What is a good moveset for Pinsir?
If you have a good competitive moveset for Pinsir,post an answer below and upvote the best ones. Movesets for its pre-evolutions, if any, can also be shared on this thread.
Be sure to includefull set details in your post, e.g. items, abilities, natures and EVs. Some detail, including the intended game mode for your set, is also appreciated.Access the full list of guidelines here.
Pinsir Pokédex and learnsetfor reference.
Pleaselog inorregisterto add a comment.
Gen V
Pinsir (M) @ Lum BerryAbility: MoxieEVs: 184 Atk / 72 Def / 252 SpeJolly Nature- Bulldoze / Close Combat- Swords Dance- Stone Edge- X-Scissor
Now, since you want to max out your Speed, your Attack won’t be incredibly high. As such, you’ll want to get in a Swords Dance. Then you can start defeating the foe and gaining more power with Moxie. X-Scissor provides STAb. Stone Edge gives type coverage. The choice is then between Bulldoze and Close Combat. Bulldoze lowers Speed, which helps cause even with maxed Speed you’ll only be at 295. Close Combat has more power, but it lowers your defenses, making you more vulnerable to priority. Your EVs give you max Speed and good Attack (you’ll be getting Swords Dance and Moxie, you won’t need 252 Attack EVs) and also some defense EVs to protect against priority. Lum Berry protects from status, mainly paralysis.
Gen VI:
Pinsir (M) @ PinsiriteAbility: AerilateEVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 SpeJolly Nature- Return / Thrash- X-Scissor- Close Combat- Stone Edge
This is the Mega Pinsir it thought up with. Its new ability allows Normal Type Moves to change into Flying Type Moves, which explains which Return is even there. The rest is straight up standard really. Pinsir has potential to move up with those nasty stats, the typing is what’s holding it back a lot though…
Pinsir (M) @ Choice ScarfAbility: MoxieEVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 SpeAdamant Nature- Close Combat- X-Scissor- Stone Edge- Earthquake
X-Scissor is STAB, pretty nice power. It works. While Close Combat is great coverage even though it screws over your defenses afterward. Stone Edge is more coverage, topped with Earthquake for coverage.
Double/Triple Battle
Pinsir (M) @ Life OrbAbility: MoxieEVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 SpeJolly Nature- Rock Slide- Bulldoze- X-Scissor- Brick Break
Moxie is great. If you take down multiple foes wth Rock Slide or Bulldoze, you get a nice Attack boost. Bulldoze is helpful in that it lowers the Speed of your foes. In Doubles/Triples, Bulldoze is worth it. X-Scissor is STAB. Brick break is dual-screen breaking coverage.
Pinsir @ PinsiriteAbility: Hyper Cutter / AerilateEVs: 156 attack, 100 speed, 252 HPNature: Adamant- X-scissor- Return- Swords Dance- Earthquake
Mega Pinsir has potential, though it is cursed with the horrible dual typing of Bug and Flying, arguably the worst typing in the game. Even with this obstruction, Aerilate is a wonderful ability, not unlike Mega Gardevoir’s Pixilate, although Mega Pinsir’s ability is much more useful.
The EV spread on this Pokémon may seem odd, but it is to have Mega Pinsir to be able to live at least one hit, set up a Swords Dance, then attack the next turn when it’s speed has actually become the speed of the Mega Evolution.
When using this Pokémon, do keep in mind that the move Return becomes flying-type when used by this Pokemon; Return is already a devastating move, but with 153 power with stab, and the ability to be super effective, no Pokemon will enjoy taking this hit, even before a Swords Dance. Also, Earthquake is an excellent coverage move, making Mega Pinsir able reek havoc amongst all Pokemon, and not be forced to be switched out by the rock types and other common weaknesses that it’s horrible typing fears.
EDIT: Turns out Mega Pinsir is S rank on Smogon. Not exactly a hidden gem.
Mega Pinsir@PinsiriteAbility: Aerialate
Sword’s Dance- You want this guy to be an all out sweeper and since Pinsir is more bulky he can max out his attack.
Quick Attack- This is like Shadow Sneak on Aegislash. Priority move boosted by Aerialate STAB and Sword’s Dance.
Earthquake- Bug Flying is some pretty bad typing so this is a no-brainer for coverage.
Return/X-Scissor/Rock Slide- You can vaporize them with Return or get STAB for psychic types or more coverage.
EDIT: Adamant/Jolly nature and 252 Atk/252 Spe/4 HP. I dunno what I was thinking when I made a set for this guy so I fixed the EVs.
EDIT: Usage Tips
Mega Pinsir can be a complete monster with enough support. The obvious teammate is a Defogger/Spinner. After that get something that counters Rotom Wash and Zapdos as they both resist his Flying- Ground coverage. Now just set up and sweep.
Ok, I’ll write a good moveset for each Generation
Pinsir
Ability:Mold Breaker
Nature:Adamant
EVs:252 Attack/252 Defense/4 Speed
Moves:
Pinsir@Life Orb
Ability:Mold Breaker
Nature:Adamant
EVs:252 Attack/252 Defense/4 Speed
Moves:
Pinsir@Life Orb
Ability:Mold Breaker
Nature:Adamant
EVs:252 Attack/252 Defense/4 Speed
Moves:
Pinsir@Life Orb
Ability:Mold Breaker
Nature:Adamant
EVs:252 Attack/252 Defense/4 Speed
Moves:
Pinsir@Life Orb
Ability:Mold Breaker
Nature:Adamant
EVs:252 Attack/252 Defense/4 Speed
Moves:
Pinsir@Pinsirite
Ability:Aerialate
Nature:Adamant
EVs:252 Attack/252 Defense/4 Speed
Moves:
Gen 6:
Pinsir@pinsiriteJolly natureEvs: 252 atk/252 speed/4hpAbility:Aerialate
Swords dance-boosts atk, set up for quick atk to start a sweep if wanted, np but not reliable
Quick attack-STAB with Aerialate, Piority
X-Scissor-Stab, main attacking move
E-Quake-For the ghost, rock, and steel types lurking In the shadows OR close combat-takes down rock and steel types, but defenses are lowered.
I sweep ALOT of people with this moveset:
Item: Pinsirite
Ability: Moxie
Nature: Adament
Earthquake- takes out Fire and Rock-Type Pokemon that you’re faster than, or if you survive the first hit.
X-Scissor- For taking out Psychic and Dark-Type Pokemon.
Close Combat- HIGH attack with Adament as its Nature.
Giga Impact- Mega Evolve it and its ability changes to Aerilate which boosts Normal-Type moves and changes it to Flying-Type. Use it after you raise its attack with Moxie a few times and just DESTROY IT!!!
Pinsir @ PinsiriteMold Breaker -> Aerialate252Atk/212Spe/44HPJolly-Quick Attack-Frustration-Earthquake-Swords Dance/Stone Edge
•Quick Attackis priority + STAB after mega evolving.•Frustrationfor immense power + STAB, ‘nuff said.•Earthquaketo hit levitate Pokemon before evolving.•Swords Dance(Jolly nature) for the Attack Boost orStone Edge(adamant nature) to stop Zapdos from completely walling Pinsir.
AdamantPinsiriteAerilate252 attack 252 speed 4 hpx-scissor(stab)giga impact(stab after mega)eartquake(coverage)stone edge(coverage)by the way (?)izz I read the rules so am I ok now?(if you want I will delete the last sentence).
Pinsir (M) @ PinsiriteAbility: Moxie —> AerialateEvs: 252 Atk, 6 Def, 252 SpdNature: Jolly (+Spd,-Sp.Atk)- X-Scissor- Quick Attack- Earthquake- Stone Edge
Revenge Kill with Quick Attack, get the Moxie boost, THEN Mega Evolve. Now you’ve got 4 attacks instead of only 3 because of Sword Dances. While it’s not as powerful as a SD Mega, it still hits hard enough.
X-Scissor is STAB, Quick Attack is Priority and gets a massive boost after Moxie, Aerialate, & STAB, while Earthquake & Stone Edge covers some of your weaknesses.
Pinsir @ Focus Sash
Role: NU Stealth Rock Support
Ability: Mold Breaker
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Speed
Jolly Nature (- Sp. Atk, + Speed)
Pinsir is not the best, but a reliable SR user in NU. Although not quite as bulky like Rhydon or as fast as Archeops, Pinsir can provide some valuable offensive presence.
Stealth Rock crushes Flying-type switch-ins, like Archeops, and Fire-types, such as Magmortar.
X-Scissor is nice STAB and deals a lot of damage.
Earthquake is always a nice move on any Physical attacker. It helps deal with Levitate ‘mons, such as Weezing and Rotom. Stone Edge and Rock Slide is used mainly to deal with Flying-types (mainly Xatu, which might try to predict the SR and switch-in) and other leads, like Archeops.
Toxic is a nice move to deal with walls. Close Combat is a nice move to hit Rock-types, like Rhydon, harder than if Earthquake was used. Knock Off allows it to cripple threats by removing their item.
Mega Pinsir@PinsiriteAbility:Hyper Cutter——->AerialateNature:Adamant/JollyEVs: 252 Atk / 252 Spe / 4 HP•Swords Dance•Quick Attack•X-Scissor•Close CombatSwords Dance doubles attack. Quick attack gets STAB and an Aerialate boost. X-Scissor is STAB. Close Combat covers ice and rock weaknesses
Gen 8 PUPinsir @ Choice ScarfAbility: MoxieEVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 SpeJolly Nature- Close Combat- Earthquake- X-Scissor- Stone EdgeExplanation:With Moxie, Pinsir’s attack will be raised by one stage every time it knocks out a Pokemon. Choice Scarf gives Pinsir more speed. X-Scissor is STAB. The other moves are there because they hit hard.
National Dex Monotype (Bug)Pinsir-Mega @ PinsiriteAbility: Any—-> AerilateHappiness: 0EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 SpeJolly Nature- Swords Dance- Frustration- Close Combat- Earthquake / Quick Attack
Swords Dance is to boost your attack. Frustration is STAB thanks to Aerialate, and can well, help stop Ditto from trying to use your stat boosts. Close Combat is coverage against rock and ice types. Earthquake is coverage against fire types. You can opt for Quick Attack for priority STAB that can revenge kill weakned Pokémon.
