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.
Close examination of its large eyes reveals that each eye is composed of a myriad of tiny eyes.
When attacked by other Pokémon, it defends itself by scattering its poisonous scales and fluttering its wings.
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 |
 Incineroar FireDark | A | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Litten (Iki Town Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Butterfree View Incineroar builds →Flare Blitz 2x194-229%KO Flamethrower 2x77-91% Fire Fang 2x107-127%KO Ember 2x36-42% | ||
 Magnezone ElectricSteel | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Butterfree View Magnezone builds →Zap Cannon 2x153-180%KO Discharge 2x101-120%KO Spark 2x71-84% Thunder Shock 2x53-62% | ||
 Salamence Dragon | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Butterfree View Salamence builds →Fly 2x167-198%KO Flamethrower 2x67-79% Rock Slide 4x189-222%KO Fire Fang 2x81-96% | ||
 Sudowoodo Rock | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Butterfree View Sudowoodo builds →Head Smash 4x434-511%KO Stone Edge 4x290-342%KO Rock Slide 4x219-258%KO Rock Tomb 4x177-209%KO | ||
 Typhlosion Fire | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Butterfree View Typhlosion builds →Eruption 2x164-193%KO Inferno 2x109-129%KO Flamethrower 2x100-118%KO Lava Plume 2x88-104%KO | ||
In Sun & Moon, Volcanion can KO Butterfree with Fire Blast (201-236%). Tapu Koko threatens a KO with Thunderbolt (133-156%). Togekiss's Air Slash also KOs at 86-102%.
 Volcanion FireWater | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityWaterabsorb ItemChoice Specs NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Butterfree View Volcanion builds →Sludge Bomb55-65% Fire Blast 2x201-236%KO | ||
 Tapu Koko ElectricFairy | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityElectric Surge ItemChoice Specs NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Butterfree View Tapu Koko builds →Thunderbolt 2x133-156%KO Volt Switch 2x103-121%KO Dazzling Gleam59-69% | ||
 Togekiss Fairy | A | |
Recommended Build AbilitySerenegrace ItemLeftovers NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Butterfree View Togekiss builds →Air Slash 2x86-102%KO | ||
 Mamoswine IceGround | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityThickfat ItemLife Orb NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Butterfree View Mamoswine builds →Ice Shard 2x100-118%KO Knock Off54-64% | ||
 Tyranitar RockDark | B | |
Recommended Build AbilitySand Stream ItemFocus Sash NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Butterfree View Tyranitar builds →Crunch78-92% Rock Slide 4x294-346%KO | ||
Sun & Moon 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 (+70), bringing the total to 395 stats. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
Breed with Butterfree to get Caterpie eggs easily using 77 partners from the Bug egg group.
Sun & Moon Butterfree Best Moveset
Prediction matters here. Choice Scarf means Butterfree can't change moves after clicking, but the payoff is speed patching through item lock. Max HP and Speed EVs with Compoundeyes back that up. Utility options prevents free switches.
Best Build
Butterfree best EVs are HP and Speed
Doubles Support Moveset
- Sleep Powder
- Air Slash
- Tailwind
- Rage Powder
Recommended Teammates
Special Setup Sweeper Moveset
- Sleep Powder
- Bug Buzz
- Quiver Dance
- Air Slash
Moves
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.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Reminder Moves
Transfer Moves
How to Get Butterfree in Sun & Moon
Butterfree appears at moderate rates across 16 spots in early-game routes. 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 Sun & Moon
Caterpie is your first catch on the way to Butterfree. You'll find walking encounters from Lv. 2-21 across 48 total spots in the chain.
Step 1Catch CaterpieRoute 1 - EastSunGrass Lv.2-3 Route20%EarlyRoute 1 - EastMoonGrass Lv.2-3 Route20%EarlyRoute 1 - WestSunGrass Lv.3-5 Route10%EarlyRoute 1 - WestMoonGrass Lv.3-5 Route10%EarlyRoute 1 - WestSunGrass Lv.3-5 RouteEarlySOS from MetapodRoute 1 - WestMoonGrass Lv.3-5 RouteEarlySOS from MetapodMelemele MeadowSunGrass Lv.9-1210%EarlyMelemele MeadowMoonGrass Lv.9-1210%EarlyMelemele MeadowSunGrass Lv.9-12EarlySOS from MetapodMelemele MeadowMoonGrass Lv.9-12EarlySOS from MetapodRoute 1 - SouthSunGrass Lv.10-13 Route10%EarlyRoute 1 - SouthMoonGrass Lv.10-13 Route10%EarlyRoute 1 - SouthSunGrass Lv.10-13 RouteEarlySOS from MetapodRoute 1 - SouthMoonGrass Lv.10-13 RouteEarlySOS from MetapodRoute 5SunGrass Lv.13-16 Route10%EarlyRoute 5MoonGrass Lv.13-16 Route10%EarlyRoute 5SunGrass Lv.13-16 RouteEarlySOS from MetapodRoute 5MoonGrass Lv.13-16 RouteEarlySOS from MetapodLush Jungle - SouthSunGrass Lv.18-21 Forest10%MidLush Jungle - SouthMoonGrass Lv.18-21 Forest10%MidLush Jungle - SouthMoonGrass Lv.18-21 ForestMidSOS from MetapodLush Jungle - SouthSunGrass Lv.18-21 ForestMidSOS from Metapod
Step 2Catch or Evolve MetapodRoute 1 - WestSunGrass Lv.3-5 Route10%EarlyRoute 1 - WestMoonGrass Lv.3-5 Route10%EarlyRoute 1 - SouthSunGrass Lv.10-13 Route10%EarlyRoute 1 - SouthMoonGrass Lv.10-13 Route10%EarlyMelemele MeadowMoonGrass Lv.9-129%EarlyMelemele MeadowSunGrass Lv.9-129%EarlyRoute 5SunGrass Lv.13-16 Route9%EarlyRoute 5MoonGrass Lv.13-16 Route9%EarlyLush Jungle - SouthMoonGrass Lv.18-21 Forest10%MidLush Jungle - SouthSunGrass Lv.18-21 Forest10%Midor evolve from Caterpie (Step 1)
Step 3Butterfree ✓Melemele MeadowSunGrass Lv.9-12EarlySOS from CaterpieMelemele MeadowMoonGrass Lv.9-12EarlySOS from MetapodMelemele MeadowMoonGrass Lv.9-12EarlySOS from CaterpieMelemele MeadowSunGrass Lv.9-12EarlySOS from MetapodRoute 5MoonGrass Lv.13-16 RouteEarlySOS from MetapodRoute 5MoonGrass Lv.13-16 RouteEarlySOS from CaterpieRoute 5SunGrass Lv.13-16 RouteEarlySOS from MetapodRoute 5SunGrass Lv.13-16 RouteEarlySOS from CaterpieMelemele MeadowSunGrass Lv.9-121%EarlyMelemele MeadowMoonGrass Lv.9-121%EarlyRoute 5MoonGrass Lv.13-16 Route1%EarlyRoute 5SunGrass Lv.13-16 Route1%EarlyLush Jungle - SouthMoonGrass Lv.18-21 ForestMidSOS from MetapodLush Jungle - SouthMoonGrass Lv.18-21 ForestMidSOS from CaterpieLush Jungle - SouthSunGrass Lv.18-21 ForestMidSOS from MetapodLush Jungle - SouthSunGrass Lv.18-21 ForestMidSOS from Caterpieor evolve from Metapod (Step 2)
Butterfree Guide
In Sun & Moon, 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 Sun & Moon Butterfree is a tough sell at 395 BST. Plenty of stronger Bug/Flying options exist. Fun pick, not a practical one.
In Sun & Moon, 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. Sleep Powder with Choice Scarf is the standard set.
In Sun & Moon, 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