In October 2021, Pokemon Go Trainers will face up against Team Go Rocket Leader Cliff, but he is much simpler to defeat with the correct counters for Seedot, Hariyama, and Sharpedo.
Trainers will be able to assemble a Rocket Radar and face off against one of Team Go Rocket’s Leaders: Cliff, Arlo, or Sierra, after killing six Team Go Rocket Grunts in Pokemon Go and collecting their Mysterious Components as a reward.
When compared to the Team Go Rocket Grunts found at PokeStops, these commanders are significantly more difficult to defeat, and to make matters worse, you won’t know which pair of Pokemon they’ll send out until you enter the battle.
Here you’ll discover everything you need to take down Cliff, win some delectable rewards, and possibly catch your own Shadow Seedot in the process.
Pokemon Go Cliff counters and lineup (October 2021)
Cliff, the leader of Team Go Rocket, has long been a thorn in the side of many Pokemon Go trainers, and he will continue to be so in October 2021. He still controls a difficult and diversified line-up of Pokemon, each with its own strengths and weaknesses, with the Season of Mischief’s debut.
Cliff will always send out Seedot at the start of a battle, followed by six additional possible ‘mon encounters. His current list of Pokemon to defeat is as follows:
- 1st Phase: Seedot
- 2nd Phase: Hariyama / Kingler / Poliwrath
- 3rd Phase: Sharpedo / Torterra / Tyranitar
What is the best team to beat Cliff in Pokemon Go?
Togekiss, Magnezone, and Mamoswine are three of the greatest – and most accessible – Pokemon Go teams for defeating Cliff (with Ice-type moves). Hariyama, Poliwrath, and Seedot are all taken care of by Togekiss’ Flying and Fairy techniques. Magnezone’s Electric and Steel moveset will make him a formidable opponent for Kingler and Tyranitar. Finally, Mamoswine can exploit Torterra’s severe Ice vulnerability.
You won’t know what Cliff will send out in the second and third rounds until you enter the combat, as with all Team Go Rocker battles, so planning ahead can be difficult. Fortunately, if you lose, you can select to rematch, allowing you to bring a stronger lineup. If you don’t have any of the counters we’ve listed, don’t worry. Concentrate on each of Cliff’s Pokemon’s weaknesses and send your best of those types into combat for a decent chance of winning.
How to beat Cliff in Pokemon Go
To defeat Cliff, make sure you use a variety of Pokemon in your battle. Our counter list includes both uncommon and common counters, so any Trainer should be able to beat him. Let’s look at the weaknesses and the best counters to help him win!
Pokemon Go Cliff counters in phase 1
Seedot counters
A Grass-type Pokemon, naturally weak against Bug, Fire, Flying, Ice, and Poison.
| Crobat | Air Slash (Fast Move)Sludge Bomb (Charge Move) |
| Darmanitan | Fire Fang (Fast Move)Overheat (Charge Move) |
| Flareon | Fire Spin (Fast Move)Overheat (Charge Move) |
| Honchkrow | Peck (Fast Move)Sky Attack (Charge Move) |
| Infernape | Fire Spin (Fast Move)Blast Burn (Charge Move) |
| Roserade | Poison Jab (Fast Move)Sludge Bomb (Charge Move) |
Pokemon Go Cliff counters in phase 2
Hariyama counters
A bulky Fighting-type Pokemon, typiaclly weak against Fairy, Flying, and Psychic.
| Clefable | Charm (Fast Move)Meteor Mash (Charge Move) |
| Gardevoir | Charm (Fast Move)Psychic (Charge Move) |
| Rayquaza | Air Slash (Fast Move)Aerial Ace (Charge Move) |
| Sylveon | Charm (Fast Move)Moonblast (Charge Move) |
| Togekiss | Charm (Fast Move)Dazzling Gleam (Charge Move) |
| Victini | Confusion (Fast Move)Psychic (Charge Move) |
Kingler counters
A Water-type Pokemon, weak against Electric and Grass.
| Electivire | Thunder Shock (Fast Move)Wild Charge (Charge Move) |
| Magnezone | Spark (Fast Move)Wild Charge (Charge Move) |
| Roserade | Razor Leaf (Fast Move)Solar Beam (Charge Move) |
| Tangrowth | Vine Whip (Fast Move)Solar Beam (Charge Move) |
| Venusaur | Vine Whip (Fast Move)Frenzy Plant (Charge Move) |
| Zekrom | Charge Beam (Fast Move)Wild Charge (Charge Move) |
Poliwrath counters
A dual Water/Fighting-type, weak against Electric, Fairy, Flying, Grass, and Psychic.
| Electivire | Thunder Shock (Fast Move)Wild Charge (Charge Move) |
| Gardevoir | Charm (Fast Move)Psychic (Charge Move) |
| Sylveon | Charm (Fast Move)Moonblast (Charge Move) |
| Togekiss | Charm (Fast Move)Ancient Power (Charge Move) |
| Vileplume | Razor Leaf (Fast Move)Moonblast (Charge Move) |
| Zekrom | Charge Beam (Fast Move)Wild Charge (Charge Move) |
Pokemon Go Cliff counters in phase 2
Sharpedo counters
A Water/Dark-type pokemon, weak against Fairy, Bug, Electric, Grass, and Fighting.
| Machamp | Counter (Fast Move)Dynamic Punch (Charge Move) |
| Raikou | Volt Switch (Fast Move)Wild Charge (Charge Move) |
| Roserade | Bullet Seed (Fast Move)Grass Knot (Charge Move) |
| Sirfetch’d | Counter (Fast Move)Close Combat (Charge Move) |
| Thundurus Therian | Thunder Shock (Fast Move)Thunderbolt (Charge Move) |
| Zapdos | Thunder Shock (Fast Move)Thunderbolt (Charge Move) |
Torterra counters
A Grass/Ground-type Pokemon, weak against Bug, Fire, Flying, and Ice.
| Articuno | Ice Shard (Fast Move)Blizzard (Charge Move) |
| Glaceon | Ice Shard (Fast Move)Avalanche (Charge Move) |
| Heatran | Fire Spin (Fast Move)Flamethrower (Charge Move) |
| Ho-Oh | Incinerate (Fast Move)Brave Bird (Charge Move) |
| Reshiram | Dragon Breath (Fast Move)Overheat (Charge Move) |
| Weavile | Ice Shard (Fast Move)Avalanche (Charge Move) |
Tyranitar counters
A Rock/Dark-type Pokemon, so it’s weak against Bug, Fairy, Fighting, Grass, Ground, Steel, and Water.
| Blaziken | Counter (Fast Move)Focus Blast (Charge Move) |
| Breloom | Counter (Fast Move)Dynamic Punch (Charge Move) |
| Conkeldurr | Counter (Fast Move)Dynamic Punch (Charge Move) |
| Lucario | Counter (Fast Move)Aura Sphere (Charge Move) |
| Machamp | Counter (Fast Move)Dynamic Punch (Charge Move) |
| Sirfetch’d | Counter (Fast Move)Close Combat (Charge Move) |
That’s all there is to it. Everything you need to know about fighting Cliff in Pokemon Go.