[SET]
name: Lead
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Taunt
move 3: Earthquake
move 4: Rock Slide
item: Focus Sash
ability: Pressure
nature: Jolly
evs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Aerodactyl has remained a constant threat in OU, having found its niche as a
(omit " " ") suicide lead
(omit " " "). With access to Taunt and Stealth Rock, Aerodactyl can prevent opposing Pokemon from setting up, giving you time to put up your own Stealth Rock. You can then attempt to batter your opponent with either Aerodactyl or the other members of your team.<p>
<p>Aerodactyl can rarely take more than a hit or two with no EV investment
in its defenses, turning Focus Sash into the only viable item. It not only gives Aerodactyl a second chance if Taunt is misused, but it allows Aerodactyl to survive hits from faster Pokemon, usually equipped with Choice Scarf.</p>
<p>A team with Aerodactyl also benefits from strong Ghost-types who can block Rapid Spin. Gengar and Rotom-H are excellent examples, being able to dish out damage while simultaneously blocking Rapid Spin.</p>
<p>
Some common counters to watch out for are Choice Scarf Jirachi and Metagross, who can both 2HKO Aerodactyl with Iron Head or Meteor Mash and Bullet Punch respectively. Bronzong takes very little damage from all of Aerodactyl's attacks and can
also easily 2HKO Aerodactyl with Gyro Ball. Pokemon like Mamoswine can Stealth Rock or Ice Shard, putting Aerodactyl in a dilemma of either Taunting first or setting up Stealth Rock. Aerodactyl also has to watch out for other lead
Aerodactyl, as
the advantage is decided by the Speed tie. If fighting an opposing Aerodactyl, it would be wise Taunt first to try and stop their Stealth Rock.</p>
[SET]
name: Choice Band
move 1: Earthquake
move 2: Stone Edge
move 3: Aqua Tail
move 4: Fire Fang
item: Choice Band
ability: Pressure
nature: Jolly
evs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>
(omit "A") Base 130 Speed coupled with
(omit "a base") 105 Attack and an outstanding movepool
cannot be ignored. These factors make Aerodactyl an
excellent (repetitive) Pokemon to equip a Choice Band
. (omit "to.").</p>
<p>Unlike the lead set, Aerodactyl has enough power to take out many top threats, whether they be defensively or offensively
orientated. For example, Aqua Tail
has a chance to 2HKO Hippowdon, assuming Hippowdon has taken prior damage in the form of Spikes
(omit ",") (Hippowdon can and will survive maximum damage from Aqua Tail twice even with Stealth Rock factored in; one layer of Spikes gives Hippowdon enough prior damage to be 2HKOed). Even Bronzong, a Pokemon that previously walled Aerodactyl without any trouble at all, has a small chance to be 2HKOed by Fire Fang, assuming it has taken Stealth Rock damage twice.</p>
<p>Like any Pokemon using Choice Band, Stealth Rock and Spikes support
are well appreciated, especially on a Pokemon like Aerodactyl, who's 2HKOs against the top defensive Pokemon rely solely on
(omit "the") entry hazards. Attacks like
U-turn from Flygon or Scizor would also help Aerodactyl out a great deal, being able to weaken
(omit "down") opposing Pokemon until they are weak enough for Aerodactyl to knock out in one shot.</p>
<p>
(omit "Pokemon like") Mamoswine can survive some of Aerodactyl's strong attacks and hit back with Ice Shard. Other Pokemon
like Empoleon
(omit ",") can merely resist Aerodactyl's attacks and set up a sweep. Empoleon can then simply OHKO Aerodactyl back with Surf
, ready to deal some heavy damage. A bulky Water-type such as Suicune can handle these problems fairly well.</p>
[SET]
name: SubRoost
move 1: Substitute
move 2: Roost
move 3: Taunt / Whirlwind
move 4: Rock Slide / Whirlwind
item: Leftovers
ability: Pressure
nature: Jolly
evs: 208 HP / 48 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Aerodactyl's Speed, resistances, and ability, Pressure, give it all the right tools to run a successful Substitute and Roost set. The goal of this set is to set up sandstorm and bring in Aerodactyl on a resisted attack, such as Fire Blast or Return, or even an
immunity, such as Earthquake. From there, Aerodactyl can usually set up Substitute
with his base 130 Speed stat, and attempt to stall out the opponent's PP
with Pressure. To ensure that Aerodactyl can continue making Substitutes, Roost is a necessity on the set. With sandstorm boosting Aerodactyl's Special Defense to a respectable level, Aerodactyl can feel free to
(omit "actually") use Roost
(omit ", even") when not protected by a Substitute.</p>
<p>The other two attacks on the set are almost as important as Substitute and Roost. Taunt prevents any Pokemon from using
any phazing or healing moves, which can be a major asset if Aerodactyl is used in conjunction with
entry hazards. With
a sandstorm brewing, Aerodactyl will quickly eat up an opponent's health. Rock Slide is used to help damage
any Flying-type or Levitating Pokemon,
(omit "such as Zapdos,") who have an immunity to Toxic Spikes. Rock Slide
can also
flinch other Pokemon as a small side bonus. Whirlwind could be used over either move
(omit ",") as it allows Aerodactyl to outspeed and drive away other
(omit " " ") phazers
(omit " ", ") like Skarmory or Swampert. Taunt does this as well, but Whirlwind has the advantage of possibly bringing in Pokemon that take severe damage from entry hazards.</p>
<p>This Aerodactyl set clearly benefits from entry hazards, as Pressure, Taunt, and Whirlwind will cause all kind of havoc and force plenty of switches.
(omit "A") Tyranitar with Pursuit or
(omit "a") Hippowdon with Roar also are needed, not only to set up sandstorm, but to also kill Ghost-types, and in Hippowdon's case, force more switches.</p>
<p>Scizor is a huge threat to Aerodactyl, as Bullet Punch will kill Aerodactyl before it has the opportunity to Roost.
(omit "A") Magnezone can
(omit "also") trap Scizor and kill it, with either a Choice Scarf or Substitute set.
(sentences swapped to stay on point, Scizor first, synergy next) Magnezone
also is a great partner
for Aerodactyl, as it hosts plenty of resistances and an immunity to fit into a stall team. Metagross and Tyranitar are also big threats, immune to sandstorm damage and can take out Aerodactyl with their STAB attacks. Skarmory can usually switch in on either of them and use Spikes to create even more entry hazards. Aerodactyl has to be careful of
Speed ties with Jolteon and other Aerodactyl.</p>
[Team Options]
<p>When using the Lead Aerodactyl, offensive teammates that rely on an early Stealth Rock are usually the best partners. Swords Dance Lucario, Dragon Dance Salamence, and Dragon Dance Gyarados all make appropriate partners, giving your team a fast paced tempo and using Stealth Rock to turn some 2HKOs into OHKOs. Bullet Punch Scizor is usually a big pain for Aerodactyl, especially if you planned on using Aerodactyl's Speed to your advantage later. (omit "Choice Scarf") Magnezone can trap Scizor locked into Bullet Punch and KO with Hidden Power Fire or Thunderbolt. Magnezone can also trap Aerodactyl's biggest threat, Choice Scarf Jirachi locked into Iron Head, and kill it with more Hidden Power Fire or Thunderbolt.</p>
<p>If you plan to use the SubRoost set, a team focused on entry hazards is the ideal team for Aerodactyl. Sandstorm boosts Aerodactyl's Special Defense by 150%, while slowly taking away health from opposing Pokemon. Magnezone and Skarmory can both handle physical attackers who prevent Aerodactyl from setting up Substitute. Celebi with Reflect also makes a great partner, being able to take the Electric-type attacks thrown at Aerodactyl. When Reflect is up, Aerodactyl should have enough Defense to set up on most attacks.</p>
[Other Options]
<p>A Life Orb set with Fire Blast could work on Aerodactyl, especially with Aerodactyl's high Speed and a decent base 60 Special Attack stat. However, Salamence's neutrality to Bullet Punch, better attacks in the form of Draco Meteor and Outrage, higher stats, and Salamence's ability, Intimidate, largely outclass Aerodactyl.</p>
<p>Double-Edge can be used on the Choice Band set with Rock Head as the ability. Double-Edge has a neutrality edge on Aerodactyl's other attacks and can be used to lighten the need for prediction.</p>
<p>A set focused on Curse and White Herb could have some success, especially in sandstorm where both of Aerodactyl's defenses would be raised. Unfortunately, Salamence and Gyarados can all use Dragon Dance to be stronger and faster than Aerodactyl, and while Aerodactyl would have increased bulk from Curse, Aerodactyl's weakness to Steel-, Ice-, and Water-type attacks severely hinder Aerodactyl.</p>
[EVs]
<p>Aerodactyl should only focus on Speed and Attack, either to make sure Stealth Rock is on the field, or for quickly hitting the opponent. The only exception to this case is the SubRoost set, where increasing Aerodactyl's defenses over Attack give Aerodactyl a much better chance to set up Substitute or use Roost.</p>
[Opinion]
<p>Aerodactyl will always be known as the fastest Stealth Rock lead in the game, with the exception of Choice Scarfers with Stealth Rock. With Stealth Rock being a move that many teams build around, even if they don't know they are, Aerodactyl will continue to be a very popular lead. While the other sets listed are viable, Aerodactyl will always do its job as a lead, laying Stealth Rock quickly and Taunting other Pokemon. With this in mind, it is no wonder that Aerodactyl is constantly a top five lead.</p>
[Counters]
<p>Bullet Punch Scizor doesn't care one inch about Aerodactyl's high Speed and will quickly Bullet Punch Aerodactyl to oblivion. Metagross can do this as well, and doesn't have to worry as much about the odd Fire Blast being thrown out. Mamoswine can Ice Shard Aerodactyl very easily and much like Scizor and Metagross, will be able to take a hit. Weavile can Ice Shard as well.</p>
<p>If you don't want to rely on priority to defeat Aerodactyl, Rotom-A and Swampert make excellent (omit "pure") counters. Forretress and Bronzong can both use Gyro Ball to eliminate Aerodactyl, but the former has to be wary of Fire Fang or Fire Blast. Pokemon with Choice Scarf can either revenge kill (omit "Aerodactyl") or lure in Aerodactyl for the KO (omit "and kill it"). If you plan on attempting to draw out Aerodactyl like that, be sure to keep the fact that you are using Choice Scarf hidden.</p>
<p>Lead Aerodactyl has a big role of predicting correctly. If it wastes a turn using Taunt against a Pokemon that decides to just try and kill Aerodactyl, you have potentially just wasted a free turn. However, forgoing Taunt to use Stealth Rock or an attack may give them a free turn to set up, making the choice of Aerodactyl as a lead worthless. In cases like these, it is often better to use Taunt, as the support move they might be running will likely be a lot more harmful to a team than their Pokemon killing Aerodactyl.</p>
