Overview
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Mega Aerodactyl is an excellent fit on offensive teams due to its blazing Speed stat that works well with its access to Stealth Rock and Taunt. These attributes allow Mega Aerodactyl to set up Stealth Rock and prevent Defog users from removing it so long as Mega Aerodactyl is out, which makes it a good fit on Spikes-stacking teams. Because Mega Aerodactyl gets excellent coverage with Stone Edge and Earthquake, it can easily afford to run both Stealth Rock and Taunt. Aerodactyl also possesses the ability to revenge kill fast offensive threats, such as Mewtwo and Darkrai, while checking Ho-Oh and Mega Salamence. Unfortunately, Mega Aerodactyl is relatively weak by Ubers standards and will have a difficult time 2HKOing the majority of the metagame. It is also not bulky enough to survive more than one strong neutral hit from Pokemon such as Xerneas and Mega Gengar. Because of its frailty and its Stealth Rock weakness, there is a good chance that Aerodactyl will not last more than one turn if it is conserved for the mid-game. Mega Aerodactyl also cannot be used with Mega Salamence or Mega Gengar.
Prehistoric Beast (Offensive)
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name: Prehistoric Beast (Offensive)
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Taunt
move 3: Stone Edge
move 4: Earthquake
ability: Tough Claws
item: Aerodactylite
evs: 40 HP / 252 Atk / 216 Spe
nature: Jolly
Moves
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Mega Aerodactyl is a terrific Stealth Rock setter, as it possesses the Speed and defensive typing to reliably set up the entry hazard. It can keep up Stealth Rock, as well as any other entry hazard on your opponent's side of the field, by using Taunt against Defog users; Taunt can also be used to stop an opposing sweeper from setting up. Stone Edge is Mega Aerodactyl's most powerful viable STAB move and 2HKOes offensively inclined Pokemon such as Darkrai, Mega Mewtwo Y, Dragon Dance Mega Salamence, and Latios. It also allows Mega Aerodactyl to check Ho-Oh effectively. Rock Slide is an alternative option if you want to check Ho-Oh more reliably, but the power drop is significant and the extra PP afforded by Rock Slide is rarely beneficial. Earthquake provides excellent neutral coverage alongside Stone Edge and smacks Pokemon such as Primal Groudon, Klefki, Aegislash, and Jirachi for good damage.
Set Details
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The given EV spread lets Mega Aerodactyl outrun Darkrai before Mega Evolving, allowing Mega Aerodactyl to Taunt it before it can use Dark Void. Mega Aerodactyl can also outrun neutral-natured base 90 Speed Choice Scarf users after Mega Evolving, allowing it to reliably revenge kill weakened Pokemon such as Zekrom. Although Jolly Mega Aerodactyl does not hit that hard, even with maximum Attack investment, the Speed is invaluable for hyper offensive teams that struggle with lead Darkrai without the Speed investment. The leftovers EVs are placed into HP to increase Mega Aerodactyl's overall bulk a little.
Usage Tips
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Although Mega Aerodactyl is an adequate lead, it is often a good idea to save it for the early- or mid-game to check Ho-Oh, revenge kill weakened Pokemon, and set up Stealth Rock when the opportunity arises. If your opponent has Lugia, however, set up Stealth Rock as soon as possible, as offensive teams will have a hard time breaking it without Stealth Rock up. Once Mega Aerodactyl sets up Stealth Rock, feel free to use Taunt on both walls and setup sweepers alike in order to give whatever teammate comes in after Mega Aerodactyl faints an advantageous situation. Although Earthquake is useful for hitting certain Steel-types and dealing some damage against Primal Groudon, Mega Aerodactyl often won't have time to use it. Bear in mind that Mega Aerodactyl can clean up severely weakened teams late-game, but it isn't strong enough to sweep reliably. Stone Edge's accuracy can also be detrimental, especially if Mega Aerodactyl needs to hit with it several times in a row in order to sweep. Therefore, it is almost always okay to sacrifice Mega Aerodactyl after it has done its job, especially if it uses Taunt the turn it faints.
Team Options
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Custap Berry Forretress can set up entry hazards for Mega Aerodactyl to keep up with Taunt while spinning away Stealth Rock. Cloyster is another good entry hazard setter that can keep Stealth Rock off the field, which Mega Aerodactyl is weak to. Although Cloyster has more offensive presence and has an easier time beating spinblockers than Forretress does, it does not have access to Sturdy, which forces it to run Focus Sash over Custap Berry. Because of this, Forretress has an easier time setting up two entry hazards against offensive teams than Cloyster does. Deoxys-A is another option to set up a layer or two of Spikes. A spinblocker is a good idea in conjunction with Mega Aerodactyl, but Giratina-O and Giratina are not recommended because they don't pressure common Defog users enough. Therefore, Swords Dance and Calm Mind Ghost Arceus are quality options to block Rapid Spin while severely pressuring Defog users. If you opt for the Calm Mind set, maximize Special Attack to deal as much damage as possible. Ghost Arceus and Mega Aerodactyl also provide two solid checks to Extreme Killer Arceus, which many hyper offensive teams are weak to.
Mega Aerodactyl also needs threatening teammates to take advantage of its ability to keep up entry hazards. Geomancy Xerneas, Rock Polish Primal Groudon, and Dragon Dance Rayquaza all appreciate entry hazard support while punishing any attempt to remove entry hazards with offensive pressure. Other Taunt users, such as Darkrai and Mewtwo, are also a good idea to stop Defog and potentially give a teammate such as Xerneas an opportunity to set up.
Other Options
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A bulky set with Pursuit and Roost over Stealth Rock and Earthquake is viable on more defensively oriented teams that want an answer to Mega Gengar while serving as a more sturdy Ho-Oh check. This set should still run 216 Speed EVs to outrun Darkrai before Mega Evolving, but should run maximum HP instead of maximum Attack while putting the leftover EVs in Defense. Mega Aerodactyl can also attempt to use moves that take advantage of its ability, Tough Claws. Of these, Fire Fang is the most intriguing due to its ability to potentially OHKO Ferrothorn and hit Klefki and Aegislash very hard. Aerial Ace is also an option to deal with Mega Mewtwo X. Toxic can be used to cripple bulky Arceus and Primal Groudon, but the combination of Taunt and Mega Aerodactyl's attacks is generally enough to pressure these threats anyway. Tailwind is an option to give slow, powerful attackers such as Life Orb Zekrom and Choice Band Ho-Oh a temporary Speed boost.
Checks & Counters
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**Mega Sableye**: Mega Aerodactyl does not come close to 2HKOing Mega Sableye with Stone Edge and Mega Sableye prevents Mega Aerodactyl from setting up Stealth Rock with Magic Bounce. Mega Sableye can also burn Mega Aerodactyl or 2HKO it with Foul Play.
**Spinners**: Mega Aerodactyl cannot stop Rapid Spin users from removing entry hazards by itself. Although the Mega Aerodactyl user can switch out to a spinblocker, this can give Forretress an opportunity to set up an entry hazard of its own. Life Orb Excadrill under sand can outrun and OHKO Mega Aerodactyl with Iron Head and 2HKO Ghost Arceus with a combination of Iron Head and Earthquake.
**Pokemon that beat Mega Aerodactyl 1v1**: Many Pokemon in Ubers can easily beat Mega Aerodactyl, but not many can stop it from at least setting up Stealth Rock and therefore accomplishing its main goal. Primal Kyogre, Zekrom, Life Orb Dialga, and Rock Arceus are examples of Pokemon that can OHKO Mega Aerodactyl and prevent it from doing anything other than setting up Stealth Rock, assuming Mega Aerodactyl stays in.
skeleton
-Excellent fit on HO teams due blazing speed + SR and Taunt, which allows it to set and keep up rocks vs Defog users
-Can revenge kill stuff like Mewtwo and Darkrai mid-game while serving as a one-time Ho-Oh and Salamence switchin
-Good coverage with Stone Edge + Earthquake
-Relatively weak and frail by Ubers standards
-SR weakness, although it's immune to other hazards
-Takes up Mega slot (can't use Mence or Gar :[); opportunity cost
-Ability is mostly useless in Ubers unless you use Pursuit
Prehistoric Beast
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name: Prehistoric Beast
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Taunt
move 3: Stone Edge
move 4: Earthquake
ability: Tough Claws
item: Aerodactylite
evs: 40 HP / 252 Atk / 216 Spe
nature: Jolly
Moves
========
-Sets Stealth Rock extremely easily due to high speed and reasonable offensive presence
-Fast Taunt stops Defog, recovery, and may permit a teammate to step up without worrying about status or phazing
-Stone Edge hits Ho-Oh, Lugia, Salamence, Yveltal, and hits for adequate damage in general
-Earthquake hits Primal Groudon and Steel-types
-Nothing else really fits; Aero does not have 4mss
Set Details
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-EV's aim to outrun Darkrai before mega evolving so you can lead against it; especially important if using Cloyster or Forry as a partner
-Adamant nature is possible, but you'll be undersped by Mega Mewtwo Y and Mega Lopunny even after Mega Evolving, and threats like Darkrai and regular Mewtwo before
-Aerodactylite, regular Aero isn't viable
Usage Tips
========
-An okay lead, but usually a good idea to save for early to mid-game to check Ho-Oh / fast frail threats once and Taunt defog attempts on your other hazard(s) that should be up
-Taunt liberally once you set up SR, including walls, set-up sweepers, etc.. also taunt any defog user you see assuming you have hazards up
-Earthquake is cool to weaken Jirachi, Aegislash, and Primal Groudon for a potential Xerneas sweep, but will not be used more often than not
-Cool to have around later on in the match to revenge weakened EKiller and Mewtwo, but usually you don't have to conserve it and can use it as fodder
Team Options
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-Custap Forretress sets up hazards for Aerodactyl to keep up while spinning away SR, which Aero is weak to
-Cloyster can also set hazards, spin, and Explode to prevent Defog. More offensive presence, but it lacks Custap Berry + Explosion to keep more than one hazard up
-Spikes Deoxys-A can also get a layer or two
-Arceus-Ghost, although it should be either Swords Dance or max Special Attack CM to pressure Defog users as well as spinners; tina-O is Defog bait
-Other fast Taunt users, such as Darkrai and Mewtwo
-Goes without saying that powerful sweepers like Aero's utility
Other Options
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-Bulkier set with Pursuit and Roost over Stealth Rock and Earthquake is viable on defensive teams that want to trap Mega Gengar; does this deserve its own set?
-Toxic
-Fire Fang (Ferro main target)
-Tailwind support
Checks & Counters
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-Mega Sableye (walls and stops both SR and Taunt; stops it from doing its job)
-Spinners (Air Balloon Excadrill and Custap Forretress with Gyro Ball are worrisome)
-Lots of stuff beats it 1-1, like Primal Groudon, Primal Kyogre, Xerneas, etc, but don't necessarily prevent Aerodactyl from doing its job of getting off rocks and a Taunt
-Can revenge kill stuff like Mewtwo and Darkrai mid-game while serving as a one-time Ho-Oh and Salamence switchin
-Good coverage with Stone Edge + Earthquake
-Relatively weak and frail by Ubers standards
-SR weakness, although it's immune to other hazards
-Takes up Mega slot (can't use Mence or Gar :[); opportunity cost
-Ability is mostly useless in Ubers unless you use Pursuit
Prehistoric Beast
########
name: Prehistoric Beast
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Taunt
move 3: Stone Edge
move 4: Earthquake
ability: Tough Claws
item: Aerodactylite
evs: 40 HP / 252 Atk / 216 Spe
nature: Jolly
Moves
========
-Sets Stealth Rock extremely easily due to high speed and reasonable offensive presence
-Fast Taunt stops Defog, recovery, and may permit a teammate to step up without worrying about status or phazing
-Stone Edge hits Ho-Oh, Lugia, Salamence, Yveltal, and hits for adequate damage in general
-Earthquake hits Primal Groudon and Steel-types
-Nothing else really fits; Aero does not have 4mss
Set Details
========
-EV's aim to outrun Darkrai before mega evolving so you can lead against it; especially important if using Cloyster or Forry as a partner
-Adamant nature is possible, but you'll be undersped by Mega Mewtwo Y and Mega Lopunny even after Mega Evolving, and threats like Darkrai and regular Mewtwo before
-Aerodactylite, regular Aero isn't viable
Usage Tips
========
-An okay lead, but usually a good idea to save for early to mid-game to check Ho-Oh / fast frail threats once and Taunt defog attempts on your other hazard(s) that should be up
-Taunt liberally once you set up SR, including walls, set-up sweepers, etc.. also taunt any defog user you see assuming you have hazards up
-Earthquake is cool to weaken Jirachi, Aegislash, and Primal Groudon for a potential Xerneas sweep, but will not be used more often than not
-Cool to have around later on in the match to revenge weakened EKiller and Mewtwo, but usually you don't have to conserve it and can use it as fodder
Team Options
========
-Custap Forretress sets up hazards for Aerodactyl to keep up while spinning away SR, which Aero is weak to
-Cloyster can also set hazards, spin, and Explode to prevent Defog. More offensive presence, but it lacks Custap Berry + Explosion to keep more than one hazard up
-Spikes Deoxys-A can also get a layer or two
-Arceus-Ghost, although it should be either Swords Dance or max Special Attack CM to pressure Defog users as well as spinners; tina-O is Defog bait
-Other fast Taunt users, such as Darkrai and Mewtwo
-Goes without saying that powerful sweepers like Aero's utility
Other Options
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-Bulkier set with Pursuit and Roost over Stealth Rock and Earthquake is viable on defensive teams that want to trap Mega Gengar; does this deserve its own set?
-Toxic
-Fire Fang (Ferro main target)
-Tailwind support
Checks & Counters
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-Mega Sableye (walls and stops both SR and Taunt; stops it from doing its job)
-Spinners (Air Balloon Excadrill and Custap Forretress with Gyro Ball are worrisome)
-Lots of stuff beats it 1-1, like Primal Groudon, Primal Kyogre, Xerneas, etc, but don't necessarily prevent Aerodactyl from doing its job of getting off rocks and a Taunt
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