Malamar Best Moveset
AbilityContrary reverses stat changes, turning MoveSuperpower's Attack and Defense drops into +1 boosts each use. Held ItemLeftovers with NatureAdamant stacks boosts over multiple Superpowers. Dark/Psychic TermStab covers Ghost, Psychic, and Fighting. The moveset gets stronger every turn it attacks. D-Tier because 73 Speed and 92 Attack limit the initial output.
Contrary reversed Superpower in Gen VI (X & Y). Attack and Defense rose instead of dropping. Dark/Psychic covered Ghost and Psychic threats. Unique and disruptive.
Best Moves
Best Build
Malamar best EVs are Attack and Defense
Physical Tank Moveset
- Superpower
- Knock Off
- Psycho Cut
- Rest
Recommended Teammates
Same Contrary set in Gen VII (Sun & Moon). Superpower snowballed with each use. Two gens at the same level with the same winning strategy.
Physical Tank Moveset
- Superpower
- Psycho Cut
- Knock Off
- Night Slash
Recommended Teammates
Banned from the lowest tier in Gen VIII (Sword & Shield) but couldn't function above it. Contrary was too strong for the bottom, not enough for the middle.
Physical Tank Moveset
- Superpower
- Psycho Cut
- Liquidation
- Foul Play
Recommended Teammates
Four gens and the format adapted in Gen IX (Scarlet & Violet). Knock Off and Contrary Superpower were predictable. Opponents stopped cooperating.
Physical Tank Moveset
- Superpower
- Knock Off
- Psycho Cut
- Topsy Turvy
Recommended Teammates
Malamar Weakness
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 |
What is Malamar Weak Against
AvgBest Pokemon Against Malamar
Tyranitar deals 54-64% with Stone Edge.
A | ||
Recommended Build AbilityRegenerator ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureRelaxed Moves
Damage vs Malamar View Alomomola builds →Flip Turn10-12% Scald10-11% | ||
B | ||
Recommended Build AbilityNatural Cure ItemLeftovers NatureCalm Moves View Blissey builds →
| ||
B | ||
Recommended Build AbilitySand Stream ItemChoice Band NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Malamar View Tyranitar builds →Knock Off35-42% Stone Edge54-64% | ||
Recommended Build AbilityRegenerator ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureSassy Moves View Slowking-Galar builds →
| ||
Recommended Build AbilityMagician ItemAssault Vest NatureQuiet Moves View Hoopa-Unbound builds →
| ||
Evolution
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
How to Get Malamar
4 encounter spots for Malamar at moderate rates starting from endgame routes. Best and Earliest sort options below help narrow down your approach based on odds vs. Accessibility.
Where To Catch Malamar in SV
To get Malamar, start by catching Inkay through walking encounters at Lv. 50-80. The chain covers 2 catchable stages before reaching the final form.
Step 1Catch InkayCoastal BiomeLv.50-80OverworldCoastal BiomeLv.60Overworld
Step 2Malamar ✓Canyon BiomeLv.50-80OverworldCoastal BiomeLv.50-80Overworldor evolve from Inkay (Step 1)
A few locations for Malamar with moderate rates across endgame routes. The sort toggle below swaps between best odds and earliest access, so you can approach it based on where you are in the game.
Where To Catch Malamar in LZA
To get Malamar, start by catching Inkay through walking encounters at Lv. 31-65. The chain covers 2 catchable stages before reaching the final form.
- Step 1Catch InkayWild Zone 11Lv.31-33OverworldLegends: Z-A
- Step 2Malamar ✓Wild Zone 20Lv.54-55OverworldLegends: Z-AWild Zone 20Lv.64-65OverworldLegends: Z-Aor evolve from Inkay (Step 1)
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 SwSh
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 BeachLv.10-15OverworldRate 20%OvercastFields of HonorLv.10-15OverworldRate 20%OvercastTraining LowlandsLv.10-15OverworldShieldRate 20%OvercastTraining LowlandsLv.13-18OverworldSwordRate 20%OvercastChallenge BeachLv.13-18GrassRate 15%OvercastFields of HonorLv.13-18GrassRate 15%OvercastHammerlocke HillsLv.28-30GrassRate 35%OvercastBridge FieldLv.26-28GrassRate 30%Intense SunHammerlocke HillsLv.28-30GrassRate 25%Normal WeatherHammerlocke HillsLv.28-30GrassRate 25%SnowingLoop LagoonLv.16-21OverworldRate 20%OvercastBridge FieldLv.26-28GrassRate 20%SnowstormBridge FieldLv.26-28GrassRate 20%Normal WeatherTraining LowlandsLv.16-21GrassRate 15%OvercastLoop LagoonLv.19-24GrassRate 15%OvercastHammerlocke HillsLv.28-30GrassRate 15%RainingHammerlocke HillsLv.28-30GrassRate 15%Heavy FogHammerlocke HillsLv.28-30GrassRate 15%Intense SunBridge FieldLv.26-28GrassRate 10%RainingBridge FieldLv.26-28GrassRate 10%SandstormBridge FieldLv.26-28GrassRate 10%ThunderstormBridge FieldLv.26-28GrassRate 10%SnowingHammerlocke HillsLv.28-30GrassRate 10%SnowstormRoute 9 - in Circhester BayLv.39-43GrassRate 25%All WeatherBridge FieldLv.40-43Surfing on waterRate 15%SandstormBridge FieldLv.40-43Surfing on waterRate 15%SnowingBridge FieldLv.40-43Surfing on waterRate 15%ThunderstormBridge FieldLv.40-43Surfing on waterRate 15%OvercastBridge FieldLv.40-43Surfing on waterRate 15%Normal WeatherBridge FieldLv.40-43Surfing on waterRate 15%RainingBridge FieldLv.40-43Surfing on waterRate 15%Intense SunBridge FieldLv.40-43Surfing on waterRate 15%SnowstormBridge FieldLv.40-43Surfing on waterRate 15%Heavy FogRoute 7Lv.37-41OverworldRate 10%All Weather
Step 2Malamar ✓BREEDINGAvailableLeave a compatible parent at the Pokemon Day Care to receive a Malamar egg.
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 USUM
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 OutskirtsLv.4-7GrassRate 30%Ancient Poni PathLv.41-44GrassRate 20%Poni WildsLv.41-44GrassRate 20%Poni GauntletLv.58-61GrassRate 15%
Step 2Malamar ✓
Base Stats
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.
Malamar Guide
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 C-Tier.
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.
Run Superpower, Knock Off, Psychocut, and Topsyturvy on Malamar. Superpower is the most common pick at 0% usage. This set covers the balanced role with a mix of damage and utility.
Game Availability
Introduced in X & Y, Malamar has appeared in 7 games across 5 generations. Later debuts mean fewer total appearances, but it's been a consistent presence since its introduction.
Click a game to view version-specific details
- Gen 1RB
Red & Blue - Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 2GS
Gold & Silver - Gen 2C
Crystal - Gen 3RS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen 3E
Emerald - Gen 3FRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen 4DP
Diamond & Pearl - Gen 4Pt
Platinum - Gen 4HGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen 5BW
Black & White - Gen 5B2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen 6XYDebut
X & Y - Gen 6ORAS
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen 7SM
Sun & Moon - Gen 7USUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen 7LGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen 8SwSh
Sword & Shield - Gen 8BDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen 8PLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen 9SV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen 9LZA
Legends: Z-A - Gen 10WW
Winds & Waves