Pokemon Guide
Caterpie is one of the original Bug-type Pokemon and the first stage of the Caterpie evolution line. This guide covers Caterpie’s stats, best moves, abilities, evolution, shiny form, typing, weaknesses, locations and general competitive value across Pokemon games.
Normal Form
Shiny Form
Last Updated: May 2026 | Page Status: This Caterpie guide supports current Pokemon games and future updates. Location, moves and availability details will be updated as new Pokemon game data becomes available.
| Description | Quick Facts |
| Stats | Best Moves |
| All Moves | Weaknesses |
| Evolution | Locations |
| Abilities | FAQ |
Caterpie is a Bug-type Pokemon known for its small body, suction-cup feet and defensive antenna scent. It evolves quickly into Metapod, making it one of the earliest evolution lines many players encounter.
Competitive Overview
Caterpie is usually not a strong competitive Pokemon because it is an early-game first-stage Pokemon with very low stats and a limited movepool. Its main value is evolving quickly into Metapod and then Butterfree.
Caterpie’s biggest strengths are early availability, simple evolution and a few basic Bug or utility moves. Its biggest weaknesses are its low bulk, low damage output and weaknesses to Fire, Flying and Rock-type moves.
Here are the key facts to know about Caterpie, including its type, abilities, height, weight and species information.
Name
Caterpie
National Dex
#0010
Type
Bug
Species
Worm Pokemon
Height
1’00” / 0.3 m
30 cm
Weight
6.4 lbs / 2.9 kg
2.9 kg
Abilities
Shield Dust, Run Away
Caterpie has very low first-stage stats, which fits its role as an early-game Pokemon that evolves quickly. Its main value is reaching Metapod and then Butterfree soon after being caught.
Caterpie has a limited movepool compared to fully evolved Pokemon. These are some of Caterpie’s most useful, recognizable or situational moves across Pokemon games.
A useful Bug-type attack that fits Caterpie’s typing and can steal a held Berry in many games.
A Bug-type move that can lower the target’s Special Attack in games where Caterpie can use it.
Caterpie’s simple early-game attack and one of its most recognizable starter moves.
A classic support move that lowers the target’s Speed and helps Caterpie control early battles.
A utility coverage option in some games that can damage and lower Speed.
A situational move Caterpie can use in some games while asleep.
A general-purpose Normal-type attack that can become stronger when the user has a status condition.
A status option from some early-series movesets that can help wear down opponents when available.
Caterpie can learn a small move pool across different Pokemon games, mostly focused on early Bug-type and utility moves. Use the section below to view Caterpie’s move list by learn method.
Move data is not available for this version group yet.
Caterpie is a Bug-type Pokemon. This gives it useful resistances to Grass, Fighting and Ground-type moves, but it is weak to Fire, Flying and Rock-type attacks.
Type
Bug
Weaknesses
Fire, Flying and Rock
Resistances
Grass, Fighting and Ground
Immunity
None
Caterpie’s abilities help protect it from secondary effects or give it a better chance to escape wild battles depending on the game.
Protects Caterpie from the additional effects of damaging moves. This can prevent secondary effects like flinching, stat drops or status chances in many games.
Allows Caterpie to flee from wild Pokemon battles more reliably when available as its hidden ability.
Caterpie evolves into Metapod at Level 7 and Metapod evolves into Butterfree at Level 10. The full Caterpie evolution line is Caterpie, Metapod and Butterfree.
Stage 1
Starting form
Stage 2
Evolves from Caterpie at Level 7
Stage 3
Evolves from Metapod at Level 10
Caterpie’s availability changes depending on the Pokemon game. In many games, Caterpie appears early in forests, routes or grass areas and evolves quickly into Metapod at Level 7.
| Game | Where to Find Caterpie |
|---|---|
 Pokemon Red |
Routes 24 and 25, and Viridian Forest. |
 Pokemon Blue |
Route 2, Routes 24 and 25, and Viridian Forest. |
 Pokemon Yellow |
Viridian Forest. |
| Game | Where to Find Caterpie |
|---|---|
 Pokemon Gold |
Routes 2, 26, 27, 30, 31, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38 and 39, Azalea Town, Ilex Forest, Lake of Rage and National Park. |
 Pokemon Silver |
National Park. |
 Pokemon Crystal |
Routes 2, 24, 25, 30 and 31, Ilex Forest and National Park. |
| Game | Where to Find Caterpie |
|---|---|
 Pokemon Ruby |
Trade or migrate from another game. |
 Pokemon Sapphire |
Trade or migrate from another game. |
 Pokemon Emerald |
Trade or migrate from another game. |
 Pokemon FireRed |
Route 2, Routes 24 and 25, Pattern Bush and Viridian Forest. |
 Pokemon LeafGreen |
Route 2, Routes 24 and 25, Pattern Bush and Viridian Forest. |
| Game | Where to Find Caterpie |
|---|---|
 Pokemon Diamond |
Route 204. |
 Pokemon Pearl |
Route 204. |
 Pokemon Platinum |
Route 204 and Eterna Forest. |
 Pokemon HeartGold |
Route 2, Routes 30 and 31, Ilex Forest, National Park and Viridian Forest. |
 Pokemon SoulSilver |
National Park. |
| Game | Where to Find Caterpie |
|---|---|
 Pokemon Black |
Trade or migrate from another game. |
 Pokemon White |
Breed Metapod or Butterfree. |
 Pokemon Black 2 |
Trade or migrate from another game. |
 Pokemon White 2 |
Trade or migrate from another game. |
| Game | Where to Find Caterpie |
|---|---|
 Pokemon X |
Santalune Forest. |
 Pokemon Y |
Route 2 and Santalune Forest. |
 Pokemon Omega Ruby |
Trade or migrate from another game. |
 Pokemon Alpha Sapphire |
Trade or migrate from another game. |
| Game | Where to Find Caterpie |
|---|---|
 Pokemon Sun |
Routes 1 and 5, Melemele Meadow and Lush Jungle. |
 Pokemon Moon |
Routes 1 and 5, Melemele Meadow and Lush Jungle. |
 Pokemon Ultra Sun |
Routes 1 and 5, Melemele Meadow and Lush Jungle. |
 Pokemon Ultra Moon |
Routes 1 and 5, Melemele Meadow and Lush Jungle. |
 Pokemon Let’s Go Pikachu |
Route 2 and Viridian Forest. |
 Pokemon Let’s Go Eevee |
Route 2 and Viridian Forest. |
| Game | Where to Find Caterpie |
|---|---|
 Pokemon Sword |
Route 1. |
 Pokemon Shield |
Route 1. |
 Pokemon Brilliant Diamond |
Spacious Cave, Grassland Cave, Swampy Cave, Riverbank Cave, Still-Water Cavern, Sunlit Cavern and Bogsunk Cavern. |
 Pokemon Shining Pearl |
Trade or migrate from another game. |
 Pokemon Legends: Arceus |
Not available in this game. |
| Game | Where to Find Caterpie |
|---|---|
 Pokemon Scarlet |
Trade or transfer when supported. |
 Pokemon Violet |
Trade or transfer when supported. |
 Pokemon Legends Z-A |
Location data not yet available. |
| Game | Where to Find Caterpie |
|---|---|
 Pokemon Winds and Waves |
Coming soon once official location, encounter or transfer information is confirmed. |
Caterpie is part of The Game Haus Pokemon coverage, including Pokemon guides, Pokemon Champions coverage and future Pokemon game updates.
| Pokemon Hub | Full Pokemon Pokedex |
| Metapod Pokemon Guide | Butterfree Pokemon Guide |
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Here are quick answers to common questions about Caterpie. This FAQ is visible on-page content only and does not use FAQ schema markup.
Caterpie is a Bug-type Pokemon.
Caterpie is weak to Fire, Flying and Rock-type moves.
Caterpie evolves into Metapod at Level 7. Metapod evolves into Butterfree at Level 10.
Caterpie’s abilities are Shield Dust and Run Away. Run Away is Caterpie’s hidden ability when available.
Caterpie’s best or most useful moves often include Bug Bite, Struggle Bug, Tackle, String Shot, Electroweb, Snore, Facade and Poison Powder when available.
Caterpie is useful early in normal gameplay because it evolves quickly, but it is usually not strong in competitive play because of its low stats and limited movepool.
Caterpie is often found early in forest or route areas depending on the game, such as Viridian Forest in several Kanto games.
No, Caterpie does not have a Mega Evolution, Gigantamax form or major alternate form.
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