Form Change:

A blitzing threat, Aerodactyl swoops into Highlander games with reliable damage and punishing effects from early to late game.

Strategy Points:

• “Primal Claw” will punish Pokémon using Poké-Powers with 2 damage counters placed and the removal of all of their Pokémon tool cards. With a Double Colorless Energy and Fighting Fury Belt, you can easily deal 60 damage before your second turn.
  • Ampharos’s “Damage Bind” will lockdown any Pokémon hit with “Primal Claw,” stopping them from using their Poké-Power(s) all together.
  • Using Cursed Stone or Shrine of Punishment severely dial up the pressure on your opponent’s board. Mismagius Level X and Girafarig dial up even more punishment for Pokémon that use a Poké-Power.
  • You don’t have to attack with Aerodactyl for “Primal Claw” plays. You can use pivot attackers like Dunsparce, Tatsugiri, and Donphan to deal damage for one Energy, then move into Aerodactyl.
  • This can be further supported with Eviolite and Defender on Aerodactyl. If you’re dedicated to not attacking with it, you can use Float Stone or Escape Board for easy retreat plays. You can also run Super Potion to heal 60 damage without removing Energy on your board.
  • Technical Machine TS-1 is a great attack for Aerodactyl to use in the early game to set up your board. While TS-2 and Devolution are great in the mid- to late game.
• “Supersonic” is an amazing blitz attack when you put together all of Aerodactyl’s options and properties listed before. A fast option to cause Confusion can cause a damper in your opponent’s plans, especially with big attackers. 
  • Galvantula and Malamar are great partners with Aerodactyl when it comes to dialing up Confusion strategies.
• “Wing Attack” does solid damage for its cost. Granting Aerodactyl no retreat cost also grants it escape routes if you are setting up another attacker.
  • Veteran player Ryan Green has demonstrated the offensive prowess of starting with Pokémon like Aerodactyl, Tornadus, and Kangaskhan. By going second, you can attach Basic and Double Colorless Energy on your first turn. Knocking out your opponent’s only Pokémon will net you a fast win. Even if the game continues, that much damage on the first turn can cause high amounts of disruption.
• Mega Aerodactyl:
• Using “Tough Claws” paired with Mega Aerodactyl’s Mega Buff, will have its attacks do 30 more damage. With the added effect of piercing through all defensive buffs on the Defending Pokémon, a 60 damage “Supersonic” and “Wing Attack” for 80.
• Because Aerodactyl is a fully evolved basic Pokémon. You can wait to Mega Evolve in the mid- to late-game for a cleaner play. By using Rescue Stretcher or Carrier, you can swiftly get Aerodactyl back to your hand and play it down on the same turn. A Double Colorless Energy and Mega Evolution play will get you a 60-damage “Supersonic” with possible disruption from “Primal Claw” and Confusion.