01Card Stats

Stage 2 (evolves from Nidorino)

HP 90

TypeGrass

RarityRare Holo

IllustratorKen Sugimori

WeaknessPsychic ×2

Retreat●●●

SetBase Set 2

Released2000

02Editions and Print Runs

Printed in the WotC era when 1st Edition and Unlimited distinctions still applied.

1st Edition

How to spot it: 1st Edition stamp in the bottom-left of the artwork frame.

First print window; smaller run than Unlimited.

Unlimited

How to spot it: No 1st Edition stamp; standard print frame.

Most common version of this card.

04Variants and Foiling

Rarity tiers: Rare Holo
Foiling: Holo version with the holo pattern applied to the artwork.
Alt art / specials: No full-art, secret rare, or alternate-art version documented for this print.

05Language and Regional Versions

English: Standard English release.
Japanese: Released in the equivalent Japanese set.
European: Localized European prints exist with translated text.
Other: No documented language-exclusive errors or major regional variants.

06Current Market Value

Holo	~$20 raw (PriceCharting realized, May 2026)

Vintage WotC card; graded copies trade above raw.

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07Why Collectors Want It

Original WotC-era printing from the Base Set 2 set — foundational vintage Nidoking.
Final evolution of the Nidoran♂ line — its 1999 Base Set holo is the line key vintage chase.
Required for any complete Nidoking master set across eras.
Collectors of the Base Set 2 set need this card to finish it.

08Competitive Playability

Tier: None

Stage 2 Nidoking with 90 HP; top attack around 30 damage. Functions as an evolution-chain piece rather than a tournament attacker.

09Card Moves and Abilities

Thrash Cost: Grass + Colorless + Colorless · 30+ damage

Flip a coin. If heads, this attack does 30 damage plus 10 more damage; if tails, this attack does 30 damage and Nidoking does 10 damage to itself.

Toxic Cost: Grass + Grass + Grass · 20 damage

The Defending Pokémon is now Poisoned. It now takes 20 Poison damage instead of 10 after each player's turn (even if it was already Poisoned).

Weakness: Psychic ×2
Retreat cost: 3

10Grading and Population

PSA 10 estimate: WotC-era Nidoking PSA 10 populations vary; small numbers across most sets.

Graded copies command notable premiums over raw, especially for 1st Edition prints.

Other graders: BGS and CGC also grade vintage Pokemon; PSA dominates secondary-market liquidity.

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