Analysis
Type: Null functions as a bulky special wall in the January metagame. Its high natural bulk in conjunction with Eviolite allow Type: Null to switch into some of the tier's scariest special attackers like Vileplume, Jynx, and Kingdra. Type: Null utilizes its low Speed to also act as a pivot, letting itself bring in its offensive teammates like Crawdaunt and Infernape in safely. Type: Null also possesses a bulky Swords Dance set, which can be effective thanks to its high bulk and decent Attack stat, threatening bulky and offensive Pokemon alike. Despite Type: Null's great bulk, it is very reliant on Eviolite to keep its bulk, which leaves it vulnerable to Knock Off from Pokemon such as Crawdaunt, Donphan, and Swanna. The lack of passive recovery from Leftovers also hinders Type: Null, as it repeatedly has to come in to take attacks in addition to hazards wearing it down, which makes it susceptible to clicking Rest. This can be taken advantage of by its checks like Infernape and Virizion. Also, Type: Null's Swords Dance set can be stopped effectively by Ghost-types like Golurk, resulting in loss of momentum.
Special Wall
Type: Null runs U-turn to keep momentum for its teammates when it switches into special attackers like Goodra and Mesprit, getting in its teammates safely onto the field. Return is consistent damage in order for Type: Null to not be completely passive against the Pokemon it is tasked to deal with, like Oricorio, Jynx, and Houndoom. Crush Claw is an alternative STAB option that is weaker in power but its defense-dropping secondary effect is useful for Type: Null to 1v1 opposing walls like Vileplume, Dachsbun, and Slowbro. Rest gets Type: Null back to full health at the cost of putting it to sleep so Sleep Talk is used to get around this issue, allowing Type: Null to potentially not become setup fodder for Pokemon like Jynx or Infernape. Battle Armor is useful for Type: Null not to get hit by a critical hit, especially if it is at low health and needs to use Rest and this ability also allows it to be the best response to Focus Energy Kingdra sets.
Swords Dance
Type: Null's Swords Dance set allows it to act as a bulky special wall while at the same time, lets it become a threatening wallbreaker. Substitute allows Type: Null more setup opportunity against bulky Pokemon like Vileplume, Slowbro, and Clodsire, who are unable to break its Substitute in one hit. If Type: Null does not run Sleep Talk, Shadow Claw is best in order to threaten Ghost-types like Golurk and Cursola but it is preferred to run Return as the sole attacking move so Type: Null can fit Rest, Sleep Talk, or Substitute. With this Type: Null set, Fighting-type Pokemon must be checked since they threaten out Type: Null. Bulky Psychic-types like Slowbro and Mesprit fulfil this role. Slowbro acts as Infernape's best defensive check and also has a slow Teleport, granting momentum for Type: Null and its teammates while Mesprit offers Stealth Rock support, which weakens opposing Pokemon for Type: Null to wallbreak. Fairy-types like Comfey and Dachsbun also deal with Fighting-types like Virizion for Type: Null and are also consistent Crawdaunt answers, which are able to switch into Knock Off, which ensures Type: Null does not lose its Eviolite.
Written by Toy Time King