How to beat Cliff in Pokémon Go: Best counters, team lineup, and strategy (January 2025)

The monthly beat-down of Team Rocket’s leaders has become one of the greatest joys of playing Pokémon Go. Cliff is one of the easier members of the current Team Rocket administration to take on, but he can still trouble you. Here’s how to defeat Cliff in Pokémon Go in January 2025.

How to defeat Cliff in Pokémon GO

Cliff is essentially a slab of muscle, as are his bulky Pokémon. But don’t think you need a strategy to bring him down. To find Cliff in Pokémon Go, you must use a Rocket Radar to narrow down his location. Defeat Team Rocket Grunts, marked with a Team Rocket balloon, and collect six Mysterious Components to create the device.

You can then use the Rocket Radar to show Cliff’s whereabouts on the map. Like other bosses, he can appear at PokéStops or Team Rocket balloons. Other enemies sometimes appear there, making Cliff’s appearance uncertain.

Although Cliff’s Pokémon lineup has remained relatively the same, the Adventure Week update has revamped his collection, along with Giovanni’s. So, if you’ve fought this boss before, you’re in for a surprise with its new Shadow Lileep.

Best team lineup for Cliff in Pokémon Go

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To create the best team for Cliff in Pokémon Go, use Lucario, Baxcalibur, and Metagross/Gardevoir. Baxcalibur proves to be a standout amongst the team because of its dual Dragon and Ice Types. Several Pokémon on Cliff’s team will be vulnerable to these types, where you can use Baxcalibur almost every round. Lucario also covers a few of the boss’ weaknesses as a Steel and Fighting Type. Both creatures promise to be a formidable force on the battlefield, which will be effective against his newest Pokémon.

If you want to cover all bases, equip Gardevoir for its Psychic and Fairy attacks. It’ll be great for Cliff’s Kingdra and Tyranitar, who can appear in the second or third rounds. Metagross is another suitable option against Lileep, Tyranitar, and Cradily.

Best counters against Cliff in Pokémon Go

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Whether you’re using the team above or looking for other alternatives, we’ve compiled the best counter to use against Cliff in Pokémon Go:

How to beat Cliff’s team in Pokémon Go

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You’ll go against Shadow Lileep in the first round of Cliff’s battle. Since it’s weak against Ice, Fighting, Bug, and Steel, it’ll allow you to choose from multiple Pokémon. Thanks to their robust attacks, Lucario and Metagross are among the best to use for this. If you get the exclusive Dusk Mane Necrozma, you can opt for this one instead to unleash even more damage.

When fighting Cliff’s second Pokémon, you may fight Shadow Kingdra, Shadow Aerodactyl, or Shadow Marowak. Kingdra is a Water and Dragon Type Pokémon weak to both Dragon and Fairy Type moves. Rayquaza is ideal, as its Dragon Tail attack can turn Kingdra into sashimi. But if you haven’t had the chance to tame the Sky High Pokémon, Dragonite is an excellent substitute that functions similarly. Just put Dragon Tail on Dragonite’s quick move and Hurricane on its significant move to ensure it can counter two of Cliff’s possible Pokémon.

Aerodactyl and Marowak share a weakness with Water and Ice Types, so it’s best to use creatures like Kyogre or Mamoswine. Even more so, Baxcalibur can stand against both Pokémon, thanks to its Ice attacks.

For Cliff’s third Pokémon, you’ll have the chance to encounter Shadow Tyranitar, Shadow Cradily, and Shadow Crobat. This is a diverse and powerful lineup, so bring your heavy hitters out.

If you’re facing Tyranitar, you can exploit its Fighting and Steel weaknesses with Metagross and Lucario. Metagross is truly the star of this team, as it offers so much. But beware. Tyranitar may have a Dark Type attack, which can brutalize Metagross. Lucario has the highest chance of surviving this fight, as it takes reduced damage from Tyranitar’s Rock and Dark Type attacks.

If Cliff calls on Cradily, you’ll call on the same Pokémon. Metagross and Lucario can exploit Cradily’s weakness in Fighting and Steel Type attacks. Cradily isn’t a powerhouse and is one of the easier Pokémon to fight in this last match, so don’t worry about it too much.

The final Pokémon Cliff can have in his arsenal is Crobat. This Poison and Flying Type Pokémon is weak to Psychic and Rock-type attacks. If you have Metagross, Mewtwo, or Gardevoir in your arsenal, you should have no problem clipping Crobat’s wings. But if you don’t, Rayquaza with Ancient Power will ground it – literally.

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