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.
This is a ferocious Pokémon from ancient times. Apparently even modern technology is incapable of producing a perfectly restored specimen.
Aerodactyl’s sawlike fangs can shred skin to tatters—even the skin of Steel-type Pokémon.
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.
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 39 breeding partners from the Flying egg group. Pass egg moves like Curse, Dragon Breath, Roost and 3 more to offspring.
The game plan is straightforward: click Dragon Dance, then sweep. Heavy-Duty Boots and Rockhead support the setup turn. EVs go into max Attack and Speed so Aerodactyl hits hard once it's boosted.
Best Build
Best Aerodactyl Moveset
- Earthquake
- Stone Edge
- Dual Wingbeat
- Dragon Dance
Recommended Teammates
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.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
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 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