Tinkaton

Last updated: 2026-06-03

Tinkaton Overview

Tinkaton is a Fairy/Steel-type Pokemon introduced in Generation 9 in the Paldea region. It evolves from Tinkatuff starting at level 38, which evolves from Tinkatink starting at level 24. Tinkaton is known as the Hammer Pokemon, and its design features a small pink creature wielding a comically oversized hammer crafted from scrap metal. Its Pokedex entries famously mention that it uses its hammer to smash rocks containing Corviknight's evolution items, and it hunts Corviknight for sport.

Tinkaton's Fairy/Steel typing is one of the best defensive combinations in the game, shared only with Magearna and Zacian-Crowned. It provides 9 resistances, 2 immunities, and only 2 weaknesses (Fire and Ground). Its signature move is Gigaton Hammer, a 160-base-power Steel-type physical move that cannot be used twice in a row. This gives Tinkaton a nuke-level Steel STAB, but requires careful sequencing to maximize.

Battle Strategy

Tinkaton's competitive strategy revolves around Gigaton Hammer and its excellent defensive typing. Gigaton Hammer hits extremely hard, but the two-turn lock means Tinkaton must alternate between Gigaton Hammer and other moves. A standard set runs Gigaton Hammer, Play Rough for Fairy STAB, Knock Off for utility and Dark coverage, and Thunder Wave or Stealth Rock for support. Tinkaton can also run Stone Edge or Ice Hammer for coverage.

Tinkaton's base 85 HP and 105 Special Defense make it a solid special wall, while its base 94 Speed is decent. However, its base 77 Defense is mediocre for a Steel-type. Tinkaton typically runs an Assault Vest to maximize its special bulk, or a Leftovers for passive recovery. Mold Breaker is the preferred ability as it lets Tinkaton hit through Unaware (Dondozo), Multiscale (Dragonite), and Disguise (Mimikyu). An Air Balloon can temporarily negate its Ground weakness.

Tinkaton's main weaknesses are its reliance on Gigaton Hammer's alternating mechanic, its vulnerability to Fire and Ground moves, and its middling Attack stat (75 base, which is low for a physical attacker despite Gigaton Hammer's high base power). Strong Fire-types like Heatran, Cinderace, and Chi-Yu threaten Tinkaton. Ground-types like Garchomp and Great Tusk can OHKO it with Earthquake. Tera Water or Tera Grass can flip these weaknesses.

Evolution Chain

Competitive Usage

Tinkaton has carved a niche in Smogon UU and OU as a specially-defensive wall and hazard setter. Its excellent typing and Gigaton Hammer give it a unique role compression as a Steel-type that can also set Stealth Rock and paralyze opponents with Thunder Wave. Tinkaton's main difficulty is its low Attack stat, which means even Gigaton Hammer fails to OHKO many neutral targets. It often relies on repeated hits and chip damage to secure KOs.

In VGC, Tinkaton has seen increased usage in Generation 9 as a redirector with Follow Me and a Gigaton Hammer user. Its Mold Breaker ability is particularly valuable for bypassing Dondozo's Unaware. Tinkaton pairs well with Trick Room setters due to its middling Speed. Tera Fire is common to remove its Fire weakness. The main counters include physically-defensive Fire-types like Heatran and physically-defensive Ground-types like Great Tusk, which shrug off Gigaton Hammer and threaten back with super effective moves.

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