Malamar has always been seen as unreliable as despite it having access to the combo of Contrary with Superpower, it is still rather frail and slow. But recently, I found through a youtuber named temp6t another unique way to use Malamar. While the most common Malamar set uses Contrary with Superpower, this one is a completely different set. Instead of Contrary, temp would use Suction Cups which protects it from moves like Whirlwind and Roar. Next its moveset is as follows: Block to trap opposing Pokemon preferably support Pokemon, this leads to Malamar using its next move Acupressure to boost its stats slowly boost all of its stats to the max while the opposing Pokemon is trapped. Third Move is Rest which provides Solid Recovery and Status Heal. Final most important move is Stored Power as with all the boosts it got from Acupressure, Stored Power will have a colossal 860 Power that pretty much rips through the entire tier.
Flaws: Any Dark type will easily counter this strategy but a risky way around this is to use a Speedy Pokemon holding a Ring Target with Trick. Bait out the Dark Type and then use Trick to slap on it the Ring Target and now its completely vulnerable to the Stored Power. If opponent uses more than one dark type, best thing to do is use Pokemon with Toxic to slowly whittle them down while Malamar sets its boosts up.
Malamar's Block doesn't negate switching moves such as Flip Turn and Volt Switch. The most dangerous is U-Turn as it is 4x effective.
Ditto can also wall Malamar completely with Imposter though this would be a Double-Edged Sword as Ditto would have no moves to stop Malamar effectively creating a stalemate.
Acupressure also isn't the most reliable stat boosting move as it may boost a stat that Malamar doesn't need giving its opponent a chance to end it before it sets up if it's a Hyper Offensive Pokemon.
Spectral Thief is also another hard counter but with the right hazards, Marshadow can be dealth with before it can even strike.
Ghost types are also immune to Block so best thing to do is just set up from the get go and hope the ghost type doesn't OHKO.
Electric Terrain/Electric Surge can ruin Rest allowing Malamar to be statused and unable to heal.
Taunt can also wall Malamar completely leaving it vulnerable.
Unaware can break Malamar's boosts but like Ditto is a double-edged sword as Stored Power will cleave through would be walls like Quagsire since Unaware doesn't wall the power of moves.
Conclusion: Malamar isn't the most reliable of Pokemon due to the number of flaws I mentioned but with the right support Pokemon, I believe it should be able to at least hit PU once again with this strategy.
Flaws: Any Dark type will easily counter this strategy but a risky way around this is to use a Speedy Pokemon holding a Ring Target with Trick. Bait out the Dark Type and then use Trick to slap on it the Ring Target and now its completely vulnerable to the Stored Power. If opponent uses more than one dark type, best thing to do is use Pokemon with Toxic to slowly whittle them down while Malamar sets its boosts up.
Malamar's Block doesn't negate switching moves such as Flip Turn and Volt Switch. The most dangerous is U-Turn as it is 4x effective.
Ditto can also wall Malamar completely with Imposter though this would be a Double-Edged Sword as Ditto would have no moves to stop Malamar effectively creating a stalemate.
Acupressure also isn't the most reliable stat boosting move as it may boost a stat that Malamar doesn't need giving its opponent a chance to end it before it sets up if it's a Hyper Offensive Pokemon.
Spectral Thief is also another hard counter but with the right hazards, Marshadow can be dealth with before it can even strike.
Ghost types are also immune to Block so best thing to do is just set up from the get go and hope the ghost type doesn't OHKO.
Electric Terrain/Electric Surge can ruin Rest allowing Malamar to be statused and unable to heal.
Taunt can also wall Malamar completely leaving it vulnerable.
Unaware can break Malamar's boosts but like Ditto is a double-edged sword as Stored Power will cleave through would be walls like Quagsire since Unaware doesn't wall the power of moves.
Conclusion: Malamar isn't the most reliable of Pokemon due to the number of flaws I mentioned but with the right support Pokemon, I believe it should be able to at least hit PU once again with this strategy.