Is Butterfree Good in FireRed & LeafGreen Playthrough?
The biggest early-game ability upgrade in the remake belongs to Butterfree. AbilityCompound Eyes pushes Sleep Powder accuracy from 75% to near-guaranteed. FRLG Butterfree almost never misses status moves. Carries through Brock with sleep, handles Surge, and the reliable status spreading stays useful longer than the damage output. Erika is about where Butterfree starts falling behind, but that's a solid run for a Route 2 catch.
Butterfree trades roughly evenly with Brock's team.
Misty's typing presses Butterfree's defenses.
Lt. Surge's team hits Butterfree's weaknesses hard.
Butterfree has the type edge here and should clean up Erika's team.
Butterfree has the type edge here and should clean up Koga's team.
Butterfree has the type edge here and should clean up Sabrina's team.
Butterfree trades roughly evenly with Blaine's team.
Butterfree has the type edge here and should clean up Giovanni's team.
Butterfree has the type edge here and should clean up Lorelei's team.
Butterfree has the type edge here and should clean up Bruno's team.
Butterfree trades roughly evenly with Agatha's team.
Lance's team hits Butterfree's weaknesses hard.
Butterfree trades roughly evenly with Terry's team.
Catch Caterpie on Route 2 (walking, Lv 4-5, rare).
- STARTING (Lv 4)
- LV 4NormalTackle40100%35
How to Get Butterfree in FireRed & LeafGreen
No wild Butterfree in FRLG. Evolve Metapod at level 10. One of the quickest evolutions in the game from an easy-to-find early bug.
Wild Butterfree may be holding when caught:
Silver Powder (5% chance) An item to be held by a Pokemon. A shiny silver powder that boosts the power of BUG-type moves.Catch Caterpie or Metapod at any of these 5 spots to eventually evolve into Butterfree.
Encountered via tall grass encounters
Badge 1
Badge 2
Badge 3
Badge 4
Badge 5
Badge 6
Badge 7
Badge 8How to Obtain Butterfree in FRLG
Caterpie is your first catch on the way to Butterfree. You'll find walking encounters from Lv. 3-9 across 18 total spots in the chain.
Step 2Catch or Evolve MetapodViridian ForestLv.4-6GrassLeafGreenRate 10%Viridian ForestLv.5GrassFireRedRate 5%Pattern BushLv.9GrassFireRedRate 5%Pattern BushLv.9GrassLeafGreenRate 5%or evolve from Caterpie (Step 1)
Step 3Butterfree ✓BREEDINGAvailableLeave a compatible parent at the Four Island Pokemon Day Care to receive a Butterfree egg. Requires the Rainbow Pass to access Four Island.
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 |
- Dark and Steel types added — Fairy does not exist yet
- Moves are Physical or Special based on type, not per move
What is Butterfree Weak Against
VulnerableBest Pokemon Against Butterfree
 Pikachu Electric | C | |
Available Move Moves
Damage vs Butterfree View Pikachu builds →Thunder Shock 2x40-48% | ||
 Charmander Fire | C | |
Obtain MethodPallet Town Gift | ||
 Pidgey Normal | D | |
 Geodude RockGround | C | |
 Charmeleon Fire | C | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Charmander (Pallet Town Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Butterfree View Charmeleon builds →Ember 2x40-48% Aerial Ace 2x44-52% | ||
Pikachu Electric | C | |
Available Move Moves
Damage vs Butterfree View Pikachu builds →Thunder Shock 2x30-36% | ||
 Spearow Normal | C | |
Pidgey Normal | D | |
Geodude RockGround | C | |
Pikachu Electric | C | |
Charmeleon Fire | C | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Charmander (Pallet Town Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Butterfree View Charmeleon builds →Ember 2x40-48% Aerial Ace 2x44-52% | ||
Spearow Normal | C | |
Pidgey Normal | D | |
 Jolteon Electric | A | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Eevee (Celadon City Gift) | ||
 Graveler RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Butterfree View Graveler builds →Rock Tomb 4x143-168%KO Flamethrower 2x37-44% | ||
 Raichu Electric | C | |
Charmeleon Fire | C | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Charmander (Pallet Town Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Butterfree View Charmeleon builds →Flamethrower 2x80-95% Aerial Ace 2x41-49% | ||
 Gyarados Water | B | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Magikarp (Pallet Town Old Rod) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Butterfree View Gyarados builds →Thunderbolt 2x43-51% Ice Beam 2x43-51% Flamethrower 2x43-51% | ||
Jolteon Electric | A | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Eevee (Celadon City Gift) | ||
Graveler RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Butterfree View Graveler builds →Rock Tomb 4x143-170%KO Flamethrower 2x37-43% | ||
 Rhyhorn GroundRock | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Butterfree View Rhyhorn builds →Rock Tomb 4x133-157%KO Thunderbolt 2x29-35% Ice Beam 2x29-35% Flamethrower 2x29-35% | ||
Raichu Electric | C | |
 Electrode Electric | B | |
 Lapras WaterIce | C | |
Obtain MethodSilph Co Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Butterfree View Lapras builds →Ice Beam 2x86-101%KO Thunderbolt 2x57-67% | ||
Jolteon Electric | A | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Eevee (Celadon City Gift) | ||
Graveler RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Butterfree View Graveler builds →Rock Tomb 4x143-170%KO Flamethrower 2x37-43% | ||
Rhyhorn GroundRock | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Butterfree View Rhyhorn builds →Rock Tomb 4x133-157%KO Thunderbolt 2x29-35% Ice Beam 2x29-35% Flamethrower 2x29-35% | ||
Raichu Electric | C | |
 Aerodactyl Rock | A | |
Obtain MethodCinnabar Island Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Butterfree View Aerodactyl builds →Ancient Power 4x176-208%KO Fly 2x104-123%KO Fire Blast 2x54-63% | ||
 Charizard Fire | B | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Charmander (Pallet Town Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Butterfree View Charizard builds →Overheat 2x148-175%KO Fly 2x86-102%KO | ||
Lapras WaterIce | C | |
Obtain MethodSilph Co Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Butterfree View Lapras builds →Ice Beam 2x84-99% Thunderbolt 2x56-66% | ||
 Flareon Fire | C | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Eevee (Celadon City Gift) | ||
Graveler RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Butterfree View Graveler builds →Rock Tomb 4x136-161%KO Fire Blast 2x44-52% | ||
 Zapdos Electric | A | |
Obtain MethodPower Plant Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Butterfree View Zapdos builds →Thunderbolt 2x117-138%KO Drill Peck 2x107-127%KO | ||
 Moltres Fire | B | |
Obtain MethodMt Ember Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Butterfree View Moltres builds →Overheat 2x172-202%KO Fly 2x101-120%KO | ||
Aerodactyl Rock | A | |
Obtain MethodCinnabar Island Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Butterfree View Aerodactyl builds →Ancient Power 4x184-218%KO Fly 2x107-127%KO Fire Blast 2x55-65% | ||
 Rhydon GroundRock | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Butterfree View Rhydon builds →Rock Tomb 4x184-218%KO Fire Blast 2x45-53% Thunderbolt 2x36-43% Ice Beam 2x36-43% | ||
Charizard Fire | B | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Charmander (Pallet Town Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Butterfree View Charizard builds →Overheat 2x153-180%KO Fly 2x88-104%KO | ||
 Ho-oh Fire | S | |
Obtain MethodNavel Rock Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Butterfree View Ho-oh builds →Overheat 2x153-180%KO Fly 2x128-151%KO Thunderbolt 2x70-82% | ||
Zapdos Electric | A | |
Obtain MethodPower Plant Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Butterfree View Zapdos builds →Thunderbolt 2x117-138%KO Drill Peck 2x107-126%KO | ||
 Tyranitar RockDark | S | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Butterfree View Tyranitar builds →Rock Slide 4x281-331%KO Fire Blast 2x77-91% Ice Beam 2x61-72% Thunderbolt 2x61-72% | ||
Moltres Fire | B | |
Obtain MethodMt Ember Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Butterfree View Moltres builds →Overheat 2x171-201%KO Fly 2x102-120%KO | ||
 Raikou Electric | B | |
Obtain MethodRoaming Interact Encounter | ||
In FireRed & LeafGreen, Swampert's Ice Beam hits Butterfree for 42-50%. Metagross threatens a KO with Explosion (164-194%).
S | ||
Recommended Build AbilityTorrent ItemLeftovers NatureRelaxed Moves
Damage vs Butterfree View Swampert builds →Ice Beam 2x42-50% Hydro Pump26-30% | ||
S | ||
Recommended Build AbilityClearbody ItemLeftovers NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Butterfree View Metagross builds →Explosion164-194%KO | ||
A | ||
Recommended Build AbilityKeeneye ItemLeftovers NatureCareful Moves View Skarmory builds →
| ||
A | ||
Recommended Build AbilityNatural Cure ItemLeftovers NatureBold Moves
Damage vs Butterfree View Celebi builds →Psychic25-30% Giga Drain5-6% | ||
B | ||
Recommended Build AbilitySturdy ItemLeftovers NatureCareful Moves
Damage vs Butterfree View Forretress builds →Rapid Spin18-21% Explosion88-103%KO | ||
Butterfree Evolutions
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 37 partners from the Bug egg group.
FRLG Butterfree Best Moveset
Sleep accuracy jumps to 97.5%% through AbilityCompound Eyes, the one reason to build a moveset around Butterfree. MoveSleep Powder lands almost every time, buying turns that 80 Sp. Atk otherwise can't earn. Bug/Flying typing with four weaknesses limits how long it stays on the field.
Best Build
Butterfree best EVs are HP and Speed
Support Moveset
- Sleep Powder
- Stun Spore
- Thief
- Whirlwind
Recommended Teammates
Moves List
TMs define Butterfree's movepool. The natural moves cover basics with Silver Wind and Aerial Ace, but the real versatility comes from technical machines giving it Psychic and Normal coverage and more. That's where the options open up.
How to Read the Moves Table
Tabs
- Level-Up
- Learned by leveling up.
- TM
- Taught by a Technical Machine.
- Egg
- Inherited via breeding.
- Tutor
- NPC tutor (cost: items, BP, money).
- Reminder
- An NPC reteaches any move this Pokemon could have learned by leveling up.
- Transfer
- Carried over from an older game using Pokemon HOME.
- Event
- Given out through Mystery Gift events.
Visual Signals
CAT (Category)
How the move deals damage and which stats it uses.
A small dot on the icon's corner marks the move as contact. That triggers abilities like Static, Flame Body, Rough Skin, or Iron Barbs, plus items like Rocky Helmet and Sticky Barb.
Tier (S to D)
Each move's competitive rank in RankedBoost's system. TM, Egg, and Tutor sort by tier by default (best first). On Level-Up, click the Tier header to do the same.
PWR (Power)
Base damage. Numbers shown in a type color include STAB (base × 1.5). Hover any colored number to see the math.
— means no power (status moves) or variable power.
Sorting & Filter
Click any column header to sort. Level-Up opens with Lv 1 at the top. TM, Egg, and Tutor open with the highest-tier moves at the top.
Search filters by move name or type. The Filter button limits the list to STAB, Physical, Special, or Status moves.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Reminder Moves
Base Stats
The wings are protected by rain-repellent dust. As a result, this POKéMON can fly about even in rain.
In battle, it flaps its wings at great speed to release highly toxic dust into the air.
Butterfree FireRed & LeafGreen Guide
Butterfree is obtained in Pokemon FireRed & LeafGreen by evolving Metapod by leveling up.
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 1RBDebut
Red & Blue - Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 2GS
Gold & Silver - Gen 2C
Crystal - Gen 3RS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen 3E
Emerald - Gen 3FRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen 4DP
Diamond & Pearl - Gen 4Pt
Platinum - Gen 4HGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen 5BW
Black & White - Gen 5B2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen 6XY
X & Y - Gen 6ORAS
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen 7SM
Sun & Moon - Gen 7USUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen 7LGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen 8SwShGigantamax
Sword & Shield - Gen 8BDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen 8PLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen 9SV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen 9LZA
Legends: Z-A - Gen 10WW
Winds & Waves