How To Evolve Riolu Brilliant Diamond

Okay, picture this: I'm like, totally hyped for my Brilliant Diamond playthrough. I'd planned everything out. My starter was going to be Chimchar (obvi), and I was gonna snag a Riolu ASAP and train it into a Lucario. Lucario's, like, the ultimate cool-kid Pokémon. Except... I spent hours in that Iron Island cave. Hours! And nada. Just Zubats giving me the side-eye. Finally got my little blue furball, and then the real struggle began. Evolving the darn thing felt harder than algebra. Trust me, if you've been there, you feel me.

So, you’ve finally got your hands on a Riolu in Pokémon Brilliant Diamond (or Shining Pearl, same difference!). Congrats! But now comes the tricky part: turning that little fighting-type pup into the super-powered Lucario. It's not just a matter of leveling up, folks. It requires a bit more... finesse. And a whole lot of patience. Let's dive in, shall we?

Understanding Friendship (or is it Affection?)

Riolu evolves through Friendship. Now, the game doesn't exactly spell this out with a neon sign, does it? Basically, you need to raise its happiness level to a certain threshold. Think of it as your Riolu needing to really, really, really like you. I mean, who wouldn't like you? You're reading this article!

But how do you measure this elusive "Friendship"? The good news is, there's a way! Head to Eterna City and visit the Pokémon Center. Inside, you'll find an NPC who can tell you how much your Pokémon likes you. She'll give you vague clues, like "It looks really happy!" or "It's quite friendly to you." You're aiming for something along the lines of "It absolutely loves you! I feel like it wants to be spoiled rotten!" That's your cue to start the evolution party.

Friendship-Boosting Strategies

Okay, so how do we make our Riolu our BFF? Here are some tried-and-true methods:

• Walking around: Sounds simple, right? Just having Riolu in your party and taking steps is a passive friendship boost. Think of it as quality time.
• Leveling up: Another easy one. Every time Riolu levels up, its friendship increases slightly. So, get battling!
• Using it in battle: Don't leave Riolu stuck at the back of your party! Let it get some experience. Victory brings you closer together. (And hopefully doesn't involve fainting too often. More on that later.)
• Giving it vitamins: Items like Protein, Iron, Calcium, etc., all give a Friendship boost. Stock up! Although, maybe not too much, or you'll break the bank!
• Using the Soothe Bell: This item dramatically increases the amount of friendship gained. You can find it in the Pokémon Mansion on Route 212. Equip it to Riolu and watch the friendship blossom.
• Massages: Head to Veilstone City and get your Riolu a massage! This is a great way to give a quick friendship boost. Just be aware it's only available once per day.

Things to Avoid (Because Nobody Likes a Grumpy Riolu)

Just as important as raising friendship is avoiding things that lower it. Here's the rundown:

• Letting it faint: Nobody likes getting knocked out! Especially your Riolu. Try to keep it healthy in battle. Heal up when needed!
• Using herbal medicine: Potions are your friend, but bitter herbs like Energy Powder, Energy Root, Heal Powder, and Revival Herb decrease friendship. Even though they heal, Riolu doesn’t like the taste apparently!
• Trading it: This one's a bummer, but trading resets the Friendship level. So, keep Riolu close to you!

The Big Moment: Evolution Time!

Once you've maxed out Riolu's Friendship, the magic happens during the day. Yep, daytime is key! Level it up during the day, and BOOM! Lucario! If you level it up at night, nothing will happen. And you will be sad. Believe me, I've been there. Double-check the time on your Nintendo Switch to make sure it's daytime in the game before you commit to leveling up.

So, there you have it! A comprehensive guide to evolving Riolu in Brilliant Diamond. It might take some time and effort, but trust me, the payoff is worth it. Lucario is a powerhouse and a valuable addition to any team. Now go out there and make your Riolu your best friend! And remember, patience is a virtue, especially when dealing with virtual pocket monsters. Happy training!