How to get Shadow Inkay in Pokemon GO, and can it be shiny?

Shadow Inkay in Pokemon GO debuted at 12 am local time on May 14, 2025, as part of the Crown Clash: Taken Over event. This Dark- and Psychic-type from Generation VI was introduced during the Psychic Spectacular event in 2021. It evolves into Malamar when fed 50 Candy via a Special Evolution mechanic.

The addition of Shadow Inkay in Pokemon GO is an exciting moment for players. Here's how you can get it.

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How to get Shadow Inkay in Pokemon GO

To get Shadow Inkay, you must defeat the Psychic-type Male Team GO Rocket Grunt. He can be found either lurking around in PokeStops or flying in balloons. Note that this NPC can give you encounters with two different Pocket Monsters: Shadow Inkay and Shadow Ralts.

Here is the complete lineup for the Psychic-type Male Team GO Rocket Grunt:

Phase 1	Phase 2	Phase 3
Ralts*	Duosion	Gallade
Inkay	Drowzee	Reuniclus
	Wobbuffet	Malamar

To defeat this enemy, you can use Ghost-type Pokemon. Here are some of the best options:

Pokemon	Fast Move	Charged Move
Dawn Wings Necrozma	Shadow Claw	Moongeist Beam
Mega/Shadow/Regular Gengar	Lick	Shadow Ball
Mega/Regular Banette	Shadow Claw	Shadow Ball
Shadow/Regular Chandelure	Hex	Shadow Ball
Shadow/Regular Dusknoir	Hex	Shadow Punch
Skeledirge	Incinerate	Shadow Ball
Jellicent	Hex	Shadow Ball
Trevenant	Shadow Claw	Shadow Ball

Can Shadow Inkay be traded in Pokemon GO?

No, you cannot receive Shadow Inkay in the mobile game. However, the purified version can be sent over and received from in-game friends.

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Top Pokemon GO PvP IVs for Shadow Inkay

The best Great League IVs for Shadow Inkay to look out for are:

#	Lvl	CP	Atk IV	Def	Stam	Perfect	PvP Atk	Def	HP	Stat Prod
1	24.5	1500	0	15	9	100.000%	117.0	119.0	138	1922276
2	24	1500	2	14	14	99.943%	117.1	117.1	140	1921180
3	24	1499	1	15	15	99.940%	116.4	117.7	140	1921120
4	24	1496	1	15	14	99.940%	116.4	117.7	140	1921120
5	24.5	1499	0	12	12	99.758%	117.0	117.0	140	1917633
6	24.5	1499	0	13	11	99.606%	117.0	117.6	139	1914693
7	24.5	1496	0	9	15	99.469%	117.0	115.0	142	1912061
8	24.5	1500	1	8	15	99.456%	117.6	114.3	142	1911813
9	24.5	1500	0	14	10	99.444%	117.0	118.3	138	1911597
10	24.5	1496	0	14	9	99.444%	117.0	118.3	138	1911597

The best Ultra League IVs for Shadow Inkay to look out for are:

#	Lvl	CP	Atk IV	Def	Stam	Perfect	XL	PvP Atk	Def	HP	Stat Prod
1	51	2497	2	14	13	100.000%	296	151.3	151.3	180	4120978
2	51	2498	2	15	12	100.000%	296	151.3	152.1	179	4120978
3	51	2496	1	15	14	99.997%	296	150.4	152.1	180	4120850
4	51	2490	1	15	13	99.997%	296	150.4	152.1	180	4120850
5	51	2495	1	14	15	99.994%	296	150.4	151.3	181	4120722
6	51	2488	0	15	15	99.988%	296	149.6	152.1	181	4120464
7	50.5	2495	2	15	14	99.966%	276	150.8	151.7	180	4119561
8	50.5	2494	2	14	15	99.963%	276	150.8	150.8	181	4119434
9	50.5	2487	1	15	15	99.959%	276	150.0	151.7	181	4119305
10	50	2500	3	15	15	99.928%	296	151.2	151.2	180	4117999

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Can Shadow Inkay be shiny in Pokemon GO?

Inkay shiny comparison (Image via TPC)

No, Shiny Shadow Inkay in Pokemon GO is still not available. You must wait for at least a couple more seasons before the creature's shiny variant is released as the lead for one of the three Team GO Rocket leaders: Sierra, Cliff, and Arlo.

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Pokemon GO Shadow Inkay and Shadow Malamar: Stats and moves

Shadow Inkay

• Type: Dark and Psychic
• Attack: 98 (+20%)
• Defense: 95 (-20%)
• Stamina: 142
• Max CP: 1,048 (1,061 with Best Buddy boost)
• Fast Attacks: Peck, Psywave, and Tackle
• Charged Attacks: Night Slash and Psybeam

Shadow Malamar

• Type: Dark and Psychic
• Attack: 177 (+20%)
• Defense: 165 (-20%)
• Stamina: 200
• Max CP: 2,667 (2,698 with Best Buddy boost)
• Fast Attacks: Peck, Psywave, and Psycho Cut
• Charged Attacks: Foul Play, Psybeam, Hyper Beam, and Superpower

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Check out our other Pokemon GO guides:

• Ditto disguises
• Buddy Evolution Adventure Together guide
• Best Fast Attacks in Pokemon GO
• Pokemon Type Calculator