Metapod Report

Metapod (the Cocoon Pokémon) is a relatively uncommon Bug-type Pokémon found among forests and grassy fields within the Kanto, Johto, Unova, Kalos, Alola and Galar regions as well as the Pattern Bush of the Sevii Islands and the Sinnoh region on rare occasions. Though generally immobile and unable to actually attack others, Metapod are patient creatures that have no problem with simply waiting around until they evolve, even if it means standing out in the open. They might not have the greatest defenses in terms of stats alone, but in the case of Metapod, the actual durability of their cocoon far exceeds what one would normally expect; once one starts to Harden its body repeatedly, you'll have to hope for either a critical hit or a meteor impact to break through it without too much difficulty!

Once Caterpie grow to a certain size and acquire enough energy to undergo metamorphosis, they spray their entire bodies with their String Shot technique until they manage to cover their bodies in a thick layer of hardened string, effectively turning them into Metapod. While in this state, Caterpie are unable to move, as their tender bodies have mostly melted into a thick liquid, the cells inside slowly changing within the cocoon into those of their adult form’s body; they can, however, still see and hear due to a thin layer of membrane on the inside of their shells that acts as both a photoreceptor (in turn looking like a pair of eyes) and a receiver for sound vibrations. Since there is effectively nothing connecting their muscles to the inside of their shells, however, nor anything to anchor their insides in place and keep them from spilling out, most Metapod are completely and utterly immobile and must rely on their durable shells for protection against all assaults; this generally works surprisingly well, though, primarily thanks to their Harden technique, which they acquire immediately after evolution. Without any modifications, the layer of hardened string covering the bodies of developing Caterpie is practically as hard and durable as a steel slab (though it is still somewhat soft and vulnerable to damage within the first hour of formation and has been known to still break in intense battles), making it very difficult for predators to penetrate the shell without sharp claws or beaks. If Metapod wish to, however, they can actually spray a tiny amount of extra string over their cocoons through tiny pores in the shell exterior; this Harden technique is notably different from others in that it can be executed almost instantly and indefinitely, slowly turning a single Metapod into a creature that even a Pinsir can't crack open at full-strength. Perhaps not surprisingly, this means that most predatory birds avoid Metapod even if they are out in the open, as the energy needed to simply crack them open is rarely equal to their actual nutritional value. It is duly noted, however, that piercing weapons (such as the large stingers on Beedrill) are still capable of cleaving through the thick shells relatively easily due to their rather fibrous construction, and sudden shock to the outside of the shell, such as being violently tipped over, can cause the premature Butterfree on the inside to be ejected, often times leading to death if they are more than a day away from normal maturation.

However, Metapod do have an advantage over their contemporary, Kakuna, in that they actually can be taught to move. While Kakuna inherit their pre-evolved form's Poison Sting attack without any issues, Metapod are normally unable to do much other than simply wait around for evolution. If due diligence is taken in training them to use their muscles as much as possible while developing, however, the Caterpie inside of a Metapod can be taught to suddenly flex their muscles in their shells, generating a similar effect to what is seen in Mexican jumping beans. While this make-shift Tackle attack might not be exceptionally powerful, if performed from a branch or another place high off of the ground, the damage potential can be heavily intensified to the point where it can even crack weak armor in extreme cases. More importantly, Metapod can be taught to use similarly-colored leaves in a forest environment to their advantage in battle much as Caterpie use them to hide from predators; the only real catch is that Metapod cannot release a stench if suddenly revealed or scared by another, so if they are snuck up on, they have to rely on their Tackle attack to make enough room for a quick escape.

While they certainly might not be the most powerful creatures nor the most exciting, Metapod are surprisingly durable cocoons that can still deliver a good show in battle if given the chance. It might take some patient training to make them capable of actually dealing damage, but if you have the time to spare and really want a Butterfree hassle-free, then you'll just have to bear with them. Besides, you won't have to wait very long for evolution to come, so you might as well enjoy your Metapod while you still can…especially if you are a fan of obscure Bug-type sports competitions like Metapod Football (the American version)!

Professor Wormwood