12: Butterfree

Essentials

Butterfree

Butterfly Pokémon

Abilities

Compound Eyes: Increases moves' accuracy to 1.3×.

Hidden Ability

Tinted Lens: Doubles damage inflicted with not-very-effective moves.

Damage Taken

Pokédex Numbers

Introduced in
National: 12
Kanto: 12
Original Johto: 26
Updated Johto: 26
Central Kalos: 25
Original Alola: 19
Updated Alola: 19
Let’s Go Kanto: 12
Galar: 15

Names

Japanese: バタフリー (batafurii)
: バタフリー
Official roomaji: Butterfree
Korean: 버터플
Chinese: 巴大蝶
: 巴大蝶
French: Papilusion
German: Smettbo
Spanish: Butterfree
Italian: Butterfree

Breeding

Gender

½ male, ½ female

Egg groups

Hatch counter

Steps to hatch

4080 / 2295

Compatibility

Training

Base EXP

198

Effort points

2 Special Attack
1 Special Defense

Capture rate

Base happiness

Growth rate

medium

Wild held items

	5%	Silver Powder
		nothing
	5%	Silver Powder
	5%	Silver Powder
	5%	Silver Powder
	5%	Silver Powder
		nothing
		nothing

Evolution

Compare this family

Baby	Basic	Stage 1	Stage 2
	Caterpie	Metapod Level up, starting at level 7	Butterfree Level up, starting at level 10

Stats

			Level
			Effort
		Pctile	Min IVs	Max IVs
HP	60	38.0	293	324
Attack	45	12.0	158	189
Defense	50	22.5	168	199
Special Attack	90	71.3	248	279
Special Defense	80	63.8	228	259
Speed	70	53.4	208	239
Total	395	34.8

Pokéathlon Performance

Minimum; Base; Maximum

Speed
Power
Skill
Stamina
Jump
Total: 8/13/18

Flavor

Detailed flavor page covering all versions

Flavor Text

: Close examination of its large eyes reveals that each eye is composed of a myriad of tiny eyes.
: When attacked by other Pokémon, it defends itself by scattering its poisonous scales and fluttering its wings.
: 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.
: Nectar from pretty flowers is its favorite food. In fields of flowers, it has heated battles with Cutiefly for territory.
: Its wings, covered with poisonous powder, repel water. This allows it to fly in the rain.

: In battle, it flaps its wings at great speed to release highly toxic dust into the air.
: It collects honey every day. It rubs honey onto the hairs on its legs to carry it back to its nest.

Sprites

Miscellany

Species: Butterfly Pokémon
Color: White
Cry
Habitat: forest
Footprint
Shape: Lepidopterous

Height

3'7.3"
1.1 m

Weight

320

70.5 lb
32.0 kg

Locations

Ridiculously detailed breakdown

Gold

Route 2, south, towards Viridian City

Crystal

HeartGold

White

Route 12

Pal Park

Area: Forest
Score: 70
Rate: 20

Moves

Bug and Flying moves get STAB, and have their type highlighted in green.

Special moves better suit Butterfree's higher Special Attack, and have their class highlighted in green.

													Move	Type	Class	PP	Power	Acc	Pri	Effect
Level up: Learned when a Pokémon reaches a certain level.
												—	Harden			30	—	—		Raises the user's Defense by one stage.
												—	Tackle			35	40	100%		Inflicts regular damage with no additional effect.
												—	String Shot			40	—	95%		Lowers the target's Speed by two stages.
												—	Bug Bite			20	60	100%		If target has a berry, inflicts double damage and uses the berry.
												4	Supersonic			20	—	55%		Confuses the target.
										—	—		Gust			35	40	100%		Inflicts regular damage and can hit Pokémon in the air.
—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	8	Confusion			25	50	100%		Has a 10% chance to confuse the target.
12	10	10	10	10	10	10	10	10	10	11			Confusion			25	50	100%		Has a 10% chance to confuse the target.
15	13	13	13	12	12	12	12	12	12	13	13	12	Poison Powder			35	—	75%		Poisons the target.
16	14	14	14	12	12	12	12	12	12	13	13	12	Stun Spore			30	—	75%		Paralyzes the target.
17	15	15	15	12	12	12	12	12	12	13	13	12	Sleep Powder			15	—	75%		Puts the target to sleep.
										17	16	16	Psybeam			20	65	100%		Has a 10% chance to confuse the target.
										19			Silver Wind			5	60	100%		Has a 10% chance to raise all of the user's stats by one stage.
				16	16	16	16	16	16				Gust			35	40	100%		Inflicts regular damage and can hit Pokémon in the air.
21	18	18	18	18	18	18	18	18	18	23	19		Supersonic			20	—	55%		Confuses the target.
											22		Quiver Dance			20	—	—		Raises the user's Special Attack, Special Defense, and Speed by one stage each.
26	23	23	23	22	22	22	22	22	22		25	20	Whirlwind			20	—	—	-6	Immediately ends wild battles. Forces trainers to switch Pokémon.
	28	28	28										Gust			35	40	100%		Inflicts regular damage and can hit Pokémon in the air.
32	34	34	34	24	24	24	24	24	24				Psybeam			20	65	100%		Has a 10% chance to confuse the target.
				28	28	28	28	28	28				Silver Wind			5	60	100%		Has a 10% chance to raise all of the user's stats by one stage.
				30	30	30	30	30	30				Tailwind			15	—	—		For three turns, friendly Pokémon have doubled Speed.
											28	24	Air Slash			15	75	95%		Has a 30% chance to make the target flinch.
		40	40	34	34	34				25		28	Safeguard			25	—	—		Protects the user's field from major status ailments and confusion for five turns.
			47										Silver Wind			5	60	100%		Has a 10% chance to raise all of the user's stats by one stage.
										29			Whirlwind			20	—	—	-6	Immediately ends wild battles. Forces trainers to switch Pokémon.
										31	31	32	Bug Buzz			10	90	100%		Has a 10% chance to lower the target's Special Defense by one stage.
												36	Tailwind			15	—	—		For three turns, friendly Pokémon have doubled Speed.
							34	34	34	35		40	Rage Powder			20	—	—	2	Redirects the target's single-target effects to the user for this turn.
							36	36	36				Safeguard			25	—	—		Protects the user's field from major status ailments and confusion for five turns.
				36	36	36	40	40	40	37			Captivate			20	—	100%		Lowers the target's Special Attack by two stages if it's the opposite gender.
										41			Tailwind			15	—	—		For three turns, friendly Pokémon have doubled Speed.
										43			Air Slash			15	75	95%		Has a 30% chance to make the target flinch.
				40	40	40	42	42	42				Bug Buzz			10	90	100%		Has a 10% chance to lower the target's Special Defense by one stage.
							46	46	46	47		44	Quiver Dance			20	—	—		Raises the user's Special Attack, Special Defense, and Speed by one stage each.
Level up, learned by Metapod but not Butterfree
—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—		Harden			30	—	—		Raises the user's Defense by one stage.
	7	7	7	7	7	7	7	7	7				Harden			30	—	—		Raises the user's Defense by one stage.
Level up, learned by Caterpie but not Butterfree
—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—		Tackle			35	40	100%		Inflicts regular damage with no additional effect.
—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—		String Shot			40	—	95%		Lowers the target's Speed by two stages.
					15	15	15	15	15	9			Bug Bite			20	60	100%		If target has a berry, inflicts double damage and uses the berry.
													Move	Type	Class	PP	Power	Acc	Pri	Effect
Evolve: Learned when the Pokémon first evolves
										*	*	*	Gust			35	40	100%		Inflicts regular damage and can hit Pokémon in the air.
Evolve, learned by Metapod but not Butterfree
										*	*		Harden			30	—	—		Raises the user's Defense by one stage.
													Move	Type	Class	PP	Power	Acc	Pri	Effect
Move reminder: Can be taught at any time by the Move Reminder
												•	Gust			35	40	100%		Inflicts regular damage and can hit Pokémon in the air.
													Move	Type	Class	PP	Power	Acc	Pri	Effect
Tutor: Can be taught at any time by an NPC.
													Air Cutter			25	60	95%		Has an increased chance for a critical hit.
													Bug Bite			20	60	100%		If target has a berry, inflicts double damage and uses the berry.
													Defog			15	—	—		Lowers the target's evasion by one stage. Removes field effects from the enemy field.
													Double-Edge			15	120	100%		User receives 1/3 the damage inflicted in recoil.
													Dream Eater			15	100	100%		Only works on sleeping Pokémon. Drains half the damage inflicted to heal the user.
													Dual Wingbeat			10	40	90%		Inflicts regular damage with no additional effect.
													Electroweb			15	55	95%		Lowers the target's Speed by one stage.
													Endure			10	—	—	4	Prevents the user's HP from lowering below 1 this turn.
													Giga Drain			10	75	100%		Drains half the damage inflicted to heal the user.
													Mimic			10	—	—		Copies the target's last used move.
													Nightmare			15	—	100%		Target loses 1/4 its max HP every turn as long as it's asleep.
													Ominous Wind			5	60	100%		Has a 10% chance to raise all of the user's stats by one stage.
													Roost			10	—	—		Heals the user by half its max HP.
													Signal Beam			15	75	100%		Has a 10% chance to confuse the target.
													Skill Swap			10	—	—		User and target swap abilities.
													Sleep Talk			10	—	—		Randomly uses one of the user's other three moves. Only works if the user is sleeping.
													Snore			15	50	100%		Has a 30% chance to make the target flinch. Only works if the user is sleeping.
													String Shot			40	—	95%		Lowers the target's Speed by two stages.
													Substitute			10	—	—		Transfers 1/4 of the user's max HP into a doll, protecting the user from further damage or status changes until it breaks.
													Swagger			15	—	85%		Raises the target's Attack by two stages and confuses the target.
													Swift			20	60	—		Never misses.
													Tailwind			15	—	—		For three turns, friendly Pokémon have doubled Speed.
													Twister			20	40	100%		Has a 20% chance to make the target flinch.
Tutor, learned by Metapod but not Butterfree
													Iron Defense			15	—	—		Raises the user's Defense by two stages.
													Move	Type	Class	PP	Power	Acc	Pri	Effect
Machine: Can be taught at any time by using a TM or HM.
												08	Hyper Beam			5	150	90%		User foregoes its next turn to recharge.
												09	Giga Impact			5	150	90%		User foregoes its next turn to recharge.
												11	Solar Beam			10	120	100%		Requires a turn to charge before attacking.
		03											Curse			10	—	—		Ghosts pay half their max HP to hurt the target every turn. Others decrease Speed but raise Attack and Defense.
02	02												Razor Wind			10	80	100%		Requires a turn to charge before attacking.
04	04												Whirlwind			20	—	—	-6	Immediately ends wild battles. Forces trainers to switch Pokémon.
06	06	06	06	06	06	06	06	06	06	06			Toxic			10	—	90%		Badly poisons the target, inflicting more damage every turn.
							09	09	09	09			Venoshock			10	65	100%		Inflicts double damage if the target is Poisoned.
09	09												Take Down			20	90	85%		User receives 1/4 the damage it inflicts in recoil.
		10	10	10	10	10	10	10	10	10			Hidden Power			15	60	100%		Power and type depend upon user's IVs. Power can range from 30 to 70.
		11	11	11	11	11	11	11	11	11			Sunny Day			5	—	—		Changes the weather to sunny for five turns.
		12											Sweet Scent			20	—	100%		Lowers the target's evasion by one stage.
		13											Snore			15	50	100%		Has a 30% chance to make the target flinch. Only works if the user is sleeping.
10	10												Double-Edge			15	120	100%		User receives 1/3 the damage inflicted in recoil.
15	15	15	15	15	15	15	15	15	15	15			Hyper Beam			5	150	90%		User foregoes its next turn to recharge.
20	20												Rage			20	20	100%		If the user is hit after using this move, its Attack rises by one stage.
21	21												Mega Drain			15	40	100%		Drains half the damage inflicted to heal the user.
											01		Headbutt			15	70	100%		Has a 30% chance to make the target flinch.
											04		Teleport			20	—	—	-6	Immediately ends wild battles. No effect otherwise.
											05		Rest			10	—	—		User sleeps for two turns, completely healing itself.
		17	17	17	17	17	17	17	17	17	07		Protect			10	—	—	4	Prevents any moves from hitting the user this turn.
			18	18	18	18	18	18	18	18			Rain Dance			5	—	—		Changes the weather to rain for five turns.
								19	19	19			Roost			10	—	—		Heals the user by half its max HP.
											08		Substitute			10	—	—		Transfers 1/4 of the user's max HP into a doll, protecting the user from further damage or status changes until it breaks.
		19	19	19	19	19							Giga Drain			10	75	100%		Drains half the damage inflicted to heal the user.
		20											Endure			10	—	—	4	Prevents the user's HP from lowering below 1 this turn.
			20	20	20	20	20	20	20	20		19	Safeguard			25	—	—		Protects the user's field from major status ailments and confusion for five turns.
												21	Rest			10	—	—		User sleeps for two turns, completely healing itself.
												23	Thief			25	60	100%		Takes the target's item.
												24	Snore			15	50	100%		Has a 30% chance to make the target flinch. Only works if the user is sleeping.
												25	Protect			10	—	—	4	Prevents any moves from hitting the user this turn.
												28	Giga Drain			10	75	100%		Drains half the damage inflicted to heal the user.
												31	Attract			15	—	100%		Target falls in love if it has the opposite gender, and has a 50% chance to refuse attacking the user.
												33	Rain Dance			5	—	—		Changes the weather to rain for five turns.
												34	Sunny Day			5	—	—		Changes the weather to sunny for five turns.
											09		Reflect			20	—	—		Reduces damage from physical attacks by half.
		21	21	21	21	21	21	21	21	21			Frustration			20	*	100%		Power increases as happiness decreases, up to a maximum of 102.
											12	39	Facade			20	70	100%		Power doubles if user is burned, paralyzed, or poisoned.
22	22	22	22	22	22	22	22	22	22	22			Solar Beam			10	120	100%		Requires a turn to charge before attacking.
		27	27	27	27	27	27	27	27	27			Return			20	*	100%		Power increases with happiness, up to a maximum of 102.
											18		U-turn			20	70	100%		User must switch out after attacking.
29	29	29	29	29	29	29	29	29	29	29			Psychic			10	90	100%		Has a 10% chance to lower the target's Special Defense by one stage.
			30	30	30	30	30	30	30	30			Shadow Ball			15	80	100%		Has a 20% chance to lower the target's Special Defense by one stage.
30	30												Teleport			20	—	—	-6	Immediately ends wild battles. No effect otherwise.
31	31												Mimic			10	—	—		Copies the target's last used move.
32	32	32	32	32	32	32	32	32	32	32			Double Team			15	—	—		Raises the user's evasion by one stage.
			40	40	40	40	40	40	40	40			Aerial Ace			20	60	—		Never misses.
			42	42	42	42	42	42	42	42			Facade			20	70	100%		Power doubles if user is burned, paralyzed, or poisoned.
			43	43	43	43							Secret Power			20	70	100%		Has a 30% chance to inflict a status effect which depends upon the terrain.
		34											Swagger			15	—	85%		Raises the target's Attack by two stages and confuses the target.
		35											Sleep Talk			10	—	—		Randomly uses one of the user's other three moves. Only works if the user is sleeping.
33	33												Reflect			20	—	—		Reduces damage from physical attacks by half.
34	34												Bide			10	*	—	1	User waits for two turns, then hits back for twice the damage it took.
39	39	39										40	Swift			20	60	—		Never misses.
												56	U-turn			20	70	100%		User must switch out after attacking.
												74	Venoshock			10	65	100%		Inflicts double damage if the target is Poisoned.
44	44	44	44	44	44	44	44	44	44	44			Rest			10	—	—		User sleeps for two turns, completely healing itself.
46	46												Psywave			15	*	100%		Inflicts damage between 50% and 150% of the user's level.
		45	45	45	45	45	45	45	45	45			Attract			15	—	100%		Target falls in love if it has the opposite gender, and has a 50% chance to refuse attacking the user.
		50											Nightmare			15	—	100%		Target loses 1/4 its max HP every turn as long as it's asleep.
			46	46	46	46	46	46	46	46			Thief			25	60	100%		Takes the target's item.
							48	48	48	48		76	Round			15	60	100%		Has double power if it's used more than once per turn.
			48	48	48	48							Skill Swap			10	—	—		User and target swap abilities.
											27		Toxic			10	—	90%		Badly poisons the target, inflicting more damage every turn.
											40		Psychic			10	90	100%		Has a 10% chance to lower the target's Special Defense by one stage.
											43		Shadow Ball			15	80	100%		Has a 20% chance to lower the target's Special Defense by one stage.
											45		Solar Beam			10	120	100%		Requires a turn to charge before attacking.
											48		Hyper Beam			5	150	90%		User foregoes its next turn to recharge.
				51	51	51					50		Roost			10	—	—		Heals the user by half its max HP.
											53		Mega Drain			15	40	100%		Drains half the damage inflicted to heal the user.
				53	53	53	53	53	53	53			Energy Ball			10	90	100%		Has a 10% chance to lower the target's Special Defense by one stage.
							62	62	62	62		78	Acrobatics			15	55	100%		Has double power if the user has no held item.
												82	Electroweb			15	55	95%		Lowers the target's Speed by one stage.
												87	Draining Kiss			10	50	100%		Drains 75% of the damage inflicted to heal the user.
												95	Air Slash			15	75	95%		Has a 30% chance to make the target flinch.
												R11	Psychic			10	90	100%		Has a 10% chance to lower the target's Special Defense by one stage.
				58	58	58							Endure			10	—	—	4	Prevents the user's HP from lowering below 1 this turn.
				62	62	62							Silver Wind			5	60	100%		Has a 10% chance to raise all of the user's stats by one stage.
				68	68	68	68	68	68	68			Giga Impact			5	150	90%		User foregoes its next turn to recharge.
		H5	H5	70	70	70	70	70	70				Flash			20	—	100%		Lowers the target's accuracy by one stage.
							76	76	76				Struggle Bug			20	50	100%		Has a 100% chance to lower the target's Special Attack by one stage.
				77	77	77	77	77	77	77			Psych Up			10	—	—		Discards the user's stat changes and copies the target's.
								83	83	83			Infestation			20	20	100%		Prevents the target from fleeing and inflicts damage for 2-5 turns.
				78	78	78							Captivate			20	—	100%		Lowers the target's Special Attack by two stages if it's the opposite gender.
				82	82	82							Sleep Talk			10	—	—		Randomly uses one of the user's other three moves. Only works if the user is sleeping.
				83	83	83							Natural Gift			15	*	100%		Power and type depend on the held berry.
				85	85	85	85	85	85	85	59		Dream Eater			15	100	100%		Only works on sleeping Pokémon. Drains half the damage inflicted to heal the user.
				87	87	87	87	87	87	87			Swagger			15	—	85%		Raises the target's Attack by two stages and confuses the target.
								88	88	88			Sleep Talk			10	—	—		Randomly uses one of the user's other three moves. Only works if the user is sleeping.
				89	89	89	89	89	89	89			U-turn			20	70	100%		User must switch out after attacking.
50	50			90	90	90	90	90	90	90		R20	Substitute			10	—	—		Transfers 1/4 of the user's max HP into a doll, protecting the user from further damage or status changes until it breaks.
												R26	Endure			10	—	—	4	Prevents the user's HP from lowering below 1 this turn.
												R27	Sleep Talk			10	—	—		Randomly uses one of the user's other three moves. Only works if the user is sleeping.
												R29	Baton Pass			40	—	—		Allows the trainer to switch out the user and pass effects along to its replacement.
												R33	Shadow Ball			15	80	100%		Has a 20% chance to lower the target's Special Defense by one stage.
												R40	Skill Swap			10	—	—		User and target swap abilities.
												R46	Iron Defense			15	—	—		Raises the user's Defense by two stages.
												R61	Bug Buzz			10	90	100%		Has a 10% chance to lower the target's Special Defense by one stage.
												R65	Energy Ball			10	90	100%		Has a 10% chance to lower the target's Special Defense by one stage.
												R89	Hurricane			10	110	70%		Has a 30% chance to confuse the target.
												R96	Pollen Puff			15	90	100%		Damages opponents, but heals allies for 50% of their max HP.
				H5	H5								Defog			15	—	—		Lowers the target's evasion by one stage. Removes field effects from the enemy field.
	H5												Flash			20	—	100%		Lowers the target's accuracy by one stage.
									94				Secret Power			20	70	100%		Has a 30% chance to inflict a status effect which depends upon the terrain.
								100	100	100			Confide			20	—	—		Lowers the target's Special Attack by one stage.