One of the original 151 Pokemon, Aerodactyl is a dual-type rock/flying Pokemon. This pterodactyl-like Pokemon was introduced in generation one with the original Pokemon Red, Blue, and Green games. It is a standalone Pokemon and is not known to evolve from or into any Pokemon. As one of the original Pokemon that was released, it has appeared in many different episodes of the anime as well. This guide will showcase Aerodactyl’s capabilities in battle, its appearances in the anime, as well as other general facts about Aerodactyl.
About Aerodactyl
Aerodactyl, the fossil Pokemon, is not found in the wild. Instead, the player has to locate an Old Amber and bring it to that game’s respective science facility to resurrect it back into its living form. It is a standalone Pokemon, meaning that it does not actually evolve from or into any other Pokemon. In the anime, it first appeared in the episode Attack of the Prehistoric Pokemon as part of the original series. The Pokedex states that Aerodactyl originates from prehistoric times and its teeth are razor sharp.
| First appearance in anime | Original Series: Attack of the Prehistoric Pokemon |
| First appearance in game | Red/Green (Japan) Red/Blue (International) |
| Region | Kanto |
| Evolution | Not known to evolve into or from any Pokemon |
| 1st Evo level | N/A |
| 2nd Evo level | N/A |
| Pokedex Entry | Aerodactyl is a Pokémon from the age of dinosaurs. It was regenerated from genetic material extracted from amber. It is imagined to have been the king of the skies in ancient times. |
Aerodactyl Base Stats
| HP | 80 |
| ATTACK | 105 |
| DEFENCE | 65 |
| SP. ATTACK | 60 |
| SP. DEFENCE | 75 |
| SPEED | 130 |
| TOTAL | 515 |
Appearance of Aerodactyl
As its namesake implies, Aerodactyl is likely based on pterodactyls of the dinosaur age. Its large skull, body, tail, and wings are all light gray, but the webbing on its wings is pinkish in color. The wings resemble bat wings and its wings are part of its arms. Aerodactyl is 5 feet and 11 inches, or 1.8 meters, tall. When it opens its massive jaw, you can see a line of serrated teeth lining its mouth. Aerodactyl’s tail ends in a point and its legs end in two digits.
Behavior of Aerodactyl
Thought to be king of the skies for its time by scholars of the Pokemon universe, Aerodactyl is truly a fierce Pokemon. Its fangs are capable of ripping through steel and its ferocity implies that it was a killing machine predator. Typical of flying type Pokemon, it nests in mountains where it is safe and secluded. With its large wingspan, razor-like teeth, and imposing nature, Aerodactyl is a fearsome Pokemon to encounter.
Strengths and Weaknesses
As a dual-type rock/flying Pokemon, Aerodactyl has quite a few weaknesses. Rock typing does not actually give it resistances to rock, and it will take double damage from rock, steel, water, electric, and ice type moves. What Aerodactyl truly excels in is speed and physical attack. While it is not particularly bulky, any attack you take from Aerodactyl will deal quite a bit of damage. Taking its speed into consideration as well, it can be difficult facing an Aerodactyl without taking some damage.
Mega Aerodactyl
Mega Aerodactyl gains the 100 stat boost to base stats that most mega evolutions get to enjoy. For Mega Aerodactyl’s statline, it is mostly balanced, but many points go into its physical attack and speed, further increasing its capabilities in battle. Mega Aerodactyl’s design becomes more jagged and intimidating. It grows black spikes in multiple places on its head, spikes rim the inside of its wings, and even its tail and feet gain a few spikes.
Shiny Aerodactyl
In Shiny Aerodactyl’s color palette, it swaps out its gray colors for a pink. The pink in Shiny Aerodactyl’s sprite is similar to the color that is seen in regular Aerodactyl’s wings. For Shiny Aerodactyl, its wings become bright blue. Not much else changes between regular Aerodactly and Shiny Aerodactyl. Like all shiny Pokemon, it gains a starry animation upon entering battle. These colors remain for Shiny Mega Aerodactyl as well. The black spikes remain the same color, but the general color scheme is kept.
Best Moveset
As a fast physical attacking rock/flying Pokemon, Aerodactyl has a good range of moves to be picked from. In the OU (Over Used) bracket of competitive play, you will want Stealth Rock, Taunt/Sky Attack, Rock Slide/Stone Edge, and Earthquake. Stealth Rock puts a thorn in the sides of your opponent’s Pokemon, Taunt is good for preventing any shenanigans your opponent may be up to, Rock Slide and Stone Edge are interchangeable as a STAB (Same Type Attack Bonus) move, and Earthquake will help cover difficult typing. If you want Sky Attack, you will want a Power Herb as a held item to make use of Aerodactyl’s high speed. If you want to run taunt, consider using a Focus Sash instead.
| Stealth Rock | Taunt/Sky Attack |
| Rock Slide/Stone Edge | Earthquake |
How to Catch Aerodactyl in Pokemon Go
While it is not impossible to find an Aerodactyl in the wild in Pokemon Go, it is not very likely at all. Instead, if you want to catch an Aerodactyl in Pokemon Go, you should look towards getting as many research tasks done as you can. Aerodactyl is offered as a reward for completing certain research tasks. Certain events in Pokemon Go will also have special research tasks where you are guaranteed a Pokemon. In the past, an Aerodactly was offered as a guaranteed encounter, but these days you will likely have to go through many research tasks to find one yourself. It also appeared as a three-star raid boss in the past, but it is anyone’s guess on whether it will appear in the raid boss rotation.
Video Guide
Trivia
- Despite not being a dragon-type Pokemon, it was still part of both Dragon Tamer Lance and Dragon Gym Trainer Clair’s team.
- Out of all the original generation one rock type Pokemon, Aerodactyl is the only rock type Pokemon that is not 4x weak to grass type moves.
- Aerodactyl’s name is a portmanteau of the Greek word Aero (air) and pterodactyl.
FAQs
Q. What Kills Aerodactyl?
You actually have a large pool of moves that can take out an Aerodactyl. Take your pick from steel, water, electric, ice, and even rock-type moves. Aerodactyl is particularly fast, so any bulky Pokemon that can take a hit, or a faster Pokemon will be your best bet for getting through an Aerodactyl.
Q. What Evolves into Aerodactyl?
No Pokemon evolves into Aerodactyl. Instead, you will have to obtain an Old Amber in your respective game and take it to a science lab or museum to resurrect an Aerodactyl. It also has a mega evolution, but this is classified differently than regular evolution. Nothing evolves into or from an Aerodactyl.
Q. Is Aerodactyl a Rare Pokemon?
Most of the games will give you an Old Amber, so as long as you are willing to locate the Old Amber, you can guarantee an Aerodactyl. If you are playing Pokemon Go, yes, Aerodactyl is quite rare. However, since most of the mainline games give you an Aerodactyl, but only one Aerodactyl, it is more exclusive than it is rare.
Conclusion
Congratulations, you now know just about everything there is to know about this flying dinosaur-like Pokemon. Aerodactyl had quite an impact on competitive battling, and its mega evolution grants it even more capabilities. While it is not placed particularly high in every generation, the fact that a generation one Pokemon manages to stay relevant today, over 25 years later is impressive. Its design is memorable enough that veteran players of the series can likely recall it even after all this time. If you need a solid offensive rock or flying type Pokemon, reserve the slot for Aerodactyl.
