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 as of September 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.
Cliff Pokemon Go lineup (September 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 Lileep first, followed by two of six potential ‘mon.
Here is Cliff’s current lineup in Pokemon Go:
- Phase 1: Shadow Lileep
- Phase 2: Shadow Marowak / Shadow Kingdra / Shadow Aerodactyl
- Phase 3: Shadow Tyranitar / Shadow Cradily / Shadow Crobat
Like other Team Rocket members and Giovanni, Cliff’s lineup changes during Team Rocket takeover events. The current lineup was introduced during the Pokemon Go Adventure Week Taken Over 2024 event.
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
Lileep counters
Lileep is a dual Rock/Grass-type, which means it’s weak to Fighting, Bug, Steel, and Ice-type attacks. It also resists Normal and Electric-type moves.
Here are some of the best counters against Shadow Lileep:
| Shadow Lileep Counters | ||
| Dusk Mane Necrozma | Metal Claw (Fast Move) & Sunsteel Strike (Charged Move) | |
| Mega Lucario | Force Palm (Fast Move) & Aura Sphere (Charged Move) | |
| Metagross | Bullet Punch (Fast Move) & Meteor Mash (Charged Move) | |
| Mega Heracross | Counter (Fast Move) & Megahorn (Charged Move) | |
| Mega Blaziken | Counter (Fast Move) & Focus Blast (Charged Move) | |
| Conkeldurr | Counter (Fast Move) & Dynamic Punch (Charged Move) | |
| Terrakion | Double Kick (Fast Move) & Sacred Sword (Charged Move) | |
Cliff Pokemon Go counters phase 2
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) | |
Kingdra counters
Kingdra is a dual Water/Dragon-type Pokemon, which makes it weak against Dragon and Fairy-type attacks, and it’s resistant to Water, Fire, and Steel-type moves.
Here are some of the best counters for Shadow Kingdra:
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| Shadow Kingdra Counters | ||
| Mega Rayquaza | Dragon Tail (Fast Move) & Outrage (Charged Move) | |
| Mega Garchomp | Dragon Tail (Fast Move) & Outrage (Charged Move) | |
| Palkia (Origin Forme) | Dragon Tail (Fast Move) & Special Rend (Charged Move) | |
| Salamence | Dragon Tail (Fast Move) & Outrage (Charged Move) | |
| Dragonite | Dragon Tail (Fast Move) & Outrage (Charged Move) | |
| Mega Gardevoir | Charm (Fast Move) & Dazzling Gleam (Charged Move) | |
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:
| 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) | |
| Rhyperior | Smack Down (Fast Move) & Rock Wrecker (Charged Move) | |
Cliff Pokemon Go counters phase 3
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) | |
Cradily counters
Cradily is a dual Rock/Grass-type Pokemon, so it’s weak against Fighting, Bug, Ice, and Steel-type attacks. On the other hand, it’s resistant to Normal and Electric moves.
Here are some of the best Shadow Cradily counters you can use:
| Shadow Cradily Counters | ||
| Mega Lucario | Force Palm (Fast Move) & Aura Sphere (Charged Move) | |
| Dusk Mane Necrozma | Metal Claw (Fast Move) & Sunsteel Strike (Charged Move) | |
| Metagross | Bullet Punch (Fast Move) & Meteor Mash (Charged Move) | |
| Mega Heracross | Counter (Fast Move) & Megahorn (Charged Move) | |
| Conkeldurr | Counter (Fast Move) & Dynamic Punch (Charged Move) | |
| Terrakion | Double Kick (Fast Move) & Sacred Sword (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. Meanwhile, it’s resistant to Bug, Fighting, Grass, Fairy, Ground, and Poison-type moves.
Here are some of the best Shadow Crobat counters for your team:
| Shadow Crobat Counters | ||
| Mewtwo | Psycho Cut (Fast Move) & Psystrike (Charged Move) | |
| Mega Alakazam | Confusion (Fast Move) & Psychic (Charged Move) | |
| Rampardos | Smack Down (Fast Move) & Rock Slide (Charged Move) | |
| Rhyperior | Smack Down (Fast Move) & Rock Wrecker (Charged Move) | |
| Mega Tyranitar | Smack Down (Fast Move) & Stone Edge(Charged Move) | |
| Mega Gardevoir | Confusion (Fast Move) & Psychic (Charged Move) | |
Best team to beat Cliff in Pokemon Go
One of the best teams to defeat Cliff’s current lineup in Pokemon Go consists of Dusk Mane Necrozma, Mewtwo, and Mega Gardevoir.
The most important thing to have on your team is a strong Steel-type Pokemon like Dusk Mane Necrozma because this type counters several creatures on Cliff’s team like Lileep, Aerodactyl, and Cradily. If you haven’t caught one yet, you can swap this to Metragross.
For Marowak and Crobat, you’ll have to use Mewtwo with one Psychic attack and one Ice attack. Finally, Mega Gardevoir will use its Fairy type to take down Kingdra and Tyranitar.
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.
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 September 2024. For additional help, make sure to check out the current Raid bosses and the Spotlight Hour schedule.
