Pokemon Sword and Shield has trainers explore the Galar region, Game Freak's Generation 8 take on Great Britain. Even though the newest entries have brought many jarring changes, veteran trainers will be glad to know that some unique ways to evolve Pokemon have stayed the same. In particular, Inkay, a Dark/Psychic-type that debuted in Generation 6, still uses the same method which turns a trainer's world upside down.
Inkay first debuted in 2013 as a Kalos region native. Appealing because of its design, it made anime appearances as one of Team Rocket's Pokemon that season, being caught for its cuteness. After evolving into its next form, however, Inkay remains anything but cute. As Malamar, the Pokemon takes on a more sinister appearance, akin to an inverted squid with much darker coloration. This evolutionary line may be nothing out of the ordinary in base stats but it has a mostly unique dual-typing and a signature move in Topsy-Turvey which reverses all stat changes on a target Pokemon, turning negative to positive and vice versa. In Pokemon Sword and Shield, evolving Inkay requires finding and catching it first before fulfilling a unique condition.
Updated April 10th, 2022 by Russ Boswell: Although Pokemon Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl, as well as Pokemon Legends: Arceus, have been grabbing player's attention over the past few months, there are still gamers out there making their way through Pokemon Sword & Shield. With so many Pokemon to catch, and access to the National Dex, as well as multiple DLC additions, there is a ton to do for players that truly want to complete as much of Pokemon Sword & Shield as possible. This includes catching curious Pokemon like Inkay, as well as using its interesting evolution, Malamar. To better showcase the potential hidden within Inkay in Pokemon Sword & Shield, as well as how to catch the Pokemon, the following guide has been updated with more information.
Finding Inkay
In-game, Inkay can be found in five locations: Route 7, Route 9, and the Bridge Field, Giant's Mirror, or Hammerlocke Hills sections of the Wild Area. The levels of wild Inkays in these zones will range from Level 37-41, 39-43, 40-43 (26-43), 41-45, and 28-30 respectively. Note that out of the five, Inkay will only spawn in the Overworld at Route 7 or while biking over water at Giant's Mirror. Otherwise, trainers will have to find it through random encounters in grass at Route 9 and Hammerlocke Hills. Be aware that the random encounters in the grass for the Wild Area sections will vary from 10 percent to 35 percent depending on the weather condition. Furthermore, keep in mind that Inkay can be encountered through both methods at Bridge Field. It is recommended, however, to hunt for Inkay at Route 9 as the random encounter rate for it in the grass is set to 25 percent in all weather conditions.
Evolving Inkay
Once trainers have caught Inkay, they need to raise it to Level 30 or above before fulfilling the next condition. After leveling up in battle or through EXP candy rotate the console upside down before ending the battle or closing the dialogue. Because this requires turning the Nintendo Switch, it is best to do so in handheld mode. If done correctly, Inkay will evolve into Malamar.
In the end, evolving Inkay doesn't require any of the changes made in Generation 8, trainers only need to flip the Switch.
Stats For Inkay And Its Evolution
Like many of the other first-stage evolutions found throughout Pokemon Sword & SHield, Inkay isn't particularly powerful. It has a low stat total and doesn't have any remarkable moves. That does change a bit when Inkay evolves into Malamar, and although the stronger Pokemon doesn't have an impressive base stat total like some other Pokemon found in Sword & Shield, it does have some neat abilities that can help it excel in battle.
Here's a look at the stats for both Pokemon:
Inkay's Stats
- HP: 53
- Attack: 54
- Special Attack: 37
- Defense: 53
- Special Defense: 46
- Speed: 45
- Total Base Stats: 288
Malamar's Stats
- HP: 86
- Attack: 92
- Special Attack: 68
- Defense: 88
- Special Defense: 75
- Speed: 73
- Total Base Stats: 482
Malamar is a Dark and Psychic-type, despite its watery appearance. Those that are looking for a unique Pokemon to cover these type advantages may want to consider the unique creature as it does have some interesting abilities. Its first, Contrary, will cause any stat changes it undergoes to have the opposite effect, making opponent's debuffing moves into buffing ones. Past that, it has Suction Cups, which keep it from moves that would otherwise switch it out. Lastly, its hidden ability, Infiltrator, can pass through a foe's barrier and strike them directly, making it difficult for Pokemon to avoid Malamar with guarding moves.
Those that can cover its weaknesses to Bug (4x) and Fairy (2x) and stack it with solid moves like Superpower, Rest, or Knock Off, will find a lot of promise in Malamar.
Pokemon Sword and Shield is out now for the Nintendo Switch.
Source: GosuNoob