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’s exceedingly energetic, with enough stamina to keep running all through the night. Taking it for walks can be a challenging experience.
It can use waves called auras to gauge how others are feeling. These same waves can also tell this Pokémon about the state of the environment.
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 |
 Orbeetle BugPsychic | A | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Riolu View Orbeetle builds →Psycho Cut 2x83-98% Psybeam 2x108-127%KO Confusion 2x83-98% | ||
 Corviknight Steel | A | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Riolu View Corviknight builds →Pluck 2x108-127%KO Peck 2x63-75% | ||
 Drifloon Ghost | D | |
 Woobat Psychic | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Riolu View Woobat builds →Psycho Cut 2x83-98% Air Cutter 2x77-92% Confusion 2x67-81% Gust 2x54-63% | ||
 Natu Psychic | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Riolu View Natu builds →Peck 2x48-58% Stored Power 2x33-40% | ||
Orbeetle BugPsychic | A | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Riolu View Orbeetle builds →Psycho Cut 2x75-90% Psybeam 2x105-125%KO Confusion 2x80-95% | ||
Corviknight Steel | A | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Riolu View Corviknight builds →Pluck 2x102-120%KO Peck 2x63-75% | ||
 Butterfree Bug | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Riolu View Butterfree builds →Air Slash 2x132-155%KO Psybeam 2x75-90% Confusion 2x58-70% Gust 2x72-85% | ||
Drifloon Ghost | D | |
 Farfetch'd Normal | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Riolu View Farfetch'd builds →Aerial Ace 2x105-125%KO Peck 2x63-75% | ||
Orbeetle BugPsychic | A | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Riolu View Orbeetle builds →Psycho Cut 2x77-91% Psybeam 2x103-123%KO Confusion 2x80-95% | ||
Corviknight Steel | A | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Riolu View Corviknight builds →Pluck 2x103-123%KO Peck 2x61-73% | ||
 Noctowl Normal | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Riolu View Noctowl builds →Sky Attack 2x158-186%KO Extrasensory 2x89-106%KO Air Slash 2x127-150%KO Confusion 2x56-67% | ||
Butterfree Bug | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Riolu View Butterfree builds →Air Slash 2x130-155%KO Psybeam 2x74-88% Confusion 2x59-70% Gust 2x73-86% | ||
Drifloon Ghost | D | |
Orbeetle BugPsychic | A | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Riolu View Orbeetle builds →Psychic 2x146-173%KO Psycho Cut 2x78-92% Psybeam 2x107-127%KO Confusion 2x84-99% | ||
Corviknight Steel | A | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Riolu View Corviknight builds →Fly 2x159-187%KO Drill Peck 2x140-166%KO Pluck 2x107-127%KO Peck 2x62-74% | ||
 Hawlucha Fighting | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Riolu View Hawlucha builds →Fly 2x165-194%KO Bounce 2x155-184%KO Wing Attack 2x111-131%KO Aerial Ace 2x111-131%KO | ||
 Sigilyph Psychic | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Riolu View Sigilyph builds →Fly 2x116-138%KO Air Slash 2x153-180%KO Psycho Cut 2x93-109%KO Psybeam 2x132-155%KO | ||
Drifloon Ghost | D | |
Orbeetle BugPsychic | A | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Riolu View Orbeetle builds →Psychic 2x147-173%KO Psycho Cut 2x76-90% Psybeam 2x107-127%KO Confusion 2x81-97% | ||
Corviknight Steel | A | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Riolu View Corviknight builds →Fly 2x156-183%KO Drill Peck 2x138-163%KO Pluck 2x104-123%KO Peck 2x62-73% | ||
 Mimikyu GhostFairy | B | |
Hawlucha Fighting | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Riolu View Hawlucha builds →Fly 2x161-190%KO Bounce 2x152-180%KO Wing Attack 2x110-130%KO Aerial Ace 2x110-130%KO | ||
Drifloon Ghost | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Riolu View Drifloon builds →Acrobatics 2x64-77% Gust 2x53-63% | ||
Orbeetle BugPsychic | A | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Riolu View Orbeetle builds →Psychic 2x145-171%KO Psycho Cut 2x74-89% Psybeam 2x106-126%KO Confusion 2x83-98% | ||
Mimikyu GhostFairy | B | |
 Drifblim Ghost | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Riolu View Drifblim builds →Fly 2x145-171%KO Acrobatics 2x91-107%KO Gust 2x72-86% | ||
 Claydol GroundPsychic | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Riolu View Claydol builds →Extrasensory 2x114-135%KO Psybeam 2x93-110%KO Confusion 2x72-86% | ||
 Bronzong SteelPsychic | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Riolu View Bronzong builds →Extrasensory 2x127-150%KO Confusion 2x81-95% | ||
Orbeetle BugPsychic | A | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Riolu View Orbeetle builds →Psychic 2x147-174%KO Psycho Cut 2x77-91% Psybeam 2x107-126%KO Confusion 2x82-97% | ||
Mimikyu GhostFairy | B | |
Drifblim Ghost | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Riolu View Drifblim builds →Fly 2x147-174%KO Acrobatics 2x92-109%KO Gust 2x72-85% | ||
Claydol GroundPsychic | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Riolu View Claydol builds →Extrasensory 2x117-138%KO Psybeam 2x97-115%KO Confusion 2x75-88% | ||
Bronzong SteelPsychic | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Riolu View Bronzong builds →Extrasensory 2x129-153%KO Confusion 2x82-97% | ||
Mimikyu GhostFairy | B | |
 Togekiss Fairy | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Riolu View Togekiss builds →Sky Attack 2x158-186%KO Fly 2x103-122%KO Air Slash 2x172-203%KO Draining Kiss 2x114-135%KO | ||
 Gardevoir PsychicFairy | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Riolu View Gardevoir builds →Moonblast 2x223-262%KO Psychic 2x211-249%KO Dazzling Gleam 2x188-222%KO Psybeam 2x153-181%KO | ||
Drifblim Ghost | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Riolu View Drifblim builds →Fly 2x147-173%KO Acrobatics 2x92-108%KO Gust 2x73-86% | ||
 Noivern Dragon | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Riolu View Noivern builds →Fly 2x132-157%KO Air Slash 2x144-170%KO Wing Attack 2x89-105%KO Air Cutter 2x117-138%KO | ||
In Sword & Shield, Salamence's Earthquake hits Riolu for 45-53%. Hatterene threatens a KO with Psychic (206-243%). Tapu Fini's Moonblast also KOs at 154-182%.
 Salamence Dragon | S | |
Recommended Build AbilityIntimidate ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Riolu View Salamence builds →Earthquake45-53% | ||
 Hatterene PsychicFairy | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityMagic Bounce ItemLeftovers NatureQuiet Moves
Damage vs Riolu View Hatterene builds →Dazzling Gleam 2x183-216%KO Psychic 2x206-243%KO | ||
 Tapu Fini WaterFairy | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityMisty Surge ItemLeftovers NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Riolu View Tapu Fini builds →Moonblast 2x154-182%KO | ||
 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 | ||
Sword & Shield 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
Sword & Shield 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
Breadth over depth defines this movepool. Riolu won't stack one type's damage ceiling, but coverage across 11 types means it always has an effective option. High Jump Kick and Focus Blast anchor the STAB core.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Sword & Shield Riolu Locations
Finding Riolu at moderate rates takes patience. 8 spots are available in mid-game routes, but the rate difference between them matters. Lock in the top one from the sorted list below.
Best Locations to Catch Riolu in Sword & Shield
8 walking encounters at Lv. 28-65 for Riolu across Shield and Sword. A few locations are version-exclusive, so your copy of the game affects what's available.
Riolu Guide
Get Riolu to Lucario by leveling up. At 285 BST, Riolu is just the starting point.
You can find Riolu in Sword & Shield. 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 Sword & Shield. It shows up in 14 games across the series.
In Sword & Shield, 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