Pokémon Legends: Arceus, has the entire community of Pokémon players excited, and it is that, with a large number of creatures to discover, many trainers have wondered how to catch the most emblematic Pokémon of Diamond and Pearl, being located the video game in the past of the Sinnoh region, which is known as Hisui.
Something that we find quite curious is that players experience a very different version of the Sinnoh region with renewed locations and new characters. Although the open world RPG presents us with an alternate Pokédex, Game Freak has brought back many of the Diamond and Pearl favorites from 2006.
Fans of Riolu are excited, as the beloved ‘mon is one of the returning Generation IV characters that can be found across the expansive map of the Hisui region. This is where you can find the Fighting/Steel type and the fastest method to evolve it into Lucario.
Where to find Riolu
Trainers looking to add Lucario to their team will have to wait a bit, as the Pokemon doesn’t appear until players reach the fifth area, Alabaster Icelands. Trainers will gain access to it after putting down the fourth berserker Noble. Here’s a breakdown of how to locate your pre-evolution Riolu in the winter tundra:
- After progressing far enough through the story, you will unlock Alabaster Icelands. Travel to the snowy mountains as soon as you have access to them.
- From the starting camp, immediately head west and use Hisuian Sneasler to climb up the mountain.
- Keep going until you reach Icebound Falls, where Riolu can be found.
- Once there, follow the valley path and you will find Riolu on the ground.
How to catch Riolu
As soon as you reach Icebound Falls, you’ll need to keep an eye out for other wild Pokémon like Machoke, which will alert Riolu to your presence. There are several patches of snow-covered grass that you can duck into to sneak through the valley until you find the Fighting-type.
Since this is a late game area, it will spawn at level 45 or higher. So unless you have a higher level Pokemon, we recommend trying to catch the ‘mon using the stealth strategies outlined below:
- Using the grass patch, sneak up on Riolu.
- If you have a berry or any food, you can throw it to distract the mon.
- Once he goes to eat the food, stay low and slowly get behind him.
- Throw a Great or Ultra Ball at his back, then roll back onto the grassy area.
- If Riolu runs away from the Ball, you will still be hiding in the grass. He repeats the same steps listed above until he finally catches it.
How to evolve Lucario
Like previous games in the series, Riolu evolves into Lucario with a high friendship level. To activate the evolution, you need to evolve it during the day. However, unlike previous titles, Pokémon Legends: Arceus makes this process a bit more complicated to pull off once a ‘mon is already high level.
Keeping it in your party while battling and catching wild Pokemon is the main way to rack up points. If you need to check your friendship status, you can talk to the NPC in front of Pastures in Jubilife Village. Once you reach a high enough level, rest in a camp until morning and go to the menu to access Riolu’s evolution.
Where to find Alpha Lucario
Those looking to get the giant version are in luck, as it’s actually pretty easy to find. In fact, the enraged ‘mon isn’t that far from where you find Riolu in Alabaster Icelands. He returns to Icebound Falls. However, instead of walking down the valley, he turns left and uses Sneasler to climb up the frozen waterfall.
After climbing the glacial side of the mountain, follow the path to the right at the top that will lead you to Lucario Alpha. Below are the easiest steps to catch the terrifying variant.
- Because Alpha Lucario can be alerted by the smallest of sounds, players must keep their distance. Using the crouch function, slowly get close and then throw an Oran Berry.
- Lucario Alpha will then walk over to pick up the item; this is your time to start moving until you are a few inches behind him.
- When Alpha Lucario starts to eat the berry, launch a Gigaton Ball directly at his back and then run away to a safe distance.
- If the Fighting-type breaks free, equip another Berry and start the process over again.
- Using Gigaton Balls on his back will substantially increase his catch rate.