Metapod (Pokémon)

← #010: Caterpie

Pokémon

#012: Butterfree →

Metapod トランセル Trancell #011
Artwork from FR/LG
Type Bug ' Unknown Unknown Blue-Striped Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown	Category Cocoon Pokémon
Ability Shed Skin Blue-Striped -----	Exp. at Lv. 100 1,000,000
Regional Pokédex numbers Kanto #011 Johto #025 Hoenn #213 Sinnoh — Unova Not in any regional Pokédex
Regional Browser numbers Fiore R— Almia R— Oblivia
Height 2'04" Imperial 0.7 m Metric 2'04"/0.7 m Red-Striped 0'0"/0.0 m Blue-Striped 0'0"/0.0 m
Weight 21.8 lbs. Imperial 9.9 kg Metric 21.8 lbs./9.9 kg Red-Striped 0.0 lbs./0.0 kg Blue-Striped 0.0 lbs./0.0 kg
Dex color Green	Catch rate 120 (15.7%)
Body style Blue-Striped	Footprint      Blue-Striped
Gender ratio Gender unknown Unknown 50% male, 50% female
Breeding Bug group 21 cycles (5355 minimum steps)
EV yield HP 0 Atk 0 Def 2 Sp.Atk 0 Sp.Def 0 Speed 0 Base Exp.: 72 Battle Exp.: 721*
External links On Smogon Pokédex: Generation I Generation II Generation III Generation IV Generation V Generation VI Generation VII Generation VIII Generation IX Artwork on Bulbagarden Archives

Metapod (Japanese: トランセル Trancell) is a Template:Type2 Pokémon.

It evolves from Caterpie starting at level 7, and it evolves into Butterfree starting at level 10.

Biology

Physiology

While Metapod is classified as a cocoon Pokémon, it bears more resemblance to a chrysalis. Its soft body is protected by a hard outer shell while it undergoes metamorphosis. While this shell is said to be as hard as steel, a large sudden impact could cause its vulnerable body to pop out, leaving it completely exposed. It shares many physiological and behavioral characteristics with Kakuna, suggesting that they may have a distant relationship.

Gender differences

None.

Special abilities

Metapod possess a very limited range of movement. However, by hardening their outer shell, they can protect themselves from most kinds of enemies.

Behavior

In order to conserve as much energy as possible, Metapod generally remain motionless. They can be very difficult to spot in the wild, because their green coloration helps them blend in with the tree-top canopies. If Metapod is discovered by an enemy, it is unable to do anything other than harden its outer shell. While this is enough to deter most predators, it does not offer complete protection, as the Metapod's insides still remain soft and vulnerable. Its second line of defense is to drop out of the trees using String Shot. Because of its vulnerability, Metapod evolve rapidly into their final evolutionary stage.

Habitat

File:Forest.gif

Forest Pokémon

Metapod can often be found in wooded areas, such as Viridian Forest. They dangle themselves from leafy canopies using String Shot.

Diet

Main article: Pokémon food

Metapod does not eat. It relies on the energy it stored as a Caterpie.

In the anime

File:EP004 017.jpg

Metapod in the anime

Major appearances

Ash's Metapod

Ash had a Metapod that he caught as a Caterpie and evolved in Ash Catches a Pokémon. It eventually evolved into Butterfree in Challenge of the Samurai.

Other

Samurai, in Challenge of the Samurai, battled Ash's Metapod with his own Metapod, but because both Metapod only knew Harden, the battle went on for hours until a swarm of Beedrill forced the battle to end.

In Gettin' The Bugs Out, Bugsy used a Metapod against Ash for the Gym Battle. Unlike most Metapod, this one was actually able to fight back.

In Caterpie's Big Dilemma, Xander's Caterpie became giant-sized after eating some enhanced Rare Candies. Xander's Caterpie knocked down part of a radio tower in order to make a place for it to evolve into Metapod.

Minor appearances

A Metapod was used by one of the students of the Pokémon Trainer's School in Gonna Rule The School!.

Pokédex Entries

Episode Pokémon Source Entry EP003 Metapod Ash's Pokédex Metapod, Caterpie's next stage. It has encased its body in a hard shell. This specimen reached this stage faster than any previously discovered Pokémon of this variety.

In the manga

Pokémon Adventures

Metapod's first appearance is a cameo in Bulbasaur, Come Home! as one of the Pokémon that escapes from Professor Oak's Laboratory. Also, Yellow's Caterpie was a Metapod briefly before evolving again into Butterfree. Bugsy also uses two Metapod on his team.

In the TCG

Main article: Metapod (TCG)

Game data

NPC appearances

• Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Metapod is Caterpie's friend.

Pokédex entries

This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation I.
Generation I Red This Pokémon is vulnerable to attack while its shell is soft, exposing its weak and tender body. Blue Yellow Hardens its shell to protect itself. However, a large impact may cause it to pop out of its shell. Stadium When it hardens, only the external shell is transformed. The inside remains tender.
Generation II Gold Inside the shell, it is soft and weak as it prepares to evolve. It stays motionless in the shell. Silver It prepares for evolution by hardening its shell as much as possible to protect its soft body. Crystal This is its preevolved form. At this stage, it can only harden, so it remains motionless to avoid attack. Stadium 2 Inside the shell, it is soft and weak as it prepares to evolve. It stays motionless in the shell.
Generation III Ruby The shell covering this Pokémon's body is as hard as an iron slab. Metapod does not move very much. It stays still because it is preparing its soft innards for evolution inside the hard shell. Sapphire The shell covering this Pokémon's body is as hard as an iron slab. Metapod does not move very much. It stays still because it is preparing its soft innards for evolution inside the hard shell. Emerald Its shell is as hard as an iron slab. A Metapod does not move very much because it is preparing its soft innards for evolution inside the shell. FireRed Even though it is encased in a sturdy shell, the body inside is tender. It can't withstand a harsh attack. LeafGreen This Pokémon is vulnerable to attack while its shell is soft, exposing its weak and tender body.
Generation IV Diamond A steel-hard shell protects its tender body. It quietly endures hardships while awaiting evolution. Pearl A steel-hard shell protects its tender body. It quietly endures hardships while awaiting evolution. Platinum A steel-hard shell protects its tender body. It quietly endures hardships while awaiting evolution. HeartGold Inside the shell, it is soft and weak as it prepares to evolve. It stays motionless in the shell. SoulSilver It prepares for evolution by hardening its shell as much as possible to protect its soft body.
Generation V Black {{{blackdex}}} White {{{whitedex}}} Black 2 {{{black2dex}}} White 2 {{{white2dex}}}
Generation VI X Unknown Y Unknown

In side games

Pokémon Pinball, Pokémon Trading Card Game (Base Set, Base Set 2, Legendary Collection)

This Pokémon is vulnerable to attack while its shell is soft, exposing its weak and tender body.

Pokémon Trading Card Game (Neo Discovery)

Inside the shell, it is soft and weak as it prepares to evolve. It stays motionless in the shell.

Game locations

This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation I.
Generation I Red Blue Red: Rare Blue: Common Red: Route 25, Viridian Forest Blue: Routes 24 and 25, Viridian Forest Blue (Japan) None Trade Yellow Uncommon Viridian Forest
Generation II Gold Silver Gold: Common Silver: Uncommon Gold: Routes 2, 30, and 31 Ilex Forest, National Park Silver: National Park during the Bug-Catching Contest Crystal Common Routes 2, 24, 25, 30, and 31, Ilex Forest, National Park
Generation III Ruby Sapphire None Trade Emerald None Trade FireRed LeafGreen Common Route 25, Viridian Forest, Pattern Bush Colosseum None Trade XD None Trade
Generation IV Diamond Pearl Dongle Eterna Forest (FireRed) Platinum Dongle Eterna Forest (FireRed) HeartGold SoulSilver HeartGold: Common SoulSilver: Uncommon HeartGold: Routes 2, 30, and 31, Ilex Forest, National Park, Viridian Forest and Headbutt trees SoulSilver: National Park during the Bug-Catching Contest Pal Park Forest Pokéwalker None
Generation V Black White None Trade Black 2 White 2 None Trade Dream World None
Generation VI X Y None Trade

In side games

Game	Location
Pokémon Snap	River
Pokémon Trozei!	SOL Laboratory 2 Secret Storage 8 Endless Level 4 Mr. Who's Den
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon Red/Blue Rescue Team	Joyous Tower (7F-8F)
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon Explorers of Time/Darkness	Mystifying Forest (B1-B13) Mystery Jungle (B1-B29) Happy Outlook (B1-B19)
Pokémon Rumble	Quiet Forest

Held items

Game		Held Item(s)
Red*	Blue*	Berry (100%)
Yellow*

Stats

Base stats

Stat		Range
		At Lv. 50	At Lv. 100
HP: 50		110 - 157	210 - 304
Attack: 20		22 - 79	40 - 152
Defense: 55		54 - 117	103 - 229
Sp. Atk: 25		27 - 84	49 - 163
Sp. Def: 25		27 - 84	49 - 163
Speed: 30		31 - 90	58 - 174
Total: 205	Other Pokémon with this total
Minimum stats are calculated with 0 EVs, IVs of 0, and (if applicable) a hindering nature. Maximum stats are calculated with 252 EVs, IVs of 31, and (if applicable) a helpful nature. This Pokémon's Special base stat in Generation I was 25.

Pokéthlon stats

Speed 1/3 ★☆☆	Power 1/3 ★☆☆
Skill 1/1 ★	Stamina 4/5 ★★★★☆
Jump 2/3 ★★☆	Total 9/15 ★☆☆

Learnset

By leveling up

|- style="text-align:center" | style="text-align:left" | bug | style="background:#91A119" |  bug 

| style=" background:#FFF" | 4 | style=" background:#FFF" | 1 | style=" background:#FFF" | Metapod | style="display:none; background:#FFF" | {{{6}}} Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Movelist/note

By TM/HM

None

By breeding

None

By tutoring

|- style="background:#B8C26A" | colspan="13" | Bold indicates a move that gets STAB
Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only from an evolution of this Pokémon
A colored initial indicates that the move is not available to be tutored in this game,
while a colored background indicates that the move is available. |} |}

TCG-only moves

• Stun Spore
• Rollout
• Sharpen

Evolution

Unevolved Caterpie  Bug

Level 7 →

First evolution Metapod  Bug

Level 10 →

Second evolution Butterfree  Bug  Flying

Sprites

Gen	Game
I	Red	Blue	Yellow		Red (Ja)	Green	Back
II	Gold	Silver	Crystal				Back
III	Ruby	Sapphire	Emerald		FireRed	LeafGreen	Back
IV	Diamond	Pearl	Platinum		HeartGold	SoulSilver	Back
V	Black	White	Black 2	White 2			Back

For other sprites and images, please see Metapod images on Bulbagarden Archives.

Trivia

• Metapod is tied with Kakuna, Silcoon, and Cascoon as the weakest evolved Pokémon in the games, by average base stats.
• Metapod shares the same species name with Kakuna, Silcoon, and Cascoon. They are all known as Cocoon Pokémon.
• Despite not being able to move, Metapod can know Tackle if it evolves from Caterpie. Also, in Pokémon Platinum, it can learn Bug Bite by evolution from Caterpie despite not having a visible mouth.
• Metapod is the first Pokémon to evolve in a movie and in an episode, though the latter is from a Caterpie.
• Until the release of Pokémon Platinum, when its pre-evolution became able to learn Bug Bite, Metapod was unable to do anything to a Template:Type2 except lower their speed.
• There is some confusion as to which way Metapod is supposed to face. Some sprites show it with a dome curved back, other show it the other way around.

Origin

Its design appears to be based upon a generic butterfly chrysalis, most likely a Cabbage White or Swallowtail chrysalis.

Name origin

Metapod's name is a combination of metamorphosis and pod, referring to its chrysalis state. Its Japanese name appears to be a combination of transform and cell or shell.

In other languages

• German: Safcon - a combination of Safe (safe) and Kokon (cocoon).
• French: Chrysacier - From chrysalis and acier (steel).
• Korean: 단데기 Dandegi
• Chinese (Taiwan): 铁甲蛹 Tîe Jîa Yông - "Iron armor cocoon".
• Chinese (Hong Kong): 鐵甲蟲 Tîe Jîa Chong - "Iron armor insect"; note 甲蟲 means beetle.

Related articles

• Ash's Metapod

Notes

← #010: Caterpie

Pokémon

#012: Butterfree →

This Pokémon article is part of Project Pokédex, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on each Pokémon as a species.