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.
Its shell is filled with its soft innards. It doesn’t move much because of the risk it might carelessly spill its innards out.
Its shell is hard, but it’s still just a bug shell. It’s been known to break, so intense battles with it should be avoided.
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.
Metapod sits between Caterpie and Butterfree in this three-stage line. Not the final form yet. For breeding, quick to hatch with no compatible partners 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 from the Bug egg group.
Best Build
No build content available for this Pokemon in Gen 7.
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
moderate rates for Metapod across 10 locations in early-game routes. Nothing complicated. Check the sorted list below, compare the top few options, and head to whichever is closest.
Where To Catch Metapod in Sun & Moon
The path to Metapod starts with Caterpie at Lv. 2-21 via walking encounters. 2 catchable stages total, with locations listed for each one below.
Step 1Catch CaterpieEASYRoute 1 - EastSunGrassLv.2-320%EarlyRouteEASYRoute 1 - EastMoonGrassLv.2-320%EarlyRouteMODERATERoute 1 - WestSunGrassLv.3-510%EarlyRouteMODERATERoute 1 - WestMoonGrassLv.3-510%EarlyRouteRoute 1 - WestSunGrassLv.3-5EarlyRouteSOS from MetapodRoute 1 - WestMoonGrassLv.3-5EarlyRouteSOS from MetapodMODERATEMelemele MeadowSunGrassLv.9-1210%EarlyMODERATEMelemele MeadowMoonGrassLv.9-1210%EarlyMelemele MeadowSunGrassLv.9-12EarlySOS from MetapodMelemele MeadowMoonGrassLv.9-12EarlySOS from MetapodMODERATERoute 1 - SouthSunGrassLv.10-1310%EarlyRouteMODERATERoute 1 - SouthMoonGrassLv.10-1310%EarlyRouteRoute 1 - SouthSunGrassLv.10-13EarlyRouteSOS from MetapodRoute 1 - SouthMoonGrassLv.10-13EarlyRouteSOS from MetapodMODERATERoute 5SunGrassLv.13-1610%EarlyRouteMODERATERoute 5MoonGrassLv.13-1610%EarlyRouteRoute 5SunGrassLv.13-16EarlyRouteSOS from MetapodRoute 5MoonGrassLv.13-16EarlyRouteSOS from MetapodMODERATELush Jungle - SouthSunGrassLv.18-2110%MidForestMODERATELush Jungle - SouthMoonGrassLv.18-2110%MidForestLush Jungle - SouthMoonGrassLv.18-21MidForestSOS from MetapodLush Jungle - SouthSunGrassLv.18-21MidForestSOS from Metapod
Step 2Metapod ✓MODERATERoute 1 - WestSunGrassLv.3-510%EarlyRouteMODERATERoute 1 - WestMoonGrassLv.3-510%EarlyRouteMODERATERoute 1 - SouthSunGrassLv.10-1310%EarlyRouteMODERATERoute 1 - SouthMoonGrassLv.10-1310%EarlyRouteMODERATEMelemele MeadowMoonGrassLv.9-129%EarlyMODERATEMelemele MeadowSunGrassLv.9-129%EarlyMODERATERoute 5SunGrassLv.13-169%EarlyRouteMODERATERoute 5MoonGrassLv.13-169%EarlyRouteMODERATELush Jungle - SouthMoonGrassLv.18-2110%MidForestMODERATELush Jungle - SouthSunGrassLv.18-2110%MidForestor 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