Physical
Wallbreaker
85Speed · Above Avg

Is Pinsir Good in FireRed & LeafGreen Playthrough?

LeafGreen only. AbilityHyper Cutter prevents Attack drops from Intimidate. Bug with high physical Attack, but Bug is Special in Gen 3 and Pinsir's strength is physical. The same mismatch as Scyther. Handles Erika through Bug contact moves. Scyther fills this slot in FireRed. Neither Bug escapes the physical/special problem.

StrongGoodEvenToughBadSEGEEEGGGGGEEBrockGym 1MistyGym 2SurgeGym 3PinsirGiftErikaGym 4PinsirCatchKogaGym 5SabrinaGym 6BlaineGym 7GiovanniGym 8LoreleiE4BrunoE4AgathaE4LanceE4TerryChamp*
Brock
Gym 1
Strong

Pinsir resists most of Brock's coverage and hits back hard.

Easy KO
Geodude
Lv 12
RockGround
Rock Head
TackleDefense Curl
Easy KO
Onix
Lv 14
RockGround
Rock Head
TackleBindRock Tomb
Misty
Gym 2
Even

Pinsir trades roughly evenly with Misty's team.

Even
Staryu
Lv 18
Water
Illuminate
TackleHardenRecoverWater Pulse
Even
Starmie
Lv 21
WaterPsychic
Illuminate
SwiftRecoverRapid SpinWater Pulse
Lt. Surge
Gym 3
Good

Pinsir has the type edge here and should clean up Lt. Surge's team.

You Win
Voltorb
Lv 21
Electric
Soundproof
Sonic BoomTackleScreechShock Wave
Easy KO
Pikachu
Lv 18
Electric
Static
Quick AttackThunder WaveDouble TeamShock Wave
You Win
Raichu
Lv 24
Electric
Static
Quick AttackThunder WaveDouble TeamShock Wave
Erika
Gym 4
Even

Pinsir trades roughly evenly with Erika's team.

Risky
Victreebel
Lv 29
GrassPoison
Chlorophyll
Stun SporeAcidPoison PowderGiga Drain
You Win
Tangela
Lv 24
Grass
Chlorophyll
Poison PowderConstrictIngrainGiga Drain
Risky
Vileplume
Lv 29
GrassPoison
Chlorophyll
Sleep PowderAcidStun SporeGiga Drain
Koga
Gym 5
Even

Pinsir trades roughly evenly with Koga's team.

Even
Koffing
Lv 37
Poison
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
Self DestructSludgeSmokescreenToxic
Easy KO
Muk
Lv 39
Poison
Stench
MinimizeSludgeAcid ArmorToxic
Even
Koffing
Lv 37
Poison
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
Self DestructSludgeSmokescreenToxic
Even
Weezing
Lv 43
Poison
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
TackleSludgeSmokescreenToxic
Sabrina
Gym 6
Even

Pinsir trades roughly evenly with Sabrina's team.

Even
Kadabra
Lv 38
Psychic
Synchronize
PsybeamReflectFuture SightCalm Mind
You Win
Mr Mime
Lv 37
PsychicFairy
Soundproof
BarrierPsybeamBaton PassCalm Mind
You Win
Venomoth
Lv 38
BugPoison
Shield Dust
PsybeamGustLeech LifeSupersonic
Risky
Alakazam
Lv 43
Psychic
Synchronize
PsychicRecoverFuture SightCalm Mind
Blaine
Gym 7
Good

Pinsir has the type edge here and should clean up Blaine's team.

You Win
Growlithe
Lv 42
Fire
Intimidate
BiteRoarTake DownFire Blast
You Win
Ponyta
Lv 40
Fire
Run Away
StompBounceFire SpinFire Blast
You Win
Rapidash
Lv 42
Fire
Run Away
StompBounceFire SpinFire Blast
Even
Arcanine
Lv 47
Fire
Intimidate
BiteRoarTake DownFire Blast
Giovanni
Gym 8
Good

Pinsir has the type edge here and should clean up Giovanni's team.

Easy KO
Rhyhorn
Lv 45
GroundRock
Lightning Rod
Take DownRock BlastScary FaceEarthquake
Even
Dugtrio
Lv 42
Ground
Sand Veil
SlashSand TombMud SlapEarthquake
You Win
Nidoqueen
Lv 44
PoisonGround
Poison Point
Body SlamDouble KickPoison StingEarthquake
You Win
Nidoking
Lv 45
PoisonGround
Poison Point
ThrashDouble KickPoison StingEarthquake
Easy KO
Rhyhorn
Lv 50
GroundRock
Lightning Rod
Take DownRock BlastScary FaceEarthquake
Lorelei
Elite Four
Good

Pinsir has the type edge here and should clean up Lorelei's team.

You Win
Dewgong
Lv 52
WaterIce
Thick Fat
Ice BeamSurfHailSafeguard
You Win
Cloyster
Lv 51
WaterIce
Shell Armor
SpikesProtectHailDive
You Win
Slowbro
Lv 52
WaterPsychic
Oblivious
Ice BeamSurfAmnesiaYawn
Even
Jynx
Lv 54
IcePsychic
Oblivious
Ice PunchDouble SlapLovely KissAttract
You Win
Lapras
Lv 54
WaterIce
Water Absorb
Confuse RayIce BeamSurfBody Slam
Bruno
Elite Four
Good

Pinsir has the type edge here and should clean up Bruno's team.

You Win
Onix
Lv 51
RockGround
Rock Head
EarthquakeRock TombIron TailRoar
Even
Hitmonchan
Lv 53
Fighting
Keen Eye
Sky UppercutMach PunchRock TombCounter
Even
Hitmonlee
Lv 53
Fighting
Limber
Mega KickForesightBrick BreakFacade
You Win
Onix
Lv 54
RockGround
Rock Head
Double EdgeEarthquakeIron TailSand Tomb
Even
Machamp
Lv 56
Fighting
Guts
Cross ChopBulk UpScary FaceRock Tomb
Agatha
Elite Four
Good

Pinsir has the type edge here and should clean up Agatha's team.

Even
Gengar
Lv 54
GhostPoison
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
Shadow PunchConfuse RayToxicDouble Team
You Win
Golbat
Lv 54
PoisonFlying
Inner Focus
Confuse RayPoison FangAir CutterBite
Even
Haunter
Lv 53
GhostPoison
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
HypnosisDream EaterCurseMean Look
You Win
Arbok
Lv 56
Poison
Intimidate
Sludge BombScreechIron TailBite
Even
Gengar
Lv 58
GhostPoison
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
Shadow BallSludge BombHypnosisNightmare
Lance
Elite Four
Even

Pinsir trades roughly evenly with Lance's team.

You Win
Gyarados
Lv 56
WaterFlying
Intimidate
Hyper BeamDragon RageTwisterBite
Even
Dragonair
Lv 54
Dragon
Shed Skin
Hyper BeamSafeguardDragon RageOutrage
Even
Dragonair
Lv 54
Dragon
Shed Skin
Hyper BeamSafeguardThunder WaveOutrage
You Win
Aerodactyl
Lv 58
RockFlying
Rock Head
Hyper BeamAncient PowerWing AttackScary Face
Even
Dragonite
Lv 60
DragonFlying
Inner Focus
Hyper BeamSafeguardOutrageWing Attack
Terry
Champion
Even

Pinsir trades roughly evenly with Terry's team.

Even
Heracross
Lv 72
BugFighting
Swarm
MegahornEarthquakeCounterRock Tomb
Even
Alakazam
Lv 73
Psychic
Synchronize
PsychicShadow BallCalm MindReflect
Easy KO
Tyranitar
Lv 72
RockDark
Sand Stream
CrunchEarthquakeThunderboltAerial Ace
Even
Arcanine
Lv 73
Fire
Intimidate
Extreme SpeedOverheatAerial AceIron Tail
Even
Exeggutor
Lv 73
GrassPsychic
Chlorophyll
Giga DrainPsychicSleep PowderLight Screen
Risky
Blastoise
Lv 75
Water
Torrent
Hydro PumpIce BeamEarthquakeRain Dance
Gift
Available after Badge 3
Type
Bug
Tier
A

Pinsir is given to you as a gift on Celadon City at Lv 18. 2,500 Coins. Exchange coins at the Celadon Game Corner prize counter

View Pinsir locations

Recommended Moves
  • After Lt. Surge
    • TM28GroundDig80100%10
  • After Erika
    • TM15NormalHyper Beam15090%5
    • HM04NormalStrength80100%15
    • LV 31FightingBrick Break75100%15
  • After Koga
    • TM01FightingFocus Punch150100%20
  • After Giovanni
    • TUTORNormalDouble-Edge120100%15
    • TM26GroundEarthquake100100%10
  • Post-Game
    • TUTORNormalBody Slam85100%15
    • TM42NormalFacade70100%20
Catch Pinsir
Available after Badge 4
Type
Bug
Tier
A

Catch Pinsir on Safari Zone (walking, Lv 23, rare).

View Pinsir locations

Recommended Moves
  • After Lt. Surge
    • TM28GroundDig80100%10
  • After Erika
    • TM15NormalHyper Beam15090%5
    • HM04NormalStrength80100%15
    • LV 31FightingBrick Break75100%15
  • After Koga
    • TM01FightingFocus Punch150100%20
  • After Giovanni
    • TUTORNormalDouble-Edge120100%15
    • TM26GroundEarthquake100100%10
  • Post-Game
    • TUTORNormalBody Slam85100%15
    • TM42NormalFacade70100%20

FireRed & LeafGreen Pinsir Locations

Game Corner prize for 2,500 coins or rare in the Safari Zone. Pinsir has three encounters total in LeafGreen only, filling Scyther's slot from FireRed.

LeafGreen Exclusive — Trade with FireRed for Scyther

2 locations to catch Pinsir

Encountered via tall grass encounters

Badge 4
Badge 5

Best Locations to Catch Pinsir in FireRed & LeafGreen

Catching Pinsir takes patience. The 3 walking and gift encounters at Lv. 18-28 all have low spawn rates, so pick one location and stay put for the best odds.

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.

Pinsir Weakness and Resistance Chart
DamageTypes
2x (Weak)Fire, Flying, Rock
0.5x (Resist)Grass, Fighting, Ground
Gen III Type Chart
  • Dark and Steel types added — Fairy does not exist yet
  • Moves are Physical or Special based on type, not per move

What is Pinsir Weak Against

Avg
3Weak
3Resist
0Immune
Score-3
4xCritical
None
¼xResist
None
0xImmune
None

What is Pinsir Strong Against

3Strong
6Resisted
0Immune
Score-3

Best Pokemon Against Pinsir

Pinsir Evolutions

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 4 egg moves worth looking into. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.

How to Evolve

No Evolution
Pinsir
#127Pinsir
Does not evolve

Breeding

Easy

Breed Pinsir easily with 37 breeding partners from the Bug egg group. Pass egg moves like False Swipe, Feint Attack, Flail and 1 more to offspring.

Egg Groups
Gender
50.0%50.0%
Hatch Time
25 cycles·6,425 steps
Moderate~6 min with Flame Body
Egg Moves
4moves
Breed With (best first)
flygonmasquerainvolbeatillumiseparasectvibravaparastrapinchsurskitshuckleforretressvenomoth

FRLG Pinsir Best Moveset

125 Attack is massive for a Bug type, and AbilityHyper Cutter prevents any Attack drops from AbilityIntimidate or other effects. Bug is physical in this format, matching that Attack. The moveset fires MoveEarthquake for coverage alongside Bug TermStab, and MoveSwords Dance doubles the already-high Attack for devastating sweeps.

Best Build

Experimental
Physical Attacker
Ability
Hyper Cutter
Item
LeftoversSUSTAIN
Best Nature for Pinsir
Impish+DEF

Pinsir best EVs are Attack and Defense

EVs

Physical Attacker Moveset

  • EarthquakeCoverage
  • Rock Slide
  • Brick Break
  • Hidden Power Ghost

Moves List

The natural movepool does the job, but False Swipe and Feint Attack from the egg pool give Pinsir something extra. Pair those with Bug STAB for STAB and Normal and Fighting coverage and more for reach, and the kit fills out nicely.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1
Focus Energy
D30Normal
Lv 1
Vise Grip
C5510030Normal
Lv 7
Bind
157520Normal
Lv 13
Seismic Toss
D10020Fighting
Lv 19
Harden
C30Normal
Lv 25
Revenge-4
6010010Fighting
Lv 31
Brick Break
B7510015Fighting
Lv 37
Guillotine
305Normal
Lv 43
Submission
808025Fighting
Lv 49
Swords Dance
A30Normal

TM Moves

TM
TM45
Attract
10015Normal
TM31
Brick Break
B7510015Fighting
TM08
Bulk Up
C20Fighting
HM01
Cut
D509530Normal
TM28
Dig
C6010010Ground
TM32
Double Team
15Normal
TM26
Earthquake
B10010010Ground
TM42
Facade
C7010020Normal
TM01
Focus Punch-3
B15010020Fighting
TM21
Frustration
D10020Normal
TM10
Hidden Power
6010015Normal
TM15
Hyper Beam
C150905Normal
TM17
Protect+4
C10Normal
TM18
Rain Dance
C5Water
TM44
Rest
C10Psychic
TM27
Return
D10020Normal
HM06
Rock Smash
D2010015Fighting
TM39
Rock Tomb
C609510Rock
TM43
Secret Power
7010020Normal
HM04
Strength
8010015Normal
TM11
Sunny Day
C5Fire
TM46
Thief
C6010025Dark
TM06
Toxic
C8510Poison

Egg Moves

Egg
Egg
False Swipe
4010040Normal
Egg
Feint Attack
6020Dark
Egg
Flail
D10015Normal
Egg
Fury Attack
158520Normal

Tutor Moves

Tut
Tutor
Body Slam
C8510015Normal
Tutor
Double-Edge
B12010015Normal
Tutor
Mimic
D10Normal
Tutor
Rock Slide
B759010Rock
Tutor
Seismic Toss
D10020Fighting
Tutor
Substitute
C10Normal
Tutor
Swords Dance
A30Normal

Base Stats

Base Stats
High
HP65
C
Attack125
A
Defense100
B
Sp. Atk55
D
Sp. Def70
C
Speed85
C
Total500
Details
Catch Rate
Challenging45 / 255
Growth Rate
Slow1.25M XP
Height1.5 m
Weight55.0 kg
Base XP175
Abilities
Hyper Cutter
Prevents Attack from being lowered by other Pokémon.
Mold Breaker
Bypasses targets' abilities if they could hinder or prevent a move.
EV Yield
HPAtk+2DefSpASpDSpe
Attack training target
Pokedex Entry

Its two long pincer horns are powerful. Once they grip an enemy, they won’t release until the foe is torn.

If it fails to crush the foe in its pincers, it will swing around and toss the opponent.

Pinsir FireRed & LeafGreen Guide

  • Where in the FireRed & LeafGreen Safari Zone can I find Pinsir?

    See the Locations section above for where to find Pinsir in FireRed & LeafGreen.

    Safari rules: You can only use Safari Balls. No battling. Two tactical items shift the catch/flee trade-off:

    ActionCatch chance per ballFlee rate per turn
    Default7%45%
    Bait7% (floor)10%
    Rock15%90%

    Effects last 2-6 random turns; throwing one cancels the other. Catch chance assumes full HP and a Safari Ball (the only ball allowed). (floor) = halving was clamped at the catch-factor floor of 3, so catch chance does not change.

  • Why can't I find Pinsir in FireRed?

    Pinsir is exclusive to Pokemon LeafGreen. FireRed players have to trade for one.

    Pokemon LeafGreen cover art

    LeafGreen exclusive

    Trade with a player who has Pokemon LeafGreen to obtain Pinsir.

    See the Locations section above for where to find Pinsir in LeafGreen.

    How to trade in FireRed and LeafGreen

    GBA cartridges: You need a Game Boy Advance Game Link Cable and both players' FireRed/LeafGreen cartridges. Trade at the Cable Club on the 2nd floor of any Pokemon Center, which opens up shortly after Oak gives you the Pokedex.
    Nintendo Switch (2026 release): Trading uses local wireless only. There is no online play, and no Nintendo Switch Online subscription is required. Both players head to the Pokemon Wireless Club on the 2nd floor of any Pokemon Center, then step into a Union Room. Up to four other players can join. Available once you have the Pokedex from Professor Oak.
  • Pinsir costs 2,500 Coins in LeafGreen. Earn coins by playing the slot machines on the Game Corner floor or buying them at the counter (1,000 coins for ₽10,000).

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 6, keeping it relevant across different competitive metas.

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