How to beat Leader Cliff in Pokemon Go: December 2024 counters & weaknesses

❘ Updated: 2024-12-02T09:00:27

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Cliff is a highly challenging opponent in Pokemon Go, so we’ve compiled all the information you need to win, including his lineup, weaknesses, and the most effective counters to defeat him as we head into December 2024.

Taking out all six Team Go Rocket Grunts in Pokemon Go and collecting their Mysterious Components will enable you to create a Rocket Radar. This high-tech tool lets you square off against one of the fearsome Team Go Rocket Leaders: Cliff, Arlo, or Sierra.

But don’t be fooled – these aren’t your typical Team Go Rocket Grunts that hang around the PokeStops. These leaders pack a real punch, and their squad lineup remains a mystery until you step onto the battlefield.

So, here’s everything you need to know to take down Cliff, earn some sweet rewards, and get a chance to catch a Shadow Pokemon in the process.

Team Go Rocket Leaders put up a good fight in Pokemon Go.

Cliff Pokemon Go lineup (December 2024)

Team Go Rocket Leader Cliff has long been a thorn in the side of Pokemon Go Trainers, and that’s no different this month, where he’ll always send out Shadow Galarian Zigzagoon first, followed by two of six potential ‘mon.

Here is Cliff’s current lineup in Pokemon Go:

Phase 1: Shadow Galarian Zigzagoon
Phase 2: Shadow Marowak / Shadow Venusaur / Shadow Aerodactyl
Phase 3: Shadow Tyranitar / Shadow Crobat / Shadow Obstagoon

Like the other Team Rocket members and Giovanni, Cliff’s lineup changes during Team Rocket takeover events. The current lineup was introduced during the Pokemon Go Galarian Expedition: Taken Over event, and remains the same as of December 2, 2024. We’ll update this page if his lineup changes when the Dual Destiny season kicks off.

How to beat Cliff in Pokemon Go

To take down Cliff, you’ll need to make sure you’re taking different ‘mon into battle to cover various Pokemon types. Our guide below includes a mix of rare and more accessible counters, so every Trainer should be able to stand a decent chance against him.

Let’s take a look at the weaknesses of all the Pokemon that Cliff can use in battle and the best counters to bring home the win!

Cliff Pokemon Go counters phase 1

Cliff will always start the first phase with Shadow Galarian Zigzagoon.

Galarian Zigzagoon counters

Galarian Zigzagoon is a dual Dark/Normal-type, which means it’s weak to Fighting, Bug, and Fairy-type attacks. It also resists Ghost, Psychic, and Dark-type moves.

Here are some of the best counters against Shadow Galarian Zigzagoon:

Cliff Pokemon Go counters phase 2

Cliff will use either Shadow Marowak, Shadow Venusaur, or Shadow Aerodactyl during the second phase.

Marowak counters

Marowak is a Ground-type Pokemon, which means it’s weak against Water, Grass, and Ice-type attacks and resistant to Poison, Electric, and Rock-type moves.

Here are some of the best Shadow Marowak counters to use:

Shadow Marowak Counters
	Primal Kyogre	Waterfall (Fast Move) & Origin Pulse (Charged Move)
	Mega Sceptile	Fury Cutter (Fast Move) & Frenzy Plant (Charged Move)
	Mega Swampert	Water Gun (Fast Move) & Hydro Cannon (Charged Move)
	Shaymin (Sky Forme)	Magical Leaf (Fast Move) & Grass Knot (Charged Move)
	Kartana	Razor Leaf (Fast Move) & Leaf Blade (Charged Move)
	Mewtwo	Psycho Cut (Fast Move) & Ice Beam (Charged Move)

Venusaur counters

Venusaur is a dual Grass/Poison-type Pokemon, which makes it weak against Fire, Flying, Ice, and Psychic-type attacks, and it’s resistant to Grass, Electric, Fairy, Fighting, and Water-type moves.

Here are some of the best counters for Shadow Venusaur:

Aerodactyl counters

Aerodactyl is a dual Rock/Flying-type Pokemon, so its weaknesses are Rock, Electric, Water, Ice, and Steel-type attacks, while its resistances are Ground, Normal, Bug, Poison, Flying, and Fire-type moves.

Here are some of the best Shadow Aerodactyl counters to use:

Cliff Pokemon Go counters phase 3

Cliff will use Shadow Tyranitar, Shadow Crobat, or Shadow Obstagoon during the third phase.

Tyranitar counters

Tyranitar is a dual Rock/Dark-type Pokemon, so it’s weak against Fighting, Bug, Fairy, Grass, Ground, Steel, and Water-type attacks. However, it’s resistant to Psychic, Dark, Fire, Flying, Ghost, Normal, and Poison-type moves.

Here are some of the best Shadow Tyranitar counters to use:

Shadow Tyranitar Counters
	Mega Lucario	Force Palm (Fast Move) & Aura Sphere (Charged Move)
	Conkeldurr	Counter (Fast Move) & Dynamic Punch (Charged Move)
	Terrakion	Double Kick (Fast Move) & Sacred Sword (Charged Move)
	Mega Heracross	Counter (Fast Move) & Close Combat (Charged Move)
	Keldeo	Low Kick (Fast Move) & Sacred Sword (Charged Move)
	Mega Gardevoir	Charm (Fast Move) & Dazzling Gleam (Charged Move)

Crobat counters

Crobat is a dual Poison/Flying-type Pokemon, which means it’s weak against Electric, Ice, Psychic, and Rock-type attacks. On the other hand, it’s resistant to Bug, Fighting, Grass, Fairy, Ground, and Poison-type moves.

Here are some of the best counters to take down Shadow Crobat:

Shadow Crobat Counters
	Mewtwo	Psycho Cut (Fast Move) & Psystrike (Charged Move)
	Rampardos	Smack Down (Fast Move) & Rock Slide (Charged Move)
	Magnezone	Spark (Fast Move) & Wild Charge (Charged Move)
	Rhyperior	Smack Down (Fast Move) & Rock Wrecker (Charged Move)
	Mega Tyranitar	Smack Down (Fast Move) & Stone Edge (Charged Move)
	Mega Alakazam	Psycho Cut (Fast Move) & Psychic (Charged Move)

Obstagoon counters

Obstagoon is a dual Dark/Normal-type Pokemon, which means it’s weak against Fighting, Bug, and Fairy-type attacks. Meanwhile, it’s resistant to Ghost, Psychic, and Dark-type moves.

Here are some of the best Shadow Obstagoon counters for your team:

Best team to beat Cliff in Pokemon Go

One of the best teams to defeat Cliff’s current lineup in Pokemon Go consists of Mega Lucario, Mewtwo, and Mamoswine.

You’ll want a strong Fighting-type Pokemon on your team, like Mega Lucario, because it counters several creatures on Cliff’s team: Galarian Zigzagoon, Tyranitar, and Obstagoon.
- If you don’t have the required Mega Energy, go with its regular form or switch to Terrakion or Conkeldurr.
For Marowak and Crobat, you’ll have to use Mewtwo with one Psychic attack and one Ice attack. It can also help take care of Venusaur if needed.
You can take care of Aerodactyl with a strong Steel or Water type like Dusk Mane Necrozma or Kyogre, but if you go with Mamoswine, you can also have coverage for Venusaur if your Mewtwo faints.

Remember that if you lose against Cliff, you’ll be able to challenge him to a rematch as many times as you need until you win. This is ideal when he throws out something you’re not prepared for, as you can rework your team before heading back into battle.

Every Cliff Shadow Boss ranked by difficulty

Team Go Rocket first appeared in Pokemon Go back in 2019, and since then their teams have had plenty of Pokemon rotations to challenge the players and keep them interested.

Unlike the Grunts, the Team Go Rocket Leaders – Arlo, Cliff, and Sierra – can be quite tough to beat, mainly due to their final Shadow Pokemon, the one used in phase 3.

After analyzing Cliff’s team over the years, along with her final Pokemon’s stats, bulk, moveset, and other factors, here’s how tough to beat she’s been so far.

How to find Cliff

The only way to track down Cliff (or any Team Go Rocker leader) is to beat six Team Go Rocket Grunts and earn all six parts of the Mysterious Component. Once you have the six parts of the device, they’ll combine to assemble a Rocket Radar.

With a Rocket Radar active, when you encounter Team Go Rocket members either at Poke Stops or by clicking on a Team Go Rocket Balloon, you will encounter either Sierra, Cliff, or Arlo.

Keep tapping on these encounters until you see Cliff’s avatar. Then you can battle and defeat Cliff to earn yourself a Shadow Galarian Zigzagoon.

How to beat Team Go Rocket Leaders in Pokemon Go

As well as Cliff, there are a few other Team Go Rocket Leaders you can battle against, so check out our guides to beat Arlo, take down Sierra, and defeat Giovanni.

That’s all you need to know about defeating Cliff in Pokemon Go and the best counters to use alongside their weaknesses in December 2024. For additional help, make sure to check out how to play Pokemon Go, the current Raid bosses, events, and the Max Mondays and Spotlight Hour schedule.

Shadow Venusaur Counters
	Mega Rayquaza	Air Slash (Fast Move) & Dragon Ascent (Charged Move)
	Mewtwo	Psycho Cut (Fast Move) & Psystrike (Charged Move)
	Mega Charizard Y	Fire Spin (Fast Move) & Blast Burn (Charged Move)
	Heatran	Fire Spin (Fast Move) & Magma Storm (Charged Move)
	Mega Alakazam	Psycho Cut (Fast Move) & Psychic (Charged Move)
	Mamoswine	Powder Snow (Fast Move) & Avalanche (Charged Move)

Shadow Aerodactyl Counters
	Dusk Mane Necrozma	Metal Claw (Fast Move) & Sunsteel Strike (Charged Move)
	Primal Kyogre	Waterfall (Fast Move) & Origin Pulse (Charged Move)
	Metagross	Bullet Punch (Fast Move) & Meteor Mash (Charged Move)
	Mega Swampert	Water Gun (Fast Move) & Hydro Cannon (Charged Move)
	Rampardos	Smack Down (Fast Move) & Rock Slide (Charged Move)
	Mamoswine	Powder Snow (Fast Move) & Avalanche (Charged Move)

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