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Malamar

Malamar (Japanese: カラマネロ, HepburnKaramanero) (MAL-uh-MAR[1]) is a Dark/Psychic Pokémon introduced in Generation VI.

Biology

Physiology

Malamar is an amphibious Pokémon that resembles an upside-down squid. It has sinister-looking yellow eyes with light purple eyelids that have a squinted appearance. It has a magenta beak for a mouth. Malamar has a fringe of bluish tentacles sprouting from its head, and an oblong deep purple body with yellow patches and spots that form a pattern on its belly. Two long arm-like tentacles sprout from its shoulders; they are magenta and pastel purple in color, with white fins at the tips. Malamar stands upright on two large white sharp-edged fins on either side of its lower body, which it uses as legs.

Behavior

Malamar use the flashing lights like an anglerfish to lure prey in and ensnare them before eating the prey. They are in fact masters of manipulation, because of their ability that enables them manipulate those who see them into doing their bidding.

In civilized society, their powers pose far more sinister applications; there have been confirmed cases of Malamar controlling people serving as judges, police officers, and high-ranking officials in criminal groups—most notably Team Plasma. A number of conspiracists even hypothesize that Malamar control a number of world leaders as well, in the same vein as Aegislash were purported to in medieval times. Some even go as far as to claim that Malamar are behind every current celebrity in the world.

There are also instances where they are actually kind to other Pokemon and will act as protectors.

Natural abilities

Malamar have strong hypnotic powers akin to brainwashing, which many shady people exploit.

Evolution

Malamar is the evolved form of Inkay. Its evolution method is very unique, as it evolves from Inkay at level 30 only when the 3DS is held upside down.

Starting from Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield, the upside down trick can only be done by setting the switch into handheld mode.

Game info

Game locations

Locations
Version(s) Area(s) Rarity
X and Y Evolve Inkay None
Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire Trade None

Pokédex entries

  • X

    It wields the most compelling hypnotic powers of any Pokémon, and it forces others to do whatever it wants.

  • Y

    It lures its prey close with hypnotic motions, then wraps its tentacles around it before finishing it off with digestive fluids.

  • Omega Ruby

    It wields the most compelling hypnotic powers of any Pokémon, and it forces others to do whatever it wants.

  • Alpha Sapphire

    It lures its prey close with hypnotic motions, then wraps its tentacles around it before finishing it off with digestive fluids.

  • Ultra Sun

    When it comes to strong hypnosis, there’s an endless number of people who utilize Malamar for their nefarious deeds.

  • Ultra Moon

    It flashes the pattern on its torso to control its prey and draw them in. The edges of its fins are supremely sharp.

  • Sword

    Gazing at its luminescent spots will quickly induce a hypnotic state, putting the observer under Malamar's control.

  • Shield

    It's said that Malamar's hypnotic powers played a role in certain history-changing events.


Stats

Stats
HP
86
Attack
92
Defense
88
Sp. Atk
68
Sp. Def
75
Speed
73
Total
482

Learnset

Leveling

LevelingGeneration VII
Level Move Power Accuracy PP Type Cat.
1 Reversal 100% 15 Fighting Physical
1 Tackle 40 100% 35 Normal Physical
1 Peck 35 100% 35 Flying Physical
1 Constrict 10 100% 35 Normal Physical
1 Reflect —% 20 Psychic Status
4 Reflect —% 20 Psychic Status
8 Foul Play 95 100% 15 Dark Physical
12 Swagger 85% 15 Normal Status
13 Psywave 100% 15 Psychic Special
15 Topsy-Turvy —% 20 Dark Status
18 Hypnosis 60% 20 Psychic Status
21 Psybeam 65 100% 20 Psychic Special
23 Switcheroo 100% 10 Dark Status
27 Payback 50 100% 10 Dark Physical
31 Light Screen —% 30 Psychic Status
35 Pluck 60 100% 20 Flying Physical
39 Psycho Cut 70 100% 20 Psychic Physical
43 Slash 70 100% 20 Normal Physical
46 Night Slash 70 100% 15 Dark Physical
48 Superpower 120 100% 5 Fighting Physical
Bold indicates this Pokémon receives STAB from this move.
Italic indicates an evolved or alternate form of this Pokémon receives STAB from this move.

LevelingGeneration VI
Level Move Power Accuracy PP Type Cat. Contest Cat. Appeal Jam
1 Superpower 120 100% 5 Fighting Physical Tough 6 0 ♥
1 Reversal 100% 15 Fighting Physical Cool 1 0 ♥
1 Tackle 50 100% 35 Normal Physical Tough 4 0 ♥
1 Peck 35 100% 35 Flying Physical Cool 4 0 ♥
1 Constrict 10 100% 35 Normal Physical Tough 3 0 ♥
4 Reflect —% 20 Psychic Status Clever 2 0 ♥
8 Foul Play 95 100% 15 Dark Physical Clever 1 0 ♥
12 Swagger 90% 20 Normal Status Cute 3 0 ♥
13 Psywave 100% 15 Psychic Special Clever 1 0 ♥
15 Topsy-Turvy 100% 20 Dark Status Clever 3 0 ♥
18 Hypnosis 60% 20 Psychic Status Clever 1 3 ♥
21 Psybeam 65 100% 20 Psychic Special Beautiful 3 0 ♥
23 Switcheroo 100% 10 Dark Status Clever 2 1 ♥
27 Payback 50 100% 10 Dark Physical Tough 2 0 ♥
31 Light Screen —% 30 Psychic Status Beautiful 2 0 ♥
35 Pluck 60 100% 20 Flying Physical Cute 3 0 ♥
39 Psycho Cut 70 100% 20 Psychic Physical Cool 4 0 ♥
43 Slash 70 100% 20 Normal Physical Cool 4 0 ♥
46 Night Slash 70 100% 15 Dark Physical Cool 3 0 ♥
48 Superpower 120 100% 5 Fighting Physical Tough 6 0 ♥
Bold indicates this Pokémon receives STAB from this move.
Italic indicates an evolved or alternate form of this Pokémon receives STAB from this move.

TM/HM

TMs, TRs, and HMs Generation VII
TM/HM/TR Move Power Accuracy PP Type Cat.
TM03 Psyshock 80 100% 10 Psychic Special
TM04 Calm Mind —% 20 Psychic Status
TM06 Toxic 90% 10 Poison Status
TM10 Hidden Power 60 100% 15 Normal Special
TM11 Sunny Day —% 5 Fire Status
TM12 Taunt 100% 20 Dark Status
TM15 Hyper Beam 150 90% 5 Normal Special
TM16 Light Screen —% 30 Psychic Status
TM17 Protect —% 10 Normal Status
TM18 Rain Dance —% 5 Water Status
TM21 Frustration 100% 20 Normal Physical
TM24 Thunderbolt 90 100% 15 Electric Special
TM27 Return 100% 20 Normal Physical
TM29 Psychic 90 100% 10 Psychic Special
TM32 Double Team —% 15 Normal Status
TM33 Reflect —% 20 Psychic Status
TM35 Flamethrower 90 100% 15 Fire Special
TM40 Aerial Ace 60 —% 20 Flying Physical
TM41 Torment 100% 15 Dark Status
TM42 Facade 70 100% 20 Normal Physical
TM44 Rest —% 10 Psychic Status
TM45 Attract 100% 15 Normal Status
TM46 Thief 60 100% 25 Dark Physical
TM48 Round 60 100% 15 Normal Special
TM56 Fling 100% 10 Dark Physical
TM59 Brutal Swing 60 100% 20 Dark Physical
TM63 Embargo 100% 15 Dark Status
TM66 Payback 50 100% 10 Dark Physical
TM68 Giga Impact 150 90% 5 Normal Physical
TM77 Psych Up —% 10 Normal Status
TM80 Rock Slide 75 90% 10 Rock Physical
TM87 Swagger 85% 15 Normal Status
TM88 Sleep Talk —% 10 Normal Status
TM90 Substitute —% 10 Normal Status
TM92 Trick Room —% 5 Psychic Status
TM97 Dark Pulse 80 100% 15 Dark Special
TM100 Confide —% 20 Normal Status
Bold indicates this Pokémon receives STAB from this move.
Italic indicates an evolved or alternate form of this Pokémon receives STAB from this move.

TMs, TRs, and HMs Generation VI
TM/HM/TR Move Power Accuracy PP Type Cat. Contest Cat. Appeal Jam
TM03 Psyshock 80 100% 10 Psychic Special Beautiful 1 4 ♥
TM04 Calm Mind —% 20 Psychic Status Clever 1 0 ♥
TM06 Toxic 90% 10 Poison Status Clever 3 0 ♥
TM10 Hidden Power 60 100% 15 Normal Special Clever 3 0 ♥
TM11 Sunny Day —% 5 Fire Status Beautiful 1 0 ♥
TM12 Taunt 100% 20 Dark Status Clever 2 1 ♥
TM15 Hyper Beam 150 90% 5 Normal Special Cool 4 4 ♥
TM16 Light Screen —% 30 Psychic Status Beautiful 2 0 ♥
TM17 Protect —% 10 Normal Status Cute 2 0 ♥
TM18 Rain Dance —% 5 Water Status Beautiful 1 0 ♥
TM21 Frustration 100% 20 Normal Physical Cute 2 3 ♥
TM24 Thunderbolt 90 100% 15 Electric Special Cool 4 0 ♥
TM27 Return 100% 20 Normal Physical Cute 4 0 ♥
TM29 Psychic 90 100% 10 Psychic Special Clever 4 0 ♥
TM32 Double Team —% 15 Normal Status Cool 1 0 ♥
TM33 Reflect —% 20 Psychic Status Clever 2 0 ♥
TM35 Flamethrower 90 100% 15 Fire Special Beautiful 4 0 ♥
TM40 Aerial Ace 60 —% 20 Flying Physical Cool 2 0 ♥
TM41 Torment 100% 15 Dark Status Tough 2 0 ♥
TM42 Facade 70 100% 20 Normal Physical Cute 2 0 ♥
TM44 Rest —% 10 Psychic Status Cute 1 0 ♥
TM45 Attract 100% 15 Normal Status Cute 2 0 ♥
TM46 Thief 60 100% 25 Dark Physical Tough 1 0 ♥
TM48 Round 60 100% 15 Normal Special Beautiful 2 0 ♥
TM56 Fling 100% 10 Dark Physical Cute 3 0 ♥
TM63 Embargo 100% 15 Dark Status Clever 3 0 ♥
TM66 Payback 50 100% 10 Dark Physical Tough 2 0 ♥
TM67 Retaliate 70 100% 5 Normal Physical Cool 3 0 ♥
TM68 Giga Impact 150 90% 5 Normal Physical Tough 4 4 ♥
TM70 Flash 100% 20 Normal Status Beautiful 3 0 ♥
TM77 Psych Up —% 10 Normal Status Clever 2 0 ♥
TM80 Rock Slide 75 90% 10 Rock Physical Tough 2 2 ♥
TM87 Swagger 90% 15 Normal Status Cute 3 0 ♥
TM88 Sleep Talk —% 10 Normal Status Cute 1 0 ♥
TM90 Substitute —% 10 Normal Status Cute 2 0 ♥
TM92 Trick Room —% 5 Psychic Status Clever 3 0 ♥
TM94 Secret PowerORAS 70 100% 20 Normal Physical Clever 1 0 ♥
TM97 Dark Pulse 80 100% 15 Dark Special Cool 4 0 ♥
TM100 Confide —% 20 Normal Status Cute 3 0 ♥
HM01 Cut 50 95% 30 Normal Physical Cool 4 0 ♥
Bold indicates this Pokémon receives STAB from this move.
Italic indicates an evolved or alternate form of this Pokémon receives STAB from this move.

Breeding

To see the Egg Moves that Malamar can learn, refer to Inkay.


Tutoring

Tutoring Generation VII
Move Power Accuracy PP Type Cat.
Ally Switch USUM —% 15 Psychic Status
Bind USUM 15 85% 20 Normal Physical
Block USUM —% 5 Normal Status
Foul Play USUM 95 100% 15 Dark Physical
Knock Off USUM 65 100% 20 Dark Physical
Role Play USUM —% 10 Psychic Status
Signal Beam USUM 75 100% 15 Bug Special
Snatch USUM —% 10 Dark Status
Snore USUM 50 100% 15 Normal Special
Spite USUM 100% 10 Ghost Status
Superpower USUM 120 100% 5 Fighting Physical
Telekinesis USUM —% 15 Psychic Status
Throat Chop USUM 80 100% 15 Dark Physical
Bold indicates this Pokémon receives STAB from this move.
Italic indicates an evolved or alternate form of this Pokémon receives STAB from this move.

Tutoring Generation VI
Move Power Accuracy PP Type Cat. Contest Cat. Appeal Jam
Bind ORAS 15 85% 20 Normal Physical Tough 3 0 ♥
Block ORAS —% 5 Normal Status Cute 2 0 ♥
Foul Play ORAS 95 100% 15 Dark Physical Clever 1 0 ♥
Knock Off ORAS 65 100% 25 Dark Physical Clever 2 3 ♥
Role Play ORAS —% 10 Psychic Status Cute 1 0 ♥
Signal Beam ORAS 75 100% 15 Bug Special Beautiful 3 0 ♥
Snatch ORAS —% 10 Dark Status Clever 1 0 ♥
Snore ORAS 50 100% 15 Normal Special Cute 4 0 ♥
Spite ORAS 100% 10 Ghost Status Tough 2 1 ♥
Superpower ORAS 120 100% 5 Fighting Physical Tough 6 0 ♥
Bold indicates this Pokémon receives STAB from this move.
Italic indicates an evolved or alternate form of this Pokémon receives STAB from this move.

3D Models

Appearances

Three Malamar appeared in the very first episode of the XY series, swimming along with some Water-type Pokémon.

A Malamar made its appearance as an evil, rogue Pokémon who used its hypnotic abilities to put Ash's friends, Pikachu, Team Rocket (bar Meowth), Officer Jenny, and several other Pokémon in a trance in A Conspiracy to Conquer!. This very same Malamar appeared again where it faced off against James' Inkay in Facing the Grand Design! and partnered up with two other evil Malamar.

Several other Malamar also made an appearance in Facing the Grand Design!. However, unlike the three evil Malamars, they appeared to be gentle and kind to both humans and Pokémon and would fight for freedom, peace, honor and justice. When the three evil Malamars kidnapped everyone except for Clemont, James and Meowth, they joined forces with them along with several Inkays on a rescue mission to stop the evil Malamars from fulfilling their dark plans and save their friends from mortal danger.

Trivia

  • Its appearance, as well as the evolution method to evolve Inkay into one, makes it possible that it is actually upside-down.
  • Inkay and Malamar are the only Pokémon that have no resistances and are not normal type.
  • It is designed by Hitoshi Ariga.
  • Despite its Pokédex entries saying that it sounds malicious, most Malamar are actually very peaceful in the anime, save for the recurring one and Xerosic's.

Origin

Malamar is based on an upside-down squid. Its lights and hypnosis abilities are similar to that of the cuttlefish which are known to rapidly change their color to hypnotize prey. Its lights may also be based on the bioluminescence found in several squid species, such as the firefly squid. It also resembles an owl, who are often associated with knowledge, pairing with the psychic type.

Etymology

Malamar comes from mal- (a prefix meaning "bad" or "evil") and "calamar" (Spanish for "squid").

Its Japanese name, Karamanero, calamari, 絡ます (karamasu, to entangle), 魔 (ma, magic or demon), Nero (a Roman emperor commonly thought of as a cruel dictator), and nero di seppia (Italian for "cephalopod ink").

Gallery

  1. ^ Silvestri, Cris (2015). Pokémon Deluxe Essential Handbook [Book]. p. 226. Scholastic. ISBN 978-0-545-79566-1.