Pinsir is a bipedal, insectoid Pokémon with a wide, dull brown body divided into segments by thin lines. On top of its head is a large pair of gray, spiky pincers on top of its head. In its mouth are many long, flat teeth arranged horizontally and it has triangular eyes. Its legs are short and thick, while its arms are long and thin. It has three claws on each hand and foot; two of its toes face forward and one backward.
Pinsir can use its pincers to crush, toss, bludgeon, or tear opponents, lift things twice its weight, and shatter logs. Captured prey is kept in place by the piercing thorns and sheer strength of Pinsir's horns and will not be released until they are torn in half. In addition to hunting prey, the anime has shown that it enjoys tree sap. Pinsir lives deep in the temperate forests and jungles, where it burrows underground or hides in the treetops on nights cold enough to render it immobile. In Alola, it has a rivalry with Vikavolt and gets along with Heracross. Pinsir are known to judge each other based on their pincers. The pincers determine its popularity with the opposite gender based on how more thick and impressive it looks.
As Mega Pinsir, it gains a large pair of clear, yellow wings with an area of orange venation near the base. Additionally, a set of brown wing coverings appear. Slicing through each wing cover is a pair of orange blades. Its arms become longer and it has a T-shaped spike on each forearm. The pincers on its head are now longer with larger spikes, and its eyes are now yellow. When it Mega Evolves, Pinsir is left in a constant state of excitement. It rarely touches the ground due to its ability to now fly. Mega Pinsir can travel up to approximately 30 mph (50 km/h) and uses its two large horns to pierce its enemies before shredding them. Mega Pinsir can lift opponents up to 10 times heavier than itself with its horns and still fly around easily.
In A Sappy Ending, multiple Pinsir were driven into a forest that was the territory of multiple Heracross because Team Rocket was stealing the sap from the trees and thus the food supply in their territory.
In Volcanion and the Mechanical Marvel, a Pinsir that can Mega Evolve was under the control of Levi's Mega Wave. Pinsir was briefly lent to James to use in an attempt to capture Magearna. It was later freed when Alva's Mega Wave Crystal was destroyed, and it escaped.
In I Choose You!, Ash attempted to catch a Pinsir by battling it with his Caterpie. During the battle, Caterpie evolved into a Metapod, allowing Pinsir to get away.
In Pokémon Double Trouble, a Pinsir was at the Kumquat Gym. However, this scene was removed from the dub due to the presence of Jynx's original design.
In Celebi and Joy!, a demolition crew used a Pinsir for a construction project. In the new timeline, Pinsir was still employed by what had become a construction crew.
Goh caught a Pinsir in JNM03, just like he does in the anime.
In the Pokémon Adventures manga
Pinsir debuted in Wartortle Wars, where Red fought a wild one using Pika using items he bought from Green. As the items were fakes, Pika lost the battle.
A Pinsir appeared in Can You Diglett? as a silhouette when Agatha and Lorelei explains to Red about how Pokémon and people cannot coexist with each other.
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. Cuts anywhere above the log will cause the player to lose points.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Pinsir can also be seen as a counterpart to Heracross. Both are Bug-type Pokémon based on beetles and lack an evolutionary family. Pinsir is not part Fighting like Heracross, but it learns several Fighting-type moves by leveling up. Both Pokémon and their Mega Stones are version exclusives in X and Y: Pinsir and Pinsirite are exclusive to X while Heracross and Heracronite are exclusive to Y. Each Mega Stone can be found in Santalune Forest in its respective version. The heights of both Pokémon are the same, even when Mega Evolved. The Pokémon are also version exclusives in the Pokémon Sword and Shield Expansion Pass. Pinsir can be found on the Isle of Armor if playing Sword, whereas Heracross can be found in its place when playing Shield.
Pinsir is a corruption of pincer, referring to its horns.
Kailios may be a combination of the Greek letter Χ (カイ kai) and cross (referring to its scissor-like horns). Alternatively, it may be a combination of 傀 kai (large), 魁偉 kaii (brawny), or 刈 kai (cut) combined with κοριός korios (Greek for bug).
In other languages
Language
Title
Meaning
Japanese
カイロス Kailios
From Χ, 傀 kai, 魁偉 kaii or 刈 kai combined with κοριός korios
This Pokémon article is part of Project Pokédex, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on each Pokémon species, as well as Pokémon groups and forms.
Pinsirite (100%)
For other sprites and images, please see Pinsir images on the Bulbagarden Archives.
