Nihilego (Japanese: ウツロイド, Hepburn: Utsuroido) (NIE-uh-LEE-go[1]), 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 | |
| Attack | |
| Defense | |
| Sp. Atk | |
| Sp. Def | |
| Speed | |
| Total | 570
|
Learnset[]
Leveling[]
| LevelingGeneration VII | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level | Move | Power | Accuracy | PP | Type | Cat. | |||
| 1 | Power Split | — | —% | 10 |  Psychic
|
Status | |||
| 1 | Guard Split | — | —% | 10 | Psychic
|
Status | |||
| 1 | Tickle | — | 100% | 20 |  Normal
|
Status | |||
| 1 | Acid | 40 | 100% | 30 |  Poison
|
Special | |||
| 1 | Constrict | 10 | 100% | 35 | Normal
|
Physical | |||
| 1 | Pound | 40 | 100% | 35 | Normal
|
Physical | |||
| 7 | Clear Smog | 50 | —% | 15 | Poison
|
Special | |||
| 13 | Psywave | — | 100% | 15 | Psychic
|
Special | |||
| 19 | Headbutt | 70 | 100% | 15 | Normal
|
Physical | |||
| 23 | Venoshock | 65 | 100% | 10 | Poison
|
Special | |||
| 29 | Toxic Spikes | — | —% | 20 | Poison
|
Status | |||
| 31 | Safeguard | — | —% | 25 | Normal
|
Status | |||
| 37 | Power Gem | 80 | 100% | 20 |  Rock
|
Special | |||
| 43 | Mirror Coat | — | 100% | 20 | Psychic
|
Special | |||
| 47 | Acid Spray | 40 | 100% | 20 | Poison
|
Special | |||
| 53 | Venom Drench | — | 100% | 20 | Poison
|
Status | |||
| 59 | Stealth Rock | — | —% | 20 | Rock
|
Status | |||
| 67 | Wonder Room | — | —% | 10 | Psychic
|
Status | |||
| 73 | Head Smash | 150 | 80% | 5 | 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 | Psychic
|
Special | |||
| TM06 | Toxic | — | 90% | 10 | Poison
|
Status | |||
| TM09 | Venoshock | 65 | 100% | 10 | Poison
|
Special | |||
| TM10 | Hidden Power | 60 | 100% | 15 | Normal
|
Special | |||
| TM16 | Light Screen | — | —% | 30 | Psychic
|
Status | |||
| TM17 | Protect | — | —% | 10 | Normal
|
Status | |||
| TM20 | Safeguard | — | —% | 25 | Normal
|
Status | |||
| TM21 | Frustration | — | 100% | 20 | Normal
|
Physical | |||
| TM24 | Thunderbolt | 90 | 100% | 15 |  Electric
|
Special | |||
| TM25 | Thunder | 110 | 70% | 10 | Electric
|
Special | |||
| TM27 | Return | — | 100% | 20 | Normal
|
Physical | |||
| TM29 | Psychic | 90 | 100% | 10 | Psychic
|
Special | |||
| TM32 | Double Team | — | —% | 15 | Normal
|
Status | |||
| TM33 | Reflect | — | —% | 20 | Psychic
|
Status | |||
| TM34 | Sludge Wave | 95 | 100% | 10 | Poison
|
Special | |||
| TM36 | Sludge Bomb | 90 | 100% | 10 | Poison
|
Special | |||
| TM37 | Sandstorm | — | —% | 10 | Rock
|
Status | |||
| TM42 | Facade | 70 | 100% | 20 | Normal
|
Physical | |||
| TM44 | Rest | — | —% | 10 | Psychic
|
Status | |||
| TM48 | Round | 60 | 100% | 15 | Normal
|
Special | |||
| TM49 | Echoed Voice | 40 | 100% | 15 | Normal
|
Special | |||
| TM57 | Charge Beam | 50 | 90% | 10 | Electric
|
Special | |||
| TM59 | Brutal Swing | 60 | 100% | 20 |  Dark
|
Physical | |||
| TM73 | Thunder Wave | — | 90% | 20 | Electric
|
Physical | |||
| TM84 | Poison Jab | 80 | 100% | 20 | Poison
|
Physical | |||
| TM86 | Grass Knot | — | 100% | 20 |  Grass
|
Special | |||
| TM87 | Swagger | — | 85% | 15 | Normal
|
Status | |||
| TM88 | Sleep Talk | — | —% | 10 | Normal
|
Status | |||
| TM90 | Substitute | — | —% | 10 | Normal
|
Status | |||
| TM92 | Trick Room | — | 100% | 5 | Psychic
|
Status | |||
| TM99 | Dazzling Gleam | 80 | 100% | 10 |  Fairy
|
Special | |||
| TM100 | Confide | — | —% | 20 | 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 | Psychic
|
Status | ||||
| Bind USUM | 15 | 85% | 20 | Normal
|
Physical | ||||
| Foul Play USUM | 95 | 100% | 15 | Dark
|
Physical | ||||
| Gunk Shot USUM | 120 | 80% | 5 | Poison
|
Physical | ||||
| Iron Head USUM | 80 | 100% | 15 |  Steel
|
Physical | ||||
| Knock Off USUM | 65 | 100% | 20 | Dark
|
Physical | ||||
| Magic Coat USUM | — | —% | 15 | Psychic
|
Status | ||||
| Pain Split USUM | — | —% | 20 | Normal
|
Status | ||||
| Role Play USUM | — | —% | 10 | Psychic
|
Status | ||||
| Snore USUM | 50 | 100% | 15 | Normal
|
Special | ||||
| Spite USUM | — | 100% | 10 |  Ghost
|
Status | ||||
| Stealth Rock USUM | — | —% | 20 | Rock
|
Status | ||||
| Telekinesis USUM | — | —% | 15 | Psychic
|
Status | ||||
| Wonder Room USUM | — | —% | 10 | Psychic
|
Status | ||||
| Worry Seed USUM | — | 100% | 10 | Grass
|
Status | ||||
| Zen Headbutt USUM | 80 | 90% | 15 | 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'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[]
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| See also | |
| Generation VII | |
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- ^ Silvestri, Cris (2018). Pokémon: Super Deluxe Essential Handbook [Book]. p. 342. Scholastic. ISBN 978-1338230895.