How To Evolve Inkay: Your Complete Guide To Malamar Evolution In Pokémon Go
Are you struggling to evolve your Inkay into Malamar in Pokémon Go? You're not alone! Many trainers find themselves frustrated when their Inkay won't evolve, despite having enough candy. The truth is, Inkay has a unique evolution requirement that sets it apart from most other Pokémon. This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about evolving Inkay into Malamar, from the specific mechanics to candy requirements and beyond.
Understanding Inkay's Special Evolution Requirement
Inkay in Pokémon Go has a special evolution requirement that makes it unlike most other Pokémon in the game. Unlike the straightforward candy-based evolutions that most trainers are familiar with, Inkay requires a specific physical action to trigger its transformation into Malamar. This unique evolution mechanic was carried over from the main series games, where Inkay evolves into Malamar when the Nintendo 3DS system is held upside down during the evolution process.
In Pokémon Go, this concept has been adapted for mobile devices. To evolve Inkay, you need to physically rotate your phone or tablet 180 degrees (so the screen is upside down) while initiating the evolution process. This physical requirement is what makes Inkay's evolution so distinctive and, at times, confusing for players who are used to simple one-tap evolutions.
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The evolution also requires 50 Inkay Candy, which is a standard amount for a second-stage evolution. You can obtain these candies by catching Inkay, transferring excess Inkay to Professor Willow, or walking with Inkay as your buddy Pokémon.
Step-by-Step Guide to Evolving Inkay
Now that you understand the basics, let's dive into the detailed process of evolving Inkay into Malamar. Follow these steps carefully to ensure a successful evolution:
Collect 50 Inkay Candy: Before attempting the evolution, make sure you have the required amount of candy. You can check this by viewing Inkay's profile in your Pokémon storage.
Prepare Your Device: Hold your phone or tablet in your hands, ready to rotate it. Make sure you're in a stable position where you can safely turn your device upside down.
Initiate the Evolution: Navigate to Inkay's profile and tap the "Evolve" button. This will bring up the evolution confirmation screen.
Rotate Your Device: While the evolution screen is active, physically rotate your device 180 degrees so that the screen is upside down relative to your normal viewing position. Keep the device steady in this position.
Confirm the Evolution: With your device still upside down, confirm that you want to use the 50 candies to evolve Inkay. The evolution should proceed, and you'll see Inkay transform into Malamar on your upside-down screen.
Return to Normal Position: Once the evolution animation completes, you can safely rotate your device back to its normal orientation.
Pro Tip: The easiest way to perform this evolution is to hold your device upside down and feed Inkay a Pinap Berry or Rare Candy while in this position. This ensures the device remains upside down throughout the entire evolution process.
Inkay's Family and Related Pokémon
Inkay belongs to a small but interesting Pokémon family in Pokémon Go. Understanding its evolutionary line can help you appreciate its place in the game's ecosystem:
- Inkay (Basic Stage): The tiny squid-like Pokémon that serves as the first stage
- Malamar (Stage 1): The evolved form of Inkay, a larger and more menacing squid-like creature
- Mega Malamar (Mega Evolution): A powerful variant that can be temporarily enhanced through Mega Evolution
This evolutionary family is unique because Inkay is the only Pokémon that requires a physical device manipulation to evolve. No other Pokémon in the game shares this specific evolution mechanic, making Inkay and Malamar particularly special among collectors and dedicated players.
Inkay in the Meta: PvE Performance
When it comes to battling in Pokémon Go, Malamar's performance varies depending on the context. In PvE (Player versus Environment) content such as raids, gym battles, and Team GO Rocket encounters, Malamar has some interesting characteristics:
Malamar is a Dark/Psychic-type Pokémon, which gives it a unique typing that can be both advantageous and disadvantageous depending on the matchup. It's strong against Ghost, Psychic, and Fighting-type Pokémon but weak against Bug, Fairy, and other Dark-type attacks.
In terms of stats, Malamar has a maximum CP of 2,418 and can reach a CP of 1,992 at level 50. Its stat distribution makes it more suitable as a generalist rather than a specialist in PvE content. While it's not considered a top-tier attacker or defender, Malamar can still be useful in certain situations, particularly against Psychic-type raid bosses.
Mega Evolution: Taking Malamar to the Next Level
One of the most exciting developments for Malamar in Pokémon Go is the introduction of Mega Evolution. Mega Malamar represents a significant power boost for this already unique Pokémon. To Mega Evolve Malamar, you'll need to collect Mega Energy, which is specific to each Pokémon line.
The first time you Mega Evolve Malamar, it costs 300 Mega Energy. Subsequent Mega Evolutions of the same Pokémon cost only 60 Mega Energy, making it more economical to use your Mega Malamar repeatedly once you've invested in the initial evolution.
Mega Malamar gains substantial stat boosts when Mega Evolved, making it more viable in battles and providing additional benefits to your team, such as boosting the attack power of other Dark-type Pokémon when used in raids.
Special Evolutions in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet
While this guide focuses on Pokémon Go, it's worth noting that Inkay's evolution mechanics have appeared in other Pokémon games as well. In Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, special evolutions add another layer of complexity to the Pokémon journey. For example, Pawmo evolves into Pawmot through a unique method involving the Let's Go feature, while Bramblin evolves into Brambleghast when exposed to specific conditions.
These special evolution methods across different Pokémon games highlight how the franchise continues to innovate on the core concept of Pokémon growth and development, keeping the experience fresh for long-time fans while introducing new challenges for players.
Troubleshooting Common Inkay Evolution Issues
If you're having trouble evolving your Inkay, you're not alone. Here are some common issues and their solutions:
Device Not Recognized: Some players report that their device doesn't register the upside-down position correctly. Try holding your device more steadily or ensuring that your device's gyroscope is functioning properly.
Evolution Button Unresponsive: Make sure you're initiating the evolution process before rotating your device. The timing is crucial - start the evolution, then rotate.
Candy Not Deducted: If the evolution fails but your candy is deducted, try restarting the app and checking if Malamar appears in your storage. If not, contact Pokémon Go support for assistance.
Motion Sickness: Some players experience discomfort when rotating their devices. If this happens, take breaks between evolution attempts or ask a friend to help with the rotation while you control the app.
The Lore Behind Inkay and Malamar
Beyond the gameplay mechanics, Inkay and Malamar have interesting lore within the Pokémon universe. Inkay is described as a tiny squid Pokémon that can emit a beam from its antenna to hypnotize opponents. It's said to feed on plankton and small aquatic creatures.
Malamar, its evolved form, is portrayed as a more menacing creature. It's known for its ability to bend the wills of others using powerful hypnotic abilities. In the Pokédex, Malamar is described as a dangerous Pokémon that should be approached with caution, as it can take control of anyone who comes near it.
This lore adds depth to the gameplay experience, making the evolution from Inkay to Malamar feel like a meaningful transformation rather than just a statistical upgrade.
Conclusion
Evolving Inkay into Malamar in Pokémon Go is a unique and memorable experience that sets this Pokémon apart from others in the game. The special requirement of rotating your device upside down creates a physical connection to the evolution process that many players find engaging and fun.
By following the steps outlined in this guide - collecting 50 candies, rotating your device correctly, and understanding the broader context of Inkay's place in the Pokémon universe - you'll be well-equipped to add Malamar to your collection. Whether you're a completionist aiming to catch 'em all or a competitive player looking to expand your battle options, mastering Inkay's evolution is a rewarding achievement in your Pokémon Go journey.
Remember that patience and practice are key. If your first attempt doesn't work, try again with a steady hand and the correct timing. Soon enough, you'll be proudly adding Malamar to your Pokédex and potentially even exploring the powerful world of Mega Evolution with this fascinating Dark/Psychic-type Pokémon.
