Don't let the raw stats fool you. Lightning Rod redirects Electric moves and boosts its Sp. Atk, and that completely changes the math for Pincurchin. Only weak to Ground. Introduced in Gen 8. Moves last in almost every matchup — perfect for Trick Room.
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.
It feeds on seaweed, using its teeth to scrape it off rocks. Electric current flows from the tips of its spines.
It stores electricity in each spine. Even if one gets broken off, it still continues to emit electricity for at least three hours.
Pincurchin Weakness
GoodPincurchin's Electric typing leaves it vulnerable to Ground moves. 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.
No evolution chain to worry about here. Pincurchin is a standalone Pokemon with a decent partner pool for breeding through two egg groups. Eggs come out average hatch time.
How to Evolve
Breed Pincurchin easily with 43 breeding partners from the Indeterminate and Water1 egg groups. Pass egg moves like Memento, Sucker Punch to offspring.
Electric Surge isn't flashy, but it matters. Combined with Electricseed for extra utility and max HP and Sp. Atk EVs, Pincurchin fills the special attacker slot reliably. Quiet nature finishes the spread.
Best Build
Best Pincurchin Moveset
- Thunder
- Sucker Punch
- Hydro Pump
- Rain Dance
Recommended Teammates
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.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
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
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.
Lightning Rod changes the entire equation for Pincurchin. The 435 BST doesn't tell the full story. Ranked C-Tier as an attacker.
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.
Pincurchin doesn't evolve and has no evolutionary line. It's a Electric-type Pokemon with a 435 base stat total.
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.
Base 15 Speed is low. Priority moves or Trick Room are the way to go. On offense, Pincurchin is a special attacker with base 91 Sp. Atk. Defensively? Enough bulk to take a hit or two. Best used as an attacker.
Pincurchin can be found in Scarlet & Violet and Sword & Shield.
Pincurchin joined the series in Sword & Shield and has been available in 2 titles so far. With 2 generations of appearances, it's established itself despite the later start.
- Gen IY
Yellow - Gen IRB
Red & Blue - Gen IIGS
Gold & Silver - Gen IIC
Crystal - Gen IIIRS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen IIIFRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen IIIE
Emerald - Gen IVPt
Platinum - Gen IVHGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen IVDP
Diamond & Pearl - Gen VBW
Black & White - Gen VB2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen VIXY
X & Y - Gen VIORAS
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen VIIUSUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen VIISM
Sun & Moon - Gen VIILGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen VIIISwShDebut
Sword & Shield - Gen VIIIPLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen VIIIBDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen IXSV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen IXLZA
Legends: Z-A