Nincada

General overview of Nincada

Nincada is a Bug and Ground type Pokémon introduced in the third generation. Its English name is Nincada and its Japanese name is ツチニン. It is a discreet Pokémon, often overlooked by beginner players, but hiding a unique and strategically sought-after evolution in Pokémon games and in the trading card game.

Nincada is known for living underground, digging tunnels for years before surfacing. This characteristic directly influences its gameplay, its base stats, and above all its evolution. In the Pokédex, it is often described as a Pokémon that perceives its surroundings through its eyes and antennae, even in total darkness.

Type, base, and stats of Nincada

Nincada has the dual Bug and Ground type, which grants it interesting resistances but also notable weaknesses. This type makes it sensitive to Water, Ice, Fire, and Flying attacks, but allows it to resist Poison or Rock type attacks depending on the generation.

Its base stats are modest. Nincada has few HP, a decent attack for a Pokémon found on early routes, but very low defense and speed. These limited stats make it a poor performer in direct battle, but its interest does not lie in its raw power.

Available attacks and moves

Nincada mainly learns Ground and Bug type attacks. Among its notable attacks are Scratch, Mud-Slap, and Dig, which exploit its affinity with the earth. These attacks deal modest damage but can be useful early in the game, particularly to slow down or hinder opposing Pokémon.

It can also learn certain moves via TM or HM depending on the version, which allows it to be used temporarily as a utility Pokémon. However, its movepool remains limited and poorly suited to advanced battles or raids.

Nincada's unique evolution

Nincada's evolution is one of the most special in the entire Pokémon franchise. From level 20, Nincada normally evolves into Ninjask. But if the player has an empty slot in their party and a Poké Ball in their bag, a second Pokémon appears simultaneously: Shedinja.

This dual evolution makes Nincada a highly sought-after Pokémon by players who want to complete their Pokédex or optimize their team with a Pokémon with a unique Ability. This mechanic makes Nincada almost essential in the games set in the Hoenn region.

Capture, location, and encounter rate

Nincada is generally encountered in the wild in wooded and sandy areas. In Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald, it is notably available on Route 116. Its catch rate is relatively high, making it easy to obtain even with few resources.

Its small size and discreet behavior can make it visually difficult to spot, but it remains accessible from the start of the adventure. This makes it an interesting Pokémon to catch early to prepare for its strategic evolution.

Nincada in Pokémon cards

In the trading card game, Nincada appears primarily as a basic card. Its cards often highlight its Ground or Bug type, with simple, low-energy attacks. These cards are rarely powerful but are appreciated by collectors for completing evolutionary lines.

The English and Japanese versions of its cards are sought after for their consistency with the Ninjask and Shedinja cards, particularly in sets centered on the Hoenn region or atypical evolutions.