Utility
Setup Sweeper
515High
130Very Fast
CTier

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 4 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.

Base Stats
515High
HP80
C
Attack105
B
Defense65
C
Sp. Atk60
C
Sp. Def75
C
Speed130
A
Total515
Low <60
Avg 60-89
High 90-149
Top 150+
EV YieldDefeating Aerodactyl yields +2 Spe
HPAtkDefSpASpDSpe+2
Details
Catch45Challenging•Slow1.25M XP•1.8m / 5'11"•59kg / 130.1 lbs•180Base XP
Pokedex Entries

A ferocious, prehistoric POKéMON that goes for the enemy’s throat with its serrated saw-like fangs.

Red / Blue

Aerodactyl Weakness

Good

Type-wise, Aerodactyl takes extra damage from Water, Electric, Ice, and Rock. Ground moves do nothing thanks to a full immunity. 5 resistances help offset the weaknesses.

Gen I Type Chart
  • Only 15 types exist — Dark, Steel, and Fairy are absent
  • Ghost has no effect on Psychic (a known bug, fixed in Gen II)
  • Special stat governs both offense and defense — no Sp.Atk / Sp.Def split
4xCriticali
None
2xWeaki
WaterElectricIceRock
½xResisti
NormalFirePoisonFlyingBug
¼xResisti
None
0xImmunei
Ground
STAB (6)i
FireIceFlyingBugGrassFighting
4Weak
5Resist
1Immune
Scorei0
Stealth Rock25% on switch
Abilities
Rock HeadProtects against recoil damage.
PressureIncreases the PP cost of moves targetting the Pokémon by one.
UnnerveHAPrevents opposing Pokémon from eating held Berries.

No chain, no eggs. Aerodactyl is a standalone Rock/Flying type with 515 stats that falls outside normal breeding mechanics.

How to Evolve

No Evolution
Aerodactyl
#142AerodactylDoes not evolve
Breeding not available · Introduced in Gen 2

utility options keeps opponents guessing about Aerodactyl's real targets. An item provides extra utility while flexible EVs EVs and a nature nature handle the stat profile. An ability ties it together.

Best Build

Utility
Ability
Not in Gen 1
Item
Not in Gen 1
Nature
Not in Gen 1

Best Aerodactyl Moveset

  • Fire Blast
  • Hyper Beam
  • Double Edge
  • SubstituteUtility

Recommended Teammates

Tauros
TaurosDecent
Gengar
GengarDecent
Chansey
ChanseyDecent

TMs carry this one. Aerodactyl learns Sky Attack and Fly naturally for STAB, but the offensive range comes almost entirely from technical machines. Dark and Normal and beyond give it real matchup play.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1
Agility
——30Psychic
Lv 1
Wing Attack
3510035Flying
Lv 33
Supersonic
—5520Normal
Lv 38
Bite
6010025Normal
Lv 45
Take Down
908520Normal
Lv 54
Hyper Beam
150905Normal

TM Moves

Src
TM34
Bide+1
——10Normal
TM32
Double Team
——15Normal
TM10
Double-Edge
12010015Normal
TM23
Dragon Rage
—10010Dragon
TM38
Fire Blast
120855Fire
HM02
Fly
709515Flying
TM15
Hyper Beam
150905Normal
TM31
Mimic
——10Normal
TM20
Rage
2010020Normal
TM02
Razor Wind
8010010Normal
TM33
Reflect
——20Psychic
TM44
Rest
——10Psychic
TM43
Sky Attack
140905Flying
TM50
Substitute
——10Normal
TM39
Swift
60—20Normal
TM09
Take Down
908520Normal
TM06
Toxic
—9010Poison
TM04
Whirlwind-6
——20Normal

Egg Moves

Aerodactyl doesn't have any Egg moves

Tutor Moves

Aerodactyl can't learn any Tutor moves

No searching required for Aerodactyl. You receive it at Cinnabar Island from an NPC. No wild encounters exist in this game, so just head to the right spot when you're ready and it's yours.

Best Locations

Cinnabar Island - Pokémon Lab
RedGift from NPCLv.30LimitedMidWaterRevive Old Amber
MODERATE
Cinnabar Island - Pokémon Lab
BlueGift from NPCLv.30LimitedMidWaterRevive Old Amber
MODERATE

  • We rate Aerodactyl C-Tier — a situational pick that fills a niche. At 515 BST, it fits the setup sweeper role. Base 130 Speed stands out.

  • Aerodactyl's biggest threats include Gyarados (Water), Raikou (Electric), and Lapras (Ice), all carrying super-effective STAB moves. Rock-type attackers are also a problem.

  • 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 leaning toward the physical side (base 105 Attack). Defensively? Enough bulk to take a hit or two. Best used as a setup 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.