In Sword & Shield, 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.

Does Malamar mega evolve?

Mega Evolution isn't available in Sword & Shield, but Malamar does have a Mega form in Gen 6-7 games (X/Y, ORAS, Sun/Moon). Mega Malamar hits 582 BST.

What is Malamar weak to?

In Sword & Shield, 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.

What is the best ability for Malamar?

In Sword & Shield, 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.

What role does Malamar play in battle?

In Sword & Shield, 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 - Weakness, Evolution, Moveset, EVs & Stats

Physical

Balanced

CTier

73Speed · Below Avg

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.

Base Stats

Above

HP86

Attack92

Defense88

Sp. Atk68

Sp. Def75

Speed73

Total482

Details

Catch Rate

Challenging80 / 255

Growth Rate

Medium Fast1M XP

Height1.5 m

Weight47.0 kg

Base XP169

Abilities

ContraryTop Pick

Inverts stat changes.

Suction Cups

Prevents being forced out of battle by other Pokémon's moves.

InfiltratorHARare

Bypasses light screen, reflect, and safeguard.

EV Yield

HPAtk+2DefSpASpDSpe

Attack training target

Pokedex Entries

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

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.

Malamar Weakness and Resistance Chart
Damage	Types
4x (Critical)	Bug
2x (Weak)	Fairy
0x (Immune)	Psychic

Type ChartAvg

2Weak

0Resist

1Immune

Score-3

4xCritical

Bug

2xWeak

Fairy

½xResist

None

¼xResist

None

0xImmune

Psychic

STAB (4)

Psychic Ghost Fighting Poison

How to Beat Malamar in Sword & Shield (Best Counters)

In Sword & Shield, Clefable's Moonblast hits Malamar for 79-94%.

Scizor BugSteel	A
Recommended Build AbilityTechnician ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureAdamant Moves Bullet Punch Knock Off RoostRecovery Swords Dance Damage vs Malamar Bullet Punch 22-26% Knock Off 23-27% View Scizor builds →
Clefable Fairy	A
Recommended Build AbilityMagic Guard ItemLeftovers NatureBold Moves MoonblastSTAB Soft Boiled Calm Mind Knock Off Damage vs Malamar Moonblast 2x 79-94% Knock Off 11-13% View Clefable builds →

Sword & Shield 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

2 Forms

#686Inkay

Level 30 (Upside Down)

#687Malamar

Stat Comparison 2 Stages

Inkay

DarkPsychic

Malamar

DarkPsychic

86+33

ATK

92+38

DEF

88+35

SP.ATK

68+31

SP.DEF

75+29

SPE

73+28

BST

288D-Tier

482B-Tier+194

ROLE

Balanced

TYPE

Utility

Physical

Breeding

Very Easy

Breed with Malamar to get Inkay eggs easily using 81 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)

Sword & Shield Malamar Best Moveset

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

Experimental

Ability

Contrary

Item

Safety Goggles

Best Nature for Malamar

Careful+SPD

Malamar best EVs are HP and Sp. Def

EVs

Def

SpD

Doubles Bulky Support Moveset

SuperpowerCoverage
ProtectFAST +4
Topsy TurvySTAB
Throat ChopSTAB

Recommended Teammates

LurantisGood

WhimsicottGood

PyukumukuDecent

Moves

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

C—6020Psychic

Lv 1

Peck

—3510035Flying

Lv 1

Reversal

D—10015Fighting

Lv 1

Tackle

D4010035Normal

Lv 1

Wrap

—159020Normal

Lv 9

Payback

C5010010Dark

Lv 12

Pluck

—6010020Flying

Lv 15

Psybeam

C6510020Psychic

Lv 18

Swagger

D—8515Normal

Lv 21

Slash

C7010020Normal

Lv 24

Night Slash

C7010015Dark

Lv 27

Psycho Cut

S7010020Psychic

Lv 33

Switcheroo

C—10010Dark

Lv 37

Foul Play

A9510015Dark

Lv 42

Topsy-Turvy

S——20Dark

Lv 47

Superpower

S1201005Fighting

TM Moves

TR83

Ally Switch+2

C——15Psychic

TM31

Attract

C—10015Normal

TR29

Baton Pass

B——40Normal

TM97

Brutal Swing

C6010020Dark

TR49

Calm Mind

C——20Psychic

TR58

Dark Pulse

C8010015Dark

TR26

Endure+4

C——10Normal

TM39

Facade

C7010020Normal

TM47

Fake Tears

D—10020Dark

TR02

Flamethrower

C9010015Fire

TM59

Fling

——10010Dark

TR81

Foul Play

A9510015Dark

TR34

Future Sight

B12010010Psychic

TM09

Giga Impact

B150905Normal

TM61

Guard Swap

D——10Psychic

TM08

Hyper Beam

C150905Normal

TM17

Light Screen

C——30Psychic

TR98

Liquidation

S8510010Water

TR68

Nasty Plot

C——20Dark

TM57

Payback

C5010010Dark

TM25

Protect+4

S——10Normal

TR11

Psychic

C9010010Psychic

TM69

Psycho Cut

S7010020Psychic

TR25

Psyshock

C8010010Psychic

TM33

Rain Dance

C——5Water

TM18

Reflect

C——20Psychic

TM21

Rest

S——10Psychic

TM79

Retaliate

C701005Normal

TR21

Reversal

D—10015Fighting

TM22

Rock Slide

C759010Rock

TM76

Round

D6010015Normal

TM26

Scary Face

——10010Normal

TR27

Sleep Talk

S——10Normal

TM24

Snore

—5010015Normal

TR82

Stored Power

B2010010Psychic

TR20

Substitute

C——10Normal

TM34

Sunny Day

C——5Fire

TR39

Superpower

S1201005Fighting

TR37

Taunt

C—10020Dark

TM23

Thief

C6010025Dark

TR95

Throat Chop

A8010015Dark

TR08

Thunderbolt

C9010015Electric

TM70

Trick Room-7

C——5Psychic

Egg Moves

Egg

Acupressure

———30Normal

Egg

Destiny Bond

C——5Ghost

Egg

Disable

C—10020Normal

Tutor Moves

Tut

Tutor

Expanding Force

C8010010Psychic

Tutor

Lash Out

C751005Dark

How to Get Malamar in Sword & Shield

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 Inkay
Challenge Beach
SwordOverworld Lv.10-15 Water
20%Early
Overcast
Challenge Beach
ShieldOverworld Lv.10-15 Water
20%Early
Overcast
Fields of Honor
SwordOverworld Lv.10-15
20%Early
Overcast
Fields of Honor
ShieldOverworld Lv.10-15
20%Early
Overcast
Training Lowlands
ShieldOverworld Lv.10-15
20%Early
Overcast
Training Lowlands
SwordOverworld Lv.13-18
20%Early
Overcast
Challenge Beach
SwordGrass Lv.13-18 Water
15%Early
Overcast
Challenge Beach
ShieldGrass Lv.13-18 Water
15%Early
Overcast
Fields of Honor
SwordGrass Lv.13-18
15%Early
Overcast
Fields of Honor
ShieldGrass Lv.13-18
15%Early
Overcast
Hammerlocke Hills
ShieldGrass Lv.28-30
35%Mid
Overcast
Hammerlocke Hills
SwordGrass Lv.28-30
35%Mid
Overcast
Bridge Field
SwordGrass Lv.26-28
30%Mid
Intense Sun
Bridge Field
ShieldGrass Lv.26-28
30%Mid
Intense Sun
Hammerlocke Hills
SwordGrass Lv.28-30
25%Mid
Normal Weather
Hammerlocke Hills
ShieldGrass Lv.28-30
25%Mid
Normal Weather
Hammerlocke Hills
SwordGrass Lv.28-30
25%Mid
Snowing
Hammerlocke Hills
ShieldGrass Lv.28-30
25%Mid
Snowing
Loop Lagoon
SwordOverworld Lv.16-21
20%Mid
Overcast
Loop Lagoon
ShieldOverworld Lv.16-21
20%Mid
Overcast
Bridge Field
SwordGrass Lv.26-28
20%Mid
Snowstorm
Bridge Field
ShieldGrass Lv.26-28
20%Mid
Normal Weather
Bridge Field
ShieldGrass Lv.26-28
20%Mid
Snowstorm
Bridge Field
SwordGrass Lv.26-28
20%Mid
Normal Weather
Training Lowlands
SwordGrass Lv.16-21
15%Mid
Overcast
Training Lowlands
ShieldGrass Lv.16-21
15%Mid
Overcast
Loop Lagoon
SwordGrass Lv.19-24
15%Mid
Overcast
Loop Lagoon
ShieldGrass Lv.19-24
15%Mid
Overcast
Hammerlocke Hills
SwordGrass Lv.28-30
15%Mid
Intense Sun
Hammerlocke Hills
ShieldGrass Lv.28-30
15%Mid
Intense Sun
Hammerlocke Hills
SwordGrass Lv.28-30
15%Mid
Raining
Hammerlocke Hills
SwordGrass Lv.28-30
15%Mid
Heavy Fog
Hammerlocke Hills
ShieldGrass Lv.28-30
15%Mid
Raining
Hammerlocke Hills
ShieldGrass Lv.28-30
15%Mid
Heavy Fog
Bridge Field
SwordGrass Lv.26-28
10%Mid
Thunderstorm
Bridge Field
ShieldGrass Lv.26-28
10%Mid
Thunderstorm
Bridge Field
SwordGrass Lv.26-28
10%Mid
Snowing
Bridge Field
SwordGrass Lv.26-28
10%Mid
Sandstorm
Bridge Field
ShieldGrass Lv.26-28
10%Mid
Snowing
Bridge Field
SwordGrass Lv.26-28
10%Mid
Raining
Bridge Field
ShieldGrass Lv.26-28
10%Mid
Sandstorm
Bridge Field
ShieldGrass Lv.26-28
10%Mid
Raining
Hammerlocke Hills
SwordGrass Lv.28-30
10%Mid
Snowstorm
Hammerlocke Hills
ShieldGrass Lv.28-30
10%Mid
Snowstorm
Route 9 - in Circhester Bay
SwordGrass Lv.39-43 Route
25%Late
All Weather
Route 9 - in Circhester Bay
ShieldGrass Lv.39-43 Route
25%Late
All Weather
Bridge Field
SwordSurfing on water Lv.40-43
15%Late
Heavy Fog
Bridge Field
ShieldSurfing on water Lv.40-43
15%Late
Raining
Bridge Field
SwordSurfing on water Lv.40-43
15%Late
Overcast
Bridge Field
ShieldSurfing on water Lv.40-43
15%Late
Heavy Fog
Bridge Field
SwordSurfing on water Lv.40-43
15%Late
Normal Weather
Bridge Field
ShieldSurfing on water Lv.40-43
15%Late
Overcast
Bridge Field
ShieldSurfing on water Lv.40-43
15%Late
Normal Weather
Bridge Field
SwordSurfing on water Lv.40-43
15%Late
Snowstorm
Bridge Field
ShieldSurfing on water Lv.40-43
15%Late
Snowstorm
Bridge Field
SwordSurfing on water Lv.40-43
15%Late
Thunderstorm
Bridge Field
SwordSurfing on water Lv.40-43
15%Late
Intense Sun
Bridge Field
ShieldSurfing on water Lv.40-43
15%Late
Thunderstorm
Bridge Field
SwordSurfing on water Lv.40-43
15%Late
Snowing
Bridge Field
ShieldSurfing on water Lv.40-43
15%Late
Intense Sun
Bridge Field
SwordSurfing on water Lv.40-43
15%Late
Sandstorm
Bridge Field
ShieldSurfing on water Lv.40-43
15%Late
Snowing
Bridge Field
SwordSurfing on water Lv.40-43
15%Late
Raining
Bridge Field
ShieldSurfing on water Lv.40-43
15%Late
Sandstorm
Route 7
SwordOverworld Lv.37-41 Route
10%Late
All Weather
Route 7
ShieldOverworld Lv.37-41 Route
10%Late
All Weather
Train until Level 30
Step 2Malamar ✓

Malamar Guide

In Sword & Shield, 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.
Mega Evolution isn't available in Sword & Shield, but Malamar does have a Mega form in Gen 6-7 games (X/Y, ORAS, Sun/Moon). Mega Malamar hits 582 BST.
In Sword & Shield, 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.
In Sword & Shield, 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 Sword & Shield, 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

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