Stats & Training
Butterfree's spread isn't flashy. Sp. Atk leads, Attack trails, 2 stats clear the bar. Tough to catch and worth 3 Sp. Atk and Sp. Def EVs, on a medium-fast 1M XP curve.
It loves the honey of flowers and can locate flower patches that have even tiny amounts of pollen.
It loves the honey of flowers and can locate flower patches that have even tiny amounts of pollen.
Butterfree Weakness
Butterfree is weak to Rock, Fire, Electric, Ice, and Flying. Watch out for Rock attacks, those deal 4x damage. On the flip side, it's immune to Ground-type moves entirely. Butterfree's special bulk (base 80 Sp.Def) helps absorb special-type weaknesses, though physical moves exploit the lower Defense.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 4x (Critical) | Rock |
| 2x (Weak) | Fire, Electric, Ice, Flying |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Bug |
| 0.25x (Resist) | Grass, Fighting |
| 0x (Immune) | Ground |
- Fairy type does not exist — Dragon has fewer checks
- Physical / Special split now per-move (introduced Gen IV)
 Farfetch'd Normal | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Butterfree View Farfetch'd builds →Aerial Ace 2x78-93% Peck 2x49-60% | ||
 Pansear Fire | D | |
Obtain MethodDreamyard Gift | ||
 Tepig Fire | D | |
Obtain MethodNuvema Town Gift | ||
 Archen Rock | C | |
Obtain MethodNacrene City Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Butterfree View Archen builds →Wing Attack 2x97-115%KO Pluck 2x97-115%KO Ancient Power 4x110-130%KO Rock Throw 4x170-200%KO | ||
 Aerodactyl Rock | C | |
Obtain MethodNacrene City Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Butterfree View Aerodactyl builds →Thunder Fang 2x67-80% Ice Fang 2x67-80% Fire Fang 2x67-80% Wing Attack 2x93-110%KO | ||
 Tirtouga WaterRock | C | |
Obtain MethodNacrene City Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Butterfree View Tirtouga builds →Ancient Power 4x85-100%KO Rollout 4x85-100%KO | ||
 Roggenrola Rock | C | |
 Omanyte RockWater | D | |
Obtain MethodNacrene City Gift | ||
Archen Rock | C | |
Obtain MethodNacrene City Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Butterfree View Archen builds →Wing Attack 2x94-112%KO Pluck 2x94-112%KO Ancient Power 4x106-125%KO Rock Throw 4x160-188%KO | ||
Aerodactyl Rock | C | |
Obtain MethodNacrene City Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Butterfree View Aerodactyl builds →Thunder Fang 2x66-78% Ice Fang 2x66-78% Fire Fang 2x66-78% Wing Attack 2x91-107%KO | ||
Tirtouga WaterRock | C | |
Obtain MethodNacrene City Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Butterfree View Tirtouga builds →Ancient Power 4x84-99% Rollout 4x84-99% | ||
Roggenrola Rock | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Butterfree View Roggenrola builds →Smack Down 4x121-143%KO Rock Blast 4x67-81% | ||
Omanyte RockWater | D | |
Obtain MethodNacrene City Gift | ||
Archen Rock | C | |
Obtain MethodNacrene City Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Butterfree View Archen builds →Wing Attack 2x92-109%KO Pluck 2x92-109%KO Ancient Power 4x99-117%KO Rock Tomb 4x184-218%KO | ||
Aerodactyl Rock | C | |
Obtain MethodNacrene City Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Butterfree View Aerodactyl builds →Thunder Fang 2x64-75% Ice Fang 2x64-75% Fire Fang 2x64-75% Wing Attack 2x88-105%KO | ||
 Shieldon RockSteel | D | |
Obtain MethodNacrene City Gift | ||
Omanyte RockWater | D | |
Obtain MethodNacrene City Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Butterfree View Omanyte builds →Rock Tomb 4x92-109%KO Rollout 4x52-62% | ||
 Kabuto RockWater | D | |
Obtain MethodNacrene City Gift | ||
Aerodactyl Rock | C | |
Obtain MethodNacrene City Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Butterfree View Aerodactyl builds →Fly 2x134-159%KO Thunder Fang 2x64-76% Ice Fang 2x64-76% Fire Fang 2x64-76% | ||
Archen Rock | C | |
Obtain MethodNacrene City Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Butterfree View Archen builds →Wing Attack 2x97-114%KO Pluck 2x97-114%KO Ancient Power 4x99-117%KO Rock Tomb 4x193-228%KO | ||
Shieldon RockSteel | D | |
Obtain MethodNacrene City Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Butterfree View Shieldon builds →Ancient Power 4x70-83% Rock Tomb 4x93-110%KO | ||
Omanyte RockWater | D | |
Obtain MethodNacrene City Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Butterfree View Omanyte builds →Rock Tomb 4x93-110%KO Rollout 4x52-62% | ||
Kabuto RockWater | D | |
Obtain MethodNacrene City Gift | ||
Aerodactyl Rock | C | |
Obtain MethodNacrene City Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Butterfree View Aerodactyl builds →Fly 2x139-164%KO Thunder Fang 2x68-80% Ice Fang 2x68-80% Fire Fang 2x68-80% | ||
Archen Rock | C | |
Obtain MethodNacrene City Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Butterfree View Archen builds →Wing Attack 2x99-118%KO Pluck 2x99-118%KO Ancient Power 4x105-124%KO Rock Tomb 4x199-235%KO | ||
 Boldore Rock | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Butterfree View Boldore builds →Power Gem 4x105-124%KO Rock Slide 4x231-272%KO Rock Tomb 4x189-223%KO Smack Down 4x158-186%KO | ||
Shieldon RockSteel | D | |
Obtain MethodNacrene City Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Butterfree View Shieldon builds →Ancient Power 4x73-87% Rock Tomb 4x99-118%KO | ||
Omanyte RockWater | D | |
Obtain MethodNacrene City Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Butterfree View Omanyte builds →Rock Tomb 4x94-111%KO Rollout 4x53-62% | ||
Archen Rock | C | |
Obtain MethodNacrene City Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Butterfree View Archen builds →Rock Slide 4x233-275%KO Wing Attack 2x93-109%KO Pluck 2x93-109%KO Ancient Power 4x100-118%KO | ||
Aerodactyl Rock | C | |
Obtain MethodNacrene City Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Butterfree View Aerodactyl builds →Fire Blast 2x49-58% Fly 2x131-154%KO Rock Slide 4x219-258%KO Thunder Fang 2x64-75% | ||
 Crustle BugRock | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Butterfree View Crustle builds →Rock Slide 4x219-258%KO Aerial Ace 2x58-69% Rock Tomb 4x176-207%KO Smack Down 4x148-174%KO | ||
Boldore Rock | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Butterfree View Boldore builds →Power Gem 4x100-118%KO Rock Slide 4x219-258%KO Rock Tomb 4x176-207%KO Smack Down 4x148-174%KO | ||
 Anorith RockBug | D | |
Obtain MethodNacrene City Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Butterfree View Anorith builds →Rock Slide 4x205-241%KO Ancient Power 4x66-79% Rock Tomb 4x166-196%KO Aerial Ace 2x55-65% | ||
Archen Rock | C | |
Obtain MethodNacrene City Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Butterfree View Archen builds →Rock Slide 4x239-282%KO Wing Attack 2x96-113%KO Pluck 2x96-113%KO Ancient Power 4x100-118%KO | ||
Aerodactyl Rock | C | |
Obtain MethodNacrene City Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Butterfree View Aerodactyl builds →Fire Blast 2x50-60% Fly 2x135-159%KO Rock Slide 4x226-267%KO Thunder Fang 2x65-77% | ||
Crustle BugRock | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Butterfree View Crustle builds →Rock Slide 4x226-267%KO Aerial Ace 2x61-72% Rock Tomb 4x183-215%KO Smack Down 4x152-179%KO | ||
Boldore Rock | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Butterfree View Boldore builds →Power Gem 4x100-118%KO Rock Slide 4x226-267%KO Rock Tomb 4x183-215%KO Smack Down 4x152-179%KO | ||
Anorith RockBug | D | |
Obtain MethodNacrene City Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Butterfree View Anorith builds →Rock Slide 4x209-246%KO Ancient Power 4x65-77% Rock Tomb 4x169-200%KO Aerial Ace 2x56-67% | ||
In Black & White, Dragonite can KO Butterfree with Outrage (146-172%). Volcarona threatens a KO with Fire Blast (171-201%). Terrakion's Stone Edge also KOs at 434-510%.
 Dragonite Dragon | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityMultiscale ItemLum Berry NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Butterfree View Dragonite builds →Extreme Speed65-77% Outrage146-172%KO | ||
 Volcarona BugFire | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityFlame Body ItemLum Berry NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Butterfree View Volcarona builds →Giga Drain10-11% Fire Blast 2x171-201%KO | ||
 Terrakion RockFighting | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityJustified ItemFocus Sash NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Butterfree View Terrakion builds →Close Combat32-38% Stone Edge 4x434-510%KO | ||
 Magnezone ElectricSteel | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityMagnetpull ItemAir Balloon NatureModest Moves
Damage vs Butterfree View Magnezone builds →Thunderbolt 2x149-176%KO Flash Cannon66-78% Volt Switch 2x116-137%KO | ||
 Mamoswine IceGround | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityThickfat ItemChoice Band NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Butterfree View Mamoswine builds →Ice Shard 2x144-170%KO Superpower36-42% | ||
Black & White Evolution
Butterfree is the final form in a three-stage chain from Caterpie through Metapod. Breeding this form produces Caterpie eggs (quick to hatch). Evolving from Caterpie gave Butterfree the biggest boost in Sp.Atk (+60), bringing the total to 385 stats. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
Breed with Butterfree to get Caterpie eggs easily using 65 partners from the Bug egg group.
Black & White Butterfree Best Moveset
Psychic coverage is what separates a good sweep from a wasted boost. After Quiver Dance, Butterfree threatens a wide range with max Sp. Atk and Speed EVs and Focus Sash backing every hit.
Best Build
Butterfree best EVs are Sp. Atk and Speed
Special Setup Sweeper Moveset
- Quiver Dance
- Bug Buzz
- Psychic
- Stun Spore
Recommended Teammates
Moves
Butterfree develops a solid moveset just through leveling. Bug Buzz and Dream Eater show up naturally, and the progression handles both STAB and utility without leaning on TMs for the core attacks.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Reminder Moves
Transfer Moves
How to Get Butterfree in Black & White
moderate rates is the best you'll get on Butterfree in endgame routes. Use the sort toggle below. Best shows where the odds peak, Earliest shows where you can access it soonest in your playthrough.
Where To Catch Butterfree in Black & White
Caterpie is your first catch on the way to Butterfree. You'll find walking encounters from Lv. 48-58 across 3 total spots in the chain.
Butterfree Guide
In Black & White, Butterfree's biggest threats include Golem (Rock), Charizard (Fire), and Raikou (Electric), all carrying super-effective STAB moves. Golem is the most dangerous since Rock moves deal 4x damage. Ice and Flying-type attackers are also a problem. With 5 weakness types, most competitive teams carry at least one counter.
Honestly, in Black & White Butterfree is a tough sell at 385 BST. Plenty of stronger Bug/Flying options exist. Fun pick, not a practical one.
In Black & White, Don't let Butterfree's 385 base stat total fool you. Tinted Lens is what makes it tick. It punches way above its weight class. We rate it C-Tier. Quiver Dance with Focus Sash is the standard set.
In Black & White, Run Tinted Lens on Butterfree. It's the ability that defines how you build around it and the main reason it holds a competitive niche. Butterfree also gets Compound Eyes, but they don't compare.
Game Availability
Butterfree first appeared in Red & Blue and spans 19 games across 10 generations. It later gained a Gigantamax form in Generation 8, adding new dimensions to its competitive identity.
Click a game to view version-specific details
- Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 1RBDebut
Red & Blue - Gen 2GS
Gold & Silver - Gen 2C
Crystal - Gen 3RS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen 3FRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen 3E
Emerald - Gen 4Pt
Platinum - Gen 4HGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen 4DP
Diamond & Pearl - Gen 5BW
Black & White - Gen 5B2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen 6XY
X & Y - Gen 6ORAS
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen 7USUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen 7SM
Sun & Moon - Gen 7LGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen 8SwShGigantamax
Sword & Shield - Gen 8PLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen 8BDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen 9SV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen 9LZA
Legends: Z-A - Gen 10WW
Winds & Waves