Aerodactyl outspeeds most of the metagame without even trying. And the offense backs it up — it's fast AND it hits hard. Ground moves can't touch it, which offsets the 5 weaknesses somewhat. Known as the Fossil Pokemon.
The stat budget goes to damage. Speed and Attack carry the offense, Sp. Atk doesn't even come close. A Fossil Pokemon on a slow 1.25M XP grind, worth 2 Speed EVs per KO.
It’s a Pokémon that roamed the skies in the dinosaur era. Its teeth are like saw blades.
Aerodactyl Weakness
AvgType-wise, Aerodactyl takes extra damage from Water, Electric, Ice, Rock, and Steel. Ground moves do nothing thanks to a full immunity. 5 resistances help offset the weaknesses.
Aerodactyl is what you get. No evolutions, but it breeds through one egg group with plenty of partners. Hatching is slow to hatch.
How to Evolve
Breed Aerodactyl (with patience) with 73 breeding partners from the Flying egg group.
The Sash lets Aerodactyl ignore defensive shortcomings for one turn. Use that turn to get Stealth Rock up, and Rockhead squeezes extra value from the position. Max Attack and Speed EVs push damage output.
Best Build
Best Aerodactyl Moveset
- Stealth Rock
- Earthquake
- Taunt
- Stone Edge
Recommended Teammates
Stall teams hate this. Aerodactyl can spread damage across 10 types, with Dark and Steel punishing common defensive pivots. STAB from Sky Attack and Meteor Beam keeps the pressure honest on everything else.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Breeding's the move. Assurance and Curse give Aerodactyl options it can't learn any other way, and coverage across 7 types already covers a decent range on top of Stone Edge and Fly. The egg moves push it further.
Breeding's the move. Curse and Dragon Breath give Aerodactyl options it can't learn any other way, and coverage across 9 types already covers a decent range on top of Meteor Beam and Hurricane. The egg moves push it further.
TMs carry this one. Aerodactyl learns Fly and Rock Slide naturally for STAB, but the offensive range comes almost entirely from technical machines. Dark and Normal and beyond give it real matchup play.
No wild encounters for Aerodactyl in Legends: Z-A. It's available in Red, Yellow, or Let's Go Pikachu and can be transferred over. The details below show where to find it.
No wild encounters for Aerodactyl in Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl. It's available in Red, Yellow, or Let's Go Pikachu and can be transferred over. The details below show where to find it.
Aerodactyl doesn't appear in Sword & Shield. Transfer it from Red, Yellow, or Let's Go Pikachu to add it to your collection. Check the source games below for encounter details.
Aerodactyl is a gift in this game. Pick it up at Cinnabar Island — no wild encounters or spawn rates to deal with. The details below cover exactly when it becomes available.
Best Locations
We rate Aerodactyl C-Tier — a situational pick that fills a niche. At 515 BST, it fits the sweeper role. Base 130 Speed stands out.
Aerodactyl doesn't evolve and has no evolutionary line. It's a Rock/Flying-type Pokemon with strong stats at 515 BST — no evolution needed.
Rock Head is the go-to ability for Aerodactyl. It protects against recoil damage. Its hidden ability Unnerve can work in specific setups. Pressure is the other option — pick based on what your team needs.
Base 130 Speed lets it outrun most of the field. On offense, Aerodactyl is a physical attacker with base 105 Attack. Defensively? Enough bulk to take a hit or two. Best used as a sweeper.
Aerodactyl appears in 20 games, including Yellow, Red & Blue, and Gold & Silver.
Since debuting in Red & Blue, Aerodactyl has appeared in 20 titles over 9 generations. Along the way, it received a Mega form in Generation 7, keeping it relevant across different competitive metas.
- Gen IY
Yellow - Gen IRBDebut
Red & Blue - Gen IIGS
Gold & Silver - Gen IIC
Crystal - Gen IIIRS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen IIIFRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen IIIE
Emerald - Gen IVPt
Platinum - Gen IVHGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen IVDP
Diamond & Pearl - Gen VBW
Black & White - Gen VB2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen VIXY
X & Y - Gen VIORASMega
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen VIIUSUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen VIISM
Sun & Moon - Gen VIILGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen VIIISwSh
Sword & Shield - Gen VIIIPLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen VIIIBDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen IXSV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen IXLZA
Legends: Z-A