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No. 0127

Pinsir

Stag Beetle Pokémon

BaseMega
Pinsir official artwork
Official art

Pinsir is a Bug-type Pokémon, 2× weak to Flying, Rock and Fire, with a base stat total of 500. In Pokémon Champions it’s #220 on the Doubles ladder and #170 in Singles, as of Oct 28, 2026.

Bug
Height
1.5 m 4′11″
Weight
55 kg 121.3 lbs
Base stat total
500 Higher than 70% of Pokémon
Introduced
Gen I Red & Green (JP)
Abilities
Champions#220 Doubles ▲3 · #170 Singles ▲1Usual set Pinsirite · Jolly · HP 2 / Atk 32 / Spe 32Full set →
Pokédex entryShield
This Pokémon clamps its pincers down on its prey and then either splits the prey in half or flings it away.
See all 21 entries

Base stats

HP65140–172240–334
Atk125130–194229–383
Def100108–167184–328
SpA5567–117103–229
SpD7081–134130–262
Spe8594–150157–295
Total500Higher than 70% of Pokémon
HP65Atk125Def100Spe85SpD70SpA55

Ranges in Pokémon Champions at Lv 50: 0 Stat Points with a −10% Stat Alignment to 32 Stat Points with a +10% one (HP has no alignment).Ranges in the main games at Lv 100: 0 IV/EV with a hindering nature to 31 IV/252 EV with a helpful nature. EV yield: 2 Atk.

Stat calculatorChampions Stat Points & Stat Alignment, or EVs, IVs & nature
Calculate damage →

Type matchups

Weak to

2×
FireFlyingRock

Resists

½×
FightingGrassGround
Takes normal damage from 12 types
NormalPoisonBugGhostSteelWaterElectricPsychicIceDragonDarkFairy

Speed tiers

The faster Pokémon moves first each turn, so knowing who you outspeed decides a lot of battles. These are its Speed values at Lv 50 in Pokémon Champions (base Speed 85); Scarf and Tailwind use the Max+ value.

Max+150Max137No SP105Min94Scarf225Tailwind300

At max Speed, Pinsir outspeeds 15 of the 30 most used Pokémon in Champions VGC on Showdown, and ties 1.

Speed at Lv 50 in Pokémon Champions: Pinsir against the 30 most used Pokémon in Champions VGC on Showdown, fastest first
SpeedPokémon
203Mega Garchomp ZModest · 32 SP · #21 on Showdown
200Mega GengarTimid · 32 SP · #26 on Showdown
190Mega Raichu YTimid · 23 SP · #13 on Showdown
189Mega SalamenceTimid · 32 SP · #4 on Showdown
184WhimsicottTimid · 32 SP · #23 on Showdown
178Mega MetagrossJolly · 32 SP · #28 on Showdown
178Mega StaraptorJolly · 32 SP · #29 on Showdown
172SneaslerAdamant · 32 SP · #2 on Showdown
169Mega FloetteTimid · 32 SP · #17 on Showdown
169GarchompJolly · 32 SP · #19 on Showdown
167Mega Charizard YTimid · 32 SP · #14 on Showdown
167Mega GardevoirTimid · 32 SP · #20 on Showdown
161IndeedeeTimid · 32 SP · #30 on Showdown
156Hisuian ArcanineJolly · 32 SP · #16 on Showdown
150Pinsir · Max+32 SP, Speed-raising alignment
150ArchaludonTimid · 32 SP · #9 on Showdown
149GholdengoTimid · 32 SP · #8 on Showdown
143BasculegionJolly · 32 SP · #6 on Showdown
137Pinsir · Max32 SP, neutral alignment
128PelipperTimid · 32 SP · #12 on Showdown
120VolcaronaBold · 0 SP · #25 on Showdown
105Pinsir · No SP0 SP, neutral alignment
105RillaboomAdamant · 0 SP · #1 on Showdown
101MiloticCalm · 0 SP · #15 on Showdown
95SylveonModest · 15 SP · #18 on Showdown
94Female IndeedeeRelaxed · 0 SP · #7 on Showdown
90PolitoedCalm · 0 SP · #22 on Showdown
90SinistchaBold · 0 SP · #24 on Showdown
85ArmarougeQuiet · 0 SP · #27 on Showdown
80IncineroarCareful · 0 SP · #3 on Showdown
80FarigirafBold · 0 SP · #11 on Showdown
70KingambitAdamant · 0 SP · #5 on Showdown
60Mega GolisopodAdamant · 0 SP · #10 on Showdown

Smogon · Showdown Others at their most common Speed investment in Champions VGC (Reg M-C · Doubles, Sep 2026); Pokémon holding a Mega Stone are shown as their Mega.

Abilities

Competitive

Ranked ladder · in-game

Doubles

#220 of 262 used

▲ 3 places since Oct 21
Oct 21Oct 28

Pinsirite (87.8%) · (69.5%) · Jolly (65.2%) · HP 2 / Atk 32 / Spe 32 (35.4%)

MovesFeintBody SlamStorm ThrowProtect

Singles

#170 of 262 used

▲ 1 place since Oct 21
Oct 21Oct 28

Pinsirite (91.4%) · (61.4%) · Jolly (75.8%) · HP 1 / Atk 32 / Def 1 / Spe 32 (33.9%)

MovesQuick AttackSwords DanceStorm ThrowThrash

Daily usage rank on the Pokémon Champions ladder, updated Oct 28. Battle data provided by Pokémon Champions Battle Data.

Usage over time

Values
Pinsir, Champions VGC on Showdown, Showdown: top players (1760 weighting)
MonthRegulationBattlesShare of teams
Apr 2026Reg M-A3,122,2220%
May 2026Reg M-A3,355,6190%
Jun 2026Reg M-B1,163,3150%
Jul 2026Reg M-B1,764,6860%
Aug 2026Reg M-B1,269,2500%
Sep 2026Reg M-C1,631,9430%

Smogon · Showdown On Showdown

Not used in the tracked Showdown formats this month.

Other Showdown formats Scarlet & Violet, with Tera
National DexRU

Evolution

Pinsir doesn’t evolve, but in battle it can Mega Evolve.

  1. #0127PinsirBug
    1. Mega Evolution, in battleholding Pinsirite
      #0127Mega PinsirBugFlying

Moves

Level up 15

1HardenRaises the user's Defense by 1.NormalStatus——30
1Vise GripNo additional effect.NormalPhys55100%30
4Focus EnergyRaises the user's critical hit ratio by 2.NormalStatus——30
8BindTraps and damages the target for 4-5 turns.NormalPhys1585%20
12Seismic TossDoes damage equal to the user's level.FightingPhys—100%20
16Bug BiteUser steals and eats the target's Berry.BugPhys60100%20
20Storm ThrowAlways results in a critical hit.FightingPhys60100%10
24Double HitHits 2 times in one turn.NormalPhys3590%10
28Vital ThrowThis move does not check accuracy. Goes last.FightingPhys70—10
32X-ScissorNo additional effect.BugPhys80100%15
36StrengthNo additional effect.NormalPhys80100%15
40Swords DanceRaises the user's Attack by 2.NormalStatus——20
44SubmissionHas 1/4 recoil.FightingPhys8080%20
48GuillotineOHKOs the target. Fails if user is a lower level.NormalPhys—30%5
52SuperpowerLowers the user's Attack and Defense by 1.FightingPhys120100%5

TM / HM / TR 33

TM83Bulldoze100% chance lower adjacent Pkmn Speed by 1.GroundPhys60100%20
HM01CutNo additional effect.NormalPhys5095%30
HM04StrengthNo additional effect.NormalPhys80100%15
HM06Rock Smash50% chance to lower the target's Defense by 1.FightingPhys40100%15
HM08Rock Climb20% chance to confuse the target.NormalPhys9085%20
TMSwords DanceRaises the user's Attack by 2.NormalStatus——20
TMHyper BeamUser cannot move next turn.NormalSpec15090%5
TMEarthquakeHits adjacent Pokémon. Double damage on Dig.GroundPhys100100%10
TMDigDigs underground turn 1, strikes turn 2.GroundPhys80100%10
TMDouble TeamRaises the user's evasiveness by 1.NormalStatus——15
TMRestUser sleeps 2 turns and restores HP and status.PsychicStatus——5
TMRock Slide30% chance to make the foe(s) flinch.RockPhys7590%10
TMSubstituteUser takes 1/4 its max HP to put in a substitute.NormalStatus——10
TMThiefIf the user has no item, it steals the target's.DarkPhys60100%25
TMProtectPrevents moves from affecting the user this turn.NormalStatus——10
TMEndureUser survives attacks this turn with at least 1 HP.NormalStatus——10
TMFalse SwipeAlways leaves the target with at least 1 HP.NormalPhys40100%40
TMSwaggerRaises the target's Attack by 2 and confuses it.NormalStatus—85%15
TMAttractA target of the opposite gender gets infatuated.NormalStatus—100%15
TMSleep TalkUser must be asleep. Uses another known move.NormalStatus——10
TMRain DanceFor 5 turns, heavy rain powers Water moves.WaterStatus——5
TMSunny DayFor 5 turns, intense sunlight powers Fire moves.FireStatus——5
TMFacadePower doubles if user is burn/poison/paralyzed.NormalPhys70100%20
TMFocus PunchFails if the user takes damage before it hits.FightingPhys150100%20
TMBrick BreakDestroys screens, unless the target is immune.FightingPhys75100%15
TMRock Tomb100% chance to lower the target's Speed by 1.RockPhys6095%15
TMBulk UpRaises the user's Attack and Defense by 1.FightingStatus——20
TMFlingFlings the user's item at the target. Power varies.DarkPhys—100%10
TMX-ScissorNo additional effect.BugPhys80100%15
TMFocus Blast10% chance to lower the target's Sp. Def by 1.FightingSpec12070%5
TMGiga ImpactUser cannot move next turn.NormalPhys15090%5
TMStone EdgeHigh critical hit ratio.RockPhys10080%5
TMStealth RockHurts foes on switch-in. Factors Rock weakness.RockStatus——20

Egg moves 8

EggBug BiteUser steals and eats the target's Berry.BugPhys60100%20
EggClose CombatLowers the user's Defense and Sp. Def by 1.FightingPhys120100%5
EggFeintNullifies Detect, Protect, and Quick/Wide Guard.NormalPhys30100%10
EggFlailMore power the less HP the user has left.NormalPhys—100%15
EggFury AttackHits 2-5 times in one turn.NormalPhys1585%20
EggQuick AttackUsually goes first.NormalPhys40100%30
EggSuperpowerLowers the user's Attack and Defense by 1.FightingPhys120100%5
EggThrashLasts 2-3 turns. Confuses the user afterwards.NormalPhys120100%10

Biology

Pinsir resembles an upright bipedal stag beetle. Standing 4 feet 11 inches (119 cm) tall, it has a large, round brown body with two arms and two legs. While the legs are short and thick, its arms are long and slender.

Both have visible joints, with the shoulders being large and bulbous on the sides of its body. Its hands and feet each have three claws, while it has two eyes in the upper middle of its head. Its mouth is near the center of its body, with several teeth extending from the sides towards the center.

Read more

Two long, white pincer horns protrude from the sides of its head, covered with smaller spike protrusions. Pinsir can use its pincers to crush, toss, bludgeon, or tear anything up to twice its size. Captured prey is kept in place by the piercing thorns and sheer strength of Pinsir's horns, and will not be released until they are torn in half.

If it cannot be torn in half, it tosses it around. In addition to hunting prey, it also tends to enjoy tree sap. Pinsir live in temperate forests or jungles, and burrow their way underground or inside trees to avoid the cold.

In Alola, it has a rivalry with Vikavolt, yet gets along with Heracross. In other regions, however, it competes with Heracross for food. Pinsir are known to judge each other based on their pincers, which also determine its popularity with the opposite gender based on how thick it looks.

Design & origin

Created by Ken Sugimori, Pinsir was one of the earliest Pokémon designed during the planning stages of Red and Blue. Called Yairos early in development, it was later named Kailios; its English name, Pinsir, was inspired by its character design.

An unused evolution, referred to as both Purakkasu and Plucks, was included in an early, unreleased version of Gold and Silver, featuring an additional horn between its pincers and a mask-like face. Some speculated that this unused design was reworked into Heracross.

Forms

Mega Pinsir

BugFlying
BST 600

HoldsPinsirite

Mega Pinsir grows to 5 ft 7 in (170 cm) tall and gains large yellow wings. Its eyes turn yellow, it gains additional protrusions on its horns and arms, and its toes extend in downward spikes.

Now in a constant state of extreme happiness, it rarely touches the ground as it zooms off at 30 mph looking for foes to stab and shred with its two giant horns.

Adapted from Wikipedia: List of generation I Pokémon, List of generation VI Pokémon, Pinsir · CC BY-SA 4.0 · edited.

Polls & views

Each line is one source, as it published it. Polls counted every form under its species.

Pokédex entries

Stag Beetle Pokémon
Kanto · Red & Green (JP)
Color
Brown
Forest
Pal Park area
Forest
Kanto#127Original Johto#112Original Hoenn#167Updated Johto#113Updated Unova#146Coastal Kalos#130New Hoenn#174Original Alola#175Original Akala#102Original Poni#065Updated Alola#211Updated Akala#112Updated Poni#078Let’s Go Kanto#127Isle of Armor#120Lumiose#178

  1. This Pokémon clamps its pincers down on its prey and then either splits the prey in half or flings it away.

    Shield

  2. These Pokémon judge one another based on pincers. Thicker, more impressive pincers make for more popularity with the opposite gender.

    Sword

  3. Grips its prey in its pincers and squeezes hard! It can’t move if it’s cold out, so it lives in warm places.

    Let’s Go, Pikachu! · Let’s Go, Eevee!

  4. Although it’s tough, it can’t handle cold well. When night falls, it buries itself in leafage and sleeps.

    Ultra Moon

  5. It gets into territorial disputes with Vikavolt. For some reason, it apparently gets along well with Heracross in Alola.

    Ultra Sun

  6. One solid blow from its horns is enough to split apart a large tree. Its greatest rival in Alola is Vikavolt.

    Moon

  7. It grips its prey in its pincers and splits them apart. Although it is a powerful Pokémon, it can’t deal with the cold.

    Sun

  8. It grips prey with its powerful pincers and will not let go until the prey is torn in half.

    Black 2 · White 2

  9. It swings its long pincer horns wildly to attack. During cold periods, it hides deep in forests.

    SoulSilver · Y

  10. With its pincer horns, it digs burrows to sleep in at night. In the morning, damp soil clings to its body.

    HeartGold

  11. It grips prey with its pincers until the prey is torn in half. What it can’t tear, it tosses far.

    Diamond · Pearl · Platinum · Black · White · X

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

    LeafGreen

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

    FireRed

  14. Their pincers are strong enough to shatter thick logs. Because they dislike cold, PINSIR burrow and sleep under the ground on chilly nights.

    Emerald

  15. PINSIR has a pair of massive horns Protruding from the surface of these horns are thorns. These thorns are driven deeply into the foe’s body when the pincer closes, making it tough for the foe to escape.

    Sapphire · Alpha Sapphire

  16. PINSIR is astoundingly strong. It can grip a foe weighing twice its weight in its horns and easily lift it. This Pokémon’s movements turn sluggish in cold places.

    Ruby · Omega Ruby

  17. When the temperature drops at night, it sleeps on treetops or among roots where it is well hidden.

    Crystal

  18. Swings its long antlers wildly to attack. During cold periods, it hides deep in forests.

    Silver

  19. With its horns, it digs burrows to sleep in at night. In the morning, damp soil clings to its body.

    Gold

  20. Grips its prey in its pincers and squeezes hard! It can't move if it's cold, so it lives in warm places.

    Yellow

  21. If it fails to crush the victim in its pincers, it will swing it around and toss it hard.

    Red · Blue

Names around the world

English
Pinsir
Japanese
カイロス
Japanese (romaji)
Kailios
Korean
쁘사이저
Chinese (Traditional)
凱羅斯
Chinese (Simplified)
凯罗斯
French
Scarabrute
German
Pinsir
Spanish
Pinsir
Italian
Pinsir

Sprites

Artwork and 3D models

Gen IX · Gen VIII · Gen VII

Gen VI · Gen V

Generation IV

Generation III

Generation II

Generation I

Training

2 Atk
45 ≈5.9% with a Poké Ball at full HP
70
175
Slow

Breeding

Bug
♂ 50%♀ 50%
25 egg cycles ≈6,630 steps (Gen IV–VII)

Where to find

Green 3 areas
  • Celadon City Prize CornerReceive as a gift · Lv 20
  • Safari Zone (Area 1, east)Walking in tall grass or a cave · Lv 28
  • Safari Zone (middle)Walking in tall grass or a cave · Lv 23
Sword: The Isle of Armor 7 areas
  • Challenge RoadSpecial overworld spawn in a fixed location. · Lv 26–60
  • Fields of Honor (Max Den D)Catch a wild Dynamax or Gigantamax Pokémon in a Max Raid battle. · Lv 15–60
  • Forest of FocusSpecial overworld spawn in a fixed location. · Lv 26–60
  • Forest of Focus (Max Den F)Catch a wild Dynamax or Gigantamax Pokémon in a Max Raid battle. · Lv 15–60
  • Training LowlandsSpecial overworld spawn in a fixed location., Walking in the overworld · Lv 13–60
  • Training Lowlands (Max Den C)Catch a wild Dynamax or Gigantamax Pokémon in a Max Raid battle. · Lv 15–60
  • Workout Sea (Max Den E)Catch a wild Dynamax or Gigantamax Pokémon in a Max Raid battle. · Lv 15–60
Let’s Go, Eevee! 2 areas
  • Road 14Walking in the overworld · Lv 33–38
  • Road 15Walking in the overworld · Lv 33–38
Ultra Moon 4 areas
  • Exeggutor IslandStatic encounter, Walking in tall grass or a cave · Lv 42–45
  • Lush JungleWalking in tall grass or a cave · Lv 19–22
  • Poké PelagoReceive as a gift · Lv 21–55
  • Poni GroveWalking in tall grass or a cave · Lv 52–55
Ultra Sun 4 areas
  • Exeggutor IslandStatic encounter, Walking in tall grass or a cave · Lv 42–45
  • Lush JungleWalking in tall grass or a cave · Lv 19–22
  • Poké PelagoReceive as a gift · Lv 21–55
  • Poni GroveWalking in tall grass or a cave · Lv 52–55
Moon 3 areas
  • Lush JungleWalking in tall grass or a cave · Lv 18–21
  • Poké PelagoReceive as a gift · Lv 21–55
  • Poni GroveWalking in tall grass or a cave · Lv 52–55
Sun 3 areas
  • Lush JungleWalking in tall grass or a cave · Lv 18–21
  • Poké PelagoReceive as a gift · Lv 21–55
  • Poni GroveWalking in tall grass or a cave · Lv 52–55
Y 1 area
  • Friend Safari (Bug)Walking in tall grass or a cave · Lv 30
X 2 areas
  • Friend Safari (Bug)Walking in tall grass or a cave · Lv 30
  • Road 12Walking in tall grass or a cave, Walking in yellow flowers · Lv 25–27
White 2 3 areas
  • Lostlorn ForestWalking in dark grass, Walking in tall grass or a cave · Lv 24–26
  • Lostlorn Forest (Hidden Grotto)Finding a Pokemon in a Hidden Grotto · Lv 20–24
  • Road 12Walking in dark grass, Walking in tall grass or a cave · Lv 36–42
Black 2 1 area
  • Lostlorn Forest (Hidden Grotto)Finding a Pokemon in a Hidden Grotto · Lv 20–24
XD 1 area
  • Citadark Isle 2FSnagging a Pokemon from a trainer in Pokemon Colosseum or Pokemon XD: Gale of Darkness. · Lv 35
White 1 area
  • Road 12Walking in dark grass, Walking in tall grass or a cave · Lv 50–60
Black 1 area
  • Road 12Walking in dark grass, Walking in tall grass or a cave · Lv 50–60
SoulSilver 1 area
  • National ParkWalking in tall grass or a cave · Lv 13–28
HeartGold 1 area
  • National ParkWalking in tall grass or a cave · Lv 13–28
Platinum 1 area
  • Road 229Walking in tall grass or a cave · Lv 48–49
Pearl 1 area
  • Road 229Walking in tall grass or a cave · Lv 52
LeafGreen 3 areas
  • Celadon City Prize CornerReceive as a gift · Lv 18
  • Safari Zone (Area 1, east)Walking in tall grass or a cave · Lv 28
  • Safari Zone (middle)Walking in tall grass or a cave · Lv 23
Emerald 1 area
  • Safari Zone (NW/mach bike area)Walking in tall grass or a cave · Lv 27–29
Sapphire 1 area
  • Safari Zone (NW/mach bike area)Walking in tall grass or a cave · Lv 27–29
Ruby 1 area
  • Safari Zone (NW/mach bike area)Walking in tall grass or a cave · Lv 27–29
Yellow 3 areas
  • Celadon City Prize CornerReceive as a gift · Lv 30
  • Safari Zone (Area 2, north)Walking in tall grass or a cave · Lv 15
  • Safari Zone (Area 3, west)Walking in tall grass or a cave · Lv 25
Blue 3 areas
  • Celadon City Prize CornerReceive as a gift · Lv 20
  • Safari Zone (Area 1, east)Walking in tall grass or a cave · Lv 28
  • Safari Zone (middle)Walking in tall grass or a cave · Lv 23

Locations cover Red & Blue to Sword & Shield (with its DLC) and Let’s Go. We don’t have them yet for Legends: Arceus, Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl, Scarlet & Violet and Legends: Z-A.