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,which could be the beginnings of the spikes on Lucario'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. However, it does have a remarkably similar movepool to the Hitmons.
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
Riolu are playful, energetic, and loyal.
Habitat
Riolu is incredibly rare in the wild. It's so rare that the general location of Riolu dwellings are fully unknown.
Riolu has made an appearance during Pokémon Ranger and the Kidnapped Riolu! Parts Oneand Two, which aired as a one hour special commemorating the release of Pokémon Ranger: Shadows of Almia. 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 Kellyn's help. This Riolu developed a strong bond with Ash.
Riolu will not appear in Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Darkness until a rescue mission involving it has been completed, using the following Wonder Mail code:
9@CP 15N4 FH&5
-0%Y +91@ #PCK
Objective: Rescue Riolu on floor 6 of Crystal Cave.
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Riolu shares a number of traits with Togepi, notably that both are received as eggs from an NPC in the generation of their introduction, and when hatched, cannot breed until they have evolved.
Riolu is the only Pokémon that evolves by happiness that cannot be captured in a Luxury Ball. This is because it can only be hatched from an egg or captured in the Johto Safari Zone.
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.
