Pokemon Go Cliff counters December 2023: Best Pokemon to use & weaknesses

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 December 2023.

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 into 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

• Cliff Pokemon Go lineup (December 2023)
• How to beat Cliff in Pokemon Go
• Phase 1
  • Dratini
• Phase 2
  • Slowking
  • Cradily
  • Gallade
• Phase 3
  • Dusknoir
  • Mamoswine
  • Tyranitar
• Best team to defeat Cliff
• How to beat Team Rocket Leaders

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Cliff Pokemon Go lineup (December 2023)

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

Here is Cliff’s current lineup in Pokemon Go:

• Phase 1: Dratini
• Phase 2: Slowking / Cradily / Gallade
• Phase 3: Dusknoir / Mamoswine / Tyranitar

Cliff’s lineup changes every time there’s a Team Go Rocket Takeover. We don’t know when the next one will take place, 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 Dratini.

Dratini counters

Dratini is a Dragon-type Pokemon, which means it’s weak against Dragon, Ice, and Fairy-type attacks. However, this tiny creature can resist Grass, Fire, Water, and Electric moves.

Here are some of the best counters for Dratini:

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Cliff Pokemon Go counters phase 2

Slowking counters

Slowking is a dual Water/Psychic-type Pokemon, so its weaknesses are Bug, Dark, Electric, Ghost, and Grass-type moves, while its resistances are Fighting, Fire, Ice, Psychic, Steel, and Water-type attacks.

Here are some of the best Slowking counters to use:

Cradily counters

Cradily is a Grass/Rock-type Pokemon, which makes it weak against Bug, Fighting, Ice, and Steel-type attacks. It’s resistant to Electric and Normal-type attacks.

Here are some of the best counters for Cradily:

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:

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Cliff Pokemon Go counters phase 3

Dusknoir counters

Dusknoir is a Ghost-type Pokemon so it’s weak against Dark and Ghost-type attacks. On the other hand, it’s resistant to Bug, Fighting, Normal, and Poison-type attacks.

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

Mamoswine counters

Mamoswine is a dual Ice/Ground-type Pokemon, which means it’s weak against Fighting, Fire, Grass, Steel, and Water-type attacks and resistant to Electric and Poison-type attacks.

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

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:

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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 is Gengar, Terrakion, and Togekiss.

The most important thing to have on your team is a strong Fairy-type Pokemon like Togekiss, which can take down Cliff’s guaranteed first Pokemon, Dratini, as well as other potential Pokemon in his lineup, like Gallade.

Next up, you’ll want a powerful Ghost-type Pokemon like Gengar to make light work of Slowking, and Dusknoir. Be careful when going up against Dusknoir, as Ghost-type Pokemon are weak to Ghost-type attacks, so this matchup is a bit of a double-edged sword.

All of Cliff’s potential Pokemon are covered by Togekiss and Gengar, so your final team member is open to interpretation. We would recommend a strong Fighting-type like Terrakion for extra coverage against Cradily, Mamoswine, and Tyranitar.

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, defeat Giovanni, and take down Sierra.

So, there you have it – all you need to know about defeating Cliff in Pokemon Gox and the best counters to use alongside their weaknesses in December 2023.

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 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