Arceus (Pokémon): Difference between revisions

← #492: Shaymin	Pokémon	#494: Victini →
This article is about the species. For a specific instance of this species, see Arceus (disambiguation).

Arceus アルセウス Arceus #493
Art by Ken Sugimori from Platinum
Type Normal Unknown Unknown Unknown Blue-Striped Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown	Category Alpha Pokémon
Ability Multitype ----- Blue-Striped -----	Exp. at Lv. 100 1,250,000
Regional Pokédex numbers Kanto #— Johto — Hoenn — Sinnoh — Unova Not in any regional Pokédex
Regional Browser numbers Fiore R— Almia R— Oblivia S-006 N-221
Height 10'06" Imperial 3.2 m Metric 10'06"/3.2 m Red-Striped 0'0"/0.0 m Blue-Striped 0'0"/0.0 m
Weight 705.5 lbs. Imperial 320.0 kg Metric 705.5 lbs./320.0 kg Red-Striped 0.0 lbs./0.0 kg Blue-Striped 0.0 lbs./0.0 kg
Dex color Gray	Catch rate 3 (0.4%)
Body style Blue-Striped	Footprint      Blue-Striped
Gender ratio Gender unknown Unknown Gender unknown
Breeding Undiscovered group 121 cycles (30855 minimum steps)
EV yield HP 3 Atk 0 Def 0 Sp.Atk 0 Sp.Def 0 Speed 0 Base Exp.: 324 Battle Exp.: 3241*
External links On Smogon Pokédex: Generation IV Generation V Generation VI Generation VII Generation VIII Generation IX Artwork on Bulbagarden Archives

Arceus (Japanese: アルセウス Arceus) is a Normal-type legendary Pokémon.

While it is not known to evolve into or from any other Pokémon, it will change type when it is holding a Plate.

Like Darkrai and Shaymin before it, Arceus was not officially recognized by Nintendo until February 14, 2009, the year of its debut movie. It was officially revealed to international audiences on August 3rd, 2009.

Arceus is also known as "The Original One," as it is said that it created Sinnoh and Ransei, and possibly the entire Pokémon universe, along with the lake guardians and creation trio. Arceus can only be found in the wild legitimately with the Azure Flute, which has not yet been distributed officially and can currently only be obtained by cheating. However, Arceus itself was distributed via multiple Nintendo events in 2009 and 2010, and distributed via the Pokémon Global Link in 2012.

Arceus is the final Pokémon in the National Pokédex within Generation IV.

Biology

Physiology

Arceus is an equine being similar to a Qilin or Centaur. Its body color is white with a gray, vertically-striated underside, the pattern of which has similar recurrences on the underside of Arceus's mane, tail, and face, and Arceus's four pointed feet are tipped with gold hooves. Its mane is quite long, jutting away from its head, and its face is gray, with green eyes and red pupils, and a green circular pattern below its eyes. Arceus also has a streak of gold coloration on its head, and ears that point upward. Its neck is fairly long, with two pairs of extrusions to the sides, and a flap-like feature on the neck's underside that is colored white like much of the body. It also has a golden cross-like wheel attached to its body by its round abdomen, which changes color along with its eyes and hooves based on Arceus's current type. The wheel also has four jewels attached to it. The pattern of striated gray of Arceus's underbelly resumes past Arceus's waist, the underside of Arceus's limbs also being gray in coloration, and with extrusions at the tops of the legs. Arceus's tail is fairly like its mane in shape and coloration. According to legend, it has 1000 arms.

Gender differences

Arceus is a genderless species.

Special abilities

According to legend, Arceus is thought to have created the Sinnoh region and possibly the entire Pokémon world, the lake guardians: Uxie, Azelf, Mesprit, and the creation trio: Dialga, Palkia, and Giratina. Because of this, Arceus is thought to be one of the most long-lived of all Pokémon species. It has the power to recreate the creation trio as well, presumably to guard the dimensions when a Trainer has caught one of them.

Arceus can change its color and type using Plates.

Arceus is the only known Pokémon who can learn Judgment. Arceus can also use many attacks of various types, but to a lesser extent than Smeargle or Mew. Arceus is also the only non-Dragon-type Pokémon other than Smeargle who can learn Draco Meteor, although it must become a Dragon-type (by holding a Draco Plate) in order to learn it.

According to the anime, its power can also bring back things that it once destroyed or make certain things vanish into thin air. Arceus also has the ability to halt time.

Behavior

Arceus does not suffer fools gladly, and will attack in a violent rampage if betrayed or deceived. It also holds long grudges if angered.

Habitat

Arceus lives at the Hall of Origin, which can only be accessed by use of the Azure Flute at the Spear Pillar. However, in the twelfth Pokémon movie, it seems to live in a wide dimension of stars and galaxies.

Diet

Main article: Pokémon food

In Arceus and the Jewel of Life it is said to "feed" off the energy of the elemental Plates.

In the anime

Arceus in the anime

Major appearances

Arceus (M12)

Arceus made its debut in Arceus and the Jewel of Life. It was angry at the people of Michina Town for Damos's unwitting betrayal of it in ancient times, and so attempted to destroy the land. When Ash and his friends are teleported by Dialga to ancient times, they directly influence the event, changing the future for the better so that Arceus will stop its destruction.

Minor appearances

In Battle Finale of Legend!, although Arceus is neither seen nor named, the Red Chain is said to contain the power of 'The Original One'. Using the Red Chain, Cyrus takes control of Dialga and Palkia by causing a red ring similar to the one surrounding Arceus's body to appear around their bodies.

In the manga

Fire-type Arceus as it appears in Pokémon Adventures

In the Arceus and the Jewel of Life manga

Arceus appears as a central character in the Arceus and the Jewel of Life manga adaptation, reprising its role from the film. After Arceus saved the world from a meteor, Damos took care of it. It gave Damos the Jewel of Life to make the land of Michina Town rich and fertile. Damos then "betrayed" Arceus, and it has been outraged ever since.

In the Pokémon Adventures manga

In the HeartGold & SoulSilver arc, Arceus appears as one of the main antagonists, where it plans on destroying humanity.

In the TCG

Main article: Arceus (TCG)

Arceus appears in the TCG in all types but Dragon, and a player can have as many Arceus cards in their deck as they like, unlike all other cards in the game (besides Basic Energy cards). Cards based on Arceus first appeared in the Arceus expansion set.

Game data

Arceus and the hero of Pokémon Conquest

Pokédex entries

Game locations

In events

Pokémon Global Link promotions

In side games

A statue of Arceus can be found in Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Sky at Destiny Tower.

Held items

Game		Held Item(s)
Events*		Rowap Berry (100%)

Stats

Base stats

Pokéathlon stats

Type effectiveness

For the type effectiveness when Arceus is holding a Plate, see type chart. In Generation IV, if Arceus was hacked to be ???-type, this Pokémon is damaged normally by moves of all types.

Learnset

By leveling up

By TM/HM

Arceus can learn every TM and HM move in Generation V.

Generation V Other generations: IV - VI - VII - VIII - IX  TM   Move   Type   Cat.   Pwr.   Acc.   PP  TM01 Hone Claws Dark Status 0000— —}}—% 15 TM02 Dragon Claw Dragon Physical 08080 100}}100% 15 TM03 Psyshock Psychic Special 08080 100}}100% 10 TM04 Calm Mind Psychic Status 0000— —}}—% 20 TM05 Roar Normal Status 0000— 100}}100% 20 TM06 Toxic Poison Status 0000— 090}}90% 10 TM07 Hail Ice Status 0000— —}}—% 10 TM10 Hidden Power Normal Special 0000— 100}}100% 15 TM11 Sunny Day Fire Status 0000— —}}—% 5 TM13 Ice Beam Ice Special 09595 100}}100% 10 TM14 Blizzard Ice Special 120120 070}}70% 5 TM15 Hyper Beam Normal Special 150150 090}}90% 5 TM16 Light Screen Psychic Status 0000— —}}—% 30 TM17 Protect Normal Status 0000— —}}—% 10 TM18 Rain Dance Water Status 0000— —}}—% 5 TM19 Telekinesis Psychic Status 0000— —}}—% 15 TM20 Safeguard Normal Status 0000— —}}—% 25 TM21 Frustration Normal Physical 0000— 100}}100% 20 TM22 SolarBeam Grass Special 120120 100}}100% 10 TM24 Thunderbolt Electric Special 09595 100}}100% 15 TM25 Thunder Electric Special 120120 070}}70% 10 TM26 Earthquake Ground Physical 100100 100}}100% 10 TM27 Return Normal Physical 0000— 100}}100% 20 TM29 Psychic Psychic Special 09090 100}}100% 10 TM30 Shadow Ball Ghost Special 08080 100}}100% 15 TM31 Brick Break Fighting Physical 07575 100}}100% 15 TM32 Double Team Normal Status 0000— —}}—% 15 TM33 Reflect Psychic Status 0000— —}}—% 20 TM35 Flamethrower Fire Special 09595 100}}100% 15 TM36 Sludge Bomb Poison Special 09090 100}}100% 10 TM37 Sandstorm Rock Status 0000— —}}—% 10 TM38 Fire Blast Fire Special 120120 085}}85% 5 TM39 Rock Tomb Rock Physical 05050 080}}80% 10 TM40 Aerial Ace Flying Physical 06060 —}}—% 20 TM42 Facade Normal Physical 07070 100}}100% 20 TM44 Rest Psychic Status 0000— —}}—% 10 TM48 Round Normal Special 06060 100}}100% 15 TM49 Echoed Voice Normal Special 04040 100}}100% 15 TM50 Overheat Fire Special 140140 090}}90% 5 TM52 Focus Blast Fighting Special 120120 070}}70% 5 TM53 Energy Ball Grass Special 08080 100}}100% 10 TM57 Charge Beam Electric Special 05050 090}}90% 10 TM59 Incinerate Fire Special 03030 100}}100% 15 TM60 Quash Dark Status 0000— 100}}100% 15 TM61 Will-O-Wisp Fire Status 0000— 075}}75% 15 TM65 Shadow Claw Ghost Physical 07070 100}}100% 15 TM66 Payback Dark Physical 05050 100}}100% 10 TM67 Retaliate Normal Physical 07070 100}}100% 5 TM68 Giga Impact Normal Physical 150150 090}}90% 5 TM70 Flash Normal Status 0000— 100}}100% 20 TM71 Stone Edge Rock Physical 100100 080}}80% 5 TM73 Thunder Wave Electric Status 0000— 100}}100% 20 TM75 Swords Dance Normal Status 0000— —}}—% 30 TM77 Psych Up Normal Status 0000— —}}—% 10 TM78 Bulldoze Ground Physical 06060 100}}100% 20 TM80 Rock Slide Rock Physical 07575 090}}90% 10 TM81 X-Scissor Bug Physical 08080 100}}100% 15 TM83 Work Up Normal Status 0000— —}}—% 30 TM84 Poison Jab Poison Physical 08080 100}}100% 20 TM85 Dream Eater Psychic Special 100100 100}}100% 15 TM86 Grass Knot Grass Special 0000— 100}}100% 20 TM87 Swagger Normal Status 0000— 090}}90% 15 TM90 Substitute Normal Status 0000— —}}—% 10 TM91 Flash Cannon Steel Special 08080 100}}100% 10 TM92 Trick Room Psychic Status 0000— —}}—% 5 TM94 Rock Smash Fighting Physical 04040 100}}100% 15 TM95 Snarl Dark Special 05555 095}}95% 15 HM01 Cut Normal Physical 05050 095}}95% 30 HM02 Fly Flying Physical 09090 095}}95% 15 HM03 Surf Water Special 09595 100}}100% 15 HM04 Strength Normal Physical 08080 100}}100% 15 HM05 Waterfall Water Physical 08080 100}}100% 15 Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Arceus Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an evolution or alternate form of Arceus Click on the generation numbers at the top to see TM moves from other generations By breeding Generation V Other generations: IV - VI - VII - VIII - IX  Father   Move   Type   Cat.   Pwr.   Acc.   PP  This Pokémon learns no moves by breeding. Moves marked with an asterisk (*) must be chain bred onto Arceus in Generation V Moves marked with a double dagger (‡) can only be bred from a Pokémon who learned the move in an earlier generation. Moves marked with a superscript game abbreviation can only be bred onto Arceus in that game. Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Arceus Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an evolution or alternate form of Arceus Click on the generation numbers at the top to see Egg moves from other generations By tutoring Generation V Other generations: IV - VI - VII - VIII - IX  Game   Move   Type   Cat.   Pwr.   Acc.   PP  B W B2 W2 Aqua Tail Water Physical 90 90% 10 B W B2 W2 Dark Pulse Dark Special 80 100% 15 B W B2 W2 Draco Meteor* Dragon Special 140 90% 5 B W B2 W2 Dragon Pulse Dragon Special 90 100% 10 B W B2 W2 Earth Power Ground Special 90 100% 10 B W B2 W2 Giga Drain Grass Special 75 100% 10 B W B2 W2 Gravity Psychic Status — —% 5 B W B2 W2 Heat Wave Fire Special 100 90% 10 B W B2 W2 Hyper Voice Normal Special 90 100% 10 B W B2 W2 Icy Wind Ice Special 55 95% 15 B W B2 W2 Iron Defense Steel Status — —% 15 B W B2 W2 Iron Head Steel Physical 80 100% 15 B W B2 W2 Iron Tail Steel Physical 100 75% 15 B W B2 W2 Last Resort Normal Physical 140 100% 5 B W B2 W2 Magic Coat Psychic Status — —% 15 B W B2 W2 Outrage Dragon Physical 120 100% 10 B W B2 W2 Recycle Normal Status — —% 10 B W B2 W2 Signal Beam Bug Special 75 100% 15 B W B2 W2 Sleep Talk Normal Status — —% 10 B W B2 W2 Snore Normal Special 40 100% 15 B W B2 W2 Stealth Rock Rock Status — —% 20 B W B2 W2 Tailwind Flying Status — —% 30 B W B2 W2 Trick Psychic Status — 100% 10 B W B2 W2 Zen Headbutt Psychic Physical 80 90% 15 A black abbreviation in a colored box indicates that Arceus can be tutored the move in that game A colored abbreviation in a white box indicates that Arceus cannot be tutored the move in that game Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Arceus Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an evolution of Arceus Click on the generation numbers at the top to see Move Tutor moves from other generations By events Generation V Other generations: IV - VI - VII - VIII - IX  Event   Move   Type   Cat.   Pwr.   Acc.   PP  This Pokémon has no special event moves. A superscript level indicates that Arceus can learn this move normally in Generation V at that level Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Arceus Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an evolution or alternate form of Arceus Click on the generation numbers at the top to see event moves from other generations Side game data Pokémon Pinball  N/A  Not available Pokémon Pinball RS  N/A  Not available Pokémon Trozei!  N/A  Not available Pokémon Mystery Dungeon Red Rescue Team and Blue Rescue Team Body size: 1 Recruit rate: 0% Friend Area: Beau Plains Phrases 51%-100% HP My HP is between 51% and 100%. 26%-50% HP My HP is between 26% and 50%. 1%-25% HP My HP is between 1% and 25%. Level up I leveled up. Partner phrases 51%-100% HP <name>, my HP is between 51% and 100%. 26%-50% HP <name>, my HP is between 26% and 50%. 1%-25% HP <name>, my HP is between 1% and 25%. Level up I leveled up. Pokémon Mystery Dungeon Explorers of Sky Body size: 1 Recruit rate: 0% IQ group: A Pokémon Ranger Group:  Normal  Poké Assist: None Field move: None Loops: 0 Min. exp.: 0 Max. exp.: 0 Browser entry   This Pokémon does not have a browser entry. Pokémon Ranger: Shadows of Almia Group:  Normal  Poké Assist: None Field move: None Browser entry   This Pokémon does not have a browser entry. Pokémon Ranger: Guardian Signs Group: Poké Assist: Field move:  Normal  ( Normal ) Past ( Normal ) None Past (Electrify ×1) Browser entry   It protects itself with psychic orbs that bring meteors down. Pokémon Rumble N/A Not Available Defense Speed N/A Not Available Defense Speed Pokémon Rumble Blast Attack ●●●●● Defense ●●●●● Speed ●●●● Attack Not Available Defense Speed Attack Not Available Defense Speed Attack Not Available Defense Speed PokéPark Wii: Pikachu's Adventure PokéPark Pad entry: This Pokémon has no PokéPark Pad entry. PokéPark 2: Wonders Beyond Strong: {{{Park2strong}}} Weak: {{{Park2weak}}} PokéPark Pad entry: This Pokémon has no PokéPark Pad entry. Pokémon Conquest HP: ★★★★★ Move: Judgment Attack: ★★★★ Ability 1: Omnipotence Defense: ★★★★★ Ability 2: Speed: ★★★★★ Ability 3: Does not evolve into or from anything Range: 4 Perfect Links: Hero/Heroine Evolution No Plate Arceus  Normal  Meadow Plate Arceus  Grass  Flame Plate Arceus  Fire  Splash Plate Arceus  Water  Sky Plate Arceus  Flying  Insect Plate Arceus  Bug  Toxic Plate Arceus  Poison  Zap Plate Arceus  Electric  Mind Plate Arceus  Psychic  Stone Plate Arceus  Rock  Earth Plate Arceus  Ground  Dread Plate Arceus  Dark  Spooky Plate Arceus  Ghost  Iron Plate Arceus  Steel  Fist Plate Arceus  Fighting  Icicle Plate Arceus  Ice  Draco Plate Arceus  Dragon  Unobtainable Arceus  ???  Sprites Gen Game I Red Blue Yellow Red (Ja) Green Back This Pokémon did not appear during Generation I. II Gold Silver Crystal   Back This Pokémon did not appear during Generation II. III Ruby Sapphire Emerald FireRed LeafGreen Back This Pokémon did not appear during Generation III. IV Diamond Pearl Platinum HeartGold SoulSilver Back V Black White Black 2 White 2 Back For other sprites and images, please see Arceus images on Bulbagarden Archives. Trivia Arceus's English name has had three different pronunciations. The announcer of Pokémon Battle Revolution pronounced it "AR-see-uss". A promotional trailer for Arceus and the Jewel of Life used the pronunciation "Ar-SAY-us". In the final release of Arceus and the Jewel of Life, it was pronounced "AR-key-us", which was affirmed as the official pronunciation by a Pokémon.com mailbag and by the Pokémon Essential Handbook. Arceus's base stat total is 720, higher than any other Pokémon. As a Normal type, Arceus has the highest Defense base stat of all Normal-type Pokémon. All Generation IV games have sprites for Arceus using its Multitype Ability with all 18 types, including ???-type. It is disputed whether the ???-type Arceus is obtainable, as there is no Plate in the code that can be used for this. It is possible this sprite was programmed in to prevent game crashes caused by tampering with Arceus's type. Arceus's signature move, Judgment, is the only move that Arceus is guaranteed STAB for, as it is always the same type as Arceus itself. However, on the battle screen, Judgment is always displayed as a Normal-type attack. Judgment is similar to Genesect's signature move, Techno Blast, as it changes with the held item of the Pokémon. However, while Arceus always has STAB on Judgment, Genesect can never gain STAB on Techno Blast. Even though it is said that Arceus created the world with its thousand arms, it is not shown to have any arms at all, nor can it learn hand-based or arm-based moves. Holding the Toxic Plate, Arceus is the only known legendary Poison-type Pokémon. Arceus is the only event-exclusive trio master, needing the Azure Flute to be encountered in Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum Versions. Furthermore, Arceus is the only trio master of two different trios. Arceus is the only pre-Generation V Pokémon to never officially receive a DPBP number. Kadabra, which was not released as a TCG card during the DPBP era, is assumed to be #070, as Abra and Alakazam are #069 and #071, respectively. The ring around Arceus's body appears to have a malevolent counterpart in the embodiment of the Red Chain, as a red version of it is shown to ring Dialga and Palkia around the middle when Cyrus takes control of them in The Battle Finale of Legend! Arceus is one of three Pokémon that can learn all of the moves ever obtainable as HMs. The two others are Mew and Smeargle. Arceus is the one who is rumored to have prevented all Pokémon in the future from disappearing in Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Sky. Dialga explains that it "was no miracle" that they were saved, and that a "greater power" saved them all. Arceus is the master of the creation trio, of which Dialga is a member. Arceus received the most votes of all pre-Generation V Pokémon in Japanese, as well as international (non-Japanese and non-Korean) Pokémon Global Link promotion poll. In Generation IV an Arceus using Trick would always fail, making the move completely useless on Arceus. However, this was fixed in Generation V so that Trick will only fail if a Plate is held. Arceus's different sprites are not recognized as form differences by the Pokédex. The same is true for Genesect. If an Arceus holding a Plate is hacked to have an Ability other than Multitype, it will remain in its current sprite, but will revert to Normal-type, regardless of what Plate it is holding, creating a situation not unlike Illusion. However, if Arceus is given a different Plate, its Ability will revert to Multitype. Arceus could learn every HM move in Generation IV. The only other Pokémon that could do so was Mew (excluding Smeargle, which could obtain them via Sketch). Origin Arceus is particularly based on a creator deity, present in many world cultures. The conception of the first god might be influenced from Kunitokotachi and Amenominakanushi, who, according to Shinto myth, summoned Izanami and Izanagi to create Japan with the spear. It may also be a reference to the Chinese mythical creature, the Qilin. Its myth is nearly identical to that of the Pangu, the Chinese creation deity. Arceus may also be inspired by (or a representation of) the bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara, who, in Buddhism, is either pictured with eleven heads and one thousand arms (the latter of which is mentioned in Arceus's flavor text) or in a white four-armed manifestation (which could look similar to Normal-type Arceus). Some inspiration may have come from a horse, because of its Platinum sprite and attack movements in Pokémon Battle Revolution. Name origin Arceus may be a combination of arch (referring to the highest point), arcanus (Latin for secret/sacred mystery), archaic (ancient), αρχή arkhē (Greek for beginning), or archetypus (Latin for original), and deus (Latin for god). It may also derive from aureus (golden, in reference to its hooves and wheel), arc (round or ring), or Archeus (an aspect of the astral plane). In other languages Language Title Meaning Japanese アルセウス Arceus From a combination of arch, arcanus (Latin for secret/sacred mystery), archaic (ancient), αρχή arkhē (Greek for beginning), or archetypus (Latin for original), and deus (Latin for god). May also derive from aureus (golden), arc (round or ring), or Archeus (an aspect of the astral plane). French Arceus Same as Japanese name Spanish Arceus Same as Japanese name German Arceus Same as Japanese name Italian Arceus Same as Japanese name Korean 아르세우스 Arceus Transliteration of Japanese name Mandarin Chinese 阿爾宙斯 Ā Ěr Zhòu Sī Transliteration of its Japanese name. Also a portmanteau of 阿爾法 Ā'ěrfǎ and 宙斯 Zhòusī. Cantonese Chinese More languages Related articles Arceus (M12) Lake guardians Creation trio External links Article on Wikipedia Event exclusives Pokémon Pikachu in a cap • Spiky-eared Pichu • Victini • Genesect Ash-Greninja • Vivillon (Poké Ball Pattern) • Diancie • Hoopa Volcanion • Magearna • Marshadow • Zeraora • Melmetal • Zarude Walking Wake • Iron Leaves • Pecharunt Moves Happy Hour • Celebrate • Hold Hands • Hold Back Items Bluesky Mail • Mirage Mail • Egg Ticket • Eon Ticket • MysticTicket AuroraTicket • Old Sea Map • Brick Mail • Member Card • Oak's Letter Enigma Stone • Liberty Pass • Discount Coupon • Dynamax Crystal Mythical Pecha Berry Pokéwalker Routes Yellow Forest • Winner's Path • Sightseeing • Rally • Amity Meadow Other C-Gear Skins Legendary Pokémon Generation I Generation II Generation III Generation IV Generation V Generation VI Generation VII Generation VIII Generation IX See also: Mythical Pokémon ← #492: Shaymin Pokémon #494: Victini → This Pokémon article is part of Project Pokédex, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on each Pokémon as a species.