Physical
Sweeper
120Speed · Very Fast

Is Arceus Good in X & Y Playthrough?

Transfer only. Normal with AbilityMultitype. Event mythical. 720 BST. If imported, trivializes the entire game in any type. The rarest import.

StrongGoodEvenToughBadSGSSGGGSGGSGGViolaGym 1GrantGym 2KorrinaGym 3RamosGym 4ClemontGym 5ValerieGym 6OlympiaGym 7WulfricGym 8ArceusTradeMalvaE4WikstromE4DrasnaE4SieboldE4DianthaChamp*
Viola
Gym 1
Strong

Arceus resists most of Viola's coverage and hits back hard.

Easy KO
Surskit
Lv 10
BugWater
Swift Swim
BubbleWater SportQuick Attack
Easy KO
Vivillon
Lv 12
BugFlying
Shield Dust
HardenTackleInfestation
Grant
Gym 2
Good

Arceus has the type edge here and should clean up Grant's team.

You Win
Tyrunt
Lv 25
RockDragon
Strong Jaw
BiteRock TombStomp
You Win
Amaura
Lv 25
RockIce
Refrigerate
Thunder WaveRock TombAurora Beam
Korrina
Gym 3
Strong

Arceus resists most of Korrina's coverage and hits back hard.

Easy KO
Mienfoo
Lv 29
Fighting
Regenerator
Fake OutDouble SlapPower Up Punch
Easy KO
Machoke
Lv 28
Fighting
Guts
Rock TombPower Up PunchLeer
You Win
Hawlucha
Lv 32
FightingFlying
Unburden
Hone ClawsFlying PressPower Up Punch
Ramos
Gym 4
Strong

Arceus resists most of Ramos's coverage and hits back hard.

Easy KO
Jumpluff
Lv 30
GrassFlying
Chlorophyll
Bullet SeedAcrobaticsLeech Seed
Easy KO
Weepinbell
Lv 31
GrassPoison
Chlorophyll
Grass KnotPoison PowderAcid
Easy KO
Gogoat
Lv 34
Grass
Sap SipperImmune to Grass attacks
BulldozeGrass KnotTake Down
Clemont
Gym 5
Good

Arceus has the type edge here and should clean up Clemont's team.

Easy KO
Emolga
Lv 35
ElectricFlying
Static
Volt SwitchQuick AttackAerial Ace
You Win
Magneton
Lv 35
ElectricSteel
Sturdy
ThunderboltElectric TerrainMirror Shot
You Win
Heliolisk
Lv 37
ElectricNormal
Dry SkinImmune to Water attacks
ThunderboltQuick AttackGrass Knot
Valerie
Gym 6
Good

Arceus has the type edge here and should clean up Valerie's team.

You Win
Mawile
Lv 38
SteelFairy
Hyper Cutter
Feint AttackCrunchIron Defense
You Win
Mr Mime
Lv 39
PsychicFairy
Soundproof
Light ScreenReflectPsychic
You Win
Sylveon
Lv 42
Fairy
Cute Charm
Dazzling GleamQuick AttackSwift
Olympia
Gym 7
Good

Arceus has the type edge here and should clean up Olympia's team.

Easy KO
Sigilyph
Lv 44
PsychicFlying
Magic Guard
PsychicAir SlashLight Screen
Easy KO
Slowking
Lv 45
WaterPsychic
Oblivious
PsychicCalm MindPower Gem
You Win
Meowstic
Lv 48
Psychic
Infiltrator
PsychicCalm MindFake Out
Wulfric
Gym 8
Strong

Arceus resists most of Wulfric's coverage and hits back hard.

Easy KO
Abomasnow
Lv 56
GrassIce
Snow Warning
Ice BeamIce ShardEnergy Ball
You Win
Cryogonal
Lv 55
Ice
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
Ice BeamConfuse RayFlash CannonHail
Easy KO
Avalugg
Lv 59
Ice
Ice Body
AvalancheCrunchCurseGyro Ball
Malva
Elite Four
Good

Arceus has the type edge here and should clean up Malva's team.

Easy KO
Pyroar
Lv 63
FireNormal
Rivalry
Hyper VoiceNoble RoarFlamethrowerWild Charge
You Win
Torkoal
Lv 63
Fire
White Smoke
CurseFlame WheelStone EdgeEarthquake
Even
Chandelure
Lv 63
GhostFire
Flame Body
FlamethrowerConfuse RayConfideShadow Ball
Easy KO
Talonflame
Lv 65
FireFlying
Flame Body
Quick AttackBrave BirdFlare BlitzFlail
Wikstrom
Elite Four
Good

Arceus has the type edge here and should clean up Wikstrom's team.

You Win
Klefki
Lv 63
SteelFairy
Prankster
SpikesTormentDazzling GleamFlash Cannon
You Win
Probopass
Lv 63
RockSteel
Sturdy
Power GemEarth PowerFlash CannonDischarge
You Win
Scizor
Lv 63
BugSteel
Technician
X ScissorIron HeadBullet PunchNight Slash
Even
Aegislash
Lv 65
SteelGhost
Stance Change
Sacred SwordIron HeadKings ShieldShadow Claw
Drasna
Elite Four
Strong

Arceus resists most of Drasna's coverage and hits back hard.

You Win
Dragalge
Lv 63
PoisonDragon
Poison Point
Sludge BombSurfThunderboltDragon Pulse
Easy KO
Altaria
Lv 63
DragonFlying
Natural Cure
Dragon PulseMoonblastSingCotton Guard
You Win
Druddigon
Lv 63
Dragon
Rough Skin
Dragon TailRevengeRetaliateChip Away
Easy KO
Noivern
Lv 65
FlyingDragon
Frisk
FlamethrowerBoomburstAir SlashDragon Pulse
Siebold
Elite Four
Good

Arceus has the type edge here and should clean up Siebold's team.

You Win
Clawitzer
Lv 63
Water
Mega Launcher
Dragon PulseWater PulseAura SphereDark Pulse
You Win
Starmie
Lv 63
WaterPsychic
Illuminate
PsychicLight ScreenSurfDazzling Gleam
Easy KO
Gyarados
Lv 63
WaterFlying
Intimidate
WaterfallIce FangDragon DanceEarthquake
You Win
Barbaracle
Lv 65
RockWater
Tough Claws
Stone EdgeRazor ShellCross ChopX Scissor
Diantha
Champion
Good

Arceus has the type edge here and should clean up Diantha's team.

You Win
Hawlucha
Lv 64
FightingFlying
Limber
Poison JabFlying PressSwords DanceX Scissor
You Win
Tyrantrum
Lv 65
RockDragon
Strong Jaw
Head SmashDragon ClawEarthquakeCrunch
You Win
Aurorus
Lv 65
RockIce
Refrigerate
ThunderBlizzardReflectLight Screen
You Win
Gourgeist
Lv 65
GhostGrass
Pickup
Trick Or TreatPhantom ForceSeed BombShadow Sneak
You Win
Goodra
Lv 66
Dragon
Sap SipperImmune to Grass attacks
Focus BlastDragon PulseFire BlastMuddy Water
You Win
Gardevoir
Lv 68
PsychicFairy
Synchronize
ThunderboltMoonblastPsychicShadow Ball
Trade
Transfer-only
Type
Normal
Tier
S

Arceus cannot be caught in this game. It must be traded in from a compatible game where it appears in the wild. Cross-region trading typically becomes available after defeating the Elite Four.

View Arceus locations

How to Get Arceus in X & Y

Arceus doesn't appear in X & Y. 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.

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.

Arceus Weakness and Resistance Chart
DamageTypes
2x (Weak)Fighting
0x (Immune)Ghost

What is Arceus Weak Against

Good
1Weak
0Resist
1Immune
Score+1
4xCritical
None
2xWeak
½xResist
None
¼xResist
None
0xImmune

What is Arceus Strong Against

0Strong
2Resisted
1Immune
Score-3
2xStrong
None
½xResisted
0xImmune

Best Pokemon Against Arceus

Arceus Evolutions

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

No Evolution
Arceus
#493Arceus
Does not evolve

Breeding

Unavailable
Undiscovered egg group

XY Arceus Best Moveset

AbilityMultitype changes type to match the Plate item, now including a Fairy Plate for the new Fairy type. 120 across all stats. The moveset adapted by gaining a new type option that addresses the format's most important addition. Banned from all standard formats. Dominates Anything Goes.

Best Build

Experimental
Physical Setup Sweeper
Ability
Multitype
Item
Life OrbPOWER
Best Nature for Arceus
Jolly+SPE

Arceus best EVs are Attack and Speed

EVs

Physical Setup Sweeper Moveset

  • Extreme SpeedSTAB
  • Swords DanceSTAB
  • Shadow Claw
  • EarthquakeCoverage

Moves List

Need something that threatens multiple types? Arceus's movepool delivers. Coverage across 16 types plus STAB from Hyper Beam and Giga Impact gives it answers for most defensive cores you'll run into.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1
Cosmic Power
D20Psychic
Lv 1
Natural Gift
D10015Normal
Lv 1
Punishment
1005Dark
Lv 1
Seismic Toss
D10020Fighting
Lv 10
Gravity
5Psychic
Lv 20
Earth Power
C9010010Ground
Lv 30
Hyper Voice
B13510010Normal
Lv 40
Extreme Speed+2
B1201005Normal
Lv 50
Refresh
D20Normal
Lv 60
Future Sight
B12010010Psychic
Lv 70
Recover
A10Normal
Lv 80
Hyper Beam
B225905Normal
Lv 90
Perish Song
D5Normal
Lv 100
Judgment
B15010010Normal

TM Moves

TM
TM40
Aerial Ace
C6020Flying
TM14
Blizzard
C110705Ice
TM31
Brick Break
C7510015Fighting
TM78
Bulldoze
C6010020Ground
TM04
Calm Mind
C20Psychic
TM57
Charge Beam
D509010Electric
TM100
Confide
20Normal
HM01
Cut
C759530Normal
TM97
Dark Pulse
C8010015Dark
TM32
Double Team
15Normal
TM02
Dragon Claw
C8010015Dragon
TM85
Dream Eater
B10010015Psychic
TM26
Earthquake
B10010010Ground
TM49
Echoed Voice
C6010015Normal
TM53
Energy Ball
C9010010Grass
TM42
Facade
B10510020Normal
TM38
Fire Blast
C110855Fire
TM35
Flamethrower
C9010015Fire
TM70
Flash
D10020Normal
TM91
Flash Cannon
C8010010Steel
HM02
Fly
C909515Flying
TM52
Focus Blast
C120705Fighting
TM21
Frustration
D10020Normal
TM68
Giga Impact
B225905Normal
TM86
Grass Knot
D10020Grass
TM07
Hail
C10Ice
TM10
Hidden Power
C9010015Normal
TM01
Hone Claws
C15Dark
TM15
Hyper Beam
B225905Normal
TM13
Ice Beam
C9010010Ice
TM59
Incinerate
C6010015Fire
TM16
Light Screen
C30Psychic
TM50
Overheat
B130905Fire
TM66
Payback
5010010Dark
TM84
Poison Jab
C8010020Poison
TM17
Protect+4
C10Normal
TM77
Psych Up
D10Normal
TM29
Psychic
C9010010Psychic
TM03
Psyshock
C8010010Psychic
TM60
Quash
10015Dark
TM18
Rain Dance
C5Water
TM33
Reflect
C20Psychic
TM44
Rest
C10Psychic
TM67
Retaliate
B1051005Normal
TM27
Return
D10020Normal
TM05
Roar-6
C20Normal
TM80
Rock Slide
C759010Rock
TM94
Rock Smash
D4010015Fighting
TM39
Rock Tomb
C609515Rock
TM48
Round
9010015Normal
TM20
Safeguard
D25Normal
TM37
Sandstorm
D10Rock
TM30
Shadow Ball
C8010015Ghost
TM65
Shadow Claw
B7010015Ghost
TM88
Sleep Talk
C10Normal
TM36
Sludge Bomb
C9010010Poison
TM95
Snarl
559515Dark
TM22
Solar Beam
B12010010Grass
TM71
Stone Edge
C100805Rock
HM04
Strength
B12010015Normal
TM90
Substitute
C10Normal
TM11
Sunny Day
C5Fire
HM03
Surf
C9010015Water
TM87
Swagger
9015Normal
TM75
Swords Dance
B20Normal
TM25
Thunder
C1107010Electric
TM73
Thunder Wave
C10020Electric
TM24
Thunderbolt
C9010015Electric
TM06
Toxic
C9010Poison
TM92
Trick Room-7
C5Psychic
HM05
Waterfall
C8010015Water
TM61
Will-O-Wisp
C8515Fire
TM81
X-Scissor
C8010015Bug

Egg Moves

Arceus doesn't have any Egg moves

Tutor Moves

Tut
Tutor
Draco Meteor
B130905Dragon

Base Stats

Base Stats
Legend
HP120
A
Attack120
A
Defense120
A
Sp. Atk120
A
Sp. Def120
A
Speed120
A
Total720
Details
Catch Rate
Legendary3 / 255
Growth Rate
Slow1.25M XP
Height3.2 m
Weight320.0 kg
Base XP360
Abilities
Multitype
Changes arceus's type and form to match its held Plate.
EV Yield
HP+3AtkDefSpASpDSpe
Strong HP training target
Pokedex Entry

According to the legends of Sinnoh, this Pokémon emerged from an egg and shaped all there is in this world.

It is told in mythology that this Pokémon was born before the universe even existed.

Arceus X & Y Guide

  • For the X & Y meta, 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. Extreme Speed with Life Orb is the standard set.

  • In X & Y, 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.

  • For X & Y, 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.

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