Arceus

The Alpha Pokémon
#493 - Arceus
Debut	Pokémon: Diamond Version Pokémon: Pearl Version
Species Info
Type	+
Height	3.2 m (10'06")
Weight	320.0 kg (705.5 lbs.)
Color	Gray
Gender Ratio	Genderless
Ability	Multitype
Hidden Ability
Egg Group	Unbreedable
Icon		Sprite
		File:493sprite.png
Footprint
30px
Base Statistics
Hit Points	120	Speed	120
Attack	120	Sp. Attack	120
Defense	120	Sp. Defense	120
Training Info
Catch Rate	003	Hatch Steps	30,720
Base Exp.	255	Effort Points	HP
Happiness	0		HP
To Lv.100	Slow		HP

Kanto #	Johto #	Hoenn #	Sinnoh #
< 493 >
Unova #	Johto (IV) #

Arceus is a deer-like Pokémon that was introduced in the fourth generation games. It was the last Pokémon in the Pokédex until the fifth generation and is known as the Pokémon god as well as the creator of the Pokémon universe.

Information

According to Sinnoh's mythology, Arceus's existence predates the rest of the universe. It was said to have been born from an egg where there was nothing, and it then proceeded to shape the entire universe with its thousand arms (despite not having any visible arms). It is said to be powerful enough that even a fraction of its power can create new life from nothing. Arceus is known to have created several beings from itself: first Dialga and Palkia, who formed time, space and matter. It also created the forgotten third Pokémon, Giratina, which represented anti-matter. Arceus also created Uxie, Mesprit and Azelf, which bestowed living beings with knowledge, emotions and willpower. After this, Arceus is said to have gone into an "unyielding sleep". One researcher theorized that Arceus was the physical embodiment of the original spirit which is the origin of people and Pokémon's shared spirit.

Although it is a normal-type Pokémon, Arceus is unique in that it will change types when equipped with one of the sixteen plates found from the fourth generation games on. Within a HeartGold/SoulSilver event, Arceus's powers combine with those of Unown to teleport the player to the Sinjoh Ruins, where Arceus can be brought to the Mystri Stage that was built in worship of it. At this place Arceus shall lay an egg containing the player's choice of Dialga, Palkia or Giratina. Thus Dialga is shown to be the direct ancestor of all those three Pokémon, but it is unknown if it could give birth to other Pokémon species, although Sinnoh's myths imply that it could probably due to the same for Uxie, Mesprit and Azelf.

Appearances

Mainstream Games

In Pokémon: Diamond, Pearl and Platinum Versions, Arceus could be found at the Hall of Origin, which can be reached only by playing the Azure Flute (obtained through Nintendo events only) at the Spear Pillar.

Moves

Generation IV

D/P	P	Name	Type	Cat	PP	Power	Accur	Gen	Cont
Hatch		Cosmic Power			20	–	–	III
Hatch		Natural Gift			15	Varies	100%	IV
Hatch		Punishment			5	Varies	100%	IV
Hatch		Seismic Toss			20	Varies	100%	I
Level 10		Gravity			5	–	–	IV
Level 20		Earth Power			10	90	100%	IV
Level 30		Hyper Voice			10	90	100%	III
Level 40		Extremespeed			5	80	100%	II
Level 50		Refresh			20	–	100%	III
Level 60		Future Sight			15	80	90%	II
Level 70		Recover			10	–	–	I
Level 80		Hyper Beam			5	150	90%	I
Level 90		Perish Song			5	–	–	II
Level 100		Judgement			10	100	100%	IV
TM02		Dragon Claw			15	80	100%	III
TM03		Water Pulse			20	60	100%	III
TM04		Calm Mind			20	–	–	III
TM05		Roar			20	–	100%	I
TM06		Toxic			10	–	85%	I
TM07		Hail			10	–	–	III
TM09		Bullet Seed			30	10	100%	III
TM10		Hidden Power			15	Varies	100%	II
TM11		Sunny Day			5	–	–	II
TM13		Ice Beam			10	95	100%	I
TM14		Blizzard			5	120	70%	I
TM15		Hyper Beam			5	150	90%	I
TM16		Light Screen			30	–	–	I
TM17		Protect			10	–	–	II
TM18		Rain Dance			5	–	–	II
TM19		Giga Drain			10	60	100%	II
TM20		Safeguard			25	–	–	II
TM21		Frustration			20	Varies	100%	II
TM22		Solarbeam			10	120	100%	I
TM23		Iron Tail			15	100	75%	II
TM24		Thunderbolt			15	95	100%	I
TM25		Thunder			10	120	70%	I
TM26		Earthquake			10	100	100%	I
TM27		Return			20	Varies	100%	II
TM29		Psychic			10	90	100%	I
TM30		Shadow Ball			15	80	100%	II
TM31		Brick Break			15	75	100%	III
TM32		Double Team			15	–	–	I
TM33		Reflect			20	–	–	I
TM34		Shock Wave			20	60	–	III
TM35		Flamethrower			15	95	100%	I
TM36		Sludge Bomb			10	90	100%	II
TM37		Sandstorm			10	–	–	II
TM38		Fire Blast			5	120	85%	I
TM39		Rock Tomb			10	50	80%	III
TM40		Aerial Ace			20	60	–	III
TM42		Facade			20	70	100%	III
TM43		Secret Power			20	70	100%	III
TM44		Rest			10	–	–	I
TM50		Overheat			5	140	90%	III
TM52		Focus Blast			5	120	70%	IV
TM53		Energy Ball			10	80	100%	IV
TM55		Brine			10	65	100%	IV
TM57		Charge Beam			10	50	90%	IV
TM58		Endure			10	–	–	II
TM59		Dragon Pulse			10	90	100%	IV
TM61		Will-O-Wisp			15	–	75%	III
TM62		Silver Wind			5	60	100%	III
TM65		Shadow Claw			15	70	100%	IV
TM66		Payback			10	50	100%	IV
TM67		Recycle			10	–	100%	III
TM68		Giga Impact			5	150	90%	IV
TM70		Flash			20	–	70%	I
TM71		Stone Edge			5	100	80%	IV
TM72		Avalanche			10	60	100%	IV
TM73		Thunder Wave			20	–	100%	I
TM75		Swords Dance			30	–	–	I
TM76		Stealth Rock			20	–	–	IV
TM77		Psych Up			10	–	–	II
TM79		Dark Pulse			15	80	100%	IV
TM80		Rock Slide			10	75	90%	I
TM81		X-scissor			15	80	100%	IV
TM82		Sleep Talk			10	–	–	II
TM83		Natural Gift			15	Varies	100%	IV
TM84		Poison Jab			20	80	100%	IV
TM85		Dream Eater			15	100	100%	I
TM86		Grass Knot			20	Varies	100%	IV
TM87		Swagger			15	–	90%	II
TM90		Substitute			10	–	–	I
TM91		Flash Cannon			10	80	100%	IV
TM92		Trick Room			5	–	–	IV
HM01		Cut			30	50	95%	I
HM02		Fly			15	70	95%	I
HM03		Surf			15	95	100%	I
HM04		Strength			15	80	100%	I
HM05		Defog			15	–	–	IV
HM06		Rock Smash			15	20	100%	II
HM07		Waterfall			15	80	100%	I
HM08		Rock Climb			20	90	85%	IV
Tutor		Draco Meteor			5	140	90%	IV

Weaknesses

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Other Games

In Pokémon Ranger: Guardian Signs, Arceus was the boss of the Light Temple in the past and was controlled by Ellios with the Golden Armor. It was also featured in the last Ranger Net mission, where it was found at the Sky Fortress, and the player first had to battle Dialga, Palkia and Giratina in order to reach it. Arceus was angry because the wearer of the Golden Armor had used its orb to create the Sky Fortress and was ready to pass judgement on Oblivia. The words of the protagonists about their bonds with their Pokémon and their responsibility were able to calm Arceus, but it was enraged again after Purple Eyes showed up and tried to manipulate it. In its rage, Arceus formed an impenetrable wall of light until Dialga, Palkia and Giratina showed up and calmed it. The Arceus could then be captured by the player. Afterwards, the Arceus agreed to return to its own world, but it took Purple Eyes with it. Professor Hastings believed that Arceus would return Purple Eyes only when he had learned his lesson.

A statue of Arceus was also seen in Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Sky, and it is possible that Arceus is the "greater power" that Dialga believes is responsible for saving everyone in the future from being erased at the end of the main storyline.

Other Appearances

Video Games

• In Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS/Wii U and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, Arceus has appeared as one of the Pokémon that can be summoned at random from the Poké Ball item. When summoned, it will unleash its Gravity attack three times before disappearing. This unleashes shockwaves that will ground any airborne fighters. Although it does not cause damage, it could initiate knockback that could knock out fighters. It has also been represented by a trophy in the 3DS/Wii U game and a Legend-rank Primary Spirit in Ultimate. When fought against in a Spirit battle, Arceus's Spirit would possess Corrin, in a battle where the player fighter was made easy to launch, and in which heavy winds would come into play. The battle would also start with Arceus being released from a Poké Ball.

In Other Media

• Within the Pokémon anime, Arceus is featured in the ninth Pokémon movie as its aggressor, attempting to destroy the land due to Damos's betrayal of Dialga in ancient times. However, Ash and his friends are able to alter the past and stop Arceus's rampage. It has not appeared outside of this aside from cameos in some openings, although the anime's version of the Red Chain was said to have Arceus's power.
• In the Pokémon Adventures manga, Arceus was featured in the HeartGold/SoulSilver arc, where Team Rocket sought it in order to produce their own Dialga, Palkia and Giratina.

Trivia

• Arceus's name has several potential origins such as arcanus (Latiin for "sacred mystery"), a combination of "arch" (highest) with "deus" (Latin/Greek for God) or "Zeus" (ruler of the Greek Gods), archaic (from Greek word for "beginning") or "archetypus" (Latin for "original").