Nidoking is a large, bipedal, purple mammalian Pokémon with distinct reptilian features. It has narrow eyes, large, spiny ears, fur-like tufts on its cheeks, and a short snout filled with pointed teeth. A long, venomous horn is on its forehead and a ridge of spines down its back. Gray plates cover its chest and belly, with a gray, rounded spine on each elbow. Each hand has three claws, while each foot has only a single hoof-like nail. It has a long, powerful tail. Nidoking is a male-only species.
It is said that Nidoking's tail can topple a metal transmission tower. Nidoking uses this tail to smash, constrict, or break the bones of its prey and enemies. The tail can also be swung to create distance between it and its foes before Nidoking charges. Its steel-like hide adds to its powerful, rampaging charges. Nidoking's horn is powerful enough to crush diamonds. Nidoking is known to be very proud of its own strength. When Nidoking goes on a rampage, it becomes impossible to control. Only a Nidoqueen that it has lived with for a long time can calm it down from its rampages. As shown in the 21st chapter of Pokémon Adventures, Nidoking has strong acid within its claws. Being the result of evolution via an Evolution stone, Nidoking is rarely found in the wild. However, they can be found in savannas and plains.
Evolution
Nidoking evolves from Nidorino and is the final form of Nidoran♂.
(For specifics on this Pokémon's Evolution in the games, refer to Game data→Evolution data.)
Main series
Major appearances
In The Battle of the Badge, Gary used a Nidoking during his Gym battle with Giovanni. He easily defeated Giovanni's Golem before getting overwhelmed by Mewtwo. This battle was shown again from Mewtwo's perspective in Mewtwo Strikes Back and its remake, Mewtwo Strikes Back—Evolution. In The Fourth Round Rumble, Nidoking battled Melissa's Golem at the Indigo Plateau Conference and lost.
In In the Pink, a pink Nidoking was a resident of Pinkan Island. He attacked Jessie and James as they were attempting to capture a pink Nidoran couple. He was eventually subdued by Officer Jenny.
In Showdown at the Oak Corral, a Nidoking tried to mate with Cassidy, who was in a Nidoqueen costume at the time.
In The Bicker the Better, Oscar has a Nidoking, while 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.
In A Pyramiding Rage!, Paul used a Nidoking to battle Brandon's Registeel. Although Nidoking was powerful and versatile, Registeel was still able to hold its own and eventually brought down Nidoking.
In the original timeline of Arceus and the Jewel of Life, two Nidoking were used by Damos, who was under Hypnosis, to attack Arceus with Shock Wave. When Ash and his friends traveled to the past to prevent this, Marcus, the one responsible for hypnotizing Damos, managed to use the Nidoking again to attack Arceus.
In Mystery on a Deserted Island!, a Nidoking was a resident of the Deserted Island. He was first seen chasing a trio of Eevee before being intimidated into leaving by Pikachu's Iron Tail. He later attacked Team Rocket but was defeated by them.
In a flashback in Enter Pikachu!, a young Goh and Chloe saw a Nidoking battling a Mew that was copying its moves. He reappeared in flashbacks in Mind-Boggling Dynamax! and Time After Time!.
Minor appearances
Nidoking debuted in A Chansey Operation, where one was amongst the Pokémon injured in a car crash.
A Nidoking appeared in Meowth Rules!, under the ownership of the Golden Island villagers.
In The Power of One, a Nidoking sensed the disturbance caused by Lawrence III.
A Nidoking appeared in a fantasy in The Rivalry Revival.
In Wired for Battle!, a Nidoking was in Muramasa's dojo.
In Ring Masters, a Nidoking competed in Rikishii Town's Sumo Conference.
Multiple Nidoking appeared in Celebi: The Voice of the Forest.
In a flashback in Throwing in the Noctowl, a Nidoking was defeated by Wings Alexander's then-Hoothoot.
In As Cold as Pryce, Pryce remembered a Trainer's Nidoking as one of the Pokémon that fought his Piloswine.
In A Claim to Flame!, a female Trainer's Nidoking participated in a qualifying match for the Silver Conference.
In Saved by the Beldum, a Trainer's Nidoking was seen during the Ever Grande Conference.
In Lucario and the Mystery of Mew, multiple Nidoking were part of the feuding armies that were eventually placated by Sir Aaron in the past.
In Odd Pokémon Out!, a Nidoking was a resident of Camomile Island.
A Coordinator's Nidoking appeared in Settling a Not-So-Old Score!.
In Pokémon Ranger and the Kidnapped Riolu! (Part 2), J's client's henchmen used a Nidoking to attack Dawn, Brock, Officer Jenny, and Solana.
In Historical Mystery Tour!, Ash encountered a Nidoking in Xatu's Forest.
A Nidoking appeared in the opening sequence of Zoroark: Master of Illusions.
A Nidoking appeared in Cilan's demonstration in Mystery on a Deserted Island!, where he evolved from a Nidoran♂.
A soldier's Nidoking appeared in a flashback in The Legend of X, Y, and Z!.
In I Choose You!, a Nidoking was under the control of Marshadow.
A Nidoking appeared in This Could be the Start of Something Big!.
Pokédex entries
Episode
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Pokémon
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Source
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Entry
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AG072
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Nidoking
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Ash's Pokédex
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Nidoking, the Drill Pokémon. Nidoking swings its large tail about to create distance, then charges in with the full force of its body behind it.
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Episode
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Pokémon
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Source
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Entry
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DP128
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Nidoking
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Dawn's Pokédex
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Nidoking, the Drill Pokémon. One swing of its mighty tail can snap a telephone pole as if it were nothing but a matchstick.
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Pokémon Origins
In File 1: Red, a Nidoking was one of the Pokémon seen in Professor Oak's introduction.
POKÉTOON
A Nidoking appeared in Blossom's Dream alongside a Nidoqueen. They followed Blossom back to her village and fought some townspeople because they thought the girl had taken their son, a Nidoran♂. After the misunderstanding was cleared up, they allowed their son to stay with Blossom.
Ash & Pikachu
Gary owns a Nidoking, which appeared in One Half Of A Poké Ball.
Pokémon Adventures
In Long Live the Nidoking!, two Nidoking were fighting for a Nidoqueen.
Red caught several rampaging Nidoking in the Safari Zone in A Hollow Victreebel.
Giovanni used his Nidoking to destroy his former Gym with a powerful Earthquake in Long Live the Nidoqueen!?. He was later seen again in the Sevii Islands, where his Rock Tomb tripped a biker that Deoxys had attacked.
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.
A Nidoking was seen in a Poké Ball at Professor Oak's Laboratory in Cherrygrove City in Off Course with Corsola.
A Nidoking appeared in The Last Battle XIII as one of the Pokémon sent to participate in the fight in Ilex Forest.
A Nidoking appeared in Out-Odding Oddish, under the ownership of a Pokéathlon participant.
A Nidoking appeared in PASS40, being one of many Pokémon to suddenly Dynamax due to the Darkest Day.
Pokémon Pocket Monsters
Giovanni has a Nidoking, which was used in his Gym battle against Red in Get The Last Badge!!.
Professor Oak owns a Nidoking, which debuted in Save the Pokémon Zoo!!.
Pokémon Zensho
In PZ09, Giovanni was revealed to have become bitter and turned to crime after losing his Nidoking when he was young. At the end of the chapter, Satoshi gave Giovanni his deceased Nidoking's horn, given to him by Mr. Fuji.