Archeops

[Elliot Gale]

#567 Archeos
(Rock/Flying)
75/140/65/112/65/110

Faint of Heart: ATK and SP ATK are halved when the Pokémon's HP are at half or below.

Weak x4: None
Weak x2: Electric, Rock, Water, Ice, Steel
Neutral to: Fighting, Dragon, Dark, Psychic, Ghost, Grass
Resists x2: Fire, Bug, Flying, Normal, Poison
Resists x4: None
Immune to: Ground

I dunno about any of you, but this is one of the first new Pokémon I looked at and said "I want it." Archeos boasts incredible offensive stats that would make Aerodactyl green with envy, along with very good speed that outruns a lot of these newfangled 108 guys.

Consider that ability for a moment; Archeos isn't in it for the long haul on the physical front. Thankfully, it has great special attack so it can still dole out the pain even when it's running low on health. Granted, priority is still Archeos's worst nightmare, but it's nothing solid play and prediction can't address.

Since speed is left untouched, Archeos can even use Endeavor as a last ditch hit. Anyone who used the likes of Swellow in previous generations knows how ridiculous that can be.

Level-up moves

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Lv1: Quick Attack
Lv1: Leer
Lv1: Wing Attack
Lv1: Rock Throw
Lv5: Rock Throw
Lv8: Double Team
Lv11: Scary Face
Lv15: Pluck
Lv18: AncientPower
Lv21: Agility
Lv25: [M501] <- Anyone know a name for this?
Lv28: Acrobat
Lv31: DragonBreath
Lv35: Crunch
Lv40: Endeavor
Lv45: U-turn
Lv51: Rock Slide
Lv56: Dragon Claw
Lv61: Thrash

Egg Moves

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Steel Wing
Defog
Dragon Pulse
Head Smash
Knock Off
Earth Power
Bite

TM/HM moves

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TM01 - Claw Sharpen
TM02 - Dragon Claw
TM05 - Roar
TM06 - Toxic
TM10 - Hidden Power
TM12 - Taunt
TM15 - Hyper Beam
TM17 - Protect
TM21 - Frustration
TM23 - Strike Down
TM26 - Earthquake
TM27 - Return
TM28 - Dig
TM32 - Double Team
TM37 - Sandstorm
TM39 - Rock Tomb
TM40 - Aerial Ace
TM41 - Torment
TM42 - Facade
TM44 - Rest
TM45 - Attract
TM48 - Troll
TM52 - Focus Blast
TM62 - Acrobat
TM65 - Shadow Claw
TM68 - Giga Impact
TM69 - Rock Polish
TM71 - Stone Edge
TM78 - Smooth Over
TM80 - Rock Slide
TM82 - Dragon Tail
TM87 - Swagger
TM88 - Pluck
TM89 - U-Turn
TM90 - Substitute
TM94 - Rock Smash
HM01 - Cut
HM02 - Fly

Possible Sets

Hide

Band Sweep
@Choice Band
Jolly/Adamant: 252 atk/252 spe
Stone Edge
U-Turn
Earthquake/Dragon Claw/Crunch/Acrobat
Earthquake/Dragon Claw/Crunch/Acrobat

Nothing much to explain - just pick a move and go. Scout with U-Turn if necessary.


Specs Sweep
@Choice Specs
Timid/Modest: 252 sp atk/252 spe
Ancient Power
Dragon Pulse/Earth Power/Focus Blast/U-Turn
Dragon Pulse/Earth Power/Focus Blast/U-Turn
Dragon Pulse/Earth Power/Focus Blast/U-Turn

Significantly less powerful than the physical end, but it could make for a nice surprise.


Scarf Sweep
@Choice Scarf
Lonely/Naughty: 252 atk/252 sp atk
Stone Edge
U-Turn
Earthquake/Dragon Claw/Crunch/Acrobat/Dragon Pulse/Earth Power/Focus Blast
Earthquake/Dragon Claw/Crunch/Acrobat/Dragon Pulse/Earth Power/Focus Blast

Heavy hitter on both sides of the spectrum that's going to outrun... well, pretty much anything even at no speed investment. Have fun.


Lead
@ Rock Jewel/Flying Jewel (only if you wish to use Acrobat and power it up instead)
Jolly/Adamant: 252 atk/252 spe
Stone Edge
Taunt
Knock Off/U-Turn/Earthquake/Dragon Claw/Crunch/Acrobat
Knock Off/U-Turn/Earthquake/Dragon Claw/Crunch/Acrobat

U-Turn lets Archaeos scout if need be, Taunt and Knock Off let it cripple other leads and switch-ins. Just be careful with your predictions.


Late Game Sweeper

@ Expert Belt
252 attack/252 speed/4 sp. attack
Claw Sharpen
Stone Edge
Earthquake
Dragon Pulse/Focus Blast

Archeos @ Rock Jewel/Flying Jewel/some similar consumable item
252 attack/252 speed/4 sp. attack
Claw Sharpen
Stone Edge
Acrobat
Dragon Pulse/Focus Blast

With a single Claw Sharpen boost to his massive attack, even when Faint-Hearted kicks in he still has a manageable 105 base attack stat. Plus it makes Stone Edge a reliable, powerful source of STAB. PP is the only downside. Expert Belt is probably the best item to use since Life Orb is a big no for Archeos, and the EdgeQuake combo will score plenty of super effective hits. Alternatively, swap Earthquake for Acrobat and go itemless (edit: or consumable item'd). 112 special attack is not bad, and it will be his preferred attacking option below 50. Go Dragon Pulse for coverage/enemy dragons or Focus Blast (made reliable by Claw Sharpen) for super effective hits. Just be smart about finding the opportunity to boost. You don't want to start your assault handicapped.

Anyway, discuss.

 

[latinoheat]

I don't really see too much from this, its ability especially considering the SR weakness kills it.

140 attack is great but its main stab isn't great,Stone Edge still has the lower BP and Head Smash is suicidal. After a good head smash hit and Stealth Rock damage your basically already in the 50% area which leaves it with 55 base speed 70 attack and absolute paper defences.

It can't even sustain a sweep with say LO due to the ability, or get Stealth Rock so it could actually try a starter set like Aerodactyl.

Put this one on the Rampardos,Medicham etc pile imo.

 

[NDenizen]

I can imagine this guy working well with Deathkan around - if Mummy gets on the field then you want to be able to exploit it. This could either by bringing it into Deathkan, or an opponent you've passed Mummy on to.
If your opponent remains, you've suddenly gained something useful, and if he does switch out you have a free turn for a stat boost or to simply attack the next opponent.

_ _ _

Level-up moves

[#567]: Lv1: Quick Attack, Lv1: Leer, Lv1: Wing Attack, Lv1: Rock Throw, Lv5: Rock Throw, Lv8: Double Team, Lv11: Scary Face, Lv15: Pluck, Lv18: AncientPower, Lv21: Agility, Lv25: [M501], Lv28: [M512], Lv31: DragonBreath, Lv35: Crunch, Lv40: Endeavor, Lv45: U-turn, Lv51: Rock Slide, Lv56: Dragon Claw, Lv61: Thrash

Egg Moves:
Steel Wing
Defog
Dragon Pulse
Head Smash
Knock Off
Earth Power
Bite

TM/HM moves:
Learnable TMs: TM01 - Claw Sharpen, TM02 - Dragon Claw, TM05 - Roar, TM06 - Toxic, TM10 - Hidden Power, TM12 - Taunt, TM15 - Hyper Beam, TM17 - Protect, TM21 - Frustration, TM23 - Strike Down, TM26 - Earthquake, TM27 - Return, TM28 - Dig, TM32 - Double Team, TM37 - Sandstorm, TM39 - Rock Tomb, TM40 - Aerial Ace, TM41 - Torment, TM42 - Facade, TM44 - Rest, TM45 - Attract, TM48 - Troll, TM52 - Focus Blast, TM62 - Acrobat, TM65 - Shadow Claw, TM68 - Giga Impact, TM69 - Rock Polish, TM71 - Stone Edge, TM78 - Smooth Over, TM80 - Rock Slide, TM82 - Dragon Tail, TM87 - Swagger, TM88 - Pluck, TM89 - U-Turn, TM90 - Substitute, TM94 - Rock Smash, HM01 - Cut, HM02 - Fly

 

[Bogmire]

eh I don't even see this guy being standard tbh (I know its early to make such assumptions but still). It's frail so it has to constantly be KOing stuff before it gets knocked under 50% health, at which point it may as well be as useful as a paralyzed magikarp considering how low its stats will be. 140 base atk is great, no doubt, but its not enough to just muscle its way through everything outright, especially with Stone Edge as its only good STAB (rock slide is weak, and head smash recoil is a no-no). I suppose a CB set could work as a hit and run type thing, but you need to make sure SR is off the field first.

I'd much rather use the new rock/fighting legendary since it sports similar atk/speed except with much better secondary STAB and ability.

 

[Kabuto Mushi]

Put this one the Rampardos,Medicham etc pile imo.

I kinda agree with this. He gets that 112 Sp Atk, but no special moves to use it with... ? :(

 

[doomvendingmachine]

What does weak kneed do? Ever since i saw the ability and the stats i assumed it was nerf ability of some kind, but could someone tell me what it actually does?

 

[Pratty]

It's typing really does it in. Stealth Rock weakness means unless Rocks are spun or you come in on a ground move, it's ability makes it useless. Priority and Scarfers wreck it badly too.

 

[Bogmire]

What does weak kneed do? Ever since i saw the ability and the stats i assumed it was nerf ability of some kind, but could someone tell me what it actually does?

I'm pretty sure its been confirmed to halve all its stats (bar hp) when at or under 50% health.

edit: ninjad

 

[NDenizen]

Is Weak Knees really that bad? I mean, I know Slaking and Regigigas had complete NERFs, but they had one weakness and good stats.

I just get the feeling there might be something more to that ability that gives the pokemon an extra edge, because it's not the greatest candidate for such an ability.

 

[Bogmire]

Is Weak Knees really that bad? I mean, I know Slaking and Regigigas had complete NERFs, but they had one weakness and good stats.

I just get the feeling there might be something more to that ability that gives the pokemon an extra edge, because it's not the greatest candidate for such an ability.

sure it is. It's a normal non legendary with mixed attacking stats exceeding salamence. I doubt even gametroll would let something like that slide without a hindering ability.

 

[NDenizen]

I suppose, but with three extra weaknesses and not the most abusive of movesets, it doesn't seem too special.

At the very least i'm glad it can't learn Stealth Rock.

 

[Raseri]

Archaeos would love Wish Support, and I think Jirachi would team up very nicely with him. A moveset of Wish, U-Turn, and two other moves would stop Archaeos from being dead weight. Throw a Rapid Spinner in there to keep rocks off and you have a dangerous trio.

 

[Not Scicky]

Oh come on guys. Doryuuzu is frightening as fuck because it has a single stat equal to Archaeos but Archaeos is shit with 140/112/110 offenses?

Don't count him out yet. It's not like Infernape or Gengar are running home to mama just cause they can't take a hit.

 

[Yamaha]

Lol ok, then I stand corrected

Nope... you need to add Flying typing and then it's weak to Rock.


Archaeos is perfect is abuse either his speed, attack, or sp. attack by using Choice band, specs, or Scarf.

Scarf would be the best, so it can have a ev spread of 252 Attack/252sp. attack with U-turn for safety.

Archaeos @ Choice scarf
Naughty nature
252 Attack/252 sp. Attack ev Spread
- Stone edge
- U-turn
- Earth power
- Crunch/Taunt/Fly/Filler

Perfect~! :)

 

[IcyMan28]

Oh come on guys. Doryuuzu is frightening as fuck because it has a single stat equal to Archaeos but Archaeos is shit with 140/112/110 offenses?

Don't count him out yet. It's not like Infernape or Gengar are running home to mama just cause they can't take a hit.

Doryuuzu doesn't lose all of his power after switching in twice, has a considerable amount of resistances and ridiculous speed + attack in sand, is immune to both Thunder Wave and Toxic, and has respectable defenses.

Archaeos is, in my opinion, the epitome of the mid-game wallbreaker. Nothing will like taking hits off of those stats, but after the initial onslaught it won't be doing much.

 

[Kitsunine]

Oh come on guys. Doryuuzu is frightening as fuck because it has a single stat equal to Archaeos but Archaeos is shit with 140/112/110 offenses?

Don't count him out yet. It's not like Infernape or Gengar are running home to mama just cause they can't take a hit.

Definitely true. But his ability means that he's practically dead weight at half health. And being succeptable to Aqua Jet, Mach Punch, and Bullet Punch aren't going to help there.

He looks like a bomb to me. He's going to hurt and hurt hard, but it's not going to last long.

 

[Wishy]

Considering his ability, he'd work great as a late game sweeper. Once you know most of your opponents team, with his awesome offensive stats you can plan a efficient sweep late game with proper support. Unlike Slaking and Regigigas, he's not screwed over from the get-go. I see him working great as the final play of a spikes/tspikes/SR team well...

The point is to not just send it in midgame with SR up and assume you'll get anywhere.

 

[Losa]

When I first saw that sexy 140/112/110 offensive stat spread I nearly shit myself (:D). And then after a while the abilities were released. I saw Weak-Kneed. :(

This thing will get 1 hit off and die. Sad but true.

 

[WingedKnight]

I'm not sure what to think of this guy. I LOVE his design and concept, and he is so tempting with his amazing offensive spread and substantial movepool. The only question is will Weak Knees balance him, or outright cripple him a la Truant or Slow Start?

Personally, I don't think it will make too much of a difference if you play smart. Let's pretend his ability didn't exist. With his 75/65/65 defenses, I feel like in most scenarios where he finds himself below half-health, it's only because the HP guage is on its way to zero anyway. He's the kinda guy who would be frail and prob go down in a hit or two regardless. That said, I feel that if he can simply avoid Ice Shards, Bullet Punches, and Aqua Jets, he will be quite a force to be reckoned with. Anything slower then him will be pretty dead. (Also, I don't know if being choiced is the best for him, being locked in the wrong move could get you killed far easier)

Overall? He's gotta watch out for priority, faster pokes, and rocks, but if he can do that (late game like some people have suggested) he will be plenty useable and terrifying.

 

[Not Scicky]

People need to stop acting like Weak Knee'd is so crippling. Do you honestly expect him to take any hits anyway with Rock/Flying typing and what, 70/65/65 defenses? He'll switch in to things he can kill, and if not then the switch in will take a considerable amount of damage off of those stats.

He'll get the job done. Don't worry.

Priority is terrible for him though. :A

 

[WingedKnight]

People need to stop acting like Weak Knee'd is so crippling. Do you honestly expect him to take any hits anyway with Rock/Flying typing and what, 70/65/65 defenses? He'll switch in to things he can kill, and if not then the switch in will take a considerable amount of damage off of those stats.

He'll get the job done. Don't worry.

Priority is terrible for him though. :A

Scicky's got this right. Even with the highest stats this side of the pseudos he'd be dieing to most things any way. Aero doesnt win any awards defensively (80/65/75). Just play him like any other frail sweeper and take extra care to avoid priority. He will deliver.

 

[Losa]

It just seems like a waste to me. A pokemon that cannot really switch in on any move and is forced out by anything with priority. The Stealth Rock weakness doesn't help either. This is basically a Physical Alakazam.

 

[Not Scicky]

The fact that you're even thinking about switching him in in the first place means you do not know how to play Archaeos.

WHEN SOMETHING YOU HAVE DIES.

KILL WHATEVER KILLED IT.

You can't expect every game you play to be a goddamn 6-0. You're going to need revenge.

 

[Elliot Gale]

And if the thing that killed your dude is going to run... use Claw Sharpen for the lulz.

 

[Farewell]

Still, it gets a Sandstream boost, additionally, it doesn't need Life Orb, it can use Sharp Beak, Expert Belt, etc.