Set Details

With vast utility, the ability to pivot, and special bulk, Malaconda cements itself as the best Drought user in the tier. Knock Off allows Malaconda to threaten Galarian Slowking and punish potential switch-ins such as Venomicon, Great Tusk, and Hemogoblin with item removal. As Malaconda is often the best switch-in to Dragapult, Knock Off gives Malaconda a way to meaningfully threaten it. In addition, Knock Off heavily deters Galarian Slowking from switching in to change the weather with Chilly Reception. Parting Shot provides essential slow pivoting to safely bring an ally in while weakening the opposing Pokemon's offenses. This makes setting up for sweepers such as Raging Bolt and Chuggalong much easier. Malaconda's last two moveslots are extremely flexible. Glare shuts down setup sweepers such as Chuggalong, Ogerpon-W, Darkrai, and Roaring Moon while crippling Cresceidon. Rapid Spin allows Malaconda to remove entry hazards for its team. This helps allies such as Raging Bolt and Chuggalong set up. Synthesis can be used instead to provide Malaconda longevity, preventing Galarian Slowking from quickly wearing it out while resetting weather. Tera Fairy allows Malaconda to shed its massive weakness to U-turn and pivot against threats such as Dragapult and Roaring Moon. Tera Water prevents Fire-types such as Iron Moth and Heatran from forcing Malaconda out while allowing it to use Glare on Iron Moth and Chuggalong in a pinch. Heat Rock is the preferred item, as it extends sun's duration, allowing Malaconda's teammates to wallbreak more easily. Heavy-Duty Boots can be used instead to increase Malaconda's longevity by ignoring hazards, allowing it to switch in against Galarian Slowking and Krilowatt more consistently.

Malaconda's sun-setting ability enables a plethora of excellent teammates such as Walking Wake, Raging Bolt, and Roaring Moon. Walking Wake is synonymous with sun, as its sun-boosted Hydro Steam is able to decimate walls such as Galarian Slowking and Equilibra. Raging Bolt pairs well as a teammate thanks to its ability to easily break through Malaconda's checks such as Mollux and Venomicon. Raging Bolt also has a good matchup against Arghonaut and rain, which sun teams can struggle against. Choice Band Roaring Moon can slot excellently with Malaconda, as it easily pressures threats that check Malaconda such as Galarian Slowking and Mollux while providing excellent speed control with Protosynthesis's Speed boost. Sun structures are extremely vulnerable to threats such as Roaring Moon and Great Tusk, so Hemogoblin is an excellent revenge killer for these threats. In addition, Hemogoblin appreciates its Flare Blitz getting boosted by sun. Hemogoblin itself is a large threat against Malaconda. Therefore, Venomicon and Chuggalong are excellent allies. Great Tusk can slot in as a secondary spinner and a potential wincon with Bulk Up. With Protosynthesis's Speed boost, it is able to revenge kill threats such as Darkrai, while Protosynthesis's Defense boost allows it to counter Kingambit. Heatran is another possible teammate and can provide excellent value by trapping threats such as Arghonaut and Cresceidon with Magma Storm and removing them with Solar Beam. Hatterene is also a good fit, as it provides entry hazard control and Healing Wish support. Both of these qualities increases Malaconda's longevity, allowing it to be used more aggressively.