Evolving Riolu in Pokémon Black and White (PBB) can be tricky, as it requires a specific condition to be met. Many players struggle with this, so let's explore some clever workarounds and strategies to successfully evolve your Riolu into Lucario.
Understanding Riolu's Evolution
The key to evolving Riolu into Lucario is friendship. Simply having a high friendship level isn't enough; you also need to level Riolu up during the day. This dual requirement can be frustrating, but the following strategies make the process smoother.
1. Maximize Friendship Quickly: The "Friendship Farming" Methods
Several methods speed up the friendship-building process:
-
Walking: The most straightforward approach. Carry Riolu in your party while exploring the region. The more steps you take together, the faster your bond strengthens.
-
Battling: Winning battles with Riolu in your party boosts friendship. Focus on battles where Riolu actively participates and performs well. Avoid using items that drastically increase friendship like Vitamins as they have a bug in PBB where they might not register correctly.
-
Grooming: Using items like Soothe Bell increases friendship steadily. It's a low-effort, high-reward strategy.
-
Massaging: While not as explicitly detailed in PBB as in some later games, giving Riolu attention through massages (like via the Pokeathlon) subtly increases friendship.
-
Winning Contests: If Riolu is capable, participating in Pokémon Contests and winning can provide a significant friendship boost.
2. Leveling Up During the Day: Timing is Key
This is the second crucial step. Make sure your Nintendo DS or 3DS system's clock is set to the correct time. Leveling up Riolu must happen during daytime hours in-game.
-
Careful Leveling: Avoid using Exp. Share excessively, as you may accidentally level Riolu up at night.
-
Strategic Leveling: Use precise methods to gain a small amount of EXP at a time during the daytime until you trigger the evolution.
Avoiding Common Mistakes
-
Don't Overlevel: If you inadvertently level Riolu up at night, you'll have to lower its level and repeat the process during the day. Avoid over-leveling to avoid this costly mistake.
-
Check the Time: Constantly checking the in-game clock is essential to ensure that the leveling up occurs at the right time.
-
Patience is Key: Building friendship takes time. Don't get discouraged if it doesn't happen immediately. Keep nurturing your bond with Riolu.
Advanced Strategies for Experienced Trainers
-
Using Specific Locations: Some areas in the game have higher encounter rates of specific Pokémon, allowing you to strategically battle and gain friendship efficiently.
-
Utilizing Items Strategically: The right items, used in conjunction with other methods, can dramatically improve friendship growth.
Conclusion: Embrace the Journey
Evolving Riolu into Lucario in Pokémon Black and White involves patience and strategy. By combining effective friendship-building techniques with careful attention to the in-game time, you can successfully evolve your Riolu. Remember, the most crucial aspect is the strong bond you develop with your Pokémon. The journey of nurturing your Riolu into a powerful Lucario will be a rewarding experience.
