---
title: "Pinsir (#0127): Stats, Weaknesses, Moves & Lore | pokee.si"
url: "https://pokee.si/pokemon/pinsir"
description: "Pinsir (#0127): Bug-type Stag Beetle Pokémon from Kanto. Base stat total 500. Stats, matchups, evolutions, moves, every Pokédex entry and lore on pokee.si."
last_updated: "2026-10-21"
publisher: "pokee.si: a Pokédex for families (unofficial fan site)"
last_checked: "2026-10-20"
---

#0127 · Kanto · Generation 1

# Pinsir

Stag Beetle Pokémon · Bug-type

![Pinsir official artwork](https://pokee.si/img/art/127.webp)

Pinsir is a [Bug](https://pokee.si/types/bug)-type Pokémon, the Stag Beetle Pokémon, number 127 (#0127) in the National Pokédex. It was introduced in Generation 1 and comes from the [Kanto](https://pokee.si/guide/regions/kanto) region. It is 1.5 m tall and weighs 55 kg.

Pinsir is the Stag Beetle Pokémon, and the Pokédex says it can grip a foe twice its own weight in its thorny horns and lift it. For all that strength, a cold night leaves it too sluggish to move.

## How to pronounce Pinsir

Pinsir is pronounced **PIN-sur**. The capital letters show the stressed syllable.

Listen to Pinsir said out loud:

[Listen](https://pokee.si/audio/names/127.mp3)

In Japanese it is カイロス (Kailios).

Hear every other name on the [Pokémon pronunciation guide](https://pokee.si/pronounce).

## Lore

### Biology

Pinsir is a bipedal, dull-brown beetle, 1.5 m (4 ft 11 in) tall and 55 kg (121.3 lb). Two long grey pincer horns crown its head, and the Pokédex says thorns along them sink into prey as the horns close, making escape hard. The Pokédex says the pincers can shatter thick logs.

### Behaviour

Pinsir clamps prey in its horns and squeezes; the Pokédex says it refuses to release prey until it has torn it in two, and what it cannot tear it hurls far away. Cold makes it sluggish, so on chilly nights it burrows underground or sleeps among treetops and roots. Pinsir judge each other by their horns: thicker, more impressive pincers are said to win more admirers of the opposite gender. In Alola its greatest rival is Vikavolt, yet it is said to be friendly with Heracross.

### Habitat

Bulbapedia places it in temperate forests and jungles. It is not available in Scarlet and Violet; in Legends: Z-A it lives in Wild Zones 13 and 20.

### Powers

Its Abilities are Hyper Cutter, which stops its Attack from being lowered, and Mold Breaker, which lets its moves ignore defensive Abilities; the Hidden Ability is Moxie, which raises Attack after a knock-out. It learns X-Scissor and Swords Dance by level and Close Combat by TM. With Pinsirite it Mega Evolves into Mega Pinsir, a Bug and Flying type with the Ability Aerilate, clear yellow wings and blades on its wing cases; Bulbapedia says it flies at up to about 50 km/h (30 mph) and can lift opponents 10 times its weight. Base Attack is 125, rising to 155 when Mega Evolved.

### Name origin

Pinsir is a corruption of 'pincer', a nod to its horns. The Japanese name is Kailios (カイロス), which Bulbapedia reads as a blend of the Greek letter chi, Japanese words for 'shear' and 'brawny', and Greek for 'bug'.

### Design inspiration

Ken Sugimori designed Pinsir. It looks modelled on a stag beetle, possibly a kind often used in insect fights. These are fan readings.

### In the games

Pinsir turns up in Kanto's Safari Zone, where only Blue could catch it in Red and Blue, and in the Bug-Catching Contest at National Park in Gold, Silver and Crystal. In Legends: Z-A the base game has it in Wild Zones 13 and 20, and the Mega Dimension DLC adds it to Hyperspace Lumiose's 4-star Bug-type wild zones.

### In the anime

Samurai's Pinsir debuted in 'Challenge of the Samurai', where it beat Ash's Pidgeotto but lost to his Metapod. Goh caught a timid Pinsir in 'Working My Way Back to Mew!'.

### Fun facts

- An early Spaceworld '97 demo hints that Pinsir once had an Evolution called Purakkusu, a larger stag beetle with a third pincer.
- Pinsir and Heracross match on height (1.5 m), base stat total (500), base Attack (125), base experience (175) and the Hidden Ability Moxie.
- Bulbapedia notes that Pinsir seems drawn to the colour green, which may nod to it being exclusive to Pokémon Green in Japan's original Red and Green.

Sources: [Bulbapedia: Pinsir (Pokémon)](https://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Pinsir_(Pok%C3%A9mon)) · [Serebii: Pinsir (Scarlet/Violet Pokédex)](https://www.serebii.net/pokedex-sv/pinsir/)

## Base stats

- HP: **65**
- Attack: **125**
- Defense: **100**
- Sp. Atk: **55**
- Sp. Def: **70**
- Speed: **85**

Pinsir’s base stat total is **500**. Its highest stat is Attack.

## Type matchups

### What is Pinsir weak to?

Pinsir takes extra damage from [Fire](https://pokee.si/types/fire) (2×), [Flying](https://pokee.si/types/flying) (2×), [Rock](https://pokee.si/types/rock) (2×) moves.

It resists [Grass](https://pokee.si/types/grass) (½×), [Fighting](https://pokee.si/types/fighting) (½×), [Ground](https://pokee.si/types/ground) (½×).

## Evolution

Pinsir does not evolve, and it does not evolve from any other Pokémon.

## Forms

- **Mega Pinsir** (Mega): [Bug](https://pokee.si/types/bug)/[Flying](https://pokee.si/types/flying)-type, base stat total 600 (HP 65, Attack 155, Defense 120, Sp. Atk 65, Sp. Def 90, Speed 105). Ability: [Aerilate](https://pokee.si/abilities/aerilate).

## Abilities

- [Hyper Cutter](https://pokee.si/abilities/hyper-cutter): Prevents Attack from being lowered by other Pokémon.
- [Mold Breaker](https://pokee.si/abilities/mold-breaker): Bypasses targets' abilities if they could hinder or prevent a move.
- [Moxie](https://pokee.si/abilities/moxie) (hidden ability): Raises Attack one stage upon KOing a Pokémon.

## Moves

### Moves Pinsir learns by level up in Sword / Shield

| Level | Move | Type | Category | Power |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | [Vise Grip](https://pokee.si/moves/vice-grip) | Normal | Physical | 55 |
| 1 | [Harden](https://pokee.si/moves/harden) | Normal | Status | — |
| 4 | [Focus Energy](https://pokee.si/moves/focus-energy) | Normal | Status | — |
| 8 | [Bind](https://pokee.si/moves/bind) | Normal | Physical | 15 |
| 12 | [Seismic Toss](https://pokee.si/moves/seismic-toss) | Fighting | Physical | — |
| 16 | [Bug Bite](https://pokee.si/moves/bug-bite) | Bug | Physical | 60 |
| 20 | [Storm Throw](https://pokee.si/moves/storm-throw) | Fighting | Physical | 60 |
| 24 | [Double Hit](https://pokee.si/moves/double-hit) | Normal | Physical | 35 |
| 28 | [Vital Throw](https://pokee.si/moves/vital-throw) | Fighting | Physical | 70 |
| 32 | [X-Scissor](https://pokee.si/moves/x-scissor) | Bug | Physical | 80 |
| 36 | [Strength](https://pokee.si/moves/strength) | Normal | Physical | 80 |
| 40 | [Swords Dance](https://pokee.si/moves/swords-dance) | Normal | Status | — |
| 44 | [Submission](https://pokee.si/moves/submission) | Fighting | Physical | 80 |
| 48 | [Guillotine](https://pokee.si/moves/guillotine) | Normal | Physical | — |
| 52 | [Superpower](https://pokee.si/moves/superpower) | Fighting | Physical | 120 |

### TM moves (39)

Pinsir can learn 39 moves from TMs in Sword / Shield: [Hyper Beam](https://pokee.si/moves/hyper-beam), [Giga Impact](https://pokee.si/moves/giga-impact), [Dig](https://pokee.si/moves/dig), [Rest](https://pokee.si/moves/rest), [Rock Slide](https://pokee.si/moves/rock-slide), [Thief](https://pokee.si/moves/thief), [Snore](https://pokee.si/moves/snore), [Protect](https://pokee.si/moves/protect), [Attract](https://pokee.si/moves/attract), [Rain Dance](https://pokee.si/moves/rain-dance), [Sunny Day](https://pokee.si/moves/sunny-day), [Facade](https://pokee.si/moves/facade), [Helping Hand](https://pokee.si/moves/helping-hand), [Revenge](https://pokee.si/moves/revenge), [Brick Break](https://pokee.si/moves/brick-break), [Rock Tomb](https://pokee.si/moves/rock-tomb), [Fling](https://pokee.si/moves/fling), [Round](https://pokee.si/moves/round), [Bulldoze](https://pokee.si/moves/bulldoze), [False Swipe](https://pokee.si/moves/false-swipe), [Brutal Swing](https://pokee.si/moves/brutal-swing), [Swords Dance](https://pokee.si/moves/swords-dance), [Body Slam](https://pokee.si/moves/body-slam), [Earthquake](https://pokee.si/moves/earthquake), [Focus Energy](https://pokee.si/moves/focus-energy), [Substitute](https://pokee.si/moves/substitute), [Reversal](https://pokee.si/moves/reversal), [Endure](https://pokee.si/moves/endure), [Sleep Talk](https://pokee.si/moves/sleep-talk), [Superpower](https://pokee.si/moves/superpower), [Iron Defense](https://pokee.si/moves/iron-defense), [Bulk Up](https://pokee.si/moves/bulk-up), [Close Combat](https://pokee.si/moves/close-combat), [X-Scissor](https://pokee.si/moves/x-scissor), [Focus Blast](https://pokee.si/moves/focus-blast), [Stone Edge](https://pokee.si/moves/stone-edge), [Stealth Rock](https://pokee.si/moves/stealth-rock), [High Horsepower](https://pokee.si/moves/high-horsepower), [Throat Chop](https://pokee.si/moves/throat-chop).

Egg moves (5):[Feint](https://pokee.si/moves/feint), [Flail](https://pokee.si/moves/flail), [Fury Attack](https://pokee.si/moves/fury-attack), [Quick Attack](https://pokee.si/moves/quick-attack), [Thrash](https://pokee.si/moves/thrash).

## Breeding & training

- Gender: 50% male, 50% female.
- Egg groups: Bug.
- Egg cycles: 25 (steps to hatch, Scarlet/Violet: 3,200).
- Catch rate: 45 out of 255.
- Base friendship (Gen 8 onward): 50.
- Growth rate: Slow (1,250,000 experience points to reach level 100).
- Defeating it gives 2 Attack effort values.
- Base experience yield: 175.

## Pokédex entries

This Pokémon clamps its pincers down on its prey and then either splits the prey in half or flings it away. *(Shield)*

These Pokémon judge one another based on pincers. Thicker, more impressive pincers make for more popularity with the opposite gender. *(Sword)*

Grips its prey in its pincers and squeezes hard! It can't move if it's cold out, so it lives in warm places. *(Let’s Go, Pikachu!, Let’s Go, Eevee!)*

Although it's tough, it can't handle cold well. When night falls, it buries itself in leafage and sleeps. *(Ultra Moon)*

It gets into territorial disputes with Vikavolt. For some reason, it apparently gets along well with Heracross in Alola. *(Ultra Sun)*

One solid blow from its horns is enough to split apart a large tree. Its greatest rival in Alola is Vikavolt. *(Moon)*

## Names around the world

- **Japanese**: カイロス
- **Romaji**: Kailios
- **French**: Scarabrute
- **German**: Pinsir
- **Spanish**: Pinsir
- **Italian**: Pinsir
- **Korean**: 쁘사이저
- **Chinese (Simplified)**: 凯罗斯
- **Chinese (Traditional)**: 凱羅斯

## Trivia

- Tallest Bug type in Gen 1: 1.5 m, shared with 2 others.
- Highest Attack among Bug types in Gen 1: 125.
- Highest Defense among Bug types in Gen 1: 100.
- Highest base stat total among Bug types in Gen 1: 500, shared with 1 other.
- Taller than 72% of all Pokémon (1.5 m).
- Heavier than 68% of all Pokémon (55 kg).
- Base stat total 500, ranked #278 of 1,025.
- Its best stat is Attack, ranked #65 of 1,025.
- One of 92 Bug-type Pokémon (counting dual types).
- One of 147 brown Pokémon.
- Number 127 of 151 Pokémon introduced in Generation 1 (Kanto).
- Can learn 55 different moves in Sword / Shield.
- Catch rate 45: about 5.9% per Poké Ball at full health.
- Has 1 alternate form.
- Appears in 21 distinct Pokédex entries.

## Sources and fact-checking

- Stats, types, abilities, moves, evolutions, forms and Pokédex entries: [PokéAPI](https://pokeapi.co) open game data.
- Lore: written by pokee.si in our own words, researched from [Bulbapedia: Pinsir (Pokémon)](https://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Pinsir_(Pok%C3%A9mon)), [Serebii: Pinsir (Scarlet/Violet Pokédex)](https://www.serebii.net/pokedex-sv/pinsir/).
- Pronunciation (PIN-sur): it follows how the English anime, games or official videos say it.

**Last checked:** 20 October 2026. Every sentence of the lore was checked against Bulbapedia, Serebii and the game data.

## Explore

[Bug-type Pokémon](https://pokee.si/types/bug) · [Kanto region guide](https://pokee.si/guide/regions/kanto) · [Hyper Cutter ability](https://pokee.si/abilities/hyper-cutter) · [Mold Breaker ability](https://pokee.si/abilities/mold-breaker) · [Moxie ability](https://pokee.si/abilities/moxie) · [Compare Pinsir](https://pokee.si/compare?ids=127) · [Full Pokédex](https://pokee.si/pokedex) · [Type chart](https://pokee.si/types) · [All moves](https://pokee.si/moves)

## Browse similar Pokémon

[Gen 1 Bug-type Pokémon](https://pokee.si/types/bug/gen-1) · [Gen 1 Pokémon list](https://pokee.si/pokedex/gen-1) · [Brown Pokémon list](https://pokee.si/colours/brown) · [Bug egg group](https://pokee.si/egg-groups/bug) · [Pokémon that start with P](https://pokee.si/pokemon-names/p) · [Bug Pokémon](https://pokee.si/animals/bug) · [Beetle and Ladybird Pokémon](https://pokee.si/animals/beetle)

← [Magmar](https://pokee.si/pokemon/magmar) | [Tauros](https://pokee.si/pokemon/tauros) →

---

Source: https://pokee.si/pokemon/pinsir (HTML page). pokee.si is an unofficial fan site and is not affiliated with Nintendo, Creatures, GAME FREAK or The Pokémon Company. Pokémon and all related names and images are © their respective owners.