Pokemon Go Trainers have a difficult battle ahead of them with Team Go Rocket Leader Cliff in January 2022, but he is much easier to beat with the right counters for the likes of Teddiursa, Electivire, and Swampert.
After defeating six Team Go Rocket Grunts in Pokemon Go and collecting their Mysterious Components as the reward, trainers will be able to form a Rocket Radar and face off against one of Team Go Rocket’s Leaders: Cliff, Arlo, or Sierra.
These leaders are far more difficult to take down when compared to the Team Go Rocket Grunts you’ll find at PokeStops, and to make matters worse, you won’t know which set of Pokemon they’re going to send out in the game until you enter the battle.
Advertisement
Here, you’ll find all the information you need to take down Cliff, earn some sweet rewards, and get a chance to catch a Shadow Teddiursa of your own in the process.
Contents
- Cliff Pokemon Go counters (January 2022)
- How to beat Cliff in Pokemon Go
- Phase 1
- Phase 2
- Phase 3
- Best team to defeat Cliff
- How to beat Team Rocket Leaders
Cliff Pokemon Go lineup & counters (January 2022)
Team Go Rocket Leader Cliff has long been a thorn in the side of many Pokemon Go trainers, and that’s no different in January 2022, where his lineup has changed slightly as part of the Power Plant event.
Cliff will now always send out Teddiursa at the beginning of a battle, followed by two out of five potential Pokemon. His current lineup to beat is:
- Phase 1: Teddiursa
- Phase 2: Electivire / Marowak / Omastar
- Phase 3: Swampert / Torterra / Tyranitar
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 a variety of 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.
Advertisement
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
Teddiursa counters
Teddiursa is a Normal-type Pokemon, which means it’s vulnerable to Fighting-type attacks.
| Teddiursa Counters | ||
|
Lucario |
Counter (Fast Move) Aura Sphere (Charge Move) |
|
Breloom |
Counter (Fast Move) Dynamic Punch (Charge Move) |
|
Conkeldurr |
Counter (Fast Move) Dynamic Punch (Charge Move) |
|
Machamp |
Counter (Fast Move) Dynamic Punch (Charge Move) |
|
Sirfetch’d |
Counter (Fast Move) Close Combat (Charge Move) |
|
Mewtwo |
Confusion (Fast Move) Focus Blast (Charge Move) |
Cliff Pokemon Go counters phase 2
Electivire counters
Electivire is a pure Electric-type Pokemon, which means its only weakness is Ground-type attacks.
| Electivire Counters | ||
 |
Excadrill |
Mud Slap (Fast Move) Earthquake (Charge Move) |
|
Garchomp |
Mud Shot (Fast Move) Earthquake (Charge Move) |
 |
Groudon |
Mud Shot (Fast Move) Earthquake (Charge Move) |
|
Rhyperior |
Mud-Slap (Fast Move) Earthquake (Charge Move) |
|
Landorus |
Mud Shot (Fast Move) Earth Power (Charge Move) |
|
Krookodile |
Mud-Slap (Fast Move) Earthquake (Charge Move) |
Marowak counters
Marowak is a Ground-type, which means it’s weak against Grass, Ice, and Water-type Pokemon.
| Marowak Counters | ||
|
Kingler |
Bubble (Fast Move) Crabhammer (Charge Move) |
 |
Kyogre |
Waterfall (Fast Move) Hydro Pump (Charge Move) |
|
Mamoswine |
Powder Snow (Fast Move) Avalanche (Charge Move) |
|
Tangrowth |
Vine Whip (Fast Move) Power Whip (Charge Move) |
|
Weavile |
Ice Shard (Fast Move) Avalanche (Charge Move) |
|
Zarude |
Vine Whip (Fast Move) Power Whip (Charge Move) |
Omastar counters
Omastar is a dual Rock/Water-type, which makes it weak against Electric, Fighting, Grass, and Ground-type attacks.
| Omastar Counters | ||
|
|
Zarude |
Vine Whip (Fast Move) Power Whip (Charge Move) |
|
Roserade |
Razor Leaf (Fast Move) Leaf Storm (Charge Move) |
|
|
Tangrowth |
Vine Whip (Fast Move) Power Whip (Charge Move) |
|
Venusaur |
Vine Whip (Fast Move) Frenzy Plant (Charge Move) |
|
|
Lucario |
Counter (Fast Move) Aura Sphere (Charge Move) |
|
Torterra |
Razor Leaf (Fast Move) Frenzy Plant (Charge Move) |
Cliff Pokemon Go counters phase 3
Swampert counters
Swampert is a dual Water/Ground-type Pokemon, which means its only weakness is Grass-type attacks.
Advertisement
| Swampert Counters | ||
|
|
Zarude |
Vine Whip (Fast Move) Power Whip (Charge Move) |
|
|
Roserade |
Razor Leaf (Fast Move) Leaf Storm (Charge Move) |
|
|
Tangrowth |
Vine Whip (Fast Move) Power Whip (Charge Move) |
|
|
Venusaur |
Vine Whip (Fast Move) Frenzy Plant (Charge Move) |
|
Leafeon |
Razor Leaf (Fast Move) Leaf Blade (Charge Move) |
|
|
Breloom |
Bullet Seed (Fast Move) Grass Knot (Charge Move) |
Torterra counters
Torterra is a Grass/Ground-type Pokemon, so it’s very weak against Ice-type moves and also vulnerable to Bug, Fire, and Flying-type attacks.
| Torterra Counters | ||
|
|
Weavile |
Ice Shard (Fast Move) Avalanche (Charge Move) |
|
Glaceon |
Frost Breath (Fast Move) Avalanche (Charge Move) |
|
|
Mamoswine |
Powder Snow (Fast Move) Avalanche (Charge Move) |
|
Galarian Darmanitan |
Ice Fang (Fast Move) Avalanche (Charge Move) |
|
|
Mewtwo |
Psycho Cut (Fast Move) Ice Beam (Charge Move) |
|
Darmanitan |
Fire Fang (Fast Move) Overheat (Charge Move) |
Tyranitar counters
Tyranitar is a Rock/Dark-type Pokemon, so it’s weak against Bug, Fairy, Fighting, Grass, Ground, Steel, and Water.
| Tyranitar Counters | ||
|
Blaziken |
Counter (Fast Move) Focus Blast (Charge Move) |
|
|
Breloom |
Counter (Fast Move) Dynamic Punch (Charge Move) |
|
|
Conkeldurr |
Counter (Fast Move) Dynamic Punch (Charge Move) |
|
|
Lucario |
Counter (Fast Move) Aura Sphere (Charge Move) |
|
|
Machamp |
Counter (Fast Move) Dynamic Punch (Charge Move) |
|
|
Sirfetch’d |
Counter (Fast Move) Close Combat (Charge Move) |
Best team to beat Cliff in Pokemon Go
One of the best teams to defeat Cliff in Pokemon Go would be Zarude, Lucario, and Garchomp.
You’ll need a strong Grass-type to take down Marowak, Omastar, and Swampert if Cliff sends them out, so we’ve recommended Zarude, which a lot of Trainers will own after completing its Special Research story.
Next up, a strong Fighting-type like Lucario will help you defeat Teddiursa and Tyranitar. Finally, a Ground-type Pokemon such as Garchomp is essential for taking out Electivire (and Tyranitar at a push).
Advertisement
- Read More: Pokemon Go promo codes for free items
The only Pokemon this team doesn’t cover is Torterra. If Cliff sends that one out in phase three, you’ll need an Ice-type counter like Weavile or Mamoswine, so adjust your team slightly to fit around that.
Don’t worry too much if you don’t have any of the counters we’ve listed. Focus on the weaknesses of each of Cliff’s Pokemon, and take your strongest of those types 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, defeat Giovanni, and take down Sierra.
Advertisement
So, there you have it. All you need to know about defeating Cliff in Pokemon Go, and the best counters to use alongside their weaknesses.
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 | Best ‘mon in Go: Attackers and defenders | Pokemon Go Spotlight Hour | Arlo counters guide | Team Rocket Grunt guide | Giovanni counters | How to get free Remote Raid Passes | Sierra counters guide | How to catch Ditto | Shop: Items list, prices, box changes
