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.
It needs a running start to take off. If Archeops wants to fly, it first needs to run nearly 25 mph, building speed over a course of about 2.5 miles.
Though capable of flight, Archeops was apparently better at hunting on the ground.
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.
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 39 partners from the Flying and Water3 egg groups.
Prediction matters here. Choice Band means Archeops can't change moves after clicking, but the payoff is raw power at the cost of move flexibility. Max Attack and Speed EVs with Defeatist back that up. The remaining moves prevents free switches.
Best Build
Best Archeops Moveset
- Stone Edge
- Dual Wingbeat
- Dragon Claw
- U Turn
Recommended Teammates
Breadth over depth defines this movepool. Archeops won't stack one type's damage ceiling, but coverage across 10 types means it always has an effective option. Meteor Beam and Stone Edge anchor the STAB core.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
You're catching Archen first, not Archeops. Archen appears at solid rates in the encounters below. The step cards map the full 2-stage line with evolution methods between each stage.
How to Obtain Archeops in Sword & Shield
The path to Archeops starts with Archen at Lv. 60-65 via walking encounters. 1 catchable stage total, with locations listed for each one below.
Step 1Catch ArchenEFFORTLESSGiant's FootShieldOverworldLv.60-65100%PostSandstormEFFORTLESSGiant's FootSwordOverworldLv.60-65100%PostSandstormMODERATEGiant's FootShieldOverworldLv.60-6510%PostNormal WeatherMODERATEGiant's FootSwordOverworldLv.60-6510%PostOvercastMODERATEGiant's FootShieldOverworldLv.60-6510%PostSnowstormMODERATEGiant's FootSwordOverworldLv.60-6510%PostNormal WeatherMODERATEGiant's FootSwordOverworldLv.60-6510%PostSnowstormMODERATEGiant's FootShieldOverworldLv.60-6510%PostThunderstormMODERATEGiant's FootShieldOverworldLv.60-6510%PostIntense SunMODERATEGiant's FootSwordOverworldLv.60-6510%PostThunderstormMODERATEGiant's FootShieldOverworldLv.60-6510%PostSnowingMODERATEGiant's FootSwordOverworldLv.60-6510%PostIntense SunMODERATEGiant's FootSwordOverworldLv.60-6510%PostSnowingMODERATEGiant's FootShieldOverworldLv.60-6510%PostRainingMODERATEGiant's FootShieldOverworldLv.60-6510%PostHeavy FogMODERATEGiant's FootSwordOverworldLv.60-6510%PostRainingMODERATEGiant's FootShieldOverworldLv.60-6510%PostOvercastMODERATEGiant's FootSwordOverworldLv.60-6510%PostHeavy Fog
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