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Why Isn’t My Riolu Evolving? The Definitive Guide

So, you’ve got a Riolu, that feisty Fighting-type pup, and you’re itching to get your hands on a majestic Lucario. But something’s not quite right. It’s not evolving! Don’t fret, fellow trainer. This is a common frustration, and there are specific reasons why your Riolu is stubbornly refusing to transform.

The short answer is: Riolu evolves into Lucario when it levels up during the daytime with high friendship. If your Riolu isn’t evolving, one or both of these conditions are not being met. It boils down to daytime and friendship. Let’s break this down and troubleshoot each potential issue.

Understanding Friendship and Daytime

The evolution mechanic for Riolu is unique in that it combines two factors: time of day and a friendship metric. Understanding how each of these works is critical.

Friendship, Not Level

First and foremost, it’s not about level alone. Riolu can evolve at any level, even level 100 (in some games), as long as it meets the other criteria. Don’t fall into the trap of grinding levels endlessly, hoping it will magically trigger the evolution. Focus on the friendship!

Daytime Matters

Secondly, the timing is everything. The evolution can only happen during the daytime in your game. The definition of daytime varies slightly between generations and titles, but the general consensus is between 4:00 AM and 8:00 PM, or 10:00 AM and 8:00 PM. Leveling up Riolu at night will not trigger the evolution, no matter how high the friendship.

Troubleshooting Your Riolu’s Evolution

Now that we understand the basics, let’s dive into the potential problems and solutions.

1. Insufficient Friendship

This is the most common culprit. Riolu needs a friendship rating of 220 or higher (out of 255) to evolve. Determining your Riolu’s exact friendship value isn’t always straightforward, as most games don’t display a numerical value. Instead, you rely on in-game characters or items to get an approximation. Here’s what you can do:

Friendship Checker: Utilize the Friendship Checker item or NPC. In Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum, this is a gadget that displays hearts; two large hearts indicate sufficient friendship. In Scarlet and Violet, you’ll find an NPC with a Marrill in Cascarrafa who can assess friendship.
Dialogue Clues: Pay attention to what NPCs say about your Pokémon. In some games, certain characters will give you hints about your Pokémon’s happiness level through their dialogue. In Black/White 2, calling Bianca can help with this. If she mentions “jealousy,” your Riolu’s friendship is maxed.
Friendship-Boosting Activities: Engage in activities that increase friendship:
- Walking/Traveling: Simply keeping Riolu in your party while you explore will gradually increase friendship.
- Vitamins and EV-Reducing Berries: Using items like Protein, Iron, Calcium, and EV-reducing berries (Pomeg, Kelpsy, Qualot, Hondew, Grepa, and Tamato) greatly increases happiness.
- Soothe Bell: Equipping Riolu with a Soothe Bell will accelerate friendship gains.
- Massages and Grooming: Certain locations offer services like massages or grooming that boost friendship.
- Winning Battles: Leveling Riolu up during battle.

2. Wrong Time of Day

This is another common oversight. Double-check the in-game time and ensure it’s definitively daytime. Consider these factors:

Game Settings: Verify your game’s clock is set correctly. If you’ve altered the time settings, it can disrupt the day/night cycle.
Location: Some areas might have a different time designation than what you think. In some regions, the night will start earlier than other regions.
Game Version: Be aware of the specific daytime hours in your game version, as these might differ.

3. Leveling Up Incorrectly

The evolution trigger is leveling up. Simply having high friendship during the day isn’t enough. Riolu needs to gain a level (e.g., by battling or using a Rare Candy) while the friendship and time conditions are met.

4. Glitches or Bugs

Though rare, glitches can occasionally prevent evolutions. If you’ve exhausted all other possibilities, consider:

Restarting Your Game: A simple restart might resolve temporary glitches.
Checking for Updates: Ensure your game is updated to the latest version.
Seeking Help: If the issue persists, search online forums or contact the game’s support team.

5. The “Already Achieved Max Happiness” Misconception

Some sources online mention that evolving Riolu requires “max happiness.” While high friendship is essential, the precise mechanic and how it’s measured (happiness vs. friendship) can be confusing. Focus on achieving a friendship rating of 220 or higher and leveling up during the day.

Additional Tips and Considerations

Avoid Fainting: Letting Riolu faint in battle can decrease friendship.
Herbal Medicine: Using herbal medicine can decrease friendship, so avoid it.
Be Patient: Building friendship takes time. Don’t expect instant results.
The GamesLearningSociety.org Community: Discussing the game with other players is a great way to get useful tips. The Games Learning Society is a great platform to do so.
Shiny Considerations: If you have a shiny Riolu, evolving it early or late won’t affect its stats. Evolve it when you are ready!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are 15 frequently asked questions to further clarify the evolution process for Riolu:

How do I check Riolu’s friendship level in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet?

Visit the Friendship Checker in Cascarrafa. You’ll find them in the middle section of the city, north of the large fountain, identified by their Marill.
Can Riolu evolve at level 100?

Yes, Riolu can evolve at level 100, but only if its friendship is 220 or higher and it levels up during the daytime.
What time does Riolu need to level up to evolve?

The specific daytime hours can vary slightly between games, but generally, it’s between 4:00 AM and 8:00 PM or 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM in most titles.
Does Riolu need to be holding a specific item to evolve?

No, Riolu does not need to hold any specific item to evolve. However, equipping it with a Soothe Bell can help increase its friendship faster.
What happens if I level up Riolu at night with high friendship?

Riolu will not evolve if you level it up at night, even with high friendship. You must level it up during the daytime for the evolution to trigger.
How many steps does it take to evolve Riolu?

It takes approximately 56,064 steps to evolve Riolu if its base happiness is 70. This number can be reduced by using friendship-boosting items and activities.
Can Riolu evolve with Rare Candy?

Yes, Riolu can evolve with Rare Candy if it has a friendship of 220 or higher and it is daytime. The Rare Candy provides the level up needed to trigger the evolution.
What’s Riolu’s hidden ability?

Riolu’s Hidden Ability is Prankster, which increases the priority of its Status Moves by 1.
Does fainting in battle affect Riolu’s friendship?

Yes, fainting in battle can negatively affect Riolu’s friendship, so try to keep it healthy.
Are there any locations where I can quickly raise Riolu’s friendship?

Certain locations, such as massage parlors or grooming services, can quickly boost Riolu’s friendship. Cyllage is a good spot for this.
Is Lucario a good Pokémon to have on my team?

Yes, Lucario is considered a strong Pokémon, especially useful in Raid Battles and Gyms where Fighting-type moves are effective.
How much Candy does it take to evolve Riolu in Pokémon GO?

In Pokémon GO, Riolu evolves into Lucario when fed 50 candies.
What if I accidentally gave Riolu a herbal medicine?

Herbal medicine decreases friendship, so avoid giving them to Riolu to maximize its happiness.
Will evolving my shiny Riolu impact its stats?

No, evolving a shiny Riolu will not affect its stats. The stats are determined by its nature, IVs, and EVs.
Where can I learn more about the mechanics of Pokémon games?

You can learn more about the complex mechanics of Pokémon games through online communities and educational resources. If you’re interested in the educational value of games, visit the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org.

Conclusion

Evolving Riolu can be a rewarding experience, but it requires patience and attention to detail. By focusing on increasing its friendship through the right activities and ensuring you level it up during the daytime, you’ll soon have a powerful Lucario by your side. Good luck, trainer!

Why isn’t my Riolu evolving?