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.
It’s a Pokémon that roamed the skies in the dinosaur era. Its teeth are like saw blades.
Type-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.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Water, Electric, Ice, Rock, Steel |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Normal, Fire, Poison, Flying, Bug |
| 0x (Immune) | Ground |
Noivern's Draco Meteor hits Aerodactyl for 73-86%. Chandelure's Shadow Ball also KOs at 89-105%.
 Talonflame Fire | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityFlame Body ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureJolly Moves View Talonflame builds →
| ||
 | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityInfiltrator ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Aerodactyl View Noivern builds →Draco Meteor73-86% U Turn8-9% | ||
 Chandelure GhostFire | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityFlashfire ItemChoice Specs NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Aerodactyl View Chandelure builds →Shadow Ball89-105%KO Energy Ball67-79% Flamethrower50-59% | ||
 Ariados BugPoison | C | |
Recommended Build AbilitySniper ItemFocus Sash NatureAdamant Moves View Ariados builds →
| ||
 | C | |
Recommended Build AbilityDryskin ItemChoice Scarf NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Aerodactyl View Heliolisk builds →Volt Switch 2x85-101%KO Thunderbolt 2x110-130%KO Surf 2x73-86% | ||
Aerodactyl is what you get. No evolutions, but it breeds through one egg group with plenty of partners. Hatching is slow to hatch. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
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
Aerodactyl best EVs are Attack and Speed
Physical Stallbreaker Moveset
- Stealth Rock
- Earthquake
- Taunt
- Stone Edge
Recommended Teammates
Physical Setup Sweeper Moveset
- Earthquake
- Stone Edge
- Dual Wingbeat
- Dragon Dance
Recommended Teammates
Doubles Physical Sweeper Moveset
- Earthquake
- Rock Slide
- Dual Wingbeat
- Crunch
Physical Setup Sweeper Moveset
- Earthquake
- Stone Edge
- Dual Wingbeat
- Dragon Dance
Recommended Teammates
Doubles Physical Sweeper Moveset
- Earthquake
- Rock Slide
- Dual Wingbeat
- Crunch
Recommended Teammates
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee uses different battle mechanics.
Competitive build content is not applicable for this game. Select a main series game for builds.
Moves
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 to Catch Aerodactyl in Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee
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 can Mega Evolve into Mega Aerodactyl. That's 615 BST, up from 515. The stat redistribution often changes its best role. Mega Stone required, one per battle.
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.
Since debuting in Red & Blue, Aerodactyl has appeared in 20 titles over 10 generations. Along the way, it received a Mega form in Generation 7, keeping it relevant across different competitive metas.
Click a game to view version-specific details
- Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 1RBDebut
Red & Blue - Gen 2GS
Gold & Silver - Gen 2C
Crystal - Gen 3RS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen 3FRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen 3E
Emerald - Gen 4Pt
Platinum - Gen 4HGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen 4DP
Diamond & Pearl - Gen 5BW
Black & White - Gen 5B2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen 6XY
X & Y - Gen 6ORASMega
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen 7USUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen 7SM
Sun & Moon - Gen 7LGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen 8SwSh
Sword & Shield - Gen 8PLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen 8BDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen 9SV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen 9LZA
Legends: Z-A - Gen 10WW
Winds & Waves