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.
It wields the most compelling hypnotic powers of any Pokémon, and it forces others to do whatever it wants.
It lures its prey close with hypnotic motions, then wraps its tentacles around it before finishing it off with digestive fluids.
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 from the Water1 and Water2 egg groups. Notable egg moves include Camouflage, Destiny Bond, Flatter and 2 more.
Bulk and offense in one package. Malamar runs Leftovers for passive recovery each turn with a Brave nature, so it survives long enough to threaten with Superpower. Max Attack without Speed EVs and Fighting coverage make it hard to safely switch into.
Best Build
Best Malamar Moveset
- Superpower
- Knock Off
- Psycho Cut
- Rest
Recommended Teammates
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.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
No wild encounters for Malamar in Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire. Bring Inkay over from X, Ultra Sun, or Sword, then level through the stages. Each step in the chain is laid out below.
How to Obtain Malamar in Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire
Step 1Obtain InkayCatch in the wild in:
Then trade to Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire to continue the evolution chain.
Also found in:
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