Malamar's Dark/Psychic typing gives it an immunity to Psychic. Only 2 weaknesses on top of that — it has plenty of safe switch-in opportunities. Contrary adds more value on top. Needs some investment to avoid getting outsped. Known as the Overturning Pokemon.
Malamar's stats barely vary. 3 sit in respectable range with no real gaps. It's a blank slate for EV investment. Worth 2 Attack EVs, medium-fast 1M XP curve to max.
Gazing at its luminescent spots will quickly induce a hypnotic state, putting the observer under Malamar’s control.
It’s said that Malamar’s hypnotic powers played a role in certain history-changing events.
Malamar Weakness
AvgMalamar's Dark/Psychic typing leaves it vulnerable to Bug and Fairy moves. Bug hits land at 4x, so they're the biggest threat. It shrugs off Psychic-type attacks completely. With 86 HP and balanced defenses, Malamar can afford to eat a neutral hit or two.
Malamar is the evolved form of Inkay. Breeding produces Inkay eggs, and they're average hatch time. Evolving from Inkay gave Malamar the biggest boost in Attack (+38), bringing the total to 482 stats.
How to Evolve
Breed with Malamar to get Inkay eggs easily using 114 partners from the Water1 and Water2 egg groups.
Bulk and offense in one package. Malamar runs Leftovers for passive recovery each turn with a Adamant nature, so it survives long enough to threaten with Superpower. Max HP and Attack EVs and Fighting coverage make it hard to safely switch into.
Best Build
Best Malamar Moveset
- Superpower
- Knock Off
- Psycho Cut
- Rest
Recommended Teammates
Without TMs, Malamar's movepool is bare bones. With them, you get coverage across 9 types on top of Future Sight and Foul Play for STAB. The natural kit handles basics, but TMs are doing the real work.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Without TMs, Malamar's movepool is bare bones. With them, you get coverage across 9 types on top of Future Sight and Psychic for STAB. The natural kit handles basics, but TMs are doing the real work.
The natural movepool does the job, but Acupressure and Destiny Bond from the egg pool give Malamar something extra. Pair those with Future Sight and Foul Play for STAB and coverage across 7 types for reach, and the kit fills out nicely.
The natural movepool does the job, but Camouflage and Destiny Bond from the egg pool give Malamar something extra. Pair those with Foul Play and Psychic for STAB and coverage across 7 types for reach, and the kit fills out nicely.
Malamar can't be caught in Scarlet & Violet. Transfer Inkay from X, Ultra Sun, or Sword and evolve through the 2-stage line to get it. The step cards below map the full chain.
Malamar can't be caught in Legends: Z-A. Transfer Inkay from X, Ultra Sun, or Sword and evolve through the 2-stage line to get it. The step cards below map the full chain.
No wild encounters for Malamar. The 2-stage line runs through Inkay, which you can catch at solid rates from the locations below. Evolve at level 30 once you've got the levels.
How to Obtain Malamar in Sword & Shield
To get Malamar, start by catching Inkay through walking and surfing encounters at Lv. 10-43. The chain covers 1 catchable stage before reaching the final form.
Step 1Catch InkayEASYChallenge BeachSwordOverworldLv.10-1520%EarlyWaterOvercastEASYChallenge BeachShieldOverworldLv.10-1520%EarlyWaterOvercastEASYFields of HonorSwordOverworldLv.10-1520%EarlyOvercastEASYFields of HonorShieldOverworldLv.10-1520%EarlyOvercastEASYTraining LowlandsShieldOverworldLv.10-1520%EarlyOvercastEASYTraining LowlandsSwordOverworldLv.13-1820%EarlyOvercastEASYChallenge BeachSwordGrassLv.13-1815%EarlyWaterOvercastEASYChallenge BeachShieldGrassLv.13-1815%EarlyWaterOvercastEASYFields of HonorSwordGrassLv.13-1815%EarlyOvercastEASYFields of HonorShieldGrassLv.13-1815%EarlyOvercastEFFORTLESSHammerlocke HillsShieldGrassLv.28-3035%MidOvercastEFFORTLESSHammerlocke HillsSwordGrassLv.28-3035%MidOvercastEFFORTLESSBridge FieldSwordGrassLv.26-2830%MidIntense SunEFFORTLESSBridge FieldShieldGrassLv.26-2830%MidIntense SunEASYHammerlocke HillsSwordGrassLv.28-3025%MidNormal WeatherEASYHammerlocke HillsShieldGrassLv.28-3025%MidNormal WeatherEASYHammerlocke HillsSwordGrassLv.28-3025%MidSnowingEASYHammerlocke HillsShieldGrassLv.28-3025%MidSnowingEASYLoop LagoonSwordOverworldLv.16-2120%MidOvercastEASYLoop LagoonShieldOverworldLv.16-2120%MidOvercastEASYBridge FieldShieldGrassLv.26-2820%MidNormal WeatherEASYBridge FieldSwordGrassLv.26-2820%MidSnowstormEASYBridge FieldShieldGrassLv.26-2820%MidSnowstormEASYBridge FieldSwordGrassLv.26-2820%MidNormal WeatherEASYTraining LowlandsSwordGrassLv.16-2115%MidOvercastEASYTraining LowlandsShieldGrassLv.16-2115%MidOvercastEASYLoop LagoonSwordGrassLv.19-2415%MidOvercastEASYLoop LagoonShieldGrassLv.19-2415%MidOvercastEASYHammerlocke HillsSwordGrassLv.28-3015%MidIntense SunEASYHammerlocke HillsShieldGrassLv.28-3015%MidIntense SunEASYHammerlocke HillsSwordGrassLv.28-3015%MidRainingEASYHammerlocke HillsShieldGrassLv.28-3015%MidRainingEASYHammerlocke HillsSwordGrassLv.28-3015%MidHeavy FogEASYHammerlocke HillsShieldGrassLv.28-3015%MidHeavy FogMODERATEBridge FieldSwordGrassLv.26-2810%MidThunderstormMODERATEBridge FieldShieldGrassLv.26-2810%MidThunderstormMODERATEBridge FieldSwordGrassLv.26-2810%MidSnowingMODERATEBridge FieldSwordGrassLv.26-2810%MidSandstormMODERATEBridge FieldShieldGrassLv.26-2810%MidSnowingMODERATEBridge FieldSwordGrassLv.26-2810%MidRainingMODERATEBridge FieldShieldGrassLv.26-2810%MidSandstormMODERATEBridge FieldShieldGrassLv.26-2810%MidRainingMODERATEHammerlocke HillsSwordGrassLv.28-3010%MidSnowstormMODERATEHammerlocke HillsShieldGrassLv.28-3010%MidSnowstormEASYRoute 9 - in Circhester BaySwordGrassLv.39-4325%LateRouteAll WeatherEASYRoute 9 - in Circhester BayShieldGrassLv.39-4325%LateRouteAll WeatherMODERATEBridge FieldShieldSurfing on waterLv.40-4315%LateRainingMODERATEBridge FieldSwordSurfing on waterLv.40-4315%LateHeavy FogMODERATEBridge FieldSwordSurfing on waterLv.40-4315%LateOvercastMODERATEBridge FieldShieldSurfing on waterLv.40-4315%LateHeavy FogMODERATEBridge FieldSwordSurfing on waterLv.40-4315%LateNormal WeatherMODERATEBridge FieldShieldSurfing on waterLv.40-4315%LateOvercastMODERATEBridge FieldSwordSurfing on waterLv.40-4315%LateSnowstormMODERATEBridge FieldShieldSurfing on waterLv.40-4315%LateNormal WeatherMODERATEBridge FieldShieldSurfing on waterLv.40-4315%LateSnowstormMODERATEBridge FieldSwordSurfing on waterLv.40-4315%LateThunderstormMODERATEBridge FieldSwordSurfing on waterLv.40-4315%LateIntense SunMODERATEBridge FieldShieldSurfing on waterLv.40-4315%LateThunderstormMODERATEBridge FieldSwordSurfing on waterLv.40-4315%LateSnowingMODERATEBridge FieldShieldSurfing on waterLv.40-4315%LateIntense SunMODERATEBridge FieldShieldSurfing on waterLv.40-4315%LateSnowingMODERATEBridge FieldSwordSurfing on waterLv.40-4315%LateSandstormMODERATEBridge FieldShieldSurfing on waterLv.40-4315%LateSandstormMODERATEBridge FieldSwordSurfing on waterLv.40-4315%LateRainingMODERATERoute 7SwordOverworldLv.37-4110%LateRouteAll WeatherMODERATERoute 7ShieldOverworldLv.37-4110%LateRouteAll Weather
Step 2Malamar ✓
Malamar doesn't appear wild. Catch Inkay instead, it shows up at solid rates. Evolve it at level 30 to get Malamar. The 2-stage line is mapped in the step cards below.
How to Obtain Malamar in Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon
To get Malamar, start by catching Inkay through walking encounters at Lv. 4-61. The chain covers 1 catchable stage before reaching the final form.
Step 1Catch InkayEFFORTLESSRoute 1 - Hau'oli OutskirtsUltra SunGrassLv.4-730%EarlyRouteEFFORTLESSRoute 1 - Hau'oli OutskirtsUltra MoonGrassLv.4-730%EarlyRouteEASYAncient Poni PathUltra MoonGrassLv.41-4420%LateRouteEASYAncient Poni PathUltra SunGrassLv.41-4420%LateRouteEASYPoni WildsUltra SunGrassLv.41-4420%LateEASYPoni WildsUltra MoonGrassLv.41-4420%LateEASYPoni GauntletUltra MoonGrassLv.58-6115%PostEASYPoni GauntletUltra SunGrassLv.58-6115%Post
Step 2Malamar ✓
Don't let Malamar's 482 base stat total fool you. Contrary is what makes it tick — it punches way above its weight class. We rate it B-Tier.
Inkay evolves into Malamar at level 30. Malamar is the fully evolved form. At 482 BST, it's got solid stats to work with.
Run Contrary on Malamar. It's the ability that defines how you build around it and the main reason it holds a competitive niche. Malamar also gets Suction Cups and Infiltrator, but they don't compare.
Malamar fills the balanced role. It's a physical attacker with base 92 Attack. Base 73 Speed is workable — faster than some, slower than many. And it's enough bulk to take a hit or two.
Malamar appears in 7 games, including X & Y, Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire, and Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon.
Malamar first appeared in X & Y and spans 7 games across 4 generations. It later gained a Mega form in Generation 6, adding new dimensions to its competitive identity.
- Gen IY
Yellow - Gen IRB
Red & Blue - Gen IIGS
Gold & Silver - Gen IIC
Crystal - Gen IIIRS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen IIIFRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen IIIE
Emerald - Gen IVPt
Platinum - Gen IVHGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen IVDP
Diamond & Pearl - Gen VBW
Black & White - Gen VB2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen VIXYDebut
X & Y - Gen VIORASMega
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen VIIUSUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen VIISM
Sun & Moon - Gen VIILGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen VIIISwSh
Sword & Shield - Gen VIIIPLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen VIIIBDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen IXSV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen IXLZA
Legends: Z-A