Hey guys! So, you're diving into the amazing world of Pokemon Black 2 and you've managed to snag yourselves a Riolu. Awesome choice! Now, the burning question on everyone's mind is, "When does Riolu evolve in Pokemon Black 2?" It's a common query, and one we're here to answer for you. Evolution is one of the coolest aspects of Pokemon, and Riolu's evolution into the powerful Lucario is particularly iconic. But unlike many Pokemon that evolve based solely on their level, Riolu has a special condition you need to meet. Forget just grinding levels endlessly; we're talking about friendship here, folks. That's right, Riolu evolves into Lucario when its friendship level is high enough, and then it needs to level up. So, while hitting a certain level is part of the equation, the real key is building that bond with your little Riolu. It's not just about battling; it's about making your Pokemon feel loved and appreciated. We'll break down exactly how to boost that friendship and when you can expect to see that awesome transformation into Lucario. Get ready to become the best Pokemon buddy your Riolu could ask for!

So, let's get down to the nitty-gritty of making your Riolu evolve into Lucario in Pokemon Black 2. As we touched upon, it's not as simple as reaching level 30 or 40. Riolu's evolution is tied to its friendship or happiness stat. This means that the more you interact positively with your Riolu, the closer it gets to evolving. What counts as positive interaction, you ask? Well, a bunch of things! Battling with Riolu in your party is a major contributor. When Riolu participates in battles and wins, its friendship increases. However, it's not just about winning; even if it gets knocked out, it still gains some friendship, albeit less. You also want to avoid Riolu fainting too often, as that can actually decrease its friendship. Another crucial way to boost friendship is by walking with your Riolu in your party. The game keeps track of the steps you take while Riolu is with you, and each step contributes to its happiness. Think of it as Riolu enjoying the journey with you! Furthermore, giving your Riolu certain items can have a significant impact. Berries like the Pomeg Berry (if used to lower EVs, but be careful as it lowers happiness too), or more directly, items like the Soothe Bell, are your best friends here. The Soothe Bell, when held by Riolu, doubles the friendship points gained from all sources. So, if you have a Soothe Bell, make sure your Riolu is holding it at all times! Also, visiting places like the Pokemon Amie (though this feature is more prominent in later games, the underlying mechanic of interaction exists) or giving Riolu items it likes (which can be influenced by its personality) also contribute. It's a holistic approach; the more you cherish and utilize your Riolu, the more it will grow to trust and love you, paving the way for its incredible evolution.

Now, let's talk about the leveling up part after you've successfully boosted Riolu's friendship. Once Riolu's friendship stat reaches the maximum threshold, it becomes ready to evolve. However, it won't evolve automatically. You still need to level up Riolu one more time. So, the sequence is: increase friendship to maximum, then level up Riolu. The specific level at which this happens can vary depending on when you managed to max out its friendship. If you maxed out its friendship at level 20, and then it gains experience to reach level 21, it will evolve. If you maxed it out at level 35, and it then levels up to 36, it will evolve. There's no fixed level requirement for Riolu's evolution beyond the baseline that it needs to gain any experience to trigger the evolution check after friendship is maxed. This means you can technically evolve Riolu relatively early if you focus heavily on friendship-boosting activities from the get-go. Keep in mind that Riolu has a base friendship value when you obtain it, which is usually quite high if you receive it as a gift or hatch it from an egg, making the process potentially faster. If you catch a wild Riolu, its starting friendship might be lower. The key takeaway here is that friendship is the primary gatekeeper, and leveling up is the trigger that activates the evolution once that gate is opened. So, keep battling, keep walking, keep interacting, and that powerful Lucario will be yours before you know it. Don't get discouraged if it takes a little while; the journey to a strong Lucario is a rewarding one!

Let's dive a bit deeper into how to effectively manage and increase Riolu's friendship in Pokemon Black 2 to speed up that evolution process. As mentioned, battling is key, but let's quantify it a bit. Each battle Riolu participates in and wins grants a certain number of friendship points. If it faints, it loses points. So, try to keep Riolu healthy and in the fight. Using items like X-Sp. Atk or X-Def during battle also increases friendship. Walking is another significant factor. The game measures friendship based on the number of steps taken. So, constantly moving around the game world with Riolu in your party is highly beneficial. Don't leave it boxed away if you want it to evolve! Beyond battles and steps, consider the specific mechanics in Black 2. The Soothe Bell is absolutely essential. You can typically find this item from an NPC, often someone who appreciates Pokemon bonds. Once you have it, equip it to Riolu. This item doubles all friendship gains, making every action you take much more impactful. For example, a single battle win might give 3 friendship points normally, but with the Soothe Bell, it gives 6! Similarly, walking steps will contribute more friendship. Other items that can indirectly help include vitamins like Calcium or Protein, which increase stats. While they don't directly boost friendship, using them on Riolu can be seen as investing in its growth, and in some games, this perception is tied to happiness. However, the most direct ways are battling, walking, and the Soothe Bell. Remember that Riolu starts with a base friendship value. If you obtained Riolu through means that typically grant higher base friendship (like hatching from an egg), you're already ahead. If it's a wild Riolu, its starting value might be lower, requiring more effort. The goal is to hit that friendship cap, which is generally around 160-220 points depending on the specific game mechanics and Riolu's starting friendship. Once that cap is hit, the next level-up will trigger the evolution. So, be diligent, keep your Riolu engaged, and you'll witness its transformation.

Finally, let's discuss when you can expect to encounter Riolu and what other considerations there are for its evolution in Pokemon Black 2. Riolu can be found in the wild, primarily in areas like Floccesy Ranch. However, catching one can be a bit tricky, and they aren't always the easiest Pokemon to find. Once you have your Riolu, the journey to Lucario begins. Remember, the key is high friendship before leveling up. So, what's the optimal strategy? Early in the game, focus on gaining friendship. Use Riolu in battles, even if it's just against weaker wild Pokemon. Use items like Potions to keep it healthy. Walk around extensively. If you happen to find a Soothe Bell early on, equip it immediately. As you progress, Riolu's friendship will steadily increase. You might find that after a few Gym battles or exploring several routes, your Riolu's friendship is high enough. Then, any experience gained from subsequent battles will trigger the evolution. There isn't a specific level requirement, but generally, by the time players are tackling the mid-game gyms, they've accumulated enough friendship through natural play to facilitate the evolution. Some players even manage to evolve Riolu before the first Gym if they are extremely dedicated to friendship-boosting. It's also worth noting that Riolu evolves into Lucario, a Fighting/Steel type Pokemon, known for its high Attack and Special Attack stats and its signature move, Aura Sphere. This makes Lucario a formidable addition to any team. So, the effort you put into raising Riolu's friendship is definitely worth it. Keep battling, keep exploring, and keep that friendship meter as high as possible. With a little patience and consistent effort, your Riolu will soon evolve into the powerful Lucario you've been aiming for. Happy training, trainers!