DEXERTOMega Pinsir is making its Pokemon Go comeback, so we’ve put together details of its weaknesses and some of the best counters you can use to squash this mighty and intimidating bug.
There are plenty of Mega Evolved creatures to collect in Niantic’s game, with each one specializing in a different attack type – or sometimes two – that makes them brilliant for taking down powerful opponents.
If you’re looking for a Bug-type or Flying-type Mega Evolution to add to your collection, look no further than Mega Pinsir, as it is coming back to Pokemon Go for the Might and Mastery season.
Here’s how you can target its weaknesses with the best counters.
Mega Pinsir weaknesses in Pokemon Go
As a dual Bug/Flying-type Pokemon, Mega Pinsir is weak against Electric, Fire, Flying, Ice, and Rock-type moves. It has extra vulnerability to Rock-type attacks, so focus on those when putting together your team.
On the flip side, Mega Pinsir is resistant to Bug, Fighting, Grass, and especially Ground-type attacks, so avoid using those as they won’t be very effective during the fight.
Mega Pinsir best counters
Here are some of the best counters to use against Mega Pinsir in Pokemon Go:
| POKEMON | SPRITE | BEST MOVESET |
|---|---|---|
| Mega Rayquaza |  | Air Slash & Dragon Ascent |
| Mega Diancie |  | Rock Throw & Rock Slide |
| Mega Aerodactyl |  | Rock Throw & Rock Slide |
| Shadow Rhyperior |  | Smack Down & Rock Wrecker |
| Shadow Rampardos |  | Smack Down & Rock Slide |
| Shadow Gigalith |  | Smack Down & Meteor Beam |
| Terrakion |  | Smack Down & Rock Slide |
| Tyranitar |  | Smack Down & Stone Edge |
| Charizard |  | Fire Spin & Blast Burn |
| Salamence |  | Fire Fang & Fly |
We’ve included a mix of Megas, Legendaries, Shadow, and more common Pokemon in the table above, so there should be something for every trainer to use.
If you don’t have any of those counters or their alternate forms, use your strongest Pokemon to target Mega Pinsir’s weaknesses. Just make sure that your team is properly leveled up and has matching movesets.
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How to get Mega Pinsir in Pokemon Go
Mega Pinsir will be appearing in Mega Raid battles from March 22, 2025, until March 31, 2025 – right after Mega Swampert leaves – meaning trainers will have plenty of time to challenge and defeat it.
Keep in mind that you can take on Mega Pinsir in 5-Star Mega Raids, however, you won’t be able to catch this mighty creature in its Mega-Evolved form.
Instead, once you defeat it, you’ll be given the chance to catch a regular Pinsir using the Premiere Balls you’re given – the amount of balls you get will be tied to your performance during battle.
To temporarily Mega Evolve your strongest standard Pinsir, you’ll first need to stock up on the Mega Energy you get as a reward for defeating this mighty creature.
How to evolve Pinsir into Mega Pinsir
As mentioned, when a trainer defeats and catches a Mega Evolved Pokemon, it returns to its regular form, meaning that every time they want to trigger a Mega Evolution, they must use Mega Energy.
The first time a player evolves Pinsir into Mega Pinsir, they must spend 200 Mega Energy. Once the effect is over, the amount required will drop to 40, then 20, and finally 10.
DEXERTOMega Energy
Players can gather this type of Mega Energy by defeating Mega Pinsir in Mega Raids multiple times. Additionally, they can earn some more by completing Field Research Tasks and by setting Pinsir as their Buddy and taking it for a walk.
It’s worth noting that for Pinsir to be able to collect Mega Energy while walking around, it must have been Mega Evolved at least once before.
Mega Pinsir CP in Pokemon Go
As with every Raid Boss in the game, Mega Pinsir’s CP during a Mega Raid battle won’t be the same once you manage to catch it. Plus, certain types of weather can increase such CP.
| Raid Boss CP | 47,614 |
| CP range once captured | 2295 – 2389 |
| Rain/Windy weather CP range | 2869 – 2987 |
| Mega Pinsir max CP (Level 50) | 4728 |
Mega Pinsir stats & moves
As a dual Bug/Flying-type Pokemon, Mega Pinsir has the following stats:
| ATTACK | DEFENSE | STAMINA | CP |
|---|---|---|---|
| 305 | 231 | 163 | 4728 |
Fast Moves
- Fury Cutter (Bug/STAB)
- Bug Bite (Bug/STAB)
- Rock Smash (Fighting)
Charged Moves
- Vise Grip (Normal)
- Submission (Fighting/Legacy Move)
- X-Scissor (Bug/STAB)
- Close Combat (Fighting)
- Superpower (Fighting)
Can Mega Pinsir be Shiny?
Yes, Mega Pinsir can be Shiny in Pokemon Go, as this special version was added to the game on the very same day the Mega Evolution made its debut.
DEXERTOShiny hunters can easily recognize Shiny Mega Pinsir thanks to its striking purple color, which differs a lot from its usual light brown body. Additionally, it’s usually gray horns turn ivory.
Keep in mind that there’s no special method to trigger a Shiny encounter, so all you can do is challenge as many Mega Pinsir as you can until you come across one.
In case you cannot find one, you can simply Mega Evolve a regular Shiny Pinsir.
That’s everything you need to know about Mega Pinsir to defeat it in Pokemon Go Mega Raids. Don’t forget to check out the latest Pokemon Go events, including the current Community Day and Spotlight Hours.
