Pokemon Go trainers have a difficult battle ahead of them with Team Go Rocket Leader Cliff in May 2022, but he’s much easier to beat with the right counters for the likes of Cubone, 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.
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 Cubone of your own in the process.
Additional reporting by Daniel Megarry.
Contents
Team Go Rocket Leaders put up a good fight in Pokemon Go.
Cliff Pokemon Go lineup & counters (May 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 May 2022, where his lineup includes encounters against Cubone, Luxray, Charizard, and more.
Cliff will always send out Cubone at the beginning of a battle, followed by two out of six potential Pokemon. His current lineup to beat is:
- Phase 1: Cubone
- Phase 2: Electivire / Luxray / Omastar
- Phase 3: Swampert / Charizard / 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.
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 Cubone in Phase 1.
Cubone counters
Cubone is a Ground-type, which means it’s weak against Grass, Ice, and Water-type attacks. It’s resistant to Electric, Poison, and Rock-type attacks.
| Cubone Counters | ||
|
Kingler |
Bubble (Fast Move) Crabhammer (Charge Move) |
 |
Kyogre |
Waterfall (Fast Move) Surf (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) |
Cliff Pokemon Go counters phase 2
Cliff’s Phase 2 Pokemon will see Luxray, Electivire, or Omastar appear.
Electivire counters
Electivire is a pure Electric-type Pokemon, which means its only weakness is Ground-type moves. This also means it’s resistant to Electric, Flying, and Steel-type moves.
| 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) |
Luxray counters
Luxray is a pure Electric-type Pokemon, just like Electivire, which means it’s only weak against Ground-type attacks. It’s resistant to Electric, Flying, and Steel-type attacks.
| Luxray Counters | ||
|
|
Garchomp |
Mud Shot (Fast Move) Earthquake (Charge Move) |
|
Excadrill |
Mud Slap (Fast Move) Earthquake (Charge Move) |
|
Groudon |
Mud Shot (Fast Move) Earthquake (Charge Move) |
|
|
Rhyperior |
Mud-Slap (Fast Move) Earthquake (Charge Move) |
|
Rhydon |
Mud-Slap (Fast Move) Earthquake (Charge Move) |
|
|
Landorus |
Mud Shot (Fast Move) Earth Power (Charge Move) |
Omastar counters
Omastar is a dual Rock/Water-type, which makes it weak against Electric, Fighting, Grass, and Ground-type attacks. It’s resistant to Fire, Flying, Ice, Normal, and Poison-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
Cliff’s Phase 3 Pokemon can be either Swampert, Tyranitar, or Charizard.
Swampert counters
Swampert is a dual Water/Ground-type Pokemon, which means its only weakness is Grass-type attacks.
| 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) |
Charizard counters
Charizard is a Fire/Flying-type Pokemon, so it’s weak against Electric, Rock, and Water-type moves. It’s resistant to Bug, Fairy, Fighting, Fire, Grass, Ground, and Steel-type moves.
| Charizard Counters | ||
|
Rampardos |
Smack Down (Fast Move) Rock Slide (Charge Move) |
|
Terrakion |
Smack Down (Fast Move) Rock Slide (Charge Move) |
|
|
Landorus |
Rock Throw (Fast Move) Rock Slide (Charge Move) |
|
|
Rhyperior |
Smack Down (Fast Move) Rock Wrecker (Charge Move) |
|
Tyranitar |
Smack Down (Fast Move) Stone Edge (Charge Move) |
|
Regirock |
Rock Throw (Fast Move) Stone Edge (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, Garchomp, and Rampardos.
You’ll need a strong Grass-type to take down Cubone, 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 Ground-type like Garchomp will help you defeat Electivire and Luxray. Finally, a Rock-type Pokemon such as Rampardos is essential for taking out Charizard if Cliff chooses that Pokemon.
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.
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 in May 2022.
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 free Remote Raid Passes | Sierra counters guide | How to catch a Ditto: Ditto disguises | Shop: Items list, prices, box changes | How to get Sylveon in Pokemon Go | How to evolve Eevee in Pokemon Go
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