Pokémon Aerodactyl

[El Coqui]

As for the moves we know that it gets that make contact:
Crunch (106-ish BP after boost)
Iron Head (106-ish BP after boost)
Aerial Ace (80 BP after boost)
The Fangs (86-ish BP after boost)
Dragon Claw (106-ish BP after Boost)
Aqua Tail (119-ish BP after boost)(once pokebank comes out)

It has good power and coverage with these moves as well as its 135 base Attack. Let's not forget about its fantastic speed and respectable bulk that allows it to take a priority attack or two. I'm not sure what's so underwhelming or useless about that.

I think the underwhelming part comes not getting good TC+Stab the way ZardX does (for example). Where it to have at least Acrobatics or actually get Bravebird would be great. On the other side the only contact Rock move (i can think of) is HeadSmash which does heavy recoil. Sure the moves you listed above work but overall you are getting the same boost you would if you were running Banded or something (which would have close to similar dmg output). Its like Tyrantrum getting StrongJaw but no STAB moves to abuse SJ (though the boost is equivalent to stab). Which is why most will seitch to Rockhead Tyrant when released.

I agree the speed and power is great but had Megadactyl kept something like Rockhead, heck give it Moldbreaker and rename ToughClaws to ToughFind for MegaGyra it could be better

 

[ColtCababa]

I'm having an issue with 4MSS with Mega Aerodactyl. Here's what I'm running currently:

Aerodactyl @ Aerodactylite
Adamant Nature
EVs: 252 Atk/4 Def/252 Spe (even at an adamant nature, he outspeeds Timid Mega Gengar when you invest in max speed EVs)
Moves:
Rock Slide (STAB move + flinch chance)
Crunch (for Ghost/Psychics and possible defense drop)
Ice Fang (for Dragon/Flying/Ground/Grass types and flinch or freeze chance)
Iron Head (Fairy, Ice and Rock type Pokemon with flinch chance)

...but I miss having Earthquake to deal with Electric types, which seems to be Aerodactyl's biggest problem at the moment. I don't know which move to replace it with, since all of the moves he has right now can deal with so many threats, but he can be quickly revenge-killed by an electric type, and I'd like to deal with them personally.

I've noticed a similar problem. I think Mega Dactyl is best off running coverage moves instead of setting up. This is an improved set I had in mind:

Aerodactyl @ Aerodactylite
Adamant Nature
252 ATK / 4 DEF / 252 SPE

- Stone Edge/Rock Slide
- Earthquake
- Ice Fang
- Aerial Ace

This basically gives it all the coverage it needs. While a perfectly-accurate Stone Edge sounds nice, it isn't worth getting walled easier for. Earthquake lets it deal with the aforementioned Electric types, as well as Heatran. Ice Fang lets it handle Gliscor, Garchomp, Landorus-T, and Dragon/Flying types. And finally, Aerial Ace 2HKOs Physically Defensive Mega Venusaur, and prevents it from being walled by other Grass types such as Chesnaught and Tangrowth.

 

[El Coqui]

I've noticed a similar problem. I think Mega Dactyl is best off running coverage moves instead of setting up. This is an improved set I had in mind:

Aerodactyl @ Aerodactylite
Adamant Nature
252 ATK / 4 DEF / 252 SPE

- Stone Edge/Rock Slide
- Earthquake
- Ice Fang
- Aerial Ace

This basically gives it all the coverage it needs. While a perfectly-accurate Stone Edge sounds nice, it isn't worth getting walled easier for. Earthquake lets it deal with the aforementioned Electric types, as well as Heatran. Ice Fang lets it handle Gliscor, Garchomp, Landorus-T, and Dragon/Flying types. And finally, Aerial Ace 2HKOs Physically Defensive Mega Venusaur, and prevents it from being walled by other Grass types such as Chesnaught and Tangrowth.

This set does just that...cover your bases. Id like to use a Roost set but its between losing Fire-Fang or EQ because id say IceFang and AerialAce should be standard

 

[WhiteZekrom786]

Maybe I'm desperate for Mega Aerodactyl to have some other option, but is Fly a decent option? If it's not boosted by Tough Claws then never mind.

 

[zachmac]

Maybe I'm desperate for Mega Aerodactyl to have some other option, but is Fly a decent option? If it's not boosted by Tough Claws then never mind.

It does make physical contact, but it's also screaming for any pokemon who resist flying to swap in.

Two turn attakcs usually shouldn't be considered for competitive play, except in rare occasions like DD Gyarados, who was desperate for a way to hurt Ferrothorn.

 

[kabbes]

I've noticed a similar problem. I think Mega Dactyl is best off running coverage moves instead of setting up. This is an improved set I had in mind:

Aerodactyl @ Aerodactylite
Adamant Nature
252 ATK / 4 DEF / 252 SPE

- Stone Edge/Rock Slide
- Earthquake
- Ice Fang
- Aerial Ace

This basically gives it all the coverage it needs. While a perfectly-accurate Stone Edge sounds nice, it isn't worth getting walled easier for. Earthquake lets it deal with the aforementioned Electric types, as well as Heatran. Ice Fang lets it handle Gliscor, Garchomp, Landorus-T, and Dragon/Flying types. And finally, Aerial Ace 2HKOs Physically Defensive Mega Venusaur, and prevents it from being walled by other Grass types such as Chesnaught and Tangrowth.

Bear with me here -- is Stone Edge/Rock Slide actually necessary? Rock isn't supereffective against anything that the combination of flying/ground/ice isn't already supereffective against. Is there an argument for dropping the rock STAB completely and using Crunch instead, for added supereffective coverage?

 

[ColtCababa]

Bear with me here -- is Stone Edge/Rock Slide actually necessary? Rock isn't supereffective against anything that the combination of flying/ground/ice isn't already supereffective against. Is there an argument for dropping the rock STAB completely and using Crunch instead, for added supereffective coverage?

Unsure at the moment. Rock is still a great offensive type, and if you want to dispatch of Talonflame early, then that's yor best bet.

 

[The Shellder Smuggler]

Aerodactyl is awesome, but does not deserve the mega spot due to lackluster boost between mega evolution.

Item@choice band
252 attack/ 252 speed/ 6 defense

- Iron head
- Fire fang
- Thunder fang
- Ice fang

It has all coverages on almost every type, and hits hard with it's evs and choice band

 

[FurryGah]

What if you just slapped all the moves with the highest BP after Tough Claws on the same set?

Aerodactyl @ Aerodactylite
Pressure -> Tough Claws
Adamant / Jolly 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
-Crunch
-Iron Head
-Dragon Claw
-Aqua Tail

What kind of coverage does that set get? What threats cane it take down, and moat importantly, what, if anything, walls this set 100%?

 

[skies]

A 135 Atk stat is nothing to scoff at, and that 33%(recent posts in research thread say so, at least) boost certainly isn't insubstantial.
Proof


As for the moves we know that it gets that make contact:
Crunch (106-ish BP after boost)
Iron Head (106-ish BP after boost)
Aerial Ace (80 BP after boost)
The Fangs (86-ish BP after boost)
Dragon Claw (106-ish BP after Boost)
Aqua Tail (119-ish BP after boost)(once pokebank comes out)

It has good power and coverage with these moves as well as its 135 base Attack. Let's not forget about its fantastic speed and respectable bulk that allows it to take a priority attack or two. I'm not sure what's so underwhelming or useless about that.

252+ Atk Technician Mega Scizor Bullet Punch vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Mega Aerodactyl: 276-326 (91.3 - 107.9%) -- 50% chance to OHKO
252+ Atk Technician Scizor Bullet Punch vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Mega Aerodactyl: 248-294 (82.1 - 97.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

Ok, so it can take one Bullet Punch, but what about SR or previous damage? I don't think it is useless, but it is simply outclassed by other Megas like Lucario and even Alakazam! Not to be blunt or anything, but it is quite possibly the worst Mega out there, with higher Speed that is pretty useless considering it outsped any relevant threats anyways, it has no Flying-STAB, no resistance to any priority move bar Quick Attack / Extreme Speed, and Talonflame who any competent player would use against Mega Aerodactyl. Plus, it isn't even going to use its bulk as it has no good set up move, on top of very common weaknesses. Mega Aerodactyl just isn't cutting it in the current OU Metagame imo.

Aerodactyl is awesome, but does not deserve the mega spot due to lackluster boost between mega evolution.

Item@choice band
252 attack/ 252 speed/ 6 defense

- Iron head
- Fire fang
- Thunder fang
- Ice fang

It has all coverages on almost every type, and hits hard with it's evs and choice band

Umm not to be too mean, but this set utterly sucks. It has no STAB move whatsoever and Choice Band isn't the greatest item on something that's niche is a fast Taunt/SR setter. Besides, just because it hits almost every type doesn't mean it will hit them hard, unless you can provide some calcs that prove this I don't see any way this is useful.

 

[alexwolf]

Just wanted to say that Defog is amazing on this thing. Having a stupidly fast poke that is basically guaranteed to use Defog at least once no matter the situation is great, especially when that poke has very respectable offensive presence. Lati@s have already proven this, and although Mega Aero has worse defensive typing and an SR weakness, it's ability to check so many offensive threats, including Talonflame, makes it a great choice for any offensive team.

Roost + Defog or Defog + Taunt are both great combos. Just make sure to use whatever two attack combination covers the best the SR setters that your team can't pressure hard enough to prevent from casually setting up SR. If you go with three attacking moves and Defog, Aqua Tail + Ice Fang + Fire Fang is the best combo, as it handles the most common SR setters possible (Terrakion, Ferrothorn, Hippowdon, Landorus-T, Garchomp, Ferrothorn, Heatran, Excadrill). And yes, operating without a STAB is perfectly fine, as Aqua Tail actually out-damages Rock Slide against neutral targets, and you still have great revenge killing ability, basically covering all the important offensive Pokemon (except from Gyarados, which can MEvolve to lose its Rock weakness anyway).

 

[skies]

Just wanted to say that Defog is amazing on this thing. Having a stupidly fast poke that is basically guaranteed to use Defog at least once no matter the situation is great, especially when that poke has very respectable offensive presence. Lati@s have already proven this, and although Mega Aero has worse defensive typing and an SR weakness, it's ability to check so many offensive threats, including Talonflame, makes it a great choice for any offensive team.

Roost + Defog or Defog + Taunt are both great combos. Just make sure to use whatever two attack combination covers the best the SR setters that your team can't pressure hard enough to prevent from casually setting up SR. If you go with three attacking moves and Defog, Aqua Tail + Ice Fang + Fire Fang is the best combo, as it handles the most common SR setters possible (Terrakion, Ferrothorn, Hippowdon, Landorus-T, Garchomp, Ferrothorn, Heatran, Excadrill). And yes, operating without a STAB is perfectly fine, as Aqua Tail actually out-damages Rock Slide against neutral targets, and you still have great revenge killing ability, basically covering all the important offensive Pokemon (except from Gyarados, which can MEvolve to lose its Rock weakness anyway).

True, but it can't come into Defog when Choice Band Talonflame is in play:
252+ Atk Choice Band Talonflame Brave Bird vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Mega Aerodactyl: 135-159 (44.7 - 52.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock

It will win this 1v1 match, so it is kind of a check imo.

 

[sparktrain]

What if you just slapped all the moves with the highest BP after Tough Claws on the same set?

Aerodactyl @ Aerodactylite
Pressure -> Tough Claws
Adamant / Jolly 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
-Crunch
-Iron Head
-Dragon Claw
-Aqua Tail

What kind of coverage does that set get? What threats cane it take down, and moat importantly, what, if anything, walls this set 100%?

Azumarill again presents a problem since Iron Head only 3HKOs, and Azu can do like 70% with Aqua Jet. This will often become a OHKO on Aero with some prior damage or with a choice band (or it can opt to use Waterfall). Aerodactyl pretty much requires Stone Edge for its raw power, even if it misses the Tough Claws boost.

 

[alexwolf]

True, but it can't come into Defog when Choice Band Talonflame is in play:
252+ Atk Choice Band Talonflame Brave Bird vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Mega Aerodactyl: 135-159 (44.7 - 52.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock

It will win this 1v1 match, so it is kind of a check imo.

That's why you only bring Mega Aero after something dies if SR is on the field. Then, you can either get rid of the rocks, or KO Talonflame. Or, with good prediction, you could switch in as the SR setters set up SR, and Defog it away as they switch out, assuming you can outspeed and KO them (which you do most of the time).

 

[kabbes]

Defog can only be obtained via an HM from Gen IV, as far as I can work out. I don't think it's something I am likely to use on the cartridge, sadly.

Coverage is a tricky thing. Having tested it a bit, turns out that losing the rock move hurts more than I expected. As has already been suggested, really, it needs to check things like fire/flying (Talonflame, Charizard) and you need a rock move for that.

So, if a rock move is a given and I think Ice Fang is a given, because that gets used time and again, that leaves two slots.

I am tempted by

Stone Edge
Earthquake
Ice Fang
Hone Claws

I'm not sure why the hone claws option has been apparently dismissed in favour of Taunt/Roost. The Mega form is pretty bulky and once you have eliminated the priority users, you're going to OHKO a hell of a lot with +1 with that coverage. It seems to me not dissimilar to using a Dragon Dance -- but you already have enough speed, so you are +1 on accuracy instead.

 

[elliot456]

Unfortunately the sash lead is the only viable set Aero can run. Even worse is how useless suicide leads are this gen due to new Defog mechanics. Maybe when the tiers are sorted out a Mega set might work in NU (or PU?)

 

[kabbes]

Finally got my aero set up on cart. Jolly, 112 spe, 150 HP, stone edge, ice fang, earthquake, hone claws.

First game I played with it, swept 6-0. Move 1 with Rotom-H, WoW. Switch to Ferrothorn, Stealth Rock. Switch to aero, Hone Claws. Stone Edge opponents to oblivion.

 

[Karmacharged]

Alot of people are forgetting that Mega Aero has 2 great Steel coverage moves against Fairys, Ice types, and fellow Rock types:

Iron Head and Iron Tail.

Yeah, sure, Earthquake is much better, Iron Tail is mediocre (And in that manner, not even released yet), and Mega Mawile does a better job; but then again, Tough Claws make those moves hit like a truck (especially against uninvested Florges and Clefable), and it would give it coverage against Ice Types (Who have 4x coverage against Aero btw). Also, Aero has access to Aqua Tail, but again, it hasn't been released yet.

(Well, it's not released in the US, at the very least)

Observe:

252 Atk Tough Claws Mega Aerodactyl Iron Tail vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Florges: 400-472 (111.1 - 131.1%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252 Atk Tough Claws Mega Aerodactyl Iron Tail vs. 252 HP / 252 Def Clefable: 282-332 (71.5 - 84.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

252 Atk Tough Claws Mega Aerodactyl Iron Tail vs. 252 HP / 252 Def Aurorus: 564-668 (125.3 - 148.4%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252 Atk Tough Claws Mega Aerodactyl Iron Tail vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Avalugg: 136-160 (34.5 - 40.6%) -- 51.9% chance to 3HKO after Leftovers recovery

252 Atk Tough Claws Mega Aerodactyl Aqua Tail vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Landorus: 286-338 (89.3 - 105.6%) -- 37.5% chance to OHKO

252 Atk Tough Claws Mega Aerodactyl Aqua Tail vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Garchomp: 137-162 (38.2 - 45.2%) -- guaranteed 3HKO

However, Aeros' other moves make these redundant in comparison, since it can already hit most types hard with Fire/Ice Fang + Earthquake + Stone Edge (Although, Aqua Tail is a very interesting case).

Aero also has access to Defog + Stealth Rock by Transfer, and Pursuit by breeding, which pretty much makes a good damn niche. Anyone want to make something out of these moves, other than me?

Stealth Spinner (Suicide Lead?)
Aerodactyl @ Aerodactylite
Ability: Pressure (Tough Claws)
IVs: 4 HP / 196 Atk / 72 SpD / 236 Speed
Nature: Jolly / Careful
- Defog
- Stealth Rock
- Earthquake / Stone Edge
- Dragon Claws / Iron Sumthin' / Fangs (and Crunch) / Roar / Taunt

Simple: Set up Stealth Rock, and remove Spikes/Toxic Spikes (Or Stealth Rock in the same turn, mind you). Aerodactyl will still have powerful coverage to smash up some dirt or you can use Roar to switch out key targets, or Taunt, just to make Support Pokemon's lives hell (Bonus points while doing all of this in a Sandstorm, making T-Tar a great partner, or you can do a Hoist By Their Own Petard scenario and Earthquake em').

Dragon Claws is there, if you just want to make mincemeat out of Dragon Pokemon, such as Goodra (Who doesn't have Gooey and Def. Investments), Garchomp (Might not hit effectively, but at least you can hit something), and Tyrantrum.

EDIT: Ohhhhhhhhh....I guess someone already found all of this out already :>

(2late).

 

[kabbes]

The support option makes a certain amount of sense but to me it utterly misses the Mega-Aerodactyl USP, which is to hit incredibly hard and incredibly fast.

I've done extensive testing with a Hone Claws set now and I have found it completely deadly. You switch into something that has to switch out, Hone Claws on the switch and proceed to wreak havoc with +1 everything. 6-0 all over the place!

 

[Kcon32394]

Mega Areodactyl is one of my favorite OU sweepers this gen I have an Adamant one with attack and speed evs with Earthquake Stone edge Crunch and Ariel Ace and you could also use sky drop instead of ariel ace if you want sky drop works better if your using it in doubles

 

[Karmacharged]

Mega Areodactyl is one of my favorite OU sweepers this gen I have an Adamant one with attack and speed evs with Earthquake Stone edge Crunch and Ariel Ace and you could also use sky drop instead of ariel ace if you want sky drop works better if your using it in doubles

1, Sky Attack is godawful because accidentally 2-Turn Attack, and 2, Aerodactyl is better off with "Ariel" Ace because it's not a 2-Turn attack, and it's the only move in it's repertoire (Other than Air Cutter, and Sky Drop) to hit hard as a Flying type move. You can use Air Cutter, or Sky Drop...if only the latter wasn't banned, and the former if crits were not nerfed this Gen.

 

[Redwings1340]

I'm currently using regular aerodactyl as my lead.

Max speed/attack
Life Orb
Stealth Rock
Crunch
Earthquake
Stone Edge

Basically, the idea here is I generally have two options at the start of the battle. You would be surprised how many of my opponents expect me to set up stealth rock at the start of the battle, and often I do. Still, there are lots of pokemon that die in one hit to this guy, and focus sash appears to be less used this generation than last for leads. I have gotten so many free kills to start matches, it's awesome even when I don't get a stealth rock set up. If the opposing team is resistant to stealth rock, this is still a very fast attacker and can hold its own in battles. I could just be getting lucky here or maybe battling on the lower ends of the tiering where people aren't as good, but starting off with a crunch against Espeon or Celebi, or a stone edge against Smeargle usually gets me a nice advantage.

I just need to make sure to actually switch t1 against other offensive leads that can OHKO it, such as scizor.

 

[ethan06]

I see people suggesting Head Smash, but being turned off by the recoil... Would it be possible to run it alongside Roost, in the same vein as Brave Bird Skarmory, or is it just not bulky enough? I guess you could try a SubRoost set with Head Smash and a coverage move but that only adds to the time you need to put aside for Roosting up. However, Tough Claws Head Smash...

 

[Rechi]

I see people suggesting Head Smash, but being turned off by the recoil... Would it be possible to run it alongside Roost, in the same vein as Brave Bird Skarmory, or is it just not bulky enough? I guess you could try a SubRoost set with Head Smash and a coverage move but that only adds to the time you need to put aside for Roosting up. However, Tough Claws Head Smash...

As awesome as it would be, Aerodactyl doesn't get Head Smash (or Brave Bird).

 

[Jaroda]

You know what's awesomely trolly about Megadactyl? A Jolly nature with 0 EVs is still naturally faster than max speed Mega Lucario and Mega Absol. That is insane. With just 32 EVs you can bump that up to 378 bypassing base 120s, Thundurus-T and Greninja even. I think if you want Aero for Defog purposes, this actually allows for a substantial amount of EVs for defensive investment, which can be really handy in Roost stalling opponents trying to rely on Ice, Electric and Rock attacks to take him out. This will make him overall extremely well rounded, but this is most likely a case where being a jack of all stats, master of none to prove more debilitating. Having just two moves is a crying shame for something with as good coverage as Aero has. Aqua Tail and Dragon Claw provides possibly the best neutral coverage outside of Azumarill, but Ground/Flying coverage has proven pretty good in the past so perhaps Aerial Ace and Earthquake make for a better combo, but then you're effed by Rotom-W.

Bah, just forget it, this is more trouble than its worth lol.