Shadow Pinsir
Attack
Defense
Stamina
Best Movesets
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.
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 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.
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.
