Arceus (Pokémon)

← #{{{prevnum}}}: Shaymin

Pokémon

#{{{nextnum}}}: Bulbasaur →

Arceus アルセウス Arseus #493
File:ArceusDP.png Fan artwork of Arceus
Type Normal ' 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 1 cycles* (255 minimum steps)
EV yield HP 0 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 Arseus) is a Template:Type2 legendary Pokémon.

It is not known to evolve into or from any other Pokémon.

Arceus is currently the final Pokémon in the National Pokédex.

Arceus is known as "The Original One," as it is said that it created the Pokémon universe and the lake trio. The only known way to get Arceus is with the Azure Flute (also known as The Key of Space and Time). As of 2008, Arceus is currently the only Pokémon known that has not yet been officially revealed by Nintendo.

Biology

Physiology

Arceus is an equine being that may be based on a horse-like mammal or qilin. It might have some traces of a Centaur. Its body is white, has a gray underside and its four pointed feet are tipped with gold hooves. Its mane is quite long and its face is gray with green eyes with red pupils. It also has a gold cross-like wheel attached to its body, which changes color along with its eyes and hooves based on Arceus's current type.

Gender differences

Arceus is genderless.

Special abilities

File:Avatar12014 5.gif

An animation displaying Arceus's different colorings while holding plates.

According to legend, Arceus created the universe, Palkia, Dialga, and the lake trio.

While Arceus may be a pure Template:Type2, due to Arceus's Multitype ability its type can change into any of the other 16 types depending on what type of special plate it holds.

Arceus's signature move, Judgment, also changes its type depending on the type of special plate Arceus is holding. Arceus also has the ability to use several attacks of various types, but to a lesser extent than Smeargle or even Mew.

Habitat

Arceus lives at the Hall of Origin which can only be accessed by use of the Azure Flute at the Spear Pillar.

Diet

Main article: Pokémon food

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 JP It appeared from within an egg floating through the void and created the world as we know it. HeartGold {{{heartgolddex}}} SoulSilver {{{soulsilverdex}}}
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.

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.

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

Arceus is capable of learning the following moves:

Moves in bold get STAB for the Template:Type2, meaning that Arceus must be holding the Mind Plate. Judgement, the type of which is dependent on the plate Arceus is holding (or lack thereof) will always receive STAB, while damaging moves of other types can receive STAB depending on which plate Arceus holds.

By leveling up

|- style="text-align:center" | style="text-align:left" | arceus | style="background:#68A090" |  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 |- | colspan="11" | Bold indicates a move that gets STAB
Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only from an evolution of this Pokémon
Arceus must be holding the Draco Plate when Draco Meteor is taught. |}

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

Alternate-color sprite for Template:Type2 Arceus

• At level 80, Arceus is the highest level non-glitch Pokémon available for capture.
• In its basic form, Arceus has the highest base stat in Defense of all Template:Type2 Pokémon.
• Arceus has the highest base stat total at 720, while previous Pokémon have had a maximum of 680. However, it does have lower stats in some areas than some other Pokémon, such as having lower Speed than a Crobat, and having lower Attack than a Pinsir, and there are several Pokémon that grow at slower rates, such as Shroomish, Makuhita, Illumise, Gulpin, Wailmer, Seviper, Corphish, and Drifloon.
• 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.
  • It also has the second largest number of sprites within a single generation as a result. It has a total of 72 sprites, two of each for the normal coloration and alternate coloration for each type. Only Unown has more.
• Though Arceus has not been officially revealed, it is possible to use its signature move, Judgment, through Metronome.
• 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 Template:Type2.
• Even though it is said that Arceus created the world with its thousand arms, it cannot learn any attacks that use arms or punches. It is also unable to learn every TM and HM, unlike Mew.
• Arceus's backstory seems to be a retcon of Mew's - while Mew was earlier purported to be the ancestor of all Pokémon due to containing the genetic code of every other Pokémon, as well as being able to learn every TM and HM, Arceus's story reveals that Mew was not the first Pokémon, as once thought. Arceus is only ever stated to have created the Universe, not individual Pokémon. However, Mew's Pokédex entry in Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum states that "due to its ability to use various moves, many scientists believe Mew to be the ancestor of Pokémon." Thus, it seems to imply instead that while they are wrong, the fictional scientists still believe this, and thus there is no actual retcon.
• When Arceus was first discovered within Diamond and Pearl, it sparked fears among some fans that those games would signal the end of Pokémon. These fears were due to legendaries becoming more and more powerful within recent games; for example, Mewtwo compared to Pokémon symbolizing elements of nature such as Dialga. Since the literal "god" of Pokémon was created, many wondered how another legendary could exist. These fears have been mostly alleviated by the continuation of Nintendo to heavily market the Pokémon series. Also, Arceus being the last may not be true- Mew, once thought to be the origin of all Pokémon, was followed by more.
• With the Sky Plate attached, Arceus is the only Pokémon able to become a pure Template:Type2 outside of battle (other Pokémon can be in battle through the use of Conversion, Conversion 2, and Color Change).
• Arceus is the last Pokémon in National Dex order, which also makes it the last Template:Type2 Pokémon and the last legendary Pokémon.
• With the appropriate plate, Arceus is the only legendary Poison-, Bug-, or Template:Type2 Pokémon.

Origin

Arceus may 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).

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. 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).

In other languages

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

External links

• Screenshots of Arceus in Pokémon Battle Revolution: 1 and 2.

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

Legendary Pokémon

Generation I

Generation II

Generation III

Generation IV

Generation V

Generation VI

Generation VII

Generation VIII

Generation IX

See also: Mythical Pokémon

← #{{{prevnum}}}: Shaymin

Pokémon

#{{{nextnum}}}: Bulbasaur →

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.