OU Nidoking

ckw

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QC: PK Gaming Finchinator Gary // GP: P Squared The Dutch Plumberjack

[OVERVIEW]

Nidoking's access to a great pool of Sheer Force-boosted coverage options such as Ice Beam, Flamethrower, and Thunderbolt allows it to deal heavy damage to defensive Pokemon like Zapdos, Toxapex, Tapu Fini, Landorus-T, and Tangrowth. Its great typing combination grants it immunities to Electric-type attacks, Thunder Wave, and Toxic and lets it absorb Toxic Spikes, something most wallbreakers in the tier cannot do, thus giving it a defensive niche. However, it must compete with stronger or faster wallbreakers in the metagame like Kyurem-B, Hoopa-U, and Mega Charizard Y, and its mediocre bulk and Speed tier make it vulnerable to fast offensive threats like Greninja, Garchomp, Tornadus-T, and Tapu Lele, which doesn't help much in that regard.

[SET]
name: Life Orb Attacker
move 1: Earth Power
move 2: Sludge Wave
move 3: Ice Beam
move 4: Substitute / Flamethrower
item: Life Orb
ability: Sheer Force
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

Earth Power is Nidoking's strongest special Ground-type STAB move, which allows it to check defensive as well as offensive threats such as Toxapex, Jirachi, Alolan Marowak, Magnezone, and Tapu Koko. Sludge Wave lets Nidoking break through defensive threats such as Tangrowth, Tapu Fini, and Clefable as well as slower offensive threats like Tapu Bulu. Ice Beam's coverage enables Nidoking to deal heavy damage to bulkier Pokemon like Zapdos, Zygarde, defensive Landorus-T, and Amoonguss. Substitute provides room for Nidoking and eases predicting switches, making a huge difference when playing against offensive teams. It also prevents Nidoking from getting easily revenge killed, which is a great attribute because it has very few checks, but Flamethrower can also be run to break through defensive Pokemon like Ferrothorn, Celesteela, and Mega Scizor. Fire Blast over Flamethrower is also an alternate option that can 2HKO specially defensive Celesteela in exchange for the accuracy drop.

Set Details
========

Maximum investment in Special Attack maximizes Nidoking's power. Life Orb boosts its power even more and also pairs well with Sheer Force, as it negates the recoil received. Full investment in Speed allows Nidoking to outspeed everything up to Adamant Mimikyu.

Usage Tips
========

Use pivots and Volt Switch and U-turn users against offensive teams to switch in Nidoking unscratched, which will allow it to apply immense offensive pressure on its foe. Take advantage of the switches Nidoking can force by going for Substitute. This allows it to apply a lot of offensive pressure while also forcing the opponent to go for certain moves that one can further take advantage of. Nidoking can also be switched into weakened, bulkier Pokemon like Skarmory or a predicted Moonblast from Tapu Fini and proceed to use its two main STAB moves and coverage moves to break through the team, helping faster teammates potentially clean late-game. In order to utilize Nidoking to its fullest, the player is required to predict switches and use its coverage moves accordingly.

Team Options
========

Volt Switch and U-turn users such as Tapu Koko, Landorus-T, and Mega Scizor make for good partners with Nidoking, as they are able to pivot around and switch in Nidoking safely. A faster threat like Mega Alakazam is able to outspeed and check offensive teams that Nidoking usually struggles against. Setup sweepers such as Magearna, Dragon Dance Salamence, Double Dance Landorus-T, and Mega Pinsir can sweep late-game after Nidoking has weakened the opposing team. Strong physical attackers like Garchomp, Hoopa-U, Mega Heracross, and Tapu Bulu make great teammates for Nidoking, as they are able to break through Chansey, which Nidoking struggles against. Switch-ins to Psychic-type attacks like Celesteela and Jirachi can be paired with Nidoking on bulkier teams, while the latter can also provide entry hazard support. Switch-ins to strong Water-type attacks like Tapu Fini, Tapu Bulu, Tangrowth, and Keldeo are greatly appreciated as well.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============

In general, Nidoking is better off running a special set than a physical one, since most of its Sheer Force-boosted moves are special. Superpower can deal heavy damage to Chansey but unfortunately requires a good amount of EVs invested in Attack. Thunderbolt can be run in the last slot, as it allows Nidoking to OHKO Mantine and Gyarados while also being an alternate way of hitting Celesteela and Tornadus-T for good damage. Stealth Rock is also usable over one of Nidoking's coverage moves to provide hazard support in emergency cases, as Nidoking is able to force out common Defog users like Mega Scizor and Tapu Fini. Sucker Punch with the help of 16 EVs invested into Attack, Nidoking can outspeed and KO Gengar and Mega Alakazam, but other than that, it's not that worthwhile to run the move over Ice Beam or Flamethrower.

Checks and Counters
===================

**Faster Threats**: Faster threats such as Keldeo, Garchomp, Landorus-T, Excadrill, and Mega Alakazam can easily revenge kill Nidoking.

**Chansey**: Thanks to Chansey's tremendously high special bulk, it is able to switch into any of Nidoking's attacks and can proceed to whittle it down with Seismic Toss or set up Stealth Rock.

**Dugtrio**: Bulky teams usually have Dugtrio as their method of checking wallbreakers such as Nidoking. It easily gets trapped and OHKOed by Dugtrio and must be cautious when facing it.

**Psychic-types**: Pokemon like Tapu Lele and Latios can easily check Nidoking; however, none of them can switch into Nidoking for free.

**Assault Vest Tornadus-T**: While Tornadus-T cannot switch in safely on Nidoking, it can beat it one-on-one by removing its item with Knock Off and then proceeding to KO with Hurricane after taking damage from Ice Beam.

**Celesteela**: Specially defensive Celesteela avoids a 2HKO from Flamethrower from Nidoking and can retaliate back with Heavy Slam, annoy it with Leech Seed, and then stall with Protect.

**Strong Water-types**: Offensive Water-types such as Greninja and Manaphy are able to outspeed Nidoking and OHKO it with their Water-type STAB moves, while Azumarill is able to deal heavy damage with Aqua Jet.
 
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ckw

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This is finally ready for QC!
Sorry for the wait :(
Edit: Ill fix the pheromosa mentions later.
 

PK Gaming

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Overview

  • Nidoking's great pool of coverage options such as Ice Beam, Flamethrower, and Thunderbolt allows it to deal heavy damage to defensive Pokemon like Zapdos, Toxapex, Tapu Fini, Landorus-T, and Tangrowth.
  • Access to a great ability Sheer Force staples Nidoking's role as a pretty good wallbreaker.
Merge these 2 lines together.

Life Orb Attacker

  • Earth Power is Nidoking's strongest special Ground-type STAB move that is also boosted by Sheer Force, which allows it to check defensive as well as offensive threats such as Toxapex, Jirachi, Alolan Marowak, Magnezone, and Tapu Koko.
The bolded is unnecessary.

  • Nidoking is better off running a special set since most of its Sheer Force boostable moves are hitting from the special side.
This is a line that would fit in OO, not Set Details.

  • Nidoking can switch into weak but bulkier Pokemon like Giga Drain from Amoonguss or predicted Moonblast from Tapu Fini, and proceed to use its two main STAB moves and great coverage to break through the opposing team, which can help faster teammates to a potentially clean late game.
Amoongus deals around 30% on Giga Drain, which is still quite a bit of damage imo (and recovers a ton of HP when switching out). I'd use another example here.

Substitute absolutely deserves a slash and arguably before Flamethrower even. All of the high level matches I've seen with Nidoking used Substitute. The ease in predicting really makes a huge difference.
 
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ckw

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Overview


Merge these 2 lines together.

Life Orb Attacker


The bolded is unnecessary.


This is a line that would fit in OO, not Set Details.



Amoongus deals around 30% on Giga Drain, which is still quite a bit of damage imo (and recovers a ton of HP when switching out). I'd use another example here.

Substitute absolutely deserves a slash and arguably before Flamethrower even. All of the high level matches I've seen with Nidoking used Substitute. The ease in predicting really makes a huge difference.
implemented the changes!
 

Finchinator

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Mention Thunderbolt in the OO or moves section. It's not worthy of a slash, but it could come in handy when dealing with water types that aren't Toxapex or Rotom-W, such as Mantine, Gyarados, Pelipper, Manaphy, Suicune, etc. Additionally, it can be used against Celesteela, Tornadus-Therian, and other Pokemon while being a bit more spammable than the alternative moves that hit them (i.e: Ice Beaming into Torn-T is predictable, so they might goto a steel type, which you hit for more damage with TBolt than Ice Beam or Flamethrowering into Celesteela is predictable, so they might goto a water type, which means TBolt hits both options). Generally, it's just a nice coverage move to have that isn't too great or consistent, but surely warrants a mention.

Consider adding a bit about AV Tornadus-T and SDef Celesteela in the checks and counters section, as they're both checks in a sense, but far from counters.

Good work overall, 2/3 once these are implemented
 
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ckw

Tired
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Mention Thunderbolt in the OO or moves section. It's not worthy of a slash, but it could come in handy when dealing with water types that aren't Toxapex or Rotom-W, such as Mantine, Gyarados, Pelipper, Manaphy, Suicune, etc. Additionally, it can be used against Celesteela, Tornadus-Therian, and other Pokemon while being a bit more spammable than the alternative moves that hit them (i.e: Ice Beaming into Torn-T is predictable, so they might goto a steel type, which you hit for more damage with TBolt than Ice Beam or Flamethrowering into Celesteela is predictable, so they might goto a water type, which means TBolt hits both options). Generally, it's just a nice coverage move to have that isn't too great or consistent, but surely warrants a mention.

Consider adding a bit about AV Tornadus-T and SDef Celesteela in the checks and counters section, as they're both checks in a sense, but far from counters.

Good work overall, 2/3 once these are implemented
Implemented changes, this should be in write-up stage by today!
 

Gary

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  • In the overview, make sure you specify "Mega Charizard" as "Mega Charizard-Y".
  • For Ice Beam targets, replace Gliscor with Zygarde, as it is far more relevant and very important for Nidoking to OHKO
  • Mention how Sub helps it out a lot vs offensive teams and can potentially keep it from being revenge killed
  • Remove Mega Beedrill from teammates. It's too niche. Same with Bronzong
  • Mention some partners that can help breaks through Chansey which otherwise just switches into Nido for free
  • In C&C, avoid mentioning the same Pokemon twice. For example, you mention Mega Zam in faster attacker AND Psychic-types. Same with Keldeo/Gren
Good work man. QC 3/3
 
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ckw

Tired
is a Top Tutor Alumnusis a Forum Moderator Alumnusis a Contributor Alumnus
  • In the overview, make sure you specify "Mega Charizard" as "Mega Charizard-Y".
  • For Ice Beam targets, replace Gliscor with Zygarde, as it is far more relevant and very important for Nidoking to OHKO
  • Mention how Sub helps it out a lot vs offensive teams and can potentially keep it from being revenge killed
  • Remove Mega Beedrill from teammates. It's too niche. Same with Bronzong
  • Mention some partners that can help breaks through Chansey which otherwise just switches into Nido for free
  • In C&C, avoid mentioning the same Pokemon twice. For example, you mention Mega Zam in faster attacker AND Psychic-types. Same with Keldeo/Gren
Good work man. QC 3/3
Thank you! I'll take care with those C&C mentions. Implemented all the changes and this is finally ready for GP!
 

lotiasite

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hi, amcheck, implement what you like
add remove comments
AC = add comma, RC = remove comma, AH = add hyphen, RH = remove hyphen, AP = add period

[OVERVIEW]

Nidoking's access to a great pool of coverage options such as Ice Beam, Flamethrower, and Thunderbolt that are also boosted by its ability, Sheer Force, allow it to deal heavy damage to defensive Pokemon like Zapdos, Toxapex, Tapu Fini, Landorus-T, and Tangrowth. Its great typing combination grants it immunity immunities to Electric-type attacks, Thunder Wave, and Toxic, and also as well as letting it absorb Toxic Spikes;(SC)—something most wallbreakers in the tier don't have,(RC)cannot do—thus giving it a defensive niche. However, it must compete with stronger or faster wallbreakers in the metagame like Kyurem-B, Hoopa-U, and Mega Charizard Y, and its mediocre bulk and Speed tier make it prone to fast offensive threats like Greninja, Garchomp, Tornadus-T, (AC) and Tapu Lele, which doesn't help much in that regard.

[SET]
name: Life Orb Attacker
move 1: Earth Power
move 2: Sludge Wave
move 3: Ice Beam
move 4: Substitute / Flamethrower
item: Life Orb
ability: Sheer Force
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

Earth Power is Nidoking's strongest special Ground-type STAB move, (AC) which that allows it to check defensive as well as offensive threats such as Toxapex, Jirachi, Alolan Marowak, Magnezone, and Tapu Koko. (AP) while Sludge Wave lets Nidoking break through defensive threats such as Tangrowth, Tapu Fini, and Clefable as well as slower offensive threats like Tapu Bulu. Ice Beam coverage enables Nidoking to deal heavy damage to bulkier Pokemon like Zapdos, Zygarde, defensive Landorus-T, and Amoonguss. Substitute provides room for Nidoking ("provides room" is a little vague) and helps it eases when predicting switches, making a huge difference. (in what?) It also prevents Nidoking from getting easily revenge killed (RH), (AC) which is a great attribute since because ("since" would have to have a comma before it, but it would disrupt the flow) it has very few checks, however, but Flamethrower can also be run to break through defensive Pokemon like Ferrothorn, Celesteela, and Mega Scizor. Fire Blast over Flamethrower is also an alternate option that can 2HKO specially defensive Celesteela in exchange of for the accuracy drop.

Set Details
========

Maximum investment in Special Attack maximizes Nidoking's power. (AP) that gets boosted by Life Orb boosts its power even more and also pairs well with its ability Sheer Force, negating the recoil received whenever it uses an attacking move. (topic of the sentence changed; sounded like max spa investment pairs well with sheer force) Full investment in Speed allows Nidoking to outspeed everything up to Adamant Mimikyu, (RC) while also Speed-tieing Speed tying with opposing Nidoking. (honestly this last part seems unnecessary; this is true for every pokemon)

Usage Tips
========

Use pivots and Volt Switch and U-turn users against offensive teams to switch in Nidoking unscratched, which will allow it to apply immense offensive pressure on its foe. Take advantage of the switches Nidoking king can force by going for Substitute. This allows it to apply a lot of offensive pressure while also forcing the opponent to go for certain moves that one can further take advantage off of. Nidoking can also be switched into weakened, bulkier Pokemon like Skarmory and or a predicted Moonblast from Tapu Fini, (RC) and proceed to use its two main STAB moves and coverage moves to break through the team, helping faster teammates to a potentially clean late-game (AH). In order to utilize Nidoking to its fullest, the player is required to predict switches and use its coverage moves accordingly, for example, going for Ice Beam on Tapu Fini expecting a switch into Garchomp expecting a Sludge Wave. (this example seems really unnecessary; im not even sure that hypothetical situations are allowed in analyses)
(remove line break)


Team Options
========

Voltswitch and U-Turn Volt Switch and U-turn users such as Tapu Koko, Landorus-T, and Mega Scizor make for good partners with Nidoking, as they are able to pivot around and switch in Nidoking safely. A faster threat like Mega Alakazam is able to outspeed and check offensive teams that it Nidoking usually struggles against. Setup sweepers such as Magearna, Dragon Dance Salamence, Dual Dance (this might be dual dance, but leave to gp) Landorus-T, and Mega Pinsir can sweep late-game after Nidoking has weakened the opposing team. Strong physical attackers like Garchomp, Hoopa-U, Mega Heracross, and Tapu Bulu make great teammates for Nidoking, (AC) as they are able to break through Chansey, (AC) which Nidoking struggles against. Switch-ins (AH) to Psychic-type attacks like Celesteela and Jirachi can be paired with Nidoking on bulkier teams, while the latter can also provide hazard support. Switch-ins (AH) to strong Water-type attacks like Tapu Fini, Tapu Bulu, Tangrowth, and Keldeo are greatly appreciated as well.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============

Nidoking is better off running a special set, (AC) since most of its Sheer Force-boosted boostable moves are hitting from the special side. Superpower can deal heavy damage to Chansey but unfortunately, (RC) requires a good amount of EVs invested in Attack. Thunderbolt is a possible option that can be run for in the last slot, (AC) as it allows Nidoking to OHKO Mantine and Gyarados, (RC) while also being an alternate way of hitting Celesteela and Torndaus-T Tornadus-T for good damage. Stealth Rock is also usable over one of it's Nidoking's coverage moves that can provide hazard support in emergency cases, (AC) as Nidoking is able to force out common Defog users like Mega Scizor and Tapu Fini. Sucker Punch with the help of 16 EVs (16 evs in what? assuming attack) can outspeed and KO Gengar and Mega Alakazam, but other than that, it's not that worthwhile to run the move over Ice Beam or Flamethrower.

Checks and Counters
===================

**Faster Threats**: Faster threats such as Keldeo, Garchomp, Landorus-T, Excadrill, and Mega Alakazam and can easily revenge KO kill (consistency with the rest of the analysis) Nidoking.

**Chansey**: Thanks to Chansey's tremendously high special bulk, Chansey it is able to switch into any of Nidoking's attacks and can proceed to whittle it down with Seismic Toss or set up Stealth Rock.

**Dugtrio**: Bulky teams usually have Dugtrio as their method of checking wallbreakers such as Nidoking. It easily gets trapped and OHKOed by Dugtrio and must be cautious when facing it.

**Psychic-types**: Pokemon like Tapu Lele (RH) and Latios can easily check Nidoking; however, none of them can switch into Nidoking for free.

**Assault Vest Tornadus-T**: While Tornadus-T cannot switch in safely on Nidoking, it can beat it one-on-one by removing its item with Knock Off and then proceeding to KO with Hurricane after taking damage from Ice Beam.

**Celesteela**: Specially defensive Celesteela avoids a 2HKO from Flamethrower from Nidoking and can retaliate back with Heavy Slam, (AC) and annoy it with Leech Seed, (AC) and then Protect-stalling stall with Protect.

**Strong Water-types**: Offensive Water-types such as Greninja and Manaphy are able to outspeed Nidoking and OHKO it with their respectable (that's not what respectable means) Water-type STAB moves, while Azumarill is able to deal heavy damage with Aqua Jet.
 
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Lumari

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[OVERVIEW]

Nidoking's access to a great pool of Sheer Force-boosted coverage options such as Ice Beam, Flamethrower, and Thunderbolt that are also boosted by its ability, Sheer Force, allows it to deal heavy damage to defensive Pokemon like Zapdos, Toxapex, Tapu Fini, Landorus-T, and Tangrowth. Its great typing combination grants it immunities to Electric-type attacks, Thunder Wave, and Toxic (RC) as well as letting and lets it absorb Toxic Spikes, (comma) something most wallbreakers in the tier cannot do, (AC) thus giving it a defensive niche. However, it must compete with stronger or faster wallbreakers in the metagame like Kyurem-B, Hoopa-U, and Mega Charizard Y, and its mediocre bulk and Speed tier make it prone vulnerable to fast offensive threats like Greninja, Garchomp, Tornadus-T, and Tapu Lele, which doesn't help much in that regard.

[SET]
name: Life Orb Attacker
move 1: Earth Power
move 2: Sludge Wave
move 3: Ice Beam
move 4: Substitute / Flamethrower
item: Life Orb
ability: Sheer Force
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

Earth Power is Nidoking's strongest special Ground-type STAB move, which allows it to check defensive as well as offensive threats such as Toxapex, Jirachi, Alolan Marowak, Magnezone, and Tapu Koko. Sludge Wave lets Nidoking break through defensive threats such as Tangrowth, Tapu Fini, and Clefable as well as slower offensive threats like Tapu Bulu. Ice Beam's coverage enables Nidoking to deal heavy damage to bulkier Pokemon like Zapdos, Zygarde, defensive Landorus-T, and Amoonguss. Substitute provides room for Nidoking and eases predicting switches, making a huge difference when playing against offensive teams. (period) It also prevents Nidoking from getting easily revenge killed, which is a great attribute because it has very few checks, but Flamethrower can also be run to break through defensive Pokemon like Ferrothorn, Celesteela, and Mega Scizor. Fire Blast over Flamethrower is also an alternate option that can 2HKO specially defensive Celesteela in exchange for the accuracy drop.

Set Details
========

Maximum investment in Special Attack maximizes Nidoking's power. Life Orb boosts its power even more and also pairs well with Sheer Force, negating as it negates the recoil received. Full investment in Speed allows Nidoking to outspeed everything up to Adamant Mimikyu.

Usage Tips
========

Use pivots and Volt Switch and U-turn users against offensive teams to switch in Nidoking unscratched, which will allow it to apply immense offensive pressure on its foe. Take advantage of the switches Nidoking can force by going for Substitute. This allows it to apply a lot of offensive pressure while also forcing the opponent to go for certain moves that one can further take advantage of. Nidoking can also be switched into weakened, bulkier Pokemon like Skarmory or a predicted Moonblast from Tapu Fini (RC) and proceed to use its two main STAB moves and coverage moves to break through the team, helping faster teammates potentially clean late-game. In order to utilize Nidoking to its fullest, the player is required to predict switches and use its coverage moves accordingly.

Team Options
========

Volt Switch and U-turn users such as Tapu Koko, Landorus-T, and Mega Scizor make for good partners with Nidoking, as they are able to pivot around and switch in Nidoking safely. A faster threat like Mega Alakazam is able to outspeed and check offensive teams that Nidoking usually struggles against. Setup sweepers such as Magearna, Dragon Dance Salamence, dual dance Double Dance Landorus-T, and Mega Pinsir can sweep late-game after Nidoking has weakened the opposing team. Strong physical attackers like Garchomp, Hoopa-U, Mega Heracross, and Tapu Bulu make great teammates for Nidoking, as they are able to break through Chansey, which Nidoking struggles against. Switch-ins to Psychic-type attacks like Celesteela and Jirachi can be paired with Nidoking on bulkier teams, while the latter can also provide entry hazard support. Switch-ins to strong Water-type attacks like Tapu Fini, Tapu Bulu, Tangrowth, and Keldeo are greatly appreciated as well.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============

In general, Nidoking is better off running a special set than a physical one, since most of its Sheer Force-boosted moves are special. Superpower can deal heavy damage to Chansey but unfortunately requires a good amount of EVs invested in Attack. Thunderbolt can be run in the last slot, as it allows Nidoking to OHKO Mantine and Gyarados while also being an alternate way of hitting Celesteela and Tornadus-T for good damage. Stealth Rock is also usable over one fo of Nidoking's coverage moves that can to provide hazard support in emergency cases, as Nidoking is able to force out common Defog users like Mega Scizor and Tapu Fini. Sucker Punch with the help of 16 EVs invested into Attack, Nidoking can outspeed and KO Gengar and Mega Alakazam, but other than that, it's not that worthwhile to run the move over Ice Beam or Flamethrower.

Checks and Counters
===================

**Faster Threats**: Faster threats such as Keldeo, Garchomp, Landorus-T, Excadrill, and Mega Alakazam can easily revenge kill Nidoking.

**Chansey**: Thanks to Chansey's tremendously high special bulk, it is able to switch into any of Nidoking's attacks and can proceed to whittle it down with Seismic Toss or set up Stealth Rock.

**Dugtrio**: Bulky teams usually have Dugtrio as their method of checking wallbreakers such as Nidoking. It easily gets trapped and OHKOed by Dugtrio and must be cautious when facing it.

**Psychic-types**: Pokemon like Tapu Lele and Latios can easily check Nidoking; however, none of them can switch into Nidoking for free.

**Assault Vest Tornadus-T**: While Tornadus-T cannot switch in safely on Nidoking, it can beat it one-on-one by removing its item with Knock Off and then proceeding to KO with Hurricane after taking damage from Ice Beam.

**Celesteela**: Specially defensive Celesteela avoids a 2HKO from Flamethrower from Nidoking and can retaliate back with Heavy Slam, annoy it with Leech Seed, and then stall with Protect.

**Strong Water-types**: Offensive Water-types such as Greninja and Manaphy are able to outspeed Nidoking and OHKO it with their Water-type STAB moves, while Azumarill is able to deal heavy damage with Aqua Jet.
 
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