Metapod (Pokémon)

← #010: Caterpie	Pokémon	#012: 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 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	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 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 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 Pokémon Adventures manga

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.

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

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

Pokédex entries

This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation I.
Generation 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.
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 {{{sapphiredex}}} 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 {{{pearldex}}} Platinum {{{platinumdex}}} 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 {{{whitedex}}} Black 2 A steel-hard shell protects its tender body. It quietly endures hardships while awaiting evolution. White 2 {{{white2dex}}}
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.

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

This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation I.
Generation I Red Blue RareR CommonB Route 25, Viridian ForestR Routes 24 and 25, Viridian ForestB Blue (Japan) Unknown Routes 24 and 25, Viridian Forest Yellow Uncommon Viridian Forest
Generation II Gold Silver CommonG UncommonS Routes 2, 30, and 31, Ilex Forest, National Park, Bug-Catching ContestG Bug-Catching ContestS Crystal Uncommon Routes 24 and 25, Ilex Forest, Bug-Catching Contest
Generation III Ruby Sapphire None Trade Emerald None Trade FireRed LeafGreen RareFR UncommonLG Routes 24 and 25, Viridian Forest, Pattern Bush Colosseum None Trade XD None Trade
Generation IV Diamond Pearl Dongle Eterna Forest (FireRed) Platinum Dongle Eterna Forest (FireRed) HeartGold SoulSilver CommonHG UncommonSS Routes 2, 30, and 31, Ilex Forest, National Park, Bug-Catching Contest, Viridian Forest, Headbutt treesHG Bug-Catching ContestSS Pal Park Forest Pokéwalker None
Generation V Black White Rare Route 12 (White only) Black 2 White 2 None Evolve Caterpie (White 2 only) Dream World None
Generation VI X Y NoneX Very RareY Evolve CaterpieX Santalune ForestY

In side games

Game	Location
Pokémon Snap	River
Pokémon Pinball	Evolve Caterpie
Pokémon Trozei!	SOL Laboratory 2 Secret Storage 8 Endless Level 4 Mr. Who's Den
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon Red/Blue Rescue Team	Joyous Tower (7F-8F)
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon Explorers of Time/Darkness	Mystifying Forest (B1-B13) Mystery Jungle (B1-B29) Happy Outlook (B1-B19)
Pokémon Rumble	Silent Forest Normal Mode C & A
Pokémon Rumble Blast	Treetops: Sun-Dappled Bank
PokéPark Wii: Pikachu's Adventure	Haunted Zone

Held items

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

Stats

Base stats

Stat		Range
		At Lv. 50	At Lv. 100
HP: 50		110 - 157	210 - 304
Attack: 20		22 - 79	40 - 152
Defense: 55		54 - 117	103 - 229
Sp. Atk: 25		27 - 84	49 - 163
Sp. Def: 25		27 - 84	49 - 163
Speed: 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 1× Fighting ½× Flying 2× Poison 1× Ground ½× Rock 2× Bug 1× Ghost 1× Steel 1× Fire 2× Water 1× Grass ½× Electric 1× Psychic 1× Ice 1× Dragon 1× Dark 1× Fairy 1× None

Weak to: Normal 1× Fighting ½× Flying 2× Poison 1× Ground ½× Rock 2× Bug 1× Ghost 1× Steel 1× Fire 2× Water 1× Grass ½× Electric 1× Psychic 1× Ice 1× Dragon 1× Dark 1× Fairy 1× None

Immune to: Normal 1× Fighting ½× Flying 2× Poison 1× Ground ½× Rock 2× Bug 1× Ghost 1× Steel 1× Fire 2× Water 1× Grass ½× Electric 1× Psychic 1× Ice 1× Dragon 1× Dark 1× Fairy 1× None

Resistant to: Normal 1× Fighting ½× Flying 2× Poison 1× Ground ½× Rock 2× Bug 1× Ghost 1× Steel 1× Fire 2× Water 1× Grass ½× Electric 1× Psychic 1× Ice 1× Dragon 1× Dark 1× Fairy 1× None

Notes: In Generation I, the effectiveness of  Poison-type  moves is 2×.

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— ——% 30 077 Harden Normal Status 0000— ——% 30

Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by 6 Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of 6 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  This Pokémon learns no moves by tutoring.

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:
	Tackle	Normal	Physical	50	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

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    Acquisition: Evolve		Pokémon Pinball RS  N/A  Not available		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! 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 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 ( Normal ) None Past (Electrify ×1) Browser entry   This Pokémon does not have a browser entry.
Pokémon Rumble Attack ● Defense ● Speed ●●● Attack Not Available Defense Speed			Pokémon Rumble Blast Attack ● Defense ● Speed ●●● Attack Not Available Defense Speed Attack Not Available Defense Speed Attack Not Available Defense Speed
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 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.
Pokémon Conquest HP: Move: {{{ConquestMove}}} Attack: Ability 1: {{{ConquestAbility1}}} Defense: Ability 2: {{{ConquestAbility2}}} Speed: Ability 3: {{{ConquestAbility3}}} Does not evolve. Range: 0 Perfect Links: {{{ConquestLink}}}

Evolution

Unevolved 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
IV	Diamond	Pearl	Platinum		HeartGold	SoulSilver	Back
V	Black	White	Black 2	White 2			Back

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

Other sprites

Crystal back	FireRed/LeafGreen back	Platinum/HeartGold/ SoulSilver back	HeartGold/SoulSilver Shiny back

Trivia

• Metapod shares the same 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 Cabbage White or Swallowtail one.

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 Japanese トランセル Trancell From transform and cell 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 Dandegi From 단단하다 dandanhada and 번데기 beondegi Mandarin Chinese 鐵甲蛹 / 铁甲蛹 Tiějiáyǒng "Armored chrysalis" Cantonese Chinese 鐵甲蟲 Titgaapchùhng "Armored bug"; 甲蟲 means "beetle"

More languages Thai ทรานเซล Trancell Same as Japanese name

Related articles

• Ash's Metapod

External links

• Article on Wikipedia

Notes

← #010: Caterpie

Pokémon

#012: 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.