Stats & Training
Attack and Defense carry most of Pinsir's stat budget. Sp. Atk's the obvious dump stat. Tough to catch and yields 2 Attack EVs. Follows a slow 1.25M XP grind.
It grips prey with its pincers until the prey is torn apart. What it can’t tear, it tosses far away.
It grips prey with its pincers until the prey is torn apart. What it can’t tear, it tosses far away.
Pinsir Weakness
Pinsir's Bug typing leaves it vulnerable to Fire, Flying, and Rock. Pinsir's physical bulk (base 100 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 |
 Onix RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Pinsir View Onix builds →Stone Edge 2x61-75% Rock Slide 2x47-58% Rock Tomb 2x42-50% Rock Throw 2x33-42% | ||
 Geodude RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Pinsir View Geodude builds →Fire Blast 2x47-56% Stone Edge 2x83-100%KO Rock Slide 2x61-75% Rock Tomb 2x56-67% | ||
 Doduo Normal | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Pinsir View Doduo builds →Fly 2x78-92% Pluck 2x56-67% Aerial Ace 2x56-67% Peck 2x33-42% | ||
 Zubat Poison | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Pinsir View Zubat builds →Fly 2x56-67% Pluck 2x42-50% Aerial Ace 2x42-50% | ||
 Starly Normal | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Pinsir View Starly builds →Fly 2x61-75% Wing Attack 2x42-50% Aerial Ace 2x42-50% Pluck 2x42-50% | ||
 Murkrow Dark | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Pinsir View Murkrow builds →Fly 2x68-80% Pluck 2x49-59% Aerial Ace 2x49-59% Gust 2x41-51% | ||
 Beautifly Bug | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Pinsir View Beautifly builds →Aerial Ace 2x41-51% Gust 2x49-59% | ||
Doduo Normal | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Pinsir View Doduo builds →Fly 2x68-80% Pluck 2x49-59% Aerial Ace 2x49-59% Peck 2x29-37% | ||
Zubat Poison | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Pinsir View Zubat builds →Fly 2x49-59% Pluck 2x37-44% Aerial Ace 2x37-44% | ||
Starly Normal | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Pinsir View Starly builds →Fly 2x54-66% Wing Attack 2x37-44% Aerial Ace 2x37-44% Pluck 2x37-44% | ||
 Golbat Poison | C | |
Obtain MethodMt Coronet Surfing Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Pinsir View Golbat builds →Fly 2x66-78% Air Cutter 2x49-58% Aerial Ace 2x45-55% Pluck 2x45-55% | ||
 Noctowl Normal | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Pinsir View Noctowl builds →Sky Attack 2x72-85% Fly 2x45-55% Air Slash 2x75-89% Aerial Ace 2x32-38% | ||
 Ponyta Fire | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Pinsir View Ponyta builds →Overheat 2x103-123%KO Fire Blast 2x90-106%KO Flamethrower 2x72-85% Flame Wheel 2x45-55% | ||
Murkrow Dark | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Pinsir View Murkrow builds →Fly 2x69-82% Wing Attack 2x45-55% Pluck 2x45-55% Aerial Ace 2x45-55% | ||
Beautifly Bug | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Pinsir View Beautifly builds →Air Cutter 2x69-82% Aerial Ace 2x40-48% Gust 2x45-55% | ||
Golbat Poison | C | |
Obtain MethodMt Coronet Surfing Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Pinsir View Golbat builds →Fly 2x66-78% Air Cutter 2x49-58% Aerial Ace 2x45-55% Pluck 2x45-55% | ||
Noctowl Normal | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Pinsir View Noctowl builds →Sky Attack 2x72-85% Fly 2x45-55% Air Slash 2x75-89% Aerial Ace 2x32-38% | ||
Ponyta Fire | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Pinsir View Ponyta builds →Overheat 2x103-123%KO Fire Blast 2x90-106%KO Flamethrower 2x72-85% Flame Wheel 2x45-55% | ||
Murkrow Dark | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Pinsir View Murkrow builds →Fly 2x69-82% Wing Attack 2x45-55% Pluck 2x45-55% Aerial Ace 2x45-55% | ||
Beautifly Bug | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Pinsir View Beautifly builds →Air Cutter 2x69-82% Aerial Ace 2x40-48% Gust 2x45-55% | ||
Golbat Poison | C | |
Obtain MethodMt Coronet Surfing Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Pinsir View Golbat builds →Fly 2x61-73% Air Cutter 2x50-58% Aerial Ace 2x42-50% Pluck 2x42-50% | ||
Noctowl Normal | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Pinsir View Noctowl builds →Sky Attack 2x69-82% Fly 2x47-55% Air Slash 2x74-87% Aerial Ace 2x32-38% | ||
Ponyta Fire | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Pinsir View Ponyta builds →Overheat 2x101-119%KO Fire Blast 2x86-102%KO Flamethrower 2x71-84% Flame Wheel 2x44-52% | ||
Murkrow Dark | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Pinsir View Murkrow builds →Fly 2x66-79% Wing Attack 2x44-52% Air Cutter 2x59-70% Pluck 2x44-52% | ||
Beautifly Bug | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Pinsir View Beautifly builds →Air Cutter 2x66-79% Aerial Ace 2x39-47% Gust 2x47-55% | ||
Golbat Poison | C | |
Obtain MethodMt Coronet Surfing Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Pinsir View Golbat builds →Fly 2x61-73% Air Cutter 2x48-57% Aerial Ace 2x41-49% Pluck 2x41-49% | ||
Noctowl Normal | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Pinsir View Noctowl builds →Sky Attack 2x68-81% Fly 2x46-54% Air Slash 2x73-86% Aerial Ace 2x32-38% | ||
Ponyta Fire | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Pinsir View Ponyta builds →Overheat 2x98-116%KO Fire Blast 2x85-100%KO Flamethrower 2x68-81% Flame Wheel 2x43-51% | ||
Murkrow Dark | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Pinsir View Murkrow builds →Fly 2x64-76% Wing Attack 2x43-51% Air Cutter 2x57-68% Pluck 2x43-51% | ||
Beautifly Bug | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Pinsir View Beautifly builds →Air Cutter 2x66-78% Aerial Ace 2x39-46% Gust 2x46-54% | ||
Golbat Poison | C | |
Obtain MethodMt Coronet Surfing Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Pinsir View Golbat builds →Fly 2x61-73% Air Cutter 2x47-55% Aerial Ace 2x43-50% Pluck 2x43-50% | ||
Noctowl Normal | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Pinsir View Noctowl builds →Sky Attack 2x66-78% Fly 2x45-53% Air Slash 2x71-83% Aerial Ace 2x29-35% | ||
Ponyta Fire | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Pinsir View Ponyta builds →Overheat 2x98-116%KO Fire Blast 2x83-98% Flamethrower 2x68-81% Flame Wheel 2x43-50% | ||
Murkrow Dark | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Pinsir View Murkrow builds →Fly 2x64-76% Wing Attack 2x43-50% Air Cutter 2x57-68% Pluck 2x43-50% | ||
Beautifly Bug | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Pinsir View Beautifly builds →Air Cutter 2x64-76% Aerial Ace 2x38-45% Gust 2x45-53% | ||
Golbat Poison | C | |
Obtain MethodMt Coronet Surfing Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Pinsir View Golbat builds →Fly 2x61-73% Air Cutter 2x47-55% Aerial Ace 2x43-50% Pluck 2x43-50% | ||
Noctowl Normal | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Pinsir View Noctowl builds →Sky Attack 2x66-78% Fly 2x45-53% Air Slash 2x71-83% Aerial Ace 2x29-35% | ||
 Chatot Normal | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Pinsir View Chatot builds →Fly 2x51-61% Chatter 2x66-78% Aerial Ace 2x36-43% Pluck 2x36-43% | ||
Ponyta Fire | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Pinsir View Ponyta builds →Overheat 2x98-116%KO Fire Blast 2x83-98% Flamethrower 2x68-81% Flame Wheel 2x43-50% | ||
Murkrow Dark | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Pinsir View Murkrow builds →Fly 2x64-76% Wing Attack 2x43-50% Air Cutter 2x57-68% Pluck 2x43-50% | ||
In Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl, Blaziken threatens a KO with Flare Blitz (151-177%). Staraptor's Double-Edge also KOs at 102-121%.
 Heatran FireSteel | S | |
Recommended Build AbilityFlashfire ItemLeftovers NatureTimid Moves View Heatran builds →
| ||
 Blaziken FireFighting | B | |
Recommended Build AbilitySpeed Boost ItemLeftovers NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Pinsir View Blaziken builds →Close Combat38-44% Flare Blitz 2x151-177%KO | ||
 Staraptor Normal | C | |
Recommended Build AbilityReckless ItemChoice Band NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Pinsir View Staraptor builds →Close Combat34-40% Double Edge102-121%KO U Turn40-47% | ||
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl Evolution
Pinsir is what you get. No evolutions, but it breeds through one egg group with a decent partner pool. Hatching is average hatch time. It's got 8 egg moves worth looking into. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
Breed Pinsir easily with 48 breeding partners from the Bug egg group. Pass egg moves like Bug Bite, Close Combat, Feint and 5 more to offspring.
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl Pinsir Best Moveset
Prediction matters here. Choice Scarf means Pinsir can't change moves after clicking, but the payoff is speed patching through item lock. Max Attack and Speed EVs with Moxie back that up. Ground coverage prevents free switches.
Best Build
Pinsir best EVs are Attack and Speed
Physical Revenge Killer Moveset
- X Scissor
- Earthquake
- Close Combat
- Knock Off
Recommended Teammates
Moves
The natural movepool does the job, but Bug Bite and Close Combat from the egg pool give Pinsir something extra.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl Pinsir Locations
Pinsir is available from mid-game routes onward at high spawn rates. 9 encounter spots give you plenty of options. Grab one early and it'll be ready to evolve or train by mid-game.
Best Locations to Catch Pinsir in Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl
Walking encounters at Lv. 16-63 across 9 spots for Pinsir. Sorted by progression so you can see what's reachable at your current point in the game.
Pinsir Guide
In Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl, Mold Breaker changes the entire equation for Pinsir. The 500 BST doesn't tell the full story. Ranked C-Tier as a wallbreaker. Xscissor with Choice Scarf is the standard set.
Mega Evolution isn't available in Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl, but Pinsir does have a Mega form in Gen 6-7 games (X/Y, ORAS, Sun/Moon). Mega Pinsir hits 600 BST.
In Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl, watch for Arcanine (Fire), Dodrio (Flying), and Aerodactyl (Rock) when using Pinsir. They all hit it super-effectively with STAB.
Mold Breaker is what you want on Pinsir. Every competitive set worth running is built with that ability in mind. The alternatives (Hyper Cutter, Moxie) work on paper but Mold Breaker is what makes Pinsir worth using. On wall sets, Mold Breaker pairs with Pinsir's base 100 Defense to absorb physical hits on the switch.
Base 85 Speed is workable. Faster than some, slower than many. On offense, Pinsir is a physical attacker with base 125 Attack. Defensively? Enough bulk to take a hit or two. Best used as a wallbreaker.
Game Availability
Since debuting in Red & Blue, Pinsir has appeared in 20 titles over 10 generations. Along the way, it received a Mega form in Generation 7, keeping it relevant across different competitive metas.
Click a game to view version-specific details
- Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 1RBDebut
Red & Blue - Gen 2GS
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 6ORASMega
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