So there are rumors running amok that Nidoking has been falling down short lately in the competitive field... Well, isn't that silly? It seems that their sources are already outdated... or is it? Regardless, there seems to be no reason to panic about it, because Nidoking is as viable as ever, and you'll see why.
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Subject No.10
Name: Nidoking
Species: The Drill Pokemon
Height: 4'7"
Weight: 136.7 lbs.
Type: Ground, Poison
Possible Abilities: Rivalry, Poison Point, Sheer Force
Smogon Tier: UnderUsed
Insights: Nidoking is originally built as a physical attacker; learning moves such as Earthquake, Poison Jab, and even Megahorn. However, when Generation V arrives, he was given a new Ability that made him risen from the ranks; Sheer Force. This ability becomes so viable for Nidoking, that many people utilizes its use by unleashing a new move build for the Drill Pokemon; from being a physical powerhouse into a special nuke. Also, with a decent Special Attack rating of 85, the Drill Pokemon has a lot of potential coming on.
Recommended Ability: Sheer Force
The only viable ability for Nidoking competitively is Sheer Force. This gives off the firepower it desperately needs by adding additional 30% damage to all offensive moves with secondary effects while removing the secondary effects in the process. Nidoking became a beast in competitive battles because of Sheer Force. In addition, Life Orb + Sheer Force - the recoil = one nasty wallbreaker.
Recommended moves:
1. Earth Power - Nidoking's main STAB and can benefit from Sheer Force's boost. Nothing much more to say about this other than this move HURTS!
2. Sludge Wave - second STAB move and another Sheer Force-worthy contender. Slap both of these moves to Nidoking and its almost unstoppable. Just don't use it on Double or Triple battles or your allies will surely get hurt.
3. Thunderbolt - a nice coverage move with solid damage and can benefit from Sheer Force.
4. Ice Beam - another coverage move with some decent damage to boot, thanks to Sheer Force.
5. Shadow Ball - coverage. Decent damage. Sheer Force. Enough said.
Other recommended moves:
1. Poison Jab - a nice physical move and one of the many of Nidoking's physical STABs that can utilize Sheer Force.
2. Earthquake - a strong move all throughout, even without the Sheer Force boost. Just be sure to invest on some Attack stat EV if you are going to use it, though.
3. Megahorn - an exceptional coverage move with decent damage and an OK accuracy. No boosts from Sheer Force, unfortunately, but it can surely kick slower Psychics in their places.
4. Shadow Claw - coverage move against Psychics and Ghosts, as well as Sheer Force boosts, are one of the few reasons to use it.
5. Sludge Bomb - a weaker alternative for Sludge Wave.
Recommended items:
1. Life Orb - Nidoking's main arsenal of choice. The orb allows Nidoking to increase its attacks without worrying much of the recoil; making Nidoking one of the best users of the Life Orb's powerful effect.
2. Choice Scarf - Nidoking's Speed is the main reason why Trainers use him less than usual. Even despite his outstanding bursts, he still cannot outrun some of the most dangerous Pokemon in the higher tiers. This is where Choice Scarf kicks in which allows the user to gain additional Speed boosts and to go on par with certain fast Pokemon like Garchomp and Dragonite. The drawback here is that you'll stick to one move only, which is a shame because Nidoking's coverage moves will be put to waste.
Recommended Natures: Timid, Naive, or Jolly
Speed matters for Nidoking and 85 base Speed does not make its case pretty well. Paralysis is not the issue here but the matter of raising its EV's in Speed as well as running a Nature that benefits Speed. Timid is the usual choice for special Nidoking but you can also run a Naive nature if you also want to utilize his extensive physical movepool. Jolly is preferred if you are going for a full physical build.
Overall: Nidoking's offensive capabilities are flexible in every possible way but the main problem for this particular variable is its Speed. Also, choosing the right item for Nidoking is crucial and it can be a deciding factor between a great Nidoking and a terrible one. Regardless of these circumstances, Nidoking remains to be a powerful Pokemon that is only threatened by the much quicker foes it can encounter in the future.
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