Pokémon Quest: How to Find the First Steppes 1-3 Secret Boss

To find the secret boss in Pokémon Quest Area 1 (First Steppes) Stage 1-3, run the stage repeatedly until Butterfree replaces Pidgeotto as the final wave leader. This replacement is governed entirely by random chance when the stage loads; no base camp decorations, recipes, or codes force it to appear.

Spawning the Stage 1-3 Secret Boss

Pokémon Quest contains eight secret bosses scattered across Tumblecube Island. Each one acts as a rare alternative spawn that replaces the fixed boss of a specific expedition stage.

Because you cannot manually trigger the replacement, use this quick farming cycle:

Enter Stage 1-3: Select First Steppes Stage 1-3 on the expedition map using your standard expedition stamina.
Clear Waves 1 and 2: Defeat the standard early wild Pokémon to reach the final arena.
Check Wave 3: Observe the boss spawn. If Pidgeotto appears, finish the battle to collect early ingredients, then queue Stage 1-3 again. If Butterfree descends, the secret encounter is active.

Because First Steppes is the opening zone of the game, stage power requirements are low and clear times are fast, making it quick to cycle attempts.

Pidgeotto vs. Butterfree Combat Differences

While Pidgeotto relies on straightforward physical lunges and knockbacks, Butterfree introduces wide-area status attacks that can incapacitate your squad.

Feature	Standard Boss: Pidgeotto	Secret Boss: Butterfree
Attack Pattern	Direct linear dashes, Wing Attack, Gust	Multi-target projectiles and circular powder clouds
Status Threat	Minimal displacement and knockback	Sleep, Poison, or Paralyze debuffs
Telegraph Window	Fast charge-up with a narrow forward cone	Longer charge-up leading to a wide area burst
Danger Point	Pushing melee units into backline allies	Clumping your team into a shared status hazard

Battle Tactics for Butterfree

Butterfree shares the low overall power threshold of First Steppes, but poor positioning can lead to an unexpected wipe from chained status effects.

Maintain Formation: Run one close-range tank (such as Charmander, Squirtle, Machop, or Geodude) alongside two ranged attackers (such as Pidgey, Rattata, or Abra). The melee fighter keeps Butterfree focused in the center while ranged units attack safely from the perimeter.
Time the Scatter Command: Watch Butterfree's posture. When an orange charging glow appears, tap the Scatter whistle immediately. This forces your Pokémon to break combat and retreat outward, avoiding the incoming powder burst before it applies poison or sleep. Re-engage once the hazard clears.

Progression Value: Clear Once, Then Advance

Stage 1-3 yields standard Area 1 rewards regardless of whether you defeat Pidgeotto or Butterfree. Defeating Butterfree awards basic ingredients like Tiny Mushrooms and Bluk Berries alongside low-value early Power Stones; it does not grant rare items or unique progression skips.

Defeat the Butterfree secret encounter once to experience the fight, then redirect your expedition stamina toward clearing Gloomy Clearing and Backforth Brook. Pushing forward unlocks higher-tier cooking pots and superior Power Stones, which are necessary to handle later, more demanding secret bosses across the island.