Nincada in Pokémon X and Y: locations, stats and moves
Find Nincada’s X/Y locations, Bug/Ground typing, base stats, abilities, evolution and level-up, TM and Egg moves.
Original Pokémon X and Pokémon Y for Nintendo 3DS. Version-specific encounters, Mega Stones and legendary Pokémon are labelled. Omega Ruby/Alpha Sapphire additions and later Kalos games are outside this guide.
Kalos Pokédex identity and base stats
Nincada is Kalos Central #111 and National #290. Its Pokémon X and Y typing is Bug / Ground.
Base stats describe the species. Level, individual values, effort values, nature and Super Training determine an individual Pokémon’s actual stats.
| Stat | Base value |
|---|---|
| HP | 31 |
| Attack | 45 |
| Defense | 90 |
| Sp. Atk | 30 |
| Sp. Def | 30 |
| Speed | 40 |
| Total | 266 |
Where to find it in X and Y
Match the version, area and method before travelling. Grass, flowers, Horde Encounters, fishing, Rock Smash, ambushes, gifts and the Friend Safari are separate encounter methods.
Rows marked “X only” or “Y only” are version-specific. Friend Safari rows need the postgame Kiloude City safari and a friend whose safari contains this Pokémon.
Encounter methods · Version exclusives
| Location | Version | Method | Level | Condition |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Route 6 | X and Y | Rough terrain | 12 | — |
| Friend Safari — Ground | X and Y | Tall grass, caves or dungeon floors | 30 | Friend Safari slot 2 (postgame; depends on a registered friend’s safari) |
Evolution family
| From | Into | X / Y method |
|---|---|---|
| Nincada | Ninjask | Level 20 |
| Nincada | Shedinja | Created when Nincada evolves at level 20, if the party has an empty slot and the Bag holds a spare Poké Ball |
Friendship evolutions need high friendship (220 or more); feeding Poké Puffs in Pokémon-Amie raises affection, which is a separate value used by Sylveon.
Abilities, breeding and training
| Ability | Slot |
|---|---|
| Compound Eyes | Regular ability |
| Run Away | Hidden Ability |
Hidden Abilities in X and Y come mainly from the Friend Safari, Horde Encounters and certain gifts or events. Breeding can pass a Hidden Ability from a female parent.
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Gender ratio | 50% female / 50% male |
| Egg group(s) | Bug |
| Base hatch cycles | 15 |
| Experience growth | erratic |
| Base capture rate | 255 /255 (not a percentage chance) |
| Base friendship | 70 |
| EV yield | Defense +1 |
| Height / weight | 0.5 m / 5.5 kg |
The Pokémon Day Care on Route 7 accepts two parents. In X and Y, a Destiny Knot passes five IVs from the parents, and an Everstone passes the holder’s nature.
Level-up moves
| Level | Move |
|---|---|
| 1 / start | Harden |
| 1 / start | Scratch |
| 5 | Leech Life |
| 9 | Sand Attack |
| 14 | Fury Swipes |
| 19 | Mind Reader |
| 25 | False Swipe |
| 31 | Mud-Slap |
| 38 | Metal Claw |
| 45 | Dig |
All rows use the X and Y learnset. The Move Reminder in Dendemille Town teaches forgotten level-up moves in exchange for a Heart Scale.
Compatible TMs and HMs
| Machine | Move | Type | Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| TM01 | Hone Claws | Dark | Status |
| TM06 | Toxic | Poison | Status |
| TM10 | Hidden Power | Normal | Special |
| TM11 | Sunny Day | Fire | Status |
| TM17 | Protect | Normal | Status |
| TM21 | Frustration | Normal | Physical |
| TM22 | Solar Beam | Grass | Special |
| TM27 | Return | Normal | Physical |
| TM28 | Dig | Ground | Physical |
| TM30 | Shadow Ball | Ghost | Special |
| TM32 | Double Team | Normal | Status |
| TM37 | Sandstorm | Rock | Status |
| TM40 | Aerial Ace | Flying | Physical |
| TM42 | Facade | Normal | Physical |
| TM44 | Rest | Psychic | Status |
| TM48 | Round | Normal | Special |
| TM54 | False Swipe | Normal | Physical |
| TM70 | Flash | Normal | Status |
| TM76 | Struggle Bug | Bug | Special |
| TM81 | X-Scissor | Bug | Physical |
| TM87 | Swagger | Normal | Status |
| TM88 | Sleep Talk | Normal | Status |
| TM90 | Substitute | Normal | Status |
| TM100 | Confide | Normal | Status |
| HM01 | Cut | Normal | Physical |
TMs are reusable in X and Y. Each move has its own physical, special or status category regardless of type.
Egg moves and move tutors
Egg moves: Bug Bite, Bug Buzz, Endure, Feint Attack, Final Gambit, Gust, Night Slash, Silver Wind.
No move tutor moves are recorded for this species in X and Y.
In X and Y, both parents can pass Egg moves to the offspring.
Related species
Check Nincada’s version label and encounter method before travelling.
References
Covered edition: Original Pokémon X and Pokémon Y for Nintendo 3DS. Version-specific encounters, Mega Stones and legendary Pokémon are labelled. Omega Ruby/Alpha Sapphire additions and later Kalos games are outside this wiki.