Stats & Training
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
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 |
In Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire, Clefable's Moonblast hits Malamar for 80-94%. Volcarona's Flamethrower hits Malamar for 67-79%. Scizor's U-turn also KOs at 208-245%.
 Clefable Fairy | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityMagic Guard ItemLeftovers NatureBold Moves
Damage vs Malamar View Clefable builds →Moonblast 2x80-94% | ||
 Volcarona BugFire | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityFlame Body ItemLum Berry NatureModest Moves
Damage vs Malamar View Volcarona builds →Giga Drain37-44% Flamethrower67-79% | ||
 Scizor BugSteel | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityTechnician ItemChoice Band NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Malamar View Scizor builds →Bullet Punch30-35% U Turn 4x208-245%KO Superpower59-70% Knock Off32-38% | ||
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire 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
Breeding
Breed with Malamar to get Inkay eggs easily using 87 partners from the Water1 and Water2 egg groups. Notable egg moves include Camouflage, Destiny Bond, Flatter and 2 more.
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire Malamar Best Moveset
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
Malamar best EVs are Attack and Defense
Physical Tank Moveset
- Superpower
- Knock Off
- Psycho Cut
- Rest
Recommended Teammates
Doubles Physical Tank Moveset
- Superpower
- Psycho Cut
- Protect
- Knock Off
Recommended Teammates
Moves
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
How to Get Malamar in Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire
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 ✓
Malamar Guide
In Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire, 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. Superpower with Leftovers is the standard set.
In Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire, 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.
In Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire, 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.
In Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire, 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.
Game Availability
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