minccino
Generation V · #0572 — Chinchilla Pokémon
Minccino, known in Japan as Chillarmy, is a Normal-type Pokémon that debuted in Generation V. As the Chinchilla Pokémon, Minccino occupies the #572 position in the National Pokédex and serves as the unevolved form that evolves into Cinccino when exposed to a Shiny Stone. With a base stat total of only 300, Minccino is intentionally designed as an early-game or support Pokémon rather than a powerhouse, though its exceptional Speed stat of 75 allows it to outpace many opponents. Despite its modest combat abilities, Minccino has gained considerable popularity among trainers and the Pokémon community due to its adorable appearance, endearing behavioral traits, and the practical utility of its hidden ability, Skill Link, which has proven valuable in competitive formats.
Base Stats
Height
0.4m
Weight
5.8kg
Category
Chinchilla Pokémon
Gender
Male 25% / Female 75%
Color
gray
Shape
quadruped
Abilities
Has a 30% chance of infatuating attacking Pokémon on contact.
Strengthens moves of 60 base power or less to 1.5× their power.
Extends two-to-five-hit moves and triple kick to their full length every time.
Minccino Biology & Physical Characteristics
Minccino is a small, furry Pokémon that bears a striking resemblance to a real-world chinchilla, standing just 0.4 meters tall and weighing a mere 5.8 kilograms. Its body is covered in soft gray fur with distinctive scruffs adorning its head and neck, while its most prominent features include large, rounded ears with red insides partially obscured by tufts of fur and a pair of large, expressive brown eyes set above a small dot-like nose. The Pokémon's limbs are characteristically rounded and diminutive, yet its most defining feature is its exceptionally long, fluffy tail with white-tipped fur that extends beyond its body length. This tail is not merely aesthetic; it functions as a multi-purpose cleaning tool that Minccino obsessively maintains in pristine condition by washing it in clean spring water whenever it becomes soiled. The overall design perfectly encapsulates the species' fastidious nature and cleaning obsession, with every physical characteristic reinforcing the connection to real chinchillas and their known meticulous grooming habits.
Pokedex Numbers
Training
Breeding
Minccino Breeding, Gender Ratio & Egg Groups
Minccino exhibits a notable gender imbalance, with only 25 percent of the species being male while 75 percent are female—a 1:3 ratio that is relatively uncommon among Pokémon and reflects the species' biological design philosophy. This significant skew toward female representation may subtly reinforce certain cultural associations with cleanliness and grooming, themes traditionally gendered in human society, though the design succeeds in presenting these traits as universally applicable to the species. From a breeding perspective, this ratio means that male Minccino are considerably rarer finds in the wild, making them more valuable to collectors and breeders seeking to create specific lineups. When breeding, Minccino belongs to the Field Egg Group, which it shares with numerous other ground-dwelling and terrestrial Pokémon, enabling crossbreeding opportunities with compatible species. The species has a base happiness value of 70 and a relatively fast growth rate, making it accessible to trainers of varying experience levels. Eggs produced hatch after 15 cycles, or approximately 3,599 to 3,855 steps of overworld travel, representing a moderate hatching time that encourages players to carry the eggs while continuing their adventure rather than requiring extended grinding.
Held Items
Sprites
Held Items
chesto-berry
medicine
Held: Consumed when asleep to cure sleep.
Cost: 80
chesto-berry
medicine
Held: Consumed when asleep to cure sleep.
Cost: 80
chesto-berry
medicine
Held: Consumed when asleep to cure sleep.
Cost: 80
chesto-berry
medicine
Held: Consumed when asleep to cure sleep.
Cost: 80
TMs & HMs
tm01
ultra sun ultra moon
tm01
sun moon
tm03
lets go pikachu lets go eevee
tm04
emerald
tm04
firered leafgreen
tm04
ruby sapphire
tm04
diamond pearl
tm04
xd
tm04
heartgold soulsilver
tm04
black white
tm04
colosseum
tm04
platinum
tm04
sun moon
tm04
ultra sun ultra moon
tm04
x y
tm04
omega ruby alpha sapphire
tm04
black 2 white 2
tm05
lets go pikachu lets go eevee
tm06
yellow
tm06
gold silver
+520 more TMs/HMs
minccino's Evolution Chain
Minccino Evolution, Mega Evolution & Special Forms
Minccino undergoes a straightforward evolution into Cinccino when exposed to a Shiny Stone, a mechanic introduced in Generation V that marks a departure from traditional leveling-based evolution systems. This evolution represents a natural progression in the species' life cycle, with Cinccino maintaining the Normal-type classification while gaining significantly enhanced stats across the board. Whereas Minccino's base stats emphasize only Speed as a standout attribute, Cinccino experiences notable improvements in Attack and Special Defense, transforming it into a more viable competitive Pokémon. The evolutionary process does not alter the fundamental characteristics of the species—Cinccino retains the obsessive cleaning behaviors and fluffy appearance of Minccino—but it does grant access to more powerful moves and improved statistical performance that better suits it for sustained battles. For trainers looking to develop their Minccino into a stronger team member, the Shiny Stone evolution is readily available throughout various Pokémon games and represents an essential step in maximizing the species' potential.
Where to Find
unova route 5
unova
+25 more
cold storage
unova
+1 more
unova route 16
unova
+25 more
unova route 9
unova
+9 more
unova route 4
unova
malie city
alola
Minccino Behaviour and Natural Habitat
Minccino exhibits an almost compulsive dedication to cleanliness that defines every aspect of its behavior and lifestyle. According to Pokédex entries from multiple generations, these Pokémon greet one another by engaging in mutual tail grooming, with the individual possessing the fluffier tail displaying notable pride in the interaction. In pair greetings, this tail-brushing ritual serves as both social bonding and a status indicator within their social hierarchies. Minccino prefers immaculately tidy habitats and is documented as being constantly engaged in sweeping and dusting activities using their tails as brooms, a behavior that trainers may find both endearing and occasionally inconvenient. The species demonstrates a particular fondness for shiny objects and exhibits an almost obsessive compulsion to clean any dirty items they encounter, making them somewhat paradoxical as companions—their cleaning efforts are genuinely helpful, yet their singular focus on spotlessness can transform routine household maintenance into an endless endeavor. These Pokémon favor clean environments such as forests with clear springs or well-maintained areas where their hygiene standards can be readily maintained.
Pokedex Entries
They greet one another by rubbing each other with their tails, which are always kept well groomed and clean.
Minccino greet each other by grooming one another thoroughly with their tails.
These Pokémon prefer a tidy habitat. They are always sweeping and dusting, using their tails as brooms.
Minccino greet each other by grooming one another thoroughly with their tails.
These Pokémon prefer a tidy habitat. They are always sweeping and dusting, using their tails as brooms.
Minccino greet each other by grooming one another thoroughly with their tails.
These Pokémon prefer a tidy habitat. They are always sweeping and dusting, using their tails as brooms.
A clean freak that will not allow even the slightest mess, it uses its tail like a mop to thoroughly clean any and all filth.
When its tail has gotten dirty from self-cleaning or from cleaning its nest, Minccino spends a whole day washing its tail in clean spring water.
The way it brushes away grime with its tail can be helpful when cleaning. But its focus on spotlessness can make cleaning more of a hassle.
They pet each other with their tails as a form of greeting. Of the two, the one whose tail is fluffier is a bit more boastful.
Minccino Name Origin & Design Inspiration
The name Minccino is a clever linguistic blend combining 'mince' or the Japanese 'chira' (meaning glimmer or shine) with 'chinchilla,' the South American rodent that directly inspired the Pokémon's design. The Japanese designation Chillarmy further emphasizes this connection, blending 'chilla' from chinchilla with 'army,' suggesting a collective or army-like group of these creatures. The design philosophy centers entirely on the real chinchilla's legendary grooming habits and fastidious nature; real chinchillas famously bathe in dust rather than water and spend considerable time maintaining their exceptionally soft fur. Game Freak transformed these biological traits into a Pokémon that embodies cleanliness and grooming as core identity pillars, with the tail serving as both a functional cleaning implement and a status symbol within the species' social structure. The color palette of soft gray fur with red ear accents and white-tipped extremities directly mirrors the coloration of actual chinchillas, creating a design that is simultaneously charming and immediately recognizable as chinchilla-inspired. This attention to biological accuracy combined with creative Pokémon-specific mechanics makes Minccino a successful example of design that translates real-world animal characteristics into engaging gameplay elements.
Learnable Moves
Minccino can learn 73 moves:
Move | Type | Cat. | Power | Acc. | PP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| after you | normal | Status | — | — | 15 |
| alluring voice | fairy | Special | 80 | 100 | 10 |
| aqua tail | water | Physical | 90 | 90 | 10 |
| attract | normal | Status | — | 100 | 15 |
| baby doll eyes | fairy | Status | — | 100 | 30 |
| baton pass | normal | Status | — | — | 40 |
| bullet seed | grass | Physical | 25 | 100 | 30 |
| calm mind | psychic | Status | — | — | 20 |
| captivate | normal | Status | — | 100 | 20 |
| charm | fairy | Status | — | 100 | 20 |
| chilling water | water | Special | 50 | 100 | 20 |
| confide | normal | Status | — | — | 20 |
| covet | normal | Physical | 60 | 100 | 25 |
| dazzling gleam | fairy | Special | 80 | 100 | 10 |
| dig | ground | Physical | 80 | 100 | 10 |
| double slap | normal | Physical | 15 | 85 | 10 |
| double team | normal | Status | — | — | 15 |
| echoed voice | normal | Special | 40 | 100 | 15 |
| encore | normal | Status | — | 100 | 5 |
| endeavor | normal | Physical | — | 100 | 5 |
| endure | normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| facade | normal | Physical | 70 | 100 | 20 |
| fake tears | dark | Status | — | 100 | 20 |
| flail | normal | Physical | — | 100 | 15 |
| fling | dark | Physical | — | 100 | 10 |
| frustration | normal | Physical | — | 100 | 20 |
| grass knot | grass | Special | — | 100 | 20 |
| growl | normal | Status | — | 100 | 40 |
| gunk shot | poison | Physical | 120 | 80 | 5 |
| helping hand | normal | Status | — | — | 20 |
| hidden power | normal | Special | 60 | 100 | 15 |
| hyper voice | normal | Special | 90 | 100 | 10 |
| iron tail | steel | Physical | 100 | 75 | 15 |
| knock off | dark | Physical | 65 | 100 | 20 |
| last resort | normal | Physical | 140 | 100 | 5 |
| mud slap | ground | Special | 20 | 100 | 10 |
| play rough | fairy | Physical | 90 | 90 | 10 |
| pound | normal | Physical | 40 | 100 | 35 |
| protect | normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| rain dance | water | Status | — | — | 5 |
| rest | psychic | Status | — | — | 5 |
| retaliate | normal | Physical | 70 | 100 | 5 |
| return | normal | Physical | — | 100 | 20 |
| round | normal | Special | 60 | 100 | 15 |
| safeguard | normal | Status | — | — | 25 |
| secret power | normal | Physical | 70 | 100 | 20 |
| seed bomb | grass | Physical | 80 | 100 | 15 |
| shock wave | electric | Special | 60 | — | 20 |
| sing | normal | Status | — | 55 | 15 |
| slam | normal | Physical | 80 | 75 | 20 |
| sleep talk | normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| snore | normal | Special | 50 | 100 | 15 |
| substitute | normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| sunny day | fire | Status | — | — | 5 |
| super fang | normal | Physical | — | 90 | 10 |
| swagger | normal | Status | — | 85 | 15 |
| swift | normal | Special | 60 | — | 20 |
| tail slap | normal | Physical | 25 | 85 | 10 |
| tail whip | normal | Status | — | 100 | 30 |
| take down | normal | Physical | 90 | 85 | 20 |
| tera blast | normal | Special | 80 | 100 | 10 |
| thief | dark | Physical | 60 | 100 | 25 |
| thunder wave | electric | Status | — | 90 | 20 |
| thunderbolt | electric | Special | 90 | 100 | 15 |
| tickle | normal | Status | — | 100 | 20 |
| tidy up | normal | Status | 0 | — | 10 |
| toxic | poison | Status | — | 90 | 10 |
| trailblaze | grass | Physical | 50 | 100 | 20 |
| triple axel | ice | Physical | 20 | 90 | 10 |
| u turn | bug | Physical | 70 | 100 | 20 |
| uproar | normal | Special | 90 | 100 | 10 |
| wake up slap | fighting | Physical | 70 | 100 | 10 |
| work up | normal | Status | — | — | 30 |
Minccino Competitive Battle Guide
Despite its diminutive stature and modest base stat total of 300, Minccino occupies a surprisingly specific niche in competitive Pokémon battling, primarily through its hidden ability Skill Link. This ability extends two-to-five-hit moves and Triple Kick to their maximum power every time they are used, transforming moves like Tail Slap, Rock Blast, and Water Shuriken into consistent, high-damage options without the typical variance that makes multi-hit moves unreliable. Minccino's signature move, Tail Slap, becomes particularly devastating under Skill Link, guaranteeing five consecutive strikes rather than rolling between two and five. Its other available abilities, Cute Charm and Technician, provide alternative strategic angles; Technician strengthens moves with 60 base power or lower to 1.5 times their effectiveness, creating a powerful alternative for trainers seeking to enhance Minccino's weak base Attack and Special Attack statistics. The species' respectable Speed stat of 75 allows it to outspeed many common threats without investment, though it requires careful team building and item selection to remain viable. While Minccino rarely appears in high-level competitive formats, niche strategies involving Choice Scarf and Skill Link movesets have found success in lower-tier competitive environments where its specific advantages are better leveraged.
Commonly Asked Questions About Minccino
What type is Minccino?
Minccino is a normal type Pokemon.
What does Minccino evolve into?
Minccino evolves into cinccino.
What are Minccino's weaknesses?
Minccino is weak to fighting type moves.
Where can I find Minccino?
Minccino can be found in unova route 5 (unova), cold storage (unova) and unova route 16 (unova) and 3 other locations.
Minccino Cultural Impact & Franchise History
Minccino has cultivated a dedicated following within the Pokémon fan community despite occupying a relatively minor role in the broader franchise narrative. The species gained significant visibility through its prominent appearance in the animated series, particularly through Bianca's Minccino, which featured prominently in the Unova region arc and demonstrated the species' useful in-game applications and endearing personality. The design's inherent cuteness factor has made it popular among casual players and collectors who prioritize aesthetic appeal and personality over competitive viability. Minccino has appeared across multiple Pokémon media properties, including appearances in Pokémon Adventures manga, POKÉTOON animated shorts, and various side games, contributing to its cultural penetration within the franchise. The species represents Game Freak's successful approach to creating Pokémon inspired by real animals without simply replicating their appearance—by focusing on observable behavioral traits like grooming and cleanliness, the developers created a character with narrative depth and gameplay personality. Fan art communities have embraced Minccino enthusiastically, with its fluffy appearance and charming demeanor making it a frequent subject of fan illustrations, plush merchandise, and fan fiction.
Where to Find Minccino in Every Pokémon Game
Minccino's availability varies significantly across different Pokémon game generations and regions, though it remains relatively accessible in titles where it appears. In Generation V games (Black and White, Black 2 and White 2), Minccino can be encountered in wild areas relatively early in the player's journey, appearing with exceptional frequency due to its high catch rate of 255. The species maintains availability in subsequent generations, appearing in the Alola Pokédex for Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon as local number 0266, and more recently in Sword and Shield where it holds local dex number 0050. The DLC expansion The Indigo Disk for Pokémon Scarlet and Violet includes Minccino in its expanded dex as number 0111, ensuring continued accessibility for current-generation players. With a catch rate of 255—the maximum possible value—Minccino is exceptionally easy to capture in any encounter, requiring minimal effort or resources to add to a player's collection. This generous availability reflects the species' designed role as an accessible, approachable Pokémon suitable for trainers of all experience levels, and its persistent inclusion across multiple game generations demonstrates the species' lasting appeal and utility within the broader Pokémon ecosystem.