BDSP Nidoking

:bw/nidoking:

[OVERVIEW]

Nidoking's presence in the BDSP OU metagame is marked by its powerful, Sheer Force boosted moves. Between its good STAB combination, wide variety of coverage moves, and the large number of Pokemon threatened by its strong attacks, such as Heatran and Clefable, it naturally performs well against balance and stall teams. However, Nidoking can struggle against more offensive teams thanks to its underwhelming Speed tier and weakness to common offensive typings like Water, Ground and Psychic. Furthermore, even in good matchups it can feel a bit prediction reliant, as the opponent can pivot around its moves into a faster threat.

[SET]
name: Wallbreaker
move 1: Sludge Wave
move 2: Earth Power
move 3: Ice Beam
move 4: Flamethrower
item: Life Orb
ability: Sheer Force
nature: Timid / Modest
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]

Ice Beam mainly hits Gliscor and Garchomp, but it is generally a good middle ground-option to hit Dragon- and Ground-types in general, such as Dragonite, Donphan, Latios and Latias. Flamethrower is used to OHKO Scizor and Skarmory, as well as ease prediction against Steel-types. A Timid nature allows Nidoking to outspeed Timid Heatran, Jolly Feraligatr and Adamant Lucario, but the power boost Modest provides can be appealing to some teams.

Nidoking mainly fits on balance and bulky offense, as it is a useful tool for dismantling bulkier teams. Due to its poor defensive profile, Nidoking can struggle to get onto the field; therefore, it appreciates pivoting support from teammates such as Rotom-W and Scizor. The former can even switch into Water types that might give Nidoking trouble, while the latter can do the same for Psychic types. It also pairs well with more offensive pivots, like Choice Band Infernape, who can pressure Blissey, the best answer to Nidoking. Entry Hazards can amplify Nidoking's wallbreaking potential, and as such, setters like Heatran and Skarmory are great partners. Dragon-types like Dragonite and Latios enjoy the pressure Nidoking puts on Clefable and Steel-types.

Other Options
=============

Nidoking can run Focus Punch over Flamethrower to lure in and heavily damage Blissey, leaving it unable to answer it anymore. However, the lack of any use beyond this specific matchup makes the reliability of Flamethrower more valuable for most teams. Toxic Spikes can help wear down some of its checks like the afromentioned Blissey, as well as Slowking, while supporting its teammates. However, this can limit Nidoking's wallbreaking capabilities. A Focus Sash set with Stealth Rock is another option, as Nidoking beats Gliscor, one of the best defoggers in the tier, and can get something done even in unfavorable matchups. However, dropping Life Orb leaves Nidoking unable to net some important KOs, such as against Scizor and Rotom-W. Nidoking can also run Thunderbolt as another useful coverage option to hit bulky Water types that might otherwise give it trouble, like Milotic and Slowking, but those targets aren't common enough to warrant the move's usage most of the time.

Checks and Counters
===================

**Revenge Killers**: Due to its average speed and middling bulk, a lot of fast Pokémon can easily revenge kill Nidoking, such as Latios, Garchomp, Weavile, and Starmie. Crawdaunt and Azumarill can OHKO it with Aqua Jet.

**Blissey**: Blissey is by far the best answer to Nidoking, easily tanking all its moves aside from the rare Focus Punch while sporting reliable recovery in Soft-Boiled. While it can be overwhelmed through team support, it is often a hard stop to anything Nidoking does.

**Water Types**: Some Water-types, like Slowking or Milotic, can switch into most of Nidoking's attacks and threaten it back with their Water STAB moves. Choice Scarf Rotom-W can switch into anything but Sludge Wave, outspeed it and threaten it with Hydro Pump.

[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[VTMagno, 504171]]
- Quality checked by: [[dex, 277988], [Lalaya, 279858]]
- Grammar checked by: [[dex, 277988]]
 
Last edited:

dex

Hard as Vince Carter’s knee cartilage is
is a Site Content Manageris an official Team Rateris a Top Social Media Contributoris a Forum Moderatoris a Community Contributoris a Top Contributoris a Smogon Media Contributoris a CAP Contributor Alumnus
QC Check

Despite its low special attack, it typically uses special moves due to their higher base power. It also synergizes wonderfully with Life Orb, which maximizes its damage output without any drawbacks.
nix this sentence, there's no reason to be vomiting known info like that

However, Nidoking can struggle against more offensive teams thanks to its low defensive stats, underwhelming speed tier and weakness to common offensive typings like Water and Ground.
I'd mention Psychic here as a big weakness too; Latios and Zam are omega common, outspeed it, and ohko it

This is Nidoking's main set.
delete

Nidoking mainly fits on Balance and Bulky Offense teams, being an useful tool for dismantling bulkier teams. Due to its low bulk and lack of key resistances, Nidoking can struggle to get in on the field, which is why it appreciates pivoting support from teammates such as Rotom-Wash and Scizor. The former can even switch into Water types that might give Nidoking trouble, while the latter can do the same for Psychic types. It can also pair with more offensive pivots, like Choice Band Infernape, who can also pressure Blissey, the best answer to Nidoking.
There are a bunch of other mons that pair well with Nidoking. Dragonite enjoys Clefable getting forced out, Latios and King can overwhelm SpD steels like Rachi and Scizor, Spikes from Skarm and rocks from tran makes king's task of breaking much easier. I think all of these Pokemon need to be mentioned.

Nidoking can run Focus Punch on its last moveslot to lure in and heavily damage Blissey, leaving it unable to answer it anymore. However, the lack of any usefulness beyond this specific matchup means the reliability of Flamethrower is better for most teams. Similarly, Toxic Spikes can help wear down some of its checks like the afromentioned Blissey, as well as Slowking, all while supporting its teammates. However, this can limit Nidoking's wallbreaking capabilities. A Focus Sash set with Stealth Rock is another option, as Nidoking beats Gliscor, one of the best defoggers in the tier, and can get something done even in unafvorable matchups. However, the power drop Focus Sash provides is very noticeable and leaves Nidoking not able to net some important KOs, such as Scizor and Rotom-Wash.
I'd add Thunderbolt to this list to hit Slowking and Milotic.

Crawdaunt and Azumarill can also kill it with Aqua Jet after some chip damage.
Crawdaunt cleanly OHKOes Nido with Jet, Band Azu has a very favorable roll to OHKO with Jet, and BD Azu can't set up on King so it really shouldn't be mentioned anyways. Just say these two can OHKO king with jet.

Scarf Rotom-Wash variants can do the same while also outspeeding it.
ScarfTom can switch into anything that is not Sludge Wave. Please mention that specifically.

1/2 when implemented
 

Brambane

protect the wetlands
is a Contributor Alumnus
Query: do we consider Blissey common enough to make Focus Punch worthy of a slash on the main set? I think it is doubly beneficial: for a newer player seeing that Blissey is not always a surefire response, and for when using Nidoking to emphasize how it can both lure Blissey and/or patch up a team vulnerability to being walled by the blob.
 

dex

Hard as Vince Carter’s knee cartilage is
is a Site Content Manageris an official Team Rateris a Top Social Media Contributoris a Forum Moderatoris a Community Contributoris a Top Contributoris a Smogon Media Contributoris a CAP Contributor Alumnus
Query: do we consider Blissey common enough to make Focus Punch worthy of a slash on the main set? I think it is doubly beneficial: for a newer player seeing that Blissey is not always a surefire response, and for when using Nidoking to emphasize how it can both lure Blissey and/or patch up a team vulnerability to being walled by the blob.
According to last month's usage stats, Blissey was on 40% of BDSP OU teams, making Focus Punch a usable tech. Focus Punch also pairs particularly well with Latios, as chipping Blissey irreparably like that can open up Latios quite a bit. However, the opportunity cost of losing a way to effectively stop Scizor from U-turning is too high most of the time, and the strategy itself is inconsistent due to the nature of Focus Punch
 
Last edited:

Lalaya

Banned deucer.
quack
additions
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comments

:bw/nidoking:

[OVERVIEW]

Nidoking's presence in the BDSP OU metagame is marked by its powerful, Sheer Force boosted moves. Between its good stab combination, wide variety of coverage moves and a myriad of Pokémon threatened by its strong attacks, such as Heatran and Clefable, it naturally performs well against balance and stall teams. However, Nidoking can struggle against more offensive teams thanks to its low defensive stats (are they? its not THAT bad ngl, its more the typing leaving it dead meat to a lot of faster meta staples), underwhelming speed tier and weakness to common offensive typings like Water, Ground and Psychic. Furthermore, even on its good matchups it can feel a bit prediction reliant, as the opponent can pivot around its moves into a faster threat.

[SET]
name: Wallbreaker
move 1: Sludge Wave
move 2: Earth Power
move 3: Ice Beam
move 4: Flamethrower
item: Life Orb
ability: Sheer Force
nature: Timid / Modest
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
(put spaces, formatting)


[SET COMMENTS]

Earth Power and Sludge Wave are used as strong STAB options, threatening two common Pokémon in Clefable and Heatran as well as just being excellent neutral coverage. Ice Beam is used mainly for Gliscor and Garchomp, but is generally a good move to hit Dragon and Ground types in general, such as Dragonite, Donphan, Latios and Latias. Flamethrower is used on the last slot to OHKO Scizor and Skarmory, as well as simply easing prediction against Steel types. Timid is usually the better nature as it allows Nidoking to outspeed Timid Heatran, Jolly Feraligatr and Adamant Lucario, but the even bigger power boost Modest provides can be appealing to some teams.

Nidoking mainly fits on Balance and Bulky Offense teams, being an useful tool for dismantling bulkier teams. Due to its low bulk (poor defensive profile?) and lack of key resistances, Nidoking can struggle to get in on the field, which is why it appreciates pivoting support from teammates such as Rotom-Wash and Scizor. The former can even switch into Water types that might give Nidoking trouble, while the latter can do the same for Psychic types. It can also pair with more offensive pivots, like Choice Band Infernape, who can also pressure Blissey, the best answer to Nidoking. Hazards can largely amplify Nidoking's wallbreaking potential, and as such, hazard setters like Heatran and Skarmory are great partners. Dragon types like Dragonite and Latios enjoy the pressure Nidoking puts on Clefable and Steel types and as such are good partners as well.

Other Options
=============

Nidoking can run Focus Punch on its last moveslot to lure in and heavily damage Blissey, leaving it unable to answer it anymore. However, the lack of any usefulness beyond this specific matchup means the reliability of Flamethrower is better for most teams. Similarly, Toxic Spikes can help wear down some of its checks like the afromentioned Blissey, as well as Slowking, all while supporting its teammates. However, this can limit Nidoking's wallbreaking capabilities. A Focus Sash set with Stealth Rock is another option, as Nidoking beats Gliscor, one of the best defoggers in the tier, and can get something done even in unafvorable matchups. However, the power drop Focus Sash provides is very noticeable and leaves Nidoking not able to net some important KOs, such as Scizor and Rotom-Wash. Nidoking can also run Thunderbolt as another useful coverage option to hit bulky Water types that might otherwise give it trouble, like Milotic and Slowking, but those targets aren't common enough to warrant the move's usage most of the time.

Checks and Counters
===================

**Revenge Killers**: Due to its average speed and middling bulk, a lot of fast Pokémon can easily revenge kill Nidoking, such as Latios, Garchomp, Weavile and Starmie. Crawdaunt and Azumarill can also OHKO it with Aqua Jet.

**Blissey**: Blissey is by far the best answer to Nidoking, easily tanking all its moves aside from the rare Focus Punch all while sporting reliable recovery in Soft-Boiled. While it can be overwhelmed through team support, the blob is often a hard stop to anything Nidoking does.

**Water Types**: Some Water-types, like Slowking or Milotic, can switch into most of Nidoking's attacks and threaten it back with their Water STAB. Scarf Rotom-Wash variants can switch into anything but Sludge Wave, outspeeding it and threating it with Hydro Pump.

[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[VTMagno, 504171]]
- Quality checked by: [[dex, 277988], [Lalaya, 279858]]
- Grammar checked by: [[username1, userid1]]
a bit short, but to be fair there's not that much to say about Nidoking itself
QC 2/2 when implemented :blobpex:
 

dex

Hard as Vince Carter’s knee cartilage is
is a Site Content Manageris an official Team Rateris a Top Social Media Contributoris a Forum Moderatoris a Community Contributoris a Top Contributoris a Smogon Media Contributoris a CAP Contributor Alumnus
[OVERVIEW]

Nidoking's presence in the BDSP OU metagame is marked by its powerful, Sheer Force-boosted moves. Between its good stabSTAB combination, wide variety of coverage moves and a myriad of Poké, and the large number of Pokemon threatened by its strong attacks, such as Heatran and Clefable, it naturally performs well against balance and stall teams. However, Nidoking can struggle against more offensive teams thanks to its underwhelming sSpeed tier and weakness to common offensive typings like Water, Ground, and Psychic. Furthermore, even on its good matchupsin good matchups, it can feel a bit prediction reliant, as the opponent can pivot around its moves into a faster threat.

[SET]
name: Wallbreaker
move 1: Sludge Wave
move 2: Earth Power
move 3: Ice Beam
move 4: Flamethrower
item: Life Orb
ability: Sheer Force
nature: Timid / Modest
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]

(Generally, there is no need to discuss STAB moves. I think people generally know that Nidoking runs Earth Power and Sludge Wave because those are its two best options.) Earth Power and Sludge Wave are used as strong STAB options, threatening two common Pokémon in Clefable and Heatran as well as just being excellent neutral coverage. Ice Beam is used mainly forIce Beam mainly hits Gliscor and Garchomp, but it is generally a good move to hit Dragon and Ground types in generaliddle-ground option to hit Dragon- and Ground-types, such as Dragonite, Donphan, Latios and Latias. Flamethrower is used on the last slot to OHKO Scizor and Skarmory, as well as simply easing prediction against Steel types. Timid is usually the better nature as it as well as ease prediction against Steel-types. A Timid nature allows Nidoking to outspeed Timid Heatran, Jolly Feraligatr, and Adamant Lucario, but the even bigger power boost Modest provides can be appealing to some teams.

Nidoking mainly fits on Balance and Bulky Offense teams, being anbalance and bulky offense, as it is a useful tool for dismantling bulkier teams. Due to its poor defensive profile, Nidoking can struggle to get in on the field, which is whyonto the field; therefore, it appreciates pivoting support from teammates such as Rotom-Wash and Scizor. The former can even switch into Water-types that might give Nidoking trouble, while the latter can do the same for Psychic types. It can also pairs well with more offensive pivots, like Choice Band Infernape, who can also pressure Blissey, the best answer to Nidoking. Hazards can largelyEntry hazards can amplify Nidoking's wallbreaking potential, and, as such, hazard setters like Heatran and Skarmory are great partners. Dragon-types like Dragonite and Latios enjoy the pressure Nidoking puts on Clefable and Steel types and as such are good partners as well-types.

Other Options
=============

Nidoking can run Focus Punch on its last moveslotver Flamethrower to lure in and heavily damage Blissey, leaving it unable to answer it anymore. However, the lack of any usefulness beyond this specific matchup meanakes the reliability of Flamethrower is bettermore valuable for most teams. Similarly, Toxic Spikes can help wear down some of its checks like the afrorementioned Blissey, as well as Slowking, all while supporting its teammates. However, this can limit Nidoking's wallbreaking capabilities. A Focus Sash set with Stealth Rock is another option, as Nidoking beats Gliscor, one of the best dDefoggers in the tier, and can get something done even in unafavorable matchups. However, the power drop Focus Sash provides is very noticeable anddropping Life Orb leaves Nidoking unot able to net some important KOs, such as against Scizor and Rotom-Wash. Nidoking can also run Thunderbolt as another useful coverage option to hit bulky Water-types that might otherwise give it trouble, like Milotic and Slowking, but those targets aren't common enough to warrant the move's usage most of the time.

Checks and Counters
===================

**Revenge Killers**: Due to its average speed and middling bulk, a lot of fast Pokéemon can easily revenge kill Nidoking, such as Latios, Garchomp, Weavile, and Starmie. Crawdaunt and Azumarill can also OHKO it with Aqua Jet.

**Blissey**: Blissey is by far the best answer to Nidoking, easily tanking all its moves aside from the rare Focus Punch all while sporting reliable recovery in Soft-Boiled. While it can be overwhelmed through team support, ithe blob is often a hard stop to anything Nidoking does.

**Water Types**: Some Water-types, like Slowking or Milotic, can switch into most of Nidoking's attacks and threaten it back with their Water STAB moves. Choice Scarf Rotom-Wash variants can switch into anything but Sludge Wave, outspeeding it and threating it, and threaten it with Hydro Pump.

[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[VTMagno, 504171]]
- Quality checked by: [[dex, 277988], [Lalaya, 279858]]
- Grammar checked by: [[username1, userid1dex, 277988]]

1/1
 

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