Pinsir (Pokémon)

← #126: Magmar

Pokémon

#128: Tauros →

Pinsir カイロス Kailios #127
Art by Ken Sugimori from FireRed and LeafGreen
Type  Bug   Bug   Bug	Species Stag Beetle Pokémon
Abilities Hyper Cutter or Mold Breaker Mold Breaker	Exp. at Lv. 100 1,250,000
Regional Pokédex numbers Kanto #127 Johto #113* Hoenn #167 Sinnoh #— Isshu #— Not in any regional Pokédex
Regional Browser numbers Fiore R-093 Almia R-123 Oblivia R— Oblivia (past) N— Not in any regional Browser
Height 4'11" Imperial 1.5m Metric 4'11"/1.5m 0.0m	Weight 121.3lbs Imperial 55.0kg Metric 121.3lbs/55.0kg 0.0kg
Dex color Brown	Footprint
Body style	Catch rate 45 5.9%
Gender ratio Genderless Unknown 50% male, 50% female
Breeding Bug group 26 cycles (6630 minimum steps)
EV yield HP 0 Atk 2 Def 0 Sp.Atk 0 Sp.Def 0 Speed 0 Base Exp.: 200 Battle Exp.: 1428*
External links On Legendary Pokémon Pokédex: Generation III Generation IV On Smogon Pokédex: Generation I Generation II Generation III Generation IV On Eevee's Pokédex (Gen. I-IV) On Psypoke Pokédex On Pokecharms Pokédex (Gen. III-IV) On Marriland Pokédex (Gen. IV) Artwork on Bulbagarden Archives

Pinsir (Japanese: カイロス Kailios) is a Bug-type Pokémon.

It is not known to evolve into or from any other Pokémon.

Contents 1 Biology 1.1 Physiology 1.1.1 Gender differences 1.2 Special abilities 1.3 Behavior 1.4 Habitat 1.5 Diet 2 In the anime 2.1 Major Appearances 2.2 Minor Appearances 2.3 Pokédex entries 3 In the manga 4 In the TCG 5 Game data 5.1 NPC appearances 5.2 Pokédex entries 5.3 Game locations 5.3.1 In side games 5.4 Held items 5.5 Stats 5.5.1 Base stats 5.5.2 Pokéathlon stats 5.6 Type effectiveness 5.7 Learnset 5.7.1 By leveling up 5.7.2 By TM/HM 5.7.3 By breeding 5.7.4 By tutoring 5.7.5 Special moves 5.7.6 TCG-only moves 5.8 Side game data 5.9 Evolution 5.10 Sprites 6 Trivia 6.1 Origin 6.1.1 Name origin 7 In other languages 8 External links 9 Notes

Biology

Physiology

Pinsir has a brown body with a large pair of white horns that are dotted with small spikes. Pinsir has short legs with three toes each and skinny, three-clawed arms. Its mouth has long, flat teeth that are arranged vertically rather than horizontally. Pinsir is cold-blooded.

Gender differences

None.

Special abilities

Pinsir's horns have enough crushing power to shatter thick logs and allow it to lift things twice its own weight.

Behavior

Pinsir's movements are more sluggish when exposed to cold weather, so they hide in burrows, treetops or tree roots during chilly nights. Pinsir are known to dig holes with their horns to sleep in. However, when they are fully awake, they can be quite aggressive.

Habitat

Pinsir are mostly found in jungle-like areas, but have also been imported into Kanto's Safari Zone and the National Park of Johto during bug-contests. Sinnoh also offers a good habitat for them.

Diet

Main article: Pokémon food

Much like Heracross, Pinsir seem to enjoy tree sap. As a result they often compete with Heracross over trees with the best sap. Pinsir also eats prey, gripping it with its pincers until the prey is torn in half.

In the anime

Major Appearances

Pinsir first appeared in Challenge of the Samurai. A samurai used it to battle against Ash.

In A Sappy Ending, Pinsir were being driven into a forest that was Heracross territory because Team Rocket was stealing the sap from the trees that were in their territory.

Minor Appearances

At the beginning of Mewtwo Strikes Back, Raymond uses a Pinsir to battle Ash's Pikachu, alongside his Golem and Venomoth. All three of Raymond's Pokémon are defeated by Pikachu.

Pinsir makes an appearance on an island that is mainly inhabited by Bug-type Pokémon in Tracey Gets Bugged.

A wild Pinsir attacks Misty's Togepi in Houndoom's Special Delivery.

Gary Oak also has a Pinsir, which is seen in his profile in The Ties that Bind!.

Pinsir were also used by a building company that has plans to demolish a Pokémon Center in Celebi and Joy.

Anthony uses Swalot and Pinsir for the double-battle portion of the Grand Festival in Rhapsody in Drew.

Pinsir makes a cameo in Numero Uno Articuno as a Pokémon belonging to Noland.

Howie, a character of the day in The Ole' Berate and Switch, has a Pinsir. Ash's Corphish battles against this Pinsir during a bogus competition that Team Rocket creates.

At the beginning of Pokémon Ranger and the Temple of the Sea, The Phantom uses a Pinsir alongside Parasect to attack Jack Walker.

Pokédex entries

Episode Pokémon Pokédex Entry EP004 Pinsir Ash's Pokédex Pinsir. This fearsome Pokémon uses its powerful claws to put the squeeze on its opponents. This concludes the entries from the original series.

In the manga

Pinsir makes its first appearance as the Pokémon Pika fought and lost against due to the uselessness of the fake items Red bought from Green, which fired up the boy to confront the scamming con artist and get his money back, losing his badges this time, in the process.

After making many appearances that were not worth noting, Pinsir made another major appearance as one of the rental Pokémon Emerald used in the Battle Factory in his challenge against Noland, defeating the Factory Head's Mawile before losing to his Golem's Rock Slide.

In the TCG

Main article: Pinsir (TCG)

Game data

NPC appearances

• Pokémon Stadium 2: Pinsir stars in a mini-game alongside Scyther called "Clear Cut Challenge." Each player chops a falling log for each round of the game. The score for each player is determined by how close the player is to the white line on the log. Cut anywhere above the log will cause the player to lose points.

Pokédex entries

Pokédex entry

This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation I. Generation I Red Blue If it fails to crush the victim in its pincers, it will swing it around and toss it hard. Yellow Grips its prey in its pincers and squeezes hard! It can't move if it's cold, so it lives in warm places. Generation II Gold With its horns, it digs burrows to sleep in at night. In the morning, damp soil clings to its body. Silver Swings its long antlers wildly to attack. During cold periods, it hides deep in forests. Crystal When the temperature drops at night, it sleeps on treetops or among roots where it is well hidden. Generation III Ruby Sapphire {{{rsdex}}} Ruby 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. Sapphire 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. Emerald Their pincers are strong enough to shatter thick logs. Because they dislike cold, Pinsir burrow and sleep under the ground on chilly nights. FireRed LeafGreen {{{frlgdex}}} FireRed Its two long pincer horns are powerful. Once they grip an enemy, they won't release until the foe is torn. LeafGreen If it fails to crush the foe in its pincers, it will swing around and toss the opponent. Generation IV Diamond Pearl {{{dpdex}}} Diamond Pearl Platinum It grips prey with its pincers until the prey is torn in half. What it can't tear, it tosses far. Diamond {{{diamonddex}}} Pearl {{{pearldex}}} Platinum {{{platinumdex}}} HeartGold SoulSilver {{{hgssdex}}} HeartGold With its horns, it digs burrows to sleep in at night. In the morning, damp soil clings to its body. SoulSilver It swings its long pincer horns wildly to attack. During cold periods, it hides deep in forests. Generation V Black White Pokédex entry is unavailable at this time. Data will be entered when the Pokédex entry has been verified. Black {{{blackdex}}} White {{{whitedex}}}

Game locations

This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation I. Generation I Red Blue Unlimited Rocket Game Corner and Safari Zone (Blue only) Yellow Unlimited Celadon Game Corner and Safari Zone Generation II Gold Silver Rare National Park Crystal Rare National Park Generation III Ruby Sapphire Rare Safari Zone Emerald Rare Safari Zone FireRed LeafGreen Unlimited Rocket Game Corner and Safari Zone (LeafGreen only) Colosseum None Trade XD One Citadark Isle (Shadow) Generation IV Diamond Pearl Rare Route 229 (Pearl only) Platinum Swarm Route 229 HeartGold SoulSilver Rare National Park (during Bug Catching Contest) Pal Park Forest Generation V Black White None Trade

In side games

Game	Location
Pokémon Pinball: Ruby & Sapphire	Safari Zone (Ruby Field)
Pokémon Trozei!	Endless Level 43 Endless Level 58 Forever Level 17 Mr. Who's Den
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon Red/Blue Rescue Team	Mt. Steel (7F-8F) Western Cave (21F-28F) Joyous Tower (9F-11F)
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon Explorers of Time/Darkness	Foggy Forest (7F-11F)
Pokémon Ranger	Dusk Factory
Pokémon Ranger: Shadows of Almia	Peril Cliffs
Pokémon Rumble	Silent Forest

Held items

Game		Held Item(s)
Red*	Blue*	Bitter Berry (100%)
Yellow*

Stats

Base stats

Stat	Range
	At Lv. 50	At Lv. 100
HP: 65	125 - 172	240 - 334
Attack: 125	117 - 194	229 - 383
Defense: 100	94 - 167	184 - 328
Sp.Atk: 55	54 - 117	103 - 229
Sp.Def: 70	67 - 134	130 - 262
Speed: 85	81 - 150	157 - 295
Total: 500   Other Pokémon with this total
Minimum stats are calculated with 0 EVs, IVs of 0, and a hindering nature. Maximum stats are calculated with 252 EVs, IVs of 31, and a helpful nature. This Pokémon's  Special  base stat in Generation I was 55.

Pokéathlon stats

Speed 2/2 ★★	Power 4/5 ★★★★☆
Skill 3/4 ★★★☆	Stamina 4/5 ★★★★☆
Jump 2/3 ★★☆	Total 15/19 ★★★

Type effectiveness

Under normal battle conditions in Generation IV, this Pokémon is:
Weak to Normal 1× Fighting ½× Flying 2× Poison 1× Ground ½× Rock 2× Bug 1× Ghost 1× Steel 1× Fire 2× Water 1× Grass ½× Electric 1× Psychic 1× Ice 1× Dragon 1× Dark 1× None	Resistant against Normal 1× Fighting ½× Flying 2× Poison 1× Ground ½× Rock 2× Bug 1× Ghost 1× Steel 1× Fire 2× Water 1× Grass ½× Electric 1× Psychic 1× Ice 1× Dragon 1× Dark 1× None	Unaffected by Normal 1× Fighting ½× Flying 2× Poison 1× Ground ½× Rock 2× Bug 1× Ghost 1× Steel 1× Fire 2× Water 1× Grass ½× Electric 1× Psychic 1× Ice 1× Dragon 1× Dark 1× None	Damaged normally by Normal 1× Fighting ½× Flying 2× Poison 1× Ground ½× Rock 2× Bug 1× Ghost 1× Steel 1× Fire 2× Water 1× Grass ½× Electric 1× Psychic 1× Ice 1× Dragon 1× Dark 1× None
Notes: In Generation I, the effectiveness of  Poison-type  moves is 2×.

Learnset

By leveling up

Generation IV Other generation learnsets: I - II - III

Level Move Type Cat. Pwr. Acc. PP Contest Appeal Start ViceGrip Normal Physical 55 100% 30 Tough 3 ♥♥♥ Start Focus Energy Normal Status — —% 30 Cool 0   4 Bind Normal Physical 15 75% 20 Tough 0   8 Seismic Toss Fighting Physical — 100% 20 Tough 3 ♥♥♥ 13 Harden Normal Status — —% 30 Tough 2 ♥♥ 18 Revenge Fighting Physical 60 100% 10 Tough 2 ♥♥ 21 Brick Break Fighting Physical 75 100% 15 Cool 3 ♥♥♥ 25 Vital Throw Fighting Physical 70 —% 10 Cool 2 ♥♥ 30 X-Scissor Bug Physical 80 100% 15 Beauty 2 ♥♥ 35 Thrash Normal Physical 90 100% 20 Tough 2 ♥♥ 38 Swords Dance Normal Status — —% 30 Beauty 0   42 Submission Fighting Physical 80 80% 25 Cool 3 ♥♥♥ 47 Guillotine Normal Physical — 30% 5 Cool 0   52 Superpower Fighting Physical 120 100% 5 Tough 2 ♥♥ Bold indicates a move that gets STAB Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only from an evolution of this Pokémon

By TM/HM

Generation IV Other generation learnsets: I - II - III

TM Move Type Cat. Pwr. Acc. PP Contest Appeal TM01 Focus Punch Fighting Physical 150 100% 20 Tough 1 ♥ TM06 Toxic Poison Status — 85% 10 Smart 2 ♥♥ TM08 Bulk Up Fighting Status — —% 20 Beauty 0   TM10 Hidden Power Normal Special — 100% 15 Smart 1 ♥ TM11 Sunny Day Fire Status — —% 5 Beauty 2 ♥♥ TM15 Hyper Beam Normal Special 150 90% 5 Cool 2 ♥♥ TM17 Protect Normal Status — —% 10 Cute 0   TM18 Rain Dance Water Status — —% 5 Tough 2 ♥♥ TM21 Frustration Normal Physical — 100% 20 Cute 2 ♥♥ TM22 SolarBeam Grass Special 120 100% 10 Cool 1 ♥ TM26 Earthquake Ground Physical 100 100% 10 Tough 2 ♥♥ TM27 Return Normal Physical — 100% 20 Cute 2 ♥♥ TM28 Dig Ground Physical 80 100% 10 Smart 1 ♥ TM31 Brick Break Fighting Physical 75 100% 15 Cool 3 ♥♥♥ TM32 Double Team Normal Status — —% 15 Cool 2 ♥♥ TM39 Rock Tomb Rock Physical 50 80% 10 Smart 2 ♥♥ TM42 Facade Normal Physical 70 100% 20 Cute 2 ♥♥ TM43 Secret Power Normal Physical 70 100% 20 Smart 2 ♥♥ TM44 Rest Psychic Status — —% 10 Cute 0   TM45 Attract Normal Status — 100% 15 Cute 2 ♥♥ TM46 Thief Dark Physical 40 100% 10 Tough 0   TM52 Focus Blast Fighting Special 120 70% 5 Cool 2 ♥♥ TM54 False Swipe Normal Physical 40 100% 40 Cool 0   TM56 Fling Dark Physical — 100% 10 Tough 1 ♥ TM58 Endure Normal Status — —% 10 Tough 2 ♥♥ TM68 Giga Impact Normal Physical 150 90% 5 Beauty 2 ♥♥ TM71 Stone Edge Rock Physical 100 80% 5 Tough 2 ♥♥ TM75 Swords Dance Normal Status — —% 30 Beauty 0   TM76 Stealth Rock Rock Status — —% 20 Cool 2 ♥♥ TM78 Captivate Normal Status — 100% 20 Beauty 2 ♥♥ TM80 Rock Slide Rock Physical 75 90% 10 Tough 3 ♥♥♥ TM81 X-Scissor Bug Physical 80 100% 15 Beauty 2 ♥♥ TM82 Sleep Talk Normal Status — —% 10 Cute 3 ♥♥♥ TM83 Natural Gift Normal Physical — 100% 15 Cool 2 ♥♥ TM87 Swagger Normal Status — 90% 15 Cute 2 ♥♥ TM90 Substitute Normal Status — —% 10 Smart 1 ♥ HM01 Cut Normal Physical 50 95% 30 Cool 3 ♥♥♥ HM04 Strength Normal Physical 80 100% 15 Tough 3 ♥♥♥ HM06 Rock Smash Fighting Physical 40 100% 15 Tough 2 ♥♥ HM08 Rock Climb Normal Physical 90 85% 20 Cool 2 ♥♥ Bold indicates a move that gets STAB Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only from an evolution of this Pokémon

By breeding

Generation IV Other generation learnsets: II - III

Father Move Type Cat. Pwr. Acc. PP Contest Appeal Heracross Close Combat Fighting Physical 120 100% 5 Smart 2 ♥♥ Gligar, Gliscor Trapinch, Nincada, Flygon Faint Attack Dark Physical 60 —% 20 Smart 2 ♥♥ Scyther, Scizor Nincada, Ninjask False Swipe Normal Physical 40 100% 40 Cool 0   Heracross Trapinch, Nincada, Flygon Feint Normal Physical 50 100% 10 Beauty 0   Paras, Parasect Pineco, Forretress Heracross Trapinch, Nincada, Flygon Flail* Normal Physical — 100% 15 Cute 2 ♥♥ Beedrill Heracross Fury Attack Normal Physical 15 85% 20 Cool 2 ♥♥ Scyther, Scizor Yanma, Yanmega Gligar, Gliscor Surskit, Masquerain Volbeat Quick Attack Normal Physical 40 100% 30 Cute 2 ♥♥ Bold indicates a move that gets STAB Italic indicates a move that gets STAB from an evolution of this Pokémon *Indicates a move only available by chain breeding

By tutoring

Generation IV Other generation learnsets: II - III

Game Move Type Cat. Pwr. Acc. PP Contest Appeal D P Pt HG SS Fury Cutter Bug Physical 10 95% 20 Cool 2 ♥♥ D P Pt HG SS Headbutt Normal Physical 70 100% 15 Tough 3 ♥♥♥ D P Pt HG SS Iron Defense Steel Status — —% 15 Tough 2 ♥♥ D P Pt HG SS Knock Off Dark Physical 20 100% 20 Smart 3 ♥♥♥ D P Pt HG SS Snore Normal Special 40 100% 15 Cool 3 ♥♥♥ D P Pt HG SS String Shot Bug Status — 95% 40 Smart 2 ♥♥ D P Pt HG SS Superpower Fighting Physical 120 100% 5 Tough 2 ♥♥ Bold indicates a move that gets STAB Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only from an evolution of this Pokémon A colored initial indicates that the move is not available to be tutored in this game, while a colored background indicates that the move is available.

Special moves

Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness
Shadow moves		Level 35+	Purified moves
Shadow Break	Shadow		Helping Hand	Normal
Shadow Shed	Shadow		Guillotine	Normal
--			False Swipe	Normal
--			Submission	Fighting

TCG-only moves

• SonicBoom

Side game data

Pokémon Pinball     Acquisition: Catch	Pokémon Pinball RS     Acquisition: Catch	Pokémon Trozei!    Rarity: Common
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon Red Rescue Team and Blue Rescue Team Body size: 1 Recruit rate: 8.3% Friend Area: Overgrown Forest Phrases 51%-100% HP My pincers are a one-way ride to your oblivion! 26%-50% HP They managed to cut my HP in half... 1%-25% HP I'm out of power... I can't even close my pincers... Level up Leveled up! I can feel the power in my pincers! Partner phrases 51%-100% HP <name>, my HP is between 51% and 100%. 26%-50% HP <name>, my HP is between 26% and 50%. 1%-25% HP <name>, my HP is between 1% and 25%. Level up Leveled up! I can feel the power in my pincers!
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon Explorers of Time, Explorers of Darkness, and Explorers of Sky Body size: 1 Recruit rate: 8.2% IQ group: C
Pokémon Ranger Group:  Bug  Poké Assist: ( Bug ) Field move: (Cut ×2) Loops: 6 Min. exp.: 82 Max. exp.: 102 Browser entry   Pinsir grips items with its two long horns. It cuts through a Metal Fence with ease.
Pokémon Ranger: Shadows of Almia Group:  Bug  Poké Assist: ( Bug ) Field move: (Cut ×2) Browser entry   It rams with the powerful horns on its head to attack.
Pokémon Ranger: Guardian Signs Group:  Normal  Poké Assist: None Field move: None Browser entry   This Pokémon does not have a browser entry.

Evolution

Does not evolve Pinsir  Bug

Sprites

Gen	Game
I	Red	Blue	Yellow	Red (Ja)	Green	Back
II	Gold	Silver	Crystal			Back
III	Ruby	Sapphire	Emerald	FireRed	LeafGreen	Back
IV	Diamond	Pearl	Platinum	HeartGold	SoulSilver	Back

For other sprites and images, please see Pinsir images on Bulbagarden Archives.

Trivia

• Although Pinsir was introduced in Generation I as a pure Bug-type, it could not learn any Bug-type attacks by level-up until Generation IV, and even then it could only learn one (X-Scissor).
• Before the release of Gold and Silver, it was speculated that Heracross would be a pre-evolution or evolution of Pinsir.
• Pinsir has the highest Attack and Defense of all Generation I Bug-types.
• Pinsir is currently the only non-Fighting-type Pokémon to learn Submission and Vital Throw.
• Pinsir is one of the few non legendary Generation I Pokémon that have no evolutionary relatives, along with Farfetch'd, Kangaskhan, Lapras, Tauros, Aerodactyl, and Ditto.

Origin

It is based on a stag beetle and possibly a minotaur.

Name origin

Pinsir's name is a corruption of pincer, referring to the claws on its head. Its Japanese name may be based on 傀 kai, large, or 魁偉 kaii, brawny. It could also be a combination of the Japanese 刈 kai, cut, and the Greek word for bug, κοριός korios.

In other languages

• German: Pinsir
• French: Scarabrute - A combination of scarabée (scarab) and brute.
• Korean: 쁘사이저 Ppeusaijeo
• Chinese (Taiwan): 大甲 Dà Jiǎ - Literally "Big armor".

External links

Notes

← #126: Magmar

Pokémon

#128: Tauros →

This Pokémon article is part of Project Pokédex, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on each Pokémon as a species.