Riolu is a small, blue, dog-like Pokémon. Its legs and torso are colored black. Riolu's tail is blue and it has a yellow collar. There are rounded bumps on the backs of Riolu's forepaws. Riolu has a black "mask" and red eyes.
Gender differences
None.
Special abilities
Riolu are sensitive to a special type of energy called Aura. Riolu's evolved form, Lucario, can use these waves to attack, or study these waves to predict the movements of their opponents, and use them to track anyone. However, Riolu does not have the ability to fully use these powers, although it can still emanate these waves to communicate and sense them - albeit only in "ripples" as opposed to the "waves" of energy its evolution can sense and guide. Most notably, it cannot learn Aura Sphere or Detect naturally, two moves that Lucario learns that are often attributed to its aura powers.
Like almost all Fighting-type Pokémon, Riolu naturally has superhuman strength, stamina, and endurance and is capable of making long journeys on foot in a short amount of time.
Behavior
Habitat
Riolu is incredibly rare in the wild. It's so rare that the general location of Riolu dwellings are largely unknown.
Riolu has made an appearance during DP071 and DP072, which aired as a one hour special commemorating the release of Pokémon Ranger Batonnage. This Riolu had been trained to use Aura Sphere and was unnaturally strong. It was taken away from its owner by a group that wanted to exploit it but Ash and co. returned it, with Hajime's help. This Riolu developed a strong bond with Ash but ultimately decided to stay with its owner.
Riolu is very similar to Togepi in how it is obtained as well as how it evolves. However, it is closer to a concept of a baby Pokémon than Togepi because its evolution, Lucario, was introduced to the public before it was. Another similarity is that their fully evolved forms are able to learn Aura Sphere and are the only non-legendary Pokémon capable of learning the move.
Riolu is the only pure Template:Type2 Pokémon whose evolution is not, as Lucario is Fighting/Steel.
Origin
Riolu appears to be based on the Egyptian god Anubis, who has the head of a jackal.
Name origin
Riolu's name is merely Lucario's name with the last syllable placed in the front and the ca part taken out altogether.
This Pokémon article is part of Project Pokédex, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on each Pokémon species, as well as Pokémon groups and forms.
For other sprites and images, please see Riolu images on Bulbagarden Archives.
