How to Evolve Inkay into Malamar in Pokémon X and Y

Reviewed by Ishrak

Last Updated: March 4, 2021

Inkay has a unique method of evolution in Pokémon X and Y. This article will explain how you can evolve your Inkay into the Dark/Psychic-type Malamar in the games.

Steps

Download Article

{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/8\/8f\/Evolve-Inkay-into-Malamar-in-Pok%C3%A9mon-X-and-Y-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Evolve-Inkay-into-Malamar-in-Pok%C3%A9mon-X-and-Y-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/8\/8f\/Evolve-Inkay-into-Malamar-in-Pok%C3%A9mon-X-and-Y-Step-1.jpg\/aid3895891-v4-728px-Evolve-Inkay-into-Malamar-in-Pok%C3%A9mon-X-and-Y-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":326,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":516,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

You can catch one on Route 8 or Azure Bay.
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/8\/8e\/Evolve-Inkay-into-Malamar-in-Pok%C3%A9mon-X-and-Y-Step-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Evolve-Inkay-into-Malamar-in-Pok%C3%A9mon-X-and-Y-Step-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/8\/8e\/Evolve-Inkay-into-Malamar-in-Pok%C3%A9mon-X-and-Y-Step-2.jpg\/aid3895891-v4-728px-Evolve-Inkay-into-Malamar-in-Pok%C3%A9mon-X-and-Y-Step-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":326,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":516,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

Advertisement
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/d\/dc\/Evolve-Inkay-into-Malamar-in-Pok%C3%A9mon-X-and-Y-Step-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Evolve-Inkay-into-Malamar-in-Pok%C3%A9mon-X-and-Y-Step-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/d\/dc\/Evolve-Inkay-into-Malamar-in-Pok%C3%A9mon-X-and-Y-Step-3.jpg\/aid3895891-v4-728px-Evolve-Inkay-into-Malamar-in-Pok%C3%A9mon-X-and-Y-Step-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":326,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":516,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/6\/63\/Evolve-Inkay-into-Malamar-in-Pok%C3%A9mon-X-and-Y-Step-4.jpg\/v4-460px-Evolve-Inkay-into-Malamar-in-Pok%C3%A9mon-X-and-Y-Step-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/6\/63\/Evolve-Inkay-into-Malamar-in-Pok%C3%A9mon-X-and-Y-Step-4.jpg\/aid3895891-v4-728px-Evolve-Inkay-into-Malamar-in-Pok%C3%A9mon-X-and-Y-Step-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":326,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":516,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

Holding it upside down is part of the method to evolving it.
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/d\/de\/Evolve-Inkay-into-Malamar-in-Pok%C3%A9mon-X-and-Y-Step-5.jpg\/v4-460px-Evolve-Inkay-into-Malamar-in-Pok%C3%A9mon-X-and-Y-Step-5.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/d\/de\/Evolve-Inkay-into-Malamar-in-Pok%C3%A9mon-X-and-Y-Step-5.jpg\/aid3895891-v4-728px-Evolve-Inkay-into-Malamar-in-Pok%C3%A9mon-X-and-Y-Step-5.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":326,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":516,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

If it's a wild Pokémon, you can also catch it. Once the battle ends, your Inkay will level up to level 30, and evolve. You can turn your 3DS right-side up while it's evolving.
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/6\/69\/Evolve-Inkay-into-Malamar-in-Pok%C3%A9mon-X-and-Y-Step-6.jpg\/v4-460px-Evolve-Inkay-into-Malamar-in-Pok%C3%A9mon-X-and-Y-Step-6.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/6\/69\/Evolve-Inkay-into-Malamar-in-Pok%C3%A9mon-X-and-Y-Step-6.jpg\/aid3895891-v4-728px-Evolve-Inkay-into-Malamar-in-Pok%C3%A9mon-X-and-Y-Step-6.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":326,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":516,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

Community Q&A

Search

Add New Question

Question

Can I still do it when it's over level 30?

Community Answer

Yes. Like other Pokemon, it will attempt to evolve every level until it reaches level 100. Of course, your 3DS has to be upside down for it to work.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 1 Helpful 34
Question

How would the DS or 3DS know that the device is upside down?

Community Answer

The original DS wouldn't have any way of knowing. This only works on the 3DS, because it has an internal gyroscope. That's how it tracks motion in other games, too.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 0 Helpful 13
Question

Why do we have to have it upside down?

Community Answer

This is one of the few gag evolutions I can think of. The sprites of Malamar and Inkay appear to just be upside-down versions of each other, with the evolved having tentacles coming from the top and the unevolved having tentacles out the bottom. Turning the device upside down is just a gag from GameFreak showing this.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 0 Helpful 3

See more answers

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Video

Tips

Have a Pokémon with False Swipe and plenty of Poké Balls when catching an Inkay. You'll want to have a Pokémon that can inflict status effects such as Paralysis and Sleep, too.

Thanks
Helpful 19 Not Helpful 15

Submit a Tip

All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published

Name

Please provide your name and last initial

Submit

Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

Log in

How to Evolve Inkay into Malamar in Pokémon X and Y

Steps

Community Q&A

Video

Tips

You Might Also Like

About This Article

Reader Success Stories

Did this article help you?

Quizzes

You Might Also Like

Featured Articles

Trending Articles

Featured Articles

Featured Articles

Watch Articles

Trending Articles

Quizzes

Explore Categories