too many Pokemon that threaten Nidoking when he is locked into one of its attacks to list and provide resistances for, so general defensive Pokemon, such as Registeel, Regirock, Milotic, and as usual, Shaymin who can take the Ground and Water-type attacks aimed at Nidoking.</p>

[SET COMMENTS]
<p>The main advantage of this set, is that you take care of Water and Ground-type Pokemon much easier with so many super effective options. While this lacks the brute force of the physical set, it makes up for it with coverage.</p>

<p>Life Orb can be used with Superpower to deal with Chansey, who would otherwise wall this set. Hidden Power Grass is expendable because most of the Water and Ground-types can not take two Earth Powers, though the easy OHKO can come in handy.</p>

<p>Similar to the above set, a Nidoking locked in on any attack makes him an easy revenge kill target early game, so defensive Pokemon are also greatly appreciated with this set as well. Since this set can take bulky Water-types and physically defensive Pokemon such as Regirock by surprise, Fire-type Pokemon such as Moltres, Magmortar, Charizard and Blaziken can all benefit from this, which makes their sweep much easier to pull off.</p>

 

[Heysup]

I think I got most people's grammar catches fixed, thanks.

@ Jrrrrr:
Registeel's Iron Head vs Nidoking: 31.68% - 37.62%
Steelix's Gyro Ball vs Nidoking: 26.73% - 31.68%

It can switch in to those attacks quite easily, and it resists the Rock-type attacks from Regirock.

 

[Heysup]

I updated the Special Attacker set to "Special Attacker + Superpower". It is still reasonably fast (outspeeds honchkrow), and can now 2HKO Chansey on the switch with Earth Power + Superpower. The first set is just pure brute force.

If anyone has any issues, let me know. Otherwise I think this is basically done as well.

 

[umbarsc]

What is the point of Earthquake on the Wall Breaker set? How does Earthquake/special/special/special break walls more easily than Superpower/special/special/special?

 

[Heysup]

Brute force. Earthquake is Nidoking's strongest attack on that set, and it helps deal with switchins much better. Not to mention, it beats Registeel much easier than the special set (the special set loses to Earthquake variants). Pokemon like Milotic have trouble switching into the main set, as even the most defensive milotic has a chance to be 2HKOed with Earthquake + Thunderbolt. It also can beat Chansey without having -1 Atk and Def from Superpower.

Not to mention its spread damage. So the reason for having a Earthquake / special / special / special is because Earthquake is more versatile than Superpower, as in it's more powerful and gets some nice KOes that superpower cant.

 

[Seven Deadly Sins]

Superpower has shit coverage compared to EQ (which Nidoking gets STAB on), and Superpower also prevents you from actually using any other physical moves while you're out. IMO, Superpower is useless on anything with STAB Earthquake, and Nidoqueen is no different.

 

[Heysup]

Is there anything else anyone wants to add?

 

[Fuzznip]

I'm not sure if this is appropriate for a set, but I think there should be a Gravity Sweeper set, Nidoking gets all of the powerful elemental moves. The set would be this:

Fire Blast / Thunder / Blizzard / Earth Power or Focus Blast

It works really well with Gravity set up obviously, Clefable for example is a decent option to use it. Clefable can set up dual screens and Gravity, so that makes Nidoking a strong sweeper under it.

I'm not sure if it deserves a mention, since people may think it would be a bit too gimicky.

 

[Heysup]

I'm not sure if this is appropriate for a set, but I think there should be a Gravity Sweeper set, Nidoking gets all of the powerful elemental moves. The set would be this:

Fire Blast / Thunder / Blizzard / Earth Power or Focus Blast

It works really well with Gravity set up obviously, Clefable for example is a decent option to use it. Clefable can set up dual screens and Gravity, so that makes Nidoking a strong sweeper under it.

I'm not sure if it deserves a mention, since people may think it would be a bit too gimicky.

That's funny actually, because I have used the set Thunder / Blizzard / Fire Blast / Earthquake on a Gravity test team.

I'd be willing to add it, but I'm not sure if its own set should be included, because I can just put it in Set Comments of the first set. I'll add it to the set comments for now.

 

[Heysup]

I would be strictly against the inclusion of most "gravity abuse" sets. They are extremely limited due to the rarity of gravity and can be "good" (although this is a bit of a stretch considering their uselessness if gravity doesn't get consistently set up) on any Pokemon with high base power attacks. Nidoking isn't anything special. I would hesitate to even include the option in comments.

I think STAB Earthquake puts him above any other random Pokemon with high BP inaccurate moves. Earthquake + High BP inaccurate moves make Nidoking especially good with Gravity, while almost no other Pokemon have the same benefits as Nidoking.

 

[cim]

Disclaimer: As with every C&C post I make, I've only read the OP.

Where is the OU Mixed Attacker?

Why is the Wall Breaker not running Speed? Why are the EVs the way they are instead of aiming for specific targets?

Why is this line in the analysis

<p>Nidoking is one of the best wall breakers in UU with his vast movepool and decent offensive stats. With a STAB Earthquake, Nidoking can 2HKO all special walls who try to get in the way of his powerful special attacks.

when Umbreon, Spiritomb, and the odd off-sides Milotic are not 2HKOed?

<p>Sucker Punch can be used over Ice Beam to serve as a back-up revenge killer, but without STAB or an Attack boosting nature it is not well suited for the role. The type coverage provided by Ice Beam is recommended for most teams. Another option is to use this set in tandem with Gravity. By simply switching Ice Beam and Thunderbolt to Blizzard and Thunder respectively, Nidoking can be terrifying under the effects of Gravity due to its move power and the fact that Earthquake hits Pokemon that would otherwise be immune.</p>

If Sucker Punch is bad it shouldn't be an option.

The Gravity bit sounds like complete theorymon.

Once I got to the third bit, it actually seems completely and utterly redundant to have the first set at all, as the second set is just a better version of the first.

Why are you comparing Nidoking to Blaziken? They're not interchangable at all. To be honest, you're comparing them because you really like Blaziken, think he's a big deal, want him to be a big deal, etc., not because they are extremely similar Pokémon.

Where is the Lead set? That's a genuinely good set.

To be honest, I don't like this analysis at all. The first set is basically just "ooh here are all of my cool ideas for Nidoking, like sucker punch and gravity and no speed", then the second two do better... You took out two of Nidoking's best sets, too.

 

[franky]

Why is this line in the analysis

when Umbreon, Spiritomb, and the odd off-sides Milotic are not 2HKOed?

It has a 22.02% chance of 2HKO w/ SR down on 252 HP / 0 Def Umbreon. Your right, it should at least say with Stealth Rock down it has a 22.02% chance of 2HKOing Umbreon with SR down.

As for Spiritomb, which normally packs more SpD than Defense to handle Mismagius, it deals 51.64% - 61.18% on 252 HP / 0 Def Spiritomb. But since I don't know many people that run max HP and max Defense on Spiritomb it has a 3.55% chance of 2HKO w/ SR down. Again you make a good point, he should still include w/ SR down.

And Milotic has 0% chance of getting OHKO'd even with SR down.

 

[Heysup]

SDS helped me clean the analysis up a bit.

For the wall breaker (UU) set:
I removed the gravity bit. I removed Sucker Punch. I added 44 Speed EVs to outrun min Speed Roserade (SDS's suggestion). I moved it to the second last spot. I took the bit about Blaziken out.

General:

I re-added the OU set from the analysis.

I removed all Choice Item references (SDS's suggestion).

I'd like to know if I should remove the "Wall Breaker (UU)" set, it OHKOes Roserade while the LO set 2HKOes it, and it hits more Specially Defensive Spiritomb harder. Plus it has higher spread damage. However, it is sort of redundant with the Special Attacker + Superpower (which would be renamed if I remove this set).

I'm considering adding a lead set, but I'm not sure of the set. The one I've been using is:


[SET]
name: Lead
move 1: Earth Power
move 2: Ice Beam
move 3: Stealth Rock
move 4: Taunt
item: Life Orb
ability: Poison Point
nature: Modest
evs: 80 HP / 252 SpA / 176 Spe

Beats LRcanine, Omastar, Steelix, Regirock, Registeel, Non-LO Yanmega. Taunts Uxie, Mesprit, Roserade.

I found the Sucker Punch / EQ / SR / Taunt set kind of lack-luster against Pokemon who resisted Earthquake and Arcanine's intimidate was annoying.

Focus Sash isn't a good item imo either, barely any lead OHKOes Nidoking (it's surprisingly bulky).

EDIT:

Talked with LonelyNess a bit

Removed "Wall Breaker" set (LN agreed)

Added lead set (with help from LN)

 

[Steinhauser]

From the set comments on the first set it seems like Earthquake, not HP Grass, was meant to be slashed with Superpower. Is this the case?

 

[franky]

Physical Attacker

<p>This is more suited for (removed "to") UU competition, however if you wish to use it in OU, there are a few alternative moves to consider. Ice Punch can replace Stone Edge to take care of Dragon-types and Gliscor more easily. Losing Stone Edge leaves you open to Gyarados, so you can replace Sucker Punch with Thunder(space)Punch, which also puts a dent on (removed in)Skarmory. Fire Punch is also worth considering as it handles Heracross, Bronzong, Skarmory, (comma) and Forretress.</p>

 

[TotalPotato]

There's no space in ThunderPunch in-game, though.

 

[franky]

Oh I didn't know, because I just knew Ice Punch had a space on it and assumed that is for the other elemental punches.

 

[Heysup]

If there isn't anything else, then I think this is done.