Pokemon Focus: #448 - Lucario

Introduction

Lucario is arguably the true star of 4th Generation. It was among the first 4th-generation Pokemon to be introduced (thanks to the 8th movie), it is the only playable 4th-gen Pokemon in Super Smash Bros. Brawl, and it has attained Gardevoir-level popularity as far as "human-like" Pokemon go.

It's no slouch at battling, either. Fighting/Steel is a great typing, and it has access to powerful moves on both the physical and special sides of the split, with great attacking stats to go either way. All these make Lucario quite unpredictable and a dangerous offensive threat, as well as an awesome-looking Steel Jackal Pokemon.

Capture/Training

It's easy to bring over a Riolu from Diamond/Pearl. Catching one is a different story, as it requires at least 70 days' time and some Safari Zone luck (it's not horribly hard to capture, but 15% isn't a whole lot, and it's probably fairly rare).

Riolu evolves from happiness, so it's beneficial to evolve it as soon as possible.

Stats

70 HP, 110 Atk, 70 Def, 115 Sp. Atk, 70 Sp. Def, 90 Spd

Strangely enough, those are quite low defensive stats for a Steel-type. Even Mawile has better Defense than it does! Of course, it makes up for it by having a great typing that gives it ten resistances. It's also the fastest non-legendary Steel-type, which says something.

But anyways, it's those offensive stats that are really something. Being able to hit so hard on both sides means it's just that much harder to send in a proper counter against it.

Abilities

Lucario is, in some ways, an anti-Flinch Pokemon. It isn't scared of any attack, or at least, if it is, it will gather courage to fight back even harder. Inner Focus outright prevents flinches, and is useful against Fake Out users and flinch-abusers. Meanwhile, Steadfast will increase Lucario's Speed 1 level upon flinching, which theoretically will allow it to avoid being flinched later, as well as helping it sweep. Both are useful.

Moves

Lucario has one of the most expansive movesets around, in that it covers a lot of offensive ground. It is first and foremost a Fighting-type, and it gets several great moves on that end. On the physical side, Close Combat is Lucario's deadliest weapon, landing a 120 BP (with STAB) hit on enemies extremely reliably with its only drawback being a drop of its Defenses afterwards. While it gets a number of other Fighting-type attacks, really, none are quite as good as that on the physical end. Meanwhile, on the Special side, Lucario has access to the rare and valuable Aura Sphere. Being able to hit 100% of the time with a 90 BP move (with STAB) is amazing. As a lesser move, Lucario can learn Flash Cannon to hit from the special Steel side, though Steel isn't that good of an attacking type. It gets nothing in the way of notable physical Steel moves.

The secondary movepool of Lucario is massive. On the physical side, Crunch works extremely well with its Fighting attacks to hit Ghosts. Stone Edge hits Flying-types. Ice Punch can also knock Flying-types from the sky, as well as do a number on Dragon-types. Thunderpunch does the same, but hurts Water-types instead. Earthquake is hardly necessary on this Pokemon, but it's a strong move nonetheless. Zen Headbutt is an odd move that can be used to hurt Poison-types. Lucario is one of the few Pokemon to learn Blaze Kick; the move is most useful for putting the hurt on Bug-types. Return is always available.

As for special attacks, choose either Shadow Ball or Dark Pulse to compliment Aura Sphere and hit Ghosts. One won't affect Normal-types but can drop Special Defense, another will be not-so-effective on Fighting-types but can Flinch. Dragon Pulse can put the hurt on Dragon-types. Psychic does more damage to Poison-types. And, of course, Hidden Power is always an option.

Lucario's true trump card, though, is its selection of powerful priority attacks. ExtremeSpeed is rare and powerful in almost all circumstances. Meanwhile, Lucario can make much use of a STAB Vacuum Wave, the only Special-type priority attack in the game. And it can also Bullet Punch holes in the opponent's team (also with STAB).

For other moves, try Counter and Reversal.

As for its support moveset, Swords Dance comes to mind. One use and it becomes a physical menace. Access to ExtremeSpeed means opponents can't just quickly pick it off, either. Calm Mind is a somewhat more unusual option if a Special Lucario is in order. Agility can increase Lucario's otherwise not-that-impressive Speed. Iron Defense can raise its own Defense, making it harder to take down.

Follow Me can be used in 2 vs. 2 to draw not-very-effective attacks to it.

Effective Movesets

1. Swords Dancer
- Swords Dance
- Close Combat
- ExtremeSpeed
- Crunch
Item: Life Orb

2. Choice Specs
- Aura Sphere
- Dark Pulse/Shadow Ball
- Vacuum Wave
- Dragon Pulse/Flash Cannon/Close Combat
Item: Choice Specs
Note: Close Combat is there if certain specially-defensive Pokemon are giving you trouble.

3. Choice Band
- Close Combat
- ExtremeSpeed
- Crunch
- Ice Punch
Item: Choice Band

4. Mixed Fighter
- Aura Sphere
- Close Combat
- Dark Pulse
- ExtremeSpeed
Item: Black Belt/Choice Scarf

5. Mixed Priority
- Close Combat
- ExtremeSpeed
- Bullet Punch
- Vacuum Wave

6. Reversal
- Substitute
- Swords Dance
- Reversal
- Crunch

7. Calm Mind
- Calm Mind
- Aura Sphere
- Dark Pulse/Shadow Ball
- Vacuum Wave