Nintendo and developer ILCA are taking Pokemon fans back to the Sinnoh region with Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl. These games are remakes of the 2006 Nintendo DS titles, faithfully recreating the experience in a new visual engine, while also adding in a handful of new features such as Ramanas Park, enhancements to the Super Contests, and an expanded take on the Grand Underground.
Naturally, Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl represents generation 4, which saw 107 new Pokemon added to the National Pokedex, bringing it to 493. This includes Legendaries like Palkia and Dialga, to other high-profile creatures like Scizor and Tyranitar as well.
From this generation, Lucario has become not only a popular Pokemon, but a recognizable one, even breaking into other game franchises like Super Smash Bros and Pokken Tournament. For those who want to round out their collection and team with a Lucario, there's only one place to go in order to first get a Riolu.
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Finding Riolu
Known as the fighting type baby pokemon, Riolu is the first step to getting a Lucario. Before being able to capture one, players will need to obtain the Surf Hidden Machine in order to get to Canalave City. Surf is given out by Cynthia's grandmother in Celestic Town, which is done through the story, so for those who don't yet have it, continue progressing the story until this moment happens.
However, once equipped with Surf, it can only be used in battle until the Hearthome Gym Leader Fantina is defeated. At this point, players are free to use it as a traversal move as well, so head to Route 218 and use Surf to head west to reach Canalave City.
Towards the bottom left of the city is a sailor who offers to take players to a brand new location called Iron Island. Players will find a cave here, which should be explored until an NPC named Riley is found on the second floor. This sharply dressed character wants players to help him rid Iron Island of Team Galactic, which then sets up a bunch of double battles. Once the final team has been defeated and the cave has been exited, Riley will hand over a Riolu egg, the only one available inside Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl.
In order to hatch the egg, players will need to add it to their party like it was an active member. While it would normally hatch by walking a set amount of distance, something that would happen normally by playing the game, players can simply make this go faster by equipping the bike and riding back and forth until it hatches in full.
Evolving Lucario
With Riolu now an active member of the team, it doesn't evolve like most other Pokemon. Instead of evolving at a certain level, the process is a bit different, though in some cases, a little bit easier than what some Pokemon require. Specifically, players will need to raise their friendship level with Riolu, which can be done by having Riolu walk outside of its Pokeball, battle with it, or feed it berries to make it happier.
Once the first level of friendship is achieved, indicated by 1 heart icon, the last thing players need to do is have Riolu level up during the daytime. Typically, this means when the Switch system clock is between 10AM - 7:59PM. If needed, players can adjust the Switch system clock before doing this to ensure the evolution triggers.
For many players, this detour is worth the extra effort as not only is this the only way to obtain a Lucario, but the Pokemon is extremely strong against the Elite 4 and Sinnoh Champion.
Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl are available now on Nintendo Switch.