Metapod (Pokémon)

Caterpie #010: Caterpie
Pokémon
#012: Butterfree Butterfree
This article is about the species. For a specific instance of this species, see Metapod (disambiguation).
Metapod トランセル
Trancell
#011
Metapod



Images on the Bulbagarden Archives
Type
Bug Unknown
Unknown Unknown
Unknown Unknown
Unknown Unknown
Unknown Unknown
Unknown Unknown
Abilities
Shed Skin Cacophony
Cacophony
Cacophony
Hidden Ability
Cacophony
Hidden Ability
Cacophony
Cacophony
Gender ratio
Unknown
50% male, 50% female
Catch rate
120 (24.9%)
Breeding
Egg Group
Bug
Hatch time
11 cycles
Height
2'04" 0.7 m
Metapod
0'0" 0 m
{{{form2}}}
0'0" 0 m
{{{form3}}}
0'0" 0 m
{{{form4}}}
Weight
21.8 lbs. 9.9 kg
Metapod
0 lbs. 0 kg
{{{form2}}}
0 lbs. 0 kg
{{{form3}}}
0 lbs. 0 kg
{{{form4}}}
Mega Stone
[[|]] [[|]]
Base experience yield
72
Gen. I-IV
Unknown
IV
72
V+
Leveling rate
Medium Fast
EV yield
Total: 2
Metapod
0
HP
0
Atk
2
Def
0
Sp.Atk
0
Sp.Def
0
Speed
0
HP
0
Atk
0
Def
0
Sp.Atk
0
Sp.Def
0
Speed
0
HP
0
Atk
0
Def
0
Sp.Atk
0
Sp.Def
0
Speed
0
HP
0
Atk
0
Def
0
Sp.Atk
0
Sp.Def
0
Speed
Shape
Body02.png
Footprint
F011.png F000.png
{{{form2}}}
Pokédex color
Green
Base friendship
70
External Links

Metapod (Japanese: トランセル Trancell) is a Bug-type Pokémon.

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

Biology

Metapod resembles 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 sudden, powerful impact could cause its tender body to pop out, leaving it completely exposed. Metapod generally remains motionless, preparing its soft innards for evolution inside its hard shell. If an enemy discovers Metapod, it is unable to do anything other than harden its outer shell. Metapod lives in forests.

In the anime

Metapod in the anime
Metapod's original evolution method

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 by using Tackle. Multiple other Metapod were also seen in the Azalea Gym in the same episode.

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. It later evolved again to become a Butterfree.

Multiple Metapod appeared in Butterfree and Me!, including one that Ash worked with to help it eventually evolve into Butterfree.

Minor appearances

Multiple Metapod also appeared in Celebi: Voice of the Forest.

A Metapod appeared in The Breeding Center Secret.

A Metapod had a small cameo in Tracey Gets Bugged as one of the Bug Pokémon on Murcott Island.

A Metapod appeared in Illusion Confusion! as an illusion created by Haunter and Gengar.

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.
Episode Pokémon Source Entry
AG142 Metapod May's Pokédex Metapod, the Cocoon Pokémon. Metapod is the evolved form of Caterpie. Using a hard shell to protect its body, it prepares for its next evolution.
Episode Pokémon Source Entry
BW130 Metapod Ash's Pokédex Metapod, the Cocoon Pokémon. Metapod's vulnerable body is surrounded by its hard shell, which protects it while it waits to evolve.

In Pokémon Origins

Metapod in Pokémon Origins

Red's Metapod

Red sent out Metapod during his Gym battle with Brock. It was able to slow Onix down with String Shot but was defeated afterwards.

In the manga

Metapod in The Electric Tale of Pikachu

In The Electric Tale of Pikachu manga

Main article: Ash's Metapod

Ash's Butterfree makes a brief appearance in the manga series The Electric Tale of Pikachu. It was first caught in Pikachu, I See You! as a Caterpie and then evolved into Metapod in Play Misty For Me. In this appearance it appears to be slightly thinner than other Metapod, as well as having a large spike on its back.

Ash's Metapod evolves into Butterfree in Play Misty For Me during Ash's Gym battle with Misty. Its last appearance as a Butterfree was in Haunting My Dreams, battling a giant Haunter.

In the How I Became a Pokémon Card manga

Midori was shown to have a Metapod.

In the Pokémon Adventures manga

Main article: Kitty

Metapod's first appearance is a cameo in Bulbasaur, Come Home! as one of the Pokémon that escapes from Professor Oak's Laboratory. Yellow's Caterpie, which was called "Kitty", briefly evolved into Metapod before evolving again into Butterfree during Yellow's showdown with Lance.

Bugsy also uses two Metapod on his team, one the first appeared in Into the Unown. It again appeared in Ursaring Major where it, a Kakuna and Bugsy visited the Azalea Town's well where Team Rocket had been.

In the Pokémon Gold & Silver: The Golden Boys manga

Bugsy's Butterfree was first seen as a Metapod in Let's Aim For The Goal!. It evolved prior to Gold And Black VS. Team Rocket.

In the TCG

Main article: Metapod (TCG)

Game data

NPC appearances

Pokédex entries

Generation I
Red(ENG) 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
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
Platinum
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 A steel-hard shell protects its tender body. It quietly endures hardships while awaiting evolution.
White
Black 2 A steel-hard shell protects its tender body. It quietly endures hardships while awaiting evolution.
White 2
Generation VI
X A steel-hard shell protects its tender body. It quietly endures hardships while awaiting evolution.
Y This Pokémon is vulnerable to attack while its shell is soft, exposing its weak and tender body.
Omega 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.
Alpha Sapphire


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

Generation I
Red
Route 25, Viridian Forest
Blue
Routes 24 and 25, Viridian Forest
Blue (Japan)
Routes 24 and 25, Viridian Forest
Yellow
Viridian Forest
Generation II
Gold
Routes 2, 30, and 31, Ilex Forest, National Park, Bug-Catching Contest
Silver
Bug-Catching Contest
Crystal
Routes 24 and 25, Ilex Forest, Bug-Catching Contest
Generation III
Ruby Sapphire
Trade
Emerald
Trade
FireRed LeafGreen
Routes 24 and 25, Viridian Forest, Pattern Bush
Colosseum
Trade
XD
Trade
Generation IV
Diamond Pearl
Eterna Forest (FireRed)
Platinum
Eterna Forest (FireRed)
HeartGold
Routes 2, 30, and 31, Ilex Forest, National Park, Bug-Catching Contest, Viridian Forest
Headbutt trees
SoulSilver
Bug-Catching Contest
Pal Park
Forest
Generation V
Black
Trade
White
Route 12
Black 2
Trade
White 2
Evolve Caterpie
Generation VI
X
Evolve Caterpie
Y
Santalune Forest
Omega Ruby Alpha Sapphire
Trade


In side games

Generation I
Pinball
Evolve Caterpie
Generation II
This Pokémon is unavailable in Generation II side games.
Generation III
Channel
Forest
Trozei
SOL Laboratory 2, Endless Level 4, Secret Storage 8, Mr. Who's Den
MD Red MD Blue
Joyous Tower (7F-8F)
Generation IV
MD Time MD Darkness
Mystifying Forest (B1F-B13F), Mystery Jungle (B1F-B29F), Happy Outlook (1F-19F)
MD Sky
Apple Woods (1F-4F)
Rumble
Silent Forest (Normal Mode C & A)
PokéPark Wii
Haunted Zone
Generation V
Rumble Blast
Treetops: Sun-Dappled Bank
Rumble U
Vehicle Gallery: Slithering Trains, Chill Battle: The Forest of Memories
Generation VI
Battle Trozei
Safari Jungle: Stage 2 (Sunday)
Rumble World
Fairy Land: Pixie Glen (All areas), Origin Hideaway: Old-Growth Woods (All areas)


Held items

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

Stats

Base stats

Stat Range
At Lv. 50 At Lv. 100
50
110 - 157 210 - 304
20
22 - 79 40 - 152
55
54 - 117 103 - 229
25
27 - 84 49 - 163
25
27 - 84 49 - 163
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.

Pokéathlon stats

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


Type effectiveness

Under normal battle conditions in Generation IX, this Pokémon is:
Damaged
normally by:
Normal
Fighting ½×
Flying
Poison
Ground ½×
Rock
Bug
Ghost
Steel
Fire
Water
Grass ½×
Electric
Psychic
Ice
Dragon
Dark
Fairy
None
Weak to:
Normal
Fighting ½×
Flying
Poison
Ground ½×
Rock
Bug
Ghost
Steel
Fire
Water
Grass ½×
Electric
Psychic
Ice
Dragon
Dark
Fairy
None
Immune to:
Normal
Fighting ½×
Flying
Poison
Ground ½×
Rock
Bug
Ghost
Steel
Fire
Water
Grass ½×
Electric
Psychic
Ice
Dragon
Dark
Fairy
None
Resistant to:
Normal
Fighting ½×
Flying
Poison
Ground ½×
Rock
Bug
Ghost
Steel
Fire
Water
Grass ½×
Electric
Psychic
Ice
Dragon
Dark
Fairy
None
Notes:

Learnset

By leveling up

Generation VI
Other generations:
I - II - III - IV - V - VII - VIII - IX
 Level   Move   Type   Cat.   Pwr.   Acc.   PP   Contest   Appeal   Jamming 
00Start Harden Normal Status 0000 —% 30 Tough 2 ♥♥ 0  
077 Harden Normal Status 0000 —% 30 Tough 2 ♥♥ 0  
  • Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Metapod
  • Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Metapod
  • Click on the generation numbers at the top to see level-up moves from other generations

By TM/HM

Generation VI
Other generations:
I - II - III - IV - V - VII - VIII - IX
   TM   Move   Type   Cat.   Pwr.   Acc.   PP   Contest   Appeal   Jamming 
This Pokémon learns no moves by TM.
  • Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Metapod
  • Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Metapod
  • Click on the generation numbers at the top to see TM moves from other generations

By breeding

Generation VI
Other generations:
II - III - IV - V - VII - VIII - IX
 Parent   Move   Type   Cat.   Pwr.   Acc.   PP   Contest   Appeal   Jamming 
This Pokémon learns no moves by breeding.
  • Moves marked with an asterisk (*) must be chain bred onto Metapod in Generation VI
  • Moves marked with a double dagger (‡) can only be bred from a Pokémon who learned the move in an earlier generation.
  • Moves marked with a superscript game abbreviation can only be bred onto Metapod in that game.
  • Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Metapod
  • Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Metapod
  • Click on the generation numbers at the top to see Egg moves from other generations

By tutoring

Generation VI
Other generations:
II - III - IV - V - VII - VIII - IX
 Game   Move   Type   Cat.   Pwr.   Acc.   PP   Contest   Appeal   Jamming 
X Y OR AS Bug Bite Bug Physical 60 100% 20 Cute 3 ♥♥♥ 0  
X Y OR AS Electroweb Electric Special 55 95% 15 Beautiful 2 ♥♥ 1
X Y OR AS Iron Defense Steel Status —% 15 Tough 1 0  
  • A black or white abbreviation in a colored box indicates that Metapod can be tutored the move in that game
  • A colored abbreviation in a white box indicates that Metapod cannot be tutored the move in that game
  • Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Metapod
  • Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Metapod
  • Click on the generation numbers at the top to see Move Tutor moves from other generations

By a prior evolution

Generation VI
Other generations:
I - II - III - IV - V - VII - VIII - IX
 Stage   Move   Type   Cat.   Pwr.   Acc.   PP   Contest   Appeal   Jamming 
Caterpie (Pokémon)/Generation VI learnset Tackle Normal Physical 50 100% 35 Tough 4 ♥♥♥♥ 0  
Caterpie (Pokémon)/Generation VI learnset String Shot Bug Status 95% 40 Clever 2 ♥♥ 3 ♥♥♥
Caterpie (Pokémon)/Generation VI learnset Bug Bite Bug Physical 60 100% 20 Cute 3 ♥♥♥ 0  
  • Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Metapod
  • Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Metapod
  • Click on the generation numbers at the top to see moves from other generations

TCG-only moves

Move Card
Stun Spore Metapod (Base Set 54)
Rollout Metapod (Expedition 87)
Sharpen Metapod (EX FireRed & LeafGreen 39)
Metapod (HeartGold & SoulSilver 46)

Side game data

Pokémon Pinball
 Pin011.png 
Acquisition: Evolve
Pokémon Pinball RS
 N/A 
Not available
Pokémon Trozei!
 Trozeiani011.png 
Rarity: Common
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon
Red Rescue Team and Blue Rescue Team
MDP RT 011.png Body size: 1
Recruit rate: -19%
Friend Area: Mist-Rise Forest
Phrases
51%-100% HP Now is the time to endure.
26%-50% HP Oh, no... My health is down to half...
1%-25% HP I can't keep going... I don't know if I can metamorphose...
Level up Oh! I leveled up!
Partner phrases
51%-100% HP <name>, my HP is between 51% and 100%.
26%-50% HP <name>, my HP is between 26% and 50%.
1%-25% HP <name>, my HP is between 1% and 25%.
Level up Oh! I leveled up!
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon
Explorers of Time, Explorers of Darkness
,
and Explorers of Sky
MDP E 011.png Body size: 1
Recruit rate: -10%
IQ group: A
Pokémon Ranger
Group:  Normal  Poké Assist: None Field move: None
Loops: 0 Min. exp.: 0 Max. exp.: 0
Browser entry  
This Pokémon does not have a browser entry.
Pokémon Ranger: Shadows of Almia
Group:  Normal  Poké Assist: None Field move: None
Browser entry  
This Pokémon does not have a browser entry.
Pokémon Ranger: Guardian Signs
Group: Poké Assist: Field move:
 Normal  None Past
Electric Assist.png
( Normal )
None Past
Electrify 1 field move.png
(Electrify ×1)
Browser entry  
This Pokémon does not have a browser entry.
Attack
Defense
Speed ●●●
Attack Not
Available
Defense
Speed
Attack
Defense
Speed ●●●
Attack Not
Available
Defense
Speed
Attack Not
Available
Defense
Speed
Attack Not
Available
Defense
Speed
PokéPark Wii: Pikachu's Adventure
PPW011.png PokéPark Pad entry:
Metapod fell off the White Tree at the entrance to the Haunted House. He stays busy watching all the visitors to the Haunted House.
PokéPark 2: Wonders Beyond
PP2011.png Strong: Weak:
PokéPark Pad entry:
She lived in the Arbor Area, but a twist of fate brought her to the Crag Area. She admires Serperior.
None.png HP: Move: {{{ConquestMove}}}
Attack: Ability 1: {{{ConquestAbility1}}}
Defense: Ability 2: {{{ConquestAbility2}}}
Speed: Ability 3: {{{ConquestAbility3}}}
Does not evolve.
Range: 0 Perfect Links: {{{ConquestLink}}}

Evolution

010Caterpie.png
Unevolved
Caterpie
 Bug 
Rare Candy
Level 7
011Metapod.png
First Evolution
Metapod
 Bug 
Rare Candy
Level 10
012Butterfree.png
Second Evolution
Butterfree
 Bug  Flying 


Sprites

Generation I
Red Green Red Blue Yellow
Spr 1g 011.png Spr b g1 011.png Spr 1b 011.png Spr b g1 011.png Spr 1y 011.png Spr b g1 011.png
Front Back Front Back Front Back
Generation II
Gold Silver Crystal
Spr 2g 011.png Spr b 2g 011.png Spr 2s 011.png Spr b 2s 011.png Spr 2c 011.png Spr b 2c 011.png
Spr 2g 011 s.png Spr b 2g 011 s.png Spr 2s 011 s.png Spr b 2s 011 s.png Spr 2c 011 s.png Spr b 2c 011 s.png
Front Back Front Back Front Back
Generation III
Ruby Sapphire Emerald FireRed LeafGreen
Spr 3r 011.png Spr b 3r 011.png Spr 3e 011.png Spr b 3e 011.png Spr 3f 011.png Spr b 3f 011.png
Spr 3r 011 s.png Spr b 3r 011 s.png Spr 3e 011 s.png Spr b 3e 011 s.png Spr 3f 011 s.png Spr b 3f 011 s.png
Front Back Front Back Front Back
Generation IV
Diamond Pearl Platinum HeartGold SoulSilver
Spr 4d 011.png Spr b 4d 011.png Spr 4p 011.png Spr b 4p 011.png Spr 4h 011.png Spr b 4h 011.png
Spr 4d 011 s.png Spr b 4d 011 s.png Spr 4p 011 s.png Spr b 4p 011 s.png Spr 4h 011 s.png Spr b 4h 011 s.png
Front Back Front Back Front Back
Generation V
Black White Black 2 White 2
Spr 5b 011.png Spr b 5b 011.png Spr 5b2 011.png Spr b 5b2 011.png
Spr 5b 011 s.png Spr b 5b 011 s.png Spr 5b2 011 s.png Spr b 5b2 011 s.png
Front Back Front Back
Generation VI
X Y Omega Ruby Alpha Sapphire
Spr 6x 011.png
Spr b 6x 011.png
Spr 6o 011.png
Spr b 6o 011.png
Spr 6x 011 s.png
Spr b 6x 011 s.png
Spr 6o 011 s.png
Spr b 6o 011 s.png
Front Back Front Back
011MS.png For other sprites and images, please see Metapod images on the Bulbagarden Archives.


Trivia

  • Metapod shares its species name with Kakuna, Silcoon, and Cascoon. They are all known as the Cocoon Pokémon.
    • They also share the same base stat total, learnset, Ability, and EV yield.
      • This ties them as the evolved Pokémon with the lowest base stat total.
  • Metapod is the first Pokémon to evolve in a movie, and part of the first evolution cycle in an episode.
  • Until the release of Pokémon Platinum, when its pre-evolution became able to learn Bug Bite, Metapod was unable to damage Ghost-type Pokémon except by using Struggle. It shared this trait with Caterpie.
    • Due to this, it was impossible to complete a Generation I game using only Caterpie or Metapod since Struggle could not hit Ghost types at the time.
  • Metapod is usually depicted with white sclera, such as in the games, trading cards, and promotional illustrations, but it has yellow sclera in the anime.

Origin

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

Name origin

Metapod is a combination of metamorphosis and pod (referring to its chrysalis state).

Trancell appears to be a combination of transform and cell or shell.

In other languages

Language Title Meaning
Japan Flag.png Japanese トランセル Trancell From transform and cell. Also likely a pun on randoseru.
France Flag.png French Chrysacier From chrysalide and acier
Spain Flag.png Spanish Metapod Same as English name
Germany Flag.png German Safcon From Safe and Kokon
Italy Flag.png Italian Metapod Same as English name
South Korea Flag.png Korean 단데기 Dandegi From 단단하다 dan-danhada and 번데기 beondegi
China and Taiwan Flags.png Mandarin Chinese 鐵甲蛹 / 铁甲蛹 Tiějiáyǒng "Armored chrysalis"
Hong Kong Flag.png Cantonese Chinese 鐵甲蟲 Titgaapchùhng "Armored bug"; 甲蟲 means "beetle"


Related articles

External links

Notes



Caterpie #010: Caterpie
Pokémon
#012: Butterfree Butterfree


Project Pokédex logo.png This Pokémon article is part of Project Pokédex, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on each Pokémon species, as well as Pokémon groups and forms.