|ja=ニドキング ''Nidoking''|jameaning=Possibly from "needle", plus "king"
|ja=ニドキング ''Nidoking''|jameaning=Possibly from "needle", plus "king"
|fr=Nidoking|frmeaning=Same as English/Japanese name
|fr=Nidoking|frmeaning=Same as Japanese name
|es=Nidoking|esmeaning=Same as English/Japanese name
|es=Nidoking|esmeaning=Same as Japanese name
|de=Nidoking|demeaning=Same as English/Japanese name
|de=Nidoking|demeaning=Same as Japanese name
|it=Nidoking|itmeaning=Same as English/Japanese name
|it=Nidoking|itmeaning=Same as Japanese name
|ko=니드킹 ''Nidoking''|komeaning=Transliteration of Japanese name
|ko=니드킹 ''Nidoking''|komeaning=Transliteration of Japanese name
|zh_yue=尼多王 ''Nèihdōwohng''|zh_yuemeaning=A portmanteau of 尼多, the common prefix of the names of this Pokémon's evolutionary line, and {{tt|王 ''wohng''|king}}
|zh_yue=尼多王 ''Nèihdōwohng''|zh_yuemeaning=A portmanteau of 尼多, the common prefix of the names of this Pokémon's evolutionary line, and {{tt|王 ''wohng''|king}}
|zh_cmn=尼多王 ''Níduōwáng''|zh_cmnmeaning=A portmanteau of 尼多, the common prefix of the names of this Pokémon's evolutionary line, and {{tt|王 ''wáng''|king}}
|zh_cmn=尼多王 ''Níduōwáng''|zh_cmnmeaning=A portmanteau of 尼多, the common prefix of the names of this Pokémon's evolutionary line, and {{tt|王 ''wáng''|king}}
|ru=Нидокинг{{tt|*|the Official Pokémon Handbook}} ''Nidoking''|rumeaning=Transcription of English name
|ru=Нидокинг{{tt|*|the Official Pokémon Handbook}} ''Nidoking''|rumeaning=Transcription of Japanese name
Nidoking is a large, bipedal, purple Pokémon with distinct reptilian features. It has small, narrow eyes, large, spiny ears, fur-like tufts on its cheeks, and a short snout filled with pointed teeth. There is a long, venomous horn on its forehead. It has a gray chest and belly plates, three claws on each hand, rounded spines on its elbows, and a single large nail on each foot. There is a ridge of long spines down its back, and it has a long, powerful tail. This is a male only species; the female counterpart is Nidoqueen.
It is said that Nidoking's tail is capable of toppling a metal transmission tower. Nidoking uses this tail to smash, constrict, or break the bones of its prey and enemies. The tail can be swung to create distance between it and its foes before Nidoking charges. Its steel-like hide adds to its powerful, rampaging charges. Nidoking lives in grasslands.
In the anime
Nidoking in the anime
Major appearances
Gary Oak has a Nidoking that first appeared in The Battle of the Badge. He called on it to battle Giovanni's Golem during their Gym battle. Nidoking was shown to have tremendous power as he managed to Tackle Golem head on, launching it across the battlefield, and defeating it in one hit. However, when Giovanni used Mewtwo to battle, Nidoking was no match, and was defeated handily. Gary's Nidoking was briefly seen again in The Fourth Round Rumble battling Melissa's Golem, but much unlike his battle with Giovanni's Golem, he was defeated easily.
A Nidoking appeared in the episode Showdown at the Oak Corral, trying to mate with Cassidy (who was in a Nidoqueen costume at the time).
A Nidoking appeared under the ownership of Oscar in The Bicker the Better. His girlfriend Andi had a Nidoqueen. They had a Double Battle with Ash and May, and due to Oscar and Andi's communication with each other, they were able to defeat Ash and May with relative ease.
A Nidoking appeared in A Pyramiding Rage! under the ownership of Paul. He was used to battle against Brandon's Registeel. Although shown to be powerful and versatile, Registeel was still able to hold its own and brought down Nidoking.
A Nidoking appeared in a flashback along with a Nidoqueen while the Day-Care Couple was reminiscing about the times they had raising Pokémon in Gligar Glide.
Nidoking's thick tail packs enormously destructive power. With one swing, it can topple a metal transmission tower. Once this Pokémon goes on a rampage, there is no stopping it.
A Nidoking's thick tail packs enormously destructive power capable of toppling a metal transmission tower. Once it goes on a rampage, there is no stopping it.
Nidoking's thick tail packs enormously destructive power. With one swing, it can topple a metal transmission tower. Once this Pokémon goes on a rampage, there is no stopping it.
Nidoking and its female counterpart Nidoqueen share their category name with Rhydon and Rhyperior. They are all known as the Drill Pokémon. Additionally, all four are partly Ground types.
Although its female counterpart Nidoqueen cannot be bred, Nidoking can.
Nidoqueen and Nidoking are the only Pokémon with a Poison/Ground type combination.
Nidoking is a popular choice with anime rivals as both of Ash's main rivals (Gary and Paul) have one as well as Jimmy's main rival.
Nidoking may be a combination of needle and king (reflective of its gender and being the final evolution). Nido may also be based on cnidocyte, a type of venomous cell responsible for the stings delivered by stinging animals, most notably by jellyfish. Alternatively, it may be based on 二 ni (two) or 二度 nido (two times/two degrees), referring to there being two distinct evolutionary lines using the name with similar names and traits.
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.
For other sprites and images, please see Nidoking images on the Bulbagarden Archives.
