What is Shadow Aerodactyl’s Weakness? A Comprehensive Guide
Shadow Aerodactyl, a Rock and Flying-type Pokémon, is a formidable foe in Pokémon GO and other Pokémon games. Understanding its weaknesses is crucial for any trainer looking to gain the upper hand in battles. In short, Shadow Aerodactyl is weak to Electric, Ice, Rock, Steel, and Water-type moves. These move types will inflict super-effective damage, dealing more harm than neutral or resisted attacks. Let’s delve deeper into why these types are effective and how to exploit them.
Understanding Type Matchups
Pokémon types interact with each other in a complex web of strengths and weaknesses. A Pokémon’s type dictates what moves will be particularly effective or ineffective against it. Because Shadow Aerodactyl is a dual-type Pokémon, it inherits the weaknesses of both its Rock and Flying typing.
- Rock-Type Weaknesses: Rock-type Pokémon are typically weak to Fighting, Ground, Steel, Water, and Grass moves.
- Flying-Type Weaknesses: Flying-type Pokémon are generally vulnerable to Electric, Ice, and Rock moves.
When you combine the weaknesses of both Rock and Flying types, you arrive at Aerodactyl’s specific vulnerabilities, which are Electric, Ice, Rock, Steel, and Water. It’s essential to understand this combination to build effective counters against Shadow Aerodactyl.
Exploiting Shadow Aerodactyl’s Weaknesses
Knowing the weaknesses is one thing, but employing them effectively is another. Here’s how to use those weaknesses to your advantage:
- Electric-type Attacks: Pokémon like Electivire, Raikou, and Zapdos are excellent choices against Shadow Aerodactyl. Their Electric-type moves will inflict significant damage, quickly reducing the ancient Pokémon’s health.
- Ice-type Attacks: Ice-type Pokémon, such as Mamoswine, Weavile, and Glaceon, are also formidable opponents. Ice-type moves are particularly effective against Flying types, and they will pack a punch against Aerodactyl.
- Rock-type Attacks: Counterintuitively, a Rock-type attack is one of the weaknesses of a Rock-type Pokémon due to the Flying secondary type. Bringing Rock-type Pokémon with strong rock-type attacks like Rhyperior, Tyranitar, or Rampardos is a great way to deal heavy damage to Aerodactyl.
- Steel-type Attacks: Pokémon like Metagross, Dialga, and Excadrill are solid options. Their Steel-type moves hit Aerodactyl hard and they are also very strong defensive pokemon.
- Water-type Attacks: Pokémon such as Kyogre, Swampert, and Feraligatr are great to bring against Aerodactyl. Their Water-type moves exploit Aerodactyl’s Rock-type weakness and can deliver substantial damage.
Why Shadow Aerodactyl?
It’s important to note that Shadow Aerodactyl, like all Shadow Pokémon, has a significant damage bonus. This means it hits harder than its regular counterpart but also takes more damage. Because of this, it is extremely important to exploit its weaknesses as efficiently as possible. While the damage output makes it a powerful raider, its inherent weakness to the aforementioned types is further amplified by its shadow status. This makes using the proper counter even more vital when facing a Shadow Aerodactyl.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is Shadow Aerodactyl strong against anything?
Yes, being a Rock and Flying-type, Shadow Aerodactyl is strong against Bug, Fire, Flying, and Normal type moves. It takes reduced damage from these types of attacks.
2. Is Shadow Aerodactyl better than a normal Aerodactyl?
Yes, in most cases. Shadow Pokémon deal more damage than their regular counterparts. This damage bonus comes at the cost of taking more damage themselves.
3. Should I purify Shadow Aerodactyl?
Generally, no. Purifying a Shadow Pokémon removes the damage bonus. Unless you have a specific reason, like aiming for a perfect IV or needing the move Return, it’s better to keep it as a shadow. The additional damage makes it better than the regular Aerodactyl.
4. Is Shadow Aerodactyl a good raider?
Yes, Shadow Aerodactyl is a powerful raider. Its high DPS (Damage Per Second) is similar to that of Shadow Tyranitar, making it a valuable asset in raids.
5. What’s the best team to beat Shadow Aerodactyl?
A team consisting of strong Electric, Ice, Rock, Steel, and Water-type Pokémon will be most effective. Consider using some of the Pokemon listed above, along with Pokemon with high base stats and effective charged attacks.
6. Is Aerodactyl weak to steel?
Yes, Aerodactyl is weak to Steel-type moves. The steel weakness comes from its Rock secondary typing.
7. Is Aerodactyl rare?
Yes, Aerodactyl is considered a rare Pokémon in both the core games and Pokemon GO, due to it having to be recovered from fossils, rather than being a common wild spawn.
8. Can Aerodactyl be soloed?
Yes, Aerodactyl can be soloed in raid battles, but it requires a strong team and good understanding of its weaknesses. This is especially true when battling the shadow version of the pokemon.
9. Is Aerodactyl weak against water?
Yes, Aerodactyl is weak against Water-type moves. These attacks will be super effective.
10. Is shiny Shadow Aerodactyl rare?
Yes, a shiny Shadow Aerodactyl is rare. Shiny encounters are already rare, and since the shadow Aerodactyl is not always available, it makes the shiny version even more rare.
11. How rare is Aerodactyl EX?
The card Aerodactyl ex is an Ultra-Rare card.
12. Can you get a 100% IV Shadow Pokémon?
No, you cannot catch a 100% Shadow Pokemon. However, a Shadow Pokémon with 13/13/13 IVs will become 100% when purified.
13. Is Aerodactyl immune to electric attacks?
No, Aerodactyl is not immune to Electric attacks. Despite being a Rock-type, it is vulnerable to them due to its Flying dual-typing.
14. Is Mega Aerodactyl also weak to the same types as Shadow Aerodactyl?
Yes, Mega Aerodactyl shares the same typing and therefore the same weaknesses: Electric, Ice, Rock, Steel, and Water.
15. What is Tyranitar’s weakness?
Tyranitar, being a Rock and Dark-type, is weak against Fighting, Bug, Fairy, Grass, Ground, Steel, and Water-type Pokémon. It is not very related to Aerodactyl’s weakness, but is included as it was mentioned in the original text.
Conclusion
Understanding Shadow Aerodactyl’s weaknesses is vital for success in Pokémon battles. Being prepared with strong Electric, Ice, Rock, Steel, and Water-type Pokémon and their corresponding moves will give you a significant advantage. Remember that as a shadow Pokémon it hits harder but also takes more damage, so an optimized attack using the proper counters is very important. By leveraging its vulnerabilities, you can confidently defeat this ancient threat.