Nincada (Pokémon)

← #289: Slaking

Pokémon

#291: Ninjask →

Nincada ツチニン Tutinin #290 Images on the Bulbagarden Archives
Type Bug Ground Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown
Abilities Compound Eyes Cacophony Cacophony Run Away Hidden Ability Cacophony Hidden Ability Cacophony Cacophony
Gender ratio Unknown 50% male, 50% female	Catch rate 255 (43.9%)
Breeding Egg Group Bug Hatch time 16 cycles
Height 1'08" 0.5 m Nincada 0'0" 0 m {{{form2}}} 0'0" 0 m {{{form3}}} 0'0" 0 m {{{form4}}}	Weight 12.1 lbs. 5.5 kg Nincada 0 lbs. 0 kg {{{form2}}} 0 lbs. 0 kg {{{form3}}} 0 lbs. 0 kg {{{form4}}}
Mega Stone [[|]] [[|]]
Base experience yield 65 Gen. III-IV Unknown IV 53 V+	Leveling rate Erratic
EV yield Total: 1 Nincada 0 HP 0 Atk 1 Def 0 Sp.Atk 0 Sp.Def 0 Speed 0 HP 0 Atk 0 Def 0 Sp.Atk 0 Sp.Def 0 Speed 0 HP 0 Atk 0 Def 0 Sp.Atk 0 Sp.Def 0 Speed 0 HP 0 Atk 0 Def 0 Sp.Atk 0 Sp.Def 0 Speed
Shape	Footprint {{{form2}}}
Pokédex color   Gray	Base friendship 70
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 two 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 III Ruby Sapphire Route 116 Emerald Route 116 FireRed LeafGreen Trade Colosseum Trade XD Trade
Generation IV Diamond Pearl Eterna Forest (Poké Radar) Platinum Eterna Forest (Poké Radar) HeartGold SoulSilver National Park (Bug-Catching Contest)ThSa Pal Park Forest
Generation V Black White Poké Transfer Black 2 White 2 Poké Transfer Dream World Dream Park
Generation VI X Y Route 6, Friend Safari (Ground)

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

Level   Move   Type   Cat.   Pwr.   Acc.   PP   Contest   Appeal   Jamming  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 VI Other generations: III - IV - V - VII - VIII - IX

TM   Move   Type   Cat.   Pwr.   Acc.   PP   Contest   Appeal   Jamming  TM01 Hone Claws Dark Status 0000— —}}—% 15 TM06 Toxic Poison Status 0000— 090}}90% 10 TM10 Hidden Power Normal Special 06060 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 Solar Beam 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 05050 100}}100% 20 TM81 X-Scissor Bug Physical 08080 100}}100% 15 TM87 Swagger Normal Status 0000— 090}}90% 15 TM88 TM88 Sleep Talk Normal Status 0000— —}}—% 10 ??? 0   0   TM90 Substitute Normal Status 0000— —}}—% 10 XTM100 TM100 Confide Normal Status 0000— —}}—% 20 ??? 0   0   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 VI Other generations: III - IV - V - VII - VIII - IX

Parent   Move   Type   Cat.   Pwr.   Acc.   PP   Contest   Appeal   Jamming  Bug Bite Bug Physical 60 100% 20 Bug Buzz Bug Special 90 100% 10 Endure Normal Status — —% 10 Final Gambit Fighting Special — 100% 5 Feint 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 VI 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 VI Other generations: III - IV - V - VII - VIII - IX

Game   Move   Type   Cat.   Pwr.   Acc.   PP   Contest   Appeal   Jamming  This Pokémon learns no moves by tutoring.

A black or white 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

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: The Poké Ball has to be a regular Poké Ball.
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) tojung 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.