To get Riolu to maximum happiness, I’ve found that there are several things you can do. One of the easiest ways is to simply keep Riolu in your party and battle with it. As you battle and win battles, Riolu will gain experience points and its happiness will increase. This is a great way to passively increase happiness while also training your Pokemon.
Another method is to give Riolu curry or berries. In Pokemon Sword and Shield, you can cook curry at your camp. Cooking curry and feeding it to your Pokemon will not only increase their friendship, but it’s also a fun and interactive way to bond with your Pokemon. You can experiment with different ingredients and curry recipes to find out what Riolu likes best.
Playing with Riolu in Pokemon Camp is another way to increase its happiness. When you set up camp, you can interact with your Pokemon by playing with toys or throwing balls for them to fetch. This playful interaction will not only make Riolu happy, but it’s also a great way to build a stronger bond with your Pokemon.
Additionally, taking Riolu to the Pokemon Salon in Hammerlocke can also increase its happiness. At the salon, you can have Riolu groomed, which will make it happy and also increase its friendship. It’s a nice way to pamper your Pokemon and make them feel special.
Lastly, using certain items can also boost Riolu’s happiness. The Soothe Bell is an item that, when held by a Pokemon, increases its happiness. You can find the Soothe Bell in Hulbury, given to you by a woman near the marketplace. Other items like the Luxury Ball or the Friend Ball can also increase happiness when used to catch Riolu.
In my personal experience, I found that a combination of these methods worked best to maximize Riolu’s happiness. By keeping Riolu in my party, battling with it, feeding it curry, playing with it in Pokemon Camp, and occasionally visiting the Pokemon Salon, I was able to quickly raise its happiness to the maximum level.
Remember, increasing Riolu’s happiness is not only beneficial for evolving it into Lucario but also for boosting its performance in battles. So, have fun bonding with your Riolu and watch as its happiness grows!