• ℹ️ CARD INFORMATION
• ✨ ABILITIES
• ⚔️ ATTACKS
• 💰 LATEST PRICES

CARD INFORMATION

• SUBTYPES:
  • Basic
• HP: 80
• TYPES:
  • Fighting
• EVOLVES TO:
  • Lucario
• WEAKNESSES:
  • TYPE: Psychic
  • VALUE: ×2
• RETREATCOST:
  • Colorless
  • Colorless
• RETREAT COST: 2
• RARITY: Common
• REGULATIONMARK: I

CARD ABILITIES

This card has no abilities

CARD ATTACKS

• NAME: Accelerating Stab
• COST:
  • Fighting
• ENERGY COST: 1
• DAMAGE: 30
• DETAILS: During your next turn, this Pokémon can't use Accelerating Stab.

MARKET PRICES FOR RIOLU 💰

Last updated: 2025/10/11

HIGH	4.99	USD
MID	0.24	USD	TREND
LOW	0.10	USD

Check the latest prices on:

Tcgplayer
(link)

Cardmarket
(link)

Pokechange
(link)

Riolu (ME1-76) emerges as a feisty Fighting-type basic Pokémon with evolutionary potential.

With 80 HP and a single-energy attack, this card offers trainers an early-game option that could develop into something greater.

But does this baby brawler pack enough punch to earn its spot in competitive decks, or is it merely a stepping stone to its evolution?

Offensive rating: 4/10

Riolu's offensive capabilities center entirely around Accelerating Stab, a single Fighting energy attack that deals 30 damage.

This translates to a decent damage-per-energy ratio, but the attack comes with a significant drawback - you cannot use it in consecutive turns.

This limitation severely hampers Riolu's damage output over time.

Without any bonus effects like status conditions or bench damage, Accelerating Stab remains a basic attack at best.

The card lacks any abilities to boost its offensive presence, and 30 damage will rarely secure crucial KOs in the current meta.

Even against Pokémon with weakness to Fighting, the damage output falls short of what competitive play demands.

Survival rating: 5/10

With 80 HP, Riolu sits at a reasonable health pool for a basic Pokémon, offering moderate survivability against early-game threats.

However, its Psychic weakness poses a significant vulnerability in a meta where Psychic-type attackers are prevalent.

The two-cost retreat requirement further complicates matters, potentially stranding Riolu in the active position when you need to pivot.

This combination of moderate HP and high retreat cost creates awkward situations where Riolu might absorb a hit but then become a liability.

The card lacks any inherent defensive abilities or effects that would increase its longevity, such as damage reduction or healing options, making it a relatively straightforward target for opponents to eliminate.

Versatility rating: 4/10

Riolu's versatility stems primarily from its status as a basic Fighting-type that evolves into Lucario, a historically powerful evolutionary line.

This gives the card inherent value as an entry point to potentially stronger strategies.

However, taken on its own merits, Riolu offers minimal versatility.

Its single attack with a self-limiting clause constrains its offensive options, while its lack of abilities provides no utility effects for your strategy.

The Fighting typing does counter Darkness and Normal types in the current meta, but without significant damage output, this advantage is minimized.

Riolu struggles to fulfill multiple roles and generally serves as either bench fodder awaiting evolution or a subpar active attacker in a pinch.

Speed/Setup rating: 7/10

Riolu earns points for its straightforward setup requirements - a single Fighting energy is all you need to attack.

This allows for immediate offensive presence on turn one if going second, which can be valuable in aggressive strategies.

As a basic Pokémon, it's easily searchable through common staples like Quick Ball, Nest Ball, or Ultra Ball, giving it solid accessibility.

However, the card's self-limiting attack clause disrupts its setup efficiency, forcing rotation or energy attachment to alternate attackers every other turn.

When viewed as part of an evolution line, Riolu serves its purpose adequately, but the evolution process itself adds another layer of setup time before reaching its full potential with Lucario.

To maximize Riolu's potential, focus on cards that expedite evolution, provide energy acceleration, or offer switching options.

Evolution boosters help transform Riolu into Lucario quickly, while energy acceleration counteracts the attack limitation by giving alternative options.

Switch cards help navigate the high retreat cost, allowing strategic pivoting between turns when Accelerating Stab is unavailable.

Perfect Partners examples:

Riolu (ME1-76) presents itself as a serviceable starting point for Fighting-type strategies, though its merits lie more in what it evolves into rather than its individual strengths.

Its decent HP and single-energy attack provide early game utility, but the self-limiting attack clause creates significant rhythm issues in sustained gameplay.

When building around this card, prioritize quick evolution strategies and switching options to mitigate its limitations.

In the competitive landscape, Riolu functions best as a temporary placeholder rather than a standalone attacker, setting the stage for more impactful Lucario plays.

For casual play, its accessibility and straightforward mechanics make it approachable, but tournament success will depend heavily on supporting it with the right cards and moving quickly beyond its basic form to unlock greater potential.

Consider this baby Fighting-type as the first step in a journey rather than the destination itself.

POWER INDEX

42