You’ve probably seen the memes. A purple, spiky behemoth standing over the ruins of the Elite Four while the rest of the party sits at level 5. It’s not just a joke. If you’re playing Pokemon Fire Red, Nidoking isn't just a "good" option; he is fundamentally broken in the best way possible.
Honestly, it's kind of wild. You can catch a Nidoran♂ on Route 3, right before Mt. Moon. By the time you step out of that cave, you can have a fully evolved, final-stage powerhouse while Misty is still struggling with her Starmie. Most players wait until the mid-game to find their "ace." With Nidoking, the game is basically over before it starts.
The Pre-Cerulean Power Spike
Speedrunners love this guy for a reason. You pick up Nidoran♂, level him to 16 so he evolves into Nidorino, and then immediately slap him with a Moon Stone. Boom. You have a Pokemon Fire Red Nidoking before you even see a gym badge from Cerulean City.
The stats are the first thing people notice, but they’re actually a bit of a trap. On paper, his base Attack is 92 and Special Attack is 85. Those aren't "legendary" numbers. But in the context of Kanto? It’s massive. Because he evolves so early, his raw stats tower over the unevolved Rattatas and Pidgeys of the early game.
Then there's the typing. Poison/Ground is a weirdly perfect defensive combo for a casual playthrough. He's completely immune to Electric attacks. Lt. Surge? Literally a joke. The poison typing also gives him a resistance to Fighting and Bug moves, which helps him tank hits from Bruno later on.
The TM King: Why Movepools Matter More Than Stats
The real reason everyone obsesses over Nidoking isn't his muscles. It's his brain. Or rather, his ability to learn almost every single useful TM in the game.
In Generation 3, the physical/special split hadn't happened yet. This means all Ground moves were physical, and all Electric, Water, and Ice moves were special. Usually, this screws over most Pokemon. Not our purple king. Since his stats are so balanced, he can run a "Mixed Attacker" set that hits every single weakness in the game.
The "BoltBeam" Strategy
You can teach Nidoking Thunderbolt and Ice Beam. Think about that. A giant ground monster shooting lightning and ice. This combo—colloquially known as BoltBeam—hits almost every Pokemon for at least neutral damage.
- Ice Beam deletes Lance’s Dragonites.
- Thunderbolt shreds Lorelei’s water types and Blue’s Pidgeot.
- Surf? Yeah, he can learn that too. It's hilarious, but also incredibly practical if you don't want to carry a dedicated "HM Slave."
The Physical Staples
Of course, you can't ignore his STAB (Same Type Attack Bonus). Earthquake is the gold standard. Once you get TM26 from Giovanni, Nidoking becomes a literal earthquake on legs.
- Megahorn: This is his secret weapon. You have to visit the Move Tutor on Two Island with a Mushroom, but it's worth it. It’s a base 120 power Bug move. It exists for one reason: to one-shot Alakazam and Exeggutor.
- Sludge Bomb: It’s great, but honestly, you don't get the TM until the post-game on Five Island. Most players stick with Thrash or Brick Break for physical filler until then.
What Most People Get Wrong About Natures
If you're lurking on Reddit, you'll see people arguing about whether Adamant or Modest is better.
Don't overthink it.
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If you get an Adamant Nidoking, lean into Earthquake and Rock Slide. If you get a Modest one, give him the elemental beams. Because his base stats are so close (92 vs 85), a 10% boost from a nature isn't going to make or break your playthrough. The only thing you really want to avoid is a nature that lowers Speed, like Brave or Quiet. You want him fast enough to outpace the rival's Charizard.
How to Build Your King
If you want the most "optimal" experience for a standard Fire Red run, here is the roadmap most veterans follow.
- The Early Game: Use Double Kick. It’s a Fighting-type move Nidorino learns at level 12. It carries you through Brock and the early caves.
- The Mid Game: After evolving, teach him Dig (found in Cerulean City). It’s a reliable STAB move until you get Earthquake. Grab Brick Break from the Celadon Dept. Store for coverage.
- The Endgame: This is where you customize. A classic "All-Arounder" set looks like this:
- Earthquake (The Nuke)
- Ice Beam (For Dragons and Grass)
- Thunderbolt (For Water and Flying)
- Megahorn or Thrash (For Psychic types or raw neutral damage)
Acknowledging the Competition
Is Nidoking the absolute best?
Dugtrio is faster. Rhydon hits harder. But both of them have glaring weaknesses that Nidoking just... ignores. Dugtrio is made of paper; if he doesn't one-shot the enemy, he dies. Rhydon is so slow he’ll get hit by a Bubblebeam and faint before he can move.
Nidoking's strength is his versatility. He is the Swiss Army Knife of Kanto. He might not be the best at one specific thing, but he is the second best at everything. In a game where you only have six slots, that's incredibly valuable.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Playthrough
If you're starting a new save today, here’s how to maximize your Pokemon Fire Red Nidoking:
- Hunt for the 5%: Nidoran♂ has a higher encounter rate in LeafGreen, but in Fire Red, he’s a bit rarer on Route 3. Be patient. It’s worth the 10 minutes of searching.
- Don't Evolve Too Late: Some people wait until level 43 to get Helping Hand. Don't do that. It’s a useless move for a solo run. Evolve him the second you get that Moon Stone in Mt. Moon.
- The Game Corner is Your Friend: You can buy the TMs for Ice Beam and Thunderbolt at the Celadon Prize Room. It costs a lot of coins, but spending an hour at the slots (or just buying the coins) turns Nidoking into a god.
- Save Your Rare Candies: Use them for the final stretch (level 45 to 55) before the Elite Four. Nidoking scales well, but the level curve at the end of the game is steep.
Stop treating him like a temporary placeholder. Give him the best TMs, keep him in the front of your party, and watch as the "King" title proves itself for the hundredth time. It really is that simple.