Guide

Rocket Leader Cliff Counters Guide

January 20, 2020

Cliff Pokemon GO — Cliff is a Team GO Rocket Leader in Pokemon GO

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Cliff Pokémon GO counters are Pokémon that will help you defeat him with ease, regardless of which line-up Cliff uses. In this Cliff guide we will go through each Pokémon and explain how to deal with them. 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.

This guide is heavily based on LanAkou’s excellent write up on reddit.

Cliff’s Pokémon Line-Up

Cliff always uses Stantler as his first Pokémon. Cliff’s second Pokémon can be Marowak, Onix or Electivire. Cliff’s third Pokemon can be Tyranitar, Swampert or Torterra.

Pokemon #1	Pokemon #2	Pokemon #3
Stantler	Marowak	Tyranitar
	Onix	Swampert
	Electivire	Torterra

Countering Cliff’s Pokémon

Stantler

Stantler uses Normal or Psychic fast moves, and Bug, Electric or Normal charge moves. Countering it shouldn’t be hard with Pokemon that can be used later on again.

Recommended counters

Pokémon	Fast move	Charge move
Giratina (Altered)	Dragon Breath	Dragon Claw
Lucario	Counter	Power Up Punch
Scizor	Fury Cutter	X Scissor
Lugia	Extrasensory	Sky Attack

Marowak

Marowakuses Ground or Fighting fast move, and Ground charge moves. Marowak’s move pool is rather homogeneous, which makes it easy to pick counters against it.

Recommended counters

Pokémon	Fast move	Charge move
Lugia	Extrasensory	Sky Attack
Tropius	Razor Leaf	Leaf Blade
Gyarados	Waterfall	Crunch
Giratina (Altered)	Dragon Breath	Dragon Claw

Onix

Onix uses Normal or Rock fast moves, and Rock, Steel and Ground charge moves. With a double weakness to Water and Grass, Onix will not be a problem for most players.

Recommended counters

Pokémon	Fast move	Charge move
Torterra	Razor Leaf	Sand Tomb
Kyogre	Waterfall	Surf
Virizion	Quick Attack	Leaf Blade
Rhyperior	Mud Slap	Surf
Venusaur	Vine Whip	Frenzy Plant

Electivire

Electivire uses an Electric or a Fighting fast move, and Electric or Ice charge moves. Ground types fare excellently against it, as most of Electivire’s moves deal significantly reduced damage.

Recommended counters

Pokémon	Fast move	Charge move
Garchomp	Mud Shot	Sand Tomb
Giratina (Altered)	Dragon Breath	Ancient Power
Rhyperior	Mud Slap	Stone Edge
Giratina (Origin)	Shadow Claw	Shadow Ball
Flygon	Mud Shot	Earth Power

Tyranitar

Tyranitar uses Dark and Steel quick moves, and Fire, Rock and Dark charge moves. Tyranitar is double weak to Fighting, which is a feast for Lucario. You can use Swampert, Machamp or Heracross if Lucario is too expensive (Stardust wise).

Recommended counters

Pokémon	Fast move	Charge move
Lucario	Counter	Power Up Punch
Heracross	Counter	Close Combat
Machamp	Counter	Cross Chop
Virizion	Quick Attack	Close Combat
Swampert	Mud Shot	Hydro Cannon

Swampert

Swampert uses a Ground or Water fast move, and Ground, Water or Poison charge moves. Luckily, Swampert is double weak to Grass moves, which makes picking counters quite easy. Be sure to shield against Sludge Wave.

Recommended counters

Pokémon	Fast move	Charge move
Leafeon	Quick Attack	Leaf Blade
Roserade	Razor Leaf	Grass Knot
Meganium	Vine Whip	Frenzy Plant
Venusaur	Vine Whip	Frenzy Plant
Torterra	Razor Leaf	Sand Tomb

Torterra

Torterra uses Dark or Grass quick moves, and Ground, Grass or Rock charge moves. Torterra is double weak to Ice, which makes the fight a bit easier, but you still want to resist its Fast moves and shield against its charge moves. Ideally, you want to use Ice or Fire counters.

Recommended counters