Metapod (Pokémon)

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Metapod トランセル Trancell #011
Artwork from FR/LG
Type Bug ' Unknown Unknown Blue-Striped Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown	Category Cocoon Pokémon
Ability Shed Skin Blue-Striped -----	Exp. at Lv. 100 1,000,000
Regional Pokédex numbers Kanto #011 Johto #025 Hoenn #213 Sinnoh — Unova Not in any regional Pokédex
Regional Browser numbers Fiore R— Almia R— Oblivia
Height 2′04″ Imperial 0.7 m Metric 2′04″/0.7 m Red-Striped 0'0"/0.0 m Blue-Striped 0'0"/0.0 m
Weight 21.8 lbs. Imperial 9.9 kg Metric 21.8 lbs./9.9 kg Red-Striped 0.0 lbs./0.0 kg Blue-Striped 0.0 lbs./0.0 kg
Dex color Green	Catch rate 120 (15.7%)
Body style Blue-Striped	Footprint      Blue-Striped
Gender ratio Gender unknown Unknown Gender unknown
Breeding Bug group 1 cycles (255 minimum steps)
EV yield HP 0 Atk 0 Def 0 Sp.Atk 0 Sp.Def 0 Speed 0 Base Exp.: 72 Battle Exp.: 721*
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.

Caterpie evolves into it at Level 7, and it evolves into Butterfree at Level 10.

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 of the trees using String Shot. Because of its vulnerability, Metapod evolve rapidly into their final evolutionary stage.

Habitat

File:Forest.gif

Forest Pokémon

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

File:EP004 017.jpg

Ash's Metapod

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

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 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.
Generation 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 {{{platinumdex}}} HeartGold {{{heartgolddex}}} SoulSilver {{{soulsilverdex}}}
Generation V Black {{{blackdex}}} White {{{whitedex}}} Black 2 {{{black2dex}}} White 2 {{{white2dex}}}
Generation VI X Unknown Y Unknown

Alternate 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 Red: Uncommon Blue: Common Red: Route 25, Viridian Forest Blue: Routes 24 and 25, Viridian Forest Blue (Japan) None Trade Yellow Common Viridian Forest
Generation 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
Generation III Ruby Sapphire None Trade Emerald None Trade FireRed LeafGreen Common Route 25, Viridian Forest, Pattern Bush Colosseum None Trade XD None Trade
Generation IV Diamond Pearl Uncommon Eterna Forest (dongle method: FireRed) Platinum None Trade HeartGold SoulSilver None Trade Pal Park Forest Pokéwalker None
Generation V Black White None Trade Black 2 White 2 None Trade Dream World None
Generation VI X Y None Trade

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

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.

Type effectiveness

In Generation I, the effectiveness of Poison-type moves is 200.

Learnset

By leveling up

Generation I Level Move Type Previous Tackle String Shot Start/7 Harden

Generation II Level Move Type Previous Tackle String Shot Start/7 Harden

Generation III Level Move Type Previous Tackle String Shot Start/7 Harden

Generation IV Level Move Type Cat. Previous Tackle String Shot Start/7 Harden

By TM/HM

None

By breeding

None

TCG-only Moves

• Stun Spore
• Rollout
• Sharpen

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.

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.

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 Zhu - "Iron armor insect".

Related articles

• Ash's Metapod

External links

• Article on Wikipedia

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Pokémon

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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.