WILDCARD
[OVERVIEW]
Nidoking's amazing typing lets it check prominent Pokemon such as Zapdos and Alolan Muk, gives a helpful Stealth Rock resistance, and makes it immune to both Toxic and Thunder Wave. Unfortunately, Nidoqueen shares these traits and outclasses it defensively, and Alolan Dugtrio overshadows it in terms of Speed and therefore often in offensive presence. Nidoking therefore acts as a versatile midground choice with greater power than both, greater Speed than Nidoqueen, and a better movepool and tanking ability than Alolan Dugtrio. Its reduced bulk compared to Nidoqueen gives Nidoking a worse matchup against many common metagame threats such as Alolan Dugtrio, Melmetal, and Mega Charizard X, but its range of attacking options and solid power make it near impossible to consistently switch into. Due to its increased offensive capability, it is less prone than Nidoqueen to being exploited by Pokemon like Cloyster and Gyarados, which can use Nidoqueen for a somewhat free turn. Before its set is properly scouted, many major metagame threats risk heavy damage from one of Nidoking's coverage options or being hamstrung by its perfectly accurate Toxic.
[SET]
name: Mixed Attacker
move 1: Earthquake
move 2: Ice Punch
move 3: Toxic / Megahorn
move 4: Stealth Rock / Toxic / Thunderbolt
item: No Item
nature: Adamant / Naughty
[SET COMMENTS]
Set Description
=========
Earthquake is a spammable STAB option, hitting almost any grounded target hard and punishing Zapdos's Roost attempts. Ice Punch does great damage to Flying- and Grass-types, such as Zapdos, Dragonite, and Alolan Exeggutor, that can handle Earthquake. Toxic is a good midground option when you are unsure of the opponent's switch-in and a reliable means of threatening Mew, which can easily shrug off Earthquake. Alternatively, Megahorn can be used to catch certain switch-ins, KOing a weakened Mew, usually OHKOing Starmie, and 2HKOing Mega Gyarados. Stealth Rock provides invaluable support for any team not packing another setter and aids Nidoking in breaking targets such as Zapdos and Melmetal, while Toxic or Thunderbolt can be opted for instead if they are not already being run. Thunderbolt with a Naughty nature takes advantage of Gyarados that are hesitant to Mega Evolve and become vulnerable to Earthquake and Megahorn, usually OHKOing it after Stealth Rock, and can also OHKO Cloyster, which otherwise uses Nidoking as setup fodder. Adamant is the preferred nature for Nidoking when not running Thunderbolt, notably giving it extremely favorable odds to 2HKO Melmetal on the switch with Earthquake.
Usage Tips
========
Nidoking is best used as a wallbreaker that can be adapted to any strategy and soften defensive backbones for its teammates. Its true strength comes from its unpredictable coverage, often in the form of moves not listed on its main set that are specifically tailored for luring in and taking out Pokemon your team struggles with. As a result, it's generally best to not reveal information about your set until it is necessary. Nidoking outspeeds many Pokemon that would try to come in to scare it out or set Stealth Rock. In those cases, predicting is unnecessary, as Nidoking can simply hit them the next turn. If running Stealth Rock, Nidoking should be played more conservatively until it successfully sets up the entry hazard; if not, it can be used more recklessly, but it should still be preserved if needed to answer Zapdos. Setting Stealth Rock against Zapdos is ideal, as it is unable to significantly punish Nidoking for doing so. Nidoking can be brought in fairly safely versus Pokemon such as Zapdos, Alolan Muk, and Electrode, as they rarely carry moves that can significantly threaten it. While it can be tempting to sacrifice a heavily weakened Nidoking, its decent Speed tier, resistance to Stealth Rock, and powerful Earthquake mean that it can still be valuable for revenge killing tanks like Rhydon and Melmetal.
Team Options
========
Mega Beedrill and Zapdos are amazing partners for Nidoking, luring in and pivoting on Pokemon such as Melmetal, Rhydon, and Nidoqueen that Nidoking can then heavily threaten with Earthquake. Mew appreciates Nidoking as a partner that can absorb Toxic for it, making its defensive roles easier to perform, while Nidoking appreciates U-turn granting it safe entry against Mew's switch-ins such as Alolan Muk and Zapdos. Mew can also soft check threats like Starmie and Alolan Dugtrio. Pokemon such as Starmie and Poliwrath greatly benefit from Nidoking freely switching into every move from Zapdos bar Drill Peck and dishing out strong attacks. Starmie also has synergy with Nidoking, switching into Alolan Dugtrio and opposing Poliwrath, while Poliwrath can provide a valuable switch-in for Mega Gyarados if Nidoking needs to be preserved. Melmetal makes for a great teammate, as it can handle Mega Aerodactyl and Mega Alakazam. In return, Nidoking can be switched into Zapdos that attempt to check Melmetal. Mega Aerodactyl and Mega Alakazam also appreciate Nidoking's support in weakening foes into range of their attacks and crippling Mew with Toxic.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Superpower pressures Nidoking to switch out after use, but it KOes Snorlax after Earthquake, OHKOes Alolan Sandslash, OHKOes Eevee-S after Stealth Rock damage, and deals significant damage to Mega Gyarados. Surf guarantees an OHKO on Rhydon and Golem, which can otherwise take a hit and hit hard in return. Ice Beam is a slightly weaker alternative to Ice Punch that more reliably KOes Alolan Exeggutor after Stealth Rock damage and Sandslash after Earthquake. Substitute's HP cost can hinder Nidoking's ability to repeatedly switch into the likes of Zapdos and Alolan Muk, and the move can come at the cost of coverage, but it greatly eases the prediction typically required to handle Nidoking's switch-ins. Dragon Tail is hard to fit, but with good prediction, it can chip down and rack up Stealth Rock damage on switch-ins such as Starmie, Gyarados, and Mew. A Jolly or Naive nature can be used to guarantee that Nidoking outspeeds uncommon Jolly or Timid variants of Mega Gyarados and Mega Venusaur, but the power decrease is significant and decreases Nidoking's potential as a wallbreaker in most matchups.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Mew**: Mew is able to switch into any Nidoking set and threaten it out with Psychic or Scald. However, it must be wary of a potential Toxic when switching in or Megahorn if it is weakened.
**Mega Gyarados**: Though Nidoking can potentially OHKO Gyarados with Thunderbolt if it switches in before Mega Evolving, Mega Gyarados can stomach Nidoking's Earthquake and Ice Punch and threaten an OHKO with Waterfall.
**Bulky Water-types**: Starmie is capable of switching in on Earthquake or Ice Punch and recovering off the damage while heavily threatening Nidoking with its STAB moves, although it must be wary of switching into Megahorn. Poliwrath, Mega Blastoise, and Vaporeon have even less immediate fear of Nidoking, but they lack recovery and can be outsped, making them more vulnerable to fainting to repeated hits.
**Fast Revenge Killers**: Though Nidoking's coverage largely lacks safe switch-ins, its middling Speed tier allows it to be easily revenge killed by fast attackers like Mega Aerodactyl, Mega Alakazam, and Alolan Dugtrio.
**Mega Venusaur**: Mega Venusaur cannot switch in and safely handle Nidoking on-on-one, but if given safe entry, such as from Zapdos's U-turn, it can beat Nidoking while remaining relatively healthy overall.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[McCoolDude, 469684]]
- Quality checked by: [[Eve, 375272] , [Vengeance417, 198446] , [Lilburr, 481709]]
- Grammar checked by: [[Estronic, 240732], [The Dutch Plumberjack, 232216]]
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