At 401 BST, Archen is firmly in pre-evolution territory. Evolve it into Archeops before bringing it to any serious fight.

What is Archen weak to?

In X & Y, Archen's biggest threats include Swampert (Water), Rotom (Electric), and Weavile (Ice), all carrying super-effective STAB moves. Rock and Steel-type attackers are also a problem. With 5 weakness types, most competitive teams carry at least one counter.

What is the best ability for Archen?

Defeatist is the go-to ability for Archen. It halves Attack and Special Attack at 50% max HP or less. It's Archen's only ability.

What role does Archen play in battle?

Archen is a physical attacker with base 112 Attack. Fragile, can't afford to take many hits, too. Speed tells the real story. Base 70 Speed is workable. Faster than some, slower than many. Fits the attacker role.

In X & Y, For a casual playthrough, Archen works as a placeholder. Rock/Flying coverage is useful early. The real payoff is Archeops . That's where the stats start mattering.

Archen - Weakness, Evolution, Moveset, EVs & Stats

Physical

Attacker

DTier

70Speed · Below Avg

Stats & Training

Everything pushes toward physical damage here. Archen's Attack does the work, Defense pays the price. But you're still getting 1 Attack EV per KO. Tough to catch, on a medium-fast 1M XP curve.

Base Stats

Above

HP55

Attack112

Defense45

Sp. Atk74

Sp. Def45

Speed70

Total401

Details

Catch Rate

Challenging45 / 255

Growth Rate

Medium Fast1M XP

Height0.5 m

Weight9.5 kg

Base XP71

Abilities

Defeatist

Halves Attack and Special Attack at 50% max HP or less.

EV Yield

HPAtk+1DefSpASpDSpe

Attack training source

Pokedex Entries

Revived from a fossil, this Pokémon is thought to be the ancestor of all bird Pokémon.

Archen Weakness

Type-wise, Archen takes extra damage from Water, Electric, Ice, Rock, and Steel. Ground moves do nothing thanks to a full immunity. The Rock/Flying typing picks up 5 resistances to work with.

Archen Weakness and Resistance Chart
Damage	Types
2x (Weak)	Water, Electric, Ice, Rock, Steel
0.5x (Resist)	Normal, Fire, Poison, Flying, Bug
0x (Immune)	Ground

Type ChartAvg

5Weak

5Resist

1Immune

Score-2

4xCritical

None

2xWeak

Water Electric Ice Rock Steel

½xResist

Normal Fire Poison Flying Bug

¼xResist

None

0xImmune

Ground

STAB (6)

Fire Ice Flying Bug Grass Fighting

How to Beat Archen in X & Y (Best Counters)

Onix RockGround	C
Available Moves Moves Rock TombTM39 Rock ThrowLv. 7 Damage vs Archen Rock Tomb 2x 60-72% Rock Throw 2x 52-62% View Onix builds →
Lunatone RockPsychic	C
Available Moves Moves Rock TombTM39 Rock ThrowLv. 5 Charge BeamTM57 Damage vs Archen Rock Tomb 2x 66-78% Rock Throw 2x 57-67% Charge Beam 2x 52-62% View Lunatone builds →
Solrock RockPsychic	C
Available Moves Moves Rock TombTM39 Rock ThrowLv. 5 Charge BeamTM57 Damage vs Archen Rock Tomb 2x 97-114%KO Rock Throw 2x 78-93% Charge Beam 2x 38-45% View Solrock builds →
Plusle Electric	C
Available Moves Moves ThunderboltTM24 SparkLv. 15 Charge BeamTM57 NuzzleLv. 1 Damage vs Archen Thunderbolt 2x 126-150%KO Spark 2x 66-78% Charge Beam 2x 74-88% Nuzzle 2x 26-31% View Plusle builds →
Minun Electric	C
Available Moves Moves ThunderboltTM24 SparkLv. 15 Charge BeamTM57 NuzzleLv. 1 Damage vs Archen Thunderbolt 2x 117-140%KO Spark 2x 60-72% Charge Beam 2x 69-83% Nuzzle 2x 21-26% View Minun builds →

X & Y Evolution

Archen is the base form in a two-stage line leading to Archeops. Check the evolution method below. Plenty of partners for breeding via two egg groups. Eggs are slow to hatch. Evolving adds up to 166 stat points total. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.

How to Evolve

2 Forms

#566Archen

Level 37

#567Archeops

Stat Comparison 2 Stages

Archen

RockFlying

Archeops

RockFlying

75+20

ATK

112

140+28

DEF

65+20

SP.ATK

112+38

SP.DEF

65+20

SPE

110+40

BST

401C-Tier

567C-Tier+166

ROLE

Attacker

Sweeper

TYPE

Physical

Breeding

Moderate

Breed Archen with 51 breeding partners from the Flying and Water3 egg groups. Pass egg moves like Ally Switch, Bite, Defog and 6 more to offspring.

Egg Groups

FlyingWater3

Gender

♂87.5%♀12.5%

Hatch Time

30 cycles·7,710 steps

Moderate~8 min with Flame Body

Egg Moves

9moves

Breed With (best first)

X & Y Archen Best Moveset

Best Build

No build content available for this Pokemon in Gen 6.

Try selecting a different game/generation filter, or check back later.

Moves

Breeding's the move. Ally Switch and Bite give Archen options it can't learn any other way, and coverage across 8 types already covers a decent range on top of Head Smash and Stone Edge. The egg moves push it further.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1

Leer

——10030Normal

Lv 1

Quick Attack+1

D4010030Normal

Lv 1

Wing Attack

—6010035Flying

Lv 5

Rock Throw

—509015Rock

Lv 8

Double Team

———15Normal

Lv 11

Scary Face

——10010Normal

Lv 15

Pluck

—6010020Flying

Lv 18

Ancient Power

C601005Rock

Lv 21

Agility

C——30Psychic

Lv 25

Quick Guard+3

D——15Fighting

Lv 28

Acrobatics

C5510015Flying

Lv 31

Dragon Breath

—6010020Dragon

Lv 35

Crunch

C8010015Dark

Lv 38

Endeavor

D—1005Normal

Lv 41

U-turn

C7010020Bug

Lv 45

Rock Slide

C759010Rock

Lv 48

Dragon Claw

C8010015Dragon

Lv 50

Thrash

—12010010Normal

TM Moves

TM62

Acrobatics

C5510015Flying

TM40

Aerial Ace

C60—20Flying

TM45

Attract

D—10015Normal

TM78

Bulldoze

C6010020Ground

TM100

Confide

———20Normal

HM01

Cut

D509530Normal

TM28

Dig

C8010010Ground

TM32

Double Team

———15Normal

TM02

Dragon Claw

C8010015Dragon

TM26

Earthquake

C10010010Ground

TM42

Facade

C7010020Normal

TM21

Frustration

D—10020Normal

TM10

Hidden Power

—6010015Normal

TM01

Hone Claws

C——15Dark

TM17

Protect+4

C——10Normal

TM44

Rest

C——10Psychic

TM27

Return

D—10020Normal

TM05

Roar-6

C——20Normal

TM69

Rock Polish

D——20Rock

TM80

Rock Slide

C759010Rock

TM94

Rock Smash

—4010015Fighting

TM39

Rock Tomb

C609515Rock

TM19

Roost

C——10Flying

TM48

Round

D6010015Normal

TM37

Sandstorm

D——10Rock

TM65

Shadow Claw

C7010015Ghost

TM88

Sleep Talk

C——10Normal

TM23

Smack Down

C5010015Rock

TM51

Steel Wing

C709025Steel

TM71

Stone Edge

B100805Rock

TM90

Substitute

C——10Normal

TM87

Swagger

——9015Normal

TM12

Taunt

C—10020Dark

TM41

Torment

——10015Dark

TM06

Toxic

C—9010Poison

TM89

U-turn

C7010020Bug

Egg Moves

Egg

Ally Switch+2

D——15Psychic

Egg

Bite

C6010025Dark

Egg

Defog

C——15Flying

Egg

Dragon Pulse

C8510010Dragon

Egg

Earth Power

C9010010Ground

Egg

Head Smash

B150805Rock

Egg

Knock Off

C6510020Dark

Egg

Steel Wing

C709025Steel

Egg

Switcheroo

C—10010Dark

Tutor Moves

Archen can't learn any Tutor moves

How to Get Archen in X & Y

No searching required for Archen. You receive it at Ambrette Town from an NPC. No wild encounters exist in this game, so just head to the right spot when you're ready and it's yours.

Best Locations to Catch Archen in X & Y

Ambrette Town - Fossil Lab

YGift from NPC Lv.20 City

LimitedMid

Revive Plume Fossil

Ambrette Town - Fossil Lab

XGift from NPC Lv.20 City

LimitedMid

Revive Plume Fossil

Archen Guide

At 401 BST, Archen is firmly in pre-evolution territory. Evolve it into Archeops before bringing it to any serious fight.
In X & Y, Archen's biggest threats include Swampert (Water), Rotom (Electric), and Weavile (Ice), all carrying super-effective STAB moves. Rock and Steel-type attackers are also a problem. With 5 weakness types, most competitive teams carry at least one counter.
Defeatist is the go-to ability for Archen. It halves Attack and Special Attack at 50% max HP or less. It's Archen's only ability.
Archen is a physical attacker with base 112 Attack. Fragile, can't afford to take many hits, too. Speed tells the real story. Base 70 Speed is workable. Faster than some, slower than many. Fits the attacker role.
In X & Y, For a casual playthrough, Archen works as a placeholder. Rock/Flying coverage is useful early. The real payoff is Archeops. That's where the stats start mattering.

Game Availability

Since Black & White, Archen has been obtainable in 7 games. A Generation 5 debut means a shorter history, but Archen has appeared steadily across every generation since.

Click a game to view version-specific details

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Pikachu Electric	C
Available Move Moves Thunder ShockLv. 1 Damage vs Archen Thunder Shock 2x 52-62% View Pikachu builds →
Froakie Water	D
Obtain MethodAquacorde Town Gift Available Move Moves BubbleLv. 5 Damage vs Archen Bubble 2x 52-62% View Froakie builds →
Panpour Water	D
Upcoming Move Moves Water GunLv. 10 Learns Water Gun at Level 10 View Panpour builds →

Onix RockGround	C
Available Moves Moves Rock TombTM39 Rock ThrowLv. 7 Smack DownLv. 22 Damage vs Archen Rock Tomb 2x 52-62% Rock Throw 2x 46-55% Smack Down 2x 46-55% View Onix builds →
Lucario FightingSteel	C
Obtain MethodTower Of Mastery Gift Available Moves Moves Rock TombTM39 Metal ClawLv. 1 Damage vs Archen Rock Tomb 2x 68-80% Metal Claw 2x 84-100%KO View Lucario builds →
Carbink RockFairy	C
Available Moves Moves Ancient PowerLv. 31 Rock TombTM39 Rock ThrowLv. 5 Smack DownLv. 12 Damage vs Archen Ancient Power 2x 55-66% Rock Tomb 2x 55-66% Rock Throw 2x 46-55% Smack Down 2x 46-55% View Carbink builds →
Lunatone RockPsychic	C
Available Moves Moves Rock SlideLv. 25 Rock TombTM39 Rock ThrowLv. 5 Charge BeamTM57 Damage vs Archen Rock Slide 2x 76-90% Rock Tomb 2x 61-72% Rock Throw 2x 52-62% Charge Beam 2x 51-60% View Lunatone builds →
Solrock RockPsychic	C
Available Moves Moves Rock SlideLv. 25 Rock TombTM39 Rock ThrowLv. 5 Charge BeamTM57 Damage vs Archen Rock Slide 2x 110-131%KO Rock Tomb 2x 91-107%KO Rock Throw 2x 76-90% Charge Beam 2x 34-41% View Solrock builds →

Onix RockGround	C
Available Moves Moves Rock TombTM39 Rock ThrowLv. 7 Smack DownLv. 22 Damage vs Archen Rock Tomb 2x 52-62% Rock Throw 2x 46-55% Smack Down 2x 46-55% View Onix builds →
Lucario FightingSteel	C
Obtain MethodTower Of Mastery Gift Available Moves Moves Rock TombTM39 Metal ClawLv. 1 Damage vs Archen Rock Tomb 2x 68-80% Metal Claw 2x 84-100%KO View Lucario builds →
Carbink RockFairy	C
Available Moves Moves Ancient PowerLv. 31 Rock TombTM39 Rock ThrowLv. 5 Smack DownLv. 12 Damage vs Archen Ancient Power 2x 55-66% Rock Tomb 2x 55-66% Rock Throw 2x 46-55% Smack Down 2x 46-55% View Carbink builds →
Lunatone RockPsychic	C
Available Moves Moves Rock SlideLv. 25 Rock TombTM39 Rock ThrowLv. 5 Charge BeamTM57 Damage vs Archen Rock Slide 2x 76-90% Rock Tomb 2x 61-72% Rock Throw 2x 52-62% Charge Beam 2x 51-60% View Lunatone builds →
Solrock RockPsychic	C
Available Moves Moves Rock SlideLv. 25 Rock TombTM39 Rock ThrowLv. 5 Charge BeamTM57 Damage vs Archen Rock Slide 2x 110-131%KO Rock Tomb 2x 91-107%KO Rock Throw 2x 76-90% Charge Beam 2x 34-41% View Solrock builds →

Onix RockGround	C
Available Moves Moves Rock TombTM39 Rock ThrowLv. 7 Smack DownLv. 22 Damage vs Archen Rock Tomb 2x 52-62% Rock Throw 2x 46-55% Smack Down 2x 46-55% View Onix builds →
Lucario FightingSteel	C
Obtain MethodTower Of Mastery Gift Available Moves Moves Rock TombTM39 Metal ClawLv. 1 Damage vs Archen Rock Tomb 2x 68-80% Metal Claw 2x 84-100%KO View Lucario builds →
Carbink RockFairy	C
Available Moves Moves Ancient PowerLv. 31 Rock TombTM39 Rock ThrowLv. 5 Smack DownLv. 12 Damage vs Archen Ancient Power 2x 55-66% Rock Tomb 2x 55-66% Rock Throw 2x 46-55% Smack Down 2x 46-55% View Carbink builds →
Lunatone RockPsychic	C
Available Moves Moves Rock SlideLv. 25 Rock TombTM39 Rock ThrowLv. 5 Charge BeamTM57 Damage vs Archen Rock Slide 2x 76-90% Rock Tomb 2x 61-72% Rock Throw 2x 52-62% Charge Beam 2x 51-60% View Lunatone builds →
Solrock RockPsychic	C
Available Moves Moves Rock SlideLv. 25 Rock TombTM39 Rock ThrowLv. 5 Charge BeamTM57 Damage vs Archen Rock Slide 2x 110-131%KO Rock Tomb 2x 91-107%KO Rock Throw 2x 76-90% Charge Beam 2x 34-41% View Solrock builds →

Stunfisk GroundElectric	C
Obtain MethodRoute 14 Surfing Available Moves Moves ThunderboltTM24 SurfHM03 DischargeLv. 25 Rock TombTM39 Damage vs Archen Thunderbolt 2x 123-146%KO Surf 2x 82-97% Discharge 2x 111-131%KO Rock Tomb 2x 47-55% View Stunfisk builds →
Klefki SteelFairy	C
Available Move Moves Mirror ShotLv. 34 Damage vs Archen Mirror Shot 2x 90-107%KO View Klefki builds →
Magneton ElectricSteel	C
Available Moves Moves Zap CannonLv. 1 ThunderboltTM24 SparkLv. 21 Mirror ShotLv. 25 Damage vs Archen Zap Cannon 2x 224-264%KO Thunderbolt 2x 168-199%KO Spark 2x 72-86% Mirror Shot 2x 123-146%KO View Magneton builds →
Onix RockGround	C
Available Moves Moves Rock SlideLv. 34 Rock TombTM39 Rock ThrowLv. 7 Smack DownLv. 22 Damage vs Archen Rock Slide 2x 67-80% Rock Tomb 2x 55-65% Rock Throw 2x 48-56% Smack Down 2x 48-56% View Onix builds →
Lucario FightingSteel	C
Obtain MethodTower Of Mastery Gift Available Moves Moves Rock TombTM39 Metal ClawLv. 1 Damage vs Archen Rock Tomb 2x 70-83% Metal Claw 2x 90-107%KO View Lucario builds →