Overview
########
Nidoking is one of the best wallbreakers in the UU metagame thanks to its excellent movepool and ability, Sheer Force. Sheer Force grants Nidoking a free 30% power boost to most of its main attacks and negates the recoil from Life Orb. It also has access to excellent moves such as Sludge Wave, Earth Power, Fire Blast, Ice Beam, Superpower, and even Stealth Rock, making it very difficult to safely switch in to. Unfortunately, it suffers from a mediocre defensive typing, defensive stats, and a middling Speed stat, leaving it somewhat frail and slow.
Life Orb
########
name: Life Orb
move 1: Sludge Wave
move 2: Earth Power
move 3: Ice Beam
move 4: Superpower / Stealth Rock / Substitute
ability: Sheer Force
item: Life Orb
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
nature: Naive / Timid
Moves
========
Sludge Wave is Nidoking's strongest STAB move, allowing it to 2HKO Florges, something not many other special attackers can do. Earth Power is Nidoking's secondary STAB move, which hits Pokemon such as Raikou and Aggron harder than any other move it has. Ice Beam hits nearly everything immune to Earth Power super effectively, easily OHKOing Honchkrow and 2HKOing most other Flying-types, as well as hitting Flygon, Goodra, Hydreigon, and Noivern harder than any of its other moves. Thunderbolt hits Suicune harder, but nothing else relevant, and misses out on a lot of the targets Ice Beam hits. Superpower is used to hit Blissey and Umbreon, as they otherwise wall Nidoking completely. Stealth Rock can be used on predicted switches if your team lacks the space for it, as Nidoking can easily find opportunities to set it up. Substitute can be used to ease prediction and allow Nidoking to stay in a turn longer when it would otherwise be forced out, while also punishing sacrifices by taking out the Pokemon it was supposed to and forcing the next Pokemon that comes in to deal with Nidoking behind a Substitute.
Set Details
========
The EVs maximize Nidoking's offensive potential by making it as fast and strong as possible. A Naive nature should be used with Superpower to allow Nidoking to 2HKO Blissey and Umbreon, some of the few Pokemon capable of withstanding Nidoking's other moves. If Nidoking is not using Superpower, a Timid nature should be used to preserve Nidoking's Special Defense. Running a Modest nature is viable, but Nidoking is then outsped by threats such as neutral natured Roserade, Porygon-Z, Toxicroak, Kingdra, and opposing Timid Nidoking.
Usage Tips
========
As Nidoking is an incredibly powerful wallbreaker, it often forces switches which should be taken advantage of, especially if it is using Stealth Rock or Substitute. As Nidoking occasionally runs a Choice Scarf set, it is possible to play a risky bluff by sending Nidoking out against a Pokemon it would be able to revenge kill and taking advantage of the situation accordingly. Switching Nidoking in without U-turn or Volt Switch support can be difficult, so use its resistances to common moves such as Close Combat and immunity to Toxic and all Electric-type moves, as well as immunity to Toxic and Thunder Wave.
Team Options
========
Volt Switch and U-turn from Pokemon such as Mega Ampharos and Hydreigon are great to give Nidoking an easier switch-in, and both have somewhat decent synergy with it, though both Nidoking and Hydreigon have trouble breaking through Suicune. Honchkrow is immune to both Ground- and Psychic-type moves and can pressure Pokemon such as Blissey and Umbreon. Pursuit support from Pokemon such as Mega Absol and Mega Aerodactyl can be very helpful for beating Alakazam as well. Mega Houndoom is an excellent cleaner that appreciates Nidoking's ability to wallbreak, and also provides an immunity to Psychic-type moves. Sticky Web and Tailwind are both excellent moves to alleviate Nidoking's mediocre Speed, and Pokemon such as Galvantula and Tornadus can easily set them up.
Other Options
########
Choice Scarf can be used to patch up Nidoking's mediocre Speed, but Nidoking is weak without a Life Orb, and it is much better at wallbreaking than revenge killing. A physical Choice Scarf set can be run as opposed to a special one, but it is also weak and has worse coverage. Hone Claws can be run with Thunder or Sucker Punch, Blizzard, and Earth Power, but it relies on a boost and is extremely unreliable. Toxic Spikes can be used over Stealth Rock, but Stealth Rock is just better in general. Sucker Punch can be used on the Life Orb set to beat weakened Pokemon, but Stealth Rock, Substitute, and Superpower are all more useful to Nidoking's main job, which is wallbreaking.
Checks & Counters
########
**Blissey**: Blissey completely counters any set lacking Superpower, and can even outlast those that do by spamming Soft-Boiled until Nidoking has enough Attack drops to the point that it does negligible damage.
**Umbreon**: Umbreon has the bulk to take any of Nidoking's attacks, but relies on Wish + Protect to beat it.
**Bulky Water-types**: Suicune only truly fears the rare Thunderbolt and can hit back with Scald or Hydro Pump. Gastrodon can be 2HKOed by Sludge Wave, while Vaporeon, Milotic, and Jellicent are 2HKOed by either Earth Power or Sludge Wave, so they have a hard time switching in.
**Revenge Killers**: Victini and Hydreigon can both easily revenge kill Nidoking, but are weak to one of Nidoking's common moves, Earth Power and Ice Beam, respectively, so they have a very hard time switching in, and can only check it once.
**Snorlax**: Snorlax can counter any set without Superpower due to its massive Special Defense, but is easily worn down.
**Hippowdon**: Hippowdon has the bulk to live an Ice Beam and OHKO back with Earthquake, but is 2HKOed by every move Nidoking runs besides Sludge Wave.
########
Nidoking is one of the best wallbreakers in the UU metagame thanks to its excellent movepool and ability, Sheer Force. Sheer Force grants Nidoking a free 30% power boost to most of its main attacks and negates the recoil from Life Orb. It also has access to excellent moves such as Sludge Wave, Earth Power, Fire Blast, Ice Beam, Superpower, and even Stealth Rock, making it very difficult to safely switch in to. Unfortunately, it suffers from a mediocre defensive typing, defensive stats, and a middling Speed stat, leaving it somewhat frail and slow.
Life Orb
########
name: Life Orb
move 1: Sludge Wave
move 2: Earth Power
move 3: Ice Beam
move 4: Superpower / Stealth Rock / Substitute
ability: Sheer Force
item: Life Orb
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
nature: Naive / Timid
Moves
========
Sludge Wave is Nidoking's strongest STAB move, allowing it to 2HKO Florges, something not many other special attackers can do. Earth Power is Nidoking's secondary STAB move, which hits Pokemon such as Raikou and Aggron harder than any other move it has. Ice Beam hits nearly everything immune to Earth Power super effectively, easily OHKOing Honchkrow and 2HKOing most other Flying-types, as well as hitting Flygon, Goodra, Hydreigon, and Noivern harder than any of its other moves. Thunderbolt hits Suicune harder, but nothing else relevant, and misses out on a lot of the targets Ice Beam hits. Superpower is used to hit Blissey and Umbreon, as they otherwise wall Nidoking completely. Stealth Rock can be used on predicted switches if your team lacks the space for it, as Nidoking can easily find opportunities to set it up. Substitute can be used to ease prediction and allow Nidoking to stay in a turn longer when it would otherwise be forced out, while also punishing sacrifices by taking out the Pokemon it was supposed to and forcing the next Pokemon that comes in to deal with Nidoking behind a Substitute.
Set Details
========
The EVs maximize Nidoking's offensive potential by making it as fast and strong as possible. A Naive nature should be used with Superpower to allow Nidoking to 2HKO Blissey and Umbreon, some of the few Pokemon capable of withstanding Nidoking's other moves. If Nidoking is not using Superpower, a Timid nature should be used to preserve Nidoking's Special Defense. Running a Modest nature is viable, but Nidoking is then outsped by threats such as neutral natured Roserade, Porygon-Z, Toxicroak, Kingdra, and opposing Timid Nidoking.
Usage Tips
========
As Nidoking is an incredibly powerful wallbreaker, it often forces switches which should be taken advantage of, especially if it is using Stealth Rock or Substitute. As Nidoking occasionally runs a Choice Scarf set, it is possible to play a risky bluff by sending Nidoking out against a Pokemon it would be able to revenge kill and taking advantage of the situation accordingly. Switching Nidoking in without U-turn or Volt Switch support can be difficult, so use its resistances to common moves such as Close Combat and immunity to Toxic and all Electric-type moves, as well as immunity to Toxic and Thunder Wave.
Team Options
========
Volt Switch and U-turn from Pokemon such as Mega Ampharos and Hydreigon are great to give Nidoking an easier switch-in, and both have somewhat decent synergy with it, though both Nidoking and Hydreigon have trouble breaking through Suicune. Honchkrow is immune to both Ground- and Psychic-type moves and can pressure Pokemon such as Blissey and Umbreon. Pursuit support from Pokemon such as Mega Absol and Mega Aerodactyl can be very helpful for beating Alakazam as well. Mega Houndoom is an excellent cleaner that appreciates Nidoking's ability to wallbreak, and also provides an immunity to Psychic-type moves. Sticky Web and Tailwind are both excellent moves to alleviate Nidoking's mediocre Speed, and Pokemon such as Galvantula and Tornadus can easily set them up.
Other Options
########
Choice Scarf can be used to patch up Nidoking's mediocre Speed, but Nidoking is weak without a Life Orb, and it is much better at wallbreaking than revenge killing. A physical Choice Scarf set can be run as opposed to a special one, but it is also weak and has worse coverage. Hone Claws can be run with Thunder or Sucker Punch, Blizzard, and Earth Power, but it relies on a boost and is extremely unreliable. Toxic Spikes can be used over Stealth Rock, but Stealth Rock is just better in general. Sucker Punch can be used on the Life Orb set to beat weakened Pokemon, but Stealth Rock, Substitute, and Superpower are all more useful to Nidoking's main job, which is wallbreaking.
Checks & Counters
########
**Blissey**: Blissey completely counters any set lacking Superpower, and can even outlast those that do by spamming Soft-Boiled until Nidoking has enough Attack drops to the point that it does negligible damage.
**Umbreon**: Umbreon has the bulk to take any of Nidoking's attacks, but relies on Wish + Protect to beat it.
**Bulky Water-types**: Suicune only truly fears the rare Thunderbolt and can hit back with Scald or Hydro Pump. Gastrodon can be 2HKOed by Sludge Wave, while Vaporeon, Milotic, and Jellicent are 2HKOed by either Earth Power or Sludge Wave, so they have a hard time switching in.
**Revenge Killers**: Victini and Hydreigon can both easily revenge kill Nidoking, but are weak to one of Nidoking's common moves, Earth Power and Ice Beam, respectively, so they have a very hard time switching in, and can only check it once.
**Snorlax**: Snorlax can counter any set without Superpower due to its massive Special Defense, but is easily worn down.
**Hippowdon**: Hippowdon has the bulk to live an Ice Beam and OHKO back with Earthquake, but is 2HKOed by every move Nidoking runs besides Sludge Wave.
Overview
########
- One of the tiers best wallbreakers
- Sheer Force
- Excellent coverage
- Medicore Speed and typing
Life Orb
########
name: Life Orb
move 1: Sludge Wave
move 2: Earth Power
move 3: Ice Beam
move 4: Megahorn / Stealth Rock / Substitute
ability: Sheer Force
item: Life Orb
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
nature: Naive / Timid
Moves
========
- Sludge Wave is Nidokings strongest STAB, and allows it to 2HKO the best special wall in UU, Florges
- Earth Power is the secondary STAB, beats Pokemon like Raikou etc
- Ice Beam hits nearly everything immune to Earth Power super effectively, OHKOing Krow and the others
- Megahorn to 2HKO Umbreon and Mew
- Focus Blast hits Umbreon and Snorlax hard but Megahorn is better for its ability to hit Mew
- Fire Blast likewise hits nearly everything immune to Sludge Wave really hard
- Thunderbolt can hit Suicune and stuff but not really worth it otherwise, other moves are too important
- Stealth Rock can be used on forced switches
Set Details
========
- Basic EVs
- Modest for more power Timid to outspeed standard stallbreaker Mew, Modest Roserade and Porygon-Z, Adamant Toxicroak, neutral Kingdra, and to tie Jolly Heracross and opposing Nidoking
- Specific mention of 0 Atk IV so Umbreon has a harder time winning with Foul Play, as Umbreon is one of its best counters
Usage Tips
========
- This set needs to be used to force switches and take advantage of them, so it requires good prediction
- As Nidoking recieves no Life Orb recoil, it can bluff a Scarf as long as your opponent does not notice the increased damage, so take advantage of this
- Switching in can be hard, but Nidoking actually has a decent defensive typing that lets it switch into Pokemon like Heracross without EQ
- During team preview, look over what Nidoking can beat 1 on 1 and keep it around long enough to do that. If Nidoking can not break anything by itself, it can still maintain offensive pressure by forcing out key weakened Pokemon, and a free turn for Nidoking means something is taking a huge hit
Team Options
========
- Volt Switch or U-turn are great to give Nidoking an easier switch in, and both moves happen to hit most of the Pokemon that will him super effective
- Mega Ampharos
- Hydreigon
- Honchkrow
- -insert Pursuit trappers-
- Mega Houndoom
- Gastrodon
- Kyurem
- Loves Sticky Web/Tailwind but is too slow for Trick Room. Anything that lets it overcome 85 Speed is welcome
Choice Scarf
########
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Sludge Wave
move 2: Earth Power
move 3: Ice Beam
move 4: Fire Blast
ability: Sheer Force
item: Choice Scarf
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spd
nature: Modest / Timid
Moves
========
Sludge Wave is Nidokings strongest STAB, and allows it to 2HKO the best special wall in UU, Florges
- Earth Power is the secondary STAB, beats Pokemon like Raikou etc
- Ice Beam hits nearly everything immune to Earth Power super effectively, OHKOing Krow and the others
- Fire Blast likewise hits nearly everything immune to Sludge Wave really hard
- Thunderbolt can hit Suicune and stuff but not really worth it otherwise, other moves are too important
- Megahorn can be used (without a -Atk nature) to hit Umbreon and Mew pretty hard
Set Details
========
- Basic EVs
- Modest for more power Timid to outspeed Modest Scarf Porygon-Z, +1 neutral nature Kingdra (tie with +1 +Speed), and to tie Jolly Scarf Heracross
Usage Tips
========
- This Nidoking is weaker than the LO set, and that difference has to be kept in mind before you start trying to destroy cores.
- As Scarf Nidoking already has to be locked into 1 move, it doesn't mind using a physical one as much. This means should you run one of Superpower or Megahorn, keep it hidden until you absolutely have to use it
- Both STABs have immunities, so it's very risky to use them when those immunities are still around. If your opponent knows you're Scarfed, and you see they have a Honchkrow or Hydreigon, it's almost always better to Ice Beam, since even doing a little damage to whatever comes in is better than locking yourself into a move they're immune to
Team Options
========
- Volt Switch or U-turn are great to give Nidoking an easier switch in, and both moves happen to hit most of the Pokemon that will him super effective
- Mega Manectric
- Mega Ampharos
- Hydreigon
- Honchkrow
- -insert Pursuit trappers-
- Mega Houndoom
- Gastrodon
- Kyurem
- Obviously Scarf set doesn't need Speed control as much, it just needs Pokemon to help break down opposing cores
Other Options
########
- Focus Blast
- Modest on LO
- Physical Scarf
- Hone Claws
- Toxic Spikes
- Sucker Punch
- Superpower
Checks & Counters
########
- Mew
- Suicune
- Umbreon
- Azelf
- Kyurem
- Snorlax
- Gastrodon
- Reuniclus
- Vaporeon
- Milotic
- Jellicent
- Hydreigon, Sharpedo and Victini can easily OHKO but not switch in
- Hippowdon lives an Ice Beam and KOs back
########
- One of the tiers best wallbreakers
- Sheer Force
- Excellent coverage
- Medicore Speed and typing
Life Orb
########
name: Life Orb
move 1: Sludge Wave
move 2: Earth Power
move 3: Ice Beam
move 4: Megahorn / Stealth Rock / Substitute
ability: Sheer Force
item: Life Orb
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
nature: Naive / Timid
Moves
========
- Sludge Wave is Nidokings strongest STAB, and allows it to 2HKO the best special wall in UU, Florges
- Earth Power is the secondary STAB, beats Pokemon like Raikou etc
- Ice Beam hits nearly everything immune to Earth Power super effectively, OHKOing Krow and the others
- Megahorn to 2HKO Umbreon and Mew
- Focus Blast hits Umbreon and Snorlax hard but Megahorn is better for its ability to hit Mew
- Fire Blast likewise hits nearly everything immune to Sludge Wave really hard
- Thunderbolt can hit Suicune and stuff but not really worth it otherwise, other moves are too important
- Stealth Rock can be used on forced switches
Set Details
========
- Basic EVs
- Modest for more power Timid to outspeed standard stallbreaker Mew, Modest Roserade and Porygon-Z, Adamant Toxicroak, neutral Kingdra, and to tie Jolly Heracross and opposing Nidoking
- Specific mention of 0 Atk IV so Umbreon has a harder time winning with Foul Play, as Umbreon is one of its best counters
Usage Tips
========
- This set needs to be used to force switches and take advantage of them, so it requires good prediction
- As Nidoking recieves no Life Orb recoil, it can bluff a Scarf as long as your opponent does not notice the increased damage, so take advantage of this
- Switching in can be hard, but Nidoking actually has a decent defensive typing that lets it switch into Pokemon like Heracross without EQ
- During team preview, look over what Nidoking can beat 1 on 1 and keep it around long enough to do that. If Nidoking can not break anything by itself, it can still maintain offensive pressure by forcing out key weakened Pokemon, and a free turn for Nidoking means something is taking a huge hit
Team Options
========
- Volt Switch or U-turn are great to give Nidoking an easier switch in, and both moves happen to hit most of the Pokemon that will him super effective
- Mega Ampharos
- Hydreigon
- Honchkrow
- -insert Pursuit trappers-
- Mega Houndoom
- Gastrodon
- Kyurem
- Loves Sticky Web/Tailwind but is too slow for Trick Room. Anything that lets it overcome 85 Speed is welcome
Choice Scarf
########
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Sludge Wave
move 2: Earth Power
move 3: Ice Beam
move 4: Fire Blast
ability: Sheer Force
item: Choice Scarf
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spd
nature: Modest / Timid
Moves
========
Sludge Wave is Nidokings strongest STAB, and allows it to 2HKO the best special wall in UU, Florges
- Earth Power is the secondary STAB, beats Pokemon like Raikou etc
- Ice Beam hits nearly everything immune to Earth Power super effectively, OHKOing Krow and the others
- Fire Blast likewise hits nearly everything immune to Sludge Wave really hard
- Thunderbolt can hit Suicune and stuff but not really worth it otherwise, other moves are too important
- Megahorn can be used (without a -Atk nature) to hit Umbreon and Mew pretty hard
Set Details
========
- Basic EVs
- Modest for more power Timid to outspeed Modest Scarf Porygon-Z, +1 neutral nature Kingdra (tie with +1 +Speed), and to tie Jolly Scarf Heracross
Usage Tips
========
- This Nidoking is weaker than the LO set, and that difference has to be kept in mind before you start trying to destroy cores.
- As Scarf Nidoking already has to be locked into 1 move, it doesn't mind using a physical one as much. This means should you run one of Superpower or Megahorn, keep it hidden until you absolutely have to use it
- Both STABs have immunities, so it's very risky to use them when those immunities are still around. If your opponent knows you're Scarfed, and you see they have a Honchkrow or Hydreigon, it's almost always better to Ice Beam, since even doing a little damage to whatever comes in is better than locking yourself into a move they're immune to
Team Options
========
- Volt Switch or U-turn are great to give Nidoking an easier switch in, and both moves happen to hit most of the Pokemon that will him super effective
- Mega Manectric
- Mega Ampharos
- Hydreigon
- Honchkrow
- -insert Pursuit trappers-
- Mega Houndoom
- Gastrodon
- Kyurem
- Obviously Scarf set doesn't need Speed control as much, it just needs Pokemon to help break down opposing cores
Other Options
########
- Focus Blast
- Modest on LO
- Physical Scarf
- Hone Claws
- Toxic Spikes
- Sucker Punch
- Superpower
Checks & Counters
########
- Mew
- Suicune
- Umbreon
- Azelf
- Kyurem
- Snorlax
- Gastrodon
- Reuniclus
- Vaporeon
- Milotic
- Jellicent
- Hydreigon, Sharpedo and Victini can easily OHKO but not switch in
- Hippowdon lives an Ice Beam and KOs back
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