Special
Balanced
395Low
70Moderate
CTier

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.

Base Stats
395Avg
HP60
C
Attack45
D
Defense50
D
Sp. Atk90
B
Sp. Def80
C
Speed70
C
Total395
Low <60
Avg 60-89
High 90-149
Top 150+
EV YieldDefeating Butterfree yields +2 SpA, +1 SpD
HPAtkDefSpA+2SpD+1Spe
Details
Catch45Challenging•Medium Fast1M XP•1.1m / 3'07"•32kg / 70.5 lbs•178Base XP
Pokedex Entries

Its wings are covered in toxic scales. If it finds bird Pokémon going after Caterpie, Butterfree sprinkles its scales on them to drive them off.

Ultra Sun

Nectar from pretty flowers is its favorite food. In fields of flowers, it has heated battles with Cutiefly for territory.

Ultra Moon

Butterfree Weakness

Vulnerable

Butterfree 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.

4xCriticali
Rock
2xWeaki
FireElectricIceFlying
½xResisti
Bug
¼xResisti
GrassFighting
0xImmunei
Ground
STAB (5)i
GrassPsychicDarkFightingBug
5Weak
3Resist
1Immune
Scorei-4
Stealth Rock50% on switch
4x Rock — Stone Edge, Rock Slide, Stealth Rock
Abilities
Compound EyesIncreases moves' accuracy to 1.3×.
Tinted LensHADoubles damage inflicted with not-very-effective moves.

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

3 Forms
Caterpie
#010Caterpie
7
Level 7
Metapod
#011Metapod
10
Level 10
Butterfree
#012Butterfree
Stat Comparison 3 Stages
Caterpie
Bug
Metapod
Bug
Butterfree
BugFlying
HP
45
50+5
60+10
ATK
30
20-10
45+25
DEF
35
55+20
50-5
SP.ATK
20
25+5
90+65
SP.DEF
20
25+5
80+55
SPE
45
30-15
70+40
BST
195D-Tier
205D-Tier+10
395C-Tier+190
ROLE
Balanced
Balanced
Balanced
TYPE
Utility
Utility
Special
Breeding
Very Easy

Breed with Butterfree to get Caterpie eggs easily from the Bug egg group.

Egg Groups
Bug
Gender
♂50.0%♀50.0%
Hatch Time
15 cycles·3,855 steps
Quick~4 min with Flame Body

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

Support
Ability
Compoundeyes
Item
Choice ScarfSPEED
Nature
Timid+SPE
EVs

Best Butterfree Moveset

  • Sleep Powder
  • Air SlashSTAB
  • TailwindUtility
  • Rage PowderSTAB

Recommended Teammates

Bulbasaur
BulbasaurGood
Pikachu
PikachuGood

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

Lv 1
Confusion
5010025Psychic
Lv 1
Gust
4010035Flying
Lv 11
Confusion
5010025Psychic
Lv 13
Poison Powder
—7535Poison
Lv 13
Sleep Powder
—7515Grass
Lv 13
Stun Spore
—7530Grass
Lv 17
Psybeam
6510020Psychic
Lv 19
Silver Wind
601005Bug
Lv 23
Supersonic
—5520Normal
Lv 25
Safeguard
——25Normal
Lv 29
Whirlwind-6
——20Normal
Lv 31
Bug Buzz
9010010Bug
Lv 35
Rage Powder+2
——20Bug
Lv 37
Captivate
—10020Normal
Lv 41
Tailwind
——15Flying
Lv 43
Air Slash
759515Flying
Lv 47
Quiver Dance
——20Bug

TM Moves

Src
TM62
Acrobatics
5510015Flying
TM40
Aerial Ace
60—20Flying
TM45
Attract
—10015Normal
TM100
Confide
——20Normal
TM32
Double Team
——15Normal
TM85
Dream Eater
10010015Psychic
TM53
Energy Ball
9010010Grass
TM42
Facade
7010020Normal
TM21
Frustration
—10020Normal
TM68
Giga Impact
150905Normal
TM10
Hidden Power
6010015Normal
TM15
Hyper Beam
150905Normal
TM83
Infestation
2010020Bug
TM17
Protect+4
——10Normal
TM77
Psych Up
——10Normal
TM29
Psychic
9010010Psychic
TM18
Rain Dance
——5Water
TM44
Rest
——10Psychic
TM27
Return
—10020Normal
TM19
Roost
——10Flying
TM48
Round
6010015Normal
TM20
Safeguard
——25Normal
TM30
Shadow Ball
8010015Ghost
TM88
Sleep Talk
——10Normal
TM22
Solar Beam
20010010Grass
TM90
Substitute
——10Normal
TM11
Sunny Day
——5Fire
TM87
Swagger
—8515Normal
TM46
Thief
6010025Dark
TM06
Toxic
—9010Poison
TM89
U-turn
7010020Bug
TM09
Venoshock
6510010Poison

Egg Moves

Butterfree doesn't have any Egg moves

Tutor Moves

Src
Tutor
Bug Bite
6010020Bug
Tutor
Defog
——15Flying
Tutor
Electroweb
559515Electric
Tutor
Giga Drain
7510010Grass
Tutor
Signal Beam
7510015Bug
Tutor
Skill Swap
——10Psychic
Tutor
Snore
5010015Normal
Tutor
Tailwind
——15Flying

Reminder Moves

Src
Rem
Bug Bite
6010020Bug
Rem
Harden
——30Normal
Rem
Harden
——30Normal
Rem
Iron Defense
——15Steel
Rem
String Shot
—9540Bug
Rem
Tackle
4010035Normal

Transfer Moves

Src
Gen 4
Air Cutter
609525Flying
Gen 1
Bide+1
——10Normal
Gen 2
Curse
——10Ghost
Gen 3
Double-Edge
12010015Normal
Gen 4
Endure+4
——10Normal
Gen 6
Flash
—10020Normal
Gen 1
Mega Drain
7510015Grass
Gen 3
Mimic
——10Normal
Gen 4
Natural Gift
—10015Normal
Gen 2
Nightmare
—10015Ghost
Gen 4
Ominous Wind
601005Ghost
Gen 1
Psywave
—10015Psychic
Gen 1
Rage
2010020Normal
Gen 1
Razor Wind
8010010Normal
Gen 1
Reflect
——20Psychic
Gen 6
Secret Power
7010020Normal
Gen 6
Struggle Bug
5010020Bug
Gen 2
Sweet Scent
—10020Normal
Gen 4
Swift
60—20Normal
Gen 1
Take Down
908520Normal
Gen 1
Teleport-6
——20Psychic
Gen 4
Twister
4010020Dragon

Butterfree starts showing up in early-game routes at moderate rates across 18 encounter spots. The list below is sorted so you can pick what fits your current progress without scrolling through everything.

Where To Catch Butterfree in Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon

Caterpie is your first catch on the way to Butterfree. You'll find walking encounters from Lv. 2-22 across 46 total spots in the chain.

  1. Caterpie
    Step 1Catch Caterpie
    Route 1 - West
    Ultra MoonGrassLv.2-335%EarlyRoute
    EFFORTLESS
    Route 1 - West
    Ultra SunGrassLv.2-335%EarlyRoute
    EFFORTLESS
    Route 1 - East
    Ultra MoonGrassLv.2-310%EarlyRoute
    MODERATE
    Route 1 - East
    Ultra SunGrassLv.2-310%EarlyRoute
    MODERATE
    Melemele Meadow
    Ultra SunGrassLv.9-1210%Early
    MODERATE
    Melemele Meadow
    Ultra SunGrassLv.9-12EarlySOS from Metapod
    Melemele Meadow
    Ultra MoonGrassLv.10-1210%Early
    MODERATE
    Melemele Meadow
    Ultra MoonGrassLv.10-12EarlySOS from Metapod
    Route 5
    Ultra MoonGrassLv.13-1610%EarlyRoute
    MODERATE
    Route 5
    Ultra SunGrassLv.13-1610%EarlyRoute
    MODERATE
    Route 5
    Ultra MoonGrassLv.13-16EarlyRouteSOS from Metapod
    Route 5
    Ultra SunGrassLv.13-16EarlyRouteSOS from Metapod
    Lush Jungle - North
    Ultra MoonGrassLv.19-22MidForestSOS from Metapod
    Lush Jungle - North
    Ultra SunGrassLv.19-22MidForestSOS from Metapod
    Lush Jungle - South
    Ultra MoonGrassLv.19-22MidForestSOS from Metapod
    Lush Jungle - South
    Ultra SunGrassLv.19-22MidForestSOS from Metapod
    Lush Jungle - West
    Ultra SunGrassLv.19-22MidForestSOS from Metapod
    Lush Jungle - West
    Ultra MoonGrassLv.19-22MidForestSOS from Metapod
  2. Metapod
    Step 2Catch or Evolve Metapod
    Melemele Meadow
    Ultra SunGrassLv.9-129%Early
    MODERATE
    Melemele Meadow
    Ultra MoonGrassLv.10-129%Early
    MODERATE
    Route 5
    Ultra SunGrassLv.13-169%EarlyRoute
    MODERATE
    Route 5
    Ultra MoonGrassLv.13-169%EarlyRoute
    MODERATE
    Lush Jungle - North
    Ultra MoonGrassLv.19-2210%MidForest
    MODERATE
    Lush Jungle - North
    Ultra SunGrassLv.19-2210%MidForest
    MODERATE
    Lush Jungle - South
    Ultra MoonGrassLv.19-2210%MidForest
    MODERATE
    Lush Jungle - South
    Ultra SunGrassLv.19-2210%MidForest
    MODERATE
    Lush Jungle - West
    Ultra SunGrassLv.19-2210%MidForest
    MODERATE
    Lush Jungle - West
    Ultra MoonGrassLv.19-2210%MidForest
    MODERATE
    or evolve from Caterpie (Step 1)
  3. Butterfree
    Step 3Butterfree ✓
    Melemele Meadow
    Ultra SunGrassLv.9-12EarlySOS from Metapod
    Melemele Meadow
    Ultra SunGrassLv.9-12EarlySOS from Caterpie
    Melemele Meadow
    Ultra MoonGrassLv.10-12EarlySOS from Metapod
    Melemele Meadow
    Ultra MoonGrassLv.10-12EarlySOS from Caterpie
    Route 5
    Ultra MoonGrassLv.13-16EarlyRouteSOS from Metapod
    Route 5
    Ultra MoonGrassLv.13-16EarlyRouteSOS from Caterpie
    Route 5
    Ultra SunGrassLv.13-16EarlyRouteSOS from Metapod
    Route 5
    Ultra SunGrassLv.13-16EarlyRouteSOS from Caterpie
    Melemele Meadow
    Ultra SunGrassLv.9-121%Early
    HARD
    Melemele Meadow
    Ultra MoonGrassLv.10-121%Early
    HARD
    Route 5
    Ultra MoonGrassLv.13-161%EarlyRoute
    HARD
    Route 5
    Ultra SunGrassLv.13-161%EarlyRoute
    HARD
    Lush Jungle - North
    Ultra MoonGrassLv.19-22MidForestSOS from Metapod
    Lush Jungle - North
    Ultra SunGrassLv.19-22MidForestSOS from Metapod
    Lush Jungle - South
    Ultra MoonGrassLv.19-22MidForestSOS from Metapod
    Lush Jungle - South
    Ultra SunGrassLv.19-22MidForestSOS from Metapod
    Lush Jungle - West
    Ultra SunGrassLv.19-22MidForestSOS from Metapod
    Lush Jungle - West
    Ultra MoonGrassLv.19-22MidForestSOS from Metapod
    or 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.

  • Metapod evolves into Butterfree at level 10. Butterfree is the final evolution in a 3-stage line starting from Caterpie.

  • 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.