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.
When it comes to strong hypnosis, there’s an endless number of people who utilize Malamar for their nefarious deeds.
It flashes the pattern on its torso to control its prey and draw them in. The edges of its fins are supremely sharp.
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 |
 Ribombee BugFairy | C | |
Obtain MethodHeahea Beach Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Malamar View Ribombee builds →Pollen Puff 4x155-183%KO Bug Buzz 4x155-183%KO Dazzling Gleam 2x70-82% Silver Wind 4x104-123%KO | ||
 Vikavolt BugElectric | C | |
Obtain MethodHeahea Beach Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Malamar View Vikavolt builds →Bug Buzz 4x222-261%KO Bug Bite 4x76-89% | ||
 Masquerain Bug | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Malamar View Masquerain builds →Bug Buzz 4x165-194%KO Silver Wind 4x111-130%KO Infestation 4x41-48% | ||
 Araquanid WaterBug | C | |
Obtain MethodHeahea Beach Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Malamar View Araquanid builds →Leech Life 4x98-116%KO Lunge 4x98-116%KO Bug Bite 4x76-89% Infestation 4x25-30% | ||
 Vivillon Bug | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Malamar View Vivillon builds →Bug Buzz 4x148-175%KO Struggle Bug 4x85-101%KO Draining Kiss 2x28-34% Infestation 4x38-45% | ||
In Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon, Scizor can KO Malamar with U-turn (224-263%). Tapu Koko's Dazzling Gleam hits Malamar for 73-86%.
 Scizor BugSteel | S | |
Recommended Build AbilityTechnician ItemChoice Band NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Malamar View Scizor builds →Bullet Punch32-38% Superpower64-75% U Turn 4x224-263%KO | ||
 Tapu Koko ElectricFairy | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityElectric Surge ItemChoice Specs NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Malamar View Tapu Koko builds →Thunderbolt41-48% Volt Switch32-38% Dazzling Gleam 2x73-86% | ||
 Volcarona BugFire | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityFlame Body ItemLeftovers NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Malamar View Volcarona builds →Giga Drain19-23% | ||
 Clefable Fairy | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityMagic Guard ItemLeftovers NatureBold Moves
Damage vs Malamar View Clefable builds →Moonblast 2x46-54% | ||
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon 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 95 partners from the Water1 and Water2 egg groups. Notable egg moves include Camouflage, Destiny Bond, Flatter and 3 more.
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon Malamar Best Moveset
max HP and Sp. Def EVs and Careful nature turn Malamar into a wall that doesn't fold easily. Leftovers brings passive recovery each turn for the long game, and Rest handles sustain. Contrary fills in the gaps.
Best Build
Malamar best EVs are HP and Sp. Def
Doubles Wall Moveset
- Superpower
- Knock Off
- Rest
- Sleep Talk
Recommended Teammates
Physical Tank Moveset
- Superpower
- Psycho Cut
- Knock Off
- Night Slash
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
Transfer Moves
How to Get Malamar in Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon
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 Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon
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 OutskirtsUltra SunGrass Lv.4-7 Route30%EarlyRoute 1 - Hau'oli OutskirtsUltra MoonGrass Lv.4-7 Route30%EarlyAncient Poni PathUltra MoonGrass Lv.41-44 Route20%LateAncient Poni PathUltra SunGrass Lv.41-44 Route20%LatePoni WildsUltra SunGrass Lv.41-4420%LatePoni WildsUltra MoonGrass Lv.41-4420%LatePoni GauntletUltra MoonGrass Lv.58-6115%PostPoni GauntletUltra SunGrass Lv.58-6115%Post
Step 2Malamar ✓
Malamar Guide
In Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon, 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 Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon, 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 Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon, 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 Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon, 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