Ice Beam mainly hits Gliscor and Garchomp, but it is generally a good middle ground-option to hit Dragon- and Ground-types in general, such as Dragonite, Donphan, and Latias. Flamethrower is used to OHKO Scizor and Skarmory, as well as ease prediction against Steel-types. A Timid nature allows Nidoking to outspeed Timid Heatran, Jolly Feraligatr and Adamant Lucario, but the power boost Modest provides can be appealing to some teams.

Nidoking mainly fits on balance and bulky offense, as it is a useful tool for dismantling bulkier teams. Due to its poor defensive profile, Nidoking can struggle to get onto the field; therefore, it appreciates pivoting support from teammates such as Rotom-W and Scizor. The former can even switch into Water types that might give Nidoking trouble, while the latter can do the same for Psychic types. It also pairs well with more offensive pivots, like Choice Band Infernape, who can pressure Blissey, the best answer to Nidoking. Entry Hazards can amplify Nidoking's wallbreaking potential, and as such, setters like Heatran and Skarmory are great partners. Dragon-types like Dragonite and Latias enjoy the pressure Nidoking puts on Clefable and Steel-types.

Other Options

Nidoking can run Focus Punch over Flamethrower to lure in and heavily damage Blissey, leaving it unable to answer it anymore. However, the lack of any use beyond this specific matchup makes the reliability of Flamethrower more valuable for most teams. Toxic Spikes can help wear down some of its checks like the afromentioned Blissey, as well as Slowking, while supporting its teammates. However, this can limit Nidoking's wallbreaking capabilities. A Focus Sash set with Stealth Rock is another option, as Nidoking beats Gliscor, one of the best Defoggers in the tier, and can get something done even in unfavorable matchups. However, dropping Life Orb leaves Nidoking unable to net some important KOs, such as against Scizor and Rotom-W. Nidoking can also run Thunderbolt as another useful coverage option to hit bulky Water types that might otherwise give it trouble, like Milotic and Slowking, but those targets aren't common enough to warrant the move's usage most of the time.

Checks and Counters

Revenge Killers: Due to its average speed and middling bulk, a lot of fast Pokémon can easily revenge kill Nidoking, such as Latias, Garchomp, Weavile, and Starmie. Crawdaunt and Azumarill can OHKO it with Aqua Jet.

Blissey: Blissey is by far the best answer to Nidoking, easily tanking all its moves aside from the rare Focus Punch while sporting reliable recovery in Soft-Boiled. While it can be overwhelmed through team support, it is often a hard stop to anything Nidoking does.

Water-types: Some Water-types, like Slowking or Milotic, can switch into most of Nidoking's attacks and threaten it back with their Water STAB moves. Choice Scarf Rotom-W can switch into anything but Sludge Wave, outspeed it and threaten it with Hydro Pump.