Riolu (Pokémon)

Riolu is a small, blue, canine Pokémon. It has a black torso and legs, a blue tail, and a yellow collar. It has rounded bumps on the backs of its forepaws. It has a black "mask" and red eyes. It stands on its toes instead of its entire foot. It is sensitive to a special type of energy called Aura; however, it does not have the ability to fully use these powers, although it can still emanate these waves to communicate and sense them, albeit only in ripples. It has developed two black appendages that hang down from its head, which rise when Riolu reads or manipulates aura. It has even been seen that Riolu can sense and react to Aura before they even hatch. The aura emitting from Riolu's body grows even stronger when it is frightened or sad.

Like most Fighting-type Pokémon, Riolu naturally has superhuman strength, stamina, and endurance. It is capable of making long journeys on foot in a short amount of time. It is a playful, energetic, and loyal Pokémon. It is also known to be tough and hard working. Riolu will read the minds of humans to assure whether or not they are pure of heart. As mentioned in the Sleep Style Dex, Riolu tends to sleep in a unsual position. This position is sitting up while not lying down, similar to Lucario. It is believed that Riolu is pushing itself hard and dreaming of the day it evolves into Lucario.

Evolution

Riolu evolves into Lucario.

(For specifics on this Pokémon's Evolution in the games, refer to Game data→Evolution data.)

Unevolved Riolu  Fighting

→

First Evolution Lucario  Fighting  Steel

Pokédex entries

Riolu in the Alola Pokédex	Riolu in the Paldea Pokédex	Riolu in the Kitakami Pokédex

Game locations

In side games

Riolu will not appear in Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Darkness until a rescue mission involving it has been completed, using a Wonder Mail code such as the following:

9@CP 15N4 FH&5

-0%Y +91@ #PCK

Objective: Rescue Riolu on floor 6 of Crystal Cave.

In events

In-game events

Wild Area News

Held items

Games		Held items
Legends: Arceus		Normal Iron Chunk (30%) Ball of Mud (15%) Grit items by level Alpha Exp. Candy S (100%) Seed of Mastery (10%) Grit items by level

Stats

Base stats

Pokéathlon stats

Type effectiveness

Learnset

By leveling up

By TM

Generation IX Other generations: IV - V - VI - VII - VIII

TM   Move   Type   Cat.   Pwr.   Acc.   PP  TM001 TM001 Take Down Normal Physical 09090 085}}85% 20 TM004 TM004 Agility Psychic Status 0000— 00—}}—% 30 TM007 TM007 Protect Normal Status 0000— 00—}}—% 10 TM012 TM012 Low Kick Fighting Physical 0000— 100}}100% 20 TM020 TM020 Trailblaze Grass Physical 05050 100}}100% 20 TM025 TM025 Facade Normal Physical 07070 100}}100% 20 TM027 TM027 Aerial Ace Flying Physical 06060 00—}}—% 20 TM028 TM028 Bulldoze Ground Physical 06060 100}}100% 20 TM031 TM031 Metal Claw Steel Physical 05050 095}}95% 35 TM032 TM032 Swift Normal Special 06060 00—}}—% 20 TM036 TM036 Rock Tomb Rock Physical 06060 095}}95% 15 TM039 TM039 Low Sweep Fighting Physical 06565 100}}100% 20 TM043 TM043 Fling Dark Physical 0000— 100}}100% 10 TM047 TM047 Endure Normal Status 0000— 00—}}—% 10 TM049 TM049 Sunny Day Fire Status 0000— 00—}}—% 5 TM050 TM050 Rain Dance Water Status 0000— 00—}}—% 5 TM055 TM055 Dig Ground Physical 08080 100}}100% 10 TM058 TM058 Brick Break Fighting Physical 07575 100}}100% 15 TM059 TM059 Zen Headbutt Psychic Physical 08080 090}}90% 15 TM061 TM061 Shadow Claw Ghost Physical 07070 100}}100% 15 TM064 TM064 Bulk Up Fighting Status 0000— 00—}}—% 20 TM068 TM068 Thunder Punch Electric Physical 07575 100}}100% 15 TM069 TM069 Ice Punch Ice Physical 07575 100}}100% 15 TM070 TM070 Sleep Talk Normal Status 0000— 00—}}—% 10 TM073 TM073 Drain Punch Fighting Physical 07575 100}}100% 10 TM083 TM083 Poison Jab Poison Physical 08080 100}}100% 20 TM085 TM085 Rest Psychic Status 0000— 00—}}—% 5 TM086 TM086 Rock Slide Rock Physical 07575 090}}90% 10 TM088 TM088 Swords Dance Normal Status 0000— 00—}}—% 20 TM103 TM103 Substitute Normal Status 0000— 00—}}—% 10 TM108 TM108 Crunch Dark Physical 08080 100}}100% 15 TM130 TM130 Helping Hand Normal Status 0000— 00—}}—% 20 TM134 TM134 Reversal Fighting Physical 0000— 100}}100% 15 TM140 TM140 Nasty Plot Dark Status 0000— 00—}}—% 20 TM149 TM149 Earthquake Ground Physical 100100 100}}100% 10 TM158 TM158 Focus Blast Fighting Special 120120 070}}70% 5 TM167 TM167 Close Combat Fighting Physical 120120 100}}100% 5 TM171 TM171 Tera Blast Normal Special 08080 100}}100% 10 TM184 TM184 Vacuum Wave Fighting Special 04040 100}}100% 30 TM192 TM192 Focus Punch Fighting Physical 150150 100}}100% 20 TM203 TM203 Psych Up Normal Status 0000— 00—}}—% 10 TM213 TM213 Coaching Fighting Status 0000— 00—}}—% 10 TM229 TM229 Upper Hand Fighting Physical 06565 100}}100% 15

Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Riolu Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution or an alternate form of Riolu Click on the generation numbers at the top to see TM moves from other generations

By breeding

Generation IX Other generations: IV - V - VI - VII - VIII

Parent   Move   Type   Cat.   Pwr.   Acc.   PP  Bite Dark Physical 60 100% 25 Bullet Punch Steel Physical 40 100% 30 * Circle Throw Fighting Physical 60 90% 10 Cross Chop Fighting Physical 100 80% 5 Detect Fighting Status — —% 5 High Jump Kick Fighting Physical 130 90% 10 Howl Normal Status — —% 40

Moves marked with an asterisk (*) must be chain bred onto Riolu Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Riolu Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Riolu Click on the generation numbers at the top to see Egg moves from other generations

Side game data

Pokémon Mystery Dungeon Explorers of Time, Explorers of Darkness, and Explorers of Sky Body size: 1 Recruit rate: 8.2% IQ group: C
Pokémon Super Mystery Dungeon Body size: Standard (1 tile) How to Recruit: Talk to in Serene Village Connected to: Hawlucha Connection Orb Set: 7 Phrases Normal Feel and follow aura when lost. Low HP (< 50%) I could drop unconscious at any time... Phrases if the hero Normal (All right! I'll give it my all!) Low HP (< 50%) (This is hard…but I need to hang in there!) Phrases if the partner Normal Let's give it our all! Low HP (< 50%) I'm OK… I can take it a little more…
Pokémon Ranger: Shadows of Almia Group: Fighting Poké Assist: Fighting Field move: (Crush ×1) Browser entry R-222 It leaps around quickly while throwing punches to attack.
Pokémon Ranger: Guardian Signs Group: Fighting Poké Assist: (present) Fighting Field move: (present) (Crush ×2) Poké Assist: (past) Fighting Field move: (past) (Crush ×1) Browser entry R-264/N-178 It attacks with punches.
Pokémon Rumble Attack ●● Defense ● Speed ●●●			Pokémon Rumble Blast Attack ●● Defense ● Speed ●●●
Pokémon Rumble Rush Walking Speed: 2.18 seconds Base HP: 45 Base Attack: 68 Base Defense: 45 Base Speed: 60
PokéPark Wii: Pikachu's Adventure PokéPark Pad entry: Riolu came to the Haunted Zone to explore. He can't resist the fun of playing Tangrowth's Swing-Along. Absol's Hurdle Bounce is another favorite.
Pokémon Conquest HP: ★ Move: Force Palm Attack: ★★ Ability 1: Inner Focus Ability 2: Parry Ability 3: Sprint Defense: ★ Speed: ★★ Evolves into Lucario when it has a link of 50% or higher Range: 3 Perfect Links: Nagayoshi and Ranmaru
Pokémon Battle Trozei Fighting Attack Power: ★★★★★			Pokémon Shuffle Fighting Attack Power: 40 - 125 20 #077 Heavy Hitter Sometimes increases damage. Swappable Skill(s): Mega Boost+
Pokémon GO Base HP: 120 Base Attack: 127 Base Defense: 78 Egg Distance: 10 km Buddy Distance: 5 km Evolution Requirement: 50 Fast Attacks: Counter, Quick Attack Charged Attacks: Brick Break, Low Sweep, Cross Chop, Blaze Kick*, Thunder Punch*
Pokémon Sleep Sleep type: Slumbering Pokémon type: Fighting Points to befriend: 5 Specialty: Skills Berry: Cheri Berry ×1 Primary ingredient: Pure Oil ×1 Possible ingredients: Pure Oil Soft Potato Fancy Egg Main skill: Dream Shard Magnet S Base carry limit: 9 Obtain 240 Dream Shards. Evolution requirements: Lucario Candy ×80, 150 hrs of sleep logged with Riolu, Daytime Riolu is said to be tough and hard-working. The unusual position it takes when it sleeps sitting up—without even lying down—is just how Lucario does it. Perhaps Riolu is pushing itself hard, dreaming of the day it will evolve. Knee-Hugging Sleep Mid-Training Sleep Knee-Up Sleep Atop-Belly Sleep ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★

Evolution data

Baby form Riolu  Fighting

Breed ← + + Level up with high friendship during the day →

First Evolution Lucario  Fighting  Steel

Sprites

This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation IV.
Generation IV Diamond Pearl Platinum HeartGold SoulSilver Front Back Front Back Front Back
Generation V Black White Black 2 White 2 Front Back Front Back
Generation VI X Y Omega Ruby Alpha Sapphire Front Back Front Back
Generation VII Sun Moon Ultra Sun Ultra Moon Front Back Front Back
Generation VIII Sword Shield Legends: Arceus
Cross-Generation HOME

For other sprites and images, please see Riolu images on the Bulbagarden Archives.

Riolu in Pokémon Journeys: The Series

A Riolu Egg in Pokémon Journeys: The Series

Major appearances

Aura Sphere Riolu

Riolu debuted in Pokémon Ranger and the Kidnapped Riolu! Part 1 and Part 2. It had been trained to use Aura Sphere and was unnaturally strong. It was taken away from the lab by J's henchmen that wanted to exploit it but Ash and his friends returned it to its kingdom, with Kellyn's help. In the process, Riolu developed a strong bond with Ash.

Cameron's Riolu

A Riolu appeared in Goodbye, Junior Cup - Hello Adventure!, under the ownership of Cameron. It evolved into a Lucario during Cameron's Vertress Conference battle against Ash in Cameron's Secret Weapon!. It tends to walk outside of its Poké Ball.

Korrina's Riolu

Korrina's Riolu, currently a Lucario, appeared in a flashback in Mega Revelations!.

Ash's Riolu

Ash obtained a Riolu Egg in Caring for a Mystery!. It hatched later in the episode and joined his team soon afterwards. In Sword and Shield... The Legends Awaken!, it evolved into Lucario during a battle against Chairman Rose.

Minor appearances

A Riolu appeared in the boss fantasy of A Lean Mean Team Rocket Machine!.

In Meloetta's Moonlight Serenade, a Riolu watched Meloetta's concert.

Two Trainers' Riolu appeared in Alola to New Adventure!, with one appearing in a flashback.

Two Trainers' Riolu appeared in A Shocking Grocery Run!.

A Trainer's Riolu appeared in That's Why the Litten is a Scamp!.

In Racing to a Big Event!, a Trainer's Riolu competed in the Pokémon Pancake Race.

A Trainer's Riolu appeared in Crystal-Clear Sleuthing!.

A Trainer's Riolu appeared in One Journey Ends, Another Begins....

A Trainer's Riolu appeared in Getting the Band Back Together!.

A Trainer's Riolu appeared in A Glaring Rivalry!.

A Trainer's Riolu appeared in Sours for the Sweet!.

In I Choose Paradise!, two Trainers' Riolu were at the Pokémon Paradise Resort.

In Securing the Future!, two Trainers' Riolu joined the rest of Alola in showering Necrozma with light so it could return to its true form.

A Trainer's Riolu appeared in Turning the Other Mask!.

A Riolu appeared in HZ057, under the ownership of a student.

Pokédex entries

Riolu in Pokémon Adventures

A Riolu Egg in Pokémon Adventures

Phantom Thief Pokémon 7

Main article: Hiori's Riolu

In Phantom Thief Pokémon 7, Hiori's Lucario used to be a Riolu during Hiori and Lily's childhoods.

Pokémon Journeys

Main article: Ash's Riolu

In Caring for a Mystery!, Ash's Riolu hatched from an Egg like in the animated series.

Pocket Monsters B2 W2 ~ A New Legend ~

A Riolu appeared in ANL3, under the ownership of Arata.

Pocket Monsters Diamond & Pearl

A Riolu appeared in a flashback in PDP20.

Pokémon Adventures

Diamond & Pearl arc

In Magnificent Meditite & Really Riolu I, Maylene owns a Riolu. He was seen using Drain Punch against Pearl's Monferno, Chimler, who Platinum borrowed in order to fight her. However, in the end, he lost to a well-placed Mach Punch that the girl had perfected by watching slot machines.

In Vexing Vespiquen & Unmanageable Mothim II, Diamond helped protect a Riolu Egg from two Galactic-hired thugs. After they were defeated, it hatched and decided to stay with Riley.

Platinum arc

A Trainer's Riolu appeared in Tackling Togekiss.

Black 2 & White 2 arc

A student's Riolu appeared in Movie Panic.

X & Y arc

Korrina's Lucario appeared as a Riolu in a flashback in Connecting with Gardevoir.

Pokémon Diamond and Pearl Adventure!

Hareta gained a Riolu Egg in Serious Training on Iron Island!!, which hatched into a Riolu later on. It has since evolved into a Lucario.

Main article: Riolu (TCG)

Super Smash Bros. Brawl

Riolu appears as a trophy.

Trophy information

"An Emanation Pokémon. It constantly emits Aura energy. When it's frightened or sad, this energy grows stronger and informs its companions of its situation. It's known for its very flexible yet surpassingly powerful body. Thanks to its strength, it can crest three mountains and cross two canyons in a single night. When it levels up, it evolves into Lucario."

• Due to Riolu's combination of Abilities, Steadfast can only activate in Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time and Explorers of Darkness and Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Sky if Riolu becomes cross-eyed, or is made to cringe by a foe that has Mold Breaker.
• In the Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers games, Riolu is the only possible hero Pokémon that cannot be recruited in another Explorers game without using Wonder Mail. Riolu is one of the possible hero Pokémon in Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Sky, but is unavailable to be recruited in Explorers of Darkness due to being exclusive to Explorers of Time in the first pair of games.
• Riolu is the only baby Pokémon that evolves into a Pokémon capable of Mega Evolution.

Origin

Riolu appears to be based on the Egyptian god Anubis, who has the head of an African golden wolf. It may also be based on a raccoon or tanuki, due to the mask-like markings on its face and its small pointed ears.

Name origin

Riolu is a partial anagram of Lucario, with the ca omitted.

• Ash's Riolu
• Aura Sphere Riolu
• Korrina's Riolu
• Cameron's Riolu
• Hiori's Riolu
• Partner Pokémon (Mystery Dungeon)
• Baby Pokémon