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.
AERODACTYL is a POKéMON from the age of dinosaurs. It was regenerated from DNA extracted from amber. It is imagined to have been the king of the skies.
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.
- Dark and Steel types added — Fairy does not exist yet
- Moves are Physical or Special based on type, not per move
Aerodactyl is what you get. No evolutions, but it breeds through one egg group with a decent partner pool. Hatching is slow to hatch. It's got 6 egg moves worth looking into.
How to Evolve
Breed Aerodactyl (with patience) with 25 breeding partners from the Flying egg group. Pass egg moves like Curse, Dragon Breath, Foresight and 3 more to offspring.
Prediction matters here. Choice Band means Aerodactyl can't change moves after clicking, but the payoff is raw power at the cost of move flexibility. Max Attack and Speed EVs with Rockhead back that up. Ground coverage prevents free switches.
Best Build
Best Aerodactyl Moveset
- Earthquake
- Rock Slide
- Double Edge
- Hidden Power Flying
Recommended Teammates
Breeding's the move. Curse and Dragon Breath give Aerodactyl options it can't learn any other way, and coverage across 7 types already covers a decent range on top of Fly and Rock Slide. The egg moves push it further.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
No wild encounters for Aerodactyl in Emerald. It's available in Red, Yellow, or Let's Go Pikachu and can be transferred over. The details below show where to find it.
We rate Aerodactyl A-Tier — a strong competitive pick. 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
