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.
It spins while making its luminescent spots flash. These spots allow it to communicate with others by using different patterns of light.
By exposing foes to the blinking of its luminescent spots, Inkay demoralizes them, and then it seizes the chance to flee.
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.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 4x (Critical) | Bug |
| 2x (Weak) | Fairy |
| 0x (Immune) | Psychic |
Volcarona BugFire | A | |
Bug deals 4x damage to InkayView Volcarona → | ||
Mimikyu GhostFairy | A | |
Fairy is super effective against InkayView Mimikyu → | ||
Klefki SteelFairy | B | |
Fairy is super effective against InkayView Klefki → | ||
Genesect BugSteel | B | |
Bug deals 4x damage to InkayView Genesect → | ||
In Sun & Moon, Volcarona's Giga Drain hits Inkay for 63-74%. Mimikyu threatens a KO with Play Rough (201-237%).
Volcarona BugFire | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityFlame Body ItemLeftovers NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Inkay View Volcarona builds →Giga Drain63-74% | ||
Mimikyu GhostFairy | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityDisguise ItemLife Orb NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Inkay View Mimikyu builds →Play Rough 2x201-237%KO Shadow Sneak45-53% | ||
Klefki SteelFairy | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityPrankster ItemLeftovers NatureBold Moves View Klefki builds →
| ||
Genesect BugSteel | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityDownload ItemChoice Scarf NatureNaive Moves
Damage vs Inkay View Genesect builds →U Turn 4x252-296%KO Ice Beam66-79% Flamethrower66-79% | ||
Sun & Moon 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
Breeding
Breed Inkay easily with 95 breeding partners from the Water1 and Water2 egg groups. Pass egg moves like Camouflage, Destiny Bond, Flatter and 2 more to offspring.
Sun & Moon Inkay Best Moveset
Best Build
No build content available for this Pokemon in Gen 7.
Try selecting a different game/generation filter, or check back later.
Moves
Breeding's the move. Camouflage and Destiny Bond give Inkay options it can't learn any other way, and Normal and Flying coverage and more already covers a decent range on top of Foul Play and Psychic. The egg moves push it further.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Transfer Moves
How to Get Inkay in Sun & Moon
Inkay doesn't appear in Sun & Moon. Transfer it from X, Ultra Sun, or Sword to add it to your collection. Check the source games below for encounter details.
Inkay is not available as a wild encounter in this game.
Catch in the wild in:
Then trade to Sun & Moon.
Also found in:
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 Sun & Moon, 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 Sun & Moon. 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
- Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 1RB

Red & Blue - Gen 2GS

Gold & Silver - Gen 2C
Crystal - Gen 3RS

Ruby & Sapphire - Gen 3FRLG

FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen 3E
Emerald - Gen 4Pt
Platinum - Gen 4HGSS

HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen 4DP

Diamond & Pearl - Gen 5BW

Black & White - Gen 5B2W2

Black 2 & White 2 - Gen 6XYDebut

X & Y - Gen 6ORAS

Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen 7USUM

Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen 7SM

Sun & Moon - Gen 7LGPE

Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen 8SwSh

Sword & Shield - Gen 8PLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen 8BDSP

Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen 9SV

Scarlet & Violet - Gen 9LZA
Legends: Z-A - Gen 10WW

Winds & Waves
