Amaroq
Cover me.
(Mega) Aerodactyl
QC: [3/3]
GP: [2/2]
[OVERVIEW]
Mega Aerodactyl is one of the best Mega Evolutions available in UU and is an extremely easy fit on teams of all archetypes. Its blistering base 150 Speed makes it the fastest unboosted Pokemon in the tier, and a good Attack stat and Tough Claws give it respectable damage output. Mega Aerodactyl has several viable coverage options to complement its nice STAB moves, and thus, its sets are highly customizable, although some of these options lack power. Between its Speed, power, and coverage, Mega Aerodactyl has all the tools it needs to be one of the premier anti-offense Pokemon in the tier, while its access to Hone Claws allows it to function as a dangerous sweeper against bulkier teams as well. While its defensive stats are only average and a weakness to Stealth Rock and common attacking types such as Water, Ice, and Electric limit its opportunities to switch in, it has a useful defensive typing and Roost to augment its longevity. Additionally, utility options such as Stealth Rock, Taunt, and Defog allow it to support its team if necessary. Focus Sash Aerodactyl is a fast, efficient suicide lead with high base Speed, which allows it to outpace other suicide leads such as Azelf and Froslass, access to Stealth Rock and Taunt, and a way of KOing itself to prevent opposing Defog and Rapid Spin. However, this set is only useful to hyper offense teams that want a good matchup against other hazard leads.
[SET]
name: Offensive
move 1: Stone Edge
move 2: Wing Attack / Aqua Tail
move 3: Earthquake / Aqua Tail
move 4: Pursuit / Aqua Tail / Roost
item: Aerodactylite
ability: Unnerve
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Stone Edge is Mega Aerodactyl's strongest STAB option and hits most Pokemon that don't resist it for good damage. Wing Attack is the secondary STAB move of choice, provides coverage on targets like Celebi and Infernape, and benefits from Tough Claws. Aerial Ace has the same Base Power and ignores accuracy and evasion modifiers, but Wing Attack's higher PP makes it the better choice in most situations. Earthquake provides good coverage in conjunction with Mega Aerodactyl's STAB moves, enabling it to hit Raikou, Steel-types like Metagross, Magneton, Cobalion, and Empoleon, and bulky Poison-types such as Tentacruel and Nidoqueen super effectively. Pursuit gives Mega Aerodactyl the ability to weaken or KO many of the Pokemon it forces out such as Mega Beedrill, Mega Pidgeot, Mega Sceptile, Latias, Starmie, and Celebi. Mega Aerodactyl can either remove these Pokemon or weaken them to the point where they can no longer come in safely. Aqua Tail is an option over Wing Attack, Earthquake, or Pursuit because it provides coverage against Ground-types like Hippowdon, Gliscor, and Krookodile. Roost provides Mega Aerodactyl with a means of recovering its HP, allowing it to switch in more often.
Set Details
========
252 Speed EVs and a Jolly nature enable Mega Aerodactyl to outspeed the entire unboosted metagame and slower Choice Scarf users like Chandelure. 252 Attack EVs increase Mega Aerodactyl's damage output as much as possible. Unnerve prevents foes from consuming Berries. Mega Aerodactyl gets Tough Claws upon Mega Evolution, which boosts the power of its contact moves by 30%.
Usage Tips
========
Mega Aerodactyl can revenge kill many common offensive Pokemon like Mega Sceptile, Mega Beedrill, and Mega Pidgeot and should be brought in on resisted or weak neutral attacks in order to force out or KO slower Pokemon like Chandelure and Togekiss. Mega Aerodactyl functions well as a late-game cleaner after its bulkier checks like Swampert and Hippowdon have been removed or worn down and should utilize its Speed and coverage to pressure opposing offensive teams, but it is less helpful against bulkier teams and should be used carefully as a countermeasure to particular Pokemon common on bulkier archetypes such as Celebi, Amoonguss, and Mandibuzz.
Team Options
========
Strong wallbreakers like Cobalion, Primarina, and Heracross can open up opportunities for Mega Aerodactyl to clean. Scizor can switch in on Ice- and Steel-type attacks aimed at Mega Aerodactyl, lure in Fire-types that Mega Aerodactyl can take advantage of, and use U-turn to bring Mega Aerodactyl in safely. Mega Aerodactyl is weak to Stealth Rock, so it appreciates entry hazard control. Latias, Starmie, Scizor, Empoleon, and Tentacruel can all fulfill this role due to their access to Defog or Rapid Spin. Mega Aerodactyl excels at supporting users of Spikes, as it threatens and traps many of the Defog and Rapid Spin users in the tier. In turn, Mega Aerodactyl appreciates Spikes damage breaking down most of its checks. Klefki in particular is a great partner because it can set up Spikes, take Rock- and Ice-type attacks for Mega Aerodactyl, and cripple faster Choice Scarf users like Latias and Terrakion with Thunder Wave. In return, Mega Aerodactyl provides an immunity to Ground-type attacks aimed at Klefki and can pressure the Fire-types that threaten it. As Mega Aerodactyl struggles to break through bulky Water- and Ground-types, offensive Grass-types like Celebi and Rotom-C that can deal with them make good teammates. In exchange, Mega Aerodactyl can take on the Flying- and Fire-types that threaten them. Dragon-types with the ability Levitate like Latias and Hydreigon can also handle bulky Water- and Ground-types well. Offensive Water-types like Primarina, Starmie, and Crawdaunt can pressure Ground-types like Hippowdon, Gliscor, Krookodile, and Swampert. Fighting-types like Cobalion, Heracross, and Infernape appreciate Mega Aerodactyl's ability to trap offensive Ghost- and Psychic-types like Chandelure and Celebi. Each of these Pokemon possesses some way of breaking through bulky Pokemon for Mega Aerodactyl in return.
[SET]
name: Hone Claws
move 1: Hone Claws
move 2: Stone Edge
move 3: Wing Attack / Earthquake
move 4: Aqua Tail / Earthquake
item: Aerodactylite
ability: Unnerve
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Hone Claws boosts Mega Aerodactyl's Attack and accuracy by one stage, giving it the power to break through bulkier Pokemon and turning Stone Edge into a reliable move. Stone Edge is Mega Aerodactyl's most powerful STAB move and hits hard after a Hone Claws boost. The accuracy boost from Hone Claws eliminates the risk of missing. Wing Attack is a secondary STAB move that provides coverage on targets such as Celebi and Amoonguss and benefits from Tough Claws. Aqua Tail receives the damage bonus from Tough Claws and lets Mega Aerodactyl beat bulky Ground-types like Hippowdon, Gliscor, and Krookodile after a boost. Earthquake is an alternative to either Wing Attack or Aqua Tail to allow Mega Aerodactyl to break through Steel-types like Empoleon, Cobalion, and Magneton. Roost allows Mega Aerodactyl to set up on bulky Pokemon like Gliscor and Krookodile, but Mega Aerodactyl usually benefits more from a coverage move.
Set Details
========
The EV spread enables Mega Aerodactyl to outspeed as much of the metagame as possible and do as much damage as it can. A Jolly nature allows Mega Aerodactyl to outspeed every unboosted Pokemon in the tier as well as Choice Scarf users like Chandelure. Unnerve is rarely a factor, but it can on occasion be useful by preventing an opponent like Recycle Snorlax or Shuca Berry Cobalion from using its held Berry. Once it Mega Evolves, Tough Claws provides a 30% power boost to all of Mega Aerodactyl's contact moves.
Usage Tips
========
Save Mega Aerodactyl for the mid- or late-game, when it has opportunities to set up. This set should avoid switching in as aggressively as the offensive set can, as it has no way of recovering HP and needs to be healthy enough to set up and avoid being revenge killed. Mega Aerodactyl should come in through pivot support, on a double switch, or after a teammate has fainted. Prior to setting up, remove Pokemon that Mega Aerodactyl's choice of coverage fails to handle effectively; eliminate Ground-types if not using Aqua Tail and Steel-types if not using Earthquake.
Team Options
========
Hippowdon makes a good partner due to its ability to set up sandstorm, which boosts Mega Aerodactyl's Special Defense by 1.5x and therefore makes it surprisingly specially resilient. Hippowdon can also set up Stealth Rock and switch in on Rock-type attacks for Mega Aerodactyl, while Mega Aerodactyl can pressure Grass-types like Celebi for Hippowdon. Wallbreakers like Primarina, Infernape, and Cobalion can open up opportunities for Mega Aerodactyl to sweep. Magneton can remove Scizor, Empoleon, and other Steel-types for Mega Aerodactyl. This is especially useful if Mega Aerodactyl is not running Earthquake. Magneton can also pressure bulky Water-types that Mega Aerodactyl struggles to break through even after a boost. Grass-type partners that can take on bulky Water-types (and bulky Ground-types if Mega Aerodactyl forgoes Aqua Tail) include Celebi and Rotom-C. Raikou can threaten bulky Water-types and lure in special walls like Amoonguss and Alolan Muk that Mega Aerodactyl can take advantage of. Mega Aerodactyl appreciates entry hazard support to wear down its checks. Swampert, Hippowdon, Celebi, and Nidoqueen can all set up Stealth Rock, while Klefki can provide Spikes. Mega Aerodactyl is also weak to Stealth Rock. Pokemon like Starmie and Tentacruel can remove Stealth Rock with Rapid Spin, as can Defog users like Latias and Scizor.
[SET]
name: Suicide Lead
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Taunt
move 3: Double-Edge
move 4: Fire Blast / Stone Edge
item: Focus Sash
ability: Pressure
nature: Hasty / Jolly
evs: 176 Atk / 80 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Stealth Rock is the best entry hazard in the game, providing consistent damage on everything not immune to indirect damage and breaking Focus Sashes and Sturdy. Taunt prevents opposing leads like Azelf, Froslass, and opposing Aerodactyl from setting up entry hazards and opposing Defoggers from removing Aerodactyl's Stealth Rock. Aerodactyl is fast enough to prevent every other relevant lead from setting up entry hazards. Double-Edge allows Aerodactyl to KO itself after it has expended its Focus Sash, thereby preventing the foe from removing Stealth Rock with Rapid Spin or Defog. Fire Blast enables Aerodactyl to KO Forretress and severely damage defensive Scizor, which can remove its Stealth Rock through Rapid Spin and Defog, respectively. Stone Edge is a strong STAB option that hits reasonably hard off of base 105 Attack and allows Aerodactyl to do decent damage to neutral targets before going down but is almost always inferior to Fire Blast.
Set Details
========
Focus Sash guarantees that Aerodactyl can survive an attack and set up Stealth Rock. 252 Speed EVs and a Hasty or Jolly nature ensure that Aerodactyl is as fast as possible. 80 Special Attack EVs allow Aerodactyl to KO physically defensive Forretress and offensive Scizor sets with Fire Blast. The remaining EVs bolster Double-Edge's power and enable Aerodactyl to do as much damage as possible when KOing itself. If Aerodactyl runs Stone Edge over Fire Blast, use a Jolly nature and 252 Attack EVs.
Usage Tips
========
Suicide lead Aerodactyl should only be used on hyper offense. Every other team archetype cannot afford to dedicate a slot to a suicide lead. Lead with Aerodactyl in order to set up entry hazards and prevent the opponent from setting their hazards or clearing yours. Be wary of Froslass leads, which can force Aerodactyl to choose between setting and preventing hazards through the use of super effective STAB Icy Wind.
Team Options
========
Offensive Ghost-types like Decidueye, Chandelure, and Doublade appreciate entry hazard support and can block Rapid Spin. Tornadus can take advantage of opposing Defog to gain a Defiant boost. Strong offensive Pokemon such as Hydreigon, Mega Sharpedo, Cobalion, Primarina, Mega Beedrill, and Infernape can punish the use of Defog or Rapid Spin by taking the opportunity to set up or fire off powerful attacks. Pokemon that make use of U-turn and Volt Switch like Scizor, Raikou, Infernape, Mienshao, and Hydreigon appreciate Aerodactyl's ability to provide entry hazard support and prevent the opponent from setting up entry hazards of their own. Teams using Aerodactyl as a suicide lead should have countermeasures in place to handle Froslass leads, like Scizor or Choice Scarf Hydreigon.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Fire Fang and Ice Fang can be used to hit Pokemon like Scizor and Gliscor, but they have limited coverage otherwise and lack power against other targets, although Ice Fang does hit Latias harder than any alternative other than Crunch. Mega Aerodactyl can make use of utility options like Stealth Rock, Taunt, and Defog but must sacrifice an attacking move, Roost, or Hone Claws. Taunt in particular can be useful against bulkier teams, as it prevents recovery or status from common Pokemon such as Hippowdon, Blissey, or Alomomola. Crunch is a viable option to hit Pokemon weak to Dark-type attacks like Latias, Starmie, Reuniclus, and Slowbro super effectively. Crunch can also help the suicide lead set hit hazard removers like Starmie and Latias, but it is almost always a suboptimal choice because Double-Edge allows it to faint safely and Fire Blast targets the Steel-types that can prevent it from KOing itself with Double-Edge. A bulky set with both Taunt and Toxic can be used, but it sacrifices Mega Aerodactyl's offensive presence in exchange for a way to break stall. Tailwind allows Aerodactyl to provide additional team support through a temporary boost to Speed, but forces it to sacrifice coverage or other utility moves.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Bulky Water-types**: Bulky Water-types like Suicune, Swampert, and Slowbro can take anything Mega Aerodactyl can throw at them and retaliate with super effective STAB Scalds. Empoleon in particular resists both of Mega Aerodactyl's STAB types and Aqua Tail and takes little from Pursuit, though it has to fear Earthquake.
**Bulky Ground-types**: Bulky Ground-types like Hippowdon and Gliscor can take on the all-out attacking set if it doesn't run Aqua Tail and stall it out with Toxic.
**Bulky Steel-types**: Steel-types resist both of Mega Aerodactyl's STAB types and can retaliate with their own super effective STAB attacks, though most fear Earthquake. Scizor can pick Mega Aerodactyl off with Bullet Punch. Cobalion can survive an Earthquake and KO with Iron Head or All-Out Pummeling or set up a Rock Polish. Doublade takes even Earthquakes reasonably well and can set up a Swords Dance or KO Mega Aerodactyl with Gyro Ball or Iron Head. Forretress can take a Stone Edge with ease and threaten Mega Aerodactyl back with Gyro Ball.
**Fast Choice Scarf Users**: Fast Choice Scarf users can revenge kill Mega Aerodactyl, although some need a bit of prior damage. Options include Terrakion, Infernape, Hydreigon, and Mienshao. Even with a Choice Scarf, Pokemon slower than base 85 Speed fail to outspeed Mega Aerodactyl.
**Priority**: Bullet Punch, Ice Shard, and Aqua Jet all hit Mega Aerodactyl super effectively, and a strong Mach Punch or Vacuum Wave can pick it off once it's weakened. Pokemon like Scizor, Mamoswine, Crawdaunt, and Weavile all have access to super effective priority moves.
**Mega Sharpedo**: Mega Sharpedo can outspeed Mega Aerodactyl after one turn of Speed Boost and proceed to KO.
**Stealth Rock:** Mega Aerodactyl is weak to Stealth Rock, which limits its ability to switch in.
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