Pineco's spread isn't flashy. Defense leads, Speed trails, 1 stats clear the bar. Common in the wild and worth 1 Defense EV, on a medium-fast 1M XP curve.
It likes to make its shell thicker by adding layers of tree bark. The additional weight doesn’t bother it.
It spits out a fluid that it uses to glue tree bark to its body. The fluid hardens when it touches air.
Pineco is weak to Fire, Flying, and Rock. Pineco's physical bulk (base 90 Def) helps cushion physical weakness hits, but special attackers are the bigger threat.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Fire, Flying, Rock |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Grass, Fighting, Ground |
Volcarona can KO Pineco with Heat Wave (120-141%). Glimmora threatens a KO with Power Gem (87-102%).
 Volcarona BugFire | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityFlame Body ItemGrassyseed NatureModest Moves
Damage vs Pineco View Volcarona builds →Heat Wave 2x120-141%KO | ||
 Glimmora RockPoison | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityToxicdebris ItemRed Card NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Pineco View Glimmora builds →Power Gem 2x87-102%KO | ||
 Cinderace Fire | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityLibero ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Pineco View Cinderace builds →U Turn16-19% Sucker Punch16-19% | ||
 Pelipper Water | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityDrizzle ItemFocus Sash NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Pineco View Pelipper builds →Hurricane 2x116-137%KO | ||
 Salamence Dragon | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityIntimidate ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Pineco View Salamence builds →Earthquake14-17% | ||
Pineco evolves into Forretress. It's a two-stage chain with the method shown below. Plenty of partners for breeding via one egg group. Eggs are average hatch time. Evolving adds up to 175 stat points total. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
Breed Pineco easily with 91 breeding partners from the Bug egg group.
Pineco's job is getting Stealth Rock up and staying on the field. Eviolite provides a bulk boost that only works before full evolution, Sturdy helps it stick around, and spread EVs prioritize longevity.
Best Build
Pineco best EVs are Sp. Def and Defense
Hazard Setter Moveset
- Rapid Spin
- Lunge
- Spikes
- Stealth Rock
Recommended Teammates
Support Moveset
- Pain Split
- Rapid Spin
- Toxic Spikes
- Protect
Recommended Teammates
Support Moveset
- Toxic Spikes
- Toxic
- Pain Split
- Rapid Spin
Recommended Teammates
Support Moveset
- Toxic Spikes
- Toxic
- Rapid Spin
- Pain Split
Recommended Teammates
Support Moveset
- Toxic Spikes
- Toxic
- Rapid Spin
- Pain Split
Recommended Teammates
Moves
TMs define Pineco's movepool. The natural moves cover basics with Bug Buzz and Lunge, but the real versatility comes from technical machines giving it coverage across 9 types. That's where the options open up.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Egg moves make a real difference. Pineco gets Counter and Double-Edge exclusively through breeding, filling gaps that TMs and level-up can't touch. Coverage across 7 types rounds out the picture alongside Bug Buzz and Bug Bite.
Egg moves make a real difference. Pineco gets Counter and Double-Edge exclusively through breeding, filling gaps that TMs and level-up can't touch. Coverage across 8 types rounds out the picture alongside Bug Bite and Struggle Bug.
Egg moves make a real difference. Pineco gets Counter and Double-Edge exclusively through breeding, filling gaps that TMs and level-up can't touch. Coverage across 8 types rounds out the picture alongside Bug Bite and Struggle Bug.
Easy grab on Pineco with high spawn rates across 20 locations in mid-game routes. The sorted list below shows the full spread so you can pick the most convenient spot.
Best Locations to Catch Pineco in Scarlet & Violet
Which version you're playing matters for Pineco. 20 walking spots at Lv. 17-35 spread across Scarlet and Violet, and some routes only appear in one cartridge. Check the version badges below.
Pineco starts showing up in endgame routes at moderate rates across 8 encounter spots. The list below is sorted so you can pick what fits your current progress without scrolling through everything.
Best Locations to Catch Pineco in Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl
Before you go hunting for Pineco, check which of the 8 spots belong to your version. Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl each have different walking encounters at Lv. 58-63.
A few locations for Pineco with high spawn rates across mid-game routes. The sort toggle below swaps between best odds and earliest access, so you can approach it based on where you are in the game.
Best Locations to Catch Pineco in Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon
Pineco evolves into Forretress at level 31. One evolution, no branching. Solid jump from 290 BST.
Pineco evolves into Forretress at level 31. Takes some grinding. Plan your team around the mid-game wait.
Pineco does the job early-game if you need a Bug type on your team. Evolve it into Forretress before the later gyms and it holds up fine through the story.
Pineco shows up in 16 games, making it one of the more widely available Pokemon in the series. First catchable in Scarlet & Violet, most recently in Gold & Silver and Crystal.
Pineco first appeared in Gold & Silver and has been available in 16 games across 9 generations. Obtainable through catching or hatching as a base form in most titles where it appears.
Click a game to view version-specific details
- Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 1RB
Red & Blue - Gen 2GSDebut
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 8SwSh
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