Arceus (Japanese: アルセウス Arceus) is a Normal-type Mythical 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 3, 2009.
Arceus is 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.
It is the trio master of both the lake guardians and the creation trio.
Biology
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. 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, which depends on the plate 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 shape and coloration. According to legend, it shaped the Pokémon universe using its 1000 arms.
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. 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.
In the anime
Major appearances
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 or 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.
Arceus made a cameo appearance in the second XY series movie, Hoopa and the Clash of Ages.
In the manga
In the movie adaptations
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
- Main article: Arceus (Adventures)
In the HeartGold & SoulSilver arc, Arceus appears as one of the main antagonists, where it plans on destroying humanity due to its mistrust of humans. It was the target of Team Rocket's plans to create Dialga, Palkia, and Giratina.
In the TCG
- Main article: Arceus (TCG)
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.
Other appearances
Arceus appears as a Poké Ball summon in game. It will use Gravity to produce a shockwave that brings opponents downwards.
Trophy information
A Pokémon said to have hatched from an egg that appeared from nothing. Newly hatched, it created the world and the sky. Its Gravity attack will bring any fighter in midair crashing down to earth. No ground below you? Looks like you're going to go plummeting off the stage as if you'd been hit by a Meteor Smash!
Game data
Pokédex entries
| This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation IV.
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| Generation IV
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| Diamond
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It is described in mythology as the Pokémon that shaped the universe with its 1,000 arms.
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| Pearl
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It is told in mythology that this Pokémon was born before the universe even existed.
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| Platinum
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It is said to have emerged from an egg in a place where there was nothing, then shaped the world.
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| HeartGold
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According to the legends of Sinnoh, this Pokémon emerged from an egg and shaped all there is in this world.
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| SoulSilver
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| Generation V
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| Black
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It is said to have emerged from an egg in a place where there was nothing, then shaped the world.
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| White
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| Black 2
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It is said to have emerged from an egg in a place where there was nothing then shaped the world.
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| White 2
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| Generation VI
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| X
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According to the legends of Sinnoh, this Pokémon emerged from an egg and shaped all there is in this world.
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| Y
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It is told in mythology that this Pokémon was born before the universe even existed.
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| Omega Ruby
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According to the legends of Sinnoh, this Pokémon emerged from an egg and shaped all there is in this world.
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| Alpha Sapphire
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It is told in mythology that this Pokémon was born before the universe even existed.
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Game locations
| This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation IV.
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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 Conquest
Arceus and the
heroine of Pokémon Conquest
| This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation IV.
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A statue of Arceus can be found in Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Sky at Destiny Tower.
In events
| Games
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Event
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Language/Region
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Location
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Level
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Distribution period
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| DPPt
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Cinema Arceus
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Japanese
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Japan
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100
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July 11 to September 30, 2009
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| DPPt
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Toys "R" Us Arceus
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English
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United States
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100
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November 7 to 15, 2009
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| DPPt
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Michina Arceus
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English
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Australia
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100
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November 5 to 16, 2009
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| DPPt
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Cinema Arceus
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Korean
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South Korea
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100
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December 24, 2009 to January 31, 2010
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| DPPt
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Michina Arceus
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German
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Germany
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100
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February 17 to April 9, 2010
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| DPPt
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Michina Arceus
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Italian
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Italy
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100
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February 17 to March 26, 2010
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| DPPt
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Michina Arceus
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English
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Europe
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100
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February 20 to April 10, 2010
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| DPPt
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Michina Arceus
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French
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Europe
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100
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February 22 to April 11, 2010
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| DPPt
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Michina Arceus
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Spanish
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Spain
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100
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February 22 to April 11, 2010
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| XYORAS
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Dahara City Arceus
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Japanese region
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Online
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100
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March 7 to August 31, 2015
November 20 to December 17, 2015
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| XYORAS
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Dahara City Arceus
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Taiwanese region
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Online
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100
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November 20 to December 17, 2015
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| XYORAS
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Dahara City Arceus
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Korean region
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Online
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100
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December 15, 2015 to February 29, 2016
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| XYORAS
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Manesh Arceus
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Japanese region
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Online
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100
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December 21, 2015 to January 30, 2016
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| XYORAS
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Manesh Arceus
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American region
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Online
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100
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December 21, 2015 to January 30, 2016
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| XYORAS
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Pokémon 20th Anniversary Arceus
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American region
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Online
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100
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July 30 to November 30, 2016
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| XYORAS
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Pokémon 20th Anniversary Arceus
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PAL region
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Online
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100
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July 30 to November 30, 2016
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Pokémon Global Link promotions
Held items
Stats
Base stats
| Stat
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Range
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| At Lv. 50
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At Lv. 100
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120
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180 - 227
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350 - 444
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120
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112 - 189
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220 - 372
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120
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112 - 189
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220 - 372
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120
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112 - 189
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220 - 372
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120
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112 - 189
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220 - 372
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120
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112 - 189
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220 - 372
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Total: 720
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Other Pokémon with this total
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- 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.
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Pokéathlon stats
No Plate equipped
With a 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
Type effectiveness
| Under normal battle conditions in Generation IX, this Pokémon is:
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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
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- 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 level-up moves from other generations
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- 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
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- Moves marked with an asterisk (*) must be chain bred onto Arceus in Generation VI
- 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
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- A black or white 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 or alternate form of Arceus
- Click on the generation numbers at the top to see Move Tutor moves from other generations
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- A superscript level indicates that Arceus can learn this move normally in Generation VI
- 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 moves from other generations
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Side game data
Evolution
Sprites
| This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation IV.
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Trivia
- In the Generation IV games, there are sprites for ???-type Arceus, but this is not obtainable without cheating as there is no ??? Plate.
- According to the anime dub'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.
- Arceus has the highest base stat total of all Normal-type Pokémon, as well as all Pokémon without Mega Evolution or Primal Reversion.
- Arceus has the highest base Defense stat of all Normal-type Pokémon, barring Mega Evolution.
- Arceus is the only Pokémon at the end of a generation in National Pokédex order that does not have a base stat total of 600.
- 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. It shares this trait with Silvally and its signature move Multi-Attack.
- It is also the only move that Fairy-type Arceus will receive STAB for.
- Arceus is the only event-exclusive trio master.
- Arceus is also the only trio master of two different trios, being the master of both the lake guardians and the creation trio.
- In its debut generation of Generation IV, it was impossible to legitimately give Arceus more than 100 EVs in any stat, 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 Link promotion poll in both the Japanese poll and the international (non-Japanese and non-Korean) poll.
- Prior to Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, Arceus's Plate variations were not recognized as form differences by the Pokédex. The same was true for Genesect and Furfrou.
- Arceus has the most forms of any Mythical Pokémon.
Origin
Arceus is 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 official artwork and attack movements in the 3D games, Arceus may be modeled after a horse or llama. 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 Kunitokotachi 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 Cosmic egg, found in creation myths of many cultures and civilizations. Arceus may also represent or be inspired by 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 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).
In other languages
| Language
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Title
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Meaning
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 Japanese
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アルセウス Arceus
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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).
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 French
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Arceus
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Same as Japanese name
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 Spanish
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Arceus
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Same as Japanese name
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 German
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Arceus
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Same as Japanese name
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 Italian
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Arceus
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Same as Japanese name
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 Korean
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아르세우스 Arceus
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Transliteration of Japanese name
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 Mandarin Chinese
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阿爾宙斯 Ā'ěrzhòusī
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Transliteration of its Japanese name. Also a portmanteau of 阿爾法 ā'ěrfǎ and 宙斯 Zhòusī.
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 Cantonese Chinese
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| More languages
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 Greek
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Αρκέους Arkéous
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Transcription of English name
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 Russian
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Аркеус Arkeus
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Transcription of English name
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 Thai
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อาร์เซอุส Arceus
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Transliteration of Japanese name
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Related articles
External links
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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.
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Rowap Berry (100%)
Silk Scarf (???%)
For other sprites and images, please see Arceus images on the Bulbagarden Archives.
