Lucario

Lucario (Japanese: ルカリオ Lucario) is a dual-type Fighting/Steel Pokemon introduced in Generation IV. It evolves from Riolu when leveled up with high friendship during the day. Lucario is famous for its ability to sense and manipulate Aura, a form of spiritual energy, and has become one of the most popular Pokemon in the franchise.

Basic Information

AttributeValue
National Pokedex #448
TypeFighting/Steel
SpeciesAura Pokemon
Height1.2 m (3'11")
Weight54.0 kg (119.0 lbs)
AbilitiesSteadfast, Inner Focus, Justified (Hidden)
Egg GroupsField, Human-Like
Gender Ratio87.5% Male, 12.5% Female
Catch Rate45 (11.9% with Poke Ball)
Base Friendship50
Base Experience184

Taxonomy

Classification

  • Kingdom: Animalia (fictional)
  • Phylum: Pokemonata
  • Class: Mammalia
  • Order: Caniformia
  • Family: Lucarioidae
  • Genus: Lucario
  • Species: L. aura

Name Origin

LanguageNameOrigin
Japaneseルカリオ (Lucario)Unknown; possibly oracle + orichalcum
EnglishLucarioFrom Japanese
GermanLucarioFrom Japanese
FrenchLucarioFrom Japanese
Korean루카리오 (Lukario)Transliteration
Chinese路卡利歐 (Lùkǎlì'ōu)Transliteration

Biology

Physical Description

Lucario is a bipedal, canine-like Pokemon with blue and black fur. It has a cream-colored torso with a spike protruding from its chest. Four black appendages hang from the back of its head, which it uses to sense Aura. Its hands have one spike on each back, and its feet have two white claws. Lucario has red eyes and a black "mask" pattern on its face.

Physical Features

FeatureDescription
Fur ColorBlue, black, cream
Aura SensorsFour head appendages
Chest SpikeSteel-type indicator
Hand SpikesOne on each hand
EyesRed, piercing
BuildAthletic, humanoid

Aura

Aura is central to Lucario's identity:

AspectDetails
DefinitionLife energy emanating from all living things
DetectionCan sense Aura from over half a mile away
ReadingUnderstands emotions and thoughts
ManipulationCan shape Aura into attacks
SignatureEach being has unique Aura

Behavior

  • Habitat: Mountains, caves, forests
  • Diet: Omnivorous
  • Temperament: Loyal, proud, honorable
  • Activity Pattern: Diurnal

Behavioral Traits

TraitDescription
LoyaltyExtremely devoted to worthy trainers
HonorFollows strict code of conduct
TrainingConstantly hones its skills
JusticeProtects the weak

Pokedex Entries

GameEntry
Diamond"It has the ability to sense the auras of all things. It understands human speech."
Pearl"By catching the aura emanating from others, it can read their thoughts and movements."
Scarlet"It concentrates its mental energy and fires off mysterious waves called auras, which can crush boulders of large size to dust."

Base Stats

StatBase ValueMin (Lv. 100)Max (Lv. 100)
HP70250344
Attack110202350
Defense70130262
Sp. Attack115211361
Sp. Defense70130262
Speed90166306
Total525--

Evolution

Evolution Line

Riolu → Lucario
High Friendship (Day)
StagePokemonMethod
BasicRioluWild/Egg
Stage 1LucarioHigh friendship during daytime

Evolution Requirements

RequirementDetails
Friendship220+ friendship points
TimeMust be daytime (4:00 AM - 8:00 PM)
Level UpAny level after conditions met

Mega Evolution

Mega Lucario

AttributeValue
TypeFighting/Steel
AbilityAdaptability
Height1.3 m (4'03")
Weight57.5 kg (126.8 lbs)

Mega Stats

StatBaseMega
HP7070
Attack110145
Defense7088
Sp. Attack115140
Sp. Defense7070
Speed90112
Total525625

Adaptability

AspectDetails
EffectSTAB bonus increased from 1.5x to 2x
ImpactDramatically increases damage
Strategic UseMakes Close Combat/Aura Sphere devastating

Mega Lucario Appearance

  • Longer head appendages
  • Cream fur becomes more prominent
  • Red markings on hands and feet
  • More aggressive stance
  • Aura visibly emanates from body

Abilities

Standard Abilities

Steadfast

AspectDetails
EffectSpeed raises by one stage when flinched
SynergyCounters Fake Out leads
CompetitiveSituational usefulness

Inner Focus

AspectDetails
EffectPrevents flinching
BonusImmune to Intimidate (Gen VIII+)
CompetitiveUseful against Fake Out

Hidden Ability

Justified

AspectDetails
EffectAttack raises when hit by Dark-type move
Strategic UseSwitch into Dark attacks
CompetitiveExcellent for prediction plays

Moves

Level-Up Moves (Generation IX)

LevelMoveTypeCategoryPowerAccuracy
1Quick AttackNormalPhysical40100%
1DetectFightingStatus——
1Metal ClawSteelPhysical5095%
1CounterFightingPhysical—100%
1ScreechNormalStatus—85%
1Quick GuardFightingStatus——
12Work UpNormalStatus——
16Force PalmFightingPhysical60100%
20CopycatNormalStatus——
24Calm MindPsychicStatus——
28Metal SoundSteelStatus—85%
32Bone RushGroundPhysical2590%
36Life DewWaterStatus——
40Aura SphereFightingSpecial80—
44Swords DanceNormalStatus——
48Dragon PulseDragonSpecial85100%
52Extreme SpeedNormalPhysical80100%
56Close CombatFightingPhysical120100%
60ReversalFightingPhysical—100%

Signature Move

Aura Sphere

AspectDetails
TypeFighting
CategorySpecial
Power80
AccuracyNever misses
EffectBypasses accuracy checks
SignatureLucario's iconic move

Key TM Moves

MoveTypePowerStrategic Use
Close CombatFighting120Primary physical STAB
Aura SphereFighting80Primary special STAB
Flash CannonSteel80Steel STAB
Meteor MashSteel90Physical Steel option
EarthquakeGround100Coverage
Ice PunchIce75Coverage
Dark PulseDark80Coverage
Swords DanceNormal—Physical setup
Nasty PlotDark—Special setup

Competitive Battling

Role in Competitive Play

Lucario has been a strong competitive presence since Generation IV:

GenerationTierNotes
IVOUSwords Dance sweeper
VOUContinued viability
VIOU/UbersMega Lucario very strong
VIIUUPost-Mega ban
VIIIUUSolid presence
IXUUVersatile attacker

Common Sets

Physical Sweeper

MovePurpose
Swords DanceSetup
Close CombatSTAB
Extreme SpeedPriority
Ice Punch/EarthquakeCoverage

Special Attacker

MovePurpose
Nasty PlotSetup
Aura SphereSTAB
Flash CannonSTAB
Vacuum Wave/Dark PulsePriority/Coverage

Mixed Attacker

MovePurpose
Close CombatPhysical STAB
Aura SphereSpecial STAB
Extreme SpeedPriority
Ice PunchCoverage

Strengths

StrengthDetails
VersatilityCan run physical, special, or mixed
PriorityExtreme Speed and Bullet Punch
CoverageExcellent movepool
SetupAccess to Swords Dance and Nasty Plot
TypingSteel gives many resistances

Weaknesses

WeaknessDetails
FrailtyAverage defenses
SpeedBase 90 can be outsped
Common WeaknessesGround, Fire, Fighting
Setup RelianceOften needs a boost

Mega Lucario (Gen VI-VII)

Mega Lucario was extremely powerful:

AspectDetails
UsageInitially OU, later banned to Ubers
ReasonAdaptability + power + speed
Key ThreatsClose Combat 2x STAB devastated teams

In Popular Culture

Film Debut

Lucario debuted in "Lucario and the Mystery of Mew" (2005):

AspectDetails
RoleProtagonist alongside Ash
TrainerSir Aaron (historical)
PlotAwakened to find Aura Guardian's legacy
ThemeFriendship, sacrifice, trust
ImpactEstablished Lucario's popularity

Anime Appearances

Notable Lucario

LucarioTrainerAppearance
Sir Aaron's LucarioSir AaronMovie 8
Maylene's LucarioMayleneDiamond & Pearl
Korrina's LucarioKorrinaXY Series
Ash's LucarioAshJourneys

Ash's Lucario

AspectDetails
OriginHatched from egg as Riolu
EvolutionEvolved during Journeys
PersonalityEmotional, determined
Key BattlesWorld Coronation Series
RelationshipStrong Aura bond with Ash

Super Smash Bros.

Lucario has been a playable fighter since Brawl:

GameStatusNotes
BrawlPlayableDebut
3DS/Wii UPlayableReturns
UltimatePlayableReturns

Smash Mechanics

MechanicDetails
AuraAttacks stronger at higher damage
Final SmashMega Lucario
Fighting StyleBalanced, Aura-based

Trading Card Game

Lucario cards are popular and valuable:

CardSetNotes
Lucario LV.XMysterious TreasuresEarly popularity
Mega Lucario EXFurious FistsCompetitive
Lucario VSTARBrilliant StarsRecent
Radiant LucarioVariousChase card

Breeding

Egg Information

AspectValue
Egg GroupsField, Human-Like
Egg Cycles25 (6,425 steps)
Gender Ratio87.5% Male, 12.5% Female

Egg Moves

MoveTypeNotable Parents
Bullet PunchSteelHitmonchan, Scizor
Blaze KickFireBlaziken, Hitmonlee
Vacuum WaveFightingHitmonchan
Circle ThrowFightingThroh
High Jump KickFightingHitmonlee

Trivia

  • Lucario was one of the first Generation IV Pokemon revealed
  • Lucario can understand human speech
  • Lucario's pre-evolution Riolu was the first baby Pokemon introduced in Generation IV
  • Lucario is the only non-legendary Pokemon to star in its own movie before its generation's games released
  • Lucario's design may be inspired by Anubis, the Egyptian god
  • Lucario is one of the few Pokemon to have an Aura-based ability in the anime
  • The Aura concept was expanded into a major plot element in multiple media

Type Effectiveness

Defensive

TypeEffectiveness
Poison0x (Immune)
Normal0.5x
Rock0.5x
Bug0.25x
Steel0.5x
Grass0.5x
Ice0.5x
Dragon0.5x
Dark0.5x
Fire2x
Fighting2x
Ground2x

Offensive (STAB)

Move TypeSuper Effective Against
FightingNormal, Ice, Rock, Dark, Steel
SteelIce, Rock, Fairy

Related Pokemon

PokemonRelationship
RioluPre-evolution
ZoroarkSimilar popularity, Dark counterpart
BlazikenFellow Fighting type, starter
MachampFellow Fighting type

See Also

References

  1. ^Pokemon Diamond and Pearl — Game Freak / Nintendo (2006)
  2. ^Official Lucario Page — The Pokemon Company (2024)
  3. ^Lucario (Pokemon) — Bulbapedia (2024)
  4. ^Lucario Pokedex Entry — Serebii.net (2024)
  5. ^Lucario and the Mystery of Mew — Toho / Kunihiko Yuyama (2005)
  6. ^Lucario Competitive Analysis — Smogon University (2024)