Arceus
Set Details
Before Time Began… Perfection Existed
Stepping out of ancient times comes a Pokémon so mighty that legends say it shaped the universe itself! The Pokémon TCG: Platinum—Arceus expansion introduces the Alpha Pokémon Arceus and its multiple Energy types. So, harness and wield this awesome power or rise to its incredible challenge! Capture previously unseen Pokémon LV.X to aid you in this titanic struggle, and turn the tide of battle with all-new Trainer and Stadium cards. Prepare to face your greatest test…
The Platinum—Arceus expansion descended on the TCG on November 4 2009, capping the Platinum Series with a celestial spotlight on the Alpha Pokémon, Arceus. Adapted from Japan’s Advent of Arceus, the set offers a 99‑card main line but immediately breaks tradition with a special 12‑card “AR” subset (AR1–AR12)—each card depicting Arceus in a different elemental form. Two theme decks, Flamemaster and Stormshaper, led by Fire‑type and Lightning‑type Arceus respectively, let players harness that power right out of the box, while booster wrappers showcase Giratina Origin Forme, Salamence, Tangrowth, and of course Arceus itself.
Where gameplay is concerned, Platinum—Arceus is a playground of versatility. Every Arceus card is a Basic Pokémon, yet many arrive at Level 100, and they all share the attack “Ripple Swell,” letting Arceus flood the field with basic Energy if you play multiples at once. Arceus LV.X (three different artworks, #94–#96/99) super‑charges the concept with the “Multitype” Poké‑Body—changing its type to match the Arceus beneath—and “Omniscient,” which copies any attack from any Arceus in play. The Stadium Ultimate Zone shuttles Energy between your Arceus, and Beginning Door searches out any member of the pantheon, making a full “Arceus swarm” deck a reality.
Collectors have their own treasures to chase. Beyond the AR subset lie three Shiny secret rares—Bagon SH10, Ponyta SH11, and Shinx SH12—each gleaming with textured foil and alternate coloration. Early print runs of the AR cards feature a subtle starburst pattern behind Arceus’s silhouette that was toned down in later waves, creating a quiet variant hunt. Arrange AR5 (Lightning Arceus), AR6 (Psychic Arceus), and AR7 (Fighting Arceus) side by side and the background plate imagery lines up into a continuous cosmic mural—a hidden nod to Arceus’s mythic creation plates. With its unique numbering split, multiform mechanics, and constellation of shiny secrets, the Platinum—Arceus Pokémon set remains a standout finale that genuinely feels touched by a higher power.
Arceus Set Cards
