QC CHECKS: p2 , DennisEG PK Gaming
GP CHECK : Kris
[OVERVIEW]
* Nidoking has great coverage options that let it hit common bulky Pokemon such as Toxapex, Alolan Marowak, Tapu Fini, and Alolan Muk for super effective damage.
* Access to the ability Sheer Force, which boosts moves with secondary effects while negating Life Orb recoil when using said moves allows it to be a potent wallbreaker.
* Nidoking can check Fairy- and Electric-types such a Tapu Koko, Tapu Bulu, and Magnezone, which are some of the major offensive threats in the tier.
* Nidoking has a niche of having a great defensive Ground/Poison typing that lets it check multiple Pokemon while also being immune to common status conditions like Toxic and Thunder Wave, which is difficult to find in most Pokemon in the metagame.
* Unfortunately, it is frail and has mediocre Speed, leaving it outsped and easily revenge killed by faster threats like Greninja, Garchomp, Tapu Lele, Pheromosa, Latios, and Latias.
* Nidoking faces tough competition because there are stronger and faster Pokemon that can wallbreak as well such as Hoopa-U and Kyurem-B.
[SET]
Name: Life Orb Attacker
Move 1: Earth Power
Move 2: Sludge Wave
Move 3: Ice Beam
Move 4: Flamethrower
Item: Life Orb
Ability: Sheer Force
Nature: Timid
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
* Earth Power is Nidoking's primary STAB move, which is boosted by Sheer Force and hits Steel-types like Magnezone, Heatran, and Magearna for super effective damage.
* Sludge Wave is its main Poison-type STAB move, which allows it to OHKO Fairy-types like Clefable, Tapu Koko, Tapu Bulu, Tapu Lele, Tapu Fini, Sylveon, as well as Mimikyu that has its disguise broken for an easy OHKO, and is also boosted by Sheer Force too.
* Ice Beam allows Nidoking to hit bulky Ground-types and lets it OHKO bulky Landorus-T, Garchomp, and Zygarde, as well as 2HKOing Hippowdon.
* Flamethrower allows Nidoking to hit certain Steel-types such as Ferrothorn, Mega Scizor, Skarmory, and Celesteela for super effective damage.
* Fire Blast is also an option over Flamethrower for more power in exchange for an accuracy drop to 85%. This lets Nidoking 2HKO specially defensive Celesteela.
Set Details
========
* Maximum investment in Special Attack ensures maximum power output from Nidoking.
* A Timid nature allows Nidoking to outspeed Dragonite, Tapu Bulu, Breloom, neutral-natured Kyurem-B, and support Heatran, as well as speed tying with other positive-natured base 85 Speed Pokemon.
* Sheer Force negates the secondary effects of Nidoking's moves and Life Orb recoil in exchange for a massive boost in Base Power.
* Nidoking prefers to be specially offensive, since its STAB moves and coverage moves that get boosted by Sheer Force are special.
Usage Tips
========
* Use Pokemon with Volt Switch and U-turn to bring Nidoking in against opposing teams, since it's hard to switch in against most Pokemon in the metagame.
* Against bulky and slow teams, use Nidoking's power and insane coverage to plow through the opposing team's bulky core.
* Prediction is key when facing faster teams with Nidoking. For example, using Ice Beam predicting against Heatran when the opponent has a Landorus-T or Latios because they'll switch in a non-grounded Pokemon to avoid Earth Power.
* Nidoking can switch in on weaker moves from attackers such as Giga Drain from Amoonguss, Moonblast from Clefable, and predicted status moves that it's immune to and threaten back.
Team Options
========
* VoltTurn cores work great with Nidoking, since they can switch it in safely, as it is pretty hard to directly switch it into moves due to its lack of decent bulk. Bulky U-turn Landorus-T, alongside Tornadus-T can pivot Nidoking in safely. Electric-types that can pivot like Rotom-W, Tapu Koko, and Raikou are good partners to Nidoking as well.
* Tapu Lele pairs well with Nidoking, since its ability summons Psychic Terrain which stops priority moves. It also resists Psychic-type attacks, and Choice Scarf sets can take out fast attackers that would normally revenge KO Nidoking.
* Offensive Pokemon like Mega Alakazam, Weavile, Bisharp, Latios, Mega Scizor, Genesect, Breloom, and Azumarill pair up well with Nidoking, as they can help apply pressure against fast offensive teams.
* Fighting types like Keldeo, Pheromosa, and Terrakion are great partners, as Nidoking is easily walled by Chansey and specially defensive Pokemon, while Fighting-types also appreciate Nidoking applying pressure against slow, bulky Fairy- and Ground-types.
* Alolan Ninetales can firmly stop rain teams with its ability Snow Warning, and it can also use Aurora Veil to help Nidoking sponge hits. Tyranitar can work almost equally as good while also being able to trap Pokemon such as Latias, Latios, Tapu Lele, and Chansey if it is a Choice Band set, pairing well with Nidoking.
* Ferrothorn and Landorus-T can pair up to form an entry hazard-stacking duo while Ferrothorn can also help against rain teams, which Nidoking struggles against.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
* Nidoking has access to Stealth Rock and Toxic Spikes, but most of the time, it needs the fourth move slot to be filled for coverage.
* Choice Scarf is another option that lets Nidoking perform better against offensive teams than the Life Orb set, but it decreases it's power output to a point where it loses the role of a wallbreaker.
* Substitute + three attacks is also a decent set to run on Nidoking, but at most times, it is better off having the fourth coverage move.
* Thunderbolt can be run so Nidoking can hit primarily Mantine, which otherwise walls it while also being able to hit Celesteela and Skarmory for super effective damage.
* With 16 Attack EVs, Sucker Punch can be carried for priority, which lets Nidoking get surprise KOs against Pokemon like Alakazam and Gengar as they attempt to revenge kill Nidoking.
* Superpower can be run to catch Chansey off guard and deal heavy damage. Unfortunately, it would have to invest a lot in Attack to be worthwhile.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Faster Pokemon**: Pokemon such as Pheromosa, Tornadus-T, Greninja, Weavile, Manaphy, Excadrill, Keldeo, Tapu Lele, Genesect, and Zygarde-10% are all able to heavily damage Nidoking if not OHKO it.
**Dugtrio**: Dugtrio is the best check to Nidoking, since Arena Trap stops Nidoking from switching out, and it gets OHKOed by STAB Earthquake.
**Psychic-types**: Pokemon such as Tapu Lele, Mega Alakazam, Mega Metagross, Starmie, Latios, Latias, and Necrozma can easily OHKO Nidoking. However, Sucker Punch Nidoking can OHKO Mega Alakazam and catch it off guard while most of the aforementioned Pokemon struggle in switching into Nidoking, except for Latias.
**Bulky Pokemon**: Specially Defensive Pokemon like Chansey and Mantine can easily wall Nidoking. Though, if carrying Thunderbolt, Mantine will no longer be able to counter.
**Water-Types**: Fast Water-types such as Pelipper, Starmie, Greninja, Manaphy, Kingdra, and Keldeo can outspeed Nidoking and OHKO it while Choice Band Azumarill can OHKO it with Aqua Jet. However, none of them can switch in against Nidoking.
GP CHECK : Kris
[OVERVIEW]
* Nidoking has great coverage options that let it hit common bulky Pokemon such as Toxapex, Alolan Marowak, Tapu Fini, and Alolan Muk for super effective damage.
* Access to the ability Sheer Force, which boosts moves with secondary effects while negating Life Orb recoil when using said moves allows it to be a potent wallbreaker.
* Nidoking can check Fairy- and Electric-types such a Tapu Koko, Tapu Bulu, and Magnezone, which are some of the major offensive threats in the tier.
* Nidoking has a niche of having a great defensive Ground/Poison typing that lets it check multiple Pokemon while also being immune to common status conditions like Toxic and Thunder Wave, which is difficult to find in most Pokemon in the metagame.
* Unfortunately, it is frail and has mediocre Speed, leaving it outsped and easily revenge killed by faster threats like Greninja, Garchomp, Tapu Lele, Pheromosa, Latios, and Latias.
* Nidoking faces tough competition because there are stronger and faster Pokemon that can wallbreak as well such as Hoopa-U and Kyurem-B.
[SET]
Name: Life Orb Attacker
Move 1: Earth Power
Move 2: Sludge Wave
Move 3: Ice Beam
Move 4: Flamethrower
Item: Life Orb
Ability: Sheer Force
Nature: Timid
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
* Earth Power is Nidoking's primary STAB move, which is boosted by Sheer Force and hits Steel-types like Magnezone, Heatran, and Magearna for super effective damage.
* Sludge Wave is its main Poison-type STAB move, which allows it to OHKO Fairy-types like Clefable, Tapu Koko, Tapu Bulu, Tapu Lele, Tapu Fini, Sylveon, as well as Mimikyu that has its disguise broken for an easy OHKO, and is also boosted by Sheer Force too.
* Ice Beam allows Nidoking to hit bulky Ground-types and lets it OHKO bulky Landorus-T, Garchomp, and Zygarde, as well as 2HKOing Hippowdon.
* Flamethrower allows Nidoking to hit certain Steel-types such as Ferrothorn, Mega Scizor, Skarmory, and Celesteela for super effective damage.
* Fire Blast is also an option over Flamethrower for more power in exchange for an accuracy drop to 85%. This lets Nidoking 2HKO specially defensive Celesteela.
Set Details
========
* Maximum investment in Special Attack ensures maximum power output from Nidoking.
* A Timid nature allows Nidoking to outspeed Dragonite, Tapu Bulu, Breloom, neutral-natured Kyurem-B, and support Heatran, as well as speed tying with other positive-natured base 85 Speed Pokemon.
* Sheer Force negates the secondary effects of Nidoking's moves and Life Orb recoil in exchange for a massive boost in Base Power.
* Nidoking prefers to be specially offensive, since its STAB moves and coverage moves that get boosted by Sheer Force are special.
Usage Tips
========
* Use Pokemon with Volt Switch and U-turn to bring Nidoking in against opposing teams, since it's hard to switch in against most Pokemon in the metagame.
* Against bulky and slow teams, use Nidoking's power and insane coverage to plow through the opposing team's bulky core.
* Prediction is key when facing faster teams with Nidoking. For example, using Ice Beam predicting against Heatran when the opponent has a Landorus-T or Latios because they'll switch in a non-grounded Pokemon to avoid Earth Power.
* Nidoking can switch in on weaker moves from attackers such as Giga Drain from Amoonguss, Moonblast from Clefable, and predicted status moves that it's immune to and threaten back.
Team Options
========
* VoltTurn cores work great with Nidoking, since they can switch it in safely, as it is pretty hard to directly switch it into moves due to its lack of decent bulk. Bulky U-turn Landorus-T, alongside Tornadus-T can pivot Nidoking in safely. Electric-types that can pivot like Rotom-W, Tapu Koko, and Raikou are good partners to Nidoking as well.
* Tapu Lele pairs well with Nidoking, since its ability summons Psychic Terrain which stops priority moves. It also resists Psychic-type attacks, and Choice Scarf sets can take out fast attackers that would normally revenge KO Nidoking.
* Offensive Pokemon like Mega Alakazam, Weavile, Bisharp, Latios, Mega Scizor, Genesect, Breloom, and Azumarill pair up well with Nidoking, as they can help apply pressure against fast offensive teams.
* Fighting types like Keldeo, Pheromosa, and Terrakion are great partners, as Nidoking is easily walled by Chansey and specially defensive Pokemon, while Fighting-types also appreciate Nidoking applying pressure against slow, bulky Fairy- and Ground-types.
* Alolan Ninetales can firmly stop rain teams with its ability Snow Warning, and it can also use Aurora Veil to help Nidoking sponge hits. Tyranitar can work almost equally as good while also being able to trap Pokemon such as Latias, Latios, Tapu Lele, and Chansey if it is a Choice Band set, pairing well with Nidoking.
* Ferrothorn and Landorus-T can pair up to form an entry hazard-stacking duo while Ferrothorn can also help against rain teams, which Nidoking struggles against.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
* Nidoking has access to Stealth Rock and Toxic Spikes, but most of the time, it needs the fourth move slot to be filled for coverage.
* Choice Scarf is another option that lets Nidoking perform better against offensive teams than the Life Orb set, but it decreases it's power output to a point where it loses the role of a wallbreaker.
* Substitute + three attacks is also a decent set to run on Nidoking, but at most times, it is better off having the fourth coverage move.
* Thunderbolt can be run so Nidoking can hit primarily Mantine, which otherwise walls it while also being able to hit Celesteela and Skarmory for super effective damage.
* With 16 Attack EVs, Sucker Punch can be carried for priority, which lets Nidoking get surprise KOs against Pokemon like Alakazam and Gengar as they attempt to revenge kill Nidoking.
* Superpower can be run to catch Chansey off guard and deal heavy damage. Unfortunately, it would have to invest a lot in Attack to be worthwhile.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Faster Pokemon**: Pokemon such as Pheromosa, Tornadus-T, Greninja, Weavile, Manaphy, Excadrill, Keldeo, Tapu Lele, Genesect, and Zygarde-10% are all able to heavily damage Nidoking if not OHKO it.
**Dugtrio**: Dugtrio is the best check to Nidoking, since Arena Trap stops Nidoking from switching out, and it gets OHKOed by STAB Earthquake.
**Psychic-types**: Pokemon such as Tapu Lele, Mega Alakazam, Mega Metagross, Starmie, Latios, Latias, and Necrozma can easily OHKO Nidoking. However, Sucker Punch Nidoking can OHKO Mega Alakazam and catch it off guard while most of the aforementioned Pokemon struggle in switching into Nidoking, except for Latias.
**Bulky Pokemon**: Specially Defensive Pokemon like Chansey and Mantine can easily wall Nidoking. Though, if carrying Thunderbolt, Mantine will no longer be able to counter.
**Water-Types**: Fast Water-types such as Pelipper, Starmie, Greninja, Manaphy, Kingdra, and Keldeo can outspeed Nidoking and OHKO it while Choice Band Azumarill can OHKO it with Aqua Jet. However, none of them can switch in against Nidoking.
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