Metapod (Pokémon)

Metapod トランセル Tranceru
Artwork from FR/LG
Type	Bug
Species	Cocoon Pokémon
Kanto Dex National Dex	#011
Johto Dex	#025
Hoenn Dex	#213*
Sinnoh Dex	#—
Fiore Browser	R—
Almia Browser	R—
Height	2′04″ (0.7m)
Weight	21.8 lbs. (9.9kg)
Ability	Shed Skin
Egg group	Bug
Time to hatch	3,840 steps
Effort yield	2 Def
Exp. yield	72 base exp.
Lv. 100 at	1,000,000 exp.
Gender	50% ♀/50% ♂
Pokédex color	Green
Catch rate	120
Footprint
Body style
On Legendary Pokémon Pokédex: Generation III Generation IV On Pokémon Palace Network Pokédex (Gen. I-III) On Smogon Pokédex: Generation I Generation II Generation III Generation IV On Eevee's Pokédex (Gen. I-IV) On Psypoke Pokédex On Pokecharms Pokédex (Gen. III-IV) On Marriland Pokédex (Gen. IV) On Serebii's Pokédex: Generation I/II Generation III Generation IV On Azure Heights Pokédex (Gen. I) On Pokémon Dungeon Pokédex (Gen. I-II) On Ultimate Pokémon Center Pokédex (Gen. I-IV) Artwork on Bulbagarden Archives

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

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

Contents 1 Biology 1.1 Physiology 1.2 Gender differences 1.3 Special abilities 1.4 Behavior 1.5 Habitat 1.6 Diet 2 In the anime 3 In the manga 3.1 Pokémon Special 4 In the TCG 5 Game data 5.1 NPC appearances 5.2 Pokédex entries 5.2.1 In side games 5.3 Game locations 5.3.1 In side games 5.4 Base stats 5.5 Type effectiveness 5.6 Learnset 5.6.1 By leveling up 5.6.2 By TM/HM 5.6.3 By breeding 5.6.4 By tutoring 5.6.5 TCG-only Moves 5.7 Side game data 5.8 Evolution 5.9 Sprites 6 Trivia 6.1 Origin 6.1.1 Name origin 7 In other languages 8 Related articles 9 External links

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 posses 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 it 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

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

Ash Ketchum 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.

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, Zander's Caterpie became giant-sized 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.

In the manga

Pokémon Special

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

Gen	Game	Pokédex entry
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.
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.
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.
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	Currently 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

Gen	Game		Rarity	Location
I	Red	Blue	Red: Uncommon Blue: Common	Red: Route 25, Viridian Forest Blue: Routes 24 and 25, Viridian Forest
	Yellow		Common	Viridian Forest
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
III	Ruby	Sapphire	None	Trade
	Emerald		None	Trade
	FireRed	LeafGreen	Common	Route 25, Viridian Forest, Pattern Bush
	Colosseum		None	Trade
	XD		None	Trade
IV	Diamond	Pearl	Dongle	Eterna Forest (FireRed)
	Platinum		Dongle	Eterna Forest (FireRed)
	Pal Park			Forest

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 and Blue)	Joyous Tower (7F-8F)
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon (Time and Darkness)	Mystifying Forest (B1-B13) Mystery Jungle (B1-B29) Happy Outlook (B1-B19)

Base stats

HP:	50
Attack:	20
Defense:	55
Special:	25
SpAtk:	25
SpDef:	25
Speed:	30

The Special stat was used only in Generation I; it was later split into Special Attack and Special Defense.

Type effectiveness

Weak to	Resistant to	Immune to	Normal effectiveness
Flying : 2×  Rock : 2×  Fire : 2×	Fighting : ½×  Ground : ½×  Grass : ½×		Normal : 1×  Poison : 1×  Bug : 1×  Ghost : 1×  Steel : 1×  Water : 1×  Electric : 1×  Psychic : 1×  Ice : 1×  Dragon : 1×  Dark : 1×
Notes: In Generation I, the effectiveness of  Poison-type  moves is 2×.

Learnset

Metapod is capable of learning the following moves (from its evolution onwards):
NOTE: Moves in bold are damage moves to which STAB apply.

By leveling up

Generation IV Other generation learnsets: I - II - III
Level	Move	Type	Cat.	Pwr.	Acc.	PP	Contest	Appeal
Start	Tackle	Normal	Physical	35	95%	35	Tough	3 ♥♥♥
Start	String Shot	Bug	Status	—	95%	40	Smart	2 ♥♥
7	Harden	Normal	Status	—	—%	30	Tough	2 ♥♥
Bold indicates a move that gets STAB Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only from an evolution of this Pokémon

By TM/HM

None

By breeding

None

By tutoring

Generation III and IV Other generation learnsets: II - III
Game							Move	Type	Cat.	Pwr.	Acc.	PP	Contest	Appeal
FR	LG	E	XD	D	P	Pt	Iron Defense	Steel	Status	—	—%	15	Tough	2 ♥♥
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

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 and Explorers of Darkness
Body size: 1	Recruit Rate: -10%	IQ Group: A

Evolution

Unevolved Base form 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
			Image:Spr 3e 011 s.gif
IV	Diamond	Pearl	Platinum			Back
			Image:Spr 4p 011.png
			Image:Spr 4p 011 s.png

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

Trivia

• In early years of Pokémon, some fans could not make out which side of Metapod was the front, due to several different released images of Metapod facing different angles.
• Metapod, tied with Kakuna, Silcoon, and Cascoon, are 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.
• Its backsprite looks almost identical to its Japanese front sprite, only zoomed in.
• In Pokémon Platinum, it can learn Bug Bite by evolution from Caterpie despite not having a visible mouth.

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
• French: Chrysacier - Chrysalis as in the English and acier, meaning 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". (notice 甲蟲 is a beetle)

Related articles

• Ash's Metapod

External links

• Article on Wikipedia

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