Malamar Raid Counters
Best counters and strategies to beat Malamar in Pokemon GO raids.
How to Beat Malamar
Malamar is a 5 raid boss in Pokemon GO with Dark/Psychic typing. The best counter is Mega Heracross (Mega) with Struggle Bug and Megahorn, dealing 52.480 DPS.
Malamar can be defeated by a minimum of 2 trainers using optimal counters at level 40+. We recommend 4+ trainers for a comfortable win, especially if your team isn't fully powered up.
Type strategy: Malamar is weak to Bug (double weak!), Fairy -type attacks. Avoid using Psychic-type moves as Malamar resists them. Focus your team on the highest DPS counters from the list below — even budget options without Shadow or Mega forms perform well in larger groups.
Top 3 counters: The strongest lineup against Malamar is Mega Heracross (52.480 DPS), Pheromosa (51.875 DPS), and Mega Pinsir (48.444 DPS).
Catching Malamar: After defeating Malamar, the catch encounter will have a CP between 1311 and 1381 at level 20. With weather boost, the range is 1631-1718 at level 25. A perfect 100% IV Malamar from raids will have exactly 1381 CP — look for that number! Use Golden Razz Berries and Excellent curveball throws to maximize your catch rate.
Quick Stats
Weak To
Best Counters
Budget Counters (No Shadow / No Mega)
Catch CP
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best counters for Malamar?
The best counter for Malamar is Mega Heracross with Struggle Bug and Megahorn, dealing 52.480 DPS. Other top options include Pheromosa (51.875 DPS) and Mega Pinsir (48.444 DPS).
How many trainers to beat Malamar?
Malamar can be defeated by a minimum of 2 high-level trainers with optimal counters. We recommend 4+ trainers for a comfortable win. In public lobbies, 5-6 is a safe number.
What is Malamar weak to?
Malamar is weak to Bug (double weak), Fairy-type attacks. It resists Psychic-type moves, so avoid those.
Can Malamar be shiny in Pokemon GO?
No, Malamar's shiny form is not currently available in Pokemon GO. It may be released in a future event.
What CP is a 100% IV Malamar from raids?
A 100% IV (15/15/15) Malamar from raids will have 1381 CP at level 20, or 1718 CP at level 25 with weather boost. The minimum CP (10/10/10 IVs) is 1311. If you see 1381 CP in the catch screen, it's a perfect — use a Golden Razz Berry!
Is Malamar worth raiding in Pokemon GO?
Malamar is a lower-tier raid boss that can be soloed or defeated easily with 1-2 trainers. It's useful for farming candy, earning XP, and potentially getting a high-IV specimen. Worth doing when convenient, but doesn't require spending Premium Passes.
What is the best moveset for Malamar?
For the best moveset for Malamar itself (when using it as an attacker), check the full Malamar stats page which includes optimal fast and charged move combinations for both PvE raids and PvP GO Battle League, along with DPS calculations and PvP rankings.
Can I beat Malamar without Shadow or Mega Pokemon?
Yes! While Shadow and Mega Pokemon are the top DPS options, Malamar can be defeated using regular (non-Shadow, non-Mega) counters. The best budget options are Pheromosa (51.875 DPS) and Volcarona (43.875 DPS). You may need 5-6 trainers instead of the minimum 2 when using budget teams. Check the Budget Counters section above for the full F2P-friendly list.
What weather boosts Malamar in raids?
Weather boost information for Malamar is not currently available. Dark-type Pokemon are typically boosted in specific weather conditions. When weather boosted, the raid is harder but the catch encounter is level 25 with higher CP.