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.
The influence of Mega Evolution leaves it in a state of constant excitement. It pierces enemies with its two large horns before shredding them.
Bathed in the energy of Mega Evolution, its wings become unusually developed. It flies at speeds of approximately 30 mph.
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 |
 Incineroar FireDark | A | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Litten (Iki Town Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Pinsir View Incineroar builds →Flare Blitz 2x111-131%KO Flamethrower 2x84-99% Fire Fang 2x61-73% Acrobatics 2x35-41% | ||
 Salamence Dragon | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Pinsir View Salamence builds →Fly 2x96-114%KO Flamethrower 2x71-84% Rock Slide 2x53-63% Fire Fang 2x46-54% | ||
 Nihilego RockPoison | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Pinsir View Nihilego builds →Head Smash 2x76-90% Power Gem 2x107-126%KO | ||
 Archeops Rock | C | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Archen (Route 8 Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Pinsir View Archeops builds →Rock Slide 2x84-99% Wing Attack 2x67-79% Pluck 2x67-79% Ancient Power 2x73-86% | ||
 Typhlosion Fire | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Pinsir View Typhlosion builds →Eruption 2x174-206%KO Burn Up 2x151-178%KO Inferno 2x118-139%KO Flamethrower 2x105-124%KO | ||
In Sun & Moon, Volcanion can KO Pinsir with Fire Blast (265-312%). Togekiss threatens a KO with Air Slash (115-135%). Terrakion's Stone Edge also KOs at 180-213%.
 Volcanion FireWater | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityWaterabsorb ItemChoice Specs NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Pinsir View Volcanion builds →Sludge Bomb72-85% Fire Blast 2x265-312%KO | ||
 Togekiss Fairy | A | |
Recommended Build AbilitySerenegrace ItemLeftovers NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Pinsir View Togekiss builds →Air Slash 2x115-135%KO | ||
 Terrakion RockFighting | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityJustified ItemChoice Band NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Pinsir View Terrakion builds →Close Combat54-63% Stone Edge 2x180-213%KO Earthquake30-35% | ||
 Blaziken FireFighting | C | |
Recommended Build AbilitySpeed Boost ItemLife Orb NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Pinsir View Blaziken builds →Flare Blitz 2x196-230%KO High Jump Kick53-62% | ||
 Staraptor Normal | C | |
Recommended Build AbilityIntimidate ItemChoice Scarf NatureHardy Moves
Damage vs Pinsir View Staraptor builds →U Turn27-32% Close Combat23-27% | ||
Sun & Moon Evolution
Pinsir is what you get. No evolutions, but it breeds through one egg group with plenty of partners. Hatching is average hatch time. It's got 9 egg moves worth looking into. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
Breed Pinsir easily with 77 breeding partners from the Bug egg group. Pass egg moves like Bug Bite, Close Combat, Feint and 6 more to offspring.
Sun & Moon Pinsir Best Moveset
One guaranteed turn is all Pinsir needs. Focus Sash buys it, max Attack and Speed EVs make it count, and Mold Breaker adds something extra. The goal: get Stealth Rock up and deal damage with Close Combat. Ground coverage gives it play beyond just the lead turn.
Best Build
Pinsir best EVs are Attack and Speed
Physical Sweeper Moveset
- Close Combat
- Earthquake
- Stone Edge
- Stealth Rock
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
Transfer Moves
Sun & Moon Pinsir Locations
moderate rates for Pinsir across 10 locations in mid-game routes. Nothing complicated. Check the sorted list below, compare the top few options, and head to whichever is closest.
Best Locations to Catch Pinsir in Sun & Moon
10 spots to find Pinsir at Lv. 18-55 via gift and walking. Not all of them exist in both Moon and Sun versions, so filter by your copy below.
Pinsir Guide
In Sun & Moon, Mold Breaker changes the entire equation for Pinsir. The 500 BST doesn't tell the full story. Ranked C-Tier as a wallbreaker. Close Combat with Focus Sash is the standard set.
In Sun & Moon, Pinsir can Mega Evolve into Mega Pinsir. That's 600 BST, up from 500. The stat redistribution often changes its best role. Mega Stone required, one per battle.
In Sun & Moon, 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