01Card Stats

Stage 2 (evolves from Nidorino)

HP 100

TypeColorless

RarityRare Secret

IllustratorHironobu Yoshida

WeaknessGrass ×2

Retreat●●●

SetAquapolis

Released2003

02Editions and Print Runs

Modern print era — no 1st Edition or Shadowless variants exist for cards printed after the WotC era.

Unlimited

How to spot it: Standard modern card frame; no edition stamp.

All copies share the same Unlimited print frame.

04Variants and Foiling

Rarity tiers: Rare Secret
Foiling: Holo version with the holo pattern applied to the artwork.
Alt art / specials: Secret rare (numbered beyond the printed set total) — the chase variant of this set.

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	~$472 raw · PSA 10 ~$13,066 (PriceCharting realized, May 2026)

Verify against recent solds.

Looking to buy this card?

These links may earn HoloHaul a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Find on TCGplayer Find on eBay

07Why Collectors Want It

Crystal-type Rare Secret (numbered beyond the set total) — the chase card of Aquapolis.
Verified ~$474 raw, with PSA 10 copies ~$12,994 — the most valuable Nidoking.
Crystal Pokémon are a prized e-Card gimmick with very low surviving populations.
A grail for any Aquapolis or Nidoran♂-line master set.

08Competitive Playability

Tier: None

Stage 2 Nidoking with 100 HP; top attack around 50 damage. Functions as an evolution-chain piece rather than a tournament attacker.

09Card Moves and Abilities

Ability: Crystal Type

Whenever you attach a Grass, Lightning, or Fire basic Energy card from your hand to Nidoking, Nidoking's type (color) becomes the same as that Energy card type until the end of the turn.

Poison Horn Cost: Grass + Grass + Colorless · 20 damage

The Defending Pokémon is now Poisoned.

Rolling Thunder Cost: Lightning + Lightning + Fighting + Fighting · 50 damage

Flip a coin, If heads, this attack does 10 damage to each of your opponent's Benched Pokémon. If tails, this attack does 10 damage to each of your Benched Pokémon. (Don't apply Weakness or Resistance for Benched Pokémon.)

Weakness: Grass ×2
Retreat cost: 3

10Grading and Population

PSA 10 estimate: PSA 10 ~$12,994 (PriceCharting realized, May 2026).

Crystal-type holos scratch and edge-whiten easily; gem-mint PSA 10s are very scarce and command a huge premium over raw.

Other graders: CGC and BGS also slab Crystal-types; PSA leads on resale liquidity.

← Back to all Nidoking cards

Nidoking