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.
It is waiting for the moment to evolve. At this stage, it can only harden, so it remains motionless to avoid attack.
Even though it is encased in a sturdy shell, the body inside is tender. It can’t withstand a harsh attack.
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 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 8.
Try selecting a different game/generation filter, or check back later.
A compact toolkit overall. The offense runs through Bug STAB for Metapod, with Electric coverage doing what it can. Don't expect versatility from this one.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
moderate rates across 45 locations for Metapod in early-game routes. Scroll the sorted list below and pick whichever spot sits closest to your current route. The rate differences between locations are worth comparing.
Where To Catch Metapod in Sword & Shield
The path to Metapod starts with Caterpie at Lv. 2-10 via walking encounters. 2 catchable stages total, with locations listed for each one below.
Step 1Catch CaterpieEASYRoute 1SwordGrassLv.2-515%EarlyRouteAll WeatherEASYRoute 1ShieldGrassLv.2-515%EarlyRouteAll Weather
Step 2Metapod ✓MODERATERolling FieldsSwordOverworldLv.7-1010%EarlySnowingMODERATERolling FieldsShieldOverworldLv.7-1010%EarlyIntense SunMODERATERolling FieldsSwordOverworldLv.7-1010%EarlySandstormMODERATERolling FieldsShieldOverworldLv.7-1010%EarlySnowingMODERATERolling FieldsSwordOverworldLv.7-1010%EarlyRainingMODERATERolling FieldsShieldOverworldLv.7-1010%EarlySandstormMODERATERolling FieldsSwordOverworldLv.7-1010%EarlyHeavy FogMODERATERolling FieldsShieldOverworldLv.7-1010%EarlyRainingMODERATERolling FieldsSwordOverworldLv.7-1010%EarlyOvercastMODERATERolling FieldsShieldOverworldLv.7-1010%EarlyHeavy FogMODERATERolling FieldsSwordOverworldLv.7-1010%EarlyNormal WeatherMODERATERolling FieldsShieldOverworldLv.7-1010%EarlyOvercastMODERATERolling FieldsSwordOverworldLv.7-1010%EarlySnowstormMODERATERolling FieldsShieldOverworldLv.7-1010%EarlyNormal WeatherMODERATERolling FieldsShieldOverworldLv.7-1010%EarlySnowstormMODERATERolling FieldsSwordOverworldLv.7-1010%EarlyThunderstormMODERATERolling FieldsSwordOverworldLv.7-1010%EarlyIntense SunMODERATERolling FieldsShieldOverworldLv.7-1010%EarlyThunderstormMODERATERolling Fields - 2SwordOverworldLv.7-1010%EarlyIntense SunMODERATERolling Fields - 2ShieldOverworldLv.7-1010%EarlyThunderstormMODERATERolling Fields - 2SwordOverworldLv.7-1010%EarlySnowingMODERATERolling Fields - 2ShieldOverworldLv.7-1010%EarlyIntense SunMODERATERolling Fields - 2SwordOverworldLv.7-1010%EarlySandstormMODERATERolling Fields - 2ShieldOverworldLv.7-1010%EarlySnowingMODERATERolling Fields - 2SwordOverworldLv.7-1010%EarlyRainingMODERATERolling Fields - 2ShieldOverworldLv.7-1010%EarlySandstormMODERATERolling Fields - 2SwordOverworldLv.7-1010%EarlyHeavy FogMODERATERolling Fields - 2ShieldOverworldLv.7-1010%EarlyRainingMODERATERolling Fields - 2SwordOverworldLv.7-1010%EarlyOvercastMODERATERolling Fields - 2ShieldOverworldLv.7-1010%EarlyHeavy FogMODERATERolling Fields - 2SwordOverworldLv.7-1010%EarlyNormal WeatherMODERATERolling Fields - 2ShieldOverworldLv.7-1010%EarlyOvercastMODERATERolling Fields - 2SwordOverworldLv.7-1010%EarlySnowstormMODERATERolling Fields - 2ShieldOverworldLv.7-1010%EarlyNormal WeatherMODERATERolling Fields - 2ShieldOverworldLv.7-1010%EarlySnowstormMODERATERolling Fields - 2SwordOverworldLv.7-1010%EarlyThunderstormCHALLENGINGRolling FieldsShieldGrassLv.7-105%EarlyHeavy FogCHALLENGINGRolling FieldsSwordGrassLv.7-95%EarlyNormal WeatherCHALLENGINGRolling FieldsShieldGrassLv.7-105%EarlyOvercastCHALLENGINGRolling FieldsSwordGrassLv.7-95%EarlyThunderstormCHALLENGINGRolling FieldsSwordGrassLv.7-95%EarlyRainingCHALLENGINGRolling FieldsShieldGrassLv.7-105%EarlyThunderstormCHALLENGINGRolling FieldsSwordGrassLv.7-95%EarlyHeavy FogCHALLENGINGRolling FieldsShieldGrassLv.7-105%EarlyRainingCHALLENGINGRolling FieldsSwordGrassLv.7-95%EarlyOvercastor 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