Nincada (Pokémon)

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For Pokémon GO information on this species, see the game's section.
0289MS.png #0289: Slaking
Pokémon
#0291: Ninjask 0291MS.png
Nincada
Trainee Pokémon
ツチニン
Tutinin
#0290
Nincada



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
15 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
Body14.png
Footprint
F0290.png F000.png
{{{form2}}}
Pokédex color
Gray
Base friendship
70
External Links

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

It evolves into Ninjask starting at level 20 and, upon evolution, Shedinja, if the player has an empty slot in their party and an extra Poké Ball on hand.

(Specifics may differ in past games. Refer to Game data→Evolution data for these details.)

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. Its eyes are black with green iris-like rings inside. As it is virtually blind, it uses its antennae to sense its surroundings. On its back is a pair of small, green wings. Its hind legs are white, but the forelegs are brown and have sharp claws.

The claws are used to carve into the roots of trees and absorb moisture and nutrients. Nincada builds underground nests at the roots of trees in tropical and temperate forests. It can occasionally live up to 10 years underground. It does not like sunlight, so it avoids it. Nincada is nearly blind due to living almost entirely underground, as such, it uses its antennae to see instead.

Evolution

Nincada evolves into Ninjask and can also evolve into Shedinja simultaneously, which appears in an empty Poké Ball.

(For specifics on this Pokémon's Evolution in the games, refer to Game data→Evolution data.)

Nincada
Unevolved
Nincada
 Bug  Ground 

Ninjask
First Evolution
Ninjask
 Bug  Flying 

Shedinja
First Evolution
Shedinja
 Bug  Ghost 

Game data

Pokédex entries

This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation III.
Generation III Hoenn
#042
Kanto
#—
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
Generation IV Sinnoh
#—
Johto
#—
Diamond It grows underground, sensing its surroundings using antennae instead of its virtually blind eyes.
Pearl
Platinum
HeartGold It can sometimes live underground for more than 10 years. It absorbs nutrients from the roots of trees.
SoulSilver
Generation V Unova
#—
Black It grows underground, sensing its surroundings using antennae instead of its virtually blind eyes.
White
Black 2 It grows underground, sensing its surroundings using antennae instead of its virtually blind eyes.
White 2
Generation VI Kalos
Central #111
Hoenn
#043
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.
Omega 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.
Alpha 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.
Generation VII Alola
#—
Kanto
#—
This Pokémon has no Pokédex entries in Generation VII.
Generation VIII Galar
#104
Sinnoh
#—
Hisui
#—
This Pokémon has no Pokédex entries in Legends: Arceus.
Sword Because it lived almost entirely underground, it is nearly blind. It uses its antennae instead.
Shield It can sometimes live underground for more than 10 years. It absorbs nutrients from the roots of trees.
Brilliant Diamond It grows underground, sensing its surroundings using antennae instead of its virtually blind eyes.
Shining Pearl
Generation IX Paldea
#—
Kitakami
#—
Blueberry
#—
This Pokémon has no Pokédex entries in Generation IX.


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)
Omega Ruby Alpha Sapphire
Route 116
Generation VII
Sun Moon
Pokémon Bank
Ultra Sun Ultra Moon
Pokémon Bank
Let's Go Pikachu Let's Go Eevee
Unobtainable
Generation VIII
Sword Shield
Route 5, West Lake Axewell, South Lake Miloch
Bridge Field, Dappled Grove, Rolling Fields (Max Raid Battle)
Brilliant Diamond Shining Pearl
Eterna Forest (Poké Radar)
Grand Underground - Grassland Cave, Sunlit Cavern, Riverbank Cave, Still-Water Cavern (After obtaining the National Pokédex)
Legends: Arceus
Unobtainable
Generation IX
Scarlet Violet
Unobtainable


In side games

This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation III.
Generation III
Pinball: R&S
Forest (Both Fields)
Trozei!
Secret Storage 13, Endless Level 20, Forever Level 6, Mr. Who's Den
MD Red MD Blue
Lapis Cave (1F-4F), Wish Cave (44F-49F), Joyous Tower (45F-49F)
Ranger
Lyra Forest
Generation IV
MD Time MD Darkness
Quicksand Cave (B1F-B7F), Midnight Forest (B1F-B21F)
MD Sky
Quicksand Cave (B1F-B7F), Midnight Forest (B1F-B21F)
Generation V
Rumble Blast
Forest: Misty Edgewater
Rumble U
Flower Garden: Guardians of the Flower Patch
Generation VI
Battle Trozei
Sky-High Ruins: Stage 5
Rumble World
Gold Plateau: Verdant Grove (All Areas), White Ruins: Everspring Valley (All Areas)
Generation VII
Rumble Rush
Mewtwo Sea, Butterfree Sea, Rayquaza Sea, Mewtwo SeaFinal
Generation VIII
MD DX
Wish Cave (44F-49F), Joyous Tower (44F-49F), Purity Forest (44F-49F), Fantasy Strait (22F-24F)
Cross-Generation
Shuffle
Graucus Hall: Stage 453


Held items

Games Held items
Omega Ruby Alpha Sapphire
Soft Sand Soft Sand (5%)
Sword Shield
Brilliant Diamond Shining Pearl

Stats

Base stats

Stat Range
At Lv. 50 At Lv. 100
31
91 - 138 172 - 266
45
45 - 106 85 - 207
90
85 - 156 166 - 306
30
31 - 90 58 - 174
30
31 - 90 58 - 174
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
Fighting ½×
Flying
Poison ½×
Ground ½×
Rock
Bug
Ghost
Steel
Fire
Water
Grass
Electric
Psychic
Ice
Dragon
Dark
Fairy
None
Weak to:
Normal
Fighting ½×
Flying
Poison ½×
Ground ½×
Rock
Bug
Ghost
Steel
Fire
Water
Grass
Electric
Psychic
Ice
Dragon
Dark
Fairy
None
Immune to:
Normal
Fighting ½×
Flying
Poison ½×
Ground ½×
Rock
Bug
Ghost
Steel
Fire
Water
Grass
Electric
Psychic
Ice
Dragon
Dark
Fairy
None
Resistant to:
Normal
Fighting ½×
Flying
Poison ½×
Ground ½×
Rock
Bug
Ghost
Steel
Fire
Water
Grass
Electric
Psychic
Ice
Dragon
Dark
Fairy
None
Notes:

Learnset

Nincada is available in Sword and Shield and Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl.

By leveling up

Generation VIII
Other generations:
III - IV - V - VI - VII - IX
 Level   Move   Type   Cat.   Pwr.   Acc.   PP
011 Sand Attack Ground Status 0000 100100% 15
011 Scratch Normal Physical 04040 100100% 35
055 Harden Normal Status 0000 00——% 30
1010 False Swipe Normal Physical 04040 100100% 40
1515 Mud-Slap Ground Special 02020 100100% 10
2121 Absorb Grass Special 02020 100100% 25
2525 Metal Claw Steel Physical 05050 09595% 35
3030 Fury Swipes Normal Physical 01818 08080% 15
3535 Mind Reader Normal Status 0000 00——% 5
4040 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/TR

SwSh

Generation VIII
Other generations:
III - IV - V - VI - VII - IX
   TM   Move   Type   Cat.   Pwr.   Acc.   PP 
TM11
Bag TM Grass SwSh Sprite.png
TM11 Solar Beam Grass Special 120120 100}}100% 10
TM15
Bag TM Ground SwSh Sprite.png
TM15 Dig Ground Physical 08080 100}}100% 10
TM21
Bag TM Psychic SwSh Sprite.png
TM21 Rest Psychic Status 0000 00—}}—% 10
TM24
Bag TM Normal SwSh Sprite.png
TM24 Snore Normal Special 05050 100}}100% 15
TM25
Bag TM Normal SwSh Sprite.png
TM25 Protect Normal Status 0000 00—}}—% 10
TM28
Bag TM Grass SwSh Sprite.png
TM28 Giga Drain Grass Special 07575 100}}100% 10
TM32
Bag TM Rock SwSh Sprite.png
TM32 Sandstorm Rock Status 0000 00—}}—% 10
TM34
Bag TM Fire SwSh Sprite.png
TM34 Sunny Day Fire Status 0000 00—}}—% 5
TM39
Bag TM Normal SwSh Sprite.png
TM39 Facade Normal Physical 07070 100}}100% 20
TM76
Bag TM Normal SwSh Sprite.png
TM76 Round Normal Special 06060 100}}100% 15
TM94
Bag TM Normal SwSh Sprite.png
TM94 False Swipe Normal Physical 04040 100}}100% 40
TR18
Bag TR Bug Sprite.png
TR18 Leech Life Bug Physical 08080 100}}100% 10
TR20
Bag TR Normal Sprite.png
TR20 Substitute Normal Status 0000 00—}}—% 10
TR26
Bag TR Normal Sprite.png
TR26 Endure Normal Status 0000 00—}}—% 10
TR27
Bag TR Normal Sprite.png
TR27 Sleep Talk Normal Status 0000 00—}}—% 10
TR33
Bag TR Ghost Sprite.png
TR33 Shadow Ball Ghost Special 08080 100}}100% 15
TR60
Bag TR Bug Sprite.png
TR60 X-Scissor Bug Physical 08080 100}}100% 15
TR61
Bag TR Bug Sprite.png
TR61 Bug Buzz Bug Special 09090 100}}100% 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 TM moves from other generations

BDSP

Generation VIII
Other generations:
III - IV - V - VI - VII - IX
   TM   Move   Type   Cat.   Pwr.   Acc.   PP 
TM11
Bag TM Fire SwSh Sprite.png
TM11 Sunny Day Fire Status 0000 —}}—% 5
TM17
Bag TM Normal SwSh Sprite.png
TM17 Protect Normal Status 0000 —}}—% 10
TM19
Bag TM Grass SwSh Sprite.png
TM19 Giga Drain Grass Special 07575 100}}100% 10
TM22
Bag TM Grass SwSh Sprite.png
TM22 Solar Beam Grass Special 120120 100}}100% 10
TM28
Bag TM Ground SwSh Sprite.png
TM28 Dig Ground Physical 08080 100}}100% 10
TM30
Bag TM Ghost SwSh Sprite.png
TM30 Shadow Ball Ghost Special 08080 100}}100% 15
TM32
Bag TM Normal SwSh Sprite.png
TM32 Double Team Normal Status 0000 —}}—% 15
TM37
Bag TM Rock SwSh Sprite.png
TM37 Sandstorm Rock Status 0000 —}}—% 10
TM40
Bag TM Flying SwSh Sprite.png
TM40 Aerial Ace Flying Physical 06060 —}}—% 20
TM42
Bag TM Normal SwSh Sprite.png
TM42 Facade Normal Physical 07070 100}}100% 20
TM44
Bag TM Psychic SwSh Sprite.png
TM44 Rest Psychic Status 0000 —}}—% 10
TM54
Bag TM Normal SwSh Sprite.png
TM54 False Swipe Normal Physical 04040 100}}100% 40
TM58
Bag TM Normal SwSh Sprite.png
TM58 Endure Normal Status 0000 —}}—% 10
TM62
Bag TM Bug SwSh Sprite.png
TM62 Bug Buzz Bug Special 09090 100}}100% 10
TM70
Bag TM Normal SwSh Sprite.png
TM70 Flash Normal Status 0000 100}}100% 20
TM81
Bag TM Bug SwSh Sprite.png
TM81 X-Scissor Bug Physical 08080 100}}100% 15
TM82
Bag TM Normal SwSh Sprite.png
TM82 Sleep Talk Normal Status 0000 —}}—% 10
TM87
Bag TM Normal SwSh Sprite.png
TM87 Swagger Normal Status 0000 085}}85% 15
TM90
Bag TM Normal SwSh Sprite.png
TM90 Substitute Normal Status 0000 —}}—% 10
TM93
Bag TM Normal SwSh Sprite.png
TM93 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

SwSh

Generation VIII
Other generations:
III - IV - V - VI - VII - IX
 Parent   Move   Type   Cat.   Pwr.   Acc.   PP 
Caterpie
Butterfree
Pinsir
Shuckle
Ninjask
Combee
Skorupi
Drapion
Venipede
Whirlipede
Scolipede
Dwebble
Crustle
Joltik
Galvantula
Durant
Larvesta
Volcarona
Grubbin
Charjabug
Vikavolt
Dewpider
Araquanid
Golisopod
Sizzlipede
Centiskorch
Bug Bite Bug Physical 60 100% 20
Shelmet
Accelgor
Final Gambit Fighting Special 100% 5
Dwebble
Crustle
Karrablast
Escavalier
Flail Normal Physical 100% 15
Butterfree
Combee
Volcarona
Gust Flying Special 40 100% 35
Skorupi
Drapion
Night Slash Dark Physical 70 100% 15
  • Moves marked with an asterisk (*) must be chain bred onto Nincada in Generation VIII
  • 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

BDSP

Generation VIII
Other generations:
III - IV - V - VI - VII - IX
 Parent   Move   Type   Cat.   Pwr.   Acc.   PP 
CaterpieButterfreeWeedleBeedrillPinsirAriadosPinecoForretressShuckleWurmpleBeautiflyDustoxNinjaskKricketotKricketuneBurmyMothimCombeeSkorupiDrapionYanmega
Bug Bite Bug Physical 60 100% 20
NincadaNinjask
Final Gambit^ Fighting Special 100% 5
ParasParasectTrapinchVibravaFlygon
Flail* Normal Physical 100% 15
ButterfreeVenomothYanmaYanmegaBeautiflyDustoxMasquerainMothimCombee
Gust Flying Special 40 100% 35
KricketuneSkorupiDrapionYanmegaGliscor
Night Slash Dark Physical 70 100% 15
  • Moves marked with an asterisk (*) must be chain bred onto Nincada in Generation VIII
  • 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 VIII
Other generations:
III - IV - V - VI - VII - IX
 Game   Move   Type   Cat.   Pwr.   Acc.   PP 
Sw Sh EP BD SP Skitter Smack Bug Physical 70 90% 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 Move Tutor moves from other generations

By transfer from another generation

Generation VIII
Other generations:
IV - V - VI - VII - IX
 Gen.   Move   Type   Cat.   Pwr.   Acc.   PP 
III IV V VI VII Aerial Ace Flying Physical 06060 00—}}—% 20
III IV V VI VII Bide × Normal Physical 0000 00—}}—% 10
III IV V VI VII Confide Normal Status 0000 00—}}—% 20
III IV V VI VII Cut Normal Physical 05050 095}}95% 30
III IV V VI VII Double Team Normal Status 0000 00—}}—% 15
III IV V VI VII Double-Edge Normal Physical 120120 100}}100% 15
III IV V VI VII Feint Attack × Dark Physical 06060 00—}}—% 20
III IV V VI VII Flash × Normal Status 0000 100}}100% 20
III IV V VI VII Frustration × Normal Physical 0000 100}}100% 20
III IV V VI VII Fury Cutter Bug Physical 04040 095}}95% 20
III IV V VI VII Hidden Power × Normal Special 06060 100}}100% 15
III IV V VI VII Hone Claws Dark Status 0000 00—}}—% 15
III IV V VI VII Mimic Normal Status 0000 00—}}—% 10
III IV V VI VII Natural Gift × Normal Physical 0000 100}}100% 15
III IV V VI VII Return × Normal Physical 0000 100}}100% 20
III IV V VI VII Secret Power × Normal Physical 07070 100}}100% 20
III IV V VI VII Silver Wind × Bug Special 06060 100}}100% 5
III IV V VI VII Spite Ghost Status 0000 100}}100% 10
III IV V VI VII String Shot Bug Status 0000 095}}95% 40
III IV V VI VII Struggle Bug Bug Special 05050 100}}100% 20
III IV V VI VII Swagger Normal Status 0000 085}}85% 15
III IV V VI VII Toxic Poison Status 0000 090}}90% 10
  • Transferred Pokémon only retain these moves in Pokémon Sword and Shield
  • A striped background indicates a generation in which the move can only be obtained via event or as a special move
  • 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
  • × indicates a move that cannot be used in Sword and Shield
  • Click on the generation numbers at the top to see transfer-only moves for other generations

TCG-only moves

Move Card
Bite Nincada (EX Dragon 67)

Side game data

Pokémon Pinball RS
PinRS290.png PinRSani290.png
Acquisition: Catch
Pokémon Trozei!
Trozeiani290.png
Rarity: Common
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon
Red Rescue Team and Blue Rescue Team
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!
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon
Explorers of Time, Explorers of Darkness, and Explorers of Sky
MDP E 290.png Body size: 1
Recruit rate: 6.4%
IQ group: D
Pokémon Super Mystery Dungeon
MDP 3DS 290.png

Body size: Standard (1 tile)
How to Recruit: Escort to open the locked door at Stealth Cavern
Connected to: Ninjask, Lucario
Connection Orb Set: 23

Phrases
Normal Here comes Nincada, the underground ninja!
Low HP (< 50%) I am suffering...
Pokémon Ranger
Group:
Ground
Poké Assist: Bug PA.png
Bug
Field move: Cut fm.png
(Cut ×1)
Loops: 3 Min. exp.: 25 Max. exp.: 45
Browser entry R-031
Nincada burrows underground. It can cut things with its claws.
Pokémon Rumble Blast
Attack
Defense ●●
Speed ●●●
Pokémon Rumble Rush
Rush290Body.png Walking Speed: 2.67 seconds Base HP: 42
Base Attack: 65 Base Defense: 51 Base Speed: 60
Pokémon Battle Trozei
Bug
Attack Power: ★★★★

BT290.png

Pokémon Shuffle
None Shuffle.png
Bug
None Shuffle.png Attack Power: 30 - 85 Raise Max Level.png 5

#633
Shuffle290.png

Barrier Bash
Removes one barrier-type disruption without fail.


Pokémon GO
GO290.png Base HP: 104 Base Attack: 80 Base Defense: 126
Egg Distance: N/A* Buddy Distance: 5 km Evolution Requirement: Nincada Candy 50
Fast Attacks: Scratch, Bug Bite
Charged Attacks: Night Slash, Bug Buzz, Aerial Ace

Evolution data

Nincada evolves into Ninjask starting at level 20 and, upon evolution, Shedinja if the player has an empty slot in their party and an extra Poké Ball on hand, consuming the Poké Ball. Note that the Poké Ball has to be a regular Poké Ball. In Generation III, an extra Poké Ball is not necessary to obtain Shedinja.

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.

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


Sprites

This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation III.
Generation III
Ruby Sapphire Emerald FireRed LeafGreen
Spr 3r 290.png Spr b 3r 290.png Spr 3e 290.png Spr b 3e 290.png Spr 3f 290.png Spr b 3f 290.png
Spr 3r 290 s.png Spr b 3r 290 s.png Spr 3e 290 s.png Spr b 3e 290 s.png Spr 3f 290 s.png Spr b 3f 290 s.png
Front Back Front Back Front Back
Generation IV
Diamond Pearl Platinum HeartGold SoulSilver
Spr 4d 290.png Spr b 4d 290.png Spr 4p 290.png Spr b 4p 290.png Spr 4h 290.png Spr b 4h 290.png
Spr 4d 290 s.png Spr b 4d 290 s.png Spr 4p 290 s.png Spr b 4p 290 s.png Spr 4h 290 s.png Spr b 4h 290 s.png
Front Back Front Back Front Back
Generation V
Black White Black 2 White 2
Spr 5b 290.png Spr b 5b 290.png Spr 5b2 290.png Spr b 5b2 290.png
Spr 5b 290 s.png Spr b 5b 290 s.png Spr 5b2 290 s.png Spr b 5b2 290 s.png
Front Back Front Back
Generation VI
X Y Omega Ruby Alpha Sapphire
Spr 6x 290.png
Spr b 6x 290.png
Spr 6o 290.png
Spr b 6o 290.png
Spr 6x 290 s.png
Spr b 6x 290 s.png
Spr 6o 290 s.png
Spr b 6o 290 s.png
Front Back Front Back
Generation VII
Sun Moon Ultra Sun Ultra Moon
Spr 7s 290.png
Spr b 7s 290.png
Spr 7s 290.png
Spr b 7s 290.png
Spr 7s 290 s.png
Spr b 7s 290 s.png
Spr 7s 290 s.png
Spr b 7s 290 s.png
Front Back Front Back
Generation VIII
Sword Shield
Spr 8s 290.png
Spr 8s 290 s.png
This Pokémon is unavailable in Generation IX.
Cross-Generation
HOME
HOME0290.png HOME0290 s.png
290MS.png For other sprites and images, please see Nincada images on the Bulbagarden Archives.


In the anime

Nincada in the anime

Major appearances

Nincada debuted in A Three Team Scheme. It belonged to a boy named Keanu, who lived in his Secret Base in solitude. It later became a target for one of Team Rocket's schemes.

Minor appearances

In Pokémon Ranger and the Kidnapped Riolu! (Part 1), Kellyn used his Capture Styler on a Nincada and had it Dig a pit trap for J's henchmen to fall in.

Multiple Nincada appeared in The Spectral Express!, where they evolved into Ninjask. One of them left behind a Shedinja, which entered one of Goh's Poké Balls and became his Pokémon.

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.
Episode Pokémon Source Entry
JN091 Nincada Goh's Rotom Phone Nincada, the Trainee Pokémon. A Bug and Ground type. Nincada can live underground for more than 10 years, taking in nutrients from tree roots.

In the manga

Ash & Pikachu

A Nincada appeared in a flashback in A Pokémon Battle Against An Entire Family?!, under the ownership of the Winstrate family.

Pokémon Adventures

In Can I Ninjask You a Question?, Aqua Admin Shelly gave a Nincada 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)

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 evolved form, as it has 30 more base stat points than Shedinja.
  • Nincada is the only Pokémon to have a gender and can be taught TM moves but cannot learn Attract or Captivate. This is possibly to prevent Shedinja from knowing these moves due to being gender unknown.
  • Nincada is exclusively in the Bug Egg Group, but Shedinja is exclusively in the Mineral Egg Group. These two are the only evolutionarily-related Pokémon to not share identical Egg Groups, excluding those that transition in or out of the No Eggs Discovered Egg Group.

Origin

Bulbanews

Nincada appears to be based on a cicada nymph. Its association with ninjas may be inspired by stories of ninjas using cicadas to mask their own sounds, or a reference to fabled ninja techniques: doton no jutsu (escape jutsu), a technique of sneaking into a pre-dug hole and hiding until the opponent is gone and utsusemi no jutsu (cicada skin technique), a technique using decoys to misdirect opponents.

Name origin

Nincada may be a combination of ninja and cicada.

Tutinin may be a combination of 土に埋める tsuchi ni umeru (to bury in the ground) and 忍者 ninja.

In other languages

Language Title Meaning
Japan Flag.png Japanese ツチニン Tutinin From 土に埋める tsuchiniumeru and 忍者 ninja
France Flag.png French Ningale From ninja and cigale
Spain Flag.png Spanish Nincada Same as English name
Germany Flag.png German Nincada Same as English name
Italy Flag.png Italian Nincada Same as English name
South Korea Flag.png Korean 토중몬 Tojungmon From 토중 (土中) tojung and monster
China and Taiwan Flags.png Mandarin Chinese 土居忍士 Tǔjūrěnshì From , , 忍者 rěnzhě, and shì
Hong Kong Flag.png Cantonese Chinese 土居忍士 Tóugēuiyáhnsih From tóu, gēui, 忍者 yánjé, and sih


External links

0289MS.png #0289: Slaking
Pokémon
#0291: Ninjask 0291MS.png
Project Pokédex logo.png 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.