Evolving Riolu into the powerful Lucario in Pokémon Sun requires more than just leveling up. This guide will break down the key concepts and steps needed to successfully complete this evolution. Understanding these concepts will make your journey to obtaining a Lucario much smoother.
Understanding Riolu's Evolution Requirements
Unlike many Pokémon that evolve simply by reaching a certain level, Riolu's evolution to Lucario hinges on a crucial element: high friendship. This means you need to build a strong bond with your Riolu before it will evolve. Simply battling with it isn't enough; you need to actively nurture your relationship.
Building Friendship: The Key to Evolution
Several actions contribute significantly to boosting your Riolu's friendship level:
- Battling: While battling alone doesn't significantly raise friendship, winning battles helps. Avoid letting your Riolu faint frequently.
- Using Vitamins: Items like Carbos, Protein, Calcium, Zinc, Iron, and HP Up can significantly increase friendship levels. Use these strategically.
- Grooming: Utilize items like the Friendship Checker to monitor Riolu's happiness levels and adjust your strategy accordingly.
- Walking: In Pokémon Sun, the feature allowing you to walk with your Pokémon is invaluable. Spend time walking with Riolu.
- Winning Contests: While not specifically stated, contributing to and winning Pokémon Contests could improve friendship levels.
Monitoring Friendship
Regularly check your Riolu's friendship level. While the game doesn't provide a precise numerical value, it gives hints through NPCs and in-game events.
- Look for subtle cues: NPCs might offer comments about your Pokémon's happiness. Pay attention to these clues.
- Utilize the Friendship Checker: Available at various points in the game, this tool offers a direct, though not precise, measure of your Pokémon's happiness.
The Level-Up Requirement: The Final Piece of the Puzzle
Once your Riolu's friendship is sufficiently high (generally above 220), leveling it up to level 30 will trigger the evolution into Lucario. Remember that merely reaching level 30 isn't enough if the friendship level is too low.
Leveling Up Strategies:
- Effective Training: Choose battles strategically to efficiently level up your Riolu while avoiding unnecessary faints.
- Experience Share: Use an Experience Share to help your other Pokémon level up while also improving Riolu's experience gains.
Conclusion: Patience and Care Bring Rewards
Successfully evolving Riolu into Lucario in Pokémon Sun emphasizes the importance of patience and building a strong bond with your Pokémon. While the leveling requirement is clear, maximizing friendship is the key. By diligently following these steps, you will unlock the power of Lucario and enhance your Pokémon journey. Remember to check your Riolu's friendship frequently and adjust your strategy as needed. Good luck, trainer!
