Pinsir (Japanese: カイロス Kailios) is a Bug-type Pokémon introduced in Generation I.
While it is not known to evolve into or from any other Pokémon, Pinsir can Mega Evolve into Mega Pinsir using the Pinsirite.
Biology
Pinsir is a bipedal, coleopteran insectoid Pokémon with a wide, dull-brown body divided into segments by thin lines. On top of its head is a large pair of gray, spiky pincers on top of its head. In its mouth are many long, flat teeth arranged horizontally and it has triangular eyes. Capable of seeing color to some degree, Pinsir appears to be attracted to the color green. Its legs are short and thick, while its arms are long and thin. It has three claws on each hand and foot; two of its toes face forward and one backward.
Pinsir can use its pincers to crush, toss, bludgeon, or tear opponents; lift things twice its weight; and shatter logs. 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. In addition to hunting prey, the anime has shown that it enjoys tree sap. Pinsir lives deep in the temperate forests and jungles, where it burrows underground or hides in the treetops on nights cold enough to render it immobile. In Alola, it has a rivalry with Vikavolt and gets along with Heracross. Pinsir are known to judge each other based on their pincers. The pincers determine its popularity with the opposite gender based on how more thick and impressive it looks.
As Mega Pinsir, it gains a large pair of clear, yellow wings with an area of orange venation near the base. Additionally, a set of brown elytra appear. Slicing through each elytron is a pair of orange blades. Its arms become longer and it has a T-shaped spike on each forearm. The pincers on its head are now longer with larger spikes, and its eyes are now yellow. When it Mega Evolves, Pinsir is left in a constant state of excitement. It rarely touches the ground due to its ability to now fly. Mega Pinsir can travel up to approximately 30 mph (50 km/h) and uses its two large horns to pierce its enemies before shredding them. Mega Pinsir can lift opponents up to 10 times heavier than itself with its horns and still fly around easily.
In the anime
Major appearances
In Working My Way Back to Mew!, Goh caught a Pinsir. It has a timid personality.
Other
Samurai has a Pinsir that debuted in Challenge of the Samurai during a battle with Ash. It easily defeated Pidgeotto, but lost to his Metapod.
In A Sappy Ending, multiple Pinsir were driven into a forest that was the territory of multiple Heracross because Team Rocket was stealing the sap from the trees and thus the food supply in their territory.
In Rhapsody in Drew, Anthony used a Pinsir and Swalot during the Battle Round of the Hoenn Grand Festival. They went up against May's Combusken and Bulbasaur.
In The Ole' Berate and Switch, Howie used a Pinsir in a battle against Ash and Corphish during a bogus competition created by Team Rocket agents Cassidy and Butch.
In Defending the Homeland!, multiple Pinsir served as Florges's minions. They were ordered to attack Goodra's homeland and its friends. They have since made further appearances in Pokémon the Series: XY.
In Volcanion and the Mechanical Marvel, a Pinsir that can Mega Evolve was under the control of Levi's Mega Wave. Pinsir was briefly lent to James to use in an attempt to capture Magearna. It was later freed when Alva's Mega Wave Crystal was destroyed, and it escaped.
In I Choose You!, Ash attempted to catch a Pinsir by battling it with his Caterpie. During the battle, Caterpie evolved into a Metapod, allowing Pinsir to get away.
In Sparking Confusion!, a rock hunter sent out a Pinsir to battle the Ultra Guardians, only to be defeated by Kiawe's Marowak.
Minor appearances
In A Chansey Operation, an injured Pinsir was brought to the clinic for treatment.
In Princess vs. Princess, a Pinsir competed in the Queen of the Princess Festival.
In Mewtwo Strikes Back and its remake Mewtwo Strikes Back—Evolution, Raymond used a Pinsir with two of his other Pokémon to fight Ash's Pikachu, only for all of them to be defeated with Thunderbolt.
In Pikachu's Vacation, a Pinsir was at the Pokémon Theme Park.
In Tracey Gets Bugged, a Pinsir was living on Murcott Island with other Bug-type Pokémon.
In The Power of One, a Pinsir sensed the disturbance caused by Lawrence III.
In Pokémon Double Trouble, a Pinsir was at the Kumquat Gym. However, this scene was removed from the dub due to the presence of Jynx's original design.
In Beauty and the Breeder, a Pokémon Breeder's Pinsir participated in a Pokémon breeding competition.
In Houndoom's Special Delivery, a wild Pinsir attacked Togepi, only to be warded off by a Houndoom.
A Pinsir appeared in Celebi: The Voice of the Forest.
A Pinsir appeared in Bulbasaur's flashback in Bulbasaur... the Ambassador!.
Multiple Pinsir appeared in In the Knicker of Time!.
In Celebi and Joy!, a demolition crew used a Pinsir for a construction project. In the new timeline, Pinsir was still employed by what had become a construction crew.
In Numero Uno Articuno, a Pinsir was one of the Pokémon Noland offered for challengers to battle at the Battle Factory. However, Ash instead chose to battle Articuno.
In Pokémon Ranger and the Temple of the Sea, The Phantom used a Pinsir alongside a Parasect to attack Jack Walker.
A Pinsir appeared in Giratina and the Sky Warrior.
In Dawn of a Royal Day!, a Coordinator's Pinsir competed in the Battle Stage of the Arrowroot Town Pokémon Contest.
A Pinsir appeared in the ending credits of Eevee & Friends.
A Pinsir that can Mega Evolve into Mega Pinsir appeared in the opening of Mega Evolution Special I.
A Pinsir appeared in a flashback in A Slippery Encounter!.
In Mega Evolution Special IV, a Trainer's Pinsir was one of the ten Mega Evolved Pokémon that Alain and his Charizard had to defeat.
In Racing to a Big Event!, a Trainer's Pinsir competed in the Pokémon Pancake Race.
In A Masked Warning!, five Pinsir confronted Gladion's Silvally at Ten Carat Hill. At that moment, Ash was teleported on top of them by Nebby. They became angry at Ash, but Silvally stopped them from retaliating.
In Showdown on Poni Island!, Lillie took a photo of a Pinsir during her time on Poni Island.
In Battle Royal 151!, a Trainer's Pinsir competed in the Battle Royal preliminary round of the Manalo Conference but ended up losing.
In Trade, Borrow, and Steal!, Goh caught a second Pinsir, which he traded for Kricketina Kylie's Heracross shortly afterwards.
Pokédex entries
| Episode
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Pokémon
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Source
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Entry
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| EP004
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Pinsir
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Ash's Pokédex
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Pinsir. This fearsome Pokémon uses its powerful claws to put the squeeze on its opponents.
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| Episode
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Pokémon
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Source
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Entry
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| JN006
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Pinsir
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Goh's Rotom Phone
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Pinsir, the Stag Beetle Pokémon. A Bug type. When Pinsir's horns clamp onto an opponent, they won't release until it's defeated.
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POKÉTOON
A Pinsir that Blossom attempted to catch appeared in Blossom's Dream.
In the manga
The Electric Tale of Pikachu
A Pinsir attacked a group of wild Pikachu in You Gotta Have Friends. Ash's Pikachu was able to defeat the Stag Beetle Pokémon.
Pokémon Adventures
Pinsir debuted in Wartortle Wars, where Red fought a wild one using Pika using items he bought from Green. As the items were fakes, Pika lost the battle.
A Pinsir appeared as a silhouette when Green talks about Mew in The Jynx Jinx.
A Pinsir appeared in Can You Diglett? as a silhouette when Agatha and Lorelei explain to Red about how Pokémon and people cannot coexist with each other.
In Pinsir Me, I Must Be Dreaming, a Pinsir was used by Emerald in the Battle Factory in his challenge against Noland.
The Battle Factory rented a Pinsir, which was stolen by Guile Hideout in Skirting Around Surskit I.
The Battle Tower rented a Pinsir, which was stolen by Guile Hideout in The Final Battle VII.
A Pinsir appeared in Out-Odding Oddish, under the ownership of a Pokéathlon participant.
A Trainer's Pinsir appeared in The Final Battle: Crushed Ambition.
In Scizor Defends, X caught a Pinsir that he nicknamed Rute, who first appeared in Pinsir Glares. He was later given a Pinsirite, allowing him to Mega Evolve into Mega Pinsir.
Pokémon Battrio: Aim to be Battrio Master!
Ryū owns a Pinsir.
Pokémon Gotta Catch 'Em All
A Pinsir appeared in The Forest Insect Hunt, where Shu attempted to catch it but failed.
Pokémon Journeys: The Series
Goh caught a Pinsir in Battle Frontier Challenge: The Flute Cup!, just like he does in the anime.
Pokémon Pocket Monsters
Giovanni and his brother have a Pinsir, which debuted in Seize the Dream of One Million Yen!!.
A Pinsir appeared in The Final Battle!!.
A Pinsir appeared in Pikachu's Birthday Party.
In the TCG
- Main article: Pinsir (TCG)
Other appearances
Pinsir appears as a Spirit.
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. Cuts anywhere above the log will cause the player to lose points.
Pokédex entries
| Generation I
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Kanto
#127
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| Red
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If it fails to crush the victim in its pincers, it will swing it around and toss it hard.
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| Blue
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| Yellow
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Grips its prey in its pincers and squeezes hard! It can't move if it's cold, so it lives in warm places.
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| Stadium
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Grips and tears at its enemy with the two pincers on its head. Enemies with hard bodies are gripped and tossed.
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| Generation II
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Johto
#112
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| Gold
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With its horns, it digs burrows to sleep in at night. In the morning, damp soil clings to its body.
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| Silver
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Swings its long antlers wildly to attack. During cold periods, it hides deep in forests.
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| Crystal
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When the temperature drops at night, it sleeps on treetops or among roots where it is well hidden.
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| Stadium 2
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With its horns, it digs burrows to sleep in at night. In the morning, damp soil clings to its body.
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| Generation III
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Hoenn
#167
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Kanto
#127
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| Ruby
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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.
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| Sapphire
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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.
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| Emerald
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Their pincers are strong enough to shatter thick logs. Because they dislike cold, Pinsir burrow and sleep under the ground on chilly nights.
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| FireRed
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Its two long pincer horns are powerful. Once they grip an enemy, they won't release until the foe is torn.
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| LeafGreen
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If it fails to crush the foe in its pincers, it will swing around and toss the opponent.
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| Generation IV
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Sinnoh
#—
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Johto
#113
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| Diamond
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It grips prey with its pincers until the prey is torn in half. What it can't tear, it tosses far.
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| Pearl
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| Platinum
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| HeartGold
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With its horns, it digs burrows to sleep in at night. In the morning, damp soil clings to its body.
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| SoulSilver
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It swings its long pincer horns wildly to attack. During cold periods, it hides deep in forests.
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| Generation V
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Unova
B2W2: #146
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| Black
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It grips prey with its pincers until the prey is torn in half. What it can't tear, it tosses far.
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| White
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| Black 2
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It grips prey with its powerful pincers and will not let go until the prey is torn in half.
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| White 2
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| Generation VI
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Kalos
Coastal #130
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Hoenn
#174
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| X
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It grips prey with its pincers until the prey is torn in half. What it can't tear, it tosses far.
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| Y
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It swings its long pincer horns wildly to attack. During cold periods, it hides deep in forests.
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| Omega Ruby
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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.
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| Alpha Sapphire
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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.
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| Generation VII
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Alola
SM: #175
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Alola
USUM: #211
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Kanto
#127
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| Sun
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It grips its prey in its pincers and splits them apart. Although it is a powerful Pokémon, it can't deal with the cold.
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| Moon
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One solid blow from its horns is enough to split apart a large tree. Its greatest rival in Alola is Vikavolt.
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| Ultra Sun
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It gets into territorial disputes with Vikavolt. For some reason, it apparently gets along well with Heracross in Alola.
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| Ultra Moon
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Although it's tough, it can't handle cold well. When night falls, it buries itself in leafage and sleeps.
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| Let's Go Pikachu
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Grips its prey in its pincers and squeezes hard! It can't move if it's cold, so it lives in warm places.
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| Let's Go Eevee
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| Mega Pinsir
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| Sun
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The influence of Mega Evolution leaves it in a state of constant excitement. It pierces enemies with its two large horns before shredding them.
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| Moon
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Bathed in the energy of Mega Evolution, its wings become unusually developed. It flies at speeds of approximately 30 mph.
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| Ultra Sun
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After Mega Evolution, it becomes able to fly. Perhaps because it's so happy, it rarely touches the ground.
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| Ultra Moon
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It zips around at blistering speeds, looking for an opening to skewer its opponent on its giant pincers.
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| Let's Go Pikachu
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With its vaunted horns, it can lift an opponent 10 times heavier than itself and fly about with ease.
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| Let's Go Eevee
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| Generation VIII
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Galar
Isle of Armor #120
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Sinnoh
#—
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Hisui
#—
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| This Pokémon has no Pokédex entries in Legends: Arceus.
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| Sword
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These Pokémon judge one another based on pincers. Thicker, more impressive pincers make for more popularity with the opposite gender.
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| Shield
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This Pokémon clamps its pincers down on its prey and then either splits the prey in half or flings it away.
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| Brilliant Diamond
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It grips prey with its pincers until the prey is torn apart. What it can't tear, it tosses far away.
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| Shining Pearl
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Game locations
In side games
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| Generation II
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| This Pokémon is unavailable in Generation II side games.
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In events
Held items
Stats
Base stats
Pinsir
| Stat
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Range
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| At Lv. 50
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At Lv. 100
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65
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125 - 172
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240 - 334
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125
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117 - 194
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229 - 383
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100
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94 - 167
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184 - 328
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55
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54 - 117
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103 - 229
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70
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67 - 134
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130 - 262
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85
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81 - 150
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157 - 295
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Total: 500
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Other Pokémon with this total
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- Minimum stats are calculated with 0 EVs, IVs of 0, and (if applicable) a hindering nature.
- Maximum stats are calculated with 252 EVs, IVs of 31, and (if applicable) a helpful nature.
- This Pokémon's Special base stat in Generation I was 55.
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Mega Pinsir
| Stat
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Range
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| At Lv. 50
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At Lv. 100
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65
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125 - 172
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240 - 334
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155
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144 - 227
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283 - 449
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120
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112 - 189
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220 - 372
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65
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63 - 128
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121 - 251
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90
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85 - 156
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166 - 306
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105
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99 - 172
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193 - 339
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Total: 600
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Other Pokémon with this total
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- Minimum stats are calculated with 0 EVs, IVs of 0, and (if applicable) a hindering nature.
- Maximum stats are calculated with 252 EVs, IVs of 31, and (if applicable) a helpful nature.
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Pokéathlon stats
Type effectiveness
Pinsir
| Under normal battle conditions in Generation IX, this Pokémon is:
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Mega Pinsir
| Under normal battle conditions in Generation IX, this Pokémon is:
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Learnset
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This Pokémon is unavailable within Generation IX.
Click on the generation numbers above to see Pinsir's learnsets from other generations.
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Side game data
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Pokémon Ranger
| Group:
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Poké Assist:
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Field move:
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(Cut ×2)
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| Loops: 6
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Min. exp.: 82
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Max. exp.: 102
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Browser entry R-093
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| Pinsir grips items with its two long horns. It cuts through a Metal Fence with ease.
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Pokémon Rumble Rush
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Walking Speed: 1.5 seconds
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Base HP: 52
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| Base Attack: 80
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Base Defense: 56
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Base Speed: 60
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New Pokémon Snap
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| Photodex entry #013
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| You may have spotted Pinsir's prominent horns sticking out of the ground in the nature park at night. It burrows beneath the ground to protect itself from the cold.
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In Pokémon GO, Pinsir could be obtained by completing 2/4 of the Special Research, Distracted by Something Shiny. It can also be obtained by completing 1/5 of the Ticketed Special Research, A Drive to Investigate.
Mega Pinsir
Evolution
Forms
Mega Evolution
Sprites
Trivia
- Pinsir can be seen as a parallel to Scyther. Both are Bug-type Generation I Pokémon. Pinsir is exclusive to Blue, LeafGreen, Pearl, and Let's Go, Eevee!, while Scyther is exclusive to Red, FireRed, Diamond, and Let's Go, Pikachu!.
- Pinsir can also be seen as a counterpart to Heracross. Both are Bug-type Pokémon based on beetles and lack an evolutionary family. Pinsir is not part Fighting like Heracross, but it learns several Fighting-type moves by leveling up. Both Pokémon and their Mega Stones are version exclusives in X and Y: Pinsir and Pinsirite are exclusive to X while Heracross and Heracronite are exclusive to Y. Each Mega Stone can be found in Santalune Forest in its respective version. The heights of both Pokémon are the same, even when Mega Evolved. The Pokémon are also version exclusives in the Pokémon Sword and Shield Expansion Pass. Pinsir can be found on the Isle of Armor if playing Sword, whereas Heracross can be found in its place when playing Shield.
- Mega Pinsir is tied with Mega Heracross, Mega Scizor, and Genesect for the highest base stat total of all Bug-type Pokémon.
- Pinsir shares its category with Vikavolt. They are both known as the Stag Beetle Pokémon.
- In X and Y, Mega Pinsir has the same shape as when it is not Mega Evolved.
Origin
Pinsir seems to be based on a stag beetle, possibly Prosopocoilus inclinatus, a species commonly used in insect fighting. Its thorn-like mandibles most closely resemble that of Lucanus maculifemoratus hopei, whereas its Mega Evolved form's diagonal spikes resemble Calcodes versicolor.
Name origin
Pinsir is a corruption of pincer, referring to its horns.
Kailios may be a combination of the Greek letter Χ (カイ kai), 刈 kai (shear), 魁偉 kaii (brawny), cross (referring to its scissor-like horns), and κοριός korios (Greek for bug).
In other languages
| Language
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Title
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Meaning
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 Japanese
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カイロス Kailios
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From Χ, 刈 kai, 魁偉 kaii, cross, and κοριός korios
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 French
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Scarabrute
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From scarabée and brute
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 Spanish
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Pinsir
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Same as English name
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 German
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Pinsir
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Same as English name
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 Italian
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Pinsir
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Same as English name
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 Korean
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쁘사이저 Ppeusaizeo
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From 부수다 busuda, 뿔 ppul, and scissors
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 Mandarin Chinese
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凱羅斯 / 凯罗斯 Kǎiluósī*
大甲 Dàjiǎ*
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Transcription of Japanese name
From 大 dà, 甲 jiǎ, and 甲蟲 / 甲虫 jiǎchóng
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 Cantonese Chinese
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凱羅斯 Hóilòhsī*
鉗刀甲蟲 Kìhmdōugaapchùhng*
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Mandarin-based transcription of Japanese name
From 鉗 kìhm, 刀 dōu, and 甲蟲 gaapchùhng
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| More languages
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 Hindi
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पिनसिर Pinsir
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Transcription of English name
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 Russian
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Пинсир Pinsir
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Transcription of English name
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 Thai
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ไคลอส Khailot
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Transcription of Japanese name
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Related articles
External links
Pinsirite (100%)
For other sprites and images, please see Pinsir images on the Bulbagarden Archives.
