Key Takeaways:

1. Cliff’s lineup is tough but predictable – Prepare for three waves of Pokémon, starting with Shadow Galarian Zigzagoon and progressing to a mix of challenging second and third-wave options.
2. Strategic team building is essential – Choosing counters that exploit Cliff’s Pokémon weaknesses can make battles more manageable. Heracross, Metagross, and Torterra are strong team options.
3. Rewards include valuable items and Shadow Pokémon – Defeating Cliff grants Stardust, item packs, and a chance to capture a Shadow Galarian Zigzagoon, with a possibility of it being shiny.

Are you ready to take on Cliff, one of the notorious Team GO Rocket Leaders in Pokémon GO? With a carefully crafted lineup that changes every season, Cliff offers a significant challenge to trainers. Whether you’re battling to complete Special Rocket Research or just hunting for shiny Shadow Pokémon, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know to defeat him in January 2025.

We’ll cover his current lineup, recommended counters, and the rewards you can expect. Plus, you’ll find team-building tips to give you the edge in every phase of the battle.

How to Find Cliff in Pokémon GO

Before battling Cliff, you’ll need to locate him. The process begins by defeating six Team GO Rocket Grunts and collecting Mysterious Components from them. Once you’ve gathered all six, they’ll combine to form a Rocket Radar.

Activate the Rocket Radar, and you’ll encounter one of the three Team GO Rocket Leaders: Cliff, Sierra, or Arlo. Unfortunately, which leader you face is random, so finding Cliff may take a few attempts.

Pro tip: Keep an eye out for Team GO Rocket Balloons, as they’re an easy way to use your Rocket Radar without traveling to PokéStops.

Cliff’s Pokémon Lineup in January 2025

Cliff’s team is split into three waves, with each wave presenting a different set of challenges. Here’s his current lineup:

Wave 1: Shadow Galarian Zigzagoon

• Type: Dark/Normal
• Weaknesses: Fighting, Bug, Fairy
• Best Counters:
  • Lucario (Counter + Aura Sphere)
  • Machamp (Counter + Dynamic Punch)
  • Heracross (Counter + Close Combat)
  • Gardevoir (Charm + Dazzling Gleam)
  • Terrakion (Smack Down + Sacred Sword)

Wave 2: One of the Following Pokémon

1. Shadow Venusaur
   • Type: Grass/Poison
   • Weaknesses: Fire, Flying, Ice, Psychic
   • Best Counters:
     • Charizard (Fire Spin + Blast Burn)
     • Salamence (Dragon Tail + Fire Blast)
     • Heatran (Fire Spin + Flamethrower)
     • Metagross (Bullet Punch + Psychic)
     • Blaziken (Fire Spin + Blaze Kick)
2. Shadow Marowak
   • Type: Ground
   • Weaknesses: Water, Grass, Ice
   • Best Counters:
     • Sceptile (Bullet Seed + Frenzy Plant)
     • Swampert (Water Gun + Hydro Cannon)
     • Blastoise (Water Gun + Ice Beam)
     • Mamoswine (Powder Snow + Avalanche)
     • Torterra (Razor Leaf + Frenzy Plant)
3. Shadow Aerodactyl
   • Type: Rock/Flying
   • Weaknesses: Electric, Ice, Rock, Steel, Water
   • Best Counters:
     • Electivire (Thunder Shock + Wild Charge)
     • Kyogre (Waterfall + Surf)
     • Metagross (Bullet Punch + Meteor Mash)
     • Magnezone (Spark + Wild Charge)
     • Rhyperior (Smack Down + Rock Wrecker)

Wave 3: One of the Following Pokémon

1. Shadow Tyranitar
   • Type: Rock/Dark
   • Weaknesses: Fighting, Bug, Fairy, Grass, Ground, Steel, Water
   • Best Counters:
     • Lucario (Counter + Aura Sphere)
     • Heracross (Counter + Megahorn)
     • Poliwrath (Mud Shot + Dynamic Punch)
     • Torterra (Razor Leaf + Frenzy Plant)
     • Gardevoir (Charm + Dazzling Gleam)
2. Shadow Crobat
   • Type: Poison/Flying
   • Weaknesses: Electric, Ice, Psychic, Rock
   • Best Counters:
     • Electivire (Thunder Shock + Wild Charge)
     • Magnezone (Spark + Wild Charge)
     • Metagross (Bullet Punch + Psychic)
     • Tyranitar (Smack Down + Stone Edge)
     • Rhyperior (Smack Down + Rock Wrecker)
3. Shadow Obstagoon
   • Type: Dark/Normal
   • Weaknesses: Fighting, Bug, Fairy
   • Best Counters:
     • Lucario (Counter + Aura Sphere)
     • Machamp (Counter + Close Combat)
     • Heracross (Counter + Megahorn)
     • Gardevoir (Charm + Dazzling Gleam)
     • Terrakion (Smack Down + Sacred Sword)

Best Team to Beat Cliff

A well-rounded team that can handle Cliff’s diverse lineup includes:

1. Heracross – Covers Shadow Zigzagoon, Tyranitar, and Obstagoon with Fighting-type moves.
2. Torterra – Effective against Marowak and Tyranitar while resisting Ground-type moves.
3. Metagross – Provides strong defense against Crobat, Aerodactyl, and Venusaur with its Steel and Psychic moves.

If you don’t have these specific Pokémon, alternatives like Machamp, Charizard, and Kyogre can also get the job done.

Rewards for Defeating Cliff

Defeating Cliff comes with a variety of rewards:

• 1,000 Stardust
• Two Item Packs:
  • Possible items include Max Revives, Hyper Potions, Unova Stones, and Strange Eggs.
• Shadow Galarian Zigzagoon Encounter:
  • A 1 in 64 chance for a shiny Shadow variant.

Additionally, each victory advances your progress in Special Rocket Research, bringing you closer to a showdown with Giovanni.

Tips for Success

1. Take Advantage of Shields: Team GO Rocket Leaders will use shields for your first two charge attacks. Use fast-charging moves early to bait their shields.
2. Prepare for Rematches: If you lose, adjust your team and try again. Cliff’s lineup doesn’t change during a single encounter.
3. Level Up Your Counters: Strong, high-level Pokémon with optimized movesets will save you time and frustration.

FAQ

Q: Can I rematch Cliff if I lose?
Yes, you can challenge Cliff as many times as needed until you win.

Q: How often does Cliff’s lineup change?
Cliff’s team typically changes during major Team GO Rocket events or seasonal updates.

Q: What’s the best way to get shiny Shadow Pokémon?
Defeat Cliff multiple times to increase your chances. Shadow Pokémon have a fixed shiny rate of 1 in 64.

Q: Can I use the same team for other Team GO Rocket Leaders?
Not always. Arlo and Sierra have different lineups, so adjust your team based on their weaknesses.