Aerodactyl
QC: [3/3]
GP: [1/1]
[OVERVIEW]
* Aerodactyl is a fast, efficient suicide lead with high base Speed, access to Stealth Rock and Taunt, and a way of KOing itself to prevent opposing Defog and Rapid Spin.
* Base 130 Speed allows it to outspeed other suicide leads, such as Azelf and Froslass, and Taunt them before they can set up entry hazards.
* Aerodactyl is only useful on hyper offense teams that want a good matchup against other hazard leads.
* Despite Aerodactyl's good offensive movepool, its mediocre attacking stats leave it outclassed in any other role.
[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, provides consistent damage on everything not immune to indirect damage, and breaks Focus Sashes and Sturdy.
* Taunt prevents opposing leads 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 opponent from removing Stealth Rock with Rapid Spin or Defog.
* Fire Blast enables Aerodactyl to KO Forretress and offensive 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.
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 hazards and prevent the opponent from setting their hazards or clearing yours.
* Be wary of Froslass leads, which can defeat Aerodactyl with super effective STAB Icy Wind.
Team Options
========
* Offensive Ghost-types like Decidueye, Gengar, Chandelure, and Doublade appreciate entry hazard support and can block Rapid Spin.
* Bisharp and Tornadus can take advantage of Defog to gain a Defiant boost.
* Strong offensive Pokemon such as Hydreigon, Alakazam, Mega Sharpedo, Cobalion, Primarina, Mega Absol, 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.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
* Tailwind allows Aerodactyl to provide additional team support through a temporary boost to Speed.
* Aerodactyl can run Crunch to hit hazard removers like Starmie and Latias, but the suicide lead set is very straightforward and other moves are suboptimal.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Lycanroc**: Lycanroc's suicide lead set is designed specifically to beat Aerodactyl. Lycanroc can 2HKO Aerodactyl with Accelerock and force Aerodactyl to decide between using Taunt to prevent Lycanroc from setting up Stealth Rock and setting its own Stealth Rock.
**Froslass**: Froslass isn't a true check or counter, but it forces first-turn mind games because it can 2HKO Aerodactyl with Icy Wind and forces Aerodactyl to choose between setting Stealth Rock and using Taunt to prevent Froslass from setting up Spikes on the first turn.
**Prankster**: Prankster users can hinder Aerodactyl's ability to do its job by bypassing its Speed with priority support moves. Sableye can use Taunt to prevent Aerodactyl from setting Stealth Rock, while Klefki can set a layer of Spikes before Aerodactyl can Taunt it.
**Multi-hit Moves**: Moves like Rock Blast and Icicle Spear break Aerodactyl's Focus Sash and can force Aerodactyl to choose between preventing setup and getting its own Stealth Rock.
**Defog and Rapid Spin**: Since Aerodactyl's job is to set Stealth Rock and then faint, anything that can remove Stealth Rock can nullify its accomplishments. Teammates should be able to prevent hazard removal or take advantage of it to pressure the opposing team.
Not sure how much I need an overview, Other Options section, or Checks and Counters section for this one, since I think it'd be folded into the Mega Aerodactyl analysis, but I mentioned some stuff in those sections anyway.
Last edited:
