Is Archen Good in X & Y Playthrough?
Fossil revival in Glittering Cave. Rock/Flying with AbilityDefeatist. Archeops at 37 has extreme stats crippled by AbilityDefeatist halving offense below half HP. Amazing when healthy.
Archen resists most of Viola's coverage and hits back hard.
Archen has the type edge here and should clean up Grant's team.
Archen has the type edge here and should clean up Korrina's team.
Archen resists most of Ramos's coverage and hits back hard.
Archen trades roughly evenly with Clemont's team.
Archen trades roughly evenly with Valerie's team.
Archen has the type edge here and should clean up Olympia's team.
Archen has the type edge here and should clean up Wulfric's team.
Archeops resists most of Malva's coverage and hits back hard.
Archeops trades roughly evenly with Wikstrom's team.
Archeops has the type edge here and should clean up Drasna's team.
Archeops trades roughly evenly with Siebold's team.
Archeops has the type edge here and should clean up Diantha's team.
Archen can be revived from a fossil obtained on Ambrette Town. Revive Plume Fossil. Revive from fossil at the Ambrette Town Fossil Lab
Your Archen should hit Level 37 before you reach Malva, at typical leveling pace.
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.
How to Obtain Archen in XY
Step 1Archen ✓Ambrette Town - Fossil LabLv.20Gift from NPCLimitedRevive Plume Fossil
Step 2Evolve into ArcheopsBREEDINGAvailableLeave a compatible parent at the Pokemon Day Care to receive a Archeops egg.
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.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Water, Electric, Ice, Rock, Steel |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Normal, Fire, Poison, Flying, Bug |
| 0x (Immune) | Ground |
What is Archen Weak Against
AvgBest Pokemon Against Archen
 Plusle Electric | C | |
 Rhyhorn GroundRock | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Archen View Rhyhorn builds →Rock Tomb 2x88-103%KO Thunderbolt 2x47-55% | ||
 Minun Electric | C | |
 Cranidos Rock | B | |
Obtain MethodAmbrette Town Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Archen View Cranidos builds →Rock Tomb 2x117-140%KO Thunderbolt 2x47-55% | ||
 Pikachu Electric | C | |
 Rampardos Rock | B | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Cranidos (Ambrette Town Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Archen View Rampardos builds →Rock Tomb 2x140-166%KO Surf 2x66-78% Thunderbolt 2x66-78% | ||
 Probopass RockSteel | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Archen View Probopass builds →Power Gem 2x99-117%KO Thunderbolt 2x74-87% Magnet Bomb 2x61-72% | ||
Plusle Electric | C | |
 Vaporeon Water | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Archen View Vaporeon builds →Surf 2x149-176%KO Aurora Beam 2x71-85% | ||
 Manectric Electric | C | |
Rampardos Rock | B | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Cranidos (Ambrette Town Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Archen View Rampardos builds →Rock Tomb 2x140-166%KO Surf 2x66-78% Thunderbolt 2x66-78% | ||
 Ampharos Electric | C | |
Probopass RockSteel | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Archen View Probopass builds →Power Gem 2x99-117%KO Thunderbolt 2x74-87% Magnet Bomb 2x61-72% | ||
Plusle Electric | C | |
Vaporeon Water | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Archen View Vaporeon builds →Surf 2x149-176%KO Aurora Beam 2x71-85% | ||
Rampardos Rock | B | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Cranidos (Ambrette Town Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Archen View Rampardos builds →Rock Tomb 2x140-166%KO Surf 2x66-78% Thunderbolt 2x66-78% | ||
Ampharos Electric | C | |
Probopass RockSteel | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Archen View Probopass builds →Power Gem 2x99-117%KO Thunderbolt 2x74-87% Magnet Bomb 2x61-72% | ||
Plusle Electric | C | |
Vaporeon Water | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Archen View Vaporeon builds →Surf 2x149-176%KO Aurora Beam 2x71-85% | ||
 Aegislash SteelGhost | A | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Archen View Aegislash builds →Head Smash 2x95-113%KO Iron Head 2x78-92% | ||
 Magnezone ElectricSteel | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Archen View Magnezone builds →Thunderbolt 2x181-214%KO Mirror Shot 2x131-154%KO | ||
Rampardos Rock | B | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Cranidos (Ambrette Town Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Archen View Rampardos builds →Rock Tomb 2x149-175%KO Surf 2x70-83% Thunderbolt 2x70-83% | ||
 Stunfisk GroundElectric | C | |
Obtain MethodRoute 14 Surfing Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Archen View Stunfisk builds →Thunderbolt 2x123-146%KO Surf 2x82-97% Rock Tomb 2x47-55% | ||
Ampharos Electric | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Archen View Ampharos builds →Thunderbolt 2x163-193%KO Power Gem 2x97-115%KO | ||
Aegislash SteelGhost | A | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Archen View Aegislash builds →Head Smash 2x96-113%KO Iron Head 2x76-91% | ||
Rampardos Rock | B | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Cranidos (Ambrette Town Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Archen View Rampardos builds →Stone Edge 2x247-292%KO Surf 2x70-83% Thunderbolt 2x70-83% | ||
Magnezone ElectricSteel | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Archen View Magnezone builds →Thunderbolt 2x180-212%KO Flash Cannon 2x160-190%KO | ||
 Kabutops RockWater | C | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Kabuto (Ambrette Town Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Archen View Kabutops builds →Stone Edge 2x182-215%KO Surf 2x106-125%KO | ||
 Carracosta WaterRock | C | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Tirtouga (Ambrette Town Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Archen View Carracosta builds →Stone Edge 2x171-201%KO Surf 2x125-147%KO | ||
 Rhydon GroundRock | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Archen View Rhydon builds →Stone Edge 2x202-238%KO Thunderbolt 2x53-63% Ice Beam 2x53-63% Surf 2x53-63% | ||
Aegislash SteelGhost | A | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Archen View Aegislash builds →Head Smash 2x95-112%KO Iron Head 2x76-90% | ||
Cranidos Rock | B | |
Obtain MethodAmbrette Town Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Archen View Cranidos builds →Head Smash 2x292-344%KO Thunderbolt 2x42-49% Ice Beam 2x42-49% | ||
 Aggron SteelRock | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Archen View Aggron builds →Iron Head 2x141-166%KO Stone Edge 2x176-208%KO Thunderbolt 2x65-77% Ice Beam 2x65-77% | ||
Magnezone ElectricSteel | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Archen View Magnezone builds →Thunderbolt 2x182-215%KO Flash Cannon 2x162-192%KO | ||
Rampardos Rock | B | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Cranidos (Ambrette Town Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Archen View Rampardos builds →Head Smash 2x374-440%KO Thunderbolt 2x69-81% Ice Beam 2x69-81% Surf 2x69-81% | ||
Rhydon GroundRock | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Archen View Rhydon builds →Stone Edge 2x203-239%KO Thunderbolt 2x53-63% Ice Beam 2x53-63% Surf 2x53-63% | ||
Aegislash SteelGhost | A | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Archen View Aegislash builds →Head Smash 2x94-111%KO Iron Head 2x76-89% | ||
 Tyrantrum RockDragon | B | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Tyrunt (Ambrette Town Gift) | ||
Aggron SteelRock | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Archen View Aggron builds →Iron Head 2x142-167%KO Stone Edge 2x176-207%KO Thunderbolt 2x65-76% Ice Beam 2x65-76% | ||
In X & Y, Starmie threatens a KO with Scald (163-192%). Kyurem's Ice Beam also KOs at 216-255%.
 Ferrothorn GrassSteel | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityIron Barbs ItemLeftovers NatureRelaxed Moves View Ferrothorn builds →
| ||
 Starmie WaterPsychic | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityNatural Cure ItemLeftovers NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Archen View Starmie builds →Rapid Spin10-11% Scald 2x163-192%KO Ice Beam 2x122-144%KO | ||
 Kyurem DragonIce | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityPressure ItemLeftovers NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Archen View Kyurem builds →Ice Beam 2x216-255%KO | ||
 Terrakion RockFighting | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityJustified ItemChoice Band NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Archen View Terrakion builds →Close Combat216-255%KO Stone Edge 2x361-424%KO Rock Slide 2x271-319%KO | ||
 Rotom ElectricGhost | C | |
Recommended Build AbilityLevitate ItemLeftovers NatureCalm Moves
Damage vs Archen View Rotom builds →Volt Switch 2x138-163%KO Shadow Ball79-93% | ||
Archen Evolutions
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
Breeding
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.
XY Archen Best Moveset
112 Attack fires Rock/Flying TermStab but AbilityDefeatist halves offenses below 50%% HP. Fairy types don't affect the typing. The moveset maintained its binary identity: devastating at full health, useless after one hit.
Best Build
Archen best EVs are Attack and Speed
Physical Stallbreaker Moveset
- Stealth Rock
- Endeavor
- Taunt
- Head Smash
Recommended Teammates
Moves List
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.
How to Read the Moves Table
Tabs
- Level-Up
- Learned by leveling up.
- TM
- Taught by a Technical Machine.
- Egg
- Inherited via breeding.
- Tutor
- NPC tutor (cost: items, BP, money).
- Reminder
- An NPC reteaches any move this Pokemon could have learned by leveling up.
- Transfer
- Carried over from an older game using Pokemon HOME.
- Event
- Given out through Mystery Gift events.
Visual Signals
CAT (Category)
How the move deals damage and which stats it uses.
A small dot on the icon's corner marks the move as contact. That triggers abilities like Static, Flame Body, Rough Skin, or Iron Barbs, plus items like Rocky Helmet and Sticky Barb.
Tier (S to D)
Each move's competitive rank in RankedBoost's system. TM, Egg, and Tutor sort by tier by default (best first). On Level-Up, click the Tier header to do the same.
PWR (Power)
Base damage. Numbers shown in a type color include STAB (base × 1.5). Hover any colored number to see the math.
— means no power (status moves) or variable power.
Sorting & Filter
Click any column header to sort. Level-Up opens with Lv 1 at the top. TM, Egg, and Tutor open with the highest-tier moves at the top.
Search filters by move name or type. The Filter button limits the list to STAB, Physical, Special, or Status moves.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Base Stats
Revived from a fossil, this Pokémon is thought to be the ancestor of all bird Pokémon.
Said to be an ancestor of bird Pokémon, they were unable to fly and moved about by hopping from one branch to another.
Archen X & Y Guide
At 401 BST, Archen is firmly in pre-evolution territory. Evolve it into Archeops before bringing it to any serious fight.
Revive from fossil at the Ambrette Town Fossil Lab. Archen is revived at level 5. Give it Rare Candies or experience-share if you want it ready for the late-game.
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.
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
- 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 4DP
Diamond & Pearl - Gen 4Pt
Platinum - Gen 4HGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen 5BWDebut
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