[OVERVIEW]
Aerodactyl is one of the fastest viable Tailwind users in the metagame as well as one of the few viable Wide Guard users. Aerodactyl distinguishes itself from other Tailwind users with its unique set of support options and its high Speed, with, for example, Wide Guard allowing it to set up Tailwind more reliably against Landorus-T, which threatens most setters with Rock Slide. Aerodactyl's Speed can allow it to outrun Shaymin-S, which Aerodactyl can actually threaten out, so Aerodactyl will never be stopped by a flinch from Air Slash when trying to set up Tailwind. Aerodactyl is also one of the only viable Tailwind users that can OHKO Mega Charizard Y without a damage-boosting item. Aerodactyl is able to disrupt hyper offensive teams really well due to its access to a fast Tailwind as well as Sky Drop. However, Aerodactyl is weak to many common attacking types, and this, combined with its mediocre defenses, makes it very reliant on its Focus Sash. Aerodactyl is also very vulnerable to speed control; Thundurus, in particular, can immobilize Aerodactyl with Prankster Thunder Wave, leaving it slow and vulnerable. Aerodactyl's typing also makes it weak to Icy Wind, which will cripple Aerodactyl immensely, as its Speed is one of its selling points. Aerodactyl also doesn't fit as easily onto most teams as other Tailwind users, such as Togekiss, and it is also very weak to rain teams.
[SET]
name: Offensive Support
move 1: Rock Slide / Stone Edge
move 2: Tailwind
move 3: Wide Guard / Taunt / Sky Drop
move 4: Protect / Taunt / Sky Drop
item: Focus Sash
ability: Unnerve
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
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Rock Slide can be used to aim for flinches and bypass redirection, while Stone Edge allows Aerodactyl to reliably check Mega Charizard Y in case it is paired with a Wide Guard user. Stone Edge's higher power can allow Aerodactyl to OHKO Pokemon such as Rotom-H and pick off frailer threats such as Mega Gardevoir. Tailwind allows Aerodactyl, and potentially its partner, to outrun the entire unboosted metagame. Wide Guard protects against spread moves such as Rock Slide. Taunt can be used to shut down opposing status moves, such as Tailwind, Trick Room, Will-O-Wisp, Protect, and setup moves. Sky Drop disrupts the foe and can protect Aerodactyl's partner for a turn or allow it to double target a foe once it lands. Protect stalls out opposing Tailwind or Trick Room and allows Aerodactyl to scout for Fake Out.
Set Details
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Aerodactyl has very mediocre defenses, so it is not beneficial to invest into them at all. Maximum Speed EVs with a Jolly nature ensure that Aerodactyl is the fastest it can be so that it can set up Tailwind. Maximum Attack EVs allow Aerodactyl to hit as hard as possible without hindering its Speed. Focus Sash is the preferred item because Aerodactyl is very frail, meaning most super effective hits will OHKO it. Unnerve allows Aerodactyl to stop Berries, such as the common Sitrus Berry, which is crucial to many bulky support Pokemon, from activating.
Usage Tips
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Aerodactyl works great as a lead, as a first-turn Tailwind applies massive pressure to the opposing team. Aerodactyl should not be switched into attacks due to its terrible bulk and the potential for its Focus Sash to be broken. Aerodactyl should use Sky Drop to give its partner an easier time of setting up or when it needs to disrupt a Pokemon. Sky Drop also allows Aerodactyl's partner to ignore the effects of Rage Powder and Follow Me, but you must keep in mind that Sky Drop will fail against Pokemon weighing 200 kg or more. Don't fall victim to using Tailwind needlessly; only use it when needed. Thanks to Aerodactyl's great Speed and access to Tailwind and Rock Slide, it works really well with its partner for a late-game cleanup.
Team Options
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Powerful Pokemon that aren't particularly fast, such as Mega Kangaskhan, Mega Charizard Y, Mega Gardevoir, Sylveon, and Landorus, are great partners for Aerodactyl, as they benefit greatly from Tailwind. Mega Kangaskhan is especially good due to its Fake Out support increasing Aerodactyl's chances of setting up Tailwind. Aerodactyl's Sky Drop support can allow Mega Kangaskhan to set up Power-Up Punch more easily by removing a threat; Aerodactyl's Unnerve can also allow Mega Kangaskhan to KO Pokemon that have been EVed to survive a Return or Double-Edge with Sitrus Berry activating in between hits. Setup sweepers, such as Mega Kangaskhan and Azumarill, generally are good partners with Aerodactyl because Aerodactyl can use Sky Drop to remove a threat to the setup sweeper, allowing it to set up more easily. Many Steel-types, such as Aegislash and Heatran, are great partners for Aerodactyl, as they benefit greatly from Aerodactyl's Wide Guard support and ability to check Fire-types. Heatran can cover most of Aerodactyl's weaknesses and shares only one weakness. Heatran also greatly appreciates Tailwind and Wide Guard support. Offensive Lightningrod users, such as Mega Manectric prior to Mega Evolving, help to draw in Electric-type attacks aimed at Aerodactyl. Landorus is a great partner for Aerodactyl, as it is a great attacker under Tailwind and is able to check opposing Landorus-T and Steel-types, which threaten Aerodactyl.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
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Mega Aerodactyl can be used, but it is very outclassed, and the only reason it should be used is for its insane Speed. Earthquake can be used to hit Steel-types such as Heatran, while Aerial Ace is another STAB option for Grass-types should Aerodactyl choose not to use Sky Drop. Stealth Rock is an option to disrupt Mega Charizard Y and Talonflame. Life Orb or Mental Herb are alternative item choices, but Focus Sash is usually preferred. Iron Head is an option to hit Rock-types, most notably Mega Diancie.
Checks and Counters
=================
**Speed**: While Aerodactyl naturally outspeeds nearly the entire unboosted metagame, anything that can outspeed it can usually bring it down to its Focus Sash. Weather sweepers, such as Ludicolo in rain, Excadrill in sand, and Venusaur in sun, can outspeed Aerodactyl when their respective weathers are up and bring it down to its Focus Sash. Common Choice Scarf users, such as Landorus-T, can outspeed Aerodactyl and threaten to bring it down to its Focus Sash. Priority moves, most notably Aqua Jet from Azumarill, can also bring Aerodactyl down to its Focus Sash. Deoxys-A, a common Pokemon that actually outspeeds Aerodactyl, can deal massive damage to it with Ice Beam.
**Speed Control**: Paralysis completely cripples Aerodactyl. Icy Wind also cripples Aerodactyl by hitting it super effectively and lowering its Speed. Trick Room checkmates Aerodactyl because it is so fast and doesn't have the bulk to withstand multiple hits if Trick Room goes up.
**Typing Advantage**: Because Aerodactyl is so frail, most super effective hits will either OHKO it or do massive damage. Rotom-W, one of Aerodactyl's biggest checks, can easily OHKO it with Hydro Pump or Thunderbolt. Bulky Water-types in general, such as Azumarill and Suicune, can easily OHKO Aerodactyl. Steel-types such as Ferrothorn, Aegislash, and Mega Metagross can counter Aerodactyl pretty nicely, as they are able to take its attacks with relative ease and force it out with a Steel-type move; Aegislash, in particular, has access to Wide Guard, which can prevent Aerodactyl from damaging the foe with Rock Slide. Aerodactyl can, however, run Taunt to prevent Aegislash from using Wide Guard, Substitute, and King's Shield.
**Intimidate and Burns**: Aerodactyl hits decently hard, but if it gets burned or Intimidated, its damage output goes down immensely, and it has no way of boosting it back up except by switching if Intimidated. Intimidate users, such as Landorus-T and Mawile, can easily switch in and threaten Aerodactyl. Pokemon such as Rotom-W can also threaten Aerodactyl with a burn or outright OHKO it.
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