Need a strong Fighting-type? Lucario is a great option, being one of the best Fighting-types in Pokemon Legends: Arceus. To add it to their team, players can either catch it in the wild or catch a Riolu and evolve it. Unfortunately, both of these Pokemon are locked to pretty late in the game.
However, once players unlock the Alabaster Icelands, it's very easy to find and catch either Riolu or Lucario. Here are all the details on where to find them, as well as how to evolve Riolu.
Update: The original publication of this post accidentally omitted that Riolu can only evolve during the day. We apologize for the error.
Riolu Locations in Pokemon Legends: Arceus
Finding Riolu in Hisui isn't too hard. Once the Alabaster Icelands are open for survey, head to one of these two places:
- Icebound Falls
- Snowfall Hot Spring
Riolu can be found in any weather at any time of day in both of these locations. Additionally, Riolu can appear at the Icebound Falls as an alpha Pokemon or during a mass outbreak event. Anyone who wants to skip the evolution step can also find Lucario in these same locations!
Evolving Riolu
Players wondering how to evolve a Riolu in Pokemon Legends: Arceus should embrace the power of friendship. This is because Riolu evolves when its friendship with its Trainer is high. It needs to reach a rating of 220, then Riolu will become capable of evolving. Be sure it's daytime, as Riolu can only evolve during the day.
Friendship can be leveled up in a few ways:
- Keep Riolu in your party and battle with it
- Winning those battles increases friendship further
- Send Riolu out to grab resources in the wild
- Feed Riolu EXP Candies and Rare Candies
Checking friendship in Pokemon Legends: Arceus
Luckily, checking friendship levels with a Pokemon in this game is fairly straightforward, but players will need to finish a short quest titled "Measuring Your Compatibility" first. After quelling Kleavor's frenzy, speak with Belamy near the Pastures in Jubilife Village. He'll ask to see a strong bond between Trainer and Pokemon. After showing him one, he'll evaluate the player's friendship with any Pokemon whenever asked.
Riolu will be close to evolving or ready to evolve once Belamy says this line:
What an excellent pair of friends you and Pokémon make. You must mean a lot to each other!
From there, simply navigate to Riolu in the party and select "Evolve!"
Pokemon Legends: Arceus is available now for the Nintendo Switch.