Nincada (#0290) – Stats, Moves, Evolution & Competitive Sets

Base stats

HP3191–138172–266

Atk4545–10685–207

Def9085–156166–306

SpA3031–9058–174

SpD3031–9058–174

Spe4040–10176–196

Total266Higher than 8% of all Pokémon

Ranges: 0 IV/EV with a hindering nature to 31 IV/252 EV with a helpful nature. EV yield: 1 Def.

Stat calculatorChampions Stat Points & Stat Alignment, or EVs, IVs & nature

Speed tiers

Speed at Lv 50 in Pokémon Champions (base 40). Scarf and Tailwind use the Max+ value.

Max+101Max92No SP60Min54Scarf151Tailwind202

At max Speed, Nincada outspeeds 9 of the 30 most used Pokémon in Champions VGC, and ties 1.

Others at their most common Speed investment in Champions VGC (Reg M-C · Doubles, Sep 2026); Pokémon holding a Mega Stone are shown as their Mega.

Type matchups

Weak to

Fire2×Flying2×Ice2×Water2×

Resists

Fighting½×Ground½×Poison½×

Immune to

Electric0×

Takes normal damage from 10 types

NormalRockBugGhostSteelGrassPsychicDragonDarkFairy

Abilities

Compound Eyes
Increases moves' accuracy to 1.3×.
Run AwayHidden ability
Ensures success fleeing from wild battles.

Competitive

National DexLC

Not used in the tracked Showdown formats this month.

Evolution

#0290NincadaBugGround
1. Level 20#0291NinjaskBugFlying
2. Level 20 with an empty party slot and a Poké Ball#0292ShedinjaBugGhost

Moves

Game Sort Type

Level up 10

1Sand AttackLowers the target’s accuracy by one stage.GroundStatus—100%15

1ScratchInflicts regular damage with no additional effect.NormalPhys40100%35

5HardenRaises the user’s Defense by one stage.NormalStatus——30

10False SwipeCannot lower the target’s HP below 1.NormalPhys40100%40

15Mud-SlapHas a 100% chance to lower the target’s accuracy by one stage.GroundSpec20100%10

21AbsorbDrains half the damage inflicted to heal the user.GrassSpec20100%25

25Metal ClawHas a 10% chance to raise the user’s Attack by one stage.SteelPhys5095%35

30Fury SwipesHits 2-5 times in one turn.NormalPhys1880%15

35Mind ReaderEnsures that the user’s next move will hit the target.NormalStatus——5

40DigUser digs underground, dodging all attacks, and hits next turn.GroundPhys80100%10

TM / HM / TR 20

TM62Bug BuzzHas a 10% chance to lower the target’s Special Defense by one stage.BugSpec90100%10

HM01CutInflicts regular damage with no additional effect.NormalPhys5095%30

TMSolar BeamRequires a turn to charge before attacking.GrassSpec120100%10

TMDigUser digs underground, dodging all attacks, and hits next turn.GroundPhys80100%10

TMDouble TeamRaises the user’s evasion by one stage.NormalStatus——15

TMFlashLowers the target’s accuracy by one stage.NormalStatus—100%20

TMRestUser sleeps for two turns, completely healing itself.PsychicStatus——5

TMSubstituteTransfers 1/4 of the user’s max HP into a doll, protecting the user from further damage or status changes until it breaks.NormalStatus——10

TMProtectPrevents any moves from hitting the user this turn.NormalStatus——10

TMSandstormChanges the weather to a sandstorm for five turns.RockStatus——10

TMGiga DrainDrains half the damage inflicted to heal the user.GrassSpec75100%10

TMEndurePrevents the user’s HP from lowering below 1 this turn.NormalStatus——10

TMFalse SwipeCannot lower the target’s HP below 1.NormalPhys40100%40

TMSwaggerRaises the target’s Attack by two stages and confuses the target.NormalStatus—85%15

TMSleep TalkRandomly uses one of the user’s other three moves. Only works if the user is sleeping.NormalStatus——10

TMSunny DayChanges the weather to sunny for five turns.FireStatus——5

TMShadow BallHas a 20% chance to lower the target’s Special Defense by one stage.GhostSpec80100%15

TMFacadePower doubles if user is burned, paralyzed, or poisoned.NormalPhys70100%20

TMAerial AceNever misses.FlyingPhys60—20

TMX-ScissorInflicts regular damage with no additional effect.BugPhys80100%15

Egg moves 5

EggBug BiteIf target has a berry, inflicts double damage and uses the berry.BugPhys60100%20

EggFinal GambitInflicts damage equal to the user’s remaining HP. User faints.FightingSpec—100%5

EggFlailInflicts more damage when the user has less HP remaining, with a maximum of 200 power.NormalPhys—100%15

EggGustInflicts regular damage and can hit Pokémon in the air.FlyingSpec40100%35

EggNight SlashHas an increased chance for a critical hit.DarkPhys70100%15

Pokédex entries

Category: Trainee Pokémon
Debut: Hoenn · Ruby & Sapphire
Color: Gray
Shape
Habitat: Forest
Pal Park area: Forest

Original Hoenn#042Central Kalos#111New Hoenn#043Galar#104

It can sometimes live underground for more than 10 years. It absorbs nutrients from the roots of trees.
HeartGold · SoulSilver · Y · Shield
It grows underground, sensing its surroundings using antennae instead of its virtually blind eyes.
Diamond · Pearl · Platinum · Black · White · Black 2 · White 2
Because it lived almost entirely underground, it is nearly blind. It uses its antennae instead.
FireRed · LeafGreen · X · Sword
It makes its nest at the roots of a mighty tree. Using its whiskerlike antennae, it probes its surroundings in the pitch-black darkness of soil.
Emerald
NINCADA lives underground. It uses its sharp claws to carve the roots of trees and absorb moisture and nutrients. This Pokémon can’t withstand bright sunlight so avoids it.
Sapphire · Alpha Sapphire
NINCADA lives underground for many years in complete darkness. This Pokémon absorbs nutrients from the roots of trees. It stays motionless as it waits for evolution.
Ruby · Omega Ruby

Names around the world

Japanese: ツチニン
Japanese (romaji): Tutinin
Korean: 토중몬
Chinese (Traditional): 土居忍士
Chinese (Simplified): 土居忍士
French: Ningale
German: Nincada
Spanish: Nincada
Italian: Nincada

Sprites

Tap any sprite to show it on the Pokédex above. ▶ marks official animations; Gen VIII–IX models are large, so they load only when you tap them.

Official artwork

3D models

Generation III

Generation IV

Generation V

Generation VI

Generation VII

Generation VIII · animated models

Training

EV yield: 1 Def
Catch rate: 255 ≈33.3% with a Poké Ball at full HP
Base friendship: 70
Base experience: 53
Growth rate: Erratic

Breeding

Egg groups: Bug
Gender: ♂ 50%♀ 50%
Hatch time: 15 egg cycles ≈4,080 steps (Gen IV–VII)

Where to find

Shield 8 areas

Bridge Field (Max Den A)Catch a wild Dynamax or Gigantamax Pokémon in a Max Raid battle. · Lv 15–30
Bridge Field (Max Den H)Catch a wild Dynamax or Gigantamax Pokémon in a Max Raid battle. · Lv 15–30
Dappled Grove (Max Den B)Catch a wild Dynamax or Gigantamax Pokémon in a Max Raid battle. · Lv 15–30
Rolling Fields (Max Den B)Catch a wild Dynamax or Gigantamax Pokémon in a Max Raid battle. · Lv 15–30
Rolling Fields (Max Den F)Catch a wild Dynamax or Gigantamax Pokémon in a Max Raid battle. · Lv 15–30
Route 5Walking in tall grass or a cave · Lv 16–18
South Lake Miloch (Main Area)Walking in tall grass or a cave · Lv 11–60
West Lake AxewellWalking in tall grass or a cave · Lv 7–60

Sword 8 areas

Bridge Field (Max Den A)Catch a wild Dynamax or Gigantamax Pokémon in a Max Raid battle. · Lv 15–30
Bridge Field (Max Den H)Catch a wild Dynamax or Gigantamax Pokémon in a Max Raid battle. · Lv 15–30
Dappled Grove (Max Den B)Catch a wild Dynamax or Gigantamax Pokémon in a Max Raid battle. · Lv 15–30
Rolling Fields (Max Den B)Catch a wild Dynamax or Gigantamax Pokémon in a Max Raid battle. · Lv 15–30
Rolling Fields (Max Den F)Catch a wild Dynamax or Gigantamax Pokémon in a Max Raid battle. · Lv 15–30
Route 5Walking in tall grass or a cave · Lv 16–18
South Lake Miloch (Main Area)Walking in tall grass or a cave · Lv 11–60
West Lake AxewellWalking in tall grass or a cave · Lv 7–60

Alpha Sapphire 1 area

Road 116Encountering 5 Pokemon within grass, flowers, or within a cave · Lv 4

Omega Ruby 1 area

Road 116Encountering 5 Pokemon within grass, flowers, or within a cave · Lv 4

Y 2 areas

Friend Safari (Ground)Walking in tall grass or a cave · Lv 30
Road 6Walking on rough terrain · Lv 12

X 2 areas

Friend Safari (Ground)Walking in tall grass or a cave · Lv 30
Road 6Walking on rough terrain · Lv 12

SoulSilver 1 area

National ParkWalking in tall grass or a cave · Lv 26–36

HeartGold 1 area

National ParkWalking in tall grass or a cave · Lv 26–36

Platinum 1 area

Eterna ForestWalking in tall grass or a cave · Lv 11–14

Pearl 1 area

Eterna ForestWalking in tall grass or a cave · Lv 10–12

Diamond 1 area

Eterna ForestWalking in tall grass or a cave · Lv 10–12

Emerald 1 area

Road 116Walking in tall grass or a cave · Lv 6–7

Sapphire 1 area

Road 116Walking in tall grass or a cave · Lv 6–7

Ruby 1 area

Road 116Walking in tall grass or a cave · Lv 6–7