Are you a fan of Bug-type Pokémon? Well good on you for sticking with one of the notoriously weaker Pokémon types. While the type has come a long way since first generation, it's still known for being intentionally weak. Bugs are early game Pokémon through and through, designed to evolve fast and peak early. Nincada doesn't really challenge this stereotype, but its evolutions do provide some fun ways to surprise opponents in battle.
Nincada is clearly based on a cicada. Strangely, it's also based on ninja. This could have to do with the way Nincada buries itself underground and rarely comes out, hiding like a ninja. Its evolution Ninjask is a fully matured cicada that also carries the ninja theme, presumably due to its blinding speed. Finally, Shedinja adds an etherial element to the family. It still keeps the cicada theme by being a shed insect husk, and the ninja theme by acting like the dummy left behind by escaping ninja for distraction. But the dead husk comes to life as a Ghost-type Pokémon, with a halo above its head to signify its odd existence.
Where To Find Nincada In Pokémon Sword & Shield
Nincada's habit of burying itself underground and rarely coming out is reflected in its Sword and Shield spawn patterns. It only has three places where it spawns, and even then it's mostly weather-dependent. As a Ground-type, Nincada loves a good sandstorm. So waiting for that weather in the Wild Area is your best bet of finding one.
The one place where Nincada can spawn in all weather is Route 5. However, it will only spawn as a random tall grass encounter, and even then with only a 5% chance.
In the Wild Area, Nincada can spawn at either South Lake Miloch or West Lake Axewell. In both places it will be a random tall grass spawn. You'll never see one walking around in the wild. At South Lake Miloch, it can spawn during Intense Sun with a 10% chance or a sandstorm with 40% chance. At Wild Lake Axewell, there's a 30% chance one will spawn during a Sandstorm. You can also find one in Max Raid Battles in the Bridge Field, Dappled Grove, and Rolling Fields areas.
How To Evolve Nincada To Ninjask And Get Shedinja
Nincada's evolution is a two-for-one special. It evolves to Ninjask by reaching level 20. When it does so, a Shedinja will also appear in the player's party, referencing the act of Nincada leaving a husk behind as it grows. However, the player must have an empty space in their party and at least one Poké Ball in their bag or they won't get the Shedinja.
Ninjask can also spawn on its own in the Wild Area. Players can often find it flying around the Rolling Fields. It can also appear at slightly higher levels in the Stony Wilderness. Finally, Ninjask can appear in Max Raid Battles at the Bridge Field, Dappled Grove, and Rolling Fields. Shedinja can appear in Max Raid Battles at the Bridge Field, Rolling Fields, and South Lake Miloch.
What Ninjask And Shedinja Can Do In Battle
Ninjask's claim to fame is being very fast. It has an extremely high base speed and the ability Speed Boost, which raises its speed every turn. One strategy is to give stat-boosting moves like Swords Dance or Agility to go along with its Speed Boost. Then, after a turn or two of upping its stats, have Ninjask use Baton Pass. This allows you to pass on speed boosts to a slow, tanky Pokémon. Or to bring out your heavy hitter with a sudden attack boost. Of course, Ninjask has to survive long enough to get in a few boosts and switch. Consider giving it a defense item to hold or a berry that reduces super effective damage.
Shedinja has its own gimmick, and it's a doozy. Shedinja has one ability, Wonder Guard. This power blocks any damage that isn't super effective, comes from weather, or is the result of a status effect. Throwing Shedinja out means your opponent has to put out a Pokémon specifically to deal with it. This allows you to control the flow of battle. However, Shedinja's magical defense comes at the cost of only having one hit point. As soon as something does hit it, it's gone. So while Shedinja does allow you to set up some unique situations, you really have to commit to deep strategy to make the most of its ability.