Special
Balanced
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
Weight32.0 kg
Base XP178
Abilities
Compound EyesTop Pick
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

Crystallized Gigantamax energy makes up this Pokémon’s blindingly bright and highly toxic scales.

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
½xResist
¼xResist
0xImmune
How to Beat Butterfree in Sword & Shield (Best Counters)
Shuckle
Shuckle
BugRock
B
Available Moves
Moves
  • Rock SlideTM22
  • Rock TombTM48
  • Rock ThrowLv. 15
  • RolloutLv. 5
Damage vs Butterfree
Rock Slide 4x
59-70%
Rock Tomb 4x
47-55%
Rock Throw 4x
43-50%
Rollout 4x
25-30%
View Shuckle builds →

Sword & Shield 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
Stat Comparison 3 Stages
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 47 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)
flygondrapiongolisopodcrustleribombeearaquanidvibravaskorupidwebblecutieflytrapinchdewpider

Sword & Shield Butterfree Best Moveset

For a setup attacker, Butterfree wants max HP and Defense EVs and Wide Lens. The Bold nature tilts toward physical wall duty, and Compoundeyes contributes without taking a move slot.

Best Build

Experimental
Ability
Compound Eyes
Item
Wide Lens
Best Nature for Butterfree
Bold+DEF

Butterfree best EVs are Defense and HP

EVs

Doubles Wall Moveset

  • Sleep Powder
  • HurricaneSTAB
  • Quiver DanceSTAB
  • Shadow Ball

Moves

Butterfree develops a solid moveset just through leveling. Bug Buzz and Energy Ball show up naturally, and the progression handles both STAB and utility without leaning on TMs for the core attacks.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1
Bug Bite
D6010020Bug
Lv 1
Gust
D4010035Flying
Lv 1
Harden
30Normal
Lv 1
String Shot
9540Bug
Lv 1
Tackle
D4010035Normal
Lv 4
Supersonic
D5520Normal
Lv 8
Confusion
5010025Psychic
Lv 12
Poison Powder
D7535Poison
Lv 12
Sleep Powder
S7515Grass
Lv 12
Stun Spore
C7530Grass
Lv 16
Psybeam
D6510020Psychic
Lv 20
Whirlwind-6
D20Normal
Lv 24
Air Slash
C759515Flying
Lv 28
Safeguard
C25Normal
Lv 32
Bug Buzz
A9010010Bug
Lv 36
Tailwind
C15Flying
Lv 40
Rage Powder+2
D20Bug
Lv 44
Quiver Dance
S20Bug

TM Moves

TM
TM78
Acrobatics
D5510015Flying
TM95
Air Slash
C759515Flying
TM31
Attract
C10015Normal
TR29
Baton Pass
C40Normal
TR61
Bug Buzz
A9010010Bug
TM87
Draining Kiss
D5010010Fairy
TM82
Electroweb
D559515Electric
TR26
Endure+4
C10Normal
TR65
Energy Ball
C9010010Grass
TM39
Facade
D7010020Normal
TM28
Giga Drain
C7510010Grass
TM09
Giga Impact
C150905Normal
TR89
Hurricane
S1107010Flying
TM08
Hyper Beam
B150905Normal
TR46
Iron Defense
C15Steel
TR96
Pollen Puff
B9010015Bug
TM25
Protect+4
C10Normal
TR11
Psychic
C9010010Psychic
TM33
Rain Dance
C5Water
TM21
Rest
C10Psychic
TM76
Round
D6010015Normal
TM19
Safeguard
C25Normal
TR33
Shadow Ball
S8010015Ghost
TR40
Skill Swap
C10Psychic
TR27
Sleep Talk
C10Normal
TM24
Snore
5010015Normal
TM11
Solar Beam
C12010010Grass
TR20
Substitute
C10Normal
TM34
Sunny Day
C5Fire
TM40
Swift
D6020Normal
TM23
Thief
D6010025Dark
TM56
U-turn
D7010020Bug
TM74
Venoshock
D6510010Poison

Egg Moves

Butterfree doesn't have any Egg moves

Tutor Moves

Tut
Tutor
Dual Wingbeat
D409010Flying

How to Get Butterfree in Sword & Shield

Easy grab on Butterfree with high spawn rates across 42 locations in early-game routes. The sorted list below shows the full spread so you can pick the most convenient spot.

Where To Catch Butterfree in Sword & Shield

The path to Butterfree starts with Caterpie at Lv. 2-47 via walking encounters. 3 catchable stages total, with locations listed for each one below.

  1. Caterpie
    Step 1Catch Caterpie
    Route 1
    SwordGrass Lv.2-5 Route
    15%Early
    All Weather
    Route 1
    ShieldGrass Lv.2-5 Route
    15%Early
    All Weather
  2. Metapod
    Step 2Catch or Evolve Metapod
    Rolling Fields
    SwordOverworld Lv.7-10
    10%Early
    Snowing
    Rolling Fields
    ShieldOverworld Lv.7-10
    10%Early
    Intense Sun
    Rolling Fields
    SwordOverworld Lv.7-10
    10%Early
    Sandstorm
    Rolling Fields
    ShieldOverworld Lv.7-10
    10%Early
    Snowing
    Rolling Fields
    SwordOverworld Lv.7-10
    10%Early
    Raining
    Rolling Fields
    ShieldOverworld Lv.7-10
    10%Early
    Sandstorm
    Rolling Fields
    SwordOverworld Lv.7-10
    10%Early
    Heavy Fog
    Rolling Fields
    ShieldOverworld Lv.7-10
    10%Early
    Raining
    Rolling Fields
    SwordOverworld Lv.7-10
    10%Early
    Overcast
    Rolling Fields
    ShieldOverworld Lv.7-10
    10%Early
    Heavy Fog
    Rolling Fields
    SwordOverworld Lv.7-10
    10%Early
    Normal Weather
    Rolling Fields
    ShieldOverworld Lv.7-10
    10%Early
    Overcast
    Rolling Fields
    SwordOverworld Lv.7-10
    10%Early
    Snowstorm
    Rolling Fields
    ShieldOverworld Lv.7-10
    10%Early
    Normal Weather
    Rolling Fields
    ShieldOverworld Lv.7-10
    10%Early
    Snowstorm
    Rolling Fields
    SwordOverworld Lv.7-10
    10%Early
    Thunderstorm
    Rolling Fields
    SwordOverworld Lv.7-10
    10%Early
    Intense Sun
    Rolling Fields
    ShieldOverworld Lv.7-10
    10%Early
    Thunderstorm
    Rolling Fields - 2
    SwordOverworld Lv.7-10
    10%Early
    Intense Sun
    Rolling Fields - 2
    ShieldOverworld Lv.7-10
    10%Early
    Thunderstorm
    Rolling Fields - 2
    SwordOverworld Lv.7-10
    10%Early
    Snowing
    Rolling Fields - 2
    ShieldOverworld Lv.7-10
    10%Early
    Intense Sun
    Rolling Fields - 2
    SwordOverworld Lv.7-10
    10%Early
    Sandstorm
    Rolling Fields - 2
    ShieldOverworld Lv.7-10
    10%Early
    Snowing
    Rolling Fields - 2
    SwordOverworld Lv.7-10
    10%Early
    Raining
    Rolling Fields - 2
    ShieldOverworld Lv.7-10
    10%Early
    Sandstorm
    Rolling Fields - 2
    SwordOverworld Lv.7-10
    10%Early
    Heavy Fog
    Rolling Fields - 2
    ShieldOverworld Lv.7-10
    10%Early
    Raining
    Rolling Fields - 2
    SwordOverworld Lv.7-10
    10%Early
    Overcast
    Rolling Fields - 2
    ShieldOverworld Lv.7-10
    10%Early
    Heavy Fog
    Rolling Fields - 2
    SwordOverworld Lv.7-10
    10%Early
    Normal Weather
    Rolling Fields - 2
    ShieldOverworld Lv.7-10
    10%Early
    Overcast
    Rolling Fields - 2
    SwordOverworld Lv.7-10
    10%Early
    Snowstorm
    Rolling Fields - 2
    ShieldOverworld Lv.7-10
    10%Early
    Normal Weather
    Rolling Fields - 2
    ShieldOverworld Lv.7-10
    10%Early
    Snowstorm
    Rolling Fields - 2
    SwordOverworld Lv.7-10
    10%Early
    Thunderstorm
    Rolling Fields
    ShieldGrass Lv.7-10
    5%Early
    Heavy Fog
    Rolling Fields
    SwordGrass Lv.7-9
    5%Early
    Normal Weather
    Rolling Fields
    ShieldGrass Lv.7-10
    5%Early
    Overcast
    Rolling Fields
    SwordGrass Lv.7-9
    5%Early
    Thunderstorm
    Rolling Fields
    SwordGrass Lv.7-9
    5%Early
    Raining
    Rolling Fields
    ShieldGrass Lv.7-10
    5%Early
    Thunderstorm
    Rolling Fields
    SwordGrass Lv.7-9
    5%Early
    Heavy Fog
    Rolling Fields
    ShieldGrass Lv.7-10
    5%Early
    Raining
    Rolling Fields
    SwordGrass Lv.7-9
    5%Early
    Overcast
    or evolve from Caterpie (Step 1)
  3. Butterfree
    Step 3Butterfree
    Rolling Fields - Flying
    SwordOverworld Lv.7-10
    75%Early
    Overcast
    Rolling Fields - Flying
    ShieldOverworld Lv.7-10
    75%Early
    Normal Weather
    Rolling Fields - Flying
    SwordOverworld Lv.7-10
    75%Early
    Normal Weather
    Rolling Fields - Flying
    ShieldOverworld Lv.7-10
    75%Early
    Heavy Fog
    Rolling Fields - Flying
    SwordOverworld Lv.7-10
    75%Early
    Heavy Fog
    Rolling Fields - Flying
    ShieldOverworld Lv.7-10
    75%Early
    Overcast
    East Lake Axewell - Flying
    ShieldOverworld Lv.8-11 Cave
    75%Early
    Snowstorm
    East Lake Axewell - Flying
    SwordOverworld Lv.8-11 Cave
    75%Early
    Snowstorm
    East Lake Axewell - Flying
    ShieldOverworld Lv.8-11 Cave
    75%Early
    Thunderstorm
    East Lake Axewell - Flying
    SwordOverworld Lv.8-11 Cave
    75%Early
    Thunderstorm
    East Lake Axewell - Flying
    ShieldOverworld Lv.8-11 Cave
    75%Early
    Intense Sun
    East Lake Axewell - Flying
    SwordOverworld Lv.8-11 Cave
    75%Early
    Intense Sun
    East Lake Axewell - Flying
    ShieldOverworld Lv.8-11 Cave
    75%Early
    Snowing
    East Lake Axewell - Flying
    SwordOverworld Lv.8-11 Cave
    75%Early
    Snowing
    East Lake Axewell - Flying
    ShieldOverworld Lv.8-11 Cave
    75%Early
    Sandstorm
    East Lake Axewell - Flying
    SwordOverworld Lv.8-11 Cave
    75%Early
    Sandstorm
    East Lake Axewell - Flying
    ShieldOverworld Lv.8-11 Cave
    75%Early
    Raining
    East Lake Axewell - Flying
    SwordOverworld Lv.8-11 Cave
    75%Early
    Raining
    East Lake Axewell - Flying
    ShieldOverworld Lv.8-11 Cave
    75%Early
    Normal Weather
    East Lake Axewell - Flying
    SwordOverworld Lv.8-11 Cave
    75%Early
    Normal Weather
    East Lake Axewell - Flying
    ShieldOverworld Lv.12-15 Cave
    30%Early
    All Weather
    East Lake Axewell - Flying
    SwordOverworld Lv.12-15 Cave
    30%Early
    All Weather
    Rolling Fields - Flying
    ShieldOverworld Lv.7-10
    25%Early
    Snowstorm
    Rolling Fields - Flying
    SwordOverworld Lv.7-10
    25%Early
    Snowstorm
    Rolling Fields - Flying
    ShieldOverworld Lv.7-10
    25%Early
    Thunderstorm
    Rolling Fields - Flying
    SwordOverworld Lv.7-10
    25%Early
    Thunderstorm
    Rolling Fields - Flying
    ShieldOverworld Lv.7-10
    25%Early
    Intense Sun
    Rolling Fields - Flying
    SwordOverworld Lv.7-10
    25%Early
    Intense Sun
    Rolling Fields - Flying
    ShieldOverworld Lv.7-10
    25%Early
    Snowing
    Rolling Fields - Flying
    SwordOverworld Lv.7-10
    25%Early
    Snowing
    Rolling Fields - Flying
    ShieldOverworld Lv.7-10
    25%Early
    Sandstorm
    Rolling Fields - Flying
    SwordOverworld Lv.7-10
    25%Early
    Sandstorm
    Rolling Fields - Flying
    ShieldOverworld Lv.7-10
    25%Early
    Raining
    Rolling Fields - Flying
    SwordOverworld Lv.7-10
    25%Early
    Raining
    East Lake Axewell - Flying
    ShieldOverworld Lv.8-11 Cave
    25%Early
    Heavy Fog
    East Lake Axewell - Flying
    SwordOverworld Lv.8-11 Cave
    25%Early
    Heavy Fog
    East Lake Axewell - Flying
    ShieldOverworld Lv.8-11 Cave
    25%Early
    Overcast
    East Lake Axewell - Flying
    SwordOverworld Lv.8-11 Cave
    25%Early
    Overcast
    Giant's Mirror
    ShieldOverworld Lv.28-30
    40%Mid
    Overcast
    Giant's Mirror
    SwordOverworld Lv.28-30
    40%Mid
    Overcast
    Slumbering Weald
    ShieldGrass Lv.45-47 Forest
    5%Late
    All Weather
    Slumbering Weald
    SwordGrass Lv.45-47 Forest
    5%Late
    All Weather
    or evolve from Metapod (Step 2)

Butterfree Guide

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

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

  • In Sword & Shield, 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 Wide Lens is the standard set.

  • In Sword & Shield, 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.

Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Want to tell us more?
What was most useful?
What could be improved?
Thanks for your feedback