Complete guide to evolving Inkay into Malamar in Pokémon Scarlet & Violet: The Indigo Disk DLC
Understanding Inkay’s Unique Evolution Mechanics
The Pokémon Scarlet & Violet Indigo Disk expansion reintroduces Generation 6’s intriguing Dark/Psychic-type duo, Inkay and Malamar. This comprehensive guide covers everything trainers need to successfully locate and evolve these unique Pokémon within the Blueberry Academy’s Terarium.
Pokémon Scarlet & Violet’s Indigo Disk DLC brings back the Kalos region’s Inkay and Malamar, presenting trainers with one of the series’ most unusual evolution methods that requires specific hardware manipulation.
The second wave of DLC content for Pokémon Scarlet & Violet has launched, introducing numerous returning Pokémon from previous generations to explore within the massive underwater Terarium facility.
Kalos region enthusiasts will discover familiar faces including Litleo, Espurr, and the enigmatic Inkay wandering throughout the Blueberry Academy’s diverse biomes.
Many trainers encountering Inkay for the first time struggle with its evolution into Malamar due to the unconventional requirements involved. Let’s examine the complete process for evolving Inkay and optimal locations to find it within the Indigo Disk expansion.
Veteran players from the Generation 6 era will recall Inkay’s distinctive evolution mechanic. In the original 3DS games, trainers needed to physically invert their handheld devices while Inkay reached level 30 or higher to trigger evolution.
This unusual evolution requirement remains unchanged in Pokémon Scarlet & Violet. You must still elevate Inkay to level 30 and initiate its evolution sequence while holding your Nintendo Switch console upside down exclusively in handheld mode. Leveling Inkay through combat, Rare Candy, or EXP Candy will successfully trigger evolution provided the console remains inverted during the process.
Crucially, trainers should note that any connected Switch Pro Controller will cause the system to register as being in docked mode. Therefore, players must access the Switch Controller Settings menu to disconnect all Pro controllers before attempting Inkay evolution to ensure proper handheld mode detection.
Locating Inkay in the Coastal Biome
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According to Inkay’s Pokédex information, this Pokémon primarily inhabits the Coastal Biome regions. Typically, Inkay can be observed floating above water surfaces or drifting along shoreline areas.
Trainers should encounter minimal difficulty locating this Dark/Psychic-type Pokémon as it appears frequently throughout the Coastal Biome. Importantly, Inkay can be encountered without investing BP to expand the Coastal Biome habitat, making it accessible early in your Terarium exploration.
For trainers hoping to bypass the evolution process entirely, Malamar cannot be encountered in wild populations. This means the exclusive methods for obtaining Malamar within the Indigo Disk are through trading with other players or successfully evolving your captured Inkay.
Advanced Evolution Strategies and Tips
You now possess comprehensive knowledge for locating and evolving Inkay into Malamar within Pokémon Scarlet & Violet’s Indigo Disk DLC. For additional Scarlet & Violet guidance, explore these valuable resources:
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For optimal evolution success, consider these professional strategies: Level Inkay to 29 first using standard battles or experience candies, then save your game before attempting the evolution. This allows resetting if controller issues arise. When ready, use a single Rare Candy while holding your Switch upside down with no controllers connected. The evolution animation should trigger immediately if all conditions are met.
Common mistakes include forgetting to disable Bluetooth controllers, attempting evolution in tabletop mode, or not holding the console completely inverted. Advanced players can optimize by catching multiple Inkay with beneficial natures like Modest or Adamant before evolution. Remember that Malamar learns different movesets than Inkay, so plan your TM usage accordingly post-evolution.
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