Competitive Information for Malamar [Sun/Moon]
Dark / Psychic
Abilities:
If this Pokemon has a stat stage raised it is lowered instead, and vice versa.
Moves ignore substitutes and foe's Reflect/Light Screen/Safeguard/Mist/Aurora Veil.
This Pokemon cannot be forced to switch out by another Pokemon's attack or item.
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Movesets for Singles
Looking for a competitive moveset for Malamar? These builds are optimized for Sun/Moon Single Battles. The movesets and EVs are designed to maximize damage against common opponents and threats in the Sun/Moon metagame. Check out the expert movesets below to boost your battle performance and dominate your opponents!
GliscorSerperiorSlowkingExeggutor-AlolaSteelix-MegaDrampaScizor-MegaEspeonGyaradosMilotic
Discover Malamar, an astounding Pokémon with Dark and Psychic attributes! Malamar is a common Pokémon to see in the SM metagame. It's an underrated pick that could surprise many in the meta. Its only type-related weaknesses are Bug and Fairy. Check out the movesets listed below to learn more about Malamar's strategies.
Item: Leftovers / Bright Powder
Ability: Contrary
Nature: Adamant (+Atk, -SpA)
EVs: 248 Hp / 252 Atk / 8 SpD
Moveset:
- Superpower
- Psycho Cut
- Knock Off / Night Slash
- Trick Room
Malamar is pretty popular Physical Tank. The purpose of this moveset is to take a great amount of physical hits while dealing some decent damage. Leftovers are always a great recovery option to ensure Malamar last longer regaining it's it's HP every turn. With Contrary, if Malamar has a stat stage raised it is lowered instead and vice versa.
♦ Psycho Cut is a physical STAB-boosted 70-base power Psychic-type move (high critical hit ratio).
♦ Knock Off is a physical STAB-boosted 65-base power Dark-type move (1.5x damage if foe holds an item; Note: This will also remove that item).
♦ Night Slash is a physical STAB-boosted 70-base power Dark-type move (high critical hit ratio).
♦ Trick Room is a status move (goes last. for 5 turns, turn order is reversed).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/kaa2af
Item: Darkinium Z / Focus Sash
Ability: Contrary
Nature: Adamant (+Atk, -SpA)
EVs: 4 Hp / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Moveset:
- Knock Off / Foul Play
- Psycho Cut
- Superpower / Reversal
- Return / Slash
Malamar is a remarkable Physical Sweeper. It's purpose is to take down the opponent's team with brute physical power. Focus Sash helps protect Malamar from being one-shotted and allowing it to atleast use a crucial move when brought out. With Contrary, if Malamar has a stat stage raised it is lowered instead and vice versa.
♦ Foul Play is a physical STAB-boosted 95-base power Dark-type move (uses target's attack stat in damage calculation).
♦ Psycho Cut is a physical STAB-boosted 70-base power Psychic-type move (high critical hit ratio).
♦ Superpower is a physical 120-base power Fighting-type move (increases your Malamar's attack and defense by 1 stage).
♦ Reversal is a physical 0-base power Fighting-type move (more power the less hp your Malamar has left).
♦ Return is a physical 0-base power Normal-type move (max 102 power at maximum happiness).
♦ Slash is a physical 70-base power Normal-type move (high critical hit ratio).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/kba2af
Item: Leftovers
Ability: Contrary
Nature: Impish (+Def, -SpA)
EVs: 4 Hp / 252 Atk / 252 Def
Moveset:
- Psycho Cut
- Night Slash
- Superpower
- Substitute
Malamar is a pretty decent Physical Tank. The purpose of this moveset is to take a great amount of physical hits while dealing some decent damage. Leftovers are always a great recovery option to ensure Malamar last longer regaining it's life every turn. With Contrary, if Malamar has a stat stage raised it is lowered instead and vice versa. Substitute first then Superpower your Stats up while dealing nasty amounts of damage to your opponent!
♦ Night Slash is a physical STAB-boosted 70-base power Dark-type move (high critical hit ratio).
♦ Superpower is a physical 120-base power Fighting-type move (increases your Malamar's attack and defense by 1 stage).
♦ Substitute is a status move (Malamar takes 1/4 its max hp to put in a substitute).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/kca2af
Movesets for Doubles
Need a strong doubles moveset for Malamar? These builds are perfect for VGC (Pokémon Video Game Championship) and other competitive Sun/Moon Double Battles. The VGC is the ultimate test of strategy and skill, and these movesets and EVs are designed to excel against multiple opponents at once while providing essential support to your team. Dominate the Sun/Moon metagame with these expert-crafted setups!
GliscorSerperiorSlowkingExeggutor-AlolaSteelix-MegaDrampaScizor-MegaEspeonGyaradosMilotic
Item: Darkinium Z / Focus Sash
Ability: Contrary
Nature: Adamant (+Atk, -SpA)
EVs: 4 Hp / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Moveset:
- Knock Off / Foul Play
- Psycho Cut
- Rock Slide
- Superpower / Reversal
Malamar is a marvelous Physical Sweeper. It's meant to take down the opponent's team with brute physical power. Focus Sash helps protect Malamar from being one-shotted and allowing it to atleast use a crucial move when brought out. With Contrary, if Malamar has a stat stage raised it is lowered instead and vice versa.
♦ Foul Play is a physical STAB-boosted 95-base power Dark-type move (uses target's attack stat in damage calculation).
♦ Psycho Cut is a physical STAB-boosted 70-base power Psychic-type move (high critical hit ratio).
♦ Rock Slide is a physical 75-base power Rock-type move (30% chance to flinch the foes).
♦ Superpower is a physical 120-base power Fighting-type move (increases your Malamar's attack and defense by 1 stage).
♦ Reversal is a physical 0-base power Fighting-type move (more power the less hp your Malamar has left).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/laa2af
Item: Darkinium Z / Focus Sash
Ability: Contrary
Nature: Sassy (+SpD, -Spe)
Nature: Relaxed (+Def, -Spe)
EVs: 252 Hp / 76 Def / 180 SpD
Moveset:
- Toxic
- Knock Off / Foul Play
- Psycho Cut
- Trick Room
Malamar is a phenomenal Defensive Trick Room. Focus Sash helps protect Malamar from being one-shotted and allowing it to atleast use a crucial move when brought out. With Contrary, if Malamar has a stat stage raised it is lowered instead and vice versa.
♦ Knock Off is a physical STAB-boosted 65-base power Dark-type move (1.5x damage if foe holds an item; Note: This will also remove that item).
♦ Foul Play is a physical STAB-boosted 95-base power Dark-type move (uses target's attack stat in damage calculation).
♦ Psycho Cut is a physical STAB-boosted 70-base power Psychic-type move (high critical hit ratio).
♦ Trick Room is a status move (goes last. for 5 turns, turn order is reversed).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/lba2af
Movepool
Want to know what moves Malamar can learn? Check out the full list of moves available in the Pokemon Sun/Moon generation.
Sort and organize the learnset by type, category, accuracy, and power. Moves in bold get the same-type attack bonus (STAB) when used by Malamar.
Damage Modifiers:
Combo List
These are a list of several common move combinations Malamar can perform in Sun/Moon. Not every combo going to be game-changing, but some can be pretty fun to play with. Sometimes these can be easily overlooked or forgotten, hence why we find and list them here. Discover what items, abilities, and moves this Pokemon can use in combination with each other to gain a strategic advantage in competitive battles.
Competitive SM Move and Ability Combos for Malamar
- Moves: Swagger + Flatter
- Moves: Swagger + Foul play
- Moves: Swagger + Psych up
- Moves: Flatter + Psych up
- Moves: Rest + Sleep talk
- Moves: Rest + Snore
- Moves: Substitute + Reversal
- Ability: Contrary + Move: Superpower
- Move: Swagger + Item: Mirror Herb
- Move: Fling + Item: King's Rock
- Move: Facade + Item: Flame Orb
- Move: Facade + Item: Toxic Orb
- Moves with Priority: Ally Switch, Protect, Snatch
- Moves that inflict status: Hypnosis, Toxic
Moves that boost Malamar's stats
- Calm Mind
Most notable and possible best moves for Malamar
- Dark Pulse
- Destiny Bond
- Flamethrower
- Foul Play
- Happy Hour
- Hidden Power
- Knock Off
- Light Screen
- Night Slash
- Protect
- Psycho Cut
- Reflect
- Rest
- Rest
- Return
- Rock Slide
- Sleep Talk
- Substitute
- Superpower
- Taunt
- Taunt
- Throat Chop
- Topsy-Turvy
- Toxic
- Trick Room
Common Effort Values for Malamar in Sun and Moon
- Adamant Nature ( 248/252/0/0/8/0/ )
- Brave Nature ( 4/252/252/0/0/0/ )
- Optimize Malamar's Defensive EV-spread for Pokemon Sun and Moon
Usage Data
Explore the latest analytical usage data for this Pokémon from various VGC and online competitions. We use this data to develop our strategies and movesets. The data is categorized by competition and skill level: top-ranking trainers, mid-level players, and entry-level players.
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Here are the best movesets for Malamar. Top rated Malamar Sun/Moon movesets. You can find Malamar builds Sun/Moon. Malamar movesets Sun/Moon are listed here. VGC Malamar Competitive Movesets can be found here. Find various EV spreads, find the best nature for Malamar in Sun/Moon along with competitive movesets. Basic info and Movesets for evolution