NationalDex
riolu
#447

Riolu

Emanation Pokémon

Fighting

It can discern the physical and emotional states of people, Pokémon, and other natural things from the shape of their aura waves.

Base Stats

HP 40
Attack 70
Defense 40
Sp. Atk 35
Sp. Def 40
Speed 60
Total 285

Type Effectiveness

Abilities

Evolution Chain

lucario Lucario Happiness 160

Moves

Locations

Details

Category Emanation Pokémon
Height 0.7 m
Weight 20.2 kg
Base Exp 57
Growth Rate Medium Slow
Capture Rate 75
Base Happiness 70
Gender 87.5% ♂ / 12.5% ♀
Habitat
Egg Groups No Eggs

Sprites

riolu Front Front
riolu Back Back
riolu Front Shiny Front Shiny
riolu Back Shiny Back Shiny
riolu Official Art Official Art
riolu Official Art (Shiny) Official Art (Shiny)

Competitive

lc Usage: 0.7%
Bulky Swords Dance
Moves
Protect / Iron Tail / Zen Headbutt / Crunch
Item
Eviolite
Ability
Prankster
Nature
Adamant
EVs
HP 116
Atk 196
Def 116
SpD 36
Spe 36

Strategy Overview

Riolu's niche over Little Cup's other Fighting-types lies in its access to Copycat and Prankster. This allows Riolu to gain priority on its most recently used attack with Copycat and beat faster Pokemon that would otherwise threaten it such as Diglett, Doduo, and Gastly. Furthermore, Riolu's expansive movepool, fair bulk with Eviolite, high Attack stat, and access to Swords Dance altogether allow it to function as a fairly potent sweeper. Unfortunately, Riolu's lack of Knock Off and a more reliable STAB attack than High Jump Kick, as well as worse bulk than most other Fighting-types still leave it generally outclassed by better options in Mienfoo and Timburr. It also struggles to find setup opportunities due to its only decent bulk as well as rather unimpressive Speed, and it can at times, struggle to maintain Copycat chains due to the tier's prevalence of priority.

Most Used Moves

Copycat
78.7%
Protect
49.5%

Most Used Items

Eviolite
73.6%

Competitive data from Smogon University via data.pkmn.cc