Arceus (Japanese: アルセウス Arceus) is a Normal-type Mythical Pokémon introduced in Generation IV.
While it is not known to evolve into or from any other Pokémon, Arceus's Multitype allows it to change its type and form 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 featured prominently in Pokémon Legends: Arceus as the game's titular character and plays a major role in its plot.
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: Uxie, Azelf, and Mesprit, as well as the Pokémon of Myth: Dialga, Palkia, and Giratina. In the past, it was worshipped by the Celestica people under the name "almighty Sinnoh" (Japanese: シンオウさま Shin'ou-sama).
Biology
Arceus's appearance in its realm
In its Normal-type form, Arceus is a white, equine Pokémon with an androgynous appearance. It resembles a qilin or centaur with a gray, vertically striated underside. The striated pattern also appears 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, red pupils, and a green circular pattern below its eyes. Arceus also has a streak of gold coloration on its head, which 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. The wheel also has four jewels attached to it. The pattern of striated gray of Arceus's underbelly continues past its waist. Its limbs have gray undersides and extrusions at the tops of the legs. Arceus's tail is similar to its mane in terms of shape and coloration. Despite its quadruped appearance, Arceus is capable of flight.
According to legend, it shaped the Pokémon universe using its 1,000 arms. Arceus has been referred to as "The Original One" in myths and legends and is generally considered one of the strongest Pokémon. Arceus is believed to be the creator of the Sinnoh and Ransei regions and possibly the entire Pokémon universe, along with the lake guardians: Uxie, Azelf, and Mesprit, as well as the Pokémon of Myth: Dialga, Palkia, and Giratina. Because of this, Arceus is thought to be one of the longest-lived Pokémon species. It has the power to recreate the Pokémon of Myth as well, presumably to guard the dimensions when a Trainer has caught one of them. In Arceus and the Jewel of Life, Arceus is portrayed as having powers such as bringing back things that it once destroyed, making certain things vanish into thin air, halting time, and overturning the very laws of nature. In the same movie, it is said to "feed" off the energy of its Plates.
Arceus does not suffer fools gladly and will attack in a violent rampage if betrayed or deceived. It also holds long grudges if betrayed by those it considered friends. In Hoopa and the Clash of Ages, it was shown to be able to stop the destruction caused by a space-time void. As shown in the Pokémon Journeys: The Series episode Showdown at the Gates of Warp!, Arceus has the power to not only calm Dialga and Palkia, but also destroy the Red Chain controlling them. It can release countless shots of light that disintegrate the landscape around it. Arceus can change its type at will to adapt to a situation through the use of its Plates or type-specific Z-Crystals. Arceus also has the power to split in two, creating a piece of itself to exist outside of its realm, which is implied to be its physical form—only a piece of its whole being—while its true form is unknown and incomprehensible.
Arceus was known to care for and safeguard the planet in ancient times, protecting the world from cataclysms such as meteors, and it would show gratitude and compassion to those who treated it with kindness. In modern times, Arceus continues to watch over the world and wishes for people and Pokémon to work together in the face of adversity. Even when it is needed, it only gives hints on how to solve problems instead of directly interfering. Arceus can also give its blessing to other Pokémon through bolts of light, making them bigger and more powerful, as seen with the ancient hero's 10 Pokémon companions. This blessing is also passed down through family lines, as seen with the descendants of the hero's Pokémon: the noble Pokémon and ride Pokémon worshipped by the people of Hisui.
In Pokémon Legends: Arceus, Arceus transformed a normal cellphone into an Arc Phone, a device that allows humans to communicate with it through text messages. Arceus also has the power to appear in dreams and create a variety of Pokémon to serve as challenges, as seen in Eternal Battle Reverie. In Pokémon Masters EX, through the sync stones ultimate, Arceus can give its blessing to a Trainer it deems worthy, transforming their outfits into costumes known as arc suits. As a result, their sync pair is blessed as well, granting them a divine move over their normal sync move. In Arceus and the Jewel of Life, using its Earth, Splash, Meadow, Zap, and Draco Plates, Arceus created the Jewel of Life, a powerful artifact capable of turning a desolate land into a rich and fertile one.
As seen in the introduction sequence of Pokémon Legends: Arceus, Arceus resides in a realm beyond time and space. There, it appears as a large amount of golden light shaped like the silhouette of its normal appearance. This is supposedly its true form. It was also shown to be capable of human speech, stating that "Arceus" is simply the name humans call it. The first ancient inhabitants of the Hisui region, the Celestica people, worshipped it, referring to it as "almighty Sinnoh", "great Sinnoh", and "might of Sinnoh", with the term "Sinnoh" later on becoming the name of the region. The Diamond Clan and Pearl Clan also worship it, though they mistook Dialga and Palkia respectively for Arceus. In ancient myths, it is said that the Origin Ore, an ore of mysterious power, contains the power of Arceus itself. In Alola, Arceus was referenced by the Aether Foundation during their project create an artificial Pokémon named Type: Full as part of the Beast killer project, with an Ability similar to Arceus's. However, the project was deemed a failure and was later abandoned, sealing Type: Full's ability with a control helmet, which caused it to devolve and be renamed as Type: Null.
Arceus is the only known Pokémon capable of learning the move Judgment. It is also able to use charged-up versions of the Pokémon of Myth's signature moves: Roar of Time, Spacial Rend and Shadow Force, as seen in its boss battle in Pokémon Legends: Arceus. Additionally, Arceus is the only known Pokémon that can have Multitype as an Ability.
Forms
Arceus has eighteen different forms, one for each type.
Thanks to its Ability, Arceus is capable of changing its form and type according to the Plate or type-specific Z-Crystal that it wields; its eyes, underbelly, face, hooves, snout, and cross-like wheel all change color to match its current type.
Game data
NPC appearances
Pokédex entries
This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation IV.
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Generation IV
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Sinnoh #—
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Johto #—
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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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Unova #—
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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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Kalos #—
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Hoenn #—
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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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Generation VIII
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Galar #—
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Sinnoh #—
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Hisui #238
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This Pokémon has no Pokédex entries in Sword and Shield.
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Brilliant 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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Shining Pearl
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It is told in mythology that this Pokémon was the first Pokémon born before the universe even existed.
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Legends: Arceus
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It is the heavenly fount from which pours the light that shines across Hisui. Its luminance guides and protects all Pokémon. Hisuian mythology states that Arceus is the creator of all things.
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Game locations
This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation IV.
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The Hall of Origin event in Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl originally existed in Pokémon Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum, but the required Azure Flute in Generation IV was an event item that 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
heroine of Pokémon Conquest
This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation IV.
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Generation VII
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Rumble Rush
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Arceus Sea, Charizard SeaFinal, Jirachi SeaFinal, Celebi SeaFinal, Garchomp SeaFinal, Entei SeaFinal, Mimikyu SeaFinal, Mewtwo SeaFinal, Rowlet SeaFinal, Buzzwole SeaFinal, Zygarde SeaFinal
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Generation VIII
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This Pokémon is unavailable in Generation VIII side games.
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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 December 1 to 31, 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 December 1 to 31, 2016
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USUM
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CoroCoro Arceus
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Japanese region
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Online
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100
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January 15 to March 14, 2018
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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.
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 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 an 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
- 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 Egg moves from other generations
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Side game data
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Pokémon Ranger: Guardian Signs
Group:
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Poké Assist: (present)
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Field move: (present)
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(None ×-)
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Poké Assist: (past)
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Field move: (past)
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(Tackle ×1)
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Browser entry S-006/N-221
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It protects itself with psychic orbs that bring meteors down.
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Pokémon Rumble Rush
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Walking Speed: 1.95 seconds
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Base HP: 63
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Base Attack: 87
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Base Defense: 63
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Base Speed: 70
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Form data
Arceus has multiple different forms that it switches between with its Ability Multitype, with each of its forms having a different type. In total, it has eighteen different forms, one for each type. Though most of its forms were introduced in Generation IV, its Fairy-type form was introduced in Generation VI, along with the Fairy type as a whole.
By default, Arceus is in its Normal-type form. If it holds (or, in Pokémon Legends: Arceus, is exposed to) a Plate or type-specific Z-Crystal, it changes its form to be the same type as the type the Plate or Z-Crystal corresponds to.
In games besides Pokémon Legends: Arceus, Arceus's signature move Judgment is Normal-type by default, but changes to match the type of the Plate that it holds (being unaffected by Z-Crystals). In Legends: Arceus, the type of Judgment is directly determined by Arceus's form, such that its type always matches that of Arceus; additionally, Arceus can change its form during a battle using the Legend Plate. After being exposed to the Legend Plate, it will be in its Normal-type form by default and change its form before using Judgment to have a type advantage over the target, which also changes Judgment's type to match Arceus's. When determining the type that it changes into, any double weaknesses that the target may have are prioritized, followed by a type that resists the target's primary type (prioritizing immunities), then a type that resists the target's secondary type (again prioritizing immunities); if multiple types are equally valid, one of them is chosen at random. Arceus reverts to its Normal-type form when the battle ends. If Arceus is deposited into Pokémon HOME while in any of its alternate forms, it reverts to its Normal-type form; if it is under the effects of the Legend Plate when deposited into HOME, these effects wear off.
In addition to its changing type, Arceus's Pokéathlon performance differs depending on its form, and it can only learn Draco Meteor from a Move Tutor while in its Dragon-type form (though it can learn it via TM in any form).
In the Generation IV games, there is an unused ???-type Arceus, but it cannot be legitimately obtained in the games, as there is no ???-type Plate. Due to how its Ability would automatically turn any Arceus without a Plate into a Normal-type Pokémon in Generation IV, a ???-type Arceus hacked into the game will be treated as Normal-type. This form was removed in Generation V due to the removal of the ??? type.
Prior to Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, Arceus's alternate forms were not registered separately in the Pokédex.
Evolution data
Sprites
This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation IV.
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In animation
Main series
Major appearances
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 world. 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.
Other
Arceus appeared in Hoopa and the Clash of Ages. Following the devastating incident at Dahara City, Ash, his friends, Baraz, Meray, and Hoopa saw it floating in the sky before it soared away.
Arceus appeared in Pokémon: The Arceus Chronicles, where it and the lake guardians assisted Ash and his friends in stopping a rampaging Heatran that had engulfed the Flame Plate acquired by Team Galactic with its Flash Fire Ability.
Minor appearances
Arceus made its animated series debut as a silhouette in Showdown at the Gates of Warp!. It was called upon by Ash, his friends, their alternate world counterparts, and the people in both of their worlds to help stop Dialga and Palkia's fight and destroy the Red Chain that was forcing them to battle.
GOTCHA!
An Arceus briefly appeared as a silhouette in GOTCHA!.
In the mangaIn the TCG
- Main article: Arceus (TCG)
Arceus appears in the TCG in all types but Dragon and Fairy. Cards based on Arceus first appeared in the Arceus expansion set, which were printed with a rule that allows players to have as many Arceus cards in their deck as they like.
Other appearancesTrivia
- Arceus was designed by Takao Unno.[1]
- Arceus has the highest base stat total of all Normal-type Pokémon.
- In 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 because 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 Generation VII, Arceus was classified by Pokédex color sorting as gray.
- In Pokémon Diamond and Pearl, Arceus can be encountered without the use of the Azure Flute by a combination of Tweaking and the Pal Park Retire glitch. In addition, Arceus can be encountered an unlimited amount of times with this method, unlike Darkrai and Shaymin.
- This has been remedied in Pokémon Platinum, however, as the player can no longer freely move in the "void".
- Arceus is the first Mythical Pokémon to be obtainable in-game in the core series without an event more than once.
- According to the animated series 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.
- This pronunciation is also reflected in the name of the Ability RKS System.
Icon for RKS Laboratories
- Ever since Arceus's debut, certain aspects of the Pokémon series have made use of its iconography.
- In Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Sky, the Space Globe (Japanese: じくうのオーブ Space-Time Orb) is an item that described as the ultimate globe that holds the power to pass through space and time. It resembles Arceus's attached wheel and can be found on a statue of Arceus.
- According to Type: Null and Silvally’s Pokédex entries, Arceus served as the inspiration for the RKS System, which is Silvally’s signature Ability. It allows Silvally to change its type when holding a Memory of any kind, which is similar to how Arceus’s Multitype allows Arceus to change type when holding a Plate or a type-specific Z-Crystal.
- Arceus and Silvally have similar Shiny colorations, swapping their usual white to a light gold.
- The name of the Ability RKS System is a reference to Arceus, with its English name being similar to the pronunciation of "Arceus". In German, Spanish, French, and Italian, its name is instead a reference to Arceus's category, the Alpha Pokémon.
- The company RKS Laboratories (Japanese: アルセウス製薬 Arceus Pharma) in Galar has a logo similar to the rings on Arceus's body, furthering the connection.
- Despite being a Mythical Pokémon, Arceus has been sometimes treated as a Legendary Pokémon.
- Arceus is called a Legendary Pokémon by Norman in the "Challenge the Normal Types" Daily Type Rotation event of Pokémon Masters EX.
- The official English website of Pokémon Legends: Arceus used to refer to Arceus as a Legendary Pokémon, which was later corrected to Mythical Pokémon as of September 28, 2021.[2] In the Japanese website, it has been referred to as a Mythical Pokémon from the beginning.[3]
- While using the Legend Plate, Arceus will never transform back into the Normal type, as nothing is weak to Normal.
- Arceus is the only Pokémon to make the introduction for a core series game.
- In Pokémon Legends: Arceus, Arceus's summary will say it was met at the Temple of Sinnoh, despite being fought and obtained in the Hall of Origin.
- The origin mark for Legends: Arceus and the symbols for the Arceus expansion and the Brilliant Stars expansion resemble Arceus's rings.
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 bovine idols— particularly Apis—but its general anatomy may also be similar to equine idols. Based on its appearance and attack movements in the 3D games, Arceus may be modeled after ordinary creatures—such as those from the Equidae, Camelidae or Giraffidae families—or fantastical and mythical creatures—such as the polymeliac Uchchaihshravas and Sleipnir, the qilin, or the longma.
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. It also resembles a stylized halo, a form of religious iconography used by many religions to indicate holy, divine, or sacred figures; it has at various periods also been used in imagery of rulers, heroes, and saints.
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. 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 bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara, who, in Buddhism, has polymelia and 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 αρχή arkhé (Ancient Greek for origin and authority) or alpha and deus (Latin for god) or Zeus (king of the gods in Greek mythology). It may also involve arcane, aureus (Latin for golden), arc, arcesso (Latin for I summon), Archeus (an aspect of the astral plane), or Chaos (the origin state of the universe in Greek mythology, often personified as the first primordial deity).
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 αρχή arkhē or alpha and deus or Zeus, and possibly arcane, aureus, arc, arcesso, Archeus, and Chaos
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French
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Arceus
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Same as English/Japanese name
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Spanish
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Arceus
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Same as English/Japanese name
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German
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Arceus
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Same as English/Japanese name
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Italian
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Arceus
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Same as English/Japanese name
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Korean
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아르세우스 Arceus
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Transcription of Japanese name
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Mandarin Chinese
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阿爾宙斯 / 阿尔宙斯 Ā'ěrzhòusī
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From the transcription of Japanese name, 宙斯 Zhòusī, and possibly 阿爾法 / 阿尔法 ā'ěrfǎ
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Cantonese Chinese
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阿爾宙斯 Ayíhjauhsī
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From the Mandarin-based transcription of Japanese name, 宙斯 Jauhsī, and possibly 阿爾法 áyíhfaat
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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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Hindi
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आर्कियस Arceus
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Transcription of its English/Japanese 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 Ase-ut
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Transcription of Japanese name
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Related articlesReferencesExternal 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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