Physical
Balanced
482Average
73Moderate
CTier

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.

Base Stats
482Above
HP86
C
Attack92
B
Defense88
C
Sp. Atk68
C
Sp. Def75
C
Speed73
C
Total482
Low <60
Avg 60-89
High 90-149
Top 150+
EV YieldDefeating Malamar yields +2 Atk
HPAtk+2DefSpASpDSpe
Details
Catch80Challenging•Medium Fast1M XP•1.5m / 4'11"•47kg / 103.6 lbs•169Base XP
Pokedex Entries

Gazing at its luminescent spots will quickly induce a hypnotic state, putting the observer under Malamar’s control.

Sword

It’s said that Malamar’s hypnotic powers played a role in certain history-changing events.

Shield

Malamar Weakness

Avg

Malamar'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.

4xCriticali
Bug
2xWeaki
Fairy
½xResisti
None
¼xResisti
None
0xImmunei
Psychic
STAB (4)i
PsychicGhostFightingPoison
2Weak
0Resist
1Immune
Scorei-3
SpikesGrounded — up to 25%
Toxic SpikesVulnerable
4x Bug — U-turn, Bug Buzz, Megahorn
Abilities
ContraryInverts stat changes.
Suction CupsPrevents being forced out of battle by other Pokémon's moves.
InfiltratorHABypasses light screen, reflect, and safeguard.

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

2 Forms
Inkay
#686Inkay
30
Level 30
Malamar
#687Malamar
Stat Comparison 2 Stages
Inkay
DarkPsychic
Malamar
DarkPsychic
HP
53
86+33
ATK
54
92+38
DEF
53
88+35
SP.ATK
37
68+31
SP.DEF
46
75+29
SPE
45
73+28
BST
288D-Tier
482B-Tier+194
ROLE
Balanced
Balanced
TYPE
Utility
Physical
Breeding
Very Easy

Breed with Malamar to get Inkay eggs easily using 74 partners from the Water1 and Water2 egg groups. Notable egg moves include Acupressure, Destiny Bond, Disable.

Egg Groups
Water1Water2
Gender
♂50.0%♀50.0%
Hatch Time
20 cycles·5,140 steps
Quick~5 min with Flame Body
Egg Moves
3moves
Breed With (best first)
gyaradosazumarillblastoisegolduckkingdramiloticwalreinslowbroslowkingoctilleryludicolomalamar
12 of 74·

Bulk and offense in one package. Malamar runs Leftovers for passive recovery each turn with a Jolly nature, so it survives long enough to threaten with Superpower. Max Attack and Speed EVs and Fighting coverage make it hard to safely switch into.

Best Build

Physical Sweeper
Ability
Contrary
Item
LeftoversSUSTAIN
Nature
Jolly+SPE
EVs

Best Malamar Moveset

  • SuperpowerCoverage
  • Knock OffSTAB
  • ProtectFAST +4
  • SubstituteUtility

Recommended Teammates

Polteageist
PolteageistDecent

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.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1
Hypnosis
—6020Psychic
Lv 1
Peck
3510035Flying
Lv 1
Reversal
—10015Fighting
Lv 1
Tackle
4010035Normal
Lv 1
Wrap
159020Normal
Lv 9
Payback
5010010Dark
Lv 12
Pluck
6010020Flying
Lv 15
Psybeam
6510020Psychic
Lv 18
Swagger
—8515Normal
Lv 21
Slash
7010020Normal
Lv 24
Night Slash
7010015Dark
Lv 27
Psycho Cut
7010020Psychic
Lv 33
Switcheroo
—10010Dark
Lv 37
Foul Play
9510015Dark
Lv 42
Topsy-Turvy
——20Dark
Lv 47
Superpower
1201005Fighting

TM Moves

Src
TR83
Ally Switch+2
——15Psychic
TM31
Attract
—10015Normal
TR29
Baton Pass
——40Normal
TM97
Brutal Swing
6010020Dark
TR49
Calm Mind
——20Psychic
TR58
Dark Pulse
8010015Dark
TR26
Endure+4
——10Normal
TM39
Facade
7010020Normal
TM47
Fake Tears
—10020Dark
TR02
Flamethrower
9010015Fire
TM59
Fling
—10010Dark
TR81
Foul Play
9510015Dark
TR34
Future Sight
12010010Psychic
TM09
Giga Impact
150905Normal
TM61
Guard Swap
——10Psychic
TM08
Hyper Beam
150905Normal
TM17
Light Screen
——30Psychic
TR98
Liquidation
8510010Water
TR68
Nasty Plot
——20Dark
TM57
Payback
5010010Dark
TM25
Protect+4
——10Normal
TR11
Psychic
9010010Psychic
TM69
Psycho Cut
7010020Psychic
TR25
Psyshock
8010010Psychic
TM33
Rain Dance
——5Water
TM18
Reflect
——20Psychic
TM21
Rest
——10Psychic
TM79
Retaliate
701005Normal
TR21
Reversal
—10015Fighting
TM22
Rock Slide
759010Rock
TM76
Round
6010015Normal
TM26
Scary Face
—10010Normal
TR27
Sleep Talk
——10Normal
TM24
Snore
5010015Normal
TR82
Stored Power
2010010Psychic
TR20
Substitute
——10Normal
TM34
Sunny Day
——5Fire
TR39
Superpower
1201005Fighting
TR37
Taunt
—10020Dark
TM23
Thief
6010025Dark
TR95
Throat Chop
8010015Dark
TR08
Thunderbolt
9010015Electric
TM70
Trick Room-7
——5Psychic

Egg Moves

Src
Egg
Acupressure
——30Normal
Egg
Destiny Bond
——5Ghost
Egg
Disable
—10020Normal

Tutor Moves

Src
Tutor
Expanding Force
8010010Psychic
Tutor
Lash Out
751005Dark

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.

  1. Inkay
    Step 1Catch Inkay
    Challenge Beach
    SwordOverworldLv.10-1520%EarlyWaterOvercast
    EASY
    Challenge Beach
    ShieldOverworldLv.10-1520%EarlyWaterOvercast
    EASY
    Fields of Honor
    SwordOverworldLv.10-1520%EarlyOvercast
    EASY
    Fields of Honor
    ShieldOverworldLv.10-1520%EarlyOvercast
    EASY
    Training Lowlands
    ShieldOverworldLv.10-1520%EarlyOvercast
    EASY
    Training Lowlands
    SwordOverworldLv.13-1820%EarlyOvercast
    EASY
    Challenge Beach
    SwordGrassLv.13-1815%EarlyWaterOvercast
    EASY
    Challenge Beach
    ShieldGrassLv.13-1815%EarlyWaterOvercast
    EASY
    Fields of Honor
    SwordGrassLv.13-1815%EarlyOvercast
    EASY
    Fields of Honor
    ShieldGrassLv.13-1815%EarlyOvercast
    EASY
    Hammerlocke Hills
    ShieldGrassLv.28-3035%MidOvercast
    EFFORTLESS
    Hammerlocke Hills
    SwordGrassLv.28-3035%MidOvercast
    EFFORTLESS
    Bridge Field
    SwordGrassLv.26-2830%MidIntense Sun
    EFFORTLESS
    Bridge Field
    ShieldGrassLv.26-2830%MidIntense Sun
    EFFORTLESS
    Hammerlocke Hills
    SwordGrassLv.28-3025%MidNormal Weather
    EASY
    Hammerlocke Hills
    ShieldGrassLv.28-3025%MidNormal Weather
    EASY
    Hammerlocke Hills
    SwordGrassLv.28-3025%MidSnowing
    EASY
    Hammerlocke Hills
    ShieldGrassLv.28-3025%MidSnowing
    EASY
    Loop Lagoon
    SwordOverworldLv.16-2120%MidOvercast
    EASY
    Loop Lagoon
    ShieldOverworldLv.16-2120%MidOvercast
    EASY
    Bridge Field
    SwordGrassLv.26-2820%MidSnowstorm
    EASY
    Bridge Field
    ShieldGrassLv.26-2820%MidNormal Weather
    EASY
    Bridge Field
    ShieldGrassLv.26-2820%MidSnowstorm
    EASY
    Bridge Field
    SwordGrassLv.26-2820%MidNormal Weather
    EASY
    Training Lowlands
    SwordGrassLv.16-2115%MidOvercast
    EASY
    Training Lowlands
    ShieldGrassLv.16-2115%MidOvercast
    EASY
    Loop Lagoon
    SwordGrassLv.19-2415%MidOvercast
    EASY
    Loop Lagoon
    ShieldGrassLv.19-2415%MidOvercast
    EASY
    Hammerlocke Hills
    SwordGrassLv.28-3015%MidIntense Sun
    EASY
    Hammerlocke Hills
    ShieldGrassLv.28-3015%MidIntense Sun
    EASY
    Hammerlocke Hills
    SwordGrassLv.28-3015%MidRaining
    EASY
    Hammerlocke Hills
    SwordGrassLv.28-3015%MidHeavy Fog
    EASY
    Hammerlocke Hills
    ShieldGrassLv.28-3015%MidRaining
    EASY
    Hammerlocke Hills
    ShieldGrassLv.28-3015%MidHeavy Fog
    EASY
    Bridge Field
    SwordGrassLv.26-2810%MidThunderstorm
    MODERATE
    Bridge Field
    ShieldGrassLv.26-2810%MidThunderstorm
    MODERATE
    Bridge Field
    SwordGrassLv.26-2810%MidSnowing
    MODERATE
    Bridge Field
    SwordGrassLv.26-2810%MidSandstorm
    MODERATE
    Bridge Field
    ShieldGrassLv.26-2810%MidSnowing
    MODERATE
    Bridge Field
    SwordGrassLv.26-2810%MidRaining
    MODERATE
    Bridge Field
    ShieldGrassLv.26-2810%MidSandstorm
    MODERATE
    Bridge Field
    ShieldGrassLv.26-2810%MidRaining
    MODERATE
    Hammerlocke Hills
    SwordGrassLv.28-3010%MidSnowstorm
    MODERATE
    Hammerlocke Hills
    ShieldGrassLv.28-3010%MidSnowstorm
    MODERATE
    Route 9 - in Circhester Bay
    SwordGrassLv.39-4325%LateRouteAll Weather
    EASY
    Route 9 - in Circhester Bay
    ShieldGrassLv.39-4325%LateRouteAll Weather
    EASY
    Bridge Field
    SwordSurfing on waterLv.40-4315%LateHeavy Fog
    MODERATE
    Bridge Field
    ShieldSurfing on waterLv.40-4315%LateRaining
    MODERATE
    Bridge Field
    SwordSurfing on waterLv.40-4315%LateOvercast
    MODERATE
    Bridge Field
    ShieldSurfing on waterLv.40-4315%LateHeavy Fog
    MODERATE
    Bridge Field
    SwordSurfing on waterLv.40-4315%LateNormal Weather
    MODERATE
    Bridge Field
    ShieldSurfing on waterLv.40-4315%LateOvercast
    MODERATE
    Bridge Field
    SwordSurfing on waterLv.40-4315%LateSnowstorm
    MODERATE
    Bridge Field
    ShieldSurfing on waterLv.40-4315%LateNormal Weather
    MODERATE
    Bridge Field
    ShieldSurfing on waterLv.40-4315%LateSnowstorm
    MODERATE
    Bridge Field
    SwordSurfing on waterLv.40-4315%LateThunderstorm
    MODERATE
    Bridge Field
    SwordSurfing on waterLv.40-4315%LateIntense Sun
    MODERATE
    Bridge Field
    ShieldSurfing on waterLv.40-4315%LateThunderstorm
    MODERATE
    Bridge Field
    SwordSurfing on waterLv.40-4315%LateSnowing
    MODERATE
    Bridge Field
    ShieldSurfing on waterLv.40-4315%LateIntense Sun
    MODERATE
    Bridge Field
    SwordSurfing on waterLv.40-4315%LateSandstorm
    MODERATE
    Bridge Field
    ShieldSurfing on waterLv.40-4315%LateSnowing
    MODERATE
    Bridge Field
    SwordSurfing on waterLv.40-4315%LateRaining
    MODERATE
    Bridge Field
    ShieldSurfing on waterLv.40-4315%LateSandstorm
    MODERATE
    Route 7
    SwordOverworldLv.37-4110%LateRouteAll Weather
    MODERATE
    Route 7
    ShieldOverworldLv.37-4110%LateRouteAll Weather
    MODERATE
  2. Malamar
    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 C-Tier.

  • Watch for Scizor (Bug) and Sylveon (Fairy) when using Malamar. They all hit it super-effectively with STAB. Scizor is the most dangerous since Bug moves deal 4x damage. Only 2 weaknesses means fewer dedicated counters to worry about.

  • 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.