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Crushing Cliff’s Shadow Aerodactyl: A Comprehensive Guide to Counters

The menacing Shadow Aerodactyl, a Rock and Flying-type Pokémon, poses a significant challenge for trainers in Pokémon GO. With its high attack power and diverse move set, taking it down requires careful planning and a strategic team of counters. So, who beats Shadow Aerodactyl? The answer lies in exploiting its elemental weaknesses with Electric, Ice, Rock, Steel, and Water-type attacks. This article will delve into the best counters and strategies to ensure you triumph over this powerful Shadow Pokémon.

Top Counters for Shadow Aerodactyl

Understanding Shadow Aerodactyl’s weaknesses is the first step in forming an effective counter team. Remember, as a Rock/Flying-type, it’s particularly vulnerable to:

Electric-type Attacks: These moves hit Shadow Aerodactyl for super-effective damage, making Pokémon like Raikou, Xurkitree, and Zekrom excellent choices.
Water-type Attacks: Strong Water-types such as Primal Kyogre, Mega Swampert, Mega Blastoise, and Feraligatr can quickly chip away at Shadow Aerodactyl’s health.
Ice-type Attacks: Ice types are effective against the Flying part of the typing. Pokemon like Mamoswine, Glaceon, or Weavile can inflict considerable damage with their ice-type attacks.
Rock-type Attacks: Counterintuitively, despite being Rock-type, Aerodactyl is weak to Rock attacks. Rhyperior and Terrakion are solid Rock-type attackers capable of doing super-effective damage.
Steel-type Attacks: Steel type moves can also hit Shadow Aerodactyl for super-effective damage. Metagross is one of the best steel type attackers in the game, making it a top choice to battle Aerodactyl.

Top Tier Counters

Based on a combination of damage output and resilience, here are some of the most effective counters for Shadow Aerodactyl:

Primal Kyogre: A powerhouse with access to powerful Water-type moves. Its high attack stat and bulk make it exceptionally reliable.
Mega Swampert: Another excellent Water-type option, with access to high damage moves and strong overall stats.
Shadow Metagross: With its superior attack stat when shadow-boosted, Metagross is an absolute monster when facing a Shadow Aerodactyl.
Raikou: A pure Electric-type that deals consistent and heavy damage to Shadow Aerodactyl.
Mega Blastoise: Blastoise provides a good combination of water-type power and defence, especially in its mega evolved form.
Shadow Rhyperior: Rhyperior, especially in its shadow form, provides a good counter to Aerodactyl as a rock type.
Xurkitree: Xurkitree is a strong electric type with access to the high damage electric move, discharge.

Considerations for Team Building

When building your team, consider the following factors:

Move Sets: Ensure your counters have the right move sets, such as Water, Electric, Rock, Steel, or Ice-type attacks. A counter with a non-effective move will drastically reduce your effectiveness.
Pokémon Level and IVs: Higher-level Pokémon with good IVs (Individual Values) will perform better. Invest in powering up your core counters.
Shadow Boost: Shadow pokemon have an increased damage output, making them ideal for tackling shadow pokemon.
Weather Boosts: Be aware of weather conditions in Pokémon GO. Rainy weather will boost Water-type attacks, while Partly Cloudy or Windy weather will boost Aerodactyl and Rock-type moves. Plan accordingly.

Strategies for Taking Down Shadow Aerodactyl

Early Game Strategy

Start the battle with a strong lead Pokemon. Ideally an electric or water type should start off this battle. This will help you quickly deplete their health and get to their weak point quicker. Good options include Primal Kyogre, Raikou or Mega Swampert.

Mid Game Strategy

Once you’ve made progress with the early counters, you need to make a shift. Once the first pokemon has fainted, switch to a strong fighting type. This should take care of any additional support Cliff throws at you after Aerodactyl.

Late Game Strategy

Once your fighting type faints, you should use any remaining counters to take down any support pokemon Cliff throws at you.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is Shadow Aerodactyl weak to?

Shadow Aerodactyl, being a Rock and Flying-type, is weak against Electric, Ice, Rock, Steel, and Water-type moves.

2. Is Mega Aerodactyl the same as Shadow Aerodactyl?

No, Mega Aerodactyl and Shadow Aerodactyl are different forms. Mega Aerodactyl is a temporary evolution available in raids, while Shadow Aerodactyl is encountered in battles with Team GO Rocket leaders like Cliff. They share similar type weaknesses, but have different movesets and base stats.

3. Can I beat Shadow Aerodactyl solo?

It is possible to beat Shadow Aerodactyl solo if you have a strong and well-leveled team of counters. However, it can be challenging, and having at least one or two strong counters is recommended, especially when facing Cliff.

4. Should I purify Shadow Aerodactyl?

Generally, no. Shadow Pokémon receive a damage bonus that makes them more powerful than their purified counterparts. Unless you’re aiming for a perfect IV (100% or 4*) Pokémon purely for collection purposes, it’s better to keep it as a Shadow Pokémon for battles.

5. Is Aerodactyl effective against Electric?

No, Aerodactyl is weak to electric type attacks. As a Rock/Flying type pokemon, it is not strong against electric.

6. How many people does it take to beat Mega Aerodactyl?

It is recommended to have a group of 3-5 trainers to defeat Mega Aerodactyl in a raid. While possible with only two, using the best possible counters and optimal play is needed.

7. What are the best move sets for my Aerodactyl counters?

Your Water-type counters should have Water-type Fast and Charged attacks, such as Waterfall and Hydro Cannon for Mega Swampert. Electric types should prioritize Electric-type attacks like Thunder Shock and Wild Charge. Steel Types should have a combination of moves, such as Metal Claw or Bullet Punch and Meteor Mash.

8. How do weather conditions affect the battle?

Weather boosts certain types of attacks. Rainy weather boosts Water-type attacks, while Partly Cloudy boosts Rock-type moves. Keep an eye out on the weather to use these to your advantage.

9. Is Mega Evolution painful for Aerodactyl?

According to the Pokédex, Mega Evolution is a burden on Aerodactyl’s body, making it highly agitated. This does not affect gameplay mechanics but is lore-related.

10. What other Pokemon can I use that are good against shadow Aerodactyl?

Pokemon such as Terrakion, Rhyperior, Mamoswine, Glaceon, and Weavile are effective counters against Shadow Aerodactyl, although they are not considered top-tier.

11. What is Shadow Aerodactyl’s CP?

Shadow Aerodactyl has a maximum CP of 3147 in Pokémon GO.

12. How rare is a shiny Shadow Aerodactyl?

The encounter rate for a shiny Aerodactyl is approximately 1 in 60.

13. What happens if you defeat a Shadow Pokemon?

After defeating a Shadow Pokémon, it will be abandoned by Team GO Rocket, giving you an opportunity to encounter and catch them.

14. What’s the best overall strategy to beat Cliff’s Team?

Start with an electric or water-type to take down Aerodactyl quickly, switch to a strong fighting-type after defeating it, then finish the remaining pokemon with any remaining counters.

15. Can I use the same counters for Mega Aerodactyl and Shadow Aerodactyl?

Yes, the same counters work for both, as their type weaknesses are the same. However, Mega Aerodactyl will require more counters than Shadow Aerodactyl due to higher CP and overall stats.

By utilizing the right counters and strategies, you can confidently conquer Shadow Aerodactyl in Pokémon GO. This comprehensive guide equips you with everything you need to know to build a successful team and emerge victorious against Cliff and his imposing Pokémon. Good luck, trainers!

Who beats Shadow Aerodactyl?