Pokémon Wiki

Don't like the ads? Then create an account! Users with accounts will only see ads on the Main Page and have more options than anonymous users.

READ MORE

Pokémon Wiki
Register
Advertisement

Nihilego (Japanese: ウツロイド, HepburnUtsuroido) (codenamed UB-01 Symbiont) is a Rock/Poison-type Pokémon introduced in Generation VII. It is an Ultra Beast, one of the several species of Pokémon native to Ultra Space.

Biology[]

Physiology[]

Nihilego's exact bodily functions are unknown, however, it is known to be somewhat parasitic in the sense that it's much stronger when it has a host. Its also not known what exactly its tissue is made of, but according to several official sources, it's said to be made up of a glass-like material that is flexible like rubber. As such, it is a genderless Pokémon. It somewhat resembles a jellyfish.

Natural abilities[]

As implied by its title of Symbiont, Nihilego is specialized towards influencing other Pokémon to protect itself and its nests. It generates a neurotoxin that simultaneously gives those injected with it great power while reducing their inhibitions and sending them into an agitated, often violent state. The ultimate goal of this is for the infected Pokémon to attack and destroy any natural competitors for itself and the Nihilego. It is heavily implied that the violent behavior of other Ultra Beasts is due to acting under the influence of Nihilego venom.

As shown in PJ111, Nihilego can also cast an illusion to make itself resemble a human and peer into another individual's memories.

Evolution[]

Nihilego doesn't evolve.

Game info[]

Game locations[]

Locations
Version(s) Area(s) Rarity
Sun and Moon Wela Volcano Park/Diglett's Tunnel (post-game side quest) One
Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon Ultra Deep Sea One per visit
Sword and Shield Trade None
SWSH
The Crown Tundra
Dynamax Adventures One

Pokédex entries[]

  • Sun

    One of several mysterious Ultra Beasts. People on the street report observing those infested by it suddenly becoming violent.

  • Moon

    One of the Ultra Beasts. It’s unclear whether or not this Pokémon is sentient, but sometimes it can be observed behaving like a young girl.

  • Ultra Sun

    A life-form from another world, it was dubbed a UB and is thought to produce a strong neurotoxin.

  • Ultra Moon

    It appeared in this world from an Ultra Wormhole. Nihilego appears to be a parasite that lives by feeding on people and Pokémon.


Stats[]

Standard form[]

Stats
HP
109
Attack
53
Defense
47
Sp. Atk
127
Sp. Def
131
Speed
103
Total
570

Learnset[]

Leveling[]

LevelingGeneration VII
Level Move Power Accuracy PP Type Cat.
1 Power Split —% 10 Type Psychic HOME Psychic Status
1 Guard Split —% 10 Type Psychic HOME Psychic Status
1 Tickle 100% 20 Type Normal HOME Normal Status
1 Acid 40 100% 30 Type Poison HOME Poison Special
1 Constrict 10 100% 35 Type Normal HOME Normal Physical
1 Pound 40 100% 35 Type Normal HOME Normal Physical
7 Clear Smog 50 —% 15 Type Poison HOME Poison Special
13 Psywave 100% 15 Type Psychic HOME Psychic Special
19 Headbutt 70 100% 15 Type Normal HOME Normal Physical
23 Venoshock 65 100% 10 Type Poison HOME Poison Special
29 Toxic Spikes —% 20 Type Poison HOME Poison Status
31 Safeguard —% 25 Type Normal HOME Normal Status
37 Power Gem 80 100% 20 Type Rock HOME Rock Special
43 Mirror Coat 100% 20 Type Psychic HOME Psychic Special
47 Acid Spray 40 100% 20 Type Poison HOME Poison Special
53 Venom Drench 100% 20 Type Poison HOME Poison Status
59 Stealth Rock —% 20 Type Rock HOME Rock Status
67 Wonder Room —% 10 Type Psychic HOME Psychic Status
73 Head Smash 150 80% 5 Type Rock HOME Rock Physical
Bold indicates this Pokémon receives STAB from this move.
Italic indicates an evolved or alternate form of this Pokémon receives STAB from this move.

TM[]

TMs, TRs, and HMs Generation VII
TM/HM/TR Move Power Accuracy PP Type Cat.
TM03 Psyshock 80 100% 10 Type Psychic HOME Psychic Special
TM06 Toxic 90% 10 Type Poison HOME Poison Status
TM09 Venoshock 65 100% 10 Type Poison HOME Poison Special
TM10 Hidden Power 60 100% 15 Type Normal HOME Normal Special
TM16 Light Screen —% 30 Type Psychic HOME Psychic Status
TM17 Protect —% 10 Type Normal HOME Normal Status
TM20 Safeguard —% 25 Type Normal HOME Normal Status
TM21 Frustration 100% 20 Type Normal HOME Normal Physical
TM24 Thunderbolt 90 100% 15 Type Electric HOME Electric Special
TM25 Thunder 110 70% 10 Type Electric HOME Electric Special
TM27 Return 100% 20 Type Normal HOME Normal Physical
TM29 Psychic 90 100% 10 Type Psychic HOME Psychic Special
TM32 Double Team —% 15 Type Normal HOME Normal Status
TM33 Reflect —% 20 Type Psychic HOME Psychic Status
TM34 Sludge Wave 95 100% 10 Type Poison HOME Poison Special
TM36 Sludge Bomb 90 100% 10 Type Poison HOME Poison Special
TM37 Sandstorm —% 10 Type Rock HOME Rock Status
TM42 Facade 70 100% 20 Type Normal HOME Normal Physical
TM44 Rest —% 10 Type Psychic HOME Psychic Status
TM48 Round 60 100% 15 Type Normal HOME Normal Special
TM49 Echoed Voice 40 100% 15 Type Normal HOME Normal Special
TM57 Charge Beam 50 90% 10 Type Electric HOME Electric Special
TM59 Brutal Swing 60 100% 20 Type Dark HOME Dark Physical
TM73 Thunder Wave 90% 20 Type Electric HOME Electric Physical
TM84 Poison Jab 80 100% 20 Type Poison HOME Poison Physical
TM86 Grass Knot 100% 20 Type Grass HOME Grass Special
TM87 Swagger 85% 15 Type Normal HOME Normal Status
TM88 Sleep Talk —% 10 Type Normal HOME Normal Status
TM90 Substitute —% 10 Type Normal HOME Normal Status
TM92 Trick Room 100% 5 Type Psychic HOME Psychic Status
TM99 Dazzling Gleam 80 100% 10 Type Fairy HOME Fairy Special
TM100 Confide —% 20 Type Normal HOME Normal Status
Bold indicates this Pokémon receives STAB from this move.
Italic indicates an evolved or alternate form of this Pokémon receives STAB from this move.

Breeding[]

Nihilego learns no moves via breeding.


Tutoring[]

Tutoring Generation VII
Move Power Accuracy PP Type Cat.
Ally Switch USUM —% 15 Type Psychic HOME Psychic Status
Bind USUM 15 85% 20 Type Normal HOME Normal Physical
Foul Play USUM 95 100% 15 Type Dark HOME Dark Physical
Gunk Shot USUM 120 80% 5 Type Poison HOME Poison Physical
Iron Head USUM 80 100% 15 Type Steel HOME Steel Physical
Knock Off USUM 65 100% 20 Type Dark HOME Dark Physical
Magic Coat USUM —% 15 Type Psychic HOME Psychic Status
Pain Split USUM —% 20 Type Normal HOME Normal Status
Role Play USUM —% 10 Type Psychic HOME Psychic Status
Snore USUM 50 100% 15 Type Normal HOME Normal Special
Spite USUM 100% 10 Type Ghost HOME Ghost Status
Stealth Rock USUM —% 20 Type Rock HOME Rock Status
Telekinesis USUM —% 15 Type Psychic HOME Psychic Status
Wonder Room USUM —% 10 Type Psychic HOME Psychic Status
Worry Seed USUM 100% 10 Type Grass HOME Grass Status
Zen Headbutt USUM 80 90% 15 Type Psychic HOME Psychic Physical
Bold indicates this Pokémon receives STAB from this move.
Italic indicates an evolved or alternate form of this Pokémon receives STAB from this move.

Sprites[]

Anime[]

Gladion Nihilego

Gladion's Nihilego aka "Lillie".

An odd colored Nihilego acted as a substitute Lillie for Mohn in the Crown Tundra during the separation from his family.

Trivia[]

  • As Nihilego is said to be the one who actually caused Lusamine to become evil, Nihilego is the first Pokémon without a trainer who is an antagonist.
    • It is also the first Pokémon to actually be fought as a trainer in the games after fusing with Lusamine.
  • Lillie's original appearance is based on Nihilego's appearance, as per request of her mother, Lusamine.
  • Despite being based on a jellyfish, it is weak to Water-type attacks.
  • Nihilego is the only Ultra Beast with a unique type combination that no other Ultra Beast or Pokémon has.
  • Nihilego's abilities are very similar to the Symbiotes'.

Origin[]

Nihilego is based on a jellyfish, specifically the glass jellyfish, hence the Rock-type. Its mind-numbing poison may be based on the neurotoxin produced by the Portuguese man-o-war and/or myxozoans, parasitic animals closely related to jellyfish.

It being a parasitic jellyfish may be a reference to Nintendo's Metroid series of video games, in which the titular creatures are alien parasites which typically resemble jellyfish and attack by latching on to their victim's head.

With the theory that the original seven Ultra Beasts are based on the Seven Deadly Sins, Nihilego may be based on the sin of envy, as it usually takes over others and uses neurotoxins that have similar effects to Id, an instinctual drive that forces those to seek what they desire, even if it means taking or wanting the pleasures owned by others.

Etymology[]

Nihilego is a combination of nihilist (a person who believes all life is meaningless and that there is no God), nihil (Latin for "nothing"), ego (the mind space in which there is separation between consciousness and unconsciousness), and geode (referring to its part Rock-typing and its see-through appearance).

Utsuroido is likely derived from 虚 (utsuro, empty), 移ろい (utsuroi, moving from host to host) void, Id, -oid (a suffix meaning "of similar form", referencing its resemblance to Lillie), and possibly Metroid.

Gallery[]

Advertisement