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's Dark/Psychic typing leaves it vulnerable to Bug and Fairy. 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.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 4x (Critical) | Bug |
| 2x (Weak) | Fairy |
| 0x (Immune) | Psychic |
Goodra's Draco Meteor hits Malamar for 63-75%. Tyranitar's Stone Edge hits Malamar for 82-96%.
 | A | |
Recommended Build AbilitySapsipper ItemLeftovers NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Malamar View Goodra builds →Draco Meteor63-75% Flamethrower29-35% Knock Off13-15% | ||
 | A | |
Recommended Build AbilitySand Stream ItemChoice Band NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Malamar View Tyranitar builds →Knock Off53-63% Stone Edge82-96% Pursuit33-39% Earthquake54-64% | ||
 | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityNatural Cure ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureBold Moves View Blissey builds →
| ||
 Aurorus RockIce | C | |
Recommended Build AbilitySnow Warning ItemLightclay NatureModest Moves
Damage vs Malamar View Aurorus builds →Blizzard55-65% | ||
 | C | |
Recommended Build AbilityAftermath ItemLeftovers NatureCareful Moves View Garbodor builds →
| ||
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. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
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
Doubles Physical Sweeper Moveset
- Superpower
- Close Combat
- Knock Off
- Rest
Recommended Teammates
Doubles Bulky Support Moveset
- Superpower
- Knock Off
- Topsy Turvy
- Protect
Recommended Teammates
Doubles Physical Tank Moveset
- Superpower
- Knock Off
- Skill Swap
- Psycho Cut
Recommended Teammates
Support Moveset
- Superpower
- Knock Off
- Rest
- Sleep Talk
Recommended Teammates
Physical Tank Moveset
- Superpower
- Knock Off
- Psycho Cut
- Rest
Doubles Physical Sweeper Moveset
- Superpower
- Close Combat
- Knock Off
- Rest
Recommended Teammates
Doubles Bulky Support Moveset
- Superpower
- Knock Off
- Topsy Turvy
- Protect
Doubles Physical Tank Moveset
- Superpower
- Knock Off
- Skill Swap
- Psycho Cut
Recommended Teammates
Support Moveset
- Superpower
- Knock Off
- Rest
- Sleep Talk
Recommended Teammates
Doubles Bulky Support Moveset
- Superpower
- Protect
- Topsy Turvy
- Throat Chop
Recommended Teammates
Physical Tank Moveset
- Superpower
- Psycho Cut
- Liquidation
- Foul Play
Recommended Teammates
Wall Moveset
- Superpower
- Knock Off
- Rest
- Sleep Talk
Recommended Teammates
Doubles Wall Moveset
- Superpower
- Knock Off
- Rest
- Sleep Talk
Recommended Teammates
Physical Tank Moveset
- Superpower
- Psycho Cut
- Knock Off
- Night Slash
Recommended Teammates
Moves
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 InkayChallenge BeachSwordOverworld Lv.10-15 Water20%EarlyOvercastChallenge BeachShieldOverworld Lv.10-15 Water20%EarlyOvercastFields of HonorSwordOverworld Lv.10-1520%EarlyOvercastFields of HonorShieldOverworld Lv.10-1520%EarlyOvercastTraining LowlandsShieldOverworld Lv.10-1520%EarlyOvercastTraining LowlandsSwordOverworld Lv.13-1820%EarlyOvercastChallenge BeachSwordGrass Lv.13-18 Water15%EarlyOvercastChallenge BeachShieldGrass Lv.13-18 Water15%EarlyOvercastFields of HonorSwordGrass Lv.13-1815%EarlyOvercastFields of HonorShieldGrass Lv.13-1815%EarlyOvercastHammerlocke HillsShieldGrass Lv.28-3035%MidOvercastHammerlocke HillsSwordGrass Lv.28-3035%MidOvercastBridge FieldSwordGrass Lv.26-2830%MidIntense SunBridge FieldShieldGrass Lv.26-2830%MidIntense SunHammerlocke HillsSwordGrass Lv.28-3025%MidNormal WeatherHammerlocke HillsShieldGrass Lv.28-3025%MidNormal WeatherHammerlocke HillsSwordGrass Lv.28-3025%MidSnowingHammerlocke HillsShieldGrass Lv.28-3025%MidSnowingLoop LagoonSwordOverworld Lv.16-2120%MidOvercastLoop LagoonShieldOverworld Lv.16-2120%MidOvercastBridge FieldSwordGrass Lv.26-2820%MidSnowstormBridge FieldShieldGrass Lv.26-2820%MidNormal WeatherBridge FieldShieldGrass Lv.26-2820%MidSnowstormBridge FieldSwordGrass Lv.26-2820%MidNormal WeatherTraining LowlandsSwordGrass Lv.16-2115%MidOvercastTraining LowlandsShieldGrass Lv.16-2115%MidOvercastLoop LagoonSwordGrass Lv.19-2415%MidOvercastLoop LagoonShieldGrass Lv.19-2415%MidOvercastHammerlocke HillsSwordGrass Lv.28-3015%MidIntense SunHammerlocke HillsShieldGrass Lv.28-3015%MidIntense SunHammerlocke HillsSwordGrass Lv.28-3015%MidRainingHammerlocke HillsSwordGrass Lv.28-3015%MidHeavy FogHammerlocke HillsShieldGrass Lv.28-3015%MidRainingHammerlocke HillsShieldGrass Lv.28-3015%MidHeavy FogBridge FieldSwordGrass Lv.26-2810%MidThunderstormBridge FieldShieldGrass Lv.26-2810%MidThunderstormBridge FieldSwordGrass Lv.26-2810%MidSnowingBridge FieldSwordGrass Lv.26-2810%MidSandstormBridge FieldShieldGrass Lv.26-2810%MidSnowingBridge FieldSwordGrass Lv.26-2810%MidRainingBridge FieldShieldGrass Lv.26-2810%MidSandstormBridge FieldShieldGrass Lv.26-2810%MidRainingHammerlocke HillsSwordGrass Lv.28-3010%MidSnowstormHammerlocke HillsShieldGrass Lv.28-3010%MidSnowstormRoute 9 - in Circhester BaySwordGrass Lv.39-43 Route25%LateAll WeatherRoute 9 - in Circhester BayShieldGrass Lv.39-43 Route25%LateAll WeatherBridge FieldSwordSurfing on water Lv.40-4315%LateHeavy FogBridge FieldShieldSurfing on water Lv.40-4315%LateRainingBridge FieldShieldSurfing on water Lv.40-4315%LateHeavy FogBridge FieldSwordSurfing on water Lv.40-4315%LateOvercastBridge FieldShieldSurfing on water Lv.40-4315%LateOvercastBridge FieldSwordSurfing on water Lv.40-4315%LateNormal WeatherBridge FieldShieldSurfing on water Lv.40-4315%LateNormal WeatherBridge FieldSwordSurfing on water Lv.40-4315%LateSnowstormBridge FieldShieldSurfing on water Lv.40-4315%LateSnowstormBridge FieldSwordSurfing on water Lv.40-4315%LateThunderstormBridge FieldSwordSurfing on water Lv.40-4315%LateIntense SunBridge FieldShieldSurfing on water Lv.40-4315%LateThunderstormBridge FieldSwordSurfing on water Lv.40-4315%LateSnowingBridge FieldShieldSurfing on water Lv.40-4315%LateIntense SunBridge FieldSwordSurfing on water Lv.40-4315%LateSandstormBridge FieldShieldSurfing on water Lv.40-4315%LateSnowingBridge FieldSwordSurfing on water Lv.40-4315%LateRainingBridge FieldShieldSurfing on water Lv.40-4315%LateSandstormRoute 7SwordOverworld Lv.37-41 Route10%LateAll WeatherRoute 7ShieldOverworld Lv.37-41 Route10%LateAll 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 InkayRoute 1 - Hau'oli OutskirtsUltra SunGrass Lv.4-7 Route30%EarlyRoute 1 - Hau'oli OutskirtsUltra MoonGrass Lv.4-7 Route30%EarlyAncient Poni PathUltra MoonGrass Lv.41-44 Route20%LateAncient Poni PathUltra SunGrass Lv.41-44 Route20%LatePoni WildsUltra SunGrass Lv.41-4420%LatePoni WildsUltra MoonGrass Lv.41-4420%LatePoni GauntletUltra MoonGrass Lv.58-6115%PostPoni GauntletUltra SunGrass Lv.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.
Yes. Mega Malamar hits 582 BST, a solid jump from the base 482. Hold the Mega Stone, trigger it in battle, and it lasts the whole fight. One Mega per team.
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 first appeared in X & Y and spans 7 games across 5 generations. It later gained a Mega form in Generation 6, adding new dimensions to its competitive identity.
Click a game to view version-specific details
- Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 1RB
Red & Blue - Gen 2GS
Gold & Silver - Gen 2C
Crystal - Gen 3RS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen 3FRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen 3E
Emerald - Gen 4Pt
Platinum - Gen 4HGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen 4DP
Diamond & Pearl - Gen 5BW
Black & White - Gen 5B2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen 6XYDebut
X & Y - Gen 6ORASMega
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen 7USUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen 7SM
Sun & Moon - Gen 7LGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen 8SwSh
Sword & Shield - Gen 8PLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen 8BDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen 9SV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen 9LZA
Legends: Z-A - Gen 10WW
Winds & Waves