Mega Malamar Recommended Counters & Tips (September 2026)

Mega Malamar is a dual Dark- and Psychic-type Pokémon that possesses a massive double-weakness to Bug-type attacks, as well as a secondary weakness to Fairy-type attacks. Taking advantage of these weaknesses with top-tier counters will allow you to quickly defeat this raid boss, harvest Mega Energy, or hunt for its shiny form.

Mega Malamar will be available in Mega Raids in Pokémon GO from Wednesday, September 23, at 6:00 a.m. to Tuesday, September 29, at 10:00 p.m. local time.

CHECK: The Complete List of September 2026 Pokémon GO Events

Table of Contents

Best Mega Malamar Recommended Counters

The following top-tier options deal super-effective damage to Mega Malamar:

POKÉMON	RECOMMENDED MOVESET
*Mega Heracross*	Fury Cutter as a Fast Attack and Megahorn as a Charged Attack
*Mega Pinsir*	Fury Cutter as a Fast Attack and X-Scissor as a Charged Attack
*Mega Scizor*	Fury Cutter as a Fast Attack and X-Scissor as a Charged Attack
*Mega Gardevoir*	Charm as a Fast Attack and Dazzling Gleam as a Charged Attack
*Shadow Vikavolt*	Bug Bite as a Fast Attack and X-Scissor as a Charged Attack
*Shadow Scizor*	Fury Cutter as a Fast Attack and X-Scissor as a Charged Attack
*Shadow Pinsir*	Fury Cutter as a Fast Attack and X-Scissor as a Charged Attack
*Volcarona*	Bug Bite as a Fast Attack and Bug Buzz as a Charged Attack
*Mega Beedrill*	Bug Bite as a Fast Attack and Fell Stinger+ as a Charged Attack
*Xerneas*	Geomancy as a Fast Attack and Moonblast as a Charged Attack

Legendary and Shadow options output massive damage, but standard alternatives will easily pull their weight. Furthermore, you can only use one Mega/Primal Pokémon per raid lobby. If you are looking to earn extra candy for every Malamar caught as a raid encounter, use a matching Mega Level 3 Dark- or Psychic-type Pokémon, e.g., Mega Houndoom, Mega Gardevoir, or Mega Mewtwo.

Mega Malamar Raid Boss Moveset

When battling Mega Malamar, it will utilize Psychic- and/or Dark-type moves:

Fast Attacks: Psywave, Psycho Cut, or Peck
Charged Attacks: Foul Play (Dark), Superpower (Fighting), Hyper Beam (Normal), or Psybeam (Psychic)

Resistances: Avoid bringing Psychic- or Ghost-type attackers, as Mega Malamar resists these types.

Best Mega Malamar Budget Counters

If you do not have high-tier Shadow or Mega Pokémon, there are plenty of accessible non-legendary counters that deal impressive damage:

Pinsir with Fury Cutter (Fast) and X-Scissor (Charged).
Vikavolt with Bug Bite (Fast) and X-Scissor (Charged).
Granbull with Charm (Fast) and Play Rough (Charged).
Escavalier with Bug Bite (Fast) and Megahorn (Charged).
Gardevoir with Charm (Fast) and Dazzling Gleam (Charged).

Mega Malamar Raid Tips

Lead with a Mega option (such as Mega Heracross or Mega Pinsir) to boost matching Bug moves for your entire raid team.
Coordinate Mega Evolutions with your group for overlapping attack damage boosts.
Match Fast and Charged move types on your attackers to maximize damage output.
Take advantage of weather boosts to help boost the attacks of the recommended counters: Rain (Bug) or Cloudy (Fairy).

How Many Trainers are Needed?

Due to Mega Malamar’s double-weakness to Bug-type attacks, high-level trainers with optimal Bug-type counters can pull off a duo under optimal conditions. For most trainers using standard or budget counters, a group of 3 to 5 players ensures a quick and clean victory.