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Metapod (Japanese: トランセル, HepburnToranseru) (MET-uh-pod[1]) is a Bug-type Pokémon introduced in Generation I. It is the evolved form of Caterpie.

Biology[]

Physiology[]

Metapod is an insect-like Pokémon with an appearance similar to that of a green-colored chrysalis or cocoon. Although it is covered in its hard shell, Metapod's eyes are still clearly visible and usually appear dazed, drowsy, or angry for reasons unknown.

Behavior[]

When preparing to evolve, Caterpie spin cocoons around themselves. These cocoons, while still vulnerable when soft, will eventually harden into iron-hard casings, triggering their evolutions into Metapod.

To avoid attacks, these Pokémon stay motionless and simply ​wait. Metapod are remarkably patient, enduring whatever pain they must to reach their final stages. They must remain upright while biding their time or risk spilling out their innards.

They are often regarded as nearly useless in battle, as freshly-caught Metapod are incapable of damaging foes at all (other than by using Struggle). Luckily, however, the Caterpie line undergoes some of the quickest evolutions known to date, and it does not take very long for Metapod to finally evolve into Butterfree.

Natural abilities[]

Metapod have the ability Shed Skin which allows for a 1/3 chance that a harmful status effect will be dropped every turn.

A Metapod's exterior is regularly hardened to protect its soft and tender innards while undergoing metamorphosis to eventually become a Butterfree. To conserve energy for this event, the Metapod barely moves.

Evolution[]

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

Game info[]

Locations[]

Locations
Version(s) Area(s) Rarity
Red and Blue Viridian Forest, Route 25
Route 24(Blue only)
Uncommon(Red)
Common(Blue)
Yellow Viridian Forest Common
Gold and Silver Ilex Forest
National Park, Route 2, 30, 31(Gold only)
Bug-Catching Contest(Silver only)
Common(Gold)
Uncommon(Silver)
Crystal Ilex Forest, National Park, Route 2, 24, 25, 30, 31 Common
Ruby and Sapphire Trade None
FireRed and LeafGreen Viridian Forest, Pattern Bush, Route 24, 25 Common
Emerald Trade None
Diamond and Pearl Route 204 Dongle (FireRed)
Platinum Eterna Forest Dongle (FireRed)
HeartGold and SoulSilver Route 2, 30, 31, National Park, Ilex Forest, Viridian Forest, Bug-Catching Contest, Headbutt trees Common
Black and White Trade (Black only)
Route 12 (White only)
Rare
Black 2 and White 2 Trade (Black 2 only)
Evolve Caterpie (White 2 only)
None
X and Y Evolve Caterpie None
Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire Trade None
Sun and Moon Route 1 (Alola), Route 5 (Alola), Lush Jungle, Melemele Meadow Common
Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon Melemele Meadow, Lush Jungle, Route 5 Common
Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee! Viridian Forest Common
Sword and Shield Rolling Fields
Max Raid Battle: Bridge Field, Dappled Grove, Rolling Fields, South Lake Miloch
Common

Spin-off game locations[]

Locations
Game(s) Area(s)
Pokémon Snap River
Pokémon Trozei! SOL Laboratory 2, Secret Storage 8, Endless Level 4, Mr. Who's Den
Red Rescue Team & Blue Rescue Team Joyous Tower (7-8F)
Explorers of Time & Explorers of Darkness Mystifying Forest (1-13BF), Mystery Jungle (1-29BF), Happy Outlook (1-19BF)
Pokémon Rumble Silent Forest
PokéPark Wii: Pikachu's Adventure Haunted Zone


Pokédex entries[]

  • Red and Blue

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

  • Yellow

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

  • 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 pre-evolved form. At this stage, it can only harden, so it remains motionless to avoid attack.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Black

    A steel-hard shell protects its tender body. It quietly endures hardships while awaiting evolution.

  • White

    A steel-hard shell protects its tender body. It quietly endures hardships while awaiting evolution.

  • Black 2

    A steel-hard shell protects its tender body. It quietly endures hardships while awaiting evolution.

  • White 2

    A steel-hard shell protects its tender body. It quietly endures hardships while awaiting evolution.

  • 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

    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.

  • Sun

    Its shell is filled with its soft innards. It doesn’t move much because of the risk it might carelessly spill its innards out.

  • Moon

    Its shell is hard, but it’s still just a bug shell. It’s been known to break, so intense battles with it should be avoided.

  • Ultra Sun

    Its shell is filled with a thick liquid. All of the cells throughout its body are being rebuilt in preparation for evolution.

  • Ultra Moon

    Its hard shell doesn't crack a bit even if Pikipek pecks at it, but it will tip over, spilling out its insides.

  • Let's Go, Pikachu!

    Hardens its shell to protect itself. However, a large impact may cause it to pop out of its shell.

  • Let's Go, Eevee!

    Hardens its shell to protect itself. However, a large impact may cause it to pop out of its shell.

  • Sword

    It is waiting for the moment to evolve. At this stage, it can only harden, so it remains motionless to avoid attack.

  • Shield

    Even though it is encased in a sturdy shell, the body inside is tender. It can't withstand a harsh attack.

  • Brilliant Diamond

    A steel-hard shell protects its tender body. The Pokémon quietly endures hardships while awaiting evolution.

  • Shining Pearl

    A steel-hard shell protects its tender body. The Pokémon quietly endures hardships while awaiting evolution.


Stats[]

Stats
HP
50
Attack
20
Defense
55
Sp. Atk
25
Sp. Def
25
Speed
30
Total
205

Learnset[]

By leveling up[]

LevelingGeneration VIII
Level Move Power Accuracy PP Type Cat.
1 Harden —% 30 Type Normal HOME Normal Status
Evo Harden —% 30 Type Normal HOME Normal Status
Bold indicates this Pokémon receives STAB from this move.
Italic indicates an evolved or alternate form of this Pokémon receives STAB from this move.

LevelingGeneration VII
Level Move Power Accuracy PP Type Cat.
1 Harden —% 30 Type Normal HOME Normal Status
Evo Harden —% 30 Type Normal HOME Normal Status
Bold indicates this Pokémon receives STAB from this move.
Italic indicates an evolved or alternate form of this Pokémon receives STAB from this move.

LevelingGeneration VI
Level Move Power Accuracy PP Type Cat. Contest Cat. Appeal Jam
1 Harden —% 30 Type Normal HOME Normal Status Tough 2 0 ♥
7 Harden —% 30 Type Normal HOME Normal Status Tough 2 0 ♥
Bold indicates this Pokémon receives STAB from this move.
Italic indicates an evolved or alternate form of this Pokémon receives STAB from this move.

LevelingGeneration V
Level Move Power Accuracy PP Type Cat.
1 Harden —% 30 Type Normal HOME Normal Status
7 Harden —% 30 Type Normal HOME Normal Status
Bold indicates this Pokémon receives STAB from this move.
Italic indicates an evolved or alternate form of this Pokémon receives STAB from this move.

LevelingGeneration IV
Level Move Power Accuracy PP Type Cat. Contest Cat. Appeal
1 Harden —% 30 Type Normal HOME Normal Status Tough 2
7 Harden —% 30 Type Normal HOME Normal Status Tough 2
Bold indicates this Pokémon receives STAB from this move.
Italic indicates an evolved or alternate form of this Pokémon receives STAB from this move.

LevelingGeneration III
Level Move Power Accuracy PP Type Contest Cat. Appeal Jam
1 Harden —% 30 Type Normal HOME Normal Tough 2 0 ♥
7 Harden —% 30 Type Normal HOME Normal Tough 2 0 ♥
Bold indicates this Pokémon receives STAB from this move.
Italic indicates an evolved or alternate form of this Pokémon receives STAB from this move.

LevelingGeneration II
Level Move Power Accuracy PP Type
1 Harden —% 30 Type Normal HOME Normal
7 Harden —% 30 Type Normal HOME Normal
Bold indicates this Pokémon receives STAB from this move.
Italic indicates an evolved or alternate form of this Pokémon receives STAB from this move.

LevelingGeneration I
Level Move Power Accuracy PP Type
1 Harden —% 30 Type Normal HOME Normal
7 Harden —% 30 Type Normal HOME Normal
Bold indicates this Pokémon receives STAB from this move.
Italic indicates an evolved or alternate form of this Pokémon receives STAB from this move.

By TM/TR[]

Generation VIII
Machine Move Type Category Power Accuracy PP
TM82 Electroweb Type Electric Special 55 95% 15
TR46 Iron Defense Type Steel Status 100% 15
Bold indicates that this Pokémon receives STAB from this move.
Italic indicates that an evolved or alternate form of this Pokémon receives STAB from this move.

Metapod learns no moves via TM/HM.

By breeding[]

Metapod learns no moves via breeding.


By tutoring[]

Tutoring Generation VII
Move Power Accuracy PP Type Cat.
Bug Bite USUM 60 100% 20 Type Bug HOME Bug Physical
Electroweb USUM 55 95% 15 Type Electric HOME Electric Special
Iron Defense USUM —% 15 Type Steel HOME Steel Status
Bold indicates this Pokémon receives STAB from this move.
Italic indicates an evolved or alternate form of this Pokémon receives STAB from this move.

Tutoring Generation VI
Move Power Accuracy PP Type Cat. Contest Cat. Appeal Jam
Bug Bite ORAS 60 100% 20 Type Bug HOME Bug Physical Cute 3 0 ♥
Electroweb ORAS 55 95% 15 Type Electric HOME Electric Special Beautiful 2 1 ♥
Iron Defense ORAS —% 15 Type Steel HOME Steel Status Tough 1 0 ♥
Bold indicates this Pokémon receives STAB from this move.
Italic indicates an evolved or alternate form of this Pokémon receives STAB from this move.

Tutoring Generation V
Move Power Accuracy PP Type Cat.
Bug Bite  60 100% 20 Type Bug HOME Bug Physical
Electroweb  55 95% 15 Type Electric HOME Electric Special
Iron Defense  —% 15 Type Steel HOME Steel Status
Bold indicates this Pokémon receives STAB from this move.
Italic indicates an evolved or alternate form of this Pokémon receives STAB from this move.

Tutoring Generation IV
Move Power Accuracy PP Type Cat. Contest Cat. Appeal
Bug Bite HGSS 60 100% 20 Type Bug HOME Bug Physical Tough 0
Iron Defense  —% 15 Type Steel HOME Steel Status Tough 2
String Shot HGSS 95% 40 Type Bug HOME Bug Status Smart 2
Bold indicates this Pokémon receives STAB from this move.
Italic indicates an evolved or alternate form of this Pokémon receives STAB from this move.

Sprites[]

Appearances[]

Anime[]

Metapod debuted in the anime episode Ash Catches a Pokémon when Ash's Caterpie quickly evolved into a Metapod near the episode's end.

In the episode Challenge of the Samurai, Ash battled a Samurai-like trainer using his Metapod against the Samurai's Pinsir and Metapod.

Gym Leader Bugsy used his own Metapod against Ash in the episode Gettin' the Bugs Out. This Metapod proved to be more capable than others in previous episodes as it was actually able to knock out Ash's Chikorita.

Manga[]

Pokémon Adventures[]

Metapod make its first appearance in PA002 as one of the Pokémon in Professor Oak's Lab. Yellow had a Caterpie which evolved into a Metapod and then a Butterfree during her battle with Lance. There are also two Metapods which belong to Bugsy.

Trivia[]

Origins[]

It appears to be based upon an amalgamation of butterfly chrysalises, resembling the general shape of a Black Swallowtail chrysalis (or possibly a Large White) with a large nose-like protrusion and side protrusions resembling a Polydamas Swallowtail or Pipevine Swallowtail chrysalis.

Etymology[]

Metapod is a portmanteau of "metamorphosis" and "pod."

Toranseru is likely a portmanteau of "transform" and "cell."

Gallery[]

See also[]

  1. ^ Silvestri, Cris (2015). Pokémon Deluxe Essential Handbook [Book]. p. 242. Scholastic. ISBN 978-0-545-79566-1.
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