Nihilego
PvE Analysis
Nihilego paves the way for the introduction of Ultra Beasts into Pokemon Go, with huge stats and an interesting typing. It is the best Poison attacker in the game, but this utility is rather limited and mayb be outclassed by other types. For areas with frequent cloudy weather (or when a Mega Evolved Poison-type Pokemon is in play), Nihilego can be one of the top options for taking down Fairy-type bosses.
Best PvE Offensive Moveset
Poison Jab + Sludge Bomb | Best |
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- Poison Jab is Nihilego's best Fast Attack. Acid is very slightly worse.
- Pound lacks STAB and can't be Super Effective against anything.
- Sludge Bomb is the best Charge Move for offense, with more flexibility as a 2-bar move.
- Gunk Shot is less consistent as a 1-bar move.
- Rock Slide is better for Rock-type Pokemon.
- Power Gem sucks.
PvP Analysis
Poison Jab + Rock Slide and Sludge Bomb or Gunk Shot |
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Poison Jab is a solid Fast Attack, providing above average damage and energy generation. Acid and Pound are both very poor moves.
Rock Slide is Nihilego's best Charged Attack, dealing good damage and having a moderately cheap energy cost. Sludge Bomb costs a moderate amount of energy, and benefits from STAB to deal respectable damage. Gunk Shot's high cost might seem like a strange move to consider, but Nihilego can often already perform its job simply with Poison Jab and Rock Slide. As such, Gunk Shot can be used simply as a surprise burst damage option. Power Gem has no real use because it has both lower DPE and higher energy cost than Rock Slide.
Great League | |
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Nihilego's CP is too high for this league. | |
Ultra League | |
Nihilego has decent stats for a CP capped Ultra League, with a unique Poison/Rock typing that makes it very vulnerable to Ground-type attacks. Nihilego's matchups can be polarizing, completely dominating Fairy- and Flying-type Pokemon, but being completely helpless against Steel- and Ground-type Pokemon. | |
Master League | |
Narrowly avoiding the 9% stat tax, Nihilego boasts very high stats and unique corebreaking potential courtesy of its typing. It is the best Zacian counter in the game, being able to destroy it from full HP entirely with Poison Jab damage. Nihilego also dispatches other Fairy- and Flying-type Pokemon without breaking a sweat. And that's not all - Nihilego's stats and strong moveset lets it even go toe to toe against Giratina-O, despite Poison Jab being resisted. It is worth remembering once again that Nihilego's typing is a double-edged sword. While it provides a unique offensive combination, it is saddled by unsalvageable weaknesses. The Master League is home to numerous Steel- and Ground-type Pokemon that can effortlessly wall Nihilego, and Pokemon like Mewtwo and Kyogre give further complications. Nihilego is not the easiest Pokemon to slot into a team, and may find itself being a little reliant on alignment or team composition to make progress. |