Nidorino Pokemon GO: Complete Guide, Best Moveset & Counters

Nidorino is a popular Poison-type Pokemon in Pokemon GO. With a maximum CP of 1,393, Nidorino is a viable option for Great League PvP battles where its unique typing and moveset can shine.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about Nidorino in Pokemon GO, including its stats, best moveset, counters, and tips for using it effectively in both PvE raids and PvP battles.

📊 Nidorino Base Stats & Overview

Nidorino (#033) is a Poison-type Pokemon from Generation 1.

Base Stats
Attack	137
Defense	111
Stamina	156
Total Stats	404
Max CP	1,393
Buddy Distance	3 km

With 137 Attack, 111 Defense, and 156 Stamina, Nidorino has a total stat product of 404. While not the highest in any single stat, Nidorino’s balanced stats make it versatile in various battle situations.

⚔️ Best Moveset for Nidorino

Choosing the right moveset is crucial for maximizing Nidorino’s potential in Pokemon GO. The optimal moveset varies depending on whether you’re using Nidorino for raids, gym battles, or PvP.

Best Raid & Gym Moveset

For PvE content like raids and gym battles, you want moves that maximize DPS (Damage Per Second). The best Poison-type moves will benefit from STAB (Same Type Attack Bonus), increasing damage by 20%.

Best PvP Moveset

In PvP battles, energy generation and coverage moves become more important. You’ll want a fast move that charges energy quickly and charged moves that provide good type coverage.

🎯 Nidorino Type Effectiveness

Understanding type effectiveness is crucial for both using Nidorino effectively and knowing how to counter it. As a Poison-type Pokemon, Nidorino has specific strengths and weaknesses.

⚠️ Weaknesses (Takes Super Effective Damage From)

Nidorino is weak to: Ground, Psychic-type moves. When battling against Nidorino, use Pokemon with these types to deal 1.6x (or 2.56x for double weaknesses) damage.

• Ground – Deals increased damage
• Psychic – Deals increased damage

🛡️ Resistances (Takes Reduced Damage From)

Nidorino resists: Grass, Fighting, Poison, Bug, Fairy-type moves. This means Nidorino takes reduced damage (0.625x or less) from these attack types.

• Grass – Reduced damage
• Fighting – Reduced damage
• Poison – Reduced damage
• Bug – Reduced damage
• Fairy – Reduced damage

🏆 Nidorino PvP Analysis

Nidorino can be used in Pokemon GO’s GO Battle League PvP battles. Here’s how it performs in each league:

Great League (1500 CP Limit)

Nidorino can reach its full potential in Great League since its max CP (1,393) is at or below the 1500 CP limit. This makes it a viable option if its typing and moveset align with the current meta.

Ultra League (2500 CP Limit)

With a max CP of 1,393, Nidorino may struggle in Ultra League against bulkier opponents with higher stat products.

Master League (No CP Limit)

Nidorino is generally not recommended for Master League due to its lower max CP (1,393). Focus on other leagues instead.

⚔️ Nidorino Raid Guide

Nidorino is primarily used as a raid attacker rather than a raid boss. Here’s how to use it effectively in raids:

Using Nidorino in Raids

When using Nidorino as a raid attacker:

• Best against raid bosses weak to Poison-type moves
• Power up to at least level 30-35 for decent performance
• Ensure you have the optimal moveset for maximum DPS

🎯 Best Counters for Nidorino

Whether you’re battling Nidorino in raids, gyms, or PvP, knowing the best counters is essential for victory. Here are the top Pokemon to use against Nidorino:

Top Counter Pokemon

The best counters exploit Nidorino’s weaknesses to Ground, Psychic-type moves:

Pokemon	Type	Why It Works
Garchomp	Dragon/Ground	Mud Shot + Earth Power deals massive damage
Groudon	Ground	Legendary with Precipice Blades
Excadrill	Ground/Steel	High Ground DPS
Mewtwo	Psychic	Best Psychic attacker with Psystrike
Alakazam	Psychic	Glass cannon with high Psychic DPS
Espeon	Psychic	Accessible Psychic attacker

Counter Strategy Tips

1. Prioritize Type Advantage: Use Pokemon with moves that are super effective against Nidorino
2. Consider Bulk: Tankier counters can survive longer and deal more total damage
3. Watch for Coverage Moves: Nidorino may have moves that counter its own counters
4. Weather Boost: Take advantage of weather conditions that boost your counter’s attacks

📍 How to Get Nidorino in Pokemon GO

There are several ways to obtain Nidorino in Pokemon GO:

• Wild Encounters: Nidorino can spawn in the wild, especially in areas matching its type
• Eggs: May hatch from 3km eggs
• Evolution: Evolve from its pre-evolution using Candy
• Raids: Occasionally appears in raid battles
• Research Tasks: Complete field research for a chance to encounter
• Trading: Trade with friends

Shiny Nidorino

Yes, Shiny Nidorino is available in Pokemon GO! The shiny variant has a different coloration and is highly sought after by collectors. The shiny rate for wild encounters is approximately 1 in 500, though this can be boosted during special events like Community Days or Spotlight Hours.

Nidorino Evolution

Check the Pokédex for complete evolution information including candy costs and special evolution requirements.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

💡 Pro Tips for Using Nidorino

Here are some advanced strategies and tips to maximize Nidorino’s potential in Pokemon GO:

1. IV Optimization

For raids and gym battles, prioritize Nidorino with high Attack IVs (15 Attack is ideal). The Attack stat contributes most to damage output in PvE content.

For PvP battles, the ideal IVs depend on the league:

• Great League: Look for low Attack, high Defense and HP (0/15/15 is often ideal)
• Ultra League: Similar to Great League, optimize for stat product under 2500 CP
• Master League: Perfect 15/15/15 IVs are best since there’s no CP cap

2. Power Up Priority

Before investing Stardust and Candy into Nidorino, consider:

• Do you have enough resources? (Powering to level 50 costs 296,000 Stardust and 296 Candy)
• Will this Pokemon fill a gap in your battle team?
• Are there better alternatives for the same role?
• Do you have the optimal moveset or need Elite TMs?

3. Team Composition

Nidorino works best when paired with Pokemon that cover its weaknesses. As a Poison type weak to Ground, Psychic, consider adding team members that resist these types.

4. Weather Considerations

Take advantage of weather boosts:

• When catching: Weather-boosted Nidorino spawns at higher levels (up to 35)
• When battling: Weather that boosts Poison moves increases your damage output
• When raiding: Spawn weather-boosted counters by raiding in appropriate weather

📚 Nidorino in the Pokemon Franchise

Nidorino first appeared in Generation 1 of the main Pokemon series. For more detailed lore and information about Nidorino’s origins, check out Bulbapedia.

In Pokemon GO, Nidorino was introduced as part of the Generation 1 Pokemon rollout. Being a Generation 1 Pokemon, Nidorino has been available since the game’s launch in July 2016.

📊 How Nidorino Compares

Let’s see how Nidorino stacks up against other Poison-type Pokemon:

Stat	Nidorino	Type Average	Rating
Attack	137	~180	⭐
Defense	111	~160	⭐
Stamina	156	~170	⭐⭐
Max CP	1,393	~2,500	⭐

🎯 Conclusion

Nidorino is a versatile Poison-type Pokemon that can be a valuable addition to your Pokemon GO roster. With a max CP of 1,393 and solid base stats (137/111/156), it can shine in Great League PvP where its unique typing and moveset options provide interesting strategic possibilities.

Remember to:

• Optimize IVs based on your intended use (PvP vs PvE)
• Use the recommended moveset for maximum effectiveness
• Build a team that covers Nidorino’s weaknesses
• Take advantage of weather boosts when possible

For more Pokemon guides and the complete Pokedex, visit our Pokemon GO Database. Check out our PvP Rankings for the current meta and Raid Guides for battle strategies.

Last updated: January 2026. Information based on the latest Pokemon GO game data.

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