Monotype Mega Aerodactyl (Flying)

maroon

free palestine
is a Site Content Manageris a Top Team Rateris a Member of Senior Staffis a Community Contributoris a Top Tiering Contributoris a Top Contributoris a Top Smogon Media Contributoris a Dedicated Tournament Hostis a Top Tutor Alumnusis a Top Social Media Contributor Alumnus
RMT & Mono Leader
[OVERVIEW]

Flying
========

Mega Aerodactyl finds itself on Flying-type teams as a role compressor that can act as a fast offensive threat, a Pursuit trapper, and a Stealth Rock setter. Due to Mega Aerodactyl's great natural Speed and coverage, it offensively checks many key Pokemon such as Tapu Koko and Weavile with its combination of Earthquake and Stone Edge, which can aid in difficult matchups such as Electric and Ice. Due to Mega Aerodactyl's offensive presence it forces many switches against Pokemon such as Latios and Blacephalon, which it can take advantage of with Pursuit. Mega Aerodactyl can put pressure on Defoggers like Mandibuzz and Zapdos because they are threatened by Aerodactyl's Rock-type STAB attacks. Because Mega Aerodactyl forces out many Pokemon, it gets ample opportunities to set Stealth Rock. Even though Mega Aerodactyl has a decent Attack stat, it has trouble breaking through walls such as Hippowdon, Skarmory, and Porygon2, which all can easily shrug off the damage Mega Aerodactyl does with their recovery moves. Mega Aerodactyl also faces competition for the coveted Mega slot by Mega Charizard Y, which is an amazing special wallbreaker with limited switch-ins that can help Flying-type teams in difficult matchups such as Steel-, Ice-, and Ground-type teams.

[SET]
name: Offensive Stealth Rock Setter (Flying)
move 1: Stone Edge
move 2: Earthquake
move 3: Pursuit
move 4: Stealth Rock
item: Aerodactylite
ability: Unnerve
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

Stone Edge is Aerodactyl's strongest STAB attack, allowing it to take on threats such as Mantine, Zapdos, and Volcarona. Earthquake is a very nice coverage move that pairs well with Stone Edge and allows Mega Aerodactyl to take on Steel-types such as Magnezone that resist Stone Edge. Pursuit allows Mega Aerodactyl to trap Psychic- and Ghost-type Pokemon such as Victini, Latios, and Blacephalon that can otherwise threaten the team. Stealth Rock is a very essential move that chips the opposing team as they switch in, allowing Mega Aerodactyl and other sweepers and wallbreakers to clean through the other team more easily. Ice Fang is an option over Pursuit that allows Mega Aerodactyl to hit Ground-type Pokemon such as Garchomp, Landorus, and Gliscor super effectively.

Set Details
========

Maximum Attack investment allows Mega Aerodactyl to OHKO threats such as Tapu Koko with Earthquake after Stealth Rock. Maximum Speed investment with a Jolly nature allows Mega Aerodactyl to outspeed threats such as Weavile and Tapu Koko, allowing it to easily set up Stealth Rock. Aerodactylite allows Aerodactyl to Mega Evolve and gives it access to Tough Claws. Tough Claws directly boosts the power of Pursuit, allowing Mega Aerodactyl to more easily OHKO or severely weaken Pokemon as they switch out.

Usage Tips
========

Mega Aerodactyl naturally pressures most Defog users due to its access to a powerful Rock-type STAB attack in Stone Edge, leaving many Defoggers such as Zapdos, Mandibuzz, and Crobat unable to clear entry hazards very easily. It should take advantage of this by predicting Defog users threatened by it to switch in. However, Mega Aerodactyl should be careful when switching in on some Defoggers such as Zapdos and Mantine, as they threaten Mega Aerodactyl with their STAB attacks. Aerodactyl can also use its ability to pressure Defoggers with Stone Edge in order to keep Stealth Rock up constantly through the match. Due to Mega Aerodactyl's high Speed and Attack stats, it forces many switches; capitalize on this opportunity to set Stealth Rock or punish switches with Pursuit. Whenever Mega Aerodactyl switches in, Stealth Rock should ideally be removed from its side of the field so it does not have to worry about getting worn down. Mega Aerodactyl should also be used to Pursuit trap Psychic- and Ghost-type Pokemon such as Latios, Victini, and Blacephalon to prevent them from damaging the team. It can also weaken Pokemon such as Zapdos with Pursuit as they switch out, as they'll try to avoid being OHKO'ed by Stone Edge; however, Mega Aerodactyl should be careful using Pursuit when it can be threatened by the Pokemon it is trying to Pursuit trap. Mega Aerodactyl should be preserved to take care of threats such as Tapu Koko and Kyurem-B rather than attempting to set Stealth Rock at any cost. Mega Aerodactyl is fairly useless in certain matchups and should be used as a sacrifice against Ground- and Steel-type teams due to the fact that it can barely touch Pokemon such as Hippowdon and Ferrothorn.

Team Options
========

Stealth Rock helps support all of the offensive threats Flying teams have access to by dealing chip damage to their checks and switch-ins. Dragonite forms an excellent wallbreaking core with Mega Aerodactyl, appreciating the Stealth Rock that Mega Aerodactyl sets to help it OHKO Pokemon such as Mantine with Choice Band-boosted Outrage. Dragonite can also help Mega Aerodactyl against Steel-type Pokemon with its great coverage in Fire Punch and Superpower allowing it to take care of bulky Steel-types such as Mega Scizor and Ferrothorn. Mega Aerodactyl can then take care of Ice-type Pokemon such as Alolan Ninetales and Life Orb Kyurem-B for Dragonite. Defog users such as Mantine and Zapdos can clear entry hazards for Mega Aerodactyl. In return Mega Aerodactyl can take on Ice- and Electric-type Pokemon for Mantine and Zapdos with Stone Edge and Earthquake. Both Zapdos and Mantine can also switch into special attackers for Mega Aerodactyl— Pokemon like Choice Scarf Greninja in Mantine's case, and Electric-types such as Alolan Raichu in Zapdos's case. Skarmory and Celesteela are defensive walls that can switch into Rock- and Ice-type attacks such as Choice Scarf Terrakion's Stone Edge and Mamoswine's Icicle Crash for Mega Aerodactyl. Both Skarmory and Celesteela appreciate Mega Aerodactyl's ability to take on Fire-type Pokemon such as Victini. Skarmory and Celesteela also can take on Fairy-type Pokemon such as Clefable and Tapu Bulu with their Steel-type STAB attacks for Mega Aerodactyl. Ground-types such as Gliscor and Landorus-T check Electric-types for Mega Aerodactyl. Stallbreaker Gliscor can take on Pokemon such as Chansey and Porygon2 that can give Mega Aerodactyl a fair bit of trouble due to their natural bulk. Mega Aerodactyl can then take care of Pokemon such as Victini for Gliscor by Pursuit trapping them. Gliscor also can act as a status absorber for Mega Aerodactyl. Landorus-T acts a nice Choice Scarf user that is faster than Mega Aerodactyl and can clean through weakened Electric-type teams with Earthquake. Special attackers such as Thundurus, Landorus, and Tornadus-T can help Mega Aerodactyl break through physical walls such as Ferrothorn, Skarmory, Tyranitar, and Swampert. In return, Mega Aerodactyl can handle Volcarona and special walls such as Alolan Muk.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============

Flying
--------
Hone Claws can be run over Stealth Rock to allow Mega Aerodactyl to always hit Stone Edge and deal more damage against foes such as Toxapex. It can also help Mega Aerodactyl break weakened and slower teams. However, using Hone Claws over Stealth Rock means the team must use a different Stealth Rock user such as Skarmory that has a worse matchup against common Defoggers. Taunt allows Mega Aerodactyl to prevent walls such as Mega Venusaur and Porygon2 from using recovery moves and lets it prevent Pokemon such as Nidoking and Chansey from setting Stealth Rock. However, using Taunt means that Mega Aerodactyl will have to forgo Pursuit, making Pokemon such as Victini and Choice Scarf Latios much harder to check. Aqua Tail allows Mega Aerodactyl to check bulky Ground-type Pokemon such as Hippowdon that would otherwise completely counter it. Wing Attack allows Mega Aerodactyl to hit Grass- and Fighting-type Pokemon that would otherwise beat it such as Keldeo, Mega Venusaur, and Mega Gallade. Fire Fang allows Mega Aerodactyl to hit Steel-type Pokemon such as Ferrothorn that would otherwise wall Mega Aerodactyl. Alternatively, instead of running a Mega Stone on hyper offensive teams, Aerodactyl can be used as a suicide lead with a Focus Sash. With great Speed and access to Stealth Rock and Taunt, Aerodactyl can stop many leads from setting Stealth Rock and spreading status. Double-Edge is used on such a set so that it can faint to recoil damage against Defoggers such as Zapdos rather than letting entry hazards be cleared, and Tailwind provides speed control for powerful wallbreakers such as Mega Charizard Y and Dragonite, allowing them to outspeed foes they usually would not be able to beat such as Tapu Koko.

Checks and Counters
===================

Flying
--------
**Stealth Rock**: Stealth Rock limits the number of times Mega Aerodactyl can come into battle and set its own Stealth Rock against the opponent.

**Status Conditions**: Burns cripple Mega Aerodactyl's ability to do any meaningful damage against foes such as Zapdos, and paralysis makes it lose its fantastic Speed tier, no longer outspeeding Pokemon such as Tapu Koko and Choice Scarf Magnezone.

**Steel-types**: Steel-types such as Celesteela resist Mega Aerodactyl's Stone Edge, allowing them to easily take its attacks and retaliate with their powerful STAB moves. Mega Scizor deserves a special mention, as it can avoid the 2HKO from Mega Aerodactyl's Stone Edge after Stealth Rock and threaten to set up with Swords Dance or heavily chip it with Bullet Punch. However, Steel-types such as Magnezone and Heatran that are heavily threatened by Earthquake cannot check Mega Aerodactyl.

**Water-types**: Mega Aerodactyl lacks the power to OHKO most Water-type Pokemon, which can OHKO or cripple Mega Aerodactyl with their Water-type STAB attacks in return.

**Bulky Pokemon**: Mega Aerodactyl is easily walled by bulky Pokemon such as Chansey, Toxapex, Mega Venusaur, Skarmory, and Porygon2 due to their access to reliable recovery, their great natural bulk, and Mega Aerodactyl's modest damage output.

**Bulky Attackers**: Mamoswine and Buzzwole can easily tank Mega Aerodactyl's attacks and significantly damage it in return with Icicle Crash and Ice Punch, respectively. However, Buzzwole needs to watch out for Aerial Ace, which can easily OHKO it.
 
Last edited:
QC Check:

QC:
[OVERVIEW]

Flying
========

* Mega Aerodactyl finds itself on Flying-type teams as a role compressor being able to act as a Stealth Rock setter while also being a check to offensive teams. I would mention Pursuit trapping here, since that's arguably it's main utility. "...as a role compressor able to serve as fast Offensive threat, a Stealth Rock setter, and a trapper."
* Due to Mega Aerodactyl's great natural speed it can outspeed many key threats such as Mega Lopunny, and Tapu Koko and threaten to OHKO allowing it to force many switches. The set listed does not threaten Mega Lopunny. This is the bullet where I would mention Mega Aero's utility against offensive teams. I would also mention Pursuit here: maybe "it can punish the switches it forces using Pursuit."
* Mega Aerodactyl can put pressure on Defog Pokemon due to most of them being Flying-type pokemon, which are threatened by Aerodactyl's Rock-type STAB. Mega Aerodactyl's has access to Earthquake, and Stone Edge giving it access to coverage which can hit almost everything for neutral damage. Cut the second line. Bring up specific examples of Defog Pokemon it threatens (Zapdos, Staraptor, etc.) . Talk about how Mega Aero's capacity to threaten hazard removers makes it an effective SR setter
* Mega Aerodactyl is still weak to the common types that Flying-type teams struggle against Ice-, Rock-, and Electric-type Pokemon, however Mega Aerodactyl's coverage and STAB being Earthquake and Stone Edge can hit these two types for supereffective damage.
* Mega Aerodactyl faces competition for the coveted Mega slot by Mega Charizard Y which is an amazing Special wallbreaker with limited switchins that can break through all of Flying-type teams natural weaknesses with access to Fire Blast, and Solarbeam. I would talk about the specific matchups that Mega Zard excels in that Mega Aero struggles with; such as Steel or Ground

**Add a bullet discussing Mega Aero's modest Attack and how it can completely shut down by common walls such as Skarmory, Hippowdon, Porygon2, etc.
**This doesn't need to be it's own bullet, but you should discuss somewhere the specific matchups where Mega Aerodactyl is most effective, such as the Flying mirror or against Electric (or against "offensive teams" as mentioned above)


[SET]
name: Offensive Rocks Setter (Flying)
move 1: Stone Edge
move 2: Earthquake
move 3: Stealth Rock Pursuit
move 4: Pursuit Stealth Rock
item: Aerodactylite
ability: Unnerve
nature: Jolly
evs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe

Changed the order of the moves to reflect importance, implement this change in the [SET COMMENTS] below as well

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

* Stone Edge is Aerodactyl's main STAB attack allowing it to take on threats such as Mantine, Zapdos, and Volcarona. Emphasize that Stone Edge is Aerodactyl's strongest attack
* Earthquake is a very nice coverage move that compliments well with Stone Edge, and allows it to take on threats such as Magnezone which Stone Edge barely touches.
* Stealth Rock is a very essential move that chips the opposing team with each switch allowing itself and other sweepers and wallbreakers to clean through the other team with more ease.
* Pursuit allows Mega Aerodactyl to trap annoying Psychic-, and Ghost-type Pokemon that Mega Aerodactyl forces out such as Choice Scarf Victini, Latios, and Blacephalon which can otherwise threaten the team.
**Add a bullet for Ice Fang, which can take down dangerous mons like Garchomp, Gliscor, Landorus-I/T, etc for Mega Aero

Set Details
========

* Max Speed and Attack are invested into Aerodactyl to allow it to setup Stealth Rock which relative ease while also being able to secure OHKO's against annoying Pokemon such as Tapu Koko with Earthquake. Even with maximum Attack investment, Mega Aerodactyl cannot secure a OHKO against Tapu Koko without Stealth Rock (so clarify that)
* Aerodactylite allows Aerodactyl to Mega Evolve allowing it to outspeed pokemon it tied or was slower than before such as Mega Lopunny, and Tapu Koko
* Tough Claws directly boosts the power of Pursuit, allowing Mega Aerodactyl to more easily OHKO or severely weaken pokemon upon switching out.

Usage Tips
========

* Mega Aerodactyl should be switched out into the appropriate teammate to avoid being targeted by a status condition. Gliscor, or Landorus can be used as a switch in for predicting a Thunder Wave. Skarmory, Gliscor, and Celesteela can be used as a switchin for predicting a Toxic and in general special walls such as Zapdos and Mantine can be used to absorb burns. The second two lines are unnecessary; just say be careful to protect Mega Aerodactyl from status conditions, as they can cripple it's offensive capacity or overall longevity
* Mega Aerodactyl naturally pressured most Defog users due to the fact it has access to powerful Rock-type STAB in Stone Edge leaving many defoggers such as Zapdos, Mandibuzz, and Crobat unable to clear hazards very easily. It should take advantage of this by predicting the switch into Defog users threatened by it. Make a distinction between hazard removers Mega Aero can safely come in on (Staraptor, Crobat) and those that it needs to make predicted switches into such as Mantine and Zapdos, as they threaten Mega Aero with STABs
* Due to Mega Aerodactyl's high Speed and Attack stats it forces many switches, capitalize on this opportunity to setup Stealth Rock.
* Try to keep Stealth Rock on your opponent's side of the field as much as possible. Whenever Mega Aerodactyl switches in Stealth Rock should idealistically be removed from the field so it does not have to worry about the chip. The first part of this bullet is unnecessary. You can make this a bullet about keeping Stealth Rock off Mega Aero's side of the field to minimize the chip damage it sustains
* Mega Aerodactyl should be used to trap annoying Psychic-, and Ghost-type Pokemon such as Latios, Victini, and Blacephalon with Pursuit to prevent them from further damaging the team. Mention that Pursuit can also be used to trap weakened walls / Pokemon in general trying to switch out of Mega Aero

**Add a bullet for when to prioritize preserving Mega Aerodacty over setting rocks / risking pursuit; i.e. when you need it to check Tapu Koko, Kyurem-B, or another threat
**Add a bullet for when to sacrifice Mega Aerodactyl i.e. the matchups where it's largely useless such as Ground or Steel
**Add a bullet discussing the risks of Pursuit, and when it is and isn't safe to click Pursuit against a Pokemon; i.e. Choice Specs Blacephelon is always safe since you OHKO anyways, while Pursuiting a weakened Mantine may backfire if it clicks Scald or Roost


Team Options
========

* Dragonite forms an excellent wallbreaking core with Mega Aerodactyl. Dragonite appreciates the Stealth Rock that Mega Aerodactyl sets and allows it to OHKO Pokemon such as Mantine with Choice Band Outrage. Mega Aerodactyl also appreciates Dragonite's ability to take on threats such as Mega Scizor with its coverage in Fire Punch. Mega Aerodactyl can then take care of annoying Ice-type pokemon such as Alolan Ninetales, and Kyurem-Black for Dragonite. Talk about Dragonite's capacity to threaten Steel-types in general, which Mega Aero struggles with. Also is there a better example than Mantine for a KO Stealth Rock is necessary for?
* Landorus-T acts a nice Choice Scarfer that is faster than Mega Aerodactyl and can clean through weakened Electric-type teams with Earthquake. Mega Aerodactyl then can setup Stealth Rock to allow Landorus-T to more easily clean through the opposing team while also being able to trap and possibly OHKO faster Choice Scarf Pokemon for Landorus-T such as Victini and Greninja locked into U-Turn. Mention Landorus-T's ability to pivot into Mega Aero with U-turn. I'm also confused in what situations would Victini and Greninja be locked into U-turn and still be on the field, besides if you sacked something to Rocks. Regardless it's a strange example
* Landorus can break annoying Pokemon for Mega Aerodactyl such as Ferrothorn, Tapu Bulu and Rotom-Wash with access to strong coverage moves such as Focus Blast and Sludge Wave. Landorus can also act as an Electric-type switchin for Mega Aerodactyl. You should talk about Landorus's capacity to threaten Steel-types here
* Mantine can clear Stealth Rock for Mega Aerodactyl while also being able to switch into Water-type attacks due to its ability Water Absorb. Mega Aerodactyl can take care of Electric-types for Tapu Koko, and Zapdos for Mantine. Mention that Mantine is an effective Special Wall that can form a defensive backbone for Mega Aero to pivot around with
* Skarmory appreciates that Mega Aerodactyl can set Stealth Rock freeing up a slot for Skarmory allowing it to run an extra move such as Defog or Counter rather than Stealth Rock. Skarmory can also switch into Rock-type attacks and can check Pokemon such as Choice Scarf Terrakion. Mega Aerodactyl can then check Fire-type Pokemon such as Mega Charizard Y, and Alolan Marowak for Skarmory with Stone Edge, and Earthquake. Don't mention Earthquake if it isn't actually necessary to check the examples listed; also Alola Marowak isn't a very good example
* Gliscor can take on annoying pokemon fat Pokemon such as Chansey, and Porygon2 with Toxic+Taunt, which can give Mega Aerodactyl a fair bit of trouble due to their natural bulk and access to reliable recovery. Mega Aerodactyl can then take care of annoying pokemon such as Victini for Gliscor by trapping it with Pursuit. Gliscor also acts as an Electric-type immunity for Mega Aerodactyl allowing it to take on Pokemon such as Alolan Raichu lacking Hidden Power Ice or other Ice-type coverage. Gliscor also can act as a status absorber for Mega Aerodactyl. Describe Gliscor as a stallbreaker if you're referring to the Toxic + Taunt set. You should also talk about the general utility Knock Off Gliscor has against Normal, and for crippling scarves that might outspeed Mega Aero
* Celesteela can take on annoying Fairy-types for Mega Aerodactyl such as Tapu Bulu, and Clefable with Heavy Slam and can switch into Toxic for Mega Aerodactyl. Celesteela appreciates Mega Aerodactyl's ability to then take on annoying Fire-type pokemon such as Victini.
* Zapdos can clear the field of Stealth Rock with Defog, and can help take on and pressure Defoggers that might try to remove the Stealth Rocks Mega Aerodactyl set such as Mantine, and Mandibuzz with Electric STAB moves. In return Mega Aerodactyl can take on annoying Pokemon for Zapdos such as Nidoking and Excadrill with Earthquake.
* Tornadus-Therian forms a nice core with Aerodactyl as it can help break through annoying Steel-, and Rock-types with a combination of Superpower, and Heat Wave. Tornadus-Therian also can take care of annoying pokemon such as Ferrothorn and Mega Venusaur with Heat Wave, and Hurricane, respectively. Tornadus-Therian in return can Defog away Stealth Rock for Mega Aerodactyl, and can pivot it in with U-turn. Mega Aerodactyl in return can take care of Special walls that Tornadus-Therian has trouble with such as Mantine and Zapdos.
* Togekiss can check annoying Grass-, and Dragon-type pokemon for Mega Aerodactyl such as Mega Venusaur, Garchomp, and Ferrothorn with Air Slash, Dazzling Gleam, and Fire Blast respectively. Togekiss also commonly runs a Choice Scarf set easing the pressure off Mega Aerodactyl being the teams only method of Speed control. Mega Aerodactyl can then take care of annoying Poison-type pokemon such as Toxapex, and Nidoking with Earthquake. Drop this bullet
* Thundurus can break Physical walls for Mega Aerodactyl with its array of fantastic coverage from Focus Blast, Grass Knot, and Hidden Power Ice with access to a boosting move in Nasty Plot. Thundurus can take care of annoying pokemon such as Tyranitar and Swampert with Focus Blast, and Grass Knot, which both easily can setup Stealth Rock in front of Mega Aerodactyl and deal tons of damage with their supereffective STAB. You neglect to talk about Thundurus's Electric STAB and how it helps with bulky waters Mega Aero is threatened by

This might sound weird since the majority of my comments are telling you to add stuff, but you need to prune this section a lot. There's a lot of repetition and fluff, and I think you could consolidate a lot of these Pokemon into specific groups. For example:

* "Special Attackers such as Thundurus, Landorus-I, and Tornadus-T can help break Physical Walls that Mega Aerodactyl cannot threaten such as X, Y, and Z, and appreciate the chip damage Stealth Rock deals to switch-ins. These wallbreakers can also apply heavy pressure to Steel teams that Mega Aero struggles with, using their assorted Fighting-, Fire- and Ground-type coverage."
* "Gliscor and Landorus-T serve as effective Electric immunities and can switch into Electric- and Rock-type moves Mega Aerodactyl fears, whilst supporting it in return with Knock Off, Defog and U-turn Support."


**Also, this is probably a GP thing, but as a general note, don't refer to Pokemon as "annoying". You repeat it 15 times (indicated above), and it's not only annoying to read but also a bit misleading. Instead of saying Pokemon A is annoying to Pokemon B, say Pokemon A threatens Pokemon B (or Flying as a whole), because that's what I think you mean most of the time. Or just remove it.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============

Flying
--------
* Hone Claws allows Mega Aerodactyl to do more damage and secure important 2OHKO's such as Toxapex with +1 Earthquake and allows Stone Edge to hit with 100% accuracy. However using Hone Claws means that you are not able to use Stealth Rock on Mega Aerodactyl, forcing the team to use a different Stealth Rock user that can not pressure other Defog users.
* Taunt allows Mega Aerodactyl to prevent Pokemon such as Mega Venusaur, and Porygon2 not able to use their recovery moves and prevents other Stealth Rock setters such as Nidoking and Chansey unable to setup Stealth Rock. However using Taunt means that Mega Aerodactyl will have to forgo Pursuit, making pokemon such as Choice Scarf Latios, and Victini much harder to check.
* Aqua Tail allows Mega Aerodactyl to check bulky Ground-, and Rock-type Pokemon such as Hippowdon, and Rhyperior which would otherwise completely counter Mega Aerodactyl.
* Wing Attack allows Mega Aerodactyl to Grass-, and Fighting-type Pokemon that previously beat it such as Keldeo, Mega Venusaur and Mega Gallade.

**In general when discussing a move, mention what you'd be running it over at the beginning rather than the end of the bullet. For example "Hone Claws can be run over Stealth Rock to allow Mega Aero to do more damage...."

Checks and Counters
===================

Flying
--------
**Stealth Rock**: Stealth Rock limits the amount of times Mega Aerodactyl can come into battle and prevent the amount of times it can setup Stealth Rock against the opponent. Many common lead Stealth Rock Pokemon such as Skarmory, Garchomp, and Swampert beat Mega Aerodactyl with relative ease either due to their bulk, typing, attacks, or some combination of all of the above.

**Status Conditions**: Mega Aerodactyl does not appreciate Status conditions at all. Burns cripple its ability to do any damage such as not being able to OHKO Zapdos with Stone Edge, and Paralysis makes it lose its main niche being its fantastic Speed tier, no longer allowing it to outspeed pokemon such as Choice Scarf Magnezone and Tapu Koko.

**Supereffective Attacks**: Mega Aerodactyl's natural bulk is not the greatest meaning that any supereffective attack even if is not very powerful will do lots of damage to Mega Aerodactyl. Mega Aerodactyl has a much harder time setting up Stealth Rock infront of pokemon with these attacks however needs to be careful if Mega Aerodactyl's coverage such as Earthquake can seriously damage them such as Torkoal, Empoleon, and Nidoking. Remove this bullet. Talking about "Super Effective Moves" in general isn't helpful; you should talk about the kinds of Pokemon that might use such attacks and which of those pokemon directly threaten Mega Aero, and each of those should be it's own section

**Physical Walls**: Mega Aerodactyl is easily walled by an array of physical walls such as Chansey, Toxapex, Mega Venusaur, Skarmory and Porygon2 due to their access to reliable recovery, great natural bulk, and Mega Aerodactyl's lack of ability to setup. However, Pokemon such as Toxapex, and Chansey which can be 2OHKO'ed by Earthquake and Stone Edge respectively at +1. Swampert however truly walls Mega Aerodactyl and any set it tries to run and can cripple it with Toxic or severely weaken it with Scald. Drop the last two lines

**Porygon2**: Porygon2 easily takes any attacks that Mega Aerodactyl can throw at it and easily shrug off the damage with Recover. Porygon2 can then cripple Mega Aerodactyl with Thunder Wave, and Toxic, which either severely reduces Mega Aerodactyl's Speed, and or ability to stay healthy throughout the entire match. Porygon2 can also 2OHKO Mega Aerodactyl with Discharge, and Ice Beam.

**Add a section for Ground-types
**Add a section for Steel-types
**Add a section for Water-types
**Add a section for Bulky Offensive Attackers (i.e. offensive Pokemon that live Mega Aero's attacks easily and KO in return)
There's a lot of work to be done here, but a lot of the material is already there.

The changes suggested are pretty thorough, so tag me when they're implemented and I'll take another look.
 
Last edited:

QC:
[OVERVIEW]

Flying
========

* Mega Aerodactyl finds itself on Flying-type teams as a role compressor being able to act as a fast Offensive threat, a Pursuit trapper, and Stealth Rock setter.
* Due to Mega Aerodactyl's great natural speed it can outspeed many key threats such as Tapu Koko and threaten to OHKO allowing it to force many switches. Mega Aerodactyl can take advantage of the switches it forces with Pursuit, doubling damage upon switching out.
* Mega Aerodactyl can put pressure on Defog Pokemon due to most of them being Flying-type pokemon, which are threatened by Aerodactyl's Rock-type STAB. Due to the fact that Mega Aerodactyl forces many switches especially of other Defog Pokemon giving it an opportunity to set up Stealth Rock.
* Due to Mega Aerodactyl's typing and access to useful coverage moves such as Earthquake, it can aid Flying-type in matchups such as Ice-, and Electric-type. Mega Aerodactyl can also heavily pressure offensive teams due to Earthquake+Stone Edge without any real wall to absorb Mega Aerodactyl's attacks.
* Mega Aerodactyl is still weak to the common types that Flying-type teams struggle against Ice-, Rock-, and Electric-type Pokemon, however Mega Aerodactyl's coverage and STAB being Earthquake and Stone Edge can hit these two types for supereffective damage. Cut the second line
* Even though Mega Aerodactyl has a decent Attack stat, it has trouble breaking through walls such as Hippowdon, Skarmory, and Porygon2 which all can easily shrug off damage Mega Aerodactyl does with their recovery moves.
* Mega Aerodactyl faces competition for the coveted mega slot by Mega Charizard Y which is an amazing Special wallbreaker with limited switchins that can break through all of Flying-type teams natural weaknesses with access to Fire Blast and Solarbeam. Mega Charizard Y can also pressure Steel-, and Ground-type pokemon such as Ferrothorn and Hippowdon which Mega Aerodactyl struggles to break past. Cut the second line, and also "break through all of flying team's natural weaknesses with Fire Blast and Solarbeam". Instead refer to the specific matchups where Charizard Y helps, such as Steel and Ground (the teams, not the specific pokemon).


[SET]
name: Offensive Rocks Setter (Flying)
move 1: Stone Edge
move 2: Earthquake
move 3: Pursuit
move 4: Stealth Rock
item: Aerodactylite
ability: Unnerve
nature: Jolly
evs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

* Stone Edge is Aerodactyl's strongest STAB attack allowing it to take on threats such as Mantine, Zapdos, and Volcarona.
* Earthquake is a very nice coverage move that compliments well with Stone Edge, and allows it to take on threats such as Magnezone which Stone Edge barely touches.
* Pursuit allows Mega Aerodactyl to trap Psychic- and Ghost-type Pokemon such as Choice Scarf Victini, Latios, and Blacephalon which can otherwise threaten the team.
* Stealth Rock is a very essential move that chips the opposing team with each switch allowing itself and other sweepers and wallbreakers to clean through the other team with more ease.
* Ice Fang allows Mega Aerodactyl to hit Ground-type Pokemon such as Garchomp, Landorus, and Gliscor. State what you'd run ice fang over. "Ice Fang is an option over X"

Set Details
========

* Max Speed and Attack are invested into Aerodactyl to allow it to setup Stealth Rock which relative ease while also being able to secure OHKO's against Pokemon such as Tapu Koko with Earthquake after Stealth Rock chip. Okay, this line is a bit wonky. I'd seperate out "Maximum attack investment" into it's own bullet and talk about the Tapu Koko roll there. Then make maximum speed investment it's own bullet and say that it allows Mega Aerodactyl to outspeed threats such as Tapu Koko and easily set stealth rock.
* Aerodactylite allows Aerodactyl to Mega Evolve allowing it to outspeed pokemon it tied or was slower than before such as Mega Lopunny, and Tapu Koko This line is redundant if you make a bullet about speed investment
* Tough Claws directly boosts the power of Pursuit, allowing Mega Aerodactyl to more easily OHKO or severely weaken pokemon upon switching out.

Usage Tips
========

* Mega Aerodactyl should be switched out into the appropriate teammate to avoid being targeted by a status condition as they cripple Mega Aerodactyl offensive capabilities and longevity. Cut this line, actually. It is pretty obvious advice, and if Status Conditions is in checks and counters this line is kind of redundant.
* Mega Aerodactyl naturally pressured most Defog users due to the fact it has access to powerful Rock-type STAB in Stone Edge leaving many defoggers such as Zapdos, Mandibuzz, and Crobat unable to clear hazards very easily. It should take advantage of this by predicting the switch into Defog users threatened by it. Mega Aerodactyl should be careful on switching in on some Defog Pokemon such as Zapdos, and Mantine as they threaten Mega Aerodactyl with their STAB.
* Due to Mega Aerodactyl's high Speed and Attack stats it forces many switches, capitalize on this opportunity to setup Stealth Rock or punish switches with Pursuit.
* Try to keep Stealth Rock on your opponent's side of the field as much as possible. Whenever Mega Aerodactyl switches in Stealth Rock should idealistically be removed from the field so it does not have to worry about the chip. I would bake the first sentence of this bullet into the above bullet about pressuring Defog users.
* Mega Aerodactyl should be used to trap Psychic- and Ghost-type Pokemon such as Latios, Victini, and Blacephalon to prevent them from further damaging the team. Mega Aerodactyl can also weaken Pokemon such as Zapdos, upon the switch out to avoid being OHKO'ed by Stone Edge. However, Mega Aerodactyl can be threatened by its Electric-type STAB such as Discharge and Volt Switch and should be careful of using Pursuit over Stone Edge.
* If Mega Aerodactyl can be used to setup Stealth Rock or take care of a threat such as Tapu Koko and Kyurem-Black it should be preserved to deal with those threats before attempting to set up Stealth Rock.
* Mega Aerodactyl is fairly useless in certain matchups such as Ground- and Steel-type teams due to the fact it can barely touch pokemon such as Hippowdon and Ferrothorn, without sacrificing important coverage.
* Pursuit should be used always against more frail Pokemon such as Choice Specs Blacephalon, however against Pokemon such as a weakened Zapdos that still threatens Mega Aerodactyl it might not be the best idea to click Pursuit.

Team Options
========

Add a bullet here simply stating how Stealth Rock helps support most flying types. For example; "Stealth Rock helps support the myriad offensive threats on Flying by dealing chip damage to checks and switch-ins." Then, don't mention Stealth Rock again unless in specific scenarios, such as "X Pokemon needs Stealth Rock to guarantee the KO on Y."

* Dragonite forms an excellent wallbreaking core with Mega Aerodactyl. Dragonite appreciates the Stealth Rock that Mega Aerodactyl sets and allows it to OHKO Pokemon such as Mantine with Choice Band Outrage. Dragonite can also help Mega Aerodactyl against Steel-type Pokemon with great coverage in Fire Punch and Superpower allowing it to take care of bulky Steel-types such as Mega Scizor and Ferrothorn. Mega Aerodactyl also appreciates Dragonite's ability to take on threats such as Mega Scizor with its coverage in Fire Punch. Mega Aerodactyl can then take care of Ice-type pokemon such as Alolan Ninetales and Life Orb Kyurem-Black for Dragonite. Okay, this is just overwritten. Cut some lines.
*Defog users such as Mantine, and Zapdos can clear hazards for Mega Aerodactyl. In return Mega Aerodactyl can take on Ice- and Electric-type Pokemon for Mantine and Zapdos with Earthquake, and Stone Edge. Both Zapdos and Mantine can switch into Special Attackers for Mega Aerodactyl. Talk about Mantine and Zapdos as Specially Defensive walls Mega Aero can pivot around with.
* Steel-types like Skarmory and Celesteela are defensive walls that can switch into Rock- and Ice-type attacks such as Choice Scarf Terrakion's Stone Edge, and Mamoswine's Icicle Crash for Mega Aerodactyl. Both Skarmory and Celesteela appreciate Mega Aerodactyl's ability to take on Fire-type Pokemon such as Victini. Skarmory and Celesteela also can take on Fairy-type pokemon such as Clefable and Tapu Bulu with their Steel-type STAB for Mega Aerodactyl.
* Ground-types such as Gliscor and Landorus-T act as an Electric-type immunity for Mega Aerodactyl. Gliscor can take on pokemon fat Pokemon such as Chansey and Porygon2 with the stallbreaker set, which can give Mega Aerodactyl a fair bit of trouble due to their natural bulk, access to Knock Off to remove Eviolite, and access to reliable recovery. Mega Aerodactyl can then take care of pokemon such as Victini for Gliscor by trapping it with Pursuit. Gliscor also can act as a status absorber for Mega Aerodactyl. Landorus-T acts a nice Choice Scarfer that is faster than Mega Aerodactyl and can clean through weakened Electric-type teams with Earthquake. Mega Aerodactyl then can setup Stealth Rock to allow Landorus-T to more easily clean through the opposing team.
* Special Attackers such as Thundurus, Landorus-I, and Tornadus-T can help Mega Aerodactyl break through Physical walls such as Ferrothorn, Skarmory, Tyranitar, and Swampert. In return, Mega Aerodactyl can handle Special Walls such as Alolan Muk for Tornadus-Therian and Thundurus or Volcarona for Landorus. Thundurus specifically can break through Bulky Water-types Mega Aerodactyl struggles with such as Swampert and Empoleon with Grass and Electric coverage. with the combination of Thunderbolt and Grass Knot for Mega Aerodactyl such as Swampert, and Empoleon. Landorus can break Steel teams very easily such as Ferrothorn, and Stakataka due to the combination of with Earth Power, and Focus Blast. Tornadus-T also can take care of pokemon such as Ferrothorn and Mega Venusaur with Heat Wave, and Hurricane, respectively.

This might be GP territory, but there's a ton of overwordy and redundant language that is bloating this section of the analysis.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============

Flying
--------
* Hone Claws can be run over Stealth Rock to allow Mega Aerodactyl to do more damage and secure important 2HKO's such as Toxapex with +1 Earthquake and allows Stone Edge to hit with 100% accuracy. However using Hone Claws means that you are not able to use Stealth Rock on Mega Aerodactyl, forcing the team to use a different Stealth Rock user that can not pressure other Defog users. Hone Claws utility is not just to "hit harder", but to allow Mega Aerodactyl to sweep weakened / slow teams. You wouldn't use Hone Claws to break defensively oriented teams, really.
* Taunt allows Mega Aerodactyl to prevent Pokemon such as Mega Venusaur and Porygon2 not able to use their recovery moves and prevents other Stealth Rock setters such as Nidoking and Chansey unable to setup Stealth Rock. However using Taunt means that Mega Aerodactyl will have to forgo Pursuit, making pokemon such as Choice Scarf Latios and Victini much harder to check. Talk more broadly about what Taunt does; "Taunt allows Mega Aerodactyl to shut down and beat walls such as X and Y and disrupt utility pokemon such as Z."
* Aqua Tail allows Mega Aerodactyl to check bulky Ground- and Rock-type Pokemon such as Hippowdon and Rhyperior which would otherwise completely counter Mega Aerodactyl. Rhypherior isn't a worthwhile example.
* Wing Attack allows Mega Aerodactyl to Grass- and Fighting-type Pokemon that previously beat it such as Keldeo, Mega Venusaur, and Mega Gallade.
* Fire Fang allows Mega Aerodactyl to hit Steel-type Pokemon such as Ferrothorn, which would otherwise wall Mega Aerodactyl.

Checks and Counters
===================

Flying
--------
**Stealth Rock**: Stealth Rock limits the amount of times Mega Aerodactyl can come into battle and prevent the amount of times it can setup Stealth Rock against the opponent. Many common lead Stealth Rock Pokemon such as Skarmory, Garchomp, and Swampert beat Mega Aerodactyl with relative ease either due to their bulk, typing, attacks, or some combination of all of the above. Cut the second line.

**Status Conditions**: Mega Aerodactyl does not appreciate Status conditions at all. Burns cripple its ability to do any damage such as not being able to OHKO Zapdos with Stone Edge and Paralysis makes it lose its main niche being its fantastic Speed tier, no longer allowing it to outspeed pokemon such as Choice Scarf Magnezone and Tapu Koko. Cut the first line.

**Steel-types**: Steel-types resist Mega Aerodactyl's Stone Edge allowing them to easily take Mega Aerodactyl's attacks and retaliate back with their powerful STAB attacks such as Celesteela with Heavy Slam. Mega Scizor deserves a special mention as it can live two Stone Edge's from Mega Aerodactyl after Stealth Rock chip and threaten to easily setup or heavily chip it with Bullet Punch. You need to clarify that only steel types that aren't heavily threatened by Earthquake threaten Mega Aerodactyl. A Heatran with a popped balloon or a magnezone don't check / counter Mega Aero.

**Water-types**: Water-type Pokemon threaten Mega Aerodactyl with their Water-type STAB attacks. Swampert deserves a special mention, as it can easily wall Mega Aerodactyl and set up Stealth Rock or attack it with Scald and threaten to burn Mega Aerodactyl. Again, not all water types threaten Mega Aerodactyl since it outspeeds almost all of them. You need to clarify "Bulky water-types such as Suicune and Swampert", or "offensive water-types such as Choice Scarf Greninja or Keldeo"

**Physical Walls**: Mega Aerodactyl is easily walled by an array of physical walls such as Chansey, Toxapex, Mega Venusaur, Skarmory and Porygon2 due to their access to reliable recovery, great natural bulk, and Mega Aerodactyl's lack of ability to setup. Cut Cut the last line, and replace with "Mega Aerodactyl's modest damage output" or something.

**Bulky Attackers**: Pokemon such as Cobalion and Mew can easily live an attack Mega Aerodactyl can use and threaten to severely damage it back with Iron Head and Genesis Supernova, respectively. (A) Cobalion is a meh example. (B) you should broaden the scope; "Offensive Pokemon such as Cobalion or Mew that can easily live attacks from Mega Aerodactyl will often severely threaten it in return, given Mega Aerodactyl's mediocre bulk."

**Porygon2**: Porygon2 easily takes any attacks that Mega Aerodactyl can throw at it and easily shrug off the damage with Recover. Porygon2 can then cripple Mega Aerodactyl with Thunder Wave and Toxic, which either severely reduces Mega Aerodactyl's Speed, and or ability to stay healthy throughout the entire match. Porygon2 can also 2OHKO Mega Aerodactyl with Discharge and Ice Beam. I still don't understand why Porygon2 deserves a bullet of it's own. Sure it hard walls Mega Aerodactyl but so do a great deal of pokemon, and you even specifically mention Porygon2 in the "Physical Walls" bullet.
Looks much, much better. QC 1/3

 

Moosical

big yikes
is a Site Content Manager Alumnusis a Social Media Contributor Alumnusis a Forum Moderator Alumnusis a Community Contributor Alumnusis a Top Contributor Alumnusis a Smogon Media Contributor Alumnus

QC:
[OVERVIEW]

Flying
========

* Mega Aerodactyl finds itself on Flying-type teams as a role compressor being able to act as a fast Offensive threat, a Pursuit trapper, and Stealth Rock setter.
* Due to Mega Aerodactyl's great natural speed it can outspeed many key threats such as Tapu Koko and threaten to OHKO allowing it to force many switches. (You need to change this sentence as it's not very well worded: "Due to Mega Aerodactyl's great natural Speed and coverage, it threatens many key Pokemon such as Tapu Koko and x with its combination of Earthquake and Stone Edge." You don't need to mention forcing switches in this statement because generally there are switchins and this is prediction heavy, which is more of a usage tip) Mega Aerodactyl can take advantage of the switches it forces with Pursuit, doubling damage upon switching out. Make the yellow statement here a separate bullet and mention 2 examples of Pokemon it's pursuit trapping.
* Mega Aerodactyl can put pressure on Defog Pokemon due to most of them being Flying-type pokemon, which such as x and x because they are threatened by Aerodactyl's Rock-type STAB. Due to the fact that Mega Aerodactyl forces many switches especially of other Defog Pokemon giving it an opportunity to set up Stealth Rock. Read the second sentence here out loud, it doesn't make sense grammar-wise.
* Due to Mega Aerodactyl's typing and access to useful coverage moves such as Earthquake, it can aid Flying-type in matchups such as Ice-, and Electric-type. Mega Aerodactyl can also heavily pressure offensive teams due to Earthquake+Stone Edge without any real wall to absorb Mega Aerodactyl's attacks. Move this to be the third bullet and say "..such as Earthquake and Stone Edge, it can aid in difficult matchups such as Electric and Ice."
* Mega Aerodactyl is still weak to the common types that Flying-type teams struggle against Ice-, Rock-, and Electric-type Pokemon. I don't think that you should say that MAero helps in these matchups but then say it struggles against them. I think you need to reword it to something like "Mega Aerodactyl compounds Flying's weakness to Ice, Rock, and Electric and is threatened by faster users of these coverage moves such as x and x."
* Even though Mega Aerodactyl has a decent Attack stat, it has trouble breaking through walls such as Hippowdon, Skarmory, and Porygon2 which all can easily shrug off damage Mega Aerodactyl does with their recovery moves.
* Mega Aerodactyl faces competition for the coveted mega slot by Mega Charizard Y which is an amazing Special wallbreaker with limited switchins. Mega Charizard Y can help Flying-type teams in difficult matchups such as Steel-, Ground-, and Ice-type teams with access to Fire Blast and Solarbeam.


[SET]
name: Offensive Rocks Setter (Flying)
move 1: Stone Edge
move 2: Earthquake
move 3: Pursuit
move 4: Stealth Rock
item: Aerodactylite
ability: Unnerve
nature: Jolly
evs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

* Stone Edge is Aerodactyl's strongest STAB attack allowing it to take on threats such as Mantine, Zapdos, and Volcarona.
* Earthquake is a very nice coverage move that compliments well with Stone Edge, and allows it to take on Steel-types threats such as Magnezone which Stone Edge barely touches.
* Pursuit allows Mega Aerodactyl to trap Psychic- and Ghost-type Pokemon such as Choice Scarf Victini, Latios, and Blacephalon which can otherwise threaten the team.
* Stealth Rock is a very essential move that chips the opposing team with each switch allowing itself and other sweepers and wallbreakers to clean through the other team with more ease.
* Ice Fang allows Mega Aerodactyl to hit Ground-type Pokemon such as Garchomp, Landorus, and Gliscor. Ice Fang can be used over Pursuit.

Set Details
========

* Maximum Attack investment allows Mega Aerodactyl to OHKO threats such as Tapu Koko with Earthquake after Stealth Rock Chip.
* Maximum Speed investment with a Jolly nature allows Mega Aerodactyl to outspeed threats such as Weavile and Tapu Koko allowing it to easily setup Stealth Rock.
* Aerodactylite allows Aerodactyl to Mega Evolve allowing it to outspeed pokemon it tied or was slower than before such as Mega Lopunny and gives Mega Aerodactyl access to Tough Claws.
* Tough Claws directly boosts the power of Pursuit, allowing Mega Aerodactyl to more easily OHKO or severely weaken pokemon upon switching out.

Usage Tips
========

* Mega Aerodactyl naturally pressured most Defog users due to the fact it has access to powerful Rock-type STAB in Stone Edge leaving many defoggers such as Zapdos, Mandibuzz, and Crobat unable to clear hazards very easily. It should take advantage of this by predicting the switch into Defog users threatened by it. Mega Aerodactyl should be careful on switching in on some Defog Pokemon such as Zapdos, and Mantine as they threaten Mega Aerodactyl with their STAB. Aerodactyl can also use its ability to pressure Defog pokemon with Stone Edge in order to keep Stealth Rock up constantly through the match.
* Due to Mega Aerodactyl's high Speed and Attack stats it forces many switches, capitalize on this opportunity to setup Stealth Rock or punish switches with Pursuit.
* Whenever Mega Aerodactyl switches in Stealth Rock should idealistically be removed from the field so it does not have to worry about the chip.
* Mega Aerodactyl should be used to trap Psychic- and Ghost-type Pokemon such as Latios, Victini, and Blacephalon to prevent them from further damaging the team. Mega Aerodactyl can also weaken Pokemon such as Zapdos with Pursuit upon the switch out to as they'll try to avoid being OHKO'ed by Stone Edge. However, Mega Aerodactyl can be threatened by its Electric-type STAB such as Discharge and Volt Switch and should be careful of using Pursuit over Stone Edge.
* If Mega Aerodactyl can be used to setup Stealth Rock or take care of a threat such as Tapu Koko and Kyurem-Black it should be preserved to deal with those threats before attempting to set up Stealth Rock. This is very awkwardly worded, you should rewrite it to get the same point across (just completely rewrite the statement, don't try to edit this one)
* Mega Aerodactyl is fairly useless in certain matchups such as Ground- and Steel-type teams due to the fact it can barely touch pokemon such as Hippowdon and Ferrothorn, without sacrificing important coverage. I'm not sure how this is a usage tip. This is basically just saying "Mega Aerodactyl is useless, don't use it" you need to add something constructive to this statement or just remove it. What Tyke meant was utilizing Mega Aerodactyl as a sack in order to get Pokemon into the field that threaten those types safely.
* Pursuit should be used always against more frail Pokemon such as Choice Specs Blacephalon, however against Pokemon such as a weakened Zapdos that still threatens Mega Aerodactyl it might not be the best idea to click Pursuit.

Team Options
========

* Stealth Rock helps support all of the offensive threats Flying teams have access to by dealing chip damage to their checks and switch-ins.
* Dragonite forms an excellent wallbreaking core with Mega Aerodactyl. Dragonite appreciates the Stealth Rock that Mega Aerodactyl sets and allows it to OHKO Pokemon such as Mantine with Choice Band Outrage. Dragonite can also help Mega Aerodactyl against Steel-type Pokemon with great coverage in Fire Punch and Superpower allowing it to take care of bulky Steel-types such as Mega Scizor and Ferrothorn. Mega Aerodactyl can then take care of Ice-type pokemon such as Alolan Ninetales and Life Orb Kyurem-Black for Dragonite.
*Defog users such as Mantine, and Zapdos can clear hazards for Mega Aerodactyl. In return Mega Aerodactyl can take on Ice- and Electric-type Pokemon for Mantine and Zapdos with Earthquake, and Stone Edge. Both Zapdos and Mantine can switch into Special Attackers for Mega Aerodactyl. Mantine can switch into Pokemon like Choice Scarf Greninja for Mega Aerodactyl while Zapdos can switch into pokemonElectric-types such as Alolan Raichu.
* Steel-types like Skarmory and Celesteela are defensive walls that can switch into Rock- and Ice-type attacks such as Choice Scarf Terrakion's Stone Edge, and Mamoswine's Icicle Crash for Mega Aerodactyl. Both Skarmory and Celesteela appreciate Mega Aerodactyl's ability to take on Fire-type Pokemon such as Victini. Skarmory and Celesteela also can take on Fairy-type pokemon such as Clefable and Tapu Bulu with their Steel-type STAB for Mega Aerodactyl.
* Ground-types such as Gliscor and Landorus-T act as an Electric-type immunity for Mega Aerodactyl. Gliscor can take on pokemon fat Pokemon such as Chansey and Porygon2 with the stallbreaker set thanks to its access to Knock Off, Taunt, and Roost, which can give Mega Aerodactyl a fair bit of trouble due to their natural bulk, access to Knock Off to remove Eviolite, and access to reliable recovery. Mega Aerodactyl can then take care of pokemon such as Victini for Gliscor by trapping it with Pursuit. Gliscor also can act as a status absorber for Mega Aerodactyl. Landorus-T acts a nice Choice Scarfer that is faster than Mega Aerodactyl and can clean through weakened Electric-type teams with Earthquake.
* Special Attackers such as Thundurus, Landorus-I, and Tornadus-T can help Mega Aerodactyl break through Physical walls such as Ferrothorn, Skarmory, Tyranitar, and Swampert. In return, Mega Aerodactyl can handle Special Walls such as Alolan Muk for Tornadus-Therian and Thundurus or Volcarona for Landorus. Thundurus specifically can break through Bulky Water-types Mega Aerodactyl struggles with such as Swampert and Empoleon with Grass and Electric coverage. with the combination of Thunderbolt and Grass Knot for Mega Aerodactyl such as Swampert, and Empoleon. Landorus can break Steel teams very easily such as Ferrothorn, and Stakataka due to the combination of with Earth Power, and Focus Blast. Tornadus-T also can take care of pokemon such as Ferrothorn and Mega Venusaur with Heat Wave, and Hurricane, respectively. Did you mean Thundy-T or Thundy in this bullet? Just checking.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============

Flying
--------
* Hone Claws can be run over Stealth Rock to allow Mega Aerodactyl to do more damage and secure important 2HKO's such as Toxapex with +1 Earthquake and allows Stone Edge to hit with 100% accuracy. Hone Claws can also help Mega Aerodactyl to break weakened and slower teams. However using Hone Claws means that you are not able to use Stealth Rock on Mega Aerodactyl, forcing the team to use a different Stealth Rock user such as x that can not pressure other Defog users.
* Taunt allows Mega Aerodactyl to shut down walls such as Mega Venusaur and Porygon2 making them not able to use their recovery moves and prevents utility Pokemon such as Nidoking and Chansey from setting up Stealth Rock. However using Taunt means that Mega Aerodactyl will have to forgo Pursuit, making pokemon such as Choice Scarf Latios and Victini much harder to check.
* Aqua Tail allows Mega Aerodactyl to check bulky Ground- and Rock-type Pokemon such as Hippowdon which would otherwise completely counter Mega Aerodactyl.
* Wing Attack allows Mega Aerodactyl to Grass- and Fighting-type Pokemon that previously beat it such as Keldeo, Mega Venusaur, and Mega Gallade.
* Fire Fang allows Mega Aerodactyl to hit Steel-type Pokemon such as Ferrothorn, which would otherwise wall Mega Aerodactyl.

Checks and Counters
===================

Flying
--------
**Stealth Rock**: Stealth Rock limits the amount of times Mega Aerodactyl can come into battle and prevent the amount of times it can setup Stealth Rock against the opponent.

**Status Conditions**: Burns cripple its ability to do any damage such as not being able to OHKO Zapdos with Stone Edge and Paralysis makes it lose its main niche being its fantastic Speed tier, no longer allowing it to outspeed pokemon such as Choice Scarf Magnezone and Tapu Koko.

**Steel-types**: Steel-types resist Mega Aerodactyl's Stone Edge allowing them to easily take Mega Aerodactyl's attacks and retaliate back with their powerful STAB attacks such as Celesteela with Heavy Slam. Mega Scizor deserves a special mention as it can live two Stone Edge's from Mega Aerodactyl after Stealth Rock chip and threaten to easily setup or heavily chip it with Bullet Punch. However Steel-types such as Magnezone and Heatran that are heavily threatened by Earthquake can not check Mega Aerodactyl.

**Water-types**: Mega Aerodactyl lacks the power to OHKO most Water-type Pokemon, who in return can OHKO or cripple Mega Aerodactyl with their Water-type STAB.

**Physical Walls**: Mega Aerodactyl is easily walled by an array of physical walls such as Chansey, Toxapex, Mega Venusaur, Skarmory and Porygon2 due to their access to reliable recovery, great natural bulk, and Mega Aerodactyl's modest damage output.

**Bulky Attackers**: Mamoswine and Buzzwole can easily tank Mega Aerodactyl's attacks and then significantly damage it in return with Icicle Crash and Ice Punch, respectively. However Buzzwole needs to watch out for Aerial Ace as it can easily OHKO it.
The Excadrill can you implement and tag me again? A lot of changes to the overview
 

iLlama

Nothing personal, I protect my people
[OVERVIEW]

Flying
========
Mega Aerodactyl can take advantage of the switches it forces with Pursuit such as Latios and Blacephalon.
- This sentence needs to be reworked, I understand what you mean but it's confusing.

Mega Charizard Y can help Flying-type teams in difficult matchups such as Steel-, Ice-, and Ground-, teams with access to Fire Blast and Solarbeam.
- Would not call Steel a difficult matchup. Also the way this is written reads as all three of these types being threatened by both Fire Blast and Solar Beam. Just say how Mega Char Y is extremely powerful in those three matchups.

Usage Tips
========
Mega Aerodactyl can also weaken Pokemon such as Zapdos with Pursuit upon the switch out to as they'll try to avoid being OHKO'ed by Stone Edge. However, Mega Aerodactyl can be threatened by its Electric-type STAB such as Discharge and Volt Switch and should be careful of using Pursuit over Stone Edge.
- This should really be one sentence and be cut down in information, also currently the second sentence reads as though Mega Aero has Electric-type STAB.


[SET]
name: Offensive Rocks Setter (Flying)
move 1: Stone Edge
move 2: Earthquake
move 3: Pursuit
move 4: Stealth Rock
item: Aerodactylite
ability: Unnerve
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe

QC 3/3
oie_rounded_corners (1).gif
 
Last edited:

A Cake Wearing A Hat

moist and crusty
is a Community Leaderis a Community Contributoris a Top Contributoris a Smogon Media Contributoris a Dedicated Tournament Hostis a Battle Simulator Moderatoris a Site Content Manager Alumnusis a Top Social Media Contributor Alumnus
Community Leader
add remove comments
[OVERVIEW]

Flying
========

Mega Aerodactyl finds itself on Flying-type teams as a role compressor being able to that can act as a fast Offensive offensive threat, a Pursuit trapper, and Stealth Rock setter. Due to Mega Aerodactyl's great natural Speed and coverage, it threatens offensively checks many key Pokemon such as Tapu Koko and Weavile with its combination of Earthquake and Stone Edge, which can aid in difficult matchups such as Electric and Ice. Due to Mega Aerodactyl's Offensive offensive presence it forces many switches against Pokemon such as Latios and Blacephalon, which it can take advantage of with Pursuit. Mega Aerodactyl can put pressure on Defog Pokemon, such as Defoggers like Mandibuzz and Zapdos because they are threatened by Aerodactyl's Rock-type STAB attacks. Because Mega Aerodactyl forces out many switches Pokemon, it gets ample opportunities to set up Stealth Rock. Due to Mega Aerodactyl's typing and access to useful coverage moves such as Earthquake, it can aid Flying-type in matchups such as Ice-, and Electric-type. (very literally this was said earlier in the overview) Mega Aerodactyl compounds Flying's weakness to Ice, Rock, and Electric and is threatened by faster users of these coverage moves such as Choice Choice Scarf Terrakion and Alolan Raichu in Electric Terrain. (contradicts earlier; approved by eien) Even though Mega Aerodactyl has a decent Attack stat, it has trouble breaking through walls such as Hippowdon, Skarmory, and Porygon2, (AC) which all can easily shrug off the damage Mega Aerodactyl does with their recovery moves. Mega Aerodactyl faces competition for the coveted mega Mega slot by Mega Charizard Y, (AC) which is an amazing Special special wallbreaker with limited switchins switch-ins. Mega Charizard Y can help Flying-type teams in difficult matchups such as Steel-, Ice-, and Ground-type teams.

[SET]
name: Offensive Rocks Stealth Rock Setter (Flying)
move 1: Stone Edge
move 2: Earthquake
move 3: Pursuit
move 4: Stealth Rock
item: Aerodactylite
ability: Unnerve
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

Stone Edge is Aerodactyl's strongest STAB attack, (AC) allowing it to take on threats such as Mantine, Zapdos, and Volcarona. Earthquake is a very nice coverage move that compliments complements well with Stone Edge, (RC) and allows it Mega Aerodactyl to take on Steel-types such as Magnezone which Stone Edge barely touches that resist Stone Edge. Pursuit allows Mega Aerodactyl to trap Psychic- and Ghost-type Pokemon such as Victini, Latios, and Blacephalon which that can otherwise threaten the team. Stealth Rock is a very essential move that chips the opposing team with each switch allowing itself as they switch in, allowing Mega Aerodactyl and other sweepers and wallbreakers to clean through the other team with more ease more easily. Ice Fang is an option over Pursuit that allows Mega Aerodactyl to hit Ground-type Pokemon such as Garchomp, Landorus, and Gliscor super effectively. Ice Fang can be used over Pursuit.

Set Details
========

Maximum Attack investment allows Mega Aerodactyl to OHKO threats such as Tapu Koko with Earthquake after Stealth Rock Chip. Maximum Speed investment with a Jolly nature allows Mega Aerodactyl to outspeed threats such as Weavile and Tapu Koko, (AC) allowing it to easily setup Stealth Rock. Aerodactylite allows Aerodactyl to Mega Evolve allowing it to outspeed pokemon it tied or was slower than before such as Mega Lopunny and gives Mega Aerodactyl and gives it access to Tough Claws. (the pre-Mega speed tier is completely irrelevant; this isn't gen 6) Tough Claws directly boosts the power of Pursuit, allowing Mega Aerodactyl to more easily OHKO or severely weaken pokemon upon switching Pokemon as they switch out.

Usage Tips
========

Mega Aerodactyl naturally pressured pressures most Defog users due to the fact it has access to a powerful Rock-type STAB attack in Stone Edge, (AC) leaving many defoggers Defoggers such as Zapdos, Mandibuzz, and Crobat unable to clear entry hazards very easily. It should take advantage of this by predicting the switch into Defog users threatened by it. Mega Aerodactyl should be careful on when switching in on some Defog Pokemon Defoggers such as Zapdos, (RC) and Mantine, (AC) as they threaten Mega Aerodactyl with their STAB attacks. Aerodactyl can also use its ability to pressure Defog pokemon Defoggers with Stone Edge in order to keep Stealth Rock up constantly through the match. Due to Mega Aerodactyl's high Speed and Attack stats, (AC) it forces many switches,; (remove comma add semicolon) capitalize on this opportunity to setup set Stealth Rock or punish switches with Pursuit. Whenever Mega Aerodactyl switches in, (AC) Stealth Rock should idealistically ideally be removed from its side of the field so it does not have to worry about the chip getting worn down. Mega Aerodactyl should be used to Pursuit trap Psychic- and Ghost-type Pokemon such as Latios, Victini, and Blacephalon to prevent them from further damaging the team. Mega Aerodactyl can also weaken Pokemon such as Zapdos with Pursuit upon the as they switch out to, (AC) as they'll try to avoid being OHKO'ed by Stone Edge; (ASC) however you, (AC) Mega Aerodactyl should be careful using Pursuit when it can be threatened by the Pokemon it is trying to Pursuit trap. Mega Aerodactyl should be preserved to take care of threats such as Tapu Koko and Kyurem-Black Kyurem-B rather than attempting to setup set Stealth Rock at any cost. Mega Aerodactyl is fairly useless in certain matchups and should be used as a sack sacrifice against Ground- and Steel-type teams due to the fact it can barely touch pokemon Pokemon such as Hippowdon and Ferrothorn and their teammates. Pursuit should be used always against more frail Pokemon such as Choice Specs Blacephalon, however against Pokemon such as a weakened Zapdos that still threatens Mega Aerodactyl it might not be the best idea to click Pursuit. (you stated pretty much this exact sentence earlier; removal approved by eien)

Team Options
========

Stealth Rock helps support all of the offensive threats Flying teams have access to by dealing chip damage to their checks and switch-ins. Dragonite forms an excellent wallbreaking core with Mega Aerodactyl. Dragonite appreciates the Stealth Rock that Mega Aerodactyl sets and, (AC) which allows it to OHKO Pokemon such as Mantine with Choice Band Outrage. Dragonite can also help Mega Aerodactyl against Steel-type Pokemon with its great coverage in Fire Punch and Superpower allowing it to take care of bulky Steel-types such as Mega Scizor and Ferrothorn. Mega Aerodactyl can then take care of Ice-type pokemon such as Alolan Ninetales and Life Orb Kyurem-Black Kyurem-B for Dragonite. Defog users such as Mantine, (RC) and Zapdos can clear entry hazards for Mega Aerodactyl. In return Mega Aerodactyl can take on Ice- and Electric-type Pokemon for Mantine and Zapdos with Earthquake, and Stone Edge and Earthquake. Both Zapdos and Mantine can switch into Special Attackers special attackers for Mega Aerodactyl. Mantine can switch into Pokemon like Choice Scarf Greninja for Mega Aerodactyl, (AC) while Zapdos can switch into Electric-types such as Alolan Raichu. Steel-types like Skarmory and Celesteela are defensive walls that can switch into Rock- and Ice-type attacks such as Choice Scarf Terrakion's Stone Edge, (RC) and Mamoswine's Icicle Crash for Mega Aerodactyl. Both Skarmory and Celesteela appreciate Mega Aerodactyl's ability to take on Fire-type Pokemon such as Victini. Skarmory and Celesteela also can take on Fairy-type pokemon Pokemon such as Clefable and Tapu Bulu with their Steel-type STAB attacks for Mega Aerodactyl. Ground-types such as Gliscor and Landorus-T act as an Electric-type immunity check Electric-types for Mega Aerodactyl. Stallbreaker Gliscor can take on pokemon fat Pokemon such as Chansey and Porygon2 with the stallbreaker set thanks to its access to Knock Off, Taunt, and Roost, which that can give Mega Aerodactyl a fair bit of trouble due to their natural bulk. Mega Aerodactyl can then take care of pokemon Pokemon such as Victini for Gliscor by Pursuit trapping it with Pursuit them. Gliscor also can act as a status absorber for Mega Aerodactyl. Landorus-T acts a nice Choice Scarfer Scarf user that is faster than Mega Aerodactyl and can clean through weakened Electric-type teams with Earthquake. Special Attackers attackers such as Thundurus, Landorus, and Tornadus-T can help Mega Aerodactyl break through Physical physical walls such as Ferrothorn, Skarmory, Tyranitar, and Swampert. In return, Mega Aerodactyl can handle Special Walls Volcarona and special walls such as Alolan Muk for Tornadus-Therian and Thundurus or Volcarona.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============

Flying
--------
Hone Claws can be run over Stealth Rock to allow Mega Aerodactyl to do more damage and secure important 2HKO's such as Toxapex with +1 Earthquake and allows Stone Edge to hit with 100% accuracy always hit Stone Edge and deal more damage against foes such as Toxapex. Hone Claws can also help Mega Aerodactyl to break weakened and slower teams. However, (AC) using Hone Claws means that you are not able to use Stealth Rock on Mega Aerodactyl, forcing the team to over Stealth Rock means the team must use a different Stealth Rock user such as Skarmory that can not pressure other Defog users has a worse matchup against common Defoggers. Taunt allows Mega Aerodactyl to shut down to prevent walls such as Mega Venusaur and Porygon2 making them not able to use their from using recovery moves and prevents utility lets it prevent Pokemon such as Nidoking and Chansey from setting up Stealth Rock. However, (AC) using Taunt means that Mega Aerodactyl will have to forgo Pursuit, making pokemon Pokemon such as Victini and Choice Scarf Latios and Victini much harder to check. Aqua Tail allows Mega Aerodactyl to check bulky Ground-type Pokemon such as Hippowdon which that would otherwise completely counter Mega Aerodactyl it. Wing Attack allows Mega Aerodactyl to hit Grass- and Fighting-type Pokemon that previously would otherwise beat it such as Keldeo, Mega Venusaur, and Mega Gallade. Fire Fang allows Mega Aerodactyl to hit Steel-type Pokemon such as Ferrothorn, (RC) which that would otherwise wall Mega Aerodactyl. Alternatively, instead of running a Mega stone Stone on Hyper Offense hyper offensive teams Mega, (AC) Aerodactyl is can be used as a Focus Sash Suicide suicide lead with a Focus Sash. With great Speed and access to Stealth Rock and Taunt while having fantastic great natural Speed, (AC) Aerodactyl can stop many leads from setting up Stealth Rock and spreading status. Double Edge is ran on that set so it can die to recoil on used on the suicide lead set so that it can faint to recoil damage against Defoggers such as Zapdos rather than letting entry hazards be cleared, (AC) and Tailwind provides Speed support speed control for powerful wallbreakers such as Mega Charizard Y and Dragonite, (AC) allowing them to outspeed foe's foes they usually would not be able to beat such as Tapu Koko.

Checks and Counters
===================

Flying
--------
**Stealth Rock**: Stealth Rock limits the amount of times Mega Aerodactyl can come into battle and prevent the amount of times it can setup set its own Stealth Rock against the opponent.

**Status Conditions**: Burns cripple its Mega Aerodactyl's ability to do any meaningful damage such as not being able to OHKO against foes such as Zapdos with Stone Edge, (AC) and Paralysis paralysis makes it lose its main niche being its fantastic Speed tier, no longer allowing it to outspeed pokemon outspeeding Pokemon such as Tapu Koko and Choice Scarf Magnezone and Tapu Koko.

**Steel-types**: Steel-types such as Celesteela resist Mega Aerodactyl's Stone Edge, (AC) allowing them to easily take Mega Aerodactyl's its attacks and retaliate back with their powerful STAB attacks such as Celesteela with Heavy Slam moves. Mega Scizor deserves a special mention, (AC) as it can live two Stone Edge's avoid the 2HKO from Mega Aerodactyl Aerodactyl's Stone Edge after Stealth Rock chip and threaten to easily setup set up with Swords Dance or heavily chip it with Bullet Punch. However, (AC) Steel-types such as Magnezone and Heatran that are heavily threatened by Earthquake can not cannot check Mega Aerodactyl.

**Water-types**: Mega Aerodactyl lacks the power to OHKO most Water-type Pokemon, who which in return can OHKO or cripple Mega Aerodactyl with their Water-type STAB attacks in return.

**Physical Walls Bulky Pokemon**: Mega Aerodactyl is easily walled by an array of physical walls bulky Pokemon such as Chansey, Toxapex, Mega Venusaur, Skarmory, (AC) and Porygon2 due to their access to reliable recovery, their great natural bulk, and Mega Aerodactyl's modest damage output.

**Bulky Attackers**: Mamoswine and Buzzwole can easily tank Mega Aerodactyl's attacks and then significantly damage it in return with Icicle Crash and Ice Punch, respectively. However, (AC) Buzzwole needs to watch out for Aerial Ace as it, (AC) which can easily OHKO it.

1/2
 

Lumari

empty spaces
is a Site Content Manageris a Top Social Media Contributoris a Member of Senior Staffis a Community Contributoris a Top Contributoris a Top Smogon Media Contributoris an Administrator Alumnus
TFP Leader
remove add / fix (comments); (AC=add comma; RC=remove comma; SC=semicolon)
GP 2/2
[OVERVIEW]

Flying
========

Mega Aerodactyl finds itself on Flying-type teams as a role compressor that can act as a fast offensive threat, a Pursuit trapper, and a Stealth Rock setter. Due to Mega Aerodactyl's great natural Speed and coverage, it offensively checks many key Pokemon such as Tapu Koko and Weavile with its combination of Earthquake and Stone Edge, which can aid in difficult matchups such as Electric and Ice. Due to Mega Aerodactyl's offensive presence it forces many switches against Pokemon such as Latios and Blacephalon, which it can take advantage of with Pursuit. Mega Aerodactyl can put pressure on Defoggers like Mandibuzz and Zapdos because they are threatened by Aerodactyl's Rock-type STAB attacks. Because Mega Aerodactyl forces out many Pokemon, it gets ample opportunities to set Stealth Rock. Even though Mega Aerodactyl has a decent Attack stat, it has trouble breaking through walls such as Hippowdon, Skarmory, and Porygon2, which all can easily shrug off the damage Mega Aerodactyl does with their recovery moves. Mega Aerodactyl also faces competition for the coveted Mega slot by Mega Charizard Y, which is an amazing special wallbreaker with limited switch-ins (RP) Mega Charizard Y that can help Flying-type teams in difficult matchups such as Steel-, Ice-, and Ground-type teams.

[SET]
name: Offensive Stealth Rock Setter (Flying)
move 1: Stone Edge
move 2: Earthquake
move 3: Pursuit
move 4: Stealth Rock
item: Aerodactylite
ability: Unnerve
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

Stone Edge is Aerodactyl's strongest STAB attack, allowing it to take on threats such as Mantine, Zapdos, and Volcarona. Earthquake is a very nice coverage move that complements pairs well with Stone Edge and allows Mega Aerodactyl to take on Steel-types such as Magnezone that resist Stone Edge. Pursuit allows Mega Aerodactyl to trap Psychic- and Ghost-type Pokemon such as Victini, Latios, and Blacephalon that can otherwise threaten the team. Stealth Rock is a very essential move that chips the opposing team as they switch in, allowing Mega Aerodactyl and other sweepers and wallbreakers to clean through the other team more easily. Ice Fang is an option over Pursuit that allows Mega Aerodactyl to hit Ground-type Pokemon such as Garchomp, Landorus, and Gliscor super effectively.

Set Details
========

Maximum Attack investment allows Mega Aerodactyl to OHKO threats such as Tapu Koko with Earthquake after Stealth Rock. Maximum Speed investment with a Jolly nature allows Mega Aerodactyl to outspeed threats such as Weavile and Tapu Koko, allowing it to easily setup set up Stealth Rock. Aerodactylite allows Aerodactyl to Mega Evolve and gives it access to Tough Claws. Tough Claws directly boosts the power of Pursuit, allowing Mega Aerodactyl to more easily OHKO or severely weaken Pokemon as they switch out.

Usage Tips
========

Mega Aerodactyl naturally pressures most Defog users due to the fact it has its access to a powerful Rock-type STAB attack in Stone Edge, leaving many Defoggers such as Zapdos, Mandibuzz, and Crobat unable to clear entry hazards very easily. It should take advantage of this by predicting the switch into Defog users threatened by it to switch in. However, Mega Aerodactyl should be careful when switching in on some Defoggers such as Zapdos and Mantine, as they threaten Mega Aerodactyl with their STAB attacks. Aerodactyl can also use its ability to pressure Defoggers with Stone Edge in order to keep Stealth Rock up constantly through the match. Due to Mega Aerodactyl's high Speed and Attack stats, it forces many switches; capitalize on this opportunity to set Stealth Rock or punish switches with Pursuit. Whenever Mega Aerodactyl switches in, Stealth Rock should ideally be removed from its side of the field so it does not have to worry about getting worn down. Mega Aerodactyl should also be used to Pursuit trap Psychic- and Ghost-type Pokemon such as Latios, Victini, and Blacephalon to prevent them from damaging the team. Mega Aerodactyl It can also weaken Pokemon such as Zapdos with Pursuit as they switch out, as they'll try to avoid being OHKO'ed by Stone Edge; however, Mega Aerodactyl should be careful using Pursuit when it can be threatened by the Pokemon it is trying to Pursuit trap. Mega Aerodactyl should be preserved to take care of threats such as Tapu Koko and Kyurem-B rather than attempting to set Stealth Rock at any cost. Mega Aerodactyl is fairly useless in certain matchups and should be used as a sacrifice against Ground- and Steel-type teams due to the fact that it can barely touch Pokemon such as Hippowdon and Ferrothorn.

Team Options
========

Stealth Rock helps support all of the offensive threats Flying teams have access to by dealing chip damage to their checks and switch-ins. Dragonite forms an excellent wallbreaking core with Mega Aerodactyl, (comma) Dragonite appreciates appreciating the Stealth Rock that Mega Aerodactyl sets (RC) which allows it to help it OHKO Pokemon such as Mantine with Choice Band-boosted Outrage. Dragonite can also help Mega Aerodactyl against Steel-type Pokemon with its great coverage in Fire Punch and Superpower allowing it to take care of bulky Steel-types such as Mega Scizor and Ferrothorn. Mega Aerodactyl can then take care of Ice-type Pokemon such as Alolan Ninetales and Life Orb Kyurem-B for Dragonite. Defog users such as Mantine and Zapdos can clear entry hazards for Mega Aerodactyl. In return Mega Aerodactyl can take on Ice- and Electric-type Pokemon for Mantine and Zapdos with Stone Edge and Earthquake. Both Zapdos and Mantine can also switch into special attackers for Mega Aerodactyl—Mantine can switch into Pokemon like Choice Scarf Greninja for Mega Aerodactyl, while Zapdos can switch into in Mantine's case, and Electric-types such as Alolan Raichu in Zapdos's case. Skarmory and Celesteela are defensive walls that can switch into Rock- and Ice-type attacks such as Choice Scarf Terrakion's Stone Edge and Mamoswine's Icicle Crash for Mega Aerodactyl. Both Skarmory and Celesteela appreciate Mega Aerodactyl's ability to take on Fire-type Pokemon such as Victini. Skarmory and Celesteela also can take on Fairy-type Pokemon such as Clefable and Tapu Bulu with their Steel-type STAB attacks for Mega Aerodactyl. Ground-types such as Gliscor and Landorus-T check Electric-types for Mega Aerodactyl. Stallbreaker Gliscor can take on Pokemon such as Chansey and Porygon2 that can give Mega Aerodactyl a fair bit of trouble due to their natural bulk. Mega Aerodactyl can then take care of Pokemon such as Victini for Gliscor by Pursuit trapping them. Gliscor also can act as a status absorber for Mega Aerodactyl. Landorus-T acts a nice Choice Scarf user that is faster than Mega Aerodactyl and can clean through weakened Electric-type teams with Earthquake. Special attackers such as Thundurus, Landorus, and Tornadus-T can help Mega Aerodactyl break through physical walls such as Ferrothorn, Skarmory, Tyranitar, and Swampert. In return, Mega Aerodactyl can handle Volcarona and special walls such as Alolan Muk.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============

Flying
--------
Hone Claws can be run over Stealth Rock to allow Mega Aerodactyl to always hit Stone Edge and deal more damage against foes such as Toxapex. Hone Claws It can also help Mega Aerodactyl break weakened and slower teams. However, using Hone Claws over Stealth Rock means the team must use a different Stealth Rock user such as Skarmory that has a worse matchup against common Defoggers. Taunt allows Mega Aerodactyl to prevent walls such as Mega Venusaur and Porygon2 from using recovery moves and lets it prevent Pokemon such as Nidoking and Chansey from setting Stealth Rock. However, using Taunt means that Mega Aerodactyl will have to forgo Pursuit, making Pokemon such as Victini and Choice Scarf Latios much harder to check. Aqua Tail allows Mega Aerodactyl to check bulky Ground-type Pokemon such as Hippowdon that would otherwise completely counter it. Wing Attack allows Mega Aerodactyl to hit Grass- and Fighting-type Pokemon that would otherwise beat it such as Keldeo, Mega Venusaur, and Mega Gallade. Fire Fang allows Mega Aerodactyl to hit Steel-type Pokemon such as Ferrothorn that would otherwise wall Mega Aerodactyl. Alternatively, instead of running a Mega Stone on hyper offensive teams, Aerodactyl can be used as a suicide lead with a Focus Sash. With great Speed and access to Stealth Rock and Taunt, Aerodactyl can stop many leads from setting Stealth Rock and spreading status. Double-Edge (AH) is used on the suicide lead such a set so that it can faint to recoil damage against Defoggers such as Zapdos rather than letting entry hazards be cleared, and Tailwind provides speed control for powerful wallbreakers such as Mega Charizard Y and Dragonite, allowing them to outspeed foes they usually would not be able to beat such as Tapu Koko.

Checks and Counters
===================

Flying
--------
**Stealth Rock**: Stealth Rock limits the amount number of times Mega Aerodactyl can come into battle and set its own Stealth Rock against the opponent.

**Status Conditions**: Burns cripple Mega Aerodactyl's ability to do any meaningful damage against foes such as Zapdos, and paralysis makes it lose its fantastic Speed tier, no longer outspeeding Pokemon such as Tapu Koko and Choice Scarf Magnezone.

**Steel-types**: Steel-types such as Celesteela resist Mega Aerodactyl's Stone Edge, allowing them to easily take its attacks and retaliate with their powerful STAB moves. Mega Scizor deserves a special mention, as it can avoid the 2HKO from Mega Aerodactyl's Stone Edge after Stealth Rock and threaten to set up with Swords Dance or heavily chip it with Bullet Punch. However, Steel-types such as Magnezone and Heatran that are heavily threatened by Earthquake cannot check Mega Aerodactyl.

**Water-types**: Mega Aerodactyl lacks the power to OHKO most Water-type Pokemon, which can OHKO or cripple Mega Aerodactyl with their Water-type STAB attacks in return.

**Bulky Pokemon**: Mega Aerodactyl is easily walled by bulky Pokemon such as Chansey, Toxapex, Mega Venusaur, Skarmory, and Porygon2 due to their access to reliable recovery, their great natural bulk, and Mega Aerodactyl's modest damage output.

**Bulky Attackers**: Mamoswine and Buzzwole can easily tank Mega Aerodactyl's attacks and significantly damage it in return with Icicle Crash and Ice Punch, respectively. However, Buzzwole needs to watch out for Aerial Ace, which can easily OHKO it.
 

Users Who Are Viewing This Thread (Users: 1, Guests: 0)

Top