#012 · Generation 1
Butterfree
Forms & variants
- Max CP (L40 / L50)
- 1,827 / 2,065
- Raid catch CP (L20 / L25)
- 1,044 / 1,305
- Research CP (L15)
- 783
- Buddy distance
- 1 km
- 2nd charged move
- 10,000 dust · 25 candy
- Shiny
- Shadow
- Tradable
- Mega
- Dynamax
Transfer the extras
Butterfree has no job in PvP, raids, or Max Battles. Keep one for the Pokedex and any of the special variants below, and transfer the rest for candy.
Battle roles
- –Great Leagueshadow#1137 of 1154 · score 40.1
Ranked #1137 of 1154; not competitive in Great League.
Collection value
- Has a Gigantamax form (G-Max Befuddle): Gigantamax copies only come from Max Battle Days and cannot be re-obtained otherwise.
- 2 costume/event variants: costumed copies cannot be re-obtained outside their event.
- Shadow version exists: Shadows hit 20% harder and are worth a raid slot even with low IVs.
Tiers: S = meta-defining, A = strong, B = playable, C = niche. PvP from PvPoke overall rankings; raids from computed DPS/TDO within each attacking type; Max Battles from GO Hub tier lists.
Base stats
Base stats. Bars are scaled to the strongest Pokemon in the game.
Evolution line
Caterpie- →12 candy
Metapod - →50 candyButterfree
Check your Pokemon's IVs
Ranks all 4,096 spreads for each leagueLoading IV checker…
PvP rankings (GO Battle League)
| League | Tier | Rank | Score | Recommended moves | Typical build |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Great League | – | #1138 / 1154 | 39.6 | Confusion · Bug Buzz · Signal Beam | L31.5 · 4/15/13 |
| Great LeagueShadow | – | #1137 / 1154 | 40.1 | Confusion · Bug Buzz · Signal Beam | L31.5 · 4/15/13 |
Source: PvPoke overall rankings. Score is relative to the league meta (100 = best). Typical build is the IV spread PvPoke assumes.
Max Battles (Dynamax & Gigantamax)
Butterfree can Dynamax, and a Gigantamax version exists. Only copies caught in Max Battles (or from Max research) can enter Power Spot battles.
Max Moves
- bugMax Flutterbyfrom Struggle Bug250 / 300 / 350 power
- psychicMax Mindstormfrom Confusion250 / 300 / 350 power
- Max Guard+20 / +40 / +60 HP shield
- Max Spiritheals 8 / 12 / 16% HP
The Gigantamax form swaps its bug Max Move for G-Max Befuddle (350 / 400 / 450 power).
Max Battle roles
- AttackerC Gigantamax
Max Move power is per level 1 / 2 / 3; levels are unlocked with Max Particles and Candy. Tiers are computed from level-3 Max Move damage, Defence × HP and HP at level 40; thresholds on the guide page.
Raid attacker rankings
| Attacking type | Tier | Rank | DPS | TDO | Best moves |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| bugShadow | – | #75 / 164 | 10.2 | 102 | Bug Bite · Bug BuzzElite TM |
| bug | – | #91 / 164 | 8.9 | 107 | Bug Bite · Bug BuzzElite TM |
| psychicShadow | – | #152 / 248 | 9.8 | 98 | Bug Bite · PsychicElite TM |
| psychic | – | #165 / 248 | 8.5 | 103 | Bug Bite · PsychicElite TM |
Level 40, 15/15/15, neutral target. DPS = damage per second, TDO = total damage output before fainting. Rank is among every Pokemon using that attacking type.
Moves
| Fast move | Type | Raid power | Energy | Duration | DPS | PvP power | PvP energy | Speed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Struggle BugSTAB | bug | 15 | +15 | 1.5s | 10.0 | 9 | +8 | 3 turns |
Confusion | psychic | 19 | +14 | 1.5s | 12.7 | 16 | +14 | 4 turns |
Bug BiteElite TMSTAB | bug | 5 | +6 | 0.5s | 10.0 | 4 | +3 | 1 turn |
| Charged move | Type | Raid power | Energy | Duration | Dmg/energy | PvP power | PvP energy | Effects |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Bug BuzzSTAB | bug | 95 | -50 | 3.5s | 1.90 | 100 | -60 | 30% chance: -1 foe Def |
Psychic | psychic | 95 | -50 | 3.0s | 1.90 | 75 | -55 | 10% chance: -1 foe Def |
Signal BeamSTAB | bug | 75 | -50 | 3.0s | 1.50 | 75 | -55 | 20% chance: -1 foe Atk, -1 foe Def |
Questions people ask
- Is Butterfree good in Pokemon GO?
- Not for battle. Butterfree has no ranked PvP, raid or Max Battle role, so keep one for the Pokedex and transfer the rest.
- Should I keep or transfer Butterfree?
- Butterfree has no job in PvP, raids, or Max Battles. Keep one for the Pokedex and any of the special variants below, and transfer the rest for candy.
- Is Butterfree a good raid attacker?
- Butterfree ranks #91 of 164 bug attackers with 8.9 DPS. That is outside the top 15, so it is not a raid priority.
- Can Butterfree be shiny in Pokemon GO?
- Yes. Shiny Butterfree is available from evolution, photobomb, raid, research, wild. A shiny is worth keeping for the collection no matter its IVs.
- Is Shadow Butterfree worth keeping?
- Shadow Butterfree hits 20% harder and takes 20% more damage. It has no ranked role of its own, so treat it like a normal copy.
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Donate on Ko-fiCostumes & event variants (2)
Fashion Week 2021 OutfitEvent costume
Fashion Week 2021 OutfitGender variant