3CL TCG

Species guide · Ages 10+ · July 2026

Riolu

Say it: ree-OH-loo

Kids summary (simpler)Tap to expand

Riolu is the Emanation Pokémon — Fighting baby before Lucario. In Pokémon GO it is usually candy on the way to Lucario — not a finished raid attacker. Fighting helps against Normal, Rock, Steel, Ice, and Dark; Fairy, Flying, and Psychic hit Fighting hard. Hatch Riolu from eggs or catch from events, then evolve (buddy / walk requirement — confirm live). Aura Sphere and Force Palm kits belong on Lucario.

Say it: ree-OH-loo

Riolu (#447) is a Fighting Pokémon in Pokémon GO — the baby stage of Lucario. Trainers almost never power Riolu for raids; the value is candy and IVs for Lucario (and Mega Lucario). Against Riolu, lead with Fairy, Flying, or Psychic. Stats, type chart, moves, and counter picks below use our Game Master snapshot.

Fighting#447

Type-colored placeholder — not official Pokémon artwork (see IP notice below).

Pokédex notes

Riolu is a Fighting-type Pokémon in Pokémon GO. National Dex #0447. Use the Fighting type chart below before powering up — metas shift every season.

Where in GO: Wild spawns, eggs, Field Research, and seasonal events

Invest tip: Do not sink Stardust into Riolu. Keep high-IV copies for Lucario. Shadow Riolu is the same — evolve toward Shadow Lucario after Frustration removal.

Type matchups

  • Fighting moves hit Normal, Ice, Rock, Dark, and Steel hard.

When Riolu is your opponent, Flying, Psychic, Fairy hits hard.

Full type matchup guide →

GO base stats

From Game Master snapshot — IVs, buddy, and power-ups change real battle stats.

Attack
127
Defense
78
Stamina
120

Weak to

FlyingPsychicFairy

Resists

BugRockDark

Best Pokémon to use against it

When this species is your opponent (Rocket battle, gym, raid, or PvP), these picks exploit its typings. Each list is a pool of options — not a required 12-Pokémon lobby.

Recommended

Strongest practical attackers for this matchup.

  1. 1. Mega Rayquaza · beats Flying

    Dragon Tail + Dragon Ascent

  2. 2. Shadow Staraptor · beats Flying

    Wing Attack + Brave Bird

  3. 3. Yveltal · beats Flying

    Gust + Oblivion Wing

  4. 4. Mega Pidgeot · beats Flying

    Gust + Brave Bird

  5. 5. Staraptor · beats Flying

    Wing Attack + Brave Bird

  6. 6. Braviary · beats Flying

    Air Slash + Brave Bird

  7. 7. Honchkrow · beats Flying

    Peck + Sky Attack

  8. 8. Tornadus (Incarnate) · beats Flying

    Air Slash + Hurricane

  9. 9. Moltres · beats Flying

    Wing Attack + Sky Attack

  10. 10. Zapdos · beats Flying

    Thunder Shock + Drill Peck

  11. 11. Unfezant · beats Flying

    Air Slash + Sky Attack

  12. 12. Swellow · beats Flying

    Wing Attack + Brave Bird

Budget

Solid alternatives when you cannot build the Recommended picks.

  1. 1. Honchkrow · beats Flying

    Peck + Sky Attack

  2. 2. Staraptor · beats Flying

    Wing Attack + Brave Bird

  3. 3. Swellow · beats Flying

    Wing Attack + Brave Bird

  4. 4. Togekiss · beats Flying

    Air Slash + Aerial Ace

  5. 5. Noivern · beats Flying

    Air Slash + Hurricane

  6. 6. Pidgeot · beats Flying

    Air Slash + Brave Bird

  7. 7. Fearow · beats Flying

    Peck + Sky Attack

  8. 8. Dodrio · beats Flying

    Feint Attack + Drill Peck

  9. 9. Crobat · beats Flying

    Air Slash + Air Cutter

  10. 10. Skarmory · beats Flying

    Air Slash + Brave Bird

  11. 11. Pelipper · beats Flying

    Wing Attack + Hurricane

  12. 12. Talonflame · beats Flying

    Peck + Brave Bird

Recommended moves

Riolu’s Game Master pool is temporary. Real investment is Lucario — evolve before serious TMs and power-ups.

Fast

  • Counter · Standard

    Fighting energy

  • Quick Attack · Standard

    Normal energy

Charged

  • Cross Chop · Standard

    Fighting nuke

  • Brick Break · Standard

    Fighting / bait

  • Low Sweep · Standard

    Fighting alternate

  • Blaze Kick · Standard

    Fire coverage

  • Thunder Punch · Standard

    Electric coverage

Moves in GO

Always-available Game Master learnset (regular TMs). Community Day / Elite TM moves appear above when we have curated notes for this species.

Fast

  • counter
  • quick attack

Charged

  • brick break
  • low sweep
  • cross chop
  • blaze kick
  • thunder punch

PvP league ranks (family snapshot)

  • Great League · rank #838 of 954 · CP 1123

    Quick Attack + Cross Chop

  • Master League · rank #796 of 1023 · CP 1123

    Quick Attack + Cross Chop

Open battle tools →

In your Collect

Name match only (text). Cards you have saved in Card Nexus Collect — not official art.

Sign in to see holdings, or open Collect.

Open Collect →

Raid and PvP advice uses our Game Master snapshot (updated July 2026).

In the Competitive Guide

Pokédex browserSearchGO CompanionFamily trades