taken over from astroboy
QC: Disjunction / Hootie / rozes
GP: The Dutch Plumberjack / P Squared
[OVERVIEW]
Malamar poses a great threat in the NU metagame thanks to the combination of Contrary and Superpower, which allows it to boost its Attack and Defense stat while attacking. Malamar also has great coverage in Fighting / Dark, making it very hard to check for offensive and defensive teams alike. With investment, Malamar is capable of tanking a lot of strong special attacks such as Swellow's Boomburst and Sceptile's Leaf Storm. On the downside, while Malamar's defensive typing leaves it with few weaknesses, it provides no resistances and only an immunity to Psychic-type moves, hindering its defensive utility; this is further compounded by Malamar's lack of physical bulk. Additionally, Malamar's Psychic / Dark typing leaves it vulnerable to common Bug-type moves such as Scyther's U-turn, Mesprit's Signal Beam, and Samurott's Megahorn.
[SET]
name: RestTalk
move 1: Knock Off
move 2: Superpower
move 3: Rest
move 4: Sleep Talk
item: Leftovers
ability: Contrary
nature: Careful
evs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
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 Mega Audino, 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 Sawk are able to weaken the opponent's bulkier Pokemon to pave the way for a late-game sweep from Malamar; additionally, Sawk 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.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
A more offensive set with an EV spread of 248 HP / 148 SpD / 112 Spe and a Careful nature running Superpower, Knock Off, Psycho Cut, and either Substitute or Rest can be used, though it is a lot less effective than RestTalk and is easily worn down. Support moves such as Topsy-Turvy, Destiny Bond, and Taunt can be helpful to take on some of Malamar's checks, though they are very situational and not as effective as Malamar's RestTalk set. Rock Slide can be used to lure and KO Scyther, which is one of Malamar's biggest checks. Choice Scarf can be used for the surprise factor and to use Malamar as a faster late-game cleaner, though it is relatively weak and much easier to take on.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Bug-type Coverage Moves**: Signal Beam from Mesprit, Xatu, and Musharna and Megahorn from Rhydon and Samurott are able to KO Malamar before it can set up.
**Bug-types**: Scyther and Pinsir can shake off any attack from Malamar and KO it or use it as setup fodder.
**Curse Quagsire**: Thanks to Unaware, Quagsire can ignore all stat boosts from Malamar and use it as setup fodder.
**Mega Audino**: Mega Audino takes very little damage from Superpower and Knock Off and can use Malamar as setup fodder; however, if the opponent is using cleric Mega Audino, Special Attack investment is required; otherwise, Malamar can beat it.
QC: Disjunction / Hootie / rozes
GP: The Dutch Plumberjack / P Squared
[OVERVIEW]
Malamar poses a great threat in the NU metagame thanks to the combination of Contrary and Superpower, which allows it to boost its Attack and Defense stat while attacking. Malamar also has great coverage in Fighting / Dark, making it very hard to check for offensive and defensive teams alike. With investment, Malamar is capable of tanking a lot of strong special attacks such as Swellow's Boomburst and Sceptile's Leaf Storm. On the downside, while Malamar's defensive typing leaves it with few weaknesses, it provides no resistances and only an immunity to Psychic-type moves, hindering its defensive utility; this is further compounded by Malamar's lack of physical bulk. Additionally, Malamar's Psychic / Dark typing leaves it vulnerable to common Bug-type moves such as Scyther's U-turn, Mesprit's Signal Beam, and Samurott's Megahorn.
[SET]
name: RestTalk
move 1: Knock Off
move 2: Superpower
move 3: Rest
move 4: Sleep Talk
item: Leftovers
ability: Contrary
nature: Careful
evs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
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 Mega Audino, 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 Sawk are able to weaken the opponent's bulkier Pokemon to pave the way for a late-game sweep from Malamar; additionally, Sawk 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.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
A more offensive set with an EV spread of 248 HP / 148 SpD / 112 Spe and a Careful nature running Superpower, Knock Off, Psycho Cut, and either Substitute or Rest can be used, though it is a lot less effective than RestTalk and is easily worn down. Support moves such as Topsy-Turvy, Destiny Bond, and Taunt can be helpful to take on some of Malamar's checks, though they are very situational and not as effective as Malamar's RestTalk set. Rock Slide can be used to lure and KO Scyther, which is one of Malamar's biggest checks. Choice Scarf can be used for the surprise factor and to use Malamar as a faster late-game cleaner, though it is relatively weak and much easier to take on.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Bug-type Coverage Moves**: Signal Beam from Mesprit, Xatu, and Musharna and Megahorn from Rhydon and Samurott are able to KO Malamar before it can set up.
**Bug-types**: Scyther and Pinsir can shake off any attack from Malamar and KO it or use it as setup fodder.
**Curse Quagsire**: Thanks to Unaware, Quagsire can ignore all stat boosts from Malamar and use it as setup fodder.
**Mega Audino**: Mega Audino takes very little damage from Superpower and Knock Off and can use Malamar as setup fodder; however, if the opponent is using cleric Mega Audino, Special Attack investment is required; otherwise, Malamar can beat it.
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