pineco
Generation II · #0204 — Bagworm Pokémon
Pineco, known as the Bagworm Pokémon, is a Bug-type Pokémon that was introduced in Generation II and bears the National Pokédex number 204. Despite its diminutive stature of just 0.6 meters in height and weighing only 7.2 kilograms, Pineco possesses a remarkably defensive composition with a base Defense stat of 90, making it surprisingly hardy for its size. With a total base stat of 290, Pineco represents an interesting early-game Bug-type option, though its extremely low Speed stat of 15 makes it one of the slowest Pokémon in the game. The species is notable for its unique biological adaptation of constructing and maintaining a protective shell made from tree bark, a characteristic that defines much of its behavior and lifecycle.
Base Stats
Height
0.6m
Weight
7.2kg
Category
Bagworm Pokémon
Gender
Male 50% / Female 50%
Color
gray
Shape
ball
Habitat
forest
Abilities
Prevents being KOed from full HP, leaving 1 HP instead. Protects against the one-hit KO moves regardless of HP.
Protects against damage from weather.
Pineco Biology & Physical Characteristics
Pineco's most striking biological feature is its teal, pine cone-shaped shell that serves as both protection and home. This exoskeleton is composed of layers of tree bark that Pineco carefully glues together using a specialized fluid secreted from its own body, which hardens upon exposure to air. Beneath this protective covering lies a small Bug-type organism with red eyes and no visible limbs, topped with a single spike that functions as a stem. Rather than remaining a fixed size, Pineco's shell grows progressively thicker as it accumulates more layers of bark throughout its lifetime, with elderly specimens becoming ridiculously enormous compared to their younger counterparts. This growth mechanism explains why Pineco is unbothered by the accumulating weight of its shell—the Pokémon's body strengthens alongside its armor, creating a perfectly balanced organism that improves its Defense stat as it matures.
Pokedex Numbers
Training
Breeding
Pineco Breeding, Gender Ratio & Egg Groups
Pineco exhibits a perfectly balanced gender ratio with exactly 50% male and 50% female specimens occurring naturally in the wild. The species belongs solely to the Bug Egg Group, meaning that Pineco can only be bred with other Bug-type Pokémon or Ditto, limiting breeding flexibility compared to Pokémon with dual egg group classifications. With a base happiness of 70, Pineco demonstrates moderate friendliness toward trainers, suggesting that captured specimens will gradually warm up to their new companions without exceptional effort. The incubation period for Pineco eggs is relatively short at 20 cycles, or approximately 4,884 to 5,140 steps, making it a reasonably efficient Pokémon to breed for trainers seeking early-game Bug-type additions to their team. The equal gender distribution ensures that wild-caught Pineco populations remain balanced, though intentional breeding programs benefit from the availability of both sexes in roughly equal proportions.
Sprites
TMs & HMs
tm01
lets go pikachu lets go eevee
tm02
crystal
tm02
gold silver
tm03
crystal
tm03
gold silver
tm03
lets go pikachu lets go eevee
tm04
gold silver
tm04
crystal
tm05
lets go pikachu lets go eevee
tm06
yellow
tm06
gold silver
tm06
red blue
tm06
crystal
tm06
emerald
tm06
firered leafgreen
tm06
diamond pearl
tm06
platinum
tm06
ruby sapphire
tm06
colosseum
tm06
black 2 white 2
+646 more TMs/HMs
Pineco Evolution, Mega Evolution & Special Forms
Pineco undergoes a single evolutionary transformation into Forretress, which occurs at level 31. This evolution represents a dramatic transformation that not only increases Pineco's overall size and defensive capabilities but also introduces a Steel-type secondary typing that fundamentally alters its type matchups and battle applications. Forretress inherits and amplifies Pineco's impressive Defense stat while gaining significantly improved offensive capabilities, particularly in Special Attack, making it a more well-rounded defensive Pokémon. The evolution also represents a shift from a patient ambush predator to a more mobile defensive Pokémon, though Forretress maintains the slow Speed characteristic of its pre-evolved form. Notably, Forretress gains access to the Steel-type move set upon evolution, opening up entirely new strategic possibilities in competitive play that were unavailable to Pineco.
Where to Find
ilex forest
johto
+5 more
johto route 34
johto
+3 more
johto route 37
johto
+3 more
kanto route 26
kanto
+3 more
kanto route 27
kanto
+3 more
johto route 38
johto
+3 more
lake of rage
johto
+3 more
azalea town
johto
+1 more
johto route 39
johto
+3 more
johto route 36
johto
+3 more
johto route 35
johto
+3 more
johto route 30
johto
johto route 43
johto
johto route 32
johto
johto route 31
johto
johto route 29
johto
hoenn altering cave
hoenn
+9 more
hoenn safari zone
hoenn
kanto altering cave
kanto
+21 more
sinnoh route 204
sinnoh
+9 more
+5 more locations in other games
Pineco Behaviour and Natural Habitat
Pineco is an exceptionally sedentary Pokémon that spends the vast majority of its existence hanging motionless from tree branches in tropical and temperate forests, patiently waiting for flying insect prey to venture within striking distance. Its hunting strategy relies entirely on ambush tactics rather than active pursuit, making it one of the most patient hunters in the insect-type family. In the Alola region, Pineco's preferred prey is Cutiefly, demonstrating regional dietary preferences that suggest significant adaptability. However, Pineco's docile patience transforms into explosive aggression when disturbed while feeding—if a tree containing an eating Pineco is shaken, the Pokémon will immediately drop to the ground and detonate without warning, a defensive mechanism that combines shock value with actual destructive power. This behavioral trait has made Pineco somewhat notorious among careless trainers and forest explorers who accidentally trigger these defensive explosions.
Pokedex Entries
It likes to make its shell thicker by adding layers of tree bark. The additional weight doesn't bother it.
It hangs and waits for flying insect prey to come near. It does not move about much on its own.
It spits out a fluid that it uses to glue tree bark to its body. The fluid hardens when it touches air.
PINECO hangs from a tree branch and patiently waits for prey to come along. If the POKéMON is disturbed while eating by someone shaking its tree, it drops down to the ground and explodes with no warning.
A PINECO hangs from a tree branch and waits for prey. While eating, if it is disturbed by someone shaking its tree, it falls on the ground and suddenly explodes.
It hangs and waits for flying-insect prey to come near. It does not move about much on its own.
It likes to make its shell thicker by adding layers of tree bark. The extra weight doesn’t bother it.
It looks just like a pinecone. Its shell protects it from bird Pokémon that peck it by mistake.
It likes to make its shell thicker by adding layers of tree bark. The additional weight doesn’t bother it.
It hangs and waits for flying insect prey to come near. It does not move about much on its own.
It looks just like a pinecone. Its shell protects it from bird Pokémon that peck it by mistake.
It looks just like a pinecone. Its shell protects it from bird Pokémon that peck it by mistake.
It likes to make its shell thicker by adding layers of tree bark. The additional weight doesn’t bother it.
It looks just like a pinecone. Its shell protects it from bird Pokémon that peck it by mistake.
Pineco hangs from a tree branch and patiently waits for prey to come along. If the Pokémon is disturbed while eating by someone shaking its tree, it drops down to the ground and explodes with no warning.
Motionless, it hangs from trees, waiting for its bug Pokémon prey to come to it. Its favorite in Alola is Cutiefly.
It sticks tree bark to itself with its saliva, making itself thicker and larger. Elderly Pineco are ridiculously huge.
Pineco Name Origin & Design Inspiration
Pineco's design is an elegantly straightforward representation of a pine cone, with its name directly derived from the combination of 'pine' and 'cone.' The Japanese name Kunugidama similarly references Kunugi, the Japanese word for sawtooth oak, with Dama meaning sphere or ball—indicating that the original design concept might have been more broadly inspired by tree seeds and natural protective structures. The aesthetic choice to make Pineco resemble a pine cone serves both practical and thematic purposes: visually, it instantly communicates the Pokémon's nature as a forest-dwelling creature, while mechanically, it justifies the shell-building behavior that defines its biology. The red eyes peering out from within the teal shell create an almost camouflaged appearance, suggesting how effectively Pineco blends into its arboreal environment. The single spike protruding from the top functions as both a literal stem and a subtle visual indicator of Pineco's plant-like properties, bridging the gap between Bug and nature while maintaining the organic aesthetic that defines the species' overall design philosophy.
Learnable Moves
Pineco can learn 78 moves:
Move | Type | Cat. | Power | Acc. | PP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| attract | normal | Status | — | 100 | 15 |
| autotomize | steel | Status | — | — | 15 |
| bide | normal | Physical | — | — | 10 |
| body slam | normal | Physical | 85 | 100 | 15 |
| bug bite | bug | Physical | 60 | 100 | 20 |
| bug buzz | bug | Special | 90 | 100 | 10 |
| bulldoze | ground | Physical | 60 | 100 | 20 |
| captivate | normal | Status | — | 100 | 20 |
| confide | normal | Status | — | — | 20 |
| counter | fighting | Physical | — | 100 | 20 |
| curse | ghost | Status | — | — | 10 |
| defense curl | normal | Status | — | — | 40 |
| dig | ground | Physical | 80 | 100 | 10 |
| double team | normal | Status | — | — | 15 |
| double edge | normal | Physical | 120 | 100 | 15 |
| drill run | ground | Physical | 80 | 95 | 10 |
| earthquake | ground | Physical | 100 | 100 | 10 |
| endure | normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| explosion | normal | Physical | 250 | 100 | 5 |
| facade | normal | Physical | 70 | 100 | 20 |
| flail | normal | Physical | — | 100 | 15 |
| frustration | normal | Physical | — | 100 | 20 |
| giga drain | grass | Special | 75 | 100 | 10 |
| gravity | psychic | Status | — | — | 5 |
| gyro ball | steel | Physical | — | 100 | 5 |
| headbutt | normal | Physical | 70 | 100 | 15 |
| helping hand | normal | Status | — | — | 20 |
| hidden power | normal | Special | 60 | 100 | 15 |
| ice spinner | ice | Physical | 80 | 100 | 15 |
| iron defense | steel | Status | — | — | 15 |
| light screen | psychic | Status | — | — | 30 |
| lunge | bug | Physical | 80 | 100 | 15 |
| mimic | normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| natural gift | normal | Physical | — | 100 | 15 |
| pain split | normal | Status | — | — | 20 |
| payback | dark | Physical | 50 | 100 | 10 |
| pin missile | bug | Physical | 25 | 95 | 20 |
| poison jab | poison | Physical | 80 | 100 | 20 |
| pounce | bug | Physical | 50 | 100 | 20 |
| power trick | psychic | Status | — | — | 10 |
| protect | normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| rain dance | water | Status | — | — | 5 |
| rapid spin | normal | Physical | 50 | 100 | 40 |
| reflect | psychic | Status | — | — | 20 |
| rest | psychic | Status | — | — | 5 |
| return | normal | Physical | — | 100 | 20 |
| revenge | fighting | Physical | 60 | 100 | 10 |
| reversal | fighting | Physical | — | 100 | 15 |
| rock blast | rock | Physical | 25 | 90 | 10 |
| rock slide | rock | Physical | 75 | 90 | 10 |
| rock smash | fighting | Physical | 40 | 100 | 15 |
| rock tomb | rock | Physical | 60 | 95 | 15 |
| rollout | rock | Physical | 30 | 90 | 20 |
| round | normal | Special | 60 | 100 | 15 |
| sand tomb | ground | Physical | 35 | 85 | 15 |
| sandstorm | rock | Status | — | — | 10 |
| secret power | normal | Physical | 70 | 100 | 20 |
| seed bomb | grass | Physical | 80 | 100 | 15 |
| self destruct | normal | Physical | 200 | 100 | 5 |
| sleep talk | normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| snore | normal | Special | 50 | 100 | 15 |
| solar beam | grass | Special | 120 | 100 | 10 |
| spikes | ground | Status | — | — | 20 |
| stealth rock | rock | Status | — | — | 20 |
| strength | normal | Physical | 80 | 100 | 15 |
| string shot | bug | Status | — | 95 | 40 |
| struggle bug | bug | Special | 50 | 100 | 20 |
| substitute | normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| sunny day | fire | Status | — | — | 5 |
| swagger | normal | Status | — | 85 | 15 |
| sweet scent | normal | Status | — | 100 | 20 |
| swift | normal | Special | 60 | — | 20 |
| tackle | normal | Physical | 40 | 100 | 35 |
| take down | normal | Physical | 90 | 85 | 20 |
| tera blast | normal | Special | 80 | 100 | 10 |
| toxic | poison | Status | — | 90 | 10 |
| toxic spikes | poison | Status | — | — | 20 |
| venoshock | poison | Special | 65 | 100 | 10 |
Pineco Competitive Battle Guide
Despite its formidable Defense stat of 90, Pineco's competitive viability is severely limited by its extremely poor Speed of 15, one of the lowest base Speed stats of any non-legendary Pokémon, which forces it to move last in nearly all situations. Its offensive capabilities are equally underwhelming, with an Attack stat of only 65 and Special Attack of merely 35, making Pineco incapable of dealing significant damage to opposing Pokémon. The Sturdy ability provides some utility by preventing OHKO moves and leaving 1 HP when attacked from full health, while the hidden ability Overcoat offers protection from weather damage, a niche benefit in weather-based team compositions. Pineco's real value lies in its role as a defensive wall or pivot Pokémon in lower-tier competitive formats, where its high Defense allows it to tank physical attacks and provide team support through status moves like Stealth Rock or Spikes, which it can learn naturally. However, most serious competitive players overlook Pineco entirely in favor of its evolved form Forretress, which gains the Steel-typing and significantly improved stats that make it a legitimate competitive threat in various formats.
Commonly Asked Questions About Pineco
What type is Pineco?
Pineco is a bug type Pokemon.
What does Pineco evolve into?
Pineco evolves into forretress.
What are Pineco's weaknesses?
Pineco is weak to flying, rock and fire type moves.
Where can I find Pineco?
Pineco can be found in ilex forest (johto), johto route 34 (johto) and johto route 37 (johto) and 22 other locations.
Pineco Cultural Impact & Franchise History
While Pineco has never achieved the mainstream recognition of iconic Pokémon like Charizard or Pikachu, it holds a special place in the hearts of Bug-type enthusiasts and Generation II aficionados who appreciate its unique design philosophy. The species gained particular prominence through its appearance in the animated series, where Brock captured a Pineco early in his journey—an appearance that helped establish the Pokémon as a recognizable character rather than merely a Pokédex entry. Pineco's explosive nature and defensive capabilities have made it a memorable fixture in the competitive scene's lower tiers, where dedicated players have discovered creative strategies utilizing its Sturdy ability and slow Speed in trick room teams or defensive wall compositions. The species represents an important part of Generation II's legacy as a generation that introduced many innovative Bug-type designs, standing alongside Pokémon like Scizor and Heracross that revitalized competitive interest in the previously underrepresented Bug-type category. In fan communities, Pineco maintains steady appreciation as an underrated defensive specialist, with its cute pine cone aesthetic resonating particularly well with players who value biological accuracy and environmental design in Pokémon creation.
Where to Find Pineco in Every Pokémon Game
Pineco first became available to players in the Johto region during the Generation II games Gold, Silver, and Crystal, where it could be encountered in Bug-infested areas and forests throughout the region. The species maintained availability through subsequent remakes HeartGold and SoulSilver, ensuring that players could experience the full Johto journey with Pineco in their party. In later generations, Pineco has been included in numerous games including the Sinnoh region titles, where Bug-type availability expanded significantly, and the Alola region in Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, where Pineco appears as a viable early-game option. The creature's Capture Rate of 190 makes it relatively easy to catch in the wild, requiring minimal specialized equipment or strategy beyond standard Poké Ball throws, though its tendency to explode when disturbed adds a layer of challenge to encounters. Pineco's consistent inclusion across generations demonstrates its value to the Pokémon franchise as a reliable Bug-type representative, ensuring that trainers seeking to complete their Pokédex or build Bug-type themed teams can readily access this species through various generational entries, though the specific locations and encounter methods vary considerably depending on the game version and generation.