How to Beat Leader Cliff in Pokémon GO: Latest Lineup, Counters, and Strategies

He might be the most intimidating of the three Team GO Rocket leaders in Pokémon GO, but how to beat Leader Cliff becomes simple when you know his lineup and prepare the right counters. 

In my years of battling Team GO Rocket, I’ve learned that planning ahead with a balanced team makes the difference between frustration and triumph. This guide lays out Cliff’s current roster, the best Pokémon to use against him, and techniques that will help you overcome him every time.

How to Beat Leader Cliff: Quick Strategy Overview

Understanding how to beat Leader Cliff starts with knowing his team composition. Cliff’s lineup tends to open with a Rock or Ground type, followed by a Flying or Fighting pick and ending with a power hitter. His current roster starts with Shadow Larvitar and may include Honchkrow, Skarmory, Annihilape, Machamp, Tyranitar or Luxray. 

To cover all bases, bring a Water/Ground opener like Swampert, a Fairy specialist like Gardevoir or Togekiss and an Electric attacker like Magnezone or Electivire. Burn his shields quickly with low‑energy charged moves, switch to your counters and use type advantages to finish each round. If you lose, note his lineup and adjust before the rematch.

Cliff’s Current Lineup & Best Counters

While Niantic occasionally rotates Team GO Rocket lineups, Cliff’s October 2025 squad revolves around Shadow Larvitar as the opener. Here is each possible phase and how to counter it.

First Pokémon: Shadow Larvitar

Type: Rock/Ground. Shadow Larvitar is weak to Water, Grass, Fighting, Ground, Ice and Steel moves, so open with Swampert or Mega Swampert and use Mud Shot and Hydro Cannon to drop it quickly; fast‑charging Grass or Ground attackers like Sceptile or Rhyperior are good alternatives.

Second Pokémon: Honchkrow, Skarmory or Annihilape

• Honchkrow (Dark/Flying) is weak to Electric, Fairy, Rock and Ice, so Magnezone or Mamoswine dispatches it quickly; Fairy choices like Gardevoir or Togekiss also work. 
• Skarmory (Steel/Flying) crumbles to Electric or Fire, making Electivire, Raikou or Charizard solid options.
• Annihilape (Fighting/Ghost) is vulnerable to Fairy, Psychic and Flying moves, and Gardevoir or Mewtwo can end the round before it charges up.

Third Pokémon: Machamp, Tyranitar or Luxray

• Machamp (Fighting) folds to Fairy, Flying and Psychic attacks; Mega Gardevoir or Mewtwo finishes it off quickly. 
• Tyranitar (Rock/Dark) is double weak to Fighting, so Machamp, Lucario or Conkeldurr will tear it down, and Fairy damage from Gardevoir is also effective. 
• Luxray (Electric) falls to Ground moves; Rhyperior, Excadrill or Swampert will handle the final round as long as you keep them healthy.

How to Beat Leader Cliff: Building the Perfect Team

The key to beating Cliff is balance, so I stick to three core picks: 

• Swampert opens the fight, spamming Hydro Cannon to burn shields and decimate Shadow Larvitar while its Ground typing covers Luxray and Tyranitar later. 
• Magnezone’s Volt Switch and Wild Charge tear down Skarmory or Honchkrow, and its Steel typing shrugs off Dark and Flying damage. 
• Mega Gardevoir charms down Annihilape, Machamp and Tyranitar; regular Gardevoir or Togekiss fills the same role if you lack a Mega. 

Alternatives like Rhyperior, Lucario or Mamoswine can slot in as long as your squad covers Rock, Electric and Fighting weaknesses and includes an Electric or Fire move for Skarmory. 

For more team‑building insight against other leaders, our guide on how to beat Arlo in Pokémon GO breaks down similar strategies.

Advanced Strategies & Tips for Victory

Winning against Cliff is as much about tactics as it is about types. Burn his shields with fast‑charging moves like Hydro Cannon or Wild Charge, then unleash your hardest hits. Time your switches so the right counter stays on the field, watch for weather boosts and use Mega or Shadow variants for extra power. Losing isn’t punished, so scout his lineup and adapt.

Finding and Challenging Cliff

To face Cliff, defeat six grunts to collect Mysterious Components, combine them into a Rocket Radar and equip it. Dark PokéStops or balloons on your map will then trigger a leader encounter; if you don’t find Cliff right away, back out and try again. For more PokéStops in your area, our step‑by‑step PokéStop creation guide shows how to add new locations to the map.

How to Beat Leader Cliff: Rewards and Why It’s Worth It

Knowing how to beat Leader Cliff isn’t just a stepping stone to Giovanni; each victory earns Poké Balls, Stardust and an encounter with his first Pokémon, currently Shadow Larvitar, which may be shiny. 

Shadow Pokémon boast boosted attack stats, and purifying them gives extra candy and better IVs. Each win also advances Special Research and brings you closer to battling Giovanni for a legendary Shadow Pokémon.

Stay Up to Date with Team GO Rocket Changes

Because Niantic rotates Team GO Rocket lineups during events, how to beat Leader Cliff can change with each patch. Follow in‑game announcements and bookmark our guides to stay current. 

For a broader look at the franchise, explore our guide on Pokémon games for Switch in order to see how the series has evolved.

Mastering Cliff and Powering Up Your Pokémon Team

With the right preparation, mastering how to beat Leader Cliff becomes straightforward. Focus on type advantages, burn his shields and keep your counters healthy. Once you’ve conquered him, expand your collection with mainline titles like Pokémon Scarlet for Nintendo Switch, available at great prices on our marketplace.

FAQs

What Pokémon does Cliff use in Pokémon GO?

The Pokémon Cliff uses in Pokémon GO rotate during events, but his current lineup features Shadow Larvitar first, followed by Honchkrow, Skarmory or Annihilape and ending with Machamp, Tyranitar or Luxray. Knowing these possibilities lets trainers pick counters ahead of time.

How do I find Cliff in Pokémon GO?

To find Cliff in Pokémon GO, you need to assemble a Rocket Radar by defeating six Team GO Rocket Grunts and collecting Mysterious Components. Equip the radar and look for dark PokéStops or hot‑air balloons; tapping one will trigger a battle with a random Rocket leader, including Cliff.

What is the best team to beat Cliff in Pokémon GO?

The best team to beat Cliff in Pokémon GO includes a Water/Ground type like Swampert, an Electric type like Magnezone and a Fairy type like Mega Gardevoir. This trio covers his lineup and lets you burn shields, resist attacks and deliver super‑effective damage.

Can I catch a shiny Pokémon from Cliff?

Yes, you can catch a shiny Pokémon from Cliff because the Shadow Pokémon he leaves behind has a small chance to be shiny. After defeating him, you’ll encounter his first Pokémon (currently Shadow Larvitar) and there is a rare chance it will appear in its shiny form.

Does Cliff use the same team as other Rocket leaders?

No, Cliff doesn’t use the same team as other Rocket leaders. Each leader (Cliff, Arlo and Sierra) has a unique lineup and set of strategies, so prepare specifically for Cliff’s weaknesses.