Metapod (Pokémon)

For Pokémon GO information on this species, see the game's section.
← #0010: Caterpie	Pokémon	#0012: Butterfree →
This article is about the species. For a specific instance of this species, see Metapod (disambiguation).

Metapod Cocoon Pokémon トランセル Transel #0011 Images on the Bulbagarden Archives
Type Bug Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown	Ability 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 15 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	Footprint {{{form2}}}
Pokédex color   Green	Base friendship 70
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 Transel) is a Bug-type Pokémon introduced in Generation I.

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

Biology

Metapod is an insect Pokémon that resembles a green chrysalis. Its body is crescent-shaped, with several segments making up the lower point. The front of Metapod's shell resembles a face with heavy-lidded eyes and a sharply pointed nose. The back of its shell consists of several geometrically shaped portions and projections.

Metapod's soft body is protected by a hard outer shell as it undergoes metamorphosis. While this shell is said to be as hard as steel, a sudden, powerful impact could cause its liquid innards to pop out, leaving it completely exposed. Metapod generally remains motionless, rebuilding its cells for evolution. If an enemy discovers Metapod, it cannot do anything other than harden its outer shell. Metapod lives in temperate forests and jungles, often in groups. Pikipek is a natural predator of Metapod. As shown in Pokémon Sleep, Metapod is known to sleep while using the move Harden constantly to protect its innards. It stays still while sleeping to avoid getting attacked by foes^[1].

Evolution

Metapod evolves from Caterpie and evolves into Butterfree.

(For specifics on this Pokémon's Evolution in the games, refer to Game data→Evolution data.)

Unevolved Caterpie  Bug

→

First Evolution Metapod  Bug

→

Second Evolution Butterfree  Bug  Flying

Game data

NPC appearances

• Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Red Rescue Team and Blue Rescue Team: Metapod is Caterpie's friend.

Pokédex entries

Metapod's Image in the Alolan Pokédex

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

In side games

Held items

Pokémon caught in Generation I must be traded to a Generation II game in order for a held item to appear.

Games		Held items
Red	Blue	Berry (100%)
Yellow

Stats

Base stats

Pokéathlon stats

Type effectiveness

Learnset

Metapod is available in Sword and Shield and Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl.

By leveling up

By TM/TR

SwSh

Generation VIII Other generations: I - II - III - IV - V - VI - VII - IX

TM   Move   Type   Cat.   Pwr.   Acc.   PP  TM82 TM82 Electroweb Electric Special 05555 095}}95% 15 TR46 TR46 Iron Defense Steel Status 0000— 00—}}—% 15

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

BDSP

By breeding

By tutoring

By a prior Evolution

Generation VIII Other generations: I - II - III - IV - V - VI - VII - IX

Stage   Move   Type   Cat.   Pwr.   Acc.   PP  Tackle Normal Physical 40 100% 35 String Shot Bug Status — 95% 40 Bug Bite Bug Physical 60 100% 20

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

By transfer from another generation

TCG-only moves

Side game data

Pokémon Pinball Acquisition: Evolve			Pokémon Trozei! Rarity: Common
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon Red Rescue Team and Blue Rescue Team 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!
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon Explorers of Time, Explorers of Darkness, and Explorers of Sky Body size: 1 Recruit rate: -10% IQ group: A
Pokémon Super Mystery Dungeon Body size: Standard (1 tile) How to Recruit: Rescue Pupitar Connected to: Pupitar, Cascoon, Wingull Connection Orb Set: 3 Phrases Normal Harden! Low HP (< 50%) Argh… This is a bit rough…
Pokémon Rumble Attack ● Defense ● Speed ●●●			Pokémon Rumble Blast Attack ● Defense ● Speed ●●●
Pokémon Rumble Rush Walking Speed: 1.67 seconds Base HP: 48 Base Attack: 60 Base Defense: 45 Base Speed: 60
PokéPark Wii: Pikachu's Adventure 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 PokéPark Pad entry: She lived in the Arbor Area, but a twist of fate brought her to the Crag Area. She admires Serperior.
Pokémon Battle Trozei Bug Attack Power: ★★★★★			Pokémon Shuffle Bug Attack Power: 40 - 90 5 #748 Swap++ Sometimes replaces five disruptions with this Pokémon.
Pokémon GO Base HP: 137 Base Attack: 45 Base Defense: 80 Egg Distance: N/A Buddy Distance: 1 km Evolution Requirement: 50 Fast Attacks: Bug Bite, Tackle Charged Attacks: Struggle, Frustration, Return
New Pokémon Snap Photodex entry #043 Inside that hard shell, Metapod’s cells are being completely rebuilt! Metapod often stick together in groups, moving as little as possible so their innards don’t spill out of their shells.
Pokémon Sleep Sleep type: Dozing Pokémon type: Bug Points to befriend: 7 Specialty: Berries Berry: Lum Berry ×2 Primary ingredient: Honey ×1 Possible ingredients: Honey Snoozy Tomato Greengrass Soybeans Main skill: Ingredient Magnet S Base carry limit: 13 Gets you 6 ingredients chosen at random. Evolution requirements: Caterpie Candy ×80, Lv. 8 It stays still when it sleeps to avoid being attacked. Metapod has been confirmed to use Harden even while asleep, possibly to protect its soft innards. Placid Sleep Wobbling Sleep Hardened Sleep Atop-Belly Sleep ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★

Evolution data

Unevolved Caterpie  Bug

Level 7 →

First Evolution Metapod  Bug

Level 10 →

Second Evolution Butterfree  Bug  Flying

Sprites

Generation I Red Green Red Blue Yellow Front Back Front Back Front Back
Generation II Gold Silver Crystal Front Back Front Back Front Back
Generation III Ruby Sapphire Emerald FireRed LeafGreen Front Back Front Back Front Back
Generation IV Diamond Pearl Platinum HeartGold SoulSilver Front Back Front Back Front Back
Generation V Black White Black 2 White 2 Front Back Front Back
Generation VI X Y Omega Ruby Alpha Sapphire Front Back Front Back
Generation VII Sun Moon Ultra Sun Ultra Moon Front Back Front Back Let's Go, Pikachu! Let's Go, Eevee!
Generation VIII Sword Shield
This Pokémon is unavailable in Generation IX.
Cross-Generation HOME

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

In animation

Main series

Metapod in Pokémon Journeys: The Series

Metapod's original evolutionary method in Pokémon the Series: The Beginning

Major appearances

Ash's Metapod

Ash had a Metapod that he caught as a Caterpie and evolved in Ash Catches a Pokémon, thus also marking the species' debut. He eventually evolved into Butterfree in Challenge of the Samurai, following an attack by a horde of Beedrill.

Metapod also appeared in I Choose You!, which is set in a different continuity from Pokémon the Series. He evolved from Caterpie during a battle against a Pinsir and later evolved into Butterfree after a battle against a group of Primeape.

Other

In Challenge of the Samurai, Samurai's Metapod battled Ash's 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 during his Gym battle against Ash, facing Chikorita and Pikachu before being defeated by the latter's Thunderbolt. Unlike most Metapod, this one was actually able to fight back by using Tackle. More Metapod were seen inside the Azalea Gym in the same episode.

A Metapod appeared in Caterpie's Big Dilemma, under the ownership of Zander. It became giant after eating some enhanced Rare Candies. Zander'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.

In Butterfree and Me!, multiple Metapod evolved into Butterfree on Wayfarer Island. One Metapod had been befriended by Ash as a Caterpie, and Ash helped it eventually evolve into Butterfree.

Minor appearances

In Celebi: The Voice of the Forest, Ash and Sam witnessed multiple Metapod evolving into Butterfree.

A Metapod appeared in The Breeding Center Secret.

In Tracey Gets Bugged, a Metapod was among the Bug-type populace of Murcott Island.

A wild Metapod appeared in Pikachu's Rescue Adventure.

In Illusion Confusion!, a Metapod was one of the illusions created by a group of Haunter and Gengar.

A Metapod appeared in Gonna Rule The School!, under the ownership of the Pokémon Trainers' School. It was temporarily loaned to one of the school's underage students for use.

A Metapod appeared in Riding the Winds of Change!.

A Metapod appeared in Volcanion and the Mechanical Marvel.

In Lillie's Egg-xhilarating Challenge!, a Metapod played in Lillie's garden. It appeared again in The Ol' Raise and Switch!.

In I Choose Paradise!, a Trainer's Metapod was at the Pokémon Paradise Resort.

In Securing the Future!, two Trainers' Metapod joined the rest of Alola in showering Necrozma with light so it could return to its true form.

In The Battlefield of Truth and Love!, a Metapod watched Bewear and Stufful put on a performance in their hot springs.

In Working My Way Back to Mew!, Goh caught a Metapod. It has since made further appearances in Pokémon Journeys: The Series.

In Not Too Close for Comfort!, a Metapod was seen in a video, evolving into Butterfree.

A Trainer's Metapod appeared in Take My Thief! Please!.

In Heroes Unite!, multiple Metapod evolved into Butterfree.

A Trainer's Metapod appeared in Put Your Heart Into It!.

Pokédex entries

Pokémon Origins

Metapod in Pokémon Origins

In File 1: Red, a Metapod was seen in Professor Oak's introduction, while another was under the ownership of Red. Red sent out Metapod during his Gym battle with Brock, where it was able to slow Onix down with String Shot but was defeated afterwards.

In the manga

Metapod in Pokémon Adventures

Metapod in The Electric Tale of Pikachu

Pokémon Adventures

Major appearances

Kitty

In The Might of... Metapod?, Yellow's Caterpie, which was called "Kitty", briefly evolved into Metapod before evolving again into Butterfree during Yellow's showdown with Lance.

Minor appearances

Metapod debuted in Bulbasaur, Come Home! as one of the Pokémon that gets out of its Poké Ball in Professor Oak's Laboratory.

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.

A wild Metapod appeared in the Wild Area in Zap!! A Rising Beam of Light.

According to the Pokédex at the end of Volume 1, Red appears to have captured a Caterpie which evolved into a Metapod and then a Butterfree.

Pokémon Pocket Monsters

A Metapod appeared in Demanding Tests at the Pokémon School!.

A Metapod appeared in The Hardest Bug Pokémon Wins?!, under the ownership of Bugsy. It evolved into a Butterfree.

The Electric Tale of Pikachu

Main article: Ash's Metapod

Ash's Caterpie evolved into Metapod in Play Misty For Me. It was depicted as slightly thinner than other Metapod, as well as having a large spike on its back.

Magical Pokémon Journey

A Metapod fell down from a tree in Clefairy Comes Through. Though Hazel put it back where it was, it fell again.

Pokédex entries

Pokémon: Yeah! I Got Pokémon!

A Metapod appeared in Shu and Pikachu's Debut!.

A Metapod appeared in GDZ23.

How I Became a Pokémon Card

Midori was shown to have a Metapod.

Pokémon Gold & Silver: The Golden Boys

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)

Other appearances

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

Metapod appears as a Spirit.

Trivia

Metapod's Pokémon the Series: Ruby and Sapphire artwork, showing it with yellow schlerae

• Metapod shares its category 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. This is also true for Kakuna and its pre-Evolution, Weedle, against Steel types before Pokémon Platinum was released.
  • Due to this, it is impossible to complete a Generation I game using only Caterpie or Metapod, since Struggle cannot hit Ghost types in this generation.
• Metapod is usually depicted with white sclerae, such as in the games, TCG, and promotional illustrations, but it has yellow sclerae in Pokémon the Series.
• In the Pokémon the Series episode Challenge of the Samurai, the process of Metapod's evolution was similar to a real life butterfly emerging from its chrysalis. However, in later episodes,^[2] Metapod is shown to evolve like any other Pokémon.
• Ume Aoki, a Japanese cartoonist famous for her work on the manga Hidamari Sketch and as the character designer for the anime Puella Magi Madoka Magica, utilizes a likeness of herself cosplaying as a Metapod to represent herself in her works.

Origin

Metapod seems to be based on a butterfly chrysalis, possibly that of the cabbage white butterfly due to its pointed shape and green color.

Name origin

Metapod may be a combination of metamorphosis and pod (a shell containing seeds).

Transel may be a combination of transform and cell or possibly a pun on ランドセル randoseru (school bag).

In other languages

Language Title Meaning Japanese トランセル Transel From transform and cell, as well as a pun on ランドセル randoseru French Chrysacier From chrysalide and acier Spanish Metapod Same as English name German Safcon From Safe and Kokon Italian Metapod Same as English name Korean 단데기 Tandegi From 단단하다 dandanhada and 번데기 beondegi Mandarin Chinese 鐵甲蛹 / 铁甲蛹 Tiějiǎyǒng From 鐵甲 / 铁甲 Tiějiǎ and 蛹 yǒng Cantonese Chinese 鐵甲蛹 Titgaapyúng* 鐵甲蟲 Titgaapchùhng* From 鐵甲 titgaap and 蛹 yúng From 鐵甲 titgaap and 蟲 chùhng

More languages Hebrew מטפוד Metapod Transcription of English name Hindi मेटापॉड Metapod Transcription of English name Lithuanian Metapodas From English name Russian Метапод Metapod Transcription of English name Thai ทรานเซล Thransel Transcription of Japanese name

Related articles

• Ash's Metapod
• Kitty
• Metapod (Red and Blue Rescue Team)

References

External links

← #0010: Caterpie

Pokémon

#0012: Butterfree →

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.