How to Capture Arceus in Pokémon Diamond or Pokémon Pearl

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: June 16, 2021

Arceus is one of the rarest Pokémon in Diamond and Pearl, and is basically unobtainable without trading for it or using cheats. Because Arceus was a limited-time event Pokemon, it is no longer available through normal gameplay. Instead, you'll need to either trade someone for one, or use an Action Replay or emulator to access the now-locked event.

Steps

1
Try to trade with someone for their Arceus. This is the only legitimate way to get an Arceus in Diamond or Pearl. Arceus was available for a limited time as a reward for attending a Nintendo event in 2009 and 2010. It is now no longer possible to get an Arceus unless you trade for one or cheat to get one.
- Since Arceus is super rare, you'll likely need to offer up some big names to get your hands on one. Get ready to trade your most valued Pokemon, including Landorus or Deoxys. Shiny Legendary Pokémon such as a Shiny Mew can also make good trade offers.
2
Get an Action Replay or play your game on an emulator. If you can't trade for an Arceus, the only other option is to cheat to get it. You can use an Action Replay to cheat on your DS system, or you can use an emulator's built-in cheat tools to cheat when playing on your computer.
- You can transfer your save file from your DS to a computer (and vice versa) by using a flash cart like an R4 or Cyclo. See Mod a Nintendo DS with an R4 Flashcart for details on using a flash cart to access your DS files.
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3
Obtain the National Pokedex in the game. You'll need this in order to use the special item that gives you access to Arceus, even if you cheat for it. You can complete the National Pokedex by beating the Elite Four and seeing all 150 Pokémon from the Sinnoh Pokedex. You don't need to capture all 150, just encounter them.
- See Select the Best Pokémon to Beat the Elite Four in Pokémon Diamond and Pearl for tips on building the best Pokémon party to take on the Elite Four.
4
Add a new code to your Action Replay. The process for adding codes varies depending on if you're using an actual Action Replay or an emulator:
- Action Replay - Plug the Action Replay cart into your DS, and then plug the Pokémon cart into the Action Replay. Start Action Replay and tap the Code Select button. Tap "<add new code>" to enter in your code.
- Emulator (DeSmuME) - Start the Pokémon ROM file in your Emulator. Click the "Tools" menu, select "Cheats," and then "List." Click the "Action Replay" button to enter a new code.
5
Enter the code for the Azure Flute. This item is required to get to the island where Arceus can be found. Enter the following code into either the "<add new code>" section of your Action Replay, or into the Code field on your emulator.
6
Paste the code into the field and click Add.:
94000130 FCFF0000 B21C4D28 00000000 B0000004 00000000 0000AA3C EDB88320 2000AA68 0000000A D2000000 00000000
7
Make sure your new code is selected. After adding the code, you'll see it in your list of codes. It will usually be enabled automatically after adding it, but double-check to make sure it is selected.
8
Start playing the game and head towards a Pokemart. After loading the cheat, play your game as normal. Head to the nearest Pokemart, but don't go inside yet.
9
Hold L and R on your DS. This will activate the code you entered after a moment.
10
Enter the Pokemart. You should see a green man that isn't normally there.
11
Talk to the green man to receive your Azure Flute. The green man appears during special events, which you triggered using the code above. He'll hand you the Azure Flute, which you'll be using to find Arceus.
- The benefit of using this code as opposed to cheating to get an Arceus directly is that it will obey your commands and will be treated as a "legitimate" Pokémon since it doesn't have any hacked values.
12
Make sure you have a strong party and lots of Ultra Balls. You'll have to fight Arceus before you can capture it, and Arceus is Level 80. This means it will be one of the toughest fights you encounter in the entire game. Make sure your team is up to the task, and that you have a large selection of Poke Balls to throw at it.
- You may want to consider using your Master Ball on Arceus to capture it instantly.
- Having a Pokémon with False Swipe can make it easier to lower Arceus's health without knocking it out. Having a Pokémon with Sleep or Paralyze can make Arceus easier to catch as well.
13
Travel to Mt. Coronet. You'll be using the Azure Flute here to access Arceus.
14
Climb to the Spear Pillar. You can find this at the top of Mt. Coronet.
15
Play the Azure Flute when prompted. When you reach the Spear Pillar, the game will prompt you to play the Azure Flute. When you use the Azure Flute in front of the Spear Pillar, a staircase will appear, allowing you to enter the Hall of Origins. You'll find Arceus inside.
16
Save your game before entering the Hall of Origins. Saving right before the fight will make it easy to reload in case you accidentally knock out Arceus or you get wiped out.
- If you enter the room before saving, you'll automatically start the fight and won't be able to save.
17
Approach Arceus to start the fight. You'll approach automatically when you enter the room. Use your strongest Pokémon to whittle down Arceus's health until it's red. Use False Swipe as the health gets low so that you can lower its health further without knocking it out.
18
Catch Arceus. Once Arceus's health is in the red, start putting it to sleep or paralyzing it. Once it's asleep or paralyzed, you can start throwing Ultra Balls at it. Keep trying, even if it keeps breaking free. Eventually, you should be able to catch it.
- If you accidentally knock Arceus out, or all of your Pokémon are knocked out, you can load your save and try again.

Community Q&A

Question

How do I get Garatina in Pokemon Pearl?

Community Answer

First, complete the pokedex. Then, continue to play the game for a few days. Then, check your town map. A certain pace will be by Vielstone City that wasn't there before. This place is the spring path. Bring a lot of repels with you, because there is a lot of tall grass. Continue through until you reach Turnback Cave. You need to find your way through the cave, and go through 3 rooms with 3 pillars. To make sure you are progressing, go up and click on the pillars. It will say 1, 2, or 3. After the third pillar, go straight. You know what to do.
Question

Is it possible to duplicate my Arceus over and over?

Community Answer

I don't think so since I'm pretty sure that you can't breed legendaries (except Manaphy and Phoine). Unless you know a way to hack, then the answer is no.
Question

How do you get a shiny Geodude?

Community Answer

A shiny has a very low chance of appearing, so it really just comes down to luck. However, there are methods to increase your chances.