QC:Jio / Carbonific
GP:GatoDelFuego
[OVERVIEW]
* Aerodactyl acts as a fast support Pokemon with access to Tailwind, Taunt, and Sky Drop to interfere with the opponent's team and to make space for teammates to sweep.
* Its ability, Unnerve, is very useful, as Aerodactyl is one of the only viable Unnerve users in VGC17 and can counter most Pokemon using berries.
* Aerodactyl is very frail, meaning it must run Focus Sash most of the time
* Rock typing gives decent offensive capabilities due to Arcanine being so common in VGC17.
* Its average Attack stat means it relies on its teammates to put on most of the team's offensive pressure.
* Aerodactyl faces competition from other Tailwind users like Mandibuzz and Talonflame which have better bulk and priority respectively.
[SET]
Name: Offensive Support
move 1: Rock Slide
move 2: Sky Drop
move 3: Tailwind
move 4: Protect / Taunt / Wide Guard
item: Focus Sash
ability: Unnerve
nature: Jolly
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
* Rock Slide has STAB, flinch chance, and covers the whole of the opponent's field, making it very useful to spread damage quickly.
* Sky Drop can remove a foe temporarily from the field, giving space for teammates to take care of another foe.
* Tailwind doubles the Speed of the team for four turns, aiding slower teammates.
* Protect ensures that Aerodactyl stays protected when a teammate switches in, takes down a threat, or gets free damage while punishing a double target.
* Taunt can be used to stop Trick Room setters like Porygon2 and Mimikyu and make sure Aerodactyl's Tailwind doesn't get countered easily. It can also interfere with setup sweepers like Snorlax, ruining their strategy.
* Wide Guard is mainly to cover the team from spreading moves like Rock Slide, Earthquake, Muddy Water, and Surf.
Set Details
========
* Focus Sash prevents OHKOs on Aerodactyl, as it is very prone to being OHKOed with its low Defense.
* Unnerve counters Berry users, which are very common in VGC17. Examples include Arcanine, Snorlax, Gastrodon, and Alolan Muk. It shines as the only viable Unnerve user in the metagame.
* Jolly nature maximizes Speed to benefit from Tailwind the most. 252 Speed EVs make Aerodactyl as fast as possible. 252 Attack EVs let Aerodactyl hit hard as possible with remaining EVs invested in HP.
Usage Tips
========
* Aerodactyl should most often be used as a lead, setting up Tailwind and spreading damage with Rock Slide until switching out.
* Preserving Aerodactyl's Focus Sash is important, as it gives Aerodactyl a lifeline to hang on to in case of an emergency.
* Be sure to remember some of Sky Drop's additional effects including nullifying moves like Follow Me and Rage Powder as well as the inability to hit Pokemon weighing more than 200kg like Celesteela, Mudsdale, and Snorlax.
* Playing aggressively with Aerodactyl works, as it can take advantage of Tailwind and spam Rock Slides. This can get it knocked out and a sweeper can switch in and take advantage of Tailwind quicker.
Team Options
========
* Pokemon that can make use of Tailwind are appreciated. Good choices are mainly Pokemon with middling Speed stats like Xurkitree, Tapu Lele, and Buzzwole.
* Ground-type Pokemon like Garchomp and Krookodile cover Aerodacty's weaknesses of Steel-, Rock-, and Electric-type Pokemon as well as being able to spam Earthquake with no care in the world. Gastrodon also redirects Water-type attacks, giving extra support.
* Steel-types like Kartana, Metagross, and Celesteela also resist most of Aerodactyl's weaknesses.
* If Aerodactyl isn't using Taunt then a Taunt user is appreciated to counter Trick Room. Pokemon like Mandibuzz, Whimsicott, and Tapu Lele are great Taunt users.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
* A more bulky set using Rockium Z with an EV spread of 228 HP / 28 Atk / 252 Spe could be used but sacrifices Attack power to increase bulk. Although, Continental Crush can OHKO Pokemon like Araquanid, Gyarados, and Alolan Marowak.
* Wide Lens can increase Rock Slide's accuracy to be 100 though it doesn't have any other use on Aerodactyl.
* Ice Fang is a coverage option for hitting Pokemon like Garchomp, Salamence, and Dragonite though hasn't got much other use outside of 4x effective hits.
* Smack Down alongside an Earthquake user also works to hit ungrounded foes though Rock Slide and Sky Drop are more useful most of the time.
* Flamethrower mainly can OHKO Kartana though it hasn't got much other use with Aerodactyl's low Special Attack stat.
* Taunt can be switched out with Whirlwind, as it is another option to stop setup sweepers and remove threats from the field when needed.
Checks and Counters
==============
**Bulky Rock- and Steel-types**: Rock-types and Steel-types resist most of Aerodactyl's moves and can hit Aerodactyl back for super effective damage, 2HKOing Aerodactyl in the process. Pokemon like Gigalith and Celesteela are the main threats. Pokemon like Buzzwole help deal with these Pokemon.
**Electric-types**: Electric-types like Tapu Koko can speed tie Aerodactyl and hit it back with super effective STAB Thunderbolt. Choice Scarf Xurkitree also outspeeds Aerodactyl and can hit Aerodactyl with Thunderbolt.
**Intimidate and Burns**: Intimidate and burns lower Aerodactyl's Attack, limiting its use even though the most common Intimidate user is a Fire-type.
**Trick Room**: Trick Room presents a major problem to Aerodactyl if it isn't using Taunt, as it takes away most of Aerodactyl's usefulness and lets down the whole team when Tailwind is active. Pokemon Like Porygon2 and Mimikyu are all effective users of Trick Room. Oranguru is especially problematic, as Inner Focus prevents Rock Slide's flinch chance.
**Fake Out Users**: Fake Out can counter Focus Sash and render Aerodactyl prone to attacks throughout the rest of the match. Pokemon like Hariyama, Togedemaru, and Alolan Raichu are good users of the move.
**Wide Guard Users**: Wide Guard counters Rock Slide and most users of the move also resist Sky Drop. Pokemon like Gigalith, Celesteela, and other Aerodactyl are the most prominent users of the move.
GP:GatoDelFuego
[OVERVIEW]
* Aerodactyl acts as a fast support Pokemon with access to Tailwind, Taunt, and Sky Drop to interfere with the opponent's team and to make space for teammates to sweep.
* Its ability, Unnerve, is very useful, as Aerodactyl is one of the only viable Unnerve users in VGC17 and can counter most Pokemon using berries.
* Aerodactyl is very frail, meaning it must run Focus Sash most of the time
* Rock typing gives decent offensive capabilities due to Arcanine being so common in VGC17.
* Its average Attack stat means it relies on its teammates to put on most of the team's offensive pressure.
* Aerodactyl faces competition from other Tailwind users like Mandibuzz and Talonflame which have better bulk and priority respectively.
[SET]
Name: Offensive Support
move 1: Rock Slide
move 2: Sky Drop
move 3: Tailwind
move 4: Protect / Taunt / Wide Guard
item: Focus Sash
ability: Unnerve
nature: Jolly
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
* Rock Slide has STAB, flinch chance, and covers the whole of the opponent's field, making it very useful to spread damage quickly.
* Sky Drop can remove a foe temporarily from the field, giving space for teammates to take care of another foe.
* Tailwind doubles the Speed of the team for four turns, aiding slower teammates.
* Protect ensures that Aerodactyl stays protected when a teammate switches in, takes down a threat, or gets free damage while punishing a double target.
* Taunt can be used to stop Trick Room setters like Porygon2 and Mimikyu and make sure Aerodactyl's Tailwind doesn't get countered easily. It can also interfere with setup sweepers like Snorlax, ruining their strategy.
* Wide Guard is mainly to cover the team from spreading moves like Rock Slide, Earthquake, Muddy Water, and Surf.
Set Details
========
* Focus Sash prevents OHKOs on Aerodactyl, as it is very prone to being OHKOed with its low Defense.
* Unnerve counters Berry users, which are very common in VGC17. Examples include Arcanine, Snorlax, Gastrodon, and Alolan Muk. It shines as the only viable Unnerve user in the metagame.
* Jolly nature maximizes Speed to benefit from Tailwind the most. 252 Speed EVs make Aerodactyl as fast as possible. 252 Attack EVs let Aerodactyl hit hard as possible with remaining EVs invested in HP.
Usage Tips
========
* Aerodactyl should most often be used as a lead, setting up Tailwind and spreading damage with Rock Slide until switching out.
* Preserving Aerodactyl's Focus Sash is important, as it gives Aerodactyl a lifeline to hang on to in case of an emergency.
* Be sure to remember some of Sky Drop's additional effects including nullifying moves like Follow Me and Rage Powder as well as the inability to hit Pokemon weighing more than 200kg like Celesteela, Mudsdale, and Snorlax.
* Playing aggressively with Aerodactyl works, as it can take advantage of Tailwind and spam Rock Slides. This can get it knocked out and a sweeper can switch in and take advantage of Tailwind quicker.
Team Options
========
* Pokemon that can make use of Tailwind are appreciated. Good choices are mainly Pokemon with middling Speed stats like Xurkitree, Tapu Lele, and Buzzwole.
* Ground-type Pokemon like Garchomp and Krookodile cover Aerodacty's weaknesses of Steel-, Rock-, and Electric-type Pokemon as well as being able to spam Earthquake with no care in the world. Gastrodon also redirects Water-type attacks, giving extra support.
* Steel-types like Kartana, Metagross, and Celesteela also resist most of Aerodactyl's weaknesses.
* If Aerodactyl isn't using Taunt then a Taunt user is appreciated to counter Trick Room. Pokemon like Mandibuzz, Whimsicott, and Tapu Lele are great Taunt users.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
* A more bulky set using Rockium Z with an EV spread of 228 HP / 28 Atk / 252 Spe could be used but sacrifices Attack power to increase bulk. Although, Continental Crush can OHKO Pokemon like Araquanid, Gyarados, and Alolan Marowak.
* Wide Lens can increase Rock Slide's accuracy to be 100 though it doesn't have any other use on Aerodactyl.
* Ice Fang is a coverage option for hitting Pokemon like Garchomp, Salamence, and Dragonite though hasn't got much other use outside of 4x effective hits.
* Smack Down alongside an Earthquake user also works to hit ungrounded foes though Rock Slide and Sky Drop are more useful most of the time.
* Flamethrower mainly can OHKO Kartana though it hasn't got much other use with Aerodactyl's low Special Attack stat.
* Taunt can be switched out with Whirlwind, as it is another option to stop setup sweepers and remove threats from the field when needed.
Checks and Counters
==============
**Bulky Rock- and Steel-types**: Rock-types and Steel-types resist most of Aerodactyl's moves and can hit Aerodactyl back for super effective damage, 2HKOing Aerodactyl in the process. Pokemon like Gigalith and Celesteela are the main threats. Pokemon like Buzzwole help deal with these Pokemon.
**Electric-types**: Electric-types like Tapu Koko can speed tie Aerodactyl and hit it back with super effective STAB Thunderbolt. Choice Scarf Xurkitree also outspeeds Aerodactyl and can hit Aerodactyl with Thunderbolt.
**Intimidate and Burns**: Intimidate and burns lower Aerodactyl's Attack, limiting its use even though the most common Intimidate user is a Fire-type.
**Trick Room**: Trick Room presents a major problem to Aerodactyl if it isn't using Taunt, as it takes away most of Aerodactyl's usefulness and lets down the whole team when Tailwind is active. Pokemon Like Porygon2 and Mimikyu are all effective users of Trick Room. Oranguru is especially problematic, as Inner Focus prevents Rock Slide's flinch chance.
**Fake Out Users**: Fake Out can counter Focus Sash and render Aerodactyl prone to attacks throughout the rest of the match. Pokemon like Hariyama, Togedemaru, and Alolan Raichu are good users of the move.
**Wide Guard Users**: Wide Guard counters Rock Slide and most users of the move also resist Sky Drop. Pokemon like Gigalith, Celesteela, and other Aerodactyl are the most prominent users of the move.
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