Pineco Best Moveset
Bug at 90 Defense and 65 Attack with 15 Speed. AbilitySturdy guarantees one hit survived from full. The moveset sets TermEntry Hazards and goes last against everything. Pre-evolution bulk with zero offensive identity. Evolve to Forretress for 140 Defense and the Steel typing that resists nearly everything.
Bug pre-evolution with Sturdy in Gen II (Gold & Silver). Spikes setter. 290 BST but Spikes was rare and valuable. Set hazards and exploded.
Best Moves
Best Build
Screens Setter Moveset
- Reflect
- Spikes
- Explosion
- Rapid Spin
Recommended Teammates
Same Spikes setter in Gen III (Ruby & Sapphire). Forretress existed as the evolution. Two gens of the pre-evo doing the same job for less.
Wall Moveset
- Toxic
- Spikes
- Explosion
- Rapid Spin
Recommended Teammates
Pineco saw minimal competitive use in Gen IV (Diamond, Pearl & Platinum). Pineco climbed from F-Tier as the competitive landscape shifted. Its most popular set ran Sturdy with Custapberry, favoring a Impish nature.
Hazard Setter Moveset
- Spikes
- Rapid Spin
- Protect
- Stealth Rock
Recommended Teammates
Pineco saw minimal competitive use in Gen V (Black & White / B2W2). Pineco maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Sturdy with Eviolite, favoring a Impish nature.
Hazard Setter Moveset
- Stealth Rock
- Spikes
- Rapid Spin
- Toxic Spikes
Recommended Teammates
Pineco saw minimal competitive use in Gen VI (X & Y / ORAS). Pineco maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Sturdy with Focus Sash, favoring a Bold nature.
Support Moveset
- Stealth Rock
- Toxic Spikes
- Pain Split
- Rapid Spin
Recommended Teammates
Pineco was a niche pick at best in Gen VII (Sun & Moon / USUM), rarely seen in standard play. This was a decline from E-Tier in the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Sturdy with Berryjuice, favoring a Hardy nature.
Support Moveset
- Toxic Spikes
- Toxic
- Rapid Spin
- Pain Split
Recommended Teammates
Pineco saw minimal competitive use in Gen IX (Scarlet & Violet / Legends Z-A). Pineco climbed from F-Tier as the competitive landscape shifted. Its most popular set ran Sturdy with Heavy-Duty Boots, favoring a Impish nature.
Hazard Setter Moveset
- Rapid Spin
- Self Destruct
- Stealth Rock
- Counter
Recommended Teammates
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.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Fire, Flying, Rock |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Grass, Fighting, Ground |
What is Pineco Weak Against
AvgBest Pokemon Against Pineco
Tyranitar's Stone Edge also KOs at 140-165%.
 Cinderace Fire | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityLibero ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Pineco View Cinderace builds →U Turn18-21% Sucker Punch18-21% | ||
 Salamence Dragon | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityMoxie ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Pineco View Salamence builds →Earthquake16-18% | ||
 Tyranitar RockDark | B | |
Recommended Build AbilitySand Stream ItemChoice Band NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Pineco View Tyranitar builds →Knock Off45-54% Stone Edge 2x140-165%KO | ||
Evolution
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.
How to Get Pineco
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.
Where To Catch Pineco in SV
Pineco is your first catch on the way to Pineco. You'll find walking encounters from Lv. 17-56 across 22 total spots in the chain.
Step 1Pineco ✓Casseroya Lake - ForestLv.17-35OverworldRate 36%East Province (Area One) - ForestLv.17-35OverworldRate 36%East Province (Area Two) - ForestLv.17-35OverworldRate 36%North Province (Area One) - ForestLv.17-35OverworldRate 36%North Province (Area Two) - ForestLv.17-35OverworldRate 36%South Province (Area Four) - ForestLv.17-35OverworldRate 36%South Province (Area One) - ForestLv.17-35OverworldRate 36%South Province (Area Two) - ForestLv.17-35OverworldRate 36%Tagtree Thicket - ForestLv.17-35OverworldRate 36%West Province (Area Three) - ForestLv.17-35OverworldRate 36%
Step 2Catch or Evolve into ForretressCasseroya Lake - ForestLv.45-56OverworldRate 8%or evolve from Pineco (Step 1)
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.
Where To Catch Pineco in BDSP
Pineco is your first catch on the way to Pineco. You'll find walking encounters from Lv. 58-63 across 8 total spots in the chain.
Step 1Pineco ✓Bogsunk CavernLv.58-63GrassPost-gameGrassland CaveLv.58-63CavePost-gameSunlit CavernLv.58-63CavePost-gameSwampy CaveLv.58-63GrassPost-game
Step 2Evolve into Forretress
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.
Where To Catch Pineco in USUM
Step 1Pineco ✓Route 10Lv.26-29GrassRate 30%Shaking spot
Step 2Evolve into Forretress
Pineco isn't available in the wild in Sun & Moon. Start by transferring Pineco from Gold & Silver, Crystal, or HeartGold & SoulSilver. The evolution path from Pineco to Pineco is covered in the steps below.
How to Obtain Pineco in SM
- Step 1Pineco ✓BREEDINGAvailableLeave Forretress with a compatible partner at the Pokemon Day Care to receive a Pineco egg.LATER APPEARANCEfrom Gold & SilverNot TradeableAppears in Gold & Silver via Headbutt special · Lake of Rage. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom CrystalNot TradeableAppears in Crystal via Headbutt special · Route 26. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom EmeraldNot TradeableAppears in Emerald via Walking · Altering Cave. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom Diamond & PearlNot TradeableAppears in Diamond & Pearl via Walking · Route 229 · Dual-slot: Emerald. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom PlatinumNot TradeableAppears in Platinum via Walking · Route 210 · Dual-slot: Emerald. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCENot TradeableAppears in HeartGold & SoulSilver via Headbutt · Route 2. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.
Step 2Evolve into Forretress
Base Stats
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.
Pineco Guide
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.
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
- Gen 1RB
Red & Blue - Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 2GSDebut
Gold & Silver - Gen 2C
Crystal - Gen 3RS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen 3E
Emerald - Gen 3FRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen 4DP
Diamond & Pearl - Gen 4Pt
Platinum - Gen 4HGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen 5BW
Black & White - Gen 5B2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen 6XY
X & Y - Gen 6ORAS
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen 7SM
Sun & Moon - Gen 7USUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen 7LGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen 8SwSh
Sword & Shield - Gen 8BDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen 8PLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen 9SV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen 9LZA
Legends: Z-A - Gen 10WW
Winds & Waves