Arceus (Pokémon)

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Pokémon

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Arceus アルセウス Arceus #493
Artwork from Platinum
Type Psychic ' 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
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.: 255 Battle Exp.: 2551*
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 Template:Type2 legendary Pokémon.

It is currently the final Pokémon in the National Pokédex as of Generation IV. Like Darkrai and Shaymin before it, Arceus was not officially recognized by Nintendo until February, 2009, the year of its debut movie. It was later revealed by the official site on August 3rd, 2009, making all Pokémon in the games officially revealed.

Arceus is also known as "The Original One," as it is said that it created Sinnoh, and possibly the entire Pokémon universe, along with the lake guardians and dragon trio. The only legitimate way to get Arceus is with the Azure Flute, which has yet to be distributed officially, or through a Nintendo event.

Biology

Physiology

Arceus is an equine being similar to a Qilin or Centaur. Its body 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.

Gender differences

Arceus is a genderless species.

Special abilities

File:Arceus Formes.gif

An animation displaying Arceus's different colorings while holding plates

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 dragon trio: Dialga, Palkia, and Giratina.

Arceus is multifarious; it can change forms and types with the use of the special 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 Template:Type2 (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 to vanish into thin air. Arceus also has the ability to halt time.

Behavior

While normally a kind, heroic and benevolent Pokémon, 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 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 of the energy of the elemental plates.

In the anime

File:Arceus movie 12.png

Arceus in the anime

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.

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' body to appear around their bodies.

Arceus makes a cameo in the opening The Greatest - Everyday!, along with the dragon trio.

In the manga

Arceus appears as a central character in the Movie 12 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 Michīna rich and fertile. Damos then betrayed Arceus, and it has been outraged ever since.

In Pokémon Adventures, Gold and his team battle a wild Arceus in the opening pages of the HeartGold & SoulSilver arc, and even Explotaro's powerful Blast Burn attack is unable to damage the incredible beast.

In the TCG

Main article: Arceus (TCG)

Arceus appears in the TCG in all nine elemental types, 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

Pokédex entries

This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation IV.
Generation I Red {{{redbluedex}}} Blue Yellow {{{yellowdex}}} Stadium {{{stadiumdex}}}
Generation II Gold {{{golddex}}} Silver {{{silverdex}}} Crystal {{{crystaldex}}} Stadium 2 Unknown
Generation III Ruby {{{rubydex}}} Sapphire {{{sapphiredex}}} Emerald {{{emeralddex}}} FireRed {{{firereddex}}} LeafGreen {{{leafgreendex}}}
Generation IV Diamond It is described in mythology as the Pokémon that shaped the universe with its 1,000 arms. Pearl It is told in mythology that this Pokémon was born before the universe even existed. Platinum It is said to have emerged from an egg in a place where there was nothing, then shaped the world. HeartGold According to the legends of Sinnoh, this Pokémon emerged from an egg and shaped all there is in this world. SoulSilver According to the legends of Sinnoh, this Pokémon emerged from an egg and shaped all there is in this world.
Generation V Black {{{blackdex}}} White {{{whitedex}}} Black 2 {{{black2dex}}} White 2 {{{white2dex}}}
Generation VI X Unknown Y Unknown

Game locations

This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation IV.
Generation I Red Blue None Trade Blue (Japan) None Trade Yellow None Trade
Generation II Gold Silver None Trade Crystal None Trade
Generation III Ruby Sapphire None Trade Emerald None Trade FireRed LeafGreen None Trade Colosseum None Trade XD None Trade
Generation IV Diamond Pearl One Hall of Origin (requires Azure Flute) Platinum One Hall of Origin (requires Azure Flute) HeartGold SoulSilver None Trade Pal Park None Pokéwalker None
Generation V Black White None Trade Black 2 White 2 None Trade Dream World None
Generation VI X Y None Trade

In side games

Arceus hasn't appeared in any side games as of yet, although a statue of it can be found in Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Sky.

Held items

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

Stats

Base stats

Stat		Range
		At Lv. 50	At Lv. 100
HP: 120		180 - 227	350 - 444
Attack: 120		112 - 189	220 - 372
Defense: 120		112 - 189	220 - 372
Sp. Atk: 120		112 - 189	220 - 372
Sp. Def: 120		112 - 189	220 - 372
Speed: 120		112 - 189	220 - 372
Total: 720	Other Pokémon with this total
Minimum stats are calculated with 0 EVs, IVs of 0, and (if applicable) a hindering nature. Maximum stats are calculated with 252 EVs, IVs of 31, and (if applicable) a helpful nature.

Pokéathlon stats

No plate equipped

Speed 4/5 ★★★★☆ Power 5/5 ★★★★★ Skill 4/5 ★★★★☆ Stamina 5/5 ★★★★★ Jump 4/5 ★★★★☆ Total 22/25 ★★★★☆

With Fist Plate

Speed 4/5 ★★★★☆ Power 5/5 ★★★★★ Skill 5/5 ★★★★★ Stamina 4/5 ★★★★☆ Jump 4/5 ★★★★☆ Total 22/25 ★★★★☆

With Sky Plate

Speed 5/5 ★★★★★ Power 4/5 ★★★★☆ Skill 4/5 ★★★★☆ Stamina 4/5 ★★★★☆ Jump 5/5 ★★★★★ Total 22/25 ★★★★☆

With Toxic Plate

Speed 4/5 ★★★★☆ Power 4/5 ★★★★☆ Skill 5/5 ★★★★★ Stamina 5/5 ★★★★★ Jump 4/5 ★★★★☆ Total 22/25 ★★★★☆

With Earth Plate

Speed 4/5 ★★★★☆ Power 5/5 ★★★★★ Skill 4/5 ★★★★☆ Stamina 5/5 ★★★★★ Jump 4/5 ★★★★☆ Total 22/25 ★★★★☆

With Stone Plate

Speed 4/5 ★★★★☆ Power 5/5 ★★★★★ Skill 4/5 ★★★★☆ Stamina 5/5 ★★★★★ Jump 4/5 ★★★★☆ Total 22/25 ★★★★☆

With Insect Plate

Speed 5/5 ★★★★★ Power 4/5 ★★★★☆ Skill 4/5 ★★★★☆ Stamina 4/5 ★★★★☆ Jump 5/5 ★★★★★ Total 22/25 ★★★★☆

With Spooky Plate

Speed 4/5 ★★★★☆ Power 4/5 ★★★★☆ Skill 5/5 ★★★★★ Stamina 4/5 ★★★★☆ Jump 5/5 ★★★★★ Total 22/25 ★★★★☆

With Iron Plate

Speed 4/5 ★★★★☆ Power 4/5 ★★★★☆ Skill 5/5 ★★★★★ Stamina 5/5 ★★★★★ Jump 4/5 ★★★★☆ Total 22/25 ★★★★☆

With Flame Plate

Speed 4/5 ★★★★☆ Power 5/5 ★★★★★ Skill 4/5 ★★★★☆ Stamina 5/5 ★★★★★ Jump 4/5 ★★★★☆ Total 22/25 ★★★★☆

With Splash Plate

Speed 5/5 ★★★★★ Power 4/5 ★★★★☆ Skill 5/5 ★★★★★ Stamina 4/5 ★★★★☆ Jump 4/5 ★★★★☆ Total 22/25 ★★★★☆

With Meadow Plate

Speed 4/5 ★★★★☆ Power 4/5 ★★★★☆ Skill 4/5 ★★★★☆ Stamina 5/5 ★★★★★ Jump 5/5 ★★★★★ Total 22/25 ★★★★☆

With Zap Plate

Speed 5/5 ★★★★★ Power 4/5 ★★★★☆ Skill 5/5 ★★★★★ Stamina 4/5 ★★★★☆ Jump 4/5 ★★★★☆ Total 22/25 ★★★★☆

With Mind Plate

Speed 5/5 ★★★★★ Power 4/5 ★★★★☆ Skill 5/5 ★★★★★ Stamina 4/5 ★★★★☆ Jump 4/5 ★★★★☆ Total 22/25 ★★★★☆

With Icicle Plate

Speed 5/5 ★★★★★ Power 5/5 ★★★★★ Skill 4/5 ★★★★☆ Stamina 4/5 ★★★★☆ Jump 4/5 ★★★★☆ Total 22/25 ★★★★☆

With Draco Plate

Speed 3/5 ★★★☆☆ Power 5/5 ★★★★★ Skill 5/5 ★★★★★ Stamina 5/5 ★★★★★ Jump 5/5 ★★★★★ Total 23/25 ★★★★☆

With Dread Plate

Speed 4/5 ★★★★☆ Power 4/5 ★★★★☆ Skill 5/5 ★★★★★ Stamina 4/5 ★★★★☆ Jump 5/5 ★★★★★ Total 22/25 ★★★★☆

Type effectiveness

No plate equipped

With Fist Plate

With Sky Plate

With Toxic Plate

With Earth Plate

With Stone Plate

With Insect Plate

With Spooky Plate

With Iron Plate

With Flame Plate

With Splash Plate

With Meadow Plate

With Zap Plate

With Mind Plate

With Icicle Plate

With Draco Plate

With Dread Plate

Learnset

By leveling up

|- style="text-align:center" | style="text-align:left" | arceus | style="background:#3FA129" |  arceus 

| style=" background:#FFF" | 4 | style=" background:#FFF" | 4 | style=" background:#FFF" | Arceus | style="display:none; background:#FFF" | {{{6}}} Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Movelist/note

By tutoring

Template:Tutor Template:Mtentry4a Template:Mtentry4a Template:Mtentry4a Template:Mtentry4a Template:Mtentry4a Template:Mtentry4a Template:Mtentry4a Template:Mtentry4a Template:Mtentry4a Template:Mtentry4a Template:Mtentry4a Template:Mtentry4a Template:Mtentry4a Template:Mtentry4a Template:Mtentry4a Template:Mtentry4a Template:Mtentry4a Template:Mtentry4a Template:Mtentry4a Template:Mtentry4a Template:Mtentry4a Template:Mtentry4a Template:Mtentry4a Template:Mtentry4a |- style="background:#82C274" | colspan="13" |Bold indicates a move that gets STAB
Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only from an evolution or alternate form of this Pokémon
Arceus must be holding the Draco Plate when Draco Meteor is taught. |} |}

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   This Pokémon does not have a browser entry.
Pokémon Rumble N/A Not Available Defense Speed N/A Not Available Defense Speed			Pokémon Rumble Blast N/A Not Available Defense Speed N/A Not Available Defense Speed N/A Not Available Defense Speed N/A 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: {{{ConquestMove}}} Attack: Ability 1: {{{ConquestAbility1}}} Defense: Ability 2: {{{ConquestAbility2}}} Speed: Ability 3: {{{ConquestAbility3}}} Does not evolve. Range: 0 Perfect Links: {{{ConquestLink}}}

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

Normal-color sprite for Template:Type2 Arceus

Shiny sprite for Template:Type2 Arceus

• At level 80, Arceus is the second highest level non-glitch Pokémon available for capture. The highest is Magikarp which can be caught at up to level 100 in Pokémon Platinum. It is, however, still the highest level legendary Pokémon available for capture.
• Arceus's English name has had three different pronunciations. Before it was officially revealed, fans pronounced it as "AR-see-oos", as does Pokémon Battle Revolution. Then, a promotional trailer for Arceus and the Jewel of Life pronounced it as "Ar-SAY-us". Its official pronunciation was then revealed in a Pokémon.com mailbag as "ARK-ee-us". Its original pronunciation is still in popular usage, however, and isn't considered to be incorrect.
• Arceus's base stat total is 720, higher than any other Pokémon. Previous Pokémon, among them Mewtwo, have only had a maximum total of 680.
  • In its base form, Arceus has the highest base stat in Defense of all Template:Type2 Pokémon.
• Arceus has the highest base experience yield of all Pokémon, tied with Happiny, Chansey, and Blissey. That means an Arceus would yield 13,933 experience points when defeated if it is at level 100 and belongs to a Trainer.
• The code for Diamond and Pearl has sprites for Arceus using its Multitype ability with all 18 types, including Template:Type2. 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 Template:Type2 attack.
• 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- and arm-based moves such as the elemental punches.
• Holding the Sky Plate, Arceus is the only Pokémon able to become a pure Template:Type2 outside of battle (other Pokémon can do so in battle through the use of Conversion, Conversion 2, and Color Change).
• With the appropriate plate, Arceus is the only legendary Poison-, Bug-, or Template:Type2 Pokémon.
• Earth Power is the only move with a fixed base power, besides Judgment, that Arceus learns by level-up which can receive STAB with a plate attached.
• Arceus is the only trio master not catchable by typical in-game mechanics, instead needing an event item (the Azure Flute) to be catchable in-game.
  • Furthermore, Arceus is the only trio master of two different trios.
• Arceus is the only Pokémon to never officially receive a DPBP number, although it or one of its forms probably would have been assigned DPBP#532 had that system continued to be used.
• 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 DP152.
• Arceus is one of three Pokémon that can learn all of the HM moves, including ones which no longer have that status. The others are Mew and Smeargle through Sketch.
• 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 leader of the dragon trio, of which Dialga is a member.

Origin

Arceus is particularly based on a creator deity, present in many world cultures. 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) 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 Arceus's Normal form).

Some inspiration may have come from a horse, because of its Platinum sprite and attack movements in Pokémon Battle Revolution.

Name origin

Arceus's name may come from the words arch (highest) and deus, which is Latin and Greek for god. It may also have a root in the Latin word arcanus, which means secret; sacred mystery.

Arceus's name may also come from the word archaic (ancient), which comes from the Greek arkhaios, and is derived from the ancient Greek word for "beginning", arkhē. It could have also come from the Latin word archetypus (original). Alternatively, Arceus's name can be seen as a portmanteau of Zeus, the most powerful of Greek gods and arch (highest).

Arceus's name is pronounced with a soft "c" by the announcer in Pokémon Battle Revolution; in keeping with its probable name origin, it is pronounced with a hard "c" in television commercials and in Arceus and the Jewel of Life.

In other languages

• German: Arceus
• French: Arceus
• Korean: 아르세우스 Arceus

Legendary Pokémon

Generation I

Generation II

Generation III

Generation IV

Generation V

Generation VI

Generation VII

Generation VIII

Generation IX

See also: Mythical Pokémon

Event distributions Event Pokémon distributions Generation I: Japanese • European language Generation II: Japanese • European language Generation III: Japanese • English • German • Spanish • French • Italian Generation IV: Japanese (local | Wi-Fi) • English (local | Wi-Fi) • German (local | Wi-Fi) Spanish (local | Wi-Fi) • French (local | Wi-Fi) • Italian (local | Wi-Fi) • Korean (local | Wi-Fi) Trading (GTS) Generation V: Japanese (local | Wi-Fi) • English (local | Wi-Fi) • German (local | Wi-Fi) Spanish (local | Wi-Fi) • French (local | Wi-Fi) • Italian (local | Wi-Fi) • Korean (local | Wi-Fi) Global Link promotions Generation VI: Japanese region (Nintendo Network | serial code) • American region (Nintendo Network | serial code) PAL region (Nintendo Network | serial code) • Korean region (Nintendo Network | serial code) Taiwanese region (Nintendo Network | serial code) Local • Trading Generation VII: 3DS: Japanese region (Nintendo Network | serial code) • American region (Nintendo Network | serial code) PAL region (Nintendo Network | serial code) • Korean region (Nintendo Network | serial code) Taiwanese region (Nintendo Network | serial code) Local Switch: PE Generation VIII: SwSh • BDSP • LA Trading Generation IX: SV Specific events: Gather More Pokémon! Campaign PCNY (Gen II | Gen III) • Trade and Battle Day • Journey Across America • Party of the Decade Other groupings: Movie events • 10th Anniversary • Tanabata • Undistributed Special Pokémon from games In-game: Gen I • Gen II • Gen III (RS • FRLG • E • Colosseum/XD) • Gen IV (DP ​• Pt ​• HGSS) • Gen V (BW • B2W2) Gen VI (XY • ORAS) • Gen VII (SM • USUM • PE) • Gen VIII (SwSh • BDSP • LA) • Gen IX (SV) Gift Pokémon (Eggs) • Wild Pokémon (Roaming Pokémon) • In-game trades (Hayley's trades) Game-based: Gen I • Gen II • Gen III • Gen IV • Gen VI • Gen VII Gen VIII (Wild Area News) • Gen IX (Poké Portal News) Other: Undistributed Non-Pokémon event distributions Gen III • Gen IV • Gen V • Gen VI • Gen VII (Game-based) • Gen VIII • Gen IX (Game-based) Global Link Other lists Notable ID numbers (Gens I-II • III onward) • Wonder Cards (Gen V • Gen VI • Gen VII) • Serial code prefixes

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Pokémon

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This Pokémon article is part of Project Pokédex, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on each Pokémon species, as well as Pokémon groups and forms.