Nidoking
QC: [3/3]
GP: [2/2]
[OVERVIEW]
Nidoking's amazing offensive typing combined with its ability Sheer Force turns it into a very powerful wallbreaker in the UnderUsed tier. Between its STAB moves and Ice Beam, Nidoking is able to hit the majority of the tier super effectively, meaning it has a very flexible last moveslot for another option such as Substitute or Taunt. By virtue of its typing, Nidoking is able to check Pokemon like Tentacruel and Primarina offensively and switch into Pokemon like Klefki with ease. Furthermore, Nidoking sets itself apart from its counterpart, Nidoqueen, thanks to its better Speed tier and better overall offensive capabilities. However, its average Speed tier makes it slower than Pokemon like Latias, Hydreigon, and Gliscor, meaning it can be easily revenge killed. It's also held back by its weakness to common typings in Ground, Psychic, Water, and Ice, making it easily exploitable by Pokemon like Krookodile, Latias, Starmie, and Kyurem. Nidoking's mediocre bulk also makes it hard for it to find opportunities to switch in.
[SET]
name: Wallbreaker
move 1: Sludge Wave
move 2: Earth Power
move 3: Ice Beam
move 4: Substitute / Taunt
item: Life Orb
ability: Sheer Force
nature: Timid
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Sludge Wave is Nidoking's strongest STAB move, which is able to hit Fairy-types like Mega Altaria and Primarina super effectively. Earth Power is a slightly less powerful STAB move that hits Steel-types such as non-Magnet Rise Klefki and Empoleon as well as Pokemon like Alolan Muk. Ice Beam allows Nidoking to hit Pokemon like Gliscor and Mega Aerodactyl, which would otherwise wall it. Substitute eases prediction, letting Nidoking take advantage of Pokemon like Klefki and providing it with a free turn to get a hit off. Nidoking also has a fairly easy time setting it up thanks to its ability to force out so many threats. Taunt can also be used, which pressures bulky Pokemon like Blissey and Alomomola by preventing them from recovering. Flamethrower is also an option that hits Pokemon like Bronzong and Magnet Rise Klefki and OHKOes bulky variants of Scizor. Additionally, if the team is lacking a Stealth Rock user, it can be incorporated into the set, allowing Nidoking to support its team by weakening foes. However, Nidoking is forced to forgo one of its other more useful moves.
Set Details
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The given EVs and nature maximize Nidoking's offensive capabilities, ensuring that it hits as hard as possible and is the fastest it can be. Additionally, a Timid nature allows Nidoking to outspeed Pokemon like Togekiss and Magneton. Sheer Force is the only ability Nidoking should run, boosting every move with a secondary effect and negating said effect. Life Orb is used to further increase Nidoking's offensive capabilities, and thanks to Sheer Force, the recoil damage is also negated.
Usage Tips
========
In order to utilize Nidoking at its full potential, it's advised to make predictions and utilize the correct coverage moves accordingly, as certain Pokemon can switch into some of its attacks and take advantage of it. Making a bad prediction might cause a loss of momentum, so be very cautious while using Nidoking. Ice Beam should be used on a predicted switch to Gliscor or Mega Aerodactyl, while Flamethrower should be used against Pokemon like Bronzong. Furthermore, Nidoking is very frail, and it has a hard time switching in. Thus, making double switches or using pivots and U-turn and Volt Switch users to bring it in safely is advised. Take advantage of Nidoking's ability to force out many Pokemon by setting up a Substitute or Stealth Rock whenever there's a chance to. Use Taunt against bulky Pokemon such as Blissey and Mantine to pressure them by disabling their recovery options.
Team Options
========
Nidoking mostly fits on offensive teams that can take advantage of its offensive capabilities. Since it's very frail and has a hard time switching in, pivots and U-turn and Volt Switch users such as Mega Manectric and Scizor pair well with Nidoking. Cleaners such as Scizor and Mega Sharpedo are good teammates, as they appreciate Nidoking's ability to weaken the opposing team. Furthermore, special attackers such as Primarina and Hydreigon also take advantage of Nidoking's ability to pressure special walls with Taunt. Entry hazards setters such as Cobalion and Klefki are good partners too, as Nidoking can force a lot of switches. Hazards may also ensure an OHKO or a 2HKO on certain Pokemon, such as Hydreigon and Suicune. Psychic-types such as Latias and Starmie are able to threaten Nidoking with their STAB moves, so Pokemon that can check them such as Alolan Muk, Doublade, and Mega Aggron pair well with it. Alolan Muk is a especially good partner, as it can guarantee their removal with Pursuit. Pokemon that can sponge Ground-type attacks, such as Gliscor and Hydreigon, make for good partners, as Nidoking is easily forced out. Physical wallbreakers like Mamoswine and Heracross also make good teammates, as they can break through the special walls that Nidoking struggles with.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Other coverage options are also viable depending on what the team needs. Superpower allows Nidoking to 2HKO Pokemon like Blissey and Umbreon, while Thunderbolt can OHKO Pokemon like Mantine. Focus Blast can also be used to 2HKO Porygon2, which is usually unaffected by any of Nidoking's moves. Additionally, if carrying Superpower, a Naive nature is preferred to increase its damage output. A Choice Scarf set is also an option, which allows Nidoking to revenge kill Pokemon like Mega Manectric and Mega Altaria more easily. However, losing out on the Life Orb boost makes it much weaker, and the opponent might also take advantage of a Choice-locked Nidoking. Toxic Spikes allows Nidoking to wear down the opposing team, making it easier for one of its teammates to clean late-game. Furthermore, Nidoking is a very good setter, as it can force a lot of switches, and it's able to beat common Toxic Spikes absorbers, such as Tentacruel and Alolan Muk. However, it doesn't offer as much utility as Nidoking's other moves due to the number of absorbers and Pokemon that are unaffected by it. Sucker Punch could catch Pokemon like Starmie and Latias by surprise. However, it's usually not worth using instead of Nidoking's other coverage moves, as it's very weak and unreliable.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Faster Threats**: Pokemon like Hydreigon, Mega Sharpedo, Earthquake Mega Aerodactyl, and Gliscor can outspeed Nidoking and revenge kill it with ease, as it's somewhat frail. However, they have a hard time switching in.
**Psychic-types**: Psychic-types such as Latias and Starmie can hit Nidoking super effectively with their STAB moves. Latias is particularly threatening, since if it's given the opportunity to, it might use Nidoking as setup bait. It must be wary of Ice Beam when switching in, however.
**Ground-types**: Ground-types like Krookodile and Zygarde-10% can outspeed Nidoking and OHKO it with their STAB moves. Specially defensive Gastrodon, in particular, can tank any hit from Nidoking and threaten it with its STAB moves. Faster Ground-types struggle to switch into a direct hit, however.
**Specially Defensive Pokemon**: Specially bulky Pokemon such as Mantine, Bronzong, Blissey, and Umbreon can usually switch into any of Nidoking's attacks with ease. However, most of them must be wary of Taunt and coverage moves. Blissey and Umbreon are 2HKOed by Superpower after Stealth Rock damage, while Mantine and Bronzong must be wary of Thunderbolt and Flamethrower, respectively.
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