Nincada (Pokémon)

← #289: Slaking

Pokémon

#291: Ninjask →

Nincada ツチニン Tutinin #290
Artwork from R/S/E
Type Bug Ground Unknown Unknown Blue-Striped Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown	Category Trainee Pokémon
Ability Compoundeyes Blue-Striped -----	Exp. at Lv. 100 600,000
Regional Pokédex numbers Kanto #— Johto — Hoenn #042 Sinnoh — Unova Not in any regional Pokédex
Regional Browser numbers Fiore R— Almia R— Oblivia
Height 1'08" Imperial 0.5 m Metric 1'08"/0.5 m Red-Striped 0'0"/0.0 m Blue-Striped 0'0"/0.0 m
Weight 12.1 lbs. Imperial 5.5 kg Metric 12.1 lbs./5.5 kg Red-Striped 0.0 lbs./0.0 kg Blue-Striped 0.0 lbs./0.0 kg
Dex color Gray	Catch rate 255 (33.3%)
Body style Blue-Striped	Footprint      Blue-Striped
Gender ratio Gender unknown Unknown 50% male, 50% female
Breeding Bug group 16 cycles (4080 minimum steps)
EV yield HP 0 Atk 0 Def 1 Sp.Atk 0 Sp.Def 0 Speed 0 Base Exp.: 65 Battle Exp.: 651*
External links On Smogon Pokédex: Generation III Generation IV Generation V Generation VI Generation VII Generation VIII Generation IX Artwork on Bulbagarden Archives

Nincada (Japanese: ツチニン Tutinin) is a dual-type Bug/Ground Pokémon.

It evolves into Ninjask starting at level 20. Also, If the player has a spare spot and an extra Poké Ball, a Shedinja will appear in the player's party when Nincada evolves.

Biology

Physiology

Nincada is a small, whitish insect Pokémon. Nincada's hind legs are white and the forelegs are brown. Nincada has small, green wings on its back, a small pointed snout, and whisker-like antenna on its face. Nincada has a thin stripe that dips in a “V”-shaped pattern between its eyes.

Gender differences

None.

Special abilities

Because of its sharp claws, Nincada has access to moves such as Fury Swipes and Metal Claw.

Behavior

Using its whisker like antennae, it probes its surroundings in the pitch-black darkness of soil. Nincada can't withstand bright sunlight so it avoids it. Nincada uses its sharp claws to carve the roots of trees and absorb moisture and nutrients.

Habitat

File:Forest.gif

Forest Pokémon

Nincada live buried in soil and will usually remain underground until they evolve. They stay away from sunlight.

Diet

Main article: Pokémon food

Nincada sustain themselves by drinking nutrients from tree roots.

In the anime

File:Nincadanime.jpg

Nincada in the anime

Nincada first appeared in A Three Team Scheme. It belonged to a boy named Keanu, who lived in his Secret Base in solitude.

In Pokémon Ranger and the Kidnapped Riolu! Part One, Kellyn used his Capture Styler on a Nincada and had it Dig a pit trap for J's Henchmen to fall in.

Pokédex entries

Episode Pokémon Source Entry AG027 Nincada Ash's Pokédex Nincada, the Trainee Pokémon. Nincada lives most of its life inside the earth and uses its sharp claws to tap into tree roots extracting nutrients and moisture.

In the TCG

Main article: Nincada (TCG)

Game data

Pokédex entries

This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation III.
Generation I Red {{{redbluedex}}} Blue Yellow {{{yellowdex}}} Stadium {{{stadiumdex}}}
Generation II Gold {{{golddex}}} Silver {{{silverdex}}} Crystal {{{crystaldex}}} Stadium 2 Unknown
Generation III Ruby Nincada lives underground for many years in complete darkness. This Pokémon absorbs nutrients from the roots of trees. It stays motionless as it waits for evolution. Sapphire Nincada lives underground. It uses its sharp claws to carve the roots of trees and absorb moisture and nutrients. This Pokémon can't withstand bright sunlight so avoids it. Emerald It makes its nest at the roots of a mighty tree. Using its whiskerlike antennae, it probes its surroundings in the pitch-black darkness of soil. FireRed Because it lived almost entirely underground, it is nearly blind. It uses its antennae instead. LeafGreen Because it lived almost entirely underground, it is nearly blind. It uses its antennae instead.
Generation IV Diamond It grows underground, sensing its surroundings using antennae instead of its virtually blind eyes. Pearl It grows underground, sensing its surroundings using antennae instead of its virtually blind eyes. Platinum It grows underground, sensing its surroundings using antennae instead of its virtually blind eyes. HeartGold １０ねん　いじょう　つちの　なかで　くらす　ことも　ある。じゅもくの　ねっこから　えいようを　すいとる。 SoulSilver １０ねん　いじょう　つちの　なかで　くらす　ことも　ある。じゅもくの　ねっこから　えいようを　すいとる。
Generation V Black {{{blackdex}}} White {{{whitedex}}} Black 2 {{{black2dex}}} White 2 {{{white2dex}}}
Generation VI X Unknown Y Unknown

Game locations

This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation III.
Generation I Red Blue None Trade Blue (Japan) None Trade Yellow None Trade
Generation II Gold Silver None Trade Crystal None Trade
Generation III Ruby Sapphire Uncommon Route 116 Emerald Uncommon Route 116 FireRed LeafGreen None Trade Colosseum None Trade XD None Trade
Generation IV Diamond Pearl Rare Eterna Forest (Poké Radar) Platinum Rare Eterna Forest (Poké Radar) HeartGold SoulSilver None Trade Pal Park Forest Pokéwalker None
Generation V Black White None Trade Black 2 White 2 None Trade Dream World None
Generation VI X Y None Trade

In side games

Game	Location
Pokémon Pinball: Ruby & Sapphire	Forest
Pokémon Trozei!	Secret Storage 13 Endless Level 20 Forever Level 6 Mr. Who's Den
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon Red/Blue Rescue Team	Lapis Cave (1F-4F) Wish Cave (44F-49F) Joyous Tower (45F-49F)
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon Explorers of Time/Darkness	Quicksand Cave (B1-B7) Midnight Forest (B1-B24)
Pokémon Ranger	Lyra Forest

Stats

Base stats

Stat		Range
		At Lv. 50	At Lv. 100
HP: 31		91 - 138	172 - 266
Attack: 45		45 - 106	85 - 207
Defense: 90		85 - 156	166 - 306
Sp. Atk: 30		31 - 90	58 - 174
Sp. Def: 30		31 - 90	58 - 174
Speed: 40		40 - 101	76 - 196
Total: 266	Other Pokémon with this total
Minimum stats are calculated with 0 EVs, IVs of 0, and (if applicable) a hindering nature. Maximum stats are calculated with 252 EVs, IVs of 31, and (if applicable) a helpful nature.

Pokéathlon stats

Speed 2/3 ★★☆	Power 2/3 ★★☆
Skill 3/4 ★★★☆	Stamina 3/5 ★★★☆☆
Jump 2/3 ★★☆	Total 12/18 ★★☆

Type effectiveness

Under normal battle conditions in Generation V, this Pokémon is:

Damaged normally by: Normal 1× Fighting ½× Flying 2× Poison ½× Ground ½× Rock 1× Bug 1× Ghost 1× Steel 1× Fire 2× Water 2× Grass 1× Electric 0× Psychic 1× Ice 2× Dragon 1× Dark 1× None

Weak to: Normal 1× Fighting ½× Flying 2× Poison ½× Ground ½× Rock 1× Bug 1× Ghost 1× Steel 1× Fire 2× Water 2× Grass 1× Electric 0× Psychic 1× Ice 2× Dragon 1× Dark 1× None

Immune to: Normal 1× Fighting ½× Flying 2× Poison ½× Ground ½× Rock 1× Bug 1× Ghost 1× Steel 1× Fire 2× Water 2× Grass 1× Electric 0× Psychic 1× Ice 2× Dragon 1× Dark 1× None

Resistant to: Normal 1× Fighting ½× Flying 2× Poison ½× Ground ½× Rock 1× Bug 1× Ghost 1× Steel 1× Fire 2× Water 2× Grass 1× Electric 0× Psychic 1× Ice 2× Dragon 1× Dark 1× None

Learnset

By leveling up

|- style="text-align:center" | style="text-align:left" | bug | style="background:#915121" |  ground 

| style=" background:#FFF" | 4 | style=" background:#FFF" | 3 | style=" background:#FFF" | Nincada | style="display:none; background:#FFF" | {{{6}}} Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Movelist/note

By tutoring

|- style="background:#B8C26A" | colspan="13" | Bold indicates a move that gets STAB
Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only from an Evolution of this Pokémon
A colored initial indicates that the move is not available to be tutored in this game,
while a colored background indicates that the move is available. |} |}

Side game data

Pokémon Pinball  N/A  Not available		Pokémon Pinball RS  N/A  Not available		Pokémon Trozei!    Rarity: Common
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon Red Rescue Team and Blue Rescue Team File:MDP RT 290.png Body size: 1 Recruit rate: 7.4%% Friend Area: Secretive Forest Phrases 51%-100% HP My antennae serve as my eyes. 26%-50% HP Oh, what's up? How could my HP be down by half so soon? 1%-25% HP I think I've had it... I can't get any strength... Level up OK! I leveled up! I'll try harder! Partner phrases 51%-100% HP <name>, my HP is between 51% and 100%. 26%-50% HP <name>, my HP is between 26% and 50%. 1%-25% HP <name>, my HP is between 1% and 25%. Level up OK! I leveled up! I'll try harder!
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon Explorers of Time, Explorers of Darkness, and Explorers of Sky Body size: 1 Recruit rate: 6.4%% IQ group: D
Pokémon Ranger Group:  Normal  Poké Assist: None Field move: (Cut ×1) Loops: 3 Min. exp.: 25 Max. exp.: 45 Browser entry   Nincada burrows underground. It can cut things with its claws.
Pokémon Ranger: Shadows of Almia Group:  Normal  Poké Assist: None Field move: None Browser entry   This Pokémon does not have a browser entry.
Pokémon Ranger: Guardian Signs Group: Poké Assist: Field move:  Normal  None Past ( Normal ) None Past (Electrify ×1) Browser entry   This Pokémon does not have a browser entry.
Pokémon Rumble N/A Not Available Defense Speed N/A Not Available Defense Speed			Pokémon Rumble Blast N/A Not Available Defense Speed N/A Not Available Defense Speed N/A Not Available Defense Speed N/A Not Available Defense Speed
PokéPark Wii: Pikachu's Adventure PokéPark Pad entry: This Pokémon has no PokéPark Pad entry.
PokéPark 2: Wonders Beyond Strong: {{{Park2strong}}} Weak: {{{Park2weak}}} PokéPark Pad entry: This Pokémon has no PokéPark Pad entry.
Pokémon Conquest HP: Move: {{{ConquestMove}}} Attack: Ability 1: {{{ConquestAbility1}}} Defense: Ability 2: {{{ConquestAbility2}}} Speed: Ability 3: {{{ConquestAbility3}}} Does not evolve. Range: 0 Perfect Links: {{{ConquestLink}}}

Evolution

Unevolved Nincada  Bug  Ground	Level 20 →	First Evolution Ninjask  Bug  Flying
If... Poké Ball in bag (Poké Ball not needed in Generation III)	Space in party →	Castoff evolution Shedinja  Bug  Ghost

Note: In Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time and Explorers of Darkness, Shedinja will not be mentioned when evolving Nincada, but will subsequently appear in Chimecho's Assembly.

Sprites

Gen	Game
I	Red	Blue	Yellow		Red (Ja)	Green	Back
	This Pokémon did not appear during Generation I.
II	Gold	Silver	Crystal				Back
	This Pokémon did not appear during Generation II.
III	Ruby	Sapphire	Emerald		FireRed	LeafGreen	Back
IV	Diamond	Pearl	Platinum		HeartGold	SoulSilver	Back
V	Black	White	Black 2	White 2			Back

For other sprites and images, please see Nincada images on Bulbagarden Archives.

Trivia

• Nincada is the only Pokémon that evolves into two Pokémon at once.
• Because a Shedinja cast off from Nincada retains all moves the Nincada had before evolution, and due to Shedinja not having a gender, Nincada is the only Pokémon with a gender that can learn TMs and HMs but cannot learn Attract or Captivate.
• Nincada and Phione are the only Pokémon obtainable by breeding a Pokémon they cannot evolve into (as Shedinja is technically a shed shell).

Origin

It appears to be based on a cicada larva.

Name origin

Nincada's name is a combination of ninja and cicada.

Tutinin is a combination of 土に埋める tsuchiniumeru, to bury in the ground, and ninja.

In other languages

• German: Nincada
• French: Ningale - From ninja and cigale (cicada).
• Korean: 토중몬 Tojungmon

External links

← #289: Slaking

Pokémon

#291: Ninjask →

This Pokémon article is part of Project Pokédex, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on each Pokémon species, as well as Pokémon groups and forms.