Nincada (Pokémon)

← #289: Slaking

Pokémon

#291: Ninjask →

Nincada ツチニン Tutinin #290
Art by Ken Sugimori from Ruby and Sapphire
Type Bug Ground Unknown Unknown Blue-Striped Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown	Category Trainee Pokémon
Abilities Compoundeyes ----- Blue-Striped ----- Run Away Hidden Ability
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-031 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. Additionally, if the player has a spare slot in the party and an extra Poké Ball, a Shedinja will appear in the player's party when Nincada evolves. An extra Poké Ball is not necessary to obtain Shedinja in Generation III.

Biology

Nincada is a small, whitish insectoid Pokémon. It has a pointed snout, a thin stripe that dips in a V-shaped pattern between its eyes, and whisker-like antennae on its face. The antennae are used to sense its surroundings, as it is virtually blind. Its eyes are black with green iris-like rings inside. Its hind legs are white and the forelegs are brown, and it has small, green wings on its back. It lives underground and builds its nest at the roots of trees. It uses its sharp claws to carve the roots of trees and absorb moisture and nutrients. It does not like sunlight, so it avoids it.

In the anime

Nincada in the anime

Major appearances

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

Minor appearances

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 manga

Nincada in Pokémon Adventures

In the Pokémon Adventures manga

A Nincada belonging to originally belonging to Aqua Admin Shelly appeared in VS. Ninjask, where it was given to fellow admin Amber. Amber's new Pokémon soon evolved into Ninjask, leaving behind a Shedinja, as well.

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 {{{leafgreendex}}}
Generation IV Diamond It grows underground, sensing its surroundings using antennae instead of its virtually blind eyes. Pearl {{{pearldex}}} Platinum {{{platinumdex}}} HeartGold It can sometimes live underground for more than 10 years. It absorbs nutrients from the roots of trees. SoulSilver {{{soulsilverdex}}}
Generation V Black It grows underground, sensing its surroundings using antennae instead of its virtually blind eyes. White {{{whitedex}}} Black 2 It grows underground, sensing its surroundings using antennae instead of its virtually blind eyes. White 2 {{{white2dex}}}
Generation VI X Because it lived almost entirely underground, it is nearly blind. It uses its antennae instead. Y It can sometimes live underground for more than 10 years. It absorbs nutrients from the roots of trees.

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 Common National Park (Bug-Catching Contest) Pal Park Forest Pokéwalker None
Generation V Black White None Poké Transfer Black 2 White 2 None Poké Transfer Dream World Dream Park
Generation VI X Y Unknown Route 6

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
Pokémon Rumble Blast	Forest: Misty Edgewater

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 IX, 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× Fairy 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× Fairy 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× Fairy 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× Fairy 1× None

Notes: If this Pokémon is given a Ring Target, the effectiveness of  Electric-type  moves is 1×.

Learnset

By leveling up

Generation V Other generations: III - IV - VI - VII - VIII - IX

Level   Move   Type   Cat.   Pwr.   Acc.   PP  00Start Scratch Normal Physical 04040 100100% 35 00Start Harden Normal Status 0000— ——% 30 055 Leech Life Bug Physical 02020 100100% 15 099 Sand-Attack Ground Status 0000— 100100% 15 1414 Fury Swipes Normal Physical 01818 08080% 15 1919 Mind Reader Normal Status 0000— ——% 5 2525 False Swipe Normal Physical 04040 100100% 40 3131 Mud-Slap Ground Special 02020 100100% 10 3838 Metal Claw Steel Physical 05050 09595% 35 4545 Dig Ground Physical 08080 100100% 10

Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Nincada Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Nincada Click on the generation numbers at the top to see level-up moves from other generations

By TM/HM

Generation V Other generations: III - IV - VI - VII - VIII - IX
TM		Move	Type	Cat.	Pwr.	Acc.	PP
	TM01	Hone Claws	Dark	Status	0000—	—}}—%	15
	TM06	Toxic	Poison	Status	0000—	090}}90%	10
	TM10	Hidden Power	Normal	Special	0000—	100}}100%	15
	TM11	Sunny Day	Fire	Status	0000—	—}}—%	5
	TM17	Protect	Normal	Status	0000—	—}}—%	10
	TM21	Frustration	Normal	Physical	0000—	100}}100%	20
	TM22	SolarBeam	Grass	Special	120120	100}}100%	10
	TM27	Return	Normal	Physical	0000—	100}}100%	20
	TM28	Dig	Ground	Physical	08080	100}}100%	10
	TM30	Shadow Ball	Ghost	Special	08080	100}}100%	15
	TM32	Double Team	Normal	Status	0000—	—}}—%	15
	TM37	Sandstorm	Rock	Status	0000—	—}}—%	10
	TM40	Aerial Ace	Flying	Physical	06060	—}}—%	20
	TM42	Facade	Normal	Physical	07070	100}}100%	20
	TM44	Rest	Psychic	Status	0000—	—}}—%	10
	TM48	Round	Normal	Special	06060	100}}100%	15
	TM54	False Swipe	Normal	Physical	04040	100}}100%	40
	TM70	Flash	Normal	Status	0000—	100}}100%	20
	TM76	Struggle Bug	Bug	Special	03030	100}}100%	20
	TM81	X-Scissor	Bug	Physical	08080	100}}100%	15
	TM87	Swagger	Normal	Status	0000—	090}}90%	15
	TM90	Substitute	Normal	Status	0000—	—}}—%	10
	HM01	Cut	Normal	Physical	05050	095}}95%	30
Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Nincada Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Nincada Click on the generation numbers at the top to see TM moves from other generations

By breeding

Generation V Other generations: III - IV - VI - VII - VIII - IX
Father	Move	Type	Cat.	Pwr.	Acc.	PP
	Bug Bite	Bug	Physical	60	100%	20
	Bug Buzz	Bug	Special	90	100%	10
	Endure	Normal	Status	—	—%	10
	Final Gambit	Fighting	Special	—	100%	5
	Faint Attack	Dark	Physical	60	—%	20
	Gust	Flying	Special	40	100%	35
	Night Slash	Dark	Physical	70	100%	15
	Silver Wind	Bug	Special	60	100%	5
Moves marked with an asterisk (*) must be chain bred onto Nincada in Generation V Moves marked with a double dagger (‡) can only be bred from a Pokémon who learned the move in an earlier generation. Moves marked with a superscript game abbreviation can only be bred onto Nincada in that game. Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Nincada Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Nincada Click on the generation numbers at the top to see Egg moves from other generations

By tutoring

Generation V Other generations: III - IV - VI - VII - VIII - IX
Game				Move	Type	Cat.	Pwr.	Acc.	PP
B	W	B2	W2	Bug Bite	Bug	Physical	60	100%	20
B	W	B2	W2	Giga Drain	Grass	Special	75	100%	10
B	W	B2	W2	Sleep Talk	Normal	Status	—	—%	10
B	W	B2	W2	Snore	Normal	Special	40	100%	15
B	W	B2	W2	Spite	Ghost	Status	—	100%	10
A black abbreviation in a colored box indicates that Nincada can be tutored the move in that game A colored abbreviation in a white box indicates that Nincada cannot be tutored the move in that game Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Nincada Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Nincada Click on the generation numbers at the top to see Move Tutor moves from other generations

Dream World moves

Generation V Other generations: III - IV - VI - VII - VIII - IX
Event	Move	Type	Cat.	Pwr.	Acc.	PP
Dream Park	Endure	Normal	Status	—	—%	10
Dream Park	Night Slash	Dark	Physical	70	100%	15
A superscript level indicates that Nincada can learn this move normally in Generation V at that level Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Nincada Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Nincada Click on the generation numbers at the top to see event moves from other generations

Side game data

Pokémon Pinball  N/A  Not available		Pokémon Pinball RS     Acquisition: Catch		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:  Ground  Poké Assist: ( Bug ) 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 Attack ● Defense ●● Speed ●●● Attack Not Available Defense Speed Attack Not Available Defense Speed Attack 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: It has to be a Poke Ball, Great Balls and other types do not count. 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.
• Nincada is the only Pokémon with a base stat total of 266.
• Nincada is the only Pokémon to have a higher base stat total than its evolution, as it has 30 more base stat points than Shedinja.

Origin

It appears to be based on a cicada larva.

Name origin

Nincada 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

Language Title Meaning Japanese ツチニン Tutinin From 土に埋める tsuchiniumeru and ninja French Ningale From ninja and cigale Spanish Nincada Same as English name German Nincada Same as English name Italian Nincada Same as English name Korean 토중몬 Tojungmon From 토중(土中) to'jung and monster Mandarin Chinese 土居忍士 Tǔjūrěnshì Literally "Earth-residing ninja" Cantonese Chinese

More languages

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.