Are you wondering how to catch Riolu and how to make it evolve? It is a very rare Pokémon and therefore very difficult to encounter if you don't know where to look for it. The method to use varies depending on the Pokémon video game you are playing. By evolving Riolu you will get Lucario, one of the most effective "Fighting" type Pokémon in the game.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Finding Riolu
Riolu can be found in different ways, depending on the version of the video game you are playing:
- Pokémon X and Y
- Pokémon Black 2 & White 2
- Pokémon Black & White
- Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver
Pokémon X and Y
Step 1. Capture Riolu on "Route 22"
Walk through tall grass and yellow flowers along "Route 22" for a better chance of encountering a Riolu at level 6 or 7. Remember that Riolu is a very rare Pokémon, so encountering one may take some time.
Step 2. Find a specimen of Riolu in the "Safari Friends"
If you have already beaten the "Elite Four", you will have access to the "Friends Safari" of "Batikopoli".
- You will need to enter a "Friend Code" that gives you access to the "Fight" type "Safari Friends" area.
- The person who gave you the "Friend Code" must have already finished the entire game for Riolu to be available.
- The chances of a Riolu being offered to you as the third member of the group of Pokémon that you can encounter in the "Fighting" Safari are 25%.
- When you get the "Keystone", Ornella will give you her copy of Lucario.
Pokémon Black 2 and White 2
Step 1. Reach the "Fattoria di Venturia"
The farm will be accessible at the start of the game and is located north of "Route 20".
Step 2. Find Riolu
You can meet a specimen of Riolu while walking in the tall grass. The chances of encountering a Riolu specimen are 5%. The Pokémon you meet will have a level between 5 and 7.
Pokémon Black and White
Step 1. Defeat the "Elite Four" and "Team Plasma"
The only way to get a Riolu specimen while playing Pokémon Black and White is to complete the game by becoming the champion.
Step 2. Reach the "Ascended Cave"
The cave entrance is located along "Route 9". Remember that you will not be able to enter until you have defeated the "Elite Four" and "Team Plasma". When you have fulfilled all the requirements, the person blocking the entrance to the cave will let you through.
The inside of the cave is dark, so you will need to use the "Flash" move to move inside and the "Surf" move to be able to cross the underground river that flows inside
Step 3. Find Riolu
You can encounter a Riolu specimen on the first or second level of the cave. Chances of encountering Riolu are 5% and he will have a level between 49 or 50.
Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver
Step 1. Go to Johto's "Safari Zone"
In order to have access to the "Safari Zone" you will have to complete the missions related to the "Olivine City Lighthouse". After completing this part, Baoba will call you and tell you that the "Safari Zone" is open.
Step 2. Find a Geodude to complete the first "Safari Zone" challenge
Baoba will ask you to catch a Geodude so that you can learn the operation and purpose of the "Safari Zone". You can find a Geodude in the "Rocks" area of the "Safari Zone" which by default is always the first area you encounter upon entering the "Safari Zone".
Step 3. Find a Sandshrew to complete the second "Safari Zone" challenge
Three hours after completing the first challenge you will be contacted again by Baoba who will ask you to get him a Sandshrew. In order to fulfill this request you will need to add the "Desert" area to the "Safari Zone". Use the in-game tool to customize the "Safari Zone".
Step 4. Defeat the "Elite Four"
In order to find a specimen of Riolu you must have the "National Pokedex". You can get it by winning the "Johto Pokémon League" before taking the motor ship to reach the Kanto region.
Step 5. Customize the areas of the "Safari Zone"
After you have completed the previous steps, you will be contacted by Baoba who will give you the ability to add new sections to each area of the "Safari Zone". Riolu is present in the "Plains" area of the "Safari Zone", so focus on customizing this area.
Riolu is attracted to the Rock-type blocks ("Minisasso", "Roccione" and "Rupemuschio") and the Bosco-type blocks ("Albero", "Ceppo" and "Fronda")
Step 6. Continue adding new blocks
You will need to add 42 Rock-type and 28 Wood-type blocks. Each area can hold a maximum of 30 blocks, so you will have to wait a certain amount of time for the blocks you have placed to grow automatically.
The blocks present in the "Safari Zone" will be updated automatically every 10 days. For example, Grass-type blocks will double after 10 days. After 20 days the Wood type blocks will double. After 30 days the Rock-type blocks will double. After 40 days the Water-type blocks will double. After 50 days, Grass-type blocks will triple. The cycle continues until all blocks have quadrupled
Step 7. Find and capture Riolu
When you have placed enough blocks and the time it takes for them to multiply automatically, walk in the tall grass of the "Plains" area of the "Safari Zone" to try to meet a specimen of Riolu. In any case, the chances of being able to meet and capture Riolu remain very low. The wild specimens of Riolu that you can encounter in the "Safari Zone" will be at level 45-46.
Pokémon Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum
Step 1. Reach the Iron Island
First you have to go to the city of "Canalave City", after entering the city head north, then cross the bridge located on the left side. After crossing the bridge, you may need to fight some trainers you will meet if you haven't already. After the bridge, head south until you see boats parked in the harbor.
Talk to the sailor you will find at the port, he will help you to reach the Iron Island with his boat
Step 2. Enter the Iron Isle cave
You will find yourself in front of two flights of stairs, take the one on the right side to have access to an elevator that will take you to the basement. At this point you will again encounter two flights of stairs. In this case, take the one located on the left side to meet Marisio.
Step 3. Search the rest of the cave and battle any rivals you meet
After you join Marisio you will have to continue exploring the rest of the cave with him until you meet the "Galaxy Recruits". Defeat the "Galaxy Recruits" and Marisio will leave you alone. As a farewell gift, Marisio will give you a Riolu egg.
If you don't have room to put Riolu's egg in your Pokémon team, you can leave it at this point in the game world. You will find it intact waiting for you when you return after eliminating one of the Pokémon already present from your squad
Step 4. Hatch the Riolu egg
Keep it on your Pokémon team to make it hatch. The eggs hatch after walking a certain number of steps in the game. Each egg is set to hatch after a set number of "Egg Cycles" and each cycle is completed every 256 steps. When there are fewer than 5 cycles left until an egg hatches, a message similar to the following will appear on the "Status" screen: "Noises are heard. It is about to hatch!".
After the egg hatches, you will have a Riolu at level 1
Part 2 of 2: Evolving Riolu
Step 1. Raise Riolu's "Affection" level
This aspect is also related to the level of "Friendship". You can take various actions to raise Riolu's "Affection" level. For Riolu's "Affection" and "Friendship" level to evolve, it must be at least 220.
- Capture Riolu with a "Chic Ball". This method only works in the case of a wild Riolu. By using a "Chic Ball" you will get extra points every time the "Affection" level increases.
- Give Riolu a "Calmanella". This tool allows you to further increase the level of "Friendship".
- Walk 256 steps within the game. Every 256 steps the "Friendship" level will go up by 1 point. In this case Riolu must be part of your Pokémon team.
- Get a massage at the "Associazione Fiocchi". In this way your "Affection" level will benefit greatly.
- Use vitamins and berries. Below you will find the list of those you can use: "Baccagrana", "Baccalga", "Baccaloquat", "Baccamelon", "Baccauva" and "Baccamodoro".
- Avoid tiring Riolu and using "Polvocura". In both cases the "Friendship" level will decrease.
Step 2. Use Riolu only during the day
Perform all actions designed to raise Riolu's "Affection" and "Friendship" level only during the day. Also make sure you only use Riolu in combat during daylight hours.
Riolu can only evolve during daylight hours
Step 3. Increase the level of Riolu
After Riolu's "Friendship" level reaches or exceeds 220, it should automatically evolve the next time it levels up. To check the "Friendship" level you can use the "Friendship Check" found in Pokémon Diamond, Pearl and Platinum. This tool should indicate two large hearts. Riolu will evolve into Lucario.
