Mega Aerodactyl is a Rock and Flying-type Mega Raid Boss in Pokémon GO that combines ferocious speed with hard-hitting charged moves. Its dual typing gives it a notable set of weaknesses and resistances trainers should know before engaging. While Mega Aerodactyl hits hard with moves like Rock Slide and Sky Attack, its Flying type also makes it susceptible to Ice and Rock-type counters.
Understanding how Mega Aerodactyl’s type combination affects battle dynamics is key to defeating it with minimal losses. Simply choosing high-CP Pokémon isn’t enough — smart trainers consider move effectiveness, weather bonuses, raid lobby size, and how to handle Aerodactyl’s unique charge patterns.
This guide will walk you through the best counters, detailed team compositions, weather implications, dodging advice, and tactical recommendations so you can defeat Mega Aerodactyl efficiently whether you’re playing solo or with a group
Mega Aerodactyl Overview
Mega Aerodactyl’s dual Rock/Flying typing gives it several weaknesses but also allows it to resist common attacking types. Understanding its typing is key to defeating it efficiently.
Stats & Basic Info
| Type | Rock / Flying |
| Max CP | 4655 |
| Weather Boost | Partly Cloudy , Windy |
| Shiny | Yes |
🧬 About Mega Aerodactyl in Pokémon GO
Mega Aerodactyl is a Rock/Flying-type Pokémon. When Mega Evolved, it becomes one of the strongest Rock-type attackers in the game and provides damage bonuses to Rock, Flying, and Dark-type Pokémon in raids.
Mega Aerodactyl is useful because:
- It boosts Rock, Flying, and Dark-type attackers
- It is one of the best Rock-type attackers in the game
- It is excellent against Fire, Flying, Ice, and Bug-type raid bosses
Weaknesses & resistances
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| ❌ Weak To: |
 Rock •
 Steel •
 Water •
 Electric •
 Ice
|
| ✅ Resistant To: |
 Poison •
 Bug •
 Ground •
 Fire •
 Flying •
 Normal
|
Notes: Its biggest threats come from Ice, Water, and Electric attacks. Rock-type Pokémon may resist its Flying moves but won’t exploit weaknesses. Fire and Fighting types generally perform poorly due to resistances.
🗡️ Best Counters for Mega Aerodactyl
To defeat Mega Aerodactyl efficiently, prioritize high-DPS Water, Electric, and Ice-type Pokémon. Rock counters are less effective offensively but can survive longer.
Steel-type Counters
- Metagross: (Bullet Punch / Meteor Mash)
- Zacian: (Metal Claw / Behemoth Blade)
- Zamazenta: (Metal Claw / Behemoth Bash)
⚡ Electric-Type Counters
Electric-type Pokémon exploit Mega Aerodactyl’s Flying typing. Thunder Shock or Volt Switch combined with Thunderbolt or Wild Charge provides high DPS while resisting Rock-type attacks.
- Raikou: (Thunder Shock / Wild Charge)
- Xurkitree: (Thunder Shock / DisCharge)
- Manectric: (Thunder Fang / Wild Charge)
💧 Water-Type Counters (Top Choice)
Water Pokémon deal super-effective damage to Rock typing. Fast Water moves like Waterfall or Bubble combined with charged moves like Hydro Pump or Surf maximize DPS. Mega Water Pokémon, such as Mega Blastoise, can boost all Water-type damage, making the raid much faster when coordinated.
- Primal Kyogre: (Waterfall / Origin Pulse)
- Swampert: (Water Gun / Hydro Cannon)
- Blastoise: (Water Gun / Hydro Cannon)
Battle Strategy & Team Guidance
Mega Aerodactyl’s Rock and Flying dual typing gives it notable weaknesses to Ice- and Rock-type attacks. Ice-type Pokémon such as Mamoswine or Glaceon are especially effective because they hit both of Mega Aerodactyl’s types for super-effective damage. Rock-type attackers like Rampardos or Terrakion also perform well and can survive longer against fast aerial charge attacks.
Weather conditions significantly influence your team’s effectiveness. In Snowy weather, Ice-type moves are boosted, making Ice counters even stronger. In Partly Cloudy or Sunny conditions, Rock-type counters gain a performance edge. Trainers battling under adverse weather should be careful of Mega Aerodactyl’s fast Rock Slide, which can deal heavy damage if not avoided.
Dodging key charged attacks like Sky Attack and Rock Slide can extend your raid team’s life and increase DPS efficiency. For longer endurance, start with your highest DPS Ice-type Pokémon, and follow with support attackers who bring strong charged moves while resisting incoming damage.
If you’re battling in a group, coordinating movesets and starting with counters that can survive the first few charged attacks makes the overall fight smoother. Mega Evolutions such as Mega Beedrill or Mega Heracross aren’t necessary but can provide a damage boost that helps finish the raid quickly, especially if group size is limited.
Best Mega Evolutions
Recommended Megas to use against Mega Aerodactyl:
- Metagross, Lucario – Steel boost
- Manectric – Electric boost
- Lucario – Fighting boost
- Tyranitar, Diancie – Rock boost
- Swampert, Blastoise, Gyarados – Water boost
Available Moves
- Fast: Rock Throw, Dragon Breath, Steel Wing, Bite
- Charged: Hyper Beam, Earth Power, Ancient Power, Iron Head, Rock Slide
Pro tip: While it doesn’t have extreme bulk, Earth Power in particular can instantly delete fragile counters, making dodging very valuable in small groups.
Mega Aerodactyl’s Rock/Flying typing makes it resistant to many common attackers, but strong Water and Ice types can reliably break through its defenses.
Best Regular Counters
Regular pokemon that amplify the right types give you a powerful edge. Below are top Regular counters with short notes on why they excel.
| Pokémon | Fast Moves | Charged Moves | Elite Moves | Recommended Moves | Why This Counter Works |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zamazenta | Metal Claw / Ice Fang | Giga Impact / Moonblast / Close Combat / Behemoth Bash | None | Ice Fang and Giga Impact | Steel typing hits Rock super-effectively and resists Rock-type moves, giving it solid survivability. |
| Zacian | Metal Claw / Air Slash | Play Rough / Close Combat / Giga Impact / Behemoth Blade | None | Air Slash and Giga Impact / Behemoth Blade | Steel coverage deals super-effective damage to Rock typing while maintaining strong overall attack stats. |
| Dusk Mane Necrozma | Shadow Claw / Psycho Cut / Metal Claw | Dark Pulse / Iron Head / Future Sight / Outrage / Sunsteel Strike | None | Shadow Claw / Metal Claw and Sunsteel Strike | Steel-type Sunsteel Strike deals super-effective damage to Rock typing and benefits from high base Attack. |
| Primal Kyogre | Waterfall | Hydro Pump / Surf / Thunder / Blizzard / Avalanche | Origin Pulse | Waterfall and Hydro Pump | Water typing directly exploits Mega Aerodactyl’s Rock weakness, delivering extremely high raid DPS. |
| White Kyurem | Dragon Breath / Steel Wing / Ice Fang | Ancient Power / Blizzard / Dragon Pulse / Focus Blast / Fusion Flare / Ice Burn | None | Dragon Tail and Freeze Shock | Ice-type attacks hit Flying super-effectively, allowing strong neutral-to-super-effective pressure. |
| Metagross | Fury Cutter / Bullet Punch / Zen Headbutt | Earthquake / Flash Cannon / Psychic | Shadow Claw / Meteor Mash | Zen Headbutt and Earthquake | Bullet Punch and Meteor Mash provide powerful Steel-type damage against Rock typing with excellent bulk. |
| Xurkitree | Thunder Shock / Spark | Power Whip / Discharge / Thunder / Dazzling Gleam | None | Thunder Shock / Spark and Thunder / Dazzling Gleam | Electric-type attacks exploit Flying weakness and provide some of the highest Electric DPS available. |
| Black Kyurem | Shadow Claw / Dragon Tail | Stone Edge / Blizzard / Iron Head / Outrage / Fusion Bolt / Freeze Shock | None | Dragon Tail and Freeze Shock | Ice-type charged moves hit Flying super-effectively while high Attack ensures strong raid output. |
| Zekrom | Charge Beam / Dragon Breath | Flash Cannon / Wild Charge / Outrage / Crunch | Fusion Bolt | Charge Beam and Fusion Bolt | Electric typing exploits Flying weakness while maintaining strong neutral bulk against Rock moves. |
| Dawn Wings Necrozma | Shadow Claw / Metal Claw / Psycho Cut | Dark Pulse / Iron Head / Outrage / Future Sight / Moongeist Beam | None | Shadow Claw / Metal Claw and Moongeist Beam | High overall stats allow strong neutral DPS, though it does not hit super-effectively. |
| Dialga Origin | Dragon Breath / Metal Claw | Iron Head / Thunder / Draco Meteor | Roar of Time | Dragon Breath / Metal Claw and Roar of Time | Steel typing hits Rock super-effectively and resists Flying-type moves, improving survivability. |
| Kyogre | Waterfall | Hydro Pump / Surf / Thunder / Blizzard | Origin Pulse | Waterfall and Hydro Pump | Water-type moves directly counter Rock typing, making it one of the safest and strongest options. |
Mega Aerodactyl’s Rock/Flying typing makes it resistant to many common attackers, but strong Water and Ice types can reliably break through its defenses.
Best Shadow Counters
Shadow pokemon that amplify the right types give you a powerful edge. Below are top Shadow counters with short notes on why they excel.
| Pokémon | Fast Moves | Charged Moves | Elite Moves | Recommended Moves | Why This Counter Works |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shadow Kyogre | Waterfall | Hydro Pump / Surf / Thunder / Blizzard | Origin Pulse | Waterfall and Hydro Pump | Shadow boost increases Water-type DPS significantly while exploiting Rock weakness. |
| Shadow Metagross | Fury Cutter / Bullet Punch / Zen Headbutt | Earthquake / Flash Cannon / Psychic | Shadow Claw / Meteor Mash | Zen Headbutt and Earthquake | Shadow boost makes Meteor Mash extremely strong against Rock typing with high burst damage. |
| Shadow Dialga | Metal Claw / Dragon Breath | Iron Head / Thunder / Draco Meteor | None | Metal Claw / Dragon Breath and Draco Meteor | Steel-type moves hit Rock super-effectively and Shadow boost increases overall raid damage. |
| Shadow Rhyperior | Mud Slap / Smack Down | Skull Bash / Superpower / Earthquake / Stone Edge / Surf / Breaking Swipe | Rock Wrecker | Mud Slap and Earthquake | Rock-type moves hit Flying super-effectively while Shadow boost increases overall DPS output. |
| Shadow Empoleon | Metal Claw / Steel Wing / Metal Sound / Waterfall | Drill Peck / Flash Cannon / Hydro Pump / Blizzard | Hydro Cannon | Steel Wing and Hydro Pump | Steel and Water coverage allows super-effective damage while Shadow boost increases pressure. |
| Shadow Raikou | Thunder Shock / Volt Switch | Aura Sphere / Shadow Ball / Thunder / Thunderbolt / Wild Charge | None | Volt Switch and Aura Sphere / Shadow Ball / Thunder | Electric typing exploits Flying weakness and Shadow boost makes it one of the highest DPS Electric attackers. |
| Shadow Swampert | Mud Shot / Water Gun | Sludge / Sludge Wave / Earthquake / Surf / Muddy Water | Hydro Cannon | Water Gun and Earthquake | Water-type attacks exploit Rock weakness and Shadow bonus greatly improves raid damage speed. |
| Shadow Excadrill | Mud Slap / Mud Shot / Metal Claw | Earthquake / Drill Run / Scorching Sands / Rock Slide / Iron Head | None | Mud Slap and Earthquake | Steel typing hits Rock super-effectively while Shadow boost enhances offensive pressure. |
| Shadow Zapdos | Charge Beam | Drill Peck / Ancient Power / Zap Cannon / Thunderbolt / Thunder | Thunder Shock | Charge Beam and Zap Cannon | Electric-type moves exploit Flying weakness and Shadow bonus significantly boosts DPS. |
Mega Aerodactyl’s Rock/Flying typing makes it resistant to many common attackers, but strong Water and Ice types can reliably break through its defenses.
Best Mega Counters
Mega pokemon that amplify the right types give you a powerful edge. Below are top Mega counters with short notes on why they excel.
| Pokémon | Fast Moves | Charged Moves | Elite Moves | Recommended Moves | Why This Counter Works |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mega Metagross | Fury Cutter / Bullet Punch / Zen Headbutt | Earthquake / Flash Cannon / Psychic | Shadow Claw / Meteor Mash | Zen Headbutt and Earthquake | Mega Steel typing provides super-effective damage to Rock and boosts all Steel teammates. |
| Mega Lucario | Counter / Bullet Punch | Close Combat / Power-Up Punch / Aura Sphere / Shadow Ball / Flash Cannon / Meteor Mash / Blaze Kick / Thunder Punch | Force Palm | Counter and Close Combat | Steel typing hits Rock super-effectively while Mega boost increases team-wide Steel and Fighting damage. |
| Mega Swampert | Mud Shot / Water Gun | Sludge Wave / Sludge / Earthquake / Surf / Muddy Water | Hydro Cannon | Water Gun and Earthquake | Water typing exploits Rock weakness and Mega boost strengthens all Water-type attackers. |
| Mega Tyranitar | Iron Tail / Bite / Dragon Breath | Stone Edge / Fire Blast / Crunch / Brutal Swing | Smack Down | Iron Tail and Fire Blast | Rock-type moves hit Flying super-effectively and Mega boost increases Rock-type team damage. |
| Mega Blastoise | Rollout / Water Gun / Bite | Skull Bash / Flash Cannon / Hydro Pump / Ice Beam | Hydro Cannon | Rollout and Hydro Pump | Water-type attacks counter Rock weakness while Mega boost improves overall Water team DPS. |
| Mega Diancie | Tackle / Rock Throw | Rock Slide / Power Gem / Moonblast | None | Rock Throw and Moonblast | Rock-type attacks hit Flying super-effectively while benefiting from strong Mega attack stats. |
| Mega Gyarados | Waterfall / Dragon Breath / Bite | Hydro Pump / Outrage / Twister / Crunch | Dragon Tail / Aqua Tail / Dragon Pulse | Dragon Tail and Hydro Pump | Water typing exploits Rock weakness and Mega boost enhances Water-type teammates. |
| Mega Manectric | Charge Beam / Snarl / Thunder Fang | Thunder / Flame Burst / Wild Charge / Overheat / Psychic Fangs | None | Snarl and Overheat | Electric typing directly counters Flying weakness while Mega boost strengthens Electric attackers. |
| Mega Aerodactyl | Bite / Dragon Breath / Rock Throw / Steel Wing | Hyper Beam / Ancient Power / Rock Slide / Iron Head / Earth Power | None | Steel Wing and Hyper Beam | Rock-type moves hit Flying super-effectively, though it does not exploit Rock weakness directly. |
Move listings show available moves, not always optimal raid DPS combinations.
CP Ranges
After defeating Mega Aerodactyl, you will catch a normal Aerodactyl.
- Perfect (L20): 2,260-2,353 CP
- Weather Boost (L25): 2,826-2,941 CP
- Boosted by: Partly Cloudy / Windy
🌦️ Weather Boost
Weather conditions strongly influence Mega Aerodactyl raids:
| Weather | Effect |
|---|---|
| Partly Cloudy | boosts Rock-types |
| Windy | boosts Flying-types. |
| Snowy | boosts Ice & Steel-types |
| Rainy | boosts Water & Electric-types. |
Water counters exploit Mega Aerodactyl’s Rock weakness, while Electric counters take advantage of its Flying weakness. Ice types help against both Rock and Flying moves, giving you multiple super-effective options.
Revive & Potion Cost
- Average revives used: 8–14
- Average potions used: 10–18
- Dodging significantly reduces resource usage
- Using Mega Pokémon reduces total relobbies
Common Raid Mistakes
Avoid using fragile Water or Ice attackers—they'll often be outpaced by Aerodactyl's high damage. Also be cautious with Ghost types if Aerodactyl runs Crunch.
Team Composition Example
- Lead with strongest Water-type attacker
- Follow with two additional Water Pokémon
- Add one Electric-type attacker
- Finish with Ice-type Pokémon for coverage
Avoid Rock or Fire Pokémon for offense, as Mega Aerodactyl resists these moves.
Recommended Team Setups
Weather-Boosted Team (Rainy / Windy)
- Primal Kyogre — Water DPS
- Shadow Kyogre — Water damage
- Mega Manectric — Electric DPS
- Raikou — fast Electric damage
Budget Team (3–5 Trainers)
- Raikou (Thunder Shock + Wild Charge)
- Electivire
- Jolteon
- Mamoswine
- Weavile
If rain or wind is boosting Water or Electric moves, your counters will deal noticeably more damage and need fewer players to succeed.
Recommended Group Size
Mega Aerodactyl is moderately difficult due to its high attack, but low defense makes it manageable with strong counters.
- 2 Trainers: Possible with optimized counters
- 3 Trainers: Comfortable clear
- 4+ Trainers: Easy win
High-level trainers with Water or Electric counters can defeat Mega Aerodactyl quickly, especially during Rainy weather.
Raid Strategy
Focus on Super-Effective Damage
Stack as many Water, Electric, and Ice-type Pokémon as possible. Because Mega Aerodactyl has relatively low defense, high-DPS counters can defeat it quickly.
Watch for Charged Moves
Mega Aerodactyl can use Rock-type charged moves like Rock Slide, which deal high damage to Ice- and Flying-type Pokémon. Dodging charged attacks helps preserve your top counters and maintain consistent DPS.
Coordinate Mega Evolutions
Using a single Mega Water Pokémon provides a team-wide boost to Water-type moves. Coordinate with your group to keep the Mega boost active throughout the raid for maximum efficiency.
Evolution, Mega Details & Buddy Distance
| Evolution Line | Base(Aerodactyl) → Mega(Aerodactyl) |
| Mega Energy (First) | 200 |
| Subsequent Cost | 40 |
| Mega Energy via Buddy | Yes |
| Mega Boost Bonus(Walking) | Extra Candy |
| Mega Boost Bonus(Catch) | Extra Rock/Flying-type Candy |
Buddy Distance
5 km (per Pokémon GO buddy distance)
Shadow & Mega Comparison
Rewards
- Mega Energy for Aerodactyl
- Chance to catch Aerodactyl (with boosted IVs)
- Rare Candy & XL Candy
📌 Is Mega Aerodactyl Worth Raiding?
Mega Aerodactyl is valuable for collecting Mega Energy to evolve other Aerodactyls. It can also be used in PvP or future raids where Rock/Flying counters are needed. Despite being less bulky than other Mega Pokémon, it provides a fast-paced, high-reward raid experience.
Tips & Tricks
- Bring at least two strong counters per type to cover weaknesses.
- Coordinate with 2–3 other trainers for a faster raid clear.
- Focus on maximizing damage output rather than conserving shields unless necessary.
FAQ
Can Mega Aerodactyl be shiny in Pokémon GO?
Yes, if shiny Aerodactyl is available in the game, you have a chance to encounter a shiny after winning the raid.
What are the best moves of Aerodactyl?
The best moves of Aerodactyl is Steel Wing as a Fast Attack and Hyper Beam as a Charged Attack.
How many trainers are needed to defeat Mega Aerodactyl?
With strong Water or Electric counters, 2–4 trainers can complete the raid comfortably. Lower-level players may prefer a larger group.
Is Mega Aerodactyl a difficult Mega Raid?
It has strong attack power but lower bulk compared to some other Mega Raids. Proper type advantage makes the battle manageable.
Does Mega Aerodactyl keep its Mega form after the battle?
Mega Evolution lasts only during battles where Mega is enabled; it does not persist outside combat.
🏁 Conclusion
Mega Aerodactyl raids are fast and efficient when you prioritize Water, Electric, and Ice-type counters. Coordinate Mega boosts, monitor weather conditions, and focus on high DPS Pokémon for the best results.
With proper preparation, you can defeat Mega Aerodactyl quickly and collect valuable Mega Energy for your future raids.
Summary
- Electric and Ice types are by far the best counters
- Watch out for Earth Power and Rock Slide.
- Bring a Mega that boosts your team if possible.
- Keep the fight fast and aggressive.