Free switch-ins on Normal and Fighting moves make Sinistcha useful in any team that needs that coverage. Known as the Matcha Pokemon. The stat spread leans into special offense.
Nothing fancy in Sinistcha's spread. It leans special with Sp. Atk out front. And you'll get 2 Sp. Atk EVs per KO for it. Follows a medium-fast 1M XP curve.
Sinistcha Weakness
AvgFire, Ice, Flying, Ghost, and Dark-type moves hit Sinistcha for super-effective damage. The upside? Normal and Fighting-type moves can't touch it at all. The Grass/Ghost typing picks up 4 resistances to work with. Heatproof reduces Fire damage, further improving the defensive spread. Sinistcha's physical bulk (base 106 Def) helps cushion physical weakness hits, but special attackers are the bigger threat.
Sinistcha evolved from Poltchageist's chain using an evolution item. It's a non-standard trigger, so check the details below. Breed this form to get Poltchageist eggs (hatches fast). The evolution from Poltchageist pushed Sinistcha to 508 total stats. Defense saw the largest single gain at +61.
How to Evolve
Breed with Sinistcha to get Poltchageist eggs using 52 partners from the Indeterminate and Mineral egg groups.
Ditto only
Start with max HP and Defense EVs. Bold nature gives Sinistcha the right physical wall lean, Leftovers adds passive recovery each turn, and Hospitality works in the background. Matchagotcha is the main damage option.
Best Build
Best Sinistcha Moveset
- Matcha Gotcha
- Rage Powder
- Life Dew
- Shadow Ball
Recommended Teammates
The level-up pool is slim, so TMs matter here. Sinistcha's Dark and Normal coverage all comes from technical machines, built on top of Leaf Storm and Solar Beam for same-type damage. Foul Play and Leaf Storm are the payoff moves.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
How to Obtain Sinistcha in Scarlet & Violet
Step 1Obtain Poltchageist
Step 2Sinistcha ✓
Sinistcha works as a wallbreaker with 508 BST behind it. B-Tier on our list — a solid choice for the right team. That 121 base Sp. Atk does the heavy lifting.
Watch for Cinderace (Fire), Lapras (Ice), and Aerodactyl (Flying) when using Sinistcha. They all hit it super-effectively with STAB. Ghost and Dark-type attackers are also a problem. With 5 weakness types, most competitive teams carry at least one counter.
Poltchageist evolves into Sinistcha using a Unremarkable Teacup. Sinistcha is the fully evolved form. At 508 BST, it's got solid stats to work with.
Hospitality when a Pokémon with Hospitality enters a battle, it restores HP for an ally by 25% — that's the one you want on Sinistcha. Heatproof is the hidden ability. Niche, but it has its uses.
Sinistcha is a special attacker with base 121 Sp. Atk. Enough bulk to take a hit or two, too. But the speed tells the real story — base 70 Speed is workable — faster than some, slower than many. Fits the wallbreaker role.
Sinistcha can be found in Scarlet & Violet.
Since Scarlet & Violet, Sinistcha has been obtainable in 1 games. A Generation 9 debut means a shorter history, but Sinistcha has appeared steadily across every generation since.
- Gen IY
Yellow - Gen IRB
Red & Blue - Gen IIGS
Gold & Silver - Gen IIC
Crystal - Gen IIIRS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen IIIFRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen IIIE
Emerald - Gen IVPt
Platinum - Gen IVHGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen IVDP
Diamond & Pearl - Gen VBW
Black & White - Gen VB2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen VIXY
X & Y - Gen VIORAS
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen VIIUSUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen VIISM
Sun & Moon - Gen VIILGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen VIIISwSh
Sword & Shield - Gen VIIIPLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen VIIIBDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen IXSVDebut
Scarlet & Violet - Gen IXLZA
Legends: Z-A