Unlock the mystery behind Inkay’s unique evolution in Pokémon Legends: Z-A. Discover the secret method that turns this quirky Pokémon into Malamar and gain the edge in your journey! Ready to evolve Inkay like never before?
How to evolve Inkay in Pokémon Legends: Z-A
In Pokémon Legends: Z-A, evolving Inkay into Malamar follows a unique method similar to past games but tailored for the new mechanics. To evolve Inkay, level it up to at least level 30 while performing a specific in-game interaction that replicates the traditional screen flip requirement. When Inkay reaches the right level and the condition is met, it will instantly evolve into Malamar. Players should make sure to trigger the condition correctly, as leveling without it will not start the evolution process.
To evolve Inkay into Malamar in Pokémon Legends: Z-A, your Inkay will need to be in your party and at least level 30. It’s important to note that you do not need to level up your Inkay upside-down like in previous titles.
With a level 30 Inkay in your party, you’ll need to abide by the following requirements:
- Play with your Nintendo Switch or Nintendo Switch 2 in handheld mode with the Joy-Cons attached.
- Disconnect all other controllers.
Now that that’s all squared away, to evolve your Inkay, you’ll need to flip your console upside-down. Yup, you heard that right. Flip that bad boy over and open your menu. You won’t see an arrow indicating that Inkay is ready to evolve, but if you select Inkay, you’ll see an “Evolve” option. Your screen should look a little something like this:
Where to catch Inkay in Pokémon Legends: Z-A at night
In Pokémon Legends: Z-A, Inkay can be caught at night primarily in Wild Zone 11, which you unlock after reaching Rank E in the game. This zone is about half water, and Inkay can be found swimming in the water ponds there during nighttime. Although some sources mention Inkay appears both day and night, many players note Inkay is more reliably found at night in these waters. Be cautious of Alpha Clawitzer nearby when trying to catch Inkay in this area. You can reset spawns by leaving and re-entering the zone if you don’t immediately find Inkay. Additionally, Inkay can also be found in Lumiose Sewers, which unlock after further progress in the game.
For the best chance at catching Inkay at night:
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Go to Wild Zone 11 (lower right part of Lumiose City)
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Visit water areas in the zone during nighttime
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Look near the middle or edges of water ponds, especially near where Alpha Clauncher appear
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Reset spawns as needed by exiting and re-entering the zone
This should allow you to find Inkay to catch and then evolve it into Malamar through the special upside-down console method once it is level 30 or above.youtube
-Best time and weather for Inkay spawns in Wild Zone 11
In Wild Zone 11 of Pokémon Legends: Z-A, Inkay spawns both during the day and night without weather restrictions. Inkay appears in Clear, Harsh Sunlight, Cloudy, Rain, Fog, and Gyarados weather conditions, so weather is not a limiting factor. For the best chance of encountering Inkay, nighttime is recommended as it is generally easier to find them and other Pokémon active at night, but technically they can appear at any time of day in that zone. The water pond areas in Wild Zone 11 remain the primary spots where Inkay can be found.
Therefore:
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Best time: Night for easier spotting, though Inkay also appears during the day.
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Weather: Any weather including Clear, Harsh Sunlight, Cloudy, Rain, Fog, and more.
This aligns with Inkay’s spawn behavior in Wild Zone 11 along the northern bank of the Saison Canal in Lumiose City, making nighttime patrols there advantageous but not mandatory for finding Inkay.
