What does Pineco evolve into?

Pineco evolves into Forretress at level 31. One evolution, no branching. Solid jump from 290 BST.

At what level does Pineco evolve?

Pineco evolves into Forretress at level 31. Takes some grinding. Plan your team around the mid-game wait.

In HeartGold & SoulSilver, 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.

Where can you catch Pineco?

Pineco is catchable in HeartGold & SoulSilver. Check the Locations section above for specific routes, encounter rates, and methods. It also appears in 15 other games across the series.

Pineco - Weakness, Evolution, Moveset, EVs & Stats

Physical

Balanced

DTier

15Speed · Very Slow

Stats & Training

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.

Base Stats

Below

HP50

Attack65

Defense90

Sp. Atk35

Sp. Def35

Speed15

Total290

Details

Catch Rate

Easy190 / 255

Growth Rate

Medium Fast1M XP

Height0.6 m

Weight7.2 kg

Base XP58

Abilities

Sturdy

Prevents being KOed from full HP, leaving 1 HP instead. Protects against the one-hit KO moves regardless of HP.

OvercoatHANot in game

Protects against damage from weather.

EV Yield

HPAtkDef+1SpASpDSpe

Defense training source

Pokedex Entries

It likes to make its shell thicker by adding layers of tree bark. The additional weight doesn’t bother it.

Pineco Weakness

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.

Pineco Weakness and Resistance Chart
Damage	Types
2x (Weak)	Fire, Flying, Rock
0.5x (Resist)	Grass, Fighting, Ground

Type ChartAvg

3Weak

3Resist

0Immune

Score-3

Gen IV Type Chart

Fairy type does not exist — Dragon has fewer checks
Physical / Special split now per-move (introduced Gen IV)

4xCritical

None

2xWeak

Fire Flying Rock

½xResist

Grass Fighting Ground

¼xResist

None

0xImmune

None

STAB (3)

Grass Psychic Dark

How to Beat Pineco in HeartGold & SoulSilver (Best Counters)

Scyther BugFlying	C
Available Move Moves Wing AttackLv. 21 Damage vs Pineco Wing Attack 2x 67-81% View Scyther builds →
Magmar Fire	C
Available Moves Moves Fire BlastTM38 FlamethrowerTM35 EmberLv. 7 Fire SpinLv. 19 Damage vs Pineco Fire Blast 2x 212-251%KO Flamethrower 2x 175-206%KO Ember 2x 79-94% Fire Spin 2x 72-85% View Magmar builds →
Butterfree BugFlying	C
Available Move Moves GustLv. 16 Damage vs Pineco Gust 2x 76-90% View Butterfree builds →
Golbat PoisonFlying	D
Available Move Moves Wing AttackLv. 17 Damage vs Pineco Wing Attack 2x 57-67% View Golbat builds →
Chatot NormalFlying	D
Available Moves Moves ChatterLv. 21 PeckLv. 1 Damage vs Pineco Chatter 2x 121-143%KO Peck 2x 30-36% View Chatot builds →

HeartGold & SoulSilver Evolution

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. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.

How to Evolve

2 Forms

#204Pineco

Level 31

#205Forretress

Stat Comparison 2 Stages

Pineco

Bug

Forretress

BugSteel

75+25

ATK

90+25

DEF

140+50

SP.ATK

60+25

SP.DEF

60+25

SPE

40+25

BST

290C-Tier

465B-Tier+175

ROLE

Balanced

Trick Room

TYPE

Physical

Breeding

Very Easy

Breed Pineco easily with 48 breeding partners from the Bug egg group. Pass egg moves like Counter, Double-Edge, Flail and 7 more to offspring.

Egg Groups

Bug

Gender

♂50.0%♀50.0%

Hatch Time

20 cycles·5,140 steps

Quick~5 min with Flame Body

Egg Moves

10moves

Breed With (best first)

HeartGold & SoulSilver Pineco Best Moveset

Best Build

No build content available for this Pokemon in Gen 4.

Try selecting a different game/generation filter, or check back later.

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 Bite and Pin Missile.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1

Protect+4

C——10Normal

Lv 1

Tackle

—3510035Normal

Lv 6

Self-Destruct

B2001005Normal

Lv 9

Bug Bite

D6010020Bug

Lv 12

Take Down

—908520Normal

Lv 17

Rapid Spin

D5010040Normal

Lv 20

Bide+1

———10Normal

Lv 23

Natural Gift

D—10015Normal

Lv 28

Spikes

C——20Ground

Lv 31

Payback

D5010010Dark

Lv 34

Explosion

B2501005Normal

Lv 39

Iron Defense

D——15Steel

Lv 42

Gyro Ball

D—1005Steel

Lv 45

Double-Edge

C12010015Normal

TM Moves

TM45

Attract

——10015Normal

TM78

Captivate

——10020Normal

TM28

Dig

D8010010Ground

TM32

Double Team

———15Normal

TM26

Earthquake

C10010010Ground

TM58

Endure+4

———10Normal

TM64

Explosion

B2501005Normal

TM42

Facade

D7010020Normal

TM21

Frustration

D—10020Normal

TM19

Giga Drain

D6010010Grass

TM74

Gyro Ball

D—1005Steel

TM10

Hidden Power

—6010015Normal

TM16

Light Screen

C——30Psychic

TM83

Natural Gift

D—10015Normal

TM66

Payback

D5010010Dark

TM17

Protect+4

C——10Normal

TM33

Reflect

D——20Psychic

TM44

Rest

C——10Psychic

TM27

Return

D—10020Normal

TM80

Rock Slide

D759010Rock

HM06

Rock Smash

D4010015Fighting

TM39

Rock Tomb

D609510Rock

TM37

Sandstorm

———10Rock

TM43

Secret Power

—7010020Normal

TM82

Sleep Talk

C——10Normal

TM22

Solar Beam

D12010010Grass

TM76

Stealth Rock

C——20Rock

HM04

Strength

D8010015Normal

TM90

Substitute

C——10Normal

TM11

Sunny Day

C——5Fire

TM87

Swagger

——9015Normal

TM06

Toxic

C—8510Poison

Egg Moves

Egg

Counter-5

D—10020Fighting

Egg

Double-Edge

C12010015Normal

Egg

Flail

——10015Normal

Egg

Pin Missile

—149520Bug

Egg

Power Trick

———10Psychic

Egg

Reflect

D——20Psychic

Egg

Revenge-4

—6010010Fighting

Egg

Sand Tomb

—358515Ground

Egg

Swift

—60—20Normal

Egg

Toxic Spikes

C——20Poison

Tutor Moves

Tut

Tutor

Bug Bite

D6010020Bug

Tutor

Gravity

D——5Psychic

Tutor

Headbutt

D7010015Normal

Tutor

Iron Defense

D——15Steel

Tutor

Pain Split

C——20Normal

Tutor

Rollout

—309020Rock

Tutor

Snore

D4010015Normal

Tutor

String Shot

——9540Bug

Transfer Moves

Gen

Gen 3

Body Slam

D8510015Normal

Gen 3

Defense Curl

———40Normal

Gen 3

Mimic

———10Normal

HeartGold & SoulSilver Pineco Locations

high spawn rates in early-game areas across 70 locations. Pineco's one of the easier catches on the list. Knock it out fast and save your time for harder targets.

Best Locations to Catch Pineco in HeartGold & SoulSilver

You can catch Pineco through 70 headbutt encounters from Lv. 2-29, but availability differs between SoulSilver and HeartGold. Some spots are exclusive to one version.

Cherrygrove City

SoulSilverHeadbutting trees Lv.2-17 City

30%Early

Cherrygrove City

HeartGoldHeadbutting trees Lv.2-17 City

30%Early

Ecruteak City

SoulSilverHeadbutting trees Lv.2-17 City

30%Early

Ecruteak City

HeartGoldHeadbutting trees Lv.2-17 City

30%Early

Ilex Forest

SoulSilverHeadbutting trees Lv.2-17 Forest

30%Early

Ilex Forest

HeartGoldHeadbutting trees Lv.2-17 Forest

30%Early

Lake of Rage

SoulSilverHeadbutting trees Lv.2-17 Water

30%Early

Lake of Rage

HeartGoldHeadbutting trees Lv.2-17 Water

30%Early

National Park

SoulSilverHeadbutting trees Lv.2-17 Facility

30%Early

National Park

HeartGoldHeadbutting trees Lv.2-17 Facility

30%Early

New Bark Town

SoulSilverHeadbutting trees Lv.2-17 City

30%Early

New Bark Town

HeartGoldHeadbutting trees Lv.2-17 City

30%Early

Route 29

HeartGoldHeadbutting trees Lv.2-17 Route

30%Early

Route 29

SoulSilverHeadbutting trees Lv.2-17 Route

30%Early

Route 30

HeartGoldHeadbutting trees Lv.2-17 Route

30%Early

Route 30

SoulSilverHeadbutting trees Lv.2-17 Route

30%Early

Route 31

HeartGoldHeadbutting trees Lv.2-17 Route

30%Early

Route 31

SoulSilverHeadbutting trees Lv.2-17 Route

30%Early

Route 32

SoulSilverHeadbutting trees Lv.2-17 Route

30%Early

Route 32

HeartGoldHeadbutting trees Lv.2-17 Route

30%Early

Route 34

SoulSilverHeadbutting trees Lv.2-17 Route

30%Early

Route 34

HeartGoldHeadbutting trees Lv.2-17 Route

30%Early

Route 35

SoulSilverHeadbutting trees Lv.2-17 Route

30%Early

Route 35

HeartGoldHeadbutting trees Lv.2-17 Route

30%Early

Route 36

SoulSilverHeadbutting trees Lv.2-17 Route

30%Early

Route 36

HeartGoldHeadbutting trees Lv.2-17 Route

30%Early

Route 37

SoulSilverHeadbutting trees Lv.2-17 Route

30%Early

Route 37

HeartGoldHeadbutting trees Lv.2-17 Route

30%Early

Route 38

SoulSilverHeadbutting trees Lv.2-17 Route

30%Early

Route 38

HeartGoldHeadbutting trees Lv.2-17 Route

30%Early

Route 39

SoulSilverHeadbutting trees Lv.2-17 Route

30%Early

Route 39

HeartGoldHeadbutting trees Lv.2-17 Route

30%Early

Route 43

SoulSilverHeadbutting trees Lv.2-17 Route

30%Early

Route 43

HeartGoldHeadbutting trees Lv.2-17 Route

30%Early

Violet City

SoulSilverHeadbutting trees Lv.2-17 City

30%Early

Violet City

HeartGoldHeadbutting trees Lv.2-17 City

30%Early

Cerulean City

HeartGoldHeadbutting trees Lv.2-17 City

30%Early

Cerulean City

SoulSilverHeadbutting trees Lv.2-17 City

30%Early

Pallet Town

HeartGoldHeadbutting trees Lv.2-17 City

30%Early

Pallet Town

SoulSilverHeadbutting trees Lv.2-17 City

30%Early

Pewter City

SoulSilverHeadbutting trees Lv.2-17 City

30%Early

Pewter City

HeartGoldHeadbutting trees Lv.2-17 City

30%Early

Viridian City

SoulSilverHeadbutting trees Lv.2-17 City

30%Early

Viridian City

HeartGoldHeadbutting trees Lv.2-17 City

30%Early

Safari Zone Gate

HeartGoldHeadbutting trees Lv.15-16 Facility

UncommonEarly

Safari Zone Gate

SoulSilverHeadbutting trees Lv.15-16 Facility

UncommonEarly

Route 47

HeartGoldHeadbutting trees Lv.2-17 Route

LimitedEarly

Route 47

SoulSilverHeadbutting trees Lv.2-17 Route

LimitedEarly

Route 48

HeartGoldHeadbutting trees Lv.2-17 Route

LimitedEarly

Route 48

SoulSilverHeadbutting trees Lv.2-17 Route

LimitedEarly

Route 1

SoulSilverHeadbutting trees Lv.2-17 Route

LimitedEarly

Route 1

HeartGoldHeadbutting trees Lv.2-17 Route

LimitedEarly

Route 2 - North

SoulSilverHeadbutting trees Lv.2-17 Route

LimitedEarly

Route 2 - North

HeartGoldHeadbutting trees Lv.2-17 Route

LimitedEarly

Route 2 - South

SoulSilverHeadbutting trees Lv.2-17 Route

LimitedEarly

Route 2 - South

HeartGoldHeadbutting trees Lv.2-17 Route

LimitedEarly

Route 22

SoulSilverHeadbutting trees Lv.2-17 Route

LimitedEarly

Route 22

HeartGoldHeadbutting trees Lv.2-17 Route

LimitedEarly

Route 3

HeartGoldHeadbutting trees Lv.2-17 Route

LimitedEarly

Route 3

SoulSilverHeadbutting trees Lv.2-17 Route

LimitedEarly

Route 5

HeartGoldHeadbutting trees Lv.2-17 Route

LimitedEarly

Route 5

SoulSilverHeadbutting trees Lv.2-17 Route

LimitedEarly

Route 6

HeartGoldHeadbutting trees Lv.2-17 Route

LimitedEarly

Route 6

SoulSilverHeadbutting trees Lv.2-17 Route

LimitedEarly

Route 8

SoulSilverHeadbutting trees Lv.2-17 Route

LimitedEarly

Route 8

HeartGoldHeadbutting trees Lv.2-17 Route

LimitedEarly

Route 26

SoulSilverHeadbutting trees Lv.28-29 Route

30%Mid

Route 26

HeartGoldHeadbutting trees Lv.28-29 Route

30%Mid

Route 27

SoulSilverHeadbutting trees Lv.28-29 Route

30%Mid

Route 27

HeartGoldHeadbutting trees Lv.28-29 Route

30%Mid

Pineco Guide

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.
In HeartGold & SoulSilver, 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 is catchable in HeartGold & SoulSilver. Check the Locations section above for specific routes, encounter rates, and methods. It also appears in 15 other games across the series.

Game Availability

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

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Chatot NormalFlying	D
Available Move Moves PeckLv. 1 Damage vs Pineco Peck 2x 33-40% View Chatot builds →
Hoothoot NormalFlying	D
Available Move Moves PeckLv. 9 Damage vs Pineco Peck 2x 23-30% View Hoothoot builds →
Pidgey NormalFlying	D
Available Move Moves GustLv. 9 Damage vs Pineco Gust 2x 50-60% View Pidgey builds →
Cyndaquil Fire	D
Obtain MethodNew Bark Town Gift Upcoming Move Moves EmberLv. 10 Learns Ember at Level 10 View Cyndaquil builds →
Ledyba BugFlying	D
Upcoming Move Moves View Ledyba builds →

Chatot NormalFlying	D
Available Move Moves PeckLv. 1 Damage vs Pineco Peck 2x 33-39% View Chatot builds →
Natu PsychicFlying	D
Available Move Moves PeckLv. 1 Damage vs Pineco Peck 2x 26-33% View Natu builds →
Cyndaquil Fire	D
Obtain MethodNew Bark Town Gift Available Move Moves EmberLv. 10 Damage vs Pineco Ember 2x 54-65% View Cyndaquil builds →
Spearow NormalFlying	D
Available Move Moves PeckLv. 1 Damage vs Pineco Peck 2x 33-39% View Spearow builds →
Hoothoot NormalFlying	D
Available Move Moves PeckLv. 9 Damage vs Pineco Peck 2x 22-26% View Hoothoot builds →

Golbat PoisonFlying	D
Available Move Moves Wing AttackLv. 17 Damage vs Pineco Wing Attack 2x 54-64% View Golbat builds →
Chatot NormalFlying	D
Available Move Moves PeckLv. 1 Damage vs Pineco Peck 2x 30-38% View Chatot builds →
Natu PsychicFlying	D
Available Move Moves PeckLv. 1 Damage vs Pineco Peck 2x 27-32% View Natu builds →
Cyndaquil Fire	D
Obtain MethodNew Bark Town Gift Available Moves Moves Fire BlastTM38 FlamethrowerTM35 Flame WheelLv. 19 EmberLv. 10 Damage vs Pineco Fire Blast 2x 145-171%KO Flamethrower 2x 121-145%KO Flame Wheel 2x 45-54% Ember 2x 59-70% View Cyndaquil builds →
Numel FireGround	D
Available Moves Moves Fire BlastTM38 FlamethrowerTM35 Rock TombTM39 EmberLv. 5 Damage vs Pineco Fire Blast 2x 154-182%KO Flamethrower 2x 127-150%KO Rock Tomb 2x 30-36% Ember 2x 59-70% View Numel builds →

Scyther BugFlying	C
Available Moves Moves Wing AttackLv. 21 Aerial AceTM40 Damage vs Pineco Wing Attack 2x 66-78% Aerial Ace 2x 66-78% View Scyther builds →
Magmar Fire	C
Available Moves Moves Fire BlastTM38 FlamethrowerTM35 Fire PunchLv. 28 EmberLv. 7 Damage vs Pineco Fire Blast 2x 208-245%KO Flamethrower 2x 170-201%KO Fire Punch 2x 72-85% Ember 2x 77-92% View Magmar builds →
Noctowl NormalFlying	C
Available Moves Moves Sky AttackLv. 1 FlyHM02 Air SlashLv. 32 Aerial AceTM40 Damage vs Pineco Sky Attack 2x 83-99% Fly 2x 55-65% Air Slash 2x 127-150%KO Aerial Ace 2x 38-44% View Noctowl builds →
Golbat PoisonFlying	D
Available Moves Moves FlyHM02 Wing AttackLv. 17 Air CutterLv. 27 Aerial AceTM40 Damage vs Pineco Fly 2x 75-89% Wing Attack 2x 51-61% Air Cutter 2x 83-99% Aerial Ace 2x 51-61% View Golbat builds →
Chatot NormalFlying	D
Available Moves Moves FlyHM02 ChatterLv. 21 PluckTM88 Aerial AceTM40 Damage vs Pineco Fly 2x 64-75% Chatter 2x 118-140%KO Pluck 2x 43-51% Aerial Ace 2x 43-51% View Chatot builds →

Skarmory SteelFlying	B
Available Moves Moves FlyHM02 Air SlashLv. 39 Air CutterLv. 23 Aerial AceTM40 Damage vs Pineco Fly 2x 77-91% Air Slash 2x 77-91% Air Cutter 2x 62-74% Aerial Ace 2x 52-62% View Skarmory builds →
Scyther BugFlying	C
Available Moves Moves Wing AttackLv. 21 Aerial AceTM40 Damage vs Pineco Wing Attack 2x 67-79% Aerial Ace 2x 67-79% View Scyther builds →
Magmar Fire	C
Available Moves Moves Fire BlastTM38 FlamethrowerTM35 Lava PlumeLv. 36 Fire PunchLv. 28 Damage vs Pineco Fire Blast 2x 217-256%KO Flamethrower 2x 177-209%KO Lava Plume 2x 160-188%KO Fire Punch 2x 75-88% View Magmar builds →
Noctowl NormalFlying	C
Available Moves Moves Sky AttackLv. 1 FlyHM02 Air SlashLv. 32 Aerial AceTM40 Damage vs Pineco Sky Attack 2x 84-100%KO Fly 2x 55-65% Air Slash 2x 132-156%KO Aerial Ace 2x 37-44% View Noctowl builds →
Golbat PoisonFlying	D
Available Moves Moves FlyHM02 Wing AttackLv. 17 Air CutterLv. 27 Aerial AceTM40 Damage vs Pineco Fly 2x 77-91% Wing Attack 2x 52-62% Air Cutter 2x 87-103%KO Aerial Ace 2x 52-62% View Golbat builds →

Gliscor GroundFlying	B
Recommended Build AbilityHypercutter ItemLeftovers NatureJolly Moves EarthquakeSTAB RoostRecovery TauntUtility Ice Fang Damage vs Pineco Earthquake 24-28% Ice Fang 21-24% View Gliscor builds →
Aerodactyl RockFlying	B
Recommended Build AbilityPressure ItemFocus Sash NatureJolly Moves Earthquake Stealth Rock TauntUtility Stone Edge Damage vs Pineco Earthquake 21-25% Stone Edge 2x 129-152%KO View Aerodactyl builds →
Charizard FireFlying	C
Recommended Build AbilityBlaze ItemLife Orb NatureTimid Moves Air Slash FlamethrowerSTAB Solar Beam Hidden Power Grass Damage vs Pineco Air Slash 2x 261-307%KO Flamethrower 2x 313-369%KO View Charizard builds →
Salamence DragonFlying	C
Flying is super effective against PinecoView Salamence →