Species guide · Ages 10+ · July 2026
Butterfree
Say it: BU-tte-rfr-ee
Kids summary (simpler)Tap to expand
Butterfree is the Butterfly Pokémon — Bug and Flying from Caterpie → Metapod → Butterfree. In Pokémon GO it is a niche Bug/Flying attacker with Struggle Bug / Confusion + Bug Buzz / Psychic. Bug helps against Grass, Psychic, and Dark; Flying helps against Grass, Fighting, and Bug. Rock hits it very hard (double weakness). Evolve Metapod or catch Butterfree from events.
Say it: BU-tte-rfr-ee
Butterfree (#012) is a Bug / Flying Pokémon in Pokémon GO — the final form of Caterpie. Trainers use it as a budget Bug attacker; it is outclassed by modern Bugs in raids. Against Butterfree, lead with Rock (best), or Fire, Electric, Ice, or Flying. Stats, type chart, moves, and counter picks below use our Game Master snapshot.
Type-colored placeholder — not official Pokémon artwork (see IP notice below).
Pokédex notes
Butterfree is a Bug / Flying-type Pokémon in Pokémon GO. National Dex #0012. Use the Bug/Flying type chart below before powering up — metas shift every season.
Where in GO: Wild spawns, eggs, Field Research, and seasonal events
Invest tip: Struggle Bug or Confusion + Bug Buzz is the usual Bug kit; Psychic and Signal Beam add coverage. Shadow Butterfree is the DPS lean — remove Frustration before investing. No Community Day exclusive is required.
Type matchups
- Bug moves hit Grass, Psychic, and Dark hard.
- Flying moves hit Grass, Fighting, and Bug hard.
When Butterfree is your opponent, Fire, Electric, Ice, Flying, Rock hits hard.
Full type matchup guide →GO base stats
From Game Master snapshot — IVs, buddy, and power-ups change real battle stats.
- Attack
- 167
- Defense
- 137
- Stamina
- 155
Weak to
Resists
Best Pokémon to use against it
When this species is your opponent (Rocket battle, gym, raid, or PvP), these picks exploit its typings. Each list is a pool of options — not a required 12-Pokémon lobby.
Recommended
Strongest practical attackers for this matchup.
- 1. Mega Charizard Y · beats Fire
Fire Spin + Blast Burn · Elite TM
- 2. Reshiram · beats Fire
Fire Fang + Fusion Flare
- 3. Shadow Moltres · beats Fire
Fire Spin + Overheat
- 4. Shadow Charizard · beats Fire
Fire Spin + Blast Burn · Elite TM
- 5. Mega Blaziken · beats Fire
Fire Spin + Blast Burn · Elite TM
- 6. Shadow Entei · beats Fire
Fire Spin + Overheat
- 7. Blaziken · beats Fire
Fire Spin + Blast Burn · Elite TM
- 8. Darmanitan · beats Fire
Fire Fang + Overheat
- 9. Chandelure · beats Fire
Fire Spin + Overheat
- 10. Heatran · beats Fire
Fire Spin + Flamethrower
- 11. Emboar · beats Fire
Ember + Blast Burn · Elite TM
- 12. Infernape · beats Fire
Fire Spin + Blast Burn · Elite TM
Budget
Solid alternatives when you cannot build the Recommended picks.
- 1. Darmanitan · beats Fire
Fire Fang + Overheat
- 2. Arcanine · beats Fire
Fire Fang + Flamethrower
- 3. Flareon · beats Fire
Fire Spin + Overheat
- 4. Typhlosion · beats Fire
Incinerate + Blast Burn · Elite TM
- 5. Magmortar · beats Fire
Fire Spin + Fire Punch
- 6. Camerupt · beats Fire
Incinerate + Overheat
- 7. Torkoal · beats Fire
Fire Spin + Overheat
- 8. Rapidash · beats Fire
Fire Spin + Fire Blast
- 9. Pyroar · beats Fire
Fire Fang + Overheat
- 10. Simisear · beats Fire
Fire Spin + Flamethrower
- 11. Charizard · beats Fire
Fire Spin + Blast Burn · Elite TM
- 12. Houndoom · beats Fire
Fire Fang + Flamethrower
Recommended moves
Game Master “moves in GO” lists Butterfree’s always-available TM pool. Struggle Bug + Bug Buzz covers niche Bug needs.
Fast
- Struggle Bug · Standard
Bug damage / default
- Confusion · Standard
Psychic energy
Charged
- Bug Buzz · Standard
Best Bug nuke
- Psychic · Standard
Psychic coverage
- Signal Beam · Standard
Bug alternate
Moves in GO
Always-available Game Master learnset (regular TMs). Community Day / Elite TM moves appear above when we have curated notes for this species.
Fast
- struggle bug
- confusion
Charged
- bug buzz
- psychic
- signal beam
PvP league ranks (family snapshot)
- Great League · rank #658 of 954 · CP 1487
Confusion + Bug Buzz
- Ultra League · rank #639 of 747 · CP 2065
Confusion + Bug Buzz
- Master League · rank #727 of 1023 · CP 2065
Confusion + Bug Buzz
In your Collect
Name match only (text). Cards you have saved in Card Nexus Collect — not official art.
Sign in to see holdings, or open Collect.
Open Collect →Raid and PvP advice uses our Game Master snapshot (updated July 2026).
In the Competitive Guide
- Ch. 20: Lucky Pokémon & Family Trades
When lucky status matters for trades and Stardust savings.
- Ch. 21: Best Friends & Lucky Friends
Friendship steps for raid bonuses and lucky trades.