Nincada (Pokémon)

Slaking #289: Slaking
Pokémon
#291: Ninjask Ninjask
Nincada
ツチニン Tutinin
#290
290Nincada.png
Art by Ken Sugimori from Ruby and Sapphire
Type
Bug Ground
Category
Trainee Pokémon
Abilities
Compoundeyes Run Away
Hidden Ability
Exp. at Lv. 100
600,000
Regional Pokédex numbers
Hoenn
#042
Regional Browser numbers
Fiore
R-031
Height
1'08"
Imperial
0.5 m
Metric
Weight
12.1 lbs.
Imperial
5.5 kg
Metric
Dex color
Gray
Catch rate
255 (33.3%)
Body style
Body14.png BodyUnknown.png
Blue-Striped
Footprint
 F290.png   F487O.png
Blue-Striped
Gender ratio
50% male, 50% female
Breeding
Bug group 16 cycles
(4080 minimum steps)
EV yield
HP
0
Atk
0
Def
1
Sp.Atk
0
Sp.Def
0
Speed
0
Base Exp.: 65 Battle Exp.: 651*

Nincada (Japanese: ツチニン Tutinin) is a dual-type Bug/Ground Pokémon.

It evolves into Ninjask starting at level 20. Additionally, if the player has a spare slot in the party and an extra Poké Ball, a Shedinja will appear in the player's party when Nincada evolves. An extra Poké Ball is not necessary to obtain Shedinja in Generation III.

Biology

Physiology

Nincada is a small, whitish insect Pokémon. Nincada's hind legs are white and the forelegs are brown. Nincada has small, green wings on its back, a small pointed snout, and whisker-like antenna on its face. Nincada has a thin stripe that dips in a “V”-shaped pattern between its eyes. It has black eyes with green iris-like rings inside.

Gender differences

None.

Special abilities

Because of its sharp claws, Nincada has access to moves such as Fury Swipes and Metal Claw.

Behavior

Using its whisker like antennae, it probes its surroundings in the pitch-black darkness of soil. Nincada can't withstand bright sunlight so it avoids it. Nincada uses its sharp claws to carve the roots of trees and absorb moisture and nutrients.

Habitat

Nincada live buried in soil and will usually remain underground until they evolve. They stay away from sunlight.

Diet

Main article: Pokémon food

Nincada sustain themselves by drinking nutrients from tree roots.

In the anime

 
Nincada in the anime

Major appearances

Nincada first appeared in A Three Team Scheme. It belonged to a boy named Keanu, who lived in his secret base in solitude.

Minor appearances

In Pokémon Ranger and the Kidnapped Riolu! Part One, Kellyn used his Capture Styler on a Nincada and had it Dig a pit trap for J's Henchmen to fall in.

Pokédex entries

Episode Pokémon Source Entry
AG027 Nincada Ash's Pokédex Nincada, the Trainee Pokémon. Nincada lives most of its life inside the earth and uses its sharp claws to tap into tree roots extracting nutrients and moisture.

In the manga

In the Pokémon Adventures manga

A Nincada belonging to originally belonging to Aqua Admin Shelly appeared in VS. Ninjask, where it was given to fellow admin Amber. Amber's new Pokémon soon evolved into Ninjask, leaving behind a Shedinja, as well.

In the TCG

Main article: Nincada (TCG)

Game data

Pokédex entries

This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation III.
Generation I
Red {{{redbluedex}}}
Blue
Yellow {{{yellowdex}}}
Stadium {{{stadiumdex}}}
Generation II
Gold {{{golddex}}}
Silver {{{silverdex}}}
Crystal {{{crystaldex}}}
Stadium 2 Unknown
Generation III
Ruby 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.
Sapphire 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.
Emerald 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.
FireRed Because it lived almost entirely underground, it is nearly blind. It uses its antennae instead.
LeafGreen
Generation IV
Diamond It grows underground, sensing its surroundings using antennae instead of its virtually blind eyes.
Pearl
Platinum
HeartGold It can sometimes live underground for more than 10 years. It absorbs nutrients from the roots of trees.
SoulSilver
Generation V
Black It grows underground, sensing its surroundings using antennae instead of its virtually blind eyes.
White
Black 2 It grows underground, sensing its surroundings using antennae instead of its virtually blind eyes.
White 2
Generation VI
X Unknown
Y Unknown


Game locations

This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation III.
Generation I
Red Blue
None Trade
Blue (Japan)
None Trade
Yellow
None Trade
Generation II
Gold Silver
None Trade
Crystal
None Trade
Generation III
Ruby Sapphire
Uncommon Route 116
Emerald
Uncommon Route 116
FireRed LeafGreen
None Trade
Colosseum
None Trade
XD
None Trade
Generation IV
Diamond Pearl
Rare Eterna Forest (Poké Radar)
Platinum
Rare Eterna Forest (Poké Radar)
HeartGold SoulSilver
Common National Park (Bug-Catching Contest)
Pal Park
Forest
Pokéwalker
None
Generation V
Black White
None Poké Transfer
Black 2 White 2
None Poké Transfer
Dream World
Dream Park
Generation VI
X Y
None Trade



In side games

Game Location
Pokémon Pinball:
Ruby & Sapphire
Forest
Pokémon Trozei! Secret Storage 13
Endless Level 20
Forever Level 6
Mr. Who's Den
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon
Red/Blue Rescue Team
Lapis Cave (1F-4F)
Wish Cave (44F-49F)
Joyous Tower (45F-49F)
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon
Explorers of Time/Darkness
Quicksand Cave (B1-B7)
Midnight Forest (B1-B24)
Pokémon Ranger Lyra Forest
Pokémon Rumble Blast Forest: Misty Edgewater

Stats

Base stats

Stat Range
At Lv. 50 At Lv. 100
31
91 - 138 172 - 266
45
45 - 106 85 - 207
90
85 - 156 166 - 306
30
31 - 90 58 - 174
30
31 - 90 58 - 174
40
40 - 101 76 - 196
Total:
266
Other Pokémon with this total
  • Minimum stats are calculated with 0 EVs, IVs of 0, and (if applicable) a hindering nature.
  • Maximum stats are calculated with 252 EVs, IVs of 31, and (if applicable) a helpful nature.

Pokéathlon stats

Speed
2/3 ★★
Power
2/3 ★★
Skill
3/4 ★★★
Stamina
3/5 ★★★☆☆
Jump
2/3 ★★
Total
12/18 ★★


Type effectiveness

Under normal battle conditions in Generation V, this Pokémon is:
Damaged
normally by:
Normal
Fighting ½×
Flying
Poison ½×
Ground ½×
Rock
Bug
Ghost
Steel
Fire
Water
Grass
Electric
Psychic
Ice
Dragon
Dark
None
Weak to:
Normal
Fighting ½×
Flying
Poison ½×
Ground ½×
Rock
Bug
Ghost
Steel
Fire
Water
Grass
Electric
Psychic
Ice
Dragon
Dark
None
Immune to:
Normal
Fighting ½×
Flying
Poison ½×
Ground ½×
Rock
Bug
Ghost
Steel
Fire
Water
Grass
Electric
Psychic
Ice
Dragon
Dark
None
Resistant to:
Normal
Fighting ½×
Flying
Poison ½×
Ground ½×
Rock
Bug
Ghost
Steel
Fire
Water
Grass
Electric
Psychic
Ice
Dragon
Dark
None
Notes:

Learnset

By leveling up

Generation V
Other generations:
III - IV - VI - VII - VIII - IX
 Level   Move   Type   Cat.   Pwr.   Acc.   PP 
00Start Scratch Normal Physical 04040 100100% 35
00Start Harden Normal Status 0000 —% 30
055 Leech Life Bug Physical 02020 100100% 15
099 Sand-Attack Ground Status 0000 100100% 15
1414 Fury Swipes Normal Physical 01818 08080% 15
1919 Mind Reader Normal Status 0000 —% 5
2525 False Swipe Normal Physical 04040 100100% 40
3131 Mud-Slap Ground Special 02020 100100% 10
3838 Metal Claw Steel Physical 05050 09595% 35
4545 Dig Ground Physical 08080 100100% 10
  • Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Nincada
  • Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an evolution of Nincada
  • Click on the generation numbers at the top to see level-up moves from other generations

By TM/HM

Generation V
Other generations:
III - IV - VI - VII - VIII - IX
 TM   Move   Type   Cat.   Pwr.   Acc.   PP 
  TM01 Hone Claws Dark Status 0000 —}}—% 15
  TM06 Toxic Poison Status 0000 090}}90% 10
  TM10 Hidden Power Normal Special 0000 100}}100% 15
  TM11 Sunny Day Fire Status 0000 —}}—% 5
  TM17 Protect Normal Status 0000 —}}—% 10
  TM21 Frustration Normal Physical 0000 100}}100% 20
  TM22 SolarBeam Grass Special 120120 100}}100% 10
  TM27 Return Normal Physical 0000 100}}100% 20
  TM28 Dig Ground Physical 08080 100}}100% 10
  TM30 Shadow Ball Ghost Special 08080 100}}100% 15
  TM32 Double Team Normal Status 0000 —}}—% 15
  TM37 Sandstorm Rock Status 0000 —}}—% 10
  TM40 Aerial Ace Flying Physical 06060 —}}—% 20
  TM42 Facade Normal Physical 07070 100}}100% 20
  TM44 Rest Psychic Status 0000 —}}—% 10
  TM48 Round Normal Special 06060 100}}100% 15
  TM54 False Swipe Normal Physical 04040 100}}100% 40
  TM70 Flash Normal Status 0000 100}}100% 20
  TM76 Struggle Bug Bug Special 03030 100}}100% 20
  TM81 X-Scissor Bug Physical 08080 100}}100% 15
  TM87 Swagger Normal Status 0000 090}}90% 15
  TM90 Substitute Normal Status 0000 —}}—% 10
  HM01 Cut Normal Physical 05050 095}}95% 30
  • Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Nincada
  • Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an evolution of Nincada
  • Click on the generation numbers at the top to see TM moves from other generations

By breeding

Generation V
Other generations:
III - IV - VI - VII - VIII - IX
 Father   Move   Type   Cat.   Pwr.   Acc.   PP 
Bug Bite Bug Physical 60 100% 20
Bug Buzz Bug Special 90 100% 10
Endure Normal Status —% 10
Final Gambit Fighting Special 100% 5
Faint Attack Dark Physical 60 —% 20
Gust Flying Special 40 100% 35
Night Slash Dark Physical 70 100% 15
Silver Wind Bug Special 60 100% 5
  • Moves marked with an asterisk (*) must be chain bred onto Nincada in Generation V
  • Moves marked with a double dagger (‡) can only be bred from a Pokémon who learned the move in an earlier generation.
  • Moves marked with a superscript game abbreviation can only be bred onto Nincada in that game.
  • Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Nincada
  • Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an evolution of Nincada
  • Click on the generation numbers at the top to see Egg moves from other generations

By tutoring

Generation V
Other generations:
III - IV - VI - VII - VIII - IX
 Game   Move   Type   Cat.   Pwr.   Acc.   PP 
B W B2 W2 Bug Bite Bug Physical 60 100% 20
B W B2 W2 Giga Drain Grass Special 75 100% 10
B W B2 W2 Sleep Talk Normal Status —% 10
B W B2 W2 Snore Normal Special 40 100% 15
B W B2 W2 Spite Ghost Status 100% 10
  • A black abbreviation in a colored box indicates that Nincada can be tutored the move in that game
  • A colored abbreviation in a white box indicates that Nincada cannot be tutored the move in that game
  • Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Nincada
  • Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an evolution of Nincada
  • Click on the generation numbers at the top to see Move Tutor moves from other generations

Dream World moves

Generation V
Other generations:
III - IV - VI - VII - VIII - IX
 Event   Move   Type   Cat.   Pwr.   Acc.   PP 
Dream Park Endure Normal Status —% 10
Dream Park Night Slash Dark Physical 70 100% 15
  • A superscript level indicates that Nincada can learn this move normally in Generation V at that level
  • Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Nincada
  • Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an evolution of Nincada
  • Click on the generation numbers at the top to see event moves from other generations

Side game data

Pokémon Pinball
 N/A 
Not available
Pokémon Pinball RS
     
Acquisition: Catch
Pokémon Trozei!
   
Rarity: Common
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon
Red Rescue Team and Blue Rescue Team
File:MDP RT 290.png Body size: 1
Recruit rate: 7.4%
Friend Area: Secretive Forest
Phrases
51%-100% HP My antennae serve as my eyes.
26%-50% HP Oh, what's up? How could my HP be down by half so soon?
1%-25% HP I think I've had it... I can't get any strength...
Level up OK! I leveled up! I'll try harder!
Partner phrases
51%-100% HP <name>, my HP is between 51% and 100%.
26%-50% HP <name>, my HP is between 26% and 50%.
1%-25% HP <name>, my HP is between 1% and 25%.
Level up OK! I leveled up! I'll try harder!
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon
Explorers of Time, Explorers of Darkness
,
and Explorers of Sky
  Body size: 1
Recruit rate: 6.4%
IQ group: D
Pokémon Ranger
Group:  Ground  Poké Assist:  
( Bug )
Field move:  
(Cut ×1)
Loops: 3 Min. exp.: 25 Max. exp.: 45
Browser entry  
Nincada burrows underground. It can cut things with its claws.
Pokémon Ranger: Shadows of Almia
Group:  Normal  Poké Assist: None Field move: None
Browser entry  
This Pokémon does not have a browser entry.
Pokémon Ranger: Guardian Signs
Group: Poké Assist: Field move:
 Normal  None Past
 
( Normal )
None Past
 
(Electrify ×1)
Browser entry  
This Pokémon does not have a browser entry.
N/A Not
Available
Defense
Speed
N/A Not
Available
Defense
Speed
Attack
Defense ●●
Speed ●●●
Attack Not
Available
Defense
Speed
Attack Not
Available
Defense
Speed
Attack Not
Available
Defense
Speed
PokéPark Wii: Pikachu's Adventure
  PokéPark Pad entry:
This Pokémon has no PokéPark Pad entry.
PokéPark 2: Wonders Beyond
  Strong: {{{Park2strong}}} Weak: {{{Park2weak}}}
PokéPark Pad entry:
This Pokémon has no PokéPark Pad entry.
  HP: Move: {{{ConquestMove}}}
Attack: Ability 1: {{{ConquestAbility1}}}
Defense: Ability 2: {{{ConquestAbility2}}}
Speed: Ability 3: {{{ConquestAbility3}}}
Does not evolve.
Range: 0 Perfect Links: {{{ConquestLink}}}

Evolution

 
Unevolved
Nincada
 Bug  Ground 
 
Level 20
 
First evolution
Ninjask
 Bug  Flying 
If...
 
Poké Ball in bag*
Space in party
 
Castoff evolution
Shedinja
 Bug  Ghost 


Note: In Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time and Explorers of Darkness, Shedinja will not be mentioned when evolving Nincada, but will subsequently appear in Chimecho's Assembly.

Sprites

Gen Game
I Red Blue Yellow Red (Ja) Green Back
This Pokémon did not appear during Generation I.
II Gold Silver Crystal   Back
This Pokémon did not appear during Generation II.
III Ruby Sapphire Emerald FireRed LeafGreen Back
       
       
IV Diamond Pearl Platinum HeartGold SoulSilver Back
       
       
V Black White Black 2 White 2 Back
     
     
  For other sprites and images, please see Nincada images on Bulbagarden Archives.

Trivia

  • Nincada is the only Pokémon that evolves into two Pokémon at once.
  • Nincada is the only Pokémon with a base stat total of 266.
  • Nincada is the only Pokémon to have a higher base stat total than its evolution, as it has 30 more base stat points than Shedinja.

Origin

It appears to be based on a cicada larva.

Name origin

Nincada is a combination of ninja and cicada.

Tutinin is a combination of 土に埋める tsuchiniumeru (to bury in the ground) and ninja.

In other languages

Language Title Meaning
  Japanese ツチニン Tutinin From 土に埋める tsuchiniumeru and ninja
  French Ningale From ninja and cigale'
  Spanish Nincada Same as English name
  German Nincada Same as English name
  Italian Nincada Same as English name
  Korean 토중몬 Tojungmon
  Mandarin Chinese 土居忍士 Tǔjūrěnshì Literally "Earth-residing ninja"
  Cantonese Chinese


External links

  #289: Slaking
Pokémon
#291: Ninjask  


  This Pokémon article is part of Project Pokédex, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on each Pokémon as a species.