What is Butterfree weak to?

In Gold & Silver, 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.

How do you evolve Butterfree?

In Gold & Silver, Metapod evolves into Butterfree at level 10. Butterfree is the final evolution in a 3-stage line starting from Caterpie .

Should I use Butterfree?

Honestly, in Gold & Silver Butterfree is a tough sell at 385 BST. Plenty of stronger Bug/Flying options exist. Fun pick, not a practical one.

In Gold & Silver, Butterfree has a 385 base stat total and ranks as C-Tier: a niche pick in Gold & Silver's meta. It works best as a balanced. Sleep Powder with Leftovers is the standard set.

What are Butterfree's strengths?

In Gold & Silver, Bug/Flying typing gives Butterfree 4 resistances plus Ground immunity. Base 80 Sp. Atk is the standout stat. Dual typing means STAB coverage on both Bug and Flying moves.

Butterfree - Weakness, Evolution, Moveset, EVs & Stats

Physical

Balanced

CTier

70Speed · Below Avg

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 stat exp, on a medium-fast 1M XP curve.

Base Stats

Avg

HP60

Attack45

Defense50

Sp. Atk80

Sp. Def80

Speed70

Total385

Details

Catch Rate

Challenging45 / 255

Growth Rate

Medium Fast1M XP

Height1.1 m

Weight32.0 kg

Base XP178

Abilities

Abilities were introduced in Generation III. Shown below for reference.

Compound Eyes

Increases moves' accuracy to 1.3×.

Tinted LensHA

Doubles damage inflicted with not-very-effective moves.

EV Yield

HPAtkDefSpA+2SpD+1Spe

Strong Special Attack training target

Pokedex Entries

It collects honey every day. It rubs honey onto the hairs on its legs to carry it back to its nest.

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.

Butterfree Weakness and Resistance Chart
Damage	Types
4x (Critical)	Rock
2x (Weak)	Fire, Electric, Ice, Flying
0.5x (Resist)	Bug
0.25x (Resist)	Grass, Fighting
0x (Immune)	Ground

Type ChartVulnerable

5Weak

3Resist

1Immune

Score-4

Gen II Type Chart

Dark and Steel types added — Fairy does not exist yet
Moves are Physical or Special based on type, not per move
Special stat split into Sp.Atk and Sp.Def

4xCritical

Rock

2xWeak

Fire Electric Ice Flying

½xResist

Bug

¼xResist

Grass Fighting

0xImmune

Ground

STAB (5)

Grass Psychic Dark Fighting Bug

How to Beat Butterfree in Gold & Silver (Best Counters)

Onix RockGround	C
Available Move Moves Rock ThrowLv. 14 Damage vs Butterfree Rock Throw 4x 90-108%KO View Onix builds →
Geodude RockGround	C
Available Move Moves Rock ThrowLv. 11 Damage vs Butterfree Rock Throw 4x 132-156%KO View Geodude builds →
Natu PsychicFlying	D
Available Move Moves PeckLv. 1 Damage vs Butterfree Peck 2x 34-42% View Natu builds →
Cyndaquil Fire	D
Obtain MethodNew Bark Town Gift Available Move Moves EmberLv. 12 Damage vs Butterfree Ember 2x 34-42% View Cyndaquil builds →
Mareep Electric	D
Available Move Moves Thunder ShockLv. 9 Damage vs Butterfree Thunder Shock 2x 34-42% View Mareep builds →

Gold & Silver 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

3 Forms

#010Caterpie

Level 7

#011Metapod

Level 10

#012Butterfree

Stat Comparison 3 Stages

Caterpie

Bug

Metapod

Bug

Butterfree

BugFlying

50+5

60+10

ATK

20-10

45+25

DEF

55+20

50-5

SP.ATK

25+5

90+65

SP.DEF

25+5

80+55

SPE

30-15

70+40

BST

195D-Tier

205D-Tier+10

395C-Tier+190

ROLE

Balanced

TYPE

Utility

Special

Breeding

Very Easy

Breed with Butterfree to get Caterpie eggs easily using 23 partners from the Bug egg group.

Egg Groups

Bug

Gender

♂50.0%♀50.0%

Hatch Time

15 cycles·3,855 steps

Quick~4 min with Flame Body

Breed With (best first)

Gold & Silver Butterfree Best Moveset

Best Build

Experimental

Support

Ability

Not in Gen 2

Item

LeftoversSUSTAIN

Nature

Not in Gen 2

Support Moveset

Sleep Powder
PsychicCoverage
Stun Spore
Giga Drain

Recommended Teammates

StarmieDecent

BeedrillDecent

LedianDecent

Moves

TMs define Butterfree's movepool. The natural moves cover basics with Gust, but the real versatility comes from technical machines giving it Psychic and Normal coverage. That's where the options open up.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1

Confusion

D5010025Psychic

Lv 10

Confusion

D5010025Psychic

Lv 13

Poison Powder

——7535Poison

Lv 14

Stun Spore

A—7530Grass

Lv 15

Sleep Powder

S—7515Grass

Lv 18

Supersonic

——5520Normal

Lv 23

Whirlwind-6

C——20Normal

Lv 28

Gust

—4010035Flying

Lv 34

Psybeam

—6510020Psychic

Lv 40

Safeguard

D——25Normal

TM Moves

TM45

Attract

D—10015Normal

TM03

Curse

C——10Ghost

TM32

Double Team

———15Normal

TM20

Endure+4

D——10Normal

HM05

Flash

D—7020Normal

TM21

Frustration

D—10020Normal

TM19

Giga Drain

A751005Grass

TM10

Hidden Power

—6010015Normal

TM15

Hyper Beam

C150905Normal

TM50

Nightmare

——10015Ghost

TM17

Protect+4

C——10Normal

TM29

Psychic

S9010010Psychic

TM44

Rest

C——10Psychic

TM27

Return

D—10020Normal

TM35

Sleep Talk

C——10Normal

TM13

Snore

—4010015Normal

TM22

Solar Beam

C12010010Grass

TM11

Sunny Day

C——5Fire

TM34

Swagger

C—8515Normal

TM12

Sweet Scent

——10020Normal

TM39

Swift

D60—20Normal

TM06

Toxic

A—8510Poison

Egg Moves

Butterfree doesn't have any Egg moves

Tutor Moves

Butterfree can't learn any Tutor moves

How to Get Butterfree in Gold & Silver

Butterfree appears at decent spawn rates across 25 spots in early-game areas. Sort by Best below if you want the highest rate, or Earliest if you want the quickest access point in your playthrough.

Where To Catch Butterfree in Gold & Silver

Caterpie is your first catch on the way to Butterfree. You'll find headbutt and walking encounters from Lv. 3-18 across 76 total spots in the chain.

Step 1Catch Caterpie
Ilex Forest
GoldHeadbutting trees Lv.10 Forest
65%Early
Lake of Rage
GoldHeadbutting trees Lv.10 Water
65%Early
Route 34
GoldHeadbutting trees Lv.10 Route
65%Early
Route 35
GoldHeadbutting trees Lv.10 Route
65%Early
Route 36
GoldHeadbutting trees Lv.10 Route
65%Early
Route 37
GoldHeadbutting trees Lv.10 Route
65%Early
Route 38
GoldHeadbutting trees Lv.10 Route
65%Early
Route 39
GoldHeadbutting trees Lv.10 Route
65%Early
Route 26
GoldHeadbutting trees Lv.10 Route
65%Early
Route 27
GoldHeadbutting trees Lv.10 Route
65%Early
Route 30
GoldGrass Lv.3-4 Route
50%Early
Morning/day
Azalea Town
GoldHeadbutting special trees Lv.10 City
50%Early
Azalea Town
GoldHeadbutting trees Lv.10 City
50%Early
Ilex Forest
GoldHeadbutting special trees Lv.10 Forest
50%Early
Lake of Rage
GoldHeadbutting special trees Lv.10 Water
50%Early
National Park
GoldGrass Lv.10-12 Facility
50%Early
Morning
Route 34
GoldHeadbutting special trees Lv.10 Route
50%Early
Route 35
GoldHeadbutting special trees Lv.10 Route
50%Early
Route 36
GoldHeadbutting special trees Lv.10 Route
50%Early
Route 37
GoldHeadbutting special trees Lv.10 Route
50%Early
Route 38
GoldHeadbutting special trees Lv.10 Route
50%Early
Route 39
GoldHeadbutting special trees Lv.10 Route
50%Early
Route 26
GoldHeadbutting special trees Lv.10 Route
50%Early
Route 27
GoldHeadbutting special trees Lv.10 Route
50%Early
Route 31
GoldGrass Lv.4-5 Route
35%Early
Morning/day
Route 2
GoldGrass Lv.3 Route
30%Early
Morning/day
Ilex Forest
GoldGrass Lv.5-6 Forest
CommonEarly
Morning/day
National Park
GoldGrass Lv.10 Facility
CommonEarly
Day
National Park - Bug Catching Contest
SilverGrass Lv.7-18 Facility
UncommonEarly
National Park - Bug Catching Contest
GoldGrass Lv.7-18 Facility
UncommonEarly
Train until Level 7
Step 2Catch or Evolve Metapod
Ilex Forest
GoldGrass Lv.5-6 Forest
CommonEarly
Day
Ilex Forest
GoldGrass Lv.6 Forest
30%Early
Morning
National Park
GoldGrass Lv.10 Facility
CommonEarly
Morning/day
Route 2
GoldGrass Lv.5 Route
20%Early
Morning/day
Route 30
GoldGrass Lv.4-5 Route
15%Early
Day
Route 31
GoldGrass Lv.5 Route
15%Early
Morning
Route 31
GoldGrass Lv.5-6 Route
15%Early
Day
National Park - Bug Catching Contest
SilverGrass Lv.9-18 Facility
UncommonEarly
National Park - Bug Catching Contest
GoldGrass Lv.9-18 Facility
UncommonEarly
Azalea Town
GoldHeadbutting trees Lv.10 City
15%Early
Ilex Forest
GoldHeadbutting trees Lv.10 Forest
15%Early
Lake of Rage
GoldHeadbutting trees Lv.10 Water
15%Early
Route 34
GoldHeadbutting trees Lv.10 Route
15%Early
Route 35
GoldHeadbutting trees Lv.10 Route
15%Early
Route 36
GoldHeadbutting trees Lv.10 Route
15%Early
Route 37
GoldHeadbutting trees Lv.10 Route
15%Early
Route 38
GoldHeadbutting trees Lv.10 Route
15%Early
Route 39
GoldHeadbutting trees Lv.10 Route
15%Early
Route 26
GoldHeadbutting trees Lv.10 Route
15%Early
Route 27
GoldHeadbutting trees Lv.10 Route
15%Early
Route 30
GoldGrass Lv.4 Route
10%Early
Morning
or evolve from Caterpie (Step 1)
Train until Level 10
Step 3Butterfree ✓
Route 2
GoldGrass Lv.7 Route
UncommonEarly
Morning/day
Azalea Town
GoldHeadbutting trees Lv.10 City
10%Early
Azalea Town
GoldHeadbutting special trees Lv.10 City
5%Early
Ilex Forest
GoldHeadbutting special trees Lv.10 Forest
5%Early
Ilex Forest
GoldHeadbutting trees Lv.10 Forest
5%Early
Lake of Rage
GoldHeadbutting special trees Lv.10 Water
5%Early
Lake of Rage
GoldHeadbutting trees Lv.10 Water
5%Early
Route 34
GoldHeadbutting special trees Lv.10 Route
5%Early
Route 34
GoldHeadbutting trees Lv.10 Route
5%Early
Route 35
GoldHeadbutting special trees Lv.10 Route
5%Early
Route 35
GoldHeadbutting trees Lv.10 Route
5%Early
Route 36
GoldHeadbutting special trees Lv.10 Route
5%Early
Route 36
GoldHeadbutting trees Lv.10 Route
5%Early
Route 37
GoldHeadbutting special trees Lv.10 Route
5%Early
Route 37
GoldHeadbutting trees Lv.10 Route
5%Early
Route 38
GoldHeadbutting special trees Lv.10 Route
5%Early
Route 38
GoldHeadbutting trees Lv.10 Route
5%Early
Route 39
GoldHeadbutting trees Lv.10 Route
5%Early
Route 39
GoldHeadbutting special trees Lv.10 Route
5%Early
Route 26
GoldHeadbutting trees Lv.10 Route
5%Early
Route 26
GoldHeadbutting special trees Lv.10 Route
5%Early
Route 27
GoldHeadbutting special trees Lv.10 Route
5%Early
Route 27
GoldHeadbutting trees Lv.10 Route
5%Early
National Park - Bug Catching Contest
GoldGrass Lv.12-15 Facility
RareEarly
National Park - Bug Catching Contest
SilverGrass Lv.12-15 Facility
RareEarly
or evolve from Metapod (Step 2)

Butterfree Guide

In Gold & Silver, 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.
In Gold & Silver, Metapod evolves into Butterfree at level 10. Butterfree is the final evolution in a 3-stage line starting from Caterpie.
Honestly, in Gold & Silver Butterfree is a tough sell at 385 BST. Plenty of stronger Bug/Flying options exist. Fun pick, not a practical one.
In Gold & Silver, Butterfree has a 385 base stat total and ranks as C-Tier: a niche pick in Gold & Silver's meta. It works best as a balanced. Sleep Powder with Leftovers is the standard set.
In Gold & Silver, Bug/Flying typing gives Butterfree 4 resistances plus Ground immunity. Base 80 Sp. Atk is the standout stat. Dual typing means STAB coverage on both Bug and Flying moves.

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

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Geodude RockGround	C
Upcoming Move Moves Rock ThrowLv. 11 Learns Rock Throw at Level 11 View Geodude builds →
Spearow NormalFlying	D
Available Move Moves PeckLv. 1 Damage vs Butterfree Peck 2x 48-60% View Spearow builds →
Cyndaquil Fire	D
Obtain MethodNew Bark Town Gift Upcoming Move Moves EmberLv. 12 Learns Ember at Level 12 View Cyndaquil builds →
Hoothoot NormalFlying	D
Upcoming Move Moves PeckLv. 11 Learns Peck at Level 11 View Hoothoot builds →
Pidgey NormalFlying	D
Upcoming Move Moves GustLv. 9 Learns Gust at Level 9 View Pidgey builds →

Sudowoodo Rock	C
Obtain MethodRoute 36 Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves Thunder PunchTM41 Ice PunchTM33 Fire PunchTM48 Rock ThrowLv. 1 Damage vs Butterfree Thunder Punch 2x 24-29% Ice Punch 2x 24-29% Fire Punch 2x 24-29% Rock Throw 4x 146-171%KO View Sudowoodo builds →
Onix RockGround	C
Available Move Moves Rock ThrowLv. 14 Damage vs Butterfree Rock Throw 4x 87-103%KO View Onix builds →
Geodude RockGround	C
Available Moves Moves Fire BlastTM38 Fire PunchTM48 Rock ThrowLv. 11 RolloutTM04 Damage vs Butterfree Fire Blast 2x 33-40% Fire Punch 2x 24-29% Rock Throw 4x 123-146%KO Rollout 4x 80-94% View Geodude builds →
Magmar Fire	C
Available Moves Moves Fire BlastTM38 Fire PunchTM48 Thunder PunchTM41 EmberLv. 1 Damage vs Butterfree Fire Blast 2x 113-133%KO Fire Punch 2x 76-90% Thunder Punch 2x 50-60% Ember 2x 43-51% View Magmar builds →
Magnemite ElectricSteel	D
Available Moves Moves ThunderTM25 Thunder ShockLv. 6 RolloutTM04 Damage vs Butterfree Thunder 2x 109-129%KO Thunder Shock 2x 43-51% Rollout 4x 33-40% View Magnemite builds →

Shuckle BugRock	C
Obtain MethodCianwood City Gift TM Move Moves RolloutTM04 Damage vs Butterfree Rollout 4x 29-34% View Shuckle builds →
Sudowoodo Rock	C
Obtain MethodRoute 36 Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves Rock SlideLv. 28 Thunder PunchTM41 Ice PunchTM33 Fire PunchTM48 Damage vs Butterfree Rock Slide 4x 216-255%KO Thunder Punch 2x 23-28% Ice Punch 2x 23-28% Fire Punch 2x 23-28% View Sudowoodo builds →
Onix RockGround	C
Available Move Moves Rock ThrowLv. 14 Damage vs Butterfree Rock Throw 4x 87-103%KO View Onix builds →
Graveler RockGround	C
Available Moves Moves Fire BlastTM38 Fire PunchTM48 Rock ThrowLv. 11 RolloutTM04 Damage vs Butterfree Fire Blast 2x 43-51% Fire Punch 2x 29-34% Rock Throw 4x 140-166%KO Rollout 4x 87-103%KO View Graveler builds →
Magnemite ElectricSteel	D
Available Moves Moves ThunderTM25 Thunder ShockLv. 6 RolloutTM04 Damage vs Butterfree Thunder 2x 108-128%KO Thunder Shock 2x 40-48% Rollout 4x 31-37% View Magnemite builds →

Shuckle BugRock	C
Obtain MethodCianwood City Gift TM Move Moves RolloutTM04 Damage vs Butterfree Rollout 4x 28-33% View Shuckle builds →
Sudowoodo Rock	C
Obtain MethodRoute 36 Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves Rock SlideLv. 28 Thunder PunchTM41 Ice PunchTM33 Fire PunchTM48 Damage vs Butterfree Rock Slide 4x 209-247%KO Thunder Punch 2x 22-27% Ice Punch 2x 22-27% Fire Punch 2x 22-27% View Sudowoodo builds →
Onix RockGround	C
Available Move Moves Rock ThrowLv. 14 Damage vs Butterfree Rock Throw 4x 84-100%KO View Onix builds →
Graveler RockGround	C
Available Moves Moves Fire BlastTM38 Fire PunchTM48 Rock ThrowLv. 11 RolloutTM04 Damage vs Butterfree Fire Blast 2x 41-49% Fire Punch 2x 28-33% Rock Throw 4x 136-160%KO Rollout 4x 84-100%KO View Graveler builds →
Magnemite ElectricSteel	D
Available Moves Moves ThunderTM25 Thunder ShockLv. 6 RolloutTM04 Damage vs Butterfree Thunder 2x 104-123%KO Thunder Shock 2x 39-47% Rollout 4x 30-36% View Magnemite builds →

Shuckle BugRock	C
Obtain MethodCianwood City Gift TM Move Moves RolloutTM04 Damage vs Butterfree Rollout 4x 28-33% View Shuckle builds →
Sudowoodo Rock	C
Obtain MethodRoute 36 Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves Rock SlideLv. 28 Thunder PunchTM41 Ice PunchTM33 Fire PunchTM48 Damage vs Butterfree Rock Slide 4x 209-247%KO Thunder Punch 2x 22-27% Ice Punch 2x 22-27% Fire Punch 2x 22-27% View Sudowoodo builds →
Onix RockGround	C
Available Move Moves Rock ThrowLv. 14 Damage vs Butterfree Rock Throw 4x 84-100%KO View Onix builds →
Graveler RockGround	C
Available Moves Moves Fire BlastTM38 Fire PunchTM48 Rock ThrowLv. 11 RolloutTM04 Damage vs Butterfree Fire Blast 2x 41-49% Fire Punch 2x 28-33% Rock Throw 4x 136-160%KO Rollout 4x 84-100%KO View Graveler builds →
Magnemite ElectricSteel	D
Available Moves Moves ThunderTM25 Thunder ShockLv. 6 RolloutTM04 Damage vs Butterfree Thunder 2x 104-123%KO Thunder Shock 2x 39-47% Rollout 4x 30-36% View Magnemite builds →