Pokemon Go Cliff counters March 2024: Best Pokemon to use & weaknesses

Ava Thompson-Powell
Artwork featuring the Pokemon Go logo, Cliff and 'Defeating Cliff'

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 March 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 feared 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 in the game, earn some sweet rewards, and get a chance to catch a Shadow Pokemon in the process.

Contents

  1. Cliff Pokemon Go lineup (March 2024)
  2. How to beat Cliff in Pokemon Go
  3. Phase 1
  4. Phase 2
  5. Phase 3
  6. Best team to defeat Cliff
  7. How to beat Team Rocket Leaders

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

Cliff Pokemon Go lineup (March 2024)

Team Go Rocket Leader Cliff has long been a thorn in the side of Pokemon Go trainers, and that’s no different in March, where he’ll send out Shadow Machop, followed by two of six potential Pokemon.

Here is Cliff’s current lineup in Pokemon Go:

  • Phase 1: Machop
  • Phase 2: Kingdra / Aerodactyl / Gallade
  • Phase 3: Cradily / Crobat / Tyranitar

Cliff’s lineup changes every time there’s a Team Go Rocket Takeover. We don’t know when the next one will occur, but we’ll update this page as soon as it happens.

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 with Machop.

Machop counters

Machop artwork with a Pokemon Go background

Machop is a Fighting-type weak to Psychic, Fairy, and Flying-type attacks. It also resists Rock, Bug and Dark-type moves. 

Here are some of the best counters for Machop:

Machop Counters
Shadow Mewtwo  Confusion & Psystrike
Rayquaza Rayquaza Air Slash & Hurricane
Calyrex – Shadow Rider
Confusion & Psychic
Mega Alakazam in Pokemon Go raids Mega Alakazam  Psycho Cut & Psychic
Weavile Pokemon Go counters Shadow Weavile

Ice Shard & Avalanche 

Exeggutor, one of Sierra's best counters in Pokemon Go Shadow Exeggutor 

Confusion & Psychic

Gardevoir Shadow Gardevoir 

Confusion & Synchronise 

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Cliff Pokemon Go counters phase 2

 

Aerodactyl counters

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

Here are some of the best Aerodactyl counters to use:

Aerodactyl Counters
Primal Kyogre Primal Kyogre  Waterfall & Origin Pulse 
Metagross Shadow Metagross  Bullet Punch & Meteor Mash 
Mega Swampert Mega Swampert  Water Gun & Hydro Cannon
Shadow Rampardos  Smack Down & Rock Slide 
Meg Blastoise in Pokemon Go Raids Mega Blastoise  Water Gun & Hydro Cannon
Rhyperior Shadow Rhyperior Smack Down & Rock Wrecker 

Kingdra counters

Kingdra is a Water/Dragon-type Pokemon, which makes it weak against Dragon and Fairy-type attacks. It’s resistant to Water and Fire-type attacks.

Here are some of the best counters for Kingdra:

Kingdra Counters
Mega Rayquaza in Pokemon Go Mega Rayquaza Dragon Tail & Breaking Swipe
Mega Garchomp in Pokemon Go Mega Garchomp  Dragon Tail & Outrage 
Palkia Palkia Dragon Tail & Draco Meteor
Mega Salamence in Pokemon Go Mega Salamence  Dragon Tail & Outrage
Mega Gardevoir Mega Gardevoir  Charm & Dazzling Gleam
Haxorus Pokemon Go counter Haxorus  Dragon Tail & Breaking Swipe

Gallade counters

Gallade is a Psychic/Fighting-type Pokemon, which means it’s weak against Fairy, Flying, and Ghost-type attacks and resistant to Fighting and Rock-type attacks.

Here are some of the best Gallade counters to use:

Gallade Counters
Gengar Gengar Shadow Claw & Shadow Ball 
Chandelure Chandelure Hex & Shadow Ball 
Staraptor Staraptor Wing Attack & Brave Bird 
Honchkrow Pokemon Go Honchkrow Peck & Brave Bird 
Gardevoir Gardevoir Charm & Dazzling Gleam 
Togekiss Togekiss Charm & Dazzling Gleam 

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Cliff Pokemon Go counters phase 3

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 attacks.

Here are some of the best Cradily counters you can use:

Cradily Counters
Metagross Shadow Metagross  Bullet Punch & Meteor Mash
Mega Blaziken Mega Blaziken Counter & Focus Blast
Terrakion Terrakion Double Kick & Sacred Sword
Mamoswine Shadow Mamoswine Powder Snow & Avalanche 
Keldeo in Pokemon Go Keldeo  Low Kick & Sacred Sword
Lucario Lucario Counter & Aura Sphere

Crobat counters

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

Here are some of the best Crobat counters for your team:

Crobat Counters
Mewtwo Pokemon Go Shadow Mewtwo  Confusion & Psystrike 
Mega Alakazam in Pokemon Go raids Mega Alakazam  Confusion & Psychic 
Shadow Rampardos Smack Down & Rock Slide
Mega Latios Mega Latios Zen Headbutt & Psychic
Gallade Pokemon Go Gallade Confusion & Psychic
Gardevoir Gardevoir  Confusion & Psychic

Tyranitar counters

Tyranitar is a Dark/Rock-type Pokemon, so it’s weak against Bug, Fairy, Fighting, Grass, Ground, Steel, and Water-type attacks.

Here are some of the best Tyranitar counters to use:

Tyranitar Counters
Conkeldurr Conkeldurr

Counter & Dynamic Punch 

Lucario Lucario

Counter & Aura Sphere 

Breloom Pokenon Go Breloom

Counter & Dynamic Punch 

Alakazam Alakazam

Counter & Focus Blast 

Machamp Machamp

Counter & Dynamic Punch 

Kartana Kartana

Razor Leaf & Leaf Blade 

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Best team to beat Cliff in Pokemon Go

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

The most important thing to have on your team is Metagross because the Pokemon counters several creatures on Cliff’s team. 

Remember that if you lose against Cliff, you’ll be able to rematch him 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.

So, there you have it. That’s all you need to know about defeating Cliff in Pokemon Go and the best counters to use alongside their weaknesses in March 2024.

For all of the best tips and tricks to become the very best, make sure to check out our other guides:

Spotlight Hour guide | Current Raid Bosses | How to get Chatot in Pokemon Go and can it be Shiny? | Best Pokemon in Pokemon Go | Pokemon Go Spotlight Hour | Arlo counters guide | Team Rocket Grunt guide | Giovanni counters | How to get Remote Raid Passes | Sierra counters guide | How to catch a Ditto: Ditto disguises in Pokemon Go | Pokemon Go shop: Items list, prices, box changes | How to get Sylveon in Pokemon Go | How to evolve Eevee in Pokemon Go | Pokemon Go promo codes

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About The Author

Ava was formerly Dexerto's Evergreen Editor, based in England. With a BA (Hons) in Media and Communications, and a passion for RPGs, The Sims, Pokemon, and Dead by Daylight, she primarily covered tips, guides, and reviews.