Without Tinted Lens, Butterfree wouldn't see any competitive play. With it? It makes resisted hits deal full damage, turning modest base stats into a real offensive threat. Bug/Flying is solid coverage on top of that. It needs some investment to avoid getting outsped.
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
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.
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 from the Bug egg group.
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
Best Butterfree Moveset
- Sleep Powder
- Air Slash
- Tailwind
- Rage Powder
Recommended Teammates
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
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 CaterpieEASYRoute 1 - EastSunGrassLv.2-320%EarlyRouteEASYRoute 1 - EastMoonGrassLv.2-320%EarlyRouteMODERATERoute 1 - WestSunGrassLv.3-510%EarlyRouteMODERATERoute 1 - WestMoonGrassLv.3-510%EarlyRouteRoute 1 - WestSunGrassLv.3-5EarlyRouteSOS from MetapodRoute 1 - WestMoonGrassLv.3-5EarlyRouteSOS from MetapodMODERATEMelemele MeadowSunGrassLv.9-1210%EarlyMODERATEMelemele MeadowMoonGrassLv.9-1210%EarlyMelemele MeadowSunGrassLv.9-12EarlySOS from MetapodMelemele MeadowMoonGrassLv.9-12EarlySOS from MetapodMODERATERoute 1 - SouthSunGrassLv.10-1310%EarlyRouteMODERATERoute 1 - SouthMoonGrassLv.10-1310%EarlyRouteRoute 1 - SouthSunGrassLv.10-13EarlyRouteSOS from MetapodRoute 1 - SouthMoonGrassLv.10-13EarlyRouteSOS from MetapodMODERATERoute 5SunGrassLv.13-1610%EarlyRouteMODERATERoute 5MoonGrassLv.13-1610%EarlyRouteRoute 5SunGrassLv.13-16EarlyRouteSOS from MetapodRoute 5MoonGrassLv.13-16EarlyRouteSOS from MetapodMODERATELush Jungle - SouthSunGrassLv.18-2110%MidForestMODERATELush Jungle - SouthMoonGrassLv.18-2110%MidForestLush Jungle - SouthMoonGrassLv.18-21MidForestSOS from MetapodLush Jungle - SouthSunGrassLv.18-21MidForestSOS from Metapod
Step 2Catch or Evolve MetapodMODERATERoute 1 - WestSunGrassLv.3-510%EarlyRouteMODERATERoute 1 - WestMoonGrassLv.3-510%EarlyRouteMODERATERoute 1 - SouthSunGrassLv.10-1310%EarlyRouteMODERATERoute 1 - SouthMoonGrassLv.10-1310%EarlyRouteMODERATEMelemele MeadowMoonGrassLv.9-129%EarlyMODERATEMelemele MeadowSunGrassLv.9-129%EarlyMODERATERoute 5SunGrassLv.13-169%EarlyRouteMODERATERoute 5MoonGrassLv.13-169%EarlyRouteMODERATELush Jungle - SouthMoonGrassLv.18-2110%MidForestMODERATELush Jungle - SouthSunGrassLv.18-2110%MidForestor evolve from Caterpie (Step 1)
Step 3Butterfree ✓Melemele MeadowSunGrassLv.9-12EarlySOS from CaterpieMelemele MeadowMoonGrassLv.9-12EarlySOS from MetapodMelemele MeadowMoonGrassLv.9-12EarlySOS from CaterpieMelemele MeadowSunGrassLv.9-12EarlySOS from MetapodRoute 5MoonGrassLv.13-16EarlyRouteSOS from MetapodRoute 5MoonGrassLv.13-16EarlyRouteSOS from CaterpieRoute 5SunGrassLv.13-16EarlyRouteSOS from MetapodRoute 5SunGrassLv.13-16EarlyRouteSOS from CaterpieHARDMelemele MeadowSunGrassLv.9-121%EarlyHARDMelemele MeadowMoonGrassLv.9-121%EarlyHARDRoute 5MoonGrassLv.13-161%EarlyRouteHARDRoute 5SunGrassLv.13-161%EarlyRouteLush Jungle - SouthMoonGrassLv.18-21MidForestSOS from MetapodLush Jungle - SouthMoonGrassLv.18-21MidForestSOS from CaterpieLush Jungle - SouthSunGrassLv.18-21MidForestSOS from MetapodLush Jungle - SouthSunGrassLv.18-21MidForestSOS from Caterpieor 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.
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.
Butterfree fills the balanced role. It's leaning toward the special side (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