Shadow Aerodactyl

As a Shadow Pokemon, Aerodactyl is a powerful raider with DPS very similar to Shadow Tyranitar, but less TDO. Its main advantage in comparison is its Flying sub-typing, which changes its strength/weakness profile. For example; where Tyranitar has a double weakness to Fighting, Aerodactyl takes neutral damage. In general, it's a strong Pokemon, but not a must-have.

Best PvE Offensive Moveset

• Rock Throw is Shadow Aerodactyl's only STAB option, which makes it the best. 

• Steel Wing is slightly better than Bite; which one is better comes down to the target’s weaknesses and resistances.

• Rock Slide is Shadow Aerodactyl’s best charge move. Ancient Power performs a bit worse on offense. 

• Steel Wing can be paired with Iron Head for meh Steel-type DPS.

• Hyper Beam is a weak pick, lacking any relevant coverage.

• Earth Power in an odd choice since it lacks STAB, but can pair with Steel Wing against Rock-type foes. 

Best PvE Defensive Moveset

• Rock Throw has the best damage output partly thanks to STAB. 

• Steel Wing is superior to Bite, having significantly higher base damage.

• Ancient Power can be used often on defense, but it is easily dodged.

• Iron Head does damage earlier, and Shadow Aerodactyl may still live long enough to use it.

• Hyper Beam is simply awful.

• Rock Slide has a much earlier damage window than Ancient Power and hits a little bit harder if not dodged. 

• Earth Power can offer coverage against Shadow Aerodactyl's weaknesses to Electric, Rock, and Steel, but has a late damage window. 

Rock Throw gives Aerodactyl solid damage output as it's the only option that benefits from STAB. Bite is a very niche way to deal with the popular bulky Psychic and Ghost-types like Cresselia or Giratina, but this shouldn't be Aerodactyl's primary role. 

Rock Slide is the best charge move for Aerodactyl, gets STAB, costs less energy compared to other options, and sees the most frequent use by a long shot. Earth Power can be used to cover Aerodactyl's vulnerabilities against Electric, Rock, and Steel-type foes, but costs more energy. The rest of Aerodactyl's charge moves are disappointingly bad.