-
Check out the relaunch of our general collection, with classic designs and new ones by our very own Pissog!
-
Welcome to Smogon! Take a moment to read the Introduction to Smogon for a run-down on everything Smogon, and make sure you take some time to read the global rules.
UU Nidoqueen
- Thread starter Bouff
- Start date
well i was actively doing it i didnt want to be ninjad
Bouffalant you might want to repost this in the GP queue
I like this check--just a couple changes to implement on top of UUh's
"However, it has a mediocre Speed, and also misses out on a few key moves that Nidoking gets such as Megahorn.": first paragraph, near the end
"which have good coverage in the metagame and let it 2HKO, if not OHKO, (AC) a large portion of the tier": first set, first paragraph, first sentence
"This set should be setting up Stealth Rock rocks most of the time if Nidoqueen can safely switch in and force the opposing Pokemon out.": first set, usage tips
1/2
"However, it has a mediocre Speed, and also misses out on a few key moves that Nidoking gets such as Megahorn.": first paragraph, near the end
"which have good coverage in the metagame and let it 2HKO, if not OHKO, (AC) a large portion of the tier": first set, first paragraph, first sentence
"This set should be setting up Stealth Rock rocks most of the time if Nidoqueen can safely switch in and force the opposing Pokemon out.": first set, usage tips
1/2
Bouffalant
add or change
remove
comments
hullo yes i can't gp check this but i can gp check nidoqueen jajaja
GP 2/2
add or change
remove
comments
Overview
########
Nidoqueen is viewed as one of the best wallbreakers in the tier, as it has great coverage and massive power due to Sheer Force and Life Orb. It's also known as one of the best offensive Stealth Rock users in the tier, along with being one of the few specially oriented ones.It's Nidoqueen is no slouch defensively either, as it has good bulk coupled with a great defensive typing which gives it an immunity to Toxic, Toxic Spikes, and Thunder Wave. However, it has a mediocre Speed, and also misses out on a few key moves that Nidoking gets,(AC) such as Megahorn. This doesn't stop Nidoqueen though, as it is very easy to fit on a team and is one of the best Pokemon in the tier.
Offensive
########
name: Offensive
move 1: Sludge Wave
move 2: Earth Power
move 3: Stealth Rock
move 4: Ice Beam
ability: Sheer Force
evs: 128 HP / 252 SpA / 128 Spe
item: Life Orb
nature: Modest
Moves
========
Sludge Wave and Earth Power are Nidoqueen's primary STAB moves, which have good coverage in the metagame and let it 2HKO, if not OHKO, a large portion of the tier, including Victini, Mega Manectric, Florges, Shaymin, and Rhyperior. Stealth Rock provides offensive pressure on the opponent, and is easily set up due to the fact that Nidoqueen forces out a lot of Pokemon in the tier. Ice Beam serves as coverage, and lets it nail Pokemon trying to switch in on Earth Power, such as Flygon, Hydreigon, and Gligar.
Set Details
=========
With this set, Nidoqueen becomes an offensive force to be reckoned with while still having enough bulk to be a good check to Fighting- and Bug-type Pokemon in the tier. Thanks to Sheer Force, Life Orb recoil is canceled out, effectively giving Nidoqueen a 1.7x boost to her attacks with no secondary effects. A Modest nature and a Life Orb let Nidoqueen hit as hard as possible. The EVs let Nidoqueen outspeed defensive Roserade, max Speed Empoleon, fast defensive Suicune, and -1 Victini. The rest is invested in bulk and Special Attack. Toxic Spikes and Fire Blast can be used to cripple opponents and hit Bronzong, respectively. This is good for Nidoqueen because it's one of the few Pokemon in the tier that can do this and still be a potent threat.
Usage Tips
========
This set should be setting up Stealth Rock most of the time if Nidoqueen can safely switch in and force the opposing Pokemon out. It should also be double-switching ifthe opposing side is predicted you predict the opponent to switch into one of Nidoqueen's counters, like Mew or Umbreon. The set is geared towards wallbreaking capabilities and setting up Stealth Rock, while being a good check to a plethora of common types in the metagame, like Fairy, Fighting, and Electric.
Team Options
========
Nidoqueen appreciates Pokemon that can make quick work of special walls, such as Heracross. It also likes Wish support since it usually gets worn down fairly quickly, especially since it doesn't have reliable recovery and lacks Black Sludge. This can come from Wish Passers like Umbreon and Florges. Mega Houndoom isalso a great partner for Nidoqueen, since it sets up all over common switch-ins to Nidoqueen such as Mew and Umbreon. Hydreigon is also a great partner, as it takes care of Mew, has good offensive and defensive synergy with Nidoqueen, and lures in Florges with U-turn for Nidoqueen to KO.
Defensive
########
name: Defensive
move 1: Ice Beam / Sludge Wave
move 2: Earth Power
move 3: Stealth Rock / Toxic Spikes
move 4: Dragon Tail / Roar / Protect
evs: 248 HP / 240 Def / 20 Spe
ability: Sheer Force
item: Black Sludge
nature: Bold
Moves
========
Ice Beam and Earth Power are the primary moves for Nidoqueen, which provide good coverage,(RC) and hit pretty hard, even without investment. Sludge Wave can be used over Ice Beam, doing good amounts of damage tothe opposing side opponents. However, you Nidoqueen will miss out on hitting common Defoggers and Hydreigon if you run Sludge Wave. Stealth Rock or Toxic Spikes can be set up easily, as Nidoqueen forces a lot of switches. Dragon Tail is the preferred phazing move, as it racks up damage and Fairies usually won't come in on Nidoqueen; however,(AC) Roar can be used if you fear Substitute users. Protect can be used to scout Choiced sets, and can get free residual recovery.
Set Details
=========
This set lets Nidoqueen serve as one of the best Fighting-, Bug-, and Electric-type counters in the tier. Black Sludge lets it get residual recovery each turn. Bold natureis to make allows Nidoqueen to tank physical hits with ease. The EVs let Nidoqueen outspeed certain threats, mainly uninvested Blastoise, with the rest invested into bulk. Don't use a Relaxed Nature with Dragon Tail as it won't be doing much anyway, and it's not worth it being outsped by Blastoise. Fire Blast can be used, especially with Toxic Spikes, as it gets rid of Forretress and Bronzong, who are both very annoying for this set.
Usage Tips
========
Nidoqueen should be setting up entry hazards once it is able to force a switch, which can let it rack up hazards or poison damageor status condition as it starts to phaze. It Nidoqueen can force out a lot of Pokemon that get phazed into it,(AC) which can give Nidoqueen it the opportunity to either hit it them hard if it chooses they choose to stay in, or phaze again if it they will switch out. It's recommended that grounded Poison-types, like Nidoking and Roserade, are eliminated early in the match so that they don't absorb the Toxic Spikes.
Team Options
========
Nidoqueen appreciates Wish support from Pokemon such as Umbreon, Vaporeon, or Florges, as Nidoqueen gets worn down fairly fast. Nidoqueen also pairs well with defensive Pokemon thatcan provide have good defensive synergy with her,(AC) such as Snorlax and Porygon2, as they can take attacks coming from common special attackers like Chandelure with ease. They also make a good lure for Fighting-types. If you're not using Fire Blast, Fire-types such as Victini, Chandelure, and Darmanitan make good partners as they demolish Bronzong and Forretress. Victini fills this role very well, as it also takes out grounded Poison-types such as opposing Nidoqueen, Nidoking, and Roserade with ease, as well as defeating Forretress.
Other Options
########
Fire Blast, Thunderbolt, and Focus Blast are all good coverage options for Nidoqueen, as they let it get through Bronzong, Milotic, and physically defensive Umbreon with relative ease. However, it is usually forced to give up Stealth Rock or Ice Beam for this. Super Fang can be used tobreak through Stall stallbreak fairly well, but Nidoqueen has trouble finding a moveslot for it. A physical moveset including with Poison Jab, Earthquake, and the elemental punches can be used, but Earthquake retains makes Nidoqueen LO take Life Orb recoil,(AC) and the other moves do significantly less, make making it not as viable as a special moveset.
Checks & Counters
########
**Special Walls** Common special walls, like Porygon2, Mew, and Umbreon can all take Nidoqueen's attacks with ease, and can recover back the lost health. Snorlax can also tank hits and can set up on it with relative ease or hit it hard with Earthquake. However, non-Rest variants must watch out for Toxic Spikes.
**Rotom-H** Rotom-H can use Trick or Overheat to cripple Nidoqueen or hit it hard, and specially defensive variants generally have an easy time with it, provided Stealth Rocks are off the field.
** Bulky Water-types** Nidoqueen has a hard time dealing with bulky Water-types, such as Milotic and Suicune, who can recover offdealt damage damage dealt with ease and set up on it respectively, and can freely cripple it with Scald.
**Bronzong** Nidoqueen gets stopped entirely by Bronzong, who is immune to both STAB moves, Toxic Spikes, and takes minimal damage from Stealth Rock and Ice Beam. It can also damageit Nidoqueen with Earthquake, or set up Stealth Rock or screens. However,(AC) Bronzong can't switch in if Nidoqueen is running Fire Blast.
**Ground-types** Nidoqueen can be revenge killed by Ground-types such as Flygon and Hippowdon, who can outspeed and KO,(RC) or tank an Ice Beam and KO,(AC) respectively.
**Forretress** Forretress is a pain for the defensive set, as it can clear away Nidoqueen's entry hazards with ease, is immune to Toxic Spikes, and can set up entry hazards of its own. However, it must be wary of a powerful Earth Power.
########
Nidoqueen is viewed as one of the best wallbreakers in the tier, as it has great coverage and massive power due to Sheer Force and Life Orb. It's also known as one of the best offensive Stealth Rock users in the tier, along with being one of the few specially oriented ones.
Offensive
########
name: Offensive
move 1: Sludge Wave
move 2: Earth Power
move 3: Stealth Rock
move 4: Ice Beam
ability: Sheer Force
evs: 128 HP / 252 SpA / 128 Spe
item: Life Orb
nature: Modest
Moves
========
Sludge Wave and Earth Power are Nidoqueen's primary STAB moves, which have good coverage in the metagame and let it 2HKO, if not OHKO, a large portion of the tier, including Victini, Mega Manectric, Florges, Shaymin, and Rhyperior. Stealth Rock provides offensive pressure on the opponent, and is easily set up due to the fact that Nidoqueen forces out a lot of Pokemon in the tier. Ice Beam serves as coverage, and lets it nail Pokemon trying to switch in on Earth Power, such as Flygon, Hydreigon, and Gligar.
Set Details
=========
With this set, Nidoqueen becomes an offensive force to be reckoned with while still having enough bulk to be a good check to Fighting- and Bug-type Pokemon in the tier. Thanks to Sheer Force, Life Orb recoil is canceled out, effectively giving Nidoqueen a 1.7x boost to her attacks with no secondary effects. A Modest nature and a Life Orb let Nidoqueen hit as hard as possible. The EVs let Nidoqueen outspeed defensive Roserade, max Speed Empoleon, fast defensive Suicune, and -1 Victini. The rest is invested in bulk and Special Attack. Toxic Spikes and Fire Blast can be used to cripple opponents and hit Bronzong, respectively. This is good for Nidoqueen because it's one of the few Pokemon in the tier that can do this and still be a potent threat.
Usage Tips
========
This set should be setting up Stealth Rock most of the time if Nidoqueen can safely switch in and force the opposing Pokemon out. It should also be double-switching if
Team Options
========
Nidoqueen appreciates Pokemon that can make quick work of special walls, such as Heracross. It also likes Wish support since it usually gets worn down fairly quickly, especially since it doesn't have reliable recovery and lacks Black Sludge. This can come from Wish Passers like Umbreon and Florges. Mega Houndoom is
Defensive
########
name: Defensive
move 1: Ice Beam / Sludge Wave
move 2: Earth Power
move 3: Stealth Rock / Toxic Spikes
move 4: Dragon Tail / Roar / Protect
evs: 248 HP / 240 Def / 20 Spe
ability: Sheer Force
item: Black Sludge
nature: Bold
Moves
========
Ice Beam and Earth Power are the primary moves for Nidoqueen, which provide good coverage,(RC) and hit pretty hard, even without investment. Sludge Wave can be used over Ice Beam, doing good amounts of damage to
Set Details
=========
This set lets Nidoqueen serve as one of the best Fighting-, Bug-, and Electric-type counters in the tier. Black Sludge lets it get residual recovery each turn. Bold nature
Usage Tips
========
Nidoqueen should be setting up entry hazards once it is able to force a switch, which can let it rack up hazards or poison damage
Team Options
========
Nidoqueen appreciates Wish support from Pokemon such as Umbreon, Vaporeon, or Florges, as Nidoqueen gets worn down fairly fast. Nidoqueen also pairs well with defensive Pokemon that
Other Options
########
Fire Blast, Thunderbolt, and Focus Blast are all good coverage options for Nidoqueen, as they let it get through Bronzong, Milotic, and physically defensive Umbreon with relative ease. However, it is usually forced to give up Stealth Rock or Ice Beam for this. Super Fang can be used to
Checks & Counters
########
**Special Walls** Common special walls, like Porygon2, Mew, and Umbreon can all take Nidoqueen's attacks with ease, and can recover back the lost health. Snorlax can also tank hits and can set up on it with relative ease or hit it hard with Earthquake. However, non-Rest variants must watch out for Toxic Spikes.
**Rotom-H** Rotom-H can use Trick or Overheat to cripple Nidoqueen or hit it hard, and specially defensive variants generally have an easy time with it, provided Stealth Rocks are off the field.
** Bulky Water-types** Nidoqueen has a hard time dealing with bulky Water-types, such as Milotic and Suicune, who can recover off
**Bronzong** Nidoqueen gets stopped entirely by Bronzong, who is immune to both STAB moves, Toxic Spikes, and takes minimal damage from Stealth Rock and Ice Beam. It can also damage
**Ground-types** Nidoqueen can be revenge killed by Ground-types such as Flygon and Hippowdon, who can outspeed and KO,(RC) or tank an Ice Beam and KO,(AC) respectively.
**Forretress** Forretress is a pain for the defensive set, as it can clear away Nidoqueen's entry hazards with ease, is immune to Toxic Spikes, and can set up entry hazards of its own. However, it must be wary of a powerful Earth Power.
GP 2/2
I know the title already says ''Done'' but i feel i have to say this anyway. I really dont like this much speed investment as it takes away a lot of bulk. This is extremely relevant due to the presence of lucario as nidoqueen is one of the few offensive mons that can actually beat it after it has setup even if there are hazards on the field:
+2 252+ Atk Life Orb Lucario Close Combat vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Nidoqueen: 279-329 (72.6 - 85.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after 1 layer of Spikes
+2 252+ Atk Life Orb Lucario Close Combat vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Nidoqueen: 279-329 (72.6 - 85.6%) -- 37.5% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock and 1 layer of Spikes
With only one layer of spikes nidoqueen is pretty safe and even IF the opponent manages to setup both spikes and stealth rock its still not guaranted to ohko. Now lets look at how nidoqueen fares with the current spread:
+2 252+ Atk Life Orb Lucario Close Combat vs. 128 HP / 0 Def Nidoqueen: 279-329 (79 - 93.2%) -- 37.5% chance to OHKO after 1 layer of Spikes
+2 252+ Atk Life Orb Lucario Close Combat vs. 128 HP / 0 Def Nidoqueen: 279-329 (79 - 93.2%) -- 81.3% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock and 1 layer of Spikes
Not very good odds at all, this means that nidoqueen becomes a much shakier answer to lucario. This is very relevant because lucario is almost always run with heavy hazard support from stuff like froslass to ensure it gets its koes. Of course there are other important things to keep in mind about nidoqueen's spread:
252+ Atk Choice Band Heracross Close Combat vs. 128 HP / 0 Def Nidoqueen: 176-207 (49.8 - 58.6%) -- 99.6% chance to 2HKO
252+ Atk Choice Band Heracross Close Combat vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Nidoqueen: 176-207 (45.8 - 53.9%) -- 47.7% chance to 2HKO
If there are hazards in this case, queen is 2hkoed regardless, but if there arent then the max hp spread allows it to actually have a shot at switching in and beating heracross. Moar calcs:
252 Atk Reckless Mienshao High Jump Kick vs. 128 HP / 0 Def Nidoqueen: 139-164 (39.3 - 46.4%) -- 30.5% chance to 2HKO after 1 layer of Spikes
252 Atk Reckless Mienshao High Jump Kick vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Nidoqueen: 139-164 (36.1 - 42.7%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after 1 layer of Spikes
252 Atk Victini V-create vs. 128 HP / 0 Def Nidoqueen: 276-325 (78.1 - 92%) -- 37.5% chance to OHKO after 1 layer of Spikes
252 Atk Victini V-create vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Nidoqueen: 276-325 (71.8 - 84.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after 1 layer of Spikes
252 Atk Choice Band Flygon Outrage vs. 128 HP / 0 Def Nidoqueen: 276-325 (78.1 - 92%) -- 37.5% chance to OHKO after 1 layer of Spikes
252 Atk Choice Band Flygon Outrage vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Nidoqueen: 276-325 (71.8 - 84.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after 1 layer of Spikes
And etc. Of course sometimes there will be cases where the opponent manages to setup a lot of hazards and the difference in bulk doesnt matter that much, but in normal situations the 252 hp spread will indeed make a huge difference and frankly if i actually want to outspeed shit i'd rather just use nidoking anyway. The reason to use nidoqueen is because its bulk makes it a pain to revenge kill and allows it to actually switch directly into attacks while still dishing out massive damage. Also who even uses 0 speed roserade these days lol.
+2 252+ Atk Life Orb Lucario Close Combat vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Nidoqueen: 279-329 (72.6 - 85.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after 1 layer of Spikes
+2 252+ Atk Life Orb Lucario Close Combat vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Nidoqueen: 279-329 (72.6 - 85.6%) -- 37.5% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock and 1 layer of Spikes
With only one layer of spikes nidoqueen is pretty safe and even IF the opponent manages to setup both spikes and stealth rock its still not guaranted to ohko. Now lets look at how nidoqueen fares with the current spread:
+2 252+ Atk Life Orb Lucario Close Combat vs. 128 HP / 0 Def Nidoqueen: 279-329 (79 - 93.2%) -- 37.5% chance to OHKO after 1 layer of Spikes
+2 252+ Atk Life Orb Lucario Close Combat vs. 128 HP / 0 Def Nidoqueen: 279-329 (79 - 93.2%) -- 81.3% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock and 1 layer of Spikes
Not very good odds at all, this means that nidoqueen becomes a much shakier answer to lucario. This is very relevant because lucario is almost always run with heavy hazard support from stuff like froslass to ensure it gets its koes. Of course there are other important things to keep in mind about nidoqueen's spread:
252+ Atk Choice Band Heracross Close Combat vs. 128 HP / 0 Def Nidoqueen: 176-207 (49.8 - 58.6%) -- 99.6% chance to 2HKO
252+ Atk Choice Band Heracross Close Combat vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Nidoqueen: 176-207 (45.8 - 53.9%) -- 47.7% chance to 2HKO
If there are hazards in this case, queen is 2hkoed regardless, but if there arent then the max hp spread allows it to actually have a shot at switching in and beating heracross. Moar calcs:
252 Atk Reckless Mienshao High Jump Kick vs. 128 HP / 0 Def Nidoqueen: 139-164 (39.3 - 46.4%) -- 30.5% chance to 2HKO after 1 layer of Spikes
252 Atk Reckless Mienshao High Jump Kick vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Nidoqueen: 139-164 (36.1 - 42.7%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after 1 layer of Spikes
252 Atk Victini V-create vs. 128 HP / 0 Def Nidoqueen: 276-325 (78.1 - 92%) -- 37.5% chance to OHKO after 1 layer of Spikes
252 Atk Victini V-create vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Nidoqueen: 276-325 (71.8 - 84.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after 1 layer of Spikes
252 Atk Choice Band Flygon Outrage vs. 128 HP / 0 Def Nidoqueen: 276-325 (78.1 - 92%) -- 37.5% chance to OHKO after 1 layer of Spikes
252 Atk Choice Band Flygon Outrage vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Nidoqueen: 276-325 (71.8 - 84.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after 1 layer of Spikes
And etc. Of course sometimes there will be cases where the opponent manages to setup a lot of hazards and the difference in bulk doesnt matter that much, but in normal situations the 252 hp spread will indeed make a huge difference and frankly if i actually want to outspeed shit i'd rather just use nidoking anyway. The reason to use nidoqueen is because its bulk makes it a pain to revenge kill and allows it to actually switch directly into attacks while still dishing out massive damage. Also who even uses 0 speed roserade these days lol.
I've found that 76 speed and 180 HP EVs are most optimal. Out speeds suicune, gligar and blastoise with enough bulk to tank 2 HJKs from LO Mienshao (252 Atk Life Orb Mienshao High Jump Kick vs. 180 HP / 0 Def Nidoqueen: 151-178 (41.2 - 48.6%) -- 10.2% chance to 2HKO after Stealth Rock)
Name: Claire
Move 1: Sludge Wave
Move 2: Earth Power
Move 3: Sucker Punch
Move 4: Superpower/Ice Beam
Ability: Sheer Force
EVs: 252 Atk, 252 SpA, 4 HP
Item: Life Orb
Nature: Modest
Moves-
Sludge Wave and Earth power are good old reliable special STABS which get the boosts from the life orb and sheer force. Sucker punch is the crux of the set. It's there to finish up KO's after taking a hit and responding with massive STAB damage. It also takes care of the fast, frail psychic types that like to try to revenge Nidoqueen, as noone expects the sucker punch. The choice between Superpower and Ice Beam is where your team needs help. It you lack the ice coverage and find yourself pining for it, Ice Beam is the way to go, but if you're facing a Blissey, they will often come in thinking that they can wall the standard Nidoqueen only to find themselves OHKOed by superpower.
too impatient to write the rest, use it on hyper offense. After it dies, there's often a perfect time to revenge and even set up a sweep in the wake of Claire's destruction.
Move 1: Sludge Wave
Move 2: Earth Power
Move 3: Sucker Punch
Move 4: Superpower/Ice Beam
Ability: Sheer Force
EVs: 252 Atk, 252 SpA, 4 HP
Item: Life Orb
Nature: Modest
Moves-
Sludge Wave and Earth power are good old reliable special STABS which get the boosts from the life orb and sheer force. Sucker punch is the crux of the set. It's there to finish up KO's after taking a hit and responding with massive STAB damage. It also takes care of the fast, frail psychic types that like to try to revenge Nidoqueen, as noone expects the sucker punch. The choice between Superpower and Ice Beam is where your team needs help. It you lack the ice coverage and find yourself pining for it, Ice Beam is the way to go, but if you're facing a Blissey, they will often come in thinking that they can wall the standard Nidoqueen only to find themselves OHKOed by superpower.
too impatient to write the rest, use it on hyper offense. After it dies, there's often a perfect time to revenge and even set up a sweep in the wake of Claire's destruction.