Competitive Information for Malamar [Sword/Shield]
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.
Disclaimer: All videos and opinions are owned by their respective creators and may not reflect our views.
Movesets for Singles
Looking for a competitive moveset for Malamar? These builds are optimized for Sword/Shield Single Battles. The movesets and EVs are designed to maximize damage against common opponents and threats in the Sword/Shield metagame. Check out the expert movesets below to boost your battle performance and dominate your opponents!
WhimsicottTorkoalCharizardExcadrillGothitelleTapu FiniIncineroarEldegossGrimmsnarlNaganadel
Discover Malamar, a marvelous Pokémon with Dark and Psychic attributes! It's a sight to see Malamar out in the 8th generation battlefield. Its only type-related weaknesses are Bug and Fairy. Explore the movesets below to see how Malamar performs in battles.
Item: Assault Vest / Figy Berry
Ability: Contrary
Nature: Adamant (+Atk, -SpA)
EVs: 192 Hp / 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 60 Spe
Moveset:
- Superpower
- Liquidation
- Throat Chop
- Psycho Cut
Malamar shows a sensational Physical Tank prowess in single battles. It was designed to absorb physical damage and return fire with decent force. With Contrary, if Malamar has a stat stage raised it is lowered instead and vice versa. With a Assault Vest equipped to it, Malamar's sp. Def is 1.5x, but it can only select damaging moves. With a Figy Berry equipped to it, restores 1/3 max hp at 1/4 max hp or less; confuses if -atk nature then the Figy Berry gets consumed.
◆ Liquidation is a physical 85-base power Water-type move (20% chance to lower the target's defense by 1 stage).
◆ Throat Chop is a physical STAB-boosted 80-base power Dark-type move (for 2 turns, the target cannot use sound moves).
◆ Psycho Cut is a physical STAB-boosted 70-base power Psychic-type move (high critical hit ratio).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/maa2af
Item: Focus Sash / Tanga Berry
Ability: Contrary
Nature: Adamant (+Atk, -SpA)
EVs: 4 Hp / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Moveset:
- Knock Off / Night Slash
- Psycho Cut
- Superpower
- Slash / Retaliate
Malamar stands out as a terrific Physical Sweeper in single battles. It attempts to crush rivals using devastating 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. With a Tanga Berry equipped to it, halves damage taken from a supereffective bug-type attack then the Tanga Berry gets consumed.
◆ Night Slash is a physical STAB-boosted 70-base power Dark-type move (high critical hit ratio).
◆ 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).
◆ Slash is a physical 70-base power Normal-type move (high critical hit ratio).
◆ Retaliate is a physical 70-base power Normal-type move (power doubles if an ally fainted last turn).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/mba2af
Item: Leftovers
Ability: Contrary
Nature: Impish (+Def, -SpA)
EVs: 4 Hp / 252 Atk / 252 Def
Moveset:
- Psycho Cut
- Night Slash
- Superpower
- Substitute
For single battles, Malamar is an awesome Physical Tank. This moveset is tailored to absorb physical damage and return fire with decent force. Leftovers are always a great recovery option to ensure Malamar last longer regaining it's health points 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/mca2af
Movesets for Doubles
Need a strong doubles moveset for Malamar? These builds are perfect for VGC (Pokémon Video Game Championship) and other competitive Sword/Shield 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 Sword/Shield metagame with these expert-crafted setups!
WhimsicottTorkoalCharizardExcadrillGothitelleTapu FiniIncineroarEldegossGrimmsnarlNaganadel
Item: Focus Sash / Tanga Berry
Ability: Contrary
Nature: Adamant (+Atk, -SpA)
EVs: 4 Hp / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Moveset:
- Knock Off / Night Slash
- Psycho Cut
- Rock Slide
- Superpower
Malamar thrives as a first-rate Physical Sweeper perfect for double battles. It is designed to overwhelm foes with intense physical moves. 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. With a Tanga Berry equipped to it, halves damage taken from a supereffective bug-type attack then the Tanga Berry gets consumed.
◆ Night Slash is a physical STAB-boosted 70-base power Dark-type move (high critical hit ratio).
◆ 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 make the foes flinch).
◆ Superpower is a physical 120-base power Fighting-type move (increases your Malamar's attack and defense by 1 stage).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/naa2af
Item: Focus Sash / Tanga Berry
Ability: Contrary
Nature: Sassy (+SpD, -Spe)
Nature: Relaxed (+Def, -Spe)
EVs: 252 Hp / 76 Def / 180 SpD
Moveset:
- Knock Off / Night Slash
- Psycho Cut
- Superpower
- Trick Room
Malamar shows a superb Defensive Trick Roomer prowess in single battles. 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. With a Tanga Berry equipped to it, halves damage taken from a supereffective bug-type attack then the Tanga Berry gets consumed.
◆ Night Slash is a physical STAB-boosted 70-base power Dark-type move (high critical hit ratio).
◆ 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).
◆ Trick Room is a status move (goes last. For 5 turns, turn order is reversed).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/nba2af
Movepool
Want to know what moves Malamar can learn? Check out the full list of moves available in the Pokemon Sword/Shield 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 Sword/Shield. 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 SS Move and Ability Combos for Malamar
- Moves: Swagger + Flatter
- Moves: Swagger + Foul play
- Moves: Swagger + Psych up
- Moves: Flatter + Psych up
- Moves: Endure + Reversal
- Moves: Rest + Sleep talk
- Moves: Rest + Snore
- Moves: Substitute + Reversal
- Moves: Nasty plot + Stored power
- Moves: Stored power + Acupressure
- Moves: Stored power + Psych up
- 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, Endure, Protect
- Moves that inflict status: Hypnosis, Toxic
Moves that boost Malamar's stats
- Acupressure
- Calm Mind
- Nasty Plot
- Note:This Pokemon can also learn Stored Power.
Most notable and possible best moves for Malamar
- Baton Pass
- Destiny Bond
- Knock Off
- Light Screen
- Liquidation
- Protect
- Psycho Cut
- Reflect
- Rest
- Stored Power
- Superpower
- Taunt
- Throat Chop
- Topsy-Turvy
- Toxic
- Trick Room
Common Effort Values for Malamar in Sword and Shield
- Adamant Nature ( 192/252/0/0/4/60 )
- Adamant Nature ( 252/252/0/0/4/0 )
- Optimize Malamar's Defensive EV-spread for Pokemon Sword and Shield
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.
THIS SECTION IS CURRENTLY UNDER CONSTRUCTION
Some builds on this page have been hidden, click here to display them
Here are the best movesets for Malamar. Top rated Malamar Sword/Shield movesets. You can find Malamar builds Sword/Shield. Malamar movesets Sword/Shield are listed here. VGC Malamar Competitive Movesets can be found here. Find various EV spreads, find the best nature for Malamar in Sword/Shield along with competitive movesets. Basic info and Movesets for evolution