Competitive Information for Inkay [Sun/Moon]


Dark / Psychic
Abilities:
If this Pokemon has a stat stage raised it is lowered instead, and vice versa.
Moves ignore substitutes and foe's Reflect/Light Screen/Safeguard/Mist/Aurora Veil.
This Pokemon cannot be forced to switch out by another Pokemon's attack or item.


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Movesets for Singles
Looking for a competitive moveset for Inkay? These builds are optimized for Sun/Moon Single Battles. The movesets and EVs are designed to maximize damage against common opponents and threats in the Sun/Moon metagame. Check out the expert movesets below to boost your battle performance and dominate your opponents!
Get hyped for Inkay, an impressive Pokémon with Dark and Psychic typing! Inkay is not a Pokémon anyone usually expects to see on the battlefield. In the LC tier (Little Cup), it's a fierce competitor. Its only type-related weaknesses are Bug and Fairy. Ready to elevate your game with Inkay's movesets? They're right below!
Item: Darkinium Z / Focus Sash
Ability: Contrary
Nature: Adamant (+Atk, -SpA)
EVs: 184 Hp / 252 Atk / 8 Def / 64 SpD
Moveset:
- Knock Off / Night Slash
- Psycho Cut
- Superpower
- Return / Slash
Dominating single battles, Inkay is an awesome Physical Sweeper. This setup is intended to overwhelm foes with brute physical power. Focus Sash helps protect Inkay from being one-shotted and allowing it to atleast use a crucial move when brought out. With Contrary, if Inkay has a stat stage raised it is lowered instead and vice versa. With a Darkinium Z equipped to it, if Inkay has a dark move, this item allows it to use a dark z-move.
◆ Night Slash is a physical STAB-boosted 70-base power Dark-type move (high critical hit ratio).
◆ Psycho Cut is a physical STAB-boosted 70-base power Psychic-type move (high critical hit ratio).
◆ Superpower is a physical 120-base power Fighting-type move (increases your Inkay's attack and defense by 1 stage).
◆ Return is a physical 0-base power Normal-type move (max 102 power at maximum happiness).
◆ Slash is a physical 70-base power Normal-type move (high critical hit ratio).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/kaa2ae
Movesets for Doubles
Need a strong doubles moveset for Inkay? These builds are perfect for VGC (Pokémon Video Game Championship) and other competitive Sun/Moon Double Battles. The VGC is the ultimate test of strategy and skill, and these movesets and EVs are designed to excel against multiple opponents at once while providing essential support to your team. Dominate the Sun/Moon metagame with these expert-crafted setups!
Item: Darkinium Z / Focus Sash
Ability: Contrary
Nature: Adamant (+Atk, -SpA)
EVs: 184 Hp / 252 Atk / 8 Def / 64 SpD
Moveset:
- Knock Off / Night Slash
- Psycho Cut
- Rock Slide
- Superpower
For double battles, Inkay is a remarkable Physical Sweeper. This technique aims to crush rivals using overwhelming physical attacks. Focus Sash helps protect Inkay from being one-shotted and allowing it to atleast use a crucial move when brought out. With Contrary, if Inkay has a stat stage raised it is lowered instead and vice versa. With a Darkinium Z equipped to it, if Inkay has a dark move, this item allows it to use a dark z-move.
◆ Night Slash is a physical STAB-boosted 70-base power Dark-type move (high critical hit ratio).
◆ Psycho Cut is a physical STAB-boosted 70-base power Psychic-type move (high critical hit ratio).
◆ Rock Slide is a physical 75-base power Rock-type move (30% chance to make the foes flinch).
◆ Superpower is a physical 120-base power Fighting-type move (increases your Inkay's attack and defense by 1 stage).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/laa2ae
Item: Darkinium Z / Focus Sash
Ability: Contrary
Nature: Sassy (+SpD, -Spe)
Nature: Relaxed (+Def, -Spe)
EVs: 252 Hp / 100 Def / 156 SpD
Moveset:
- Knock Off / Night Slash
- Psycho Cut
- Superpower
- Trick Room
When it comes to single battles, Inkay shines as a top-notch Defensive Trick Roomer. Focus Sash helps protect Inkay from being one-shotted and allowing it to atleast use a crucial move when brought out. With Contrary, if Inkay has a stat stage raised it is lowered instead and vice versa. With a Darkinium Z equipped to it, if Inkay has a dark move, this item allows it to use a dark z-move.
◆ Night Slash is a physical STAB-boosted 70-base power Dark-type move (high critical hit ratio).
◆ Psycho Cut is a physical STAB-boosted 70-base power Psychic-type move (high critical hit ratio).
◆ Superpower is a physical 120-base power Fighting-type move (increases your Inkay's attack and defense by 1 stage).
◆ Trick Room is a status move (goes last. For 5 turns, turn order is reversed).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/lba2ae
Movepool
Want to know what moves Inkay can learn? Check out the full list of moves available in the Pokemon Sun/Moon generation.
Sort and organize the learnset by type, category, accuracy, and power. Moves in bold get the same-type attack bonus (STAB) when used by Inkay.
Damage Modifiers:
Combo List
These are a list of several common move combinations Inkay can perform in Sun/Moon. Not every combo going to be game-changing, but some can be pretty fun to play with. Sometimes these can be easily overlooked or forgotten, hence why we find and list them here. Discover what items, abilities, and moves this Pokemon can use in combination with each other to gain a strategic advantage in competitive battles.
Competitive SM Move and Ability Combos for Inkay
- Moves: Swagger + Flatter
- Moves: Swagger + Foul play
- Moves: Swagger + Psych up
- Moves: Flatter + Psych up
- Moves: Rest + Sleep talk
- Moves: Rest + Snore
- Ability: Contrary + Move: Superpower
- Move: Swagger + Item: Mirror Herb
- Move: Fling + Item: King's Rock
- Move: Facade + Item: Flame Orb
- Move: Facade + Item: Toxic Orb
- Moves with Priority: Ally Switch, Protect, Snatch
- Moves that inflict status: Hypnosis, Toxic
Moves that boost Inkay's stats
- Calm Mind
Most notable and possible best moves for Inkay
- Destiny Bond
- Hidden Power
- Knock Off
- Light Screen
- Protect
- Reflect
- Rest
- Taunt
- Toxic
Common Effort Values for Inkay in Sun and Moon
Usage Data
Explore the latest analytical usage data for this Pokémon from various VGC and online competitions. We use this data to develop our strategies and movesets. The data is categorized by competition and skill level: top-ranking trainers, mid-level players, and entry-level players.

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