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.
A vicious POKéMON from the distant past, it appears to have flown by spreading its wings and gliding.
This vicious POKéMON is said to have flown in ancient skies while shrieking high-pitched cries.
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
- Special stat split into Sp.Atk and Sp.Def
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 4 egg moves worth looking into.
How to Evolve
Breed Aerodactyl (with patience) with 19 breeding partners from the Flying egg group. Pass egg moves like Foresight, Pursuit, Steel Wing and 1 more to offspring.
Ground coverage keeps opponents guessing about Aerodactyl's real targets. Leftovers provides passive recovery each turn while flexible EVs EVs and a nature nature handle the stat profile. An ability ties it together.
Best Build
Best Aerodactyl Moveset
- Earthquake
- Ancient Power
- Hidden Power Rock
- Wing Attack
Recommended Teammates
Breeding's the move. Foresight and Pursuit 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 Wing Attack. The egg moves push it further.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
The way to get Aerodactyl in this game is through an NPC trade at Route 14. Bring the right Pokemon and it's yours. The details below list the exact trade requirements.
Best Locations
We rate Aerodactyl B-Tier — a solid choice for the right team. At 515 BST, it fits the support 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.
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 support.
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