TL;DR. Pinsir is a pure bug-type Pokémon from Generation I. Base Stat Total: 500. If it fails to crush the victim in its pincers, it will swing it around and toss it hard.
If it fails to crush the victim in its pincers, it will swing it around and toss it hard.
Stat spread.
Total of 500. Higher peaks mean specialized roles, flat spreads favor versatility.
Rankings computed across all 1025 base-species Pokémon (Mega and Gigantamax forms excluded). Source: National Pokédex base stats.
Pinsir in Pokémon GO.
Pokémon GO uses its own hand-tuned base stats, distinct from the main-series spread above. At a perfect 15/15/15, Pinsir reaches 2,959 CP at level 40 and 3,385 CP as a best buddy.
Run the numbers: CP & HP calculator · PvP IV optimizer · Catch CP calculator
Shiny release
Shiny Pinsir first appeared on November 1, 2018, during Safari Zone in Tainan.
- Taiwan
- worldwide
- Shadow
- Mega Pinsir
Recent raid runs
Last in raids: Sep 5, 2026, Mega (Mega Pinsir).
| Dates | Raid | Event |
|---|---|---|
| Sep 5, 2026 | MegaMega Pinsir | Pokémon GO Fest 2026: Mega Finale |
| Jul 11 to Jul 12, 2026 | MegaMega Pinsir | Pokémon GO Fest 2026: Global |
| Mar 17 to Mar 23, 2026 | 3-star | Bug Out |
| Mar 4 to Mar 11, 2026 | MegaMega Pinsir | Regular rotation |
| Nov 4 to Nov 10, 2025 | MegaMega Pinsir | Regular rotation |
| Sep 2 to Sep 7, 2025 | 3-star | Kanto Celebration |
Pinsir in competitive play.
Recommended builds and battle rankings for Pinsir across the current metagames. In Pokémon GO it ranks #563 in the Great League.
Build around it: GO PvP IV optimizer · Team builder · Ask Dia
Movesets via Smogon, GO ranks via PvPoke. Updated 2026-06-01.
Common questions about Pinsir.
Direct, sourced answers to the most-asked questions about Pinsir, each computed straight from its Pokédex data.
What type is Pinsir?
Pinsir is a pure Bug-type Pokémon. It has a single typing, which means a simpler matchup chart but also fewer resistances.
What is Pinsir weak to?
Pinsir takes 2× damage from Fire, Flying, Rock. It has no 4× weaknesses.
What is Pinsir resistant to?
Pinsir resists Grass, Fighting, Ground. It has no full immunities.
How does Pinsir evolve?
Pinsir evolves into Mega Pinsir (Mega Evolve with Pinsirite (battle-only)).
What generation is Pinsir from?
Pinsir was introduced in Generation I (the Kanto region). Its Pokédex number is #0127.
What are Pinsir's base stats?
Pinsir has HP 65, Attack 125, Defense 100, Special Attack 55, Special Defense 70, and Speed 85. Total base stat total: 500.
What are Pinsir's abilities?
Pinsir can have the abilities Hyper Cutter, Mold Breaker, plus the Hidden Ability Moxie.
Is Pinsir legendary or mythical?
No. Pinsir is a regular Pokémon, not classified as Legendary or Mythical.
What is Pinsir's best stat?
Pinsir's highest base stat is Attack at 125, which ranks 7th of 92 Bug-type Pokémon.
Is Pinsir good?
Pinsir has a base stat total of 500, the 278th-highest of all 1025 Pokémon species and 11th among Bug-types. That is a strong, fully-evolved stat spread.
This Pokémon has forms.
Through the generations.
Pinsir as drawn across two decades of Pokémon games, plus the modern Pokémon HOME render. Hit the cry button to hear it.
In battle.
Damage multipliers when Pinsir is hit by each attacking type. 4× is two stacked weaknesses, ¼× is two stacked resistances.
Pinsir vs. the average Bug-type.
Each base stat measured against the mean across all 92 Bug-type Pokémon.
| Stat | Pinsir | Bug avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| HP | 65 | 57 | +8 |
| Attack | 125 | 68 | +57 |
| Defense | 100 | 69 | +31 |
| Special Attack | 55 | 57 | -2 |
| Special Defense | 70 | 64 | +6 |
| Speed | 85 | 60 | +25 |
| Total | 500 | 375 | +125 |
Pinsir appears in 37 games.
Every mainline release where Pinsir is obtainable, has a dex entry, or is transferable. Grouped by generation.
- 1998 Blue
- 1998 Red
- 1999 Yellow
- 2000 Gold
- 2000 Silver
- 2001 Crystal
- 2003 Ruby
- 2003 Sapphire
- 2004 FireRed
- 2004 LeafGreen
- 2005 Emerald
- 2007 Diamond
- 2007 Pearl
- 2009 Platinum
- 2010 HeartGold
- 2010 SoulSilver
- 2011 Black
- 2011 White
- 2012 Black 2
- 2012 White 2
- 2013 X
- 2013 Y
- 2014 Alpha Sapphire
- 2014 Omega Ruby
- 2016 Moon
- 2016 Sun
- 2017 Ultra Moon
- 2017 Ultra Sun
- 2018 Let's Go, Eevee!
- 2018 Let's Go, Pikachu!
- 2019 Shield
- 2019 Sword
- 2020 Isle of Armor DLC
- 2025 Legends: Z-A
- 2026 Pokémon Champions
- 2026 Pokémon Pokopia
- 2016 Pokémon GO
How to get Pinsir.
Every main-series game Pinsir is in, newest first: how to get it, version exclusives and Shiny locks.
Generation IXObtainableNot in the game
- Scarlet · VioletNot in the game
- Legends: Z-AObtainable
- WildRouge District: Wild Zone 13
- WildCentrico Plaza: Wild Zone 20 (Alpha)
- WildHyperspace Lumiose (4★ Bug-type wild zones) (Mega Dimension)
Generation VIIIObtainableTradeNot in the game
- SwordObtainable
- Trade(Version 1.2.0+)
- WildTraining Lowlands (The Isle of Armor)
- WildChallenge Road, Training Lowlands (Wanderer) (The Isle of Armor)
- RaidFields of Honor (Max Raid Battle) (The Isle of Armor)
- ShieldTrade
- Trade(Version 1.2.0+)
- Brilliant DiamondTrade
- Shining PearlObtainable
- WildRoute 229
- WildGrand Underground - Grassland Cave, Riverbank Cave, Still-Water Cavern, Sunlit Cavern (After obtaining the National Pokédex), Big Bluff Cavern
- Legends: ArceusNot in the game
Generation VIIObtainableTrade
- Sun · MoonObtainable
- WildLush Jungle, Poni Grove, Poké Pelago (Only begin appearing after the player reaches Ula'ula Island)
- Ultra Sun · Ultra MoonObtainable
- WildLush Jungle, Poni Grove, Exeggutor Island, Poké Pelago (Only begin appearing after the player reaches Ula'ula Island)
- WildExeggutor Island (Three)
- Let's Go, Pikachu!Trade
- Let's Go, Eevee!Obtainable
- WildRoutes 14 and 15
Generation VIObtainable
- XObtainable
- WildRoute 12
- WildFriend Safari (Bug) (needs another player)
- YObtainable
- WildFriend Safari (Bug) (needs another player)
- Omega Ruby · Alpha SapphireObtainable
- WildSafari Zone (Zone 4, long grass)
Generation VObtainable
- Black · WhiteObtainable
- WildRoute 12
- Black 2Obtainable
- WildLostlorn Forest (Hidden Grotto)
- White 2Obtainable
- WildRoute 12 and Lostlorn Forest
- WildLostlorn Forest (Hidden Grotto)
Generation IVObtainableTrade
- DiamondTrade
- PearlObtainable
- WildRoute 229
- PlatinumObtainable
- WildRoute 229 (Swarm)
- HeartGold · SoulSilverObtainable
- WildNational Park (Bug-Catching Contest) (Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays)
Generation IIIObtainableTrade
- Ruby · Sapphire · EmeraldObtainable
- WildSafari Zone
- FireRedTrade
- LeafGreenObtainable
- WildSafari Zone
- GiftCeladon City (Rocket Game Corner)
Generation IIObtainable
- Gold · Silver · CrystalObtainable
- WildNational Park (Bug-Catching Contest) (Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays)
Generation IObtainableTrade
- RedTrade
- BlueObtainable
- WildSafari Zone
- GiftCeladon City (Rocket Game Corner)
- YellowObtainable
- WildSafari Zone
- GiftCeladon City (Rocket Game Corner)
- Pokémon HOME
- Send it to HOME from Pokémon Bank; Let's Go, Eevee!; Sword; Shining Pearl; Legends: Z-A; and LeafGreen. From HOME it can move into Sword, Shield, Brilliant Diamond, Shining Pearl and Legends: Z-A.
- Pokémon Champions
- Legal in Regulation M-A, M-B and M-C. Mega Pinsir: Regulation M-A, M-B and M-C. It can be brought in from HOME.
Pinsir appears in 41 episodes.
From EP004 (1997-04-22) through JN136 (2022-12-16).
Pokémon Masters EX · Sync Pairs
Pinsir partners with 1 trainer in Masters EX.
Each card is a canon Trainer + Pinsir partnership. Tap any pair to open the Sync Pair catalog and explore the full roster.
Pokémon Sleep · Dozing type
Pinsir has 4 sleep styles.
Catch each pose by sleeping near Snorlax with enough Drowsy Power. Pinsir sleeps as a Dozing type.
TCG Pocket appearances
Pinsir in TCG Pocket.
Every printed variant on iOS / Android. Tap any card for full art.
Pokémon like Pinsir
Closest matches by typing, role, stats, and lore, from the same semantic search that powers the Reverse Dex.