A comprehensive guide on how to defeat Team GO Rocket Leader Cliff in Pokémon GO. We got you covered with the best Pokémon to use against Cliff, regardless of which line-up he uses.
Remember that you can rematch Cliff if you lose the first time. Use this guide in combination with knowing Cliff’s Pokémon to ensure a victory. While Cliff is not the most difficult Team Go Rocket Leader, he is often the most unpredictable.
💡 Note: In Trainer Battles, counters need not always be Pokémon that do super-effective damage. We include Pokémon that are more viable to defeat Cliff, rather than those who do maximum damage.
On this page
Cliff’s Pokémon Line-Up
Leader Cliff uses Shadow Cubone as his first Pokémon. Cliff’s second Pokémon can be Shadow Electivire, Shadow Luxray, or Shadow Omastar. His third Pokémon can be Shadow Tyranitar, Shadow Charizard or Shadow Swampert.
Countering Cliff’s Shadow Pokémon
Cubone
Cliff’s Shadow Cubone is a pure Ground type opponent that is weak to Grass Ice and Water.
It’s super important to burn as many shields as possible during this fight. This will make defeating Cliff a much easier task. Cubone should be relatively easy to defeat.
Recommended counters
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Cliff’s second Pokémon
Electivire
Cliff’s Shadow Electivire is an Electric type, primarily weak to Ground types, but other types counter it easily as well.
Be careful not to underestimate it, always shield and get through this fight swiftly. Electivire can surprise you with Low Kick (Fighting).
Recommended counters
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Luxray
Cliff’s Shadow Luxray is a pure Electric type, making its only weakness Ground.
Luxray can be a surprising opponent, as it can have Hyper Beam and Crunch, which makes its charge moves a rather random affair.
Recommended counters
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Omastar
Cliff’s Shadow Omastar is easy to take down with your Grass type counters (2x weakness to Grass), but it is also weak to Electric, Fighting and Ground.
Usually, using Grass-typed Pokémon to counter Omastar is the way to go regardless of which move set it holds. You’re faced with Mud Shot (Ground), Water Gun (Water) or Rock Throw (Rock) as quick moves.
Recommended counters
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Cliff’s final Pokémon
Tyranitar
Cliff’s Shadow Tyranitar is 2x weak to the Fighting type, among other weaknesses.
While Tyranitar is strong, you can beat it with little effort by taking advantage of its various weaknesses that include the Fighting, Bug, Fairy, Grass, Ground, Steel and Water types.
Note: Tyranitar does not resist Electric and Rock damage, despite common misconception. Given the low availability of strong Fighters in high CP ranges, most non-Fighting counters can be used equally as good as Machamp. Tyranitar also doesn’t have Smack Down as a quick move in Trainer Battles.
Recommended counters
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Swampert
Cliff’s Shadow Swampert is a Water and Ground type. Swampert is double weak to Grass, so most of the counters are based around abusing that type weakness.
Swampert can be a messy opponent if you don’t have a strong Grass attacker for PvP.
Recommended counters
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Charizard
Cliff’s Shadow Charizard is double weak to Rock, and single weak to Electric and Water.
Usually, Kyogre leads the charge in Charizard battles. Melmetal is a popular choice if Charizard uses Air Slash as quick move.
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More Team GO Rocket Guides
- GO Rocket Grunts Guide: Counters and Lineups
- Giovanni Counters Guide
- Arlo Counters Guide
- Sierra Counters Guide
- Cliff Counters Guide
