What does Inkay evolve into?

Inkay evolves into Malamar at level 30. One evolution, no branching. Solid jump from 288 BST.

At what level does Inkay evolve?

Inkay evolves into Malamar at level 30. Takes some grinding. Plan your team around the mid-game wait.

In Sword & Shield, For a casual playthrough, Inkay works as a placeholder. Dark/Psychic coverage is useful early. The real payoff is Malamar . That's where the stats start mattering.

Where can you catch Inkay?

Inkay is catchable in Sword & Shield. Check the Locations section above for specific routes, encounter rates, and methods. It also appears in 6 other games across the series.

Inkay - Weakness, Evolution, Moveset, EVs & Stats

Utility

Balanced

DTier

45Speed · Slow

Stats & Training

You won't find a real weakness in Inkay's stat line. It's well-rounded for the Revolving Pokemon, and what it does with that depends on moveset and items. Yields 1 Attack EV, on a medium-fast 1M XP curve.

Base Stats

Below

HP53

Attack54

Defense53

Sp. Atk37

Sp. Def46

Speed45

Total288

Details

Catch Rate

Easy190 / 255

Growth Rate

Medium Fast1M XP

Height0.4 m

Weight3.5 kg

Base XP58

Abilities

Contrary

Inverts stat changes.

Suction Cups

Prevents being forced out of battle by other Pokémon's moves.

InfiltratorHA

Bypasses light screen, reflect, and safeguard.

EV Yield

HPAtk+1DefSpASpDSpe

Attack training source

Pokedex Entries

It spins while making its luminescent spots flash. These spots allow it to communicate with others by using different patterns of light.

Inkay Weakness

Type-wise, Inkay takes extra damage from Bug and Fairy. Watch out for Bug attacks, those deal 4x damage. Psychic moves do nothing thanks to a full immunity.

Inkay Weakness and Resistance Chart
Damage	Types
4x (Critical)	Bug
2x (Weak)	Fairy
0x (Immune)	Psychic

Type ChartAvg

2Weak

0Resist

1Immune

Score-3

4xCritical

Bug

2xWeak

Fairy

½xResist

None

¼xResist

None

0xImmune

Psychic

STAB (4)

Psychic Ghost Fighting Poison

How to Beat Inkay in Sword & Shield (Best Counters)

Orbeetle BugPsychic	A
Available Moves Moves Bug BuzzLv. 28 U-turnTM56 Struggle BugLv. 1 Damage vs Inkay Bug Buzz 4x 239-281%KO U-turn 4x 112-132%KO Struggle Bug 4x 135-160%KO View Orbeetle builds →
Shuckle BugRock	B
Available Moves Moves Bug BiteLv. 30 Struggle BugLv. 10 Damage vs Inkay Bug Bite 4x 51-61% Struggle Bug 4x 47-55% View Shuckle builds →
Durant BugSteel	C
Available Moves Moves X-ScissorLv. 32 Bug BiteLv. 16 Fury CutterLv. 1 Damage vs Inkay X-Scissor 4x 243-286%KO Bug Bite 4x 182-215%KO Fury Cutter 4x 126-149%KO View Durant builds →
Ribombee BugFairy	C
Available Moves Moves Pollen PuffLv. 1 U-turnTM56 Draining KissTM87 Struggle BugLv. 24 Damage vs Inkay Pollen Puff 4x 271-319%KO U-turn 4x 130-154%KO Draining Kiss 2x 77-91% Struggle Bug 4x 154-182%KO View Ribombee builds →
Morgrem DarkFairy	D
TM Move Moves Draining KissTM87 Damage vs Inkay Draining Kiss 2x 65-77% View Morgrem builds →

Sword & Shield Evolution

Inkay is the base form in a two-stage line leading to Malamar. Check the evolution method below. Plenty of partners for breeding via two egg groups. Eggs are average hatch time. Evolving adds up to 194 stat points total. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.

How to Evolve

2 Forms

#686Inkay

Level 30 (Upside Down)

#687Malamar

Stat Comparison 2 Stages

Inkay

DarkPsychic

Malamar

DarkPsychic

86+33

ATK

92+38

DEF

88+35

SP.ATK

68+31

SP.DEF

75+29

SPE

73+28

BST

288D-Tier

482B-Tier+194

ROLE

Balanced

TYPE

Utility

Physical

Breeding

Very Easy

Breed Inkay easily with 81 breeding partners from the Water1 and Water2 egg groups. Pass egg moves like Acupressure, Destiny Bond, Disable to offspring.

Egg Groups

Water1Water2

Gender

♂50.0%♀50.0%

Hatch Time

20 cycles·5,140 steps

Quick~5 min with Flame Body

Egg Moves

3moves

Breed With (best first)

Sword & Shield Inkay Best Moveset

Best Build

No build content available for this Pokemon in Gen 8.

Try selecting a different game/generation filter, or check back later.

Moves

Breeding's the move. Acupressure and Destiny Bond give Inkay options it can't learn any other way, and coverage across 7 types already covers a decent range on top of Future Sight and Foul Play. The egg moves push it further.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1

Peck

—3510035Flying

Lv 1

Tackle

D4010035Normal

Lv 3

Hypnosis

C—6020Psychic

Lv 6

Wrap

—159020Normal

Lv 9

Payback

D5010010Dark

Lv 12

Pluck

—6010020Flying

Lv 15

Psybeam

D6510020Psychic

Lv 18

Swagger

D—8515Normal

Lv 21

Slash

D7010020Normal

Lv 24

Night Slash

D7010015Dark

Lv 27

Psycho Cut

D7010020Psychic

Lv 31

Switcheroo

C—10010Dark

Lv 33

Foul Play

C9510015Dark

Lv 36

Topsy-Turvy

D——20Dark

Lv 39

Superpower

C1201005Fighting

TM Moves

TR83

Ally Switch+2

C——15Psychic

TM31

Attract

C—10015Normal

TR29

Baton Pass

C——40Normal

TR49

Calm Mind

C——20Psychic

TR58

Dark Pulse

D8010015Dark

TR26

Endure+4

C——10Normal

TM39

Facade

D7010020Normal

TM47

Fake Tears

D—10020Dark

TR02

Flamethrower

D9010015Fire

TM59

Fling

——10010Dark

TR81

Foul Play

C9510015Dark

TR34

Future Sight

C12010010Psychic

TM61

Guard Swap

D——10Psychic

TM17

Light Screen

C——30Psychic

TR98

Liquidation

D8510010Water

TR68

Nasty Plot

C——20Dark

TM57

Payback

D5010010Dark

TM25

Protect+4

C——10Normal

TR11

Psychic

D9010010Psychic

TM69

Psycho Cut

D7010020Psychic

TM33

Rain Dance

C——5Water

TM18

Reflect

C——20Psychic

TM21

Rest

C——10Psychic

TM79

Retaliate

D701005Normal

TM22

Rock Slide

D759010Rock

TM76

Round

D6010015Normal

TR27

Sleep Talk

C——10Normal

TM24

Snore

—5010015Normal

TR82

Stored Power

D2010010Psychic

TR20

Substitute

C——10Normal

TM34

Sunny Day

C——5Fire

TR39

Superpower

C1201005Fighting

TR37

Taunt

C—10020Dark

TM23

Thief

D6010025Dark

TR08

Thunderbolt

D9010015Electric

TM70

Trick Room-7

C——5Psychic

Egg Moves

Egg

Acupressure

———30Normal

Egg

Destiny Bond

C——5Ghost

Egg

Disable

C—10020Normal

Tutor Moves

Tut

Tutor

Expanding Force

D8010010Psychic

Tutor

Lash Out

C751005Dark

Sword & Shield Inkay Locations

high spawn rates in early-game routes across 66 locations. Inkay's one of the easier catches on the list. Two different catch methods are in play here. Knock it out fast and save your time for harder targets.

Best Locations to Catch Inkay in Sword & Shield

66 spots to find Inkay at Lv. 10-43 via walking and surfing. Not all of them exist in both Sword and Shield versions, so filter by your copy below.

Challenge Beach

SwordOverworld Lv.10-15 Water

20%Early

Overcast

Challenge Beach

ShieldOverworld Lv.10-15 Water

20%Early

Overcast

Fields of Honor

SwordOverworld Lv.10-15

20%Early

Overcast

Fields of Honor

ShieldOverworld Lv.10-15

20%Early

Overcast

Training Lowlands

ShieldOverworld Lv.10-15

20%Early

Overcast

Training Lowlands

SwordOverworld Lv.13-18

20%Early

Overcast

Challenge Beach

SwordGrass Lv.13-18 Water

15%Early

Overcast

Challenge Beach

ShieldGrass Lv.13-18 Water

15%Early

Overcast

Fields of Honor

SwordGrass Lv.13-18

15%Early

Overcast

Fields of Honor

ShieldGrass Lv.13-18

15%Early

Overcast

Hammerlocke Hills

ShieldGrass Lv.28-30

35%Mid

Overcast

Hammerlocke Hills

SwordGrass Lv.28-30

35%Mid

Overcast

Bridge Field

SwordGrass Lv.26-28

30%Mid

Intense Sun

Bridge Field

ShieldGrass Lv.26-28

30%Mid

Intense Sun

Hammerlocke Hills

SwordGrass Lv.28-30

25%Mid

Normal Weather

Hammerlocke Hills

ShieldGrass Lv.28-30

25%Mid

Normal Weather

Hammerlocke Hills

SwordGrass Lv.28-30

25%Mid

Snowing

Hammerlocke Hills

ShieldGrass Lv.28-30

25%Mid

Snowing

Loop Lagoon

SwordOverworld Lv.16-21

20%Mid

Overcast

Loop Lagoon

ShieldOverworld Lv.16-21

20%Mid

Overcast

Bridge Field

SwordGrass Lv.26-28

20%Mid

Snowstorm

Bridge Field

ShieldGrass Lv.26-28

20%Mid

Normal Weather

Bridge Field

ShieldGrass Lv.26-28

20%Mid

Snowstorm

Bridge Field

SwordGrass Lv.26-28

20%Mid

Normal Weather

Training Lowlands

SwordGrass Lv.16-21

15%Mid

Overcast

Training Lowlands

ShieldGrass Lv.16-21

15%Mid

Overcast

Loop Lagoon

SwordGrass Lv.19-24

15%Mid

Overcast

Loop Lagoon

ShieldGrass Lv.19-24

15%Mid

Overcast

Hammerlocke Hills

SwordGrass Lv.28-30

15%Mid

Intense Sun

Hammerlocke Hills

ShieldGrass Lv.28-30

15%Mid

Intense Sun

Hammerlocke Hills

SwordGrass Lv.28-30

15%Mid

Raining

Hammerlocke Hills

SwordGrass Lv.28-30

15%Mid

Heavy Fog

Hammerlocke Hills

ShieldGrass Lv.28-30

15%Mid

Raining

Hammerlocke Hills

ShieldGrass Lv.28-30

15%Mid

Heavy Fog

Bridge Field

SwordGrass Lv.26-28

10%Mid

Thunderstorm

Bridge Field

ShieldGrass Lv.26-28

10%Mid

Thunderstorm

Bridge Field

SwordGrass Lv.26-28

10%Mid

Snowing

Bridge Field

SwordGrass Lv.26-28

10%Mid

Sandstorm

Bridge Field

ShieldGrass Lv.26-28

10%Mid

Snowing

Bridge Field

SwordGrass Lv.26-28

10%Mid

Raining

Bridge Field

ShieldGrass Lv.26-28

10%Mid

Sandstorm

Bridge Field

ShieldGrass Lv.26-28

10%Mid

Raining

Hammerlocke Hills

SwordGrass Lv.28-30

10%Mid

Snowstorm

Hammerlocke Hills

ShieldGrass Lv.28-30

10%Mid

Snowstorm

Route 9 - in Circhester Bay

SwordGrass Lv.39-43 Route

25%Late

All Weather

Route 9 - in Circhester Bay

ShieldGrass Lv.39-43 Route

25%Late

All Weather

Bridge Field

SwordSurfing on water Lv.40-43

15%Late

Heavy Fog

Bridge Field

ShieldSurfing on water Lv.40-43

15%Late

Raining

Bridge Field

SwordSurfing on water Lv.40-43

15%Late

Overcast

Bridge Field

ShieldSurfing on water Lv.40-43

15%Late

Heavy Fog

Bridge Field

SwordSurfing on water Lv.40-43

15%Late

Normal Weather

Bridge Field

ShieldSurfing on water Lv.40-43

15%Late

Overcast

Bridge Field

ShieldSurfing on water Lv.40-43

15%Late

Normal Weather

Bridge Field

SwordSurfing on water Lv.40-43

15%Late

Snowstorm

Bridge Field

ShieldSurfing on water Lv.40-43

15%Late

Snowstorm

Bridge Field

SwordSurfing on water Lv.40-43

15%Late

Thunderstorm

Bridge Field

SwordSurfing on water Lv.40-43

15%Late

Intense Sun

Bridge Field

ShieldSurfing on water Lv.40-43

15%Late

Thunderstorm

Bridge Field

SwordSurfing on water Lv.40-43

15%Late

Snowing

Bridge Field

ShieldSurfing on water Lv.40-43

15%Late

Intense Sun

Bridge Field

SwordSurfing on water Lv.40-43

15%Late

Sandstorm

Bridge Field

ShieldSurfing on water Lv.40-43

15%Late

Snowing

Bridge Field

SwordSurfing on water Lv.40-43

15%Late

Raining

Bridge Field

ShieldSurfing on water Lv.40-43

15%Late

Sandstorm

Route 7

SwordOverworld Lv.37-41 Route

10%Late

All Weather

Route 7

ShieldOverworld Lv.37-41 Route

10%Late

All Weather

Inkay Guide

Inkay evolves into Malamar at level 30. One evolution, no branching. Solid jump from 288 BST.
Inkay evolves into Malamar at level 30. Takes some grinding. Plan your team around the mid-game wait.
In Sword & Shield, For a casual playthrough, Inkay works as a placeholder. Dark/Psychic coverage is useful early. The real payoff is Malamar. That's where the stats start mattering.
Inkay is catchable in Sword & Shield. Check the Locations section above for specific routes, encounter rates, and methods. It also appears in 6 other games across the series.

Game Availability

Since X & Y, Inkay has been obtainable in 7 games. A Generation 6 debut means a shorter history, but Inkay has appeared steadily across every generation since.

Click a game to view version-specific details

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Orbeetle BugPsychic	A
Available Move Moves Struggle BugLv. 1 Damage vs Inkay Struggle Bug 4x 142-168%KO View Orbeetle builds →
Shuckle BugRock	B
Available Move Moves Struggle BugLv. 10 Damage vs Inkay Struggle Bug 4x 61-74% View Shuckle builds →
Butterfree BugFlying	C
Available Move Moves Bug BiteLv. 1 Damage vs Inkay Bug Bite 4x 107-126%KO View Butterfree builds →
Cutiefly BugFairy	D
Available Moves Moves Draining KissLv. 18 Fairy WindLv. 1 Damage vs Inkay Draining Kiss 2x 58-68% Fairy Wind 2x 49-58% View Cutiefly builds →
Dwebble BugRock	D
Available Moves Moves Bug BiteLv. 12 Fury CutterLv. 1 Damage vs Inkay Bug Bite 4x 133-158%KO Fury Cutter 4x 98-116%KO View Dwebble builds →

Orbeetle BugPsychic	A
Available Move Moves Struggle BugLv. 1 Damage vs Inkay Struggle Bug 4x 138-164%KO View Orbeetle builds →
Shuckle BugRock	B
Available Move Moves Struggle BugLv. 10 Damage vs Inkay Struggle Bug 4x 53-64% View Shuckle builds →
Butterfree BugFlying	C
Available Move Moves Bug BiteLv. 1 Damage vs Inkay Bug Bite 4x 108-127%KO View Butterfree builds →
Cutiefly BugFairy	D
Available Moves Moves Draining KissLv. 18 Struggle BugLv. 24 Fairy WindLv. 1 Damage vs Inkay Draining Kiss 2x 53-64% Struggle Bug 4x 108-127%KO Fairy Wind 2x 42-50% View Cutiefly builds →
Dwebble BugRock	D
Available Moves Moves Bug BiteLv. 12 Fury CutterLv. 1 Damage vs Inkay Bug Bite 4x 130-155%KO Fury Cutter 4x 92-109%KO View Dwebble builds →

Orbeetle BugPsychic	A
Available Move Moves Struggle BugLv. 1 Damage vs Inkay Struggle Bug 4x 132-156%KO View Orbeetle builds →
Shuckle BugRock	B
Available Move Moves Struggle BugLv. 10 Damage vs Inkay Struggle Bug 4x 48-58% View Shuckle builds →
Butterfree BugFlying	C
Available Move Moves Bug BiteLv. 1 Damage vs Inkay Bug Bite 4x 97-115%KO View Butterfree builds →
Cutiefly BugFairy	D
Available Moves Moves Draining KissLv. 18 Struggle BugLv. 24 Fairy WindLv. 1 Damage vs Inkay Draining Kiss 2x 52-62% Struggle Bug 4x 104-123%KO Fairy Wind 2x 41-49% View Cutiefly builds →
Dwebble BugRock	D
Available Moves Moves Bug BiteLv. 12 Fury CutterLv. 1 Damage vs Inkay Bug Bite 4x 125-148%KO Fury Cutter 4x 90-107%KO View Dwebble builds →

Orbeetle BugPsychic	A
Available Moves Moves Bug BuzzLv. 28 Struggle BugLv. 1 Damage vs Inkay Bug Buzz 4x 236-278%KO Struggle Bug 4x 134-158%KO View Orbeetle builds →
Shuckle BugRock	B
Available Moves Moves Bug BiteLv. 30 Struggle BugLv. 10 Damage vs Inkay Bug Bite 4x 54-63% Struggle Bug 4x 47-57% View Shuckle builds →
Durant BugSteel	C
Available Moves Moves X-ScissorLv. 32 Bug BiteLv. 16 Fury CutterLv. 1 Damage vs Inkay X-Scissor 4x 246-291%KO Bug Bite 4x 187-221%KO Fury Cutter 4x 128-152%KO View Durant builds →
Ribombee BugFairy	C
Available Moves Moves Pollen PuffLv. 1 Draining KissLv. 18 Struggle BugLv. 24 Fairy WindLv. 1 Damage vs Inkay Pollen Puff 4x 274-322%KO Draining Kiss 2x 77-92% Struggle Bug 4x 155-183%KO Fairy Wind 2x 61-73% View Ribombee builds →
Ninjask BugFlying	C
Available Moves Moves Bug BiteLv. 29 Fury CutterLv. 1 Damage vs Inkay Bug Bite 4x 161-189%KO Fury Cutter 4x 107-126%KO View Ninjask builds →

Orbeetle BugPsychic	A
Available Moves Moves Bug BuzzLv. 28 U-turnTM56 Struggle BugLv. 1 Damage vs Inkay Bug Buzz 4x 240-283%KO U-turn 4x 115-137%KO Struggle Bug 4x 137-161%KO View Orbeetle builds →
Golisopod BugWater	B
Available Moves Moves First ImpressionLv. 1 Bug BiteLv. 16 Struggle BugLv. 1 Fury CutterLv. 8 Damage vs Inkay First Impression 4x 319-376%KO Bug Bite 4x 215-254%KO Struggle Bug 4x 111-132%KO Fury Cutter 4x 145-171%KO View Golisopod builds →
Durant BugSteel	C
Available Moves Moves X-ScissorLv. 32 Bug BiteLv. 16 Fury CutterLv. 1 Damage vs Inkay X-Scissor 4x 253-298%KO Bug Bite 4x 190-224%KO Fury Cutter 4x 128-151%KO View Durant builds →
Ribombee BugFairy	C
Available Moves Moves Pollen PuffLv. 1 Dazzling GleamLv. 48 U-turnTM56 Draining KissTM87 Damage vs Inkay Pollen Puff 4x 277-327%KO Dazzling Gleam 2x 124-146%KO U-turn 4x 133-156%KO Draining Kiss 2x 78-93% View Ribombee builds →
Grimmsnarl DarkFairy	C
Available Moves Moves Play RoughLv. 48 Spirit BreakLv. 1 Draining KissTM87 Damage vs Inkay Play Rough 2x 153-180%KO Spirit Break 2x 128-151%KO Draining Kiss 2x 78-93% View Grimmsnarl builds →