First post ever
I think that after Pokebank is released, Nidoking’s new base 102 attack allow him to become a powerful wallbreaker, much like Hydreigon was in Gen V. The boost to his typing further demonstrates this.
Nidoking Mixed Attacker
Move 1: Earth Power
Move 2: Superpower
Move 3: Sludge Wave
Move 4: Fire Blast/ Ice Beam
ability: Encourage
item: Life Orb
nature: hasty/ naive
evs: 252 Spa/ 252 Spe/ 4 Atk
This set allows Nidoking to function as a powerful mixed sweeper and wall breaker. Nidoking’s receives a series of buffs this generation, most notably Superpower, which lets Nidoking stop common special walls, such as Blissey, Chansey and Assault Vest Tyranitar.
Here are some calcs.
4 Atk Life Orb Nidoking Superpower vs. 4 HP / 252 Def Blissey: 455-536 (69.78 - 82.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
4 Atk Life Orb Nidoking Superpower vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Tyranitar: 421-499 (104.2 - 123.51%) -- guaranteed OHKO
4 Atk Life Orb Nidoking Superpower vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Eviolite Chansey: 304-359 (43.18 - 50.99%) -- 3.91% chance to 2HKO
much like in the case of Hydreigon last generation, Chansey doesn’t really count as a definite counter. If Chansey will never be able to come in at 72% of her health and barring a crit, Nidoking can kill Chansey at 84% of health. This is a common reality since Chansey lacks leftovers recovery.
Earth Power is STAB that does a great deal of damage considering Nidoking’s equivalent 125 special attack. Sludge Wave is poison stab that works great against the new fairy type, while also hitting Rotom-W, Charizard and dragons if you chose Fire Blast. Fire Blast is important for OHKOing Ferrothorn, Skarmory, Scizor (especially with Assault Vest) and Bronzong. Ice beam works well against Dragons, along with OHKOing troublesome ground types like Hippowdon, Landorus-T and Gliscor. Thunderbolt can be used if you want to beat bulky waters easier.
Maxing speed allows Nidoking to speed tie with Heracross and Adamant Haxorus. If you want to do more damage to Chansey, you can cut out some speed evs and put them in attack, just make sure you still outspeed Togekiss. While Nidokings speed is low, it does outspeed every relevant fair type.
Nature is a toss up, Hasty makes Nidoking deal with Sylveon, Togekiss and Florges easier, while Naive lets Nidoking take priority attacks better and makes Nidoking a better check to Terrakion.
I’m not suggesting Nidoking is OU material, it’s far too slow and frail, the buffs to it’s attack and typing make it OU viable IMO.