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 will change 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 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.
Arceus is featured prominently in Pokémon Legends: Arceus and plays a major role in its plot.
Biology
Arceus's appearance in its realm
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 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. 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 to be one of the strongest Pokémon. Arceus is thought to have 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. 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 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 has been 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. As depicted in Showdown at the Gates of Warp!, Arceus has the power to not only calm Dialga and Palkia but also destroy the Red Chain. Arceus can change its type at will in order to adapt to a situation, as seen with its use of Plates (including the Legend Plate) or Z-Crystals. Arceus also has the power to split up into two, creating a piece of itself to exist outside of its home dimension which is also implied to be its physical form, being only a piece of its whole being, while its true form is unknown and incomprehensible.
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. In the modern time, Arceus continues to watch over the world, and it wishes for people and Pokémon to work together in the face of adversity. Even when it is needed, it would only give out hints for how to solve the problem, instead of directly interfering. In Pokémon Legends: Arceus, it is explained that Arceus can give its blessing to Pokémon to make them more powerful, which are referred to as noble Pokémon and Ride Pokémon, and the power is passed down through family lines. The people of Hisui worshipped the noble Pokémon. Arceus can also create items for humans to use, such as the Arc Phone. 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. Arceus has the power to appear in dreams and create a variety of Pokémon to serve as challenges as seen in Eternal Battle Reverie.
In the introduction sequence of Pokémon Legends: Arceus, Arceus was capable of taking a large, golden, glowing, silhouette-like form while in its homeworld, it was shown to be capable of human speech, and it also states that Arceus is simply the name humans call it. The first ancient inhabitants of the Hisui region, the Celestica, worshiped it, referring to it as "almighty Sinnoh" and "great Sinnoh". Arceus also had the title "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 Alola, Arceus was used as base by the Aether Foundation to create an artificial Pokémon named Type: Full, 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, which is capable of disintegrating the landscape around it. It is also able to use the charged-up versions of the Pokémon of Myth's signature moves; Roar of Time, Spacial Rend and Shadow Force, as shown in its boss battle in Pokémon Legends: Arceus. Additionally, Arceus is the only known Pokémon that can have Multitype as an Ability.
Arceus has eighteen different forms, one for each type.
Game data
NPC appearances
- 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.
- Pokémon Legends: Arceus: Arceus is the titular character of the game. It sends the player character back in time to the Hisui region and gives them the mission of seeking out all Pokémon in Hisui. Throughout the game, Arceus occasionally communicates with and assists the player via the Arc Phone.
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
hero of Pokémon Conquest
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, 2015November 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, 2016December 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, 2016December 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
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
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 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 the Normal-type 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 the anime
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.
Minor appearances
Arceus made its main 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 manga
Arceus's various forms in Pokémon Adventures
Movie adaptations
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.
Pokémon Adventures
- 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. It first appeared in With a Little Help From Hitmonchan.
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 trophy in Super Smash Bros. for 3DS
Arceus appears as a Poké Ball summon where it uses Gravity to produce a shockwave that brings opponents downwards.
Trophy information
Arceus appears as a trophy in both versions.
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!
Arceus appears as a Pokémon summoned from the Poké Ball, retaining its behavior from the previous game. It also appears as a Spirit.
Trivia
- Arceus was designed by Takao Unno.[1]
- Arceus has the highest base stat total of all Normal-type Pokémon.
- 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.
- 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 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.
- This pronunciation is also reflected in the name of the Ability RKS System.
Icon for RKS Laboratories
- 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 bull and calf idols, particularly Apis. Based on its appearance and attack movements in the 3D games, Arceus may be modeled after a llama, 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. 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 images of rulers 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. It may also be a reference to the qilin. 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, 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).
Arceus itself says that its true name has no equivalent in human language.
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 articles
References
External links
