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.
💡 Note: The lineups of the Team Go Rocket leaders have changed as of Midnight on November 9th, and this article is being updated as new information becomes available.
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Cliff’s Pokémon Line-Up
Leader Cliff uses Shadow Grimer as his first Pokémon. Cliff’s second Pokémon can be Shadow Venusaur, Shadow Crobat, or Shadow Machamp. His third Pokémon can be Shadow Tyranitar, Shadow Charizard, or Shadow Arcanine. All three of Cliff’s options for his 3rd Pokémon are weak to water, so keep that in mind when forming your team.
Countering Cliff’s Shadow Pokémon
Grimer
Grimer
Cliff’s Shadow Grimer is a pure Poison type opponent that is easily countered by strong Psychic, and Ground types. It’s super important to burn as many shields as possible during this fight. This will make defeating Cliff a much easier task.
Recommended counters
| Pokémon | Moves |
|---|---|
Mewtwo
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Rhyperior
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Excadrill
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Jirachi
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Venusaur
Venusaur
Cliff’s Venusaur is a Grass and Poison type that is weak to Fire, , Ice, and Psychic types. Venusaur is a well known enemy in Pokémon GO – be careful not to underestimate it and always shield.
Recommended counters
| Pokémon | Moves |
|---|---|
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Mewtwo
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Lugia
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Moltres
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Dragonite
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Crobat
Crobat
Arlo’s Shadow Crobat is a Poison type, thus it’s weak to Electric, Ice, Psychic, and Rock. We recommend going with Tyranitar, or an equivalent Rock type to provide coverage as much as possible. Avoid Psychic counters due to Bite being an option in the Fast moves pool.
Recommended counters
| Pokémon | Fast move |
|---|---|
Tyranitar
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Magnezone
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Manectric (Mega)
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Rampardos
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Machamp
Machamp
Arlo’s Shadow Machamp is big, beefy, and angry. It is easiest to take down with your Psychic, , and Fairy type counters. Almost always, using Psychic counters is the way to go.
Machamp’s most dangerous (and surprising) moves are its Steel moves – Bullet Punch and Heavy Slam. In case of those, go with an Electric-typed counter, such as Magnezone, Zapdos and Electivire.
Recommended counters
| Pokémon | Moves |
|---|---|
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Mewtwo
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Hoopa
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Togekiss
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Gardevoir
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Moltres
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Tyranitar
Tyranitar
Arlo’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.
Recommended counters
| Pokémon | Moves |
|---|---|
Lucario
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Conkeldurr
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Machamp
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Swampert
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Kyogre
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Charizard
Charizard
Arlo’s Shadow Charizard has a 2x weakness to the Rock type, apart from other weaknesses that include the Electric and Water types. Be careful of Dragon Claw and its quick activation.
Recommended counters
| Pokémon | Moves |
|---|---|
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Rampardos
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Rhyperior
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Terrakion
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Tyranitar
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Kyogre
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Arcanine
Arcanine
Arlo’s Shadow Arcanine is mean and hits very hard. As a Fire type he’s weak to Ground, Rock, and Water. Shadow Arcanine can be reliably countered by strong Water types if it doesn’t have Thunder Fang as a fast move. If it has, use Rock types.
Recommended counters
| Pokémon | Moves |
|---|---|
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Kyogre
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Tyranitar
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Terrakion
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Swampert
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Machamp
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More Team GO Rocket Guides for November 2021
- GO Rocket Grunts Guide: Counters and Lineups
- Giovanni Counters Guide
- Arlo Counters Guide
- Sierra Counters Guide
- Cliff Counters Guide
