Physical
Sweeper
BTier
130Speed · Extreme

Aerodactyl Best Moveset

Held ItemAerodactylite pushes to 135 Attack at 150 Speed with AbilityTough Claws boosting contact moves. The fastest physical attacker in the format, firing Rock and Flying TermStab on minimal cooldowns. The moveset is about landing contact moves as fast as possible while the Mega meter lasts.

SABCDEFCASSBBCCRed, Blue & YellowIRB/YGold, Silver & CrystalIIGS/CTHE RISERuby, Sapphire & EmeraldIIIRS/EPEAKDiamond, Pearl & PlatinumIVDP/PtBlack & White / B2W2VBW/B2W2THE FALLX & Y / ORASVIXY/ORASSun & Moon / USUMVIISM/USUMSword & Shield / BDSPVIIISS/BDSPCURRENT
●Gen I — Red, Blue & YellowC

Rock/Flying with 130 Speed was the fastest Pokemon in Gen I (Red & Blue). But poor Special and no Rock STAB limited what it could actually do with that Speed.

Had a combined Special stat of 60
SRCMOVETYPECATPWRPOPROLE
TM38
Fire Blast
Fire110COMMONCoverage
Lv 50
Hyper Beam
Normal150COMMONCoverage
Tutor
Double-Edge
Normal120COMMONCoverage
Tutor
Substitute
Normal—RAREUtility
Xfer
Sky Attack
Flying140RARESTAB
Lv 8
Agility
Psychic—RARESetup
Aerodactyl Red & Blue MovesAerodactyl Yellow Moves
Experimental
Utility
Ability
Unknown
Item
None
Best Nature for Aerodactyl
HardyNEUTRAL

Utility Moveset

  • Fire Blast
  • Hyper Beam
  • Double Edge
  • SubstituteUtility

Recommended Teammates

Tauros
TaurosDecent
Gengar
GengarDecent
Chansey
ChanseyDecent
↑Gen II — Gold, Silver & CrystalA

Fastest non-Electrode Pokemon in Gen II (Gold & Silver). Earthquake plus Rock Slide coverage from 105 Attack was solid, and nothing outsped it.

SRCMOVETYPECATPWRPOPROLE
TM26
Earthquake
Ground100COMMONCoverage
Lv 29
Ancient Power
Rock60COMMONSTAB
TM10
Hidden Power (Rock)
Rock60COMMONSTAB
Lv 1
Wing Attack
Flying60RARESTAB
TM38
Fire Blast
Fire110RARECoverage
Egg
Whirlwind
Normal—RAREUtility
TM44
Rest
Psychic—RARERecovery
Xfer
Reflect
Psychic—RAREUtility
Aerodactyl Gold & Silver MovesAerodactyl Crystal Moves
Experimental
Utility
Ability
Unknown
Item
LeftoversSUSTAIN
Best Nature for Aerodactyl
HardyNEUTRAL

Utility Moveset

  • EarthquakeCoverage
  • Ancient PowerSTAB
  • Hidden Power RockSTAB
  • Wing AttackSTAB

Recommended Teammates

Snorlax
SnorlaxDecent
Steelix
SteelixDecent
★Gen III — Ruby, Sapphire & EmeraldS

Choice Band made 130 Speed terrifying in Gen III (Ruby & Sapphire). Banded Rock Slide and Earthquake turned Aerodactyl into one of the best revenge killers available.

Received Rock Head and Pressure

Best Moves

SRCMOVETYPECATPWRPOPROLE
TM26
Earthquake
Ground100COMMONCoverage
Tutor
Rock Slide
Rock75COMMONSTAB
Tutor
Double-Edge
Normal120COMMONCoverage
TM10
Hidden Power (Flying)
Flying60COMMONSTAB
TM10
Hidden Power (Bug)
Bug60RARECoverage
Tutor
Substitute
Normal—RAREUtility
Aerodactyl Ruby & Sapphire MovesAerodactyl Emerald Moves

Best Build

Experimental
Physical Sweeper
Ability
Rock Head
Item
Choice BandPOWER
Best Nature for Aerodactyl
Jolly+SPE

Aerodactyl best EVs are Attack and Speed

EVs

Physical Sweeper Moveset

  • EarthquakeCoverage
  • Rock SlideSTAB
  • Double Edge
  • Hidden Power FlyingSTAB

Recommended Teammates

Tyranitar
TyranitarGood
Swampert
SwampertDecent
Skarmory
SkarmoryDecent
→Gen IV — Diamond, Pearl & PlatinumS

The fastest Stealth Rock setter in Gen IV (Diamond & Pearl). Lead Aerodactyl set rocks turn one, Taunted opposing leads, then either attacked or pivoted. A defining lead.

Physical/Special split overhauled move damage
SRCMOVETYPECATPWRPOPROLE
TM26
Earthquake
Ground100COMMONCoverage
TM76
Stealth Rock
Rock—COMMONSTAB
TM12
Taunt
Dark—COMMONUtility
TM71
Stone Edge
Rock100COMMONSTAB
Lv 65
Rock Slide
Rock75RARESTAB
Aerodactyl Diamond & Pearl MovesAerodactyl Platinum Moves
Experimental
Physical Stallbreaker
Ability
Pressure
Item
Focus SashSURVIVAL
Best Nature for Aerodactyl
Jolly+SPE
EVs

Physical Stallbreaker Moveset

  • EarthquakeCoverage
  • Stealth RockSTAB
  • TauntUtility
  • Stone EdgeSTAB

Recommended Teammates

Tyranitar
TyranitarDecent
Gyarados
GyaradosDecent
Starmie
StarmieDecent
↓Gen V — Black & White / B2W2B

Other fast Stealth Rock leads emerged in Gen V (Black & White). Aerodactyl's 105 Attack wasn't keeping up, and the lead metagame shifted.

Gained Unnerve as hidden abilityHidden Abilities became available
SRCMOVETYPECATPWRPOPROLE
Tutor
Stealth Rock
Rock—COMMONSTAB
TM12
Taunt
Dark—COMMONUtility
TM26
Earthquake
Ground100COMMONCoverage
TM71
Stone Edge
Rock100COMMONSTAB
Lv 73
Rock Slide
Rock75RARESTAB
Aerodactyl Black & White MovesAerodactyl Black 2 & White 2 Moves
Experimental
Physical Stallbreaker
Ability
Rock Head
Item
Focus SashSURVIVAL
Best Nature for Aerodactyl
Jolly+SPE
EVs

Physical Stallbreaker Moveset

  • Stealth RockSTAB
  • TauntUtility
  • EarthquakeCoverage
  • Stone EdgeSTAB

Recommended Teammates

Dragonite
DragoniteDecent
Gengar
GengarDecent
→Gen VI — X & Y / ORASB

Mega Aerodactyl with Tough Claws existed in Gen VI (X & Y) but base form dropped. 105 Attack without the Mega boost wasn't enough.

Fairy type added to the gameMega Evolution became available
SRCMOVETYPECATPWRPOPROLE
TM26
Earthquake
Ground100COMMONCoverage
Tutor
Stealth Rock
Rock—COMMONSTAB
TM12
Taunt
Dark—COMMONUtility
Xfer
Double-Edge
Normal120RARECoverage
Xfer
Defog
Flying—RARESTAB
Aerodactyl X & Y MovesAerodactyl ORAS Moves
Aerodactyl (Mega Aerodactyl)
Aerodactyl (Mega Aerodactyl)
RockFlying
Ability Tough Claws
Experimental
Physical Stallbreaker
Ability
Pressure
Item
Rocky HelmetPUNISH
Best Nature for Aerodactyl
Jolly+SPE
EVs

Physical Stallbreaker Moveset

  • EarthquakeCoverage
  • Stealth RockSTAB
  • TauntUtility
  • Double Edge

Recommended Teammates

Volcarona
VolcaronaGood
Scizor-Mega
Scizor-MegaDecent
Cloyster
CloysterDecent
↓Gen VII — Sun & Moon / USUMC

Lost practical Mega access as other Mega slots were more valuable in Gen VII (Sun & Moon). Base Aerodactyl couldn't compete without Tough Claws.

Z-Moves became available
SRCMOVETYPECATPWRPOPROLE
Tutor
Stealth Rock
Rock—COMMONSTAB
TM12
Taunt
Dark—COMMONUtility
TM26
Earthquake
Ground100COMMONCoverage
Egg
Tailwind
Flying—RARESTAB
Egg
Whirlwind
Normal—RAREUtility
TM71
Stone Edge
Rock100RARESTAB
Aerodactyl Sun & Moon MovesAerodactyl Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon Moves
Experimental
Physical Stallbreaker
Ability
Unnerve
Item
Focus SashSURVIVAL
Best Nature for Aerodactyl
Jolly+SPE
EVs

Physical Stallbreaker Moveset

  • Stealth RockSTAB
  • TauntUtility
  • EarthquakeCoverage
  • TailwindUtility

Recommended Teammates

Greninja
GreninjaDecent
Weavile
WeavileDecent
Charizard-Mega-Y
Charizard-Mega-YDecent
→Gen VIII — Sword & Shield / BDSPC

No Mega form in Gen VIII (Sword & Shield). 130 Speed was still excellent but 105 Attack and quad-weak to Water and Ice held it back.

Gigantamax became availableDynamax became available
SRCMOVETYPECATPWRPOPROLE
TR10
Earthquake
Ground100COMMONCoverage
TR51
Dragon Dance
Dragon—COMMONUtility
Tutor
Dual Wingbeat
Flying40COMMONSTAB
Lv 20
Rock Slide
Rock75COMMONSTAB
Aerodactyl Sword & Shield MovesAerodactyl BDSP Moves
Experimental
Physical Setup Sweeper
Ability
Pressure
Item
Wacan BerryRECOVERY
Best Nature for Aerodactyl
Jolly+SPE
EVs

Physical Setup Sweeper Moveset

  • EarthquakeCoverage
  • Dragon Dance
  • Dual WingbeatSTAB
  • Rock SlideSTAB

Recommended Teammates

Gyarados
GyaradosGood
Starmie
StarmieGood
Gengar
GengarGood

Aerodactyl Weakness

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.

Aerodactyl Weakness and Resistance Chart
DamageTypes
2x (Weak)Water, Electric, Ice, Rock, Steel
0.5x (Resist)Normal, Fire, Poison, Flying, Bug
0x (Immune)Ground

What is Aerodactyl Weak Against

Avg
5Weak
5Resist
1Immune
Score-2
4xCritical
None
2xWeak
WaterElectricIceRockSteel
½xResist
NormalFirePoisonFlyingBug
¼xResist
None
0xImmune
Ground

What is Aerodactyl Strong Against

6Strong
1Resisted
0Immune
Score+5
2xStrong
FireGrassIceFightingFlyingBug
½xResisted
Steel
0xImmune
None

Best Pokemon Against Aerodactyl

Kyurem can KO Aerodactyl with Draco Meteor (90-106%). Swampert threatens a KO with Liquidation (128-150%). Rotom's Thunderbolt also KOs at 131-154%.

Evolution

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

No Evolution
Aerodactyl
#142AerodactylDoes not evolve

Breeding

Challenging

Breed Aerodactyl (with patience) with 73 breeding partners from the Flying egg group.

Egg Groups
Flying
Gender
♂87.5%♀12.5%
Hatch Time
35 cycles·8,995 steps
Slow~9 min with Flame Body
Breed With (best first)
togekisstogetichawluchaaltariaswannapelipperswoobatfarfetchdwoobatswabluarcheopsducklett
12 of 73·

How to Get Aerodactyl

All 20 games

No wild encounters for Aerodactyl in Legends: Z-A. It's available in Red & Blue, Yellow, or Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee and can be transferred over. The details below show where to find it.

Aerodactyl is not available as a wild encounter in this game.

Also Obtainable In:

Red & BlueGift · Cinnabar Island · Revive Old AmberYellowGift · Cinnabar Island · Revive Old AmberGold & SilverIn-game trade · Route 14 · Trade for (give Chansey)CrystalIn-game trade · Route 14 · Trade for (give Chansey)FireRed & LeafGreenGift · Cinnabar Island · Revive Old AmberDiamond & PearlGift · Oreburgh City · Revive Old Amber

Pokemon transfers only go forward through generations, never backward. Direct cross-gen trades aren't supported.

Base Stats

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.

Base Stats
High
HP80
C
Attack105
B
Defense65
C
Sp. Atk60
C
Sp. Def75
C
Speed130
A
Total515
Details
Catch Rate
Challenging45 / 255
Growth Rate
Slow1.25M XP
Height1.8 m
5'11"Average
Weight59.0 kg
130.1 lbsStandard
Base XP180
High Yield
Abilities
Rock Head
Protects against recoil damage.
Pressure
Increases the PP cost of moves targetting the Pokémon by one.
UnnerveHidden Ability
Prevents opposing Pokémon from eating held Berries.
EV Yield
HPAtkDefSpASpDSpe+2
Speed training target
Pokedex Entry

This is a ferocious Pokémon from ancient times. Apparently even modern technology is incapable of producing a perfectly restored specimen.

Pokemon Legends: Z-A

Aerodactyl Guide

  • We rate Aerodactyl B-Tier: a solid choice for the right team. 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.

  • Aerodactyl's biggest threats include Gyarados (Water), Raikou (Electric), and Lapras (Ice), all carrying super-effective STAB moves. Rock and Steel-type attackers are also a problem. With 5 weakness types, most competitive teams carry at least one counter.

  • 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.

Game Availability

Since debuting in Red & Blue, Aerodactyl has appeared in 20 titles over 10 generations. Along the way, it received a Mega form in Generation 6, keeping it relevant across different competitive metas.

Click a game to view version-specific details

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