Aerodactyl
Dec 21, 2011 14:22:35 GMT -8
Post by t3h Icy on Dec 21, 2011 14:22:35 GMT -8
General
HP: 363
Attack: 308
Defense: 228
Speed: 358
Special: 218
CH Chance: ~25.3%
Type: Rock/Flying
Weaknesses: Electric, Ice, Rock, Water
Neutrals: Ghost, Grass, Psychic
Resistances: Bug, Fire, Flying, Normal, Poison
Immunities: Ground
Movepool: Agility, Bide, Bite, Double Team, Double-Edge, Dragon Rage, Fire Blast, Fly, Hyper Beam, Mimic, Rage, Razor Wind, Reflect, Rest, Sky Attack, Substitute, Supersonic, Swift, Take Down, Toxic, Whirlwind, Wing Attack
Overview
Aerodactyl is extremely fast, and has massive Attack power, even moreso than Tauros in both. Aerodactyl also has a unique type combination of Rock and Flying, making him the only Pokemon that can take both Normal and Ground attacks well, which is helpful for many Physical Pokemon. Unfortunately, Aerodactyl has a terrible movepool and can't take Special attacks well at all. Aerodactyl is not a highly viable Pokemon in OU, but his unique abilities and Speed allow him to be useful in specific situations, particularly for walling Snorlax and hoping for Sky Attack Critical Hits to OHKO many Physically fragile Pokemon. Aerodactyl overall is a gimmicky Pokemon that relies on being able to pressure the opponent into bad situations.
Usage
Sky Attack
Hyper Beam
Double-Edge
Fly / Fire Blast
Since Aerodactyl doesn't have great moves, he has to use a collection of subpar ones. Ideally, Aerodactyl comes into a situation where he can wall Pokemon (mainly Snorlax), or find another way to cause the opponent to want to switch, and then use Sky Attack. Sky Attack with Aerodactyl's 308 Attack power does colossal damage, and even more with a Critical Hit, which is not uncommon. The main benefit of being fast with Sky Attack is after the move has hit, Aerodactyl can then follow up with a finishing move such as Hyper Beam.
Double-Edge, Fly and Fire Blast can all fill the last two moveslots. Double-Edge is a safer finishing move than Hyper Beam due to effects and accuracy, Fly is stronger than Double-Edge and without the recoil, but can be reacted too easily due to the one turn charge-up. Fire Blast is more of a gimmick, but can be useful. While Fire Blast doesn't do as much damage, it can Burn Physical Pokemon such as Snorlax and Tauros. Fire Blast is useful where an opposing Snorlax that you try to force to switch is being stubborn and won't. Since Snorlax is unable to do significant damage (but can threaten with Paralysis from Body Slam), Aerodactyl can retaliate using Fire Blast in hopes of a Burn.
Another alternative is Rest. Since Aerodactyl is able to wall Snorlax and can take other non-Special attacks relatively well, Aerodactyl can pull off Rest when paired with other defensive Pokemon (such as Cloyster). However, Rest Aerodactyl requires a team built around the strategy and isn't standalone.
Counters
The main counters to Aerodactyl are Rocks (Golem and Rhydon) and Electrics (Zapdos and Jolteon) due to taking Sky Attack well, and doing high to fatal damage. While a single Golem can cover for anti-Aerodactyls, it takes up another Pokemon on the team for Aerodactyl to avoid being walled. While it is possible to switch around Aerodactyl's counters, he relies on using Sky Attack, and a mistake with switching can lead to Aerodactyl's demise.
If neither Rocks or Electrics are available, Paralyzing Aerodactyl is very helpful, to take away his amazing Speed and to reduce the chance of a successful Sky Attack. Chansey and Alakazam can do this, even on a switch into Sky Attack, but if it Critical Hits, they will be OHKO'd. Aerodactyl is only dangerous if he's able to force switches, but most Pokemon can take him out easily one-on-one. Specialized Snorlaxs, such as one with Surf is excellent to avoid being walled and to fool Aerodactyl.
Ultimately, the easiest way to defeat Aerodactyl is to avoid being pressured into bad situations by him and to attack him as soon as possible. Aerodactyl is fast and dangerous, but very fragile to attacks he can't resist, and Paralysis is his bane.
HP: 363
Attack: 308
Defense: 228
Speed: 358
Special: 218
CH Chance: ~25.3%
Type: Rock/Flying
Weaknesses: Electric, Ice, Rock, Water
Neutrals: Ghost, Grass, Psychic
Resistances: Bug, Fire, Flying, Normal, Poison
Immunities: Ground
Movepool: Agility, Bide, Bite, Double Team, Double-Edge, Dragon Rage, Fire Blast, Fly, Hyper Beam, Mimic, Rage, Razor Wind, Reflect, Rest, Sky Attack, Substitute, Supersonic, Swift, Take Down, Toxic, Whirlwind, Wing Attack
Overview
Aerodactyl is extremely fast, and has massive Attack power, even moreso than Tauros in both. Aerodactyl also has a unique type combination of Rock and Flying, making him the only Pokemon that can take both Normal and Ground attacks well, which is helpful for many Physical Pokemon. Unfortunately, Aerodactyl has a terrible movepool and can't take Special attacks well at all. Aerodactyl is not a highly viable Pokemon in OU, but his unique abilities and Speed allow him to be useful in specific situations, particularly for walling Snorlax and hoping for Sky Attack Critical Hits to OHKO many Physically fragile Pokemon. Aerodactyl overall is a gimmicky Pokemon that relies on being able to pressure the opponent into bad situations.
Usage
Sky Attack
Hyper Beam
Double-Edge
Fly / Fire Blast
Since Aerodactyl doesn't have great moves, he has to use a collection of subpar ones. Ideally, Aerodactyl comes into a situation where he can wall Pokemon (mainly Snorlax), or find another way to cause the opponent to want to switch, and then use Sky Attack. Sky Attack with Aerodactyl's 308 Attack power does colossal damage, and even more with a Critical Hit, which is not uncommon. The main benefit of being fast with Sky Attack is after the move has hit, Aerodactyl can then follow up with a finishing move such as Hyper Beam.
Double-Edge, Fly and Fire Blast can all fill the last two moveslots. Double-Edge is a safer finishing move than Hyper Beam due to effects and accuracy, Fly is stronger than Double-Edge and without the recoil, but can be reacted too easily due to the one turn charge-up. Fire Blast is more of a gimmick, but can be useful. While Fire Blast doesn't do as much damage, it can Burn Physical Pokemon such as Snorlax and Tauros. Fire Blast is useful where an opposing Snorlax that you try to force to switch is being stubborn and won't. Since Snorlax is unable to do significant damage (but can threaten with Paralysis from Body Slam), Aerodactyl can retaliate using Fire Blast in hopes of a Burn.
Another alternative is Rest. Since Aerodactyl is able to wall Snorlax and can take other non-Special attacks relatively well, Aerodactyl can pull off Rest when paired with other defensive Pokemon (such as Cloyster). However, Rest Aerodactyl requires a team built around the strategy and isn't standalone.
Counters
The main counters to Aerodactyl are Rocks (Golem and Rhydon) and Electrics (Zapdos and Jolteon) due to taking Sky Attack well, and doing high to fatal damage. While a single Golem can cover for anti-Aerodactyls, it takes up another Pokemon on the team for Aerodactyl to avoid being walled. While it is possible to switch around Aerodactyl's counters, he relies on using Sky Attack, and a mistake with switching can lead to Aerodactyl's demise.
If neither Rocks or Electrics are available, Paralyzing Aerodactyl is very helpful, to take away his amazing Speed and to reduce the chance of a successful Sky Attack. Chansey and Alakazam can do this, even on a switch into Sky Attack, but if it Critical Hits, they will be OHKO'd. Aerodactyl is only dangerous if he's able to force switches, but most Pokemon can take him out easily one-on-one. Specialized Snorlaxs, such as one with Surf is excellent to avoid being walled and to fool Aerodactyl.
Ultimately, the easiest way to defeat Aerodactyl is to avoid being pressured into bad situations by him and to attack him as soon as possible. Aerodactyl is fast and dangerous, but very fragile to attacks he can't resist, and Paralysis is his bane.