Statistics
|
Stat |
| HP |
80
|
363 |
| Atk |
105
|
308 |
| Def |
65
|
228 |
| Spc |
60
|
218 |
| Spe |
130
|
358 |
A combination of Double-Edge followed by Hyper Beam will do a lot to many Pokémon, especially after taking Aerodactyl's huge critical hit rate into consideration. Fire Blast has a 30% chance to burn whatever switches in, assuming it hits, which can royally screw Golem and Rhydon, as well as Onix in UU, and Mimic can be useful to get Earthquake from the aforementioned Rock Pokémon.
Other Options
Supersonic has a 55% chance to hit and confuse the opponent, which can be your saving grace. Fly is a bit of a novelty option that could work as a STAB attack. Wing Attack is another option as a STAB attack that you probably shouldn't use, since it isn't very good in RBY with only 35 base power.
Opinion
Aerodactyl is the second fastest Pokémon in the game (tied with Jolteon and Mewtwo), and packs a good Attack stat, a decent typing (Rock/Flying), and a CH ratio of roughly 25%. However, what's good about Aerodactyl pales in comparison to what's bad about it. Its defenses and HP are decidedly mediocre; expect it to eat a healthy chunk of damage from Hyper Beams and die to Explosions despite Normal resistance. It is weak to Ice/Water/Electric attacks which are everywhere in the RBY metagame and it easily has one of the worst movepools in the game. Luckily, being fast, it makes it hard for things that are already hurt to switch in, as they are most likely going to take 2 hits. Its unique typing and high Attack make it a strong UU choice, but all it has in standard play is its Speed.
Counters
Aerodactyl can't effectively damage Gengar. Rhydon and Golem are second on the counters list for pretty much the same reason: Aerodactyl has a hard time damaging them. Starmie, Kabutops, Omastar, Lapras, Slowbro... practically any Water Pokémon that can take a hit and deliver a Surf is a counter as well. Another way to counter Aerodactyl is to paralyze it, thus removing the only advantage it would otherwise have (Speed).
