Where to Find Riolu in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet

Since its introduction in Generation IV, the Riolu line has been a favorite among Pokemon fans. You can find the first-stage Fighting-type throughout several locations across Paldea and Kitakami in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet and the Hidden Treasure of Area Zero DLC, though you’ll need to evolve your own Riolu with high friendship to register Lucario to your Pokedex. Luckily, we know exactly where to look. Here’s where to find Riolu in Scarlet & Violet.

Pokemon Scarlet & Violet: How to Find Riolu

Riolu is reliably found in the southwestern region of Paldea in Scarlet & Violet. While its Pokedex entry notes this Pokemon is rarely seen, it’s relatively easy to find Riolu at high altitudes near the Los Platos area. I haven’t had any trouble spotting one here on my own playthrough, so I’d say this is the best place to start.

Los Platos is accessible from the start of the game. However, you’ll need the help of Koraidon or Miraidon to scale the cliffside. If you haven’t unlocked your legendary’s rock-climbing ability just yet, then you’ll need to take down a few Titan Pokemon with Arven first.

Riolu Locations in The Teal Mask DLC

Kitakami is a lot smaller than the expansive Paldea region, but you’ll have a better shot at finding Riolu here. Of course, you’ll need to purchase and start The Teal Mask DLC for Scarlet & Violet to do this. Once you have access to the new region, you can find Riolu in three main locations: along the cliffs by Reveler’s Road and in two areas throughout Wistful Fields.

Personally, I’ve had the best luck in the rocky plains portion of Wistful Fields, located to the northwest. This falls in line with Riolu’s Kitakami ‘dex entry, which states it lives in rocky locations. Since it’s far more populous in this region, though, you’ll have a solid chance to find it in each area.

Riolu Mass Outbreaks

Like many species of Pokemon, Riolu sometimes appears in mass outbreaks. Since the pure Fighting-type can be a bit tricky to find otherwise, this makes catching one a lot simpler. Not only is this an easy way to find hordes of Pokemon roaming in the same area, but raiding mass outbreaks has also proven a reliable shiny hunting method for collectors. Keep an eye out for these daily in-game events by checking your map for a Pokemon’s icon, as pictured above.

Once you’ve managed to find and catch Riolu, you can get started on raising its friendship level to foster its evolution into Lucario. Just bear in mind the process can only be completed during the day. For more tips on locations, evolutions, and DLC battles, head over to our Pokemon Scarlet & Violet guides hub here at GameSkinny.