How to Build a Malamar Deck in the Pokémon TCG

Malamar card art from the Secluded Springs set (A4a)

Image courtesy of TCGdex.net

Building a Malamar Deck: Dark Control and Mind Games

When you flip open a Secluded Springs booster and pull Malamar, you’re holding a card that invites a cerebral approach to gameplay. This Stage 1 Pokémon, a Darkness type with 90 HP, evolves from Inkay and carries a distinctive trick: Mental Surge — for 1 Darkness energy, it deals 20 damage to each of your opponent’s Pokémon. That spread is a rare gem in a meta that often prizes big single-target KO lines. The chance to press every active and benched threat at once creates a tempo where you shape the pace of the game, forcing your opponent to respond on multiple fronts ⚡🔥.

Malamar’s design matters as much as its math. Its retreat cost of 1 keeps your options open when you don’t want to keep it active, and its Grass-type weakness (+20) nudges you toward careful matchups. The card’s rarity, listed as Two Diamond in this set, adds a collector’s sparkle to the deck, while the art by Masakazu Fukuda gives Malamar a hypnotic, luminescent presence that fits perfectly with its lore of bending attention and momentum. While this particular Malamar isn’t standard-legal in today’s official formats, the play patterns it showcases still resonate for players building modern-style control and spread decks 🪄🎴.

Why Malamar shines in the right build

Spread power: Mental Surge touches every opposing Pokémon, creating multi-prize pressure over successive turns. This isn’t a one-shot attack — it’s a plan that compounds if you lean into board presence and finishers ⚡.
Evolution dynamics: Being able to evolve from Inkay gives you a natural, economical ramp. If Inkay hits the bench early, a smooth transition to Malamar can surprise opponents who expect a different tempo from your early turns 🎮.
Darkness synergy: As a Darkness-type attacker, Malamar slots into decks that leverage common dark-energy strategies and can pair with other Dark Pokémon for a cohesive line—punching above its weight in the midgame 💎.
Survivability and control: Retreat cost 1 and Malamar’s sturdy HP allow you to swap into a more aggressive or defensive option as needed, keeping your board state flexible against evolving threats 🔥.
Collector appeal: Secluded Springs’ Malamar draws eyes in the same way as other dual-diamond rarities, turning casual matches into a conversation about rare cards and art from Masakazu Fukuda 🎨.

Core strategies and how to build around them

Start by establishing a stable bench with Inkay and Malamar, using Inkay’s early presence to accelerate the evolve-and-control plan. Your goal is to maintain a steady stream of pressure from multiple angles, so your opponent can’t concentrate fire on a single threat. Mental Surge should be treated as a tempo engine rather than a one-off damage spike. If you can spread enough damage to force awkward KO decisions, you’ll stall turns and create a window for your finisher to step in with decisive blows ⚡🎯.

For energy and tempo, prioritize consistent Darkness energy access. Since Malamar’s attack costs a single Darkness, you can design a build that focuses on reliable energy attachment and retrieval rather than heavy multi-energy costs. You’ll want to balance your energy lines so your bench stays primed without sacrificing your late-game power. It’s a careful dance: you want enough energy to sustain Mental Surge while keeping space for a stronger teammate to close out the game 🔥.

Your deck should also consider a dedicated endgame attacker who can leverage the damaged state you’ve inflicted. A second Dark-type attacker with higher HP or an efficient single- or multi-prize hit can clean up the board after Malamar has softened the field. Think of Malamar as the tempo enforcer — you’ll place damage where it matters most, then switch to a more definitive attacker when the opportunity arises 🎴.

Supporting choices: draw, disruption, and protection

To keep the plan cohesive, include draw and hand-refresh options that don’t disrupt your spread strategy. You’ll want trainers and supporters that smooth energy into play and help you retain action on your turns. Cards that recycle energy or provide card draw while you maintain an aggressive board state will be especially valuable. Consider disruption tools that slow down or filter your opponent’s options without wrecking your own plan — the key is maintaining control while you advance toward a win condition 🎨.

Field presence matters as well. If your list includes Stadiums or other global effects, choose those that amplify your resilience or slow down opponent lines that threaten to overwhelm your spread strategy. Malamar’s design rewards careful planning: you’re aiming to outrun opponents by keeping a consistent, multi-target pressure that forces suboptimal plays from your rival 🔥.

Practical matchup notes

Against faster, single-prize archetypes, Malamar’s spread can be a critical disruption, slowing the board so that your larger attacker catches up on tempo. Versus bulky, multi-guard decks, your ability to spread damage becomes the choke point — if you can keep Malamar healthy and on the field, you’ll steadily wear down their resources. Remember to factor Grass-type weaknesses into your midgame planning; if you anticipate a heavier Grass matchup, adjust your switch-ins and energy allocation to minimize risk while you keep up the pressure 💪.

Collector and art appreciation

Beyond the gameplay, Malamar’s Secluded Springs release offers a thread for collectors and lore enthusiasts. Masakazu Fukuda’s illustration captures the hypnotic, luminescent spots that define Malamar’s aura in battle and story. The two-diamond rarity elevates the card’s desirability for binder enthusiasts who love a strong flavor of Darkness and the elegance of Fukuda’s line work 🎨💎.

Phone Grip Click-On Personal Phone Holder Kickstand

Tip for players on the go: keeping a solid grip while jotting decklists or tracking matchups during local meets can be a small but meaningful upgrade. A sturdy phone grip helps you stay organized between rounds and gives you a little extra steadiness for those crucial top-deck moments ⚡🎮.