Physical
Balanced
30Speed · Very Slow

Is Metapod Good in FireRed & LeafGreen Playthrough?

Grinding through Viridian Forest, Metapod's AbilityShed Skin has a chance to shake off poison or paralysis each turn. A quality-of-life upgrade over the originals where status lingered until you healed it. Push to level 10 for Butterfree. The cocoon stage passes faster than it feels.

StrongGoodEvenToughBadETTGGGEGGGETEBrockGym 1MistyGym 2SurgeGym 3ErikaGym 4KogaGym 5SabrinaGym 6BlaineGym 7GiovanniGym 8LoreleiE4BrunoE4AgathaE4LanceE4TerryChamp*
Brock
Gym 1
Even

Butterfree trades roughly evenly with Brock's team.

Even
Geodude
Lv 12
RockGround
Rock Head
TackleDefense Curl
Risky
Onix
Lv 14
RockGround
Rock Head
TackleBindRock Tomb
Misty
Gym 2
Tough

Misty's typing presses Butterfree's defenses.

Even
Staryu
Lv 18
Water
Illuminate
TackleHardenRecoverWater Pulse
Avoid
Starmie
Lv 21
WaterPsychic
Illuminate
SwiftRecoverRapid SpinWater Pulse
Lt. Surge
Gym 3
Tough

Lt. Surge's team hits Butterfree's weaknesses hard.

Even
Voltorb
Lv 21
Electric
Soundproof
Sonic BoomTackleScreechShock Wave
Even
Pikachu
Lv 18
Electric
Static
Quick AttackThunder WaveDouble TeamShock Wave
Risky
Raichu
Lv 24
Electric
Static
Quick AttackThunder WaveDouble TeamShock Wave
Erika
Gym 4
Good

Butterfree has the type edge here and should clean up Erika's team.

You Win
Victreebel
Lv 29
GrassPoison
Chlorophyll
Stun SporeAcidPoison PowderGiga Drain
Even
Tangela
Lv 24
Grass
Chlorophyll
Poison PowderConstrictIngrainGiga Drain
You Win
Vileplume
Lv 29
GrassPoison
Chlorophyll
Sleep PowderAcidStun SporeGiga Drain
Koga
Gym 5
Good

Butterfree has the type edge here and should clean up Koga's team.

You Win
Koffing
Lv 37
Poison
Levitate
Self DestructSludgeSmokescreenToxic
You Win
Muk
Lv 39
Poison
Stench
MinimizeSludgeAcid ArmorToxic
You Win
Koffing
Lv 37
Poison
Levitate
Self DestructSludgeSmokescreenToxic
You Win
Weezing
Lv 43
Poison
Levitate
TackleSludgeSmokescreenToxic
Sabrina
Gym 6
Good

Butterfree has the type edge here and should clean up Sabrina's team.

You Win
Kadabra
Lv 38
Psychic
Synchronize
PsybeamReflectFuture SightCalm Mind
You Win
Mr Mime
Lv 37
PsychicFairy
Soundproof
BarrierPsybeamBaton PassCalm Mind
You Win
Venomoth
Lv 38
BugPoison
Shield Dust
PsybeamGustLeech LifeSupersonic
Even
Alakazam
Lv 43
Psychic
Synchronize
PsychicRecoverFuture SightCalm Mind
Blaine
Gym 7
Even

Butterfree trades roughly evenly with Blaine's team.

Even
Growlithe
Lv 42
Fire
Intimidate
BiteRoarTake DownFire Blast
Even
Ponyta
Lv 40
Fire
Run Away
StompBounceFire SpinFire Blast
Risky
Rapidash
Lv 42
Fire
Run Away
StompBounceFire SpinFire Blast
Risky
Arcanine
Lv 47
Fire
Intimidate
BiteRoarTake DownFire Blast
Giovanni
Gym 8
Good

Butterfree has the type edge here and should clean up Giovanni's team.

Easy KO
Rhyhorn
Lv 45
GroundRock
Lightning Rod
Take DownRock BlastScary FaceEarthquake
You Win
Dugtrio
Lv 42
Ground
Sand Veil
SlashSand TombMud SlapEarthquake
You Win
Nidoqueen
Lv 44
PoisonGround
Poison Point
Body SlamDouble KickPoison StingEarthquake
Even
Nidoking
Lv 45
PoisonGround
Poison Point
ThrashDouble KickPoison StingEarthquake
Easy KO
Rhyhorn
Lv 50
GroundRock
Lightning Rod
Take DownRock BlastScary FaceEarthquake
Lorelei
Elite Four
Good

Butterfree has the type edge here and should clean up Lorelei's team.

You Win
Dewgong
Lv 52
WaterIce
Thick Fat
Ice BeamSurfHailSafeguard
Easy KO
Cloyster
Lv 51
WaterIce
Shell Armor
SpikesProtectHailDive
You Win
Slowbro
Lv 52
WaterPsychic
Oblivious
Ice BeamSurfAmnesiaYawn
You Win
Jynx
Lv 54
IcePsychic
Oblivious
Ice PunchDouble SlapLovely KissAttract
You Win
Lapras
Lv 54
WaterIce
Water Absorb
Confuse RayIce BeamSurfBody Slam
Bruno
Elite Four
Good

Butterfree has the type edge here and should clean up Bruno's team.

Easy KO
Onix
Lv 51
RockGround
Rock Head
EarthquakeRock TombIron TailRoar
Even
Hitmonchan
Lv 53
Fighting
Keen Eye
Sky UppercutMach PunchRock TombCounter
Even
Hitmonlee
Lv 53
Fighting
Limber
Mega KickForesightBrick BreakFacade
Easy KO
Onix
Lv 54
RockGround
Rock Head
Double EdgeEarthquakeIron TailSand Tomb
Even
Machamp
Lv 56
Fighting
Guts
Cross ChopBulk UpScary FaceRock Tomb
Agatha
Elite Four
Even

Butterfree trades roughly evenly with Agatha's team.

Even
Gengar
Lv 54
GhostPoison
Levitate
Shadow PunchConfuse RayToxicDouble Team
Even
Golbat
Lv 54
PoisonFlying
Inner Focus
Confuse RayPoison FangAir CutterBite
Even
Haunter
Lv 53
GhostPoison
Levitate
HypnosisDream EaterCurseMean Look
Even
Arbok
Lv 56
Poison
Intimidate
Sludge BombScreechIron TailBite
Even
Gengar
Lv 58
GhostPoison
Levitate
Shadow BallSludge BombHypnosisNightmare
Lance
Elite Four
Tough

Lance's team hits Butterfree's weaknesses hard.

Risky
Gyarados
Lv 56
WaterFlying
Intimidate
Hyper BeamDragon RageTwisterBite
Even
Dragonair
Lv 54
Dragon
Shed Skin
Hyper BeamSafeguardDragon RageOutrage
Even
Dragonair
Lv 54
Dragon
Shed Skin
Hyper BeamSafeguardThunder WaveOutrage
Avoid
Aerodactyl
Lv 58
RockFlying
Rock Head
Hyper BeamAncient PowerWing AttackScary Face
Risky
Dragonite
Lv 60
DragonFlying
Inner Focus
Hyper BeamSafeguardOutrageWing Attack
Terry
Champion
Even

Butterfree trades roughly evenly with Terry's team.

You Win
Heracross
Lv 72
BugFighting
Swarm
MegahornEarthquakeCounterRock Tomb
You Win
Alakazam
Lv 73
Psychic
Synchronize
PsychicShadow BallCalm MindReflect
Even
Tyranitar
Lv 72
RockDark
Sand Stream
CrunchEarthquakeThunderboltAerial Ace
Risky
Gyarados
Lv 73
WaterFlying
Intimidate
Hydro PumpDragon DanceEarthquakeHyper Beam
Risky
Arcanine
Lv 73
Fire
Intimidate
Extreme SpeedOverheatAerial AceIron Tail
You Win
Venusaur
Lv 75
GrassPoison
Overgrow
Solar BeamSludge BombEarthquakeSunny Day
Catch Caterpie
Available before Badge 1
Type
Bug
Tier
F

Catch Caterpie on Route 2 (walking, Lv 4-5, rare).

View Caterpie locations

Recommended Moves
  • STARTING (Lv 4)
    • LV 4NormalTackle40100%35

How to Get Metapod in FireRed & LeafGreen

Don't count on finding wild Metapod easily. Eight early-game grass encounters in both versions, and every one is rare or uncommon.

4 locations to catch Metapod

Encountered via tall grass encounters

Badge 1
Badge 2
Badge 3
Badge 4
Badge 5
Badge 6
Badge 7
Badge 8
Post-Game

Where To Catch Metapod in FRLG

Caterpie is your first catch on the way to Metapod. You'll find walking encounters from Lv. 3-9 across 18 total spots in the chain.

  1. Butterfree
    Step 3Evolve into Butterfree
    BREEDING
    Available
    Leave a compatible parent at the Four Island Pokemon Day Care to receive a Butterfree egg. Requires the Rainbow Pass to access Four Island.

Metapod Weakness

Metapod's Bug typing leaves it vulnerable to Fire, Flying, and Rock. Metapod's physical bulk (base 55 Def) helps cushion physical weakness hits, but special attackers are the bigger threat.

Metapod Weakness and Resistance Chart
DamageTypes
2x (Weak)Fire, Flying, Rock
0.5x (Resist)Grass, Fighting, Ground
Gen III Type Chart
  • Dark and Steel types added — Fairy does not exist yet
  • Moves are Physical or Special based on type, not per move

What is Metapod Weak Against

Avg
3Weak
3Resist
0Immune
Score-3
4xCritical
None
¼xResist
None
0xImmune
None

What is Metapod Strong Against

3Strong
6Resisted
0Immune
Score-3

Best Pokemon Against Metapod

Metapod Evolutions

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. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.

How to Evolve

3 Forms
Stat Comparison 3 Stages
Metapod
Bug
Butterfree
BugFlying
HP
45
50+5
60+10
ATK
30
20-10
45+25
DEF
35
55+20
50-5
SP.ATK
20
25+5
90+65
SP.DEF
20
25+5
80+55
SPE
45
30-15
70+40
BST
195D-Tier
205D-Tier+10
395C-Tier+190
ROLE
Balanced
Balanced
Balanced
TYPE
Utility
Utility
Special

Breeding

Very Easy

Breed with Metapod to get Caterpie eggs easily using 37 partners from the Bug egg group.

Egg Groups
Gender
50.0%50.0%
Hatch Time
15 cycles·3,855 steps
Quick~4 min with Flame Body
Breed With (best first)
flygonmasquerainvolbeatillumiseparasectvibravaparastrapinchsurskitshuckleforretressvenomoth

FRLG Metapod Best Moveset

Bug cocoon with AbilityShed Skin curing status occasionally. Harden is the signature option. Nothing in the moveset contributes at any level of play.

Best Build

Experimental
Utility
Ability
Shed Skin
Item
Nothing
Best Nature for Metapod
Quiet+SPA

Metapod best EVs are HP and Sp. Atk

EVs

Utility Moveset

  • TackleCoverage
  • String ShotSTAB
  • HardenUtility

Moves List

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

Lv 1
Harden
S30Normal
Lv 7
Harden
S30Normal

TM Moves

Metapod can't learn any TM moves

Egg Moves

Metapod doesn't have any Egg moves

Tutor Moves

Metapod can't learn any Tutor moves

Reminder Moves

Rem
Rem
String Shot
S9540Bug
Rem
Tackle
S409535Normal

Base Stats

Base Stats
Below
HP50
D
Attack20
F
Defense55
D
Sp. Atk25
F
Sp. Def25
F
Speed30
F
Total205
Details
Catch Rate
Moderate120 / 255
Growth Rate
Medium Fast1M XP
Height0.7 m
Weight9.9 kg
Base XP72
Abilities
Shed Skin
Has a 33% chance of curing any major status ailment after each turn.
EV Yield
HPAtkDef+2SpASpDSpe
Defense training target
Pokedex Entry

Even though it is encased in a sturdy shell, the body inside is tender. It can’t withstand a harsh attack.

This POKéMON is vulnerable to attack while its shell is soft, exposing its weak and tender body.

Metapod FireRed & LeafGreen Guide

  • Metapod can be caught in the wild at Viridian Forest, Route 24, Pattern Bush, and Route 25 in Pokemon FireRed & LeafGreen.

Game Availability

Present since Red & Blue, Metapod appears in 19 games spanning 10 generations. Gen 1 originals like Metapod have the longest track record of availability in the series.

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