Stats & Training
Riolu's spread isn't flashy. Attack leads, Sp. Atk trails, 0 stats clear the bar. Moderately hard to find and worth 1 Attack EV, on a 1.06M XP medium-slow curve.
The aura that emanates from its body intensifies to alert others if it is afraid or sad.
Its body is lithe yet powerful. It can crest three mountains and cross two canyons in one night.
Riolu Weakness
Riolu's Fighting typing leaves it vulnerable to Flying, Psychic, and Fairy. 3 weaknesses is about average, nothing too hard to play around.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Flying, Psychic, Fairy |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Bug, Rock, Dark |
In Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl, Salamence's Earthquake hits Riolu for 45-53%. Alakazam's Psyshock also KOs at 182-214%.
 Salamence Dragon | S | |
Recommended Build AbilityIntimidate ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Riolu View Salamence builds →Earthquake45-53% | ||
 Skarmory Steel | B | |
Recommended Build AbilitySturdy ItemRocky Helmet NatureImpish Moves View Skarmory builds →
| ||
 Alakazam Psychic | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityMagic Guard ItemFocus Sash NatureModest Moves
Damage vs Riolu View Alakazam builds →Dazzling Gleam 2x121-143%KO Psyshock 2x182-214%KO Focus Blast90-107%KO | ||
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl Evolution
Riolu is the baby form here. It evolves into Lucario by leveling up, but you can't breed it directly. Hatch one by breeding the evolved forms instead. The evolved forms gain up to 240 total stats over Riolu. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl Riolu Best Moveset
Still unevolved, still relevant. Riolu's Eviolite bulk with max Defense and Speed EVs creates a defensive profile that punches above its stage. Prankster adds passive value.
Best Build
Riolu best EVs are Defense and Speed
Bulky Support Moveset
- Unknown
- Copycat
- Roar
Recommended Teammates
Moves
The natural movepool does the job, but Agility and Bite from the egg pool give Riolu something extra. Pair those with Focus Punch and High Jump Kick for STAB and coverage across 8 types for reach, and the kit fills out nicely.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
How to Get Riolu in Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl
No wild encounters for Riolu in Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl. It's available in Diamond, Platinum, or Scarlet and can be transferred over. The details below show where to find it.
Riolu is not available as a wild encounter in this game.
Catch in the wild in:
Then trade to Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl.
Also found in:
Riolu Guide
Get Riolu to Lucario by leveling up. At 285 BST, Riolu is just the starting point.
You can find Riolu in Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl. The Locations section has the full breakdown of routes and encounter details. It also appears in 13 other games across the series.
Yes, Riolu is in Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl. It shows up in 14 games across the series.
In Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl, Riolu does the job early-game if you need a Fighting type on your team. Evolve it into Lucario before the later gyms and it holds up fine through the story.
Game Availability
Riolu first appeared in Diamond & Pearl and has been available in 14 games across 7 generations. Obtainable through catching or hatching as a base form in most titles where it appears.
Click a game to view version-specific details
- Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 1RB
Red & Blue - Gen 2GS
Gold & Silver - Gen 2C
Crystal - Gen 3RS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen 3FRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen 3E
Emerald - Gen 4Pt
Platinum - Gen 4HGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen 4DPDebut
Diamond & Pearl - Gen 5BW
Black & White - Gen 5B2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen 6XY
X & Y - Gen 6ORAS
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen 7USUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen 7SM
Sun & Moon - Gen 7LGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen 8SwSh
Sword & Shield - Gen 8PLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen 8BDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen 9SV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen 9LZA
Legends: Z-A - Gen 10WW
Winds & Waves