Nidoran♀ (No. 0029): Evolution, Locations, and Stats

Nidoran♀ is the female-only Poison-type Pokémon that sits at National Pokédex number 0029. It is the female counterpart to Nidoran♂, and it anchors a branching evolution line that ends in Nidoqueen. Because of how its breeding works, it is also the only member of its family that can produce Eggs, which makes it the starting point for getting either Nidoran♀ or Nidoran♂.

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Quick answer: Nidoran♀ evolves into Nidorina at level 16, and Nidorina becomes Nidoqueen the moment you use a Moon Stone on it. A female Nidoran can never become Nidorino or Nidoking.

Image credit: Nintendo/The Pokemon Company (via YouTube/@Sparky Nexus)

Nidoran♀ evolution line and Moon Stone requirement

The female line follows a strict two-step path. Nidoran♀ levels up naturally into Nidorina, then waits for a Moon Stone to reach its final form. There is no friendship, trade, or item-hold condition involved beyond the stone itself.

You know the first step worked when the level-up animation plays at level 16 and the Pokédex registers Nidorina. The final step is instant. Selecting the Moon Stone from your bag and using it on Nidorina triggers the evolution right away, and the new entry adds the Ground type alongside Poison.

Image credit: Nintendo/The Pokemon Company (via YouTube/@Sparky Nexus)

Where to find Nidoran♀ in each game

Wild encounters are concentrated in the early routes of Kanto and Johto, with several later games requiring a trade or transfer instead. The table below covers the main series releases where the species appears.

Note: In Black and White, wild Nidoran♀ appears in White Forest in the White version only. In X and Y, it shows up through Horde Encounters on Route 11.

Nidoran♀ base stats and catch rate

Nidoran♀ is a slow, defensively tilted starter compared to its male counterpart, leaning into HP and Defense rather than raw Attack. Its total of 275 reflects its role as an early-stage Pokémon meant to evolve quickly.

The species has a catch rate of 235, which is high and makes it easy to capture even with a standard Poké Ball at full HP. It yields 1 HP Effort Value when defeated, uses the Medium Slow growth rate, and hatches from Eggs in 20 cycles. Its base Experience yield is 55 in modern games.

Image credit: Nintendo/The Pokemon Company (via YouTube/@Sparky Nexus)

Abilities and type matchups

Nidoran♀ can have one of two standard Abilities, plus a Hidden Ability. Poison Point gives a 30 percent chance to poison any attacker that makes contact. Rivalry adjusts damage based on the genders of the two Pokémon in battle, and the Hidden Ability is Hustle.

As a pure Poison-type, it has no immunities. Keep it away from Ground and Psychic attacks, since both hit for double damage.

Nidoran♀ moves learned by level up

The level-up set below reflects Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl. It starts with a status move and a weak Poison attack, then builds toward stronger Dark and Ground coverage at higher levels.

Egg moves for Nidoran♀

Because Nidoran♀ is the only breedable member of its family, it carries a useful pool of Egg moves passed down through breeding in Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl. Skull Bash and Take Down stand out as the strongest options.

Tip: Many of these moves come from Seviper, the Eeveelutions, and various Field-group parents. When you breed a female Nidoran with a compatible father holding the right move, the hatchling can inherit it.

Breeding behavior and gender outcomes

Nidoran♀ belongs to the Field and Monster Egg Groups, with a gender ratio of 100 percent female. When you breed it, the resulting Egg can hatch as either Nidoran♀ or Nidoran♂. This matters because the rest of the family, including Nidorina, Nidoqueen, Nidorino, and Nidoking, cannot breed, so the female Nidoran is the only way to repopulate the entire line through Eggs.

Nidoran♀ in Pokémon GO

In Pokémon GO, Nidoran♀ reaches a maximum of 922 CP at level 50. Its recommended attack set is Poison Sting paired with Sludge Bomb, both of which get a boost during Cloudy weather. It evolves into Nidorina for 25 Candy, and Nidorina then evolves into Nidoqueen for 100 Candy. Shiny Nidoran♀ is available.

Whether you are filling out an early Kanto Pokédex or building toward Nidoqueen, the path is the same across the main games. Catch or hatch a Nidoran♀, level it to 16 for Nidorina, then hold onto a Moon Stone for the final push to Nidoqueen.