Stats & Training
The stat budget goes to damage. Speed and Attack carry the offense, Sp. Atk doesn't even come close. A Fossil Pokemon on a slow 1.25M XP grind, worth 2 Speed stat exp per KO.
A vicious POKéMON from the distant past, it appears to have flown by spreading its wings and gliding.
This vicious POKéMON is said to have flown in ancient skies while shrieking high-pitched cries.
Aerodactyl Weakness
Type-wise, Aerodactyl takes extra damage from Water, Electric, Ice, Rock, and Steel. Ground moves do nothing thanks to a full immunity. 5 resistances help offset the weaknesses.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Water, Electric, Ice, Rock, Steel |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Normal, Fire, Poison, Flying, Bug |
| 0x (Immune) | Ground |
- Dark and Steel types added — Fairy does not exist yet
- Moves are Physical or Special based on type, not per move
- Special stat split into Sp.Atk and Sp.Def
In Gold & Silver, Cloyster's Surf hits Aerodactyl for 72-85%. Zapdos's Thunder also KOs at 122-144%.
S | ||
Recommended Build ItemLeftovers Moves
Damage vs Aerodactyl View Snorlax builds →Double Edge33-39% | ||
Cloyster WaterIce | S | |
Recommended Build ItemLeftovers Moves
Damage vs Aerodactyl View Cloyster builds →Surf 2x72-85% Explosion40-48% | ||
Zapdos Electric | S | |
Recommended Build ItemLeftovers Moves
Damage vs Aerodactyl View Zapdos builds →Thunder 2x122-144%KO | ||
Tyranitar RockDark | S | |
Recommended Build ItemLeftovers Moves
Damage vs Aerodactyl View Tyranitar builds →Rock Slide 2x99-117%KO Fire Blast16-19% | ||
Skarmory Steel | A | |
Recommended Build ItemLeftovers Moves
Damage vs Aerodactyl View Skarmory builds →Drill Peck17-20% | ||
Gold & Silver Evolution
Aerodactyl is what you get. No evolutions, but it breeds through one egg group with a decent partner pool. Hatching is slow to hatch. It's got 4 egg moves worth looking into. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
Breed Aerodactyl (with patience) with 19 breeding partners from the Flying egg group. Pass egg moves like Foresight, Pursuit, Steel Wing and 1 more to offspring.
Gold & Silver Aerodactyl Best Moveset
Best Build
Utility Moveset
- Earthquake
- Ancient Power
- Hidden Power Rock
- Wing Attack
Recommended Teammates
Moves
Breeding's the move. Foresight and Pursuit give Aerodactyl options it can't learn any other way, and coverage across 7 types already covers a decent range on top of Fly and Wing Attack. The egg moves push it further.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
How to Get Aerodactyl in Gold & Silver
The way to get Aerodactyl in this game is through an NPC trade at Route 14. Bring the right Pokemon and it's yours. The details below list the exact trade requirements.
Best Locations to Catch Aerodactyl in Gold & Silver
Aerodactyl Guide
For Gold & Silver, we rate Aerodactyl B-Tier: a solid option in Gold & Silver for the right team. At 515 BST, it fits the support role. Earthquake with Leftovers is the standard set.
Mega Evolution isn't available in Gold & Silver, but Aerodactyl does have a Mega form in Gen 6-7 games (X/Y, ORAS, Sun/Moon). Mega Aerodactyl hits 615 BST.
Base 130 Speed lets it outrun most of the field. On offense, Aerodactyl is a physical attacker with base 105 Attack. Defensively? Enough bulk to take a hit or two. Best used as a support.
In Gold & Silver, the best way to handle Aerodactyl: Super-effective STAB from faster Pokemon is the simplest answer. Water, Electric, and Ice-type attackers hit hardest.
Game Availability
Since debuting in Red & Blue, Aerodactyl has appeared in 20 titles over 10 generations. Along the way, it received a Mega form in Generation 7, keeping it relevant across different competitive metas.
Click a game to view version-specific details
- Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 1RBDebut

Red & Blue - Gen 2GS

Gold & Silver - Gen 2C
Crystal - Gen 3RS

Ruby & Sapphire - Gen 3FRLG

FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen 3E
Emerald - Gen 4Pt
Platinum - Gen 4HGSS

HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen 4DP

Diamond & Pearl - Gen 5BW

Black & White - Gen 5B2W2

Black 2 & White 2 - Gen 6XY

X & Y - Gen 6ORASMega

Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen 7USUM

Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen 7SM

Sun & Moon - Gen 7LGPE

Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen 8SwSh

Sword & Shield - Gen 8PLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen 8BDSP

Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen 9SV

Scarlet & Violet - Gen 9LZA
Legends: Z-A - Gen 10WW

Winds & Waves
