Competitive Information for Arceus (Water) [Black/White]
Water
Abilities:
If this Pokemon is an Arceus, its type changes to match its held Plate.
ArceusArceus-bug
Arceus-darkArceus-dragon
Arceus-electricArceus-fighting
Arceus-fireArceus-flying
Arceus-ghostArceus-grass
Arceus-groundArceus-ice
Arceus-poisonArceus-psychic
Arceus-rockArceus-steel
Arceus-water

Disclaimer: All videos and opinions are owned by their respective creators and may not reflect our views.
Movesets for Singles
Looking for a competitive moveset for Arceus-water? These builds are optimized for Black/White Single Battles. The movesets and EVs are designed to maximize damage against common opponents and threats in the Black/White metagame. Check out the expert movesets below to boost your battle performance and dominate your opponents!
Unveil the power of Arceus-Water, an exquisite Pokémon known for its Water typing! It's to see Arceus-Water show up as a Black/White opponent. Its only type-related weaknesses are Electric and Grass. Explore the movesets of Arceus-Water below to understand its battle capabilities.
Item: Splash Plate
Ability: Multitype
Nature: Adamant (+Atk, -SpA)
EVs: 172 Hp / 252 Atk / 84 Spe
Moveset:
- Shadow Claw
- Aqua Tail / Waterfall
- Outrage / Dragon Claw
- Poison Jab / Return
When it comes to single battles, Arceus shines as a iconic Physical Sweeper. This moveset attempts to crush rivals using destructive physical attacks. Arceus's ability Multitype changes it's typing based on the item it's holding. For this build, Splash Plate will change Arceus's typing to Water. Poison Jab was added to provide additional threat coverage. With a Splash Plate equipped, holder's water-type attacks have 1.2x power.
◆ Aqua Tail is a physical STAB-boosted 90-base power Water-type move that deals a good amount of damage.
◆ Waterfall is a physical STAB-boosted 80-base power Water-type move (20% chance to make the target flinch).
◆ Outrage is a physical 120-base power Dragon-type move (lasts 2-3 turns. Confuses your Arceus afterwards).
◆ Dragon Claw is a physical 80-base power Dragon-type move that deals a substantial amount of damage.
◆ Poison Jab is a physical 80-base power Poison-type move (30% chance to poison the target).
◆ Return is a physical 0-base power Normal-type move (max 102 power at maximum happiness).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/gaq1ed
Item: Splash Plate
Ability: Multitype
Nature: Modest (+SpA, -Atk)
EVs: 172 Hp / 252 SpA / 84 Spe
IVs: 0 Atk
Moveset:
- Spacial Rend / Draco Meteor
- Surf / Brine
- Overheat / Flamethrower
- Ice Beam / Sludge Bomb
Arceus stands out as a epic Special Sweeper in single battles. This build is crafted to take down the opponent's team with heavy-hitting special power. Arceus's ability Multitype changes it's typing based on the item it's holding. For this build, Splash Plate will change Arceus's typing to Water. Ice Beam or Sludge Bomb are added to provide additional threat coverage. With a Splash Plate equipped, holder's water-type attacks have 1.2x power.
◆ Draco Meteor is a special 140-base power Dragon-type move (lowers your Arceus's special attack by 2 stages).
◆ Surf is a special STAB-boosted 95-base power Water-type move (hits adjacent pokemon. Double damage on dive).
◆ Brine is a special STAB-boosted 65-base power Water-type move (power doubles if the target's hp is 50% or less).
◆ Overheat is a special 140-base power Fire-type move (lowers your Arceus's special attack by 2 stages).
◆ Flamethrower is a special 95-base power Fire-type move (10% chance to burn the target).
◆ Ice Beam is a special 95-base power Ice-type move (10% chance to freeze the target).
◆ Sludge Bomb is a special 90-base power Poison-type move (30% chance to poison the target).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/gbq1ed
Movesets for Doubles
Need a strong doubles moveset for Arceus-water? These builds are perfect for VGC (Pokémon Video Game Championship) and other competitive Black/White Double Battles. The VGC is the ultimate test of strategy and skill, and these movesets and EVs are designed to excel against multiple opponents at once while providing essential support to your team. Dominate the Black/White metagame with these expert-crafted setups!
Item: Splash Plate
Ability: Multitype
Nature: Adamant (+Atk, -SpA)
EVs: 172 Hp / 252 Atk / 84 Spe
Moveset:
- Earthquake / Bulldoze
- Rock Slide
- Shadow Claw
- Aqua Tail / Waterfall
Dominating double battles, Arceus is a exalted Physical Sweeper. This build is crafted to take down the opponent's team with powerful physical moves. Arceus's ability Multitype changes it's typing based on the item it's holding. For this build, Splash Plate will change Arceus's typing to Water. With a Splash Plate equipped, holder's water-type attacks have 1.2x power.
◆ Bulldoze is a physical 60-base power Ground-type move (100% chance lower adjacent Pokemon speed by 1 stage).
◆ Rock Slide is a physical 75-base power Rock-type move (30% chance to make the foes flinch).
◆ Shadow Claw is a physical 70-base power Ghost-type move (high critical hit ratio).
◆ Aqua Tail is a physical STAB-boosted 90-base power Water-type move that deals a hefty amount of damage.
◆ Waterfall is a physical STAB-boosted 80-base power Water-type move (20% chance to make the target flinch).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/haq1ed
Item: Splash Plate
Ability: Multitype
Nature: Modest (+SpA, -Atk)
EVs: 172 Hp / 252 SpA / 84 Spe
IVs: 0 Atk
Moveset:
- Surf / Brine
- Icy Wind / Hyper Voice
- Heat Wave / Overheat
- Spacial Rend / Draco Meteor
Prepare for double battles with Arceus as a prestigious Special Sweeper. This moveset was created to crush rivals using destructive special moves. Arceus's ability Multitype changes it's typing based on the item it's holding. For this build, Splash Plate will change Arceus's typing to Water. Icy Wind was added to provide additional threat coverage. With a Splash Plate equipped, holder's water-type attacks have 1.2x power.
◆ Brine is a special STAB-boosted 65-base power Water-type move (power doubles if the target's hp is 50% or less).
◆ Icy Wind is a special 55-base power Ice-type move (100% chance to lower the foes speed by 1 stage).
◆ Hyper Voice is a special 90-base power Normal-type move (no additional effect. Hits adjacent foes).
◆ Heat Wave is a special 100-base power Fire-type move (10% chance to burn the foes).
◆ Overheat is a special 140-base power Fire-type move (lowers your Arceus's special attack by 2 stages).
◆ Spacial Rend is a special 100-base power Dragon-type move (high critical hit ratio).
◆ Draco Meteor is a special 140-base power Dragon-type move (lowers your Arceus's special attack by 2 stages).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/hbq1ed
Item: Splash Plate
Ability: Multitype
Nature: Brave (+Atk, -Spe)
EVs: 252 Hp / 252 Atk / 4 SpD
Moveset:
- Shadow Claw
- Aqua Tail / Waterfall
- Outrage / Dragon Claw
- Trick Room
Arceus stands out as a glorious Offensive Trick Roomer in single battles. Arceus's ability Multitype changes it's typing based on the item it's holding. For this build, Splash Plate will change Arceus's typing to Water. Poison Jab was added to provide additional threat coverage. With a Splash Plate equipped, holder's water-type attacks have 1.2x power.
◆ Aqua Tail is a physical STAB-boosted 90-base power Water-type move that deals a hefty amount of damage.
◆ Waterfall is a physical STAB-boosted 80-base power Water-type move (20% chance to make the target flinch).
◆ Outrage is a physical 120-base power Dragon-type move (lasts 2-3 turns. Confuses your Arceus afterwards).
◆ Dragon Claw is a physical 80-base power Dragon-type move that deals a great amount of damage.
◆ Trick Room is a status move (goes last. For 5 turns, turn order is reversed).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/hcq1ed
Movepool
Want to know what moves Arceus-water can learn? Check out the full list of moves available in the Pokemon Black/White generation.
Sort and organize the learnset by type, category, accuracy, and power. Moves in bold get the same-type attack bonus (STAB) when used by Arceus-water.
Damage Modifiers:
Combo List
These are a list of several common move combinations Arceus-water can perform in Black/White. Not every combo going to be game-changing, but some can be pretty fun to play with. Sometimes these can be easily overlooked or forgotten, hence why we find and list them here. Discover what items, abilities, and moves this Pokemon can use in combination with each other to gain a strategic advantage in competitive battles.
Competitive BW Move and Ability Combos for Arceus-water
- Moves: Sunny day + Solar beam
- Moves: Safeguard + Outrage
- Moves: Swagger + Psych up
- Moves: Rain dance + Thunder
- Moves: Swagger + Punishment
- Moves: Rest + Sleep talk
- Moves: Rest + Snore
- Moves: Thunderbolt + Ice beam
- Moves: Perish song + Protect
- Moves: Whirlpool + Perish song
- Move: Swagger + Item: Mirror Herb
- Move: Facade + Item: Flame Orb
- Move: Facade + Item: Toxic Orb
- Moves with Priority: Endure, Magic Coat, Protect, Extreme Speed
- Moves that Break Screens: Defog, Brick Break
- Moves that inflict status: Thunder Wave, Will-O-Wisp, Toxic
Moves that boost Arceus-water's stats
- Ancient Power
- Calm Mind
- Charge Beam
- Cosmic Power
- Hone Claws
- Iron Defense
- Ominous Wind
- Silver Wind
- Swords Dance
- Work Up
Most notable and possible best moves for Arceus-water
- Earthquake
- Ice Beam
- Light Screen
- Protect
- Reflect
- Rest
- Roar of Time
- Snarl
- Stealth Rock
- Toxic
Common Effort Values for Arceus-water in Black and White
Usage Data
Explore the latest analytical usage data for this Pokémon from various VGC and online competitions. We use this data to develop our strategies and movesets. The data is categorized by competition and skill level: top-ranking trainers, mid-level players, and entry-level players.

THIS SECTION IS CURRENTLY UNDER CONSTRUCTION
Some builds on this page have been hidden, click here to display them
Here are the best movesets for Arceus-water. Top rated Arceus-water Black/White movesets. You can find Arceus-water builds Black/White. Arceus-water movesets Black/White are listed here. VGC Arceus-water Competitive Movesets can be found here. Find various EV spreads, find the best nature for Arceus-water in Black/White along with competitive movesets. Basic info and Movesets for evolution