Pokemon GO Aerodactyl: Ultimate Guide for 2024

Aerodactyl is a popular Rock/Flying-type Pokemon in Pokemon GO. With a maximum CP of 2,783, Aerodactyl is a solid choice for Ultra League battles and various raid encounters.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about Aerodactyl in Pokemon GO, including its stats, best moveset, counters, and tips for using it effectively in both PvE raids and PvP battles.

📊 Aerodactyl Base Stats & Overview

Aerodactyl (#142) is a Rock/Flying-type Pokemon from Generation 1.

Base Stats
Attack	221
Defense	159
Stamina	190
Total Stats	570
Max CP	2,783
Buddy Distance	3 km

With 221 Attack, 159 Defense, and 190 Stamina, Aerodactyl has a total stat product of 570. While not the highest in any single stat, Aerodactyl’s balanced stats make it versatile in various battle situations.

⚔️ Best Moveset for Aerodactyl

Choosing the right moveset is crucial for maximizing Aerodactyl’s potential in Pokemon GO. The optimal moveset varies depending on whether you’re using Aerodactyl for raids, gym battles, or PvP.

Best Raid & Gym Moveset

For PvE content like raids and gym battles, you want moves that maximize DPS (Damage Per Second). The best Rock/Flying-type moves will benefit from STAB (Same Type Attack Bonus), increasing damage by 20%.

Best PvP Moveset

In PvP battles, energy generation and coverage moves become more important. You’ll want a fast move that charges energy quickly and charged moves that provide good type coverage.

🎯 Aerodactyl Type Effectiveness

Understanding type effectiveness is crucial for both using Aerodactyl effectively and knowing how to counter it. As a Rock/Flying-type Pokemon, Aerodactyl has specific strengths and weaknesses.

⚠️ Weaknesses (Takes Super Effective Damage From)

Aerodactyl is weak to: Water, Steel, Electric, Ice, Rock-type moves. When battling against Aerodactyl, use Pokemon with these types to deal 1.6x (or 2.56x for double weaknesses) damage.

• Water – Deals increased damage
• Steel – Deals increased damage
• Electric – Deals increased damage
• Ice – Deals increased damage
• Rock – Deals increased damage

🛡️ Resistances (Takes Reduced Damage From)

Aerodactyl resists: Normal, Fire, Poison, Flying, Grass, Fighting, Bug, Ground-type moves. This means Aerodactyl takes reduced damage (0.625x or less) from these attack types.

• Normal – Reduced damage
• Fire – Reduced damage
• Poison – Reduced damage
• Flying – Reduced damage
• Grass – Reduced damage
• Fighting – Reduced damage
• Bug – Reduced damage
• Ground – Reduced damage

🏆 Aerodactyl PvP Analysis

Aerodactyl can be used in Pokemon GO’s GO Battle League PvP battles. Here’s how it performs in each league:

Great League (1500 CP Limit)

With a max CP of 2,783, Aerodactyl would need to be under-leveled for Great League. Check if the stats at 1500 CP are competitive before investing resources.

Ultra League (2500 CP Limit)

Aerodactyl can be used in Ultra League but won’t reach its full stat potential due to the 2500 CP cap.

Master League (No CP Limit)

Aerodactyl is generally not recommended for Master League due to its lower max CP (2,783). Focus on other leagues instead.

⚔️ Aerodactyl Raid Guide

Aerodactyl is primarily used as a raid attacker rather than a raid boss. Here’s how to use it effectively in raids:

Using Aerodactyl in Raids

When using Aerodactyl as a raid attacker:

• Best against raid bosses weak to Rock-type moves
• Power up to at least level 30-35 for decent performance
• Ensure you have the optimal moveset for maximum DPS

🎯 Best Counters for Aerodactyl

Whether you’re battling Aerodactyl in raids, gyms, or PvP, knowing the best counters is essential for victory. Here are the top Pokemon to use against Aerodactyl:

Top Counter Pokemon

The best counters exploit Aerodactyl’s weaknesses to Water, Steel, Electric, Ice, Rock-type moves:

Pokemon	Type	Why It Works
Kyogre	Water	Best Water attacker with Waterfall + Hydro Pump
Swampert	Water/Ground	Mud Shot + Hydro Cannon is devastating
Gyarados	Water/Flying	Accessible and powerful Water attacker
Metagross	Steel/Psychic	Bullet Punch + Meteor Mash
Dialga	Steel/Dragon	Metal Claw + Iron Head
Excadrill	Ground/Steel	Metal Claw + Iron Head

Counter Strategy Tips

1. Prioritize Type Advantage: Use Pokemon with moves that are super effective against Aerodactyl
2. Consider Bulk: Tankier counters can survive longer and deal more total damage
3. Watch for Coverage Moves: Aerodactyl may have moves that counter its own counters
4. Weather Boost: Take advantage of weather conditions that boost your counter’s attacks

📍 How to Get Aerodactyl in Pokemon GO

There are several ways to obtain Aerodactyl in Pokemon GO:

• Wild Encounters: Aerodactyl can spawn in the wild, especially in areas matching its type
• Eggs: May hatch from 3km eggs
• Evolution: Evolve from its pre-evolution using Candy
• Raids: Occasionally appears in raid battles
• Research Tasks: Complete field research for a chance to encounter
• Trading: Trade with friends

Shiny Aerodactyl

Yes, Shiny Aerodactyl is available in Pokemon GO! The shiny variant has a different coloration and is highly sought after by collectors. The shiny rate for wild encounters is approximately 1 in 500, though this can be boosted during special events like Community Days or Spotlight Hours.

Aerodactyl Evolution

Check the Pokédex for complete evolution information including candy costs and special evolution requirements.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

💡 Pro Tips for Using Aerodactyl

Here are some advanced strategies and tips to maximize Aerodactyl’s potential in Pokemon GO:

1. IV Optimization

For raids and gym battles, prioritize Aerodactyl with high Attack IVs (15 Attack is ideal). The Attack stat contributes most to damage output in PvE content.

For PvP battles, the ideal IVs depend on the league:

• Great League: Look for low Attack, high Defense and HP (0/15/15 is often ideal)
• Ultra League: Similar to Great League, optimize for stat product under 2500 CP
• Master League: Perfect 15/15/15 IVs are best since there’s no CP cap

2. Power Up Priority

Before investing Stardust and Candy into Aerodactyl, consider:

• Do you have enough resources? (Powering to level 50 costs 296,000 Stardust and 296 Candy)
• Will this Pokemon fill a gap in your battle team?
• Are there better alternatives for the same role?
• Do you have the optimal moveset or need Elite TMs?

3. Team Composition

Aerodactyl works best when paired with Pokemon that cover its weaknesses. As a Rock/Flying type weak to Water, Steel, consider adding team members that resist these types.

4. Weather Considerations

Take advantage of weather boosts:

• When catching: Weather-boosted Aerodactyl spawns at higher levels (up to 35)
• When battling: Weather that boosts Rock moves increases your damage output
• When raiding: Spawn weather-boosted counters by raiding in appropriate weather

📚 Aerodactyl in the Pokemon Franchise

Aerodactyl first appeared in Generation 1 of the main Pokemon series. For more detailed lore and information about Aerodactyl’s origins, check out Bulbapedia.

In Pokemon GO, Aerodactyl was introduced as part of the Generation 1 Pokemon rollout. Being a Generation 1 Pokemon, Aerodactyl has been available since the game’s launch in July 2016.

📊 How Aerodactyl Compares

Let’s see how Aerodactyl stacks up against other Rock-type Pokemon:

Stat	Aerodactyl	Type Average	Rating
Attack	221	~180	⭐⭐⭐
Defense	159	~160	⭐⭐
Stamina	190	~170	⭐⭐
Max CP	2,783	~2,500	⭐⭐

🎯 Conclusion

Aerodactyl is a versatile Rock/Flying-type Pokemon that can be a valuable addition to your Pokemon GO roster. With a max CP of 2,783 and solid base stats (221/159/190), it performs well in Ultra League PvP and can serve as a reliable raid attacker against appropriate targets.

Remember to:

• Optimize IVs based on your intended use (PvP vs PvE)
• Use the recommended moveset for maximum effectiveness
• Build a team that covers Aerodactyl’s weaknesses
• Take advantage of weather boosts when possible

For more Pokemon guides and the complete Pokedex, visit our Pokemon GO Database. Check out our PvP Rankings for the current meta and Raid Guides for battle strategies.

Last updated: January 2026. Information based on the latest Pokemon GO game data.

← Previous

Kabutops Pokemon GO: Complete Guide, Best Moveset & Counters

Next →

Snorlax Guide: Best Moveset, Counters & Pokemon GO Tips