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.
- Fairy type does not exist — Dragon has fewer checks
- Physical / Special split now per-move (introduced Gen IV)
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 47 partners from the Bug egg group.
Best Build
No build content available for this Pokemon in Gen 4.
Try selecting a different game/generation filter, or check back later.
A compact toolkit overall. The offense runs through Bug Bite 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
high spawn rates in early-game routes across 14 locations. Metapod's one of the easier catches on the list. Two different catch methods are in play here. Knock it out fast and save your time for harder targets.
Where To Catch Metapod in HeartGold & SoulSilver
Caterpie is your first catch on the way to Metapod. You'll find walking and headbutt encounters from Lv. 2-36 across 28 total spots in the chain.
Step 1Catch CaterpieEFFORTLESSRoute 30HeartGoldGrassLv.2-4CommonEarlyRouteDayEFFORTLESSRoute 30HeartGoldGrassLv.3-4CommonEarlyRouteMorningEFFORTLESSRoute 2 - NorthHeartGoldGrassLv.3-4CommonEarlyRouteMorning/dayEFFORTLESSRoute 2 - SouthHeartGoldGrassLv.3-4CommonEarlyRouteMorning/dayEFFORTLESSViridian ForestHeartGoldGrassLv.3CommonEarlyForestMorning/dayEFFORTLESSRoute 31HeartGoldGrassLv.4-5CommonEarlyRouteMorning/dayEFFORTLESSIlex ForestHeartGoldGrassLv.5-6CommonEarlyForestMorning/dayEFFORTLESSNational ParkHeartGoldGrassLv.10-12CommonEarlyFacilityMorningEFFORTLESSNational ParkHeartGoldGrassLv.10CommonEarlyFacilityDayEASYNational Park - Bug Catching ContestHeartGoldGrassLv.7-18UncommonEarlyFacilityBefore post-gameEASYNational Park - Bug Catching ContestSoulSilverGrassLv.7-18UncommonEarlyFacilityBefore post-gameLEGENDARYIlex ForestHeartGoldHeadbutting treesLv.3-5LimitedEarlyForestEASYNational Park - Bug Catching ContestHeartGoldGrassLv.24-36UncommonMidFacilityPost-game (Tue)EASYNational Park - Bug Catching ContestSoulSilverGrassLv.24-36UncommonMidFacilityPost-game (Tue)
Step 2Metapod ✓EFFORTLESSViridian ForestHeartGoldGrassLv.3-5CommonEarlyForestMorning/dayEFFORTLESSIlex ForestHeartGoldGrassLv.5-6CommonEarlyForestDayEFFORTLESSIlex ForestHeartGoldGrassLv.6CommonEarlyForestMorningEFFORTLESSNational ParkHeartGoldGrassLv.10CommonEarlyFacilityMorning/dayEASYRoute 30HeartGoldGrassLv.4UncommonEarlyRouteMorning/dayEASYRoute 31HeartGoldGrassLv.5UncommonEarlyRouteMorning/dayEASYRoute 2 - NorthHeartGoldGrassLv.5UncommonEarlyRouteMorningEASYRoute 2 - SouthHeartGoldGrassLv.5UncommonEarlyRouteMorning/dayEASYNational Park - Bug Catching ContestHeartGoldGrassLv.9-18UncommonEarlyFacilityBefore post-gameEASYNational Park - Bug Catching ContestSoulSilverGrassLv.9-18UncommonEarlyFacilityBefore post-gameLEGENDARYIlex ForestHeartGoldHeadbutting treesLv.3-5LimitedEarlyForestEASYNational Park - Bug Catching ContestHeartGoldGrassLv.26-36UncommonMidFacilityPost-game (Tue)EASYNational Park - Bug Catching ContestSoulSilverGrassLv.26-36UncommonMidFacilityPost-game (Tue)HARDRoute 47HeartGoldHeadbutting special treesLv.25-28LimitedMidRouteor 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.
Shed Skin has a 33% chance of curing any major status ailment after each turn — that's the one you want on Metapod. It's the only ability Metapod has.
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