Species guide · Ages 10+ · July 2026
Caterpie
Say it: CA-te-rpie
Kids summary (simpler)Tap to expand
Caterpie is the Worm Pokémon — Bug before Metapod and Butterfree. In Pokémon GO it mostly knows Struggle until you evolve it. Catch Caterpie from the wild, eggs, or events, then evolve toward Butterfree.
Say it: CA-te-rpie
Caterpie (#010) is a Bug Pokémon in Pokémon GO — the baby stage of Butterfree. Trainers never power Caterpie for battles; the value is candy and IVs for Metapod/Butterfree. Against Caterpie, lead with Fire, Flying, or Rock. 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
Caterpie is a Bug-type Pokémon in Pokémon GO. National Dex #0010. Use the Bug type chart below before powering up — metas shift every season.
Where in GO: Wild spawns, eggs, Field Research, and seasonal events
Invest tip: Do not sink Stardust into Caterpie. Evolve to Butterfree before any real TM or power-up investment. Shadow Caterpie is the same.
Type matchups
- Bug moves hit Grass, Psychic, and Dark hard.
When Caterpie is your opponent, Fire, 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
- 55
- Defense
- 55
- Stamina
- 128
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
Caterpie’s Game Master charged pool is Struggle-only. Evolve into Butterfree before serious investment.
Fast
- Bug Bite · Standard
Bug STAB while unevolved
- Tackle · Standard
Normal filler
Charged
- Struggle · Standard
Placeholder until evolution
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
- bug bite
- tackle
Charged
- struggle
PvP league ranks (family snapshot)
- Master League · rank #1021 of 1023 · CP 494
Bug Bite + Struggle
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.