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.
Gazing at its luminescent spots will quickly induce a hypnotic state, putting the observer under Malamar’s control.
It’s said that Malamar’s hypnotic powers played a role in certain history-changing events.
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 |
 Golisopod BugWater | B | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Wimpod (Poni Breaker Coast Interact Encounter) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Malamar View Golisopod builds →First Impression 4x174-205%KO Leech Life 4x155-183%KO X-Scissor 4x155-183%KO Bug Bite 4x117-138%KO | ||
 Ribombee BugFairy | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Malamar View Ribombee builds →Pollen Puff 4x155-183%KO Bug Buzz 4x155-183%KO Dazzling Gleam 2x70-82% Leech Life 4x82-97% | ||
 Scyther Bug | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Malamar View Scyther builds →X-Scissor 4x139-164%KO U-turn 4x123-145%KO Fury Cutter 4x73-86% | ||
 Pinsir Bug | C | |
 Leavanny BugGrass | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Malamar View Leavanny builds →X-Scissor 4x133-157%KO Bug Bite 4x101-119%KO Struggle Bug 4x70-82% Fell Stinger 4x85-101%KO | ||
In Sun & 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% | ||
Sun & 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 2 more.
Sun & 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.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Transfer Moves
How to Get Malamar in Sun & Moon
No wild encounters for Malamar in Sun & Moon. 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 Sun & Moon
Step 1Obtain InkayCatch in the wild in:
Then trade to Sun & Moon to continue the evolution chain.
Also found in:
Step 2Malamar ✓
Malamar Guide
In Sun & 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 Sun & 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 Sun & 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 Sun & 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