NianticCliff is a really 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 to defeat him as of April 2025.
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 fearsome Team Go Rocket Leaders: Cliff, Arlo, or Sierra.
But don’t be fooled – these aren’t your typical Grunts that hang around the PokeStops — these leaders pack a real punch, and their squad lineup remains a mystery until you step onto the battlefield.
So here’s everything you need to know to take down Cliff, earn some sweet rewards, and get a chance to catch a Shadow Pokemon in the process.
Cliff Pokemon Go lineup (April 2025)
Leader Cliff has always been a Team Rocket-shaped thorn in the side of Trainers in Pokemon Go, and that’s no different this month, where he’ll always send out Shadow Cubone first, followed by two of six potential options.
Here’s Cliff’s current lineup in Pokemon Go:
- Phase 1: Shadow Cubone
- Phase 2: Shadow Machoke / Shadow Annihilape / Shadow Marowak
- Phase 3: Shadow Machamp / Shadow Crobat / Shadow Tyranitar
As is the case with the other Team Rocket members and Giovanni, Cliff’s lineup only really changes during Team Rocket takeovers, as it did with January’s Fashion Week 2025: Taken Over event.
However, the Might and Mastery season kicked off on March 4, 2024, and details on a new Takeover have yet to be announced — meaning Cliff’s current lineup is correct as of April 1, 2025.
NianticHow to beat Cliff in Pokemon Go
To take down Cliff, you’ll need to make sure you’re taking different ‘mons 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
DEXERTOCubone counters
Cubone is a Ground-type, which means it’s weak to Grass, Ice, and Water-type attacks. It also resists Poison, Rock, and Electric-type moves.
Here are some of the best counters against Shadow Cubone:
| Shadow Cubone Counters | ||
 | Primal Kyogre | Waterfall (Fast Move) & Origin Pulse (Charged Move) |
 | Mega Sceptile | Fury Cutter (Fast Move) & Frenzy Plant (Charged Move) |
 | Mega Swampert | Water Gun (Fast Move) & Hydro Cannon (Charged Move) |
 | Shaymin (Sky Forme) | Magical Leaf (Fast Move) & Grass Knot (Charged Move) |
 | Gyarados | Waterfall (Fast Move) & Hydro Pump (Charged Move) |
 | Blastoise | Water Gun (Fast Move) & Hydro Cannon (Charged Move) |
Cliff Pokemon Go counters phase 2
Cliff will use either Shadow Marowak, Shadow Machoke, or Shadow Annihilape during the second phase.Marowak counters
Marowak is a Ground-type Pokemon, which means it’s weak against Water, Grass, and Ice-type attacks and resistant to Poison, Electric, and Rock-type moves.
Here are some of the best Shadow Marowak counters to use:
| Shadow Marowak Counters | ||
| Primal Kyogre | Waterfall (Fast Move) & Origin Pulse (Charged Move) |
| Mega Sceptile | Fury Cutter (Fast Move) & Frenzy Plant (Charged Move) |
| Mega Swampert | Water Gun (Fast Move) & Hydro Cannon (Charged Move) |
| Shaymin (Sky Forme) | Magical Leaf (Fast Move) & Grass Knot (Charged Move) |
 | Kartana | Razor Leaf (Fast Move) & Leaf Blade (Charged Move) |
 | Mewtwo | Psycho Cut (Fast Move) & Ice Beam (Charged Move) |
Machoke counters
Machoke is a dual Fighting-type Pokemon, which makes it weak against Fairy, Flying, and Psychic-type attacks, and it’s resistant to Bug, Dark, and Rock-type moves.
Here are some of the best counters for Shadow Machoke:
| Shadow Machoke Counters | ||
 | Mega Rayquaza | Air Slash (Fast Move) & Dragon Ascent (Charged Move) |
| Shadow Mewtwo | Confusion (Fast Move) & Psystrike (Charged Move) |
 | Mega Gardevoir | Confusion (Fast Move) & Psychic (Charged Move) |
 | Rayquaza | Air Slash (Fast Move) & Dragon Ascent (Charged Move) |
 | Mega Alakazam | Confusion (Fast Move) & Psychic (Charged Move) |
 | Dawn Wings Necrozma | Psycho Cut (Fast Move) & Moongeist Beam (Charged Move) |
Annihilape counters
Annihilape is a dual Fighting/Ghost-type Pokemon, so its weaknesses are Fairy, Flying, Ghost, and Psychic-type attacks, while its resistances are Poison, Rock, Bug, Fighting, Normal-type moves.
Here are some of the best Shadow Annihilape counters to use:
| Shadow Annihilape Counters | ||
| Mega Rayquaza | Air Slash (Fast Move) & Dragon Ascent (Charged Move) |
| Dawn Wings Necrozma | Psycho Cut (Fast Move) & Moongeist Beam (Charged Move) |
| Shadow Mewtwo | Confusion (Fast Move) & Psystrike (Charged Move) |
 | Mega Gengar | Lick (Fast Move) & Shadow Ball (Charged Move) |
| Rayquaza | Air Slash (Fast Move) & Dragon Ascent (Charged Move) |
| Mega Alakazam | Confusion (Fast Move) & Psychic (Charged Move) |
Cliff Pokemon Go counters phase 3
Cliff will use Shadow Tyranitar, Shadow Machamp, or Shadow Crobat during the third phase.Tyranitar counters
Tyranitar is a dual Rock/Dark-type Pokemon, so it’s weak against Fighting, Bug, Fairy, Grass, Ground, Steel, and Water-type attacks. However, it’s resistant to Psychic, Dark, Fire, Flying, Ghost, Normal, and Poison-type moves.
Here are some of the best Shadow Tyranitar counters to use:
| Shadow Tyranitar Counters | ||
 | Mega Lucario | Force Palm (Fast Move) & Aura Sphere (Charged Move) |
 | Conkeldurr | Counter (Fast Move) & Dynamic Punch (Charged Move) |
 | Terrakion | Double Kick (Fast Move) & Sacred Sword (Charged Move) |
 | Mega Heracross | Counter (Fast Move) & Close Combat (Charged Move) |
 | Keldeo | Low Kick (Fast Move) & Sacred Sword (Charged Move) |
| Mega Gardevoir | Charm (Fast Move) & Dazzling Gleam (Charged Move) |
Crobat counters
Crobat is a dual Poison/Flying-type Pokemon, which means it’s weak against Electric, Ice, Psychic, and Rock-type attacks. On the other hand, it’s resistant to Bug, Fighting, Grass, Fairy, Ground, and Poison-type moves.
Here are some of the best counters to take down Shadow Crobat:
| Shadow Crobat Counters | ||
| Mewtwo | Psycho Cut (Fast Move) & Psystrike (Charged Move) |
 | Rampardos | Smack Down (Fast Move) & Rock Slide (Charged Move) |
 | Magnezone | Spark (Fast Move) & Wild Charge (Charged Move) |
 | Rhyperior | Smack Down (Fast Move) & Rock Wrecker (Charged Move) |
 | Mega Tyranitar | Smack Down (Fast Move) & Stone Edge (Charged Move) |
| Mega Alakazam | Psycho Cut (Fast Move) & Psychic (Charged Move) |
Machamp counters
Machamp is a dual Fighting-type Pokemon, which means it’s weak against Fairy, Flying, and Fairy-type attacks. Meanwhile, it’s resistant to Bug, Dark, Rock -type moves.
Here are some of the best Shadow Machamp counters for your team:
| Shadow Machamp Counters | ||
| Rayquaza | Air Slash (Fast Move) & Dragon Ascent (Charged Move) |
| Shadow Mewtwo | Confusion (Fast Move) & Psystrike (Charged Move) |
| Mega Alakazam | Confusion (Fast Move) & Psychic (Charged Move) |
 | Gallade | Confusion (Fast Move) & Psychic (Charged Move) |
| Mega Gardevoir | Confusion (Fast Move) & Psychic (Charged Move) |
 | Lugia | Extrasensory (Fast Move) & Aeroblast+ (Charged Move) |
Best team to beat Cliff in Pokemon Go
DEXERTOOne of the best teams to defeat Cliff’s current lineup in Pokemon Go consists of Mega Gardevoir, Mewtwo, and Mega Sceptile.
- You’ll want a strong Psychic-type Pokemon on your team, like Mega Gardevoir, because it counters several creatures on Cliff’s team: Machoke, Machamp, and Tyranitar.
- If you don’t have the required Mega Energy, go with its regular form or switch to Mewtwo or Gallade.
- For Annihilape and Crobat, you’ll have to use Mewtwo with Psychic attacks. It can also help take care of Machoke and Machamp if needed, and even Marowak if you use an Ice move.
- You can take care of Cubone and Marowak with a strong Grass-type like Mega Sceptile.
- If you don’t have the required Mega Energy, go with its regular form.
Remember that if you lose against Cliff, you’ll be able to challenge him to a rematch 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.
Every Cliff Shadow Boss ranked by difficulty
Team Go Rocket first appeared in Pokemon Go back in 2019, and since then their teams have had plenty of rotations to challenge the players and keep them interested. Unlike the Grunts, the Team Go Rocket Leaders – Arlo, Cliff, and Sierra – can be quite tough to beat, mainly due to their final Shadow Pokemon used in phase 3.
After analyzing Cliff’s team over the years, along with his final Pokemon’s stats, bulk, moveset, and other factors, here’s how tough to beat he’s been so far, with Dusknoir taking a clear lead:
DEXERTOWhen a new takeover rolls around and a new lineup is introduced, we’ll update this table with details on the current Shadow Boss and its placement.
How to find Cliff
The only way to track down Cliff (or any Team Go Rocker leader) is to beat six Team Go Rocket Grunts and earn all six parts of the Mysterious Component. Once you have the six parts of the device, they’ll combine to assemble a Rocket Radar.
With a Rocket Radar active, when you encounter Team Go Rocket members either at Poke Stops or by clicking on a Team Go Rocket Balloon, you will encounter either Sierra, Cliff, or Arlo.
Keep tapping on these encounters until you see Cliff’s avatar. Then you can battle and defeat Cliff to earn yourself a Shadow Cubone.
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, take down Sierra, and defeat Giovanni.
That’s all you need to know about defeating Cliff in Pokemon Go and the best counters to use alongside its weaknesses in April 2025. For additional help, make sure to check out how to play Pokemon Go, the current Raid bosses, events schedule, and the Max Mondays and Spotlight Hour schedule.