Nidoking

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Nidoking
Image:Nidoking.png
National
Nidorino - Nidoking (#34) - Clefairy
Johto
Nidorino - Nidoking (#100) - Yanma
Japanese name Nidoking
Stage Stage 2
Evolves from Nidorino
Evolves to None
Generation First
Species Drill Pokémon
Type Poison / Ground
Height 4ft 7in (1.4 m)
Weight 136.7 lb (62.0 kg)
Ability Poison Point/Belligerence(the latter from Pokemon Diamond and Pearl onwards)

Nidoking (ニドキング Nidokingu?) is one of the 493 fictional species of Pokémon creatures from the multi-billion-dollar Pokémon media franchise – a collection of video games, anime, manga, books, trading cards and other media created by Satoshi Tajiri.

Nidoking's name is likely derived from the pronunciation of "needle", since the Pokémon are all covered in many needle-like barbs or spines, and king.

Contents

[edit] Characteristics

Nidoking is a large, powerful (like a large purple tank) creature armed for battle. Its horn, hard enough to pierce a diamond, contains secreted venom, making it a deadly stabbing tool upon prey and Pokémon battle opponents, and its thick tail packs enormously destructive power capable of toppling a metal transmission tower. It uses its tail to smash down its target, then constrict it to break its bones. Nidoking's steel-like hide adds to its powerful tackle, so once it goes on a rampage, there is no stopping this powerful Pokémon.

Nidoking is the masculine equivalent to Nidoqueen, and as such is more aggressive, stronger, and has a tougher array of spikes. That, along with its drastically different coloring, is therefore eligible for separate classification from Nidoqueen in the Pokedex.

[edit] In the video games

In the video games, Nidoking can only be obtained by evolving Nidorino through the use of a special stone, in this case, the rare Moon Stone. It can be evolved at any time in this respect, but it is recommended to train it as Nidorino in order to teach it additional moves before evolution.

Nidoking is quite strong and balanced statistically and has an amazing range of learnable moves (It can learn Megahorn, Rock Slide, Surf, Flamethrower, Thunderbolt, Ice Beam, Sludge Bomb, Shadow Ball, and Earthquake from various sources), though its Poison type gives it a weakness to the ever-popular Psychic type, and the commonly used Earthquake move. Its Ground type makes it weak against water and ice, all highly used in battles. It is therefore similar to Rhydon in that its battling prowess is somewhat offset by its relative fragility. However, it can also learn the supportive move Helping Hand (learned as Nidorino).

[edit] In the anime

A Nidoking is owned by Gary, rival of the protagonist Ash, and was used in his battle against Mewtwo and during the Indigo League in the first Kanto seasons.

And on Pinkin Island in the Orange Island season was the home of a pink Nidoking. The pink colours are produced by the Pinkin Berries, which when eaten in high amounts, makes the eater turn pink. The Nidoking in this episode however went on a rampage after Team Rocket attempted to capture its two youngs which were both a male and a female Nidoran, respectively. Team Rocket started running away from an angry life-threatening horn-driller, and Ash and his friends later get caught up in this conflict. And in the end, they tied up the wild feverish father in ropes and wires with the help of an Officer Jenny.

Both Stage 2 Nidoran evolutions were featured in the 7th season episode called "The Bicker, The Better!", owned by a trainer couple named Oscar and Andy, having a Nidoqueen and Nidoking respectively. The couple likes to do Tag Battles, and Ash and May battled them in their first Tag Battle.

[edit] In other media

Nidoking in the Pokémon Trading Card Game.
Enlarge
Nidoking in the Pokémon Trading Card Game.

In Pokémon Adventures, a Nidoking is owned by Giovanni and used in his battle against Red. Red also captures multiple Nidokings in the Safari Zone.

Nidoking has appeared on five different trading cards in the Pokémon Trading Card Game, mostly grass-type. In the Base Set (as well as Base Set 2, and Legendary Collection), Gym Challenge (as Giovanni's Nidoking), Aquapolis (two cards, one ground type, one colorless) and EX Firered and Leafgreen (ground type).

The original Nidoking in Base Set has earned its image as the king of poisoning, for it was a strong card whose Toxic attack did a special type of poisoning that did 20 damage each turn instead of 10. Neo Discovery Beedrill did Nidoking one better, though, with a Triple Poison attack that does 30 damage each turn.

Nidoking's Colorless appearance in Aquapolis carries the Crystal Type Poke-Body, so its type changes each turn depending on what kind of energy card is attached to it.

[edit] References

Publications
  • Barbo, Maria. The Official Pokémon Handbook. Scholastic Publishing, 1999. ISBN 0-439-15404-9.
  • Loe, Casey, ed. Pokémon Special Pikachu Edition Official Perfect Guide. Sunnydale, CA: Empire 21 Publishing, 1999. ISBN 1-930206-15-1.
  • Nintendo Power. Official Nintendo Pokémon FireRed & Pokémon LeafGreen Player’s Guide. Nintendo of America Inc., August 2004. ISBN 1-930206-50-X
  • Mylonas, Eric. Pokémon Pokédex Collector’s Edition: Prima’s Official Pokémon Guide. Prima Games, September 21 2004. ISBN 0-7615-4761-4
  • Nintendo Power. Official Nintendo Pokémon Emerald Version Player’s Guide. Nintendo of America Inc., April 2005. ISBN 1-930206-58-5

[edit] External links

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