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.
It has the peculiar power of being able to see emotions such as joy and rage in the form of waves.
It has the peculiar power of being able to see emotions such as joy and rage in the form of waves.
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)
 Musharna Psychic | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Riolu View Musharna builds →Dream Eater 2x187-223%KO Psybeam 2x123-146%KO | ||
 Farfetch'd Normal | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Riolu View Farfetch'd builds →Aerial Ace 2x103-123%KO Peck 2x64-77% | ||
 Aerodactyl Rock | C | |
Obtain MethodNacrene City Gift | ||
Musharna Psychic | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Riolu View Musharna builds →Dream Eater 2x206-242%KO Psybeam 2x137-162%KO | ||
 Archen Rock | C | |
Obtain MethodNacrene City Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Riolu View Archen builds →Wing Attack 2x127-150%KO Pluck 2x127-150%KO | ||
Farfetch'd Normal | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Riolu View Farfetch'd builds →Aerial Ace 2x108-127%KO Peck 2x67-81% | ||
 Woobat Psychic | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Riolu View Woobat builds →Dream Eater 2x127-150%KO Heart Stamp 2x67-81% Confusion 2x67-81% Gust 2x54-63% | ||
Aerodactyl Rock | C | |
Obtain MethodNacrene City Gift | ||
Musharna Psychic | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Riolu View Musharna builds →Dream Eater 2x202-238%KO Psybeam 2x136-160%KO | ||
Archen Rock | C | |
Obtain MethodNacrene City Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Riolu View Archen builds →Wing Attack 2x126-150%KO Pluck 2x126-150%KO | ||
Farfetch'd Normal | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Riolu View Farfetch'd builds →Aerial Ace 2x109-129%KO Air Cutter 2x78-93% Peck 2x66-78% | ||
 Tranquill Normal | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Riolu View Tranquill builds →Air Cutter 2x74-88% Gust 2x52-62% | ||
Aerodactyl Rock | C | |
Obtain MethodNacrene City Gift | ||
 Sigilyph Psychic | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Riolu View Sigilyph builds →Dream Eater 2x192-227%KO Psybeam 2x127-150%KO Air Cutter 2x115-136%KO Gust 2x80-95% | ||
Musharna Psychic | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Riolu View Musharna builds →Dream Eater 2x200-236%KO Psybeam 2x130-155%KO | ||
Archen Rock | C | |
Obtain MethodNacrene City Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Riolu View Archen builds →Wing Attack 2x123-145%KO Pluck 2x123-145%KO | ||
Farfetch'd Normal | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Riolu View Farfetch'd builds →Aerial Ace 2x103-123%KO Air Cutter 2x77-91% Peck 2x65-77% | ||
Aerodactyl Rock | C | |
Obtain MethodNacrene City Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Riolu View Aerodactyl builds →Fly 2x180-212%KO Wing Attack 2x121-144%KO | ||
Sigilyph Psychic | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Riolu View Sigilyph builds →Synchronoise 2x233-276%KO Dream Eater 2x196-232%KO Fly 2x115-136%KO Psybeam 2x128-152%KO | ||
Musharna Psychic | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Riolu View Musharna builds →Dream Eater 2x200-236%KO Psybeam 2x132-156%KO | ||
 Emolga Electric | C | |
Archen Rock | C | |
Obtain MethodNacrene City Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Riolu View Archen builds →Wing Attack 2x128-152%KO Pluck 2x128-152%KO Acrobatics 2x119-140%KO | ||
Aerodactyl Rock | C | |
Obtain MethodNacrene City Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Riolu View Aerodactyl builds →Fly 2x187-220%KO Wing Attack 2x125-148%KO Sky Drop 2x125-148%KO Aerial Ace 2x125-148%KO | ||
Sigilyph Psychic | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Riolu View Sigilyph builds →Synchronoise 2x242-286%KO Dream Eater 2x202-239%KO Fly 2x119-141%KO Psybeam 2x135-159%KO | ||
 Unfezant Normal | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Riolu View Unfezant builds →Fly 2x202-239%KO Air Slash 2x110-130%KO Air Cutter 2x88-105%KO Aerial Ace 2x135-159%KO | ||
Musharna Psychic | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Riolu View Musharna builds →Dream Eater 2x208-246%KO Psybeam 2x137-163%KO | ||
Emolga Electric | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Riolu View Emolga builds →Aerial Ace 2x98-116%KO Acrobatics 2x88-105%KO | ||
Aerodactyl Rock | C | |
Obtain MethodNacrene City Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Riolu View Aerodactyl builds →Fly 2x177-209%KO Wing Attack 2x118-140%KO Sky Drop 2x118-140%KO Aerial Ace 2x118-140%KO | ||
Sigilyph Psychic | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Riolu View Sigilyph builds →Synchronoise 2x233-274%KO Dream Eater 2x193-228%KO Fly 2x113-134%KO Psybeam 2x127-150%KO | ||
Unfezant Normal | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Riolu View Unfezant builds →Fly 2x190-225%KO Air Slash 2x102-121%KO Air Cutter 2x83-98% Aerial Ace 2x129-153%KO | ||
Musharna Psychic | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Riolu View Musharna builds →Dream Eater 2x199-235%KO Psybeam 2x133-157%KO | ||
Emolga Electric | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Riolu View Emolga builds →Aerial Ace 2x91-108%KO Acrobatics 2x86-101%KO | ||
 Reuniclus Psychic | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Riolu View Reuniclus builds →Future Sight 2x283-333%KO Dream Eater 2x237-279%KO Psychic 2x214-252%KO Psyshock 2x191-225%KO | ||
Aerodactyl Rock | C | |
Obtain MethodNacrene City Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Riolu View Aerodactyl builds →Fly 2x186-219%KO Wing Attack 2x124-147%KO Sky Drop 2x124-147%KO Aerial Ace 2x124-147%KO | ||
Sigilyph Psychic | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Riolu View Sigilyph builds →Synchronoise 2x239-282%KO Dream Eater 2x201-237%KO Fly 2x117-138%KO Air Slash 2x153-180%KO | ||
 Gothitelle Psychic | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Riolu View Gothitelle builds →Future Sight 2x226-267%KO Dream Eater 2x191-225%KO Psychic 2x170-201%KO Psyshock 2x153-180%KO | ||
Unfezant Normal | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Riolu View Unfezant builds →Fly 2x198-234%KO Air Slash 2x107-126%KO Air Cutter 2x86-102%KO Aerial Ace 2x135-159%KO | ||
In Black & White, Dragonite can KO Riolu with Outrage (158-186%). Alakazam's Psychic also KOs at 217-256%.
 Dragonite Dragon | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityMultiscale ItemLum Berry NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Riolu View Dragonite builds →Extreme Speed70-83% Outrage158-186%KO | ||
 Jirachi SteelPsychic | A | |
Recommended Build AbilitySerenegrace ItemLeftovers NatureCareful Moves
Damage vs Riolu View Jirachi builds →U Turn18-21% | ||
 Alakazam Psychic | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityMagic Guard ItemFocus Sash NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Riolu View Alakazam builds →Focus Blast96-113%KO Psychic 2x217-256%KO Shadow Ball64-76% | ||
 Salamence Dragon | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityMoxie ItemChoice Scarf NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Riolu View Salamence builds →Earthquake80-95% Outrage144-170%KO | ||
Black & White 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
Black & White Riolu Best Moveset
One guaranteed turn is all Riolu needs. Focus Sash buys it, max HP and Speed EVs make it count, and Prankster adds something extra. The goal: deal early damage and deal damage with Copycat. Utility options gives it play beyond just the lead turn.
Best Build
Riolu best EVs are HP and Speed
Bulky Support Moveset
- Copycat
- Roar
- Unknown
- Protect
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 9 types for reach, and the kit fills out nicely.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Transfer Moves
Black & White Riolu Locations
moderate rates is the best you'll get on Riolu in endgame routes. Use the sort toggle below. Best shows where the odds peak, Earliest shows where you can access it soonest in your playthrough.
Best Locations to Catch Riolu in Black & White
Before you go hunting for Riolu, check which of the 4 spots belong to your version. Black and White each have different walking encounters at Lv. 49-50.
Riolu Guide
Get Riolu to Lucario by leveling up. At 285 BST, Riolu is just the starting point.
You can find Riolu in Black & White. 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 Black & White. It shows up in 14 games across the series.
In Black & White, 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