Species guide · Ages 10+ · July 2026
Inkay
Say it: INK-ay
Kids summary (simpler)Tap to expand
Inkay is the Revolving Pokémon — Dark and Psychic before Malamar. In Pokémon GO it is usually candy on the way to Malamar — not a finished raid attacker. Dark/Psychic hits Ghost and Fighting well; Bug hits it for 4×, and Fairy punish it. Catch Inkay from the wild, eggs, or events, then evolve (turn the phone upside down).
Say it: INK-ay
Inkay (#686) is a Dark / Psychic Pokémon in Pokémon GO — the pre-evolution of Malamar. Trainers almost never power Inkay for raids; the value is candy and IVs for Malamar. Against Inkay, lead with Bug (best), or Fairy. Stats, type chart, moves, and counter picks below use our Game Master snapshot.
Type-colored placeholder — not official Pokémon artwork (see IP notice below).
Pokédex notes
Inkay is a Dark / Psychic-type Pokémon in Pokémon GO. National Dex #0686. Use the Dark/Psychic type chart below before powering up — metas shift every season.
Where in GO: Wild spawns, eggs, Field Research, and seasonal events
Invest tip: Do not sink Stardust into Inkay. Keep high-IV copies for Malamar. Shadow Inkay is the same — evolve toward Shadow Malamar.
Type matchups
- Dark moves hit Psychic and Ghost hard.
- Psychic moves hit Fighting and Poison hard.
When Inkay is your opponent, Bug, Fairy hits hard.
Full type matchup guide →GO base stats
From Game Master snapshot — IVs, buddy, and power-ups change real battle stats.
- Attack
- 98
- Defense
- 95
- Stamina
- 142
Weak to
Resists
Best Pokémon to use against it
When this species is your opponent (Rocket battle, gym, raid, or PvP), these picks exploit its typings. Each list is a pool of options — not a required 12-Pokémon lobby.
Recommended
Strongest practical attackers for this matchup.
- 1. Mega Pinsir · beats Bug
Fury Cutter + X-Scissor
- 2. Mega Scizor · beats Bug
Fury Cutter + X-Scissor
- 3. Pheromosa · beats Bug
Bug Bite + Bug Buzz
- 4. Shadow Scyther · beats Bug
Fury Cutter + X-Scissor
- 5. Genesect · beats Bug
Fury Cutter + X-Scissor
- 6. Scizor · beats Bug
Fury Cutter + X-Scissor
- 7. Escavalier · beats Bug
Bug Bite + Megahorn
- 8. Volcarona · beats Bug
Bug Bite + Bug Buzz
- 9. Yanmega · beats Bug
Bug Bite + Bug Buzz
- 10. Pinsir · beats Bug
Fury Cutter + X-Scissor
- 11. Heracross · beats Bug
Struggle Bug + Megahorn
- 12. Accelgor · beats Bug
Infestation + Bug Buzz
Budget
Solid alternatives when you cannot build the Recommended picks.
- 1. Volcarona · beats Bug
Bug Bite + Bug Buzz
- 2. Yanmega · beats Bug
Bug Bite + Bug Buzz
- 3. Scyther · beats Bug
Fury Cutter + X-Scissor
- 4. Pinsir · beats Bug
Fury Cutter + X-Scissor
- 5. Heracross · beats Bug
Struggle Bug + Megahorn
- 6. Forretress · beats Bug
Bug Bite + Bug Buzz
- 7. Ninjask · beats Bug
Fury Cutter + Bug Buzz
- 8. Masquerain · beats Bug
Infestation + Bug Buzz
- 9. Vivillon · beats Bug
Struggle Bug + Bug Buzz
- 10. Ledian · beats Bug
Struggle Bug + Bug Buzz
- 11. Ariados · beats Bug
Infestation + Megahorn
- 12. Beedrill · beats Bug
Infestation + X-Scissor
Recommended moves
Inkay’s Game Master pool is temporary. Real investment is Malamar — evolve before serious TMs and power-ups.
Fast
- Peck · Standard
Flying energy
- Psywave · Standard
Psychic energy
- Tackle · Standard
Normal filler
Charged
- Night Slash · Standard
Dark nuke
- Psybeam · Standard
Psychic alternate
Moves in GO
Always-available Game Master learnset (regular TMs). Community Day / Elite TM moves appear above when we have curated notes for this species.
Fast
- peck
- tackle
- psywave
Charged
- psybeam
- night slash
PvP league ranks (family snapshot)
- Great League · rank #828 of 954 · CP 1048
Peck + Night Slash
- Master League · rank #821 of 1023 · CP 1048
Peck + Night Slash
In your Collect
Name match only (text). Cards you have saved in Card Nexus Collect — not official art.
Sign in to see holdings, or open Collect.
Open Collect →Raid and PvP advice uses our Game Master snapshot (updated July 2026).
In the Competitive Guide
- Ch. 20: Lucky Pokémon & Family Trades
When lucky status matters for trades and Stardust savings.
- Ch. 21: Best Friends & Lucky Friends
Friendship steps for raid bonuses and lucky trades.