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 Platinum, 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 Platinum. 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 looks just like a pinecone. Its shell protects it from bird Pokémon that peck it by mistake.

Platinum

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 Platinum (Best Counters)

Scyther BugFlying	C
Available Moves Moves Wing AttackLv. 21 Aerial AceTM40 Damage vs Pineco Wing Attack 2x 64-76% Aerial Ace 2x 64-76% View Scyther builds →
Magmar Fire	C
Available Moves Moves Fire BlastTM38 FlamethrowerTM35 Lava PlumeLv. 36 Fire PunchLv. 28 Damage vs Pineco Fire Blast 2x 207-244%KO Flamethrower 2x 171-202%KO Lava Plume 2x 152-179%KO Fire Punch 2x 71-84% View Magmar builds →
Noctowl NormalFlying	C
Available Moves Moves Sky AttackLv. 1 FlyHM02 Air SlashLv. 32 PluckTM88 Damage vs Pineco Sky Attack 2x 80-95% Fly 2x 52-62% Air Slash 2x 126-149%KO Pluck 2x 36-42% View Noctowl builds →
Golbat PoisonFlying	D
Obtain MethodMt Coronet Surfing Available Moves Moves FlyHM02 Wing AttackLv. 17 Air CutterLv. 27 Aerial AceTM40 Damage vs Pineco Fly 2x 74-87% Wing Attack 2x 50-59% Air Cutter 2x 83-98% Aerial Ace 2x 50-59% View Golbat builds →
Chatot NormalFlying	D
Available Moves Moves FlyHM02 ChatterLv. 21 PluckTM88 Aerial AceTM40 Damage vs Pineco Fly 2x 64-76% Chatter 2x 116-137%KO Pluck 2x 42-50% Aerial Ace 2x 42-50% View Chatot builds →

Platinum 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 6 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

9moves

Breed With (best first)

Platinum 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

Reflect

D——20Psychic

Egg

Revenge-4

—6010010Fighting

Egg

Sand Tomb

—358515Ground

Egg

Swift

—60—20Normal

Egg

Toxic Spikes

C——20Poison

Tutor Moves

Tut

Tutor

Iron Defense

D——15Steel

Tutor

Rollout

—309020Rock

Tutor

Snore

D4010015Normal

Transfer Moves

Gen

Gen 3

Body Slam

D8510015Normal

Gen 3

Defense Curl

———40Normal

Gen 3

Mimic

———10Normal

Platinum Pineco Locations

6 encounter spots for Pineco at moderate rates starting from early-game routes. Best and Earliest sort options below help narrow down your approach based on odds vs. Accessibility.

Best Locations to Catch Pineco in Platinum

Catching Pineco takes patience. The 6 walking encounters at Lv. 5-48 all have low spawn rates, so pick one location and stay put for the best odds.

Route 203

Grass Lv.5 Route

RareEarly

Dual-slot: Emerald

Route 204 - North

Grass Lv.10 Route

RareEarly

Dual-slot: Emerald

Route 204 - South

Grass Lv.10 Route

RareEarly

Dual-slot: Emerald

Eterna Forest

Grass Lv.13 Forest

RareEarly

Dual-slot: Emerald

Route 210 - South

Grass Lv.18-20 Route

RareMid

Dual-slot: Emerald

Route 229

Grass Lv.48 Route

8%Post

Dual-slot: Emerald

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 Platinum, 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 Platinum. 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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Aerodactyl RockFlying	B
Obtain MethodOreburgh City Gift Available Moves Moves Fire BlastTM38 Fire FangLv. 1 Wing AttackLv. 1 Damage vs Pineco Fire Blast 2x 93-110%KO Fire Fang 2x 48-57% Wing Attack 2x 67-79% View Aerodactyl builds →
Growlithe Fire	D
Available Moves Moves Fire BlastTM38 EmberLv. 6 Damage vs Pineco Fire Blast 2x 145-171%KO Ember 2x 60-71% View Growlithe builds →
Doduo NormalFlying	D
Available Move Moves PeckLv. 1 Damage vs Pineco Peck 2x 36-43% View Doduo builds →
Chimchar Fire	D
Obtain MethodRoute 201 Gift Available Moves Moves Fire BlastTM38 EmberLv. 7 Damage vs Pineco Fire Blast 2x 133-157%KO Ember 2x 52-64% View Chimchar builds →
Starly NormalFlying	D
Available Move Moves Wing AttackLv. 9 Damage vs Pineco Wing Attack 2x 40-50% View Starly builds →

Golbat PoisonFlying	D
Obtain MethodMt Coronet Surfing Available Moves Moves Wing AttackLv. 17 PluckTM88 Damage vs Pineco Wing Attack 2x 54-64% Pluck 2x 54-64% View Golbat builds →
Beautifly BugFlying	D
Available Move Moves GustLv. 13 Damage vs Pineco Gust 2x 80-96% View Beautifly builds →
Growlithe Fire	D
Available Moves Moves Fire BlastTM38 Flame WheelLv. 20 EmberLv. 6 Damage vs Pineco Fire Blast 2x 163-193%KO Flame Wheel 2x 50-59% Ember 2x 63-75% View Growlithe builds →
Drifloon GhostFlying	D
Obtain MethodValley Windworks Interact Encounter Available Move Moves GustLv. 11 Damage vs Pineco Gust 2x 59-70% View Drifloon builds →
Doduo NormalFlying	D
Available Moves Moves PluckTM88 PeckLv. 1 Damage vs Pineco Pluck 2x 59-70% Peck 2x 36-43% View Doduo builds →

Noctowl NormalFlying	C
Available Moves Moves Sky AttackLv. 1 PluckTM88 PeckLv. 9 Damage vs Pineco Sky Attack 2x 87-103%KO Pluck 2x 40-47% Peck 2x 24-30% View Noctowl builds →
Golbat PoisonFlying	D
Obtain MethodMt Coronet Surfing Available Moves Moves Wing AttackLv. 17 PluckTM88 Damage vs Pineco Wing Attack 2x 54-64% Pluck 2x 54-64% View Golbat builds →
Ponyta Fire	D
Available Moves Moves Fire BlastTM38 Flame WheelLv. 15 EmberLv. 10 Fire SpinLv. 24 Damage vs Pineco Fire Blast 2x 149-176%KO Flame Wheel 2x 54-64% Ember 2x 57-69% Fire Spin 2x 50-60% View Ponyta builds →
Beautifly BugFlying	D
Available Move Moves GustLv. 13 Damage vs Pineco Gust 2x 80-94% View Beautifly builds →
Growlithe Fire	D
Available Moves Moves Fire BlastTM38 Flame WheelLv. 20 EmberLv. 6 Damage vs Pineco Fire Blast 2x 156-184%KO Flame Wheel 2x 47-56% Ember 2x 61-73% View Growlithe builds →

Scyther BugFlying	C
Available Move Moves Wing AttackLv. 21 Damage vs Pineco Wing Attack 2x 67-80% View Scyther builds →
Noctowl NormalFlying	C
Available Moves Moves Sky AttackLv. 1 FlyHM02 PluckTM88 PeckLv. 9 Damage vs Pineco Sky Attack 2x 86-103%KO Fly 2x 57-68% Pluck 2x 38-46% Peck 2x 25-30% View Noctowl builds →
Golbat PoisonFlying	D
Obtain MethodMt Coronet Surfing Available Moves Moves FlyHM02 Wing AttackLv. 17 Air CutterLv. 27 PluckTM88 Damage vs Pineco Fly 2x 77-91% Wing Attack 2x 54-65% Air Cutter 2x 86-103%KO Pluck 2x 54-65% View Golbat builds →
Ponyta Fire	D
Available Moves Moves Fire BlastTM38 FlamethrowerTM35 Flame WheelLv. 15 EmberLv. 10 Damage vs Pineco Fire Blast 2x 154-182%KO Flamethrower 2x 129-152%KO Flame Wheel 2x 57-68% Ember 2x 57-68% View Ponyta builds →
Beautifly BugFlying	D
Available Move Moves GustLv. 13 Damage vs Pineco Gust 2x 80-95% View Beautifly builds →

Scyther BugFlying	C
Available Moves Moves Wing AttackLv. 21 Aerial AceTM40 Damage vs Pineco Wing Attack 2x 67-80% Aerial Ace 2x 67-80% View Scyther builds →
Noctowl NormalFlying	C
Available Moves Moves Sky AttackLv. 1 FlyHM02 PluckTM88 Aerial AceTM40 Damage vs Pineco Sky Attack 2x 86-103%KO Fly 2x 57-68% Pluck 2x 38-46% Aerial Ace 2x 38-46% View Noctowl builds →
Golbat PoisonFlying	D
Obtain MethodMt Coronet Surfing Available Moves Moves FlyHM02 Wing AttackLv. 17 Air CutterLv. 27 Aerial AceTM40 Damage vs Pineco Fly 2x 77-91% Wing Attack 2x 54-65% Air Cutter 2x 86-103%KO Aerial Ace 2x 54-65% View Golbat builds →
Chatot NormalFlying	D
Available Moves Moves FlyHM02 ChatterLv. 21 PluckTM88 Aerial AceTM40 Damage vs Pineco Fly 2x 67-80% Chatter 2x 119-141%KO Pluck 2x 48-57% Aerial Ace 2x 48-57% View Chatot builds →
Ponyta Fire	D
Available Moves Moves Fire BlastTM38 FlamethrowerTM35 Flame WheelLv. 15 EmberLv. 10 Damage vs Pineco Fire Blast 2x 154-182%KO Flamethrower 2x 129-152%KO Flame Wheel 2x 57-68% Ember 2x 57-68% View Ponyta builds →