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[GAL=53963]Nidoqueen[/GAL]
Black2/White2 Pokedex entry: "Its entire body is armored with hard scales. It will protect the young in its burrow with its life."
:vg_poison:/:vg_ground:
Black2/White2 Pokedex entry: "Its entire body is armored with hard scales. It will protect the young in its burrow with its life."
Review requested by: JewelQuest
In the days of Pokémon Red and Blue's past, this "Queen" sat upon a throne of great power in many ways. She was able to wield many attacks, and could stand her own in battles with versatility that was hard to match compared to many other Pokémon. Giovanni, Gary Oak, and the Naval Island Gym Leader Danny knows the potential this lady can have in combat, and when it comes to her young: well, let's just say you do not mess with a Queen and her young.
Bringing this Queen up-to-date with Generation 5's battle field mechanics and abilities, we can see that she can still pack a punch and bring in some of that "mother nature" wrath in and still hold some pride in knowing that she has such a wide range of moves to bring- that she can be considered as a selection to take up a spot in your battle party.
Here is what we have as far as stats and abilities go to start with:
Base Stats:
HP: 90
Attack: 82
Defense: 87
Special Attack: 75
Special defense: 85
Speed: 76
Abilities:
Poison Point: When attacked physically by another Pokémon, there is a 30% chance of the attacking Pokémon to become inflicted by the status of Poison.
Rivalry: This ability is effected by the opposing Pokémon's Gender. Since Nidoqueen is Female, all Male opposing Pokémon will cause this ability to activate, making the Base move attack from Nidoqueen to be reduced by 25%. If the opposing Pokémon is Female, the ability will activate with 25% added more to the base power to a move from Nidoqueen.
Sheer force: This ability will increase any attack that Nidoqueen has that has a secondary effect in the attack by adding 30% more power to the attack. All attacks that have a secondary effect will lose the effect as a drawback exchange for the added power to the attack. An example of this would be the attack Flamethrower. The attack has a chance to burn your opponents Pokémon, as a side effect to the attack. When Nidoqueen uses Flamethrower, she will gain the boost in power, but will lose the chance for having the Burn status infliction taken away. Also with this ability, certain Hold Item's will also have their second effect removed as well.
Time to give this Gal the Royal treatment with a suggested build to help her remain on her Throne!
"Her Royal "Specialness""
Even though Nidoqueen's base Attack stat is slightly higher then her Special Attack stat, that small difference is so minor that being special is a great way to go for the best results on the battlegrounds.
Nature: Relaxed
Prefered IV's: 31 in Hit Point, 31 in Defense, and 31 in Special Attack.
Effort Value placement: 252 into Hit Point/ 252 into Defense/ and 4 into Special Attack or Speed.
This placement of invested Effort Values is to make this Lady stand her ground with some serious bulk to take on the hits. With the last 4 Effort points place in either Special Attack or Speed, it is only a +1 in the stat increase, so, feel free to place your +1 where ever you feel in this regards.
Hold Item: Life Orb. Life Orb adds an aditional 30% damage to attacks, with a 10% Hit Point loss to the holder.
You will like the boost this item gives Nidoqueen, and in a second you will see why this item is a great choice.
Ability: Sheer Force 30% boost in attacks, no recoil damage from the Hold Item Life Orb.
Sheer Force and Life Orb= 60% boost in attacks added! Use a move that your opponant is weak to: Nice combined with 60% more damage!
Move Set:
Flamethrower: Opponent type coverage. 100% accurate. With both Life Orb and Sheer Force combined, this attack is no laughing matter. If you can with an opposing Pokémon who has a weakness to fire, your looking to bring some serious injury to any Pokémon that can not resist it. Steel, Grass, and the Bug community have an issue with this, so make sure to give them a good scorching to remind them that you really can be a Royal Pain to be reckoned with.
Thunderbolt: Again, opposing type Pokémon who can not handle a shockingly power full boosted attack from Sheer Force and Life Orb. It is also 100% accurate, and can bring down some of those pesky Water type Pokémon that Nidoqueen is just plain not too fond of. Flying types, beware!
Ice Beam: Also 100% accurate, provides type coverage to take on Ground Pokémon which pose a threat to the Throne, and Dragon Types will fear the daylights from this attack as well.
Sludge Wave: Even though Poison attacks are not used all that much, this gives Nidoqueen some STAB with type match, as well as being boosted by Life Orb and Sheer force. Sometimes you encounter a Pokémon that does not have a weakness to the above attacks, but you will still want to hit hard- this is that attack that can fill in and do the job.
Other Attacks:
Protect: Need to hold out for a moment? Protect!
Earth Power: Gets STAB, and combined with Sheer Force and Life Orb= scary results in your favor!
Focus Blast: Is there a Normal Type Pokémon giving you some trouble? Maybe an Ice Type looking to make you shiver? Give them something to think about with this attack.
Shadow Ball: Getting spooked by them Ghost Types? In front of a Psychic Type? This attack also gains the Ability/Held Item boost, as it hits for weakness against the two types.
Toxic Spikes: Who doesn't love entry hazards? Pokémon with Levitate or are Flying type can ignore this little trick- but those who don't will not enjoy walking into a poison trap!
There are plenty more options with attack choices that have a secondary effect that Nidoqueen can learn, making it easy for you to take advantage of what Nidoqueen can bring to the scene when you combine Sheer Force and Life Orb. Make sure to select a partner Pokémon that can cover Nidoqueens weak spots, like in the speed factor. Nidoqueen is not all that fast, but in order for her to be able to get in some serious damage- she will need some help from a Pokémon that can clear a path for her to focus her attention on a target that is weak to one of her attacks in order to get in some wins.
Some good Pokémon to partner her up with is Nidoking......................... (oh , the puns...............)
No, seriously though- Some Pokémon that can help Nidoqueen bring some Royal Justice like Judge Judy in a double battle will need to make sure they are Loyal to the Crown and are willing to fight along side with their Queen. Pokémon like Skarmory, Bulky Water Types, Blissy/Chancey, and Jellicent or Slowbro/Slowking. Any Pokémon that can cover her weakness that is rather bulky will pair up nicely with her Majesty just fine.
Nidoqueen does have a great way to cover some threats, mostly in her move pool. Being Poison and Ground type providing some resistance to Rock and fighting Types, she still has some problems with Ice, Water, Ground, and Psychic Type Pokémon. Consider these threats when you build her and pair her up for doubles, or you will find Nidoqueen dethroned in no time at all. These type of Pokemon can make the Queen look like she is the Court Jester instead of a Queen, so do not be afraid to stick with Life Orb+Sheer Force and a move pool that will hit for weakness to remind them that she is no Jester at all. You will need to really look into what Pokémon of these types will be the hardest to counter for your team, an select a move accordingly to match that threat. Also make sure that what ever Pokémon you partner her up with will be able to compliment Nidoqueen instead of relying on her to do all of the work.
Any other suggestions? Thoughts? Feel free to chip in and give this Queen some Royal treatment!
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