Species guide · Ages 10+ · July 2026
Pinsir
Say it: PI-nsi-r
Kids summary (simpler)Tap to expand
Pinsir is the Stag Beetle Pokémon — Bug. In Pokémon GO it is a Bug attacker and can Mega Evolve into Mega Pinsir (Bug / Flying). Bug helps against Grass, Psychic, and Dark; Fire, Flying, and Rock punish it. Catch from the wild, research, or events when featured.
Say it: PI-nsi-r
Pinsir (#127) is a Bug Pokémon in Pokémon GO. Trainers use it as a Bug attacker with Rock Smash / Bug Bite / Fury Cutter + Vice Grip / X-Scissor / Close Combat / Superpower. Against Pinsir, lead with Fire, Flying, or Rock. Stats, type chart, moves, and counter picks below use our Game Master snapshot.
Type-colored placeholder — not official Pokémon artwork (see IP notice below).
Pokédex notes
Pinsir is a Bug-type Pokémon in Pokémon GO. National Dex #0127. Use the Bug type chart below before powering up — metas shift every season.
Where in GO: Wild spawns, eggs, Field Research, and seasonal events
Invest tip: Bug Bite / Fury Cutter + X-Scissor / Close Combat is the Bug kit. Shadow Pinsir is the raid DPS lean — remove Frustration before investing. Mega Pinsir for Bug raid days. No Community Day exclusive is required.
Type matchups
- Bug moves hit Grass, Psychic, and Dark hard.
When Pinsir is your opponent, Fire, Flying, Rock hits hard.
Full type matchup guide →Mega Evolution
Pinsir can Mega Evolve into Mega Pinsir, which becomes Bug / Flying. Mega Evolution uses Candy plus Mega Pinsir Energy, boosts Bug attackers in the raid lobby, and only one Mega or Primal can be active at a time. Shadow Pinsir cannot Mega Evolve — purify first if you want the Mega. Mega form typing differs from base (gains Flying).
Full Mega Evolution guide →GO base stats
From Game Master snapshot — IVs, buddy, and power-ups change real battle stats.
- Attack
- 238
- Defense
- 182
- Stamina
- 163
Weak to
Resists
Best Pokémon to use against it
When this species is your opponent (Rocket battle, gym, raid, or PvP), these picks exploit its typings. Each list is a pool of options — not a required 12-Pokémon lobby.
Recommended
Strongest practical attackers for this matchup.
- 1. Mega Charizard Y · beats Fire
Fire Spin + Blast Burn · Elite TM
- 2. Reshiram · beats Fire
Fire Fang + Fusion Flare
- 3. Shadow Moltres · beats Fire
Fire Spin + Overheat
- 4. Shadow Charizard · beats Fire
Fire Spin + Blast Burn · Elite TM
- 5. Mega Blaziken · beats Fire
Fire Spin + Blast Burn · Elite TM
- 6. Shadow Entei · beats Fire
Fire Spin + Overheat
- 7. Blaziken · beats Fire
Fire Spin + Blast Burn · Elite TM
- 8. Darmanitan · beats Fire
Fire Fang + Overheat
- 9. Chandelure · beats Fire
Fire Spin + Overheat
- 10. Heatran · beats Fire
Fire Spin + Flamethrower
- 11. Emboar · beats Fire
Ember + Blast Burn · Elite TM
- 12. Infernape · beats Fire
Fire Spin + Blast Burn · Elite TM
Budget
Solid alternatives when you cannot build the Recommended picks.
- 1. Darmanitan · beats Fire
Fire Fang + Overheat
- 2. Arcanine · beats Fire
Fire Fang + Flamethrower
- 3. Flareon · beats Fire
Fire Spin + Overheat
- 4. Typhlosion · beats Fire
Incinerate + Blast Burn · Elite TM
- 5. Magmortar · beats Fire
Fire Spin + Fire Punch
- 6. Camerupt · beats Fire
Incinerate + Overheat
- 7. Torkoal · beats Fire
Fire Spin + Overheat
- 8. Rapidash · beats Fire
Fire Spin + Fire Blast
- 9. Pyroar · beats Fire
Fire Fang + Overheat
- 10. Simisear · beats Fire
Fire Spin + Flamethrower
- 11. Charizard · beats Fire
Fire Spin + Blast Burn · Elite TM
- 12. Houndoom · beats Fire
Fire Fang + Flamethrower
Recommended moves
Game Master “moves in GO” lists Pinsir’s always-available TM pool. Bug Bite + X-Scissor covers Bug raid needs.
Fast
- Bug Bite · Standard
Bug energy / default
- Fury Cutter · Standard
Bug alternate
- Rock Smash · Standard
Fighting energy
Charged
- X-Scissor · Standard
Bug nuke
- Close Combat · Standard
Fighting coverage
- Superpower · Standard
Fighting alternate
- Vice Grip · Standard
Normal filler
Moves in GO
Always-available Game Master learnset (regular TMs). Community Day / Elite TM moves appear above when we have curated notes for this species.
Fast
- rock smash
- bug bite
- fury cutter
Charged
- vice grip
- x scissor
- close combat
- super power
PvP league ranks (family snapshot)
- Great League · rank #765 of 954 · CP 1479
Rock Smash + Close Combat
- Ultra League · rank #528 of 747 · CP 2494
Rock Smash + Close Combat
- Master League · rank #408 of 1023 · CP 3345
Rock Smash + Close Combat
In your Collect
Name match only (text). Cards you have saved in Card Nexus Collect — not official art.
Sign in to see holdings, or open Collect.
Open Collect →Raid and PvP advice uses our Game Master snapshot (updated July 2026).
Raid attacker roles
Bug-type shortlist
- Mega Pinsir — Fury Cutter + X-Scissor
- Pinsir — Fury Cutter + X-Scissor
- Pinsir — Fury Cutter + X-Scissor
In the Competitive Guide
- Ch. 4: Best Raid Attackers by Type
… Xerneas Dazzling Gleam / Geomancy + Moonblast Gardevoir Granbull Dazzling Gleam Bug Mega Pinsir Fury Cutter + X-Scissor Shadow Scyther Volcarona / Yanmega Bug Bite + Bug Buzz Grass Kart…
- Ch. 20: Lucky Pokémon & Family Trades
When lucky status matters for trades and Stardust savings.
- Ch. 21: Best Friends & Lucky Friends
Friendship steps for raid bonuses and lucky trades.
Related species
Also named in the same guide chapters (text only).