Nincada (Pokémon)

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289MS.png #289: Slaking
Pokémon
#291: Ninjask 291MS.png
Nincada
Trainee Pokémon
ツチニン
Tutinin
#290
Nincada



Images on the Bulbagarden Archives
Type
Bug Ground
Unknown Unknown
Unknown Unknown
Unknown Unknown
Unknown Unknown
Unknown Unknown
Abilities
Compound Eyes Cacophony
Cacophony
Run Away
Hidden Ability
Cacophony
Hidden Ability
Cacophony
Cacophony
Gender ratio
Unknown
50% male, 50% female
Catch rate
255 (43.9%)
Breeding
Egg Group
Bug
Hatch time
16 cycles
Height
1'08" 0.5 m
Nincada
0'0" 0 m
{{{form2}}}
0'0" 0 m
{{{form3}}}
0'0" 0 m
{{{form4}}}
Weight
12.1 lbs. 5.5 kg
Nincada
0 lbs. 0 kg
{{{form2}}}
0 lbs. 0 kg
{{{form3}}}
0 lbs. 0 kg
{{{form4}}}
Mega Stone
[[|]] [[|]]
Base experience yield
65
Gen. III-IV
Unknown
IV
53
V+
Leveling rate
Erratic
EV yield
Total: 1
Nincada
0
HP
0
Atk
1
Def
0
Sp.Atk
0
Sp.Def
0
Speed
0
HP
0
Atk
0
Def
0
Sp.Atk
0
Sp.Def
0
Speed
0
HP
0
Atk
0
Def
0
Sp.Atk
0
Sp.Def
0
Speed
0
HP
0
Atk
0
Def
0
Sp.Atk
0
Sp.Def
0
Speed
Shape
Body14.png
Footprint
F290.png F000.png
{{{form2}}}
Pokédex color
Gray
Base friendship
70
External Links

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

Nincada is a small, whitish, insectoid Pokémon. It has a pointed snout, a thin stripe that dips in a V-shaped pattern between its eyes, and two whisker-like antennae on its face. Its eyes are black with green iris-like rings inside. As it is virtually blind, it uses its antennae to sense its surroundings. On its back is a pair of small, green wings. Its hind legs are white, but the forelegs are brown and have sharp claws. The claws are used to carve the roots of tree and absorb moisture and nutrients. Nincada builds underground nests at the roots of trees. It does not like sunlight, so it avoids it.

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 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 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 Because it lived almost entirely underground, it is nearly blind. It uses its antennae instead.
Y It can sometimes live underground for more than 10 years. It absorbs nutrients from the roots of trees.
Omega 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.
Alpha 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.


Game locations

This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation III.
Generation III
Ruby Sapphire
Route 116
Emerald
Route 116
FireRed LeafGreen
Trade
Colosseum
Trade
XD
Trade
Generation IV
Diamond Pearl
Eterna Forest (Poké Radar)
Platinum
Eterna Forest (Poké Radar)
HeartGold SoulSilver
National Park (Bug-Catching Contest)ThSa
Pal Park
Forest
Generation V
Black White
Poké Transfer
Black 2 White 2
Poké Transfer
Dream World
Dream Park
Generation VI
X Y
Route 6, Friend Safari (Ground)
Omega Ruby Alpha Sapphire
Route 116


In side games

This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation III.
Generation III
Pinball: R&S
Forest (Both Fields)
Trozei!
Secret Storage 13, Endless Level 20, Forever Level 6, Mr. Who's Den
MD Red MD Blue
Lapis Cave (1F-4F), Wish Cave (44F-49F), Joyous Tower (45F-49F)
Ranger
Lyra Forest
Generation IV
MD Time MD Darkness
Quicksand Cave (B1-B7), Midnight Forest (B1-B24)
MD Sky
Quicksand Cave (B1-B7), Midnight Forest (B1-B24)
Generation V
Rumble Blast
Forest: Misty Edgewater
Shuffle
Graucus Hall: Stage 453
Rumble U
Flower Garden: Guardians of the Flower Patch
Generation VI
Battle Trozei
Sky-High Ruins: Stage 5
Rumble World
Gold Plateau: Verdant Grove (All Areas), White Ruins: Everspring Valley (All Areas)


Held items

Game Held Item(s)
Omega Ruby Alpha Sapphire Soft Sand Soft Sand (5%)

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 IX, 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
Fairy
None
Weak to:
Normal
Fighting ½×
Flying
Poison ½×
Ground ½×
Rock
Bug
Ghost
Steel
Fire
Water
Grass
Electric
Psychic
Ice
Dragon
Dark
Fairy
None
Immune to:
Normal
Fighting ½×
Flying
Poison ½×
Ground ½×
Rock
Bug
Ghost
Steel
Fire
Water
Grass
Electric
Psychic
Ice
Dragon
Dark
Fairy
None
Resistant to:
Normal
Fighting ½×
Flying
Poison ½×
Ground ½×
Rock
Bug
Ghost
Steel
Fire
Water
Grass
Electric
Psychic
Ice
Dragon
Dark
Fairy
None
Notes:

Learnset

By leveling up

Generation VII
Other generations:
III - IV - V - VI - VIII - IX
 Level   Move   Type   Cat.   Pwr.   Acc.   PP
011 Scratch Normal Physical 04040 100100% 35
011 Harden Normal Status 0000 —% 30
055 Absorb Grass Special 02020 100100% 25
099 Sand Attack Ground Status 0000 100100% 15
1313 Fury Swipes Normal Physical 01818 08080% 15
1717 Mud-Slap Ground Special 02020 100100% 10
2121 Metal Claw Steel Physical 05050 09595% 35
2525 Mind Reader Normal Status 0000 —% 5
2929 Bide Normal Physical 0000 —% 10
3333 False Swipe Normal Physical 04040 100100% 40
3737 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 VII
Other generations:
III - IV - V - VI - VIII - IX
   TM   Move   Type   Cat.   Pwr.   Acc.   PP 
TM06Bag TM Poison VI Sprite.png TM06 Toxic Poison Status 0000 090}}90% 10
TM10Bag TM Normal VI Sprite.png TM10 Hidden Power Normal Special 06060 100}}100% 15
TM11Bag TM Fire VI Sprite.png TM11 Sunny Day Fire Status 0000 —}}—% 5
TM17Bag TM Normal VI Sprite.png TM17 Protect Normal Status 0000 —}}—% 10
TM21Bag TM Normal VI Sprite.png TM21 Frustration Normal Physical 0000 100}}100% 20
TM22Bag TM Grass VI Sprite.png TM22 Solar Beam Grass Special 120120 100}}100% 10
TM27Bag TM Normal VI Sprite.png TM27 Return Normal Physical 0000 100}}100% 20
TM28Bag TM Bug VI Sprite.png TM28 Leech Life Bug Physical 08080 100}}100% 10
TM30Bag TM Ghost VI Sprite.png TM30 Shadow Ball Ghost Special 08080 100}}100% 15
TM32Bag TM Normal VI Sprite.png TM32 Double Team Normal Status 0000 —}}—% 15
TM37Bag TM Rock VI Sprite.png TM37 Sandstorm Rock Status 0000 —}}—% 10
TM40Bag TM Flying VI Sprite.png TM40 Aerial Ace Flying Physical 06060 —}}—% 20
TM42Bag TM Normal VI Sprite.png TM42 Facade Normal Physical 07070 100}}100% 20
TM44Bag TM Psychic VI Sprite.png TM44 Rest Psychic Status 0000 —}}—% 10
TM48Bag TM Normal VI Sprite.png TM48 Round Normal Special 06060 100}}100% 15
TM54Bag TM Normal VI Sprite.png TM54 False Swipe Normal Physical 04040 100}}100% 40
TM81Bag TM Bug VI Sprite.png TM81 X-Scissor Bug Physical 08080 100}}100% 15
TM87Bag TM Normal VI Sprite.png TM87 Swagger Normal Status 0000 085}}85% 15
TM88Bag TM Normal VI Sprite.png TM88 Sleep Talk Normal Status 0000 —}}—% 10
TM90Bag TM Normal VI Sprite.png TM90 Substitute Normal Status 0000 —}}—% 10
XTM100Bag TM Normal VI Sprite.png TM100 Confide Normal Status 0000 —}}—% 20
  • 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 VII
Other generations:
III - IV - V - VI - VIII - IX
 Parent   Move   Type   Cat.   Pwr.   Acc.   PP 
CaterpieWeedleAriadosPinecoForretressShuckle
WurmpleNinjaskKricketotBurmyMothimCombee
SkorupiDrapionYanmegaSewaddleSwadloonLeavanny
VenipedeWhirlipedeScolipedeDwebbleCrustleJoltik
GalvantulaDurantLarvestaScatterbugGrubbinCharjabug
VikavoltDewpiderAraquanidGolisopod
Bug Bite Bug Physical 60 100% 20
ButterfreeVenomothLedybaLedianYanmaYanmega
BeautiflyDustoxMasquerainVolbeatVibravaKricketune
MothimCombeeSewaddleKarrablastEscavalierJoltik
GalvantulaShelmetAccelgorLarvestaVolcaronaVivillon
VikavoltCutieflyRibombee
Bug Buzz Bug Special 90 100% 10
HeracrossSewaddleKarrablast
Endure Normal Status —% 10
GligarGliscorTrapinchVibravaFlygonDwebble
Crustle
Feint Attack Dark Physical 60 —% 20
ShelmetAccelgor
Final Gambit Fighting Special 100% 5
ButterfreeVenomothBeautiflyDustoxMasquerainMothim
CombeeVolcaronaVivillon
Gust Flying Special 40 100% 35
ScytherScizorHeracrossKricketuneSkorupiDrapion
YanmegaGliscor
Night Slash Dark Physical 70 100% 15
ButterfreeVenomothLedybaLedianBeautiflyDustox
MasquerainMothimVolcaronaCutieflyRibombee
Silver Wind Bug Special 60 100% 5
  • Moves marked with an asterisk (*) must be chain bred onto Nincada in Generation VII
  • 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 VII
Other generations:
III - IV - V - VI - VIII - IX
 Game   Move   Type   Cat.   Pwr.   Acc.   PP 
This Pokémon learns no moves by tutoring.
  • A black or white 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

TCG-only moves

Move Card
Bite Nincada (EX Dragon 67)

Side game data

Pokémon Pinball RS
PinRS290.png PinRSani290.png
Acquisition: Catch
Pokémon Trozei!
Trozeiani290.png
Rarity: Common
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon
Red Rescue Team and Blue Rescue Team
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!
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon
Explorers of Time, Explorers of Darkness, and Explorers of Sky
MDP E 290.png Body size: 1
Recruit rate: 6.4%
IQ group: D
Pokémon Ranger
Group:
Ground
Poké Assist: Bug PA.png
Bug
Field move: Cut fm.png
(Cut ×1)
Loops: 3 Min. exp.: 25 Max. exp.: 45
Browser entry R-000
Nincada burrows underground. It can cut things with its claws.
Pokémon Rumble Blast
Attack
Defense ●●
Speed ●●●
Pokémon Battle Trozei
Bug
Attack Power: ★★★★

BT290.png

Pokémon Shuffle
None Shuffle.png
Bug
None Shuffle.png Attack Power: 30 - 55 Raise Max Level.png 0

#633
Shuffle290.png

Barrier Bash
Removes one barrier-type disruption without fail.


Evolution

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


Note: The Poké Ball has to be a regular Poké Ball.
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

This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation III.
Generation III
Ruby Sapphire Emerald FireRed LeafGreen
Spr 3r 290.png Spr b 3r 290.png Spr 3e 290.png Spr b 3e 290.png Spr 3f 290.png Spr b 3f 290.png
Spr 3r 290 s.png Spr b 3r 290 s.png Spr 3e 290 s.png Spr b 3e 290 s.png Spr 3f 290 s.png Spr b 3f 290 s.png
Front Back Front Back Front Back
Generation IV
Diamond Pearl Platinum HeartGold SoulSilver
Spr 4d 290.png Spr b 4d 290.png Spr 4p 290.png Spr b 4p 290.png Spr 4h 290.png Spr b 4h 290.png
Spr 4d 290 s.png Spr b 4d 290 s.png Spr 4p 290 s.png Spr b 4p 290 s.png Spr 4h 290 s.png Spr b 4h 290 s.png
Front Back Front Back Front Back
Generation V
Black White Black 2 White 2
Spr 5b 290.png Spr b 5b 290.png Spr 5b2 290.png Spr b 5b2 290.png
Spr 5b 290 s.png Spr b 5b 290 s.png Spr 5b2 290 s.png Spr b 5b2 290 s.png
Front Back Front Back
Generation VI
X Y Omega Ruby Alpha Sapphire
Spr 6x 290.png
Spr b 6x 290.png
Spr 6o 290.png
Spr b 6o 290.png
Spr 6x 290 s.png
Spr b 6x 290 s.png
Spr 6o 290 s.png
Spr b 6o 290 s.png
Front Back Front Back
290MS.png For other sprites and images, please see Nincada images on the 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

Bulbanews

It appears to be based on a cicada nymph.

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
Japan Flag.png Japanese ツチニン Tutinin From 土に埋める tsuchiniumeru and ninja
France Flag.png French Ningale From ninja and cigale
Spain Flag.png Spanish Nincada Same as English name
Germany Flag.png German Nincada Same as English name
Italy Flag.png Italian Nincada Same as English name
South Korea Flag.png Korean 토중몬 Tojungmon From 토중(土中) tojung and monster
China and Taiwan Flags.png Mandarin Chinese 土居忍士 Tǔjūrěnshì Literally "Earth-residing ninja"
Hong Kong Flag.png Cantonese Chinese


External links


289MS.png #289: Slaking
Pokémon
#291: Ninjask 291MS.png
Project Pokédex logo.png This Pokémon article is part of Project Pokédex, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on each Pokémon as a species.