Edition differences: original GBA and Nintendo Switch (2026)

Battle data describes Generation III rules. Availability notes distinguish native catches, evolution and breeding from original GBA imports. GBA games can trade with compatible Generation III games after the network quest; Switch supports local FireRed/LeafGreen trading and cannot import Pokémon from other games. Transfers to Pokémon HOME are one way.

GBA: AuroraTicket and MysticTicket required historical event distributions. Switch: both tickets are added after entering the Hall of Fame, providing access to Deoxys on Birth Island and Lugia/Ho-Oh on Navel Rock. Other event Pokémon and GBA imports are not made available by these tickets.

Original GBA: a roaming Entei or Raikou that successfully ends an encounter with Roar disappears permanently because of a game bug. The Switch editions fix this Roar disappearance bug.

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Nincada

#290 in the National Pokédex • Trainee Pokémon

Normal

Shiny

Slaking Ninjask

Pokédex entries

FireRed

Because it lived almost entirely underground, it is nearly blind. It uses its antennae instead.

LeafGreen

Because it lived almost entirely underground, it is nearly blind. It uses its antennae instead.

Details

Types

Weak to

2×

2×

2×

2×

Resists

0.5×

0.5×

Immune to

0×

Growth

EV yield, catch rate, and experience details for this Pokémon.

EV yield	1 Def
Catch rate	255
Base Exp.	65

Eggs

Egg groups, gender ratio, and hatching details for this Pokémon.

Egg groups	Bug
Gender	50% male 50% female
Egg cycles	15 (4,095 steps)

Evolution

Evolution requirements shown in a compact table or chain view.

Pokémon	Requires	Evolution
Nincada #290	Level 20 This line requires importing Pokémon from another Generation III game on GBA; unavailable on Switch. Requires the National Pokédex.	Ninjask #291
Nincada #290	Shed This line requires importing Pokémon from another Generation III game on GBA; unavailable on Switch. Requires the National Pokédex.	Shedinja #292

Moves

Moves this Pokémon learns naturally by reaching specific levels.

		Class				Description
Start	Scratch	Physical	40	100	35	Hard, pointed, and sharp claws rake the foe.
Start	Harden	Status	-	-	30	The user stiffens all the muscles in its body to raise its DEFENSE stat.
5	Leech Life	Physical	20	100	15	An attack that absorbs half the damage it inflicted to restore HP.
9	Sand Attack	Status	-	100	15	A lot of sand is hurled in the foe’s face, reducing its accuracy.
14	Fury Swipes	Physical	18	80	15	The foe is raked with sharp claws or scythes two to five times.
19	Mind Reader	Status	-	-	5	The user predicts the foe’s action to ensure its next attack hits.
25	False Swipe	Physical	40	100	40	A restrained attack that always leaves the foe with at least 1 HP.
31	Mud-Slap	Physical	20	100	10	Mud is hurled in the foe’s face to inflict damage and lower its accuracy.
38	Metal Claw	Physical	50	95	35	The foe is attacked with steel claws. It may also raise the user’s ATTACK.
45	Dig	Physical	60	100	10	An attack that hits on the 2nd turn. Can also be used to exit dungeons.

Machine compatibility for Generation III. HM08 Dive cannot be obtained in FireRed or LeafGreen; a Pokémon must learn it in another Generation III game and be traded in on GBA. Switch has no incoming transfers from those games.

		Class				Description
TM06	Toxic	Status	-	85	10	A move that badly poisons the foe. Its poison damage worsens every turn.
TM10	Hidden Power	Physical	-	100	15	An attack that varies in type and intensity depending on the user.
TM11	Sunny Day	Status	-	-	5	The sun blazes for five turns, powering up FIRE-type moves.
TM17	Protect	Status	-	-	10	Enables the user to evade all attacks. It may fail if used in succession.
TM19	Giga Drain	Special	60	100	5	A harsh attack that absorbs half the damage it inflicted to restore HP.
TM21	Frustration	Physical	-	100	20	This attack move grows more powerful the less the user likes its TRAINER.
TM22	Solar Beam	Special	120	100	10	A 2-turn move that blasts the foe with absorbed energy in the 2nd turn.
TM27	Return	Physical	-	100	20	This attack move grows more powerful the more the user likes its TRAINER.
TM28	Dig	Physical	60	100	10	An attack that hits on the 2nd turn. Can also be used to exit dungeons.
TM30	Shadow Ball	Physical	80	100	15	A shadowy blob is hurled at the foe. May also lower the foe’s SP. DEF.
TM32	Double Team	Status	-	-	15	The user creates illusory copies of itself to raise its evasiveness.
TM37	Sandstorm	Status	-	-	10	A 5-turn sandstorm that damages all types except ROCK, GROUND, and STEEL.
TM40	Aerial Ace	Physical	60	-	20	An extremely fast attack against one target. It can’t be evaded.
TM42	Facade	Physical	70	100	20	An attack that is boosted if user is burned, poisoned, or paralyzed.
TM43	Secret Power	Physical	70	100	20	An attack that may have an additional effect that varies with the terrain.
TM44	Rest	Status	-	-	10	The user sleeps for two turns to fully restore HP and heal any status problem.
HM01	Cut	Physical	50	95	30	A basic attack. It can be used to cut down thin trees and grass.
HM05	Flash	Status	-	70	20	A blast of light that cuts the foe’s accuracy. It also illuminates caves.

Tutors

Moves this Pokémon can learn from move tutors in this game.

	Class				Description
Double-Edge	Physical	120	100	15	A reckless, life-risking tackle that also hurts the user a little.
Mimic	Status	-	-	10	The user copies the move last used by the foe for the rest of the battle.
Substitute	Status	-	-	10	The user creates a decoy using one-quarter of its full HP.

Breeding

Moves this Pokémon can inherit through breeding or similar methods.

	Class				Description
Endure	Status	-	-	10	The user endures any hit with 1 HP left. It may fail if used in succession.
Feint Attack	Special	60	-	20	The user draws up close to the foe disarmingly, then hits without fail.
Gust	Physical	40	100	35	Strikes the foe with a gust of wind whipped up by wings.
Silver Wind	Physical	60	100	5	The foe is attacked with a silver dust. It may raise all the user’s stats.

Traits

Ability options available to this Pokémon in this game.

Compound Eyes

Raises accuracy.

Increases moves' accuracy to 1.3×.

#289

Slaking

#291

Ninjask

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