Malamar Movesets & Competitive Sets

Malamar is not viable in PU, but this is considered its most effective moveset.

Moves Superpower acts as an offensive Bulk Up thanks to Contrary. It also hurts Dark-types such as Incineroar, Pangoro, and Sneasel for super effective damage. Knock Off is Malamar's best form of damage against Poison-types like Weezing, Garbodor, and Golbat as well as Fighting-resistant Pokemon such as Slowking, Rotom, and Xatu. Rest enables Malamar to take advantage of certain defensive Pokemon such as Slowking, Weezing, and Vaporeon by healing itself of status conditions that would normally shut down other offensive Pokemon. Sleep Talk prevents Malamar from being passive after it uses Rest, allowing it to potentially continue boosting with Superpower while bypassing the move's low PP. Set Details The following EV spread with a Careful nature gives Malamar an easier time setting up against Pokemon like Slowking and Blastoise. Contrary reverses stat drops, allowing Malamar to set up with Superpower and pressure Defog users by gaining an evasion boost. Usage Tips Malamar should be used late-game as a wincon once its checks and counters are gone. However, it can also spam Knock Off early-game to cripple checks so they're less effective at stopping it late-game. Malamar can be brought in against Pokemon like Slowking, Seismitoad, and Weezing and begin setting up. This is because Malamar can heal status conditions such as Scald burns and Toxic poison and continue boosting its stats with Rest and Sleep Talk so it can combat Pokemon like Blastoise, Vaporeon, and Slowking. If Malamar has sustained a lot of damage in battle, use Rest to bring it back to full health so it can consistently check Pokemon like Rotom and Delphox. Team Options Malamar fits best on teams that are built specifically around it, since it requires unique support to function consistently. Steelix is an ideal partner for Malamar, as it can threaten the Fairy-, Bug-, and Poison-types that threaten Malamar and pressure physically offensive Pokemon like Sneasel and Aerodactyl, giving Malamar an easier time setting up. In return, Malamar can check special attackers like Slowking and pressure Xatu, allowing Steelix more free rein to set Stealth Rock. Spikes setters such as Garbodor and Ferroseed also pair well with Malamar, since it pressures Defog users thanks to Contrary, which can help keep Spikes on the field. Garbodor can also blanket check Fighting- and Fairy-types as well as U-turn users such as Decidueye and Choice Scarf Togedemaru. Weezing is another Pokemon that works well with Malamar, as it can punish U-turn spam with its Rocky Helmet, and Toxic Spikes wears down checks to Malamar like Whimsicott and Comfey.

Moves Superpower is a strong attack that boosts Malamar's Attack and Defense when used and hits Dark-, Steel-, and Normal-types super effectively. Knock Off is a strong STAB move that is able to cripple Pokemon such as Scyther and Weezing by removing their item. Rest provides Malamar with a way to rid itself of status as well as recover HP. Sleep Talk allows Malamar to attack while asleep, preventing it from becoming setup fodder for opposing Pokemon. Set Details Maximum HP and Special Defense investment allows Malamar to most efficiently take special attacks. Leftovers gives Malamar a means of passive recovery, allowing it to survive longer throughout battles. Contrary turns stat drops into boosts and vice versa, meaning Superpower hits the foe with 120 Base Power while also boosting both Malamar's Attack and Defense. Usage Tips Malamar's best use is as a mid- or late-game cleaner once its checks and counters, such as Scyther and Weezing, are weakened. Use Superpower on something it hits super effectively or more passive foes such as Vileplume and Rotom-S to potentially start a sweep with the boosts Superpower gives. Use Knock Off early-game to whittle down checks and counters before setting up late-game. Be wary of Bug-type coverage moves such as Signal Beam from Mesprit and Megahorn from Samurott. If Malamar is low on health or inflicted with status, use Rest to heal up. Malamar can be switched into sleep-inducing moves such as Sleep Powder from Vivillon and Lovely Kiss from Jynx to pick up momentum and prevent a teammate from having to go to sleep. Team Options Malamar tends to fit best on balanced teams in need of a specially bulky Pokemon and a wincon. Entry hazard support from the likes of Rhydon, Steelix, and Garbodor helps Malamar a great deal considering most of its checks, such as Scyther, are susceptible to hazards. Strong wallbreakers such as Kangaskhan and Samurott are able to weaken the opponent's bulkier Pokemon to pave the way for a late-game sweep from Malamar; additionally, Primeape can lure Scyther and surprise it with Stone Edge and weaken Mega Audino greatly, making it much easier for Malamar to sweep. Steel-types like Steelix and Klinklang are able to take on Musharna and Mega Audino, which are two of Malamar's best checks. Scyther is also a common check to Malamar, so it appreciates Pokemon such as Rhydon and Rotom to check it.