Nincada (Pokémon)

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

For Pokémon GO information on this species, see the game's section.
← #289: Slaking
Pokémon
#291: Ninjask →
Nincada
Trainee Pokémon		 ツチニン
Tutinin
 #290

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
3855 - 4111 steps
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
Footprint

{{{form2}}}
Pokédex color
  Gray
 Base friendship
70
External Links

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 into the roots of trees and absorb moisture and nutrients. Nincada builds underground nests at the roots of trees in tropical and temperate forests. It can occasionally live up to 10 years underground. It does not like sunlight, so it avoids it. Nincada is nearly blind due to living almost entirely underground, as such, it uses its antennae to see instead.

In the anime
Nincada in the anime

Major appearances

Nincada debuted in A Three Team Scheme. It belonged to a boy named Keanu, who lived in his Secret Base in solitude. It later became a target for one of Team Rocket's schemes.

Minor appearances

In Pokémon Ranger and the Kidnapped Riolu! (Part 1), Kellyn used his Capture Styler on a Nincada and had it Dig a pit trap for J's henchmen to fall in.

Multiple Nincada appeared in JN091, where they evolved into Ninjask. One of them left behind a Shedinja, which entered one of Goh's Poké Balls and became his Pokémon.

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
Nincada in Pokémon Adventures

Ash & Pikachu

A Nincada appeared in a flashback in A Pokémon Battle Against An Entire Family?!, under the ownership of the Winstrate family.

Pokémon Adventures

In Can I Ninjask You a Question?, Aqua Admin Shelly gave a Nincada 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 Hoenn
#042		 Kanto
#—
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 Sinnoh
#—		 Johto
#—
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 Unova
#—
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 Kalos
Central #111		 Hoenn
#043
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.
Generation VII Alola
#—		 Kanto
#—
This Pokémon has no Pokédex entries in Generation VII.
Generation VIII Galar
#104		 Johto
#290
Sword Because it lived almost entirely underground, it is nearly blind. It uses its antennae instead.
Shield It can sometimes live underground for more than 10 years. It absorbs nutrients from the roots of trees.
Brilliant Diamond It grows underground, sensing its surroundings using antennae instead of its virtually blind eyes.
Shining Pearl


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
Generation VII
Sun Moon
Pokémon Bank
Ultra Sun Ultra Moon
Pokémon Bank
Let's Go Pikachu Let's Go Eevee
Unobtainable
Generation VIII
Sword Shield
Route 5, West Lake Axewell, South Lake Miloch
Bridge Field, Dappled Grove, Rolling Fields (Max Raid Battle)
Brilliant Diamond Shining Pearl
Eterna Forest (Poké Radar)
Legends: Arceus
Unobtainable


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 (B1F-B7F), Midnight Forest (B1F-B21F)
MD Sky
Quicksand Cave (B1F-B7F), Midnight Forest (B1F-B21F)
Generation V
Rumble Blast
Forest: Misty Edgewater
Rumble U
Flower Garden: Guardians of the Flower Patch
Generation VI
Battle Trozei
Sky-High Ruins: Stage 5
Shuffle
Graucus Hall: Stage 453
Rumble World
Gold Plateau: Verdant Grove (All Areas), White Ruins: Everspring Valley (All Areas)
Generation VII
Rumble Rush
Mewtwo Sea, Butterfree Sea, Rayquaza Sea, Mewtwo SeaFinal


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

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 VIII, this Pokémon is:
Damaged
normally by:
Normal 1×
Fighting ½×
Flying 2×
Poison ½×
Ground ½×
Rock 1×
Bug 1×
Ghost 1×
Steel 1×
Fire 2×
Water 2×
Grass 1×
Electric 0×
Psychic 1×
Ice 2×
Dragon 1×
Dark 1×
Fairy 1×
None
Weak to:
Normal 1×
Fighting ½×
Flying 2×
Poison ½×
Ground ½×
Rock 1×
Bug 1×
Ghost 1×
Steel 1×
Fire 2×
Water 2×
Grass 1×
Electric 0×
Psychic 1×
Ice 2×
Dragon 1×
Dark 1×
Fairy 1×
None
Immune to:
Normal 1×
Fighting ½×
Flying 2×
Poison ½×
Ground ½×
Rock 1×
Bug 1×
Ghost 1×
Steel 1×
Fire 2×
Water 2×
Grass 1×
Electric 0×
Psychic 1×
Ice 2×
Dragon 1×
Dark 1×
Fairy 1×
None
Resistant to:
Normal 1×
Fighting ½×
Flying 2×
Poison ½×
Ground ½×
Rock 1×
Bug 1×
Ghost 1×
Steel 1×
Fire 2×
Water 2×
Grass 1×
Electric 0×
Psychic 1×
Ice 2×
Dragon 1×
Dark 1×
Fairy 1×
None
Notes:

Learnset

Nincada is available in Sword and Shield and Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl.

By leveling up
Generation VIII
Other generations:
III - IV - V - VI - VII
 Level   Move   Type   Cat.   Pwr.   Acc.   PP
011 Sand Attack Ground Status 0000— 100100% 15
011 Scratch Normal Physical 04040 100100% 35
055 Harden Normal Status 0000— 00——% 30
1010 False Swipe Normal Physical 04040 100100% 40
1515 Mud-Slap Ground Special 02020 100100% 10
2121 Absorb Grass Special 02020 100100% 25
2525 Metal Claw Steel Physical 05050 09595% 35
3030 Fury Swipes Normal Physical 01818 08080% 15
3535 Mind Reader Normal Status 0000— 00——% 5
4040 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/TR

SwSh

Generation VIII
Other generations:
III - IV - V - VI - VII
   TM   Move   Type   Cat.   Pwr.   Acc.   PP 
TM11 TM11 Solar Beam Grass Special 120120 100}}100% 10
TM15 TM15 Dig Ground Physical 08080 100}}100% 10
TM21 TM21 Rest Psychic Status 0000— 00—}}—% 10
TM24 TM24 Snore Normal Special 05050 100}}100% 15
TM25 TM25 Protect Normal Status 0000— 00—}}—% 10
TM28 TM28 Giga Drain Grass Special 07575 100}}100% 10
TM32 TM32 Sandstorm Rock Status 0000— 00—}}—% 10
TM34 TM34 Sunny Day Fire Status 0000— 00—}}—% 5
TM39 TM39 Facade Normal Physical 07070 100}}100% 20
TM76 TM76 Round Normal Special 06060 100}}100% 15
TM94 TM94 False Swipe Normal Physical 04040 100}}100% 40
TR18 TR18 Leech Life Bug Physical 08080 100}}100% 10
TR20 TR20 Substitute Normal Status 0000— 00—}}—% 10
TR26 TR26 Endure Normal Status 0000— 00—}}—% 10
TR27 TR27 Sleep Talk Normal Status 0000— 00—}}—% 10
TR33 TR33 Shadow Ball Ghost Special 08080 100}}100% 15
TR60 TR60 X-Scissor Bug Physical 08080 100}}100% 15
TR61 TR61 Bug Buzz Bug Special 09090 100}}100% 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 TM moves from other generations

BDSP

Generation VIII
Other generations:
III - IV - V - VI - VII
   TM   Move   Type   Cat.   Pwr.   Acc.   PP 
TM11 TM11 Sunny Day Fire Status 0000— —}}—% 5
TM17 TM17 Protect Normal Status 0000— —}}—% 10
TM19 TM19 Giga Drain Grass Special 07575 100}}100% 10
TM22 TM22 Solar Beam Grass Special 120120 100}}100% 10
TM28 TM28 Dig Ground Physical 08080 100}}100% 10
TM30 TM30 Shadow Ball Ghost Special 08080 100}}100% 15
TM32 TM32 Double Team Normal Status 0000— —}}—% 15
TM37 TM37 Sandstorm Rock Status 0000— —}}—% 10
TM40 TM40 Aerial Ace Flying Physical 06060 —}}—% 20
TM42 TM42 Facade Normal Physical 07070 100}}100% 20
TM44 TM44 Rest Psychic Status 0000— —}}—% 10
TM54 TM54 False Swipe Normal Physical 04040 100}}100% 40
TM58 TM58 Endure Normal Status 0000— —}}—% 10
TM62 TM62 Bug Buzz Bug Special 09090 100}}100% 10
TM70 TM70 Flash Normal Status 0000— 100}}100% 20
TM81 TM81 X-Scissor Bug Physical 08080 100}}100% 15
TM82 TM82 Sleep Talk Normal Status 0000— —}}—% 10
TM87 TM87 Swagger Normal Status 0000— 085}}85% 15
TM90 TM90 Substitute Normal Status 0000— —}}—% 10
TM93 TM93 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

SwSh

Generation VIII
Other generations:
III - IV - V - VI - VII
 Parent   Move   Type   Cat.   Pwr.   Acc.   PP 




 Bug Bite Bug Physical 60 100% 20
Final Gambit Fighting Special — 100% 5
Flail Normal Physical — 100% 15
Gust Flying Special 40 100% 35
Night Slash Dark Physical 70 100% 15
  • Moves marked with an asterisk (*) must be chain bred onto Nincada in Generation VIII
  • 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

BDSP

Generation VIII
Other generations:
III - IV - V - VI - VII
 Parent   Move   Type   Cat.   Pwr.   Acc.   PP 



 Bug Bite Bug Physical 60 100% 20
Final Gambit^ Fighting Special — 100% 5
Flail* Normal Physical — 100% 15

 Gust Flying Special 40 100% 35
Night Slash Dark Physical 70 100% 15
  • Moves marked with an asterisk (*) must be chain bred onto Nincada in Generation VIII
  • 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 VIII
Other generations:
III - IV - V - VI - VII
 Game   Move   Type   Cat.   Pwr.   Acc.   PP 
Sw Sh EP BD SP Skitter Smack Bug Physical 70 90% 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 Move Tutor moves from other generations

By transfer from another generation
Generation VIII
Other generations:
IV - V - VI - VII 
 Gen.   Move   Type   Cat.   Pwr.   Acc.   PP 
III IV V VI VII Aerial Ace Flying Physical 06060 00—}}—% 20
III IV V VI VII Bide × Normal Physical 0000— 00—}}—% 10
III IV V VI VII Confide Normal Status 0000— 00—}}—% 20
III IV V VI VII Cut Normal Physical 05050 095}}95% 30
III IV V VI VII Double Team Normal Status 0000— 00—}}—% 15
III IV V VI VII Double-Edge Normal Physical 120120 100}}100% 15
III IV V VI VII Feint Attack × Dark Physical 06060 00—}}—% 20
III IV V VI VII Flash × Normal Status 0000— 100}}100% 20
III IV V VI VII Frustration × Normal Physical 0000— 100}}100% 20
III IV V VI VII Fury Cutter Bug Physical 04040 095}}95% 20
III IV V VI VII Hidden Power × Normal Special 06060 100}}100% 15
III IV V VI VII Hone Claws Dark Status 0000— 00—}}—% 15
III IV V VI VII Mimic Normal Status 0000— 00—}}—% 10
III IV V VI VII Natural Gift × Normal Physical 0000— 100}}100% 15
III IV V VI VII Return × Normal Physical 0000— 100}}100% 20
III IV V VI VII Secret Power × Normal Physical 07070 100}}100% 20
III IV V VI VII Silver Wind × Bug Special 06060 100}}100% 5
III IV V VI VII Spite Ghost Status 0000— 100}}100% 10
III IV V VI VII String Shot Bug Status 0000— 095}}95% 40
III IV V VI VII Struggle Bug Bug Special 05050 100}}100% 20
III IV V VI VII Swagger Normal Status 0000— 085}}85% 15
III IV V VI VII Toxic Poison Status 0000— 090}}90% 10
  • A striped background indicates a generation in which the move can only be obtained via event or as a special move
  • 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
  • × indicates a move that cannot be used in Generation VIII
  • Click on the generation numbers at the top to see transfer-only moves for other generations

TCG-only moves
Move Card
Bite Nincada (EX Dragon 67)

Side game data
Pokémon Pinball RS
 
Acquisition: Catch
Pokémon Trozei!
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
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 R-031
Nincada burrows underground. It can cut things with its claws.
Pokémon Rumble Blast
Attack ●
Defense ●●
Speed ●●●
Pokémon Rumble Rush
Walking Speed: 2.67 seconds Base HP: 42
Base Attack: 65 Base Defense: 51 Base Speed: 60
Pokémon Battle Trozei
Bug
 Attack Power: ★★★★★
Pokémon Shuffle
Bug
 Attack Power: 30 - 85 5

#633

 Barrier Bash
Removes one barrier-type disruption without fail.
Pokémon GO
Base Stamina: 104 Base Attack: 80 Base Defense: 126
Egg Distance: N/A* Buddy Distance: 5 km Evolution Requirement: 50
Fast Attacks: Scratch, Bug Bite
Charged Attacks: Night Slash, Bug Buzz, Aerial Ace

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: 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
Front Back Front Back Front Back
Generation IV
Diamond Pearl Platinum HeartGold SoulSilver
Front Back Front Back Front Back
Generation V
Black White Black 2 White 2
Front Back Front Back
Generation VI
X Y Omega Ruby Alpha Sapphire
Front Back Front Back
Generation VII
Sun Moon Ultra Sun Ultra Moon
Front Back Front Back
Generation VIII
Sword Shield
HOME
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 evolved form, as it has 30 more base stat points than Shedinja.
  • Nincada is the only Pokémon to have a gender, be able to learn TM moves, but not to learn Attract or Captivate. This is possibly to prevent Shedinja from knowing these moves due to being gender unknown.
  • Nincada is exclusively in the Bug Egg Group, but Shedinja is exclusively in the Mineral Egg Group. These two are the only evolutionarily-related Pokémon to not share identical Egg Groups, excluding those that transition in or out of the No Eggs Discovered Egg Group.

Origin

Nincada appears to be based on a cicada nymph.

Name origin

Nincada is a combination of ninja and cicada. Its association with ninjas may be inspired by stories of ninjas using cicadas to mask their own sounds, or a reference to the utsusemi no jutsu (cicada skin technique), a technique using decoys to misdirect opponents.

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 From 토중(土中) tojung and monster
Cantonese Chinese
Mandarin Chinese 土居忍士 Tǔjūrěnshì Literally "Earth-residing ninja"



← #289: Slaking
Pokémon
#291: Ninjask →
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