Stats & Training
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
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)
 Onix RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Butterfree View Onix builds →Rock Tomb 4x112-132%KO Rock Throw 4x90-108%KO | ||
 Geodude RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Butterfree View Geodude builds →Rock Tomb 4x152-180%KO Rock Throw 4x132-156%KO | ||
 Chatot Normal | D | |
 Plusle Electric | D | |
 Minun Electric | D | |
Onix RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Butterfree View Onix builds →Rock Tomb 4x110-130%KO Rock Throw 4x93-110%KO | ||
Geodude RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Butterfree View Geodude builds →Fire Blast 2x37-43% Flamethrower 2x30-37% Rock Tomb 4x152-180%KO Rock Throw 4x127-150%KO | ||
 Golbat Poison | D | |
Chatot Normal | D | |
Plusle Electric | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Butterfree View Plusle builds →Thunder 2x105-125%KO Thunderbolt 2x85-100%KO Spark 2x63-75% Charge Beam 2x50-60% | ||
 Sudowoodo Rock | C | |
Obtain MethodRoute 36 Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Butterfree View Sudowoodo builds →Rock Tomb 4x183-217%KO Rock Throw 4x156-183%KO | ||
Onix RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Butterfree View Onix builds →Rock Tomb 4x106-125%KO Rock Throw 4x92-108%KO | ||
Geodude RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Butterfree View Geodude builds →Fire Blast 2x35-42% Flamethrower 2x31-36% Rock Tomb 4x156-183%KO Rock Throw 4x126-150%KO | ||
 Magmar Fire | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Butterfree View Magmar builds →Fire Blast 2x117-138%KO Flamethrower 2x94-113%KO Ember 2x46-54% Fire Spin 2x42-50% | ||
 Magnemite ElectricSteel | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Butterfree View Magnemite builds →Thunder 2x113-133%KO Thunderbolt 2x92-108%KO Spark 2x49-58% Charge Beam 2x53-63% | ||
Sudowoodo Rock | C | |
Obtain MethodRoute 36 Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Butterfree View Sudowoodo builds →Rock Tomb 4x176-207%KO Rock Throw 4x146-172%KO | ||
Onix RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Butterfree View Onix builds →Rock Tomb 4x99-117%KO Rock Throw 4x87-103%KO | ||
 Graveler RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Butterfree View Graveler builds →Fire Blast 2x43-51% Flamethrower 2x34-41% Rock Tomb 4x169-200%KO Rock Throw 4x140-166%KO | ||
Magmar Fire | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Butterfree View Magmar builds →Fire Blast 2x110-131%KO Flamethrower 2x91-107%KO Fire Punch 2x105-124%KO Ember 2x44-52% | ||
Magnemite ElectricSteel | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Butterfree View Magnemite builds →Thunder 2x108-128%KO Thunderbolt 2x87-103%KO Spark 2x46-55% Charge Beam 2x49-59% | ||
Sudowoodo Rock | C | |
Obtain MethodRoute 36 Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Butterfree View Sudowoodo builds →Rock Slide 4x221-260%KO Rock Tomb 4x178-210%KO Rock Throw 4x152-179%KO | ||
Onix RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Butterfree View Onix builds →Rock Tomb 4x105-124%KO Rock Throw 4x89-105%KO | ||
Graveler RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Butterfree View Graveler builds →Fire Blast 2x43-52% Flamethrower 2x36-43% Rock Tomb 4x173-204%KO Rock Throw 4x146-173%KO | ||
Magmar Fire | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Butterfree View Magmar builds →Fire Blast 2x115-136%KO Flamethrower 2x94-111%KO Fire Punch 2x107-127%KO Ember 2x44-53% | ||
Magnemite ElectricSteel | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Butterfree View Magnemite builds →Thunder 2x110-130%KO Thunderbolt 2x92-108%KO Spark 2x46-56% Charge Beam 2x53-62% | ||
Sudowoodo Rock | C | |
Obtain MethodRoute 36 Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Butterfree View Sudowoodo builds →Rock Slide 4x215-253%KO Rock Tomb 4x172-202%KO Rock Throw 4x144-171%KO | ||
Onix RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Butterfree View Onix builds →Rock Tomb 4x96-114%KO Rock Throw 4x85-101%KO | ||
Graveler RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Butterfree View Graveler builds →Fire Blast 2x42-51% Flamethrower 2x36-42% Rock Tomb 4x166-196%KO Rock Throw 4x139-164%KO | ||
Magmar Fire | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Butterfree View Magmar builds →Fire Blast 2x109-129%KO Flamethrower 2x91-107%KO Fire Punch 2x101-120%KO Ember 2x42-51% | ||
Magnemite ElectricSteel | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Butterfree View Magnemite builds →Thunder 2x107-126%KO Thunderbolt 2x88-104%KO Spark 2x45-54% Charge Beam 2x51-60% | ||
 Skarmory Steel | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Butterfree View Skarmory builds →Fly 2x111-131%KO Air Slash 2x41-49% Air Cutter 2x35-41% Aerial Ace 2x74-87% | ||
Sudowoodo Rock | C | |
Obtain MethodRoute 36 Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Butterfree View Sudowoodo builds →Rock Slide 4x217-256%KO Rock Tomb 4x175-207%KO Rock Throw 4x148-175%KO | ||
Onix RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Butterfree View Onix builds →Rock Tomb 4x102-120%KO Rock Throw 4x83-98% | ||
Graveler RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Butterfree View Graveler builds →Fire Blast 2x41-49% Flamethrower 2x35-42% Rock Tomb 4x171-202%KO Rock Throw 4x144-169%KO | ||
Magnemite ElectricSteel | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Butterfree View Magnemite builds →Thunder 2x108-128%KO Thunderbolt 2x90-106%KO Discharge 2x81-95% Spark 2x46-55% | ||
In HeartGold & SoulSilver, Infernape can KO Butterfree with Fire Blast (102-120%). Dragonite threatens a KO with Outrage (190-223%). Zapdos's Thunderbolt also KOs at 109-128%.
 Infernape FireFighting | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityBlaze ItemExpert Belt NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Butterfree View Infernape builds →Close Combat27-32% U Turn21-26% Fire Blast 2x102-120%KO | ||
 Dragonite Dragon | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityInnerfocus ItemLife Orb NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Butterfree View Dragonite builds →Extreme Speed85-100%KO Outrage190-223%KO | ||
 Zapdos Electric | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityPressure ItemLeftovers NatureBold Moves
Damage vs Butterfree View Zapdos builds →Thunderbolt 2x109-128%KO Heat Wave 2x76-90% | ||
 Aerodactyl Rock | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityPressure ItemFocus Sash NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Butterfree View Aerodactyl builds →Stone Edge 4x374-440%KO | ||
 Weavile DarkIce | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityPressure ItemExpert Belt NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Butterfree View Weavile builds →Ice Shard 2x82-97% Pursuit41-48% | ||
HeartGold & SoulSilver Evolution
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 48 partners from the Bug egg group.
HeartGold & SoulSilver Butterfree Best Moveset
Focus Sash guarantees Butterfree survives one hit from full HP. That's enough to deal early damage and fire off Sleep Powder before going down. Compoundeyes and max Sp. Atk and Speed EVs maximize first-turn impact.
Best Build
Butterfree best EVs are Sp. Atk and Speed
Special Attacker Moveset
- Sleep Powder
- Bug Buzz
- Stun Spore
- Protect
Recommended Teammates
Moves
TMs define Butterfree's movepool. The natural moves cover basics with Bug Buzz and Signal Beam, but the real versatility comes from technical machines giving it Psychic and Grass coverage and more. That's where the options open up.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Reminder Moves
Transfer Moves
How to Get Butterfree in HeartGold & SoulSilver
A solid number of locations for Butterfree with decent spawn rates across early-game routes. The sort toggle below swaps between best odds and earliest access, so you can approach it based on where you are in the game.
Where To Catch Butterfree in HeartGold & SoulSilver
To get Butterfree, start by catching Caterpie through walking and headbutt encounters at Lv. 2-36. The chain covers 3 catchable stages before reaching the final form.
Step 1Catch CaterpieRoute 30HeartGoldGrass Lv.2-4 RouteCommonEarlyDayIlex ForestHeartGoldHeadbutting trees Lv.3-5 Forest30%EarlyRoute 30HeartGoldGrass Lv.3-4 RouteCommonEarlyMorningRoute 2 - NorthHeartGoldGrass Lv.3-4 RouteCommonEarlyMorning/dayRoute 2 - SouthHeartGoldGrass Lv.3-4 RouteCommonEarlyMorning/dayViridian ForestHeartGoldGrass Lv.3 ForestCommonEarlyMorning/dayRoute 31HeartGoldGrass Lv.4-5 RouteCommonEarlyMorning/dayIlex ForestHeartGoldGrass Lv.5-6 ForestCommonEarlyMorning/dayNational ParkHeartGoldGrass Lv.10-12 FacilityCommonEarlyMorningNational ParkHeartGoldGrass Lv.10 FacilityCommonEarlyDayNational Park - Bug Catching ContestHeartGoldGrass Lv.7-18 FacilityUncommonEarlyBefore post-gameNational Park - Bug Catching ContestSoulSilverGrass Lv.7-18 FacilityUncommonEarlyBefore post-gameNational Park - Bug Catching ContestHeartGoldGrass Lv.24-36 FacilityUncommonMidPost-game (Tue)National Park - Bug Catching ContestSoulSilverGrass Lv.24-36 FacilityUncommonMidPost-game (Tue)
Step 2Catch or Evolve MetapodViridian ForestHeartGoldGrass Lv.3-5 ForestCommonEarlyMorning/dayIlex ForestHeartGoldGrass Lv.5-6 ForestCommonEarlyDayIlex ForestHeartGoldGrass Lv.6 ForestCommonEarlyMorningNational ParkHeartGoldGrass Lv.10 FacilityCommonEarlyMorning/dayRoute 30HeartGoldGrass Lv.4 RouteUncommonEarlyMorning/dayRoute 31HeartGoldGrass Lv.5 RouteUncommonEarlyMorning/dayRoute 2 - NorthHeartGoldGrass Lv.5 RouteUncommonEarlyMorningRoute 2 - SouthHeartGoldGrass Lv.5 RouteUncommonEarlyMorning/dayNational Park - Bug Catching ContestHeartGoldGrass Lv.9-18 FacilityUncommonEarlyBefore post-gameNational Park - Bug Catching ContestSoulSilverGrass Lv.9-18 FacilityUncommonEarlyBefore post-gameIlex ForestHeartGoldHeadbutting trees Lv.3-5 Forest10%EarlyNational Park - Bug Catching ContestHeartGoldGrass Lv.26-36 FacilityUncommonMidPost-game (Tue)National Park - Bug Catching ContestSoulSilverGrass Lv.26-36 FacilityUncommonMidPost-game (Tue)Route 47HeartGoldHeadbutting special trees Lv.25-28 RouteLimitedMidor evolve from Caterpie (Step 1)
Step 3Butterfree ✓Route 2 - NorthHeartGoldGrass Lv.7-8 RouteUncommonEarlyMorningRoute 2 - NorthHeartGoldGrass Lv.7-10 RouteUncommonEarlyDayRoute 2 - SouthHeartGoldGrass Lv.7-8 RouteUncommonEarlyMorningViridian ForestHeartGoldGrass Lv.7 ForestUncommonEarlyMorningIlex ForestHeartGoldHeadbutting trees Lv.6-8 Forest10%EarlyNational Park - Bug Catching ContestSoulSilverGrass Lv.12-15 FacilityRareEarlyBefore post-gameNational Park - Bug Catching ContestHeartGoldGrass Lv.12-15 FacilityRareEarlyBefore post-gameNational Park - Bug Catching ContestSoulSilverGrass Lv.27-30 FacilityRareMidPost-game (Tue)National Park - Bug Catching ContestHeartGoldGrass Lv.27-30 FacilityRareMidPost-game (Tue)Route 47HeartGoldHeadbutting special trees Lv.25-28 RouteLimitedMidor evolve from Metapod (Step 2)
Butterfree Guide
In HeartGold & SoulSilver, 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 HeartGold & SoulSilver Butterfree is a tough sell at 385 BST. Plenty of stronger Bug/Flying options exist. Fun pick, not a practical one.
In HeartGold & SoulSilver, 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. Sleep Powder with Focus Sash is the standard set.
In HeartGold & SoulSilver, 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.
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 1Y
Yellow - Gen 1RBDebut
Red & Blue - Gen 2GS
Gold & Silver - Gen 2C
Crystal - Gen 3RS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen 3FRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen 3E
Emerald - Gen 4Pt
Platinum - Gen 4HGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen 4DP
Diamond & Pearl - Gen 5BW
Black & White - Gen 5B2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen 6XY
X & Y - Gen 6ORAS
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen 7USUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen 7SM
Sun & Moon - Gen 7LGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen 8SwShGigantamax
Sword & Shield - Gen 8PLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen 8BDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen 9SV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen 9LZA
Legends: Z-A - Gen 10WW
Winds & Waves