realised that the current Overview didn't mention regular Aerodactyl at all so at this point it probably makes more sense to redo everything lmao
[OVERVIEW]
Mega Aerodactyl is LGPE OU's premier cleaner and a major offensive threat overall, boasting the best Speed stat in the entire game, high Attack, and fantastic coverage that complements its deadly STAB-boosted Rock Slide. A large portion of the metagame is liable to be easily revenge killed by Mega Aerodactyl after minor prior damage, a trait which is only amplified by how difficult it can be to switch into. Mega Aerodactyl's absurd Speed stat usually mandates that opponents must carefully preserve their defensive counterplay to it, lest their entire team gets outsped and picked off before a single attack can be fired back&emdash;even then, teams are often a Rock Slide flinch or two away from succumbing to Mega Aerodactyl's onslaught in the lategame. Mega Aerodactyl also boasts a uniquely great matchup against Mega Beedrill, which only runs attacks that are resisted by Mega Aerodactyl, and its Flying typing means it always threatens to switch in freely against errant Earthquakes. Regular Aerodactyl is a less flashy but still important part of the metagame, acting as an excellent and wholly unique Stealth Rock lead that can outspeed opposing leads and prevent them from setting the hazard in return with Taunt. While Mega Aerodactyl is excellent, the low base power of its STAB-boosted attacks means that it is rarely picking up OHKOs- as such, it generally needs quite a lot of help in getting opponents into range of its attacks. In addition, its defensive typing, while having some value as previously mentioned, gives it a Stealth Rock weakness in addition to plethora of common weaknesses that let many opponents threaten it for massive damage or even an OHKO. The omnipresent Melmetal and common Mega Blastoise stand out as Mega Aerodactyl's greatest foes, tanking its attacks rather comfortably and easily threatening to KO it in return with their powerful STAB moves. Similarly, while regular Aerodactyl may be an excellent lead that all but ensures you start the battle with a hazard advantage, its poor defensive profile means it will almost certainly get KOed in the process and leave you playing one Pokemon down.
[SET]
name: Mega Attacker
move 1: Rock Slide
move 2: Earthquake
move 3: Crunch
move 4: Wing Attack / Roost
nature: Adamant / Jolly
[SET COMMENTS]
Set Information
========
Rock Slide and Earthquake form a potent offensive combo, capable of hitting everything in the metagame for at least neutral damage. Crunch enables Mega Aerodactyl to break through Mew consistently and KO Starmie after minor prior damage, while also acting as a generally effective neutral attack that can be used to cover for a variety of switch-ins. Wing Attack enables Mega Aerodactyl to 2HKO Mega Venusaur, Alolan Exeggutor, and the rarer Poliwrath. Alternatively, Roost lets Mega Aerodactyl stay healthy over the course of a longer battle and helps to mitigate Stealth Rock damage. An Adamant nature is usually recommended as the power boost significantly improves Mega Aerodactyl's wallbreaking and revenge killing capabilities, while the only Pokemon that can outspeed it are Jolly Mega Beedrill, opposing Jolly Mega Aerodactyl, and the rarer Electrode. A Jolly nature is only advised if your team is especially weak to either Mega Beedrill or Mega Aerodactyl.
Usage Tips
========
Mega Aerodactyl is potent at every stage of the game, capable of forcing offensive progress and wearing down its own answers to prepare for its especially deadly lategame presence. Its mediocre defensive profile means its best switch-in opportunities typically come when a teammate faints, but it can also find occasional safe entry points against various Earthquakes, Mega Beedrill not using U-turn, or via your own Mew or Zapdos's U-turn. The main priority when using Mega Aerodactyl should be to break down Melmetal at any cost, while keeping Mega Aerodactyl clear of status conditions and healthy enough to clean up the opposing team at the end of the battle. Mega Aerodactyl greatly rewards aggressive predictions in the early stages of a battle, as most of its potential switchins are heavily damaged by at least one of its attacking moves, leaving them vulnerable to being KOed outright or picked off later after some extra Stealth Rock damage. If you're confident in your ability to make progress without making heavy predictions, Crunch is often a safe option that deals respectable damage to the vast majority of the metagame, making it useful when you don't know what the opponent will switch in.
Team Options
========
Aerodactyl enjoys pairing with Water-type Pokemon that can switch in versus Melmetal's Double Iron Bash or Ice Punch and heavily threaten both it and the rest of its team, helping to slow the opponent's offensive progress while you make your own. Vaporeon is standout option for this role, packing a great blend of bulk and power and even being capable of checking Mega Blastoise. Starmie is also a great option that distinguishes itself with its fantastic Speed tier, recovery, and plethora of coverage and utility options that make it extremely threatening in its own right. While Venusaur isn't a Water-type Pokemon, it's the best answer in the metagame to opposing bulky Water-type Pokemon that would otherwise threaten Mega Aerodactyl. It can also heavily threaten Rhydon, a Pokemon capable of checking Mega Aerodactyl in a pinch, and is excellent at luring Melmetal and crippling it with Sleep Powder. Nasty Plot Mew is an excellent partner for Mega Aerodactyl, easily capable of ripping holes in the opposing team for Mega Aerodactyl to take advantage of- it also tends to get knocked out by Pokemon that Mega Aerodactyl is excellent at revenge killing, such as Gengar, Jolteon, Alolan Muk, Alolan Dugtrio, and heavily weakened Melmetal, providing a fantastic entry point. Much of what was said about Nasty Plot Mew also applies to Gengar, making it a similarly potent partner. When running Nasty Plot Mew, Clefable is the primary Stealth Rock user of choice for Mega Aerodactyl teams, capable of reliably setting the hazard as well as spreading status and respectable damage before being taken down. Alolan Dugtrio can also act as a somewhat effective Stealth Rock user if needed, compressing the role into the same teamslot as the near-mandatory Ground-type.
[SET]
name: Stealth Rock Lead
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Taunt
move 3: Rock Slide
move 4: Earthquake
nature: Jolly
[SET COMMENTS]
Set Information
========
Aerodactyl can reliably set up Stealth Rock as a lead thanks to its great Speed. Taunt allows Aerodactyl to block opposing Stealth Rock, status-inducing moves, and setup moves from slower foes. The combination of Rock Slide and Earthquake hits most of the metagame decently hard and allows Aerodactyl to have some offensive presence.
Usage Tips
========
Aerodactyl is best used as a straightforward Stealth Rock lead, capable of reliably denying opposing hazard leads with Taunt and setting up Stealth Rock before being knocked out. As such, you should almost always lead with Aerodactyl. Don't be afraid to sacrifice Aerodactyl in order to set up Stealth Rock and gain momentum. You should almost never Mega Evolve this Aerodactyl set, as the best Mega Evolutions to pair with this Aerodactyl set need their Mega Evolutions in order to be viable.
Team Options
========
Describe some teammates that would be a good idea to pair with this Pokemon.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
List some options for the Pokemon user that are plausible but not always recommended due to either being not consistent enough or too outclassed by other Pokemon in the metagame.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Insert Threat Here**: Describe why the Pokemon is a threat.
**Insert Threat Here**: Describe why the Pokemon is a threat.
[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/eve.375272/
Quality checked by:
(link to user's page)
(link to user's page)
Grammar checked by:
(link to user's page)
(link to user's page)