So, you've got a Riolu in Pokémon Theta Emerald EX and you're ready to evolve it into the powerful Lucario? Excellent! This guide will walk you through the process, even if you're new to the game. We'll cover everything you need to know to get your Lucario.
Understanding Riolu's Evolution
Unlike many Pokémon that evolve through leveling up, Riolu's evolution is a bit more unique. It requires a specific condition to be met before it can transform into a Lucario. This means simply grinding levels won't do the trick.
The Key to Evolution: High Friendship
Friendship, or affection, is the key to evolving Riolu. You need to significantly raise its friendship level before it will evolve. This isn't something the game directly tells you, making it a common stumbling block for new players.
How to Increase Riolu's Friendship
There are several ways to boost your Riolu's friendship:
- Battling: Winning battles with Riolu will increase its friendship, especially if it performs well and doesn't faint.
- Using Vitamins: Items like Carbos, Protein, Iron, Calcium, Zinc, and HP Up can significantly increase friendship. They are usually readily available in shops as you progress through the game. Use them sparingly and strategically.
- Keeping Riolu in your Party: Leaving Riolu in your party, even if it doesn't participate in battles, will slowly increase its friendship.
- Winning Contests: If the Pokémon Theta Emerald EX version you're playing has Pokémon Contests, participate and let Riolu perform well to boost its friendship quickly.
- Using the Friendship Checker: The game might have a way to check Riolu's friendship level. Look for a hidden feature or item that reveals this hidden stat. If you're unsure, there are online resources that can assist.
Important Note: Using items that reduce your Pokémon's happiness, like the Bitter Berry, will reduce Riolu's friendship, making evolution harder to achieve. Avoid these until you are ready to evolve your Pokemon.
Leveling Up Riolu
While friendship is the key to evolution, Riolu does still need to reach a certain level before it can evolve. Make sure it levels up enough, alongside increasing friendship. Experiment to see the exact level threshold in your version of Theta Emerald EX.
Knowing When Riolu is Ready
You'll know your Riolu is ready to evolve when you level it up and you see the evolution animation trigger. There are no other visual clues to indicate whether your Riolu has reached the required friendship.
Troubleshooting
If your Riolu isn't evolving, double-check the following:
- Friendship Level: Has your Riolu's friendship been raised to the required level? Experiment with the methods mentioned above.
- Level Requirement: Is Riolu at the right level to evolve? Even with high friendship, it might need to level up.
This comprehensive guide should help you evolve your Riolu into a Lucario in Pokémon Theta Emerald EX. Remember to be patient and focus on both friendship and leveling up. Good luck, Trainer!
