Card of the Day: Base Set Nidoking

Nidoking #11 (Base Set)

HP:  90   Retreat Cost:  3   Weakness:  Psychic   Resistance:  None

Nidoking has average stats.  Nidoking has average stats.  Nidoking has average stats.  Nidoking has average stats.

Thrash (1G2C):  30+

Nidoking has an average attack that could possibly do extra damage to the opponent or it can hit him instead.  So the extra effects cancel each other out and this is another average moment.  At least it isn't like the games where Thrash confuses the user, because that would be devastating in the TCG.

Toxic (3G):  20

Hey, here's a good attack!  Poison is already a good status ailment, but double Poison is a much quicker killer.  After two turns, most Pokémon will be out of commission.  Only the other Stage 2 Pokémon can last longer.  So, Toxic probably won't be the most reliable attack during the endgame, but it can pick off a lot of weaklings during the middle of the battle.

Strategies Against Nidoking

Since Grass Pokémon are usually weak to Fire, Nidoking can be a little surprising if you're unprepared.  Fortunately, a lot of Fire Pokémon hit hard and could take down Nidoking in one or two hits, but usually you'll want Haunter or Jynx to get your hits in.  Chansey can also withstand a lot of Toxic's effects.

Nidorino Overview

HP:  60   Retreat Cost:  1   Weakness:  Psychic   Resistance:  None

Nidorino is relatively better than Nidoking, and if it weren't for its average HP, it could carry a deck on its own.  Double Kick is pretty standard with a chance of 60 damage at the flip of two coins, but Horn Drill is where Nidorino shines.  With a well-timed Double Colorless Energy, Nidorino could be stomping down opponents left and right.  It's similar to fellow uncommon Stage 1 cards like Dewgong and Arcanine and is able to support any full or half-Grass deck.  B-

Nidoran Overview

HP:  40   Retreat Cost:  1   Weakness:  Psychic   Resistance:  None

If you're lucky, Nidoran can be an early beast.  It can KO several Basic Pokémon on the first turn, and cause significant damage to the rest.  Of course you run the risk of Horn Hazard not working, but it's not as if Nidoran will be your only Pokémon.  Obviously, you should evolve him quickly, but maybe you'll luck out on those early turns.  D+

Sample Nidoking Deck

I went with Grass/Psychic this time around.  Haunter is a great ally to Nidoking. Not only can it defend against other Psychic types, it can keep your opponents asleep while you poison them with Toxic. Poison is special in that it can be used in conjunction with any other Special Conditions. Paralysis only lasts one turn, but Confusion and Sleep can last for multiple turns. Confusion and Poison is another nice combination, but with 20 points of Damage every turn, Toxic will be fine slowly draining a sleeping opponent. Also, Haunter has a small Retreat Cost, so it can get in and out quickly.

2 - Nidoking

3 - Nidorino

4 - Nidoran

3 - Haunter

4 - Gastly

4 - Tangela

2 - Computer Search

3 - Super Potion

4 - Energy Retrieval

2 - Professor Oak

2 - Pokémon Trader

4 - Bill

11 - Grass Energy

8 - Psychic Energy

4 - Double Colorless Energy

Final Grade: B+

Venusaur may overshadow Nidoking, but it is still a strong Grass contender. His deadly Toxic attack is a force to be reckoned with.  If you want to use it for support or as a main, it shall do just fine.