So, you've got a cute Riolu in your Pokémon Black 2 game and you're ready to see it evolve into the powerful Lucario? Great! Evolving Riolu can seem tricky, but it's actually quite straightforward once you know the secret. This guide will break it down for you in simple steps.
Understanding Riolu's Evolution Requirement
Unlike many Pokémon that evolve through leveling up or using specific items, Riolu's evolution hinges on friendship. This means you need to raise your Riolu's happiness level to a certain point before it will evolve. Don't worry, it's easier than it sounds!
Key Factors Affecting Riolu's Friendship:
- Battling: Regularly using Riolu in battles significantly boosts its friendship. Winning battles is key!
- Leveling Up: While not as impactful as battling, leveling up still contributes to increased friendship.
- Items: Certain items can quickly raise friendship. We'll cover these below.
- Walking: Carrying Riolu in your party while exploring the region gradually increases friendship.
- Grooming: Using the Poké-Gear's "Grooming" feature shows affection.
Effective Ways to Raise Riolu's Friendship
Here's a breakdown of the most efficient methods to max out your Riolu's friendship:
1. Consistent Battling:
- Strategic Battles: Choose battles carefully. Avoid over-leveling your Riolu; keep it around the level you plan to evolve it. Focus on winning!
- Difficult Battles: Challenging opponents result in a larger friendship boost. Consider facing stronger trainers than usual.
- Careful Choice of Moves: Use moves that Riolu is good at to ensure victory, which will maximize the happiness gain.
2. Utilizing Friendship-Boosting Items:
- Soothe Bell: This item is a game-changer. Equip it to your Riolu; it passively increases friendship during your adventures. It's a must-have!
- Other Items (Less Effective): While less impactful than the Soothe Bell, items like Vitamins can slightly increase friendship. However, the Soothe Bell is far more efficient.
3. The Power of Walking:
- Exploration: Walking with Riolu in your party as you explore the Unova region, will eventually build friendship. It is, however, a slower method.
- Cycling: Cycling is faster, but it won't boost the friendship level that much faster than walking.
4. Grooming (A Small Boost):
- Use Regularly: Though a small increase, the Grooming feature in the Poké-Gear adds a touch of affection which is helpful.
Knowing When Riolu is Ready to Evolve
Unfortunately, there's no visual indicator to tell you precisely when Riolu is ready. You'll need to rely on the methods above and level it up. Once it is ready and levels up, it will evolve into Lucario.
Conclusion: Evolving Your Riolu
Evolving Riolu is all about building friendship. By focusing on consistent battles with the Soothe Bell equipped and using it frequently, you'll evolve Riolu into Lucario in no time! Remember patience is key. Good luck, trainer!
