Is Butterfree Good in Black 2 & White 2 Playthrough?
Bug/Flying at level 10 with AbilityCompound Eyes boosting accuracy. If imported, Sleep Powder lands reliably. Outclassed by native options before Burgh, but AbilityCompound Eyes keeps it niche-useful.
Caterpie trades roughly evenly with Cheren's team.
Roxie's typing presses Caterpie's defenses.
Caterpie has the type edge here and should clean up Burgh's team.
Elesa's team hits Caterpie's weaknesses hard.
Clay's team hits Caterpie's weaknesses hard.
Skyla's Pokemon outpace and outclass Caterpie here.
Drayden's typing presses Caterpie's defenses.
Marlon's team hits Caterpie's weaknesses hard.
Butterfree trades roughly evenly with Shauntal's team.
Butterfree has the type edge here and should clean up Grimsley's team.
Butterfree has the type edge here and should clean up Caitlin's team.
Butterfree trades roughly evenly with Marshal's team.
Butterfree trades roughly evenly with Iris's team.
Catch Butterfree on Pinwheel Forest (Hidden Grotto, Lv 55-59).
How to Get Butterfree in Black 2 & White 2
Butterfree can't be caught in Black 2 & White 2. Transfer Caterpie from Red & Blue, Yellow, or FireRed & LeafGreen and evolve through the 3-stage chain to get it. The step cards below map the full chain.
How to Obtain Butterfree in B2W2
Step 1Obtain CaterpieLATER APPEARANCEfrom Red & BlueNot TradeableAppears in Red & Blue via Walking · Route 25. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom YellowNot TradeableAppears in Yellow via Walking · Viridian Forest. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom Gold & SilverNot TradeableAppears in Gold & Silver via Headbutt · Route 34. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom CrystalNot TradeableAppears in Crystal via Walking · Route 24. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom FireRed & LeafGreenNot TradeableAppears in FireRed & LeafGreen via Walking · Viridian Forest. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.
Step 2Evolve into Metapod
Step 3Butterfree ✓
Butterfree Weakness
Butterfree is weak to Rock, Fire, Electric, Ice, and Flying. Watch out for Rock attacks, those deal 4x damage. On the flip side, it's immune to Ground-type moves entirely. Butterfree's special bulk (base 80 Sp.Def) helps absorb special-type weaknesses, though physical moves exploit the lower Defense.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 4x (Critical) | Rock |
| 2x (Weak) | Fire, Electric, Ice, Flying |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Bug |
| 0.25x (Resist) | Grass, Fighting |
| 0x (Immune) | Ground |
- Fairy type does not exist — Dragon has fewer checks
- Physical / Special split now per-move (introduced Gen IV)
What is Butterfree Weak Against
VulnerableBest Pokemon Against Butterfree
 Tepig Fire | C | |
Obtain MethodAspertia City Gift | ||
 Flaaffy Electric | C | |
Available Move Moves
Damage vs Butterfree View Flaaffy builds →Thunder Shock 2x40-49% | ||
 Growlithe Fire | D | |
 Magnemite ElectricSteel | C | |
Available Move Moves
Damage vs Butterfree View Magnemite builds →Thunder Shock 2x45-55% | ||
Tepig Fire | C | |
Obtain MethodAspertia City Gift | ||
 Pidove Normal | C | |
 Glaceon Ice | C | |
Flaaffy Electric | C | |
Available Move Moves
Damage vs Butterfree View Flaaffy builds →Thunder Shock 2x36-43% | ||
 Pignite FireFighting | C | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Tepig (Aspertia City Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Butterfree View Pignite builds →Flame Charge 2x69-81% Rollout 4x57-69% | ||
Growlithe Fire | D | |
Magnemite ElectricSteel | C | |
Available Move Moves
Damage vs Butterfree View Magnemite builds →Thunder Shock 2x43-51% | ||
 Braviary Normal | C | |
Obtain MethodRoute 4 Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Butterfree View Braviary builds →Rock Tomb 4x120-141%KO Wing Attack 2x105-124%KO | ||
 Magnezone ElectricSteel | A | |
Available Move Moves
Damage vs Butterfree View Magnezone builds →Thunder Shock 2x53-64% | ||
 Flareon Fire | C | |
 Darumaka Fire | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Butterfree View Darumaka builds →Fire Punch 2x101-120%KO Rock Tomb 4x92-108%KO | ||
 Arcanine Fire | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Butterfree View Arcanine builds →Fire Fang 2x105-124%KO Thunder Fang 2x69-82% | ||
Braviary Normal | C | |
Obtain MethodRoute 4 Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Butterfree View Braviary builds →Fly 2x149-177%KO Rock Tomb 4x114-135%KO | ||
Darumaka Fire | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Butterfree View Darumaka builds →Flare Blitz 2x153-180%KO Rock Tomb 4x89-105%KO | ||
 Mandibuzz Dark | C | |
Obtain MethodRoute 4 Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Butterfree View Mandibuzz builds →Fly 2x91-107%KO Rock Tomb 4x72-84% Incinerate 2x14-17% | ||
Magnezone ElectricSteel | A | |
Available Move Moves
Damage vs Butterfree View Magnezone builds →Thunder Shock 2x51-60% | ||
 Dwebble BugRock | C | |
 Darmanitan Fire | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Butterfree View Darmanitan builds →Flare Blitz 2x221-261%KO Rock Slide 4x187-221%KO | ||
 Probopass RockSteel | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Butterfree View Probopass builds →Power Gem 4x114-135%KO Discharge 2x42-50% | ||
 Crustle BugRock | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Butterfree View Crustle builds →Rock Slide 4x219-258%KO Aerial Ace 2x58-69% | ||
Braviary Normal | C | |
Obtain MethodRoute 4 Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Butterfree View Braviary builds →Rock Slide 4x168-198%KO Fly 2x150-177%KO | ||
 Ampharos Electric | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Butterfree View Ampharos builds →Power Gem 4x105-123%KO Thunder Punch 2x85-101%KO Fire Punch 2x57-67% | ||
Darmanitan Fire | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Butterfree View Darmanitan builds →Flare Blitz 2x229-270%KO Rock Slide 4x193-228%KO | ||
Dwebble BugRock | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Butterfree View Dwebble builds →Rock Wrecker 4x309-365%KO Aerial Ace 2x42-49% | ||
Probopass RockSteel | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Butterfree View Probopass builds →Power Gem 4x113-134%KO Thunder 2x64-75% | ||
 Aggron SteelRock | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Butterfree View Aggron builds →Rock Slide 4x235-277%KO Aerial Ace 2x64-75% Fire Blast 2x55-65% Thunder 2x55-65% | ||
Braviary Normal | C | |
Obtain MethodRoute 4 Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Butterfree View Braviary builds →Rock Slide 4x172-203%KO Fly 2x155-182%KO | ||
 Terrakion RockFighting | B | |
Obtain MethodRoute 22 Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Butterfree View Terrakion builds →Rock Slide 4x266-313%KO Aerial Ace 2x71-84% | ||
Darmanitan Fire | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Butterfree View Darmanitan builds →Flare Blitz 2x227-267%KO Rock Slide 4x189-223%KO | ||
Dwebble BugRock | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Butterfree View Dwebble builds →Rock Wrecker 4x303-357%KO Aerial Ace 2x41-49% | ||
 Emboar FireFighting | B | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Tepig (Aspertia City Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Butterfree View Emboar builds →Head Smash 4x337-397%KO Fire Blast 2x120-141%KO | ||
Probopass RockSteel | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Butterfree View Probopass builds →Power Gem 4x114-135%KO Thunder 2x64-75% | ||
 Rampardos Rock | B | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Cranidos (Nacrene City Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Butterfree View Rampardos builds →Head Smash 4x666-784%KO Fire Blast 2x56-67% Ice Beam 2x45-53% Thunderbolt 2x45-53% | ||
 Archeops Rock | B | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Archen (Nacrene City Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Butterfree View Archeops builds →Stone Edge 4x385-453%KO Fly 2x173-203%KO | ||
 Heatran FireSteel | A | |
Obtain MethodReversal Mountain Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Butterfree View Heatran builds →Overheat 2x175-206%KO Ancient Power 4x102-120%KO | ||
 Aerodactyl Rock | B | |
Obtain MethodNacrene City Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Butterfree View Aerodactyl builds →Stone Edge 4x299-352%KO Fly 2x134-159%KO Fire Fang 2x65-77% Ice Fang 2x65-77% | ||
Terrakion RockFighting | B | |
Obtain MethodRoute 22 Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Butterfree View Terrakion builds →Stone Edge 4x357-421%KO Aerial Ace 2x72-84% | ||
In Black 2 & White 2, Tyranitar can KO Butterfree with Crunch (87-102%). Blaziken threatens a KO with Flare Blitz (352-414%). Jolteon's Thunderbolt also KOs at 121-143%.
 Tyranitar RockDark | A | |
Recommended Build AbilitySand Stream ItemChopleberry NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Butterfree View Tyranitar builds →Pursuit44-52% Crunch87-102%KO Superpower21-25% | ||
 Blaziken FireFighting | B | |
Recommended Build AbilitySpeed Boost ItemLife Orb NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Butterfree View Blaziken builds →Flare Blitz 2x352-414%KO | ||
 Jolteon Electric | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityVoltabsorb ItemFlame Orb NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Butterfree View Jolteon builds →Thunderbolt 2x121-143%KO Shadow Ball36-42% Volt Switch 2x95-111%KO | ||
 Salamence Dragon | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityMoxie ItemChoice Scarf NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Butterfree View Salamence builds →Outrage134-158%KO | ||
 Lapras WaterIce | C | |
Recommended Build AbilityWaterabsorb ItemLeftovers NatureRelaxed Moves
Damage vs Butterfree View Lapras builds →Ice Beam 2x93-110%KO Surf47-55% Ice Shard 2x51-60% Thunderbolt 2x62-74% | ||
Butterfree Evolutions
Butterfree is the final form in a three-stage chain from Caterpie through Metapod. Breeding this form produces Caterpie eggs (quick to hatch). Evolving from Caterpie gave Butterfree the biggest boost in Sp.Atk (+60), bringing the total to 385 stats. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
Breed with Butterfree to get Caterpie eggs easily using 65 partners from the Bug egg group.
B2W2 Butterfree Best Moveset
Every opponent needs a sleep absorber ready because MoveSleep Powder at 97%% accuracy through AbilityCompound Eyes removes a Pokemon for free. 90 Sp. Atk fires Bug TermStab after the sleep lands, but the damage can't close games. The moveset's entire threat is that one move.
Best Build
Butterfree best EVs are Sp. Atk and Speed
Special Setup Sweeper Moveset
- Quiver Dance
- Bug Buzz
- Psychic
- Stun Spore
Recommended Teammates
Moves List
Butterfree develops a solid moveset just through leveling. Bug Buzz and Dream Eater show up naturally, and the progression handles both STAB and utility without leaning on TMs for the core attacks.
How to Read the Moves Table
Tabs
- Level-Up
- Learned by leveling up.
- TM
- Taught by a Technical Machine.
- Egg
- Inherited via breeding.
- Tutor
- NPC tutor (cost: items, BP, money).
- Reminder
- An NPC reteaches any move this Pokemon could have learned by leveling up.
- Transfer
- Carried over from an older game using Pokemon HOME.
- Event
- Given out through Mystery Gift events.
Visual Signals
CAT (Category)
How the move deals damage and which stats it uses.
A small dot on the icon's corner marks the move as contact. That triggers abilities like Static, Flame Body, Rough Skin, or Iron Barbs, plus items like Rocky Helmet and Sticky Barb.
Tier (S to D)
Each move's competitive rank in RankedBoost's system. TM, Egg, and Tutor sort by tier by default (best first). On Level-Up, click the Tier header to do the same.
PWR (Power)
Base damage. Numbers shown in a type color include STAB (base × 1.5). Hover any colored number to see the math.
— means no power (status moves) or variable power.
Sorting & Filter
Click any column header to sort. Level-Up opens with Lv 1 at the top. TM, Egg, and Tutor open with the highest-tier moves at the top.
Search filters by move name or type. The Filter button limits the list to STAB, Physical, Special, or Status moves.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Reminder Moves
Transfer Moves
Base Stats
It loves the honey of flowers and can locate flower patches that have even tiny amounts of pollen.
Butterfree Black 2 & White 2 Guide
In Black 2 & White 2, Butterfree's biggest threats include Golem (Rock), Charizard (Fire), and Raikou (Electric), all carrying super-effective STAB moves. Golem is the most dangerous since Rock moves deal 4x damage. Ice and Flying-type attackers are also a problem. With 5 weakness types, most competitive teams carry at least one counter.
Honestly, in Black 2 & White 2 Butterfree is a tough sell at 385 BST. Plenty of stronger Bug/Flying options exist. Fun pick, not a practical one.
In Black 2 & White 2, Don't let Butterfree's 385 base stat total fool you. Tinted Lens is what makes it tick. It punches way above its weight class. We rate it C-Tier. Quiver Dance with Focus Sash is the standard set.
In Black 2 & White 2, Run Tinted Lens on Butterfree. It's the ability that defines how you build around it and the main reason it holds a competitive niche. Butterfree also gets Compound Eyes, but they don't compare.
In Black 2 & White 2, Tinted Lens is the hidden ability. It doubles damage inflicted with not-very-effective moves. Worth hunting for if you want Butterfree to compete at a higher level.
Game Availability
Butterfree first appeared in Red & Blue and spans 19 games across 10 generations. It later gained a Gigantamax form in Generation 8, adding new dimensions to its competitive identity.
Click a game to view version-specific details
- Gen 1RBDebut
Red & Blue - Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 2GS
Gold & Silver - Gen 2C
Crystal - Gen 3RS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen 3E
Emerald - Gen 3FRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen 4DP
Diamond & Pearl - Gen 4Pt
Platinum - Gen 4HGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen 5BW
Black & White - Gen 5B2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen 6XY
X & Y - Gen 6ORAS
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen 7SM
Sun & Moon - Gen 7USUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen 7LGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen 8SwShGigantamax
Sword & Shield - Gen 8BDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen 8PLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen 9SV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen 9LZA
Legends: Z-A - Gen 10WW
Winds & Waves