uploaded -mz
Taken from yogi and 2xTheTapby lethal force
QC: ? / ? / ?
GP: ? / ?
[OVERVIEW]
Type: Null is one of the bulkiest Pokemon in PU, blanket checking special attackers such as Lilligant, Mesprit, Swanna, and Jynx. It also has usable physical bulk that not only can be boosted further by Iron Defense but also allows it to check weaker physical attackers like Skuntank, Togedemaru, and Alolan Dugtrio. Although Type: Null's base Speed sits on the lower end of the spectrum, its access to U-turn lets it use said Speed to act as a slow and bulky pivot that creates many opportunities for teammates to be safely brought into the field. Alternatively, Swords Dance makes Type: Null a potent late-game sweeper that uses its defenses to set up with ease, with Battle Armor also coming into play by preventing critical hits, enhancing its sweeping opportunities. Type: Null's nature as a sturdy RestTalk user also makes it very reliable as a status absorber for its team. Unfortunately, Type: Null's reliance on its STAB attacks makes it dependent on Pursuit support to remove Ghost-types, and its Fighting weakness leaves it checked by powerful Pokemon like Gurdurr and Primeape. Furthermore, Eviolite is integral for checking stronger special attackers like Choice Specs Alolan Exeggutor and Aurorus, making Type: Null susceptible to Knock Off and Trick. Type: Null is often on the defensive when it needs to heal, allowing users of Taunt to easily stop it when it tries to use Rest. While it can beat certain Rock- and Steel-types due to them eventually being overpowered by boosted Return and outlasted by Type: Null's recovery, notable exceptions include Lycanroc, Omastar, Carracosta, and Aggron, which can all either use it as setup fodder or break through it firsthand. It can also face competition with other late-game sweepers like Calm Mind Spiritomb and Curse Munchlax, both of which have different typing or abilities that give them resistances or immunities that Type: Null lacks. Regardless, Type: Null is a nice bulky team player with decent role compression for a wide range of playstyles.
[SET]
name: Bulky Pivot
move 1: U-turn
move 2: Return
move 3: Rest
move 4: Sleep Talk
item: Eviolite
ability: Battle Armor
nature: Careful
evs: 252 HP / 8 Def / 248 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
U-turn is strong tool for gaining momentum, pivoting out against faster Pokemon or unfavorable switch-ins like Froslass, Regirock, and Aggron. Return is a strong, reliable STAB move that deals respectable damage to most non-resistant targets. Rest is Type: Null's main form of recovery and can also cure all status ailments at the cost of falling asleep for a few turns. Sleep Talk lets Type: Null act while it is asleep, potentially letting it pivot out of Pokemon that try to take advantage of its status, allowing it to not be as passive.
Set Details
========
Full investment in HP and Special Defense with a Careful nature maximizes Type: Null's bulk to carry out its role as a strong catch-all sponge to special attackers. Eviolite further increases Type: Null's defenses, allowing it to do its job defensively. 8 Defense EVs make for an even number that gives it two extra points thanks to the Eviolite boost. Battle Armor is great for making Type: Null more reliable as a wall, preventing critical hits from attackers.
Usage Tips
========
Type: Null should pivot into strong special attackers and users of status-inducing moves like Lilligant, Lanturn, Swanna, and Altaria. Beyond that, generating momentum is Type: Null's other key role; U-turn is safe to use on predicted switches to avoid unfavorable matchups against either bulky Pokemon like Regirock and Qwilfish or Fighting-types that comfortably take Return like Gurdurr. From there, it should use that opportunity to get in wallbreakers or Pokemon that can threaten them out. In other cases, Return can be nice for consistent damage when not a lot of Pokemon that resist it are left. Using Rest when Type: Null is weakened is important to keep it healthy to check special attackers, force switches, and pivot around as much as it can. When asleep, finding opportunities to burn sleep turns is recommended, which can be done against the large number of Pokemon that Type: Null is not significantly damaged by. It is often able to safely use Sleep Talk without being too passive, as it can sometimes pivot out with U-turn. Lastly, Type: Null should be wary of foes like Mesprit with Knock Off or Trick and should play around users Taunt sparingly, as they can punish attempts to use Rest.
Team Options
========
Type: Null's ability to blanket check special attackers and reliably pivot around allows it to support offensive and defensive teams alike. Wallbreakers such as Aggron, Omastar, and Aurorus that appreciate safe switches are solid options, as they can take advantage of Ghost-types like Oricorio-G and Gourgeist-XL and physical walls like Weezing. Fighting-type checks are top priority, which include Pokemon like Qwilfish, Mesprit, Froslass, and Scyther; Qwilfish and Froslass can set up Spikes to chip down said Fighting-types, Mesprit can support Type: Null with Stealth Rock and use Healing Wish in situations where Type: Null is weakened and hasn't burned enough sleep turns, and Scyther appreciates Type: Null's ability to absorb status and can form a strong pivoting core alongside it. Pursuit trappers such as Skuntank and Spiritomb can help remove problematic Ghost-types especially the likes of Haunter and Oricorio-G. Other strong checks to Oricorio-G include Togedemaru, Oricorio-E, and Lycanroc, which all appreciate Type: Null bringing them in safely with U-turn to apply offensive pressure on their own. Type: Null pairs well with other pivoting cores that can include Primeape, Lanturn, and Eelektross, all of which can use their own offensive typing, utility, and strong attacking moves to force switches. Physically defensive Pokemon like Tangela, Regirock, and Gurdurr form good defensive cores with Type: Null, as they can cushion hits from physical breakers like Aggron and Stoutland better. Entry hazard removers like Skuntank, Swanna, Rotom-F are solid, since Type: Null is a pivot that is vulnerable to Spikes and every other hazard. They can also threaten the likes of Qwilfish and Froslass, two Spikes setters that Type: Null often invites in for free, as well as support Type: Null in other ways, including Skuntank's Pursuit support, Swanna's STAB combination and special attacking prowess that lets it pressure Rock- and Fighting-types like Regirock, Aggron, and Hitmonchan, and Rotom-F's pivoting with its own Volt Switch. Pokemon that switch into Knock Off easily alleviate pressure for Type: Null; options include Rocky Helmet Weezing, Silvally-Fairy, and Sableye, which all pressure common Knock Off users like Gurdurr and Zangoose. Silvally-Fairy is also immune to Trick and Switcheroo, which can be useful for pivoting in certain instances.
[SET]
name: Swords Dance
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Return
move 3: Rest
move 4: Sleep Talk / Iron Defense
item: Eviolite
ability: Battle Armor
nature: Careful
evs: 252 HP / 8 Def / 248 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Swords Dance boosts Type: Null's Attack by two stages and lets it break through bulky Pokemon like Mudsdale and Clefairy more efficiently, making it a deadly breaker and setup sweeper. Type: Null finds many opportunities to set up versus those Pokemon and more thanks to its great bulk. Return is a Type: Null's most powerful STAB option and main cleaning tool, dealing respectable damage to most targets neutral to it. Rest gives Type: Null a recovery option at the cost of making it asleep for a few turns, restoring all health and curing status. Sleep Talk lets Type: Null use its moves while it's asleep to make it less passive, which can be great for accumulating Swords Dance boosts or firing off powerful Returns. Iron Defense increases Type: Null's Defense, allowing it to outlast physical attackers such as Hitmonchan and Aggron that can otherwise break through it. Using Iron Defense does, however, come with the drawback of being more passive and enabling Pokemon to take advantage of Type: Null due to forgoing Sleep Talk.
Set Details
========
Full investment in HP and Special Defense makes Type: Null as specially bulky as possible, letting it blanket check special attackers well. 8 Defense EVs make Type: Null's Defense an even number, which gives it additional Defense thanks to Eviolite. Eviolite helps to maximize Type: Null's bulk, giving it more durability and making its defensive role easier. Battle Armor complements Type: Null's defensive presence by preventing critical hits from attackers. This is especially good for this set, as Type: Null will be able to take advantage of its Iron Defense boosts much more safely.
Usage Tips
========
Type: Null should prioritize on its defensive role of blanket checking special attackers like Jynx, Alolan Exeggutor, and Silvally-Dragon. Given Type: Null's ability to absorb status, pivoting into potential status-inducing moves from Pokemon like Lilligant and Alolan Dugtrio early-game can alleviate pressure for teammates. Swords Dance can be used in many situations, whether it's to beat passive Pokemon like Clefairy and Altaria, take advantage of forced switches from special attackers, or attempt a late-game sweep. One must avoid attempting to sweep if Ghost-types are present, however. Luring in Ghost types via double switching and then Pursuit trapping them with partners like Skuntank can net a key advantage that can pave the way for a sweep. Capitalize on Fighting-type switch-ins by gradually weakening them down with repeated use of Return. Using Rest when Type: Null is low on health is always important to maintain opportunities to sweep and to check special attackers. It helps whenever possible to scout for Knock Off on Pokemon Type: Null is supposed to check, like Clefairy and Mesprit, as having its item removed drastically reduces its durability. Iron Defense can be great for outlasting checks like Hitmonchan and Aggron as well taking on the likes of Stoutland better, but be wary about giving up free turns, as sets without Sleep Talk are more prone to having their helplessness taken advantage of.
Team Options
========
Checks to Fighting-types are important to have, especially checks to Gurdurr and Throh, since unlike most others they can overcome Iron Defense variants of Type: Null with their attacks and boosting moves. Bulky Oricorio-G and defensive Mesprit are among the most reliable Fighting-type answers in general, and they can also also pressure other Pokemon like Weezing and, in Mesprit's case, set up Stealth Rock and support Type: Null with Healing Wish. Pursuit trappers, most notably Spiritomb and Skuntank, are extremely useful in removing Ghost-type Pokemon that would otherwise impede Type: Null's sweep. Flying checks that can account for Oricorio-G, such as Togedemaru and Oricorio-E, are great to have for checking this high-profile threat to Type: Null. Pokemon that can deal with Type: Null's Normal-resistant checks include Mudsdale, Poliwrath, and Regirock, which can check Pokemon like Aggron, Lycanroc, and Omastar to varying degrees. Entry hazard control is ideal to alleviate the issue with chip damage that comes from Type: Null's lack of reliable recovery, with options like Lurantis, Skuntank, and Silvally-Water all sharing good synergy; Skuntank absorbs Toxic Spikes and traps Ghost-types, Lurantis beats Gurdurr and threatens Rock- and Steel-type Pokemon, and Silvally-Water also threatens Rock- and Steel-types, beats Qwilfish, and can pivot with Parting Shot. Physically defensive Pokemon like Tangela and Sableye are good Pokemon to fall back on when in need of cushions or checks to strong physical attackers. Knock Off sponges to preserve Type: Null's Eviolite such as Absol, Silvally-Fairy, and Poliwrath are good partners; Absol heavily punishes bulky Ghost-types like Sableye and Calm Mind Spiritomb, Silvally-Fairy is adept at checking Fighting-types and is immune to Trick and Switcheroo, and Poliwrath is potent at checking Aggron and threatening other Rock- and Steel-types. Swords Dance Type: Null can also really appreciate Toxic Spikes, since it helps wear down grounded Ghost types like Sableye and non-Rest Spiritomb throughout the match. Weezing and Qwilfish are prime setters and serve as great catch-all Fighting-type checks.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Toxic is a solid catch-all tool for punishing bulky Pokemon and can pressure many Ghost- and Rock-type switch-ins. This does let Gurdurr activate Guts as it switches in, unfortunately, and Toxic also invites in Pokemon like Aggron and Qwilfish, which can handle both Toxic and Return. Punishment can pressure Ghost-type setup sweepers like bulky Calm Mind Oricorio-G and Calm Mind Spiritomb after some Calm Mind boosts but is a very inconsistent option otherwise. Hidden Power Ground with a Sassy nature has a chance to OHKO Aggron after Stealth Rock, hits Alolan Sandslash and Probopass hard, and punishes Omastar that tries to use Type: Null as setup fodder but forgoes pivoting or the ability to set up. Pursuit can be reliable for trapping frail Psychic- and Ghost-types like Haunter and Jynx, but it pales in comparison to U-turn with utility otherwise, and Type: Null still loses to Oricorio-G and Spiritomb.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Ghost-types**: Type: Null is walled by Ghost-types such as Sableye, Oricorio-G, Misdreavus due to its lack of a strong attack against them, rendering it completely forced out. Furthermore, many of them can disable Type: Null's form of recovery with Taunt, while other options like Haunter can cripple Type: Null entirely with Trick, although Life Orb variants will eventually KO themselves in a one-on-one scenario without Pain Split. Spiritomb and Oricorio-G can also use Type: Null as setup fodder with Calm Mind.
**Fighting-types**: Fighting-types such as Primeape, Hitmonchan, and Crabominable heavily punish Type: Null with their damage output thanks to their super effective STAB moves, although they won't appreciate constantly switching in on Return, nor will they have the adequate means of breaking past Iron Defense boosts. Pokemon like Gurdurr and Throh are much bulkier and can also pressure Type: Null by removing its Eviolite with Knock Off, using it as setup fodder with Bulk Up, or removing boosts with Circle Throw in Throh's case.
**Rock- and Steel-types**: While Rock- and Steel-types that resist Return can still be beaten given most lack the recovery needed to combat Swords Dance variants, the ones with offensive presence can usually overpower Type: Null in its setup process, whether it be breakers like Aggron and Choice Specs Aurorus or setup sweepers like Lycanroc, Alolan Sandslash, and Omastar. Barring Omastar and Aurorus, these Pokemon may experience problems breaking past Iron Defense variants, however. Regirock is notable for actively walling pivot variants all game and safely setting up Stealth Rock against them, but it loses to Swords Dance sets.
**Loss of Eviolite**: Without its Eviolite, Type: Null cannot use its bulk to reliably check stronger special attackers and is particularly vulnerable to being pressured by Pokemon it tries to check like Clefairy, Eelektross, and Mesprit with Knock Off. Trick and Switcheroo Choice users such as Manectric, Dusknoir, and the aforementioned Mesprit are problematic for that same reason while also locking Type: Null into a move it uses.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[jklioe, 424692]]
- Quality checked by: [[Taskr, 257882], [Darkinium, 448296], [allstarapology, 400292]]
- Grammar checked by: [[The Dutch Plumberjack, 232216], [A Cake Wearing A Hat, 388157]]
Taken from yogi and 2xTheTap
QC: ? / ? / ?
GP: ? / ?
[OVERVIEW]
Type: Null is one of the bulkiest Pokemon in PU, blanket checking special attackers such as Lilligant, Mesprit, Swanna, and Jynx. It also has usable physical bulk that not only can be boosted further by Iron Defense but also allows it to check weaker physical attackers like Skuntank, Togedemaru, and Alolan Dugtrio. Although Type: Null's base Speed sits on the lower end of the spectrum, its access to U-turn lets it use said Speed to act as a slow and bulky pivot that creates many opportunities for teammates to be safely brought into the field. Alternatively, Swords Dance makes Type: Null a potent late-game sweeper that uses its defenses to set up with ease, with Battle Armor also coming into play by preventing critical hits, enhancing its sweeping opportunities. Type: Null's nature as a sturdy RestTalk user also makes it very reliable as a status absorber for its team. Unfortunately, Type: Null's reliance on its STAB attacks makes it dependent on Pursuit support to remove Ghost-types, and its Fighting weakness leaves it checked by powerful Pokemon like Gurdurr and Primeape. Furthermore, Eviolite is integral for checking stronger special attackers like Choice Specs Alolan Exeggutor and Aurorus, making Type: Null susceptible to Knock Off and Trick. Type: Null is often on the defensive when it needs to heal, allowing users of Taunt to easily stop it when it tries to use Rest. While it can beat certain Rock- and Steel-types due to them eventually being overpowered by boosted Return and outlasted by Type: Null's recovery, notable exceptions include Lycanroc, Omastar, Carracosta, and Aggron, which can all either use it as setup fodder or break through it firsthand. It can also face competition with other late-game sweepers like Calm Mind Spiritomb and Curse Munchlax, both of which have different typing or abilities that give them resistances or immunities that Type: Null lacks. Regardless, Type: Null is a nice bulky team player with decent role compression for a wide range of playstyles.
[SET]
name: Bulky Pivot
move 1: U-turn
move 2: Return
move 3: Rest
move 4: Sleep Talk
item: Eviolite
ability: Battle Armor
nature: Careful
evs: 252 HP / 8 Def / 248 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
U-turn is strong tool for gaining momentum, pivoting out against faster Pokemon or unfavorable switch-ins like Froslass, Regirock, and Aggron. Return is a strong, reliable STAB move that deals respectable damage to most non-resistant targets. Rest is Type: Null's main form of recovery and can also cure all status ailments at the cost of falling asleep for a few turns. Sleep Talk lets Type: Null act while it is asleep, potentially letting it pivot out of Pokemon that try to take advantage of its status, allowing it to not be as passive.
Set Details
========
Full investment in HP and Special Defense with a Careful nature maximizes Type: Null's bulk to carry out its role as a strong catch-all sponge to special attackers. Eviolite further increases Type: Null's defenses, allowing it to do its job defensively. 8 Defense EVs make for an even number that gives it two extra points thanks to the Eviolite boost. Battle Armor is great for making Type: Null more reliable as a wall, preventing critical hits from attackers.
Usage Tips
========
Type: Null should pivot into strong special attackers and users of status-inducing moves like Lilligant, Lanturn, Swanna, and Altaria. Beyond that, generating momentum is Type: Null's other key role; U-turn is safe to use on predicted switches to avoid unfavorable matchups against either bulky Pokemon like Regirock and Qwilfish or Fighting-types that comfortably take Return like Gurdurr. From there, it should use that opportunity to get in wallbreakers or Pokemon that can threaten them out. In other cases, Return can be nice for consistent damage when not a lot of Pokemon that resist it are left. Using Rest when Type: Null is weakened is important to keep it healthy to check special attackers, force switches, and pivot around as much as it can. When asleep, finding opportunities to burn sleep turns is recommended, which can be done against the large number of Pokemon that Type: Null is not significantly damaged by. It is often able to safely use Sleep Talk without being too passive, as it can sometimes pivot out with U-turn. Lastly, Type: Null should be wary of foes like Mesprit with Knock Off or Trick and should play around users Taunt sparingly, as they can punish attempts to use Rest.
Team Options
========
Type: Null's ability to blanket check special attackers and reliably pivot around allows it to support offensive and defensive teams alike. Wallbreakers such as Aggron, Omastar, and Aurorus that appreciate safe switches are solid options, as they can take advantage of Ghost-types like Oricorio-G and Gourgeist-XL and physical walls like Weezing. Fighting-type checks are top priority, which include Pokemon like Qwilfish, Mesprit, Froslass, and Scyther; Qwilfish and Froslass can set up Spikes to chip down said Fighting-types, Mesprit can support Type: Null with Stealth Rock and use Healing Wish in situations where Type: Null is weakened and hasn't burned enough sleep turns, and Scyther appreciates Type: Null's ability to absorb status and can form a strong pivoting core alongside it. Pursuit trappers such as Skuntank and Spiritomb can help remove problematic Ghost-types especially the likes of Haunter and Oricorio-G. Other strong checks to Oricorio-G include Togedemaru, Oricorio-E, and Lycanroc, which all appreciate Type: Null bringing them in safely with U-turn to apply offensive pressure on their own. Type: Null pairs well with other pivoting cores that can include Primeape, Lanturn, and Eelektross, all of which can use their own offensive typing, utility, and strong attacking moves to force switches. Physically defensive Pokemon like Tangela, Regirock, and Gurdurr form good defensive cores with Type: Null, as they can cushion hits from physical breakers like Aggron and Stoutland better. Entry hazard removers like Skuntank, Swanna, Rotom-F are solid, since Type: Null is a pivot that is vulnerable to Spikes and every other hazard. They can also threaten the likes of Qwilfish and Froslass, two Spikes setters that Type: Null often invites in for free, as well as support Type: Null in other ways, including Skuntank's Pursuit support, Swanna's STAB combination and special attacking prowess that lets it pressure Rock- and Fighting-types like Regirock, Aggron, and Hitmonchan, and Rotom-F's pivoting with its own Volt Switch. Pokemon that switch into Knock Off easily alleviate pressure for Type: Null; options include Rocky Helmet Weezing, Silvally-Fairy, and Sableye, which all pressure common Knock Off users like Gurdurr and Zangoose. Silvally-Fairy is also immune to Trick and Switcheroo, which can be useful for pivoting in certain instances.
[SET]
name: Swords Dance
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Return
move 3: Rest
move 4: Sleep Talk / Iron Defense
item: Eviolite
ability: Battle Armor
nature: Careful
evs: 252 HP / 8 Def / 248 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Swords Dance boosts Type: Null's Attack by two stages and lets it break through bulky Pokemon like Mudsdale and Clefairy more efficiently, making it a deadly breaker and setup sweeper. Type: Null finds many opportunities to set up versus those Pokemon and more thanks to its great bulk. Return is a Type: Null's most powerful STAB option and main cleaning tool, dealing respectable damage to most targets neutral to it. Rest gives Type: Null a recovery option at the cost of making it asleep for a few turns, restoring all health and curing status. Sleep Talk lets Type: Null use its moves while it's asleep to make it less passive, which can be great for accumulating Swords Dance boosts or firing off powerful Returns. Iron Defense increases Type: Null's Defense, allowing it to outlast physical attackers such as Hitmonchan and Aggron that can otherwise break through it. Using Iron Defense does, however, come with the drawback of being more passive and enabling Pokemon to take advantage of Type: Null due to forgoing Sleep Talk.
Set Details
========
Full investment in HP and Special Defense makes Type: Null as specially bulky as possible, letting it blanket check special attackers well. 8 Defense EVs make Type: Null's Defense an even number, which gives it additional Defense thanks to Eviolite. Eviolite helps to maximize Type: Null's bulk, giving it more durability and making its defensive role easier. Battle Armor complements Type: Null's defensive presence by preventing critical hits from attackers. This is especially good for this set, as Type: Null will be able to take advantage of its Iron Defense boosts much more safely.
Usage Tips
========
Type: Null should prioritize on its defensive role of blanket checking special attackers like Jynx, Alolan Exeggutor, and Silvally-Dragon. Given Type: Null's ability to absorb status, pivoting into potential status-inducing moves from Pokemon like Lilligant and Alolan Dugtrio early-game can alleviate pressure for teammates. Swords Dance can be used in many situations, whether it's to beat passive Pokemon like Clefairy and Altaria, take advantage of forced switches from special attackers, or attempt a late-game sweep. One must avoid attempting to sweep if Ghost-types are present, however. Luring in Ghost types via double switching and then Pursuit trapping them with partners like Skuntank can net a key advantage that can pave the way for a sweep. Capitalize on Fighting-type switch-ins by gradually weakening them down with repeated use of Return. Using Rest when Type: Null is low on health is always important to maintain opportunities to sweep and to check special attackers. It helps whenever possible to scout for Knock Off on Pokemon Type: Null is supposed to check, like Clefairy and Mesprit, as having its item removed drastically reduces its durability. Iron Defense can be great for outlasting checks like Hitmonchan and Aggron as well taking on the likes of Stoutland better, but be wary about giving up free turns, as sets without Sleep Talk are more prone to having their helplessness taken advantage of.
Team Options
========
Checks to Fighting-types are important to have, especially checks to Gurdurr and Throh, since unlike most others they can overcome Iron Defense variants of Type: Null with their attacks and boosting moves. Bulky Oricorio-G and defensive Mesprit are among the most reliable Fighting-type answers in general, and they can also also pressure other Pokemon like Weezing and, in Mesprit's case, set up Stealth Rock and support Type: Null with Healing Wish. Pursuit trappers, most notably Spiritomb and Skuntank, are extremely useful in removing Ghost-type Pokemon that would otherwise impede Type: Null's sweep. Flying checks that can account for Oricorio-G, such as Togedemaru and Oricorio-E, are great to have for checking this high-profile threat to Type: Null. Pokemon that can deal with Type: Null's Normal-resistant checks include Mudsdale, Poliwrath, and Regirock, which can check Pokemon like Aggron, Lycanroc, and Omastar to varying degrees. Entry hazard control is ideal to alleviate the issue with chip damage that comes from Type: Null's lack of reliable recovery, with options like Lurantis, Skuntank, and Silvally-Water all sharing good synergy; Skuntank absorbs Toxic Spikes and traps Ghost-types, Lurantis beats Gurdurr and threatens Rock- and Steel-type Pokemon, and Silvally-Water also threatens Rock- and Steel-types, beats Qwilfish, and can pivot with Parting Shot. Physically defensive Pokemon like Tangela and Sableye are good Pokemon to fall back on when in need of cushions or checks to strong physical attackers. Knock Off sponges to preserve Type: Null's Eviolite such as Absol, Silvally-Fairy, and Poliwrath are good partners; Absol heavily punishes bulky Ghost-types like Sableye and Calm Mind Spiritomb, Silvally-Fairy is adept at checking Fighting-types and is immune to Trick and Switcheroo, and Poliwrath is potent at checking Aggron and threatening other Rock- and Steel-types. Swords Dance Type: Null can also really appreciate Toxic Spikes, since it helps wear down grounded Ghost types like Sableye and non-Rest Spiritomb throughout the match. Weezing and Qwilfish are prime setters and serve as great catch-all Fighting-type checks.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Toxic is a solid catch-all tool for punishing bulky Pokemon and can pressure many Ghost- and Rock-type switch-ins. This does let Gurdurr activate Guts as it switches in, unfortunately, and Toxic also invites in Pokemon like Aggron and Qwilfish, which can handle both Toxic and Return. Punishment can pressure Ghost-type setup sweepers like bulky Calm Mind Oricorio-G and Calm Mind Spiritomb after some Calm Mind boosts but is a very inconsistent option otherwise. Hidden Power Ground with a Sassy nature has a chance to OHKO Aggron after Stealth Rock, hits Alolan Sandslash and Probopass hard, and punishes Omastar that tries to use Type: Null as setup fodder but forgoes pivoting or the ability to set up. Pursuit can be reliable for trapping frail Psychic- and Ghost-types like Haunter and Jynx, but it pales in comparison to U-turn with utility otherwise, and Type: Null still loses to Oricorio-G and Spiritomb.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Ghost-types**: Type: Null is walled by Ghost-types such as Sableye, Oricorio-G, Misdreavus due to its lack of a strong attack against them, rendering it completely forced out. Furthermore, many of them can disable Type: Null's form of recovery with Taunt, while other options like Haunter can cripple Type: Null entirely with Trick, although Life Orb variants will eventually KO themselves in a one-on-one scenario without Pain Split. Spiritomb and Oricorio-G can also use Type: Null as setup fodder with Calm Mind.
**Fighting-types**: Fighting-types such as Primeape, Hitmonchan, and Crabominable heavily punish Type: Null with their damage output thanks to their super effective STAB moves, although they won't appreciate constantly switching in on Return, nor will they have the adequate means of breaking past Iron Defense boosts. Pokemon like Gurdurr and Throh are much bulkier and can also pressure Type: Null by removing its Eviolite with Knock Off, using it as setup fodder with Bulk Up, or removing boosts with Circle Throw in Throh's case.
**Rock- and Steel-types**: While Rock- and Steel-types that resist Return can still be beaten given most lack the recovery needed to combat Swords Dance variants, the ones with offensive presence can usually overpower Type: Null in its setup process, whether it be breakers like Aggron and Choice Specs Aurorus or setup sweepers like Lycanroc, Alolan Sandslash, and Omastar. Barring Omastar and Aurorus, these Pokemon may experience problems breaking past Iron Defense variants, however. Regirock is notable for actively walling pivot variants all game and safely setting up Stealth Rock against them, but it loses to Swords Dance sets.
**Loss of Eviolite**: Without its Eviolite, Type: Null cannot use its bulk to reliably check stronger special attackers and is particularly vulnerable to being pressured by Pokemon it tries to check like Clefairy, Eelektross, and Mesprit with Knock Off. Trick and Switcheroo Choice users such as Manectric, Dusknoir, and the aforementioned Mesprit are problematic for that same reason while also locking Type: Null into a move it uses.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[jklioe, 424692]]
- Quality checked by: [[Taskr, 257882], [Darkinium, 448296], [allstarapology, 400292]]
- Grammar checked by: [[The Dutch Plumberjack, 232216], [A Cake Wearing A Hat, 388157]]
Last edited by a moderator: