Shadow Pinsir
Fast
Charge
PvE Analysis
Shadow Pinsir is a good Bug Type attacker, sporting very nice damage. However, it's still a Bug Type attacker, meaning its moveset leaves it less effective on most raids than other options. A high IV Shadow Pinsir could be a great asset, but it's unlikely to be the top raider outside of a raid boss that's double weak to Bug.
Best PvE Offensive Moveset
Bug Bite is superior to Fury Cutter and should be paired with X-Scissor for Bug-type offense.
Rock Smash can pair with Superpower, or less preferably, Close Combat if no Fighting-type Pokemon are available.
Submission is inferior.
- Vice Grip is not a good move. Use your TM here.
Best PvE Defensive Moveset
Rock Smash + X-Scissor or Superpower. | Best |
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On defense, Rock Smash does over double the DPS of Pinsir’s other fast moves.
X-Scissor is fast and frequent, but ineffective against Shadow Pinsir’s counters.
Vice Grip is overall just a slightly worse version of X-Scissor.
Superpower has better coverage than X-Scissor but is more reactable.
Submission is a downgrade due to its inferior base power.
- A 1-bar charge move like Close Combat is poor due to Pinsir’s low bulk.
PvP Analysis
Fury Cutter + X-Scissor and Close Combat or Superpower |
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With somewhat below-average Damage per Turn and high Energy per Turn, Fury Cutter is a great move for launching Charged moves quickly and furiously. Close Combat and Superpower are both powerful Fighting-type moves that provide wide coverage, don't cost a lot of energy, and apply self-debuffs. However, they're risky to use and could leave Pinsir vulnerable to be farmed.
Great League | 1.5 / 5 |
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Pinsir is a fast mono-Bug type Pokemon, but not a particularly bulky one. Bug-types aren't very valuable in the meta, though Pinsir stands out with its access to two very powerful Fighting-type charge moves which hit hard and provide wide relevant coverage. While other Pokemon can do Pinsir's role a lot better, Pinsir's unique moveset may give it a niche in specific formats. | |
Ultra League | 0 / 5 |
Pinsir has a few very good matchups in the tier and can be useful in some ways, though Scizor does basically the same job even better. | |
Master League | |
The lack of many good Bug types with high a CP allows Pinsir to slip into the Master League to some degree. However, it doesn't have many note-worthy matchups, so while worthwhile on paper, it's not great in practice. |