Utility
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 EVs, on a medium-fast 1M XP curve.

Base Stats
Avg
HP60
C
Attack45
D
Defense50
D
Sp. Atk90
B
Sp. Def80
C
Speed70
C
Total395
Details
Catch Rate
Challenging45 / 255
Growth Rate
Medium Fast1M XP
Height1.1 m
3'07"Small
Weight32.0 kg
70.5 lbsLight
Base XP178
Average
Abilities
Compound EyesTop Pick
Increases moves' accuracy to 1.3×.
Tinted LensHANiche
Doubles damage inflicted with not-very-effective moves.
EV Yield
HPAtkDefSpA+2SpD+1Spe
Strong Special Attack training target
Pokedex Entries

Its wings are covered in toxic scales. If it finds bird Pokémon going after Caterpie, Butterfree sprinkles its scales on them to drive them off.

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
DamageTypes
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
4xCritical
Rock
2xWeak
FireElectricIceFlying
½xResist
Bug
¼xResist
GrassFighting
0xImmune
Ground
STAB (5)
GrassPsychicDarkFightingBug
How to Beat Butterfree in Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon (Best Counters)
Magnezone
Magnezone
ElectricSteel
B
Available Moves
Moves
  • Zap CannonLv. 1
  • ThunderboltTM24
  • DischargeLv. 43
  • SparkLv. 19
Damage vs Butterfree
Zap Cannon 2x
153-180%KO
Thunderbolt 2x
115-136%KO
Discharge 2x
101-120%KO
Spark 2x
71-84%
View Magnezone builds →

Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon 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 (+70), bringing the total to 395 stats. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.

How to Evolve

3 Forms
Caterpie
#010Caterpie
7
Level 7
Metapod
#011Metapod
10
Level 10
Butterfree
#012Butterfree
Stat Comparison 3 Stages
Caterpie
Bug
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 Butterfree to get Caterpie eggs easily using 77 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)
flygondrapionmasquerainvolbeatillumiseparasectvibravaskorupiparastrapinchsurskitshuckle
12 of 77·

Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon Butterfree Best Moveset

Prediction matters here. Choice Scarf means Butterfree can't change moves after clicking, but the payoff is speed patching through item lock. Max HP and Speed EVs with Compoundeyes back that up. Utility options prevents free switches.

Best Build

Experimental
Ability
Compound Eyes
Item
Choice ScarfSPEED
Best Nature for Butterfree
Timid+SPE

Butterfree best EVs are HP and Speed

EVs

Doubles Support Moveset

  • Sleep Powder
  • Air SlashSTAB
  • TailwindUtility
  • Rage PowderSTAB

Recommended Teammates

Bulbasaur
BulbasaurGood
Pikachu
PikachuGood

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

Lv 1
Confusion
—5010025Psychic
Lv 1
Gust
D4010035Flying
Lv 11
Confusion
—5010025Psychic
Lv 13
Poison Powder
D—7535Poison
Lv 13
Sleep Powder
S—7515Grass
Lv 13
Stun Spore
C—7530Grass
Lv 17
Psybeam
—6510020Psychic
Lv 19
Silver Wind
C601005Bug
Lv 23
Supersonic
——5520Normal
Lv 25
Safeguard
C——25Normal
Lv 29
Whirlwind-6
C——20Normal
Lv 31
Bug Buzz
S9010010Bug
Lv 35
Rage Powder+2
S——20Bug
Lv 37
Captivate
——10020Normal
Lv 41
Tailwind
S——15Flying
Lv 43
Air Slash
S759515Flying
Lv 47
Quiver Dance
S——20Bug

TM Moves

TM
TM62
Acrobatics
D5510015Flying
TM40
Aerial Ace
D60—20Flying
TM45
Attract
C—10015Normal
TM100
Confide
D——20Normal
TM32
Double Team
———15Normal
TM85
Dream Eater
C10010015Psychic
TM53
Energy Ball
C9010010Grass
TM42
Facade
D7010020Normal
TM21
Frustration
D—10020Normal
TM68
Giga Impact
C150905Normal
TM10
Hidden Power
—6010015Normal
TM15
Hyper Beam
B150905Normal
TM83
Infestation
D2010020Bug
TM17
Protect+4
C——10Normal
TM77
Psych Up
C——10Normal
TM29
Psychic
C9010010Psychic
TM18
Rain Dance
C——5Water
TM44
Rest
C——10Psychic
TM27
Return
D—10020Normal
TM19
Roost
C——10Flying
TM48
Round
D6010015Normal
TM20
Safeguard
C——25Normal
TM30
Shadow Ball
C8010015Ghost
TM88
Sleep Talk
C——10Normal
TM22
Solar Beam
C20010010Grass
TM90
Substitute
C——10Normal
TM11
Sunny Day
C——5Fire
TM87
Swagger
D—8515Normal
TM46
Thief
D6010025Dark
TM06
Toxic
C—9010Poison
TM89
U-turn
D7010020Bug
TM09
Venoshock
D6510010Poison

Egg Moves

Butterfree doesn't have any Egg moves

Tutor Moves

Tut
Tutor
Bug Bite
D6010020Bug
Tutor
Defog
C——15Flying
Tutor
Electroweb
D559515Electric
Tutor
Giga Drain
B7510010Grass
Tutor
Signal Beam
C7510015Bug
Tutor
Skill Swap
C——10Psychic
Tutor
Snore
—5010015Normal
Tutor
Tailwind
S——15Flying

Reminder Moves

Rem
Rem
Bug Bite
D6010020Bug
Rem
Harden
D——30Normal
Rem
Harden
D——30Normal
Rem
Iron Defense
C——15Steel
Rem
String Shot
——9540Bug
Rem
Tackle
—4010035Normal

Transfer Moves

Gen
Gen 4
Air Cutter
C609525Flying
Gen 1
Bide+1
———10Normal
Gen 2
Curse
C——10Ghost
Gen 3
Double-Edge
D12010015Normal
Gen 4
Endure+4
C——10Normal
Gen 6
Flash
D—10020Normal
Gen 1
Mega Drain
D7510015Grass
Gen 3
Mimic
D——10Normal
Gen 4
Natural Gift
——10015Normal
Gen 2
Nightmare
——10015Ghost
Gen 4
Ominous Wind
—601005Ghost
Gen 1
Psywave
——10015Psychic
Gen 1
Rage
D2010020Normal
Gen 1
Razor Wind
—8010010Normal
Gen 1
Reflect
C——20Psychic
Gen 6
Secret Power
—7010020Normal
Gen 6
Struggle Bug
C5010020Bug
Gen 2
Sweet Scent
——10020Normal
Gen 4
Swift
D60—20Normal
Gen 1
Take Down
—908520Normal
Gen 1
Teleport-6
———20Psychic
Gen 4
Twister
D4010020Dragon

How to Get Butterfree in Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon

Butterfree starts showing up in early-game routes at moderate rates across 18 encounter spots. The list below is sorted so you can pick what fits your current progress without scrolling through everything.

Where To Catch Butterfree in Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon

Caterpie is your first catch on the way to Butterfree. You'll find walking encounters from Lv. 2-22 across 46 total spots in the chain.

  1. Caterpie
    Step 1Catch Caterpie
    Route 1 - West
    Ultra MoonGrass Lv.2-3 Route
    35%Early
    Route 1 - West
    Ultra SunGrass Lv.2-3 Route
    35%Early
    Route 1 - East
    Ultra MoonGrass Lv.2-3 Route
    10%Early
    Route 1 - East
    Ultra SunGrass Lv.2-3 Route
    10%Early
    Melemele Meadow
    Ultra SunGrass Lv.9-12
    10%Early
    Melemele Meadow
    Ultra SunGrass Lv.9-12
    Early
    SOS from Metapod
    Melemele Meadow
    Ultra MoonGrass Lv.10-12
    10%Early
    Melemele Meadow
    Ultra MoonGrass Lv.10-12
    Early
    SOS from Metapod
    Route 5
    Ultra MoonGrass Lv.13-16 Route
    10%Early
    Route 5
    Ultra SunGrass Lv.13-16 Route
    10%Early
    Route 5
    Ultra MoonGrass Lv.13-16 Route
    Early
    SOS from Metapod
    Route 5
    Ultra SunGrass Lv.13-16 Route
    Early
    SOS from Metapod
    Lush Jungle - North
    Ultra MoonGrass Lv.19-22 Forest
    Mid
    SOS from Metapod
    Lush Jungle - North
    Ultra SunGrass Lv.19-22 Forest
    Mid
    SOS from Metapod
    Lush Jungle - South
    Ultra MoonGrass Lv.19-22 Forest
    Mid
    SOS from Metapod
    Lush Jungle - South
    Ultra SunGrass Lv.19-22 Forest
    Mid
    SOS from Metapod
    Lush Jungle - West
    Ultra SunGrass Lv.19-22 Forest
    Mid
    SOS from Metapod
    Lush Jungle - West
    Ultra MoonGrass Lv.19-22 Forest
    Mid
    SOS from Metapod
  2. Metapod
    Step 2Catch or Evolve Metapod
    Melemele Meadow
    Ultra SunGrass Lv.9-12
    9%Early
    Melemele Meadow
    Ultra MoonGrass Lv.10-12
    9%Early
    Route 5
    Ultra SunGrass Lv.13-16 Route
    9%Early
    Route 5
    Ultra MoonGrass Lv.13-16 Route
    9%Early
    Lush Jungle - North
    Ultra MoonGrass Lv.19-22 Forest
    10%Mid
    Lush Jungle - North
    Ultra SunGrass Lv.19-22 Forest
    10%Mid
    Lush Jungle - South
    Ultra MoonGrass Lv.19-22 Forest
    10%Mid
    Lush Jungle - South
    Ultra SunGrass Lv.19-22 Forest
    10%Mid
    Lush Jungle - West
    Ultra SunGrass Lv.19-22 Forest
    10%Mid
    Lush Jungle - West
    Ultra MoonGrass Lv.19-22 Forest
    10%Mid
    or evolve from Caterpie (Step 1)
  3. Butterfree
    Step 3Butterfree ✓
    Melemele Meadow
    Ultra SunGrass Lv.9-12
    Early
    SOS from Metapod
    Melemele Meadow
    Ultra SunGrass Lv.9-12
    Early
    SOS from Caterpie
    Melemele Meadow
    Ultra MoonGrass Lv.10-12
    Early
    SOS from Metapod
    Melemele Meadow
    Ultra MoonGrass Lv.10-12
    Early
    SOS from Caterpie
    Route 5
    Ultra MoonGrass Lv.13-16 Route
    Early
    SOS from Metapod
    Route 5
    Ultra MoonGrass Lv.13-16 Route
    Early
    SOS from Caterpie
    Route 5
    Ultra SunGrass Lv.13-16 Route
    Early
    SOS from Metapod
    Route 5
    Ultra SunGrass Lv.13-16 Route
    Early
    SOS from Caterpie
    Melemele Meadow
    Ultra SunGrass Lv.9-12
    1%Early
    Melemele Meadow
    Ultra MoonGrass Lv.10-12
    1%Early
    Route 5
    Ultra MoonGrass Lv.13-16 Route
    1%Early
    Route 5
    Ultra SunGrass Lv.13-16 Route
    1%Early
    Lush Jungle - North
    Ultra MoonGrass Lv.19-22 Forest
    Mid
    SOS from Metapod
    Lush Jungle - North
    Ultra SunGrass Lv.19-22 Forest
    Mid
    SOS from Metapod
    Lush Jungle - South
    Ultra MoonGrass Lv.19-22 Forest
    Mid
    SOS from Metapod
    Lush Jungle - South
    Ultra SunGrass Lv.19-22 Forest
    Mid
    SOS from Metapod
    Lush Jungle - West
    Ultra SunGrass Lv.19-22 Forest
    Mid
    SOS from Metapod
    Lush Jungle - West
    Ultra MoonGrass Lv.19-22 Forest
    Mid
    SOS from Metapod
    or evolve from Metapod (Step 2)

Butterfree Guide

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

  • Honestly, in Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon Butterfree is a tough sell at 395 BST. Plenty of stronger Bug/Flying options exist. Fun pick, not a practical one.

  • In Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon, Don't let Butterfree's 395 base stat total fool you. Tinted Lens is what makes it tick. It punches way above its weight class. We rate it C-Tier. Sleep Powder with Choice Scarf is the standard set.

  • In Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon, 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

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