Is Pinsir Good?

No, standard Pinsir is not good in modern competitive PvP and is entirely absent from Scarlet and Violet. However, for in-game playthroughs like Brilliant Diamond/Shining Pearl, its massive 125 base Attack and Moxie ability make it a solid physical sweeper. Its true value lies in the upcoming Pokémon Legends: Z-A, where its devastating Mega Evolution is expected to return.

Standard Pinsir is a slow, vulnerable physical attacker that relies entirely on Moxie to snowball, but Mega Pinsir is a historic threat waiting to be unleashed again.

Rating 4/10 · Tier Untiered (Gen 9) / Niche In-Game Sweeper · Role : Physical Wallbreaker / Setup Sweeper

Strengths

• Massive 125 base Attack stat hits incredibly hard.
• Moxie ability allows it to snowball out of control after a single KO.
• Excellent physical coverage movepool including Earthquake and Close Combat.
• Mega Evolution (returning in Z-A) gives it Aerilate and top-tier speed.

Weaknesses

• Pure Bug typing offers zero offensive synergy and weak defensive resistances.
• Base 85 Speed is a dead zone, leaving it outsped by most modern threats.
• Terrible base 70 Special Defense makes it an easy target for special attackers.
• Completely unavailable in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet.

Evaluating Pinsir requires looking past Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, as it was completely excluded from the Generation 9 roster. In formats where it is legal, standard Pinsir sits firmly in the untiered or lower-tier brackets for competitive PvP.

Its primary role is a physical wallbreaker or a late-game cleanup sweeper. With a massive base 125 Attack and a solid 100 Defense, it can take a physical hit and retaliate incredibly hard.

However, pure Bug is a notoriously poor offensive and defensive typing. Without secondary STAB to amplify its damage, it relies heavily on coverage moves to threaten opponents. Its base 85 Speed leaves it vulnerable to faster offensive threats, forcing it into a niche role where it demands heavy team support to function.

The real reason to care about Pinsir right now is the upcoming release of Pokémon Legends: Z-A in 2025. The confirmed return of Mega Evolution completely changes this Pokémon's trajectory from obsolete to terrifying.

Mega Pinsir gains the Flying type and the incredible Aerilate ability. This ability turns Normal-type moves into Flying-type moves and gives them a power boost. This turns Return and Quick Attack into devastating, STAB-boosted flying assaults.

During Generations 6 and 7, Mega Pinsir was a premier setup sweeper. A single Swords Dance allowed it to sweep entire teams using priority Aerilate Quick Attack to bypass its speed checks. If you are preparing for Z-A, Pinsir is a top-priority investment.

For those playing Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl or older generation playthroughs, Pinsir is a highly capable physical threat. To get the most out of it, you need to leverage its ability to snowball.

The Moxie Sweeper Set

• Ability: Moxie
• Item: Life Orb or Choice Scarf
• Moves: Swords Dance, X-Scissor, Earthquake, Close Combat

Moxie is the star of the show here. Every time Pinsir knocks out an opposing Pokémon, its Attack raises by one stage. This makes it exceptionally good for clearing out in-game gyms or Elite Four members.

X-Scissor is your reliable STAB, while Earthquake and Close Combat provide essential coverage against the Steel and Rock types that resist Bug moves. If you opt for a Choice Scarf, drop Swords Dance for Stone Edge to maximize immediate coverage.

Standard Pinsir excels when matched up against slow, bulky physical attackers that lack super-effective coverage. It easily beats defensive Grass and Dark types like Tangrowth or Umbreon.

If you opt for the Mold Breaker ability instead of Moxie, Pinsir gains a unique tactical advantage. It can freely use Earthquake against Pokémon that normally rely on Levitate to avoid Ground-type moves, instantly deleting threats like Rotom or Bronzong.

In a playthrough context, bringing Pinsir in after a teammate has fainted allows it to pick up a quick revenge kill on a weakened foe, trigger a Moxie boost, and immediately put the AI opponent on the defensive for the rest of the battle.

Despite its high Attack, standard Pinsir is plagued by severe flaws that ruin its viability in serious PvP. The most glaring issue is its base 85 Speed.

This speed tier is a dead zone. It is too slow to outspeed modern offensive threats, and too fast to function in Trick Room teams. Consequently, it usually takes a hit before it can execute its attack.

Furthermore, its base 70 Special Defense is paper-thin. Any strong special attacker, even those hitting for neutral damage, can easily OHKO it.

Finally, its pure Bug typing leaves it highly vulnerable to common entry hazards. Stealth Rock strips away 25% of its health upon entering the field, severely limiting its lifespan and preventing it from pivoting safely.

You should absolutely avoid using standard Pinsir if your team needs a fast pivot or a reliable win condition for ranked PvP. It simply requires too much support to function against modern power creep.

Do not rely on it to tank special hits or handle fast Fire, Flying, or Rock types. It will crumble immediately under pressure.

If you want a highly effective Bug-type physical attacker right now, Scizor is a vastly superior alternative. Scizor’s secondary Steel typing gives it incredible defensive utility, and Technician-boosted Bullet Punch solves all of the speed issues that plague Pinsir.

Alternatively, Heracross offers a much better secondary typing (Fighting) and access to higher base-power STAB moves like Megahorn and Close Combat, making it a better choice for pure wallbreaking.