Competitive Information for Malamar [Sword/Shield]
Base Stats for Malamar
Dark / Psychic
Abilities:
Suction CupsSuction Cups: This Pokemon cannot be forced to switch out by another Pokemon's attack or item.
, InfiltratorInfiltrator: Moves ignore substitutes and foe's Reflect/Light Screen/Safeguard/Mist/Aurora Veil.
, ContraryContrary: If this Pokemon has a stat stage raised it is lowered instead, and vice versa.
Bug
Dark
Dragon
Electric
Fairy
Fighting
Fire
Flying
Ghost
4x
2x
Grass
Ground
Ice
Normal
Poison
Psychic
Rock
Steel
Water
0x
¼x
½x
2x
4x
Movesets for Singles
What is a good competitive moveset for Malamar? These builds have been optimized for Pokemon competing in Sword/Shield Single Battles. The movesets and EVs have been specifically calibrated to deal the most amount of damage to the largest group of potentially common opponents and typing threats for the Sword/Shield generation metagame.
Common single-battle team mates for Malamar in Pokemon Sword/Shield:
ArcanineDragapultGrimmsnarlFerrothornLaprasTogekissEldegossIncineroarExcadrillWhimsicott
ArcanineDragapultGrimmsnarlFerrothornLaprasTogekissEldegossIncineroarExcadrillWhimsicott
Malamar is a notable Dark and Psychic-typed Pokemon. It's a not-uncommon sight to see Malamar out in the 8th generation battlefield. Malamar's only type-related weaknesses are Bug and Fairy.
Species: Malamar
Item: Sitrus Berry / Assault Vest
Ability: Contrary
Nature: Careful (+SpD, -SpA)
EVs: 252 Hp / 92 Atk / 44 Def / 116 SpD / 4 Spe
Moveset:
- Superpower
- Psycho Cut
- Topsy-Turvy / Throat Chop
- Trick Room
Item: Sitrus Berry / Assault Vest
Ability: Contrary
Nature: Careful (+SpD, -SpA)
EVs: 252 Hp / 92 Atk / 44 Def / 116 SpD / 4 Spe
Moveset:
- Superpower
- Psycho Cut
- Topsy-Turvy / Throat Chop
- Trick Room
Special Wall Malamar (Popular/Trending)
Malamar is popular Special Wall. This moveset is designed to take a decent amount of hits from special attacks while dealing some decent damage. With Contrary, if Malamar has a stat stage raised it is lowered instead and vice versa.
♦ Superpower is a physical 120-base power Fighting-type move (increases your Malamar's attack and defense by 1 stage).
♦ Psycho Cut is a physical STAB-boosted 70-base power Psychic-type move (high critical hit ratio).
♦ Topsy-Turvy is a status move (inverts the target's stat stages).
♦ Throat Chop is a physical STAB-boosted 80-base power Dark-type move (for 2 turns, the target cannot use sound moves).
♦ Trick Room is a status move (goes last. for 5 turns, turn order is reversed).
♦ Psycho Cut is a physical STAB-boosted 70-base power Psychic-type move (high critical hit ratio).
♦ Topsy-Turvy is a status move (inverts the target's stat stages).
♦ Throat Chop is a physical STAB-boosted 80-base power Dark-type move (for 2 turns, the target cannot use sound moves).
♦ Trick Room is a status move (goes last. for 5 turns, turn order is reversed).
Species: Malamar
Item: Life Orb / White Herb
Ability: Contrary
Nature: Adamant (+Atk, -SpA)
EVs: 4 Hp / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Moveset:
- Foul Play / Throat Chop
- Superpower
- Psycho Cut
- Liquidation
Item: Life Orb / White Herb
Ability: Contrary
Nature: Adamant (+Atk, -SpA)
EVs: 4 Hp / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Moveset:
- Foul Play / Throat Chop
- Superpower
- Psycho Cut
- Liquidation
Physical Sweeper Malamar (Contrary)
Malamar is a wonderful Physical Sweeper. It's primary goal is to take down the opponent's team with brute physical power. Life Orb boosts the power of Malamar's damaging moves by 1.3x but it then loses 1/10 its max HP immediately after the attack. 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).
♦ Throat Chop is a physical STAB-boosted 80-base power Dark-type move (for 2 turns, the target cannot use sound moves).
♦ Superpower is a physical 120-base power Fighting-type move (increases your Malamar's attack and defense by 1 stage).
♦ Psycho Cut is a physical STAB-boosted 70-base power Psychic-type move (high critical hit ratio).
♦ 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).
♦ Superpower is a physical 120-base power Fighting-type move (increases your Malamar's attack and defense by 1 stage).
♦ Psycho Cut is a physical STAB-boosted 70-base power Psychic-type move (high critical hit ratio).
♦ Liquidation is a physical 85-base power Water-type move (20% chance to lower the target's defense by 1 stage).
Species: Malamar
Item: Leftovers
Ability: Contrary
Nature: Impish (+Def, -SpA)
EVs: 4 Hp / 252 Atk / 252 Def
Moveset:
- Psycho Cut
- Night Slash
- Superpower
- Substitute
Item: Leftovers
Ability: Contrary
Nature: Impish (+Def, -SpA)
EVs: 4 Hp / 252 Atk / 252 Def
Moveset:
- Psycho Cut
- Night Slash
- Superpower
- Substitute
Malamar Physical Tank (Psycho Squid)
Malamar is a remarkable Physical Tank. The purpose of this moveset is to take a mighty 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 health 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!
♦ Psycho Cut is a physical STAB-boosted 70-base power Psychic-type move (high critical hit ratio).
♦ 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).
♦ 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).
Movesets for Doubles
What is a good doubles moveset for Malamar? These builds have been optimized for Sword/Shield Double Battles. They have movesets and EVs specifically calibrated to generally work best versus multiple Pokemon at once as well as helping to support other team members and allys in the Sword/Shield generation metagame.
Species: Malamar
Item: Life Orb / White Herb
Ability: Contrary
Nature: Adamant (+Atk, -SpA)
EVs: 4 Hp / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Moveset:
- Foul Play / Brutal Swing
- Rock Slide
- Superpower
- Psycho Cut
Item: Life Orb / White Herb
Ability: Contrary
Nature: Adamant (+Atk, -SpA)
EVs: 4 Hp / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Moveset:
- Foul Play / Brutal Swing
- Rock Slide
- Superpower
- Psycho Cut
Doubles Physical Sweeper Malamar (Contrary)
Malamar is a decent Physical Sweeper. The purpose of this moveset is to take down the opponent's team with brute physical power. Life Orb boosts the power of Malamar's damaging moves by 1.3x but it then loses 1/10 its max HP immediately after the attack. 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).
♦ Brutal Swing is a physical STAB-boosted 60-base power Dark-type move (no additional effect. hits adjacent pokemon).
♦ 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).
♦ Psycho Cut is a physical STAB-boosted 70-base power Psychic-type move (high critical hit ratio).
♦ Brutal Swing is a physical STAB-boosted 60-base power Dark-type move (no additional effect. hits adjacent pokemon).
♦ 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).
♦ Psycho Cut is a physical STAB-boosted 70-base power Psychic-type move (high critical hit ratio).
Movepool
Wondering what moves can Malamar learn? Here is the list of moves this Pokemon can learn in this selected generation.
Sort and organize the learnset by move type, category, accuracy, and power. Bolded moves will gain the same-type attack bonus (STAB) if this Pokemon uses them.
Cat
Type
Movename
Damage
Accuracy
PP
Effect
Dark Pulse
80
100%
15
20% chance to flinch the target.
Flamethrower
90
100%
15
10% chance to burn the target.
Future Sight
120
100%
10
Hits two turns after being used.
Hyper Beam
150
90%
5
User cannot move next turn.
Psybeam
65
100%
20
10% chance to confuse the target.
Psychic
90
100%
10
10% chance to lower the target's Sp. Def by 1.
Psyshock
80
100%
10
Damages target based on Defense, not Sp. Def.
Round
60
100%
15
Power doubles if others used Round this turn.
Snore
50
100%
15
User must be asleep. 30% chance to flinch target.
Stored Power
20
100%
10
+ 20 power for each of the user's stat boosts.
Thunderbolt
90
100%
15
10% chance to paralyze the target.
Brutal Swing
60
100%
20
No additional effect. Hits adjacent Pokemon.
Facade
70
100%
20
Power doubles if user is burn/poison/paralyzed.
Fling
--
100%
10
Flings the user's item at the target. Power varies.
Foul Play
95
100%
15
Uses target's Attack stat in damage calculation.
Giga Impact
150
90%
5
User cannot move next turn.
Liquidation
85
100%
10
20% chance to lower the target's Defense by 1.
Night Slash
70
100%
15
High critical hit ratio.
Payback
50
100%
10
Power doubles if the user moves after the target.
Peck
35
100%
35
No additional effect.
Pluck
60
100%
20
User steals and eats the target's Berry.
Psycho Cut
70
100%
20
High critical hit ratio.
Retaliate
70
100%
5
Power doubles if an ally fainted last turn.
Reversal
--
100%
15
More power the less HP the user has left.
Rock Slide
75
90%
10
30% chance to flinch the foe(s).
Slash
70
100%
20
High critical hit ratio.
Superpower
120
100%
5
Lowers the user's Attack and Defense by 1.
Tackle
40
100%
35
No additional effect.
Thief
60
100%
25
If the user has no item, it steals the target's.
Throat Chop
80
100%
15
For 2 turns, the target cannot use sound moves.
Wrap
15
90%
20
Traps and damages the target for 4-5 turns.
Acupressure
--
--
30
Raises a random stat of the user or an ally by 2.
Ally Switch
--
--
15
The user swaps positions with its ally.
Attract
--
100%
15
A target of the opposite gender gets infatuated.
Baton Pass
--
--
40
User switches, passing stat changes and more.
Calm Mind
--
--
20
Raises the user's Sp. Atk and Sp. Def by 1.
Destiny Bond
--
--
5
If an opponent knocks out the user, it also faints.
Disable
--
100%
20
For 4 turns, disables the target's last move used.
Endure
--
--
10
User survives attacks this turn with at least 1 HP.
Fake Tears
--
100%
20
Lowers the target's Sp. Def by 2.
Guard Swap
--
--
10
Swaps Defense and Sp. Def changes with target.
Hypnosis
--
60%
20
Causes the target to fall asleep.
Light Screen
--
--
30
For 5 turns, special damage to allies is halved.
Nasty Plot
--
--
20
Raises the user's Sp. Atk by 2.
Protect
--
--
10
Prevents moves from affecting the user this turn.
Rain Dance
--
--
5
For 5 turns, heavy rain powers Water moves.
Reflect
--
--
20
For 5 turns, physical damage to allies is halved.
Rest
--
--
10
User sleeps 2 turns and restores HP and status.
Scary Face
--
100%
10
Lowers the target's Speed by 2.
Sleep Talk
--
--
10
User must be asleep. Uses another known move.
Substitute
--
--
10
User takes 1/4 its max HP to put in a substitute.
Sunny Day
--
--
5
For 5 turns, intense sunlight powers Fire moves.
Swagger
--
85%
15
Raises the target's Attack by 2 and confuses it.
Switcheroo
--
100%
10
User switches its held item with the target's.
Taunt
--
100%
20
Target can't use status moves its next 3 turns.
Topsy-Turvy
--
--
20
Inverts the target's stat stages.
Trick Room
--
--
5
Goes last. For 5 turns, turn order is reversed.
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: Endure + Reversal
- Moves: Rest + Sleep talk
- Ability: Contrary + Move: Superpower
- Move: Fling + Item: King's Rock
- Move: Facade + Item: Flame Orb
- Move: Facade + Item: Toxic Orb
- Moves with Priority: Endure, Protect, Ally Switch
Create a build
Have an idea in mind for Malamar that you'd like to test? Customize the IVs, EVs and their Sword/Shield moveset. This area allows you to examine the typing coverages of selected moves and stat variances.
This feature is currently in the final stages of development.