The Essentials on Butterfree
- Weaknesses
- ×4 Rock · ×2 Fire, Electric, Ice, Flying Table
- Resistances
- ×¼ Grass, Fighting · ×½ Bug · immune: Ground
- Shiny
Alternate, rare colors: in the main games since X and Y, an encounter has a 1 in 4,096 chance of being Shiny, excluding hunting bonuses. Available as a Shiny in Pokémon GO. View- Special Forms
- Gigantamax Details
- Stats
- Total 385 · top stat: Special Attack (80) Detail
- In Current Games
- Pokémon GO: available, Shiny, Shadow, Gigantamax
- Other Names
- Papilusion in French · バタフリー, Butterfree in Japanese · Smettbo in German All Languages
Overview
Butterfree is a Bug and Flying-type Pokémon, No. 12 in the National Pokédex. Original generation: Generation 1. Category: Butterfly Pokémon. Height: 1.1 m, weight: 32 kg.
Butterfree evolves from Metapod and does not evolve further.
Ability: Compound Eyes. Hidden Ability: Tinted Lens. Butterfree is weak to Fire, Electric, Ice and Flying-type moves (×2 damage). Butterfree is very weak to Rock-type moves (×4 damage). Butterfree takes no damage from Ground-type moves.
Generation
Generation 1
Red / Blue / Yellow
National No.
#012
National Pokédex
Category
Butterfly Pokémon
Status
Standard
Base Stats
The total determines a Pokémon's overall power.
HP
60
255
Attack
45
255
Defense
50
255
Special Attack
80
255
Special Defense
80
255
Speed
70
255
Total
385
Min HP (Lv. 100)
230
0 IV, 0 EV, neutral nature
Max HP (Lv. 100)
324
31 IV, 252 EV, beneficial nature
Gen Changes
Stable
Unchanged recently
Type Effectiveness
Multipliers received depending on the type of the opposing move (Bug / Flying). See the type chart
Very weak (×4) — 1 type
Rock
×4
Weak (×2) — 4 types
Fire
×2
Electric
×2
Ice
×2
Flying
×2
Normal (×1) — 9 types
Normal
×1
Water
×1
Poison
×1
Psychic
×1
Ghost
×1
Dragon
×1
Dark
×1
Steel
×1
Fairy
×1
Resistant (×0.5) — 1 type
Bug
×½
Resistant (×0.25) — 2 types
Grass
×¼
Fighting
×¼
Immune (×0) — 1 type
Ground
×0
Abilities
Ability 1
The Pokémon's compound eyes boost its accuracy.
The Pokémon can use “not very effective” moves to deal regular damage.
Butterfree Evolution
Butterfree Forms and Shiny
Standard Form
Bug · Flying
Gigantamax
Bug · Flying
Gigantamax
Shiny Availability
Shiny form available
Base rate (Gen VI+): 1/4096.
With Shiny Charm: 1/1365.
Masuda Method: 1/683.
Butterfree Moves
Moves this Pokémon can learn, by method.
Lv.
Move
Type · Cat.
Accuracy
Pow.
PP
—
Gust
Flying
Spec.
100%
40
35
1
Harden
Normal
Stat
—
—
30
1
Tackle
Normal
Phys.
100%
40
35
1
Bug Bite
Bug
Phys.
100%
60
20
1
String Shot
Bug
Stat
95%
—
40
4
Supersonic
Normal
Stat
55%
—
20
8
Confusion
Psychic
Spec.
100%
50
25
12
Stun Spore
Grass
Stat
75%
—
30
12
Sleep Powder
Grass
Stat
75%
—
15
12
Poison Powder
Poison
Stat
75%
—
35
16
Psybeam
Psychic
Spec.
100%
65
20
19
Silver Wind
Bug
Spec.
100%
60
5
20
Whirlwind
Normal
Stat
—
—
20
24
Air Slash
Flying
Spec.
95%
75
15
28
Safeguard
Normal
Stat
—
—
25
32
Bug Buzz
Bug
Spec.
100%
90
10
36
Tailwind
Flying
Stat
—
—
15
37
Captivate
Normal
Stat
100%
—
20
40
Rage Powder
Bug
Stat
—
—
20
44
Quiver Dance
Bug
Stat
—
—
20
Advanced Breeding
Egg Groups
Bug
Gender
♂ 50.0 / ♀ 50.0%
Ditto Compatibility
✓ Yes
Pokérus
Susceptible
EV ×2 if infected
Max Characteristic
Special Attack
Highest base stat
Hyper Training & Mints
Available from level 50. Cost: 1 Gold Bottle Cap per IV set to 31 or 3 Silver Bottle Caps per IV. Mints let you change the effect of a Nature without changing the base Nature.
Where to Find Butterfree
Available in 15 games, 96 recorded encounters. Click a game to see the details.
Natively obtainable:
Crystal
Gold
Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness
HeartGold
White
White 2
X
Y
Let’s Go, Pikachu!
Moon
Sun
Ultra Moon
Ultra Sun
Shield
Sword
Generation II
Crystal 12 encounters
Available
▼
Headbutt low
(1)
Ilex Forest
Lv. 10 5%
Headbutt normal
(1)
Ilex Forest
Lv. 10 5%
Tall grass
(10)
Route 2
Lv. 7 10%
Morning
Route 2
Lv. 7 10%
Day
Route 24
Lv. 14 4%
Morning
Route 24
Lv. 14 1%
Morning
Route 25
Lv. 14 4%
Morning
Route 25
Lv. 14 1%
Morning
Route 24
Lv. 14 1%
Day
Route 25
Lv. 14 4%
Day
Route 25
Lv. 14 1%
Day
Route 24
Lv. 14 4%
Day
Gold 34 encounters
Available
▼
Headbutt high
(11)
Route 27
Lv. 10 5%
Route 38
Lv. 10 5%
Route 34
Lv. 10 5%
Azalea Town
Lv. 10 5%
Lake of Rage
Lv. 10 5%
Route 36
Lv. 10 5%
Route 26
Lv. 10 5%
Route 37
Lv. 10 5%
Ilex Forest
Lv. 10 5%
Route 39
Lv. 10 5%
Route 35
Lv. 10 5%
Headbutt low
(11)
Route 27
Lv. 10 5%
Route 38
Lv. 10 5%
Route 34
Lv. 10 5%
Azalea Town
Lv. 10 5%
Lake of Rage
Lv. 10 5%
Route 36
Lv. 10 5%
Route 39
Lv. 10 5%
Route 35
Lv. 10 5%
Route 26
Lv. 10 5%
Route 37
Lv. 10 5%
Ilex Forest
Lv. 10 5%
Headbutt normal
(11)
Ilex Forest
Lv. 10 5%
Route 39
Lv. 10 5%
Route 35
Lv. 10 5%
Route 26
Lv. 10 5%
Route 37
Lv. 10 5%
Route 27
Lv. 10 5%
Route 38
Lv. 10 5%
Route 34
Lv. 10 5%
Azalea Town
Lv. 10 5%
Lake of Rage
Lv. 10 5%
Route 36
Lv. 10 5%
Tall grass
(1)
Route 2
Lv. 7 10%
Morning
Generation III
Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness 1 encounter
Available
▼
Snag
(1)
Cipher Key Lair 4F
Lv. 30 100%
Generation IV
HeartGold 8 encounters
Available
▼
Tall grass
(8)
Viridian Forest
Lv. 7 5%
Morning
Route 2
Lv. 7 5%
Morning
Route 2
Lv. 7 5%
Morning
Viridian Forest
Lv. 7 5%
Morning
Route 2
Lv. 7 5%
Day
Route 2
Lv. 8 5%
Morning
Route 2
Lv. 8 5%
Day
Route 2
Lv. 8 5%
Morning
Generation V
White 1 encounter
Available
▼
Grass spots
(1)
Route 12
Lv. 50 5%
White 2 1 encounter
Available
▼
Hidden bush
(1)
Pinwheel Forest
Lv. 55-59 20%
Generation VI
X 1 encounter
Available
▼
Tall grass
(1)
Friend Safari
Lv. 30 33%
Y 1 encounter
Available
▼
Tall grass
(1)
Friend Safari
Lv. 30 33%
Generation VII
Let’s Go, Pikachu! 1 encounter
Available
▼
Tall grass
(1)
Viridian Forest
Lv. 3-6 100%
Moon 8 encounters
Available
▼
Call for help
(6)
Melemele Meadow
Lv. 9-12 15%
Melemele Meadow
Lv. 9-12 15%
Route 5
Lv. 13-16 15%
Route 5
Lv. 13-16 15%
Lush Jungle
Lv. 18-21 15%
Lush Jungle
Lv. 18-21 15%
Tall grass
(2)
Melemele Meadow
Lv. 9-12 1%
Route 5
Lv. 13-16 1%
Sun 8 encounters
Available
▼
Call for help
(6)
Melemele Meadow
Lv. 9-12 15%
Melemele Meadow
Lv. 9-12 15%
Route 5
Lv. 13-16 15%
Route 5
Lv. 13-16 15%
Lush Jungle
Lv. 18-21 15%
Lush Jungle
Lv. 18-21 15%
Tall grass
(2)
Melemele Meadow
Lv. 9-12 1%
Route 5
Lv. 13-16 1%
Ultra Moon 9 encounters
Available
▼
Call for help
(7)
Melemele Meadow
Lv. 10-12 15%
Melemele Meadow
Lv. 10-12 15%
Route 5
Lv. 13-16 15%
Route 5
Lv. 13-16 15%
Lush Jungle
Lv. 19-22 15%
Lush Jungle
Lv. 19-22 15%
Lush Jungle
Lv. 19-22 15%
Tall grass
(2)
Melemele Meadow
Lv. 10-12 1%
Route 5
Lv. 13-16 1%
Ultra Sun 9 encounters
Available
▼
Call for help
(7)
Melemele Meadow
Lv. 9-12 15%
Melemele Meadow
Lv. 9-12 15%
Route 5
Lv. 13-16 15%
Route 5
Lv. 13-16 15%
Lush Jungle
Lv. 19-22 15%
Lush Jungle
Lv. 19-22 15%
Lush Jungle
Lv. 19-22 15%
Tall grass
(2)
Melemele Meadow
Lv. 9-12 1%
Route 5
Lv. 13-16 1%
Generation VIII
Shield 1 encounter
Available
▼
Wild Area
(1)
Wild Area / Galar
Sword 1 encounter
Available
▼
Wild Area
(1)
Wild Area / Galar
Transfer to Pokémon HOME
How to bring this Pokémon to HOME depending on the game of origin.
Gold
→
Pokémon Bank
Virtual Console → Bank
→
Pokémon HOME
Bank → HOME
Crystal
→
Pokémon Bank
Virtual Console → Bank
→
Pokémon HOME
Bank → HOME
HeartGold
→
Black
Poké Transporter
→
Pokémon Bank
To Pokémon Bank
→
Pokémon HOME
Bank → HOME
White
→
Pokémon Bank
To Pokémon Bank
→
Pokémon HOME
Bank → HOME
White 2
→
Pokémon Bank
To Pokémon Bank
→
Pokémon HOME
Bank → HOME
X
→
Pokémon Bank
Pokémon Bank
→
Pokémon HOME
Bank → HOME
Y
→
Pokémon Bank
Pokémon Bank
→
Pokémon HOME
Bank → HOME
Sun
→
Pokémon Bank
Pokémon Bank
→
Pokémon HOME
Bank → HOME
Moon
→
Pokémon Bank
Pokémon Bank
→
Pokémon HOME
Bank → HOME
Ultra Sun
→
Pokémon Bank
Pokémon Bank
→
Pokémon HOME
Bank → HOME
Ultra Moon
→
Pokémon Bank
Pokémon Bank
→
Pokémon HOME
Bank → HOME
Let’s Go, Pikachu!
→
Pokémon HOME
HOME (direct)
Sword
→
Pokémon HOME
HOME (direct)
Shield
→
Pokémon HOME
HOME (direct)
Note:
Some transfers are irreversible (Bank → HOME). Check the legality of moves in the target game — HOME may replace an illegal move with a basic move.
Competitive & Meta
Butterfree in Pokémon GO
- 1,827Max CP (Lv. 40)
- 1,044Perfect CP in Raids
- 1 kmper Candy as Buddy
Pokédex Entries
Description by game, with language selection.
Red
“In battle, it flaps its wings at high speed to release highly toxic dust into the air.”
Blue
“In battle, it flaps its wings at high speed to release highly toxic dust into the air.”
Yellow
“Its wings, covered with poisonous powders, repel water. This allows it to fly in the rain.”
Gold
“It collects honey every day. It rubs honey onto the hairs on its legs to carry it back to its nest.”
Silver
“Water-repellent powder on its wings enables it to collect honey, even in the heav iest of rains.”
Crystal
“It flits from flower to flower, collecting honey. It can even identify distant flowers in bloom.”
Ruby
“BUTTERFREE has a superior ability to search for delicious honey from flowers. It can even search out, extract, and carry honey from flowers that are blooming over six miles from its nest.”
Sapphire
“BUTTERFREE has a superior ability to search for delicious honey from flowers. It can even search out, extract, and carry honey from flowers that are blooming over six miles from its nest.”
Emerald
“It has a superior ability to search for delicious honey from flowers. It can seek, extract, and carry honey from flowers blooming over six miles away.”
FireRed
“The wings are protected by rain-repellent dust. As a result, this POKéMON can fly about even in rain.”
LeafGreen
“In battle, it flaps its wings at great speed to release highly toxic dust into the air.”
Diamond
“It loves the honey of flowers and can locate flower patches that have even tiny amounts of pollen.”
Pearl
“It loves the honey of flowers and can locate flower patches that have even tiny amounts of pollen.”
Platinum
“It loves the honey of flowers and can locate flower patches that have even tiny amounts of pollen.”
HeartGold
“It collects honey every day. It rubs honey onto the hairs on its legs to carry it back to its nest.”
SoulSilver
“Water-repellent powder on its wings enables it to collect honey, even in the heaviest of rains.”
Black
“It loves the honey of flowers and can locate flower patches that have even tiny amounts of pollen.”
White
“It loves the honey of flowers and can locate flower patches that have even tiny amounts of pollen.”
Black 2
“It loves the honey of flowers and can locate flower patches that have even tiny amounts of pollen.”
White 2
“It loves the honey of flowers and can locate flower patches that have even tiny amounts of pollen.”
X
“It loves the honey of flowers and can locate flower patches that have even tiny amounts of pollen.”
Y
“The wings are protected by rain-repellent dust. As a result, this Pokémon can fly about even in rain.”
Omega Ruby
“Butterfree has a superior ability to search for delicious honey from flowers. It can even search out, extract, and carry honey from flowers that are blooming over six miles from its nest.”
Alpha Sapphire
“Butterfree has a superior ability to search for delicious honey from flowers. It can even search out, extract, and carry honey from flowers that are blooming over six miles from its nest.”
Sun
“Close examination of its large eyes reveals that each eye is composed of a myriad of tiny eyes.”
Moon
“When attacked by other Pokémon, it defends itself by scattering its poisonous scales and fluttering its wings.”
Ultra Sun
“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.”
Ultra Moon
“Nectar from pretty flowers is its favorite food. In fields of flowers, it has heated battles with Cutiefly for territory.”
Let’s Go, Pikachu!
“Its wings, covered with poisonous powder, repel water. This allows it to fly in the rain.”
Let’s Go, Eevee!
“Its wings, covered with poisonous powder, repel water. This allows it to fly in the rain.”
Sword
“In battle, it flaps its wings at great speed to release highly toxic dust into the air.”
Shield
“It collects honey every day. It rubs honey onto the hairs on its legs to carry it back to its nest.”
Multilingual Names
🇫🇷 Français
Papilusion
🇬🇧 English
Butterfree
🇯🇵 漢字
バタフリー
🇯🇵 Kana
バタフリー
🇯🇵 Romaji
Butterfree
🇩🇪 Deutsch
Smettbo
🇪🇸 Español
Butterfree
🇮🇹 Italiano
Butterfree
🇰🇷 한국어
버터플
🇨🇳 ZH-Hans
巴大蝶
🇹🇼 ZH-Hant
巴大蝶
Category (Genus)
🇫🇷 FR
Pokémon Papillon
🇬🇧 EN
Butterfly Pokémon
🇯🇵 JP
ちょうちょポケモン
🇩🇪 DE
Falter-Pokémon
Media & Gallery
Audio Cries
Frequently asked questions about Butterfree
What type is Butterfree?
Butterfree is a Bug and Flying-type Pokémon.
Can Butterfree still evolve?
Butterfree is the final stage of its evolutionary line: coming from Metapod, it does not evolve further.
What are Butterfree's weaknesses?
Butterfree is weak to Fire, Electric, Ice and Flying-type moves (×2 damage). Butterfree is very weak to Rock-type moves (×4 damage). Butterfree takes no damage from Ground-type moves.
What is Butterfree's Hidden Ability?
Butterfree's Hidden Ability is Tinted Lens. Its regular Ability is Compound Eyes.
Can you get a Shiny Butterfree in Pokémon GO?
Yes, Shiny Butterfree is available in Pokémon GO. Its Pokémon GO entry
