Arceus Best Moveset
120 across every stat on Normal with AbilityMultitype changing its type based on the held plate. Held ItemSilk Scarf boosts Normal TermStab by 20% for the standard form. NatureAdamant at 120 Attack runs physical Normal coverage backed by the highest balanced base stats in the game. The moveset adapts to any plate form. S-Tier because nothing matches the raw stat line.
120 in every base stat with Multitype in Gen IV (Diamond & Pearl). Became any type via Plates. So dominant it was the only Pokemon ever banned from even the restricted format.
Best Moves
Best Build
Arceus best EVs are Attack and Speed
Physical Setup Sweeper Moveset
- Extreme Speed
- Swords Dance
- Shadow Claw
- Recover
Recommended Teammates
Dropped to the restricted format in Gen V (Black & White). Still the most versatile Pokemon available. Swords Dance, Calm Mind, or support. 120 across the board made every set viable.
Physical Tank Moveset
- Extreme Speed
- Swords Dance
- Shadow Claw
- Earthquake
Recommended Teammates
Judgment hit as STAB in any type in Gen VI (X & Y). Three gens in the restricted format. No other Pokemon had this flexibility at these stats across every role.
Physical Setup Sweeper Moveset
- Extreme Speed
- Swords Dance
- Shadow Claw
- Earthquake
Z-Splash gave +3 Attack in one turn in Gen VII (Sun & Moon), then Extreme Speed cleaned entire teams. Four gens as the most versatile Pokemon in the most powerful format.
Physical Tank Moveset
- Extreme Speed
- Swords Dance
- Earthquake
- Shadow Claw
Returned in Gen IX (Scarlet & Violet) after missing Sword & Shield. Five gens at the highest competitive level. Multitype and 120 stats across the board remained format-defining.
Physical Tank Moveset
- Extreme Speed
- Extreme Speed
- Swords Dance
- Swords Dance
Recommended Teammates
Arceus Weakness
Fighting moves hit Arceus for super-effective damage. The upside? Ghost-type moves can't touch it at all. Arceus's overall bulk (120/120/120) lets it take a hit or two from most weaknesses before going down.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Fighting |
| 0x (Immune) | Ghost |
What is Arceus Weak Against
GoodBest Pokemon Against Arceus
B | ||
Recommended Build AbilityToxicchain ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureCareful Moves
Damage vs Arceus View Fezandipiti builds →U Turn11-13% Play Rough14-16% | ||
B | ||
Recommended Build AbilityUnburden ItemLeftovers NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Arceus View Sceptile builds →Dragon Pulse11-13% Earthquake17-20% | ||
B | ||
Recommended Build AbilityLevitate ItemMental Herb NatureCalm Moves
Damage vs Arceus View Cresselia builds →Ice Beam10-12% | ||
B | ||
Recommended Build AbilityRegenerator ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Arceus View Cyclizar builds →Rapid Spin9-10% U Turn12-14% Knock Off11-13% Draco Meteor14-17% | ||
C | ||
Recommended Build AbilityTorrent ItemWhite Herb NatureModest Moves
Damage vs Arceus View Blastoise builds →Ice Beam16-18% Surf16-18% Rapid Spin5-7% | ||
Evolution
Mythical Pokemon don't breed, and Arceus is no exception. This Normal type sits at 720 stats with no chain to speak of. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
How to Get Arceus
Arceus can't be caught in Scarlet & Violet. Bring it over from Diamond & Pearl, Platinum, or Legends: Arceus instead. The encounter info below covers the source games.
Arceus is not available as a wild encounter in this game.
Also Obtainable In:
Pokemon transfers only go forward through generations, never backward. Direct cross-gen trades aren't supported.
Arceus is a fixed encounter, not a random spawn. Walk up to it, interact, and the battle starts immediately. Head to Temple of Sinnoh when your team is ready for the fight.
How to Get Arceus in Legends: Arceus
Arceus can't be caught in Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl. Bring it over from Diamond & Pearl, Platinum, or Legends: Arceus instead. The encounter info below covers the source games.
Arceus cannot be caught in the wild in Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl, but you can still get it via these paths:
Obtain and trade from these games:
Then trade to Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl.
Also Obtainable In:
Pokemon transfers only go forward through generations, never backward. Direct cross-gen trades aren't supported.
Arceus doesn't appear in Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon. Transfer it from Diamond & Pearl, Platinum, or Legends: Arceus to add it to your collection. Check the source games below for encounter details.
Arceus is not available as a wild encounter in this game.
Also Obtainable In:
Pokemon transfers only go forward through generations, never backward. Direct cross-gen trades aren't supported.
Base Stats
An unusually even spread gives Arceus flexibility. HP barely edges ahead. But any other stat isn't far off. Near-impossible to catch and follows a slow 1.25M XP grind. Yields 3 HP EVs.
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.
Arceus Guide
At 720 BST, Arceus is built different. We rank it S-Tier. As a Mythical Pokemon, the raw stats back up the reputation. Best used as a sweeper.
Watch for Hitmonlee (Fighting) when using Arceus. They all hit it super-effectively with STAB. Only 1 weakness means fewer dedicated counters to worry about. Arceus has enough bulk to absorb a hit, but don't push the matchup. Pivot to a teammate that resists.
Multitype changes Arceus's type and form to match its held Plate. That's the one you want on Arceus. It's the only ability Arceus has.
Base 120 Speed lets it outrun most of the field. On offense, Arceus is a physical attacker with base 120 Attack. Defensively? Tanky enough to absorb a few hits. Best used as a sweeper.
Arceus has answers, but so do you. Priority moves (Mach Punch, Aqua Jet, Ice Shard) bypass its speed. Bulky walls that resist its STAB also shut it down.
Game Availability
Arceus first appeared in Diamond & Pearl and has been available in 12 titles. Mythical distribution means event-only access in most games, making it one of the harder Pokemon to collect.
Click a game to view version-specific details
- Gen 1RB
Red & Blue - Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 2GS
Gold & Silver - Gen 2C
Crystal - Gen 3RS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen 3E
Emerald - Gen 3FRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen 4DPDebut
Diamond & Pearl - Gen 4Pt
Platinum - Gen 4HGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen 5BW
Black & White - Gen 5B2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen 6XY
X & Y - Gen 6ORAS
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen 7SM
Sun & Moon - Gen 7USUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen 7LGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen 8SwSh
Sword & Shield - Gen 8BDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen 8PLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen 9SV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen 9LZA
Legends: Z-A - Gen 10WW
Winds & Waves