DarXidE
07-31-2009, 04:06 AM
Nidoking
http://www.pokemondb.co.uk/images/artwork/nidoking.png
Summary:
Most Used Set:
Nidoking's most used set would be his Mixed Attacker set. This set is hard to counter, and it his most threatening. There aren't many safe switch-ins to it, due to the excellent coverage it provides.
Usual Counters:
The best way to counter Nidoking is prediction. First you should send in a wall, and figure out its moveset. Then you work from there and hope to beat it. Quagsire does well against him, but it must be careful of Hidden Power Grass. Grumpig and Hypno can take special sets, but they won't like repeated Shadow Balls. Hypno can set up a Reflect on the Mixed sets to make it easier to handle. Both of these Pokemon can take a hit and hit back with a STAB Super Effective Psychic.
Types of Teams Pokemon Is Used In:
Nidoking is mainly used on Offensive teams as a wall breaker or sweeper. He works on mixed offensive teams, and can also set up Stealth Rock and Toxic Spikes, but that's better left to Nidoqueen.
Mixed Attacker
http://www.pokemondb.co.uk/images/sprites/diamond-pearl/normal/nidoking-m.png
Nidoking @ Life Orb
Ability: Poison Point
Nature: Rash
EVs: 200 Atk / 252 SpAtk / 56 Spe
~ Earthquake
~ Thunderbolt
~ Ice Beam
~ Hidden Power Grass
This set causes problems for any opponent facing it, due to its huge movepool. Because of the coverage he has, it makes switching into hard. Thunderbolt and Hidden Power Grass makes sure all Water types in UU are at least 2HKOed. Ice Beam covers Altaria, and bulky Ground and Grass types. The 56 Speed EVs are to outspeed neutral base 60s.
Physical Attacker
http://www.pokemondb.co.uk/images/sprites/diamond-pearl/normal/nidoking-m.png
Nidoking @ Choice Band
Ability: Poison Point
Nature: Adamant
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
~ Earthquake
~ Stone Edge
~ Megahorn
~ Sucker Punch
Choice Banded Nidoking gets a huge 466 Attack, and has decend speed to work with. Earthquake is its main STAB attack and can put a huge dent in foes who dont resist it. Stone Edge hits Flying Pokemon who are immune to Earthquake. Megahorn hits Meganium, Claydol, Hypno, Grumpig, and other Psychic or Grass types Harder than the other moves. Sucker Punch is to finish off faster Pokemon and hits Ghosts harder that the rest of the moves. Life Orb can replace Choice Band if you dont like the idea of being stuck into one attack.
Special Choice
http://www.pokemondb.co.uk/images/sprites/diamond-pearl/normal/nidoking-m.png
Nidoking @ Choice Specs
Ability: Poison Point
Nature: Modest
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpAtk / 252 Spe
~ Earth Power
~ Ice Beam
~ Thunderbolt
~ Shadow Ball
The advantage of this set is being able to take care of Bulky Water and Ground types easier. A Choice Specs Earth Power will 2HKO Quagsire, and Ice Beam takes on the other Ground types like Sandlash. Thunderbolt can hit Flying and Water types hard. Shadow Ball is to take care of Mismagius, Rotom, and other Ghost types. It is also the best thing Nidoking has for Grumpig and Hypno.
Other Options
Sludge Bomb and Poison Jab can be used, but normally it's other moves are better. Fire Blast is also available if you want to hit Grass types harder than Ice Beam. Surf could be used to hit ground types, but Ice Beam is usually better for that job. Toxic Spikes and Stealth Rock are both learned by Nidoking, but usually Nidoqueen does that job better. If you want the surprise factor though, it's definately usable. Rivalry can be used to get a boost when facing Male opponents, but is very risky. Shadow Claw is an option against Ghost types.
Opinion
Nidoking is one of the most diverse Pokemon in the UU environment, with decent stats to work with. His movepool is what really makes him effective. He's a threat to many teams, and is a great candidate for any UU team.
http://www.pokemondb.co.uk/images/artwork/nidoking.png
Summary:
Most Used Set:
Nidoking's most used set would be his Mixed Attacker set. This set is hard to counter, and it his most threatening. There aren't many safe switch-ins to it, due to the excellent coverage it provides.
Usual Counters:
The best way to counter Nidoking is prediction. First you should send in a wall, and figure out its moveset. Then you work from there and hope to beat it. Quagsire does well against him, but it must be careful of Hidden Power Grass. Grumpig and Hypno can take special sets, but they won't like repeated Shadow Balls. Hypno can set up a Reflect on the Mixed sets to make it easier to handle. Both of these Pokemon can take a hit and hit back with a STAB Super Effective Psychic.
Types of Teams Pokemon Is Used In:
Nidoking is mainly used on Offensive teams as a wall breaker or sweeper. He works on mixed offensive teams, and can also set up Stealth Rock and Toxic Spikes, but that's better left to Nidoqueen.
Mixed Attacker
http://www.pokemondb.co.uk/images/sprites/diamond-pearl/normal/nidoking-m.png
Nidoking @ Life Orb
Ability: Poison Point
Nature: Rash
EVs: 200 Atk / 252 SpAtk / 56 Spe
~ Earthquake
~ Thunderbolt
~ Ice Beam
~ Hidden Power Grass
This set causes problems for any opponent facing it, due to its huge movepool. Because of the coverage he has, it makes switching into hard. Thunderbolt and Hidden Power Grass makes sure all Water types in UU are at least 2HKOed. Ice Beam covers Altaria, and bulky Ground and Grass types. The 56 Speed EVs are to outspeed neutral base 60s.
Physical Attacker
http://www.pokemondb.co.uk/images/sprites/diamond-pearl/normal/nidoking-m.png
Nidoking @ Choice Band
Ability: Poison Point
Nature: Adamant
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
~ Earthquake
~ Stone Edge
~ Megahorn
~ Sucker Punch
Choice Banded Nidoking gets a huge 466 Attack, and has decend speed to work with. Earthquake is its main STAB attack and can put a huge dent in foes who dont resist it. Stone Edge hits Flying Pokemon who are immune to Earthquake. Megahorn hits Meganium, Claydol, Hypno, Grumpig, and other Psychic or Grass types Harder than the other moves. Sucker Punch is to finish off faster Pokemon and hits Ghosts harder that the rest of the moves. Life Orb can replace Choice Band if you dont like the idea of being stuck into one attack.
Special Choice
http://www.pokemondb.co.uk/images/sprites/diamond-pearl/normal/nidoking-m.png
Nidoking @ Choice Specs
Ability: Poison Point
Nature: Modest
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpAtk / 252 Spe
~ Earth Power
~ Ice Beam
~ Thunderbolt
~ Shadow Ball
The advantage of this set is being able to take care of Bulky Water and Ground types easier. A Choice Specs Earth Power will 2HKO Quagsire, and Ice Beam takes on the other Ground types like Sandlash. Thunderbolt can hit Flying and Water types hard. Shadow Ball is to take care of Mismagius, Rotom, and other Ghost types. It is also the best thing Nidoking has for Grumpig and Hypno.
Other Options
Sludge Bomb and Poison Jab can be used, but normally it's other moves are better. Fire Blast is also available if you want to hit Grass types harder than Ice Beam. Surf could be used to hit ground types, but Ice Beam is usually better for that job. Toxic Spikes and Stealth Rock are both learned by Nidoking, but usually Nidoqueen does that job better. If you want the surprise factor though, it's definately usable. Rivalry can be used to get a boost when facing Male opponents, but is very risky. Shadow Claw is an option against Ghost types.
Opinion
Nidoking is one of the most diverse Pokemon in the UU environment, with decent stats to work with. His movepool is what really makes him effective. He's a threat to many teams, and is a great candidate for any UU team.