Lucario

**Lucario** (ルカリオ, *Lucario*) is a creature from the *Pokémon* series. It debuted in the series' fourth generation, and is present as a playable character in *Super Smash Bros. Brawl*, *Super Smash Bros. 4*, and *Super Smash Bros. Ultimate*.

Lucario is a bipedal canine Pokémon, and is categorized within the Pokédex at #448 as the "Aura Pokémon". Lucario is a dual Fighting/Steel-type Pokémon and the evolved form of Riolu; in the *Pokémon* core series, Riolu evolves when it gains a level while having a sufficiently high amount of friendship rating and only during morning, daytime, and afternoon hours. Lucario is able to detect and wield Aura, a spiritual energy that surrounds every living thing.

According to the Pokédex, by picking up on the Aura emanating from others, it can read their thoughts and movements; a well-trained Lucario, in particular, can sense and read the feelings of creatures over half a mile away. Lucario also understands human speech, and is even capable of communicating telepathically in human languages.

Prior to its official debut in the main series, Lucario made its first appearance in the eighth *Pokémon* movie, *Lucario and the Mystery of Mew*, and additionally appeared as a non-playable cameo in Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Red Rescue Team and Blue Rescue Team. Despite being one of the most prominently marketed fourth generation Pokémon in the lead-up to the release of Pokémon Diamond and Pearl, it has no real plot prominence in those games, being only available after hatching from a Riolu egg gifted to the player during their visit to Iron Island, and being used on the teams of Riley, Maylene and Cynthia.

However, Lucario is notable within Kalos, the setting of *Pokémon X* and *Y*, the first games within the series' sixth generation. In Kalos, Lucario is renowned as the first Pokémon to have achieved Mega Evolution in the region. This is reflected by its significance to the plot of *X* and *Y*: it is the first Pokémon the player initiates Mega Evolution with, and a very large statue of its Mega Evolution, Mega Lucario, is a centerpiece within the Tower of Mastery.

Several Lucario have made appearances in the anime, such as the Lucario who starred in the eighth movie; Korrina's Lucario, who was trained to use its Mega Evolution form after initial difficulty; and Ash Ketchum's Lucario, who evolved from a Riolu that Ash received as an Egg.

Lucario has high Attack and Special Attack stats and average Speed, but low defenses; in particular, its Special Attack statistic is unusually high for a Fighting type, reflecting its mastery over the control of Aura, further evidenced by its access to moves like Aura Sphere. Lucario's high offenses make it a versatile and slightly unpredictable Pokémon, as it can effectively run physical, special or mixed movesets. Its three abilities reflect its stoic and brave character: Inner Focus prevents it from flinching or (starting with Gen VIII) having its Attack dropped by Intimidate, Steadfast raises its Speed if it flinches, and Justified raises its Attack after it is hit by a Dark-type move.

While holding a Lucarionite, Lucario can undergo Mega Evolution to become Mega Lucario. As Mega Lucario, its already impressive offensive and speed statistics are boosted considerably, and it gains Adaptability as its ability, which further supplements its offenses by powering up its Fighting and Steel type attacks.