* In the [[Generation IV]] {{pkmn|games}}, there are sprites for ???-type Arceus, but this is not obtainable without [[cheating]], as there is no ??? [[Plate]].
* In the [[Generation IV]] {{pkmn|games}}, there are sprites for ???-type Arceus, but this is not obtainable without [[cheating]], as there is no ??? [[Plate]].
** Due to how its [[Ability]] would automatically turn any Arceus without a Plate into the {{type|Normal}} in Generation IV, a ???-type Arceus hacked into the game will be treated as a Normal type.
** Due to how its [[Ability]] would automatically turn any Arceus without a Plate into the {{type|Normal}} in Generation IV, a ???-type Arceus hacked into the game will be treated as a Normal type.
* According to the {{pkmn|anime}} [[dub]]'s then-voice director [[Tom Wayland]], the dub chose to pronounce Arceus with {{wp|Hard and soft C|a hard ''c'' instead of a soft ''c''}} due to concerns over the latter pronunciation's potential {{wp|arse|implications}} in British English-speaking territories.
* According to the {{pkmn|anime}} [[dub]]'s then-voice director [[Tom Wayland]], the dub chose to pronounce Arceus with {{wp|Hard and soft C|a hard ''c'' instead of a soft ''c''}} due to concerns over the latter pronunciation's potential {{wp|arse|implications}} in British English-speaking territories. However, the correct pronunciation is ArcOOs.
* Arceus has the highest base stat total of all Normal-type Pokémon.
* Arceus has the highest base stat total of all Normal-type Pokémon.
** Arceus also has the highest base stat total of all [[Mythical Pokémon]].
** Arceus also has the highest base stat total of all [[Mythical Pokémon]].
While it is not known to evolve into or from any other Pokémon, Arceus will change type when it is holding a Plate or type-specific Z-Crystal.
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 3, 2009.
Arceus is a white equine resembling a qilin or centaur with a gray, vertically-striated underside. The striated pattern has similar recurrences on the underside of its mane, tail, and face. Its four pointed feet are tipped with gold hooves. Its long mane juts 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. Arceus 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 its current type, which depends on the plate or type-specific Z-Crystal that it wields. The wheel also has four jewels attached to it. The pattern of striated gray of Arceus's underbelly resumes past Arceus's waist. Its limbs have gray undersides and extrusions at the tops of the legs. Arceus's tail is fairly like its mane in terms of shape and coloration. According to legend, it shaped the Pokémon universe using its 1000 arms.
Arceus is thought to have created the Sinnohregion and possibly the entire Pokémon world, the lake guardiansUxie, Azelf, and Mesprit; and the creation trioDialga, 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. According to the anime, its power can also bring back things that it once destroyed, make certain things vanish into thin air, or to halt time.
Arceus is shown to care for and safeguard the planet in ancient times and protected it from cataclysms such as meteors, and it would show gratitude and compassion in return to those who treated it with equal kindness. Arceus does not suffer fools gladly, and it will attack in a violent rampage if betrayed or deceived. It also holds long grudges if betrayed by those it considered friends. In Arceus and the Jewel of Life, it is said to "feed" off the energy of the elemental plates. It is the only known Pokémon that can learn Judgment.
Arceus debuted 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 it attempted to destroy the land. When Ash, his friends, and Sheena were teleported by Dialga to ancient times, they directly influenced the event, changing the future for the better so that Arceus will stop its destruction.
Arceus appears as a central character in the Arceus and the Jewel of Life manga adaptation, reprising its role from the movie. 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.
Arceus appears in the TCG in all types but Dragon and Fairy, 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.
Arceus appears as a Pokémon summoned from the Poké Ball, retaining its behavior from the previous game. It also appears as a Spirit.
Game data
NPC appearance
Pokémon Super Mystery Dungeon: Arceus appears when Dark Matter begins trying to take the Tree of Life to the sun, leading the other Pokémon in attempting to stop its ascent. He is able to telepathically reach the player thanks to Mewtwo and transports them to the Tree of Life's roots to confront Dark Matter. When Dark Matter regenerates itself and sends out a massive shockwave, Arceus and the other legendary Pokémon gathered to stop the Tree of Life are immediately turned to stone. After Dark Matter is defeated, Arceus will remain at the top of Destiny Tower.
Pokédex entries
This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation IV.
Arceus was originally intended to appear in Pokémon Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum in the Hall of Origin when summoned using an event item called the Azure Flute. However, the Azure Flute was never distributed, although the text seen when receiving the 20th Anniversary Arceus states that Arceus could first be obtained in Diamond and Pearl in the Hall of Origin.
In side games
Arceus and the hero of Pokémon ConquestArceus and the heroine of Pokémon Conquest
This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation IV.
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.
In the Generation IVgames, there are sprites for ???-type Arceus, but this is not obtainable without cheating, as there is no ??? Plate.
Due to how its Ability would automatically turn any Arceus without a Plate into the Normal-type in Generation IV, a ???-type Arceus hacked into the game will be treated as a Normal type.
According to the animedub's then-voice director Tom Wayland, the dub chose to pronounce Arceus with a hard c instead of a soft c due to concerns over the latter pronunciation's potential implications in British English-speaking territories. However, the correct pronunciation is ArcOOs.
Arceus has the highest base stat total of all Normal-type Pokémon.
Arceus also has the highest base stat total of all Mythical Pokémon.
Prior to Generation VIII, Arceus was the only Pokémon with a base stat total of 720 and the only Pokémon that is the last of its generation in National Pokédex order that does not have a base stat total of 600.
In its debut generation of Generation IV, it was impossible to legitimately give Arceus more than 100 EVs in any stat without the use of the Pal Park Retire glitch, since it was only ever distributed at level 100. Prior to Generation V, level 100 Pokémon could not gain EVs through battling since they could not gain experience.
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.
Arceus received the most votes of all pre-Generation V Pokémon in the Pokémon Global Linkpromotion poll in both the Japanese poll and the international (non-Japanese and non-Korean) poll.
Prior to Generation VII, Arceus was classified by Pokédex color sorting as gray.
This has been remedied in Pokémon Platinum, however, as the player can no longer freely move in the "void".
Origin
Arceus appears to be particularly based on a creator deity, present in many world cultures. Arceus's stance and general form are similar to Egyptian bull and calf idols, particularly Apis. Based on its appearance and attack movements in the 3D games, Arceus may be modeled after a horse or qilin. The arc on its back may be inspired by the Dharmachakra, or the Bhavacakra, used to represent a concept similar to the reincarnation in Hinduism.
The conception of the first god might be influenced by the Shinto gods Kuninotokotachi and Amenominakanushi, who summoned Izanami and Izanagi to create Japan with the spear. It may also be a reference to the qilin, a Chinese mythical creature. Its myth is nearly identical to the world egg, found in creation myths of many cultures and civilizations. Arceus may also represent or be inspired by the bodhisattvaAvalokiteśvara, who, in Buddhism, is either pictured with eleven heads and one thousand arms (the latter of which is mentioned in Arceus's Pokédex entry) or in a white, four-armed manifestation (which could look similar to Normal-type Arceus).
Name origin
Arceus may be a combination of arch- (most extreme, highest), archon (a Greek word that means "ruler" or "lord"), arcanus (Latin for secret, 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), arcessere (Latin for to summon), or Archeus (an aspect of the astral plane). It may also be a reference to Arcesius, the king of Ithaca mentioned in the Odyssey that was a son of Zeus.
In other languages
Language
Title
Meaning
Japanese
アルセウス Arceus
From a combination of arch, archon, 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).
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.
Fire type Arceus in the anime
Ghost type Arceus in the anime
Rowap Berry (100%)
Silk Scarf (???%)
For other sprites and images, please see Arceus images on the Bulbagarden Archives.
