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Riolu VGC Builds & Stats

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Riolu

Riolu

FIGHTING
HP
40
Atk
70
Def
40
SpA
35
SpD
40
Spe
60
Build Riolu in Team BuilderView all Riolu teams

Weaknesses

  • FAIRY2x
  • FLYING2x
  • PSYCHIC2x

Best Nature

Adamant 2/32/0/0/0/32

Best Moveset

  1. CoachingFIGHTINGStatus24.6%
  2. Quick GuardFIGHTINGStatus13.6%
  3. FeintNORMALPhysical7.3%
  4. Helping HandNORMALStatus6.8%

Best Ability / Item

SteadfastFocus SashFocus Sash

Riolu technical VGC usage sections

Top Moves

  • #1

    Coaching

    FIGStatus

    The user properly coaches its ally Pokémon, boosting their Attack and Defense stats.

    24.55%
  • #2

    Quick Guard

    FIGStatus

    The user protects itself and its allies from priority moves.

    13.63%
  • #3

    Feint

    NORPhysical30 BP

    This attack can hit a target using a move such as Protect or Detect. This also lifts the effects of those moves.

    7.35%
  • #4

    Helping Hand

    NORStatus

    The user assists an ally by boosting the power of that ally's attack.

    6.78%
  • #5

    Copycat

    NORStatus

    The user mimics the move used immediately before it. The move fails if no other move has been used yet.

    6.49%
  • #6

    Detect

    FIGStatus

    This move enables the user to protect itself from all attacks. Its chance of failing rises if it is used in succession.

    6.45%
  • #7

    Bullet Punch

    STEPhysical40 BP

    The user strikes the target with tough punches as fast as bullets. This move always goes first.

    5.49%
  • #8

    Rain Dance

    WATStatus

    The user summons a heavy rain that falls for five turns, powering up Water-type attacks. The rain also lowers the power of Fire-type attacks.

    4.84%
  • #9

    Sunny Day

    FIRStatus

    The user intensifies the sun for five turns, powering up Fire-type attacks. The sunlight also lowers the power of Water-type attacks.

    4.26%
  • #10

    Protect

    NORStatus

    This move enables the user to protect itself from all attacks. Its chance of failing rises if it is used in succession.

    4.07%
  • #11

    Other

    16.09%

Top Natures

  • #1

    Adamant 2/32/0/0/0/32

    12.47%
  • #2

    Careful 32/2/0/0/32/0

    11.84%
  • #3

    Calm 32/2/0/0/32/0

    7.72%
  • #4

    Careful 32/0/21/0/13/0

    7.36%
  • #5

    Jolly 32/2/0/0/0/32

    4.99%
  • #6

    Jolly 2/32/0/0/0/32

    4.88%
  • #7

    Bold 32/0/13/0/21/0

    3.63%
  • #8

    Jolly 32/2/0/0/0/32

    3.47%
  • #9

    Impish 32/0/13/0/21/0

    3.43%
  • #10

    Adamant 32/32/2/0/0/0

    2.59%
  • #11

    Other

    37.62%

Top Abilities

  • #1

    Steadfast

    The Pokémon's determination boosts its Speed stat every time it flinches.

    100.00%

Top Items

  • #1
    Focus Sash

    Focus Sash

    Held: Holder survives any single-hit attack at 1 HP if at max HP, then the item is consumed.

    99.27%
  • #2
    Mental Herb

    Mental Herb

    Held: Consumed to cure infatuation. Gen V: Also removes Taunt, Encore, Torment, Disable, and Cursed Body.

    0.64%
  • #3
    Heat Rock

    Heat Rock

    Held: Sunny Day by the holder lasts 8 rounds instead of 5.

    0.09%
  • #4
    Sitrus Berry

    Sitrus Berry

    Held: Consumed at 1/2 max HP to recover 1/4 max HP.

    0.00%

Top Teammates

  • #1
    IncineroarIncineroar
    FIRDAR
    TeamsBuilder
    21.35%
  • #2
    WhimsicottWhimsicott
    GRAFAI
    TeamsBuilder
    12.16%
  • #3
    FarigirafFarigiraf
    NORPSY
    TeamsBuilder
    7.62%
  • #4
    GrimmsnarlGrimmsnarl
    DARFAI
    TeamsBuilder
    6.33%
  • #5
    RhyperiorRhyperior
    GROROC
    TeamsBuilder
    5.89%
  • #6
    SinistchaSinistcha
    GRAGHO
    TeamsBuilder
    5.50%
  • #7
    StaraptorStaraptor
    NORFLY
    TeamsBuilder
    5.44%
  • #8
    OranguruOranguru
    NORPSY
    TeamsBuilder
    5.42%
  • #9
    GalladeGallade
    PSYFIG
    TeamsBuilder
    5.30%
  • #10
    AnnihilapeAnnihilape
    FIGGHO
    TeamsBuilder
    4.24%
  • #11

    Other

    20.75%
Meta Discussion

What do you think of Riolu in the current meta?

Join competitive metagame discussions, recommended builds, ideal partners, and counters for Riolu on the MetaVGC forum.

View discussion on the forum

How to use Riolu in the current VGC format?

**To use Riolu effectively in the current VGC format, leverage its Fighting type typing and build around its top-performing movesets.** Riolu appears as a prominent choice in the current Pokémon Champions format, with usage data pulled from competitive teams, tournament results and Showdown-ready pastes tracked by MetaVGC. This page brings together its most common moveset, nature, ability, item, teammates and type weaknesses so you can judge where Riolu fits in a VGC team.

The most common build highlights Steadfast, Focus Sash and Adamant 2/32/0/0/0/32. Its frequent moves include Coaching, Quick Guard, Feint, Helping Hand, Copycat, and Detect. Treat those choices as a data-backed starting point: they show what players are bringing, while EV spreads, Tera Type and the final move slot should still respond to your expected matchups.

Defensively, Riolu has important weaknesses to fairy 2x, flying 2x, psychic 2x. That matters during teambuilding because a strong composition needs ways to cover those attacks without giving up offensive pressure. Partners such as Incineroar, Whimsicott, Farigiraf, Grimmsnarl, and Rhyperior appear often because they can add positioning, type coverage, speed control or safer switches into common checks.

MetaVGC tracks recent teams using Riolu. Open the Riolu teams page to compare complete structures, copy Showdown pastes and see how players combine Riolu with other Pokémon in the active format.

Frequently Asked Questions about Riolu in VGC

What is the best moveset for Riolu?

The best moveset for Riolu in the current competitive meta typically features the moves Coaching, Quick Guard, Feint, Helping Hand.

How to counter Riolu in Champions?

In the Pokémon Champions meta, Riolu can be countered by exploiting its weaknesses (fairy 2x, flying 2x, psychic 2x) and using effective check/counter teams.

What is the best item for Riolu?

The best item for Riolu is typically Focus Sash, based on high-level tournament and ladder stats.

Where does the competitive VGC data for Riolu come from?

Usage statistics and battle data compiled from Pokémon Showdown usage reports and official Play! Pokémon VGC tournament results.

External sources cited: Pokémon Showdown | Play! Pokémon