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 a 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 while 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 is unable to do anything other than harden its outer shell. Metapod lives in temperate forests and jungles. Pikipek is a natural predator of Metapod.
In the anime
Main series
Metapod's original evolution method in the anime
Major appearances
Ash had a Metapod that he caught as a Caterpie and evolved in Ash Catches a Pokémon, thus also marking the species' debut. It 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 the main series. It evolved from Caterpie during a battle against Pinsir and later evolved into Butterfree after a battle against 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!.
Pokédex entries
| Episode
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Pokémon
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Source
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Entry
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| EP003
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Metapod
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Ash's Pokédex
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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.
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| Episode
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Pokémon
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Source
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Entry
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| AG142
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Metapod
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May's Pokédex
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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.
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| Episode
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Pokémon
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Source
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Entry
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| BW130
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Metapod
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Ash's Pokédex
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Metapod, the Cocoon Pokémon. Metapod's vulnerable body is surrounded by its hard shell, which protects it while it waits to evolve.
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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
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.
How I Became a Pokémon Card
Midori was shown to have a Metapod.
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 Adventures
- Main article: Kitty
Metapod debuted in Bulbasaur, Come Home! as one of the Pokémon that gets out of its Poké Ball in Professor Oak's Laboratory.
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.
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 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.
Pokémon Gotta Catch 'Em All
A Metapod appeared in Shu and Pikachu's Debut!.
A Metapod appeared in GDZ23.
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.
In the TCG
- Main article: Metapod (TCG)
Other appearances
Metapod appears as a Spirit.
Game data
NPC appearances
Pokédex entries
| Generation I
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Kanto
#011
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| Red(ENG)
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This Pokémon is vulnerable to attack while its shell is soft, exposing its weak and tender body.
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| Blue
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| Yellow
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Hardens its shell to protect itself. However, a large impact may cause it to pop out of its shell.
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| Stadium
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When it hardens, only the external shell is transformed. The inside remains tender.
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| Generation II
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Johto
#025
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| Gold
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Inside the shell, it is soft and weak as it prepares to evolve. It stays motionless in the shell.
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| Silver
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It prepares for evolution by hardening its shell as much as possible to protect its soft body.
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| Crystal
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This is its preevolved form. At this stage, it can only harden, so it remains motionless to avoid attack.
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| Stadium 2
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Inside the shell, it is soft and weak as it prepares to evolve. It stays motionless in the shell.
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| Generation III
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Hoenn
#—
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Kanto
#011
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| Ruby
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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.
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| Sapphire
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| Emerald
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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.
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| FireRed
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Even though it is encased in a sturdy shell, the body inside is tender. It can't withstand a harsh attack.
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| LeafGreen
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This Pokémon is vulnerable to attack while its shell is soft, exposing its weak and tender body.
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| Generation IV
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Sinnoh
#—
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Johto
#025
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| Diamond
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A steel-hard shell protects its tender body. It quietly endures hardships while awaiting evolution.
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| Pearl
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| Platinum
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| HeartGold
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Inside the shell, it is soft and weak as it prepares to evolve. It stays motionless in the shell.
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| SoulSilver
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It prepares for evolution by hardening its shell as much as possible to protect its soft body.
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| Generation V
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Unova
#—
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| Black
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A steel-hard shell protects its tender body. It quietly endures hardships while awaiting evolution.
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| White
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| Black 2
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A steel-hard shell protects its tender body. It quietly endures hardships while awaiting evolution.
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| White 2
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| Generation VI
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Kalos
Central #024
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Hoenn
#—
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| X
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A steel-hard shell protects its tender body. It quietly endures hardships while awaiting evolution.
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| Y
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This Pokémon is vulnerable to attack while its shell is soft, exposing its weak and tender body.
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| Omega Ruby
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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.
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| Alpha Sapphire
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| Generation VII
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Alola
#018
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Kanto
#011
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| Sun
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Its shell is filled with its soft innards. It doesn't move much because of the risk it might carelessly spill its innards out.
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| Moon
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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.
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| Ultra Sun
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Its shell is filled with a thick liquid. All of the cells throughout its body are being rebuilt in preparation for evolution.
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| Ultra Moon
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Its hard shell doesn't crack a bit even if Pikipek pecks at it, but it will tip over, spilling out its insides.
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| Let's Go Pikachu
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Hardens its shell to protect itself. However, a large impact may cause it to pop out of its shell.
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| Let's Go Eevee
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| Generation VIII
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Galar
#014
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Sinnoh
#—
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| Sword
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It is waiting for the moment to evolve. At this stage, it can only harden, so it remains motionless to avoid attack.
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| Shield
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Even though it is encased in a sturdy shell, the body inside is tender. It can't withstand a harsh attack.
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| Brilliant Diamond
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A steel-hard shell protects its tender body. The Pokémon quietly endures hardships while awaiting evolution.
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| Shining Pearl
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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
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| Generation II
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| Gold
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Routes 2, 30, and 31, Ilex Forest, National ParkMorningDay
National Park (Bug-Catching Contest)TuThSa
Routes 26, 27, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, and 39, Azalea Town, Ilex Forest, Lake of Rage (Headbutt trees)
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| Silver
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| Crystal
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In side games
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| Generation II
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| This Pokémon is unavailable in Generation II side games.
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Held items
Stats
Base stats
| Stat
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Range
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| At Lv. 50
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At Lv. 100
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50
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110 - 157
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210 - 304
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20
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22 - 79
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40 - 152
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55
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54 - 117
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103 - 229
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25
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27 - 84
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49 - 163
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25
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27 - 84
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49 - 163
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30
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31 - 90
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58 - 174
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Total: 205
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Other Pokémon with this total
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- 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.
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Pokéathlon stats
Type effectiveness
| Under normal battle conditions in Generation IX, this Pokémon is:
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Learnset
Metapod is available in Sword and Shield and Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl.
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- 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 level-up moves from other generations
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SwSh
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- 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
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BDSP
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- 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
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- Moves marked with an asterisk (*) must be chain bred onto Metapod in Generation VIII
- 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
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- 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
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- 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
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By transfer from another generation
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- Transferred Pokémon only retain these moves in Pokémon Sword and Shield
- A striped background indicates a generation in which the move can only be obtained via event or as a special move
- 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
- × indicates a move that cannot be used in Sword and Shield
- Click on the generation numbers at the top to see transfer-only moves for other generations
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TCG-only moves
Side game data
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Pokémon Rumble Rush
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Walking Speed: 1.67 seconds
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Base HP: 48
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| Base Attack: 60
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Base Defense: 45
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Base Speed: 60
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Pokémon GO
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Base HP: 137
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Base Attack: 45
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Base Defense: 80
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| Egg Distance: N/A
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Buddy Distance: 1 km
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Evolution Requirement:  50
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| Fast Attacks: Bug Bite, Tackle
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| Charged Attacks: Struggle
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New Pokémon Snap
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| Photodex entry #043
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| 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.
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Evolution
Sprites
Trivia
- 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.
- 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 sclerae, such as in the games, TCG, and promotional illustrations, but it has yellow sclerae in the anime.
- In the anime episode Challenge of the Samurai, the process of Metapod's evolution was similar to a real life butterfly emerging from its chrysalis. In later episodes, however, 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.
- In the Space World '97 Super Game Boy demo version of Pokémon Gold, Metapod has a unique orange sprite that is exclusive to the demo.
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 (to change appearance) and cell (a microscopic unit that builds an organism, as a caterpillar's cells undergo drastic changes as it develops into a butterfly), or shell. It also might be a pun on ランドセル randoseru (school bag).
In other languages
| Language
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Title
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Meaning
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 Japanese
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トランセル Transel
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From トランス toransu and セル seru. Also likely a pun on ランドセル randoseru.
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 French
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Chrysacier
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From chrysalide and acier
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 Spanish
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Metapod
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Same as English name
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 German
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Safcon
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From safe and cocoon
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 Italian
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Metapod
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Same as English name
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 Korean
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단데기 Tandegi
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From 단단하다 dandanhada and 번데기 beondegi
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 Mandarin Chinese
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鐵甲蛹 / 铁甲蛹 Tiějiǎyǒng
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From 鐵甲 / 铁甲 Tiějiǎ and 蛹 yǒng
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 Cantonese Chinese
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鐵甲蛹 Titgaapyúng
鐵甲蟲 Titgaapchùhng *
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From 鐵甲 titgaap and 蛹 yúng
From 鐵甲 titgaap and 蟲 chùhng
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| More languages
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 Hebrew
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מטפוד Metapod
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Transcription of English name
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 Hindi
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मेटापॉड Metapod
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Transcription of English name
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 Lithuanian
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Metapodas
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From English name
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 Russian
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Метапод Metapod
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Transcription of English name
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 Thai
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ทรานเซล Thransel
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Transcription of Japanese name
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Related articles
External links
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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.
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For other sprites and images, please see Metapod images on the Bulbagarden Archives.
