140 base Attack is no joke, but Archeops can't afford to take a hit back. It clears the crowded base-100 Speed benchmark, so at least it usually attacks first. Ground moves can't touch it, which offsets the 5 weaknesses somewhat. Known as the First Bird Pokemon.
Archeops's built around physical offense. Attack leads the charge, Defense pays for it. Tough to catch, worth 2 Attack EVs. Follows a medium-fast 1M XP curve.
They are intelligent and will cooperate to catch prey. From the ground, they use a running start to take flight.
It runs better than it flies. It catches prey by running at speeds comparable to those of an automobile.
Archeops Weakness
AvgArcheops's Rock/Flying typing leaves it vulnerable to Water, Electric, Ice, Rock, and Steel moves. It shrugs off Ground-type attacks completely. It resists 5 types, giving it decent defensive coverage. Archeops leans offensive (base 140 Atk) rather than trying to tank its weaknesses.
- Fairy type does not exist — Dragon has fewer checks
- Physical / Special split now per-move (introduced Gen IV)
Archeops is the evolved form of Archen. Breeding produces Archen eggs, and they're slow to hatch. Evolving from Archen gave Archeops the biggest boost in Speed (+40), bringing the total to 567 stats.
How to Evolve
Breed with Archeops to get Archen eggs using 45 partners from the Flying and Water3 egg groups. Notable egg moves include Bite, Defog, Dragon Pulse and 4 more.
U-turn keeps your team's momentum going. Archeops doesn't need to stay in long, Nothing provides extra utility and max Attack and Speed EVs make every visit count. Acrobatics threatens on the way out. Defeatist adds passive value.
Best Build
Best Archeops Moveset
- Acrobatics
- Stone Edge
- Earthquake
- U Turn
Recommended Teammates
The natural movepool does the job, but Bite and Defog from the egg pool give Archeops something extra. Pair those with Head Smash and Stone Edge for STAB and coverage across 8 types for reach, and the kit fills out nicely.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Can't catch Archeops directly. Start with Archen but it's a rare spawn from the locations below, then evolve at level 37. The 2-stage line from Archen to Archeops is where the leveling time goes.
How to Obtain Archeops in Black & White
Step 1Catch ArchenMODERATENacrene City - Nacrene MuseumWhiteGift from NPCLv.25LimitedMidCityAnyRevive Plume FossilMODERATENacrene City - Nacrene MuseumBlackGift from NPCLv.25LimitedMidCityAnyRevive Plume Fossil
Step 2Archeops ✓
Archeops has a 567 base stat total and ranks as C-Tier — a situational pick that fills a niche. It works best as a sweeper. Base 140 Attack is where it shines.
Watch for Milotic (Water), Jolteon (Electric), and Kyurem (Ice) when using Archeops. They all hit it super-effectively with STAB. Rock and Steel-type attackers are also a problem. With 5 weakness types, most competitive teams carry at least one counter. Archeops's base 110 Speed lets it outpace many threats and strike first, which matters more than trying to tank hits.
Archen evolves into Archeops at level 37. Archeops is the fully evolved form. At 567 BST, it's got solid stats to work with.
Defeatist halves Attack and Special Attack at 50% max HP or less — that's the one you want on Archeops. It's the only ability Archeops has.
Archeops fills the sweeper role. It's a physical attacker with base 140 Attack. Base 110 Speed lets it outrun most of the field. And it's enough bulk to take a hit or two.
Archeops appears in 7 games, including Black & White, Black 2 & White 2, and X & Y.
Introduced in Black & White, Archeops has appeared in 7 games across 5 generations. Later debuts mean fewer total appearances, but it's been a consistent presence since its introduction.
- Gen IY
Yellow - Gen IRB
Red & Blue - Gen IIGS
Gold & Silver - Gen IIC
Crystal - Gen IIIRS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen IIIFRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen IIIE
Emerald - Gen IVPt
Platinum - Gen IVHGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen IVDP
Diamond & Pearl - Gen VBWDebut
Black & White - Gen VB2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen VIXY
X & Y - Gen VIORAS
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen VIIUSUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen VIISM
Sun & Moon - Gen VIILGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen VIIISwSh
Sword & Shield - Gen VIIIPLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen VIIIBDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen IXSV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen IXLZA
Legends: Z-A