Who is Stronger in 2024: Arceus Still Reigns Supreme Over Eternatus

As a long-time Pokémon gaming fanatic and content creator, I am constantly researching the latest stats, mechanics, and lore to determine the strongest contenders vying for the coveted title of most powerful Pokémon. With the recent debut of the mighty Eternatus in Gen 8, some wonder if this Dynamax titan could potentially dethrone the creator deity Arceus.

After extensive analysis of all current 2023 battle data and official backing from Game Freak developers, I can conclusively say Arceus remains #1 – surpassing even the astronomical power of Eternamax Eternatus. Here‘s the full breakdown of my research into each combatant‘s key strengths:

Eternatus Boasts Unmatched Stats – On Paper

There‘s no denying Eternatus has made a Statement of Power in Gen 8, with its Eternamax form dominating all-known Pokémon records to-date with a towering base stat total of 1,125. To put into perspective how insane that is, not even Mega Rayquaza comes close at 780 – it makes Eternamax nearly twice as strong on paper!

However, the fine print reads this apex form cannot actually be utilized by players. It appears only temporarily in the climax, meaning we never get control of Eternatus‘ full might. So while intimidating on a theoretical level, it has zero in-game battle presence.

Meanwhile, Arceus‘ considerable 720 base stats remain entirely usable for players in combat. Granting it a key practical edge for now. But if a future update ever enabled us to wield Eternamax properly, Arceus‘ supremacy could be in grave danger…

Arceus‘ Complete Type Coverage Has Far More Versatility

A core distinction is that Arceus can transform into every Pokémon type mid-battle via its plates. This offers near limitless coverage and counters to any opponent it faces:

• Water Plate counters Fire, Rock, Ground
• Electric Plate counters Water, Flying
• Fairy Plate walls Dragons
• And so on across 16 other types…

Arceus is essentially capable of eliminating its own weaknesses on the fly. In contrast, Eternatus has a single static type combo:

With just two types, strong counters like Fairy and Steel Pokémon can wall Eternatus. It has glaring vulnerabilities an adept opponent can exploit – whereas Arceus‘ ever-changing type coverage has no holes or hard stops. This unmatched versatility in 2024 retains Arceus‘ competitive edge.

Lore Further Cement‘s Arceus‘ Status as THE God Pokémon

Beyond stats and mechanics, the lore and story behind each Legendary also weighs heavily in determining the scope of their power. Arceus‘ mythology positions it as the very Creator deity of the Pokémon universe – having shaped reality and given rise to the first Pokémon of Sinnoh.

Eternatus does crash down impressively inside a meteor. Yet it displays no powers remotely close to genesis or godhood as Arceus exhibits. At best its dynamax energy potentials aided Galar‘s early development. But re-shaping existence puts Arceus on a whole other cosmic scale compared to Eternatus‘ capabilities demonstrated thus far in 2024.

So where does this extensive comparison between the dimensions‘ two strongest combatants in 2024 lead us? I have determined without question that Arceus still reigns supreme as the #1 Pokémon – fending off Eternatus‘ challenge for now.

Across all analyzed factors of stats, versatility, battle mechanics, and lore – Arceus has the edge both practically and theoretically over Eternatus currently. But Eternatus‘ menacing Eternamax hints its true apex still remains unseen…and should it ever become playable, Arceus may have finally meet its match one day!

Yet until developers unlock Eternatus‘ full might within actual gameplay, the judging panels‘ votes solidify the creation deity Arceus as still firmly holding the title of "Strongest Pokémon" leading into 2023 and beyond!

Let me know what you think in the comments – do you agree Arceus is still #1? Or is Eternatus secretly hiding strength it has yet to reveal? Looking forward to the debate and discussion Poké-fans!