Pineco doesn't have much going for it on its own — the stats just aren't there. The payoff is Forretress, and getting there is worth the grind. Known as the Bagworm Pokemon. Been around since Gen 2.
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 hangs and waits for flying insect prey to come near. It does not move about much on its own.
Pineco Weakness
AvgPineco is weak to Fire, Flying, and Rock-type moves. Pineco's physical bulk (base 90 Def) helps cushion physical weakness hits, but special attackers are the bigger threat.
- Dark and Steel types added — Fairy does not exist yet
- Moves are Physical or Special based on type, not per move
- Special stat split into Sp.Atk and Sp.Def
Pineco evolves into Forretress. It's a two-stage chain with the method shown below. A decent partner pool for breeding via one egg group. Eggs are average hatch time. Evolving adds up to 175 stat points total.
How to Evolve
Breed Pineco easily with 23 breeding partners from the Bug egg group. Pass egg moves like Flail, Pin Missile, Reflect and 1 more to offspring.
Best Build
Gen 2 build content has limited support (no abilities).
Try selecting a different game/generation filter, or check back later.
Egg moves make a real difference. Pineco gets Flail and Pin Missile exclusively through breeding, filling gaps that TMs and level-up can't touch. Normal and Grass coverage and more rounds out the picture alongside Pin Missile.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Pineco's scattered across 22 spots in early-game areas with high spawn rates. Check the list below for the closest location to wherever you are in the game. This one's quick.
Best Locations
headbutt encounters for Pineco across 22 spots at Lv. 10+. The catch is that Silver and Gold don't share every location, so compare what's available in your version.
Pineco isn't fully evolved, so it's not built for competitive play. You'll want to evolve it into Forretress to unlock its full potential. At 290 BST, it's a stepping stone rather than a team anchor.
Pineco's biggest threats include Charizard (Fire), Aerodactyl (Flying), and Tyranitar (Rock), all carrying super-effective STAB moves. At base 15 Speed, Pineco won't outrun any of these threats so switching to a resist is usually the safer play.
Pineco evolves into Forretress at level 31. Pineco is the base form of this evolutionary line.
Pineco fills the balanced role. It's a physical attacker with base 65 Attack. Base 15 Speed is low. Priority moves or Trick Room are the way to go.
Pineco appears in 16 games, including Gold & Silver, Crystal, and Ruby & Sapphire.
Pineco first appeared in Gold & Silver and has been available in 16 games across 8 generations. Obtainable through catching or hatching as a base form in most titles where it appears.
- Gen IY
Yellow - Gen IRB
Red & Blue - Gen IIGSDebut
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 VIIISwSh
Sword & Shield - Gen VIIIPLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen VIIIBDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen IXSV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen IXLZA
Legends: Z-A