Compared with other species it is not impressive; its strongest stat is HP. On the other hand, Sp. Def — among the lowest in the entire Pokédex. Its base stat total is weak: lower than 99% of species. This is not the final form yet — it evolves twice more, so the numbers above describe this stage, not what it will end up as. In defense it has 3 weaknesses and 3 resistances at its disposal. Very easy to catch, often with the first Poké Ball.
Base stats
Last column: what percentage of 1084 species and regional forms have a lower value. Weak point: Sp. Def.
A nature can improve this entry further: its boost hits hardest on Speed, the stat in which this species already leads. Which nature does that — see the list of natures.
Which nature to choose
It hits physically: its Attack (30) is 10 points higher than its Sp. Atk. So the drop hits a stat the set usually does not use at all. Evolution does not change it, so pick it for the final form, not for these numbers.
- Adamant +Atk · −SpA It moves second and nothing will change that, so the whole boost goes into power.
- Brave +Atk · −Spe The Trick Room version: with the turn order reversed, the slower the better, and Gyro Ball calculates its power from exactly this lowered Speed.
- Hidden Power and Weather Ball still deal damage based on Sp. Atk. If either of them is going into the set, lowering Sp. Atk is no longer free.
A conclusion drawn from base stats alone — a specific moveset can reverse it. All 25 natures.
Regional numbers 5
The header shows the national number. Inside the game the Pokédex counts from the beginning — below is the number you will see in your version.
| Kanto | #010 | Red/Green (Japan) , Blue (Japan) , Red / Blue , Yellow , FireRed / LeafGreen , Let's Go Pikachu / Eevee |
|---|---|---|
| Johto | #024 | Gold / Silver , Crystal , HeartGold / SoulSilver |
| Kalos | #023 | X / Y |
| Alola | #017 | Sun / Moon , Ultra Sun / Ultra Moon |
| Galar | #013 | Sword / Shield |
Abilities
- Shield Dust Protects against incoming moves' extra effects.
- Run Away Ensures success fleeing from wild battles.
Pokédex entry
Its short feet are tipped with suction pads that enable it to tirelessly climb slopes and walls.
Resistances and weaknesses
Type chart →How much damage Caterpie takes when it is hit by a move of each type.
How it was drawn
1996–2019The sprites come straight from the games in which Caterpie appeared — one from each release.
Variant gallery
The gallery shows only the appearance variants that exist for this Pokémon. Every image shows the same character and differs in source — a Pokémon HOME render or a pixel sprite — and in coloring, regular or shiny.
TCG cards (14)
All Caterpie cards →Caterpie has 14 cards in 14 sets. The oldest of them are shown below.
Breeding
All Egg Groups →Offspring can come from 90 species from the same Egg Groups (with opposite genders) or from Ditto. Below are the first 12 by Pokédex number.
The Egg hatches after 15 cycles, which is roughly 4,100 steps. The exact cycle length depends on the game — newer titles shortened it noticeably — so treat this number as an order of magnitude, not a countdown. Having the Flame Body Ability in your party halves the wait.
Where to catch it (33)
All locations →The levels shown are the widest range across all game versions — in a specific release it may be narrower. The exact area, catch method and chance are on the page of each location.
Alola
Galar
Johto
Kalos
Kanto
Sinnoh
Moves (5)
Full move list →Below are the moves learned by leveling up. The rest (1 via TM/TR, 4 via tutor) are on the full list.
| Lv. | Move | Type | Cat. | Power | Acc. | PP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | String Shot | Bug | Status | — | 95% | 40 |
| 1 | Tackle | Normal | Physical | 40 | 100% | 35 |
| 9 | Bug Bite | Bug | Physical | 60 | 100% | 20 |