Attack leads and Speed gets almost nothing. That's Pincurchin's stat line in a nutshell. 4 stats sit in respectable range, but the spread is brutal. Moderately hard to find and yields 2 Attack EVs.
This Pokémon generates electricity when it digests food. It uses its five hard teeth to scrape seaweed off surfaces and eat it.
This Pokémon is so timid that even brushing against seaweed will make it discharge electricity in surprise. Its lips do not conduct electricity.
Pincurchin's Electric typing leaves it vulnerable to Ground. Few weaknesses and 3 resistances make the typing clean. Lightning Rod grants an additional Electric immunity, reshaping the matchup chart. With 48 HP and balanced defenses, Pincurchin can afford to eat a neutral hit or two.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Ground |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Electric, Flying, Steel |
 | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityUnaware ItemLeftovers NatureImpish Moves View Dondozo builds →
| ||
 | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityDrizzle ItemFocus Sash NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Pincurchin View Pelipper builds →Hurricane28-33% | ||
 | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityPressure ItemRocky Helmet NatureImpish Moves
Damage vs Pincurchin View Corviknight builds →U Turn16-19% | ||
 | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityFlame Body ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureBold Moves
Damage vs Pincurchin View Moltres builds →Flamethrower45-53% U Turn16-19% | ||
 | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityRegenerator ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureBold Moves View Toxapex builds →
| ||
No evolution chain to worry about here. Pincurchin is a standalone Pokemon with plenty of partners for breeding through two egg groups. Eggs come out average hatch time. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
Breed Pincurchin easily with 63 breeding partners from the Indeterminate and Water1 egg groups.
Electric Surge isn't flashy, but it matters. Combined with Terrain Extender for extra utility and max HP and Attack EVs, Pincurchin fills the hazard lead slot reliably. Brave nature finishes the spread.
Best Build
Pincurchin best EVs are Attack and HP
Doubles Physical Tank Moveset
- Electroweb
- Sucker Punch
- Spikes
- Liquidation
Recommended Teammates
Doubles Wall Moveset
- Toxic Spikes
- Recover
- Zing Zap
- Sucker Punch
Recommended Teammates
Physical Tank Moveset
- Thunder Wave
- Memento
- Toxic Spikes
- Spikes
Recommended Teammates
Wall Moveset
- Spikes
- Recover
- Discharge
- Memento
Recommended Teammates
Hazard Setter Moveset
- Spikes
- Discharge
- Memento
- Toxic Spikes
Recommended Teammates
Doubles Special Tank Moveset
- Thunder
- Sucker Punch
- Hydro Pump
- Rain Dance
Recommended Teammates
Hazard Setter Moveset
- Rising Voltage
- Scald
- Spikes
- Protect
Recommended Teammates
Wall Moveset
- Rising Voltage
- Spikes
- Toxic Spikes
- Recover
Recommended Teammates
Moves
Level-up moves are just the starting point for Pincurchin. TMs unlock coverage across 7 types and turn a straightforward STAB kit around Thunder and Supercell Slam into something with actual range.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Level-up moves are just the starting point for Pincurchin. TMs unlock coverage across 8 types and turn a straightforward STAB kit around Thunder and Thunderbolt into something with actual range.
low spawn rates is the best you'll get on Pincurchin in mid-game routes. Use the sort toggle below. Best shows where the odds peak, Earliest shows where you can access it soonest in your playthrough.
Best Locations to Catch Pincurchin in Scarlet & Violet
Before you go hunting for Pincurchin, check which of the 20 spots belong to your version. Scarlet and Violet each have different walking encounters at Lv. 20-50.
44 encounter spots for Pincurchin at decent spawn rates starting from early-game routes. Two different catch methods are in play here. Best and Earliest sort options below help narrow down your approach based on odds vs. Accessibility.
Best Locations to Catch Pincurchin in Sword & Shield
Which version you're playing matters for Pincurchin. 44 walking and surfing spots at Lv. 13-65 spread across Shield and Sword, and some routes only appear in one cartridge. Check the version badges below.
Watch for Rhydon (Ground) when using Pincurchin. They all hit it super-effectively with STAB. Only 1 weakness means fewer dedicated counters to worry about. At base 15 Speed, Pincurchin won't outrun any of these threats so switching to a resist is usually the safer play.
It depends on your team. Pincurchin at 435 BST isn't a powerhouse, but the Electric coverage might be exactly what you're missing.
Lightning Rod changes the entire equation for Pincurchin. The 435 BST doesn't tell the full story. Ranked C-Tier as an attacker.
Lightning Rod is what you want on Pincurchin. Every competitive set worth running is built with that ability in mind. The alternatives (Electric Surge) work on paper but Lightning Rod is what makes Pincurchin worth using.
Pincurchin's best stat is Attack at base 101. Electric gives decent defensive coverage with 3 resistances.
Pincurchin joined the series in Sword & Shield and has been available in 2 titles so far. With 3 generations of appearances, it's established itself despite the later start.
Click a game to view version-specific details
- Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 1RB
Red & Blue - Gen 2GS
Gold & Silver - Gen 2C
Crystal - Gen 3RS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen 3FRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen 3E
Emerald - Gen 4Pt
Platinum - Gen 4HGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen 4DP
Diamond & Pearl - Gen 5BW
Black & White - Gen 5B2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen 6XY
X & Y - Gen 6ORAS
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen 7USUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen 7SM
Sun & Moon - Gen 7LGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen 8SwShDebut
Sword & Shield - Gen 8PLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen 8BDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen 9SV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen 9LZA
Legends: Z-A - Gen 10WW
Winds & Waves