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.
Crystallized Gigantamax energy makes up this Pokémon’s blindingly bright and highly toxic scales.
Once it has opponents trapped in a tornado that could blow away a 10-ton truck, it finishes them off with its poisonous scales.
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 using 47 partners from the Bug egg group.
For a setup attacker, Butterfree wants max HP and Defense EVs and Wide Lens. The Bold nature tilts toward physical wall duty, and Compoundeyes contributes without taking a move slot.
Best Build
Best Butterfree Moveset
- Sleep Powder
- Hurricane
- Quiver Dance
- Shadow Ball
Recommended Teammates
Butterfree develops a solid moveset just through leveling. Bug Buzz and Energy Ball 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
Easy grab on Butterfree with high spawn rates across 42 locations in early-game routes. The sorted list below shows the full spread so you can pick the most convenient spot.
Where To Catch Butterfree in Sword & Shield
The path to Butterfree starts with Caterpie at Lv. 2-47 via walking encounters. 3 catchable stages total, with locations listed for each one below.
Step 1Catch CaterpieEASYRoute 1SwordGrassLv.2-515%EarlyRouteAll WeatherEASYRoute 1ShieldGrassLv.2-515%EarlyRouteAll Weather
Step 2Catch or Evolve MetapodMODERATERolling FieldsSwordOverworldLv.7-1010%EarlySnowingMODERATERolling FieldsShieldOverworldLv.7-1010%EarlyIntense SunMODERATERolling FieldsSwordOverworldLv.7-1010%EarlySandstormMODERATERolling FieldsShieldOverworldLv.7-1010%EarlySnowingMODERATERolling FieldsSwordOverworldLv.7-1010%EarlyRainingMODERATERolling FieldsShieldOverworldLv.7-1010%EarlySandstormMODERATERolling FieldsSwordOverworldLv.7-1010%EarlyHeavy FogMODERATERolling FieldsShieldOverworldLv.7-1010%EarlyRainingMODERATERolling FieldsSwordOverworldLv.7-1010%EarlyOvercastMODERATERolling FieldsShieldOverworldLv.7-1010%EarlyHeavy FogMODERATERolling FieldsSwordOverworldLv.7-1010%EarlyNormal WeatherMODERATERolling FieldsShieldOverworldLv.7-1010%EarlyOvercastMODERATERolling FieldsSwordOverworldLv.7-1010%EarlySnowstormMODERATERolling FieldsShieldOverworldLv.7-1010%EarlyNormal WeatherMODERATERolling FieldsShieldOverworldLv.7-1010%EarlySnowstormMODERATERolling FieldsSwordOverworldLv.7-1010%EarlyThunderstormMODERATERolling FieldsSwordOverworldLv.7-1010%EarlyIntense SunMODERATERolling FieldsShieldOverworldLv.7-1010%EarlyThunderstormMODERATERolling Fields - 2SwordOverworldLv.7-1010%EarlyIntense SunMODERATERolling Fields - 2ShieldOverworldLv.7-1010%EarlyThunderstormMODERATERolling Fields - 2SwordOverworldLv.7-1010%EarlySnowingMODERATERolling Fields - 2ShieldOverworldLv.7-1010%EarlyIntense SunMODERATERolling Fields - 2SwordOverworldLv.7-1010%EarlySandstormMODERATERolling Fields - 2ShieldOverworldLv.7-1010%EarlySnowingMODERATERolling Fields - 2SwordOverworldLv.7-1010%EarlyRainingMODERATERolling Fields - 2ShieldOverworldLv.7-1010%EarlySandstormMODERATERolling Fields - 2SwordOverworldLv.7-1010%EarlyHeavy FogMODERATERolling Fields - 2ShieldOverworldLv.7-1010%EarlyRainingMODERATERolling Fields - 2SwordOverworldLv.7-1010%EarlyOvercastMODERATERolling Fields - 2ShieldOverworldLv.7-1010%EarlyHeavy FogMODERATERolling Fields - 2SwordOverworldLv.7-1010%EarlyNormal WeatherMODERATERolling Fields - 2ShieldOverworldLv.7-1010%EarlyOvercastMODERATERolling Fields - 2SwordOverworldLv.7-1010%EarlySnowstormMODERATERolling Fields - 2ShieldOverworldLv.7-1010%EarlyNormal WeatherMODERATERolling Fields - 2ShieldOverworldLv.7-1010%EarlySnowstormMODERATERolling Fields - 2SwordOverworldLv.7-1010%EarlyThunderstormCHALLENGINGRolling FieldsShieldGrassLv.7-105%EarlyHeavy FogCHALLENGINGRolling FieldsSwordGrassLv.7-95%EarlyNormal WeatherCHALLENGINGRolling FieldsShieldGrassLv.7-105%EarlyOvercastCHALLENGINGRolling FieldsSwordGrassLv.7-95%EarlyThunderstormCHALLENGINGRolling FieldsSwordGrassLv.7-95%EarlyRainingCHALLENGINGRolling FieldsShieldGrassLv.7-105%EarlyThunderstormCHALLENGINGRolling FieldsSwordGrassLv.7-95%EarlyHeavy FogCHALLENGINGRolling FieldsShieldGrassLv.7-105%EarlyRainingCHALLENGINGRolling FieldsSwordGrassLv.7-95%EarlyOvercastor evolve from Caterpie (Step 1)
Step 3Butterfree ✓EFFORTLESSRolling Fields - FlyingSwordOverworldLv.7-1075%EarlyOvercastEFFORTLESSRolling Fields - FlyingShieldOverworldLv.7-1075%EarlyNormal WeatherEFFORTLESSRolling Fields - FlyingSwordOverworldLv.7-1075%EarlyNormal WeatherEFFORTLESSRolling Fields - FlyingShieldOverworldLv.7-1075%EarlyHeavy FogEFFORTLESSRolling Fields - FlyingSwordOverworldLv.7-1075%EarlyHeavy FogEFFORTLESSRolling Fields - FlyingShieldOverworldLv.7-1075%EarlyOvercastEFFORTLESSEast Lake Axewell - FlyingShieldOverworldLv.8-1175%EarlyCaveSnowstormEFFORTLESSEast Lake Axewell - FlyingSwordOverworldLv.8-1175%EarlyCaveSnowstormEFFORTLESSEast Lake Axewell - FlyingShieldOverworldLv.8-1175%EarlyCaveThunderstormEFFORTLESSEast Lake Axewell - FlyingSwordOverworldLv.8-1175%EarlyCaveThunderstormEFFORTLESSEast Lake Axewell - FlyingShieldOverworldLv.8-1175%EarlyCaveIntense SunEFFORTLESSEast Lake Axewell - FlyingSwordOverworldLv.8-1175%EarlyCaveIntense SunEFFORTLESSEast Lake Axewell - FlyingShieldOverworldLv.8-1175%EarlyCaveSnowingEFFORTLESSEast Lake Axewell - FlyingSwordOverworldLv.8-1175%EarlyCaveSnowingEFFORTLESSEast Lake Axewell - FlyingShieldOverworldLv.8-1175%EarlyCaveSandstormEFFORTLESSEast Lake Axewell - FlyingSwordOverworldLv.8-1175%EarlyCaveSandstormEFFORTLESSEast Lake Axewell - FlyingShieldOverworldLv.8-1175%EarlyCaveRainingEFFORTLESSEast Lake Axewell - FlyingSwordOverworldLv.8-1175%EarlyCaveRainingEFFORTLESSEast Lake Axewell - FlyingShieldOverworldLv.8-1175%EarlyCaveNormal WeatherEFFORTLESSEast Lake Axewell - FlyingSwordOverworldLv.8-1175%EarlyCaveNormal WeatherEFFORTLESSEast Lake Axewell - FlyingShieldOverworldLv.12-1530%EarlyCaveAll WeatherEFFORTLESSEast Lake Axewell - FlyingSwordOverworldLv.12-1530%EarlyCaveAll WeatherEASYRolling Fields - FlyingShieldOverworldLv.7-1025%EarlySnowstormEASYRolling Fields - FlyingSwordOverworldLv.7-1025%EarlySnowstormEASYRolling Fields - FlyingShieldOverworldLv.7-1025%EarlyThunderstormEASYRolling Fields - FlyingSwordOverworldLv.7-1025%EarlyThunderstormEASYRolling Fields - FlyingShieldOverworldLv.7-1025%EarlyIntense SunEASYRolling Fields - FlyingSwordOverworldLv.7-1025%EarlyIntense SunEASYRolling Fields - FlyingShieldOverworldLv.7-1025%EarlySnowingEASYRolling Fields - FlyingSwordOverworldLv.7-1025%EarlySnowingEASYRolling Fields - FlyingShieldOverworldLv.7-1025%EarlySandstormEASYRolling Fields - FlyingSwordOverworldLv.7-1025%EarlySandstormEASYRolling Fields - FlyingShieldOverworldLv.7-1025%EarlyRainingEASYRolling Fields - FlyingSwordOverworldLv.7-1025%EarlyRainingEASYEast Lake Axewell - FlyingShieldOverworldLv.8-1125%EarlyCaveHeavy FogEASYEast Lake Axewell - FlyingSwordOverworldLv.8-1125%EarlyCaveHeavy FogEASYEast Lake Axewell - FlyingShieldOverworldLv.8-1125%EarlyCaveOvercastEASYEast Lake Axewell - FlyingSwordOverworldLv.8-1125%EarlyCaveOvercastEFFORTLESSGiant's MirrorShieldOverworldLv.28-3040%MidOvercastEFFORTLESSGiant's MirrorSwordOverworldLv.28-3040%MidOvercastCHALLENGINGSlumbering WealdShieldGrassLv.45-475%LateForestAll WeatherCHALLENGINGSlumbering WealdSwordGrassLv.45-475%LateForestAll Weatheror 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 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