Poison
========
[OVERVIEW]
Nidoking is one of Poison's premier attacking options, sporting ridiculous coverage and power due to the combination of Sheer Force and Life Orb. It acts as a wallbreaker, especially in the matchup against Steel. Once Heatran's Air Balloon is gone, the combination of Earth Power and Flamethrower decimates Steel teams. Nidoking's access to BoltBeam coverage allows it to beat Flying on its own, although it usually forgoes Thunderbolt. Stealth Rock allows it to compress roles and be both a special attacker and entry hazard setter. Nidoking does have a few drawbacks, the first being that it has average defenses and as a result cannot take many hits; also, with the coverage it offers a team, it must be played carefully to preserve it. Nidoking's lackluster 85 base Speed makes it very susceptible to faster threats and therefore easily revenge killed.
[SET]
name: Wallbreaker
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Earth Power
move 3: Ice Beam
move 4: Flamethrower
item: Life Orb
ability: Sheer Force
nature: Timid
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Stealth Rock allows Nidoking to support the rest of its team with entry hazard damage when it is in a matchup where it cannot deal much immediate damage but is also not threatened in return. Earth Power provides a Ground-type STAB move to the team, which is invaluable in Poison's Electric and Steel matchups and pairs well with Ice Beam and Flamethrower against those two types. Ice Beam is the strongest Ice-type coverage move that Poison has access to, as the only other option for coverage on other Pokemon is Hidden Power Ice. This is a vital move because it offers Poison a strong option for hitting Flying- and Dragon-types like Dragonite, for which the type has few solid answers. Flamethrower rounds out the set to OHKO threats like Scizor and walls such as Ferrothorn and Forretress if hazards have broken Sturdy. The combination of Flamethrower and Earth Power allows Nidoking to dominate Steel-type teams. Thunderbolt is an option to break Flying-types, particularly Mantine and Gyarados, if another Pokemon is using Stealth Rock.
Set Details
========
Sheer Force is an incredible ability that increases Nidoking's damage output and removes Life Orb's recoil on all of its common moves. Base 85 Speed is relatively low for the metagame, so a Timid nature and maximum Speed investment are preferred to make Nidoking as fast a Stealth Rock setter as possible and ensure that it outspeeds Heatran. Maximum Special Attack investment is to get as much damage output as possible, as Nidoking is frail regardless of defensive investment.
Usage Tips
========
As a lead, Nidoking should set up Stealth Rock against a slower, more passive lead like Shuckle or look to damage the other team's lead if Nidoking can take a hit; if it cannot, you should likely switch to a partner, as Nidoking is a vital wallbreaker that Poison needs to win. It needs to be healthy enough to take a hit from something in order to 2HKO back. Avoid switching in Nidoking when it is not safe, as it has rather average defenses and provides invaluable coverage that helps against Steel, Electric, Flying, and Bug. Nidoking's different combinations of coverage allow it to easily tear through defensive cores on different teams depending on what coverage you run. A prime example is how BoltBeam easily dismantles Flying. Stealth Rock should be used against a slower offensive foe that Nidoking easily threatens out or against a wall that poses no threat, such as Skarmory or Chansey. Whenever a Thunder Wave or Electric-type attack is obvious, for example from Klefki, switch in Nidoking to prevent anything on your team from losing Speed due to paralysis or from taking damage.
Team Options
========
Alolan Muk is immune to Psychic-type attacks and can switch in on them and trap the foe with Pursuit or retaliate with Knock Off. One particular threat Alolan Muk can trap is Alolan Raichu, which threatens to OHKO Nidoking even without the Speed boost from Electric Terrain. Crobat has a Ground immunity and has the added benefit of being able to offensively pressure threats like Keldeo due to its high Speed and Flying-type STAB moves. It is also able to garner momentum for its team with U-turn, allowing you to either pivot to a wall on an anticipated super effective attack or bring in a threat on the switch. Gengar is another wallbreaker that beats bulkier Psychic-types like Mew with STAB Shadow Ball and is able to outspeed and KO faster Psychic-types that Nidoking cannot outspeed. Mega Venusaur is a great partner for Nidoking, as it has no problem handling Water-types like Azumarill and Keldeo that make quick work of Nidoking, can wear down bulkier walls on opposing teams with Leech Seed, and can handle Ground-types that threaten Nidoking with STAB Giga Drain. Nihilego's Rock-type STAB moves are able to decimate Ice- and Flying-types such as Kyurem-B and Mega Charizard Y that could revenge kill Nidoking. Nihilego can also take on Stealth Rock setting, which allows Nidoking to run a fourth coverage move. Scolipede is a sweeper capable of handling faster threats such as Mega Charizard Y that outspeed Nidoking. It is also great in the Psychic matchup due to its combination of STAB Megahorn and its ability Speed Boost, allowing it to outpace common Choice Scarf users after it gains a boost once. Toxapex switches into Water- and Ice-type attacks with ease and can set up Toxic Spikes to wear down some of Nidoking's checks such as Mew. Nidoking in turn brings an Electric immunity that Toxapex appreciates. Nidoqueen is run as a Stealth Rock setter on Poison teams and can be partnered with Nidoking to free up a moveslot.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Poison
--------
Choice Scarf turns Nidoking into a revenge killer, as with this set it loses the power to be a wallbreaker. Focus Blast allows Nidoking to hit Ice-, Rock-, and Normal-types for super effective damage and to do a great deal of damage to Heatran before its Air Balloon is popped. This is a poor choice, however, as it would replace Ice Beam to further improve performance against Steel at the expense of Nidoking's performance in the Flying and Dragon matchup.
Checks and Counters
===================
Poison
--------
**Chansey**: Chansey easily walls Nidoking's special attacks, has reliable recovery to restore its health, and can remove status that other teammates may have accrued during the battle with Aromatherapy. Since Nidoking is not a threat to it, Chansey can set up Stealth Rock for its team and wear down Nidoking with Seismic Toss.
**Special Walls**: Special walls have access to reliable recovery and are able to easily wall Nidoking's coverage. The aforementioned Chansey and Mantine are two prime examples.
**Ground-types**: Excadrill in sand, Landorus, and Garchomp are all threats that can OHKO Nidoking and need to be played around by utilizing a Ground immunity and a partner such as Choice Scarf Nihilego with Hidden Power Ice or other super effective coverage.
**Ice-types**: Strong Ice-types with even middling Speed, such as Kyurem-B, can OHKO Nidoking without even needing a Choice Scarf.
**Psychic-types**: Fast-hitting Psychic-types such as Victini force out Nidoking, as it is slower and will be OHKOed.
**Water-types**: Threats such as Sharpedo and Keldeo easily outspeed Nidoking and OHKO it with their Water-type attacks.
**Revenge Killers**: Teams with faster threats such as Keldeo or Mega Charizard Y will easily be able to force Nidoking out or OHKO it due to its frailty and low Speed.
========
[OVERVIEW]
Nidoking is one of Poison's premier attacking options, sporting ridiculous coverage and power due to the combination of Sheer Force and Life Orb. It acts as a wallbreaker, especially in the matchup against Steel. Once Heatran's Air Balloon is gone, the combination of Earth Power and Flamethrower decimates Steel teams. Nidoking's access to BoltBeam coverage allows it to beat Flying on its own, although it usually forgoes Thunderbolt. Stealth Rock allows it to compress roles and be both a special attacker and entry hazard setter. Nidoking does have a few drawbacks, the first being that it has average defenses and as a result cannot take many hits; also, with the coverage it offers a team, it must be played carefully to preserve it. Nidoking's lackluster 85 base Speed makes it very susceptible to faster threats and therefore easily revenge killed.
[SET]
name: Wallbreaker
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Earth Power
move 3: Ice Beam
move 4: Flamethrower
item: Life Orb
ability: Sheer Force
nature: Timid
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Stealth Rock allows Nidoking to support the rest of its team with entry hazard damage when it is in a matchup where it cannot deal much immediate damage but is also not threatened in return. Earth Power provides a Ground-type STAB move to the team, which is invaluable in Poison's Electric and Steel matchups and pairs well with Ice Beam and Flamethrower against those two types. Ice Beam is the strongest Ice-type coverage move that Poison has access to, as the only other option for coverage on other Pokemon is Hidden Power Ice. This is a vital move because it offers Poison a strong option for hitting Flying- and Dragon-types like Dragonite, for which the type has few solid answers. Flamethrower rounds out the set to OHKO threats like Scizor and walls such as Ferrothorn and Forretress if hazards have broken Sturdy. The combination of Flamethrower and Earth Power allows Nidoking to dominate Steel-type teams. Thunderbolt is an option to break Flying-types, particularly Mantine and Gyarados, if another Pokemon is using Stealth Rock.
Set Details
========
Sheer Force is an incredible ability that increases Nidoking's damage output and removes Life Orb's recoil on all of its common moves. Base 85 Speed is relatively low for the metagame, so a Timid nature and maximum Speed investment are preferred to make Nidoking as fast a Stealth Rock setter as possible and ensure that it outspeeds Heatran. Maximum Special Attack investment is to get as much damage output as possible, as Nidoking is frail regardless of defensive investment.
Usage Tips
========
As a lead, Nidoking should set up Stealth Rock against a slower, more passive lead like Shuckle or look to damage the other team's lead if Nidoking can take a hit; if it cannot, you should likely switch to a partner, as Nidoking is a vital wallbreaker that Poison needs to win. It needs to be healthy enough to take a hit from something in order to 2HKO back. Avoid switching in Nidoking when it is not safe, as it has rather average defenses and provides invaluable coverage that helps against Steel, Electric, Flying, and Bug. Nidoking's different combinations of coverage allow it to easily tear through defensive cores on different teams depending on what coverage you run. A prime example is how BoltBeam easily dismantles Flying. Stealth Rock should be used against a slower offensive foe that Nidoking easily threatens out or against a wall that poses no threat, such as Skarmory or Chansey. Whenever a Thunder Wave or Electric-type attack is obvious, for example from Klefki, switch in Nidoking to prevent anything on your team from losing Speed due to paralysis or from taking damage.
Team Options
========
Alolan Muk is immune to Psychic-type attacks and can switch in on them and trap the foe with Pursuit or retaliate with Knock Off. One particular threat Alolan Muk can trap is Alolan Raichu, which threatens to OHKO Nidoking even without the Speed boost from Electric Terrain. Crobat has a Ground immunity and has the added benefit of being able to offensively pressure threats like Keldeo due to its high Speed and Flying-type STAB moves. It is also able to garner momentum for its team with U-turn, allowing you to either pivot to a wall on an anticipated super effective attack or bring in a threat on the switch. Gengar is another wallbreaker that beats bulkier Psychic-types like Mew with STAB Shadow Ball and is able to outspeed and KO faster Psychic-types that Nidoking cannot outspeed. Mega Venusaur is a great partner for Nidoking, as it has no problem handling Water-types like Azumarill and Keldeo that make quick work of Nidoking, can wear down bulkier walls on opposing teams with Leech Seed, and can handle Ground-types that threaten Nidoking with STAB Giga Drain. Nihilego's Rock-type STAB moves are able to decimate Ice- and Flying-types such as Kyurem-B and Mega Charizard Y that could revenge kill Nidoking. Nihilego can also take on Stealth Rock setting, which allows Nidoking to run a fourth coverage move. Scolipede is a sweeper capable of handling faster threats such as Mega Charizard Y that outspeed Nidoking. It is also great in the Psychic matchup due to its combination of STAB Megahorn and its ability Speed Boost, allowing it to outpace common Choice Scarf users after it gains a boost once. Toxapex switches into Water- and Ice-type attacks with ease and can set up Toxic Spikes to wear down some of Nidoking's checks such as Mew. Nidoking in turn brings an Electric immunity that Toxapex appreciates. Nidoqueen is run as a Stealth Rock setter on Poison teams and can be partnered with Nidoking to free up a moveslot.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Poison
--------
Choice Scarf turns Nidoking into a revenge killer, as with this set it loses the power to be a wallbreaker. Focus Blast allows Nidoking to hit Ice-, Rock-, and Normal-types for super effective damage and to do a great deal of damage to Heatran before its Air Balloon is popped. This is a poor choice, however, as it would replace Ice Beam to further improve performance against Steel at the expense of Nidoking's performance in the Flying and Dragon matchup.
Checks and Counters
===================
Poison
--------
**Chansey**: Chansey easily walls Nidoking's special attacks, has reliable recovery to restore its health, and can remove status that other teammates may have accrued during the battle with Aromatherapy. Since Nidoking is not a threat to it, Chansey can set up Stealth Rock for its team and wear down Nidoking with Seismic Toss.
**Special Walls**: Special walls have access to reliable recovery and are able to easily wall Nidoking's coverage. The aforementioned Chansey and Mantine are two prime examples.
**Ground-types**: Excadrill in sand, Landorus, and Garchomp are all threats that can OHKO Nidoking and need to be played around by utilizing a Ground immunity and a partner such as Choice Scarf Nihilego with Hidden Power Ice or other super effective coverage.
**Ice-types**: Strong Ice-types with even middling Speed, such as Kyurem-B, can OHKO Nidoking without even needing a Choice Scarf.
**Psychic-types**: Fast-hitting Psychic-types such as Victini force out Nidoking, as it is slower and will be OHKOed.
**Water-types**: Threats such as Sharpedo and Keldeo easily outspeed Nidoking and OHKO it with their Water-type attacks.
**Revenge Killers**: Teams with faster threats such as Keldeo or Mega Charizard Y will easily be able to force Nidoking out or OHKO it due to its frailty and low Speed.
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