Battling Cliff, one of Team GO Rocket’s leaders in Pokémon GO, is a challenge many trainers face. But with the right strategy, careful planning, and solid choices, you can regularly best him. In this article, we’ll walk through what Cliff’s lineup might look like, where to find him, and how to build a team that can beat him reliably.
Cliff is one of three rotating Rocket Leaders (alongside Sierra and Arlo). To battle him, you first need a Rocket Radar, which is made by collecting six Mysterious Components dropped by defeating Team GO Rocket Grunts. Once you have a Radar, you’ll see special black PokéStops or Rocket Balloons where you might encounter Cliff.
Leaders appear randomly among the three, so even with your Radar active you can’t guarantee Cliff shows up. But once you face him, you’ll get a chance to battle his full lineup and earn rewards upon success.
Cliff’s Typical Lineup & Weaknesses
Cliff’s team is divided into three slots. The first slot is usually fixed or semi-fixed; the second and third vary by encounter. In recent months, his lineups have included:
- Slot 1: Shadow Larvitar
- Slot 2: Honchkrow, Annihilape, or Skarmory
- Slot 3: Tyranitar, Machamp, or Luxray
Because of these possibilities, Cliff’s team is vulnerable to a few consistent types:
- Fairy-type moves are especially effective (they’re super effective against many of his choices).
- Ground-type moves work well against Larvitar and can also hit Luxray or Tyranitar.
- Fire-type moves help against Skarmory or any Steel-type resistance.
That means a good team will carry a mix of those types, or Pokémon that can exploit multiple of those weaknesses.
Strategies to Use During the Battle
1. “Lead-Switch” Trick
Start with a Pokémon that resists the known first slot or at least can survive a hit. Immediately switch to your primary counter after one or two fast moves. This gives you a short freeze window (Cliff’s Pokémon can’t attack for a moment after switching), letting you build energy safely. Many trainers use that time to get a Charged Move ready.
2. Break His Shields Quickly
His first two Pokémon are likely to carry shields, which block your Charged Moves. Use fast-charge or low-energy Charged Moves early to force him to use those shields. That way, by the time you reach his third Pokémon, he may have no shields left.
3. Capitalize on the Delay Timer
Whenever you switch Pokémon or use a Charged Move, there’s a brief moment (a few seconds) before Cliff can attack again. Use that time to land as many fast or even additional Charged Moves as possible. This is crucial to widening your lead in damage.
4. Use a Flexible Team, Not Just One Type
Don’t rely on a single strong type. Because Cliff’s second and third Pokémon vary, your best chance is to cover multiple threats. For example, a Ground-Fairy hybrid counter or a team of three Pokémon that each address different weaknesses gives you better odds.
Suggested Counters and Team Ideas
Here are some good Pokémon and movesets you might use against Cliff’s possible team:
- Groudon (Ground) – with Mud Shot and Precipice Blades helps against Larvitar and Luxray.
- Garchomp (Ground / Dragon) – Mud Shot + Earthquake / Earth Power is a strong choice.
- Excadrill (Ground / Steel) – Mud-Slap + Drill Run / Scorching Sands is useful vs Larvitar and Luxray.
- Togekiss (Fairy / Flying) – Charm + Dazzling Gleam works well against Honchkrow, Machamp, and even Tyranitar.
- Xerneas (Fairy) – Geomancy + Moonblast is a classic fairy counter.
A sample team might look like:
- A lead that can survive the first hit (or take advantage of switching)
- A strong Ground-type to handle Larvitar and Luxray
- A Fairy-type or a Pokémon with a powerful fairy move to tackle the second / third slot
Also, consider having backup options depending on what you see in your first battle or what you suspect Cliff might bring.
Practical Tips & Reminders
- Don’t waste your strongest Pokémon first—use a sacrificial lead to test his second slot.
- Heal and power up your counters over time: Cliff gets stronger as your trainer level improves.
- Watch his Pokémon types and fast moves: that gives you clues on which counter to bring next time.
- Learn to time your moves around swap-freeze periods.
- Be ready to rematch: sometimes learning his pattern gives you the upper hand.
