Butterfree's Bug/Flying typing gives it an immunity to Ground. The 5 weaknesses are the tradeoff, but that immunity creates real opportunities. It needs some investment to avoid getting outsped. Known as the Butterfly Pokemon.
Butterfree's spread isn't flashy. Sp. Atk leads, Attack trails, 2 stats clear the bar. Tough to catch and worth 3 Sp. Atk and Sp. Def EVs, on a medium-fast 1M XP curve.
It collects honey every day. It rubs honey onto the hairs on its legs to carry it back to its nest.
Water-repellent powder on its wings enables it to collect honey, even in the heaviest of rains.
Butterfree Weakness
VulnerableButterfree is weak to Rock, Fire, Electric, Ice, and Flying-type moves. 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.
- Dark and Steel types added — Fairy does not exist yet
- Moves are Physical or Special based on type, not per move
- Special stat split into Sp.Atk and Sp.Def
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 (+70), bringing the total to 395 stats.
How to Evolve
Breed with Butterfree to get Caterpie eggs easily using 23 partners from the Bug egg group.
For an attacker, Butterfree wants flexible EVs EVs and Leftovers. The a nature nature tilts toward balanced duty, and an ability contributes without taking a move slot.
Best Build
Best Butterfree Moveset
- Sleep Powder
- Psychic
- Stun Spore
- Giga Drain
Recommended Teammates
TMs define Butterfree's movepool. The natural moves cover basics with Gust, but the real versatility comes from technical machines giving it Psychic and Normal coverage. That's where the options open up.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Reminder Moves
Butterfree appears at decent spawn rates across 25 spots in early-game areas. Sort by Best below if you want the highest rate, or Earliest if you want the quickest access point in your playthrough.
Where To Catch Butterfree in Gold & Silver
Caterpie is your first catch on the way to Butterfree. You'll find headbutt and walking encounters from Lv. 3-18 across 76 total spots in the chain.
Step 1Catch CaterpieEFFORTLESSRoute 30GoldGrassLv.3-4CommonEarlyRouteMorning/dayEFFORTLESSRoute 2GoldGrassLv.3CommonEarlyRouteMorning/dayEFFORTLESSRoute 31GoldGrassLv.4-5CommonEarlyRouteMorning/dayEFFORTLESSIlex ForestGoldGrassLv.5-6CommonEarlyForestMorning/dayEFFORTLESSAzalea TownGoldHeadbutting special treesLv.10CommonEarlyCityEASYAzalea TownGoldHeadbutting treesLv.10CommonEarlyCityEFFORTLESSIlex ForestGoldHeadbutting special treesLv.10CommonEarlyForestEASYIlex ForestGoldHeadbutting treesLv.10CommonEarlyForestEFFORTLESSLake of RageGoldHeadbutting special treesLv.10CommonEarlyWaterEASYLake of RageGoldHeadbutting treesLv.10CommonEarlyWaterEFFORTLESSNational ParkGoldGrassLv.10-12CommonEarlyFacilityMorningEFFORTLESSNational ParkGoldGrassLv.10CommonEarlyFacilityDayEFFORTLESSRoute 34GoldHeadbutting special treesLv.10CommonEarlyRouteEASYRoute 34GoldHeadbutting treesLv.10CommonEarlyRouteEFFORTLESSRoute 35GoldHeadbutting special treesLv.10CommonEarlyRouteEASYRoute 35GoldHeadbutting treesLv.10CommonEarlyRouteEFFORTLESSRoute 36GoldHeadbutting special treesLv.10CommonEarlyRouteEASYRoute 36GoldHeadbutting treesLv.10CommonEarlyRouteEFFORTLESSRoute 37GoldHeadbutting special treesLv.10CommonEarlyRouteEASYRoute 37GoldHeadbutting treesLv.10CommonEarlyRouteEFFORTLESSRoute 38GoldHeadbutting special treesLv.10CommonEarlyRouteEASYRoute 38GoldHeadbutting treesLv.10CommonEarlyRouteEFFORTLESSRoute 39GoldHeadbutting special treesLv.10CommonEarlyRouteEASYRoute 39GoldHeadbutting treesLv.10CommonEarlyRouteEASYRoute 26GoldHeadbutting treesLv.10CommonEarlyRouteEFFORTLESSRoute 26GoldHeadbutting special treesLv.10CommonEarlyRouteEFFORTLESSRoute 27GoldHeadbutting special treesLv.10CommonEarlyRouteEASYRoute 27GoldHeadbutting treesLv.10CommonEarlyRouteEASYNational Park - Bug Catching ContestSilverGrassLv.7-18UncommonEarlyFacilityEASYNational Park - Bug Catching ContestGoldGrassLv.7-18UncommonEarlyFacility
Step 2Catch or Evolve MetapodEFFORTLESSIlex ForestGoldGrassLv.5-6CommonEarlyForestDayEFFORTLESSIlex ForestGoldGrassLv.6CommonEarlyForestMorningEFFORTLESSNational ParkGoldGrassLv.10CommonEarlyFacilityMorning/dayEASYRoute 30GoldGrassLv.4UncommonEarlyRouteMorningEASYRoute 30GoldGrassLv.4-5UncommonEarlyRouteDayEASYRoute 31GoldGrassLv.5UncommonEarlyRouteMorningEASYRoute 31GoldGrassLv.5-6UncommonEarlyRouteDayEASYRoute 2GoldGrassLv.5UncommonEarlyRouteMorning/dayEASYNational Park - Bug Catching ContestSilverGrassLv.9-18UncommonEarlyFacilityEASYNational Park - Bug Catching ContestGoldGrassLv.9-18UncommonEarlyFacilityMODERATEAzalea TownGoldHeadbutting treesLv.10UncommonEarlyCityMODERATEIlex ForestGoldHeadbutting treesLv.10UncommonEarlyForestMODERATELake of RageGoldHeadbutting treesLv.10UncommonEarlyWaterMODERATERoute 34GoldHeadbutting treesLv.10UncommonEarlyRouteMODERATERoute 35GoldHeadbutting treesLv.10UncommonEarlyRouteMODERATERoute 36GoldHeadbutting treesLv.10UncommonEarlyRouteMODERATERoute 37GoldHeadbutting treesLv.10UncommonEarlyRouteMODERATERoute 38GoldHeadbutting treesLv.10UncommonEarlyRouteMODERATERoute 39GoldHeadbutting treesLv.10UncommonEarlyRouteMODERATERoute 26GoldHeadbutting treesLv.10UncommonEarlyRouteMODERATERoute 27GoldHeadbutting treesLv.10UncommonEarlyRouteor evolve from Caterpie (Step 1)- Step 3Butterfree ✓EASYRoute 2GoldGrassLv.7UncommonEarlyRouteMorning/dayCHALLENGINGAzalea TownGoldHeadbutting special treesLv.10RareEarlyCityHARDAzalea TownGoldHeadbutting treesLv.10RareEarlyCityCHALLENGINGIlex ForestGoldHeadbutting special treesLv.10RareEarlyForestHARDIlex ForestGoldHeadbutting treesLv.10RareEarlyForestCHALLENGINGLake of RageGoldHeadbutting special treesLv.10RareEarlyWaterHARDLake of RageGoldHeadbutting treesLv.10RareEarlyWaterCHALLENGINGRoute 34GoldHeadbutting special treesLv.10RareEarlyRouteHARDRoute 34GoldHeadbutting treesLv.10RareEarlyRouteCHALLENGINGRoute 35GoldHeadbutting special treesLv.10RareEarlyRouteHARDRoute 35GoldHeadbutting treesLv.10RareEarlyRouteCHALLENGINGRoute 36GoldHeadbutting special treesLv.10RareEarlyRouteHARDRoute 36GoldHeadbutting treesLv.10RareEarlyRouteCHALLENGINGRoute 37GoldHeadbutting special treesLv.10RareEarlyRouteHARDRoute 37GoldHeadbutting treesLv.10RareEarlyRouteCHALLENGINGRoute 38GoldHeadbutting special treesLv.10RareEarlyRouteHARDRoute 38GoldHeadbutting treesLv.10RareEarlyRouteHARDRoute 39GoldHeadbutting treesLv.10RareEarlyRouteCHALLENGINGRoute 39GoldHeadbutting special treesLv.10RareEarlyRouteHARDRoute 26GoldHeadbutting treesLv.10RareEarlyRouteCHALLENGINGRoute 26GoldHeadbutting special treesLv.10RareEarlyRouteCHALLENGINGRoute 27GoldHeadbutting special treesLv.10RareEarlyRouteHARDRoute 27GoldHeadbutting treesLv.10RareEarlyRouteCHALLENGINGNational Park - Bug Catching ContestGoldGrassLv.12-15RareEarlyFacilityCHALLENGINGNational Park - Bug Catching ContestSilverGrassLv.12-15RareEarlyFacilityor evolve from Metapod (Step 2)
Don't let Butterfree's 395 base stat total fool you. Tinted Lens is what makes it tick — it punches way above its weight class. We rate it C-Tier.
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.
Butterfree fills the balanced role. It's a special attacker with base 90 Sp. Atk. Base 70 Speed is workable — faster than some, slower than many.
Butterfree appears in 19 games, including Yellow, Red & Blue, and Gold & Silver.
Butterfree first appeared in Red & Blue and spans 19 games across 9 generations. It later gained a Gigantamax form in Generation 8, adding new dimensions to its competitive identity.
- Gen IY
Yellow - Gen IRBDebut
Red & Blue - Gen IIGS
Gold & Silver - Gen IIC
Crystal - Gen IIIRS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen IIIFRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen IIIE
Emerald - Gen IVPt
Platinum - Gen IVHGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen IVDP
Diamond & Pearl - Gen VBW
Black & White - Gen VB2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen VIXY
X & Y - Gen VIORAS
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen VIIUSUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen VIISM
Sun & Moon - Gen VIILGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen VIIISwShGigantamax
Sword & Shield - Gen VIIIPLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen VIIIBDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen IXSV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen IXLZA
Legends: Z-A