Pinsir
Attack
Defense
Stamina
Best Movesets
Analysis
Pinsir is Pokemon with potential. Bug-type moves have effectiveness against Grass, Psychic, and Dark-types. Pinsir can see use in Alakazam and Mewtwo raids, although it is not close to being optimal. Pinsir’s Fighting-type movesets can contest Tyranitar, Snorlax, and Blissey, but Machamp and many other Fighting-types do this job much better.
Defensively, Pinsir has bad stats and a poor typing. Fire, Flying, and Rock-type attackers are common, which prevent Pinsir from being threatening.
Offense
- 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.
Defense
- On defense, Rock Smash does over double the DPS of Pinsir’s other fast moves.
- X-Scissor is fast and frequent, but ineffective against 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.
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.
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.
