Pinsir (Pokémon)

← #126: Magmar

Pokémon

#128: Tauros →

Pinsir カイロス Kailios #127
Art by Ken Sugimori from FireRed and LeafGreen
Type Bug ' Unknown Unknown Blue-Striped Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown	Category Stag Beetle Pokémon
Abilities Hyper Cutter or Mold Breaker Mold Breaker Blue-Striped -----	Exp. at Lv. 100 1,250,000
Regional Pokédex numbers Kanto #127 Johto #113 Hoenn #167 Sinnoh — Unova Not in any regional Pokédex
Regional Browser numbers Fiore R-093 Almia R-123 Oblivia
Height 4'11" Imperial 1.5 m Metric 4'11"/1.5 m Red-Striped 0'0"/0.0 m Blue-Striped 0'0"/0.0 m
Weight 121.3 lbs. Imperial 55.0 kg Metric 121.3 lbs./55.0 kg Red-Striped 0.0 lbs./0.0 kg Blue-Striped 0.0 lbs./0.0 kg
Dex color Brown	Catch rate 45 (5.9%)
Body style Blue-Striped	Footprint      Blue-Striped
Gender ratio Gender unknown 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.: 2001*
External links On Smogon Pokédex: Generation I Generation II Generation III Generation IV Generation V Generation VI Generation VII Generation VIII Generation IX Artwork on Bulbagarden Archives

Pinsir (Japanese: カイロス Kailios) is a Template:Type2 Pokémon.

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

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

File:Forest.gif

Forest Pokémon

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

File:EP004 010.jpg

Pinsir in the anime

A wild Pinsir on Murcott Island

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 Source Entry EP004 Pinsir Ash's Pokédex Pinsir. This fearsome Pokémon uses its powerful claws to put the squeeze on its opponents.

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

This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation I.
Generation I Red If it fails to crush the victim in its pincers, it will swing it around and toss it hard. Blue Yellow Grips its prey in its pincers and squeezes hard! It can't move if it's cold, so it lives in warm places. Stadium Grips and tears at its enemy with the two pincers on its head. Enemies with hard bodies are gripped and tossed.
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. Stadium 2 With its horns, it digs burrows to sleep in at night. In the morning, damp soil clings to its body.
Generation III 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 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 It grips prey with its pincers until the prey is torn in half. What it can't tear, it tosses far. Pearl {{{pearldex}}} Platinum {{{platinumdex}}} 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 {{{blackdex}}} White {{{whitedex}}} Black 2 {{{black2dex}}} White 2 {{{white2dex}}}
Generation VI X Unknown Y Unknown

Game locations

This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation I.
Generation I Red Blue Unlimited Rocket Game Corner and Safari Zone (Blue only) Blue (Japan) None Trade 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 Pokéwalker None
Generation V Black White None Trade Black 2 White 2 None Trade Dream World None
Generation VI X Y 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 (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.

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 V, this Pokémon is:

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

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

Immune 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 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

Notes: In Generation I, the effectiveness of  Poison-type  moves is 2×.

Learnset

By leveling up

|- style="text-align:center" | style="text-align:left" | bug | style="background:#91A119" |  bug 

| style=" background:#FFF" | 4 | style=" background:#FFF" | 1 | style=" background:#FFF" | Pinsir | style="display:none; background:#FFF" | {{{6}}} Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Movelist/note

By tutoring

|- style="background:#B8C26A" | colspan="13" | 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

Shadow moves	<span style="color:#{{{2}}};">Level 35+	Purified moves
Shadow Break	File:Box xd 127.png	Helping Hand	Normal
Shadow Shed		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 File:MDP RT 127.png 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: Poké Assist: Field move:  Normal  None Past ( Normal ) None Past (Electrify ×1) Browser entry   This Pokémon does not have a browser entry.
Pokémon Rumble N/A Not Available Defense Speed N/A Not Available Defense Speed			Pokémon Rumble Blast N/A Not Available Defense Speed N/A Not Available Defense Speed N/A Not Available Defense Speed N/A Not Available Defense Speed
PokéPark Wii: Pikachu's Adventure PokéPark Pad entry: This Pokémon has no PokéPark Pad entry.
PokéPark 2: Wonders Beyond Strong: {{{Park2strong}}} Weak: {{{Park2weak}}} PokéPark Pad entry: This Pokémon has no PokéPark Pad entry.
Pokémon Conquest HP: Move: {{{ConquestMove}}} Attack: Ability 1: {{{ConquestAbility1}}} Defense: Ability 2: {{{ConquestAbility2}}} Speed: Ability 3: {{{ConquestAbility3}}} Does not evolve. Range: 0 Perfect Links: {{{ConquestLink}}}

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
V	Black	White	Black 2	White 2			Back

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

Trivia

• Although Pinsir was introduced in Generation I as a pure Template:Type2, 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.
• In the Pokemon episode A Chansey Operation, a Pinsir is shown with one of his pincers cut in half.

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".

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.