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.
They communicate with one another using their auras. They are able to run all through the night.
They communicate with one another using their auras. They are able to run all through the night.
Riolu Weakness
Riolu's Fighting typing leaves it vulnerable to Flying and Psychic. Its Fighting typing keeps the defensive matchups simple. Only 2 weaknesses makes it relatively easy to build around defensively.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Flying, Psychic |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Bug, Rock, Dark |
- Fairy type does not exist — Dragon has fewer checks
- Physical / Special split now per-move (introduced Gen IV)
In HeartGold & SoulSilver, Gliscor can KO Riolu with Earthquake (95-113%). Alakazam's Psychic also KOs at 279-329%.
 Gliscor Ground | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityHypercutter ItemLeftovers NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Riolu View Gliscor builds →Earthquake95-113%KO Ice Fang41-49% | ||
 Celebi PsychicGrass | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityNatural Cure ItemLeftovers NatureBold Moves View Celebi builds →
| ||
 Alakazam Psychic | B | |
Recommended Build AbilitySynchronize ItemFocus Sash NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Riolu View Alakazam builds →Psychic 2x279-329%KO Focus Blast124-146%KO Shadow Ball82-97% | ||
 Salamence Dragon | C | |
Flying is super effective against RioluView Salamence → | ||
HeartGold & SoulSilver 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
HeartGold & SoulSilver Riolu Best Moveset
Best Build
No build content available for this Pokemon in Gen 4.
Try selecting a different game/generation filter, or check back later.
Moves
Breadth over depth defines this movepool. Riolu won't stack one type's damage ceiling, but coverage across 12 types means it always has an effective option. Focus Punch and High Jump Kick anchor the STAB core.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
How to Get Riolu in HeartGold & SoulSilver
No wild encounters for Riolu in HeartGold & SoulSilver. 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.
Receive as a gift in:
Then trade to HeartGold & SoulSilver.
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 HeartGold & SoulSilver. 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 HeartGold & SoulSilver. It shows up in 14 games across the series.
In HeartGold & SoulSilver, 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