Mid-stage Pokemon like Metapod rarely see competitive play outside of special formats. It's a waypoint on the road to Butterfree, which is where the real potential kicks in. Part of the Gen 1 roster. Only weak to Fire, Flying, and Rock.
Nothing fancy in Metapod's spread. It leans mixed with Defense out front. And you'll get 2 Defense EVs per KO for it. Follows a medium-fast 1M XP curve.
Inside the shell, it is soft and weak as it prepares to evolve. It stays motionless in the shell.
It prepares for evolution by hardening its shell as much as possible to protect its soft body.
Metapod Weakness
AvgMetapod's Bug typing leaves it vulnerable to Fire, Flying, and Rock moves. Metapod's physical bulk (base 55 Def) helps cushion physical weakness hits, but special attackers are the bigger threat.
- Dark and Steel types added — Fairy does not exist yet
- Moves are Physical or Special based on type, not per move
- Special stat split into Sp.Atk and Sp.Def
Metapod sits between Caterpie and Butterfree in this three-stage line. Not the final form yet. For breeding, quick to hatch with a decent partner pool via one egg group. So far, Defense got the biggest boost (+20 from Caterpie). The final form adds another 190 stats on top.
How to Evolve
Breed with Metapod to get Caterpie eggs easily using 23 partners from the Bug egg group.
Best Build
Gen 2 build content has limited support (no abilities).
Try selecting a different game/generation filter, or check back later.
A compact toolkit overall. The offense runs through Bug STAB for Metapod, with Normal coverage doing what it can. Don't expect versatility from this one.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Reminder Moves
Easy grab on Metapod with high spawn rates across 21 locations in early-game areas. Two different catch methods are in play here. The sorted list below shows the full spread so you can pick the most convenient spot.
Where To Catch Metapod in Gold & Silver
Caterpie is your first catch on the way to Metapod. You'll find headbutt and walking encounters from Lv. 3-18 across 51 total spots in the chain.
Step 1Catch CaterpieEFFORTLESSRoute 30GoldGrassLv.3-4CommonEarlyRouteMorning/dayEFFORTLESSRoute 2GoldGrassLv.3CommonEarlyRouteMorning/dayEFFORTLESSRoute 31GoldGrassLv.4-5CommonEarlyRouteMorning/dayEFFORTLESSIlex ForestGoldGrassLv.5-6CommonEarlyForestMorning/dayEFFORTLESSAzalea TownGoldHeadbutting special treesLv.10CommonEarlyCityEASYAzalea TownGoldHeadbutting treesLv.10CommonEarlyCityEFFORTLESSIlex ForestGoldHeadbutting special treesLv.10CommonEarlyForestEASYIlex ForestGoldHeadbutting treesLv.10CommonEarlyForestEFFORTLESSLake of RageGoldHeadbutting special treesLv.10CommonEarlyWaterEASYLake of RageGoldHeadbutting treesLv.10CommonEarlyWaterEFFORTLESSNational ParkGoldGrassLv.10-12CommonEarlyFacilityMorningEFFORTLESSNational ParkGoldGrassLv.10CommonEarlyFacilityDayEFFORTLESSRoute 34GoldHeadbutting special treesLv.10CommonEarlyRouteEASYRoute 34GoldHeadbutting treesLv.10CommonEarlyRouteEFFORTLESSRoute 35GoldHeadbutting special treesLv.10CommonEarlyRouteEASYRoute 35GoldHeadbutting treesLv.10CommonEarlyRouteEFFORTLESSRoute 36GoldHeadbutting special treesLv.10CommonEarlyRouteEASYRoute 36GoldHeadbutting treesLv.10CommonEarlyRouteEFFORTLESSRoute 37GoldHeadbutting special treesLv.10CommonEarlyRouteEASYRoute 37GoldHeadbutting treesLv.10CommonEarlyRouteEFFORTLESSRoute 38GoldHeadbutting special treesLv.10CommonEarlyRouteEASYRoute 38GoldHeadbutting treesLv.10CommonEarlyRouteEFFORTLESSRoute 39GoldHeadbutting special treesLv.10CommonEarlyRouteEASYRoute 39GoldHeadbutting treesLv.10CommonEarlyRouteEASYRoute 26GoldHeadbutting treesLv.10CommonEarlyRouteEFFORTLESSRoute 26GoldHeadbutting special treesLv.10CommonEarlyRouteEFFORTLESSRoute 27GoldHeadbutting special treesLv.10CommonEarlyRouteEASYRoute 27GoldHeadbutting treesLv.10CommonEarlyRouteEASYNational Park - Bug Catching ContestSilverGrassLv.7-18UncommonEarlyFacilityEASYNational Park - Bug Catching ContestGoldGrassLv.7-18UncommonEarlyFacility
Step 2Metapod ✓EFFORTLESSIlex ForestGoldGrassLv.5-6CommonEarlyForestDayEFFORTLESSIlex ForestGoldGrassLv.6CommonEarlyForestMorningEFFORTLESSNational ParkGoldGrassLv.10CommonEarlyFacilityMorning/dayEASYRoute 30GoldGrassLv.4UncommonEarlyRouteMorningEASYRoute 30GoldGrassLv.4-5UncommonEarlyRouteDayEASYRoute 31GoldGrassLv.5UncommonEarlyRouteMorningEASYRoute 31GoldGrassLv.5-6UncommonEarlyRouteDayEASYRoute 2GoldGrassLv.5UncommonEarlyRouteMorning/dayEASYNational Park - Bug Catching ContestSilverGrassLv.9-18UncommonEarlyFacilityEASYNational Park - Bug Catching ContestGoldGrassLv.9-18UncommonEarlyFacilityMODERATEAzalea TownGoldHeadbutting treesLv.10UncommonEarlyCityMODERATEIlex ForestGoldHeadbutting treesLv.10UncommonEarlyForestMODERATELake of RageGoldHeadbutting treesLv.10UncommonEarlyWaterMODERATERoute 34GoldHeadbutting treesLv.10UncommonEarlyRouteMODERATERoute 35GoldHeadbutting treesLv.10UncommonEarlyRouteMODERATERoute 36GoldHeadbutting treesLv.10UncommonEarlyRouteMODERATERoute 37GoldHeadbutting treesLv.10UncommonEarlyRouteMODERATERoute 38GoldHeadbutting treesLv.10UncommonEarlyRouteMODERATERoute 39GoldHeadbutting treesLv.10UncommonEarlyRouteMODERATERoute 26GoldHeadbutting treesLv.10UncommonEarlyRouteMODERATERoute 27GoldHeadbutting treesLv.10UncommonEarlyRouteor evolve from Caterpie (Step 1)
At 205 BST, Metapod is firmly in pre-evolution territory. Evolve it into Butterfree before bringing it to any serious fight.
Watch for Arcanine (Fire), Dodrio (Flying), and Aerodactyl (Rock) when using Metapod. They all hit it super-effectively with STAB. At base 30 Speed, Metapod won't outrun any of these threats so switching to a resist is usually the safer play.
Caterpie evolves into Metapod at level 7. Metapod evolves into Butterfree at level 10. Metapod is a middle-stage evolution in the Caterpie line.
Metapod is leaning toward the special side (base 25 Sp. Atk). Fragile — can't afford to take many hits, too. But the speed tells the real story — base 30 Speed is low. Priority moves or Trick Room are the way to go.
Metapod appears in 19 games, including Yellow, Red & Blue, and Gold & Silver.
Present since Red & Blue, Metapod appears in 19 games spanning 9 generations. Gen 1 originals like Metapod have the longest track record of availability in the series.
- 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 VIIISwSh
Sword & Shield - Gen VIIIPLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen VIIIBDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen IXSV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen IXLZA
Legends: Z-A